Family Blessings

Amish Brides of Celery Fields #2

by Anna Schmidt

Her four stepchildren are thrilled when they learn an ice cream shop will be opening in their small Amish community. But widow Pleasant Obermeier isn't so pleased. Spending time with handsome shop owner Jeremiah Troyer is too much for a woman who's only ever been wounded by love. And now he wants to use her baking skills in his shop? Out of the question!

A harsh childhood left Jeremiah convinced that family life wasn't for him. Yet something about the Obermeiers moves his heart. If he can win Pleasant's trust and learn to trust himself, then he may gain the ultimate blessing—a lifetime of love.

Genres: Amish, Romance, Love Inspired Historical, Christian Fiction, Love Inspired, Historical, Fiction

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Anna Schmidt's historical novel, THE WINTERKEEPER, received a Five Star rating from Reader's Favorites. Reviews for the story have been strong including one from the Historical Novel Society that raved: "The storytelling and scene building are masterful and create an immediacy that keeps the reader turning pages. This is a writer who feels words as well as thinking them." Anna is a three-time finalist for the coveted RITA award presented annually by Romance Writers of America. In addition she has been a four-time finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine—an award she has won twice. Her latest novel RENEGADE is the second in her new series: Cowboys and Harvey Girls and is available now. Publisher's Weekly hails the series as: "Easygoing western romance readers will cheer for this good-hearted heroine to achieve all her dreams." Anna splits her time between Wisconsin and Florida, noting that, “I am blessed to have a career that travels well!”

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

1932 found Pleasant Obermeier caring for her four stepchildren while trying to run her father’s bakery in Celery Fields. Times are difficult all a round with the big crash but Jeremiah Troyer was a dreamer for his ice cream shop. Gunther Obermeier made an agreement that Pleasant would develop a cone for Jeremiah in her bake shop. The cone making and ice cream shop brought challenges. Will Pleasant be able to open her heart to real love when her previous marriage had been for convenience only?

This story was not as engaging as other Love Inspired Amish books. I borrowed the book from the library, but have shared my own opinion.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: FAMILY BLESSINGS
Author: Anna Schmidt
Publisher: Love Inspired Historicals
October 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-82888-3
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

Pleasant Obermeier has been raising her four step-children since her husband died. Her sister-in-law helps out with the children some, but she is still overwhelmed with running the bakery, the farm, a home and four children. She is doing okay in her bakery, though is sticking mostly with baking rye bread and rolls and a few cookies, since the Amish community they are in doesn’t believe in frivolous things.

Jeremiah Troyer has just moved down to the area from Ohio. His grandfather is the Bishop, and he plans to open an ice cream shop in the store next door to Pleasant’s bakery. He discusses with her the option of making cones for the ice cream. Pleasant reluctantly agrees, but she steadfastly refuses when Jeremiah offers to hire her twelve-year-old stepson to help in the ice cream shop.

Pleasant is unkind to Jeremiah, but she finally does agree to allow her stepson to help—free of charge—saying that is what the community is all about. But will Jeremiah’s continued offer of friendship remain rebuffed? Or will he break down the walls that Pleasant has erected.

FAMILY BLESSINGS is the second in Ms. Schmidt’s Amish Brides of Celery Fields series, but it easily stands alone. I didn’t care much for the first book, and wondered at my wisdom in buying this book, but it was better than the first. The female characters (heroine and secondary) are still very bitter and unkind, complaining a lot, but Jeremiah’s kindness made up for it. The ice cream shop made for an interesting twist.

It isn’t too often one reads a historical Amish romance, so if you like historicals and Amish, you might like this book. Also, at this point, it is the only Amish series set in the celery fields of Florida. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.75. 281 pages. 3 stars.

[Rachel Brand · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, easy read but I didn't find it quite as compelling as the first book in the series. Part of my problem might just have been that I finished Love Comes to Paradise by Mary Ellis, which I absolutely adored, right before I started this book, and nothing really would have lived up to the previous book. I liked the unique details in the story, such as Jeremiah's ice-cream shop and the historical context of the depression and how it affected the Amish community. It was also interesting to find a book that acknowledged that abusive relationships can exist among Amish communities, even if it was sad that the community knew how Merle was treating his family and never had intervened. But ultimately, the romance itself wasn't as engaging as others I've come across in the LIH line, and I felt that the final conflict just stretched the story out rather than adding to it. I have enjoyed reading the Amish Brides of Celery Fields series and would quite like to find out what happens to Greta and Lydia, even if Pleasant's story wasn't as interesting as Hannah's. Ultimately, this wasn't the sort of book that gripped me, making it very easy to put down, but it was still a relaxing read and a solid addition to the LIH line. 3*

[Paula-O · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read the Love inspired books and "Family Blessings" by Anna Schmidt was a lovely one. Pleasant is a woman that takes care of everyone else and thinks little of self. She married an older man with 4 children as a life of security and companionship, never thinking she would ever find true love. Pleasant thinks she is a plain woman, but she has love to give and she does just that giving all the time. Jeremiah moves from another state to Florida and takes up the building next door to bakery where Pleasant works, He plans an ice cream shoppe. Do you think these two souls that need Love in their lives will meet and become more then neighbors?
this book is about four children without their "real" mother and dad and a man and a woman whose lives need some changing finally coming together as a family.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting book, set in the beginning days of the Great Depression with leftover fears of the 1918 flu epidemic adding a sobering twist. I had earlier read "Hannah's Journey", and was left with a certain impression of the female lead, but by the time of this book many difficulties have happened in her life and she has matured and softened. A marriage to a cold, unhappy man who was abusive at times to her and to his oldest son ended with his accidental death, leaving her mother to his four children who she loves dearly. Another damaged man enters her life and together they begin the slow process of healing as they discover each other. A very interesting book!

[Melinda Bollinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and how Pleasants heart was turned away from love because she settled for a man who only wanted someone to take care of his children. Loved how she loved those children like they were here own flesh and blood. I was glad she opened up her heart to a great man who ran a great business of an ice-cream shop (which I wondered how that would go) and how she changed his heart and he changed her heart and taught her that no matter what the age you are there is always love out there

[Lucy Bilik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful read. A book about selfless lady who does all for others and does not think she deserves better for herself. It is a moving story and very easy fast read. Beautiful lines of integrity and values.

[April Suter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book #2 Hannah's Journey

Pleaseant is juggling helping with her father's bakery, four step-children and her late husband celery farm while being a single Amish woman's life. A new neighbor, a threat of flu and a drought changes her life tremendously.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character's name is Pleasant. She is raising four children that were her deceased husbands. She loves the children, but has no hope of finding love for herself. Jerimiah moves to town..... and she starts thinking differently.

[Lynn Kavanagh]

This was a wonderful book to read. The development of the relationship between Pleasant & Jeremiah took a lot of twists and turns. I especially enjoyed reading about the time period that this took place in.

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

just couldn't really get into this book i made it through a few chapters and put it down and never picked it back up

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Amish Brides of Celery Fields

[Harlequin Historical]

Miniseries: Amish Brides of Celery Fields

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story line.This was an easy read and it has a lot of good values. This book is a christian book.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow.

[Sue Klasing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Elena Rose (The Bookish Queen) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful heartwarming story is about an Amish woman named Pleasant Obermeier. Previously left a widow, she works in a bakery, hoping to earn enough to support her four stepchildren. When her children learn that an ice cream shop will be opening in their community they are beyond excited. However, Pleasant is little more than thrilled; she is too scared to have a relationship with any of the Amish men. Will Pleasant ever have her happy ending?

[Rosemarie Hrncir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Enjoyed the development of each character in the book and the happy ending is always good. A book worth reading.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story!

[cindy moegenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 2023

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough story. Not great. I did like the historical setting.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obermeier makes this a truly interesting Amish read. She was different in a good way. The historical side to this series was amazing. I will certainly re-read this collection.