A great book by great authors! I loved each story, the characters and the settings!
Naomi is convinced that she will always be single. She has resigned herself to the fact that she should be content with her quilting business and taking care og her family. Caleb is visiting his sister for the holidays. He's still mourning his wife but he's trying to stay positive for his daughter's sake. Caleb and Naomi begin to care for each other and they receive the most precious gift of love.
Abigail starts working for Micah, taking care of his grandmother. She's a chatterbox and he's very quiet. Abigail's compassionate care of his grandmother opens his heart to her.
Frannie's parents send her to live with her aunt and uncle so that she'll forget about Rocky. Rocky seeks her out and becomes determined to be the man that she needs. He gives her the ultimate gift of love. ( )

These three novellas have a similar feel to them. They are set in the Amish community during the Christmas season, romance is in the air, maybe, and there is a problem to overcome. They are quick reads, and all three are inspiring and joyful tales for any time of year. ( )

Friday, November 27, 2015
An Amish Christmas Gift by Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid, and Kelly Irvin, © 2015

My Review of the three novellas in An Amish Christmas Gift:

Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston
Naomi King is happily tending the quilt stand with her friend in the indoor farmers market as Caleb Schmucker's driver comes near the market. They are on their way to his sister's for Christmas. His young daughter, Susie, asks to stop to take her aenti Sadie a pie. Amid the English and Amish shoppers, Caleb and his daughter are separated and he frantically searches everywhere for her. Susie is comfortable where she is. She has found a maroon Lone Star quilt like the one her mamm had made in blues and creams, and heads for it.
Thankful to be reunited, Caleb, Susie, and their gift pie continue on to his eldest sister's home.
Happily content with her cousins, Susie is enjoying the many activities and a chance to interact with her new freind Naomi again. Susie had lost her mamm in an accident two Christmases earlier.
Her aenti is not so excited to have Susie make the connection with Naomi and steers her brother away every time he seems to get too close. She has plans of her own for her widowed younger brother. This includes his returning to their district in Pennsylvania, and leaving his home in Ohio behind. Caleb had plans for visiting as he always had for the holidays. That is, until he talks to Naomi and feels perhaps his life can go on, with new dreams.
I enjoyed this story of Naomi being true to herself and following God when talk and speculation of her motives are going on around her.
"I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will hear you." Jeremiah 29:11-12
Have your intentions been judged by others when they are only seeing the external? Other people involved walk off while you are left with the tale-wagging? Thankfully, our Lord sees our hearts and motives. I admired Naomi for standing for right regardless of those avoiding her. Reminds me of the Pharisees who questioned Jesus.
I can just imagine all the feelings Caleb felt climbing the stairs in his childhood home passed down between four generations. Joy awaits.

An Unexpected Joy by Ruth Reid
Abigail Kemp and Micah Zook's grandmother have come together in an inspiring way. Needing care, Mrs. Zook has welcomed Abigail into her life and heart, after first feeling she didn't need anyone to assist her. Is there more for Abigail, as well? Content she is not to marry, she is busy with her hand work and bakery items. Thankful for her giftings, Abigail is readily available to become Mrs. Zook's companion.
A couple drawbacks, so you know, Abigail is known to be quite talkative and forward, a little uncertain what will happen when you approach her ~ at least, that's what the thought is around town. No one could get a word in edgewise. Oh, well, possibly it will come in handy somewhere...
In the wintry snow, Abigail trudges through to Edith Zook's hearth, unaware of the warmth she will find there. When we open our hearts, our mouth speaks our desires. She confesses she has no one to share her words with. Edith's sweet and comforting words, along with correct direction and advice, are heard by Abigail and entered into her life. Such a sweet story of hope and following through on what we say ~ even from the deepest parts of our being. She is receiving and forgiving, an aid in true gathering of hearts and home.

A Christmas Visitor: An Amish Christmas Gift Novella by Kelly Irvin
Frannie Mast returns to Bee County for Christmas, but her heart stays back in Missouri with an Englisch farm boy.
Unknown to Frannie, decisions may come forth this Christmas she never imagined ~ knowing her true heart. Wondering if what she left behind is what she is to look forward to, Frannie heads to Texas from Missouri to her aenti Abigail and onkel Mordecai's home. Eager to see her cousins, Frannie still has some misgivings of what she might miss at home. Will Abigail fit in, with her thoughts miles away?
An unexpected guest appears at dinnertime with an uncertain welcome. Rocky Sanders from back in Jamesport ~ well, from his visits to the restaurant and bakery where Abigail had been a waitress. He was a long way from home just to be moseying.
Prepare to be surprised what the ending of summer's heat, autumn's beginning, into the cold of winter brings to Mordecai King's farm. Changes of heart and home.
I have read the first two books in the Amish of Bee County series, The Beekeeper's Son and The Bishop's Son, and thoroughly enjoyed them! Looking forward to the third book in the trilogy.
The auction was one of my favorite parts of A Christmas Visitor, and the children's Christmas program coming out from behind the white sheet. Memories of my own!

***Thank you to BookLook Bloggers for this review copy of An Amish Christmas Gift. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.*** ( )

I love reading books from some of my favorite authors. In this collection you are treated to three very gifted authors with their own unique writing style that will have you glued to the pages. They are each different stories but capture the true feeling of family and unconditional love .

In Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston is a charming story of a widower named Caleb and his precious seven year old daughter Susie. They stop at a charming farmers market to pick up a pie. Caleb has returned to his hometown and is a bit nervous seeing his family after a long time away. Susie runs to the counter and starts talking to Naomi. Through their conversation, Naomi learns that Susie's mom has passed away. Her heart is quickly drawn to this sweet child. As Caleb and Susie leave the store, she wonders if she will ever see them again. Was there a bit of attraction between Caleb and Naomi? The story is very nicely written about hope, love and new beginnings.

An Unexpected Joy by Ruth Reid is where we meet Abilgail "Abby" Kemp. Some call her Gabby Abby because she is always talking. Do you know someone like that? Abby believe that God has given her the gift of talking and doesn't see what all the fuss is about. Poor Abby can't even have more than one date with a boy. I guess they don't like a lot of chatter and soon grow tired of her constant banter. Now when Abby becomes quiet , there is always a reason to worry. It reminds me of when my children were growing up. If it became very quiet in their bedroom, I knew they were up to something. What would make Abby become so quiet?

She takes on a job of looking after Micha's grandmother and seems to be enjoying the time she spends with his grandmother. They grow close and I enjoyed the tender moments they shared as the grandmother gave her words of wisdom and encouragement. Something happens one day that will cause Abby to get hurt by Micah . Will this cause Abby to feel judged? Can they look past their disagreement and find happiness? I loved the message in this story about making quick judgments and then learning that you were wrong. I wonder if we know that our words or judgmental attitude hurt someone ? You will enjoy this story of reconciliation , forgiveness and learning to see people for who they truly are.

A Christmas Visitor by Kelly Irvin we are introduced to Frannie Mast. She left her home to come and stay with relatives . She left everything behind including a young man she loved. As hard as it was to leave she felt she had to. They come from different backgrounds . She is Amish and he is Englisch. But I guess true love does have a mind of its own. Rocky follows Frannie to her aunt and uncle's place to convince Frannie they should be together. I have always heard that opposites attract. Do you think that is true? Will love conquer all? I loved this story about true love, determination and looking past differences to find true happiness.

The three stories in this book are each filled with a great message of family, love , hope and happiness. Isn't that what Christmas is about?

I received a copy of this book from The a Fiction Guild for an honest review. ( )

When the hectic pace of the holidays start to get a bit too much, take some quiet time and read An Amish Christmas Gift!
These three stories are short, sweet and the perfect way to find a bit of relaxation during the holiday season. I guarantee when you're done, you'll walk away smiling! :)

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )