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Three Amish women yearn for the perfect wedding.
"A Perfect Plan" by Beth Wiseman
Priscilla King has been planning to marry Chester Lapp since she was sixteen years old, and when Chester proposes on Priscilla's nineteenth birthday, wedding plans begin immediately. What wasn't planned was all the problems the couple encounters as their big day approaches. A house disaster, a ruined wedding dress, and a sick attendant all make the couple wonder if God's sending them signs to call things off.
"The Perfect Match" by Kathleen Fuller
Naomi Fisher has had great success at matchmaking her family members and friends. Now with her sister's wedding right around the corner, Naomi wonders why she's able to find husbands for her friends and family, but not one for herself.
"The Perfect Secret" by Kelly Long
Rose Bender has recently become engaged to handsome but somber Luke Raber. She agrees out of a sense of duty and a willingness to settle for solid friendship as a basis for the engagement. But as she watches her friend's excitement over her soon-to-be wedding, Rose wonders if there shouldn't be more to her relationship with Luke. She begins to examine Luke and his life more closely and is amazed when she stumbles upon an exciting, secret side of him that engages her mind and heart.
The sunlight of early autumn filtered through the clear windowpanes and made passing shadows on the wide fir floor of the Bender farmhouse. The family was gathered for a hearty meal, and the gut smells of cooking mingled with robust conversation.
"I tell you that it's downright odd, that's what." Rose's father gestured with his fork to the lunch table at large. "Two of our hens—our best layers, mind you—a goat from the Lamberts', and the sheets from old Esther Mast's clothesline. All of it missing, and dozens of other things from the community over the past few months. I say there's a thief hereabouts, and that's the truth."
Rose's mother calmly passed the platter of sauerkraut and kielbasa to Rose's two older brothers to take seconds. Then she offered the fresh platter of airy biscuits to Aenti Tabitha, Father's sister, and nodded her head as her husband sputtered himself out.
"Maybe it's a Robin Hood type of thief," Aenti Tabitha ventured, her brown eyes shining. At fifty, she often seemed as young as a girl to Rose with all of her romantic ideas and flights of fancy. Yet her suggestion stilled Rose's hand for a moment over the saltshaker. What would it be like to meet such a romantic figure of a man? Dark and mysterious in nature ...
Abram Bender shook his head at Aenti Tabitha. "Tabby, you always have had a heart of gold—looking for the best in others. But Rob in the Hood, like the Englisch folktale? Taking from the rich to give to the poor? Who's poor in our community? Don't we all see to each other? Nee, this is just a thief, plain and simple. And I don't like it one bit."
"The weather'll change over the next month or so," Ben remarked over a forkful of boiled potatoes. "Any thief is likely to drop off in his ways once there's snow on the ground to track him."
"Or her," Rose said, for some reason wanting to provoke.
"What?" her father asked.
"I said her. Your thief could be a female, Daed." She didn't really think the thief was female, yet she had a strange urge to enter the suggestion into her father's mind.
Her daed gave a shout of laughter, then resumed eating. Ben turned to her with a smile while her other brother, James, just rolled his eyes.
"Rose, no woman in her right mind is going to go thieving about," Daed said. "It's a gut thing you're marrying Luke come December. Maybe he'll settle down some of your wild ideas."
"Perhaps." She smiled, her green eyes flashing heat for a brief second.
"Well," Ben interjected, "Rose's narrisch thoughts aside—there's a storm due tonight, supposed to be a doozy."
"Ya, I heard." Father rose from the table and hitched up his suspenders. "Come on, boys. We'd best tighten down a few things." He bent to pat Mamm's shoulder. "Danki for lunch." Then he pinched Rose's cheek fondly. "And no more foolish thoughts from you, my miss. Remember, you're to be a married woman soon."
Rose didn't respond. She toyed with her fork instead, making a mash of the potato as an idea began to take shape in her head.
* * *
As Rose cleared the lunch table mechanically, she avoided her aenti's eagle eyes. Ever since she'd been little, she'd felt as though Aenti Tabby could see the subdued thoughts churning inside her head, and just for a moment she wanted to debate the merits of her plan undisturbed. Still, she knew the intent look on her aunt's face and had to admit that the older woman's intuition had fended off trouble for her many a time. But today—something was different. Today Rose wanted trouble. She drew a sharp breath at the hazardous thought, but the idea fit with her nature of late. It seemed as though her spirit had grown more restless, less satisfied with life, ever since she'd accepted Luke's proposal. She'd tried to pray about it, stretching her feelings out before the Lord for guidance, but nothing had come to her.
Aenti Tabby caught her eye in an unguarded moment as they washed and wiped the dishes. "I'd like to see you in my room, Rose, after we clean up a bit. If you don't mind?"
"Um ... sure, Aenti Tabby, but I have to hurry. I'm going to bake some pies this afternoon."
"Bake? Pies?" Her aunt and mamm uttered the questions in unison, and Rose concentrated on dabbing at a nonexistent spot on a dish. The whole family knew that she was a hard worker, to be sure, but baking was not a skill that she possessed or an activity she particularly enjoyed.
"Ya." She nodded vigorously, forcing a soft curl to spring loose from the back of her kapp. "I need to practice, you know? Luke likes a gut apple pie, or perhaps blueberry." She stretched to put the plate away in the cupboard. "But I'll be glad to come and talk with you before I start."
* * *
Aunt Tabby, who had never married, lived with the Benders and was a cherished part of the home and family. Rose and her brothers often sought the sanctuary of their aunt's room for advice, comfort, or a smuggled sweet long after supper. But Rose knew that she had been distinctly absent lately from any visits with her beloved aenti and mentally prepared to face what might be some pointed, but truth-provoking, questions about herself and Luke.
Aunt Tabby sank down onto the comfortable maple bed with its patchwork quilt and patted a space next to her. "Kumme and sit, Rosie."
Rose blew out a breath, then came forward to relax into the age-old comfort of the well-turned mattress. She half smiled at her aenti, remembering times she'd jumped on the same bed and had once taken a header that nearly landed her in the windowsill. But that was childhood past—long past, or so it seemed to her heart.
"I'll not keep you long, Rose, but I want to ask—why did you agree to marry Luke?"
"What?"
The question was even more probing than she'd braced for, and a thousand answers swirled in her mind.
"Luke. Why did you accept his proposal?"
"Well ... because he's ... we're ... we've always been best friends."
Aunt Tabby frowned. "I've never married, child, but I do wonder if that is reason enough to build a life together."
Rose said, "It's made both of the families happy."
"That's true, but what about you? Are you happy?"
There was a long, disconsolate silence that wrung Rose's heart as her aunt touched her shoulder.
"I'm supposed to be happy," Rose said, thinking hard.
"Ya, that's true."
"I just—I expect too much, I guess. Like wanting some kind of—I don't know."
"Like wanting someone mysterious and romantic?"
Rose gazed in surprise at her aenti, who laughed out loud.
"I was young once too, and I think it's perfectly normal to want more from a relationship than just friendship. But maybe—maybe there's more to Luke Lantz than meets the eye. Have you thought of that?"
Rose shrugged as her aunt cleared her throat. "Luke's father—well, we courted some. He was always shy, but then ... well. He had it in him to do some fine kissing now and then."
Rose stared at her aenti's flushed face. "You and Matthew Lantz? Aenti Tabby—I never knew you dated him. Why didn't you marry him?"
"It wasn't what the Lord wanted for me."
Rose marveled at the simple statement. She knew her people lived by the will of Derr Herr, but to give up a relationship because of faith was difficult for her to comprehend. She knew she had spiritual miles to go before she would make a decision like that.
