Kristina A. reviewed An Amish Homecoming: No Place Like Home / When Love Returns / The Courage to Love / What Love Built on + 1528 more book reviews
An Amish Homecoming contains four Amish stories by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Shelley Shepard Gray. No Place Like Home by Amy Clipston features Eva Dienner who is a widow with a four year old son. She has been living with her in-laws since her husband, Simeon died fighting a fire with his volunteer unit. Eva is now taking her son to see her parents who she has been estranged from since before her marriage. She finds her old friend, Ian Miller living in families daadi haus and helping run her father's dairy farm. If not for her mother's interference, Eva could have had a future with Ian. Eva's son, Junior falls in love with the farm, his grandparents and Ian. Is there a hope Eva can reconcile with her parents? What does the future hold for Eva and Ian?
When Love Returns is written by Beth Wiseman and takes readers to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Sarah Zook and her daughter, Miriam are returning to her parents' farm after Hurricane Harvey came through. Her apartment is flooded and she needs a place to stay while she earns money. Sarah ran away when she found out she was pregnant and has not heard from her parents since then. Abram is angry that he missed out on the first years of his daughter's life. His anger disappears after seeing Sarah once again and then meets little Miriam. Abram has never stopped loving Sarah, and Sarah realizes she still loves Abram. But there is something she has yet to tell Abram that could changes his feelings for her.
Shelley Shepard Gray brings us The Courage to Love set in Hart County. Irene Keim has moved into the home of Mary Ruth and Henry Wengerd whom she met on her month long bus trip. Irene has finally found a place that feels like home with people she cares about deeply. Then the Wengerd's son, Marcus returns home and is not happy to see Irene living with them. He read about the incident in The Budget and does not feel Irene is suitable. Irene does not wish to cause a rift in the Wengerd family and moves into an apartment above the Printed Page. Marcus did not realize how much his parents relied on Irene's help nor did he take the time to get to know Irene. Mary Ruth and Henry are disappointed in Marcus. Marcus sets out to make amends to Irene and soon learns not to judge a person until you get to know them.
What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller takes us to Birch Creek. Carolyn Yoder has returned to Birch Creek at the urging of her brother, Freemont. She is determined to open a bakery on her own and will not let her family or the community help her. Carolyn soon finds herself out of her depth, but she is unwilling to admit it. Atlee Shetler has been a widower for twelve years and his life has grown stagnant. He is visiting his friend, Thomas Bontrager in Birch Creek when he runs into Carolyn. Atlee can see that Carolyn needs help and finds a way to provide it without injuring her stubborn pride. Atlee enjoys spending time with Carolyn but he is not sure he is ready to love someone new. Carolyn has her own demons haunting her and she will have to confront them to make a new life in Birch Creek.
I found these four novellas to be well-written and pleasing to read. The main characters each have something to overcome in their past if they are to have a happy future (we can all relate). We get to see them conquer adversity thanks to prayer, faith, hope, love, redemption and trusting God. Other Christian themes in the novellas are forgiveness of others as well as ourselves (that is the hardest one) and we can never know God's plans for us. I enjoyed reading these heartwarming stories. The four tales are quick to read and will lift up your spirits. Each story can be read in one sitting. The four novellas are set in different Amish towns, so the stories are not interconnected. Each story relates to a series written by the author, but they can be read on their own. Fans of these Amish authors will appreciate the four inspiring and endearing novellas in An Amish Homecoming.
When Love Returns is written by Beth Wiseman and takes readers to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Sarah Zook and her daughter, Miriam are returning to her parents' farm after Hurricane Harvey came through. Her apartment is flooded and she needs a place to stay while she earns money. Sarah ran away when she found out she was pregnant and has not heard from her parents since then. Abram is angry that he missed out on the first years of his daughter's life. His anger disappears after seeing Sarah once again and then meets little Miriam. Abram has never stopped loving Sarah, and Sarah realizes she still loves Abram. But there is something she has yet to tell Abram that could changes his feelings for her.
Shelley Shepard Gray brings us The Courage to Love set in Hart County. Irene Keim has moved into the home of Mary Ruth and Henry Wengerd whom she met on her month long bus trip. Irene has finally found a place that feels like home with people she cares about deeply. Then the Wengerd's son, Marcus returns home and is not happy to see Irene living with them. He read about the incident in The Budget and does not feel Irene is suitable. Irene does not wish to cause a rift in the Wengerd family and moves into an apartment above the Printed Page. Marcus did not realize how much his parents relied on Irene's help nor did he take the time to get to know Irene. Mary Ruth and Henry are disappointed in Marcus. Marcus sets out to make amends to Irene and soon learns not to judge a person until you get to know them.
What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller takes us to Birch Creek. Carolyn Yoder has returned to Birch Creek at the urging of her brother, Freemont. She is determined to open a bakery on her own and will not let her family or the community help her. Carolyn soon finds herself out of her depth, but she is unwilling to admit it. Atlee Shetler has been a widower for twelve years and his life has grown stagnant. He is visiting his friend, Thomas Bontrager in Birch Creek when he runs into Carolyn. Atlee can see that Carolyn needs help and finds a way to provide it without injuring her stubborn pride. Atlee enjoys spending time with Carolyn but he is not sure he is ready to love someone new. Carolyn has her own demons haunting her and she will have to confront them to make a new life in Birch Creek.
I found these four novellas to be well-written and pleasing to read. The main characters each have something to overcome in their past if they are to have a happy future (we can all relate). We get to see them conquer adversity thanks to prayer, faith, hope, love, redemption and trusting God. Other Christian themes in the novellas are forgiveness of others as well as ourselves (that is the hardest one) and we can never know God's plans for us. I enjoyed reading these heartwarming stories. The four tales are quick to read and will lift up your spirits. Each story can be read in one sitting. The four novellas are set in different Amish towns, so the stories are not interconnected. Each story relates to a series written by the author, but they can be read on their own. Fans of these Amish authors will appreciate the four inspiring and endearing novellas in An Amish Homecoming.
Molly (Buuklvr81) -
What better way to spend a time lost in book than in a book by not just one of my top Amish authors, but by FOUR of them? There really isn't a better way if you ask me. When I received this book to review, I was sick. I didn't want to read much of anything. But I dove into it with highest of hopes to be able to finish it. I read not just Ms. Clipston's novella, but all of them and fell in love with these stories of hope, faith, understanding and acceptance. Each story, written by equally talented authors, is unique and filled with characters that will stay with you long after. While I loved all the novellas in this story, I will focus on Clipston's and Fuller's.
Amy Clipston's NO PLACE LIKE HOME is beautifully and tenderly written. Her unique writing style shines through and the messages from God are woven throughout. The characters are chiseled beautifully and I could feel myself walking along side them, as Eva returned home and came face to face with a man she once knew, and know is unsure of. Her story of letting go and moving on, is truly a tender one and one that will have me coming back to this story again and again.
Kathleen Fuller's WHAT LOVE BUILT is another beautiful, moving story. Carolyn quickly stole my heart and when Atlee is introduced, bless! These two sweet souls truly had me pulling for them! I cold feel their heartaches, their love for the Lord, all of it, as if the story was written just for me. I loved the messages of acceptance, of faith, of trust, all woven together to spin a story I won't soon forget!
These stories together create a 5 star worthy novella collection that will be on my keeper shelf for many years to come. The Amish simplicity and the hope and love within, will forever pull me back. Each author did a wonderful job in their stories and I am looking forward to another collection like this from these talented ladies! Well done, and I highly recommend this book to all!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Amy Clipston's NO PLACE LIKE HOME is beautifully and tenderly written. Her unique writing style shines through and the messages from God are woven throughout. The characters are chiseled beautifully and I could feel myself walking along side them, as Eva returned home and came face to face with a man she once knew, and know is unsure of. Her story of letting go and moving on, is truly a tender one and one that will have me coming back to this story again and again.
Kathleen Fuller's WHAT LOVE BUILT is another beautiful, moving story. Carolyn quickly stole my heart and when Atlee is introduced, bless! These two sweet souls truly had me pulling for them! I cold feel their heartaches, their love for the Lord, all of it, as if the story was written just for me. I loved the messages of acceptance, of faith, of trust, all woven together to spin a story I won't soon forget!
These stories together create a 5 star worthy novella collection that will be on my keeper shelf for many years to come. The Amish simplicity and the hope and love within, will forever pull me back. Each author did a wonderful job in their stories and I am looking forward to another collection like this from these talented ladies! Well done, and I highly recommend this book to all!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
