From bestselling authors in the Amish genre come four sweet stories about picnics and romance. Baskets of Sunshine by Amy Clipston Kevin Weaver has lived with his brother’s family since his parents passed away when he was young, but he craves a home and family to call his own. Freeman Kurtz owns a successful brick mason business, and Kevin takes the job as Freeman’s apprentice to pursue his own … pursue his own financial freedom.
Phoebe Kurtz is helping her sister with her booth at the marketplace when she notices Kevin, her father’s employee. Their friendship grows, but Kevin is convinced that the difference in their ages makes a relationship between them impossible. Amidst summer outings, Kevin and Phoebe must decide if taking a chance on love is worth the risk.
Candlelight Sweethearts by Kelly Irvin
Esther Marie Shrock loves her job at Valley Grocery Store where she’s worked for four years. Despite a stutter that has plagued her since childhood, she thrives filling orders from a steady stream of customers. Still, at 25, she and her family wonder if romance is in her future.
Jasper Cotter isn’t good with people, but he’s found himself obligated to take over day-to-day operations of the family owned grocery store–a store he doesn’t have the first clue how to run. Thrown together, Esther Marie and Jasper don’t exactly see eye to eye. One night, the store loses power, and the candles aren’t the only things shooting off sparks. Esther Marie and Jasper are suddenly forced to discover common ground when it matters most, and they might be surprised with love along the way.
Reeling in Love by Kathleen Fuller
Nina Stoll and Ira Yoder are just friends. Just friends and fishing buddies. Every Saturday afternoon, they have a picnic at their favorite fishing hole and see who can out fish the other. Until Nina starts to wonder if there’s more.
Her plans to share her feelings go awry, and circumstances seem destined to keep Nina and Ira apart. With both Nina and Ira confused and hurting, it’s going to take courage, some help from the community matchmakers, and a little bit of divine intervention for Nina and Ira to realize they’re each other’s perfect catch.
Picnics and Prospects by Vannetta Chapman
Faith Troyer is claustrophobic, and David Lapp builds tiny houses. They went on a date years ago with disastrous results. Now that they’re in their late twenties, their families and friends are beginning to wonder if either will ever find that special someone. When a picnic outing is diverted by the discovery of a package of letters dating back to the 1970s, they take it upon themselves to find answers to a mystery that causes them to rethink their past and consider their future.
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This is a delightful collection of heartwarming Amish romances. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. All of them have a picnic as part of their story, whether an outside picnic in a social setting, an inside picnic during a storm, or a picnic with a proposal. I love all the stories especially Reeling in Love, which has a story of a best friends from the An Amish Brides of Birch Creek series and Candlelight Sweethearts which has a sweet girl, who stutters and a young socially awkward man. The other two stories are also enjoyable to read. Both contain misconceptions between the couples. In Baskets of Sunshine, Kevin believes initially that Phoebe is too immature and in Picnics and Prospects, David is struggling to understand Faith’s claustrophobia as well as help her solve a mystery. I don’t want to spoil the stories by describing them further. I really like this anthology because it introduced me to new authors that I can read in the future.
Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Kathleen Fuller and Vannetta Chapman write an anthology centered around four Amish couples and their picnics.
Each story focuses on an adversity, whether real or perceived, which create a hindrance or stumbling block to the couples. I enjoyed seeing how the difficulties were overcome, along with getting to know new couples and getting to catch up with others from previous stories.
In Amy Clipston’s story, Baskets of Sunshine, we get to catch up with Phoebe Kurtz. Phoebe only had a small part in Clipston’s book The Bake Shop, when she helped her sister at her bakeshop, but I always enjoy reading more about other characters from a previously written story.
Candlelight Sweethearts, by Kelly Irvin, creates a sweet memory and occasion from a scary, threatening circumstance facing Esther Marie Shrock and Jasper Cotter. Even though both have very different ideas about management of Jasper’s family’s grocery store, they eventually find common ground.
Reeling in Love, by Kathleen Fuller, introduces Nina Stoll and Ira Yoder, who have been friends since they were very young. They both love fishing and fish every Saturday. So why does Nina become so upset when Ira brings Margaret to fish with them?
Vannetta Chapman’s Picnics and Prospects presents Faith Troyer and David Lapp with a dilemma. After consulting with their Bishop, they decide to take on an adventure and solve a 50-year-old mystery.
I truly enjoy novellas. They provide a quick getaway without feeling lost when you pick the book back up!
An Amish Picnic is a delightful set of stories, providing a look at friendships, love and romance, along with lessons in forgiveness and healing. Plus, it’s a wonderful glimpse of spring!!
I received the book from NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.
An Amish Picnic by Amy Clipston, Vannetta Chapman, Kelly Irvin and Kathleen Fuller contains four heartwarming tales. The four stories are Baskets of Sunshine by Amy Clipston, Candlelight Sweethearts by Kelly Irvin, Reeling in Love by Kathleen Fuller, and Picnics and Prospects by Vannetta Chapman. The picnic theme is carried out through each sweet story. I like how the author’s tied romance and picnics together. We get to see a man and woman who are attracted to each other, but there is something standing in the way of them getting together. Fears, misconceptions and miscommunication abound in each delightful Amish tale. I enjoyed reading novella collections because it is an opportunity to sample each author’s work and a story from each of their series. While the novellas may be part of a series, each can be read on their own. I liked that Christiana’s sister, Phoebe from The Bake Shop by Amy Clipston got her own story. We get to catch up with Christiana and the rest of the Kurtz family as well. Baskets of Sunshine was a cute story that shows you that it takes time to truly get to know a person. In Picnics and Prospects there is an Amish tiny home builder which I thought was unique. Faith and David find a packet of letters from the 1970s along with a puppy. They set out to solve the mystery of the letters. I like it when Amish stories have mysteries in them. It adds another level of depth to this romantic novella. Candlelight Sweethearts features Esther Marie who suffers from a severe stutter. We get to see how people treat her and the comments they make. There is one person, though, to whom it does not matter. Reeling in Love shows that friendship can develop into something more. It is an appealing, humorous story. An Amish Picnic has four Amish love stories that share a common theme but reflect each author’s writing style. An Amish Picnic contains four charming novellas that feature sunshine, warm weather, good food, fun and couples falling in love.
This is a collection where I equally enjoyed every story! I loved the way picnics were incorporated into such different plots. Some involved mishaps, some were the perfect setting for a declaration of love, and some were a simple way to get to know each other. I thought all the authors did an exceptional job of creating vibrant characters that really came to life as I read. I especially loved Reeling in Love since friends-to-more is one of my favorite tropes. In Picnics and Prospects it was so sweet how David and Faith reconciled the date that went wrong and started anew with each other. A must-read collection for fans of Amish romance!
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.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is a collection of four novellas with each story being independent of the others. Each story features a picnic.
I could not put this book down! It has four separate stories in the book. All four are very good!
the book is a collection of 4 storie, they teach us that you must know a person before judge, dislike and hurt other people feelings.
It’s so easy to create misunderstandings and hurt feelings to other people.
a) Baskets of sunshine – Amy Clipston
Phoebe helps sometimes her sister Christiana at The Bake Shop booth at the market, and in her freetime meets friends at the Sunday youth gatherings.
Kevin starts his new brick job and enjoyes it, he has plan for his future.
When he meets Phoebe, her boss daughter, he misjudges her and inadvertently hurts her feelings…
b) Candlelight sweathearts – Kelly Irving
“..that girl who stutters is working on it. It’s so nice they hire people with special needs here.” –
“We don’t do it as a favor. Esther Marie is a good smart employee.” Jasper said.
Certain comments are hard to digest and hurt people. People are all different, with their good and bad temperament, needs and problems.
c) Reeling in love – Kathleen Fuller
Village of Birch Creek, Nina works as a maid at her parents inn, every Saturday she meets her best friend Ira to spend the afternoon fishing.
“Fishing with her was confortable, easy, and relaxing – a time he looked forward to every week.”
When Margaret shows up at the pod with Ira, where Nina wait…
d) Picnic and prospects – Vannetta Chapman
Faith is a vet, “animal were easy. People on the other hand, confounded her.”
During a picnic with younger church people, Faith and David found a small dog and a box of letters of year 1970,
they try to solve the mystery and slowly they know each other well and solve also their misunderstandings.
An Amish Picnic
I really enjoyed this book of four novellas by some of my favorite Amish authors! Each of these stories really grabbed my attention as they came alive each bringing characters back from some of their previous books.
As always, these author never disappoint and I can’t wait to read more from them.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the author. I was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of this book
Four great novellas by talented authors of Amish fiction fill this charming collection. It’s fun to read more about characters we met in other novels. Some who were minor now get their own story. The characters and stories seem realistic. We have the typical misunderstandings and lack of awareness that one could care for another, but the endearing tales touch the heart. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are mine.
