An Amish Heirloom: A Novella From Some Favorite Fiction Writers

*I received a free copy of this book through Zondervan Fiction on Netgalley in exchange for my honest review, All the review opinions below are my own :)

An Amish Heirloom

Four Novellas by authors Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin.

I was so pumped to get a chance to review this book, written by four of my favorite authors. I've read each of their novels before and love how they always interlock these shorter stories into their regular novel storylines. You get to hear about secondary character's lives, the same Amish community and how connected everyone is inside...

A Legacy of Love by Amy Clipston

Description: Local volunteer firefighter Leon King agrees to repair his ex-girlfriend Susie Bontrager’s grandparents’ antique rocking chairs for her future home with her fiance and is forced to acknowledge that his feelings for her have not quite gone away. As Susie spends time with Leon, she begins to recognize she is marrying the wrong man for all the wrong reasons.

My Review: In A Legacy Of Love, we get to see another member of the volunteer firefighter squadron we hear so much about throughout Amy Clipston's books. Recognizing characters from other novels like Jamie King (another volunteer firefighter starring in another novel) is always fun, and I love Leon and Susie's story - one that's relatable for any couple. Once you find that one true love, nobody else can hold a candle to them. 

The Cedar Chest by Beth Wiseman

Description: Decades after inheriting her great grandmother’s cedar chest, Emma Fisher decides to pry it open only to discover a beautiful love story in the form of letters between her great-grandparents. But as Emma immerses herself in their story, family secrets are revealed, and she must decide whether to share them to preserve family history or honor her great-grandparents’ decision to leave them hidden. 

My Review: This was absolutely my favorite story in the book. Getting a glimpse into these old letters the characters read and how it coincides with their own coincidences is such a thrill! Especially since the letters have some pretty shocking truths in them - and a really exciting story! Couldn't put this one down for long, and I'm sure you'll feel the same way!

The Treasured Book by Kathleen Fuller

Description: For the past two years, Shane Broyles has felt God leading him to join the Amish. He’s staying with his friends Noah and Ivy Schlabach in Birch Creek, OH, where he is reunited with Lucy Fisher, an old friend of Noah’s family. Shane and Lucy have never revealed their feelings for each other, but when they stumble upon an antique Bible at a flea market, they feel drawn to each other and to the mystery of the contents found within.

My Review: This story was a romance all the way through! I absolutely love it when Amish fiction authors bring 'Englishers' into the story and especially love it when they join the Amish faith for love. I won't reveal whether this character actually does in the end, but Shane has a big-city life to leave with a lot of success. Moving from New York to Birch Creek is a big step and I love how this story progresses from two old friends to two people realizing they could be more, despite differences. 

The Midwife’s Dream by Kelly Irvin

Description: Iris Beachy serves as a midwife in her district where she longs for a family of her own. When her friend’s brother Mahon Kurtz seeks her help in delivering the baby of two young teenagers who have sought refuge in their town, they begin to see each other in a different light. Unprepared for parenthood, the young couple leaves their baby girl behind in an antique crib quilt resembling the one destined for Iris when she becomes a mother. Mahon and Iris come together to take care of the baby as they try to find her parents, and they begin to see new possibilities for their future.

My Review: Once again we get to peek into the lives of secondary characters, this time in Kelly Irvin's book Upon A Spring Breeze. Main character Aidan ended leaving his fiance Iris for Bess in the novel, and in this story, we get to see Iris's story unfolding. It's really a beautiful love story about two old best friends, patience, and forgiveness. I love Iris's character as she gets through one storm of emotions after another and still stays strong. Also loved the buggy ride in chapter 8 - the conversation will have you laughing at times!

If you'd like to grab up a print or e-book copy of this book, you can find it on Amazon, BN or Indie Bookstore. I just know you'll be glad you did!

The Road Home By Beverly Lewis: A Book Review

*Psst - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review through Bethany House Publishers on Netgalley!

The Road Home

By Beverly Lewis

The story: Sent from Michigan to Pennsylvania following the tragic death of her Amish parents, Lena Rose Schwartz grieves her loss and the separation from her nine siblings. Besides the fact that Lena has never been so far from home, she hasn't met the family she will now be living with. But worse than that is having to live apart from her close-knit brothers and sisters. How will they manage without her to care for them--especially six-year-old Chris? And will her new beau, Hans Bontrager, continue to court her despite the many miles between them?

Yet even as Lena Rose holds on to hope for a reunion with those she loves most, she discovers that Lancaster holds charms of its own. Is she willing to open her heart to new possibilities?

My Review: 

This novel is all about choices, trust, and love - three things I'm certain we all meet on a weekly basis! Beverly Lewis is one of my favorite storytellers - she knows how to pull you right into a scene, a new family, and a new adventure! This book certainly met my expectations for all of those things. Lena Rose is the main character, and she is caught between two worlds - one of family and one of true love. Typically in a book like this, I'd get frustrated with the main character for being too wishy-washy about things - but Lewis has that author magic that just makes you feel for the character, and never get bored of their thoughts and feelings. There are also other things that happen in the book that make Lena's life pause for a time and shift her priorities, which make the storyline all the more interesting. 

Whether or not you've read one of Lewis's books before, I would highly recommend this one. It's a good, clean novel (you can share with your teens!) about not only romantic love but the love of family. A great summer read to add to your list!

Get Your Own Copy Of A Road Home By Beverly Lewis Below! AVailable in paper back or ebook.

The Promise by Susan Lantz Simpson: A Book Review

Psst! I received a free copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley.

Book Synopsis

In the beautiful spring warmth of Southern Maryland’s Amish country, love always finds a way to bloom . . .

 
Like most Amish young women, Phoebe Yoder has dreams—but not of a courtship—at least not yet. She dreams of caring for the tender-hearted alpacas at her Englischer neighbor’s farm and learning the business herself. But that longing falls away the moment her baby sister goes missing. In that horrifying instant, desperate for her sister’s safe return, she whispers a promise to Gott: she will give up her dreams and marry Micah Graber, a man she doesn’t love, but who is determined to make her his wife.
 
Benjamin Miller hasn’t been back in Southern Maryland for long before he meets Phoebe and begins to imagine what a fine life they could build together—beginning with an alpaca farm of their own. But he can see that Phoebe’s brash vow is all she will consider, no matter what her heart wants. As Ben falls for her gentle manner and sweet, sad eyes, he comes to understand his daunting task: to convince Phoebe that together, they can make a new promise that will never be broken . . .

My Thoughts

Seeing as how Susan Lantz Simpson was a new author to me, I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this book. I tend to stick to my favorite authors when it comes to Amish fiction. All too often I’ve read books where the authors clearly don’t research the Amish at all, or just barely, and the result is pretty horrible. Given that, I must say that I was seriously impressed with the writing - and couldn’t put the darn book down!

Simpson obviously knows her stuff and writes a captivating story. There are a few different characters and quite a few details going on in this story, which I love, and she manages to keep all the stories going and straight. I love her descriptions of her characters and how she understands the intricacies of the Amish community.

That being said, I must say that about 70 percent through the book I started to get a little frustrated with the main character, and when you read this book you’ll see why. But hold out until the end, because it’s worth the emotional roller coaster of a ride! I also wish the character of Belinda would have been explained and shown a bit more.

Overall, however, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and definitely plant to pick up Susan Lantz Simpson’s books. She has definitely made it onto my “go-to” list of Amish fiction authors.

Grab A Copy For Yourself Here!