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Colorado Amish Courtships #3
Her Amish Christmas Choice
A forbidden love…
Can Englischer and Amish make a forever match?
For Englischer Julia Rose, starting her first handmade-soap store almost makes up for her lost dreams of marriage and children. With patience and care, Amish carpenter Martin Hostetler renovates the dilapidated building Julia inherited—and sparks her interest in his community’s peaceful ways. But their families’ objections make romance between them impossible…unless faith and love can light their holiday way home.
Colorado Amish Courtships
Can Englischer and Amish make a forever match?
For Englischer Julia Rose, starting her first handmade-soap store almost makes up for her lost dreams of marriage and children. With patience and care, Amish carpenter Martin Hostetler renovates the dilapidated building Julia inherited—and sparks her interest in his community’s peaceful ways. But their families’ objections make romance between them impossible…unless faith and love can light their holiday way home.
Colorado Amish Courtships
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2019
35 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Bale
60 books107 followersLeigh Bale is Publisher's Weekly best selling author. She won the prestigious RWA Golden Heart in 2006 and was a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the Write Touch Reader's Award and the Bookseller's Best Award. She is the daughter of a retired U.S. forest ranger, holds a B.A. in History with honors and loves spending time with family, weeding the garden with her dog Sophie, and watching the little sagebrush lizards that live in her rock flowerbeds. You can reach Leigh at www.LeighBale.com.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 1, 2022
Julia Rose and her mother moved to Colorado when she inherited a run down shop from her grandfather. Julia’s plan was to renovate the shop and use it to sell her handmade soaps to the public. Amish man, Martin Hostetler had been recommended to her to do the renovations the shop needed. She hired Martin for the job even though her mother objected. Martin’s work was exceptionally good and he was a fast worker. Julie became interested in the Amish faith and Martin taught her how to speak Pennsylvania Dutch . Soon Julia and Martin became smitten with each other.Julia was an Englischer and Martin was Amish. This kind of relationship was forbidden by Martin’s church and his Bishop and family frowned on it. Julia’s own mother didn’t like Amish people and Julia didn’t want to go against her mother’s wishes. It seemed her mother was hiding something from her daughter. Why did she dislike the Amish people so strongly? It seemed that all Julia and Martin could share together in their future was a friendship.
I received this book as a Christmas gift. The beautiful cover made me want to read it immediately. I was drawn into the story from the first page. It was a fast easy read that I enjoyed. Amish fiction is my favorite genre and I love Christmas books too. The book was entertaining and held my interest. I loved the happily ever after ending.
I recommend this book to readers of Amish Fiction and Love Inspired books. If you enjoy Christmas books you will like this book. It is a good stand alone .
I received this book as a Christmas gift. The beautiful cover made me want to read it immediately. I was drawn into the story from the first page. It was a fast easy read that I enjoyed. Amish fiction is my favorite genre and I love Christmas books too. The book was entertaining and held my interest. I loved the happily ever after ending.
I recommend this book to readers of Amish Fiction and Love Inspired books. If you enjoy Christmas books you will like this book. It is a good stand alone .
December 2, 2019
Her Amish Christmas Choice is the third amazing story written by Leigh Bale in her Colorado Amish Courtships series. This is a story filled with friendship, faith, love, and even a little deceit. The characters chosen to tell this story are very well developed and very likeable. The storyline has a uniqueness to it that will keep the readers interest. I truly enjoyed this story from the first page.
Englisher Julia Rose hires an Amish Carpenter Martin Hostetler to help her make repairs on an old store that she has inherited. During the course of repairing the building Julia becomes interested in the Amish faith. Julia's mother becomes enraged when she thinks Julia is considering joining the Amish. The mystery as to why Julia's mother forbids her to convert to Amish is shocking. As this storyline plays out things get very Rocky for all involved.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend others to read.
Congratulations to Leigh Bale on writing another inspiring book in such a unique way for her readers enjoyment.
