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An Amish Home: Four Stories
An Amish Home: Four Stories
An Amish Home: Four Stories
Audiobook11 hours

An Amish Home: Four Stories

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

From bestselling authors Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Ruth Reid comes An Amish Home, a beautiful collection of four novellas that spread the warmth of an Amish living with every word.

A Cup Half Full by Beth Wiseman

Sarah Lantz always dreamed of the perfect home, the perfect husband, the perfect family. When she married Abram, she knew she was on her way to securing her perfect life. But all of that changes in one moment when an accident leaves her unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair, dashing all of her dreams. As Abram starts to transform their home, Sarah begins a transformation in her spirit, and she begins, once again, to see her cup as half full.

Home Sweet Home by Amy Clipston

Down on their luck and desperate after they are evicted from their small apartment, Chace and Mia O’Conner reluctantly take Chace’s Amish boss up on his offer to rent them the daadi haus located on his property. They are certain they will never feel at home in the rustic cabin without any modern conveniences, and they start to blame each other for their seemingly hopeless situation. But with the help of their new Amish friends, Chace and Mia begin to enjoy their cozy cabin and realize that home really is where the heart is.

A Flicker of Hope by Ruth Reid

Fifteen years ago, Thomas and Noreen King were blissful newlyweds. Young, naive, and in love, life was rosy . . . for a while. Then trials and tribulations rocked their foundation, shattering them emotionally, and soon, their marriage was in shards. All hope for restoring their previously unshakable union seems lost. When fire destroys their home, Thomas and Noreen are left to sift through the rubble. As uncovered items from the remains of the house shake loose memories of the past, Thomas and Noreen begin to draw closer and a flicker of hope—and love—is reignited.

Building Faith by Kathleen Fuller

Faith Miller knows that carpentry is an unlikely hobby for a young Amish woman, but she loves the work and it keeps the memory of her grandfather alive. So when her cousin asks Faith to build the cabinets in her new home, Faith is only too happy to take on the job, even if it is the most ambitious project she has ever taken on. The only catch is that she has to work with her ex-fiance, Silas. As they work to build Martha’s kitchen, can they put the past behind them and start to build faith in one another again?

LanguageEnglish
PublisherThomas Nelson
Release dateMar 12, 2019
ISBN9780310360087
An Amish Home: Four Stories
Author

Beth Wiseman

Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman has sold over two million books. She is the recipient of the coveted Holt Medallion, is a two-time Carol Award winner, and has won the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award three times. Her books have been on various bestseller lists, including CBA, ECPA, Christianbook, and Publishers Weekly. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in south-central Texas. Visit her online at BethWiseman.com; Facebook: @AuthorBethWiseman; Twitter: @BethWiseman; Instagram: @bethwisemanauthor

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Rating: 4.5625 out of 5 stars
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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Though written by some of the leading authors of Amish fiction, this I found this group of novellas lacking in depth. Some of the stories had little in the way of a detailed plot, and you could easily predict the end at the beginning. Because of the shorter length, there sometimes wasn’t much in the way of character development. The stories themselves weren’t terribly interesting. There was nothing really wrong with them, they just weren’t very engrossing.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A Cup Half Full by Beth WisemanSarah Lantz always dreamed of the perfect home, the perfect husband, the perfect family. When she married Abram, she knew she was on her way to securing her perfect life. All of that changes in one moment when an accident leaves her unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair, dashing all of her dreams. As Abram starts to transform their home, Sarah begins a transformation in her spirit, and she begins, once again, to see her cup as half full.Newlyweds Sarah and Abram's lives forever changed when a buggy accident left Sarah confined to a wheelchair. While she recovered in the hospital, Abram started transforming their home. He wants nothing more than to show his love for her by making life easier for her, but it comes at a higher price than he expected. He struggles to find a way out of debt without burdening Sarah with his troubles. Meanwhile, Sarah is bitter about the loss of her perfect dreams, and fearful of what the future might bring.I ached for both Abram and Sarah as they struggled alone with their issues, neither wanting to burden the other. Sarah was filled with self-pity at the beginning, but gained inspiration from an unlikely source. I liked seeing her begin to embrace her new normal, though there were still challenges to overcome. Her conversation with her mother was an eye-opener for her, coupled with an amusing revelation. I also liked her conversation with Abram's coworker, Brenda, and the unexpected partnership that came from it.Abram quickly discovered that he was in over his head when the bills came due for his work on the house. I shook my head at his naivete when he got involved with the quick loan guy and knew there would be trouble there. I liked his friendship with his coworker, and the support she gave him. I understood his reluctance to share his problems with Sarah, since she was fighting her own battles. I liked his conversation with his father-in-law and the surprising resolution that came from it.The biggest thing that both Sarah and Abram discovered was that their problems were easier to deal with when they were shared with each other.Home Sweet Home by Amy ClipstonDown on their luck and desperate after they are evicted from their small apartment, Chace and Mia O'Connor reluctantly take Chace's Amish boss up on his offer to rent them the daadi haus located on his property. They are certain they will never feel at home in the rustic cabin without any modern conveniences, and they start to blame each other for their seemingly hopeless situation. But with the help of their new Amish friends, Chace and Mia begin to enjoy their cozy cabin and realize that home really is where the heart is.Chace and Mia are a young couple who have fallen on hard times. When they are evicted from their apartment Chace's Amish boss offers them the small house on his property. Though grateful for the roof over their heads, both are overwhelmed by how different their lives are from what they had planned. Though they came from very different backgrounds, Chace and Mia's love for each other and their baby daughter was strong. I ached for them both as the stress of their situation aggravated their fears of inadequacy. Chace was never accepted by Mia's wealthy and snobby parents, and he feels guilty about not providing for them the way he feels he should. Mia is terrified of being a bad mother, thanks to the cruel things her mother said to her. Though the stress frequently caused them to lash out at each other, they never doubted their love for one another.I enjoyed seeing how Isaac and his family gave the couple the support they needed. Unfamiliar with Amish ways, Mia was stunned by everything that was offered. I liked seeing the friendship that grew between Mia and Vera, and how that friendship helped Mia gain a little confidence in herself. I hurt for Chace when one thing after another seemed to go wrong, stretching him to the breaking point. I loved how Isaac provided the kind of guidance that Chace had never experienced before.When baby Kaitlyn got sick, it brought many of their fears bubbling to the surface. Erupting tempers did nothing to calm those fears. I liked seeing both of them finally face those fears, and with a little help find their way back together.A Flicker of Hope by Ruth ReidFifteen years ago, Thomas and Noreen King were blissful newlyweds. Young, naive, and in love, life was rosy . . . for a while. Then trials and tribulations rocked their foundation, shattering them emotionally, and soon, their marriage was in shards. All