An Amish Christmas Love

If you love holiday stories I recommend picking up a copy of An Amish Christmas Love. It is a collection of four novellas and each will get you into the Christmas spirit and warm your heart. Each story has it's own unique set of characters and it is hard for me to choose a favorite!

Winter Kisses by Beth Wiseman

Naomi is 25 and lives at home with her mom and grandmother. They rent a daadi haus to help make ends meet. Naomi's grandmother, Ruth, is the talk of the town. Ever since her husband passed away she has made it her mission to find a husband and remarry, much to Naomi and her mother's embarrassment. Naomi has witnessed her mom and grandmother lose spouses and seen what pain and heartache comes with that. She refuses to even consider a suitor because she doesn't want the heartache that might eventually come with love. Will these three women ever find love and mend their broken hearts? They will if Ruth has anything to say about it!

This story literally had me laughing out loud! The grandmother, Ruth, reminded me a lot of my daughter. She was sassy, yet she had a grace and wisdom about her. She didn't always follow the rules but she wasn't a "wild child" either so to speak. She had lived a long life and essentially knew what was important and what was not. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind and that sometimes got her in to trouble!! I loved how she coaxed Naomi and her mother Barbara to see beyond their pain and live life to the fullest.

The Christmas Cat by Amy Clipston

It's Emma Bontranger's first Christmas since losing her husband of 45 years, Henry. They were never blessed with children so Emma is especially lonely with no one to share her life with. When an orange cat unexpectedly shows up and makes himself at home, Emma decides to let him stay rather than spending Christmas alone. She's never had a pet in the house but she finds herself warming up to the cat and sharing her memories of Henry with him. When a snow storm keeps her from accepting a Christmas dinner invitation, she receives even more unexpected guests when the teens of the family come to check up on her.

I loved how the cat seemed to embody Henry. He seemed to know what Emma needed even before she did! It was funny how he claimed Henry's chair and seemed to communicate just like a human. The cat instinctively knew when Emma was sad and needed a boost but he also knew when she needed some space. He was just what she needed to make it through her first Christmas as a widow. He, along with the teens, helped her count her blessings and see how much she still had to offer her community.

Home for Christmas by Beth Wiseman

Ellie Whetstone is used to traveling the circuit doing dog shows with her poodle, Lulu. When she receives news that she has inherited her aunt's house in Amish country, she decides that her and Lulu could use a break. Her plan is to get the house ready to sell before she and Lulu head back to the circuit. What she doesn't expect is GPS to send her to the neighbor's house and him find her and Lulu making themselves at home. She also doesn't expect Allison, the neighbor's daughter to fall in love with Lulu and vice versa. In a hilarious yet heart warming story full of unexpected's, Home for Christmas is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

This one really tugged on my heart strings and made me cry. Allison immediately takes to Lulu and vice versa but nobody can figure out why. They seem inseparable. When Ezra Mast, Allison's dad, declared Lulu to be the cause of Allison's health problems they all have broken hearts. Nobody wants to deny Allison the joy of loving on Lulu but a parent has to do what they think is best.

Lulu reminded me of Lucille Ball from I love Lucy. She wanted to be with Allison no matter what. Even though she was a well trained dog she ignored Ellie's commands and pulled some shenanigans to get to see Allison. She knew what she wanted and what Allison needed and didn't seem to care what trouble she caused! She was definitely named correctly!

Snow Angels by Kelly Irvin

David Byler and Molly Shrock have been an item for a while now. Molly is sure David is the one and is already making plans to be Mrs. David Byler. When they are at the local horse auction David gets the shock of his live, the English girl who was his first love, Bobbie McGregor, is back and has her heart set on David. Now David has the decision of a lifetime to make; will he choose his faith and Molly or will he go with the girl who once shredded his heart and leave his faith for Bobbie.

I'm reminded of the song "You Can't Always Get What You Want" but David has no clue what he wants! He did until Bobbie came along and now he's at a loss.  I couldn't understand the pull Bobbie had on David. I know she was his first love and first loves can be powerful but he moved on and fell in love with Molly. Maybe it's just me, but if someone hurt me that badly I don't think I would be willing to throw everything away, my faith and my family, just because they had a change of heart and decided they loved me now.

Even though I couldn't understand the whole David and Bobbie thing I truly enjoyed the story as a whole.

I truly enjoyed each story in An Amish Christmas love and I believe you will too. I hope you will give it a try and if you do leave a comment letting me know what you think!

*I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

You can grab a copy here: An Amish Christmas Love