I love Amish fiction! I have a huge collection of Amish fiction books, and I love to share them. Especially when they are collaborations like this one. This anthology by 4 talented authors is, while 400 pages, a quick and gripping read. These authors bring their readers stories filled with hope, love, grace and inspiration.
I loved all four stories in this book, but my absolute favorite one was Baskets Of Sunshine by Amy Clipston. Amy Clipston creates Kevin and Pheobe with depth, making them come to life in their story. Seeing them together, watching them grow and interact had me smiling and cheering them on. I loved the picnic and felt like I was right there with them. In true Clipston fashion, her characters steal my heart, wrapping me up completely in their story, becoming more than just characters, and leaves me wanting the next story instantly.
These stories are all amazing, and flow perfectly. Each author creates stories that leave the reader feeling refreshed and ready for the next. If you’ve never read an Amish fiction novel before, this would be a great collaboration to start with. These stories are woven together with wonderful messages from God, beautifully chiseled characters and inspiration that will be with you long after you close the book. 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.*
I always love these novella collections! I love being able to sample different authors and read more from favorites. My favorite novella in this one was Baskets of Sunshine by Amy Clipston. It was great to catch up with some favorite characters from her other books. I’m looking forward to reading more from each of these authors!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
An Amish Picnic is a charming novella collection featuring stories by Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Kathleen Fuller, and Vannetta Chapman. Set in a variety of different Amish communities, this book contains four, unique stories in which picnics shared with friends serve to foster deeper relationships, inspire hope, and even nurture a bit of romance. The novellas in this collection feature genuinely endearing characters who seek to build connections with each other as they overcome insecurities, misunderstandings, and unmet expectations. The characters offer forgiveness, embrace new beginnings, and find more reasons to open their hearts to fresh dreams and unexpected joys.
In each of these novellas, I was thoroughly entertained by the enjoyable stories the authors shared. I easily found interest in the details of each novella as I experienced authentic emotional connections to the characters within each story. Their struggles, perseverance, and faith captivated and encouraged me as I read. Thoughtfully connected by the themes of picnics, reconnection, and romance, these novellas are memorable and engaging. There is a meaningful connection among these four stories as they emphasize grace, kindness, friendship, faith, family, and community.
An Amish Picnic is a heart-warming and uplifting book brimming with four very special stories. A true pleasure to read from the first page to the last, I eagerly recommend it to all readers.
*I was given a copy of this book by the author/publisher through Netgalley. A review was not required. The review I have written contains opinions that are entirely my own.
What a delightful collection of four stories by four of the best Amish story authors. They will remind you of fun times and warm summer days and your youth, for those of us older readers.
Baskets of Sunshine by Amy Clipston brings about a misunderstanding between the two main characters. There is a five year difference in age between Kevin and Phoebe and he perceives she and her friends as very immature. Working for her father as an apprentice brick mason leaves their friendship on shaky ground from the start. Will a picnic solve their misunderstandings?
Candlelight Sweethearts by Kelly Irvin opens up the chance for Jasper to run his father’s store when his father falls ill. Esther has worked at the store for several years and knows all the ends and outs of running it but she has a terrible stutter that slows her down in communications. When a storm takes the power from the store, they both have a chance to get to know each other better with a forced candlelight picnic on the store floor.
Reeling in Love by Kathleen Fuller is a story about Ira and Nina. They have been best friends and every Saturday fishing buddies for a very long time. Nina wants more and devises a picnic for one of their fishing outings that has disastrous results.
Picnics and Prospects by Vannetta Chapman brings Faith and David into focus. Faith has a terrible phobia of closed in places. Amazingly she follows a hurt puppy into a cluster of kudzu vines with no thought of being claustrophobic. David follows her and finds a lost wrapped package. The mystery begins when the package uncovers seven letters inside from 1970. As they try to investigate who they may belong to, their friendship increases.
Though each story is different they have picnics, friendship progressing to romance and fun times in common. These were quick and easy to read and very delightful!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel collection from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.
A comforting read during this time of fear and uncertainty. A read that provides a few hours of escapism.
For fans of Amy Clipston, we get to know more about Phoebe from The Bake Shop. A great story to gently show up how we can make things more difficult than we need to at times.
Kelly Irvin reminds us love and friendship can be found in the most obvious places, right in front of our face.
Kathleen Fuller lets us know that family and friends are always willing to give you that gentle or not so gentle push towards love.
