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Amish Country Crossroads #3
Sanctuary
A woman in danger flees for safety. But will the Amish community where she chooses to hide keep her safe?
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
109 people are currently reading
1686 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Lewis
342 books2,974 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
September 28, 2020
Third book in a series... it didn't belong....weird...it was short and just OK
June 19, 2016
This is only the second Amish book I have ever read, and probably (maybe not...can't remember for sure) the first book from Beverly Lewis. And my overall opinion?
I loved it. The story was captivating. Interesting. Heartbreaking. The author delved deep into the emotions of fear, betrayal, and the grace of God.
Some of the characters I truly could visualize. Most of the time, characters are mighty vague in your mind, but Denny was so clear and realistic that I soon found a "good image" of him in my head.
Also, the style and descriptive words were beautifully arranging, flowing you nicely through the story. Summing it all up, this is an amazing read, always prodded me to keep going back for more. I truly think this book WILL NOT leave you disappointed. Completely 5 stars.
And for the record, I think I love the name Mellie.
I loved it. The story was captivating. Interesting. Heartbreaking. The author delved deep into the emotions of fear, betrayal, and the grace of God.
Some of the characters I truly could visualize. Most of the time, characters are mighty vague in your mind, but Denny was so clear and realistic that I soon found a "good image" of him in my head.
Also, the style and descriptive words were beautifully arranging, flowing you nicely through the story. Summing it all up, this is an amazing read, always prodded me to keep going back for more. I truly think this book WILL NOT leave you disappointed. Completely 5 stars.
And for the record, I think I love the name Mellie.
April 6, 2019
I loved this book!! Great story!! Loved this series!! Love this author's books!!
May 24, 2024
This was SO good
March 25, 2019
This third book in the Crossroads series is so vastly different from the first two it is hard to believe it’s part of the series. Very little of it takes place in Amish country. It centers around a young non-Amish woman, her father, and her husband. The authors try to build suspense by waiting through most of the tale before divulging the secret connections, but by then, the impetus is lost. The conclusion is quickly wrapped up and falls flat. A disappointing end to a likewise series.
January 21, 2010
I was not aware that this was a mystery of sorts. It really grabbed my attention in the first chapter, I thought it was very suspenseful, I wasn't expecting that. I enjoyed all the characters, I didn't get annoyed with anyone, well except for the author. Sometimes I think Beverly Lewis draws out her descriptions. I start getting bored when she is trying to "paint a picture" through memories. But that alone is not the reason I rated it 3 stars. There were two reasons I didn't rate it higher. Which makes me weary of reading more Beverly Lewis books, because my two reasons are almost identical to the thing that bugged me about the ending of the Nellie Fisher series.
1 - The whole book you are reading about Mellie and Ryan's love. I craved their reunion. But all I got was 3 lines. Sure she described the setting for a whole page, but I wanted the dialog. I wanted to read the words they spoke to each other. The words that made everything ok. That bugs me. (I think that is one reason I loved Twlight so much, when I craved the dialog to happen between Bella and Edward, it always came. Stephanie Meyers never failed to put the dialog I wanted in the book at some point... but this review is not about Twilight)
2- I wanted to read about Lela and Paul getting together. I guess it was implied that it was headed that way, but it was never confirmed. I want to read their happily ever after! It was kind of just left with no closure.
So those were my two reasons this book was not rated higher than 3 stars. I liked the book, and if Lewis had taken the time to write more in closing, I probably would have REALLY liked it and rated it 4 stars.
1 - The whole book you are reading about Mellie and Ryan's love. I craved their reunion. But all I got was 3 lines. Sure she described the setting for a whole page, but I wanted the dialog. I wanted to read the words they spoke to each other. The words that made everything ok. That bugs me. (I think that is one reason I loved Twlight so much, when I craved the dialog to happen between Bella and Edward, it always came. Stephanie Meyers never failed to put the dialog I wanted in the book at some point... but this review is not about Twilight)
2- I wanted to read about Lela and Paul getting together. I guess it was implied that it was headed that way, but it was never confirmed. I want to read their happily ever after! It was kind of just left with no closure.
So those were my two reasons this book was not rated higher than 3 stars. I liked the book, and if Lewis had taken the time to write more in closing, I probably would have REALLY liked it and rated it 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2017
I am amazed that I actually made it through the book. That's how gag-worthy it became after about a quarter of the way in. Since most of Lewis' work consists of fluff, not gag, I believe that the gag-worthy portions were written by her husband, the co-author of this book. At first I was slightly interested in the book because of the suspenseful nature. However, the suspense/thriller aspect quickly fell prey to the typical tropes of Christian authors' usual attempts to write this kind of literature. The bad guy is stereotypically bad. In this book, one small portion is narrated from his point of view and in it, he mentions that he was thankful that he has no conscience. Really? Also, information comes in fits and spurts. Good suspense holds the information hostage and releases only what is necessary. Sometimes, a good author will not release all of the information which leaves the reader wanting more and sparks her imagination.
When I finish a book like this and am laughing through the ending, I know that I need to donate it as soon as possible. Reading this book felt very much like a waste of time.
When I finish a book like this and am laughing through the ending, I know that I need to donate it as soon as possible. Reading this book felt very much like a waste of time.
April 9, 2017
Of all the Beverly Lewis books that I've read, I think this one was my least favorite. The story, as a whole, was good but I didn't like the way it was written. The thing that bugged me the most was that an explanation for Melissa's being on the run was not given until almost 200(!!) pages into the book. I could see 30 or 40 pages---especially since the mystery started with the very first page---but 200??? It made for a "too quick" conclusion. If an explanation would have been given earlier on then the action would have been more intense throughout since the reader would have some understanding of what from and why Melissa was running.
Still, I did choke back tears at the end and am overall glad that I read it.
Still, I did choke back tears at the end and am overall glad that I read it.
March 10, 2008
I just read this for book club and I didn't love it. Although, it was a quick read. Not something I would pick for myself. It's about a girl who picks up and leaves her husband with just a note. She is being chased and winds up hiding in an Amish community. As the story unravels in the last 1/4 of the book (lame), the mob, big money, and her family are involved.
November 25, 2022
Wow, this book was so good! Definitely my favorite one by this author. It was so intriguing from the very first page, and the plot was full of twists! My only complaint is that the ending seemed super rushed to me, and could have been better. But other than that, this was such a fun read!!
June 18, 2023
Love this book so much! I have read several “Amish” books, but this is the most unique and unexpected to date!
July 26, 2025
The best thing about Christian fiction is that I can't read very far into the story without stopping to pray for someone in my life or doing something for someone else. Amish books are popular within the Christian genre, and I was curious to read one. It's also nice to read a mystery without worrying about stumbling onto a detailed description of a gruesome scene or bad language.
This was a good read. The positives are the mysterious plot with its twists and turns, learning about Plain people and the Preacher Man who shared his faith naturally. Adding C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity was icing on the cake!
The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it still felt over-the-top on characterizing people as all good or all bad. The Plain people were all good. The Russian gangster was all bad. Elizabeth's children always behaved. As Beverly Cleary, the author of the Ramona books, said, "That hasn't always been my experience." Still all in all it was a perfect summer read or book to read when you want to relax.
This was a good read. The positives are the mysterious plot with its twists and turns, learning about Plain people and the Preacher Man who shared his faith naturally. Adding C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity was icing on the cake!
The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it still felt over-the-top on characterizing people as all good or all bad. The Plain people were all good. The Russian gangster was all bad. Elizabeth's children always behaved. As Beverly Cleary, the author of the Ramona books, said, "That hasn't always been my experience." Still all in all it was a perfect summer read or book to read when you want to relax.
July 8, 2013
I've heard a lot about Beverly Lewis but haven't actually read one of her books so when I saw this was available on audio to listen to right away, I decided to give it a try. I know she writes about the Amish community.
