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Paperback, 320 pages
Published April 2nd 2019 by Bethany House Publishers
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With her Amish
parents' twentieth anniversary approaching, eighteen-year-old Sylvia Miller
stumbles across a surprise--the old brass tinderbox her clockmaker father keeps
in his Lancaster County shop has been left unlocked. Against her better
judgment, Sylvia opens the cherished heirloom, not realizing that what she is
about to discover will splinter apart her happy life.
Sylvia's bewilderment grows when her father confronts her about snooping in the box. To her amazement, the respected convert to the Old Order reacts as if he has something to hide.
Burdened by the weight of his deception, Earnest Miller decides he must reveal the details about his past to his beloved wife, Rhoda. The long-kept secret alters everything for the close-knit family, jeopardizing Earnest and Rhoda's relationship, as well as threatening Sylvia's recent engagement to the preacher's grandson.
Can the Millers find a way forward through the turmoil to a place of forgiveness and acceptance?
Sylvia's bewilderment grows when her father confronts her about snooping in the box. To her amazement, the respected convert to the Old Order reacts as if he has something to hide.
Burdened by the weight of his deception, Earnest Miller decides he must reveal the details about his past to his beloved wife, Rhoda. The long-kept secret alters everything for the close-knit family, jeopardizing Earnest and Rhoda's relationship, as well as threatening Sylvia's recent engagement to the preacher's grandson.
Can the Millers find a way forward through the turmoil to a place of forgiveness and acceptance?
Rebecca’s Review
3 STARS
"No one has to know," she whispered.
And yet they did, and they would. When Sylvia Miller unlocked her father's antique tinderbox, a plethora of memorabilia from her beloved father's English past assaulted her senses, only it was what was carefully wrapped in the bottom of the box that would create a firestorm of unpleasant repercussions. Her once tight-knit Old Order Amish family was about to be torn apart. If only she had left well enough alone.
Earnest Miller is grief-stricken when his close neighbor and confidant passes away, but that pain doesn't come close to what his wife is going to feel when the truths that the tinderbox have hidden for two decades come to light. And they must, for someone has opened his box. Will Rhoda ever forgive him? Has his determination to protect his family, eventually going to destroy them?
Quite honestly, this story is not going to endear many readers to the harsher side of the Amish community. It was a struggle to read at times. Is there hope for forgiveness and restoration? Absolutely, but it comes with a price, along with lingering shades of hypocrisy within the Order.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
And yet they did, and they would. When Sylvia Miller unlocked her father's antique tinderbox, a plethora of memorabilia from her beloved father's English past assaulted her senses, only it was what was carefully wrapped in the bottom of the box that would create a firestorm of unpleasant repercussions. Her once tight-knit Old Order Amish family was about to be torn apart. If only she had left well enough alone.
Earnest Miller is grief-stricken when his close neighbor and confidant passes away, but that pain doesn't come close to what his wife is going to feel when the truths that the tinderbox have hidden for two decades come to light. And they must, for someone has opened his box. Will Rhoda ever forgive him? Has his determination to protect his family, eventually going to destroy them?
Quite honestly, this story is not going to endear many readers to the harsher side of the Amish community. It was a struggle to read at times. Is there hope for forgiveness and restoration? Absolutely, but it comes with a price, along with lingering shades of hypocrisy within the Order.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Anne's Review (with minor SPOILER ALERT)
3.5 STARS
The
Tinderbox is an intricately written story encompassing the
lives of several members of an Old Order Amish family in Hickory Hollow. While
this story is not fast-paced, it is steady in its forward progression. I found
a lot of enjoyment in the slower pace and details regarding the Miller’s,
especially the dad, Earnest.
It was an intimate glimpse into a community that
continues to fascinate me and at the same time repel. The characters show great
love for their own until one transgresses, then even after the most beautifully
heartfelt and sincere confession and repentance, still harsh discipline is
meted out; a six week Bann . That broke my heart. I realize this is the Amish
way but it made me appreciate being a Christian and knowing that never do I
have to fear that kind of discipline from my Heavenly Father or church Elders.
My head and heart were heavily invested in this
story and I’m sure that’s why I was affected as deeply as I was. Lewis knows
the culture and it shows. And she has added a rather shocking twist at the end
that I am eager to read about in the conclusion coming out in September 2019, The Timepiece.
I received a paperback copy from the publisher. I
was not required to write a review. No compensation has been received.
Thank y'all for your great reviews. So thankful for mercy and grace!
ReplyDeleteYes!!! God's grace and mercy be forever praised! We are thankful for you, Diana, and your lovely visits. {{hugs}}
DeleteThanks, Anne! So very thankful for your friendship as well. Hugs! <3
DeleteGreat reviews of this book! We have friends who are now Mennonite who came out of the Amish culture, and although I haven't read the book, I'm sure it shares some difficult truths about the shunning and problems within the group. So thankful that we don't live under that kind of heavy burden, for grace and mercy! Blessings to you :)
ReplyDelete