I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kathleen Fuller, the author and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.
Published by Thomas Nelson on 2009
Source: Kathleen Fuller, the author
Genres: Christian, Fiction, Romance
Pages: 393
Three heartwarming tales of old friends and new beginnings that span one year in an Amish community.
A Change of Heart by Beth Wiseman
Leah is no good at cooking, cleaning, sewing, gardening--the skills that young women need to make a proper Amish wife. All she wants to do is write stories, but she's sincerely tired of being a disappointment. Will she ever find someone who accepts her just as she is? And can an almost-Amish angel in red polka dots help her find her way?
A Place of His Own by Kathleen Fuller
When Josiah left Paradise the first time, he didn't even say good-bye. Now he's back, ten years later, and he's changed. Why is he so distant and bitter? Where is the boy who used to be Amanda's best friend? Amanda is learning that there are things even a capable Amish girl can't fix. But can she stand there and watch him walk away . . . again?
When Winter Comes by Barbara Cameron
It's been too long since Rebecca has done what she loves--put on her skates and fly across the ice. Five years have passed since a winter accident took her twin Lizzie and left Rebecca heartbroken. And Ben has waited for her all that time. At last she's starting to heal. But has too much time passed for their hearts to reconnect?
Note: Kristin reads and reviews both Christian and secular fiction on A Simply Enchanted Life. Out of respect for my readers, I am including a content review. This content review will help you decide whether this book is suitable for you.
Content Review:
Christian or Secular: Christian
Profanity: None
Sex: None
Violence: (see below)
Trigger Warnings: Child abuse is remembered but not overly detailed.
Disclosure: None
This was a sweet little collection of Amish novellas. The book reads really fast and I liked how there is some overlap in characters in each story. It gives the book a very cohesive feel although each story is written by a different author.
A Change of Heart by Beth Wiseman:
I loved this story because Leah isn’t your typical Amish girl. She can’t cook and isn’t a natural at housekeeping. That alone made me love A Change of Heart. If you love quirky characters and Amish characters with a little spunk—you will not be disappointed.
A Place of His Own by Kathleen Fuller:
This story gave me a bit of a savior complex. I wanted to step in the pages and help ease Josiah’s pain. I absolutely loved these characters. I thought Kathleen did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life. With novellas, characters often lack depth and human emotion but she really nailed it with this one. If you never wanted to kiss away the tears of a book character and promise you’ll be there for him then you’ve never read this novella.
When Winter Comes by Barbara Cameron:
This addition to An Amish Gathering was a beautiful tale of hope, love, and forgiveness. I really connected with Rebecca and I felt her shame and guilt. I know it’s so easy to get caught up in blaming yourself when things go wrong. But, sometimes we need to let go of our pain and forgive ourselves. I truly felt for Rebecca and I wanted to find peace.
Overall Thoughts:
I thought all three stories complimented one another well. If you’ve read ‘Healing Hearts’ by Beth Wiseman, her addition to this novella is the same so don’t let that confuse you.
This is a nice, cozy read by three talented authors.
About Beth Wiseman
Award-winning, bestselling author Beth Wiseman is best known for her Amish novels, but she has also written several successful contemporary novels, set primarily in her beloved Texas, including Need You Now and The House that Love Built. Both have received glowing reviews. Beth’s The Promise is inspired by a true story.
About Kathleen Fuller
Kathleen Fuller is an American writer, specializing in Christian and Amish romantic fiction. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and currently resides in Geneva, Ohio with her husband, James Fuller, and three children.
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