Review: An Amish Harvest

 

Synopsis:

Faith, hope, and love remain forever in season in this collection of four richly absorbing novellas set amidst the wonder of an Amish autumn.

Under the Harvest Moon, by Beth Wiseman: When Naomi Dienner is suddenly widowed, she never expects to find love again . . . until she meets Brock Mulligan, an English family friend hired at harvest time. As a sinister presence begins to threaten Naomi, Brock seeks to prove himself trustworthy while struggling with growing feelings for Naomi and her children. Will God open Naomi’s heart—and give Brock his own second chance at love?

Love and Buggy Rides, by Amy Clipston: Janie Lantz is a cashier at Lancaster Souvenirs and Buggy Rides, where Jonathan Stoltfuz is a buggy driver. A frightening accident brings Janie and Jonathan together in a blossoming friendship, yet daunting obstacles stand between them and something deeper. Can love kindle into flames that burn away fear and regret—and lead them to a life together?

Mischief in the Autumn Air, by Vannetta Chapman When items start going above market value at his auction house, Eli Wittmer is first thrilled, and then puzzled. But when the house is broken into, Eli and his new bookkeeper, Martha Beiler track down a trail of clues. Will they solve the mystery before the fall festival ends—and discover an unexpected new love?

A Quiet Love, by Kathleen Fuller Dinah Hochstetler, quiet and bookish, longs for marriage but hides in her shyness. Amos Mullett, a simple farmer, knows he’s different but aches for a loving wife. As Dinah and Amos navigate a budding romance, will the power of love—and the blessing of God—be enough to overcome their doubters?

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

An Amish Harvest by four talented writers is an amazing book for all. Inside are four beautifully written novellas for everyone to enjoy. Clean, emotional and heart melting reads. I love reading anything Amish fictional piece because they are truly an enjoyable story of hard work, family, and inspiring faith as well as love. Yes, I read plenty of novels that are much more detailed and a lot more dirty than this collection but I highly recommend this collection of stories to readers everywhere. These are stories readers can come back to time and time again. Stories that not just give off the good feelings but also teach and inspire readers worldwide.

Under the Harvest Moon by Beth Wiseman is the first Amish romance presented to readers. Instantly, I was hooked.  The story follows a young Amish woman who is married at the young age of seventeen. Her husband is well looked up to within her community and to her children. But he hits her when he’s angry. No one knew or so the wife thought. When he husband dies and she mourned his death for several months she decides it’s time to move on with her life. An Englisher comes into her life knocking her off her feet. Her children love the Englisher and want him as the daed. But, her Amish parents don’t want her to like him and she’s not ready to marry again. Will the harvest moon bring these two adults peace and love in their lives or will they only be friends? Beth Wilson’s writing has humor, faith, courage, and love. It was definitely entertaining to read it, especially when two young Amish girls tell their mom they want the Englisher as their daed right in front of him in their own tongue. Surprising the Englisher heard and understood every word they said…overall, I highly recommend reading this tale.

Love and Buggy Rides by Amy Clipston is the next story.  This Amish romance was perfect. I fell in love with the main characters right away. An Amish woman sitting outside having her lunch when she witnessed the crash happening right before her. She saw what the Englisher was doing…he wasn’t paying attention and crashed into the Amish buggy that carried several people. Everyone was shaky and injured including the Amish driver. Janie told her family that she witnessed it all. Her father forbids her to tell anyone. Her daed didn’t want her involved in the Englishers’ suing business. However, a threat of suing the buggy owner and firing the buggy driver come up forcing Janie to choose between betraying her daed or doing what she knows is right. Then there’s the budding romance that is building up between Janie and Jonathan. But her parents also forbid it for two reasons. Jonathan is a decade older than her and he might be moving back to his home. Can Janie and Jonathan find what they are looking for before it’s too late? Amy Clipston writing is superb. I finished reading the story within one sitting. Overall, I highly recommend reading this enchanting novella to all.

A Quite Love by Kathleen Fuller is the third novella within this superb book. Kathleen Fuller’s tale is unlike another Amish romance tale that I have read. This one is about two kind loving Amish souls who find friendship and love in one another. Sweet, addictive, and beautifully done. An Amish man has trouble with reading and remembering some stuff. Yet his talent for drawing is out of this world. Then with a young Amish woman’s help, he learns how to read well and how to do other things as well. Together they learn and fall deeper in love. A quite love falls upon them both. Is a wedding in their future? I highly recommend for readers everywhere to read about them. This novella has tugged at my heart and made me fall in love with each of the main characters. Overall, this was a must read.

Mischief in the Autumn Air by Vannetta Chapman is the last novella in this inspiring collection. This last story was unique as well. It was an Amish historical mystery. The tale ended up reuniting Amish people and creating new beginnings. An old argument between two former Amish friends soon led to a treasure map hunt. The treasure map hunt brought together a group of Amish and led them to find hope, peace, and new love. Vannetta Chapman brought a young man back to his Amish roots and finding work, then helping an older Amish aunt to get the medical help and for two workers to find a love to last a lifetime. Truly an entertaining and suspenseful read. Clean and heart melting too. Overall, I highly recommend this novella to readers everywhere.