The Heirloom

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This heartwarming prequel to The Shunning is a tender story of love, belonging, and the courage to move forward.

After her widowed father remarries, nineteen-year-old Clara Bender is no longer needed to help run his household. Marriage seems like her best hope of moving out, but there are few young men in her tiny Indiana Amish community. When she comes across letters from her mother's aunt Ella Mae Zook, she sets off to visit Lancaster County's Hickory Hollow to decide where her future lies.

Ella Mae is not quite ready to move from the farmhouse where she and her recently deceased husband spent over fifty happy years, but her children are eager to resettle her, making Clara's visit seem like an answer to prayer. The two women form a warm bond while restoring an heirloom wedding quilt and sharing their lives, with Ella Mae confiding about a tragedy from her courting years. Eventually, Ella Mae suggests Clara stay for the summer, allowing Ella Mae more time with her and giving Clara an opportunity to meet the area's eligible young men. But when the unexpected happens, will Clara find where her heart truly belongs?

The Author

  1. Beverly Lewis
    Photo courtesy of Aimee Christenson

    Beverly Lewis

    Beverly Lewis (beverlylewis.com), born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 19 million books in print. Her stories have been published in 12 languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York...

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Reviews

"Lewis shines in this tender, homespun Amish romance, the prequel to The Shunning. . . . Fans of clean Amish romance will have their heartstrings tugged by this inspiring tale, which speaks to the power of new beginnings and love's ability to bridge seemingly uncrossable divides. It's a delight."

Publishers Weekly

"This stand-alone prequel to best-selling Lewis' The Shunning (2002) and its Hallmark movie adaptation is a must-have for all who enjoy reading about the plain life in Amish communities and fans of inspirational fiction. . . . Fans of inspirational fiction will be moved by Lewis' tale of a young woman who yearns for friendship and love while remaining true to her faith."

Booklist

"There's Amish fiction, and then there's Beverly Lewis. In The Heirloom, Lewis again proves that she sets the standard high in this genre as she brilliantly combines young and old, past and present, into one unforgettable story."

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