"Child of Mine" by David & Beverly Lewis

Child of Mine (June 3, 2014) by David & Beverly Lewis.*

It’s logical to say that a parent’s worst nightmare is to lose a child. For Kelly Maines, her four-month-old daughter was kidnapped by her own estranged husband. Sold on the black market just so he could get drug money. And subsequently overdosed. That was over eight years ago, and Kelly has spent all the years since looking tirelessly for her lost daughter. She’s got her own PI in Ernie Meyers, a former policeman, and financial backing in Chet & Eloise Stilson, who are like second parents. Ernie’s investigating leads him to Natalie “Nattie” Livingston.

            Nattie is a spunky, witty, vivacious eight-year-old. She’s been raised the past four years by her Uncle Jack after the death of his brother and sister-in-law in a car crash. Nattie has always known that she’s adopted and has recently become fixated on wanting a mother in her life again. She even goes so far as to play matchmaker to her unfashionable uncle-turned-dad. Jack is a flight instructor considering the dating game. For years, the main girl in his life has been Nattie, though their dear Amish nanny/housekeeper, Laura Mast, has been a staple presence in their lives (and harbors her own hurts and secrets). Can Jack find someone that both he and Nattie love and that even his fashionable but outspoken sister, San, approves of as well?

            Lewis & Lewis have created another novel of hope, loss, redemption, struggle and tentative love. Sure, there’s a happy ending, but the characters, young and older, aren’t without their strife. The characters are all connected, yet have their own issues to sort through.

            With regard to the cover: a potential reader might think the story focuses on a young girl and her Amish nanny. Certainly there’s plenty of interaction between the two and an obvious rapport, but I found I wasn’t surprised that it didn’t take place in Lancaster County. Why? Because this novel isn’t just by Beverly Lewis; it’s a collaboration with her husband.

            I appreciated reading of Nattie’s desire to, not just have a mommy, but to know her birthmother. Even when you’ve known all your life that you’re adopted and have grown up in a loving, caring family, it’s still normal to go through a phase where you wonder about birthparents. I know I went through that phase in my youth, so Nattie struck a chord with me. Not one of longing or regret. Simply, ‘I understand.’ And while we don’t always get those answers to the specific questions we ask, we can always trust that He hears us and will answer in His own time through His own mysterious ways.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”