When a new release from Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Tricia Goyer or Vannetta Chapman becomes available in the Amish genre, the readers go wild. What happens when a compilation of four novellas, including works from ALL of these authors hits the market? It’s pure mayhem! Such was the case for me when An Amish Garden arrived at my doorstep. Four well-known Amish fiction writers in one? Let’s go!
Each novella has, you guessed it, a garden theme. Wiseman’s story, “Rooted in Love,” centers around a bit of a mystery that needs to unfold. Fuller’s novella, “Flowers for Rachael”, tells a sweet story of awkward new love. Goyer’s story, “Seeds of Love,” weaves an intricate storyline of love and trust. Chapman’s novella, “Where Healing Blooms,” shares a story of second-chance love and learning to step out of one’s comfort zone.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review. I will readily admit that I am not a huge fan of novellas. They often leave readers wanting more, with underdeveloped characters or storylines, or rushing and ending in order to make it a novella. An Amish Garden however, has me rethinking that opinion. The book is a hefty 400 pages. Although both Wiseman’s and Fuller’s novellas seemed to drag a bit, by the time the reader gets to Goyer’s novella, it really picks up the page. Goyer fans will enjoy visiting West Kootenai again and Chapman fans will appreciate a visit back to Shipshewana.
Unlike many compiled novellas, An Amish Garden does not weave a character or two along throughout all of the storylines. Each novella is a stand-alone. So, the unifying theme throughout is, of course, the Amish garden. Overall, it is a good read, and worth the price. But now I feel as if I have something new on my “To Do” list: Plant a garden!
Susan Ferrell and her husband make their home in the Atlanta Metro area. Although Susan struggles with chronic migraine headaches, she stays very busy as a stay-at-home mom to one very precocious 5-year old. While catching her breath, she feeds her Amishaholic tendencies by reading vast amounts of Amish literature!
4 thoughts on “An Amish Garden – A Cornucopia of Novellas! Review Susan Ferrell”
I truly enjoyed each of the 4 novellas in An Amish Garden. Like you, I hadn’t been a big fan of novellas in the past but with each of these being about 100 pages I felt I received a complete story. My favorite was probably Flowers for Rachael by Kathleen Fuller, but each story was interesting and charming. I also reviewed this book of novellas on my blog, http://www.AmishReader.blogspot.com.
I think my favorite was Tricia Goyer’s, Gloria — but yes, these were hefty novellas, jah? 😉
I too enjoy books that take you along a journey from book to book with characters that follow, but there are two new authors to me in this group so I’m excited to see how this works out.
I am just finishing up this book. The four novellas in it are great. I have really enjoyed them.