"They say home is where the heart is, and I guess that's why I can only imagine my home with you in it." (Where the Heart Is)
Title: Amish Sweethearts
Author: Amy Clipston
Publisher: Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction
Release Date: January 9, 2018
Genre: Amish Fiction / Novella Collection
Links*: Amazon l Goodreads l Book Depository l CBD l Itunes
Love is in the air in these four sweet romances!
Love and Buggy Rides (previously published in An Amish Harvest)
Janie Lantz is a cashier at Lancaster Souvenirs and Buggy Rides, where Jonathan Stoltfuz is a buggy driver. A frightening accident brings Janie and Jonathan together in a blossoming friendship, yet daunting obstacles stand between them and something deeper. Can love kindle into flames that burn away fear and regret—and lead them to a life together?
A Home for Lindsay
From Amy Clipston’s beloved Kauffman Amish Bakery series comes Lindsay Bedford’s story. Lindsay is happily looking forward to the day she becomes Matthew Glick’s wife and is excited for the plans he has for the house he will build her. So, when Matthew suddenly calls off the wedding, she is blindsided. She knows there is more to the story than what he is telling her, but will he open up and let her in on his own heartbreak?
Where the Heart Is
Tobias Smucker is back home, and it’s no secret he and his father are still not on the best of terms. But what is surprising is that his little sister’s best friend, Mariella, has been harboring her own secret feelings for Tobias. With her help, he begins to unravel a family mystery and learns that everyone has their own hidden depths, including his father.
Love Birds (previously published in An Amish Market)
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?
Love and Buggy Rides (previously published in An Amish Harvest)
Janie Lantz is a cashier at Lancaster Souvenirs and Buggy Rides, where Jonathan Stoltfuz is a buggy driver. A frightening accident brings Janie and Jonathan together in a blossoming friendship, yet daunting obstacles stand between them and something deeper. Can love kindle into flames that burn away fear and regret—and lead them to a life together?
A Home for Lindsay
From Amy Clipston’s beloved Kauffman Amish Bakery series comes Lindsay Bedford’s story. Lindsay is happily looking forward to the day she becomes Matthew Glick’s wife and is excited for the plans he has for the house he will build her. So, when Matthew suddenly calls off the wedding, she is blindsided. She knows there is more to the story than what he is telling her, but will he open up and let her in on his own heartbreak?
Where the Heart Is
Tobias Smucker is back home, and it’s no secret he and his father are still not on the best of terms. But what is surprising is that his little sister’s best friend, Mariella, has been harboring her own secret feelings for Tobias. With her help, he begins to unravel a family mystery and learns that everyone has their own hidden depths, including his father.
Love Birds (previously published in An Amish Market)
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?
MY THOUGHTS
I'm a fan of Amy Clipston's stories. She has this uncanny ability to capture the beauty in the sometimes mundane activities of life. Even if those stories center around the Amish community, we can still relate with the emotions of the heart and the comprehension of the mind. With that said, I'm thrilled the publisher, Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction compiled a collection of her novellas! Amish Sweethearts as the name suggests, are stories of love and relationship, specifically couples.
Love and Buggy Rides was first published in An Amish Harvest collection. Having had the pleasure of reading it already, it was a pleasant reminder of why I love the author's stories. Relationships, especially new ones are interesting to see how they develop.
A Home for Lindsay centers around an engaged couple learning to communicate and trust each other as life's trials head their way. This story connects to the author's acclaimed Kauffman Amish Bakery series that have been on my radar for some time. The Kauffman family plays a role in here and it gives me a glimpse of what to expect, a message of faith and the love of family.
Where the Heart Is is just as sweet as the title suggests. I love how the author took a character that some may have forgotten or didn't like and turn it around. Tobias was a character in Summer Storms, released in the collection, Amish Summer. His mistakes caused quite a stir to his family, and we start this story with his desire to make amends. I like seeing this side of him, and I like to see how well developed the characters are. There's a lesson of forgiveness, letting go of past hurts, and judging a person by who they were, not who they are in this well layered story.
In the final story of this collection, Love Birds was another sweet story from another collection, Amish Market. I'm a little surprised by putting this as the last story in this collection, but after rereading it, I can see how ending it with a story that's filled with compassion rounds up this collection beautifully. I like that there's a bit of or rather a touch of the message one will find in the first three in this last one.
In all, a well-rounded collection on romance, but also the ups and downs of relationships, from meeting to building a trust with each other and with family. Well done.
Love and Buggy Rides was first published in An Amish Harvest collection. Having had the pleasure of reading it already, it was a pleasant reminder of why I love the author's stories. Relationships, especially new ones are interesting to see how they develop.
A Home for Lindsay centers around an engaged couple learning to communicate and trust each other as life's trials head their way. This story connects to the author's acclaimed Kauffman Amish Bakery series that have been on my radar for some time. The Kauffman family plays a role in here and it gives me a glimpse of what to expect, a message of faith and the love of family.
Where the Heart Is is just as sweet as the title suggests. I love how the author took a character that some may have forgotten or didn't like and turn it around. Tobias was a character in Summer Storms, released in the collection, Amish Summer. His mistakes caused quite a stir to his family, and we start this story with his desire to make amends. I like seeing this side of him, and I like to see how well developed the characters are. There's a lesson of forgiveness, letting go of past hurts, and judging a person by who they were, not who they are in this well layered story.
In the final story of this collection, Love Birds was another sweet story from another collection, Amish Market. I'm a little surprised by putting this as the last story in this collection, but after rereading it, I can see how ending it with a story that's filled with compassion rounds up this collection beautifully. I like that there's a bit of or rather a touch of the message one will find in the first three in this last one.
In all, a well-rounded collection on romance, but also the ups and downs of relationships, from meeting to building a trust with each other and with family. Well done.
"They say home is where the heart is, and I guess that's why I can only imagine my home with you in it." (Where the Heart Is)
Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
Please note, if planning to share quoted quotes, please verify with release copy, since it was taken from an uncorrected proof copy (ARC). Thank you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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 three spoiled rotten cats.
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Love Amy Clipston books and can't wait to have a chance to read "Amish Sweethearts".
ReplyDeleteHope you'll get the chance soon! Thanks for stopping by!
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