Nice Amish Romances -- An Amish Heirloom

An Amish Heirloom is a collection of four novellas from some of the top names in Amish fiction. These collections are fun to read for a number of reasons. They provide a nice break from the longer novels and series I enjoy reading. The stories sometimes connect to characters in other series from the authors. And they sometimes provide a chance to try out authors whose books you have not read before.

All four stories in this collection were nice Amish romances, tied together with the idea of some heirloom important to the main characters. Those heirlooms include rocking chairs, old love letters, a Bible, and an old baby quilt.

Although I enjoyed all the stories, Beth Wiseman's The Cedar Chest and Kathleen Fuller's The Treasured Book were my favorites. Beth's dual timeline story was very intriguing, and the development of a sweet love story and its impact on present-day characters was touching. Kathleen's story of almost-missed love was very engaging, and it was fun to visit characters I "knew" from her Amish Letters series. I believe Amy Clipston's story was related to one of her series, but I have not read those particular books.

I would definitely recommend this enjoyable collection of stories to Amish fiction fans.

About the Book:

A Legacy of Love by Amy Clipston

Local volunteer fire fighter 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.

The Cedar Chest by Beth Wiseman

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.

The Treasured Book by Kathleen Fuller

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.

The Midwife’s Dream by Kelly Irvin

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 leave 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.

About the Authors:

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery, Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel, Amish Heirloom, and Amish Homestead series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and three spoiled rotten cats. Visit her online at AmyClipston.com, Facebook: AmyClipstonBooks, Twitter: @AmyClipston.

Beth Wiseman is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Daughters of the Promise, Land of Canaan, and Amish Secrets series, as well as novellas that have been included in many bestselling collections such as An Amish Year and An Amish Garden. Visit her online at BethWiseman.com, Facebook: AuthorBethWiseman, Twitter: @BethWiseman.

Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, and the Amish Letters series as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. Visit her online at KathleenFuller.com, Twitter: @TheKatJam, Facebook: Kathleen Fuller.

Kelly Irvin is the author of the Every Amish Season and Amish of Bee County series. The Beekeeper's Son received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly, who called it “a delicately woven masterpiece.” A former newspaper reporter and retired public relations professional, Kelly lives in Texas with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin. They have two children, two grandchildren, and two cats. In her spare time, she likes to read books by her favorite authors. Visit her online at KellyIrvin.com, Facebook: Kelly.Irvin.Author, Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin.

Captivating romance -- Pelican Point

Irene Hannon takes us on another captivating visit to Hope Harbor in her latest contemporary romance, Pelican Point.

Main characters Ben Garrison and Marci Weber butt heads at the very beginning of the story, but it doesn't take long to realize that sparks of a different kind will fly between those two. They are both delightful to get to know, as the secrets and burdens from their pasts are gradually revealed. Another thread involving a troubled relationship adds an extra layer of depth and interest that fits seamlessly with the main story. And what would a Hope Harbor story be with the insights of Charley -- taco maker/artist/philosopher -- and his seagull friends Floyd and Gladys. Irene uses all of those characters and more to work together in a well-written tale of tradition, love, and healing (along with a little danger) that brings an entire town together.

Pelican Point works well as a stand-alone novel, but I would highly recommend the earlier books in this series as well. 

Thanks to Revell Reads for providing a copy of this book.  I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book:

In the midst of life's storms, unexpected love is a beacon of hope. 

A crumbling lighthouse is not part of the inheritance Army doctor Ben Garrison expects to claim when he journeys to Hope Harbor. Fresh out of the service, he wants only to unload the tower of bricks, decompress from years of treating battlefield trauma, and prepare to launch his civilian career.

Hope Harbor Herald editor Marci Weber has other ideas. She may not be a Hope Harbor native, but the small Oregon seaside town has become home--and she's determined to save the Pelican Point landmark. 

Sparks fly as the two go head-to-head over the fate of the lighthouse. But when they start to cooperate, a different kind of fire ignites. Can Hope Harbor heal the hearts of these two romance-wary souls? 

Come home to Hope Harbor . . . where hearts heal--and love blooms.

About the Author: 

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels, including Dangerous Illusions as well as the Men of Valor, Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA's elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews. Each of her suspense novels have been ECPA/CBA bestsellers. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

Love and Strength of Family -- A Mother's Gift

(Be sure and look for your chance at a giveaway near the end of this post.)

Charlotte Hubbard has given us another great Amish story in A Mother's Gift. And as always, you don't get a simple "boy meets girl, get married, and live a happy life" kind of story.

The story begins with both Leah and Jude being warned by their family members that their marriage is likely not a good choice. But their love for each other pushes them on into marriage . . . with not altogether "happy-ever-after" results.

Charlotte creates a story with lots of challenges, hurts, and obstacles for the characters keep this story moving at a very interesting pace. For a good part of the story, it seems that unsolvable problems keep piling up on top of each other. But with her great story-telling skill, Charlotte provides lots of chances for love, faith and strength of family to shine through.

Fans of great Amish fiction should enjoy this engaging story.

Thanks to Charlotte for providing a copy of the book. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book:

For Leah Otto, marrying Jude Shetler is a long-held dream come true. As a young girl, she was captivated by his good looks and talent as an auctioneer. When Jude, now a widower with three children, begins to court her, Leah doesn’t hesitate. Other men may not appreciate her tomboy ways, but Jude values Leah’s practical nature and her skill with the animals she tends, and both enter the marriage with joy and optimism.

Three months later, Leah feels as if her world is coming down around her. Her twin teenage step-daughters, Alice and Adeline, are pushing boundaries and taking far too many risks, while five-year-old Stevie deeply misses his mother. Leah, more at ease in a barn tending her goats and chickens than in a kitchen, struggles with her housekeeping duties.

Then a baby is abandoned on their doorstep, and Leah must search her soul. Caring for little Betsy fills her with renewed purpose and the strength to begin pulling her family together. With Jude’s steadfast support, Leah finds that what she once thought of as a happy ending may be something even better—the beginning of a life rich in love, faith, and unexpected blessings.

Book Excerpt:

Jeremiah Shetler leaned his elbows on his kitchen table, gazing earnestly at his younger brother—who, at thirty-three, was surely old enough to know better about what he was getting into. “Last chance to see reason, Jude,” he stated bluntly. “If you go through with this wedding tomorrow, you’ll be signing on for a lifetime of sorrow and regret.”

Jude’s dark eyes flashed with resentment. “Sounds more like my marriage to Frieda—God rest her soul,” he added quickly. “Why can’t you let me find my happiness with a woman who won’t keep secrets? A woman who adores me and makes me laugh?”

“Leah’s a nice girl, jah,” Jeremiah said with a shake of his head, “but she’s clueless about such basic activities as putting a gut meal on the table—”

“Why are you telling me this?” Jude demanded.

Jeremiah exhaled forcefully. He’d never understood what Jude saw in Leah. He could only assume that his widowed brother was so desperate for affection and companionship that he was willing to settle for a woman who’d never progressed beyond being the tomboy daughter Raymond and Lenore Otto hadn’t taught much about a wife’s responsibilities.

“Have you ever eaten a meal Leah cooked?” he challenged. “Vernon Gingerich has told me that any time he’s visited the Otto home, Lenore’s been bustling around in the kitchen and Leah’s been in the front room chatting with him and her dat. And at our family dinners these past months, Leah’s cleaned up the dishes, but I’ve not seen any signs that she knows how to operate a stove.”

“Lenore does the cooking when Vernon visits because he’s her bishop, and she enjoys cooking for a man now that Raymond’s gone,” Jude explained impatiently. He raked his hand through his disheveled dark waves, glancing downward with an anguished sigh. “Come on, man. You know how it is to lose a wife—and you don’t even have kids to look after. Doesn’t the loneliness—the need for adult conversation—eat you alive at times?”

Jeremiah looked away, his heart pierced by the blatant reminder of Priscilla’s absence. After three years of living without her, he did indeed know how the silence of nights alone clawed at a man’s heart like a relentless beast. But he needed to pursue his present purpose before Jude made the biggest mistake of his life.

This review is part of a book tour sponsored by Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to visit their other tour stops and increase your chances at the giveaway shown below:  

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2018/03/vbt-mothers-gift-by-charlotte-hubbard.html

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About the Author:

Charlotte Hubbard is the acclaimed author of Amish romance and fiction that evokes simpler times and draws upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi. Faith and family, farming, and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle—and the foundation of all her novels. A deacon, dedicated church musician and choir member, she loves to travel, read, try new recipes, and crochet. A longtime Missourian, Charlotte now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband and their border collie, Vera. Please visit Charlotte online at www.CharlotteHubbard.com.