I received a copy of An Amish Market the other day. Traditionally, I am not a huge fan of novellas. But then I saw it: Amy Clipston…Kathleen Fuller…Kelly Irvin…Vannetta Chapman. Well then, how could I NOT like this collection of novellas? And I’m betting that if you are a fan of these authors, you will […]
Because I enjoy exploring Amish history and rooting my stories in situations the Amish wrestled with in the ways they interact with the outside world, I find myself drawn to tidbits that are “firsts” in Amish history. Here are the first ten entries into a list I suspect will be ongoing. 1. 1564: First publication […]
I love January. It’s one of my favorite months. Yes, it’s cold and usually snowy here in Ohio. The days are short, and the nights are long. Despite the frosty temperatures and the darkness, January is full of promise because it signifies a New Year and my birthday month. I love new beginnings so to […]
Change of Heart – Barely Amish When I received a copy of Molly Jebber’s latest novel, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Change of Heart is the first novel in Jebber’s Keepsake Pocket Quilt series. So many authors have come into the Amish fiction scene recently. Would Change of Heart measure up? In some ways […]
The Decision – Not a Good One Wanda Brunstetter has long been considered a front-runner in the Amish fiction genre. Her stories are woven with heart and faith. When I received a copy of her newest release, The Decision (first in her Prairie State Friends series), I was ready to dive into another Brunstetter winner. […]
Amish Christmas at North Star – Encore! Amish…Christmas…Cindy Woodsmall. Bring.it.on. I’ve read everything Woodsmall has written, so even if a pamphlet was being released this Christmas by her, I’d be reading it. Then, whoa! I receive this jewel called Amish Christmas at North Star and it includes four novellas – one by Woodsmall…then get this: […]
My Brother’s Crown – Literary Magic ~ Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould are gifted authors in their own right. But there is a certain kind of literary magic that occurs when the two collaborate on a novel. I first witnessed this with their outstanding series, The Women of Lancaster County. When I saw that […]
It doesn’t matter how many times I visit Amish country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, I learn something new every single time. Very often, that new-to-me thing finds itself into the plot of the next book in my Amish Mystery series. Take for example the Christmas season. During one of my research trips, I learned that […]
Secret Sister : An Amish Christmas Tale – Worth the Read Christmas is a time for reflection, for family, and for some, a renewal of faith. When I received Sarah Price’s latest novel, Secret Sister : An Amish Christmas Tale, I was ready to snuggle down with a good book and focus on the upcoming holy […]
“The gateway to Ohio’s Amish Country.” That’s a common moniker for Sugarcreek, Ohio, that appeals to the tourists or the simply curious. Located where two highways meet on the western edge of Tuscawaras County, the Amish population in and around Sugarcreek flows into adjoining Holmes County, one of the largest concentrations of Amish families in […]