Englisher Julia Rose hires an Amish Carpenter Martin Hostetler to help her make repairs on an old store that she has inherited. During the course of repairing the building Julia becomes interested in the Amish faith. Julia's mother becomes enraged when she thinks Julia is considering joining the Amish. The mystery as to why Julia's mother forbids her to convert to Amish is shocking. As this storyline plays out things get very Rocky for all involved.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend others to read.
Congratulations to Leigh Bale on writing another inspiring book in such a unique way for her readers enjoyment.
December 26, 2019
Englisher soap maker Julia Rose and Amish carpenter Martin Hostetler are both full of hopes and dreams. Julia longs to find love and have a family as well as having a successful soap making business. Martin longs to have a farm and family of his own.
I loved how Martin explained his faith to Julia while repairing her store. He was so kind and compassionate. He warmly welcomed her to learn about the Amish ways and meet others of his faith.
The author did a great job of including differently abled people in the story. Martin's brother Hank has down syndrome and Julia's mother Sharon has lupus.
The Christmas aspect of the book takes place later in the book. The author does use some words which I personally found very old fashioned. I did like the mystery twist in the story.
Overall this is a sweet Amish romance full of faith, family, and love that readers with enjoy.
I loved how Martin explained his faith to Julia while repairing her store. He was so kind and compassionate. He warmly welcomed her to learn about the Amish ways and meet others of his faith.
The author did a great job of including differently abled people in the story. Martin's brother Hank has down syndrome and Julia's mother Sharon has lupus.
The Christmas aspect of the book takes place later in the book. The author does use some words which I personally found very old fashioned. I did like the mystery twist in the story.
Overall this is a sweet Amish romance full of faith, family, and love that readers with enjoy.
January 23, 2020
Julia Rose inherited an old store from a grandfather she never knew in beautiful Colorado. Julia Rose and her mother, Sharon, moved to beautiful Colorado after she inherited an old store from her parental grandfather that she never knew. She was one strong and determined young lady to continue her handmade soap business in this new location. Martin Hosteler was a hard worker that she hired for all the renovations. As their friendship grew she joined Martin for their Amish church service. Sharon was against this for unknown reasons criticizing the Amish. The author did a beautiful job of Martin presenting the Word of God and Amish ways to Julia where her heart longed for the peace and love of God, especially after losing her dad and being cheated by her ex-fiancé. There was a theme of mystery interwoven which I recognized what the answer was going to be before the end of the story. The unexpected accidents, Julia’s actions and compassion, work frolics and so much more brought a beautiful ending for Julia, Sharon and others in the community.
April 6, 2022
What. In. The. World. Was. THIS??!?!
First, I don't believe for a *second* that Leigh Bale wrote this. After reading the first two in the series, there is NO WAY she could change her writing style that much. The dialogue was banal, the storytelling was juvenile... it's like she let her teenaged daughter write under her name, or something, because this was NOT like the Leigh Bale of the first two books. Book #3 in a series shouldn't sound like Amish 101 as written per a middle school student.
Second, the whole premise was absolutely NOTHING like the last two. In the first two books, Martin was everywhere, kind of a big friendly puppy type who latched on to anything in a skirt. He was written to be annoying and cloying and it was like Bale didn't like the character - and now suddenly he's this wundervoll guy who's patient beyond words with his brother and understanding of the Englisch whilst being only focused on his work? Um, that's not Martin. More, there was *NO* mention in the first two books of any Down Syndrome brother tagging along after Martin at *any* point... and voila, this book, and he's got a brother on his heels, dogging his every move? Seriously?!
Third, there is *NO WAY* an Amish man would kiss someone not of his faith. He would also absolutely N.O.T. propose to an Englischer before her baptism. This was so poorly written, it made me want to weep. That on top of every other page being "she's wundervoll, but she's Englisch, so he knew it would never be" and "they must only ever be friends" and "he knew there could never be anything between them"... ad nauseum. Every chapter ENDED that way, too. Bad, BAD, *BAD* writing... not typical of Leigh Bale to be repetitive and shallow in her delivery. Not at all.
Fourth, the premise of this book so SO. INCREDIBLY. FLAWED. Mumsy was Amish, left during her rumspringa to marry an Englisher, and hates the Amish now because... reasons. So immediately after her husband's death, she goes to her AMISH father's town and takes her AMISH father's house, which has no working electricity, and lives among the AMISH... so she can hate them up closer. And of course the only person who remembers any of this is the 94 year old hag-mammi... even though it happened only twenty years ago. Riiiiiight. And Mumsy doesn't want her daughter becoming Amish. That's WHY she moved her daughter to an Amish community. Makes. No. Sense. Like, at all.
And then the errors. On pg 8 he's dressed identical to his brother in black pants, black suspenders, and a black hat. Page 10 - same day, same event - he's wearing gray pants. Really?!
How about this one:
Martin: My daed taught me to tidy after work.
Julia: Your dat?
Martin: Ja, my dad.
Julia: Oh, your father.
Martin: Ja, my vadder.
WHAT IN THE WORLD is THAT?!?!?!?! Could you *use* anymore versions of the word???
Pg 84... Julia could only 'explore a relationship with God' if she went to an Amish church service. Thank GOD that's not how it worked for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, or any of the others counted as righteous in the book of Hebrews! GAH!!!!
Pg 85... "The place looked deserted... they paused near a long line of black buggies, a plethora of horses pastured beside them." Wh---?!!? If there's a long line of black buggies, it SURE don't look deserted!!!
Pg 86... Julia holds out her hand to the Bishop, and he takes it gently, eyes crinkling. Um... Amish don't shake hands. That's an Englisch behavior he wouldn't partake of.
Pg 88... In the middle of church service, Martin leans over and winks at Julia, so obviously that his father gets after him. HE. WOULD. NOT. DO. THIS!!!! The Amish take their faith VERY seriously, and would never disrespect the minister or act distractedly during services.
Pg 142... the ENTIRE Amish community waits for Julia to arrive to eat, and are all smiling and welcoming her, like a princess when she arrives. SHE'S ENGLISCH - an outsider. They'd be polite, but NO WAY would they be doing this. That leads to hocmut, for the love of Pete!!
Same pg... And the author contrives SO MANY stupid reasons for Julia and Martin to have physical contact. She's walking across a flat, mown field and inexplicably trips so that he has to steady her in front of all of the Amish. I... just... no. NO.
Pg pick-one-I-swear... Martin WOULD NOT shorten Julia's name to Jules. That's an Englisch practice. Even if he had a 'pet' name for her, it would more likely be 'Jewel', since he alludes many times to his family treating his mother as a 'queen'. Jules is so slangy and improbable, I just... *NO!*
Pg 158... Julia gets electricity in her store/house, and feels like she's 'betraying everything Martin told her about being humble'. Would SOMEONE explain that to me? That makes NO sense.
Pg 179... GRAND OPENING! Mumsy's back is *SO BAD* that she can't come downstairs, today. Twenty minutes later, she's not only downstairs, she's carrying trays of food, pouring out punch, and working the counter. Wh?!?!?!?!? Quick recovery, that!!
PG 186: Mom flees upstairs, locks the door on her daughter. Julia asks to be let in. The door magically opens, but mom's still sitting on the sofa with her face in her hands. Wait, what?!
Pg 197: Back door is open... weirdly. Julia shuts it, confused. Ten minutes later, three Amish show up, looking for Down Syndrome boy. Wouldn't you put two and two together and search the place? Because THE DOOR WAS OPEN?!
More, if a Downs Syndrome boy spends the ENTIRE book saying that Julia is 'his girl', and nobody corrects him... he is NOT going to just accept that she's his new sister at the end. People with disabilities like that don't shift gears that fast. It would NOT happen. BAD writing.
I just can't believe that this hot mess is getting the stars that it is... half makes me wonder if they didn't get free copies in exchange for a positive review (a fun GoodReads ploy). This was too messed up in too many ways.
