Thursday, May 25, 2017

The Ebb Tide by Beverly Lewis

The Ebb Tide 

Paperback, hardcover, audio, ebook

April 4, 2017

by Beverly Lewis

  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
  • ISBN-13: 978-0764212505


Oh, to see the ocean, Sallie thought. And to spend the summer as a nanny. She shook her head in amazement. This seemed too good to be true, but she really must talk it over with Dat and Mamm, especially since she'd be gone so long. 

And after I promised Mamm I'd take baptism classes this summer . . .

The Ebb Tide

Sallie Riehl has dreamed of traveling at least once before settling down to join church, so she is thrilled at an unexpected summer opportunity to nanny in Cape May for a well-to-do family. However, saying even a temporary good-bye to Paradise Township means forgoing baptism another year, as well as leaving behind a would-be beau. Yet the weeks in Cape May soon prove unforgettable as Sallie meets a Mennonite young man whose friendship she quickly begins to cherish. Has she been too hasty with her promises, or will she only find what her heart is longing for back home?

"Bestseller Lewis continues her streak of affecting, enjoyable Amish tales with this story of a young woman in present-day Lancaster County, Penn., who's eager to see the world. . . . Fans of Lewis's work or Amish fiction in general will relish this heartwarming story of self-discovery, friendship, and the search for God's will."--Publishers Weekly starred review

"Lewis' latest contains relatable inner conflicts, such as searching for direction and God's plan, which will likely resonate with readers. There are some twists on the typical Amish tale, especially since much of this novel takes place outside the Amish community. Tender scenes combine with strong character development, and solid spiritual wisdom is woven throughout."--RT Book Reviews



My thoughts: THE EBB TIDE is set in Cape May, NJ and without even finishing it, I was recommending it to all the Coast Guard Moms out there whose sons or daughters are or were stationed in Cape May for boot camp and/or for a time during their Coast Guard service. I honestly had no idea that there was so much to see and do in Cape May when my son graduated boot camp. Reading THE EBB TIDE  is like reading a fictional tour guide. I wished I'd had read it beforehand! 

Ms. Lewis probably broke every rule in the fiction writing guidebook. Show, don't tell. Use deep point of view. Resist the urge to explain. Etc. But being Beverly Lewis, of course, she can get away with it. The story itself is sweet romantic coming of age story. The romance itself is not center stage but couldn't be eliminated completely without ruining story, though at times it felt like it was tacked on, as in editor's notes -- you need some mention of a beau here... and so it was slapped in there, not really flawlessly. I am not implying that is what really happened. It just feels that way at times. 

I did love Kevin. He was so sweet. And Autumn. What a dear little girl.  But I mainly loved the story because of the Cape May connection. That was awesome. My son is in the United States Coast Guard and for eight very long weeks he was in Cape May. Ms. Lewis, if there is a huge, unprecedented increase in sales on this book, it is thanks in large part to the very well connected Coast Guard Moms.   "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own." 

1 comment:

Mary Jackson said...

I loved your review.

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