BAKING LOVE ON ICE MOUNTAIN
Kelly Long
Newly married, Clara Mast and Daniel Kauffman have little to give but love during their first Christmas season together. But generous hearts are always willing to be creative in this “Gift of the Magi” inspired story.

The "blurb" on Amazon (above) about this book is incorrect. This story is about widowed Clara Loftuz and her late husband's best friend, Daniel Kauffman. Seth's dying wish was that Daniel marry Clara and take care of her. Daniel botches a wedding proposal and now, two years later, longs for nothing else than to make Clara his bride. Using his skills as a baker, Daniel goads Clara into a bake off to get her off the mountain. I enjoyed reading Daniel and Clara's story and watching their love unfold.


THE CHRISTMAS BAKERY ON HUCKLEBERRY HILL
Jennifer Beckstrand
When shy Katie Rose Gingerich’s dat sends her to Huckleberry Hill to secure a marriage proposal, she never expects to long for carefree Titus Helmuth—or to hope that he might want to spend every Christmas with her . . .

I love Jennifer Beckstrand's Huckleberry Hill books. Anna and Felty are adorable and you never know what to expect with them, but like Felty said, Anna always makes her match. I really liked Titus and his willingness to think of others first and do whatever he could to help them. I felt sorry for Katie being put in the spot that she was and angry at Adam and his arogance. I liked this quote from Felty: "Everyone thinks all I do is read the newspaper. You learn a lot when no one knows you're paying attention."

THE SPECIAL CHRISTMAS COOKIE
Lisa Jones Baker
A charity auction, an unexpected friendship, and a stubborn spirit combine in an unusual courtship. But for Emma and Jonathan, overcoming obstacles is just one of the lessons to be learned about special blessings this holiday season.

I haven't read anything by Lisa Jones Baker before so I didn't know what to expect. The book kept rehashing the same thing about Jonathon and why he opposed the auction. I also felt the "throwing frustrated hands in the air" and calling their parents "role model" all the time was over done. I wish that this story had been first so that the other two would be the last ones to read. I did like how the characters prayed and sought God's direction.

I got a free digital copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are given voluntarily. No compensation was received.

The Amish Christmas Kitchen is a collection of three Amish novellas from Kensington Publishers.

Baking Love on Ice Mountain by Kelly Long is, for starters, not at all a match to its description in the official blurb on Amazon or Goodreads. I’m not sure if I have a really early copy and the entire story changed prior to publication or if the blurb is wrong. Either way, what I read is not a Gift of the Magi type story – it’s a story about a young widow and her husband’s best friend … and cookies. While I did enjoy the story, I must admit to raising my eyebrows more than once at the sensuality of the story. Nothing inappropriate, per se, but definitely suggestive.

The Special Christmas Cookie by Lisa Jones Baker is a sweet story about a little boy in need of a lifesaving operation. The friendship/budding relationship between his tutor Emma and his brother Jonathan isn’t a lot of sparks and sizzle, but when you combine it with Amos’ general adorableness and the community coming together in his honor it’s an all around cozy story!

The Christmas Bakery of Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand is my favorite of this collection! I adore this author’s books because I will most certainly snort-laugh at some point (usually several times) and will definitely melt at the sweet romance more than once too. True to form, both occurred whilst I was reading The Christmas Bakery of Huckleberry Hill.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a story that will make you laugh … and melt … and want to hug Viking beanied Amish men, then you have come to the right place! Jennifer Beckstrand’s novella in The Amish Christmas Kitchen is romantic and tender and perfectly hilarious. The accompanying novellas in this collection – one a little spicy, one simply sweet – are good as well but Beckstrand’s is my favorite. With all the right ingredients, it’s the recipe for a great read!

https://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/2016/12/22/celebration-lit-tours-presents-the-amish-christmas-kitchen/

Wonderful stories by some awesome Ladies. You will not be disappointed by reading this book.

This review is for the second of three delightful novellas in The Amish Christmas Kitchen, “The Christmas Bakery at Huckleberry Hill” . . .

A book by Jennifer Beckstrand keeps me reading with a smile on my face, and when that story involves Anna and Felty … well, that’s just icing on the cake! I also dare any reader not to fall in love with the two precious “Christmas” goats, Bethlehem and Judea (Beth and Judy for short).

This is a precious story, full of family caring and sweet romance. Katie starts out as shy, never having been appreciated for the talented and giving person that she is … until Titus, with his encouraging and selfless nature, brings out the best in Katie by helping her forget herself and turn her heart outward. I’ve always heard that it’s important to look at how a man treats his parents (or grandparents, in this case) – and if that’s true, then Titus is a keeper.

Jennifer Beckstrand’s story is Amish fiction, but it is also excellent storytelling that should appeal to any reader. Highly recommended.

I loved each of the stories in this book !! I had not read anything by Lisa Jones Baker prior to this book.
I am an avid Amish book reader !!

I was mesmerized by Emma Miller's 4th book in the Amish Matchmaker series. Imagining the anguish a widow who is grieving the loss of her husband and young daughter was really difficult. I have not lost a husband or daughter, but I certainly would never want to have to go through such pain. I have lost a husband through divorce however, and that includes a grief process as well. There were many emotional hurdles to overcome when I married my incredibly wonderful second husband.
I willingly joined in fellowship with another denomination with my husband even after having served as a pastor's wife previously, and the differences between the Mennonites and Amish are much greater than what I experienced in my decision-making process. I love reading Amish fiction. The characters in this story were all lovable although there was one character that was trying on Leah's nerves. I have definitely had relationships with women who interfered in other people's business as this one also another issue explored in the book.
I would like to recommend this novel to those lovers of Amish and Christian fiction.
My rating for this novel is 5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved this book. The stories were the perfect feel good pick me up for the holidays and the recipes that are included were a wonderful surprise!

I totally enjoyed this book of 3 novellas by 3 different authors. From meddling grandparents, goats, cookies, and a lovable little boy, these stories will melt your heart.
Blessings,
Karen Hadley

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Three novellas of Amish stories set during the Christmas season make up this delightful book. I hadn’t read any of the authors’ related novels, but each story stands alone, and each includes baking.

The first story is Baking Love on Ice Mountain by Kelly Long. Widowed Clara Loftus had refused to marry her husband’s best friend, Daniel Kauffman, who had promised he would care for her. Both love to bake, but will they ever work out a relationship? I appreciated the realistic characters and their emotional growth.

The second story, The Christmas Bakery at Huckleberry Hill, is by our featured author, Jennifer Beckstrand. I connected with Titus Helmuth and Katie Gingerich and their struggles as they’re thrown together by Titus’s grandparents. This one contains some surprises and offers a fun read.

The Special Christmas Cookie by Lisa Jones Baker focuses on little Amos, who has a serious heart condition, and his teacher, Emma, and his older brother Jonathan. Of course, the couple is drawn together. This sweet story touches the heart.

If you enjoy clean, simple love stories and overcoming odds, these will be a treat any time of year. I will look for more from these authors. Except not for the preview sampler after the first novella—it’s too risqué for the genre.

The Amish Christmas Kitchen is a new book with 3 Christmas romance stories. Baking Love on Ice Mountain was my favorite. I would give that one 4 1/2 stars. The Characters Daniel and Clara had so much love in their hearts that they tried to keep hidden.
A enjoyed the Christmas Bakery on Huckleberry Hill because it had a Mail-order bride feel to it. I would give this story 3 1/2 stars
The Special Christmas cooking was a good read but didn't hold my interest like the first two.
Over all, I feel this book was a good read with nice Christmas Stories.