First, I don't believe for a *second* that Leigh Bale wrote this. After reading the first two in the series, there is NO WAY she could change her writing style that much. The dialogue was banal, the storytelling was juvenile... it's like she let her teenaged daughter write under her name, or something, because this was NOT like the Leigh Bale of the first two books. Book #3 in a series shouldn't sound like Amish 101 as written per a middle school student.
Second, the whole premise was absolutely NOTHING like the last two. In the first two books, Martin was everywhere, kind of a big friendly puppy type who latched on to anything in a skirt. He was written to be annoying and cloying and it was like Bale didn't like the character - and now suddenly he's this wundervoll guy who's patient beyond words with his brother and understanding of the Englisch whilst being only focused on his work? Um, that's not Martin. More, there was *NO* mention in the first two books of any Down Syndrome brother tagging along after Martin at *any* point... and voila, this book, and he's got a brother on his heels, dogging his every move? Seriously?!
Third, there is *NO WAY* an Amish man would kiss someone not of his faith. He would also absolutely N.O.T. propose to an Englischer before her baptism. This was so poorly written, it made me want to weep. That on top of every other page being "she's wundervoll, but she's Englisch, so he knew it would never be" and "they must only ever be friends" and "he knew there could never be anything between them"... ad nauseum. Every chapter ENDED that way, too. Bad, BAD, *BAD* writing... not typical of Leigh Bale to be repetitive and shallow in her delivery. Not at all.
Fourth, the premise of this book so SO. INCREDIBLY. FLAWED. Mumsy was Amish, left during her rumspringa to marry an Englisher, and hates the Amish now because... reasons. So immediately after her husband's death, she goes to her AMISH father's town and takes her AMISH father's house, which has no working electricity, and lives among the AMISH... so she can hate them up closer. And of course the only person who remembers any of this is the 94 year old hag-mammi... even though it happened only twenty years ago. Riiiiiight. And Mumsy doesn't want her daughter becoming Amish. That's WHY she moved her daughter to an Amish community. Makes. No. Sense. Like, at all.
And then the errors. On pg 8 he's dressed identical to his brother in black pants, black suspenders, and a black hat. Page 10 - same day, same event - he's wearing gray pants. Really?!
How about this one:
Martin: My daed taught me to tidy after work.
Julia: Your dat?
Martin: Ja, my dad.
Julia: Oh, your father.
Martin: Ja, my vadder.
WHAT IN THE WORLD is THAT?!?!?!?! Could you *use* anymore versions of the word???
Pg 84... Julia could only 'explore a relationship with God' if she went to an Amish church service. Thank GOD that's not how it worked for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, or any of the others counted as righteous in the book of Hebrews! GAH!!!!
Pg 85... "The place looked deserted... they paused near a long line of black buggies, a plethora of horses pastured beside them." Wh---?!!? If there's a long line of black buggies, it SURE don't look deserted!!!
Pg 86... Julia holds out her hand to the Bishop, and he takes it gently, eyes crinkling. Um... Amish don't shake hands. That's an Englisch behavior he wouldn't partake of.
Pg 88... In the middle of church service, Martin leans over and winks at Julia, so obviously that his father gets after him. HE. WOULD. NOT. DO. THIS!!!! The Amish take their faith VERY seriously, and would never disrespect the minister or act distractedly during services.
Pg 142... the ENTIRE Amish community waits for Julia to arrive to eat, and are all smiling and welcoming her, like a princess when she arrives. SHE'S ENGLISCH - an outsider. They'd be polite, but NO WAY would they be doing this. That leads to hocmut, for the love of Pete!!
Same pg... And the author contrives SO MANY stupid reasons for Julia and Martin to have physical contact. She's walking across a flat, mown field and inexplicably trips so that he has to steady her in front of all of the Amish. I... just... no. NO.
Pg pick-one-I-swear... Martin WOULD NOT shorten Julia's name to Jules. That's an Englisch practice. Even if he had a 'pet' name for her, it would more likely be 'Jewel', since he alludes many times to his family treating his mother as a 'queen'. Jules is so slangy and improbable, I just... *NO!*
Pg 158... Julia gets electricity in her store/house, and feels like she's 'betraying everything Martin told her about being humble'. Would SOMEONE explain that to me? That makes NO sense.