"Haven't you ever regretted it? Not even when—well, when Laura Lantz died of the influenza? You're still young, Aenti Tabby. Maybe you and Mr. Lantz could—"
"Nee," the older woman gently contradicted. "I've never regretted it, not even when Laura died. In truth, I believe I would have regretted more if I had not obeyed what I felt was the Lord's leading. And just think—had I married Matthew, there would be no Luke for you."
Rose frowned. "Ya, you're right."
"So, you will try, Rosie? To see all there is of him?" Her aunt gave her a hug.
"Ya, Aenti Tabby—all that there is."
He leaned back in the chair, letting himself drift for a moment until the familiar pleasure of imagining Rose came to mind. In truth, he couldn't believe she'd accepted his proposal so readily. He wasn't always the most persuasive of persons, and Rose could be headstrong.
He didn't jump when his father clapped him on the back.
"Dreaming of your bride, sohn?"
Luke smiled, looking over his shoulder. "She's worth the dreaming, Daed."
"To be sure. But now's the time to see what Joshua's managed for supper. Kumme."
He followed his father into the old farmhouse and stifled the urge to look about for his mother as he came through the door. It was difficult for him to believe that she was gone, even after two years. She'd been what the Bible called a "gentle and quiet spirit," but she'd been a vigorous light to each of them as well. He knew that part of what he loved about Rose was her own light and sweetness, and that her spirit was a balm to his grieving soul. He knew she'd bring that comfort to the whole house once they married, and he mentally charged himself once again with making sure that she wasn't overtaxed physically or emotionally with the inherent burden of taking on a household of men.
His brother Joshua looked up rather sheepishly from the stove when Daed asked what was for supper. "Fried potatoes and bacon."
Luke stifled a groan. He longed for variety—vegetables, pie, anything. Even when kindly members of the community brought them hot meals, it wasn't the same as having someone cook for them with love. And there had been no one to maintain a kitchen garden since Mamm passed, so they were restricted to more plain fare. Still, he knew it was food in his belly, and he was grateful for it. And so he told the Lord when Daed bowed for silent grace.
* * *
Rose squelched a sudden cry as the blueberry juice from the bubbling pie dripped over onto her hand. She hastily deposited the pie onto a rack and ran to soak the burn in the bowl of cool milk and vinegar she'd used in making the crusts. She glanced at the kitchen clock as she blew a loose tendril of hair away from her damp forehead and was glad to see that it was only just past seven. Her family was relaxing in the adjoining room after supper, and she'd volunteered to clean up alone so that she could finish her pies in peace. Now, if she could just keep Ben and James from wanting a taste ...
She lifted her hand from the milk and gazed ruefully at the half-inch-long red mark on the back of her hand. But it gave her an idea. Taking a scrap of dough, she opened the woodstove and threw the pastry piece inside. Within seconds, the smell of burning piecrust filled the air. She smiled and scooped up the pies, this time carefully holding a dish towel around each pan as she bumped open the back screen door with her hip.
She ignored the groans of her brothers as the burning smell hung in the early evening air, then set the pies on the porch rail. Now, if only no animal would take a nibble before she caught her real prey ...
"Rose!" Her mamm's voice echoed, and Rose flew back inside, closing the door carefully behind her. The unpleasant smell had wafted throughout the house.
"Mercy, child! What are you doing? Where are your pies?"
Rose sighed. "Outside."
"Burned that badly?" her mother asked as she fooled with the damper on the stove and waved a damp dish towel through the air.
Rose said a quick prayer for forgiveness as she delayed her response. She wasn't used to withholding the truth.
"Well, open the window then, so we can get some more fresh air in," Mamm urged.
"Ya, Mamm—open the window!" Ben bawled from the other room.
"And teach Rosie to bake before she kills poor Luke and the whole Lantz clan!" James's voice joined in the banter.
But Rose simply smiled as she wrestled with the heavy window; she had put her plan into action.
"It's too much, really. You have to stop." The Englisch woman's tone was torn between gratitude and remorse as she balanced a blueberry pie in her outstretched hand and a fussy toddler on her lean hip.
Her benefactor shrugged as another child, slightly older, clung to his leg in a familiar game.
"Mommy! His shirt's all dirty. Wash it!"
He laughed and brushed at the blueberry juice stain on the front of his sweatshirt.
"Never mind, Ally." He glanced around the tent, then back to the woman. "There's a storm coming tonight. Supposed to be bad. I don't like the idea of leaving you here."
She smiled. "The Lord will protect us. You staked the tent so well, and I doubt anything can shake this stand of pines."
"Have you had any word—I mean—do you know when?" He stared with intent into her eyes.
"No—nothing."
He nodded. "All right. I'd better go." He set the other pie down on the washstand near the quilt-covered cot and noted that he'd need to bring more blankets soon. He disengaged the little girl from his leg, then bent to receive her sweet kiss. "Good-bye," he whispered.
She clung to his neck. "Thank you for the pies. Tell the lady thank you too."
"The lady?"
"Who made the pies."
He smiled. "Maybe I will."
* * *
Rose waited until the house had been asleep for more than half an hour before she crept from her room, avoiding the third step from the bottom of the back staircase and its telltale squeak. She almost giggled to herself as she maneuvered, remembering a time she'd sneaked out to see Luke when they were young. They thought they could catch the biggest bullfrog from the local pond, the one with the baritone that soothed the locals to sleep on summer nights, if they could only get there late at night. They'd ended up with no frog, muddy clothes, and stiff reprimands from frustrated mothers the next morning. It had been fun, but that was a long time ago.
Rose told herself that she wasn't a child anymore, looking for grandfather frogs on moonlit nights. No—she was a woman who wanted to hunt for something, someone—whose very nature seemed to call to her. Rob in the Hood, as some of her people called him from the old German rendition of the tale. She tiptoed across the kitchen floor and then gained the back porch. She switched on a flashlight and caught her breath, then smiled; both pies were gone without a trace. Of course, she told herself, as she stole into the wind-whipped air, a possum could have gotten them, but an animal would have left an overturned plate, a trail, a mess. A thief more likely would not ...
(Continues...)
Excerpted from An Amish Wedding by Kelly Long Kathleen Fuller Beth Wiseman Copyright © 2011 by Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Long, and Elizabeth Wiseman Mackey. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
KatyYL
Posted November 24, 2011
Three short stories set in an Amish community, the book tells the sweet stories of three couples. Along with the romance and conflict, there were lessons of faith woven throughout.
I like the way how the three stories are different yet the characters all intertwined, giving a common backdrop. I also liked learning a bit of the Amish culture, and now it makes me want to visit one.
While the stories are a bit simplistic and the endings fairytale-ish, there is nothing wrong with getting away from the high drama, violence and sex themes of what you usually see in media entertainment nowadays. Again the description I would give is sweet: sweet characters, sweet storyline, everything about it is nice and sweet!
Disclosure: Thomas Nelson provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for this review. Opinions are entirely my own.
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Three Amish women yearn for the perfect wedding.
In the first story "A Perfect Plan" by Beth Wiseman, Prisilla King is faced with so many distractions as she plans her wedding with Chester Lapp. She becomes a doubting Thomas and is afraid all these things are bad omen which is not in her belief. She pray for God's will be done if she is to marry Chester. Fear is our enemy it can cause us to be blinded to God's will.
I rate this story a five out of five.
In the second story "The Perfect Match" by Kathleen Fuller, Naomi Fisher has a gift for matchmaking. But this gift does not work for herself. She fears will be an old maid never to marry. But the tables turn on her when she is trying to be a matchmaker for a friend and a so called best man that is in town for her sisters wedding. She seemed to think her will was greater than God's will. II like the way the story unfolded.
I rate this story a five out of five.
In the third story "The Perfect Secret" by Kelly Long, Rose Bender is to marry Luke Raber.
