Scan barcode
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
Amish Celebrations by Beth Wiseman is a collection of Amish novellas. The Gift of Sisters is the story of Hannah and Rachel, fraternal twins, who will shortly turn sixteen and enter their rumschpringe. The sisters have always been close, but newcomer Abram Stoltzfus comes between them. Hannah, the beautiful and outgoing sister, quickly catches his attention knowing her sister was interested in him. Gideon has been friends with the twins their whole life, but he has fallen in love with Rachel. Does he stand a chance against the charming Abraham? Will the twins let a man come between them?
A New Beginning takes us to Paradise, Pennsylvania. Noah will soon be baptized and then marry Rebecca Fisher. He decides to enjoy a last Englisch party before his rumschpringe ends. Noah spends the evening talking with McKenna. Two weeks later, Noah calls off his wedding to Rebecca. Paul Fisher, Rebecca’s brother, has yet to be baptized and has been quietly meeting with McKenna. After seeing McKenna hug Noah, he jumps to conclusions and quits seeing her. What made Noah change his mind? Will there be a happy ending for these two couples?
In A Christmas Miracle, young Rachel Marie King sneaks off to visit Santa and his elf at the local toy store to request help for her mother for Christmas. Bruce Hanson, the Santa and Joan, the elf, are touched by the little girl’s request and send a check to the family. Mary King has five children under the age of seven and she is overwhelmed and exhausted. Gabriel, Mary’s husband, does not understand why Mary cannot keep a clean house and take care of the children as well. He is tired of sandwiches and coming home to a disorganized home. Mary visits Bruce to return the check which gives Joan a chance to talk with Mary. Joan feels God is calling her help the worn-out mother and begins visiting her with Bruce tagging along. Bruce has been at odds with God since the loss of his wife but being around the King family is helping him resolve his issues. See how God helps these individuals during the holiday season.
The fourth novella, A Perfect Plan was previously published in An Amish Wedding. I enjoyed reading these lovely Amish stories. They are well-written and engaging. My favorite novella was A Christmas Miracle. It is such a sweet, heartwarming story with good characters, special message, humor and a satisfying ending. I like how the Christian values and themes were incorporated into the story. We see the importance of having strong faith, the power of prayer, how God has a plan for our lives, events happen in God’s timing—not ours, the value of helping others and how God is always there for us. Beth Wiseman creates delightful characters. Though each story is short, we get to know them and see them develop. My least favorite story was The Gift of Sisters. I felt the two sisters were too young to become serious about a beau (they are considering marriage). It is realistic with two sisters fighting over a boy, but I thought it was predictable. My rating for Amish Celebrations is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). Amish Celebrations contains stories that will touch your heart.
A New Beginning takes us to Paradise, Pennsylvania. Noah will soon be baptized and then marry Rebecca Fisher. He decides to enjoy a last Englisch party before his rumschpringe ends. Noah spends the evening talking with McKenna. Two weeks later, Noah calls off his wedding to Rebecca. Paul Fisher, Rebecca’s brother, has yet to be baptized and has been quietly meeting with McKenna. After seeing McKenna hug Noah, he jumps to conclusions and quits seeing her. What made Noah change his mind? Will there be a happy ending for these two couples?
In A Christmas Miracle, young Rachel Marie King sneaks off to visit Santa and his elf at the local toy store to request help for her mother for Christmas. Bruce Hanson, the Santa and Joan, the elf, are touched by the little girl’s request and send a check to the family. Mary King has five children under the age of seven and she is overwhelmed and exhausted. Gabriel, Mary’s husband, does not understand why Mary cannot keep a clean house and take care of the children as well. He is tired of sandwiches and coming home to a disorganized home. Mary visits Bruce to return the check which gives Joan a chance to talk with Mary. Joan feels God is calling her help the worn-out mother and begins visiting her with Bruce tagging along. Bruce has been at odds with God since the loss of his wife but being around the King family is helping him resolve his issues. See how God helps these individuals during the holiday season.
The fourth novella, A Perfect Plan was previously published in An Amish Wedding. I enjoyed reading these lovely Amish stories. They are well-written and engaging. My favorite novella was A Christmas Miracle. It is such a sweet, heartwarming story with good characters, special message, humor and a satisfying ending. I like how the Christian values and themes were incorporated into the story. We see the importance of having strong faith, the power of prayer, how God has a plan for our lives, events happen in God’s timing—not ours, the value of helping others and how God is always there for us. Beth Wiseman creates delightful characters. Though each story is short, we get to know them and see them develop. My least favorite story was The Gift of Sisters. I felt the two sisters were too young to become serious about a beau (they are considering marriage). It is realistic with two sisters fighting over a boy, but I thought it was predictable. My rating for Amish Celebrations is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). Amish Celebrations contains stories that will touch your heart.
farmfreshlisa's review
4.0
Amish Celebrations is a collection of four novellas by bestselling author Beth Wiseman. Each of the novellas are geared around a celebration of some sort, and explore life within the Amish community. While Amish fiction isn’t my favorite to read, I have found a few authors that I do enjoy with their “not-so-cookie-cutter” presentation of the unique culture. Beth Wiseman is one of those authors...
I found that all of these novellas were very well flushed out. It was easy to understand the characters and their situations. The plots were a bit more unusual for Amish fiction, and I enjoyed that. The characters in these novellas had real life “baggage” which affected their day-to-day lives and decisions they had to make.
Of the four stories, I think I enjoyed A New Beginning and A Christmas Miracle the best, although all of them were well written.
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way for my opinion.
I found that all of these novellas were very well flushed out. It was easy to understand the characters and their situations. The plots were a bit more unusual for Amish fiction, and I enjoyed that. The characters in these novellas had real life “baggage” which affected their day-to-day lives and decisions they had to make.
Of the four stories, I think I enjoyed A New Beginning and A Christmas Miracle the best, although all of them were well written.
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way for my opinion.
historical_bookworm's review
4.0
Beth Wiseman delivered another book of Amish fiction, each story centers around celebrations and is full of love, happiness, and even sadness but by the end of each story all turns out perfectly.
amrb521's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mimiathereader's review
5.0
I was listening to this book on audio and kept saying to myself that these are such good stories! I still agree with the statement.
This book is a collection of four novellas (that I kept thinking would be shorter than they actually were which was completely fine by me!) about Amish women. Besides being Amish and women, they didn't have that much in common. Two were almost-16-year-old twin sisters (from The Gift of Sisters), another two were engaged and faced some problems of a very difering nature leading to the wedding (A New Beginning and A Perfect Plan) and the last one was a married young mom of five (A Christmas Miracle). They all faced different struggles and surpassed them.
But what really made me not wanting to stop listening and all of them such good stories is that they were stories about real people. The stories had Amish characters (and some non-Amish too) but they could have been about anyone. Sisters that loved each other but were angry and sometimes envious of each other. A bride-to-be wondering if she chose the right path. A overwhelmed mother that struggled with everything life asked of her and that had never learnt how to run a household. We know these struggles, we know these people, sometimes we are like them.
I also liked that the characters were in situations that make you wonder: what would I have done in this situation? What if that was me? And even some more deeper questions: what does it mean to love someone? How do we know we are following God's will and not our own?
Other random things I enjoyed: The existence of a character with a severe mental disability (not a main character but still good to see one somewhere), families loving each other even if they sometimes were not perfect, babies!, the narrator and, certainly, other things that I can't remeber right now.
This was a very good surprise because good stories are hard to find!
I received a copy of this book via NetGaley and Zondervan. All opinions are my own.
This book is a collection of four novellas (that I kept thinking would be shorter than they actually were which was completely fine by me!) about Amish women. Besides being Amish and women, they didn't have that much in common. Two were almost-16-year-old twin sisters (from The Gift of Sisters), another two were engaged and faced some problems of a very difering nature leading to the wedding (A New Beginning and A Perfect Plan) and the last one was a married young mom of five (A Christmas Miracle). They all faced different struggles and surpassed them.
But what really made me not wanting to stop listening and all of them such good stories is that they were stories about real people. The stories had Amish characters (and some non-Amish too) but they could have been about anyone. Sisters that loved each other but were angry and sometimes envious of each other. A bride-to-be wondering if she chose the right path. A overwhelmed mother that struggled with everything life asked of her and that had never learnt how to run a household. We know these struggles, we know these people, sometimes we are like them.
I also liked that the characters were in situations that make you wonder: what would I have done in this situation? What if that was me? And even some more deeper questions: what does it mean to love someone? How do we know we are following God's will and not our own?
Other random things I enjoyed: The existence of a character with a severe mental disability (not a main character but still good to see one somewhere), families loving each other even if they sometimes were not perfect, babies!, the narrator and, certainly, other things that I can't remeber right now.
This was a very good surprise because good stories are hard to find!
I received a copy of this book via NetGaley and Zondervan. All opinions are my own.
morganhall21's review
5.0
I loved this story it was great and I really enjoyed it!!! The reader was awsome and did different voices for different character's keeps you interested in the stories.
I Received An ARC from Netgalley but this review is my own opinion.
I Received An ARC from Netgalley but this review is my own opinion.
pamelareads's review
3.0
Amish Celebrations is a collection of four novellas by bestselling author Beth Wiseman. Each of the novellas are geared around a celebration of some sort and explore life within the Amish community. The four novellas are: The Gift of Sisters, A New Beginning, A Perfect Plan, and A Christmas Miracle.
The Gift of Sisters explores a story of twin girls Hannah and
Rachel who are approaching their 16th birthday—a time when they will be allowed to break free a little and enjoy their rumschpringe.
A New Beginning brings us Rebecca and Noah, a couple in love and about to be baptized. A few weeks before the ceremony, Noah decides to spend one last night enjoying his rumschpringe—which leads to him doing something which causes Rebecca to reconsider his proposal.
A Perfect Plan follows the story of Priscilla and Chester. Priscilla has been in love with Chester since she was sixteen years old. When Chester pops the question on her 19th birthday, the wedding plans can begin!
A Christmas Miracle brings a story of one little Amish girl’s Christmas wish. Mary’s daughter broke the rules to ask Santa to bring her mama help for Christmas. Mary is an exhausted mother of five at the ripe old age of just twenty-seven. Married since eighteen, she wasn’t quite prepared for motherhood—and her exhaustion and frustration are sending her in a downward spiral.
I thought that all of these novellas were very well written. It was easy to understand the characters and their situations. The characters in these novellas had real life “baggage” which affected their day-to-day lives and decisions they had to make.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Publishing for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#PamelaReads2021 #AmishCelebrations #NetGalley #BethWiseman
#100BooksIn2021 #ReadingChallenge2021
The Gift of Sisters explores a story of twin girls Hannah and
Rachel who are approaching their 16th birthday—a time when they will be allowed to break free a little and enjoy their rumschpringe.
A New Beginning brings us Rebecca and Noah, a couple in love and about to be baptized. A few weeks before the ceremony, Noah decides to spend one last night enjoying his rumschpringe—which leads to him doing something which causes Rebecca to reconsider his proposal.
A Perfect Plan follows the story of Priscilla and Chester. Priscilla has been in love with Chester since she was sixteen years old. When Chester pops the question on her 19th birthday, the wedding plans can begin!
A Christmas Miracle brings a story of one little Amish girl’s Christmas wish. Mary’s daughter broke the rules to ask Santa to bring her mama help for Christmas. Mary is an exhausted mother of five at the ripe old age of just twenty-seven. Married since eighteen, she wasn’t quite prepared for motherhood—and her exhaustion and frustration are sending her in a downward spiral.
I thought that all of these novellas were very well written. It was easy to understand the characters and their situations. The characters in these novellas had real life “baggage” which affected their day-to-day lives and decisions they had to make.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Publishing for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#PamelaReads2021 #AmishCelebrations #NetGalley #BethWiseman
#100BooksIn2021 #ReadingChallenge2021
kristi518's review
4.0
If you like stories about the Amish and in the form of novellas this collection is for you! Beth Wiseman has written four stories that will leave you with a smile on your face.
All four of these novellas are well-written, complete stories. My favorite thing about these stories is that they show the Amish don't lead perfect lives but have struggles just like the rest of us. The only difference is in how they deal with the struggles. From teenage love to being a mom overwhelmed the characters in these stories have relatable issues.
If you aren't a fan of novellas (I wasn't until I started reading Beth's) pick up a copy of Amish Celebrations. I think this collection will change your mind about them. If you are a fan of novellas (or Beth's) then you know what a treat you are in for with these four wonderful stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
All four of these novellas are well-written, complete stories. My favorite thing about these stories is that they show the Amish don't lead perfect lives but have struggles just like the rest of us. The only difference is in how they deal with the struggles. From teenage love to being a mom overwhelmed the characters in these stories have relatable issues.
If you aren't a fan of novellas (I wasn't until I started reading Beth's) pick up a copy of Amish Celebrations. I think this collection will change your mind about them. If you are a fan of novellas (or Beth's) then you know what a treat you are in for with these four wonderful stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
stacyroth's review
4.0
I received an audio ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Amish Celebrations contains 4 novellas. The first three have the same theme of teenagers trying to find love, the person they will marry. The details of each story differ, but they are largely the same. The fourth story was my favorite, the story of a young mother of five overwhelmed by caring for her children and home, with help coming from an unexpected place. Each was a short, simple story where the main characters grew over the course of their novella. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because Ann Richardson did a lovely job with the narration.
Amish Celebrations contains 4 novellas. The first three have the same theme of teenagers trying to find love, the person they will marry. The details of each story differ, but they are largely the same. The fourth story was my favorite, the story of a young mother of five overwhelmed by caring for her children and home, with help coming from an unexpected place. Each was a short, simple story where the main characters grew over the course of their novella. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because Ann Richardson did a lovely job with the narration.
lindz's review
5.0
Amish Celebrations is really a combination of 4 stories in one book. They are all different but have something in common. They all are about celebrations.
Here are all the books and there reviews for each one.
The Gift of Sisters
Hannah and Elizabeth are twins. When a new boy comes to town, he seem to attracted both girls. They both fall for him in there own ways. He seem to have them pulling them away from each other. Will either one of them choose this new boy or will they both leave them.
Will it be two late to reunite to be sisters. One is doing something to protect her sister and the other think the other is trying to ruin her life and her love life at that. Will they find what best for them.
A New Beginning
Noah and Rebecca seem to be heading for marriage? Noah does something and make Rebecca think about getting married? What was it that Noah did? Will Noah walk way or will he forgive himself. What could Noah be struggling with? Rebecca is also navigation their relationship as well. Does she want to be with Noah or trust him?
A Perfect Plan
Priscilla knows who see was marrying since she way sixteen years old. Once the question is pop to her. They seem to think they know the prefect plan. God seem to have another plan or a bit of changes to that plan when one disaster will occurs after another. Is God testing there relationship?
There seems to be a special person who has something for both Chester and Priscilla. They each receive it at different times and separately. They are both told to not open it until there wedding day and not before and promised. Will they even get married or will they not?
A Christmas Miracle
Every feel overwhelmed with life or motherhood? Well, Mary feels this and does not know how to cope with her children. She seems to feel like she a bad mother. Though she got her husband and her husband seem to try and help. He for a loss to help her as well. Though he suggest that she ask her mother in law to help her.
There seem to be something more to stress of the marriage. Will her husband get some advise to help his marriage and his wife before it to late? There seems to be someone really important that happens when Mary befriends an elderly man in a red suit and his side kick elf?
I really like how this story outcomes turn out. Will Mary really get what needs and help she needs to cope with her situation. Does Mary's mother in law dislike Mary or is it something else.
Here are all the books and there reviews for each one.
The Gift of Sisters
Hannah and Elizabeth are twins. When a new boy comes to town, he seem to attracted both girls. They both fall for him in there own ways. He seem to have them pulling them away from each other. Will either one of them choose this new boy or will they both leave them.
Will it be two late to reunite to be sisters. One is doing something to protect her sister and the other think the other is trying to ruin her life and her love life at that. Will they find what best for them.
A New Beginning
Noah and Rebecca seem to be heading for marriage? Noah does something and make Rebecca think about getting married? What was it that Noah did? Will Noah walk way or will he forgive himself. What could Noah be struggling with? Rebecca is also navigation their relationship as well. Does she want to be with Noah or trust him?
A Perfect Plan
Priscilla knows who see was marrying since she way sixteen years old. Once the question is pop to her. They seem to think they know the prefect plan. God seem to have another plan or a bit of changes to that plan when one disaster will occurs after another. Is God testing there relationship?
There seems to be a special person who has something for both Chester and Priscilla. They each receive it at different times and separately. They are both told to not open it until there wedding day and not before and promised. Will they even get married or will they not?
A Christmas Miracle
Every feel overwhelmed with life or motherhood? Well, Mary feels this and does not know how to cope with her children. She seems to feel like she a bad mother. Though she got her husband and her husband seem to try and help. He for a loss to help her as well. Though he suggest that she ask her mother in law to help her.
There seem to be something more to stress of the marriage. Will her husband get some advise to help his marriage and his wife before it to late? There seems to be someone really important that happens when Mary befriends an elderly man in a red suit and his side kick elf?
I really like how this story outcomes turn out. Will Mary really get what needs and help she needs to cope with her situation. Does Mary's mother in law dislike Mary or is it something else.
More...