hope for restoring their previously unshakable union seems lost. When fire destroys their home, Thomas and Noreen are left to sift through the rubble. As uncovered items from the remains of the house shake loose memories of the past, Thomas and Noreen begin to draw closer and a flicker of hope - and love - is re-ignited.This is a story told in flashbacks, back and forth from the present day to fifteen years earlier. Thomas and Noreen have been married for fifteen years. The book opens in the present as their house burns down and they lose everything. The reader immediately gets the sense that things are not well with their marriage, and the fire adds to the strain that is already there.In the flashbacks, we see their courtship and early marriage. Thomas irritated me during these parts. He professes his love for Noreen, but it seems like he is more interested in what he wants. Noreen's father is not in favor of their courtship or of Thomas wanting to marry her. Instead of biding by her father's wishes for them to wait, Thomas continues to push. A tragedy ends up forcing her father's consent, but he makes Thomas promise to always put her needs ahead of his own. The early days of their marriage are blissfully happy until a devastating loss drives a wedge between them. For the next fifteen years their relationship slowly disintegrates, leaving both lonely and bitter.It seems as if the fire may be the final straw that drives them apart. Both Thomas and Noreen blame themselves, and the guilt causes them to withdraw rather than lean on each other for support. I liked the way that their community banded together to help, but even that added a bit of stress to the couple's life, as it became more difficult to hide their problems. As they combed through the rubble of their home, now and then something would remind them of the love they shared at the beginning. Just as things seem to be looking up, another devastating loss adds insult to injury. Fortunately, Thomas also receives a kick in the seat that reminds him of what is most important. I loved the ending with its two surprises for a new beginning.Building Faith by Kathleen FullerFaith Miller knows that carpentry is an unlikely hobby for a young Amish woman, but she loves the work and it keeps the memory of her grandfather alive. So when her cousin asks Faith to build the cabinets in her new home, Faith is only too happy to take on the job, even if it is the most ambitious project she has ever taken on. The only catch is that she has to work with her ex-fiancé, Silas. As they work to build Martha's kitchen, can they put the past behind them and start to build faith in one another again?Faith misses her grandfather deeply. She feels closest to him when she works with the wood they both loved. Since his passing, Faith spends all of her free time in the shop, shutting out everyone else. When her cousin and best friend, Martha, asks Faith to build the cabinets in her new kitchen she is happy to take on the challenge. That is, until she discovers that she has to share the job with her ex-fiancé, Silas.Silas works as a carpenter with his father. He hasn't always been the most reliable of workers, but he's had to make the effort lately. His father is busy taking care of Silas's sick mother, leaving Silas to run the business. With mounting bills to pay, Silas can't afford to turn down any work. When his friend, Melvin, hired him to build the cabinets in his new home, Seth felt a great deal of relief. He was determined to do a good job, and was dismayed to find out he would have to work alongside Faith.This was a good opposites attract story. Faith and Silas courted and became engaged, in spite of their differences. Silas was a bit of a dreamer, with creative ideas but lacking in the ability to follow through. Time meant nothing to him and he was always late. Faith is ultra-organized, preferring to plan and schedule everything to the minute. Silas's attitude frustrated her, but when he didn't show up for her grandfather's funeral, she'd had enough and ended their engagement without explanation. Living in the same district, they can't avoid seeing each other, though they do their best.Neither was happy to discover that they'd each been hired to build the cabinets, but they tried to put aside their differences for the sake of their friends. There were some intense clashes between Faith and Silas. Faith can't forget the issues that drove them apart, and Silas is frustrated by Faith's controlling ways. A big blowup between them opens Faith's eyes to some uncomfortable truths. I liked the scene the next day as they finally talked to each other instead of their usual sniping. I loved how they worked things out. The conclusion was sweet and satisfying.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    An uplifting and emotional collection of novellas from authors we can count on to offer great Amish fiction that not only entertains, but provides thoughtful situations that are make readers think about their own faith and actions. All of these stories focus on characters in difficult and painful situations, with serious obstacles that keep them from trusting themselves and others, and sometimes, God, but find their way back in unexpected ways.

    Ruth Reid was the only author involved in this collection whose work I hadn't read before this, and I was moved by her story of a married couple torn apart by tragedy and guilt from the beginning of their union. How could they possibly reconcile, especially after further difficulties create problems, I wondered as I kept reading, hoping that the author wouldn't create some easy path for them to miraculously overcome the past. She didn't, but what she gave them, as all these authors did for their characters, was hope. Hope doesn't fix what is wrong, but it gives strength to work towards finding a solution, patience during the journey, and the promise that neither party will be on the path alone.

    Thanks to these fine authors for another great Amish novella collection - looking forward to more in the future!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5

    Each author offers a story filled with heartache, love, faith, and devotion. The writing flows nicely and the novellas quickly draw you in. The characters are fleshed out well, it's difficult to put the book down because you want to know what happens next. Each novella could easily be made into a full book...aspiring readers want to know. :)

    The novellas are appropriate for young adults and adults alike.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    As an Amish fiction lover, I couldn't wait to read this anthology! These 4 authors are absolutely amazing and I have been a fan of their work for many years. These four stories are beautifully written and so full of wonderful characters and messages. Each page turn brought more inspiration and by the end of the book, I was sitting there reflecting, thinking about my own life and the simple things we tend to take for granted. I loved all four stories, but Beth Wiseman's story, A Cup Half Full, really stuck with me. Sarah's disability and her doubts and fears and having trouble accepting God's will really is something I've dealt with. Beth Wiseman's attention to Amish simplicity during trying times and weaving God's understanding grace into the story really was a wonderful experience. I received this book for free from Booklook Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This book is worthy of 5 stars and highest recommendations. If you love wonderfully written stories, faith inspired plot lines and authors who love their readers, then this is a book just for you. I can't wait for another beautifully written anthology by highly talented authors!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Title: An Amish Home (4 Novellas)Author: Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid & Kathleen FullerPages: 400Year: 2017Publisher: Thomas NelsonMy rating 5 out of 5 stars.Each novella in this collection is not only written by a different author, but is also a stand-alone story that isn’t interrelated. First is A Cup Half Full by Beth Wiseman where our hearts are grabbed by the character of Sarah Lantz who had dreams for her future home and marriage when an accident radically altered not jut her life but others in the community as well. Second, a story by Amy Clipston titled, Home Sweet Home where Englishers Mia and Chace O’Conner accept help to live on Amish property after being evicted from their apartment with a young baby. Third is Ruth Reid’s novella titled, A Flicker of Hope where the trials endured by Thomas and Noreen King cause them to end up separated for a season in their hearts from each other. Finally, Kathleen Fuller’s tale titled, Building Faith where we meet two people who though in their younger years were engaged but that was broken off by Faith due to a tragedy she endured without the help of her then fiancée Silas.I found that each novella impacted my heart by what the various characters went through and how the community came together to aid them as they at times had to rebuild their lives. Each tale too showed how the characters had choices placed before them that were challenging to them in different ways. Whether it is broken dreams, a broken heart or even a broken body, the choice to keep putting one foot in front of the other by faith was extolled.In one story, it was a young newly married couple that faced new challenges while in another the couple was married for 15 years, but both of them had to choose whether to build their marriage by clinging to God or to walk away. I was touched by Chace and Mia’s story, especially when they experienced firsthand the love people can show others by simply meeting everyday needs and then some. I could relate to Mia who wanted to keep her grandfather’s carpentry legacy going. Each novella is unique, heart-grabbing, filled with hope and leaves the ending really to the reader’s imagination. While the tales do come to some type of ending, it seems to me that the authors left readers to let the story resonate with their hearts and imagine what might come next in the lives of the characters. So, if you’re looking for stories that reflect life with both its joys and sorrows, tragedy and hope as well as filled with faith, here is your next compilation to enjoy!Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.”
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Tuesday, February 7, 2017An Amish Home ~ Four Novellas by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid & Kathleen Fuller, © 2017An Amish Home releases today!!Thank you, author Amy Clipston for sending me a copy of An Amish Home. I will be reviewing her novella within, "Home Sweet Home."Bird-in-Hand, PennsylvaniaDriving rain welcomes Chace and Mia O'Conner and their infant daughter, Kaitlyn, to an adventure not soon to be forgotten. Shelter and friendship are before them as they settle into a small cabin, destined to become their own Home Sweet Home. With nowhere else to go, it becomes more than they could have imagined for their family beginnings.Fresh country air beckons them as they are intrigued by their new surroundings. Isaac Allgyer and his wife, Vera, and their children welcome them and greet them beyond what they had ever experienced. Family.Mia has never been extended such courtesies and is uncertain how to negotiate kindness. Blaming her husband for their lack displays an uneasiness of all he is doing to rectify their dilemma of bills occurring unprepared. A young marriage, learning to work together, easing guilt brought on by not knowing what to do or say, may open a door to a solution they will recognize as not only urgent but necessary to extend a hand to each other. Forgiveness, acceptance, a love greater than their own.I really liked this story of growing together and relying on God. No other way would surface than in His love.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    An Amish Harvest contains four stories by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Vannetta Chapman, and Amy Clipston. Under the Harvest Moon (Beth Wiseman) is set in Paradise, Pennsylvania. Naomi Dienner is a widow with two children. Her husband recently passed away and Naomi is not exactly sad. Stephen, her husband, was abusive to her, but Naomi did not tell anyone. Brock Mulligan was hired by Gideon, Naomi’s father to harvest her fields. Brock and Naomi get to know each other, but Naomi is not sure she can ever trust another man. Will Naomi be able to get over Stephen’s abuse and have a happy future?Love and Buggy Rides (Amy Clipston) is set in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. Janie Lantz has a new job as cashier at Lancaster Buggy Rides and Souvenirs. On her first day Janie witnesses an accident between a car and one of the buggy drivers. Janie is not questioned by the police at the time. Later on, Janie hears that the car driver is blaming Jonathan Stoltzfus, the buggy driver, for the accident. Janie wants to come forward to clear his name, but her father forbids it. Will Janie listen to her conscience or her father?A Quiet Love (Kathleen Fuller) takes place in Middlefield, Ohio. Dinah Keim has a bad stutter and prefers to be alone (to read book, write poetry, and not be judged). Her mother is sending her to help her Aunt Judith in Ohio. Dinah meets Amos who is different. These two form a bond. But are they meant to be?Mischief in the Autumn Air by Vannetta Chapman is the final story. Martha Beiler is a widow in Sugar Creek, Ohio. Martha has just received a letter from Aunt Irene who is offering her a place to live in Shipshewana (there are a few rules though). Martha has no choice but to accept. Aunt Irene is not the most pleasant person in the world and Martha is thankful for the job she gets at a local auction barn (Bishop arranged it for her). Eli Wittmer owns the auction barn and is having trouble adjusting to Martha’s sunny disposition (and many suggestions). During the Fall Festival (they are very busy), Martha notices some unusual bidders. She tries to warn Eli but he ignores her. Three items went for an unusually high price and they were sold to the strange bidders. Upon further examination, they discover parts of a map on the three pieces. The furniture belonged to Jacob and Charity Weaver who just moved into a retirement home. Eli and Martha set off to get answers and unravel the mystery.An Amish Harvest was a pleasure to read. Each story was well-written, had likeable and engaging characters, and a moral lesson (that apply to all readers). An example is relying on God and his plan for each of our lives. The stories are short (the last one is the longest), but they are packed with charm. I enjoyed the fall time period. It is my favorite time of year and the one thing I miss by living in Florida (we never really have a fall). My favorite story was Mischief in the Autumn Air. I liked the unique mystery, the setting, and the characters (Martha had a good outlook on life and personality). I give An Amish Harvest 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). You can purchase the book whole or you can buy the stories individually (if you just wanted one or two of them). I will definitely read books by each of these authors in the future. I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The authors in this book have a great story to share that will give you hope and feel love. Each one is beautifully written and the characters are a treasure to read about. I enjoy when authors join together and write a collection because it gives readers a book that delivers powerful stories all in one treasure filled book. Each story flows so easily and remind us of unconditional love, helping each other and forgiveness. Set back and enjoy a trip to Amish country and enjoy the stories that fill you will joy and happiness. A Cup Half Full by Beth Wiseman I loved this story because it showed how a young couple struggles after a tragic accident. Sarah has a lot to overcome as she adjust to her new life in a wheelchair. I loved how the author showed how she was trying to come to terms with her situation. There were times when she was angry and other times when she was ready to give up. Would you be angry if you suddenly weren't physically able to do everything you were use to? Abram is a very hard working man who has done everything he can to make his wife comfortable after she is released from the hospital. I really liked how he sacrificed long hours to be with his wife and tried to keep up with the bills. What happens when Abram finds himself in a financial hardship? Can Sarah get past her injuries and look for a bright future? Will Sarah find her way back to God? I loved the story because the author shows how we can find good in everything. When our anger and bitterness is gone, we are able to be thankful for the things we take for granted. Sometimes we have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and be happy with the blessings around us.Home Sweet Home by by Amy ClipstonOh how I remember when I was first married. We were so broke that we shared a hot dog and a coke at Sonic after saying I do at the Justice of the Peace. As soon as I started reading the story about Mia and Chace I felt like I was transformed back to my early days of married life. Mia is quite surprised to find the cabin they will be living in has no electricity. She is freezing from the icy weather and the baby Kaitlyn, is sobbing as Chace's boss and landlord appears at the home. After losing their apartment it will be a big change for Chace and Mia. I loved how the author described the culture shock . What would you do if you suddenly had to live somewhere where modern conviences were not around? The hospitality that Isaac and his family show Mia and Chace made me cry. Would it be hard to accept help if you had lost everything ? The author does an amazing job of showing how Mia is dealing with the estrangement from her parents. Mia is heartbroken when they turn their back on her and her emotional pain is overwhelming. What would it be like to have your family suddenly stop talking to you? For Mia and Chace they will have to deal with pride and forgiveness. Will they be able to work together or blame esch other for their situation? The story is filled with such deep emotions and I loved how the author made the couple so relatable. Can they stop blaming each other and work together? Will Mia and her parents reconcile? I loved the part in the story when Mia has to decide between her parents or her husband. The author really captured the turmoil that some of us face when we have been hurt by our parents. The story will grab you from the start as you journey with Mia and Chace to find happiness , forgiveness and a new beginning.A Flicker of Hope by Ruth Reid What an action packed beginning this story is. As the fire burned Thomas and Noreen's home I could visualize the flames shooting into the sky. Noreen barely makes it out of the home thanks to her husband. They are devasted by the loss of their home and I could feel the tension growing between them. Thomas is a stubborn man and there is a slight undertone of bitterness rising in him. He is determined to rebuild as his his wife blames herself for the fire. I loved how the author showed how important communication is in a marriage.As the days go by , their bond is strained but they continue to salvage what they can from the fire. I absolutely loved when the author brought precious memories back to the couple of happy times they shared. There was one memory that was especially emotional and the author does a great job of letting readers sense the pain . I thought it was a very touching memory that brought them back to when they were younger and so in love. Have they let their relationship become stagnant? Can Noreen and Thomas find hope in the midst of what looks hopeless? It is a very good story that examines the turmoil a couple can go through and how they allow God to show them how important their dreams and hope are. Building Faith by Kathleen FullerThis story reminds me of the old saying"opposites attract." Faith has always loved being out in the shop building things. Some may think it is not suitable for an Amish woman but that does stop the determined Faith. She feels close to her grandfather when she is out in the shop and her heart aches since he passed. I could feel her pain as she felt she could have done something to save him. Silas is a very gifted carpenter and has taken on running the business since his father has had other pressing matters to attend to. Silas has been worried about bills and prays that God will provide for him and his parents. I loved how the author showed how devoted Silas is to helping the family out as his mother becomes ill. When a friend asks Silas to build cabinets for his new home he feels like it is an answer to prayer. Through miscommunication Silas finds Faith at the new home taking measurements . He can't believe what he is seeing. To say that there is tension between the two is an understatement. How do Silas and Faith both get hired to do the same job? Will they be able to work together after their falling out that led them to avoid each other. I loved this story because the author touches on pride and forgiveness. Pride is a hard thing to overcome and the author does a great job of allowing Faith to examine herself and realize she has been wrong about Silas. Even though Silas is doing his best to keep the family business running, will he ever have enough faith in himself as a carpenter? The story is well written and I loved getting to know Faith and Silas. Will they find a way to forgive the past and work together? The story is very compelling and really showed how important faith is. I received a copy of this book from author Amy Clipston and Beth Wiseman. The review is my own opinion.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Under the Harvest Moon finds Naomi’s abusive Amish husband Stephen had died leaving her pregnant with three daughters to care for. There is already talking in community about when she should start courting when her dad hires Brock, a widower, to bring in the crops. This story is about the complexities of lost love, children, and faith. In Love and Buggy Rides, Jamie Lantz is the only one who seen what really happened when the car hit the buggy, but it is not the Amish way to get involved. She has to deal with the conflict between following her dad’s orders and the clearing the name of the driver.A Quiet Love opens with Dinah arrival for a visit with her aunt Judith just as Judith’s husband David has a serious accident requiring stitches. The shy and stuttering Dinah put aside her fears to render assistance. In a very short time, she finds herself falling for David’s adult son, a man with special needs of his own. A secret map that slowly reveals it secrets is the center plot to Mischief in the Autumn Air. What starts as a mystery as two bidders purchase three pieces of furniture carved with pieces of the map turns into a quest for answers that involves the auctioneer, his bookkeeper, and a son trying to keep a promise he made to his father. The ending contains more than one surprise.There is a common theme of keeping faith and trust in all four short stories. Some of the language is more modern than what one might expect for Amish characters. Overall, women face a major crisis in their quest to find true love.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Under the Harvest Moon by Beth WisemanNaomi Dienner is a recently widowed young mother; she is dealing with the fact that she is not really sad that her abusive husband is gone. She has also recently discovered she is pregnant, and is afraid she might have a miscarriage, so she spends quite a bit of money on a powwow, I interpreted it as witchcraft, but it is in the Amish community.She has a harvest to get in and her father has hired a friend of his, and English man Brock Mulligan to help. He is a widower and went through so much pain in loosing his spouse; he has no interest in becoming involved again.This is a very fast read but you are going to love his reaction to the children, and what they say about him.Love and Buggy Rides, by Amy ClipstonJanie Lantz is innocently eating her lunch when she witnesses an accident with a car hitting one of the buggies that belong to her boss. She then meets the driver of the buggy, an Amish man Jonathan Stoltfuz, who is just visiting the area and staying with his grandparents.Janie tells her family about the accident, and her farther forbids her to tell anyone about what she saw, he doesn’t want her involved, but when Janie gets to know Jonathan and is interested in him, what will happen.We also wonder what is going to happen when he leaves.A Quiet Love is a very sweet story about Dinah Hochstetler, a very shy, quiet, lover of poetry, young woman whose family has sent her to visit her Aunt. Now Dinah loves her Aunt, but she doesn’t like leaving her family, she is a stutter.When she arrives at her recently married Aunt’s house she meets a handsome, special, young man, Amos Mullett, he is a farmer, and knows he is different, but would love to have a family of his own.This is a story of when a parent needs to let go, but also be there with a helping hand. When our special children grow up and want to spread their wings, can or are we able to let them go?Mischief In The Autumn Air by Vanetta ChapmanMartha Beiler has left her home and gone to live with her Aunt, but boy I wondered why she made the move. She is also working with Eli Wittmer, who is not thrilled when the bishop asked him to help and give Martha a job.When an elderly couple send some of their last possessions to auction, a mystery is created when they pieces go for a lot more money than expected.Will Amos and Dinah find answers to their questions, and go on with their lives, or will there be a spark that will make then move forward?