"An Amish Second Christmas" 4 Novellas in 1

About the Book

Celebrate Second Christmas, a treasured, lighthearted time of community, with four Amish romances. 

“When Christmas Comes Again” by Beth Wiseman

Katherine knows the first Christmas without Elias will be hard for her and the children. But when a mysterious Englischer appears with photographs of her late husband, Katherine  begins to wonder what other blessings Christmas could have in store. 

“Her Christmas Pen Pal” by Ruth Reid

Joy was expecting a wedding proposal from Henry; what she got instead was news of another woman. But when her heartfelt letter to a cousin ends up in the hands of a young cabinetmaker, an unexpected correspondence between two strangers gets interesting fast. 

“A Gift for Anne Marie” by Kathleen Fuller

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. 

“The Christmas Aprons” by Tricia Goyer

Vanilla crumb pie has been Esther’s mem’s calling card for decades. But when Esther finally gets her hands on the secret recipe, she discovers that vanilla crumb pie is more than just dessert . . . it’s bachelor bait.

Please visit Beth Wiseman's website
Please visit Ruth Reid's website
Please visit Kathleen Fuller's website
Please visit Tricia Goyer's website

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This book was released in October 2014
This was a loved library book that was reviewed

My Review

“An Amish Second Christmas” by Beth Wiseman, Ruth Reid, Kathleen Fuller and Tricia Goyer is four short novellas centered around the Amish Second Christmas and love. Maybe not all have that romantic love, but love none the less for the family, friends and more.

Each story stirs the emotions in a different way while reminding the reader that somethings are better when we let go of what we think we want and let God in control.

I would have to say that this is a must read Amish Christmas book that is for sure. Enjoy the book as much as I did. 

“When Christmas Comes Again” by Beth Wiseman

Oh here is a short story of about 90 pages that is not really a romance but a story with a message of ministering to strangers. Things are interesting during this time for the Zook family who is experiencing their first Christmas without Elias, husband and father. Then there is an 'Englischer' who appears with some interesting stories that is for sure.

There is a lot of healing that takes place over the course of this story and at times there is some humor. Actually there was quite a bit of humor, or at least I thought so, even if it was a bit embarrassing. There was one scene that involves with sitting on a hat (and that is all I am going to say about that) that I found so funny I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Part of that is all that happened but also because it was the perfect scene that show that sometimes the Amish teens deal with the same thing as non-Amish teens do.

As the story progresses, which is pretty quickly, the truth is revealed and understanding along with acceptance is accomplished. Truly this is a story that could have gone in so many different directions, and some not in the best of ways either. Instead love shown through even when uncertainty was there, and acceptance was given even when weariness was there, then in the end so much more was received by simply taking the chance.

“Her Christmas Pen Pal” by Ruth Reid

This is a story that I had to groan, and loudly I might add, at the end of the whole story for I got so into the story that when it ended, perfectly I might add, I was wanting more. This story might be an Amish version of “You Got Mail” but at the same time there is a lot more friendship without the fighting that goes along with the movie.

Joy is a woman with a lot of things happening all at once and with a mix up with the post office (like that doesn't happen) just one more thing doesn't go as she planned. Oh as the story goes on it is figured out that everything happened was planned just not her own.

I actually found the interactions between Joy and the cabinetmaker interesting not to mention at times pretty humorous, considering one knows who the other is while other is still in the dark. When the truth comes out though, I couldn't help but cry because that wasn't how it was suppose to be, and my heart broke for both the cabinetmaker and Joy. Then as I said I couldn't help but groan with the way it ended for as I said it ended perfectly but I would have loved an epilogue.

“A Gift for Anne Marie” by Kathleen Fuller

This is a wonderful little story about almost missing the best thing that is in front of you when you are not paying enough attention, and friendship can lead some of the best futures possible. This is a story of how things almost didn't happen because comfort was reached and no one seemed to want to move out of that comfort zone.

Both Anne Marie and Nathaniel have been friends since little kids, but they are too blind to what so many other people see. It is so heartbreaking to see what these two friends go through when news reaches them that she is moving out of state. Really only one of two choices is going to happen for either she is staying or she is moving. It is their struggles to figure out what is happening that makes this story so heartbreaking at times.

This is a good story to remind people to never get so comfortable that they can't see something so special that is right in front of them until it is too late.

“The Christmas Aprons” by Tricia Goyer

If this story is not part of her 'Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors' series then it could be for it takes place in West Kootenia, Montana where the series takes place. This short story is a story of learning to value oneself for who they are and maybe finding love along the way.

Esther is a woman who loves to serve others while staying in the background, and this is what makes her shine so much. She has also taken to heart some advice her mother has passed down and makes sure she listens to that advice to the best of her ability.

Things are not as simple as she thinks they are when she makes a family pie to help the local community and is not informed about some vital information about that event, but as things always do, everything works out as planned. Friendships develop and something more even begins to grow.

I really wish this would have have been a full length novel for I so enjoy the 'Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors' but I will take what I can get when love is in the air.