PIQUA — Award-winning, bestselling author Beverly Lewis will make an appearance and sign books at the Piqua Public Library, 116 W. High St., Piqua, at 7 p.m., April 1.
The visit is one of 22 stops through the state of Ohio in promotion of “The Atonement,” a stand-alone novel set in Lancaster County. With nearly 20 million copies of her books in print, Lewis will greet fans during the 10-day tour and sign “The Atonement,” along with other reader favorites
As one of the top-selling authors in the inspirational market, Lewis is not only the leading author of Amish fiction, but also its pioneer: She created the genre with the release of her first adult novel, “The Shunning,” in 1997. Recent surges in both reader interest and publisher output of Amish fiction have gained national attention, garnering coverage by Time magazine, the BBC World News service, the Wall Street Journal and Nightline, among others.
“The Atonement” goes on sale March 29. The plot concerns Lucy Flaud, haunted by the mistakes of hte past and now 25 and beyond Amish courting age. Instead, Lucy focuses on volunteering in both the Plain and fancy communities of Lancaster County. Yet no matter how hard she strives, she never feels she’s doing enough. Then her father strikes up an unexpected friendship with an Englischer in search of a simpler way of life. Lucy forms a connection of her own with the thoughtful young man, even as she rejects courtship with her longtime Amish friend.
Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 80 books. Her stories have been published in 11 languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother’s Plain heritage inspired Beverly to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with “The Shunning,” which has sold more than 1 million copies and was recently made into an Original Hallmark Channel movie. In 2007, “The Brethren” was honored with a Christy Award. She has been interviewed by both national and international media, including Time magazine, the Associated Press and the BBC.
Books can be ordered from Readmore’s Hallmark, 430 N. Main St., Piqua and by phone at 937-615-0820. For information about Lewis’s appearance, call 937-773-6753.