Pg 179... GRAND OPENING! Mumsy's back is *SO BAD* that she can't come downstairs, today. Twenty minutes later, she's not only downstairs, she's carrying trays of food, pouring out punch, and working the counter. Wh?!?!?!?!? Quick recovery, that!!
PG 186: Mom flees upstairs, locks the door on her daughter. Julia asks to be let in. The door magically opens, but mom's still sitting on the sofa with her face in her hands. Wait, what?!
Pg 197: Back door is open... weirdly. Julia shuts it, confused. Ten minutes later, three Amish show up, looking for Down Syndrome boy. Wouldn't you put two and two together and search the place? Because THE DOOR WAS OPEN?!
More, if a Downs Syndrome boy spends the ENTIRE book saying that Julia is 'his girl', and nobody corrects him... he is NOT going to just accept that she's his new sister at the end. People with disabilities like that don't shift gears that fast. It would NOT happen. BAD writing.
I just can't believe that this hot mess is getting the stars that it is... half makes me wonder if they didn't get free copies in exchange for a positive review (a fun GoodReads ploy). This was too messed up in too many ways.
December 11, 2019
I love stories about the Amish, It would be nice if we could all go back to simpler times. This was a great story, it shows how one can lead a simple life and have a full life. (We don't have to be Amish to lead a simpler life). Its a great book and a must read this Christmas season!
August 14, 2020
Having just discovered Amish Christmas Romances, I was delighted to find another, and I enjoyed this one as much as the first one I read. Light reading, an escape from our covid-ridden world!
July 23, 2020
I enjoyed this Amish book much more then I have enjoyed many others. I loved the characters of Julia Rose, Amish Carpenter Martin Hostetler and his 15 year old brother with down syndrome Hank.
Martin repairs the rundown store that her late fathers father left her in his will.
For years Julia has been making handmade soaps, lotions and lip balm to take care of herself and her
mother who has lupus. Julia sees Martin and Hank praying over they're lunch and asks questions about their religion. Martin asks her to attend his church which she does and she does and she likes it. But for some reason her mother does not like Amish and does not want her spending time with them.
This is a lovely book with very little angst. I really enjoyed it.
Martin repairs the rundown store that her late fathers father left her in his will.
For years Julia has been making handmade soaps, lotions and lip balm to take care of herself and her
mother who has lupus. Julia sees Martin and Hank praying over they're lunch and asks questions about their religion. Martin asks her to attend his church which she does and she does and she likes it. But for some reason her mother does not like Amish and does not want her spending time with them.
This is a lovely book with very little angst. I really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2022
A new author to me! I truly enjoyed reading this book . Julia Rose and her mom Sharon have moved to a new town after Julia’s dad has died and she has inherited a rundown store building. Julia is in need of a handyman to do some work before she will able to continue making her Soap to sell. An Amish carpenter shows up along with his brother , just in the nick of time. The awning is falling on Julia and Martin Hosteller saves the day by taking most of the awning on him. Will Martin along with his brother Hank be able to get the store in order before the grand opening? Secrets are revealed and Julia may find more than she was expecting.
February 20, 2025
Julie is an Englisher. Martin is Amish and he works for Julie doing repair jobs. They eventually fall in love. Martin saids he will never leave the Amish faith. Julie doesnt want to go against her Mom who does not like Amish people. Interesting to see how it works out.
October 17, 2019
Loved it excellent book could not put it down. Love Amish books, Great author
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November 1, 2019Categories
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amish & Mennonite, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Colorado Amish Courtships (Book #3)
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amish & Mennonite, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Colorado Amish Courtships (Book #3)
Read
November 1, 2019Categories
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amish & Mennonite, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Colorado Amish Courtships (Book #3)
Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amish & Mennonite, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Colorado Amish Courtships (Book #3)
November 5, 2019
Great read!!
May 17, 2025
very good book
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews