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An Amish Kitchen
An Amish Kitchen
Three Amish stories—A Recipe for Hope, A Spoonful of Love and A Taste of Grace—celebrate love, family and faith in a tight-knit community where the kitchen truly is the heart of the home. (story collections)
489 pages, Hardcover
First published December 18, 2012
99 people are currently reading
1650 people want to read
About the author
Beth Wiseman
136 books1,428 followers"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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
November 24, 2016
I honestly don't know why I read these things. I think it's the covers. They all look so sunshiney and wholesome, and I'm like, yes, I want to read a book where everyone lives in a simple fantasy land and the conflict is barely there and they all live happily ever after. They always appeal to me most strongly when I'm at a low point, emotionally speaking; blame this one on Trump. And of course then I get into it and I remember the weird evangelical slant they somehow manage to impart to the Amish, and the fucked-up "lessons" that always crop up, and by that time I'm too far in and it's like a train wreck; I just can't stop.
None of the stories here were particularly outrageous. In fact, they were all pretty bland and unremarkable, which for me is good in this category; usually if I remember a work of inspirational fiction at all, it's because it was exceptionally bad/racist/misogynist, and none of these were extraordinarily so (though the third story did have some pretty damn problematic relationship dynamics going on). Mediocre writing throughout, but apart from some laughably bad dialogue in story #3, nothing too ridiculous. The stories were all quite predictable, but that's part of the appeal with this genre. They're comfort reads. If you're looking for that sort of thing, you could do a lot worse than this.
I do have to say, though, I'm a little amused by the recipes section. Don't get me wrong; carbs drowning in white sauce and cheese make my little heart go pitter-pat just as much as the next Midwesterner. But I am a little skeptical of "traditional" Amish recipes that call for things like Velveeta, Campbell's soup, or instant ramen. I'm not saying the Amish DON'T eat those things - I'm sure some of them might. But I'm guessing those are not the traditional recipes handed down from the Amish ancestors of ye olden times.
None of the stories here were particularly outrageous. In fact, they were all pretty bland and unremarkable, which for me is good in this category; usually if I remember a work of inspirational fiction at all, it's because it was exceptionally bad/racist/misogynist, and none of these were extraordinarily so (though the third story did have some pretty damn problematic relationship dynamics going on). Mediocre writing throughout, but apart from some laughably bad dialogue in story #3, nothing too ridiculous. The stories were all quite predictable, but that's part of the appeal with this genre. They're comfort reads. If you're looking for that sort of thing, you could do a lot worse than this.
I do have to say, though, I'm a little amused by the recipes section. Don't get me wrong; carbs drowning in white sauce and cheese make my little heart go pitter-pat just as much as the next Midwesterner. But I am a little skeptical of "traditional" Amish recipes that call for things like Velveeta, Campbell's soup, or instant ramen. I'm not saying the Amish DON'T eat those things - I'm sure some of them might. But I'm guessing those are not the traditional recipes handed down from the Amish ancestors of ye olden times.
February 9, 2013
wow! not one, not two, but three of my favorite Amish authors get together and create a wonderful set of novellas centered around the Amish kitchen, indeed the "heart of the home". I was enthralled as I read "A Taste of Faith", "A Spoonful of Love", and "A Recipe for Hope", I was transformed and found myself sitting in the warm Amish kitchens. I was rooting for Fern, the healer who uses her herbs to help the community, to find love. I was anxiously hoping for Eve and her mamm, Rosemary, to make peace with each other and for Rosemary to agree to see an Englisch doctor for her Parkinson's. I was hoping fiercely that Hannah and Stephen would see their love and that Stephen would be able to forgive himself to find his way to Hannah.
Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, and Kelly Long are so descriptive in their images that readers will feel the sting of the cold, snow-filled night, the heat from the woodstoves, the scent of the apple pies, soft pretzels, and herbal teas, as if they are truly experiencing the events as the characters in the novellas do. I could also imagine the discomfort of the backless wooden benches in the three-hour long Amish church service. I could feel the thrill as Hannah sneaked a peek across the church at Stephen. I love that the recipes mentioned in the novellas are featured at the end of the book and can not wait to try some of them in my own kitchen.
Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, and Kelly Long are so descriptive in their images that readers will feel the sting of the cold, snow-filled night, the heat from the woodstoves, the scent of the apple pies, soft pretzels, and herbal teas, as if they are truly experiencing the events as the characters in the novellas do. I could also imagine the discomfort of the backless wooden benches in the three-hour long Amish church service. I could feel the thrill as Hannah sneaked a peek across the church at Stephen. I love that the recipes mentioned in the novellas are featured at the end of the book and can not wait to try some of them in my own kitchen.
December 9, 2022
Good stories. I loved the third one best. Oh how I’d love to have my mom still with me so I could love her and hug her. She’s in heaven now. This mom reminded me of my mom. She was harsh and critical at times but I knew she loved me even though she didn’t tell me. She had a very difficult childhood and upbringing. Much like the mom in this story. Love your mom’s while you can and tell them you love them. And if you have daughters, tell them you love them as often as you can!
April 23, 2019
The three stories in this book are loosely connected, taking place in the same Amish community, but differing in their tone, as each tale is penned by a different author. Though all have likeable and believable characters, and the required more or less happy conclusion, readers will probably like one story more than the others. One story deals with finding love conveniently next door, another deals with the problems that occur when a father has a stroke, and the last with family relations and an illness. Interesting stories, just not wonderful.
April 1, 2013
ARC provided by Netgalley - Thomas Nelson Publishers
I've been trying to find some Amish fiction to read lately as I find their way of living interesting so was happy when I came across this anthology.
Usually when I read an anthology not all of the stories are good but with this book they were. They are centred around one Amish community and based on different types of love with the help of a few family recipes. I was a bit worried when I saw the glossary at the beginning but I think this only added to the story and after a few pages I could work out what the words meant.
A Taste of Faith - This one was such a wunderbaar story ☺, it was about Fern who is the local healer along with her grandmother, she think she is not going to find love as she is a bit curvy. Then there's her neighbour Abram who is bachelor and happy to stay that way. Due to a family emergency he is tasked with looking after his siblings while his family are away. There are so many circumstances that keep throwing them in to each others path (including Ferns Grandmother),this one had a lot of funny moments, misunderstandings a s well as some sad parts which I think made the story more real.
A Spoonful of Love - This one was the only one where they directly dealt with the "Englich" as Hannah ran a b&b. I thought Hannah's mother was a bit hard on her sometimes and liked to meddle although you could tell she did love her. I felt sorry for Stephen who had left his own community due to an accident and was struggling a bit with his faith. The were both exactly what each other needed and brought each other out of themselves.
A Recipe for Hope - This one was about the relationship between a mother and a daughter but you soon learn there are reasons for the way the mother behaves as you find out about her own relationship with her mother and how this affects the way she lives her life now. Their was also a side storyline with the younger sons of the family who also had to work on forgiveness. I needed a few tissues for this one, It was so good how they all worked to forgive each other for various things and ultimately realised they are family and love each other. I loved the idea of the recipe cards with the story's on and the final recipe " A recipe for hope".
I hadn't previously read anything by these authors but will definitely be checking them out in the future.
I've been trying to find some Amish fiction to read lately as I find their way of living interesting so was happy when I came across this anthology.
Usually when I read an anthology not all of the stories are good but with this book they were. They are centred around one Amish community and based on different types of love with the help of a few family recipes. I was a bit worried when I saw the glossary at the beginning but I think this only added to the story and after a few pages I could work out what the words meant.
A Taste of Faith - This one was such a wunderbaar story ☺, it was about Fern who is the local healer along with her grandmother, she think she is not going to find love as she is a bit curvy. Then there's her neighbour Abram who is bachelor and happy to stay that way. Due to a family emergency he is tasked with looking after his siblings while his family are away. There are so many circumstances that keep throwing them in to each others path (including Ferns Grandmother),this one had a lot of funny moments, misunderstandings a s well as some sad parts which I think made the story more real.
