Book Review: An Amish Garden

Author: Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Tricia Goyer, Vanetta Chapman
Title: An Amish Garden
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publish Date: March 18, 2014
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: BookLook
Book Blurb: 

"Where Healing Blooms" Vannetta Chapman

Emma discovers a run-away teen in her barn, and the bishop asks her to provide a haven for a woman and her two children. Then her mother-in-law reveals a secret about her garden. Will Emma choose loneliness or learn to accept God's gifts?

"Flowers for Rachael" Kathleen Fuller

Rachael's garden is beautiful, but she is lonely. Gideon is in love with Rachael, but when Rachael finds her garden in shambles after a crisis, she rejects his help. Will she realize she doesn't have to do everything on her own?

"Seeds of Love" Tricia Goyer

When a corporation shows interest in buying Sadie's heirloom seeds, she panics. They are all she has left of her Dat and Mem. Eli believes he can help Sadie, but a misunderstanding leaves her heartbroken. Will she trust him again, and will the seeds of a new relationship take root?

"Rooted in Love" Beth Wiseman

Rosemary is doing her best to run her family's household. She excels at all her tasks except one: gardening. Saul has been interested in her for years, but Rosemary has turned him down repeatedly. Saul begins helping with her family's garden, but someone is sabotaging his efforts-and keeping a secret that could change their lives.

Review:  This collection of garden themed stories has many of the best Amish romance author contributing. Each novella takes you to a different Amish settlement with the characters finding love through life's challenges.

Beth Wiseman's "Rooted In Love" opens the book. Rosemary has been taking care of her family and putting of stepping out with Saul for years, because of something in her past. I felt terrible for Saul because he loved her all of those years when she had a misconception about something. I also felt bad for Katherine, who loves Rosemary's father.

Rosemary does a little too much thinking of herself, but as she becomes more accepting her life starts to change.

"Flowers For Rachel" was probably my favorite of the three stories. Rachel is the caregiver for her grandfather who suffered a stroke. She's a bit too protective of him and some of the clashes between the are quite fun. Then there's Gideon who has set his cap for her, but just doesn't quite know how to tell her.

There's a lot of mis-communication but there will be a happily ever after for these two that will give your heart warm fuzzy feelings.

Tricia Goyer is one of my favorite Amish writer's and I really enjoyed Sadie and Eli's story. Eli writes for The Budget and his letters/articles really make the story, along with a yearling bear, the folks call Goliath. Eli and Sadie's romance involves tomatoes and the seeds given to her by her mother, who passed away.

I was a bit disappointed in her behavior towards Eli's Opa, but I was pleased with how everything worked out in the end.

"Where Healing Blooms" is Vanetta Chapman's contribution to the book, and she deliver's something different. Emma is a widow and Danny is her former beau, who come together when they discover a young runaway in her barn.

I loved reading about more mature characters and I especially loved Emma's relationship with her mother-in-law, Mary Ann.

These were four really fabulous novellas that are perfect for an afternoon read. I'm a huge fan of Amish romance, so this book did not disappoint.

Rating: 5 flowers