It starts with Melissa James getting a phone call that causes her to leave right away. She's distraught that she can't tell her husband, Ryan, anything but that's what she's supposed to do. She's afraid for her life so she heads to Amish country. In the meantime, we also hear from the guy who's chasing her and she's not as safe as she thinks! As the plot unfolds, we find out more about who Melissa really is and who she's running from. And to what extent her husband is involved with what's going on.
I really liked this book! It was suspenseful and the story is revealed in bits and pieces so I had to keep listening to find out what was going to happen next. I was surprised to see the page count on the book because it moved so fast and captured my attention that I thought it had to be only a couple of hundred pages. If you like clean suspense, this is a book you'll want to read!
Mel's Shelves
It starts with Melissa James getting a phone call that causes her to leave right away. She's distraught that she can't tell her husband, Ryan, anything but that's what she's supposed to do. She's afraid for her life so she heads to Amish country. In the meantime, we also hear from the guy who's chasing her and she's not as safe as she thinks! As the plot unfolds, we find out more about who Melissa really is and who she's running from. And to what extent her husband is involved with what's going on.
I really liked this book! It was suspenseful and the story is revealed in bits and pieces so I had to keep listening to find out what was going to happen next. I was surprised to see the page count on the book because it moved so fast and captured my attention that I thought it had to be only a couple of hundred pages. If you like clean suspense, this is a book you'll want to read!
Mel's Shelves
May 20, 2017
This is the one book of Lewis' that I REALLY didn't like. I don't know if it's a coincidence that it's the only one I've read that she co-wrote with her husband or not.
As I remember it, the things that bothered me most were:
- a statement that Russians are more susceptible to corruption than people in other cultures (like, say, AMERICANS). Seems a little xenophobic to me.
- the idea that Amish life looks like A Jane Austen novel. WHAT? Have they read Austen? I don't remember a lot of plain folks who work hard for a living and shun all things modern in Austen's works, do you?
- I also didn't agree with some of the religious views expressed in this novel, namely the ideas regarding original sin. Of course, Lewis is altogether entitled to put forth any religious notions she wants to in her novels, and they ARE Christian fiction, but I guess it doesn't fit with my view of Christianity. Again, Lewis and I don't have to believe the same things, but in this novel it seems more like she's stating her beliefs as stone-cold facts.
- and, last but certainly not least, I found the whole story completely implausible. But maybe that's just me!
As I remember it, the things that bothered me most were:
- a statement that Russians are more susceptible to corruption than people in other cultures (like, say, AMERICANS). Seems a little xenophobic to me.
- the idea that Amish life looks like A Jane Austen novel. WHAT? Have they read Austen? I don't remember a lot of plain folks who work hard for a living and shun all things modern in Austen's works, do you?
- I also didn't agree with some of the religious views expressed in this novel, namely the ideas regarding original sin. Of course, Lewis is altogether entitled to put forth any religious notions she wants to in her novels, and they ARE Christian fiction, but I guess it doesn't fit with my view of Christianity. Again, Lewis and I don't have to believe the same things, but in this novel it seems more like she's stating her beliefs as stone-cold facts.
- and, last but certainly not least, I found the whole story completely implausible. But maybe that's just me!
April 4, 2015
Originally published in 2001, this is vintage Lewis. And hard to categorize. It's a little bit Amish, a little bit suspense, a little bit romance and a whole lot of page-turner. Honestly, I was completely whisked away by the story. A sense of frantic edginess pulsates from the very first page and I was hooked. Why is Melissa fleeing her ideal existence, not to mention the love of her life? The authors leave a clever trail of breadcrumb clues -- delectable hints that helped me slowly put the pieces together. So there's definitely that sense of suspense and danger throughout the entire book.
But Sanctuary is also a journey of faith. Melissa manages to find breathing space in Amish country (at least she thinks she has) and her friendship with some Plain sisters as she rents a room from a Mennonite woman is the catalyst for a change in her spiritual outlook.
Told from multiple viewpoints, Sanctuary hurdles its way through a breath-taking conclusion. Honestly, I didn't know how it would work out until the very end. Such a treasure of a read.
But Sanctuary is also a journey of faith. Melissa manages to find breathing space in Amish country (at least she thinks she has) and her friendship with some Plain sisters as she rents a room from a Mennonite woman is the catalyst for a change in her spiritual outlook.
Told from multiple viewpoints, Sanctuary hurdles its way through a breath-taking conclusion. Honestly, I didn't know how it would work out until the very end. Such a treasure of a read.
April 10, 2009
A captivating story of betrayal, friendship, and choices faced when trust is shattered.
From dust jacket:
"For fear-ridden Melissa James, the roadside billboard offers the first shred of hope. Desperate for a place "where time stands still", Melissa finds safe haven amid rolling hills of idyllic Amish countryside and quaint clapboard farmhouses. It is there that she forms an unlikely alliance with a young Plain woman whose unwavering faith provides Melissa a glimpse of peace she has never known. But even there, she cannot hide.
Ryan James had it all-a beautiful wife, a lucrative investment firm, a bright future. Then his beloved Melissa disappears, leaving him both baffled and frantic. Until that day, Ryan had embraced society's blase view of good and evil. Now, as he unravles the mystery that haunts his wife, he is faced with a depravity he cannot explain away, one that may cost him everything."
From dust jacket:
"For fear-ridden Melissa James, the roadside billboard offers the first shred of hope. Desperate for a place "where time stands still", Melissa finds safe haven amid rolling hills of idyllic Amish countryside and quaint clapboard farmhouses. It is there that she forms an unlikely alliance with a young Plain woman whose unwavering faith provides Melissa a glimpse of peace she has never known. But even there, she cannot hide.
Ryan James had it all-a beautiful wife, a lucrative investment firm, a bright future. Then his beloved Melissa disappears, leaving him both baffled and frantic. Until that day, Ryan had embraced society's blase view of good and evil. Now, as he unravles the mystery that haunts his wife, he is faced with a depravity he cannot explain away, one that may cost him everything."
June 25, 2010
This was not my favorite of Mrs. Lewis' work. I know that she's a Christian author, and I know that her work is considered Christian fiction. However, where her other novels offer a more subtle approach, I had a very tough time reading this one. I am receptive to Christian work, but Denny bothered me. A lot. It seemed that he focused all of the trouble on the fact that neither one of the main characters had accepted Christ into their lives. (But Mellie is "receptive" so she's ok.) I don't know...I didn't like this one as much.
In terms of other aspects, the plot line was cliche in terms of typical FBI-plot. I didn't find any character to be fully developed, and I did not connect to any character.
This one just fell flat.
In terms of other aspects, the plot line was cliche in terms of typical FBI-plot. I didn't find any character to be fully developed, and I did not connect to any character.
This one just fell flat.
March 11, 2019
I choose to reread The Sanctuary, since I’m planning on seeing the musical The Simple Sanctuary based on this book at the Blue Gate Theatre in Shipshewana this summer. There’s a mystery in this story that goes back to Melissa’s childhood, which isn’t shared with the readers till well into the story. There’s plenty of action with lives being threatened and a faith message for the heroine and hero.
I borrowed this book from our library, thus a review was not required. I've shared my own opinion in this review.
I borrowed this book from our library, thus a review was not required. I've shared my own opinion in this review.
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September 25, 2016#448
Read by Mandy
http://readingwithkaren.blogspot.com/...
Read by Mandy
http://readingwithkaren.blogspot.com/...
March 29, 2017
Beverly Lewis was the first author that I read about Amish life. Her books are excellent.
May 25, 2017
Hokey, didn't finish.
July 7, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful book. It took me by surprise. I liked all of the characters and enjoyed the intrigue.
June 6, 2018
The most perplexing thing I found about this book was how does it fit into the Crossroads series? The only similarity between The Postcard and The Crossroad was part of the story taking place among Amish people in Lancaster County. The authors could have at least brought back characters from the previous books! Anyway, Melissa and Ryan James are a happily married couple living in a picturesque beach home in New England. One day, Melissa disappears after seeing a man she knew at a restaurant. We learn about her background and why she fled. Her deceased father was working for a Russian mob man, Ivanov, and he failed an operation, and was killed. Ivanov thinks Melissa knows where her father hid eighty million dollars, so he is after her. Melissa thought she would never be found, taking on a new identity, moving, and getting married.
