Short Story Collections
Three hope-filled stories about second chances, trusting your heart, and the power of forgiveness. Healing Hearts Empty-nesters Levina Lapp and her husband Naaman have no children under their roof for the first time in 30 years. When Naaman leaves to visit cousins in Ohio, Levina never expected him to be gone a year. Now that he's back, will they be able to move beyond this estrangement and rekindle the fire of the love they once shared? A Change of Heart Leah is a writer in a community that does not encourage such fruitless endeavors. She lacks the skills necessary to be a good Amish fraa cooking, cleaning, quilting, and gardening. Aaron is aware of Leah's short-comings, but his heart is captured by this spirited young woman. Will Leah's role as an Amish wife and mother force her to set aside her creative lifeor will Aaron make an offer she never dreamed was possible? A Choice to Forgive Lydia has loved two men in her life. Daniel, who disappeared one Christmas Eve long ago, leaving only a note saying he wanted to live in the Englisch world. And Elam, Daniel's brother, to whom she had been happily married for 15 years. When Elam dies, Lydia gives up on ever loving again. But she is shocked when Daniel wants to return to the Order and her life. Is there enough forgiveness in her heart to overlook the past and move into a future that could fulfill her dreams?
A Recipe for Hope by Beth Wiseman (Previously published in An Amish Kitchen ) When a storm blows a tree onto Eve Bender’s farmhouse, she has little choice but to temporarily move her family into her parents’ home. Outside of cooking together in the kitchen, Eve and her mother can’t agree on anything. But this may be just the recipe for healing old wounds. Building Faith by Kathleen Fuller (Previously published in An Amish Home ) Faith Miller knows that carpentry is an unlikely hobby for a young Amish woman, but she loves the work and it keeps the memory of her grandfather alive. When her cousin asks Faith to build the cabinets in her new home, Faith is only too happy to take the job, even if it is her most ambitious project to date. The only catch is that she has to work with her ex-fiance, Silas. As they work together to build Martha’s kitchen, they must learn to leave the past behind and build faith in one another again. Love in Store by Vannetta Chapman (Previously published in An Amish Market ) Stella Schrock works at the Old Mill in Nappanee, Indiana, with new employee David Stoltzfus, a recent widower. When strange events begin occurring around town, it appears as if someone wants to close the mill. Stella and David must work together to solve the mystery surrounding the Old Amish Mill, and in the process, they might just find that God has more in store for their future than they would have dreamed possible.
Patchwork Perfect by Beth Wiseman (previously published in An Amish Year ) Eli Byler has been a widower for two years when he chooses to make a fresh start in Paradise, Pennsylvania. As Eli juggles the admiration of two women, he meets Miriam Fisher—the most unconventional Amish woman he’s ever met. She doesn’t fit the mold for what Eli is looking for, but it isn’t long before Eli realizes that Miriam is everything he wants. But Miriam has no plans to get married—ever. Will Eli be able to change her mind? A Bid for Love by Kathleen Fuller (previously published in An Amish Market ) Every week, Hannah Lynne brings her home-churned butter to the local market. And every week Ezra stops by to purchase some. Hannah Lynne knows not to read too much into it—Ezra is a confirmed bachelor and barely even glances her way, despite any hope to the contrary. But when Ezra bids an exorbitant amount to win the quilt she had her heart set on, Hannah Lynne can’t stop her heart from taking over her mind. Could Ezra finally be in the market for love? A Midwife’s Dream by Kelly Irvin (previously published in An Amish Heirloom ) Iris Beachy serves as a midwife in her district where she longs for a family of her own. When her friend’s brother Mahon Kurtz seeks her help in delivering the baby of two young teenagers who have sought refuge in their town, they begin to see each other in a different light. Unprepared for parenthood, the young couple leave their baby girl behind in an antique crib quilt resembling the one destined for Iris when she becomes a mother. Mahon and Iris come together to take care of the baby as they try to find her parents, and they begin to see new possibilities for their future.