English or Plain, family traditions and heirlooms created bonds between generations.

Four short stories that center around family heirlooms. Heirlooms come in many different forms and each story is a testament to that fact. Heirlooms can bring true love together such as a rocker that needed to be restored. Or a old chest filled with a unknown fact of how a family came together and left a legacy. And with that legacy, left hope for a better marriage. "Marriage is an ongoing education of another person's feelings. Or a bible that was given as a gift that became a reminder that God will never leave or forsake you. Of course, you can never forget a the handmade quilt, always made with love and time for a new baby.


Each story reflects on relationships and the power of relationships in hard times. Enjoyed getting to know each of these families.

A special thank you to Zondervan Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Another great book by many wonderful authors. I love these Novellas, because it allows you to be introduced to authors you may not have know about. I would highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading other books from these authors.

Theese books are my favorite, it;s amazing how they make theese books thoose 4 ladies toghter. 4 Of the best writers in one bundle. GREAT.

An Amish Heirloom contains four stories by by four popular writers of Amish fiction. They all center around family and seeking God’s perfect plan and timing in our lives. Each one highlights the many reasons these authors are so well known for their writing. I enjoyed being introduced to new characters by the authors that I’ve read before and getting to know a new author in Kathleen Fuller. All four of these authors are incredibly talented and I’m very much looking forward to finding further books with these characters.

A Legacy of Love by Amy Clipston: While I enjoyed this story a great deal, it’s not one of my favorites by this author. Perhaps Cleon and Susie’s story just doesn’t transition as well as a novella. I felt like Susie really didn’t do right by her relationship with Josh. She knew spending time with her former fiancé would make him uncomfortable but she kept finding reasons to do so, anyway. While I do think that Cleon is a better fit for her, I just feel that she should have ended things with Josh before she did. I’d still love to read more of this series though.

The Cedar Chest by Beth Wiseman: I really enjoyed the backstory about Isaac and Elizabeth. It was interesting and honestly should be turned into an entire book or series about them. I really would like to read more about Catherine and her husband, as well as Emma and the rest of their family because I felt like their story was overshadowed by the letters and the story of Isaac and Elizabeth. I did enjoy that the letters were used to teach Catharine and help her deal with things she was experiencing.

The Treasured Book by Kathleen Fuller: This was the first time I’ve read anything by this particular author and I know it will not be the last. I enjoyed this sweet story a great deal but felt like it didn’t have enough detail. Perhaps another series will give more details on these characters and how Shane and Lucy met, and how Shane decided that it was God’s will for him to join the Amish church.

The Midwife’s Dream: This was just the sweetest story! My heart broke for poor Jessica and for Iris. I think Iris and Mahon are perfect for each other and would dearly love a chance to read more of their courtship.

Novella collections are a great way to get to know an author's writing style, in this case four different authors can be read.
All four authors wrote a novella individually but all the novellas have to same topic an Amish heirloom. More than that can be found in each novella though, love, marriage, and secrets are found in family heirlooms.
I look forward to reading the next novella collections, along with each author's books they have releasing.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is that review in my own words.

An heirloom is defined as "a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations," and in An Amish Heirloom we read about four different heirlooms in four, beautifully written stories that weave the past with the present by way of one treasure.

"A Legacy of Love" by Amy Clipson
After the death of a fellow volunteer firefighter Leon King is reassessing the choices that he's made in his life. Seeing his ex-girlfriend Susie Bontrager on the arm of her fiancé doesn't help matters either. Susie was the one that got away and Leon is quickly figuring that out.

Susie is preparing the house that she will soon share with her fiancé Joshua Chupp and the first thing she wants to put in her new home is a pair of rocking chairs that were left to her by her grandparents but they are badly in need of repair and Susie asks Leon, who is a skilled woodworker, to repair them for her. These heirlooms bring Susie back into Leon's life and rekindles their friendship as well as reignites feelings that have been tucked away in both of their hearts.

I really enjoyed this story and how the author connects these two characters and weaves the past with both the present and the future. You can feel the confusion and dynamics that both the lead characters struggle through and as the reader you feel the constant will they won't that played out throughout the entire story. Wonderfully written and such a sweet story of legacy and love.

"The Cedar Chest" by Beth Wiseman
Catherine Fisher has an unwavering faith but she has recently started worrying about her daughter Emma. Catherine and Emma had always been close but since Emma got married and moved away Emma has been distant and untalkative and Catherine cannot figure out what might be wrong. A donation that Catherine wants to give to a local auction brings the two women into Catherine's basement where there lies an old cedar chest. Emma is instantly intrigued but the chest has been locked for decades with the key broken inside and even Catherine doesn't know the contents of the chest. Together the two women unlock the cedar chest and the contents not only bring out secrets from the past but it also brings out the secrets that Emma herself has been hiding.

I've never read anything by BethWiseman but this story was gripping from beginning to end. The reader is in constant wonder about where all of the secrets will leave the two women, as well as the fates of those whose secrets have been tucked away for so long. It was hard to put this story down, with the reader constantly wondering how the stories will eventually play out. A charming and wondrous premise that is marvelously written and a joy to read.

"The Treasured Book" by Kathleen Fuller
Lucy hasn't seen Shane Broyles in years but after a chance meeting it all comes flooding back to her as does the feelings that had one gripped her. What Lucy doesn't know is that Shane has been feeling a tug in his heart to join the Amish ever since meeting Lucy and her family. He has been staying with his Amish friends in Birch Creek, Ohio and Lucy is in Birch Creek to help care for an old family friend. When they had met in Iowa years before they had both had feelings for each other but there were several major complications that kept them apart. They had went to a flea market together and had found an old Bible and now, years later, they have found each other again in the most unlikely of places, and both want to explore not only the mystery of the Bible, but their feelings as well.

This was a sweet story but out of all of the novellas in An Amish Heirloom this one was my least favorite. In saying that there is nothing wrong with this story. The characters were lovable and I really liked the premise but there was something about the story that fell short with me. This is the first book that I've read by Kathleen Fuller but I will not let it be my last as she does have a decent writing style.

"The Midwife's Dream" by Kelly Irvin
Iris Beachy is the bridesmaid that is never a bride. She is a midwife who dreams of having a family of her own one day and with each delivery that she assists with her yearning grows stronger and stronger. One night, after helping with a very hard and long delivery, she is sought out by her friend Mahon to help deliver a baby of two young teenagers, neither of whom are ready for parenthood. When the baby finally arrives in the wee hours of the morning, Iris leaves the young family in her room and wakes the next morning to find the baby all alone with a note telling her that they will be back for the baby soon.

Iris tries as hard as she can to not fall in love with the sweet little girl, especially when the quilt that has been left for the baby looks just like the quilt that Iris will inherit once she has her first baby. Together Mahon and Iris care for the baby as well as reveal their feelings for each other.

I remember having those same yearnings years ago and can sympathize with Iris and her wanting a family of her own. You feel the tug she feels for this child as well as the craving for what others have that you do not possess. The character development for Iris was pretty in-depth but I wish there would've been a little more for Mahon, though I know with it being a novella that the author only has so much time to give to her characters.

All in all I thought it was a wonderfully sweet and beautiful story, as was all the novellas in An Amish Heirloom. They are clean, wholesome stories that really make you feel more than just Lovey-dovey. You do read stories of love but you also feel the friendship and community that comes with many Amish fictions. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read stories that will uplift you and show you that you never know where an heirloom might lead you.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Legacy of Love by Amy Clipston
Local volunteer fire fighter Leon King agrees to repair his ex-girlfriend Susie Bontrager’s grandparents’ antique rocking chairs for her future home with her fiance. Leon is also forced to acknowledge that his feelings for Susie have not quite gone away, and that deep down in his heart he still loves her. As Susie spends time with Leon, she begins to recognize that she is marrying the wrong man for all the wrong reasons.

The characters are so well written, well developed, and realistic that you may find yourself cheering Leon on like I was inside my head to win Susie back before it was too late. I didn't like Susie's fiance and how he blamed Leon for spending so much time with his fiance, when it was Susie who went out of her way to spend time with Leon since she wasn't ready to admit to herself or others that she was still in love with Leon. I was glad the Leon and Susie both admitted to themselves and to each other that they still loved each other and they wanted to be try to give their relationship another try.

The Cedar Chest by Beth Wiseman
Decades after inheriting her great grandmother’s cedar chest, Emma Fisher decides to pry it open since the key is broken inside the lock, only to discover the chest contains a beautiful love story in the form of letters between her great grandparents. But as Emma and her mother immerses themselves in their story, family secrets are revealed, and she must decide whether to share them to preserve family history or honor her great grandparents’ decision to leave them hidden.

This novella contains not one but two stories as we get to read about Emma's great grandparents love story as they deal with a difficult situation, and we read about Emma's marriage that is very close to crumbling around her. While reading the letters Emma starts to see how she can use what she has read to make changes to her marriage to keep it from crumbling and make it better. The characters are well developed and they seem to draw you into their lives as you read the two stories. This story shows us how strong true love can be and that the road of life is full of misunderstandings, second chances, and love.

The Treasured Book by Kathleen Fuller
For the past two years, Shane Broyles has felt God leading him to join the Amish. He is staying with his friends Noah and Ivy Schlabach in Birch Creek, Ohio, where he is reunited with Lucy Fisher, an old friend of Noah’s family. Shane and Lucy have never revealed their feelings for each other, but when they stumble upon an antique Bible at a flea market, they feel drawn to each other and to the mystery of the contents found within.

The characters are realistic which makes them feel lifelike. Lucy and Shane have to deal with some twists and turns along the road of life as these two characters start to fall in love with each other. This story is only 6 chapters long so you don't really get to now the characters as well as you do in a longer book, hopefully the author will use these characters in a longer book so we can get to know them better.

I’m not always a big fan of Amish fiction, but I always enjoy reading a good Amish novella collection, and I really enjoyed this one by a group of four Amish fiction authors! It was my first time reading anything by most of these authors, and it was fun reading their stories!

A Legacy of Love by Amy Clipston
I wasn’t personally a huge fan of this one: the characters fell a little flat and the story was a little unbelievable. There was also a bit too much “attraction” for my liking. Susie was sweet, if a bit insincere at times. 1/5

The Cedar Chest by Beth Wiseman
I really really enjoyed the historical flashbacks in this one! I also liked how it wasn’t a falling in love story, unlike so much other Amish fiction. I felt like the end was a little abrupt and could have been done a lot better, but I really liked this one! 4/5

The Treasured Book by Kathleen Fuller
This was such a sweet story! Although it doesn’t seem really realistic, I really enjoyed reading Shane and Lucy’s story, and it was also rather witty, which was a fun read! 3/5

The Midwife’s Dream by Kelly Irvin
Aside from more adult content (teenage pregnancy), this was such a sweet story! The Englisch side of the story was really sweet to read! But also, can anyone say WHIRLWIND ROMANCE? Although the story did take a lot longer than it seemed, the romance went really fast, which I wasn’t a huge fan of. 3/5

Overall, it was a fun collection and I enjoyed it! All of the stories were really different and weren’t very stereotypical, which I appreciate.
3/5

I was so pumped to get a chance to review this book, written by four of my favorite authors. I've read each of their novels before and love how they always interlock these shorter stories into their regular novel storylines. You get to hear about secondary character's lives, the same Amish community and how connected everyone is inside...

In A Legacy Of Love, we get to see another member of the volunteer firefighter squadron we hear so much about throughout Amy Clipston's books. Recognizing characters from other novels like Jamie King (another volunteer firefighter starring in another novel) is always fun, and I love Leon and Susie's story - one that's relatable for any couple. Once you find that one true love, nobody else can hold a candle to them.

The Cedar Chest was absolutely my favorite story in the book. Getting a glimpse into these old letters the characters read and how it coincides with their own coincidences is such a thrill! Especially since the letters have some pretty shocking truths in them - and a really exciting story! Couldn't put this one down for long, and I'm sure you'll feel the same way!

The Treasured Book story was a romance all the way through! I absolutely love it when Amish fiction authors bring 'Englishers' into the story and especially love it when they join the Amish faith for love. I won't reveal whether this character actually does in the end, but Shane has a big-city life to leave with a lot of success. Moving from New York to Birch Creek is a big step and I love how this story progresses from two old friends to two people realizing they could be more, despite differences.

The Midwife's Dream is another favorite of mine! Once again we get to peek into the lives of secondary characters, this time in Kelly Irvin's book Upon A Spring Breeze. Main character Aidan ended leaving his fiance Iris for Bess in the novel, and in this story, we get to see Iris's story unfolding. It's really a beautiful love story about two old best friends, patience, and forgiveness. I love Iris's character as she gets through one storm of emotions after another and still stays strong. Also loved the buggy ride in chapter 8 - the conversation will have you laughing at times!

As with any anthology review I write, I'll be looking at the stories individually, rather than the book as a whole.

A Legacy of Love by Amy Clipston My Rating: 3 stars

This was not the author's best work! I didn't like a lot of Leon's actions, as it really felt like he was trying to sabotage Susie's engagement. Susie was a little too wishy washy for my tastes, as if she couldn't make up her mind between the two men, and I felt like she was leading Josh on a bit. I was glad when this one was over!

The Cedar Chest by Beth Wiseman My Rating: 5 stars

By far the best book in the anthology! I was easily immersed in the story and heavily invested in Isaac and Elizabeth's story, but the stories of Emma and Catherine seemed to take a back seat to the stories of the past. This was quite a sad story, but extremely well written!

The Treasured Book by Kathleen Fuller My Rating: 4 stars
I've not read the Birch Creek series by this author, but now I want to! I loved the characterization, and the story was a quick and enjoyable read. The conflict felt a little too manufactured to me, but I did enjoy the story overall.

The Midwife’s Dream by Kelly Irvin My Rating: 3 stars
Something about this story really rubbed me the wrong way, and I am having a hard time putting my finger on what it was! There was very little romancing/wooing of Iris, and then suddenly there's declarations of love floating about! It felt very unrealistic to me, even for an Amish story. The ending was by far the best part of it, which raised it from a 2 star rating.

All things considered, I'd likely pick up a couple of the stories out of this if they were to separate the book into its individual novellas, but I'm not sure I would purchase the entire anthology.

AN AMISH HEIRLOOM


Legacy of Love by Am Clipston

I love reading stories by this author because she has a gift of making her characters come to life. Leon is a hard worker and seems a bit lonely. I loved the reaction he has when he runs into his old girlfriend Susie. Its not hard to imagine that he still cares for her. Having a relationship is hard when one wants to get married and the other isn't ready to make that commitment.

When Susie drops off rocking chairs for Leo to repair, I could instantly feel a spark between them. I would love to have those chairs on my front porch. The hours I would spend rocking in them with my husband would be priceless. Those chairs have a precious memory for Susie. Can Leon restore them back to their original beauty? Why does Susie keep visiting Leon even though she is engaged? The story is sweet and captures the beauty of what being in love with someone is.

The Cedar Chest by Beth Wiseman

From the beginning the author intrigued me when Emma and her daughter Catherine discover a forgotten cedar chest in the basement. The excitement as they open it is an attention grabber. The author has a unique ability to write stories that take us to different places and time periods with a sense of being there with the characters. I felt like I was peeking over their shoulders as the chest was opened. What they find inside will change Catherine in many ways. I loved how the author told a story of love and forgiveness. through a couple that lived many years ago. Married couples have problems and sometimes they decide not to fix them.

I loved reading about Isaac and Elizabeth as they tried to reconcile to each other. Through their story, Catherine was able to capture how dear her husband was. I admired Isaac and his willingness to protect Elizabeth. Their story is one that reminds me of my great granddad and great grandmother. They traveled by wagon to homestead their land. They were young but so in love. Many obstacles tried to keep them apart, but my great granddad said he never gave up. They had a wonderful life together and I treasured the stories that were shared about them. Catherine and Abram find themselves drifting apart. Will the letters that Catherine finds help her find peace? I loved this story so much because the author shares a love story of long ago that helps several characters find hope and unconditional love. I think I need to get a cedar chest and fill it will memories for my children to open after I am gone. What a treasure to leave behind family history that shows how God can change hearts.

The Treasured Book by Kathleen Fuller

I have never met anyone like Cevilla but I loved her character so much, She injured herself and has Lucy come stay with her. Lucy wants to help out anyway she can. Does Cevilla have another reason for Lucy being there? Shane is very interesting and has decided he wants to join the Amish church . I loved reading how Shane and Lucy hit it off with each other. I suspect there could be a little matchmaking going on . Cevilla is quite the character. She is feisty and at times very obvious at what she is trying to accomplish. Does Shane and Lucy have feelings for each other? I loved how the author writes a story with fun characters that make readers laugh. You can't help but love the humor that the author draws from the characters.

When an unexpected visitor shows up, will it cause friction between Shane and Lucy? Those darn silly people who get dumped just don't know when to give up. I would be furious if an ex showed up at the man's house I was visiting. This woman has some nerve. Now it's up to Shane to set her straight if he wants any chance with Lucy. Shane and Lucy will each have to examine their heart and see where God leads them. It's a great story about new beginnings and letting go of the past.

The Midwife's Dream by Kelly Irvin

Iris is a very gifted midwife. She loves what she does, but at times it is hard for her. She longs to have a child of her own but is waiting on God for the right time for it to happen. I love how excited she gets each time she helps bring a child into the world. Her smile is contagious and the parents are so comfortable with her there.

An unexpected delivery will surprises Iris. The girl is a mere teenager and the young man with her is not much older. They are not Amish but Iris helps them because she knows God would want her to. I was shocked to learn that the teens had left their baby behind. Why would they do that? They have confidence that Iris will take care of their child until they are able to provide for her. My first thought was how will Iris care for this precious child knowing that someday the parents could come back and claim her? This has to be put in God's hands for now until Iris can figure out what to do. The story is tenderhearted and explores how hard it is to give up something you love. I cried at the end because the author showed how God was there the whole time protecting the baby knowing what the outcome would be. Iris is a selfless person who has a heart filled with love and faith. You don't want to miss this story that will restore your faith in people.

At the end of each story the author's have provided discussion questions. I encourage you to read them and answer them with an humble and true heart.

I received a copy of this book from the authors and The Fiction Guild.

I loved the book it kept me on my toes never wanting to put the book down. These 4 authors are amazing writers you won't be sorry if you pick up this book.

This one was a nice and pretty quick read! Each story was different. I loved seeing what the heirloom was for each story!

This is a little odd for me cause I don't usually read dual timeline stories...but I actually really enjoyed the one In This book. Even though I love Beth wiseman I was afraid I wouldn't like the story when I realized it was a dual timeline.

I received this book for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

https://booksnbaubles.com/an-amish-heirloom-a-novella-collection/

I really enjoyed this set of four novellas by these well known Amish authors. This combination was a hit for me and I especially enjoyed the one written by Beth Wiseman, which covered two periods of time, then and now and the cedar chest that held some secrets of the past. Loved it!

I enjoyed the other stories as well and highly recommend this if you enjoy Amish fiction.

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this book! The best part was a few of the stories linked with the author’s other books! I love seeing characters I’ve read about in other books come back in another story. It ties the books together in a community and makes them come alive in a way unlike any other. All the stories are long enough where there is plenty of time for plot and character development. I didn’t really feel like the endings were rushed like I have in other short story collections. The authors did a great job not just suddenly tying up all the plot lines quickly to end the story. Each was well thought out and excellently written.
I received a copy of this book from one of the authors as well as from netgalley. All opinions stated are my own. I was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

I don't think you can get a better collection of novellas. I loved each story in this book and felt as though the authors truly put their hearts and souls into their tales. I really could appreciate each story and the setting. The faith that the Amish community hosts and is shown in these novels is one of amazing peace. I find that I was relaxed and happier after reading the collection.
Amy Clipston story was one that struck a cord with me. It isn't easy to see your love move on and have to be helpful to the process. But Leon is persevering and Susie is seeing that maybe he wasn't the wrong choice, but the right one. It is an Amish style romance that all good Hallmark movies are built around.
Beth Wiseman also wrote a story that touched my heart in a relatable manner. We have a cedar chest that has been handed down, and I could literally smell the cedar the moment the chest came into the story. Emma learns things that change the family stories, but they don't change her love for them. That is important in faith, we love and learn to forgive.

All the stories were wonderful, and a perfect spring read. I can't wait to see the next collection!

Amy Clipston’s story A Legacy of Love takes us back to Lancaster County where we are treated to another story about a volunteer firefighter.

Leon King is not only a volunteer firefighter but also a master carpenter, which is why his ex-girlfriend brings her grandparent’s rocking chairs to him for repair, causing both of them to question why and where they are at in their lives.

I love stories that explore other people in a community and create continuity of characters! A Legacy of Love introduces us to new characters and touches on the stories of characters we met earlier.

I also really enjoy Amy Clipston’s stories. Clipston has a way of pulling your heartstrings and making you feel what her individuals and their different personalities think and struggle with in their lives. A story, to me, needs to be relatable in some way, and Amy Clipston’s novels and, in this case, novellas don’t disappoint!

The Cedar Chest by Beth Wiseman explores how to responsibly handle family secrets once they are discovered. Wiseman has written parallel timelines to bring the story more vividly to life.

The Cedar Chest causes you to continue reflecting long after you read the story. How would you handle a secret from your great-grandparent’s lives? Would you be able, like her parents, to leave the chest locked and unopened? How would your knowledge change your opinion of your family? I genuinely enjoy stories that leave me wondering how I would have handled the same situation.

The Treasured Book by Kathleen Fuller brings back one of my favorite characters Cevilla Schlabach from Birch Creek! (Words from the Heart) I love feisty, quirky, fun-loving, but oh so Godly, Cevilla!! The story was different from what I expected, in that the young man in the story was not Amish.

Kathleen Fuller does an excellent job of drawing you into the story, making you wonder what the outcome of not only Shane and Lucy’s story will be, but also of the antique Bible they find and the secrets it holds.

The Midwife’s Dream by Kelly Irvin deals with tough topics, runaway teens, teen pregnancy and the midwife’s unfulfilled desires for a husband and family. Kelly Irvin’s story will tug at your heartstrings while you ponder the choices each person makes.

I enjoyed the four novellas portrayed in An Amish Heirloom: A Legacy of Love, The Cedar Chest, The Treasured Book, A Midwife's Dream. Each of the stories focuses on a family heirloom that becomes an integral part of the story. All four authors do a remarkable job of pulling you into the narrative with relatable, believable individuals. In addition, they include pertinent and relevant messages of faith.

I received this book from NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.

Another lovely collection of Amish themed stories from a group of my favorite authors in the genre! My favorite was The Midwife's Dream because it had such a sweet romance with a long-time unrequited love revealed and all the special feelings that come with realizing a friend can become something more. I also enjoyed The Treasured Book since I had read the series by the author set in Birch Creek and it was fun to see Aunt Cevilla playing matchmaker again. The Cedar Chest is bittersweet and I appreciated the wisdom of a mother gently helping her married daughter who is going through a rocky time in her marriage. A Legacy of Love is centered around a past relationship that is getting a second chance as Susie and Leon realize that their timing and communication was off before. I'd recommend this novella collection to fans of Amish fiction!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Just when I think author Amy Clipston can’t write a better book, here comes Room on the Porch Swing. I read it in two days, only because I had to go to work. Seriously, I couldn’t put this book down.

This heartwarming story deals with some of the heavy stuff of life. Loss of a spouse, grief, insecurity; things that aren’t fun but are real. And through it all is God; forgiveness, compassion, and love. Second chances.

The characters are so well written that they come to life as the story plays out. Written with such depth of emotion you’ll probably shed a few tears, gasp, and laugh. I really would love to go visit these people. I’m sure we’d be friends. I highly recommend reading this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

An Amish Heirloom consist of four novellas. They are A Legacy of Love by Amy Clipston, The Cedar Chest by Beth Wiseman, The Treasured Book by Kathleen Fuller, and The Midwife's Dream by Kelly Irvin. I enjoyed reading each novella, they all contained a heirloom. Each was filled with understanding and love. I loved all of the characters in each of the novella's.The stories are short chapters so you can read them pretty quick. They all held my attention, I liked that. I highly recommend this book of novellas. You are going to love these novella's just as much as I did.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.