But he is so laid back and somewhat boring. She was expecting a little more romance since they become engaged. Then things start to get strange when she starts fantasizing about him and he is fantasizing about her. But they can't seem to be honest with each other about their true feelings. This is a really cute story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I rate this story a five out of five.
*********
I highly recommend this book.
I rate this book a five out of five.
Disclosure:
I was provided a copy for review from Booksneeze. I was in no way compensated for my review it is my own opinion.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ThesePrettyWords
Posted December 15, 2011
¿A Perfect Plan¿ by Beth Wiseman
This book is a compilation of three novellas all centered around the love lives of a group of intertwined Amish women. The first story, A Perfect Plan, follows the over-stressed and superstitious Priscilla who is engaged to charming Chester Lapp. The story is sweet and romantic, but it focuses on what happens when everything you want to be perfect kind of falls apart.
I found these characters a lot of fun to read about and could literally feel their tension increase as things started falling apart around them. Of the three, this book had the most Christianity written ¿ lots of praying and talking about God and his plan for the young couple.
¿The Perfect Match¿ by Kathleen Fuller
This story was, by far, my favorite of the three. The romance between cautious Naomi and adorable Zeke was absolutely perfect ¿ sweet and kind, with bits of heat thrown in there (it¿s Amish fiction, folks ¿ heat means kissing). I thought the author did a fabulous job of introducing her characters to the readers and kept her pacing strong throughout. Naomi¿s hesitancy to open her heart again after having it crushed comes through loud and clear. And Zeke¿ well, he¿s just about as perfect as perfect gets.
Immediately after reading this novella, I went online to find more books my Kathleen Fuller. I am really looking forward to reading her other series, though is she chose to write a little more about Naomi and Zeke, I wouldn¿t complain a bit.
¿The Perfect Secret¿ by Kelly Long
This novella was my least favorite of the three though still well-written. I simply didn¿t feel that it stayed true to what, in my opinion, is the core of what Amish fiction should be about. There was stealing, lying, kind-of-cheating. And while the story concluded with the standard acceptance of God¿s word and forgiveness, I just really feel like the plot was a bit too far off for me to suspend my disbelief. Lovely writing, just not for me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Ellinia
Posted May 3, 2012
Love all thing Amish? Enjoy a soul-soothing, quirky and romantic Christian fiction? Well then, ‘The Amish Wedding’ is just the right book for you. It’s a compilation of 3 stories by 3 great Christian fiction authors. I love all the stories equally and I spent a great time reading this book.
I’ll be honest with you. I’m not exactly a fan of Amish fiction. Most of the time, I feel that they are too traditional, backward and restrictive, but this book change my mind about Amish fiction. Amish fiction can be fun and romantic too. I’m glad the authors showed me that.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.dogloverVG
Posted March 13, 2012
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was nice with no bad language and appropriate for all ages, young teen and up...a good read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Three different authors, three different stories and three young women. all of them are friends living in the same community and all have something in common, they are preparing for their weddings and dealing with the challenges that come with it.
Rose, who was recently engaged to her best friend Luke, begins to wonder if she's made the right choice. Luke seems distant, and not like the man of her dreams.
Naomi is a successful matchmaker for everyone except herself. Naomi thinks she is destined to live life alone, but her sister's approaching wedding makes her question her decision.
Priscilla is preparing for the perfect wedding she's dreamed of since she was sixteen. She is completely in love with Chester, but as things go wrong with the wedding preparations, they begin to doubt...
I loved this book. The authors did a skillful job using the same setting to tell the interwoven stories. The plots are interesting, but it's the characters that keep you reading. The characters are genuinely likeable. Their problems are relatable and the resolutions are satisfying. Everyone knows weddings cause large levels of stress for most everyone involved and things simply go wrong, but this book puts a spin on that common factor with a focus on what marriage is and how the wedding is not the marriage.If you're a fan of Amish stories, or love romance, you'll likely enjoy this book!
Anonymous
Posted June 26, 2012
Three stories wrapped in one time frame.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 14, 2012
I found that I really liked the Amish terms used throughout! This was a book that was hard for me to put down.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 13, 2012
I hsve enjoyed the book very much. I gives a great idea of the Amish and their traditions and beliefs.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.cm43
Posted March 13, 2012
Refreshingly pure story. Light enjoyable reading.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 13, 2012
Written for Amish women, I'm not kidding. Pretty easy to figure out what will happen in all three stories.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 2, 2012
It was an Ok book. The stories dragged......
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 17, 2012
These three Amish stories by these three authors were inter-related and so well-written and interesting, Highly recommended.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Mamakucingbooks
Posted December 20, 2011
This is not my first time reading Amish fiction. In fact I have read "Amish Love" by the same authors which I have enjoyed very much.
This time, I was rather disappointed by Kelly Long's "The Perfect Secret". I feel that the story was a bit dragging. I wish the pace of this story is a bit faster.
As for "The Perfect Match" , it was fun. I am not sure how many of you would categories this story as fun but for me I enjoyed it. The character Naomi was a very charming lady.
Beth Wiseman's "A Perfect Plan" is not bad too. It houses many interesting things that would or may happen dring planning a wedding.
Despite some what disappointed by the first story, I find that the link between these 3 novella makes this book an enjoyable reads. It's perfect for those who are thinking of marriage.
Many thanks to the authors for thoughtfulness in adding a Glosary at the beginning of the book. It certainly helped me understand the story much better.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.JamieLittle
Posted December 14, 2011
An Amish Wedding is a collection of three wonderful stories, each one written by a different well-known author of Amish fiction. Though the stories are all written by different authors, they are all intertwined with each individual story focusing on a different couple.
I really enjoyed reading this book. You might remember that I recently posted about a book that was rather short; I found it rushed and felt like there wasn't enough depth to the story. While each of the stories in this book are quite short, they are all intertwined so you get backstory on a variety characters even though each story mainly focuses on a few. I enjoyed be able to spend a bit of time with the characters without the story getting old. I also thought that this book might seem chopped up since it was written by three authors, but I found the stories to flow well and didn't have a hard time leaving off one story and picking up another.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.
BMSmom
Posted December 4, 2011
An Amish Wedding is the wonderfully seamless gathering of three Amish novellas by best-selling authors Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Kelly Long. This engaging work of fiction follows three possible brides on their separate paths as they come together for a traditional Amish wedding. Kelly Long begins the journey in A Perfect Secret as Luke Lantz purposes marriage to the beautiful nineteen-year-old Rose Bender. The two have been close friends for most of their young lives and their union would be pleasing to both families. But is that really enough of a reason to marry? Could there be more to a happy life than what they currently have? As Rose ponders what path she shall take, she helps as her dear friend Priscilla prepares for her own marriage to Chester Lapp. In A Perfect Match Fuller continues the story with Rose¿s sister Naomi King. Naomi runs a small, successful bakery from her home. Satisfied with her life, Naomi acts as match-maker to those she loves instead of searching for a husband for herself. Her heart has been hurt before and she is not sure if it will ever fully heal. But after Chester¿s handsome visiting cousin Zeke arrives in town Naomi will be tested in her beliefs. The tale is completed by Wiseman in A Perfect Plan. Readers are invited into the lives of Priscilla and Chester as they prepare for their upcoming nuptials. The couple must hurdle many obstacles on their path to marriage and begin to wonder if their love is really enough. Although I was at first concerned how the three stories would work together, I was pleasantly surprised by the smooth and continuous flow between novellas. The characters of this romantic, and at times humorous, story are joined not only through their community, but by their search for the true meaning of love. An Amish Wedding is well worth the read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.jbrewer
Posted November 28, 2011
I recently had the chance to review this wonderful Amish fiction book. It is written by three different writers with three different stories,but are based on characters that come together . Each novel features a story on love. We follow Priscilla King,Rose and Naomi. Each one with a different twist and turn to their love lives. One on the quest of finding out who her childhood friend and the man she is engaged too. She wants to find out who he truly is and what his secret is. The other of wanting to find love and the other where many thins keep happening before her big day. It was a very wonderful read and I love how even though it was written by three different people,it all ties together in the end. Very great read!!
