An Amish Home contains four novellas written by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Ruth Reid, and Kathleen Fuller. The first book is A Cup Half Full is by Beth Wiseman. Sarah and Abram Lantz had only been married one week when they are in an accident. Their buggy is hit by a car. Abram only suffered minor injuries, but Sarah came away with severe damage to her leg muscles. Sarah will be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Sarah is angry and resentful (the full gamut of emotions). All of Sarah’s dreams have been dashed. Abram has spent the time since the accident retrofitting their home for Sarah which was a costly endeavor (he went into debt). Abram still dreams of a house full of children, but Sarah feels that this dream died with the accident. What does the future hold for Sarah and Abram?

Home Sweet Home by Amy Clipston is the story of Mia and Chace O’Conner. They have had a difficult time since the birth of their daughter, Kaitlyn. The medical bills were overwhelming, and they got behind on their bills including their rent. When they are evicted from their apartment, Chace’s boss, Isaac Allgyer, offers them the cabin (daadihaus) on their property. The Allgyer family is Amish. Mia is not prepared to live with no electricity or modern conveniences (Chace failed to mention this beforehand to Mia). Isaac and his wife, Vera along with their children go out of their way to welcome the O’Conner family and make them feel at home. The relationship between Mia and Chase is strained. When their five-month-old daughter, Kaitlyn becomes ill, the situation quickly deteriorates. Is there hope for Mia and Chace?

The third story is written by Kathleen Fuller and it is titled Building Faith. Faith Miller loves woodworking. Her grandfather taught her while he was still alive and now Faith finds sanctuary in his (now her) workshop. Faith would like people to take her woodworking seriously. She feels that her final products would fetch a good price if her father would allow her to sell them. Then Faith is asked to build the kitchen cabinets in her cousin, Martha’s new home. This will be a chance to prove to everyone that she is capable and qualified. Unfortunately, Marvin, Martha’s fiancé, has asked Silas Graber to build the cabinets for their new home. Silas needs the money from this job to help his family’s carpentry business. Silas has been running the business for his father since his mother took ill (which he is keeping quiet). Marvin and Martha decide that Silas and Faith need to work on the project together (or they will give hire a different carpenter). It will be a difficult task since Silas and Faith used to court. Faith broke up with Silas just after her grandfather passed away. Will they be able to build and install the cabinets for Marvin and Martha before their wedding? Can these two find a way to work together?

The final story is A Flicker of Hope by Ruth Reid. Thomas and Noreen King have been married for fifteen years. The relationship between the two has been off-balance for many years. One afternoon Noreen comes up from the cellar to find a fire in her kitchen. She tries to put it out and ends up making matters worse (Noreen is clumsy). Noreen collapses before she can exit the house. She is rescued by Thomas. After depositing Noreen outside, Thomas goes back into the house (much to Noreen’s dismay). He exits with an old tin that contains letters from Noreen (you know there must be more to it). Before the fire department can arrive, their home is completing engulfed in flames. Over the next few days as Thomas clears away the rubble, we find out what caused the rift between Noreen and Thomas. Is it possible for them to rebuild their relationship?

I enjoyed reading the four stories in An Amish Home. The stories are all well-written, have lovely characters, and are easy to read. All four stories have good life lessons contained within them (the importance of faith and prayer). Home Sweet Home will help restore your faith in love, God and mankind. I give An Amish Home 5 out of 5 stars. They are uplifting and heartwarming stories. These books will make you laugh, cry, smile and sigh. I believe reading An Amish Home is a great way to spend an afternoon (especially if it is raining or snowing). I know I will never be disappointed when I pick up a book that is written by Amy Clipston (or Beth Wiseman, Ruth Reid, or Kathleen Fuller). These four authors crafted beautiful stories that tie together into one satisfying book. Each story is unique and reflects the authors writing style (voice). I look forward to reading An Amish Summer when it comes out in June.

From four different authors come four very different stories focusing on family and home. Each author has a unique story and voice that brings a realness to the story. There is something for everyone in this collection.

First is Beth Wiseman's novella. Beth writes about a newlywed Amish couple trying to adapt to marriage and the very new reality of Sarah being confined to a wheelchair. I found myself quickly immersed in this story and wanting a happy ending for this couple.

Next up is Amy Clipston with a different kind of story. Her story focuses on a young couple who end up living in the daadihaus on an Amish family's property. As this young couple struggles, they also find comfort in the friendship the Amish family provides. It was very interesting to read of the interaction between the two different cultures.

Ruth Reid brings a story of an Amish couple struggling with their relationship. It was nice to read about an Amish couple who are facing problems in their marriage. I think it is easy to forget the Amish have the same problems as everyone else and this wonderful story showcased this in a very believable way.

Last but certainly not least is Kathleen Fuller's story. Kathleen has a way of telling a story that makes you want to know more about the characters and want only the best for them. I liked Faith and Silas and found the situation they found themselves in very unique and entertaining.

All of the novellas in this collection are quick reads. All four have good, solid storylines. Each story is told in a way that leaves the reader feeling as if the story is complete at the end. This is a great collection for fans of the genre and those looking for fast, yet meaningful, reads.

I received a free copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

A compilation of four novellas that I truly loved and enjoyed. I am familiar with three of the authors but Ruth Reid is new to me but I thoroughly loved her story "A Flicker of Hope" and look forward to reading more from her.

Each novella began with a glossary of Amish words which are helpful but I knew most of them since I read so many Amish novels. Each novel is told in a he said/she said kind of way so that you get the full perspective of the main couple. I loved it, I felt like I got the whole story not just one persons point of view.

A CUP HALF FULL by Beth Wiseman
This story begins as Sarah returns home from a two month stay at the hospital due to an accident that occurs 1 week after her wedding to Abram. She is in a wheel chair. This is not the life she pictured or wants. Her house, her home is changed to accommodate her new status, definitely not what she imagines or wants. Sarah and Abram both have to readjust to their new normal. Sarah's family and a duck do their part to help in this.

HOME SWEET HOME by Amy Clipson
This story begins as the O'Conner's (Englischers) are moving into a cabin on the property of the Allgyers (Amish) after being evicted from their apartment. They have bad credit, broke and in deep debt due to the birth and short illness of their daughter. Mia and Chace O'Conner grew up in very different circumstance. Mia in a wealthy home and Chace in foster care. Isaac Allgyer, Chace's boss, is happy to welcome the couple. He, his wife, Vera and their four children are a huge blessing to the young family as they work to create a family and home as they work through their pasts, let go of expectations and learn to work together and communicate with each other.

A FLICKER OF HOPE by Ruth Reid
The story begins with the fire of Noreen's house with her in it. Thomas her husband rushes in to save her. After 15 years of marriage their marriage is strained by disappointment and regret. Noreen had a stillbirth with their first child due to an accident with a cow and after 2 miscarriages they are still childless. In the after math of the fire they begin to heal their marriage and their home.

BUILDING FAITH by Kathleen Fuller
The couple in this story is not married, in fact they aren't even together. They broke up however they are brought back together by a misunderstanding between Faith's cousin and Silas' best friend who are getting married and wanted cabinets built for the kitchen in their new home. Faith and Silas are then asked to work together so are given the opportunity to not just build the cabinets but re-build their relationship.

I loved these novellas, the characters were real and enjoyable. I found myself cheering and chastising, growing and learning right along with them.

Each of the stories included in this book are sweet, wonderful, fun to read. For Amish fiction lovers, these stories will engage you and keep you reading! Love, forgiveness, hope and faith are all woven together for a beautiful blend of Amish family drama.

I enjoy Amish novellas. They provide a nice variety to my reading by giving me shorter stories, while letting me connect with a variety of characters. An Amish Home features a story from Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Ruth Reid.

The first book in this collection is A Cup Half Full by Beth Wiseman. In this story Sarah Lantz always dreamed of perfect. An accident causes all of her dreams of perfect to disappear when an accident leaves her unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair.

This story was a hard one for me. I enjoyed the storyline and how it took a different spin from many other Amish Fiction titles. Being wheelchair bound I was able to feel Sarah’s struggles and her disappointment in her dreams.

What I wasn’t expecting from this book was the continued references to intercourse. While I’m not against a romance book, this was very unexpected for me from this genre.

While I enjoyed parts of the story I felt the over use of intercourse detracted from my full enjoyment of this book.

Next is Home Sweet Home by Amy Clipston. I really enjoyed this story. What I liked about this story is that it was about an English couple who end up renting the daadihaus on an Amish couples property.

I loved this unique spin to the Amish Home concept. Chace and Mia O’Conner are down on their luck and were evicted from their apartment. Mia’s family has money, but wants nothing to do with her and Chace.

While the daadihaus is more of a rustic cabin than what either of them were used to, they aren’t sure it will ever feel like home because it lacks all modern conveniences.

As you can imagine this causes friction for the couple, which propels the story forward. With the exception of the female pastor, which was surprising for this book, I enjoyed this story of true love and home.

The next book is A Flicker of Hope by Ruth Reid. This was an interesting story as well because it jumped between present day to fifteen years ago when Thomas and Noreen King were blissful newlyweds.

As is typical with many marriages, trials and tribulations rock their marriage, and shatter them emotionally. When a fire destroys their home they are forced to sift through the rubble. When they are doing this, they uncover items which spark memories from their past.

The final book we come to is Building Faith by Kathleen Fuller. This story introduces us to Faith Miller who is a carpenter. While this is an uncommon hobby for a young Amish woman she has a personal tie to it.

Faith’s cousin asks her to build cabinets for a new home. This will be the most ambitious project she has ever taken on and to add to the pressure, she has to work with her ex-fiance, Silas.

I found this story to be enjoyable. I loved the uniqueness of Faith’s “career” path. The addition of Silas complicated the story, in a good way, and made this an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the banter between the two as they tried to work together.

I enjoyed the variety in this collection of novellas. I found it interesting to read the different takes on “home” and how the different character’s lives revolved around that. While there were some elements I didn’t care for, each reader will need to determine if this book is right for them as it pushed the boundaries of what a “typical Amish Fiction” book is.

4 short stories by my favorite Amish authors, this is a do not miss book!
We can look at the cup as half full or half empty. I prefer to look at it as half full. Although all the stories deal with a tragedy;hope,love perseverance and faith in God triumphs. Beautiful Amish stories dealing with keeping on and keeping strong in spite of bad things happening . Faith in God triumphs over all. He is our strength, ALWAYS!
Pub Date 07 Feb 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a review copy for my honest opinion!

This is the best Novella collection I have read. Four top notch Amish fiction authors equals four wonderful stories that I didn't want to put down. Each author has their own unique writing style and the ability to draw you into the story with believable characters that touch your heart. Each couple faces a difficulty in their relationship, but with Faith and determination they find their way to the place where God would have them.
Beth Wiseman delivers a beautifully written story of Sarah Lantz who is confined to a wheelchair after an accident that her husband blames himself for. The struggles are real and heart wrenching. I love the addition of the crippled duck. A novella with a powerful punch is how I would describe A Cup Half Full.
Amy Clipston weaves a story with depth in Home Sweet Home. Chace and Mia are trying to find their way in life together with their daughter with no help from her wealthy parents. I love the sense of how an Amish family takes them under their wing and shows them love.
A Flicker of Hope by Ruth Reid shows the heartbreak of not having children and a devastating fire and how God uses disasters in our lives to bring healing. Emotionally charged.
Last but not least is Kathleen Fullers contribution of Building Faith. This story made me smile several times, as Faith learns to listen and take down walls in her life. Perfect example of how God has a plan for us.
I highly recommend this.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

The authors in this book have a great story to share that will give you hope and feel love. Each one is beautifully written and the characters are a treasure to read about. I enjoy when authors join together and write a collection because it gives readers a book that delivers powerful stories all in one treasure filled book. Each story flows so easily and remind us of unconditional love, helping each other and forgiveness. Set back and enjoy a trip to Amish country and enjoy the stories that fill you will joy and happiness.

A Cup Half Full by Beth Wiseman

I loved this story because it showed how a young couple struggles after a tragic accident. Sarah has a lot to overcome as she adjust to her new life in a wheelchair. I loved how the author showed how she was trying to come to terms with her situation. There were times when she was angry and other times when she was ready to give up. woukd you be angry if you suddenly weren't physically able to do everything you were use to?

Abram is a very hard working man who has done everything he can to make his wife comfortable after she is released from the hospital. I really liked how he sacrificed long hours to be with his wife and tried to keep up with the bills. What happens when Abram finds himself in a financial hardship? Can Sarah get past her injuries and look for a bright future? Will Sarah find her way back to God? I loved the story because the author shows how we can find good in everything. When our anger and bitterness is gone, we are able to be thankful for the things we take for granted. Sometimes we have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and be happy with the blessings around us.

Home Sweet Home by by Amy Clipston

Oh how I remember when I was first married. We were so broke that we shared a hot dog and a coke at Sonic after saying I do at the Justice of the Peace. As soon as I started reading the story about Mia and Chace I felt like I was transformed back to my early days of married life. Mia is quite surprised to find the cabin they will be living in has no electricity. She is freezing from the icy weather and the baby Kaitlyn, is sobbing as Chace's boss and landlord appears at the home. After losing their apartment it will be a big change for Chace and Mia. I loved how the author described the culture shock . What would you do if you suddenly had to live somewhere where modern conviences were not around? The hospitality that Isaac and his family show Mia and Chace made me cry. Would it be hard to accept help if you had lost everything ?

The author does an amazing job of showing how Mia is dealing with the estrangement from her parents. Mia is heartbroken when they turn their back on her and her emotional pain is overwhelming. What would it be like to have your family suddenly stop talking to you? For Mia and Chace they will have to deal with pride and forgiveness. Will they be able to work together or blame esch other for their situation? The story is filled with such deep emotions and I loved how the author made the couple so relatable. Can they stop blaming each other and work together? Will Mia and her parents reconcile? I loved the part in the story when Mia has to decide between her parents or her husband. The author really captured the turmoil that some of us face when we have been hurt by our parents. The story will grab you from the start as you journey with Mia and Chace to find happiness , forgiveness and a new beginning.

A Flicker of Hope by Ruth Reid

What an action packed beginning this story is. As the fire burned Thomas and Noreen's home I could visualize the flames shooting into the sky. Noreen barely makes it out of the home thanks to her husband. They are devasted by the loss of their home and I could feel the tension growing between them. Thomas is a stubborn man and there is a slight undertone of bitterness rising in him. He is determined to rebuild as his his wife blames herself for the fire. I loved how the author showed how important communication is in a marriage.

As the days go by , their bond is strained but they continue to salvage what they can from the fire. I absolutely loved when the author brought precious memories back to the couple of happy times they shared. There was one memory that was especially emotional and the author does a great job of letting readers sense the pain . I thought it was a very touching memory that brought them back to when they were younger and so in love. Have they let their relationship become stagnant? Can Noreen and Thomas find hope in the midst of what looks hopeless? It is a very good story that examines the turmoil a couple can go through and how they allow God to show them how important their dreams and hope are.

Building Faith by Kathleen Fuller

This story reminds me of the old saying"opposites attract." Faith has always loved being out in the shop building things. Some may think it is not suitable for an Amish woman but that does stop the determined Faith. She feels close to her grandfather when she is out in the shop and her heart aches since he passed. I could feel her pain as she felt she could have done something to save him.

Silas is a very gifted carpenter and has taken on running the business since his father has had other pressing matters to attend to. Silas has been worried about bills and prays that God will provide for him and his parents. I loved how the author showed how devoted Silas is to helping the family out as his mother becomes ill. When a friend asks Silas to build cabinets for his new home he feels like it is an answer to prayer.

Through miscommunication Silas finds Faith at the new home taking measurements . He can't believe what he is seeing. To say that there is tension between the two is an understatement. How do Silas and Faith both get hired to do the same job? Will they be able to work together after their falling out that led them to avoid each other. I loved this story because the author touches on pride and forgiveness. Pride is a hard thing to overcome and the author does a great job of allowing Faith to examine herself and realize she has been wrong about Silas. Even though Silas is doing his best to keep the family business running, will he ever have enough faith in himself as a carpenter? The story is well written and I loved getting to know Faith and Silas. Will they find a way to forgive the past and work together? The story is very compelling and really showed how important faith is.

I received a copy of this book from author Amy Clipston and Netgalley. The review is my own opinion.

An Amish Home contains four novellas about the hardships that couples face and the love and healing that comes from leaning on God and working through those hardships. Each novella was well written in the author’s own style, capturing well-researched information about the Amish. As I read the book, my heart broke with the characters, I laughed, I cried, and most of all longed to know how their stories progressed. These are all characteristics, in my opinion, that make a great story!

A CUP HALF FULL by BETH WISEMAN

Just a week after Abram and Sarah were married and planning a future together, tragedy strikes. A car hits their buggy and leaves Sarah unable to walk. In her mind, she is now an unfit wife and can in no way be a mother.
While Sarah is recovering in the hospital, Abram and Sarah’s younger brother, Johnny remodel their home, making it as accessible as possible for Sarah’s new life confined to a wheelchair. In order to make the home repairs, Abram, plunges them into debt.
It was very easy to fall in love with these characters. Beth writes her characters to life in such as way that I can see them acting out the story in front of me. I would most definitely love to see where their life goes from here.

HOME SWEET HOME by AMY CLIPSTON

We are immediately thrown into the lives of Mia and Chace, a young couple with a 5 month old baby girl. They find themselves homeless, penniless, and having to rely on Chace’s new Amish boss and his family.
Will Mia, a girl who grew up not wanting for anything other than supportive parents, be able to live in the drafty old daadihaus or will she call her parents and take Kaitlyn and return home to them? Will Mia’s new Amish neighbors show her what family really means and that it doesn’t take a great big house to make a home?
Amy quickly captured my attention with bringing in an English family to live in an Amish home. As always, Amy doesn’t disappoint and she brings the story to life with great detail. I would love to see these characters appear again in another novel.


BUILDING FAITH by KATHLEEN FULLER

Faith Miller has always loved working with wood since her grandfather started her out assisting him in his shop. Unfortunately for Faith, carpentry is not an acceptable profession for Amish women.
Silas Graber, however, is a carpenter and Faith’s ex fiancée. Faith does her best to keep their distance, until Faith’s cousin, Martha, and Silas’ best friend, Melvin, accidentally hire them both to make kitchen cabinets. What will Faith do now as she wishes this to be a wedding present with their grandfather’s wood and Silas needs the money to help his parents?
I love how Kathleen developed a deeper character base and brought in Silas’ parents and the illness his mother was facing. I also love how she touched on the misdiagnosis of this disease, as it often is, and the “cover up” to keep her illness a secret in the community. I ended this story, longing to pick up the next chapter in Faith and Silas’ life.


A FLICKER OF HOPE by RUTH REID

How did the house catch on fire so quickly, when Noreen had only run down to the cellar to grab a jar of peach preserves? Trying to put it out, she only enrages the fire and the kitchen explodes in flames. Thankfully, Thomas, her husband, thinks fast and gets Noreen to safety. With the help of his brother and the community, the fire is squelched, but what will Thomas and Noreen do now?

The community comes together to assist them by providing food, clothing, tools, and other needed items. The bishop even offers his daadihaus for them to stay in until they can rebuild. Despite all the help they receive, there is a boulder between them and they both blame themselves.
Can they overcome the quilt about the fire, their relationship, and the other barriers that are in the way?

Ruth opened this novella of with an adrenaline rush as Thomas saved Noreen from a burning home and it didn’t end until the very end. I feel in love with this couple and longed for them to work everything out and rely on God and each other to get them through.

An Amish Home was provided to me by the author and Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

As the title of the first story “A Cup Half Full” suggests it is easy, especially under adverse circumstances, to look on the dark side of life.
A young couple and both blaming themselves, and yet life goes on in spite of tragedy, and how we approach it what this story is about.

Home Sweet Home will bring you to tears, and yet the people God led this young family to will reinforce the goodness of mankind. If it weren’t under such severe circumstances, I could find myself enjoying living in a daadihaus.
I had to wonder if this would be the catalyst that broke up this young couples relationship, or bring them closer together.

Building Faith really brings to light the fact that you might not really know the person you are close to. Wood is about the open a new door to this Amish couple, and we are going to watch them struggle, and argue, and we hope rekindle what they have lost.
We also meet dementia head on, or do we? Hiding illness because you are ashamed, and this isn’t limited to any community or ethnic group. I loved how this story brought this sad illness to light.


A Flicker of Hope. Is exactly that, when at first a tragedy that befalls this couple, and they don’t seem to be handling it very well, and as the story unfolds, we see where a lot of the heartache is coming from.
This is a sad story but I could see a light at the end of the tunnel, and with Amish there isn’t any divorce, so how can they work out all the problems they seem to have. A really sweet and page turning read here.

An Amish Home contains four novellas by four very talented authors. I really enjoy when authors come together and bring their novels together in one book with a common theme. When you have four great authors come together the book is even more of an enjoyment.

Beth Wiseman brings us the story of Sarah and Abram. They have just started what Sarah knows will be the perfect life together when tragedy strikes. Will Sarah be able to pull herself out of her depression? Will Abram find it in his life to get them back on stable ground?

Amy Clipston's story of Chace and Mia shows us that sometimes returning to a more simply life might be just what God orders.

In Kathleen Fuller's Building Faith, Faith and Silas have their faith tested when they must work together to build new cabinets for old friends. Will they overcome their differences and remember why they once loved each other?

A Flicker of Hope shows the reader that even when you think all is lost there is still that flicker of hope in the rubble. How will Thomas and Noreen remember?
Each story was very well written and very well developed. Even though they are considered novellas, the reader does not feel that they missed anything.
I received a copy through Netgalley. The review was done on my own accord.

An Amish Home is comprised of four novellas that I enjoyed reading very much. In each story you don’t want to put the book down because you want to see what happens in the lives of the characters.

They are stories of hardships, guilt, strained relationships, healing and love.

An Amish Home was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A CUP HALF FULL BY BETH WISEMAN

Abram and Sarah were newlyweds looking forward to raising a family and growing old together. When a car hits their buggy and leaves Sarah unable to walk, it throws a wrench in their plans as far as she is concerned. How in the world can she raise children confined to a wheelchair?

While Sarah was in the hospital, Abram and Sarah’s brother Johnny were redoing the inside of the house. Abram loved Sarah very much and wanted her to have as normal a life as possible. Abram and Johnny made everything wheelchair accessible. Abram cut his hours at work in order to have time to spend with Sarah and work on the house. He also borrowed money and, for the first time in his life, he had a credit card debt.

Sarah was thankful for all the hard work and tried not to let Abram see her little pity parties. I’m sure it’s hard to suddenly not be able to walk. I’d probably have some pity parties too.

Read Abram and Sarah’s story…..the love they shared for each other, the trials they went through, and how they made it to the other side.



HOME SWEET HOME BY AMY CLIPSTON

Mia grew up with everything….a fine home, money, anything you could ask for. What she didn’t have was understanding, supportive parents. When Mia announced that she was pregnant, dropping out of school, and marrying Chace, her mother went ballistic…how could Mia ruin the family name like that? She wanted Mia to move away to a relative’s so no one would know, give the baby up for adoption, and marry someone of their choosing.

Life was a challenge for Mia after she married Chace and moved into a small house that his Amish boss offered to rent them. It was the grandparent’s house that sat empty since their deaths. Not only was it only one bedroom but, being an Amish home, had no electricity or any of the other conveniences Mia was used to.

Read about Mia and Chace’s life in the little Amish home. Their love for each other and little Kaitlyn. The struggles they endured. The generosity of their landlords. The daughters adored Kaitlyn!


BUILDING FAITH BY KATHLEEN FULLER

Faith Miller loved working with wood. She helped her grandfather with his woodworking projects from the time she was old enough until he died. Amish women weren’t carpenters! Her grandfather understood her love for the wood. He too would have preferred to work full time with wood than be a farmer. Everyone else called it her hobby. Something she did when she was finished working at the store.

Silas Graber was a carpenter and Faith’s ex fiancée. Of course, being in the same district, they saw each other on Sundays but kept their distance. Their paths crossed again when Faith’s cousin and Silas’ best friend were planning their wedding. Martha asked Faith to build the kitchen cabinets not knowing that Melvin had already hired Silas. What to do now?

Can they work this problem out? Can they work together or is one of them going to have to back away from the job? For Silas it was a paying job and, due to his mother’s illness and subsequent medical bills, his family needed the money. For Faith it was going to be a wedding present for her cousin. Does working together stir up old feelings?


A FLICKER OF HOPE BY RUTH REID

The house was on fire! Noreen had only gone down to the cellar for a minute to grab a jar of peach preserves. How could the house be on fire? She tried to put the fire out but only made it worse. She had to get out of there!

Thomas, Noreen’s husband, his brother, teenage nephews and others from the community worked to put the fire out. Finally, the fire department arrived. The house was lost. The fire had reached a stand of nearby trees, dried corn stalks and went across the field.

As Amish do, they pooled together to help Thomas and Noreen, giving them food, material for clothes and anything they could spare. The Bishop gave them the loan of the grandparent’s house since it sat empty.

Thomas had saved enough money he could rebuild but, the money and other things were stolen from the barn while they were living on the Bishop’s property.

Read Thomas and Noreen’s story. How did they overcome losing everything, the guilt Noreen felt about the fire, the tension in their relationship?

An Amish Home
Ruth Reid, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Beth Wiseman

I have been a fan of Amish fiction for many years, and this collection of short stories does not disappoint. Each has a heart-warming story line with characters that are believable and likable.
In “A Cup Half Full”, Sarah and Aaron are only married for a week when disaster strikes and Sarah is left without the use of her legs. As they struggle to overcome the challenges that result, they must learn to trust each other, to trust their family, and to trust God. I can’t imagine how poor Sarah must feel when she learns she will never walk again. Aaron mistakenly blames himself for the accident. They must work learn to rely on each other, without placing blame, in order to have the life they always dreamed of.
In “Home Sweet Home”, Mia and Chase are evicted from their home and must live on the property of Chase’s boss, and Amish man, and his family. Here, they must work together to learn to live without electricity, with money struggles, and some deep seated family issues on both sides. In the process, they gain some wonderful new friends in the Amish family whose home they are living in. They both learn that friendship and love can carry them through the hardest of times.
“Building Faith” features Faith and Silas, a former couple who have been called on to work together to build custom kitchen cabinets for mutual friends. Silas has problems at home with his mother’s health while Faith is still struggling with the loss of her grandfather, who she recently lost to an aneurysm. As they learn to work together, they also realize that the spark they once shared has not dimmed. Will they be able to rebuild what they once had?
In “A Flicker of Hope” a fire takes everything Thomas and Noreen had spent their life building. As they shift through the ashes of their past, they discover memories of what made their love. Even though they have struggled, they have a solid foundation on which to build, both physically and emotionally. With the help of their good bishop and some friends, they are able to find the hope they once had.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys heartwarming Amish fiction with a happy ending. I received a free copy of this book from Net-galley for my honest review.

1.A CUP HALF FULL-By Beth Wiseman.
Sarah is a handicapped young lady who uses a wheelchair. Sarah’s family renovates her home to make it handicapped accessible. Abram & Sarah are still hoping to have their first baby. The Dr. reassured them this was still possible. Sarah was going thru her newfound struggles of living with paralyzed legs and learning how to get around again. Sarah struggles to learn to cook from a wheelchair. Abram owes a lot of money for all the home remodeling he did. How will Abram get his debts paid? Will their family stay together?
Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold over 1.5 million books, her novels have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestseller List and the CBA (Christian Book Association) Bestseller List
2. HOME SWEET HOME-By Amy Clipston.
Mia and Chace rent a small cabin to share with their baby Kaitlyn. They had recently been evicted from their apartment for not paying rent. Isaac’s amish family has rented them their daadihaus.The family have also given them a crib, baby clothes and food. Mia & Chase needed help to be able
to pay their bills. Would Mia’s parents be able to help? How long will Mia and Chased have to live in the cold small cabin? Will Chace and Mia go to church together?
Amy Clipston-She is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series with Zondervan, which is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing.
3.BUILDING FAITH by Kathleen Fuller.
Noreen & Thomas are surviving having their house burn down. Thomas refused medical care at the scene of the fire for smoke inhalation. Noreen & Thomas reflect back on their courtship and early
married years. Meanwhile in the present time Thomas finds out his barn has been looted and vandalized. They are looking forward to building a new smaller home. How will they be able to build when their money was stolen?
Kathleen Fuller-I started writing in 2000, and published my first short story a year later. Since then I have authored several short stories, novellas, novels, and have done a lot of freelance non-fiction work. I have also worked as an editor.
4. A FLICKER OF HOPE-by Ruth Reid.
Faith is just learning to be a wood crafts person as her grandfather had been.She had a past relationship with Silas Graber. Silas does work as a carpenter. Faith’s cousin Martha asks her to build the cabinets for her house as she’ll be getting married soon. Martha’s fiance Melvin asked Silas to build the same cabinets. Faith and Silas run into each other at Martha’s new house. After much discussion they decide they can build the cabinets together. Silas’ mom has alzheimers and he and his dad are working with her daily needs. Faith came by their house to see how they were doing the night his mom went to the hospital for her dementia needs. Where will Silas’ parents live since the mom has alzheimers? Will Faith & Silas be a real couple again?
Ruth Reid is a CBA and ECPA best-selling author of the Heaven on Earth series. She’s a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children. When attending Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life.
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An Amish Home – 4 novellas by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Ruth Reid

A Cup Half Full, written by Beth Wiseman, takes us through the trials that Sarah and Abram Lantz face as newlyweds placed in the horrible situation of Sarah being confined to a wheelchair after an accident. Will they be able to survive the changes that have taken place in their lives – physically, mentally, and spiritually?

Home Sweet Home by Amy Clipston, gives us the story of Englisch couple, Chance and Mia O’Conner, who have fallen on very hard times. The young couple and their baby daughter are given a place to rent by his Amish boss. The cabin is located on the same property as the Amish family. The young couple wonders if they will ever be able to adapt, even for a short time, to a very small cabin without modern conveniences, such as electricity. The Amish family welcomes them with open arms, showing them what “community” is and that where you live doesn’t determine your happiness, but that where your heart is, is where your true happiness and home are.

In A Flicker of Hope by Ruth Reid, she shows us that where life was once blissful and rosy, that trials and tribulations in the marriage of Thomas and Noreen King threaten to shatter their hopes and dreams. With their relationship tenuous, another disaster is thrown at them as their home catches fire and burns to the ground. Will they be able to sift through the rubble of the house and their marriage and be able to draw closer to one another and have a flicker of hope for better times?

Building Faith by Kathleen Fuller tells us about Faith Miller and her ex-fiance, Silas. Faith had ended their relationship as Silas always seemed too irresponsible. She likes everything to be planned out and he just takes things as they come. Faith loves to do woodworking projects, something her grandfather had taught her when he was alive. Silas’ career is that of a very good woodworker. Martha, Faith’s cousin, not knowing that her fiancé had already asked Silas to build the cabinets and install the floor for the home they are building, asks Faith to build the cabinets. Martha and her fiancé come to a solution to the situation by telling Faith and Silas they will have to work together to get the house done. Will they be able to put the past behind them and work together?

This was a very good book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes to read the Amish genre. I was given a copy of this by Thomas Nelson Fiction for my honest review.

AN AMISH HOME. Written by 4 authors, who are well known for their in depth look at the Amish. A CUP HALF FULL.by Beth Wiseman, we meet Sarah and Abram. Sarah wanted everything to be perfect, and now she is in a wheelchair. The perfect home all had to be refitted for her. The mishaps of trying to learn, and the money Abram owed. Was putting a heavy strain, on a couple who waited longer than usual to get married. Could love draw them together while adjustments are made.
HOME SWEET HOME by Amy Clipston. We meet Chace and Mia, and their 5 month baby. Down on their luck, a new boss for Chace offers them the daadihaus. That was just the beginning, they offered and shared what they had to the couple. A lesson to except the hand outs when needed, and someday for them to do, also
A FLICKER OF HOPEFUL by Ruth Reid. We meet Noreen and Thomas, a fire is destroying their home. Yet,Thomas rushes back in for a tin box, that held his letters. Noreen wonders, after 15 years, she wondered what has become of the Thomas she knew before. The story goes from present to fifteen years before, as you figure out what happened.
BUILDING FAITH by Kathleen Fuller. We meet Faith, who loves carpentry, and her ex fiancé Silas. Cousin ask her to do the carpentry, the catch is working with Silas. As wood becomes something, can these two work together to make something new for their lives together.
A wealth of knowledge went into these stories, to look beyond the trials and tribulations to make a solid foundation for marriage,great reading.
Given ARC by Net Galley for my.voluntary review and my honest opinion.

Really good read. Read it in one day it was so good. There are for novellas in this book. A cup Half Full by Beth Wiseman. This is a story about a new married couple Adam and Sarah who is in a buggy accident that leaves Sarah in a wheelchair. It is the story of how their marriage struggles and how love and faith get them through it.
Home Sweet Home by Amy Clipston is a story of Chace and Mia a young couple who has hard times and is evicted from there home with there small child. Mia's family come from wealth but will not help because they did not want her to marry Chace. A Amish friend allows them to stay in their daadihaus. It is a story of adjusting to a new life style and struggling with money difficulties. It is when the child gets sick they find themselves not agreeing yet due to this they find how much they love each other.A flicker of Home by Ruth Reid Is a story of Noreen and Thomas. There love grows apart after a loss of their child and how a fire in there home helps them to find that love again. Building Faith by Kathleen Fuller is a story about Faith and Silas. They were engaged to be marry but due to circumstances their engagement is broken. How they find there way back together with the illness of his Mother. and the love of carpentry they both have.

When the Amish novel craze started a few years ago, I admit I was right in the middle of it. I read about the shunnings and the confessions and the "running around times" and all that came with it. But somewhere along the way I totally lost interest. It seemed that every book I read about the Amish people was just full of sadness, and sometimes years of longing and yearning that were fulfilled in the epilogue of the last book of a series, or not at all. I can't imagine being so cruel as to pretend that your own child doesn't exist. What would it be like to be forced to choose to marry the person you love, or be allowed to see your family? I have avoided Amish books for the last several years.

But An Amish Home is totally different and refreshing. It's actually four novellas by four different women. I've read some of their books before, but not all. These short stories were unique and fresh, and all of them centered around home. And even though each of the characters in these books has difficulties and problems, and there are disagreements, every story has a happy ending--and there's not a single shunning to be found!

In A Cup Half Full by Beth Wiseman, Sarah is struggling to cope with the new reality of paralysis and spending the rest of her life in a wheelchair. With the help and support of her husband, and a little common sense from her younger brother, she'll find a way to live again, even if her dreams are taking a bit of a turn. The second novella, Home Sweet Home by Amy Clipston is about Chace and Mia. They've hit a series of rough patches in life, and now they're homeless. When Chace's Amish boss invited them to live on his property, they begin to learn from their neighbors just what home really is. In Building Faith by Kathleen Fuller, Faith is tasked with designing and building kitchen cabinets with Silas, her ex-fiancé. She thinks she doesn't love him any more, but when she spends time with him again, she may realize she's wrong. The last story, A Flicker of Hope by Ruth Reid, is my favorite novella in this series. It's about a middle-aged couple, Thomas and Noreen, who've just lost their home, and all of their belongings in a fire. They haven't had a happy marriage for years, but as they work to rebuild their home, they begin to rebuild their relationship, too.

I know there are a lot of women out there who are big fans of Amish books, and I think all of you will still enjoy this series. But, if you're like me, and got tired of the Amish scene, give these novellas a try. I think you'll like them.




I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.

An Amish Home is a collection of four stories by four wonderful Amish authors.
The stories include:
A Cup Half Full by Beth Wiseman
Home Sweet Home but Amy Clipston
Building Faith by Kathleen Fuller
A Flicker of Hope by Ruth Reid
I enjoyed every one but Beth Wiseman's A Cup Half Full was my favorite of the four.
I highly recommend this book for those who love to read heartwarming Amish reads.
Five stars

Another delightful set of stories centered around the home. Each story is quick but fulfilling, the authors weave their magic in each story.