About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Friday, October 30, 2020

An Amish Christmas Wedding: Four Stories by Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Kathleen Fuller, Vannetta Chapman

An Amish Christmas Wedding: Four StoriesABOUT THE BOOK





From bestselling authors of Amish fiction come four delightful stories perfect for celebrating love, joy, and the everyday miracles Christmas brings.

Evergreen Love by Amy Clipston

Ryan Lapp had promised to marry Lorene Bontrager as soon as he was able to build them a house, but the day never came. Ryan moved away. Five years later, Lorene has settled in to her old maid role, and she’s shocked when her younger sister announces her quick engagement to Ryan’s younger brother. As they rush to plan the wedding, Lorene is constantly around the family she almost joined. Worse, she’s forced to face Ryan himself, who has returned to town. As both Ryan and Lorene examine their own feelings, they must decide if they can find grace with each other—and the young people they once were—this Christmas season. There just might still be love in their future.

Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin

Henry Lufkin is one of four bachelors who lived in the West Kootenai, Montana, cabins that were destroyed by wildfires. He’s the only one of them who hasn’t since married, but he likes his solitude. Then an old friend asks him to care for his son, and Henry has to share his small cabin and his life with bewildered and rebellious ten-year-old Tommy. When the child encounters trouble at school, Henry reaches out to Tommy's teacher. Leesa Yoder never expected to find herself single and teaching sixteen young scholars, and she certainly didn’t anticipate an inexperienced bachelor telling her how to do her job. Amid the flying sparks, can Henry and Leesa see that there might be hope and love in this unexpected situation?

Wreathed in Joy by Kathleen Fuller

Mary Wengerd and Jakob Mullet have been best friends since childhood. Pressured by friends and family, they decided to date—with disastrous results. When they break up, their friendship is ruined. A year later, Mary is baking her Englisch friend’s wedding and groom cakes for a Christmas Eve wedding. Mary loves the Christmas season, and had always dreamed of marrying during that time. Now she wonders if she’ll ever marry. After she and Jakob form a tenuous new friendship, Mary breaks her arm. As he steps in to help her with the cakes, Mary is inexplicably and suddenly falling for him. But they've already dated, and that ended so horribly. Could it be better this time?


A Christmas Prayer
 by Vannetta Chapman


Widower Micah Miller runs the Amish Tour Company, offering Englischers a glimpse of a simpler life as well as tea at Rachel King’s. Rachel has never married and has recently lost her parents. When Micah comes across an abandoned and injured dog, he gives it to Rachel for company. As Rachel is charmed by the dog and shocked by news of the existence of family she never expected, her heart and mind bend toward the possibilities of change in her life—even toward the possibility of love.

Goodreads  Amazon


MY THOUGHTS.....

"This is the best Christmas ever. I'm so grateful for our love---our evergreen love."

What could be better than an Amish story about a Christmas wedding? How about four different stories that center around Amish Christmas weddings? In this new book, four beloved authors tease us with questions such as: Is it possible for two former sweethearts to experience a renewed love the second time around? Will a confirmed bachelor be willing to provide a home for a rebellious ten year-old boy and accept advice from a new teacher? Can two former friends mend their friendship or will a budding romance separate them for good? Should a widower open his heart to a new love and a new life?

Each of these novellas is about 100 pages long so this collection is perfect when you're yearning to read but don't have a lot of time. Grab a cup of hot chocolate, prop up your feet, and lose yourself in these stories that show us that love can occur at any age and that Christmas romance is so very magical! An Amish Christmas Wedding is an enjoyable book that proves once again the love, admiration, and understanding that Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Kathleen Fuller, and Vannetta Chapman have for the Amish way of life.

I received a copy of this book but was under no obligation to write a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Sound of Falling Leaves by Lisa Cox Carter

The Sound of Falling LeavesABOUT THE BOOK

After aspiring opera singer Tessa loses her voice in a fire, she needs both a place to heal and a way to keep music in her life. She retreats to her aunt's apple orchard in rural North Carolina to collect folk ballads. But amid the autumn splendor of this isolated Appalachian community, she uncovers an unnerving connection between a murder case and a long-ago disappearance. Tessa gets a glimpse into an almost-forgotten world, encounters a corrupt, small-town political dynasty, and finds superstition and prejudice at every turn.

She's also drawn to Zeke, the handsome but enigmatic orchard caretaker, who shows her that mountain justice is neither impartial nor just. But battling a conspiracy of silence, Tessa isn't sure if she can trust him. Yet somewhere in the mists of the Blue Ridge Mountains, evil lurks, and a killer is determined to keep the past where it belongs--dead and buried.

MY THOUGHTS.....

This is my first Lisa Carter book but it certainly won't be my last! She quickly drew me in to her story of corruption, murder, and cover-ups, and the drama and suspense kept me invested until the very end. I felt totally at home in Buckthorn, North Carolina and part of this was due to the Appalachian dialect that Carter used. I've known the feeling of being "jittery as a June bug" or hanging on to something "like a dog with a bone" and I've even had "my hackles raised".

The Sound of Falling Leaves is a fascinating study of broken people. Some of them are victims, some are truly evil, but most of them are hiding secrets that are about to be revealed. Danger and intrigue are in abundance but there is also overwhelming love and redemption. Zeke and Tessa both deserve a chance at happiness but can they find it together? Will Zeke's efforts to solve the recent murder of his foster-sister Kaci point him to a disappearance that happened many years ago? Is it possible for Zeke and Tessa to place their full trust in God?

Appalachian superstitions play an important role but it is the strong faith element that increased my appreciation. When Zeke questions his family connections, Tessa's very wise Aunt Dicy reminds him that "In the end, the only blood that will matter is the blood of Christ...Not the blood that runs through our veins, but the blood that washes our heart."

I can't say enough good things about The Sound of Falling Leaves and I highly recommend it to all who enjoy Christian romantic suspense!

I received a copy of this book from Kregel Tours but there was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts. 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Carter is the bestselling author of seven romantic suspense novels, four historical novellas and a contemporary Coast Guard series. The Stronghold won the 2017 Daphne du Maurier. Under a Turquoise Sky won the 2015 Carol Award for Romantic Suspense. Beyond the Cherokee Trail was a 4 1/2 star Romantic Times Top Pick.


As a Southern romantic suspense writer--Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder--Lisa Carter has definite opinions on serious issues like barbeque, ACC basketball and the whole Pepsi vs. Coke controversy.

She and her husband have two daughters and make their home in North Carolina. When she isn't writing, Lisa enjoys traveling to romantic locales. She also enjoys quilting and researching her next exotic adventure.


Learn more about Lisa by visiting her Website