Amish Sweethearts

November 1, 2017

In "Love and Buggy Rides" (previously published in the anthology An Amish Harvest), an accident turns a casual friendship between Janie Lantz and Jonathan Stoltfuz into something more. In "A Home for Lindsay," set in the world of Clipston's "Kauffman Amish Bakery" series, Lindsay Bedford anticipates her wedding to Matthew Glick until he suddenly calls it off, burdened by a secret he can't reveal. Tobias Smucker, who returns home to a frosty reception from his estranged father, works with his sister's best friend Mariella Ebersol to solve a family mystery in "Where the Heart Is." Originally released in the compilation An Amish Market, "Love Birds" revolves around Lloyd Blank, who would rather carve birds for sale in the gift shop where Ellie Lapp works than take over his father's farm. As their friendship deepens, Ellie encourages Lloyd to follow his heart, but then her betrayal of him threatens to end everything. VERDICT These sweet, tender novellas from one of the genre's best make the perfect sampler for new readers curious about Amish romances. Fans of Beth Wiseman and Suzanne Woods Fisher may enjoy Clipston as well.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 29, 2018
Clipston (The Cherished Quilt) fills these four cheerful Amish romance novellas with uplifting, simple love. In “Love and Buggy Rides,” Janie Lantz becomes the new cashier at the Lancaster Buggy Rides and Souvenirs shop. While eating her lunch, she sees a car hurtle into a buggy full of passengers, leaving many injured. As an Amish, she cannot get involved in legal matters, so she keeps quiet about witnessing the event and gradually becomes closer to the unfortunate buggy driver as questions mount about the nature of the accident. In “A Home for Lindsay,” Matthew Glick is more than ready to marry his beloved Lindsay, but financial troubles force him to place his faith in God as he works to build a home and avoid bankruptcy. Tobias Smucker faces the bishop after five months in rehab for alcoholism in “Where is the Heart.” Also afraid to face his father, Tobias is reassured by the bishop’s daughter that the community forgives him and will welcome him home. In “Love Birds,” Ellie Lapp struggles to accept her brother’s death after he is killed in an accident while constructing a shed. When her late brother’s friend Lloyd, a carpenter, comes to help Ellie with chores, she convinces him to sell wooden bird figurines at the shop where she works. Fans of Clipston’s wholesome stories will relish these novellas.