An Amish Love

An Amish Love

by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Long

Romance is in the air, old-fashioned courtship is alive and well, and love is an eternal promise.

Healing Hearts by Beth Wiseman

He left to find himself. She found her way without him. Now Levina and Naaman Lapp are together again, feeling miles apart. Although coming home was the right thing to do, Naaman must regain the trust and respect of his wife who, in his absence, has learned to trust God like never before. Could it be that their prior years together have simply been a preface to a greater love than they have ever known?

A Marriage of the Heart by Kelly Long

Abigail Kauffman is looking for a way out; Joseph Lambert is seeking a way in. Since her mother's death, Abby has lived alone with her father and longs to escape the emptiness of the farmhouse that has never felt like home. Joseph Lambert is a newcomer in their close-knit community. Only after they find themselves suddenly married to each other do they begin to understand the tender truths of life-long love.

What the Heart Sees by Kathleen Fuller

When Ellie Chupp loses her sight in an accident--and then her boyfriend shortly after that--she believes love will never be in her future. But Christopher Miller has returned home, five years after fleeing from the tragedy that broke his heart. When Ellie and Chris meet again, sparks fly. Could true love be a matter of seeing with new eyes?

Genres: Amish, Romance, Christian Fiction, Amish Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Audiobook

400 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2010

About the author

"I wish I had the time to review books and chat with you here, but my writing deadlines just don't allow it. Please like my Fans of Beth Wiseman Page on Facebook where I try to post any news and interact with readers."
Beth is the best-selling and award winning author of the Daughters of the Promise series - Plain Perfect, Plain Pursuit, Plain Promise, Plain Paradise, and Plain Proposal. She is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Her other series--the Land of Canaan Novels--begins with Seek Me With All Your Heart, then The Wonder of Your Love and now, His Love Endures Forever. Seek Me With All Your Heart is the first Amish fiction book selected as a Women of Faith novel in 2011. Beth has also written three contemporary Christian fiction novels, Need You Now published in 2012 and The House That Love Built in 2013. In The Promise, (2014) Beth jumps way outside the box. This story takes readers far away from Amish Country and small Texas towns to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by a true story, Beth believes this is the book she’s been working toward for a long time. 2015 brings Beth back to the Pennsylvania Amish with her new series, Amish Secrets. She is currently working on book #2 following much success with book #1, Her Brother's Keeper.

You can also follow Beth on Twitter: @BethWiseman

Reviews

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every once in a while I don't have very much time to read and I enjoy picking up a novella. If written well, I still get the pleasure of a good book without the frustration of having to put the book down while in the middle of the story. So I picked this book up because I'd read books by Beth Wiseman before and enjoyed them.

Each story was unique. I certainly wasn't expecting the mid-life crisis plot from Healing Hearts. It was unusual and a fun change from the typical Amish fiction. A Marriage of the Heart was more what I was expecting - sweet and romantic. But I still enjoyed it. What the Heart Sees had a bit more drama, but was also romantic.

I enjoyed all three books and look forward to reading things by these authors again.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apart from the fact that I felt like there were a few scenarios that weren’t truly Amish I found the stories interesting and touching. I enjoy the occasional Novella to change up my reading/ listening.

[Tracy Smith]

Will read at another time.

[Vickie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all three story In a different way . A great read.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my kind of book! I loved it and never wanted it to end! The three stories take place in the same Amish community and some of the characters appear in the other stories. The book is written by three great Amish story tellers, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Kelly Long. The first is about a hurting girl who tricks an newly baptized Amishman into marriage. Loved how this story unfolded and how love and forgiveness abounds. The second story is about a tragic accident and death. Again this book has a lot to do about forgiveness and dealing with a handicap. You will love how Ellie deals with her blindness. Will love prevail? The last story is Naaman and Lavina and a lot of forgiveness! Naaman has returned home after abandoning his family for almost a year. Some of his children forgive easily while the others are not ready. You will love how Naaman tries to win back Lavina...dates, notes and even kite flying! As I said I didn't want this book to end, want to go along with their lives. I also loved the recipes that were included in this book! I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review. I was not required to give a complementary review, nor was I compensated. The opinions express are my own.

[Gina Hott · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Healing Hearts" by Beth Wiseman
This book made me so angry! After all those kids and 30 years of marriage he just up and walks out saying he's going to visit relatives? I think not!
Anyway, it was a good story and I ended up liking him in the end - though I still thought they were too easy on him.

"What the Heart Sees" by Kathleen Fuller
How enthralling! This was such a sweet book but you could feel the secrets and anger. It's a reminder that we must forgive to move on -- and that we're not always angry at the person we're taking it out on...

"A Marriage of the Heart" by Kelly Long
As I rule, I don't really like "Amish" books but something about this one drew me. This particular novella was set in Paradise which is only a bit up the road so it felt like home. I really enjoyed this because it felt so real. Real issues. Real relationships. Real struggles. It wasn't the feel good tripe painting them without personalities that I've found in some. It was really well written and a terrific way to spend a couple of hours.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing way to showcase the faith of an Amish person. The love and faith encompassed in the families is something that one may only dream about. It makes me wonder what it would be like to have a community and family that loves without fear and offers forgiveness without fail.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is nice. I love it. I like t he concept of multiple storiesin one instead of having to uy separate books.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Another great book to read or listen to. There were 3 great books in this novel to enjoy! I really enjoy reading about the Amish culture.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think these authors had more in mind than writing some nice little love stories. Packed in the stories are valuable truths about what it means when Jesus is Lord of our lives.

[Cherese Akhavein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three wonderful Novellas by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long
First : The Healing Hearts by Beth Wiseman is a story of finding your way back together. Naaman Lapp left home a year ago to go to his cousins in Ohio, now he is home and hie wife Levina is trying to come to terms with him leaving and where they stand now, they were empty nesters and lost what they had when they wer first married. Can they find there way back to each other? Can Levina forgive Naaman for leaving her and their family? Can he forgive himself, when he still does not even know for sure why he left in the first place. This was a very good short story of understanding, forgiveness and coming to terms with the life you had as parents and the life you will have as married partners who spent yerars together but not necessarily together since you spent those years raising your children. I very much enjoyed this story and believe you will as well. Beth Wiseman did a wonderful job.
The second story is A Marriage of the Heart by Kelly Long
Abigail Kauffman wants nothing more than to escape the life she has with her father, since her mother died it's been just her and her father and she longs for a better life.
Joseph Lambert is seeking a new life back into the community, after Abigail and Joseph suddenly find themself married to each other they slowly start to understand what true love and long understanding of that love and life means.
This story is a look at what a parent will do to protect a child and then what that child will do to cherish a parent once the truth is revealed. It's a story of coming to understand oneself through the mistakes you have made and growing in the process. You don't want to miss reading this Kelly Long story, it's very good.
The third story is: What the Heart sees by Kathleen Fuller:
Ellie Chupp struggles with nightmares still after five years after the terrible accident that took the life of her best friend in the car accident and left her blind, will she ever be able to have a good night sleep. She has long since forgave her cousin Isaiah who was driving and her life is wonderful. She has her own little business selling jam and jellies, she gets around just fine with her cane, and she even manages to cook and run the house with little help, so why now after five years have the nightmares returned?
Christopher Miller has come home after five years, not sure why other than his mothers letters pleaded with him, truth be told he missed his family but now that he is back the memories flood him and so does his anger for his once friend Isaiah who killed is beloved Caroline. And when he finds out his sister is to marry Isaish it's almost to much.
Can he come to terms with the accident that changed everything, can Ellie help Chirs or will Chris help Ellie?
I sure you will be as intreging with this story as I was, it forces you to step out of your comfort zone and look at what will happen if suddenly your life changes and you have to rely on your strength to carry you through. Also it looks at fogiving others for what you can't change. Realizing that even though you are hurting others in that situation are as well and we must look at the whole situation as a whole. This was a wonderful story and you don't want to miss reading this Kathleen Fuller Story.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three very good Amish Fiction novellas in one. I enjoyed all three.

In story one... "A Message of the Heart"... Abigail wants to get away from her father and his "rule and cold distance" and so she tells a lie about a young man and her father forces her to marry the boy right away. Unfortunately, Abigail does not get away from her father because her new husband just moves in with them. Her mother had died when she was very young and because of it she lacked many things. Love being one of them. But...
"...you got more than you bargained for, my sweet." He lifted her chin so that she was forced to meet his dark eyes. " I don't want the English ways, Abigail Lambert-that's why I came back. And I will honor this marriage and the responsibilities it entails. And my expectation is for you to do the same." pg 11

There are many twists and turns in this book and both Abigail and her new husband Joseph Lambert have much growing up to still do and what of their marriage. Will they learn to love each other? Will Abigail's relationship with her father ever change? Read to find out the answers to these and other questions.

In book two... "What the Heart Sees"... we have people in turmoil. An Amish young lady who had been wounded physically (lost her sight) and emotionally by an accident, another family with a brother who lost the girl he was going to marry in the same accident, and a sister who is marrying the boy who was driving the car when the accident occurred, and parents and friends trying to help them all deal with this. There are twists and turns in this book as well and secrets yet to be revealed... a very good read!

In book three... "Healing Hearts"... an Amish man, Naaman, who struggled with an empty nest and feelings of distance from his wife, abandoned his family, just went for a visit to his cousins in Ohio and didn't come back for 11 months! I have never heard of such a thing! He comes back home and has much to deal with with his wife and his grown children, some of whom struggle more than other with forgiveness. He decides to try courting his wife again. In this time of restoration there is much to be learned. Maybe God will even bring something good out of all this. You will have to read the book to find out.

Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
#11 - A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover (hats)

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains three rather unique Amish novellas about love and forgiveness. They were reasonably well written, but I enjoyed the second and third novellas a lot more than the first one.

"Healing Hearts" -- Beth Wiseman (2.5 Stars; this was a story about how to forgive and reconcile when a spouse returns after having left the family for over a year; the relationships between Naaman and his wife and between him and his kids were all resolved far too easily for my liking):
"He left to find himself. She found her way without him. Now Levina and Naaman Lapp are together again, feeling miles apart. Although coming home was the right thing to do, Naaman must regain the trust and respect of his wife who, in his absence, has learned to trust God like never before. Could it be that their prior years together have simply been a preface to a greater love than they have ever known?"

"A Marriage of the Heart"-- Kelly Long (5 stars; this was a well written and hilarious love story that takes place after a "shotgun wedding):
Abigail Kauffman is looking for a way out; Joseph Lambert is seeking a way in. Since her mother's death, Abby has lived alone with her father and longs to escape the emptiness of the farmhouse that has never felt like home. Joseph Lambert is a newcomer in their close-knit community. Only after they find themselves suddenly married to each other do they begin to understand the tender truths of life-long love."

"What the Heart Sees" -- Kathleen Fuller (3.5 stars; well, I expected to like this story more than I did because I had already met the characters in "A Heart Full of Love" in "An Amish Cradle," but in this story, Ellie's mom has a completely different first name than she did in the other story, and it annoyed me so much):
"When Ellie Chupp loses her sight in an accident--and then her boyfriend shortly after that--she believes love will never be in her future. But Christopher Miller has returned home, five years after fleeing from the tragedy that broke his heart. When Ellie and Chris meet again, sparks fly. Could true love be a matter of seeing with new eyes?"

[Gaylina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all three of these books and their authors. Refreshing to look at real life problems despite our own different denominations, such as the Amish. No one’s life or church is perfect. These three stories point to our fears, imperfections and forgiveness. I especially enjoyed Beth Wiseman’s story, Healing Hearts. It’s rare to find a romance with couples that are older. Even though, in this case, they are only 49 years old and have a beautiful 2nd half of life love story. Also, A Marriage of the Heart by Kelly Long, was about a man and woman in their 40’s. Most of the Amish romances are 20 something people. It’s nice to look at the Amish life from an older persons side of things. I really enjoyed these books and like the novellas and this one in particular because it continued the same characters in each story. That was fun. Each author put her own spin on her story.

[Mayda · Rating 3 out of 5]

These novellas were a bit different from other Amish. I did not find the stories especially engaging or believable. A girl who lies to her father, to get a young man in trouble with the community finds herself being manipulated instead. In the second story, another lie is told to hide a secret. And in the third, a husband and father abandons his father for nearly a year, to find himself. The stories were entertaining, if a bit far fetched.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed all three stories and it’s hard to pick a favorite because they all speak to strengths and weaknesses of character that cause us to doubt and fear. I definitely related to Levina and Naaman’s empty nest situation and how a marriage suffers when we stop communicating with each other. I was drawn to the crossroads both Abby and Joseph find themselves at when they’re both desperate for a new beginning. Their individual struggles, their emotional honesty and their changed hearts is a lesson we can all learn from. Ellie and Christopher’s second chance for happiness comes about after a painful past, a lesson in honesty and true forgiveness that we can all learn from.

[Heather Bridson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, it has three stories all from the same Amish community, sharing some of the same characters. Each is a wonderful love story, with the second one being my favorite. Just perfect stories to read all curled up at night. Makes me miss romance. Anyway, the stories are well written and the characters are great! Great read. Yet another great find at the local thrift store!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Marriage of the Heart" by Kelly Long (2/28/20)
This one started out a little "Whaaattt?!" Then it picked up. Enjoyable in the end. 4 stars (rounded) for this story.

"What the Heart Sees" by Kathleen Fuller (3/4/20)
Wonderful story with a great lesson. 5 stars.

"Healing Hearts" by Beth Wiseman (3/4/20)
This one had me grinning ear to ear. 5 stars.

Overall: 4+, but I'll round for the 5.

Addendum: I have rethought it, and the 4+ is not quite a round. But 4 stars is still very good.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another collection of 4 stories loosely connected. Did not love the first one, as I don't think forced (not arranged) marriage should be celebrated or romanticized. Felt the third story veered a bit into melodrama. I do enjoy the humanizing of the Amish in stories like these. Overall wholesome and sweet.

[Allyson Kloss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since the Amish are traditional, this book shows you an inside look on how the Amish fall in love while keeping their faith involved. It’s a lovely book about how love and faith can build a strong relationship with another person.

[Joseph P. Towery · Rating 5 out of 5]

great books

I loved the story and made me really think . God puts us where he needs us. It's not always easy to understand why things happen in our lives .

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. All three books were great.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ellie Chupp loses her sight in an accident--and then her boyfriend shortly after that--she believes love will never be in her future

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

actually had listened to this last year, but didn't mark it as such; enjoyed it again though.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice collection. I enjoyed the exposure to authors that are fairly new to me and it propelled me to also read each of their collections that contains these stories.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

First novella: 5/5 Stars
Second novella: 4/5 Stars
Third novella: 5/5 Stars

[Melissa Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all the stories. The last one made me cry.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Loved all the stories in the book!! Love Kathleen fuller and Beth Wiseman books!! Haven't read much By kelly long!!

[Becky haxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful read. Couldn't put it down

[Julie Jobe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite of books, but okay.