An Amish Christmas Love

I love reading Christmas novels during anytime throughout the year and happened upon An Amish Christmas Love, by four extremely talented authors, Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid, and Kelly Irvin. In this delightful collection of four novella's each of the authors shares a wonderfully sweet Amish romance all tucked inside this book. This is perfect for busy readers, who can just sit down and read one at a time, and still feel like they've read a full length novel.

In Winter Kisses by Beth Wiseman, three generations of Amish women find love with the wonderful men who they rent out their rooms for a construction job nearby. All of them have various reasons for wanting to find the right man but will they all be successful in their endeavors as Christmas is coming.

The Christmas Cat by Amy Clipston finds a lonely widow as Christmas Eve approaches with no one to share the day with as she fondly remembers her husband Henry, until a wayward cat finds her home during a winter storm. With it comes changes she never expected in her life, when she realizes she is never really alone.

Snow Angels by Kelly Irvin pairs an Amish couple up with the past one of them wishes would never come back to town. Now that she is here, will those old familiar feelings from the past threaten a relationship already on rocky ground?

And finally in Home for Christmas by Ruth Reid, a young English woman returns to her Aunts home she has inherited as a winter storm approaches and finds her GPS directions have led her to enter a home she thought was her Aunts, but turns out to be a Amish father and her young daughter. But did she really take a wrong turn after all?

I received An Amish Christmas Love by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin and Ruth Reid compliments of NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers. Each of these wonderful stories generate a wonderful sense of love, family, faith and hope and truly feel like you've gotten 4 novels in one. I have to say my favorite one might just be the Christmas Cat, because it reminds us that while we might missing a loved one's presence here, their memories are never gone! At the conclusion of each, you will find some discussion guide questions that are wonderful for book clubs. For me, this collection really is worth all 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about An Amish Christmas Love, Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Ruth Reid or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

An Amish Christmas Love by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Ruth Reid

You can find Beth Wiseman on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

You can find Amy Clipston on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

You can find Kelly Irvin on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

You can find Ruth Reid on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on An Amish Christmas Love, please visit Thomas Nelson Publisher's website. 

A Place At Our Table

A handsome Amish volunteer firefighter. A single Amish girl working for her families restaurant. All they need is the right circumstance for them to meet so sparks can begin to fly and love begin to bloom. In this case, a fire is the catalyst that introduces them. As the Dienner family's barn is engulfed in flames, Jamie Riehl is part of the Amish fire department to respond. As they try to keep damage to a minimum, he learns besides the two horses trapped in the barn, her younger brother Nathan has not come out after trying to rescue them. All they can do is pray that Jamie can bring all of them to safety along with their firefighting team.

Even though the barn is a complete loss, Jamie was able to bring Nathan out of the barn after being trapped inside when a beam fell on him. Had they not gotten there in time, it would have been the second death in the Dienner family that fire has taken from them. Jamie doesn't realize it at the time, but Simeon, their oldest son and brother died fighting a fire when a house collapsed on him and they were unable to get him out. Now Nathan wants to be a firefighter when he is old enough but it is something Kayla is trying to discourage him from doing. She can't lose another brother and she believes Jamie is just filling his head with ideas that he shouldn't be considering. When he realizes the dilemma he works with Kayla and her family to not only help with the barn raising, but giving them time to decide if Nathan can join the program to train as a firefighter.

It seems a common thread for both of them, the love and loyalty of family, and while neither of them is looking for a relationship, they at least agree to be friends. Kayla's past relationship was the clincher in making her never want to trust in men again. While he maintained a status as her boyfriend, he never made her a priority, choosing his friends and interests instead of spending time with her. But with her connection with Jamie, they seem suited well for one another, even if his job does pose a very real threat that he might not make it home one day, they agree to see where things might lead on their own, but until an unexpected tragedy occurs, it will leave them completely at a loss on how to find their way back to the feelings that brought them together.

I received A Place At Our Table by Amy Clipston compliments of Zondervan Publishers and NetGalley. I really LOVED this novel and read it in hours, simply because the action is so intense and you're rooting for your favorite characters and then tragedy strikes and you wonder if they will remain apart with just the right elements making everything one big mess. As a reader, you are immensely invested in the story and it feels as real to you as if you are standing alongside them as a friend. That's what makes a great novel in my opinion and the reason for a 5 out of 5 stars. There are some great discussion guide questions at the conclusion that would make this a must read for book clubs. This is also the first novel in the Amish Homestead Series, and I can't wait to see what's next in the series.

For more information about A Place At Our Table, Amy Clipston or where you can preorder a copy of this novel due out in November of 2017, please click on the links below:

A Place At Our Table by Amy Clipston

You can find Amy Clipston on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Place At Our Table, please visit Zondervan Publisher's website. 

The Beloved Hope Chest

"Her hope chest had held not only memories full of pain all these years, but memories full of love she would always cherish. Today her heart was filled to the brim with hope."

In Amy Clipston's latest novel, The Beloved Hope Chest, which is book 4 from the Amish Heirloom series, Martha Jane (Mattie) Petersheim/Fisher takes the time to share with her three daughters, Emily, Rachel and Veronica, about the items found in her beloved hope chest. It conveys the life story of Mattie and her first love Isaiah Petersheim who was the love of Mattie's life. She had hoped to begin a new family with him and looked forward to the birth of their first child, but an unexpected tragedy broke those plans for Mattie forever when Isaiah was killed. This is something that Mattie's daughters never knew about their mother, but it would be the one thing that would unite them all in new ways as each of her daughters could now look back and see how these very events showed them that she understood each of the paths her own daughters lives have taken.

It is also the love story of the father that they always loved, Leroy Fisher and how Mattie and Leroy grew up first as childhood friends and the closest anyone could be with one another without marriage. In fact looking back on these events in her life, Mattie didn't realize all the ways Leroy had tried to convey his feelings for Mattie that went beyond friendship and he had hopes that he might win her heart. But when she married Isaiah, all Leroy could do was remain her best friend. When Isaiah died, the last thing he wanted to do was cause more pain for Mattie, but seeing as she was pregnant with Isaiah's child, he didn't want her to go through any more pain in her life alone, so he offered to marry her with hopes that one day she might love him the way he has always loved her. But even with the best intentions, things didn't work out quite like he had hoped and it would take letting her go, to cause her to see that he really did love her after all, despite everything she had gone through in her life and most of all that he would ALWAYS be there for her and love her with all of his heart.

I received The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston compliments of Zondervan Publishers and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. Sometimes I believe the greatest stories are the ones that our parents have, how they meet one another, the struggles they had to endure and the memories that they treasure. In this novel, Mattie gets to share that personal part of two very special loves in her life and how they not only defined who she is as a wife and mother, but also allow her to share those experiences with her daughters that God can take the pain in our lives and cause something good to come from them. Often times when we least expect it. The theme in this novel is what love, unconditional love and faith and hope truly mean. Our hearts can break but in time, they will heal and we will move forward again. I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. There is also Discussion Questions included which makes for an excellent selection for book clubs.

For more information about The Beloved Hope Chest, Amy Clipston or where you can pre-order a copy of this novel today due out in early May of 2017, please click on the links below:

The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston

You can find Amy Clipston on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Beloved Hope Chest, please visit Zondervan Publisher's website. 

The Cherished Quilt

Forgiveness is perhaps the hardest thing for any of us to do. It might even be easier to forgive others rather than ourselves but Christopher Hostettler can't seem to let go of the fact he feels he had a hand in the death of his younger brother Gabriel. That fact only seems to be driven home by his father who made it perfectly clear at the graveside that Christopher was responsible. Now it seems besides never being able to measure up to the demands of his father to take part in the family horse training business, he leaves home to work for his uncle in Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania in his leather shop. Perhaps he can find a way to start a new future for himself and find forgiveness for his role in his brother's death.

