Member Reviews
A Lancaster Amish Christmas by Anne Blackburne, Amy Clipston, Amy Lillard, Mindy Steele
4 Romance Novellas
Christmas Is Simply a Time for Love
Enjoy a simple Amish Christmas in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, that is sweetened by second chances, trimmed in love, and wrapped in faith.
Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam by Anne Blackburne
When her parents suddenly died, Lucy stepped into the mother role for her infant sister with Down’s Syndrome. But Lucy’s boyfriend wasn’t interested in a readymade family. Living in the dawdi house on her brother’s farm, Lucy is happy with life—until she literally runs into the hardware store owner and desire for romance returns.
A Bird-in-Hand Christmas by Amy Clipston
After learning her boyfriend, Wyatt, was seeing someone else, Makayla moved across state and married. Recently widowed, she visits her parents for Christmas, only to find that Wyatt is still single and working for her father. When her five-year-old son instantly bonds with Wyatt, Makayla starts to hope for a second chance at love.
Christmas Lily by Amy Lillard
Seven-year-old Jacob Bontrager is working hard to help his lonely widower father find love again. He believes his pretty new teacher who has just moved to the community is perfect, but none of his matchmaking works until a snowstorm strands Lily Kate Troyer at the Bontrager farm. Could God and nature be on Jacob’s side?
Leaving Lancaster by Mindy Steele
The Wicky sisters didn’t expect their father to sell their thriving deer farm with plans to move them to Kentucky. Always obedient Louise fears for her growing jam business. Beth cannot wait to start a new adventure while her twin, Leah, is running out of time for a happy-ever-after. They have only one Christmas left in Lancaster. Can God deliver a Christmas miracle for all three?
Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam by Anne Blackburne
This is Lucy and Millie Beiler's story.
This is Amos Fisher's story
Come out, come out, wherever you are!”
Lucy Beiler paused to listen carefully, hoping for a clue as to where her baby sister, Mildred, was hiding. She’d been solely responsible for Millie’s care since their mother died giving birth to the child on Christmas Day nearly three years before. And while she loved the tiny little girl, a special gift from Gott delivered into her hands even as their maem was delivered into Gott’s, at times Millie’s love of games tested her patience.
“Come on, liebling, we need to go to the hardware store so I can caulk the shower.”
Half an hour later they were exploring Fisher’s Hardware in Bird-in-Hand.
He quirked an eyebrow and grinned back at her. “Ja, didn’t I tell you? I’m Amos Fisher. My family owns Fisher’s Hardware. That’s how I know I won’t get into trouble for spilling the paint. Well, as long as my dat doesn’t find out.”
Amos accepted his root beer float from Rebekkah and watched as Lucy Beiler settled her young sister in her lap and tucked a napkin into the neck of her pink hoodie before handing her a spoon.
A Bird-in-Hand Christmas by Amy Clipston
This is Makayla and her son Lukas and Wyatt's story.
Makayla is thirty, and she’s a widow with a five-old-son, Lukas.
She hasn’t been home to visit since she left. She comes home with her son to visit her parents for Christmas, To find that Wyatt is still single and working for her father. When her son instantly bonds with Wyatt, Makayla starts to hope for a second chance at love.
Makayla flipped through her cookbook and hummed to herself. She needed to decide what to make for supper. She came to the casserole section and found a pizza casserole. She smiled, knowing her five-year-old son would like it. She’d have to check the pantry and see if she and her mother-in-law had all the ingredients she’d need.
Wyatt is still single and is now working for Makayla’s father on the farm.
Christmas Lily by Amy Lillard
Seven-year-old Jacob Bontrager is working hard to help his lonely widower father find love again. He believes his pretty new teacher who has just moved to the community is perfect, but none of his matchmaking works until a snowstorm strands Lily Kate Troyer at the Bontrager farm. Could God and nature be on Jacob’s side?
This is Lily Kate Troyer's story.
This is Simon Bontrager and son Jacob's story.
Lily Kate is the new teacher in town.
Things take a turn when a snow storm hits and strands Lily Kate at Simon's farm.
Simon’s son, Jacob thinks that his pretty new teacher is perfect.
Jacob is thrilled.
Leaving Lancaster by Mindy Steele
This is Louise, Beth and Leah Wicky's story.
The Wicky sisters didn’t expect their father to sell their thriving deer farm with plans to move them to Kentucky.
Always obedient Louise fears for her growing jam business. Beth cannot wait to start a new adventure while her twin, Leah, is running out of time for a happy-ever-after. They have only one Christmas left in Lancaster. Can God deliver a Christmas miracle for all three?
I recommend this book..
A Lancaster Amish Christmas by Anne Blackburne, Amy Clipston, Amy Lillard, Mindy Steele is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Anne Blackburne, Amy Clipston, Amy Lillard, Mindy Steele.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
Four lovely Amish romances set at Christmas time. Each story is by a different author. These stories are perfect for the holidays.
Four beautifully written Amish Christmas stories that will warm your heart any time of the year. "Lucy's Christmas Sunbeam" by Anne Blackburne, "A Bird in Hand Christmas" by Amy Clipston, "Christmas Lily by Amy Lillard & "Leaving Lancaster" by Mindy Steele, are all wonderful Christmas stories about loss, love, & new beginnings. I loved them all because they were well written, you are drawn to all the characters in each story plus - it's Christmas! I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review. However, I would have bought this based on the lovely cover & the authors writing style.
I enjoyed most of these stories. One of them felt like a Amish rewrite of a book I've read before. The stories for the most part moved along well and kept me interested.
Amish fiction is one of my favorite genres overall, and I've come to adore these lovely novella collections, especially the Christmas themed ones.
I basically picked this one up because Amy Clipston is one of my very favorite authors, and while I also enjoy Anne Blackburne's tales, the other two authors were new to me, and I was looking forward to giving them a try. This sweet and heartwarming collection was even more than I was hoping for, and it left me with a big smile on my face and happy tears in my eyes.
Lucy's Christmas Sunbeam by Anne Blackburn:
This was such a delightful story that pulled at the heartstrings and introduced some concepts that I don't often see within Amish fiction. It was wonderful to have a character with Down Syndrome be such a big part of the story, and also an original concept that showcased how the Amish culture deals with crimes outside of involving the local law enforcement. The romance was adorable, and I enjoyed both of the main characters. I loved the emphasis on family and friendship, and how the community all came together to help out in certain situations.
Final Rating: 5/5.
A Bird-in-Hand Christmas by Amy Clipston:
Not surprisingly, Amy Clipston's ended up being my favorite of the four, and I truly adored this lovely story that had me glued to the page right from beginning to end. This one was a wonderful second chance romance, and I thought Wyatt and Makayla were both likeable main characters, and had me rooting for them to find their way to happily ever after. I also loved the way that Makayla's young son played such a part in getting them together, and I also loved that this one was probably the most "Christmassy" of all the stories.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Christmas Lily by Amy Lillard:
The enemies to lovers trope isn't something I typically see in Amish fiction, so that made this story both wonderful and original. The two main characters seem to take an instant dislike to each other and it provided a lovely backdrop to an eventual romance, but also lots of comical bits along the way. I also enjoyed Amy Lillard's writing style, and the emphasis she put on the importance of faith, family and community.
Final Rating: 4.5/5
Leaving Lancaster by Mindy Steele:
I didn't end up enjoying this one quite as much as I did the other three unfortunately. With it being about three sisters and their corresponding stories, it didn't give enough time to develop the story fully within the novella word count. That being said, there were still lots of moments to love within this cute and sweet story, and I did really enjoy Beth especially and her whirlwind romance with someone she never could have suspected. It was also a fun addition that the author chose to include her recipe for Christmas jam at the end, since it played such a big part of the story itself.
Final Rating: 4/5.
Overall, this collection is a delightful and heartwarming treat that I couldn't possibly recommend enough, and I think it's the perfect book to curl up with your favorite hot drink in front of the fireplace this Autumn or Christmas season.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Thanks so much to Barbour Fiction for allowing me to advance read and review this title!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Barbour) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.
A great collection of four Amish Christmas stories. Each story is unique and has an ending on Christmas Day. I enjoyed each one of them.
Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam by Anne Blackburne- Lucy is raising her little sister after her mother died in childbirth. She doesn’t expect to find love in her future but will it find her?
A Bird-in-Hand Christmas by Amy Clipston- Makayla moved across the state after marriage. Her husband, roofer, was killed in an accident and she and her son reside with his family. She has agreed to marry her late husband’s partner, Thomas in the new year. After many years away she decides to go home for Christmas with her family. Will she return?
Christmas Lily by Amy Lillard- Lily Kate has come to stay with her cousins while substitutes for a teach injured in a fall. Her first encounter with Simon is mot a pleasant one. His son, in her class, seems to have quite a crush on her. A snowstorm disrupts all their holiday plans or does it really?
Leaving Lancaster by Mindy Steele- Louise has a lucrative business selling jam and jelly; Leah is hoping for a marriage proposal. Then their Dad surprises them by announcing the family is moving to Kentucky to expand their deer farming. Will the girls find a way to stay in Lancaster or will they discover unexpected opportunities on Kentucky?
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
This collection of Amish Christmas stories is perfect for a cozy blanket and a hot cup of cocoa on a chilly winter day. Each story stands alone, but they each compel the reader to seek out other books by the authors to read more about the wonderful characters met in this collection. Faith is what makes an Amish book Amish, and I appreciate the way each of the authors in the collection seamlessly weaves faith and God into each story without any preachiness. Each story is a sweet and well developed plot with relatable characters. I highly recommend this book to lovers of Christmas fiction, lovers of Amish fiction, or to anyone needing a sweet literary escape.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. The thoughts expressed here are wholly my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Barbour Fiction, for this book.
Expected publication September 1, 2024
Every single story in this book was awesome. I love Amish fiction and this collection of stories was just wonderful. I got to read stories from some if my my favorite authors all in one book.
If you like Amish fiction you will live this book.
Highly,.highly recommend.
I enjoy Amish fiction, and this collection contains some of my favorite authors. And I love reading Christmas stories anytime of the year, So this is a perfect combination. Topics include tragedy, friendship, and love. Readers will be hoping for a Christmas miracle in each story.
Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam by Anne Blackburne: I really enjoy the fact that there was a character with Down Syndrome, as it is not often seen in Amish fiction. There is a nice balance of lighthearted to serious moments. While there is a minimal amount pertaining to Christmas in the story, I did enjoy mentions of Amish Christmas traditions.
A Bird-in-Hand-Christmas by Amy Clipston: This story was full of Christmas elements. The sleigh ride to look at Christmas lights sounded delightful! If you are a fan of second-chance romances, this is one you will likely enjoy.
Christmas Lily by Amy Lillard: This is an enemies-to-lovers story, which is not often seen in Amish fiction. Interactions between the main characters is fun to read. A number of Christmas related plot points add to the charm, such as making cookies and building snowmen. It may make readers long for the chance to do this, too.
Leaving Lancaster by Mindy Steele: This story felt a bit less developed than the other ones, as there are multiple romance lines and a few confusing plot points. I grew up near a deer farm, so I really appreciated that part of the story.
If you're looking for a nice collection of sweet Amish romances, this is one to add to your TBR list, as you can't help but root for the characters in each story.
These sweet, cozy stories are exactly what I expect when it comes to a collection of enjoyable Amish Christian fiction. Four amazing authors, four amazing novellas. This is as good as it gets! Perfect for Christmas, Christmas in July, or any time you want to relax with a quality, feel-good read. Don’t miss this one!
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Four wonderful, romantic Amish novellas. A Lancaster Amish Christmas tells where anything can happen, especially during the Christmas season. Join these four authors for a light easy read with the magic of Christmas.
Releases Sept. 1st. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This 4 story collection of Amish romance during the Christmas season is just what you need to brighten your day. Each was written by an outstanding author of this genre. Each is different and delightful.
All 4 stories were sweet Amish novellas centered around Christmas and wintertime in the Amish communities. I have read most of Amy Clipston’s books and a few Mindy Steele and have loved all that I have read. This is the first sampling I have read from Anne Blackburne and Amy Lillard.
Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam by Anne Blackburne
I really loved the bond between Millie and Lucy. Even though Millie had health issues, Amos knew they were a “package deal” and didn’t shy away from the responsibility of helping Lucy with Millie every chance he could. Christmas was not a strong theme in the story.
A Bird-in-Hand-Christmas by Amy Clipston
I love the second chance romance trope and all the Christmas in this story-especially the sleigh ride! Widow Makayla and her son, Lukas, visit her parents for Christmas. Wyatt is still single and is now working for Makayla’s father on the farm. Wyatt takes Lukas under his wing and they form a fast friendship. The bond between the two was truly special. All of the characters were very likable and well rounded.
Christmas Lily by Amy Lillard
This one was my favorite of the 4 stories! Lily Kate is the new teacher in town. Simon Bontrager is still grieving his wife. Lily Kate and Simon have a few unpleasant run-ins, but Simon’s son, Jacob thinks that his pretty new teacher is perfect. After a little matchmaking and huge snowstorm, Jacob’s matchmaking might just be working. There are so many cute Christmasy moments in this story-baking cookies, playing in the snow and building a snowman. I loved the enemies-to-lovers trope in this one!
Leaving Lancaster by Mindy Steele
This one was somewhat hard for me to follow with multiple love stories. Beth, Leah and Louise’s father has sold the family deer farm to Marcus, the neighbor next door and they are moving to Kentucky. Louise is sad to leave her jam business and the farm she has always loved, but Marcus has suddenly caught her eye. Beth is excited for a new adventure, but will her adventure lead her to Kentucky with her family or keep her in Pennsylvania? Leah is heartbroken, and has to come to terms with her breakup and listen to God’s plan for her. The story was wintery but not very Christmasy. I wish each sister’s story could have been a little more developed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
A Lancaster Amish Christmas is a beautiful collection of Christmas Amish Romances. There are four novellas
in this collection written by four well known Authors of Amish fiction Authors.
Lucy’s Christmas Sunbeam - Anne Blackburne
A Bird in Hand Christmas - Amy Clipston
Christmas Lilly - Amy Lillard
Leaving Lancaster - Mindy Steele
Each story is filled to the brim with sweet Amish romance and topped off with the Christmas Spirit. All novellas have
happy endings. Amy Clipston shares a Pennsylvania Dutch Amish Glossary at her stories beginning. Mindy Steele shares
a recipe for a delicious Christmas jam. If I had to pick a favorite novella from this collection I would be unable to do so because
I loved them all. I choose this collection for my Christmas in July book and it didn’t disappoint this reader! You don’t
have to sit by your fireplace with a warm throw and a cup of hot cocoa to feel the Christmas Spirit when you read this book.
I read this collection in my air conditioned apartment and felt like it was Christmas as the characters celebrated the holidays .
I highly recommend this novella collection to readers of Christmas Fiction, Sweet Amish Romance and Christian Fiction.
This book is scheduled to be released on 9/1/24.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are solely my own.
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I enjoyed these novellas written by four well know authors-each author is very talented when it comes to writing and it is always a joy to read their books. All of the stories are based around Christmas time, which was refreshing considering we are in the heat of the summer. I highly recommend this book as it would make a great gift for Christmas. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher . All words are my own.
I had to read this book by four author's that I have read previously, and knew they wouldn't disappoint!
The setting as the title presents is Lancaster PA, four different Amish romance stories, that kept me page turning, and then moving to the next!
All four stories have great plots, and it is hard for me to pick one! When I finished the book, I wanted more, but they made me so glad that I read them. A great treat!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.
This book was just as cute as I expected, I loved the Christmas themes in the stories! The only thing that could have been better would have been reading it during the Christmas season.
A really good Amish Christmas book, each author did a great job and I enjoyed each story. I love all the authors and have read other books of theirs. I'm really glad I got the chance to read this book and would recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity.
A sweet Christmas book of four novellas dealing with tragedies, friendship renewals, matchmaking and love during the holidays. Will Christmas miracles take place for each of the characters in each book?
Thanks to Barbour and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. A combination of my favorite types of relaxing reading of Amish books and Christmas books always leaves me wanting more. I highly recommend this book to those who love Amish and Christmas reading.
A sweet collection of Christmas stories written by some of todays best selling authors..
They all have a cute theme and can be read very quickly. During our heatwave it was a nice reprieve to read about the snow, cold and love.