By: Amy Clipston
Beth Wiseman
Shelley Shepard Gray
Kathleen Fuller
Synopsis:
No Place Like Home by Amy Clipston
Estranged daughter Eva Dienner has been staying with her in-laws since her husband was killed in a fire, but now she wants her son to meet his maternal grandparents. Upon her return, Eva finds that the man her parents always intended for her is living in their daadihaus and running the dairy farm for them for free, despite her suspicions of him taking advantage of her family. Eva knows she should put the past behind her, but is she ready to move into the future?
When Love Returns by Beth Wiseman
Hurricane Harvey forces Sarah Zook to return to the home she fled six years ago when she couldn’t face her stern parents’ reaction to her unplanned pregnancy. Upon her return, Abram King can think of nothing but the pain she caused him—until he meets Sarah’s daughter and realizes that he never really stopped loving Sarah. Sarah and Abram must find a way to face the truth of their past so they can rekindle their first love.
The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray
After the death of her Englisch husband, Irene Keim seeks a fresh start by staying with her new friends Mary Ruth and Henry Wengerd in exchange for helping them around the house. But when Mary Ruth and Henry’s son Marcus comes around, he isn’t pleased with the woman they’ve taken in and is determined to push her out. Misunderstandings abound, but both Irene and Marcus learn that people aren’t always what they seem.
What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller
Independent and headstrong, Carolyn is determined to forge ahead with the opening of her bakery, a lifelong dream, in the Birch Creek home she left ten years ago. But she’s in over her head and needs help with the cleaning, shopping, and deliveries. Carpenter Atlee Shetler is visiting Birch Creek to escape the memories of his late wife. He takes a job renovating the new bakery and finds the project—and its owner—to be much more than he bargained for. Both Carolyn and Atlee must face pains of the past if they want to have the bright future God has planned for them.
My Thoughts:
What more could be better than sitting down on a cool autumn day, hot chocolate by your side, reading a brand new collection of novellas by well known authors??? What a great way to relax and enjoy the outstanding talent of these amazing women!
Each of these novellas can be enjoyed as stand alones , although they do have a common theme. The main character in each story is returning home, however, each is at a different stage of life. Coming back after an absence is never without difficulties as these characters discovered. The past tends to follow one regardless of age or circumstances.
Each tale centers around family and the need to persevere in both happy and challenging situations. Hopeless situations only appear as such, when one does not have the will to fight to overcome. The characters' faith in God and His power shines bright and clear throughout this book.
These four authors share the talent and skill of describing their characters in a realistic fashion with such vivid details that one can easily relate with them as they faced struggles and painful pasts. I could feel each and every hurt that was experienced. It became very clear that a promising future is only possible by believing in God and allowing Him to plan the future. Forgiveness of the past by God and oneself is so important.
The plots all have just enough twists and turns to keep one engaged from the beginning to end of the story. I appreciated the authors sharing their expertise of the Amish faith and lifestyle in such an accurate, detailed manner. How the Amish deal with problems differs vastly from what we are used to in the Englischer world.
This is definitely a book not to be missed!! A perfect read for a Saturday afternoon!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley . The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own.
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