This is probably about a 3.5 for me. Rating shown may differ if site doesn't have half star ratings.

It was nice to have an Amish fiction book that didn't revolve around the "running around" time and deciding whether to join the church and romance. This book contains 4 novellas that each feature an Amish family expecting or having a baby.

"In His Father's Arms" by Beth Wiseman: a young couple's first child is born with Down's Syndrome. Both parents struggle with fears and it affects their marriage. I kind of wished they'd talked out their fears earlier.

"A Son for Always" by Amy Clipston: Carolyn and Joshua are having their first child together, but Carolyn has an older son that has a different father. Though Joshua would rather have her home full-time (and Carolyn seems to want that too), Carolyn struggles with thinking she has to provide for her older son's future because Joshua might not accept him or treat him as his own. Again, if the couple would have sat down an aired their thoughts and fears to each other sooner...

"A Heart Full of Love" by Kathleen Fuller: A woman blinded in an accident gives birth to twins and her mother, for reasons of her own, feels overprotective of her granddaughters--so much so that she assumes much of the mothering role that should be her daughter's. It's a good lesson that sometimes the way one generation deals with an event isn't the best way to deal with it.

"An Unexpected Blessing" by Vannetta Chapman: Deals with pregnancy in your 40s. One of the themes is change. Letting go of dreams you have for one of your children (David), embracing newer ways when they make logical sense (the birthing center), etc. ( )

These four novellas all deal with a new birth. Each story deals with some kind of problem. Whether it is a past tragedy, a secret long hidden, a physical disability, an age-related challenge, a mistake that’s hard to forgive, or a lack of trust, all the main characters in these stories have something to overcome. It is a well written collection, and though readers are likely to have a favorite author or story, all are interesting. ( )

In His Father’s Arms by Beth Wiseman: This is a story about a couple that struggles with a baby with Down syndrome. What they do not know if how to deal with it. Ruth Anne finds out the truth about her best friend first pregnancy. Ruth Anne can not understand why her best friend is acting really strange around her and her baby boy.

Levi is also struggling to deal with his little boy illness. He knows his little cousin died from this illness. He afraid that is son will be taken from him. Do learn to deal with their little boy medical issues and learn to trust God?

A Son for Always by Amy Clipston: Carolyn is happy to know that she is a pregnant with her and Joshua first child together. She worried that she will have to keep her job and financially secure Ben's future.

Joshua seems to want to let Carolyn that she can stop working at the hotel. Carolyn is still having doubts that Joshua will help her with Ben future. Even though, Joshua has adopted Ben and wanted Ben to have his last name.

Carolyn needs a sign that Joshua will treat her son Ben as his own. She gets that sign, but I do not want to tell you when or how. That would be giving the ending away.

A Heart Full of Love by Kathleen Fuller: Ellie is expecting her first child with her husband. Though when she gives birth to twins. Her mother decides that will take care of the twins and keep them safe. In doing so, she will not let Ellie bond with her daughters.

What is Ellie's mother dealing with that she won't let Ellie take care of her own daughters. Ellie knows she will need help with her daughters. Ellie wants time with her daughters and takes care of them.

Ellie starts to have questions about what happen with a girl named Rachel. She goes over to her parents house and to find the answers. What a sweet ending his story has.

An Unexpected Blessing by Vannetta Chapman: Etta finds out that she is expecting once again. She as a frighting labor. She seems happy with her new little one. She is worried about her overgrown son, David and wants her to return.

Her other children are overjoyed for her and their dad. They help to give her the crib that was made be their dad. They get a surprise when their one son returns. He gets a surprise as well. ( )

I LOVE THESE BOOKS!

I enjoy SO MUCH these extra stories put together by several authors whom I just LOVE! And I especially LOVE IT when one of them is kind of a BONUS story! As far as I can tell (I haven’t read everything Kathleen Fuller or Beth Wiseman has written…), Amy Clipston’s is the only story in this collection that fits that description but that’s enough for me!

To be fair – I’m going to go in order.

- In His Father’s Arms by Beth Wiseman -

Down Syndrome has got to be one of the toughest subjects to write about and I applaud Beth Wiseman for, not only doing it, but doing it well!

It’s always difficult to understand God’s will in these situations and I love how Beth shows us that – Amish or not – these parents have to deal with the situation as a mother and father.

“Bravo Beth for showing that it’s not easy for the Amish just because of their faith.”

- A Son for Always by Amy Clipston -

OK… I admit it. This is my favorite story in the book! And that’s really saying something because they’re all so fantastic!

Carolyn and her husband Joshua are two of my favorite characters from Amy’s Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series.

I don’t know how Amy did her research for a single mom but she certainly nails it right on the head! And anyone who says that Amy went overboard with Carolyn’s emotions in this novella can not have ever been a single mother.

“This story is PERFECT! Bravo Amy!”

And THANK YOU for giving us this extra little bonus in what is a fantastic series!

- A Heart Full of Love by Kathleen Fuller -

WOW! Again – I can not imagine how Kathleen did the research for this! And to write about it so convincingly…

“I refuse to ruin any of this story for you. It’s just too good to miss!”

This is one of those stories that also shows how the plain folk deal with tough situations things in much the same way as we all do.

Although it does come in handy that most Amish have a very strong faith!

- An Unexpected Blessing by Vannetta Chapman -

I LOVE that stories with older main characters are becoming more popular! I think, far too often, people forget that interesting things still happen to those of us over the age of 30.

“Vannetta does such an exceptional job of writing this story!”

Instead of the anxiety over not being a good mother or not knowing what she’s doing – Etta has worries of a much more seasoned wife – and yet – Vannetta does not minimalize the issues a young mother would deal with, she simply shows an aspect of life that not many other authors think to.

I hope to see many more stories like this! BRAVO Vannetta! GREAT writing!


BRAVO to all four authors! I can hardly wait for the next one!

Review © JCMorrows 2015 ( )

The first story by Beth Wiseman will make your heart ache, to have an imperfect child is so very hard. All that anticipation looking forward to the birth, and then the heartache of not knowing what to do, or how to cope, and it is the same feeling no matter which culture we live in?
That is what Ruth Anne and Levi must come to terms with, to be there for their child and each other. As we read along we hope they will find their way, and be there for each other.
Carolyn and Joshua are about to welcome a new addition to their new family. Joshua has now adopted Ben, but Carolyn is worried, and has deep fears that once the new little one comes, Joshua won’t feel the same about Ben. How can she give up her income and feel secure that her child will be taken care of? The power of prayer, she just needs to lean on her faith, but can she?
Kathleen Fuller’s novella, will bring tears to your eyes, so much tragedy in their past. Elle has over come most of the problems she has faced with her blindness, and now she a Chris are expecting their first baby. What surprises they are in for, and trying to keep her mother from taking over because of her handicap, you are going to love how Chris handles her.
The final novella is by Vannetta Chapman and at 42 Etta has a new baby, but is yearning for the return of her son David. Loved how God has placed the love of each child on these parents hearts, even if the rules of their religion is contrary to how they feel.
These stories will warm your heart, and as you can tell by the title, there is a new baby involved. You can read one in a sitting, but hard to stop at one. Enjoy!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )