Monday, March 9, 2020

About the Book

Book: An Amish Picnic

Author: Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Kathleen Fuller, and Vannetta Chapman

Genre: Amish; Christian Romance

Release Date: March 3, 2020

From bestselling authors in the Amish genre come four sweet stories about picnics and romance.

Baskets of Sunshine by Amy Clipston

Kevin Weaver has lived with his brother’s family since his parents passed away when he was young, but he craves a home and family to call his own. Freeman Kurtz owns a successful brick mason business, and Kevin takes the job as Freeman’s apprentice to pursue his own financial freedom.

Phoebe Kurtz is helping her sister with her booth at the marketplace when she notices Kevin, her father’s employee. Their friendship grows, but Kevin is convinced that the difference in their ages makes a relationship between them impossible. Amidst summer outings, Kevin and Phoebe must decide if taking a chance on love is worth the risk.

Candlelight Sweethearts by Kelly Irvin

Esther Marie Shrock loves her job at Valley Grocery Store where she’s worked for four years. Despite a stutter that has plagued her since childhood, she thrives filling orders from a steady stream of customers. Still, at 25, she and her family wonder if romance is in her future.

Jasper Cotter isn’t good with people, but he’s found himself obligated to take over day-to-day operations of the family owned grocery store—a store he doesn’t have the first clue how to run. Thrown together, Esther Marie and Jasper don’t exactly see eye to eye. One night, the store loses power, and the candles aren’t the only things shooting off sparks. Esther Marie and Jasper are suddenly forced to discover common ground when it matters most, and they might be surprised with love along the way.

Reeling in Love by Kathleen Fuller

Nina Stoll and Ira Yoder are just friends. Just friends and fishing buddies. Every Saturday afternoon, they have a picnic at their favorite fishing hole and see who can out fish the other. Until Nina starts to wonder if there’s more.

Her plans to share her feelings go awry, and circumstances seem destined to keep Nina and Ira apart. With both Nina and Ira confused and hurting, it’s going to take courage, some help from the community matchmakers, and a little bit of divine intervention for Nina and Ira to realize they’re each other’s perfect catch.

Picnics and Prospects by Vannetta Chapman

Faith Troyer is claustrophobic, and David Lapp builds tiny houses. They went on a date years ago with disastrous results. Now that they’re in their late twenties, their families and friends are beginning to wonder if either will ever find that special someone. When a picnic outing is diverted by the discovery of a package of letters dating back to the 1970s, they take it upon themselves to find answers to a mystery that causes them to rethink their past and consider their future.

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MY REVIEW

It is with great honor that I introduce a book filled with hope, forgiveness , trust and unconditional love. These amazing authors have gathered to bring four stories that weave emotions throughout the book as readers fill their hearts with encouragement and joy. I love reading books where author‘s collaborate to give readers a taste of different writing styles. I loved reading about the different places the characters had a picnic at and the delicious selections of food. Now it’s time to sit back, get comfy and enjoy your adventure to Amish country.

Baskets Of Sunshine by Amy Clipston

I loved following Phoebe and Kevin as they start to get to know each other. The author explores how two young people learn to trust a God as they make decisions about their relationship. It was interesting to see how Kevin struggled with the age difference even though I didn’t find it to be such a big problem. Kevin is guarded around Phoebe which cause a little friction as they develop a relationship. I loved the picnic they went on and all the fun activities they joined in as Kevin slowly starts to open his heart to love.

It’s funny how two people who like each other can have such bad communication between them . It is so easy for us to think someone doesn’t like us and allow thoughts to push us away from them. Kevin and Phoebe’s story is sweet and filled with hope.

“We’ll take everything step by step and in God’s time.”

Candlelight Sweethearts by Kelly Irvin

I fell in love with Esther Marie right away . Having a speech problem makes her shy and uncomfortable. Oh how I wanted her to find courage and strength to know she was loved by God. I couldn’t wait to see where the author would take us as the story unfolded.

Jasper finds himself helping out at the deli when his father becomes ill. He sure seemed a little on edge with customers and Esther Marie. This story made me chuckle because Jasper really likes Esther Marie but is a bit scared to say it. His pride and stubbornness is going to get in the way of happiness if he is not careful. I liked how the author emphasized that looks aren’t as important as a pure heart. The story is a wonderful look at trusting God and letting go of insecurity.

“God was made strong in His weakness.”

Reeling in Love by Kathleen Fuller

Oh how nice to realize that you are in love with the young man you always were friends with. Nina and Ira have a standing date to go fishing together every Saturday. They have been friends forever and enjoy each other’s company. Something changes one day and it hits Nina how much she cares for Ira. Nina is feeling a little uncomfortable as she realizes she is not like most Amish girls. She would rather be fishing than baking or cleaning like most her age like to do. Is that why Ira doesn’t want to court her?

Nina has big plans Saturday as a surprise picnic has been planned so she can tell Ira how she really feels about him. Well you know the saying, “the best laid plans.” Nina is in for a big shock as she goes to their favorite fishing spot. The author does a great job of sharing how a misunderstanding can lead to heartbreak. Nina’s heart is broken and her conversation with her Grandmother is very special as she shares that God will mend her broken heart. It is a great lesson in not giving up and realizing how important you are to God.

“What seems impossible can be possible with God.”

Picnics and Prospects by Vannetta Chapman

A good way to feel old is to be a chaperone to those younger than you. That is just what Faith and David find themselves doing in this fun story about picnics, mystery and romance. I couldn’t wait to find out what is the package they found as they rescued a puppy while on an outing. I loved the addition of the dog and how it fit so well into Faith’s life.

The author really piqued my interest in the letters that were found. What I really liked was how those mysterious letters find Faith and David spending time together as they try to figure out who the letters from 1970 belong to. Faith’s anxiety about closed in spaces has caused her to shy away from going places. Perhaps with a mystery to solve she will find confidence to let go of her fear and learn to trust others as well as God. The story is full of surprises and I loved learning about Tiny Houses. They play a big part in the story as well as the letters. It was wonderful to read about lost love and finding hope.

“God has designed us in His image.”

I really enjoyed the stories and learning new things about the Amish. I think I will plan a picnic with my husband and make memories to last forever.

I received a copy of this book from Kelly Irvin and Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

About the Author

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery, Hearts of amy-clipston

Lancaster Grand Hotel, Amish Heirloom, Amish Homestead, and Amish Marketplace series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled rotten cats. Visit her online at AmyClipston.com; Facebook: AmyClipstonBooks; Twitter: @AmyClipston; Instagram: @amy_clipston.

Kelly Irvin is the bestselling author of the Every Amish Season and Amish of Bee County series. The Beekeeper’s Son received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, who called it a “beautifully woven masterpiece.” The two-time Carol Award finalist is a former newspaper reporter and retired public relations professional. Kelly lives in Texas with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin. They have two children, three grandchildren, and two cats. In her spare time, she likes to read books by her favorite authors. Visit her online at KellyIrvin.com; Instagram: kelly_irvin; Facebook: Kelly.Irvin.Author; Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin.

With over a million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including the kathleen-fuller

Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, and the Amish Letters series as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. Visit her online at KathleenFuller.com; Instagram: kf_booksandhooks; Facebook: WriterKathleenFuller; Twitter: @TheKatJam.

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of sixteen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series, and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and has also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She was a teacher for fifteen years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. Visit Vannetta online: VannettaChapman.com, Twitter: @VannettaChapman, Facebook: VannettaChapmanBooks.