Emily Fisher always looks out for others over her own needs and when she meets Christopher for the first time at her father and uncle's harness shop, she wonders what could she offer to help him break down the wall he clearly wants to keep around himself. While trying not to take it personally when he refuses to acknowledge anything she does, she vows to at least ensure the Chris feels valued and wanted by their community while trying to be a friend to him.

However when Chris and Emily grow too close to one another in their personal feelings, Chris' past comes back to haunt him and steal away the only hope for a future not only for himself, but for Emily as well. It seems that Chris' chance at happiness will forever elude him unless he finds a way to go back and resolve the issues in his family and perhaps figure out a way to find God in the process. But since he has run from everything else in his life, will he run from Emily as well?

I received The Cherished Quilt by Amy Clipston compliments of Zondervan Publishers and Thomas Nelson. I am so glad I picked this novel and now will go back and read the previous two in the Amish Heirloom series, The Forgotten Recipe and the The Courtship Basket before The Beloved Hope Chest comes out soon. I really love how the relationship build between Emily and Chris and have found that forgiveness in our own lives is often times the hardest thing for us to accept, believing we are meant to be punished somehow and no longer deserve happiness in our own life. The whole concept behind the Log Cabin that Emily makes for Chris is something to inspire me to pick back up quilting again and renew my passion for creativity in doing so. This novel was well worth all 5 out of 5 stars! There are even Discussion Questions included that are great for book clubs!

For more information about The Cherished Quilt, Amy Clipston or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Cherished Quilt by Amy Clipston

You can find Amy Clipston on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Cherished Quilt, please visit Zondervan Publisher's website. 

A Simple Prayer

For some prodigal children who walk away from their family, the desire to return home can be overwhelming. They want to believe that simply going home will be all that is needed, but fear can hold them back. What if they aren't received well? What if they aren't wanted? And sometimes all those "What if's" can hold us back from the truth we need to seek by making an effort in the right direction.

For Aaron Ebersol, that came when he received word that his mother had suffered a stroke. He knew he should have returned much sooner after walking away from his family seventeen years ago. But after not receiving any response to all the letters he wrote, he believed his family had moved on without him. Why else would they not attempt to contact him after all this time? But he knows it's something he must do, since his mother could use the help and he has missed his family more than he cares to admit. Why is going home so hard to do?

In order to make the transition easier to manage, Aaron plans to stay at the Paradise Bed and Breakfast, where he runs into Linda Zook, a girl he knew in school. She was just as shy then as she is now, and he wonders what has been happening in town since he has left. Linda reminds him that she and his mother worked together at the Lancaster Grand Hotel before the stroke, and she never stopped praying for the day when Aaron might come home. She is able to share with Aaron some of the unknowns about the feelings of his mother before he makes that dreaded trip home to see if his fears are valid or simply something that has kept him away for too long, dwelling on all those what if's! But there is no time like the present.

I received A Simple Prayer compliments of Zondervan Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is such a wonderful story that reminds me quite a bit of an Amish prodigal son. I can imagine how difficult it would be for Aaron to return home and not have the entire family happy to see him. There is definitely bound to be some animosity between family members and I love that a friendship develops between Linda and Aaron as they both come to terms with the cards they have been dealt in life. It is a story of redemption and hope as well as unconditional love between parents and their children and the true power of forgiveness. This is the 4th book in the Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel Series and well worth every 5 out of 5 stars. There is even a discussion guide at the conclusion of this novel that makes it a perfect choice for book clubs.

For more information about A Simple Prayer, Amy Clipston or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Simple Prayer by Amy Clipston

You can find Amy Clipston on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews about A Simple Prayer, please visit Zondervan Publishing's website. 

A Mother's Secret

Even in the Amish world, things aren't easy when it comes to decisions that we regret but can't change. Such is the case for Carolyn Lapp, who at 16 got pregnant and had a son, Benjamin. Now thirty one years later, there are those in her family that refuse to let her forget that the decision she made back then was one that was not only shameful but that she continue to allow her family to suffer for. But her mother and sister-in-law both understand the meaning of God's forgiveness and the fact that she hadn't been baptized in the faith yet, so no kneeling confession is required.

Yet her brother Amos insists that Carolyn needs help to find a husband and father so they can stop depending on their family for support, even though Carolyn earns a living working part time at the Grand Hotel as a maid. But the man Amos has in mind lost his wife six years ago and he desperately needs a wife and mother for his daughter Emma. But Carolyn always dreamed she would fall in love much like her own parents and have a marriage much like theirs. She never dreamed that love would be possible for someone like her especially if they knew her secret and that Benjamin is her son and not her nephew as most people think.

Joshua Glick never considered finding a wife. Not since he tried to do the honorable thing when his brother Gideon died leaving behind a wife and three children, and offered to marry her. Instead she left one of her daughters, Lillian behind and moved away to join the Englisch along with the twins Andrew and Amanda. She did find an Englisch husband and is now living not to far away from his family. Unfortunately since that day, Joshua's mother, Barbie has taken it upon herself to find Joshua a suitable and controllable Amish woman to marry and have children with. But Joshua isn't the slightest bit interested in dating or marriage. Running his horse farm takes all the time he has to spare. What he didn't expect to find was love where he wasn't looking. An unfortunate accident with his horse, left Joshua blaming Benjamin for the stitches his horse would require after believing he was the boy who throw a rock. He believes teaching Benjamin a lesson by working off his debt at his horse farm, but Carolyn knows that Benjamin is innocent, if only someone would believe he really is a good boy at heart!

I received A Mother's Secret by Amy Clipston compliments of Zondervan Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. I love the premise behind the story of finding forgiveness not so much from others but for yourself. There is freedom in doing that and letting go of the guilt we can carry without realizing the heavy load we bear. I can understand the frustration that Carolyn faces with trying to please everyone for a mistake she made when she was a teenager and in trying to find a suitable father for Benjamin. It would provide a sense of freedom for both of them to not have to face the condemnation from her brother Amos anymore and to give her a sense of self worth in the eyes of those in the Amish community. Well worth every single one of the 5 out of 5 stars. I can't wait to see what happens next in the third book due out in the fall of this year, A Dream of Home.

For more information about A Mother's Secret, Amy Clipston or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Mother's Secret by Amy Clipston

You can also find Amy Clipston on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Mother's Secret, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.


Don't miss the newest offering in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series from Amy Clipston, A Mother's Secret. An unwed Amish woman yearns for real love and a family. The only thing in her way is the shame she’s been carrying for half of her life. The novel received 4-1/2 stars from Romantic Times and was chosen as a Top Pick.

Amy is celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway.

 One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Books 1 and 2 in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series, A Hopeful Heart and A Mother's Secret.

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 6th. Winner will be announced July 7th on Amy's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Amy's blog on July 7th to see if you won.

A Season of Love

Poor Katie Kauffman has found herself in one of the worst predicaments imaginable. After returning back to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, back to the bakery she loves, she finds her best friends Lindsay and Lizzie Ann have found great Amish men to begin their courting. Katie on the other hand seems to think that she will grow old and only have the love of baking to keep her warm at nights. After finally being baptized as part of the Amish faith alongside her friends, she suddenly finds herself a bit of the odd person out. While Lindsay and Lizzie talk about wedding plans and of what type of life they envision for their families, Katie can't help but feel left out.

When she finds comfort in Jake Miller, a boy that works for her grandfather's shop as a carpenter apprentice, she finds herself attracted to him in ways she would have never imagined. She knows there isn't any possibility for them to go any further than just friends. Jake is a Mennonite while she comes from a strong and strict Amish family. They can never been anything more than just friends. However when Katie and Jake find themselves in a compromising situation, Katie's father, Robert rages out of control and ground Katie for a month. He forbids her to have anything to do with Jake even as just friends. However with Jake working with Katie's grandfather Eli on a cabinet for the bakery, it seems that there is more than fate pulling them together. Will Katie find a way to forget what can never be between Jake and herself? Or will Jake's long lost first love, Jessica be the only way out for them both?

In the conclusion to the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, A Season of Love by Amy Clipston takes the reader in the 5th book to see how the remaining characters we've come to love and adore wrap up their lives. Lindsay Bedford returns from Virginia Beach with her GED in hand believing she can be just as smart as her sister, Jessica and finds a way to prove it. Now returning back to Pennsylvania where Katie has been caring for her ailing Aunt Rebecca who has been confined to bed rest due to complications with her pregnancy. Lindsay believes she is finally read to become Amish and in the process will see if love awaits her on the other side. Katie has to deal with her father's issues about dealing with what he believes is proper without waiting for all the facts to come in. It shows how damaging rumors and perception can be to an Amish family and must in fact cost her to be shunned. This is truly an unforgettable novel to wrap up life with the Kauffman family. You can read this one as a stand alone but trust me, you will want to go back and read them all. This is truly an exceptional ending to this series.

I received A Season of Love by Amy Clipston compliments of Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for my honest review and I have to say, I gladly give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. For more information about A Season of Love, Amy Clipston, or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

A Season of Love by Amy Clipston

You can also find Amy Clipston on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

To read the entire series of the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, look for the following books at your local book retailer:

# 1 A Gift of Grace
#2 A Place of Peace
#3 A Promise of Hope
#4 A Life of Joy
#5 A Season of Love

Naomi's Gift - An Amish Christmas Story

As fall is beginning to peak around the corner, some of the best books are just beginning to hit the bookshelves in time to get us in the Christmas spirit, and one of the best I've read belongs to Amy Clipston, who wrote, Naomi's Gift, An Amish Christmas Story. I've yet to read an Amish book, I didn't like and this one was such a true pleasure to read.

I could imagine life at Bird-In-Hand Pennsylvania, the crisp cold chill of snow in the air, settling under thick, gray clouds. Just in time to make it for Christmas, widower Caleb Schmucker and his young daughter, Susie come to visit his sister Sadie and her family. Just before arriving at their house, Susie reminds Caleb that it isn't proper to show up for a visit, without bringing something, and insists on visiting a local Farmer's Market to pick up a homemade pie.

Once they arrive inside the busy indoor market they both head for a small bakery and try to decide if they should buy apple or pumpkin pie. Just when Caleb looks down to ask Susie for her opinion, she is gone. Lost in the hustle and bustle of a busy market place, Susie is drawn to a quilt stand operated by Naomi King. She tells her that the quilts remind her of her own mother who died. Feeling a connection beyond sympathy with Susie, a friendly conversation begins between the two, as Caleb suddenly rushes up, grabbing Susie. He reminds her that she can't leave like that because he was so worried. Susie introduces him to Naomi and a warm connection flows between the two.

Now struggling to face his own personal feelings of getting over his grief for his wife Barbara, he is pulled in two directions. One by his sister Sadie's interference in finding him a "suitable" wife and the connection he feels whenever Susie and Naomi get together at their family home. This love story will warm your heart as you find yourself hoping that Caleb and Naomi will find true love, but will Caleb be able to leave the memories of his first love behind in Ohio to make a fresh start in Pennsylvania?

You'll have to read, Naomi's Gift to find out how this holiday story will end. One thing is certain is their faith in God has helped them weather their storms up to this point and they both know with God anything is possible, even the potential of a widower finding love again. I received this book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. If you are an Amish fan or a lover of great Christmas stories, than this one will need to be placed at the top of your wish list. I personally rate it a 5 out of 5 stars and will be reading this each year during Christmas!

For more information about this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this heart-warming Christmas story, please click on the links below:

Naomi's Gift - An Amish Christmas Story by Amy Clipston

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