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

Book Review: Beyond Hope's Valley

Author: Tricia Goyer
Title: Beyond Hope's Valley
Publisher: B & H Publishing
Publish Date: Feb 28, 2012
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley

Book Blurb: After an extended stay in Montana, where Amish traditions are different than in her home state, Marianna Sommer returns to Indiana for two reasons, first to help her brother and his girlfriend prepare for a baby and their wedding. Second, to plan her own wedding to Aaron Zook -- a marriage she’s been dreaming about ever since childhood. And yet, although she had missed the idyllic farms and families of her upbringing, Marianna is surprised that Indiana is somehow making her long now for Montana.

As months pass, secrets that were hidden in winter’s frozen grasp thaw and take on a life of their own. The truths about a child, about a past relationship, and about God’s plans are being revealed. Walking through a valley of questions, Marianna must hold on to hope as she decides where and with whom her heart truly belongs.

Review: Tricia Goyer's Amish romances are a little bit different from the stories I'm used to reading. Tricia's books are more faith based than what I usually read.

The story is told through several points of view; Marianna the Amish girl returning to her home state of Indiana to wed Aaron, her mother Ruth, who has had struggles in her younger days with her Amish faith and Ben, an Christian singer with a troubled past.

The book read much like an Amish soap opera, if there were such a thing, with children out of wedlock, and paternity questions that are thought about, but not spoken of. It reminds the reader that though the Amish are plain folk that some may consider backwards, they have the same problems and struggles as the rest of us.

There's a lot of drama between the characters, and a lot deals with the ways each Amish community view the church laws. Things in Montana, where Marianna  had spent the last year were more liberal than the Indiana community. That didn't make things easy for her when she returned home.

I found from the very start, that I wasn't terribly fond of Aaron. It was hard not to feel confusion about his character, especially with some of the foreshadowing that Tricia gives to you as you read. By the time things come to a climax, you really want to take him out behind a barn and knock him around in a most un Christian-like manner.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a unique Amish story, with a lot of twists and turns, and things that make you think. It was also a very sweet love story.

I highly recommend this book and Tricia Goyer, in general, for those that like Amish/Christian fiction.

Rating: 5 flowers

ARC Book Review: The Memory Jar

Author: Tricia Goyer
Title: The Memory Jar
Publisher: Zondervan
Publish Date: Oct 23, 2012
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley

Book Blurb: Every year, 30--40 young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive 'resident' status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides! Sarah Shelter has lived in West Kootenai for the last ten years and wonders if she will ever fall in love. Since the tragic death of her best friend, she carries her memories in a jar along with the small items connected to them. For just as long, she's also been carrying around her emotions instead of allowing them to penetrate deep into her heart. Now she's met a kind and gentle man who may be able to break down the wall. But can Sarah risk her heart to finally achieve her dreams?

Review: This was one of the best Amish romances I've read in a long time. There is really so much to love about the characters and the story here. Let me share them!

1. Sarah's friendship with Patty. Even though Patty died several years before the story starts, her friendship shapes Sarah's life. She still makes her who she is today. The flashbacks really help bring their friendship into perspective.

2. Jathan is so very human. He struggles to do not only what his family wishes for him but also what he wants to do.

3. Sarah's faith. Sarah isn't a typical Amish woman. This story is Christian fiction and yes, her faith is important, but you see it more personally with her than as a community. I like how her faith helps her deal with Patty's death and even with the issues with Jathan.

4. The memory jars! I really loved the concept. I thought it was sentimental and touching. Sarah has many things that we often wish we had, something that connects us to a special moment in our lives.

A great book to start the series! I can't wait for more! Oh and the cupcakes made me so very hungry!!!

Rating: 5 flowers