Sunday, June 18, 2017

An Amish Summer: Four Novellas by Shelley Shepard Gray, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Irvin, 2017

These four stories are so fun! You will want to get a copy to read and you may discover new authors; definitely a new thread of adventure!

In the first story, what would you suggest to a young man who met two sisters at a gathering, but while addressing the name on the envelope and in the salutation ... he was envisioning the one he thought was receiving his letters, and instead was "pouring out his heart" to the other sister? Oh, my. Setting up a time and place to meet in person will be a surprise to reckon with! Shelley Shepard Gray's ~ A Reunion in Pinecraft

Amy Clipston follows with her story, Summer Storms. How can the actions of one have such far reaching tentacles that close off and smother the plans held dear by others? You may discover that there might be a reason seen that hampers and smolders an undercurrent. Integrity opens the way to understanding, as Jesse Zook seeks to help his friend Tobias's family on their farm during his absence. Our actions do affect those around us ~ for good to reach hearts!

Lakeside Love by Kathleen Fuller reveals one sister feeling she has lived in the shadow of her younger sister. Could her suspicion and hurt hide a personality wanting to come alive? To have a shadow there must be a light! The sisters find surprising outlooks when they finally speak their hearts to each other. I liked how their family was inclusive of others.

Welcome back to Bee County, Texas. Reading Kelly Irvin's previous series, you will want to catch up on the happenings in this small community. Who will be most surprised by One Sweet Kiss?

You are known by the company you keep. How far can you go to be believed? As Jacob King endeavors to help his friend, will his assistance continue to be misunderstood?

There is a glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch words in the front and Discussion Questions after each novella. Fun to read alone or sharing with your book club. I liked all of these stories and would be difficult to pick just one as a favorite! The theme is near with discovery of each other in a new way. Communication is key to the development of the stories. Words left to the imagination fester when not revealed and exposed to truth. These authors have strongly portrayed love in its greatest form ~ another before yourself will harvest rich J*O*Ys. For the seeker and the sought, love blossoms when a friend takes the risk to be truthful rather than sparing feelings that are only a cover up emotion. Blessings in disguise bring happiness to all when following in the Lord's path. Titles of other novels and novellas by the authors are listed so you can continue on reading their stories you are sure to enjoy.

***Thank you authors and to BookLook Bloggers for supplying a copy to me. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

My Review of A Reunion in Pinecraft: This novella makes me want to visit the Amish community in Pinecraft, Florida, although I think I would want to go at some time other than summer to avoid the humidity! This was a cute little story of two sisters who have an attraction to the same young man, which of course will make life interesting. Graham seems to see the benefits of spending time with the two sisters. Readers will be anxious to read to see what happens with this romantic triangle.

My rating for this novella is 5 *****

My Review of Summer Storm: I felt a great deal of respect for Jesse in this novella as he is honorable as he doesn't tell of his friend, Isaac's big mistakes. But he and Arianna pay the price when Arianna and Isaac's father forbid Jesse to continue his engagement with Arianna. Readers will want to see how this situation is resolved. Will Arianna and Jesse ever be able to marry or will their future be forever destroyed by Isaac's errors?

My rating for this novella is 5 *****

My Review of Lakeside Love: Wow!! I felt such empathy for Esther in this novella. She lives in the shadow of her beautiful, popular sister, Sarah, while they both share an attraction for Judah. Judah doesn't appreciate the special qualities that Esther possesses while she pines away for him. When the

good-looking, smart, and kind young Englischer, Rhett, arrives to stay in their home for the summer to learn about the Amish faith, the tables are turned and Esther is the favored sister while Sarah is the jealous sister now. But Esther only has eyes for one man and it's not Rhett. Readers will be turning pages as fast as possible to see how this sibling conflict is resolved. This novella by Kathleen Fuller is my favorite of the four featured in the collection!

My rating for this novella is 5*****

My Review of One Sweet Kiss: What is it about summer and romance? I felt quite nostalgic reading about this novella set in Texas as I had the privilege of living in Texas for three years. I didn't realize there were any Amish communities in Texas. Martha has had to assume a great responsibility for one so young when her mother dies and it is a challenge for her to allow Jacob into her heart. But he is determined to steal a kiss. Will they find a way to share a life together or will Martha saddle herself with the task of raising her siblings while forfeiting her own life?

My rating for this novella is 5 *****

My overall rating for this novella collection of four Amish romances is 5 stars. I highly recommend this collection to readers. I enjoy reading novellas as I can read one quickly when life is busy with so much activity.

I received an ebook of this collection from netgalley and Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

An Amish Summer is a wonderful collection of novellas by four well-known authors of Amish fiction. Each story focuses on difficulties encountered between prospective young couples.

They each teach a valuable lesson, and the plots vary greatly as does each lesson.

I think my favorite is One Sweet Kiss by Kelly Irvin. There is an interesting mixture of Amish on their rumspringa, Englishers, and devout Amish. The story has a very unusual twist, one you would not expect from a story about Amish. However, it makes the story more interesting and intriguing.

The individual novellas are appealing in different ways. Shelley Shepard Gray's A Reunion in Pinecraft makes you wonder if the easily understood confusion between sisters Sharon and Sherilyn's names can ever be straightened out. In Summer Storms, by Amy Clipston, we learn sacrifices are sometimes necessary to obey our parents, even when it seems unfair. Lakeside Love, by Kathleen Fuller, shows how outward appearances aren't everything, and beauty only lasts for a season. In One Sweet Kiss, by Kelly Irvin, a very unusual plot gives way to a satisfying ending.

I received a copy ofAn Amish Summerfrom The Fiction Guild. However, I was under no obligation to provide a review.

I enjoyed reading all four of these novellas written by four well known authors, all writers of Amish fiction. The first two were stories dealing with misunderstandings. Mistaken identity and mistaken actions. Really comes across as a lesson for anyone. Don't jump to conclusions and listen to all the details before determining your response.

The third novella is a lesson in taking someone at face value before really getting to know them. Outside appearances may draw initially but the real beauty comes from the inside.

The fourth novella deals with two young people that have lost their mothers at a very young age. One takes their family responsibilities seriously and the other is still "sowing some wild oats". Will he ever grow up and will she ever let loose and have a little fun?

All the characters in all four stories were well developed and were written where you came to care about them and what their outcomes would be. Even the wayward characters were gently shown their errors in what they were doing and nudged in the right, God honoring direction.

Once I started reading it was hard to put it down and take care of my own responsibilities. But as the Bible says "there is a time and a place for everything under the sun". The summer sun. This was a delightful way to spend a few quiet hours and visit these different Amish communities.

I received this novel from the Publisher through the Fiction Guild but was not obligated to write a review, positive or otherwise.

It's hard to find four novellas that are balanced and that truly "fit" together in one volume - but Thomas Nelson Publishers have done a wonderful job doing exactly that in An Amish Summer. Each of these short stories is engaging and satisfying, and each author's "voice" comes through distinctly.

Shelley Shepard Gray's Reunion in Pinecraft didn't turn out at all the way I expected! And that's just the kind of summer read I like. Her Amish proverb in the discussion questions sums it up well: "Things turn out the best for those who make the best of the way things turn out."

Amy Clipston's Summer Storms is one of my favorites by her. The upheavals in Jesse and Ariana's lives were painful and unpredictable, but they handled the challenges with grace and perseverance. I initially didn't like Tobias at all, but his redemption was soul-satisfying. I like a romance that includes the whole family.

Kathleen Fuller shows us that beauty is more than skin deep in Lakeside Love. I particularly enjoyed how the story turned everyone's value in the romance department "upside down" - and how lonely hearts were filled. Love me a "happily ever after" kind of summer read.

Best of all, Kelly Irvin gives us another wonderful romance from Bee County, Texas in One Sweet Kiss. I just adore her complex characters and naturally flowing conversations, and this novella is no exception. Wise Mordecai King encourages his youngest son, Jacob, to get serious about his relationship with God AND the sweet Martha Byler. But "she thinks I need to grow up...she has enough kinner to take care of." Point well taken, except we readers know that there is more to Jacob than meets Martha's eye! This is a wonderful tale of familial and romantic love.



This was a great collection for any lovers of Amish fiction. I received a complimentary copy from the published via The Fiction Guild, but was under no obligation to post a review.