Amish Brides

I hope everyone is having a fun holiday weekend!  An Amish Summer by Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin and Shelley Shepard Gray will be out on June 6.  It contains four Amish novels by four tops authors in Amish fiction.  

Amish Brides contains three stories by Jennifer Beckstrand, Molly Jebber and Amy Lillard.  The Reluctant Groom by Jennifer Beckstrand is set in Bonduel with Anna and Felty Helmuth.  Suvie Newswenger visits Anna to request her assistance.  Suvie has fallen for their great-grandson, Aaron Beachy who has yet to get over the loss of his wife three years prior.  Anna and Felty are happy to assist Suvie with her request.  The threesome set out one morning with a casserole (prepared by Anna), petunias and a knitted item.  Is there a chance for this match or will Anna’s matchmaking streak come to an end? 5 stars

Joshua’s Bride by Molly Jebber takes us back to 1885 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Joshua Stutzman proposes to Madeline Lehman and she gladly accepts.  Unfortunately, Joshua’s parents are unhappy with the match thanks to Madeline’s sister, Catherine who left the community and ended her relationship with Nathaniel, Joshua’s brother.  One day Madeline hears a baby outside and finds one on the doorstep with Catherine running away.  Catherine does not want the child nor does she know the father’s identity.  Joshua accepts the baby in their life, but his family is incensed.  The added tension affects Joshua’s relationship with his parents and brother.  Madeline does not wish to come between Joshua and his family, so she calls off their wedding.  What will it take for the Stutzman’s to realize the Madeline is not Catherine? 4 stars

A Summer Wedding in Paradise by Amy Lillard is set in Paradise, Pennsylvania.  Reba Schmucker is on her way to the schoolhouse when a carriage with a runaway horse forces her into a wet, muddy ditch.  Reba ends up filthy, dripping and with an injured ankle.  She arrives at the schoolhouse to find out the driver is the repairman, Abel Weaver.  Reba’s nieces want her to be happy like their father who is getting married thanks to their matchmaking efforts.  The three girls decide to fix Reba up with Abel.  Abel and Reba start spending time together, and Reba starts wearing boring clothes instead of her vibrant toned dresses to be more appealing.  Will the girl’s matchmaking effort pay off? 4 stars

Amish Brides contains three well-written stories that are entertaining to read.  My favorite story is The Reluctant Groom.  I love Anna and Felty Helmuth (great characters) and their antics.  I giggled frequently while reading it, and I was left with a happy feeling when I finished The Reluctant Groom.  Joshua’s Bride is a well-constructed story that is more serious than The Reluctant Groom.  It is about not judging others based on their family members.  It shows us the importance of love, forgiveness, the power of prayer, faith and believing in God’s will.  In Amy Lillard’s A Summer Wedding in Paradise, I liked  Reba Schmucker.  She is a sassy, independent woman who loved bright, bold colors and pushing boundaries.  The story has a good message.  It reminds us to be ourselves which can be hard to remember in our society.  The little girls were adorable and their capers provided me with some chuckles.  The Christian element is light yet powerful.  Amish Brides contains three inviting novels that I give 4.5 out of 5 stars.  

Thank you for reading my review of Amish Brides.  May all of you have a nice, relaxing Memorial Day.  My next review will be Return to Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader