Lauren Berst has narrated 23 audiobooks on Listento.it by 10 authors, with an average listener rating of 5★ across 36 ratings. The most-rated is An Amish Christmas Wedding.
The Farm Stand
Summary
Experience some sweet, garden-fresh romance in the next installment of Amy Clipston’s Amish Marketplace series. Salina Petersheim runs her own booth at the Amish market, where she’s known for having the freshest and most delicious produce in the area. Her father is the bishop of her church district, and her brother is a deacon. They are a very close family, yet sometimes she tires of being compared to her older brother, Neil, who is married and has two children. She also feels the pressure of having to be the perfect daughter for her parents. Salina has been dating Josiah for almost a year now, but he feels more like a friend than a boyfriend. Her parents approve of Josiah, who is a hardworking roofer. He’s handsome and easy to talk to, but he just doesn’t warm her heart the way she feels a boyfriend and future husband should. She secretly longs for more. Along comes William “Will” Zimmerman, a Mennonite chef who runs a restaurant located next door to the Amish market. He wants Salina to supply the produce for his restaurant, and as they forge a business relationship, they both feel themselves falling in love. Salina especially tries to deny her feelings for Will since her father wants her to marry within the community. Both Salina and Will feel stuck in their current relationships, but they cannot deny what they feel for each other. Will they follow their hearts or bow to the pressure of family? Or will God provide a surprising new road for them? “The Farm Stand honors the Amish community in the very best of ways. I loved it.” (Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Times and USA Today besttselling author) Sweet, inspirational Amish romance Full-length novel (85K words) Second book in Amy Clipston’s Amish Marketplace series Can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone
©2020 Amy Clipston (P)2020 Zondervan
Listening to Love
Summary
Falling in love can only mean trouble for an Englisch girl and an Amish boy...unless there's another way for them to listen to their hearts. Englischer Natalie Collins looks forward to Friday night suppers at Levi and Mary Shetler's house every week: delicious food, wonderful conversation with her Amish friends, and, best of all, the presence of Levi’s older brother, Lucas. Natalie and Lucas have become best friends despite their different backgrounds. They share a love of books, and he is teaching her about God in a way that she can understand. But the closer they become, the more opinions everyone seems to have. Levi and Mary, Lucas' family, and even Natalie’s mother - whose own life is a mess at the moment - have concerns about their relationship. Why can’t everyone understand that it’s possible to just be friends? Besides, they couldn’t be together even if they wanted to be. Lucas would never leave the Amish faith, and Natalie is Englisch and pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. But when a terrifying accident happens, Natalie and Lucas are forced to confront their true feelings and decide if they can stay true to themselves and each other. This sweet Amish story is the second in the Amish Journeys series by best-selling author Beth Wiseman. "I always find Beth Wiseman's books to be both tenderly romantic and thought provoking. She has a way of setting a scene that makes me feel like I'm part of an Amish community and visiting for supper. I loved the title of this book, the message about faith and God, and the heartfelt romance between Lucas and Natalie. Listening to Love has everything I love in a Beth Wiseman novel - a strong faith message, a touching romance, and a beautiful sense of place. Beth is such an incredibly gifted storyteller." (Shelley Shepard Gray) "Listening to Love is vintage Beth Wiseman...clear your calendar because you're going to want to read this one in a single sitting." (Vannetta Chapman, author of Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series) Part of the Amish Journey series: Book One: Hearts in Harmony Book Two: Listening to Love Book Three: A Beautiful Arrangement Book length: approximately 85,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs
©2019 Beth Wiseman (P)2019 Zondervan
An Amish Christmas Wedding
Summary
From best-selling authors of Amish fiction come four delightful stories perfect for celebrating love, joy, and the everyday miracles Christmas brings. Evergreen Love by Amy Clipston Ryan Lapp had promised to marry Lorene Bontrager as soon as he was able to build them a house, but the day never came. Ryan moved away. Five years later, Lorene has settled in to her old maid role, and she’s shocked when her younger sister announces her quick engagement to Ryan’s younger brother. As they rush to plan the wedding, Lorene is constantly around the family she almost joined. Worse, she’s forced to face Ryan himself, who has returned to town. As both Ryan and Lorene examine their own feelings, they must decide if they can find grace with each other - and the young people they once were - this Christmas season. There just might still be love in their future. Wreathed in Joy by Kathleen Fuller Mary Wengerd and Jakob Mullet have been best friends since childhood. Pressured by friends and family, they decided to date - with disastrous results. When they break up, their friendship is ruined. A year later, Mary is baking her Englisch friend’s wedding and groom cakes for a Christmas Eve wedding. Mary loves the Christmas season, and had always dreamed of marrying during that time. Now she wonders if she’ll ever marry. After she and Jakob form a tenuous new friendship, Mary breaks her arm. As he steps in to help her with the cakes, Mary is inexplicably and suddenly falling for him. But they've already dated, and that ended so horribly. Could it be better this time? Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin Henry Lufkin is one of four bachelors who lived in the West Kootenai, Montana, cabins that were destroyed by wildfires. He’s the only one of them who hasn’t since married, but he likes his solitude. Then an old friend asks him to care for his son, and Henry has to share his small cabin and his life with bewildered and rebellious 10-year-old Tommy. When the child encounters trouble at school, Henry reaches out to Tommy's teacher. Leesa Yoder never expected to find herself single and teaching 16 young scholars, and she certainly didn’t anticipate an inexperienced bachelor telling her how to do her job. Amid the flying sparks, can Henry and Leesa see that there might be hope and love in this unexpected situation? A Christmas Prayer by Vannetta Chapman Widower Micah Miller runs the Amish Tour Company, offering Englischers a glimpse of a simpler life as well as tea at Rachel King’s. Rachel has never married and has recently lost her parents. When Micah comes across an abandoned and injured dog, he gives it to Rachel for company. As Rachel is charmed by the dog and shocked by news of the existence of family she never expected, her heart and mind bend toward the possibilities of change in her life - even toward the possibility of love.
©2020 Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin, Vannetta Chapman (P)2020 Zondervan
Hearts in Harmony
Summary
Their love of forbidden music brings them together, but it could be what tears them apart. Musical prodigy Levi Shetler hasn’t touched a piano since he secretly played one many years ago. His strict Amish community forbids instruments or the singing of any music not in their approved songbook. Levi asks God often why music tempts him when playing an instrument isn’t allowed in his world. One person knows Levi’s talents: Mary Hershberger, the girl who promised years ago to keep his secret. Mary comes from a more liberal district than Levi, but she’s facing family troubles of her own. The mutual care for an aging Englischer, Adeline, reunites Mary and Levi as young adults. They realize that, despite their differences, they have a shared love of music - and a shared confusion about whether their talents are God-given gifts or temptations luring them into the Englisch world. The couple realizes they must compromise or part ways, but a tragic accident shakes their decision. Both Mary and Levi will need to reconcile what they love with what their hearts say is right. "Beth Wiseman has penned a poignant story of friendship, faith, and love that is sure to touch readers’ hearts." (Kathleen Fuller, author of the Middlefield Family novels) "Beth Wiseman’s Hearts in Harmony is a lyrical hymn. Mary and Levi are heartwarming, lovable characters who instantly feel like dear friends. Once readers open this book, they won’t put it down until they’ve reached the last page." (Amy Clipston, best-selling author of A Seat by the Hearth) Full length contemporary Amish romance: Includes discussion questions for book clubs Part of the Amish Journey series Book One: Hearts in Harmony Book Two: Listening to Love Book Three: A Beautiful Arrangement
©2019 Beth Wiseman (P)2019 Zondervan
An Amish Family
Summary
In An Amish Family, beloved author of Amish romance Kathleen Fuller invites listeners into the lives of four Amish families. Building Trust Grace Miller and Joel King are in love. They’ve dated secretly for the past year, and when he proposes marriage, Grace eagerly agrees. But when she tells her parents about the wedding, she’s shocked when her father tells her she can’t marry Joel. Can Grace get to the bottom of her father’s animosity toward Joel so they can have the happily ever after she’s always dreamed of? A Heart Full of Love (also in An Amish Cradle) Ellie’s mother hasn’t stopped meddling in her personal life since Ellie lost her sight - and she’s taken it up a notch now that Ellie’s pregnant. When Ellie gives birth to twins, her mother insists on moving in to care for them. But when her mother’s behavior becomes unbearable, Ellie is forced to take a stand...and finally find out why Mamm can’t let go. Surprised by Love In a desperate move to evade her matchmaking mother, Emily Schwartz announces that she’s already seeing someone: Reuben Coblentz. The trouble is, Reuben is barely even a friend. Seeing how desperate she is, Reuben plays along. But when the past sneaks up on them, will this temporary arrangement turn into everlasting love? A Gift for Anne Marie (also in An Amish Second Christmas) Anne Marie and Nathaniel have been best friends since they were kids. Now things are evolving...in ways everyone else predicted long ago. But when her mother suddenly decides to remarry in another state, Anne Marie’s new chapter with Nathaniel looks doomed to end before it begins.
©2018 Kathleen Fuller (P)2020 Zondervan
A Beautiful Arrangement
Summary
Can Samuel and Lydia find love in their marriage of convenience? Lydia still can’t believe that she is Mrs. Samuel Bontrager. Or that she is 17 with a six-month-old daughter. As Baby Mattie grows fussier by the day, Lydia wonders how she will survive a lifetime of marriage to a man she doesn’t love - at least not in the way she wants. Samuel knows that he and Lydia did the right thing by marrying when Lydia became pregnant. He has even grown to love Lydia, though he never seems able to say the words out loud. What if she doesn’t love him back? After all, she pushes him away whenever he tries to draw closer. When Lydia and Samuel introduce their mutual friends Beverly and Joseph to each other, they are as envious as they are delighted to watch their friends fall in love. But just as Samuel thinks Lydia might be softening to him, she gets involved in investigating the mysterious past of a local homeless woman - a curiosity that threatens to drive the couple further apart. The third and final novel in the Amish Journeys series by best-selling author Beth Wiseman explores how wounds from the past must come to light before they can hope to heal. “A Beautiful Arrangement has so much heart, you won't want to put it down until you've read the last page. I love second-chance love stories, and Lydia and Samuel's story is heartbreaking and sweet with unexpected twists and turns that make their journey to love all the more satisfying. Beth's fans will cherish this book.” (Jennifer Beckstrand, author of the Petersheim Brothers series) Part of the Amish Journey series: Hearts in Harmony Listening to Love A Beautiful Arrangement Audiobook length: approximately 85,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs
©2020 Beth Wiseman (P)2020 Zondervan
A Double Dose of Love
Summary
Prepare for a double dose of romance and fun when two sets of Amish twins find love. Identical brothers Zeb and Zeke Bontrager aren’t looking for love. They have their hands full with a new horse farm, a half-finished ranch house, and a wild colt, thanks to Zeke’s hasty business dealings. Now, Zeb must contend with Zeke’s bad decisions, hidden debts, and tendency to avoid responsibility, which threaten their good standing in the Birch Creek Amish community. When a newspaper ad prompts Darla King to travel to Birch Creek in search of a husband, her identical twin, Amanda, promises their parents she’ll convince Darla to come home. After all, Amanda is the responsible and reliable one. She has always protected Darla, who acts on impulse and trusts people too easily. The sisters’ close relationship is strained as Darla asserts her independence, and Amanda grapples with regrets of her past and the longings of her own heart. When Zeb and Amanda join forces to protect Darla and Zeke from each other, none of them can possibly predict the outcome as all four come face-to-face with their highest hopes and deepest insecurities in the first installment of the Amish Mail-Order Bride series.
©2021 Kathleen Fuller (P)2021 Zondervan
An Amish Christmas Love
Summary
Winter Kisses by Beth Wiseman: Three generations of Stoltzfus women are all living under the same roof. At 25, Naomi has never been married, and both her mother, Barbara, and her grandmother, Ruth, have recently been widowed. Each nursing broken or lonely hearts, they also each have potential suitors. When a storm on Christmas Eve forces the three couples to take shelter in the basement of the Stotlzfus homestead, secrets are revealed, hearts are opened, and all three potential grooms drop to their knees for very different reasons - a proposal, a prayer, and an epiphany. The Christmas Cat by Amy Clipston: Emma Bontrager is spending her first Christmas alone after her husband of 45 years, Henry, passed away in July. Although the Amish don’t normally allow animals in their homes, a big, fat, orange barn cat keeps coming into Emma’s house. She shoos the cat away, but it continues to appear in her house, settling on Henry’s favorite wingchair. But the cat isn’t the only Christmas visitor: A group of young people help bring the Christmas spirit to Emma, reminding her that love and hope abide. Snow Angels by Kelly Irvin: As a young man enjoying his rumspringa, David Byler gave his heart to an Englisch girl, but he eventually realized he couldn’t give up his Plain faith and family for her, so he let her go. He’s found a new love in his Bee County Plain community, Molly Shrock. Molly has been patient, waiting for the man she loves to love her back. Just as he is ready to propose, David makes a startling discovery: Bobbie McGregor, his Englisch love, is back. Will Molly’s prayers for a Christmas love be answered? Home for Christmas by Ruth Reid: When a misdirected GPS sends Ellie Whetstone to the wrong address, she inadvertently finds herself breaking into the home of Amish man Ezra Mast. Ellie hopes to fix up the house left by her aenti and sell it quickly, but a series of run-ins with Ezra and his young daughter have her questioning whether a hasty sale is the right move. Could this new place with its slower pace be the right home for Ellie?
©2017 Elizabeth Wiseman Mackey, Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, and Ruth Reid (P)2019 Zondervan
An Amish Reunion
Summary
Four sweet stories about reuniting with the ones you love. Their True Home by Amy Clipston When Marlene Bawell moved from Bird-in-Hand 10 years ago, she was in the deepest of mourning for her mother. Now, her family has moved back so her father can seek employment after being laid off. To help save money, Marlene works at the hardware store owned by Rudy Swarey’s father. She knew Rudy growing up and had a secret crush on him, though he never seemed to notice her. But just as a friendship between them begins to blossom, her life is once again turned upside down. Will Marlene ever have a chance to find her own true home? A Reunion of Hearts by Beth Wiseman Elizabeth and Gideon Beiler experienced one of life’s most tragic events. Unable to get past their grief, the couple abandoned their Amish faith and went in different directions, though neither could bear to formally dissolve the marriage. When their loved ones reach out to them to come home for a family reunion, Elizabeth has reason to believe that Gideon won’t be there. Gideon also thinks that Elizabeth has declined the invitation. Family and friends are rooting for them to reunite, but will it all be enough for Elizabeth and Gideon to get past their grief and recapture a time when they were in love and had a bright future ahead of them? A Chance to Remember by Kathleen Fuller Cevilla Schlabach, Birch Creek’s resident octogenarian matchmaker, is surprised when Richard, a man from her Englisch past, arrives in Birch Creek for a visit. While he and Cevilla take several walks down memory lane, they wonder what the future holds for them at this stage of life - friendship, or the possibility of something else? Mended Hearts by Kelly Irvin At 18, Hannah Kauffman made a terrible mistake. Her parents and members of her Jamesport Amish community say they’ve forgiven her. But she feels their eyes following her everywhere she goes with 18-month-old Evie. Thaddeus, Evie's father, escaped this fate by running away from Jamesport. Now that Thaddeus is gone, Hannah’s old friend Phillip is stepping up to be by her side. He has waited patiently for Hannah to realize just how much he cares for her. But when Thaddeus returns after two years, Hannah can’t deny the love she feels for him. Does the fact that Phillip has waited patiently for her all this time mean that she owes him something? Can she trust either one of them? Can she trust herself? She has repented and been forgiven by the One who is most important - her heavenly Father. But is she willing to risk making more mistakes by opening herself up to love? Each story in this sweet, contemporary collection can be listened to as a standalone, but the stories are best enjoyed together. Book length: approximately 100,000 words. Includes discussion questions for book clubs
©2019 Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Irvin (P)2019 Zondervan
The Coffee Corner
Summary
In this third installment of Amy Clipston’s Amish Marketplace series, an acquaintance grows into love over a few well-timed cups of coffee. Alongside her cousins who have booths of their own, Bethany Gingerich runs a busy and successful coffee and donut stand at the Amish market. Since she has café-style tables and chairs, her regular customers enjoy purchasing a morning treat so they can sit and talk to their friends. Micah Zook and his grandfather, Enos, visit Bethany every Saturday morning to purchase coffee and donuts before going to work at Enos’s custom outdoor furniture shop. Bethany enjoys talking to Micah and Enos, and she’s always thought Micah was handsome - but she doesn’t think her crush will ever result in anything more. When Micah and his grandfather don’t come to see her one Saturday morning, Bethany begins to worry. And when she learns that tragedy has struck, she wonders how to help Micah in his time of need. Turns out he needs a friend now more than ever, and Bethany may be just the kind of friend that God has provided for him.
©2020 Amy Clipston (P)2020 Zondervan
The Bake Shop
Summary
Return to Lancaster County with the first installment of Amy Clipston's charming new Amish Marketplace series. Christiana Kurtz loves to bake, but when her bake stand becomes too busy, her mother encourages her to move her business to the local market. Her new bake shop becomes so inundated with customers that the line blocks the leather and woodcraft shop next door, which is run by Jeffrey Stoltzfus. When Jeffrey complains that her stand is driving away business due to the lines, she complains to him that his personalization machine smells. Though their relationship starts off on bad footing, they eventually forge a friendship. When Christiana’s father makes a surprise visit to the market, he is upset to find that Jeffrey uses the building’s electricity to personalize his items. He tells Christiana that Jeffrey is too modern for her, and she’s forbidden from dating him. Christiana is crushed, but she knows she must obey her father. When Jeffrey’s shop catches fire one day, he puts the entire market in jeopardy - including Christiana’s bake shop. Christiana, however, can’t deny how she feels about Jeffrey despite his mistakes. Though the odds are against them, can two young people find a way to rebuild both their businesses and their relationship?
©2019 Amy Clipston (P)2019 Zondervan
A Picture of Love
Summary
Both of them have vowed from the bottom of their broken hearts never to love again. Sweet Naomi Byler cooks meals for the guests at the Peony Inn, where Amish sisters and owners of the inn Esther and Lizzie love her like a granddaughter. She’s as happy there as a young woman can be, considering that her fiancé, Thomas, has left her to court someone else. She knows she’ll get over the love of her life in due time, but she assumes marriage will never be a part of her future. Amos Lantz and his mother are guests at the inn, visiting town for a cousin’s wedding. Attending a wedding is the last thing Amos wants to do since his own fiancée, Sarah, died tragically just a year ago. Naomi and Amos understand each other’s grief and become quick friends when they discover their mutual love of painting. As the two begin to paint through their sadness together, Esther and Lizzie play matchmaker - a risky move with the potential to backfire. And when Thomas makes an unexpected return intending to win back Naomi, she realizes she no longer knows her own heart. In this new Amish series from best-selling and award-winning novelist Beth Wiseman, true love takes root in the deepest of wounds.
©2020 Beth Wiseman (P)2020 Zondervan
Hooked on You
Summary
She never wanted to come back. He never wants to leave. The town of Maple Falls has plans for them both. Riley McAllister is living the dream in New York City...if the dream means being a struggling mixed-media artist, part-time food delivery driver, and having a carefully curated social media to hide all of the above. She refuses to admit defeat and move back to small-town Maple Falls, but when her grandmother breaks her leg sliding into third base during a softball game (she was safe, by the way), Riley reluctantly agrees to go home and help the woman who raised her - while secretly hoping she can convince Mimi to sell her house and yarn shop and move in with a good friend. Then Riley can return to her new life in NYC, on her own and for good. But Mimi has her own plans, which include setting Riley up with local baseball star Hayden Price, who returned to Maple Falls after an injury ended his major league career. Now he works at his father’s hardware store, coaches the church softball team, and worries about the declining town. It’s not the life he dreamed of having. With a little meddling and a lot of kindness from the town, Hayden and Riley find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other as they discover the true meaning of home. Welcome to Maple Falls, where everyone knows your name and your business. “A sweet, refreshing tale of idyllic small-town life, family, and unexpected romance, Hooked on You is the perfect read to cozy up with on a rainy day.” (Melissa Ferguson, multi-award-winning author of The Cul-de-Sac War) Sweet and delightful small-town rom-com The first in the Maple Falls romance series All books will be stand-alone but will help shape the community Book length: 78,000 words
©2021 Kathleen Fuller (P)2021 Thomas Nelson
An Amish Barn Raising
Summary
From best-selling authors in the Amish genre come three sweet stories centered around Amish traditions and the possibility of romance. Building a Dream by Amy Clipston Though they’ve known each other a long time, Kathryn and Anthony have finally decided to try becoming more than friends - but they are devastated when Kathryn’s father won’t allow them to date. He wants his daughter to marry a man with a more respectable job than building gazebos for Englishers. But when Kathryn’s father’s dairy barn burns down during a thunderstorm, Anthony is the one to arrange a barn raising. Will Kathryn’s father realize he has misjudged Anthony? To Raise a Home by Kelly Irvin A year after the wildfires, life has returned to normal for the West Kootenai Amish community. Evan Eicher, son of Deacon Tobias Eicher, has done his best to move on too. Helping his neighbors and friends rebuild has helped soothe a heart broken when Delilah Mast - the woman he loves but never had the courage to approach - moved with her family back to Kansas. At his father’s urging he courts Kaylee Plank, a sweet woman who adores him. But when Delilah moves back to teach school, Evan must wrestle with feelings he’s tried so hard to put in the past. And an accident at a barn raising will force Kaylee, Delilah, and Evan to face the truth about their hearts. Love’s Solid Foundation by Kathleen Fuller Devon Bontrager only returned to his old hometown to make good on a past misdeed. He hadn’t counted on reconnecting with Nettie Yoder, especially since she strung along his younger twin brothers some years ago. Nettie knows she’s made some mistakes in the past, but she’s determined to be an asset to her community from now on. But just as she’s making headway, her family’s barn burns to the ground. Why does it seem like God is punishing her family when she’s finally starting to turn her life around? Can she convince Devon that she has changed? Can Devon trust the woman who broke his brothers’ hearts? Three sweet contemporary Amish romances Stand-alone novella collection Book length: 80,000 words
©2021 Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, and Kathleen Fuller (P)2021 Zondervan
An Amish Miracle
Summary
From best-selling authors in the Amish genre come three sweet stories of romance and miracles. Always Beautiful by Beth Wiseman Becky Byler is 18 and overweight. She is overwhelmed by the embarrassment she feels when comparing herself to other girls her age. Having lost all hope, she considers taking her own life. As she stands before rushing water, unable to swim, Becky begs God for a miracle. In just several months, Becky sees her prayers answered as food and temptation lose their hold over her. She’s finally pleased with how she looks, but does she like the person she has become? And has the man she has dreamed of been right beside her all along, loving her exactly as she is? Always His Providence by Ruth Reid Widow Rosa Hostetler has one month to pay her delinquent taxes before the county auctions her farm. She’s prepared to sell whatever is necessary to pay the lien, but she isn’t willing to request money from the community’s widow fund. She’s embarrassed and refuses to admit she needs help. Rosa depends on income from selling eggs, but when that income is threatened, only a miracle can help Rosa accept the kindness of a neighbor. Always in My Heart by Mary Ellis Hope Bowman believes God is punishing her for giving up her firstborn son when she was a teenager. She’s hidden this secret from her husband, who is thankful for their daughters but longs for a son. Hope prays desperately, but the son God sends her isn’t a new baby but the 15-year-old boy she gave up years ago. Sweet Amish novellas with happily ever-afters Book length: 75,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs Includes Old-Order Amish recipes
©2013 Beth Wiseman, Ruth Reid, and Mary Ellis (P)2020 Thomas Nelson
An Amish Christmas Bakery
Summary
From best-selling authors in the Amish genre come four delicious stories perfect for celebrating love, joy, and the holiday season. "Cookies and Cheer" by Amy Clipston Alyssa Byler wants to build a sugar cookie nativity scene for her bakery’s Christmas window display - all she needs is the right cookie cutters. She turns to handsome blacksmith Kyle Smoker. Using Kyle’s handmade cutters, Alyssa created a striking display that brings more customers than she can handle. She soon realizes she’s been too busy to focus on the true meaning of Christmas - and too distracted to explore her feelings for Kyle. Together, they put aside the holiday rush to celebrate the season that brought them together. "Loaves of Love" by Beth Wiseman Katie Swartzentruber has been left in charge of her family’s bakery, but she soon finds herself overwhelmed with orders during the holiday season. She is tempted to move her Old Order family into the modern world by using propane ovens. Meanwhile, her childhood friend, Henry Hershberger, is trying to find the courage to tell Katie that he’s harbored a secret crush on Katie for years. As the demands at the bakery intensify, both Katie and Henry must find the courage to go after what’s important. "Melting Hearts" by Kathleen Fuller When her aunt, Carolyn, begs for help during the busy Christmas rush, Mattie Shetler eagerly packs her bags and heads to Birch Creek. She doesn’t know her uncle has also asked for help with the bakery’s new expansion from Peter Kaufman, Mattie’s sworn enemy. As the two work together, Mattie discovers not all is as it seems. With Christmas just around the corner, Mattie and Peter open their hearts for the greatest gifts of the season: forgiveness and maybe even love. "Cakes and Kisses" by Kelly Irvin Martha Ropp works hard at her family’s bakery, making cakes and pies for community celebrations. To help during the busy Christmas season, Martha’s mother hires Ambrose Hershberger to make deliveries. Martha remembers Ambrose as a gentle giant from her school days. But the more they work together, the more they want to spend time together outside of the bakery. When both are too timid to make the first move, the town matchmakers step in.
©2019 Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Irvin (P)2019 Zondervan
An Amish Picnic
Summary
From best-selling authors in the Amish genre come four sweet stories about picnics and romance. Baskets of Sunshine by Amy Clipston Kevin Weaver has lived with his brother’s family since his parents passed away when he was young, but he craves a home and family to call his own. Freeman Kurtz owns a successful brick mason business, and Kevin takes the job as Freeman’s apprentice to pursue his own financial freedom. Phoebe Kurtz is helping her sister with her booth at the marketplace when she notices Kevin, her father’s employee. Their friendship grows, but Kevin is convinced that the difference in their ages makes a relationship between them impossible. Amidst summer outings, Kevin and Phoebe must decide if taking a chance on love is worth the risk. Candlelight Sweethearts by Kelly Irvin Esther Marie Shrock loves her job at Valley Grocery Store where she’s worked for four years. Despite a stutter that has plagued her since childhood, she thrives filling orders from a steady stream of customers. Still, at 25, she and her family wonder if romance is in her future. Jasper Cotter isn’t good with people, but he’s found himself obligated to take over day-to-day operations of the family-owned grocery store - a store he doesn’t have the first clue how to run. Thrown together, Esther Marie and Jasper don’t exactly see eye to eye. One night, the store loses power, and the candles aren’t the only things shooting off sparks. Esther Marie and Jasper are suddenly forced to discover common ground when it matters most, and they might be surprised with love along the way. Reeling in Love by Kathleen Fuller Nina Stoll and Ira Yoder are just friends. Just friends and fishing buddies. Every Saturday afternoon, they have a picnic at their favorite fishing hole and see who can out-fish the other. Until Nina starts to wonder if there’s more. Her plans to share her feelings go awry, and circumstances seem destined to keep Nina and Ira apart. With both Nina and Ira confused and hurting, it’s going to take courage, some help from the community matchmakers, and a little bit of divine intervention for Nina and Ira to realize they’re each other's perfect catch. Picnics and Prospects by Vannetta Chapman Faith Troyer is claustrophobic, and David Lapp builds tiny houses. They went on a date years ago with disastrous results. When a picnic outing is diverted by the discovery of a package of letters dating back to the 1970s, they take it upon themselves to find answers to a mystery that causes them to rethink their past and consider their future.
©2020 Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Kathleen Fuller, and Vannetta Chapman (P)2020 Zondervan
Amish Midwives
Summary
From best-selling authors of Amish fiction come three sweet stories about new life, hope, and romance. Bundles of Blessing by Amy Clipston Lost in grief after the death of her husband, Kristina Byler gave up remarrying and found comfort and purpose in becoming a midwife. She is surprised when Aidan Smoker - her ex-boyfriend and the man she was sure she’d one day marry - moves back to the community after living in Ohio for the past eight years. They’re both certain there’s too much pain in their shared past for them to have a future, but they keep finding themselves drawn together. As Kristina helps other women bring children into the world, she starts to wonder if a family of her own might be possible after all. A Midwife for Susie by Shelley Shepard Gray Haunted by secret guilt after a tragic accident, Joanna Zimmerman is sure she’s left midwifery behind her. She keeps to herself, certain this is for the best. Her childhood friend Dwight Eicher knows that Joanna hasn’t been herself lately, but every time he’s tried to talk to her about what’s wrong, she’s avoided his questions. When his sister, Susie, becomes pregnant, Joanna must decide if she can find the courage to return to the job she once felt so called to. Meanwhile, both Dwight and Joanna face romantic feelings that have the potential to change their friendship forever. Christmas Cradles by Kelly Long (Also in An Amish Christmas) When Anna Stolis takes over for her aunt, the local midwife, Christmas night heats up with multiple deliveries, three strangers' quilts, and unexpected help from the handsome and brooding Asa Lapp. Three sweet contemporary Amish romances Stand-alone novella collection Book length: 80,000 words
©2021 Amy Clipston, Shelley Shepard Gray, and Kelly Long (P)2021 Zondervan
A Long Bridge Home
Summary
After her community in the awe-inspiring Montana mountains is suddenly consumed by a raging wildfire, one young Amish woman finds herself in a new town where she’s introduced to the Native culture of the Kootenai people. When the Mast family is forced to evacuate their home in the West Kootenai region of Montana, Christine chooses not to move with her family to her father’s childhood home in Kansas. Instead, she wants to stay closer to home and to her beau, Andy Lambright, who has yet to ask for her hand in marriage and who seems to be holding tightly to secrets from his past. Now, living with her aunt and uncle in St. Ignatius, Christine is on her own for the first time in her life. While working in her uncle’s store, Christine meets Raymond Old Fox, whom she befriends, and he introduces her to his rich native culture with strong ties to the earth and nature. Despite the warnings of her aunt and uncle, Christine is inexplicably drawn to Raymond, and her mind is opened to a history and heritage far different from her own. With her newly expanding horizons, Christine wonders if she can return to the domestic life that is expected of her. Her heart still longs to be with Andy, but she isn’t the same person she was before the fire, and she wonders if he can accept who she is becoming. Has too much distance grown between them? Or can they bridge the gap from past to present and find their way back together?
©2020 Kelly Irvin (P)2020 Zondervan
Amish Generations
Summary
Four sweet and funny Amish love stories, spanning four different generations. Love comes at all times and for all ages! Young Love - When Fern was diagnosed with a chronic illness in her early 20s, she knew it would limit her abilities to be a good Amish wife. And with Dan, the object of her affection, in a serious relationship, there didn’t seem much point in dating. But Dan is now single, and he seems to be taking notice of Fern. She’ll need a strong dose of courage to talk down the fear her illness has brought on if she ever wants to pursue her dreams. Long-Awaited Love - When Everett left 10 years ago, Jemima’s love quickly turned to hate. But when they arrive back home at the same bus station on the same day, they discover some old flames aren’t put out so easily. Can they move past the forces that pulled them apart 10 years ago, or are some hurts too much to overcome? Second-Chance Love - Benjamin and Lora Beth both lost spouses not long into their young marriages and connect over letters, exchanging recipes and commiseration as their now-grown children try to coddle them. They’re only in their 40s, for heaven’s sake! The letters quickly reveal a deep friendship...or could it be more? When you’ve already had a great love, how do you learn to fall in love again? Never Too Late - Jerald is a committed old bachelor. He loves nothing more than good Amish food and giving his best friend’s wife, Regina, a hard time. When people have asked - and believe him, people have asked - he’s always said he’ll marry when he finds the right woman. It’s just never happened in his 70 years. Until he tastes the best blueberry pie and discovers the woman behind it: Regina’s best friend, Elva.
©2020 Kathleen Fuller (P)2020 Zondervan