Young Amish couples tend to a community garden and harvest friendships and love along the way in this new story collection by bestselling author Amy Clipston.Spring Is in the Air: As the young people of Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, plant a garden in memory of their friend, Katie Ann begins to worry that her older brother, Ephraim, is dating her best friend. What if she somehow loses them both? But … best friend. What if she somehow loses them both? But Christian, a new boy in the community, also works in the garden—and falling for him may be exactly the distraction, and lesson, that Katie Ann needs.
Home by Summer: Clara Hertzler is surprised when Jerry Petersheim, her old friend, comes to the garden to drop off his younger sister—especially because Jerry has been gone for years, and now seems to be living as an Englisher. As the friends get to know each other again, Clara pushes Jerry to examine why he abandoned his Amish beliefs. Will Clara help Jerry renew his faith in God, and will they find love beneath the summer sun?
The Fruits of Fall: Tena Speicher has come to live in Bird-in-Hand after her fiancé left her for an English woman. When a stranger comes to the fruit stand one day and asks for food, Tena is not sure how to respond—but Wayne intervenes and offers to let him stay in the barn. Afraid to trust Englishers, Tena must learn, with Wayne’s help, that everyone is a child of God and deserving of kindness.
Winter Blessings: Ephraim and Mandy have dated for some time and now have plans to marry. But after a series of unexpected events and misunderstandings, they wonder if they should go their separate ways. What will happen when their friends at the Amish garden conspire to bring them back together?
Each story in this sweet, contemporary collection can be read as a standalone, but the stories are best enjoyed together. Book length: approximately 95,000 words. Also includes a reading group guide and an Amish glossary.
“One story slides into the next, woven together effortlessly with the author’s knowledge of the Amish life. Once started, you can’t put this book down.” —Suzanne Woods Fisher, bestselling author of The Devoted
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What a great combination of stories! They all surround the community efforts to start a memorial garden that celebrates the life of Emma’s late husband and also maintain the work of planting,weeding, watering, picking the produce, hauling the fruits and vegetables to the stand by the road and manning the stand for sales. All this was done to raise money for the Bird-In-Hand shelter in the area. With all the meetings, and work done in the garden, plus repair projects, several of the young Amish developed liking one another. Each season in the book focuses on a different couple but all are included in each season. I appreciated the style of writing with the seasons. It made it so interesting to me. I admit I enjoy books that include some gardening!
The first book is called Spring Is In The Air and we meet Katie Ann and her older brother, Ephraim who is dating Katie Ann’s best friend, Mandy. Among the disagreements, there are hurt feelings, and misunderstandings but Katie Ann also meets a new boy in the community. Christian (called Chris) seems to produce a sparkle in her eye!
The next book is Home By Summer. Jerry returns to help the others after not being involved in the community for 5 years and Clara discovers she has feelings for him even though she tried not to since he went “English” and left the Amish church. She does not want to be shunned so she needs to just be friends with Jerry.
Next is The Fruits of Fall that Tena and Wayne display their attraction to one another in spite of their differences and her troubled past. A homeless vet stops by the stand one day wanting food and Tena is fearful of him and can’t seem to get over it. So why is she afraid?
Last is Winter Blessings with Mandy and Ephraim making decisions about their future together. Should they or should they not? Circumstances with family cause some life changing issues that cover a good lesson for all of us to remember.
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of four stories where friendships and love were harvested surrounding the community garden. (less)
Loved this book
Absolutely love this book.As usual Amy Cliipson is a wonderful wtiter.
I enjoyed this book very much. Something I will recommend to friends.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild and I was not required to give a favorable review. The was a wonderful grouping of story of a community of youth that help both a lady from the community who lost her husband, and also the Bird-In-Hand Shelter. Emma lost her husband and now was trying to keep things up on her own, when the young single adult in the community come up a community garden they could plant on her farm it made it possible for the young men make repairs as needed, and the young women to bake but for all of them to help raised the vegetable to be sold. You start in the spring with the set up and into the winter. But what I think is cool is that each of the young people find their true loves there. A great story.
What a clever concept of focusing the stories around the four seasons of a garden. I was glad to revisit Emma and her young friends as they collaborate to honor her late husband with a garden and donate the proceeds to his favorite charity. Each story is complete in itself, but you won’t want to skip any of them. Well written and the attention to detail was wonderful. You can envision the labor of love and the bounty of harvest. The sweet romance between the couples is an added bonus. The stories are knitted together like a perfect sweater that holds you tight.
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Guild. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Seasons of an Amish Garden is a collection of four stories that cover each season of the year. These stories include:
Spring Is in the Air – Katie Ann is worries about her brother and best friend dating, while trying not to fall for newcomer, Christian.
Home by Summer – Clara reconnects with an old friend Jerry, who is now part of the English world.
The Fruits of Fall – Tena leaves her hometown after being betrayed by the one who she planned to marry. She has to learn to trust others.
Winter Blessings – Ephraim and Mandy began questioning their relationship and receive help from their friends.
I enjoyed this collection and give it four stars.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
This was such an enjoyable colleciton of Amish novellas! All four were very good and I felt strongly for each of the main characters as they worked through their heartaches, joys, friendships, and fell in love.
My favorite of the four novellas was Home by Summer. I felt Clara’s heartache vividly in this story as she realized that she truly loved Jerry Petersheim, even though he was resistant toward returning to his Amish roots.
I thoroughly enjoyed each novella in this collection and was happy to see how things worked out for the young people of these stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Seasons of an Amish Garden, by Amy Clipston, is a charming collection of four novellas featuring sweet romances that bloom in each season of the year. As friends gather around a community garden, relationships are nurtured, friendships are strengthened, and love takes root and begins to grow.
One by one, the stories unfold in spring, summer, fall, and winter, offering a likable cast of characters who work together to bless their community and their neighbors. The author has creatively connected these novellas in ways that are clever, meaningful, and entertaining. There is an easy flow from one novella to the next as the four special stories are linked together through the passage of time, the power of faith, and the bonds of community.
From the first sentence to the last, I truly enjoyed being in the delightful world this author created. I was quickly invested in the plot of each novella, and I also had a swift emotional connection to the characters within each story. Their struggles, successes, motivations, fears, and perseverance kept me interested and inspired page after page.
Seasons of an Amish Garden is an endearing book to read and to savor. With plenty of warmth and a lot of heart, this book is uplifting and engaging. I eagerly recommend it to all readers.
*I was given a copy of this book by the author. A review was not required. The review I have written contains opinions that are entirely my own.
I love to garden and to “get my hands dirty” so I was immediately drawn to Seasons of an Amish Garden, a collection of four novellas that are each set during a different season of the year. In hopes of helping a widow through her grieving process and to also help benefit a local shelter in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, a group of Amish youth decide to grow a community garden as a memorial to an Amish gentleman who has recently died. As their garden grows throughout the year we also see how these young people grow in their relationships. None of them are married as the Spring begins but throughout the months ahead, several of them begin to enjoy romances and to learn lessons about each other, their families and about life in general.
Author Amy Clipston shows us that Amish people may live simpler lives than most of us but they are susceptible to many of the same feelings that we have. They can be tempted, they can feel jealousy and envy, they may doubt themselves and the people around them and they experience hurt and anger! And, just like all of us “Englishers”, they need to come to the realization that it is their family, their friends and their faith in God that will help them overcome all of it.
Seasons of an Amish Garden made me happy and sad; I laughed and even cried and and I also began to long for the winter to be over so that I could once again enjoy gardening. It is apparent that Amy Clipston has a deep understanding of the Amish lifestyle and I appreciate that she included a glossary to help us understand some of the Amish terms that are scattered throughout the book. Her writing style is easy to read and I believe that this book will appeal to all who like Christian fiction and stories about the Amish people.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and I chose to write this honest review
This is a set of four stories that center around the same group of young Amish adults that are not married. In each story there is romance. Each of these people learn lessons as they fall in love. I got some laughing in and a little bit of crying. I look forward to more books by this author. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
4 beautiful and uplifting novella length stories all by author Amy Clipston. These stories each take place in one of the four seasons and revolve around a community garden dedicated to a deceased community member in his memory and the proceeds from this garden benefit one of his favorite charities. Each novella follows one couple and is complete in itself. We get to follow the ups and downs of the relationship with each couple.Very well written and enjoyable stories. I have read many of this author’s books and they keep getting better and better.
I look forward to reading many more books by this author.
Published January 8th 2019 by Zondervan.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
This was a very enjoyable set of stories! They were all the perfect length. All of the characters were real and relatable. I really enjoyed each story. They all faced different challenges on their lives and relationships. It was nice to see them turn to God to find healing and peace. I would love to see what comes next for all of them!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
If you’ve followed my blog for sometime now, you’ll know that one of my favorite genres, outside of thriller novels, is Amish fiction. And, in that Amish Fiction, I have 5 top favorite authors. One of those is, without a doubt, Amy Clipston. I fell in love with her writing style and books way back when I read a book she did that wasn’t Amish fiction. Every time I pick up a novel by her, she sweeps me off my feet and puts me in the heart of the book, as she did with this new one.
This is a collection of four novellas. These novellas feature the characters from her novella in An Amish Love collection. Each story here brings us a different season, in which the garden that is planted will grow. Each story, each season, brings something new to the book, taking the reader on a whirl wind ride of love, hope, fun, and memories.
The characters that Clipston brings us back to, all feel like coming home to family. They are chiseled perfectly, their emotions radiating right off the pages. My personal favorite from this collection is Home By Summer, which is following Clara Hertzler and Jerry Petersheim. I loved the message woven into this particular story. Understanding, hope, and most of all, renewed faith in the Lord above. I felt so refreshed after reading their story!
Anything less than 4 stars for this captivating read, would be injustice. The pages of this book will pull you in, have you up late into the night, making new friends, and enjoying time with old friends. If you are looking for a book that will refresh your mind, your soul, and take you through the seasons of life, then grab a copy now. You will not be sorry, and if you’re new to Amy Clipston’s work, you’ll be a new fan, instantly! Amy Clipston, hats off to you, once again, for another collection of heartwarming stories that I won’t soon forget!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booklook Blogger Program and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*Amy Clipston
All of the stories are connected through the characters, gardens, faith, family, Hank the cat and more. Each story shows various struggles faced by people when making decisions about love, friendship and faith. Honesty, having compassion and allowing friendships to blossom like a garden are strong points in each story. I enjoyed this book. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.
If you were a fan of the novella “The Christmas Cat” by Amy Clipston, you will be happy to know Hank the cat is back with the Amish young adults from the original story. Four new novellas are written concerning the couples or couples to be in this brand new book! The primary focus and setting is based on a large garden planted in memory of Emma Bontragers husband and a roadside stand that sells the produce and donates the money to charity. It is cultivated and manned by teens and young adults in the Amish community of Bird-in-Hand, PA.
SPRING IS IN THE AIR
What happens when your best friend is more interested in spending time with your brother rather than you?
HOME BY SUMMER
What can you do when your good friend seems to want to live as an Englischer and forgo his Amish roots and faith?
FRUITS OF FALL
How do you learn to trust again after a frightening experience?
WINTER BLESSINGS
When unexpected things disrupt plans you have made, how do get things back on track again?
Four great stories filled with friendship, community, fellowship, and most importantly faith that richly bless this Bird-in Hand Amish community. It may make you want to plant a garden! The descriptions are so realistic I felt I needed a basket of fresh garden produce (in the middle of winter!). Amy Clipston’s stories will pull you right in and leave you fulfilled and smiling.
Seasons of an Amish Garden takes us through the four seasons of a special vegetable garden in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. Spring is in the Air has our young people planning the garden in honor of Emma Bontrager’s deceased husband with the proceeds going to the Bird-in-the Hand Shelter. Katie Ann Blank is feeling like a third wheel since her brother, Ephraim started dating her best friend, Mandy. Christian Lantz is new to town and is smitten with Katie Ann. Working on the garden gives him an opportunity to spend time with Katie Ann and maybe it will help Katie Ann understand her brother’s relationship.
Home by Summer forwards us to August when the garden is bursting with fresh produce. Clara Hertzler is surprised to see Jerry Petersheim drop off his sister, Biena. Jerry decided not to become baptized with the rest of the group. He took a job with his uncle and began dressing English. Jerry was protective of Clara when they were children and she misses spending time with him. As Jerry helps with the garden, Clara tries to find out why Jerry left the Amish faith. Jerry lost his connection with God, but with Clara help, hopefully he can find his way back home. Can love and faith bloom along with the vegetables this summer?
Tena Speicher comes to live with Emma Bontrager in Bird-in-Hand in The Fruits of Fall. Tena is suffering from a broken heart after her fiancé left her for an English woman. She is working at the vegetable stand when a homeless veteran comes up looking for food. Tena is nervous around him, but Wayne King offers the man a home cooked dinner plus a place to sleep. Alex McCormack, the veteran, has had a hard time since leaving the armed services. Emma and the group offer him room and board in exchange for help around the farm. Tena is uncomfortable around Alex and other Englishers. Wayne helps Tena to see that all people are Gods children and deserving of benevolence. Can Tena learn to trust Englishers and open her heart to the possibility of a new love?
Mandy and Ephraim have gotten engaged and their wedding is eight weeks away in Winter Blessings. Mandy is overwhelmed with the preparations, but she is eager to marry Ephraim and start their new life together. But when Ephraim’s sister and her husband need a helping hand, it leads to disagreements and misunderstandings between the engaged couple. The pair have doubts and wonder if they are truly meant to be together. Their friends work to bring them back together during this special time of year.
Seasons of an Amish Garden by Amy Clipston contains four heartwarming Amish novellas. The stories feature the characters from The Christmas Cat. Each story takes place during a different season with the same group of people in each story. The four stories are Spring is in the Air, Home by Summer, The Fruits of Fall and Winter Blessings. Emma Bontrager and Hank, Emma’s Christmas cat, are featured in each of the stories. Emma provides needed insight while Hank provides comfort. After spending Christmas with Emma and Hank last year (The Christmas Cat), a group of young people have decided to start a vegetable garden on Emma’s property in honor of her deceased husband, Henry. They will sell the vegetables at a stand with the proceeds going to Bird-in-Hand Shelter for homeless. I found the novellas to be well-written and the stories move along at a nice, steady clip. I like that each tale features relatable characters with realistic problems. While each novella can be purchased individually, I suggest reading the whole book in order. Each story builds upon the previous one. While I suggest reading The Christmas Cat (such a charming tale), it is not necessary. The author summarized what occurred in that novella. The Christian element is woven into each story providing messages that we all need to learn. The stories do play out in an expected manner, they are still enjoyable to read. I found the book to be a pleasant diversion (I devoured the whole book in under three hours). Seasons of an Amish Garden contains four sweet romantic stories with good life lessons and welcoming characters.
loved it
A spin off from The Christmas Cat by Amy Clipston, this book of four novellas set around the four seasons of the year, was most enjoyable! It was like reading a series of books all at one setting, as each of the four stories continued from the last but focused on a new couple. I enjoyed reading about each couple and how a garden they had set out to grow together in their community had not only brought about new friendships, but also new loves. As with all relationships, each couple is faced with trials and situations, but they find encouragement in these friends and hope in God and his plan for their lives.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Netgalley, but was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of this book.
An enjoyable read from beginning to end, each story building on the previous.
We have met some of these characters before, and if you miss the previous introductions, don’t worry there is plenty of information offered so you won’t be left out, and you get to meet “Hank”.
These are sweet romance offerings with a spin put in to wonder if these young people will be able to make a life together. From beginning to end you will be pulled into these young adult’s lives.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.