I received this free from booksneeze for my honest review
Kellie4
Posted November 23, 2011
An Amish Wedding, by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long was written into three books, with each author taking a book and putting their personal flair and touches to it. It was a very easy read with a very simple plot line. I would really have liked to see more climax to each of the stories as well as more thought out problems that occur in life. The problems that each of the bride-to-be¿s faced was so simple, it was almost funny. I kept thinking to myself, ¿Man, these authors need to walk in my shoes for a day and they might come up with something more!¿
Besides the simplicity of it, it was a good read. The characters were well developed and the writing was nicely done. Also, if you are not familiar with the Old Order Amish ways of life, each author does a good job describing some of the most important details with their readers.
One last thing that I enjoyed was how the books were interwoven. This made for an easy flow from one book to the other as each had a connection to the others. However, that being said, the first books connection was not as prevalent or woven in as the other two.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
"An Amish Wedding" is a collection of three short stories written by three very popular Amish writers, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long. Most of the books that I have read that contained stories from three different writers usually don't connect but with this one the authors weave their stories together. "A Perfect Secret' by Kelly Long is the first story and the main characters are 19 year old Rose Bender and 23 year old Luke Lantz. Luke and Rose have been friends for years so when he proposes marriage in a calm manner, she is a bit disappointed after all she hoped for a bit of romance, but Luke's idea that their marriage be based on friendship and beneficial to both families makes sense so she accepts. While she believes she knows everything their is to know about Luke she soon learns differently. "A Perfect Match" by Kathleen Fuller is the story of Naomi King and Zeke. Naomi has always been a successful matchmaker for her friends and family. Even at the age of twenty-five she hadn't ever felt pressure from her friends or family to marry, after all her life was full and satisfying. When her friend Margaret asks for help in finding a beau, she decides to try and make a match between Margaret and Zeke Lapp who has come to town for his cousin Chester's wedding. Of course things really never go as planned, will she be able to pair Margaret and Zeke together or does God have other ideas? "A Perfect Plan" by Beth Wiseman is the story of Pricilla King and Chester Lapp. As their wedding day approaches things seem to keep going wrong,is it a sign from God that they should call the wedding off? I always enjoy reading short stories and this book was no different. The one thing that I really liked was the fact that the characters intertwined in the stories, allowing the plot to connect even though each story was written by a different author. I think fans of Amish fiction will certainly enjoy this book, and for someone that has never read any of the Amish authors featured it is certainly a nice way to sample their work. Another great thing about reading a book like this is that it is easy to pick up and put down,although I found myself reading it in a few sittings. For me my favorite story had to be " A Perfect Secret" by Kelly Long, but overall each story was great! This book was provided by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is a novella by three different authors; all set in the same Amish town. I'll let you read the book descriptions for each story since it's three stories instead of one. But each story is sweet and involves a couple in the Amish community. It's romantic, faith-filled and simple.
I enjoyed the book. The stories were simple and had a very predictable outcome. But each story taught a lesson about life, such as patience, faith and love. Anyone who enjoys Christian fiction or Amish fiction will enjoy reading these stories.
I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest opinion.
Overview
Three Amish women yearn for the perfect wedding.
"A Perfect Plan" by Beth Wiseman
Priscilla King has been planning to marry Chester Lapp since she was sixteen years old, and when Chester proposes on Priscilla's nineteenth birthday, wedding plans begin immediately. What wasn't planned was all the problems the couple encounters as their big day approaches. A house disaster, a ruined wedding dress, and a sick attendant all make the couple wonder ...