Ryan is shocked that Melissa has disappeared. His friend Denny comes to visit and tries to help out, figuring out Melissa’s birth certificate is fake but not knowing why she would run away. Denny tries to give comfort to Ryan, telling him about God but Ryan is not interested. Not until he reads a book Ryan left him and after a wild chain of events does Ryan find God in his life.
Melissa has wound up in Amish country in Lancaster County. This story is similar to the movie Witness, since she is hiding from a criminal who killed her father. She rents a room from a single Amish woman, Lela Denlinger, and they become good friends. They soon confide in one another, Melissa telling Lela her story and why she’s hiding. Lela tells Melissa about her single life, and Paul Martin, who was once her love but since married and is now a widower.
Ivanov does come after Melissa in Lancaster, knowing exactly where she is because of a tracer in her car. But when he tries to get near the home where Melissa is during the night, there are Amishmen working in the yard and he is overcome with fear. Okay....
In a quick set of events, Melissa finds out that Ryan was working for Ivanov all along. Which he was, in his financial workplace. But Ryan doesn’t realize the extent of the money crimes he is committing until his boss and Ivanov meet with him and fill him in on Melissa. Even though Ivanov claims to have people working all over for him, including the FBI, somehow Ryan is led by a “good guy” agent to the arrest of Ivanov. This doesn’t come without a price, though. Ivanov thinks Melissa and Ryan are transferring the eighty million dollars (that Melissa realized where it was) to his accounts. Melissa thinks Ryan tricked her and could never forgive him, but when the FBI tell her the real story of how everything happened, and the fact that Lela helped her become a Christian so she could pray about things, she forgives Ryan. They will make a new life for themselves, hopefully with no more secrets.
Ryan is shocked that Melissa has disappeared. His friend Denny comes to visit and tries to help out, figuring out Melissa’s birth certificate is fake but not knowing why she would run away. Denny tries to give comfort to Ryan, telling him about God but Ryan is not interested. Not until he reads a book Ryan left him and after a wild chain of events does Ryan find God in his life.
Melissa has wound up in Amish country in Lancaster County. This story is similar to the movie Witness, since she is hiding from a criminal who killed her father. She rents a room from a single Amish woman, Lela Denlinger, and they become good friends. They soon confide in one another, Melissa telling Lela her story and why she’s hiding. Lela tells Melissa about her single life, and Paul Martin, who was once her love but since married and is now a widower.
Ivanov does come after Melissa in Lancaster, knowing exactly where she is because of a tracer in her car. But when he tries to get near the home where Melissa is during the night, there are Amishmen working in the yard and he is overcome with fear. Okay....
In a quick set of events, Melissa finds out that Ryan was working for Ivanov all along. Which he was, in his financial workplace. But Ryan doesn’t realize the extent of the money crimes he is committing until his boss and Ivanov meet with him and fill him in on Melissa. Even though Ivanov claims to have people working all over for him, including the FBI, somehow Ryan is led by a “good guy” agent to the arrest of Ivanov. This doesn’t come without a price, though. Ivanov thinks Melissa and Ryan are transferring the eighty million dollars (that Melissa realized where it was) to his accounts. Melissa thinks Ryan tricked her and could never forgive him, but when the FBI tell her the real story of how everything happened, and the fact that Lela helped her become a Christian so she could pray about things, she forgives Ryan. They will make a new life for themselves, hopefully with no more secrets.
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August 10, 2020LOL
I shall not be rating this book since it's not a book I would usually read. Someone lent me this book, which the only reason I really read it (how do you say no to someone lending you a book? Seems difficult to a gal like me). This book surprised me overall, though. I went into it only knowing it was an "Amish" book, but honestly, it just had a side Amish component to it. The main characters were not religious or Amish (which of course, the purpose of the book is to change that about the characters, but still). The ending was actually sorta good; I wasn't expecting the mystery/thriller sort of component to it. I also enjoyed the character of Lela overall. She was really sweet, forgiving, and loyal. Even though I'm not super religious, I appreciated the depiction of these religious individuals. There were some random plot points in the book that didn't really wrap up in any significant format, but if you're into religious/Amish fiction, this seems like a good book to read!
I shall not be rating this book since it's not a book I would usually read. Someone lent me this book, which the only reason I really read it (how do you say no to someone lending you a book? Seems difficult to a gal like me). This book surprised me overall, though. I went into it only knowing it was an "Amish" book, but honestly, it just had a side Amish component to it. The main characters were not religious or Amish (which of course, the purpose of the book is to change that about the characters, but still). The ending was actually sorta good; I wasn't expecting the mystery/thriller sort of component to it. I also enjoyed the character of Lela overall. She was really sweet, forgiving, and loyal. Even though I'm not super religious, I appreciated the depiction of these religious individuals. There were some random plot points in the book that didn't really wrap up in any significant format, but if you're into religious/Amish fiction, this seems like a good book to read!
January 6, 2020
As with her other books, Sanctuary is a nice honest read without all the entanglements of swear words, violence, or sexual situations. This one is a story about a woman who changed her name and place of living to escape the Russian mob who was stalking her to find out where her murdered Dad has hidden $80 million in their shady funds. She ends up inadvertently in a Mennonite woman's house -- who prayerfully had just put out a hand written sign with a room for rent.
There is a nice twist at the end, which I mostly anticipated earlier on. As with all of her books, there is a happy ending.
There is a nice twist at the end, which I mostly anticipated earlier on. As with all of her books, there is a happy ending.
March 6, 2020
It's been a long time since I ride a Beverly Lewis book and I don't think I've ever read one where she wrote or co-wrote it with her husband so I was very curious as to what this was going to be like. Again part of the appeal of her books has always been growing up close to Lancaster and knowing the Amish so this one didn't disappoint me either that a good majority of the story took place with Amish in Lancaster County! I found it very intriguing I could not figure out the plot or how it was going to end so I would have to say I was very delighted with the book!
May 8, 2020
I’ve enjoyed all the books that I’ve read by these authors and this one is not an exception. I was very much looking forward to reading Sanctuary and was not disappointed. This is a very intriguing story. The characters are interesting and true to themselves. The secondary characters add depth and complexity to the storyline, which I really appreciate. The Christian aspect and themes give this novel everything I appreciate in a good fiction book. Sanctuary can easily be read as a standalone book.
February 18, 2018
Melissa "Mellie" and Ryan didn't know each other long before
they got married. They didn't really know much about each other
either. What Mellie had said about her parents turned out to be lies.
Ryan thought all was going well when he came home with roses for
her; she was gone and had left a short note not saying why she left
or where she was going; only said that she loved him.
This is the story of their love, revenge, and danger.
they got married. They didn't really know much about each other
either. What Mellie had said about her parents turned out to be lies.
Ryan thought all was going well when he came home with roses for
her; she was gone and had left a short note not saying why she left
or where she was going; only said that she loved him.
This is the story of their love, revenge, and danger.
August 3, 2019
Melissa had quite the past she was running away from. Things didn't look good when Ivanvo got to Ryan and ordered him to transfer the money to an off-shore account. Should have guessed that Ryan had gone to the FBI and worked a sting operation to catch the bad guys. Can Melissa forgive him for not telling her the truth? Both found God and forgiveness and together they ride off into the sunset, happy in each other's arms. I guess Ivanvo will not be able to buy himself out of jail this time.
March 19, 2018
Full of mystery
This book is filled with mystery, deceit and of course God never ending love. Melissa aka Mellie thought she was safe but all that would change one afternoon when she spotted a man watching her. Lela lived alone and was praying for God's guidance. When these two meet things change for them both
This book is filled with mystery, deceit and of course God never ending love. Melissa aka Mellie thought she was safe but all that would change one afternoon when she spotted a man watching her. Lela lived alone and was praying for God's guidance. When these two meet things change for them both
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews