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 … 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.
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This is such a nice collection of Amish Christmas stories! I really enjoyed all of them, but Evergreen Love was my absolute favorite! These were all a quick read for me. I have always loved these collections because you get to sample stories from talented authors!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Evergreen Love by Amy Clipston
Lorene and Ryan!
I enyoyed reading how they found their way back together. This was a beautiful second chance story filled with a lot of love and redemption in the most beautiful season; Christmas.
A Holiday Of Hope by Kelly Irvin
God has a plan and most times in our times of grief we don’t see it. That was the story of Henry and Leesa! Each of them had their own share of loss and pain! But in God they triumphed even when faced with the daunting task of raising 10 year old Tommy. This story was heartwarming and healing.
Wreathed In Love by Kathleen Fuller
It was a second go at love for Mary and Jakob. They found their way back to each other at the most beautiful season of the year.
A Christmas Prayer by Vennetta Chapman
It’s never too late to fall in love. That was the story of Rachel and Micah. I enjoyed reading their story and how they brought joy into each lives, also how they complemented each other. The beautiful season of Christmas made this story all the more colourful.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
What a sweet collection of second chance at love and love later in life! It’s always wonderful when I enjoy each story, and just can’t stop reading. I was impressed by the vivid personalities, romantic chemistry, individual plots, and cozy Christmastime setting. The two that stood out to me are Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin and Wreathed in Joy by Kathleen Fuller. I admire when characters can make the best of a difficult situation and recognize the blessings that come because of their efforts.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
What a wonderful collection of Amish novellas set at Christmastime! I enjoyed each story. Each story is independent of the others. Each novella has a set of discussion questions at the end.
I was feeling the emotions right along with the characters in Evergreen Love. Ryan and Lorene still had feelings for each other which they both tried to deny, but that became harder and harder as their paths were forced to cross due to their siblings marrying each other. Years ago Ryan and Lorene were engaged, but something Ryan felt that he had to keep hidden caused their breakup. I was surprised at what that secret was!
Ten-year-old Tommy drew me in and kept me turning the pages of Holiday of Hope. Tommy drew Henry and Leesa together, too, which made for a sweet romance.
I thought Mary and Jakob’s story was really a romantic one in Wreathed In Joy. They each mourned the loss of their friendship which ended after they tried dating each other about a year before the story takes place. Sparks were flying when they had to wait out a snowstorm alone together after the school’s Christmas program. I thought it was fun that others around them could see that there might still be more between them than just friendship.
I was so excited to find out that the characters were a fifty-something and a sixty-year-old in A Christmas Prayer! I felt for Rachel right away because she didn’t have family and was alone in the world. I enjoyed watching these older characters nervously explore their feelings for each other. I also enjoyed Micah’s family’s reaction to the two. This story also contains a bit of a mystery which keeps the pages turning.
This sweet collection is one you’ll probably want to keep and read again at Christmastime another year. Each novella is well crafted and endearing. I love seeing what’s happening with characters from other series, like in Kelly Irvin’s Holiday of Hope, which follows the community in Montana after the devastating forest fires. Each story focuses on an Amish couple through misunderstandings and love growing, vulnerability and hope for the future. I especially liked the older couple featured in Vanetta Chapman’s A Christmas Prayer. Even if you haven’t read any of the other great novels by these wonderful authors, you will enjoy this offering. Christmas traditions play a big role in the stories, as does God’s love and faith in Him. I received a copy from an author. All opinions are my own.
What I think you should know: An Amish Christmas Wedding is a compilation of four Amish fiction novellas by Vanetta Chapman, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin and Amy Clipston. They all have the theme of Amish Christmas Weddings.
Evergreen Love by Amy Cliptson
Holiday Hope by Kelly Irvin
Wreathed in Joy by Katleen Fuller
A Christmas Prayer by Vanetta Chapman
What I think about this book:
This was a super cute compilation, I enjoyed getting to see the writing story of each author. Each story was unique and captured my attention. I like that Evergreen Love was about second chances and talking through problems. Holiday Hope showed how gentle love and patience can help heal hurts of the past. Wreathed in Joy was a joy to read as Mary and Jakob worked together to regain the friendship they once had. I enjoyed how A Christmas prayer had more mature characters than the typical romance. This is a nice Christmas read to help get you in the spirit.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
This is a great collection of sweet Amish Christmas stories that I thoroughly enjoyed from four of my favorite Amish writers. And I could never even think of picking a favorite among these four stories!! I love them all!
Amy Clipston’s Evergreen Love shares Lorene and Ryan’s story five years after a fierce breakup. The two are attendants at their siblings wedding. My heart went out for these two as they endured their time together. Amy Clipston creates beautiful characters that develop so well throughout the story. I love the sweetness of the Amish families. A great calm Christmas story!
Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin was such a fun read. I really enjoyed the banter between Leesa and Henry, especially as he told her how to do her job. Both a little feisty, it was quiet the scene! Using her wonderfully created characters that I grew to love, Kelly Irvin does an amazing job as usual, telling another wonderful Amish story, and a Christmas one at that!
Wreathed in Joy by Kathleen Fuller gives another sweet second chance stories for readers. After the breakup Mary and Jakob find themselves a year later involved in preparation for a Christmas wedding. Ms. Fuller pins a wonderful story of love, forgiveness and second chances. I love how the story unfolds and we get a glimpse of this beautiful couple.
And last but certainly not least, we have the finally story:
A Christmas Prayer by Vannetta Chapman
Vannetta Chapman’s story involves an Amish Tour Company, which I loved because I don’t read a lot of stories about this subject. Michael is a widower, and I think this tour company is the perfect job for him. And communication with the single lady, Rachel King gets intriguing and interesting for me! And what I would give to visit Rachel’s Tea. I can just feel the cozy little restaurant now. And I also enjoyed romance between a little older couple than usual. This book is a solid Five Stars for me!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I love reading stories about the Amish, and this collection did not disappoint. From stories about second chances to stories about friends falling in love with families created through a family created when a young boy loses his parents, this collection captures the spirit of Christmas.
While each story stands alone, the collections weave together beautifully. I think my favorite story was the final story because I love how the couple falling in love are older and that it involves a dog finding a new family.
So if you love Amish books and books set at Christmas, check out this book for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
This is a lovely collection of Amish stories by some very talented writers.
Each of these stories feature interesting couples that immediately drew me into the story. Although these stories are shorter in length, each one felt complete, and the endings weren’t rushed. Since this collection has a Christmas wedding theme, it was fun following each couple as they had to overcome difficulties to reach their own happily-ever-after.
This is perfect, heartwarming reading for the holiday season. I’d love to read another collection by this same group of authors. These stories are sweet and clean, and have an emphasis on trusting God for guidance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
An Amish Christmas wedding
This was such a good collection of stories to get me in the Christmas spirit! I had the privilege of reading last Christmas’s book (An Amish Christmas Bakery) by this collection of authors (Vanetta Chapman is new though) and truly fell in love with each author’s unique writing style. While not interconnected each story brings hope and warmth into my mind and I hope you will like them too!
Evergreen Love by Amy Clipston – I so enjoyed this story filled with mishaps, love, and second chances. Ryan and Lorene both show growth as characters and a sweet desire to learn from their previous experiences. They were fun to get to know and they showed a great look at forgiveness and the importance of communication!
Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin – This story was adorably sweet and heartfelt. I loved Henry’s journey, his special patience with his nephew (especially how he took it all in seamless stride not trying to force things), and his dedication to his first wife and subsequent openness to second chances. Leesa was also a very interesting character whom I rooted for from the beginning. I loved her courage, strength, and willingness to help others; even when it was outside her comfort zone. Overall, I loved the sweet romance in this book and enjoyed Kelly Irvin’s descriptions of deep snow Montana life. \
Wreathed in Joy by Kathleen Fuller – I loved this friends to more gone awry story! Definitely one of my favorite sub-genres and Kathleen Fuller nails it. Mary and Jakob are sweet and the best of friends until a sad misunderstanding changes everything. But I enjoyed watching them banter and rekindle their friendship. It was full of sweet moments, memories, and the courage to try again. A great reminder to always give people second chances. Such a sweet story and I loved the ending.
A Christmas Prayer by Vannetta Chapman – Ever had the feeling that life is not going where you planned? Well, Rachel and Micah’s story is definitely one you will like. It was like ‘watching Rachel bloom’ as Micah so eloquently put it. I loved Micah’s caring nature, his use of Cloe (a Beautiful lab ), and his devotion to family. Rachel was really and truly a great character to watch grow. She showed patience, loyalty, and an openness to being used by God that I really admire. Truly a fun story of letting God engage you in His plan, you never know what might happen.
This collection of stories was engaging and one I definitely recommend reading. It was fun to read something different in each story all centered around Christmas time. The stories kept my attention, and I did not want to put the book down. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for the creative twist the authors used, the wonderfully diverse characters, and for getting me a little more in the Christmas spirit.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
This collection includes 4 short stories (novellas) from well known Amish Christian fiction authors.
Each story has a common theme of forgiveness, love, family and the joy that the holidays bring. Each individual story was fun to read and different in its own way. I really enjoyed reading each one. Because they are short stories they can be read quickly and will definitely get in the holiday spirit!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
These are truly four of my favorite Amish fiction authors. I’m loving having them all together in one book and meeting all these fun new characters.
All of these authors are wonderful. They each have their own unique style of writing and many books behind their names. I can’t say that one is better than the others or that I favor one over the others because there is something about each that makes them the best!
In this collection, I think my favorite novella is Holiday of Hope. I love the dynamic and all the sparks that are flying between Leesa and Henry. Plus add in the school teacher job and caring for a friends ten years old and you know it’s going to be fun and funny!
Have you read the collection? Which is your favorite?
I will warn you that if you haven’t read these authors before this is a gateway book. Once you’re done you will be devouring all of the books by each of the authors and you very well may not come up for air until Christmas is here!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
4 Amish couples find a second chance at love and hope for a new beginning in this Christmas collection of novellas.
I enjoyed this heartwarming collection of unique love stories by some of the biggest names in Amish fiction. Some couple get the chance to rekindle an old flame, while others have their eyes opened to the opportunity for love around them.
I liked the second chance to right a misunderstanding in Evergreen Love. And I couldn’t resist my favorite trope of all of friends to lovers in Wreathed in Joy, I liked their ease with each other, and how much they knew the other. I admired Henry and Leesa’s patience and love for Tommy, in Holiday of Hope, as well as how they made a good team, as they worked to find solutions for the challenges they faced. And I absolutely loved how A Christmas Prayer focuses on an older couple, and the dog that brings them together, because I don’t think that young people should have all the fun.
Overall, a sweet heartwarming Christmas collection of stories, set in various plain communities across the country. I loved the meeting the characters and their families as they prepared for the holiday. This would also make a great gift for the Amish fiction lover in your life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Just the perfect novella collection to get you in the mood for the holiday season and the best part is that you can read each story in one quick setting when you don’t have a lot of time. The commonality is second chances at love and weddings but each author brings a unique spin to their story. These are some of the best authors in the Amish genre and they leave you with a warm feeling that brings that joyous Christmas spirit. I loved that A Christmas Prayer shows that love knows no bounds when it comes to age. Wreathed In Love showed that friendship can grow into the best kind of love when not forced and I loved how helpful Jakob was. Evergreen Love shows that honesty in sharing can help avoid misconceptions and that grace and forgiveness is imperative in healing. Reeling In Love shows that after much sorrow that healing and joy come as God gives beauty for ashes. I wish they were all longer as I hated for it to end. #mustreadfortheholidays Grab a copy and settle in with a blanket and hot chocolate in front of the fire for an enjoyable evening.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I love books where authors come together and give readers a collection of stories packed in one book. These stories are entertaining and allows us to visit the Amish during holiday times. Each story is a stand alone yet each author made their story flow easily into the next. . Enjoy your time getting into the holiday spirit.
Evergreen Love byAmy Clipston
What a great story about second chances. It was sad that Lorene and Ryan ended their engagement. I think Lorene didn’t really give Ryan time to explain why he kept putting off building a house for them. We sometimes make rash decisions in the heat of our emotions and regret them later.
I couldn’t wait to see what would happen when Ryan returns after being away for several years. Lorene learns a valuable lesson in sharing her feelings and allowing Ryan to finally open up to her. There is something special about weddings. Lorene and Ryan experience some awkward moments but God had a plan for them. It is a wonderful and sweet story of family, forgiveness and finding happiness.
Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin
Oh my did this story tug at my heart. Can I just give Tommy a big hug? The pain of feeling all alone in the world is hard for Tommy. Now after losing the last person he cared for he is shuffled off to live with Henry. This child need some compassion, guidance and someone who cares about him. It was sad to read that Tommy doesn’t believe in God anymore. I can understand how hurt he is by losing family members. Sometimes we are mad at God because we don’t understand why bad things happen.
With the help of Leesa and Henry, maybe Tommy will let down his guard. Leesa is such a sweet character. You can tell right away that she cares about other people. I loved reading how Tommy slowly began to change and allow God to work on his heart. The Christmas program was fun to read about and I could tell Tommy was happy to be part of it.
“God has a way of leading us to water, doesn’t He? Now you just have to drink.”
Wreathed in Love by Kathleen Fuller
How fun it must be to have a wedding at Christmastime. The decorations are beautiful and families gather to share happiness and the holiday season. I couldn’t wait to see how the author would use this wedding to get two people back together. Mary and Jakob use to date but that ended a year ago. Now they find themselves spending time together helping Mary’s friend with her wedding. I would love to attend an Amish wedding someday.
I really liked how the story talks about friendship and helping others out. Mary has to rely on Jakob to help her with baking obligations when she is injured. It’s the perfect setup for these two to rekindle their friendship and perhaps more. The author delivers a wonderful story about trusting . It can be hard sometimes to let out guard down and allow someone in. Mary is a great example of learning to trust God with her feelings and giving Jakob the chance to try to repair their relationship.
A Christmas Prayer by Vannetta Chapman
There are so many things I loved about this story. I loved that it focused on older adults, a dog that stole my heart and finding love. It was nice to be part of the tour as Rachel opens her home up to tourist. She answered questions from them and I loved how she did it with grace. I learned that when Amish make quilts, they put a mistake in them to keep them humble. The answer Rachel gave about the Amish being a cult made me understand them better. They only worship God, not a person like a cult does.
Now on to the fun part of the story. Rachel is lonely and not excited to spend Christmas alone. How sad it was to learn that Rachel never married. Rachel’s friend Micah comes over with an injured dog hoping she will take the dog. After all Rachel is alone and the dog needs someone to nurse back to health. I laughed when Rachel said no as the dog’s big sad eyes looked at her.
There are a few surprises which really made the story more interesting. Micah and Rachel seem to slowly become more comfortable around each other and I was cheering for them to have the best Christmas ever. Prayers are powerful and in this story it shows that God does answer prays. He may not answer them as soon as we want but He has a plan for our lives. I would love to see a follow up story with Micah and Rachel because they are special people who represent that no matter how old you are, you can find love in God’s timing.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Evergreen Love by Amy Clipston – I love this story and reading about Ryan and Loren. One story that sometimes we misunderstand why things have happened and jump to conclusions but second chances do happen.
Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin – This story tugged at my heart and had me cheering Henry and Leesa. When a child loses faith in God can Leesa and Henry change the childs view and maybe have some holiday cheer for themselves too
Wreathed in Joy by Kathleen Fuller – Teaches us that time makes the heart grow founder and new joy comes to those who wait.
A Christmas Prayer by Vannetta Chapman – Sometimes love finds us even if we are older and The Christmas season brings family and a few surprises.
You will not be disappointed with any stories in this book. The authors have brought the holiday season to life and endeared the characters to my heart. Wonderfully written and a joy to read.
The opinion is my own and I am under no obligation to give a positive review.
A wonderful collection of stories by four authors that know the Amish and their traditions quite well. I enjoyed each story so much and was eager to learn the meaning behind the titles to each one. Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year for family, traditions, giving and celebrating Christ’s birth so why not weddings. The first three involved young people, the last an older couple, which I loved since I’m of that age. I’m going to use the title in the first story to explain my husband and I and how we feel about each other, Evergreen Love. A love that lasts and stays fresh.
There was something brought out in A Christmas Prayer that resonated with me. Rachel was praying one night before bed, and just as she was drifting off to sleep, she felt “much like a small child falling asleep in her father’s arms.” And my thought was, shouldn’t I feel that way each night as I say my prayers? Safe and loved in my Father’s arms.
And in love, sometimes we drift away from one another or are asked to do things that disrupt our lives but we ask, “doesn’t God know best what’s right for us?”
If getting in the Christmas spirit in this chaotic year we’ve had is what you long for, then these stories will surely do that. I cried a tear or two, happy tears of course!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.
An Amish Christmas Wedding contains four delightful and heartwarming Amish stories from Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin, and Vannetta Chapman. I found all of them to be well-written with steady pacing and charming characters. There are lovely themes in each book. Love, hope, grace, faith, and second chances are just a few of them. I enjoyed reading about the Amish Christmas traditions where they focus more on God and family than on material things. Of course, I just loved the Christmas weddings. It is a magical time of year to get married. I enjoyed all four stories, but I admit that my favorite was A Christmas Prayer by Vannetta Chapman. I liked the older main characters and that sweet dog. An Amish Christmas Wedding is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. It got my mind off stressful situations. It provided me with peace and the hope that love might find me yet. We need more clean, wholesome stories like these. An Amish Christmas Wedding has put me in the mood for Christmas (I have been humming Christmas carols all day). An Amish Christmas Wedding contains four sweet Amish stories from four talented female writers.
An Amish Christmas Wedding is a collection of four Amish Christmas inspired stories from four different well known Amish Fiction authors that I adore. These stories include:
Evergreen Love by Amy Clipston
Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin
Wreathed in Joy by Kathleen Fuller
A Christmas Prayer by Vannetta Chapman
I enjoyed every single one of these novellas. I am not sure if I could pick one over another. Each one was sweet, delightful, inspiring, and such a pleasure and joy to read.
I am going to give An Amish Christmas Wedding is five stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy sweet Amish tales and those set during the magical time of Christmas. It is most definitely worth a read and not one to be missed this Holiday season.
I received An Amish Christmas Wedding from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
An Amish Christmas Wedding is a collection of four novellas centered around romance and Christmas. Written by four authors,(by Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin, & Vannetta Chapman) each story is different, yet they each focus on the beauty of hope, second chances, and love. The characters are charming and are people I’d like to be friends with. The stories are quick reads and kept my interest. With Christmas just around the corner, reading these inspirational love stories is a good way to begin the season–to begin thinking about the miracle of love that we celebrate at this time of the year. Readers who enjoy Amish romance and stories about Christmas will not want to miss An Amish Christmas Wedding.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required, and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.