The Proving

Two young ladies who are going through changes in their lives, and the unlikely friendship that sprouts. They both have been fully living in the Englisch (no-Amish) world. Mandy had an Amish upbringing, while Trina had always lived in the "normal" world. Mandy has inherited her mother's Bed and Breakfast Inn with the proviso that she keeps it and runs it for a year, before selling the property. While getting acclimated to her new role as hostess / chef / housekeeper, Mandy must also deal with the revisited pain that led her to leave the Plain People, in the first place. Will she be able to reconnect with her family or will the pain remain a barrier to them? Will Mandy and Trina continue to enjoy their friendships with their respective gentlemen friends, and will more develop?
I know that I am in the presence of a very good writer when I am feeling hurt or anger on behalf of a character, and that happened while I was reading "The Proving." And I enjoyed learning more ab Amish customs & food, wh made my mouth water! I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading more of Beverley Lewis' books!

The Proving by Beverly Lewis takes Amanda Dienner back home to Gordonville, Pennsylvania. Amanda “Mandy” Dienner left home five years ago after discovering her twin sisters, Arie Mae, betrayal. Mandy has been living and working in Scott City, Kansas. One day she receives a certified letter from her older brother, Jerome telling her that her mother, Saloma passed away unexpectedly. Mandy learns that she has been left Butterfly Meadows, the families Amish bed-and-breakfast, to her. Mandy would have expected the B and B to be left to Arie Mae. The inheritance comes with the condition that Mandy run Butterfly Meadows at a profit for twelve consecutive months. Mandy returns home to take over the inn, but she is not prepared for the community’s and guests feelings about her non-Amish status. Will Mandy be able to handle the close proximity to her sister and her husband? Can Mandy find it in her heart to forgive and move on with her life?

The Proving is well-written, engaging, and has a nice easy flow. I liked the main characters and their stories. It was nice to follow their journey and see how they changed/developed. I only summarized Mandy’s portion of the story and her challenges (lack of cooking skills, not being Amish—when guests expect an Amish hostess, resentment). There is Catrina Sutton who signs up for a mystery vacation (hoping for beach destination) and ends up at Butterfly Meadows. Some of themes in The Proving are forgiveness, power of prayer, love, and letting God take the driver’s seat on your life’s journey (He is in control, not you). It is amazing what happens when you pray and believe. My rating for The Proving is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The story is somewhat predictable (romantic outcomes especially), but I enjoyed reading this pleasant Amish book. The Proving is a lovely, heartwarming novel that provides a delightful respite from reality (which we all desperately need at times).