What stories can we find at an Amish market? Plenty...
Authors: Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin, Vannetta Chapman
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: February 2, 2016
ABOUT THE BOOK
All the color and variety of a quaint Amish shop in a charming collection of novellas by four of your favorite
authors. Feel free to come in and browse!
Love Birds by Amy Clipston
While Ellie Lapp and her mother are still mourning the loss of
her brother, Seth, Ellie starts working at one of the gift shops in town.
Seth's friend Lloyd is talented at carving wooden birds, but his father
disapproves and expects him to take over the family farm someday. Ellie sees
the beauty in Lloyd's creations and insists Lloyd sell the birds in the gift
shop where she works. As Ellie and Lloyd spend more time together, they begin
to develop feelings for one another, but she accidentally betrays his trust.
Will she lose any hope of a future with him?
A Bid for Love by Kathleen Fuller
Every week, Hannah Lynne brings her home-churned butter to the
local market. And every week Ezra stops by to purchase some. Hannah Lynne knows
not to read too much into it—Ezra is a confirmed bachelor and barely even
glances her way, despite any hope to the contrary. But when Ezra bids an
exorbitant amount to win the quilt she had her heart set on, Hannah Lynne can't
stop her heart from taking over her mind. Could Ezra finally be in the market
for love?
Sweeter Than Honey by Kelly Irvin
Shattering a jar of pickled beets wasn't the impression Isabella
hoped to make on her first trip to the local Combination Store of Bee County,
Texas. But as embarrassed as she was by the accident, she didn't think it
warranted the frosty reaction from the handsome manager of the store, Will
Glick. As she soon learns, though, Will's heart has been broken one too many
times. And now, for some reason, Isabella finds herself determined to be the one
to repair that broken heart and renew his faith in love.
Love in Store by Vannetta Chapman
Stella Schrock works at the Old Mill in Nappanee, Indiana, with
new employee David Stoltzfus, a recent widower. When strange happenings begin
occurring around town, it appears as if someone wants to close the mill. Stella
and David have to work together to solve the mystery of what is happening at
the Old Amish Mill, and in the process they might just find that God has more
in store for their future than they would ever have dreamed possible.
MY THOUGHTS
An Amish Market consists of 4 novellas under this one book and their storyline has a part or association with the working lives of their respective Amish communities, while focusing on the love story of the main couple. Each novella have its own charm and sweetness that ranges from young love to burnt love to love in time. I find them aptly chosen in compilation for this collection because they are so different, yet so similar in the theme of finding love in unexpected ways. The authors, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin and Vannetta Chapman are all popular authors of Amish stories, and if you've never read any of their works, you'll know why you must after reading their respective stories in An Amish Market. Even each of the novella's title was well selected. You'll understand once you read the story, and appreciate how thoughtful these authors are, down to the last detail, including the title selection.
I thoroughly enjoyed each novella, starting with Love Birds by Amy Clipston. Though I find Ellie a tad bit immature in her handling of Lloyd's wishes, her shy personality and background, having been taken care of by her brother and parents since young, makes it understandable. A story of forgiveness, respecting elders and understanding compassion for others, Love Birds is one sweet start.
"God gave you that talent, and He wants us to share our talents with others to celebrate His glory. Why do you want to hide that talent?" (Loc 656)
A Bid for Love by Kathleen Fuller have one phrase in mind and enough to make one want to read - divine planning. Only with God's plans can a simple quilt bring two people together without having spoken much in the first place.
"Being in love makes every morning worth getting up for." (Loc 1828)
Sweeter than Honey by Kelly Irvin really is sweet. It's one of those novellas that you wish it was a full novel. Apparently most if not all of these have characters from the authors other novels. I'll have to get my hands on them for sure now. Even for the shortness of the story, I find growth in Will and in Isabella. That makes a good story when we can "invest" ourselves in the characters.
"Practice is a good thing in some cases...Sometimes that's what it takes to get it right. Sometimes I think Gott is teaching us what we need to know so we can finally, get it right." (Loc 2766)
Love in Store by Vannetta Chapman has a little mystery mixed in with the romance of two middle-age individuals. One already widowed and another a self-confirmed spinster, how can some pranks or is it more than that, bring the two together? I'd say, very well done indeed, Vannetta.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." (Loc 3608)
In all, a collection not to miss of any Amish fiction fans. An Amish Market have love, a message and some amazing and sometimes quirky characters for you to enjoy. Definitely a must read (and most likely you'll want to in one sitting, and maybe go back for more.)
NOTE: I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher, Thomas Nelson through NetGalley for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Amy
Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish
Bakery series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD,
CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan
College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North
Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats. 
Kathleen
Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including A Man of His
Wordand Treasuring Emma, as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the
Mysteries of Middlefield. 
Kelly
Irvin is the author of The Beekeeper’s Son, the critically acclaimed first
novel of the Amish of Bee County series. Kelly is also the author of several
Amish series including the Bliss Creek Amish series, the New Hope Amish series,
and the Amish of Bee County series. The Kansas native is a graduate of the
University of Kansas School of Journalism. She has been writing nonfiction
professionally for thirty years, including ten years as a newspaper reporter,
mostly in Texas-Mexico border towns. She has worked in public relations for the
City of San Antonio for twenty years. Kelly has been married to photographer
Tim Irvin for twenty-seven years. They have two young adult children, two cats,
and a tank full of fish. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories
and read books by her favorite authors. CONNECT WITH KELLY: website, facebook, twitter
Vannetta
Chapman is author of the best-selling novel A Simple Amish Christmas. She
has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines,
receiving over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups.
In 2012 she was awarded a Carol Award for Falling to Pieces. She
discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s
birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. 
I am fairly new to Amish Fiction, but enjoy what I have read so far. I really like novellas because it gives you a taste of multiple authors styles!
ReplyDeleteI agree Rachel. Many times, my first encounter with a writer's writing are from their novellas.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the kind review!
ReplyDeleteThis is one book on my want-to-read list! It has some of my favorite Amish authors. Thanks for the review, Annie!
ReplyDeleteI Love Amish Books I am reading one right now a series and I am Loving It Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteAll 4 stories sound great. I wonder if any of the authors are planning to expand on their story into a full novel.
ReplyDeleteTrixi, I think you'll LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteLinda, which one are you reading right now? I love Amish books too. There's just something about them. Their simple lifestyle and their faith and community! Love it!
Hi Jan. Each of these stories are connected to one book or a series of the respective authors, so I doubt they will be a full novel of the same characters, but we can always hope or catch up on the others!
Thank you ladies for dropping by!