Loaves of Love: An Amish Christmas Bakery Story

by Beth Wiseman

As the only girl in a family of eight, Katie Swartzentruber has been left in charge of her family's bakery while her mother recuperates from surgery. At first, Katie doesn't think tending to the bakery alone will be difficult. She's worked alongside her mother for years. But Christmas is coming, and with the holiday comes a flood of patrons, both regulars and tourists. When Katie becomes overwhelmed with the orders she is receiving, she is tempted to move her Old Order family into the modern world by purchasing propane ovens to help with the workload. She finds help from an unexpected source--childhood friend Henry Hershberger, who has harbored a secret crush on Katie for years. He's been afraid to tell her how he feels, but he's sure that this Christmas is his moment. As the demands of the bakery only get more intense, both Katie and Henry have to decide what really matters . . . and find the courage within themselves to go after it.

Genres: Amish, Christmas

97 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

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

You can also follow Beth on Twitter: @BethWiseman

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for a novella. I LOVED that this was not an insta love story. All of the characters were relatable and likeable. Well....almost all! Not sure I enjoyed it as Amish fiction. It had quite a different feel in that aspect, and there was also a good bit of kissing for an Amish novella, which was new to me. It was an enjoyable story that kept me engaged and I'd like to read something else by this author, but just not Amish fiction.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good and had me on the edge of my seat. Without giving anything away. you will find times where you wish to hurry and find out what happens with each character and grt a little frustrated over certain circumstances, but it is amazing and worth reading! Very well written, the characters were solid, and a must read for anyone who loves reading this genre.

[Arjaye-Rose Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A loved this story such important lessons about ones traditions and heritage. I loved hearing about Katie and her families bakery business. She feels pulled in one direction and her heart in another. A great story about what is important in life - family, friendship and community that comes together. Such a great Christmas read.

[Sydni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Wiseman's Loaves of Love is one of the sweetest stories I've read in a long time. Tradition, family, friendship, and love all wrapped up in a loaf of bread... the perfect example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you, Beth. This story blessed my heart!

[Deevena Jemima · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice. A typical Amish story.

[JoAnn McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book ! Perfect for the Christmas season

[Elizabeth Eckmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful love story!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the constant interplay of one gal liking one guy, who liked another gal, etc.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loaves of Love by Beth Wiseman
David from another district has been spending time with Katie and they go out often.
She's taking care of the bakery while her mother recuperates from surgery. Other's take care of the house and meals.
Henry's sisters has a guest for dinner, Clara who he ran into at an auction. So funny!
Henry had wanted to ask Katie out but couldn't do it, til it was too late.
David shows Katie all the modern conveniences she's missing out on... her family doesn't like modern conveniences...
Love ending and loaves of love and how they got wood stoves back, for the right flavor...

[Pamela Pavkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loaves of Love is a Christmas novella written by Beth Wiseman. This is the second story in An Amish Christmas Bakery book. The author has developed her characters to appear real to the readers. I enjoyed this storyline from the first page.

Henry and Katie have been friends since birth and have stayed close all their lives. Katie is running the family bakery alone during the holidays because her mother had to have surgery. When Katie gets overwhelmed with orders she accepts a special gift from the family of a boy she had dated a few times. When things get crazy she is rescued by someone very unexpected.

The author has done an amazing job weaving her title into the story in a wonderful way. I loved the meaning behind Loaves of Love.

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 to others.

Congratulations to Beth Wiseman for writing a truly inspirational story involving the Amish at Christmas.