A Spoonful of Love - This one was the only one where they directly dealt with the "Englich" as Hannah ran a b&b. I thought Hannah's mother was a bit hard on her sometimes and liked to meddle although you could tell she did love her. I felt sorry for Stephen who had left his own community due to an accident and was struggling a bit with his faith. The were both exactly what each other needed and brought each other out of themselves.
A Recipe for Hope - This one was about the relationship between a mother and a daughter but you soon learn there are reasons for the way the mother behaves as you find out about her own relationship with her mother and how this affects the way she lives her life now. Their was also a side storyline with the younger sons of the family who also had to work on forgiveness. I needed a few tissues for this one, It was so good how they all worked to forgive each other for various things and ultimately realised they are family and love each other. I loved the idea of the recipe cards with the story's on and the final recipe " A recipe for hope".
I hadn't previously read anything by these authors but will definitely be checking them out in the future.
July 9, 2019
For my first (and possibly only) foray into Amish fiction, this was okay, but didn't leave me with a burning desire to add this genre into my reading rotation. Three interconnected stories set in the same town, this was a great way to not only keep my brain on track but to feel a sense of accomplishment. (One down, two to go, etc.) The writing was good, and it was a comforting read - no chase scenes or anything, so it was a bonus for my adrenal fatigue - reminding me of the few genealogical stories of my Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors. Nice and easy. #srbb19
May 14, 2017
I liked each of the three stories in this collection. I would give each story 4 stars. I liked that each story was connected to the previous story. It was nice that each story involved food or cooking in some way. The stories were sweet, and each had a happy ending.
A Recipe for Hope was my least favorite story. I think it was the characters. I liked the MC, Eve, and her father, Joseph. The other characters were okay. The improved as the story progressed.
A Taste of Faith and A Spoonful of Love were more enjoyable. The characters were more likeable, especially Fern.
A Recipe for Hope was my least favorite story. I think it was the characters. I liked the MC, Eve, and her father, Joseph. The other characters were okay. The improved as the story progressed.
A Taste of Faith and A Spoonful of Love were more enjoyable. The characters were more likeable, especially Fern.
April 19, 2024
As always amish books are my favorite to read or listen to. There is always a lesson to take away from these books.
August 25, 2021
Sometimes you just need a sweet, heartwarming read....
December 27, 2012
This book encompasses two of my favorite types of books Amish fiction and short stories. "An Amish Kitchen" is comprised of three short stories written by three of today's premiere Amish fiction authors.
The first story is a "Taste of Faith" written by Kelly Long. Twenty year old Deborah Zook has been living with her grandmother Esther Zook since the age of five when her parents died of the flu. She has a love for tending flowers and herbs and her grandmother has the wish to see her trained in healing herbs, but more than that she wishes that her granddaughter would find a man and marry, and truthfully Fern wishes for someone as well. At the age of twenty-three Abram Fisher is a dyed in the wool bachelor, who never paid any attention to Fern, but when he needs Fern's help after his sister Mary becomes sunburned he begins to look at Fern in a different light. Will fate bring these two together?
"A Spoonful of Love" by Amy Clipston is the story of Hannah King, who has been managing the Paradise Inn since her father had a stroke a year ago. When Stephen Esh comes to town looking for a place to stay he rents a room at the end. Could Stephen be the one Hannah has been hoping will come into her life? What about his past, why is he so far from home? Will he be able to let go of the past and embrace the future?
"A Recipe for Hope"by Beth Wiseman is the story of Eve Bender. At the age of thirty-eight Eve Bender finds herself moving back home with her parents after a tree crashes into her farmhouse. Not only is she moving back home but she her husband and three teen age boys who are going thru rumspringa also will be moving in as well. Eve and her mother often didn't see eye to eye on things will spending two months under her parents roof allow them to heal the hurts from the past?
I loved each of these stories, that gently remind of faith and family. My favorite story easily had to be "A Recipe for Hope." I enjoyed the fact that Eve was a bit older and her sons added an interesting layer to the story.Her oldest son Leroy is eighteen and Amos and Elias are her twin sixteen year old boys. Amos also has a Chinese Water Dragon that provided a few funny moments.
If you have never read Amish fiction this book is a delightful way to sample these three great authors. There is a glossary of "Amish" words included for newbie Amish fiction readers. The recipes which include some herbal treatments are just an added bonus. While each story is a tad predictable overall I enjoyed each of them, and would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good clean read with a splash of romance and an Amish cast of characters.
The first story is a "Taste of Faith" written by Kelly Long. Twenty year old Deborah Zook has been living with her grandmother Esther Zook since the age of five when her parents died of the flu. She has a love for tending flowers and herbs and her grandmother has the wish to see her trained in healing herbs, but more than that she wishes that her granddaughter would find a man and marry, and truthfully Fern wishes for someone as well. At the age of twenty-three Abram Fisher is a dyed in the wool bachelor, who never paid any attention to Fern, but when he needs Fern's help after his sister Mary becomes sunburned he begins to look at Fern in a different light. Will fate bring these two together?
"A Spoonful of Love" by Amy Clipston is the story of Hannah King, who has been managing the Paradise Inn since her father had a stroke a year ago. When Stephen Esh comes to town looking for a place to stay he rents a room at the end. Could Stephen be the one Hannah has been hoping will come into her life? What about his past, why is he so far from home? Will he be able to let go of the past and embrace the future?
"A Recipe for Hope"by Beth Wiseman is the story of Eve Bender. At the age of thirty-eight Eve Bender finds herself moving back home with her parents after a tree crashes into her farmhouse. Not only is she moving back home but she her husband and three teen age boys who are going thru rumspringa also will be moving in as well. Eve and her mother often didn't see eye to eye on things will spending two months under her parents roof allow them to heal the hurts from the past?
I loved each of these stories, that gently remind of faith and family. My favorite story easily had to be "A Recipe for Hope." I enjoyed the fact that Eve was a bit older and her sons added an interesting layer to the story.Her oldest son Leroy is eighteen and Amos and Elias are her twin sixteen year old boys. Amos also has a Chinese Water Dragon that provided a few funny moments.
If you have never read Amish fiction this book is a delightful way to sample these three great authors. There is a glossary of "Amish" words included for newbie Amish fiction readers. The recipes which include some herbal treatments are just an added bonus. While each story is a tad predictable overall I enjoyed each of them, and would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good clean read with a splash of romance and an Amish cast of characters.
July 3, 2016
Three stories set in a close-knit Amish community. All three stories center around love and the heart of the home, the kitchen.
Story 1 - Fern heals with herbs, but doesn't have a remedy for the love she longs to share with a husband. But when a handsome man knocks on her door needing help she isn't quite sure what to do.
Story 2 - Hannah runs a bed and breakfast for her parents. A lifelong crush has recently shown an interest in her, but a tenant holds more appeal. Will she be able to choose wisely?
Story 3 - Eve's home is being repaired after a storm. Moving back in with her parents after years of marriage isn't exactly a picnic. But copying down her mother's recipes brings them closer than she had ever experienced.
All three stories were sweet and heartwarming. They all tie together in a very small way, but all three can stand alone. Several reviews mentioned predictable plots. Yes, like most novellas, the plot was easy to predict. But the stories were short and were nice to read in one sitting. There wasn't a lot of drama or conflict, just a small amount that goes into any typical novella.
At the end of the book there are discussion questions for each story, natural herbal remedies, and 45 Amish recipes from the stories.
I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.
Story 1 - Fern heals with herbs, but doesn't have a remedy for the love she longs to share with a husband. But when a handsome man knocks on her door needing help she isn't quite sure what to do.
Story 2 - Hannah runs a bed and breakfast for her parents. A lifelong crush has recently shown an interest in her, but a tenant holds more appeal. Will she be able to choose wisely?
Story 3 - Eve's home is being repaired after a storm. Moving back in with her parents after years of marriage isn't exactly a picnic. But copying down her mother's recipes brings them closer than she had ever experienced.
All three stories were sweet and heartwarming. They all tie together in a very small way, but all three can stand alone. Several reviews mentioned predictable plots. Yes, like most novellas, the plot was easy to predict. But the stories were short and were nice to read in one sitting. There wasn't a lot of drama or conflict, just a small amount that goes into any typical novella.
At the end of the book there are discussion questions for each story, natural herbal remedies, and 45 Amish recipes from the stories.
I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.
July 24, 2013
This makes a nice addition to my bookshelf. Not my favorite type of book, but it was sweet enough. The book features 3 stories (each written by a different author). Here are some quick thoughts on each story.
"A Taste of Faith" by Kelly Long
The story of Fern Zook, a young woman who lives with her grandmother, who teaches her about medicinal, herbal remedies. It is a charming enough story of the romance that buds between Fern and one of the young men in her Amish community.
"A Spoonful of Love" by Amy Clipston
My favorite selection of the 3 in this book. It's about Hannah King, a woman who is not searching for love, but finds it anyway, right on the doorstep of her bed-and-breakfast inn.
"A Recipe for Hope" by Beth Wiseman
A story of forgiveness, between a middle-aged woman and her mother, learning to love each other again. And that is in the midst of raising three teenage boys, all in 'rumschpringe' at once.
Overall, these were sweet stories for adult readers to enjoy. I love how the characters were tied together between the 3 stories (the women featured in each story know each other because they all live in the same community). For anyone who really enjoys Amish fiction, this book would probably be a treat.
"A Taste of Faith" by Kelly Long
The story of Fern Zook, a young woman who lives with her grandmother, who teaches her about medicinal, herbal remedies. It is a charming enough story of the romance that buds between Fern and one of the young men in her Amish community.
"A Spoonful of Love" by Amy Clipston
My favorite selection of the 3 in this book. It's about Hannah King, a woman who is not searching for love, but finds it anyway, right on the doorstep of her bed-and-breakfast inn.
"A Recipe for Hope" by Beth Wiseman
A story of forgiveness, between a middle-aged woman and her mother, learning to love each other again. And that is in the midst of raising three teenage boys, all in 'rumschpringe' at once.
Overall, these were sweet stories for adult readers to enjoy. I love how the characters were tied together between the 3 stories (the women featured in each story know each other because they all live in the same community). For anyone who really enjoys Amish fiction, this book would probably be a treat.
January 25, 2014
I loved all three stories in this book. They were heart-warming and easy to read.
First, I really liked the character of Fern. I could relate to her in many ways.
Second, I liked the main characters in this one. I was happy about how things were going for Stephen in Paradise, though I was a bit troubled by him burning Lillian's letter. It almost felt like he was trying to block out that part of his life rather than truly coming to terms with it.
The third story was quite interesting. I love the interactions with Rosemary and George! I actually started laughing, something I do not do much while reading. Eve could be a bit irritating and seemed to have more modern appliances than I do. At times, she almost seemed non-Amish. She would go on about her mother criticizing her about the children, but it seemed like she was more critical of her mother for not using more modern appliances. Strangely enough, I think this made her a more likable character as she seemed more human.
I loved this book and look forward to reading more stories by all three of these authors.
First, I really liked the character of Fern. I could relate to her in many ways.
Second, I liked the main characters in this one. I was happy about how things were going for Stephen in Paradise, though I was a bit troubled by him burning Lillian's letter. It almost felt like he was trying to block out that part of his life rather than truly coming to terms with it.
The third story was quite interesting. I love the interactions with Rosemary and George! I actually started laughing, something I do not do much while reading. Eve could be a bit irritating and seemed to have more modern appliances than I do. At times, she almost seemed non-Amish. She would go on about her mother criticizing her about the children, but it seemed like she was more critical of her mother for not using more modern appliances. Strangely enough, I think this made her a more likable character as she seemed more human.
I loved this book and look forward to reading more stories by all three of these authors.
February 7, 2017
Three stories of romance that take place in the Amish community.
The first one is a young woman who is the healer for the community. A single male neighbor has been single to this point and not looking for love when he falls for her.
The 2nd is a young girl running a bed and breakfast. A troubled man comes from a neighboring town looking for work and they fall in love.
The 3rd is a woman and her husband and family who move in with her parents after a tree falls on their house.
Pretty good stories but somewhat preachy.
The first one is a young woman who is the healer for the community. A single male neighbor has been single to this point and not looking for love when he falls for her.
The 2nd is a young girl running a bed and breakfast. A troubled man comes from a neighboring town looking for work and they fall in love.
The 3rd is a woman and her husband and family who move in with her parents after a tree falls on their house.
Pretty good stories but somewhat preachy.
June 10, 2017
The Clipston story spoke to me the most - as it would any reader who has had a family member suffer a stroke, and the aftermath. The other stories were good - not saying they weren't - but this one stood out for me.
December 1, 2012
This seems like the perfect book to brighten a winter day!
October 19, 2019
"The Amish Kitchen is the Heart of the Home - and the Ideal Setting for Stories of Love and Hope.
Fall in Paradise, Pennsylvania, always brings a brisk change in the weather. This season also ushers in unexpected visitors, new love, and renewed hope for three women."
"A Taste of Faith" -- Kelly Long (3.5 stars; this was a reasonably well written novella with a cute and often amusing love story, but it was totally unrealistic to me for a couple to decide to get married after only courting for what seemed like just a few days. I really liked the character development though.)
"Fern Zook has a green thumb for growing healing herbs, but longs for love to bloom in her life. Then the next-door neighbor’s oldest son, Abram, comes running into Fern’s kitchen seeking help for his little sister. The crisis soon leads to a promise of romance—until mistrust threatens to end the growing attraction."
"A Spoonful of Love" -- Amy Clipston (3 stars; this novella was fairly well written, and it had a sweet and interesting plot, but once again, I must point out that no one falls in love so quickly.):
"Hannah King runs her parents' bed and breakfast, Paradise Inn—but her life feels nothing like Paradise. She longs for a man of integrity to enter her life, but never expected him to knock on the front door looking for a room. Will she be able trust Stephen with her future once she discovers his mysterious past?"
"A Recipe for Hope" -- Beth Wiseman (4 stars; After two love stories, I wasn't expecting a story focused on a mother-grown daughter relationship instead, but it was a great story. It was well written and interesting with a surprising amount of character development for a novella. My only problem with this one is that I wanted so much more after it was over.):
"When a storm blows a tree onto Eve'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 hope in healing old wounds."
Fall in Paradise, Pennsylvania, always brings a brisk change in the weather. This season also ushers in unexpected visitors, new love, and renewed hope for three women."
"A Taste of Faith" -- Kelly Long (3.5 stars; this was a reasonably well written novella with a cute and often amusing love story, but it was totally unrealistic to me for a couple to decide to get married after only courting for what seemed like just a few days. I really liked the character development though.)
"Fern Zook has a green thumb for growing healing herbs, but longs for love to bloom in her life. Then the next-door neighbor’s oldest son, Abram, comes running into Fern’s kitchen seeking help for his little sister. The crisis soon leads to a promise of romance—until mistrust threatens to end the growing attraction."
"A Spoonful of Love" -- Amy Clipston (3 stars; this novella was fairly well written, and it had a sweet and interesting plot, but once again, I must point out that no one falls in love so quickly.):
"Hannah King runs her parents' bed and breakfast, Paradise Inn—but her life feels nothing like Paradise. She longs for a man of integrity to enter her life, but never expected him to knock on the front door looking for a room. Will she be able trust Stephen with her future once she discovers his mysterious past?"
"A Recipe for Hope" -- Beth Wiseman (4 stars; After two love stories, I wasn't expecting a story focused on a mother-grown daughter relationship instead, but it was a great story. It was well written and interesting with a surprising amount of character development for a novella. My only problem with this one is that I wanted so much more after it was over.):
"When a storm blows a tree onto Eve'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 hope in healing old wounds."
January 19, 2019
I have been quite critical of these collections as I've found them to be so...unlike other Amish novels that make them out to be so sweet and loving and forgiving and...almost perfect.
Instead, the authors of these collections show that the Amish are just like everyone else; capable of being jealous, gossipy, holding a grudge, and finding it hard to forgive someone.
This collection has interconnecting characters, but each story sticks to one couple, with the other major characters becoming minor.
My favorite was the third, as it deals with Parkinson's, early dementia, and an uncomfortable, broken relationship between a mother and daughter. I wonder if
Instead, the authors of these collections show that the Amish are just like everyone else; capable of being jealous, gossipy, holding a grudge, and finding it hard to forgive someone.
This collection has interconnecting characters, but each story sticks to one couple, with the other major characters becoming minor.
My favorite was the third, as it deals with Parkinson's, early dementia, and an uncomfortable, broken relationship between a mother and daughter. I wonder if
April 5, 2024
I’ve read many of these Amish novella collections, and although they tend to be predictable and sometimes a little too mushy, and always have a happy ending, I do enjoy them for their lightness and also because I enjoy Christian fiction. I’m pretty sure that if you don’t like stories with a Christian message that you should never pick up an Amish fiction book, as they are always Christian fiction. I grew up in the same county as Amish country, so I’ve always had a sort of fascination with their lifestyle, and I’ve learned a lot about them from reading this sort of book. I have read full-length novels by Amy Clipston and Beth Wiseman, and I enjoy their writing. Kelly Long is pretty good too though I wasn’t as familiar with her. I liked how in this particular collection, the stories were sort of connected …most of the collections are only connected by themes, not by common characters or community. I think I liked the third story best because it wasn’t really a romance, which made it different from about 99.9% of the stories in these collections. Definitely a warm and cozy read.
August 23, 2020
This was the first Amish fiction I have read and I loved it. I cannot wait to get my hands on more Amish fiction. It was just so clean and sweet, which is what I want to read at this stage in my life.
This is made up of three novellas, telling the story of three different women who are friends in their Amish community. And, as you can guess from the title, is themed around the kitchen. Each is a story of finding love, and had real depth, even though the stories were short.
I loved peaking into the lives of the Amish, and I think each writer did a great Job of representing them. Each story was well written and I really enjoyed the novella length. The publisher has more novella series like this and I can't wait to read more from these authors plus discover a few more.
I highly recommend this book if you love your romance clean and sweet, and faith based.
This is made up of three novellas, telling the story of three different women who are friends in their Amish community. And, as you can guess from the title, is themed around the kitchen. Each is a story of finding love, and had real depth, even though the stories were short.
I loved peaking into the lives of the Amish, and I think each writer did a great Job of representing them. Each story was well written and I really enjoyed the novella length. The publisher has more novella series like this and I can't wait to read more from these authors plus discover a few more.
I highly recommend this book if you love your romance clean and sweet, and faith based.
May 27, 2022
Wonderful stories written by great authors! I really enjoyed these books, especially because they interwove with each other.
Fern grows healing herbs and helps out the Amish with minor injuries. Abram is home with his brothers and sister and they get into all kinds of scrapes. Over time Fern and Abram become more than friends.
Hannah runs her parents bed and breakfast. When a kind stranger, Stephen comes to stay, Hannah grows curious about his past. Stephen must forgive himself before he can open his heart to Hannah.
Eve has to go live at her parents house because a tree falls on her home. Eve and her mother have never really gotten along and her mother criticizes the way Eve is raising her children. Eve starts to remember good memories and then she finds out some secrets that her mom has been hiding. They realize that they can truly have a great relationship.
Fern grows healing herbs and helps out the Amish with minor injuries. Abram is home with his brothers and sister and they get into all kinds of scrapes. Over time Fern and Abram become more than friends.
Hannah runs her parents bed and breakfast. When a kind stranger, Stephen comes to stay, Hannah grows curious about his past. Stephen must forgive himself before he can open his heart to Hannah.
Eve has to go live at her parents house because a tree falls on her home. Eve and her mother have never really gotten along and her mother criticizes the way Eve is raising her children. Eve starts to remember good memories and then she finds out some secrets that her mom has been hiding. They realize that they can truly have a great relationship.
November 27, 2023
Enjoyed the short novelloes of all three authors with a themes of hope and of change in the character's lives and set in the fall in Paradise, Pennsylvania. In Kelley Long's Taste of Faith, twenty year old Fern's life revolves around growing herbs and healing others. The healing of youngsters brings about romance between two sparring neighbors, surprising the two Amish neighbors. Amy Clipston's Spoonful of Love finds Hannah King running her parents bed and breakfast, when Stephen arrives and is looking for a new beginning. While in Beth Wiseman's A Recipe for Hope, a mother and daughter find their love for each other in cooking together. Step into Paradise and meet these Amish folks.
May 13, 2019
Another lovely Amish trilogy of stories. I can't say enough about how much I admire the Amish and their attitude about obedience to God and forgiveness of everything and everybody. And their problems are the same as ours but their faith and obedience helps them to come to terms often much easier than us - especially me - with the wrongs done to them.
Just nice uplifting stories that give you a glimpse in to the lives of faithful obedient people.
Just nice uplifting stories that give you a glimpse in to the lives of faithful obedient people.
October 27, 2020
A sweet, easy read, but doubt I will ever recommend it to anyone. Got it out of our local “little free library” and was drawn to the cover. The first and third stories were pretty decent but the second one was sort of blah. We ran into some Amish folks on a trip while I was reading this book and I found myself thinking “hmmm, I wonder if they all fell in love in a kitchen, too.”
January 31, 2021
These three novellas have a few of the same character, settings, but very different plots. The third story a Recipe for Hope by Clipston was my favorite because of the humor and characters. When the grandmother sees a pet reptile, she thinks she's seeing things that are not real and even feeds it. This is a good diversion from serious reading.
December 13, 2025
Three stories, written by different authors, that connect only due to mentioning a few characters from the other novellas. The short stories are different enough that a reader will find some more enjoyable than others. The stories revolve around relationships, not judging others, and our need for family/community.
December 21, 2018
What a cozy little book of 3 Amish tales that center around the kitchen.
Fern learns the healing properties of herbs from her grandmother, but when the 'boy from next door' returns home a strapping young man, she discovers love can cure plenty of things...including a broken heart.
Hannah has been hurt before and just like the walls of the B&B Paradise Inn, she protects her heart. When Stephen boards at her family's property, they both realize those walls built must come down in order to love again.
A tree crashes trough the roof of Eve's home and forces her & her family to live with her parents until the necessary repairs are made. This unexpected visit sheds light on the love, loss, and changes of her mother as she battles Parkinson's.
This was the perfect book to wrap up the year.
Fern learns the healing properties of herbs from her grandmother, but when the 'boy from next door' returns home a strapping young man, she discovers love can cure plenty of things...including a broken heart.
Hannah has been hurt before and just like the walls of the B&B Paradise Inn, she protects her heart. When Stephen boards at her family's property, they both realize those walls built must come down in order to love again.
A tree crashes trough the roof of Eve's home and forces her & her family to live with her parents until the necessary repairs are made. This unexpected visit sheds light on the love, loss, and changes of her mother as she battles Parkinson's.
This was the perfect book to wrap up the year.
March 22, 2021
The story lines are good, simple, and well written. The reason why I am giving it three stars is because it’s just like every other Amish fiction novel that I have read. Nothing wrong with that, but I was expecting something hopefully different.
January 12, 2023
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this collection of novellas. Touching stories surrounding the Amish hearth and the amazing women who tend it with love and great culinary skills. Plus, the included recipes are awesome.
March 1, 2024
Good escapist reading. Great spiritual message too. I especially like the verses that the Bishop shared with Stephen. I liked Beth Wiseman’s novella the best. The story with Eve and her Mamm touched my heart.
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