My favorite is the story from Vannetta Chapman. We get two love stories wrapped in one. When love is meant to be it will find a way no matter how long it takes.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Zondervan, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
What I think you should know:
An Amish Picnic is a compilation of Amish fiction novellas by the following authors: Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Kathleen Fuller and Vannetta Chapman. The stories each feature different Amish characters and communities.
What you might need to know:
Some of the stories feature characters with anxiety, panic attacks, claustrophobia and speech impediments.
What I think about these stories:
In Basket of Sunshine by Amy Clipston, when Kevin Weaver becomes an apprentice brickmason for Phoebe Kurtz’s father he is determined to develop a profession so he can build a career of his own. I found this novella so much different than many other Amish stories, insteading of hiding their courting the characters openly claimed boyfriends and girlfriends and the parents spoke about their relationships. I found that very unique, the story was interesting and I enjoyed reading it!
Candlelight Sweethearts by Kelly Irvin
OH MY! I really enjoyed Esther Marie and Jasper’s story .Esther Marie is an intelligent woman, but her stuttering combined with being an Amish woman has left her feeling like she will never have a family of her own. My heart hurt for her and Jasper ! I loved how the author demonstrated both her stuttering and Jasper’s anxiety.
Reeling In Love By Kathleen Fuller was such a fun story. I love what it is like to be best friends with someone and then all of a sudden realize that there is something more. This might have been my favorite story in the book!
Picnics and Prospects by Vannetta Chapman was a charming story. I loved how Chapman showed how crippling claustrophobia can be at times. I loved the letters in the story. It was a great story!
I enjoyed each of these stories and would love to read more of the authors, characters and communities in the story!
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
This is a great collection of short stories that will definitely get you in the mood for spring, outdoors and sunshine!
I was familiar with 2 of the 4 authors in this book, so I enjoyed trying the new authors.
All of the Amish stories were different but all had common themes on love, hope, and forgiveness. I really enjoyed each individual one in their own way. Perfect short stories to read in a quick afternoon, but long enough to develop the characters and not rush the story line.
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
An Amish Picnic is a delightful novella collection from four very different Amish authors. Each story features a unique picnic that inspires romance and will have you wishing for a beautiful day to plan a picnic with someone special! Whether it’s a picnic basket loaded with favorite foods or something spontaneous the characters discovered a picnic was a wonderful way to relax and get better acquainted. A novella collection is also a perfect way to try a new author. You won’t be disappointed with this charming assortment!
I received a copy from the NetGalley and an author. The opinions are my own.
An Amish Picnic is a collection of four charming novellas that is sure to put the reader in the mood for summertime and picnics. Written by some of my favorite authors, I enjoyed each of these stories about young Amish couples who found romance as they picnicked together. Each story has its own interesting twist as the authors each touch on different aspects and issues of life. Stuttering, claustrophobia and age differences each bring realism and relatability to the characters. In each story, there is a struggle that the couples work to deal with, and it is uplifting to watch them overcome. I enjoyed how the authors blend a sincere faith in God into their characters’ lives. This collection of stories is truly heartwarming, and readers who love Amish romance will not want to miss it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required, and the opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.
Wonderful stories of romance and I enjoyed how picnics are featured to bring these couples together. Each story unique as to the trials and handicaps they had to handle. I really enjoy the friendship shown among the Amish. I was gifted a copy, no review was required. My review is voluntary.
An Amish Picnic is a collection of four Amish stories by four of the most popular Amish authors. These stories include:
Baskets of Sunshine by Amy Clipston – Kevin seeks to find a way to take care of himself. He soon meets his boss’s daughter, Phoebe. The two become fast friends and fall in love. Only there are a few obstacles they need to get through to make it possible. Is it worth it to become a couple?
Candlelight Sweethearts by Kelly Irvin – Esther has had to deal with a stutter all her life and works for Jasper’s family business. The two do not get along. They soon find themselves in a situation where they have to deal with their differences and soon to find out how they really feel for one another.
Reeling in Love by Kathleen Fuller – Friends Nina and Ira love fishing together. Just when Nina discovers she has feelings for him and wants to let him know, things happen to keep her from doing so.
Picnics and Prospects by Vannetta Chapman – Faith and David decision years ago that they were not a match. However, after they team together to solve a mystery, they start to wonder if they should rethink about their past decisions.
I enjoyed all four of the stories from An Amish Picnic. They were all sweet and clean Amish reads. They were mostly predictable but still very much enjoyment. I am giving this collection four stars.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.