An Amish Cradle

Title:  AN AMISH CRADLE

Authors: Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller and Vannetta Chapman

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

March 2015

ISBN: 978-0529118677

Genre: Amish women’s fiction novellas

Tiny fingers,

Tiny toes,

And lives that will never be the same.

Journey with four families as their lives are about to change forever.

In His Father’s Arms by Beth Wiseman

Ruth Anne has been dreaming about motherhood her entire life. Now she is doubly excited that she and her best friend are due with their children the same week. But when Ruth Anne’s baby is born with Down’s syndrome, she and her husband struggle to understand God’s plan.

My thoughts: I can relate to this one. Teen parents, firstborn struggling to adjust to not only the demands of a newborn, but also to the challenges of a special needs child. I didn’t like how Ruth Anne treated her friend when she found out her secrets, and I didn’t care for the way Ruth Anne and Levi shut each other out, but that, unfortunately is realistic in cases like that. I did like Ruth Anne’s spunk and courage. And I enjoyed the way Levi loved the baby. This was a rather depressing story… 4 stars.

A Son for Always by Amy Clipston

Carolyn and Joshua are thrilled to be pregnant with their first child together. Carolyn was just a teenager when she had her son, Benjamin, and she still feels solely responsible to secure his future. As Joshua watches Carolyn struggle to accept his support, he knows he has to find some way to convince her that she—and Ben—will always be taken care of.

My thoughts: This story was simplistic, and had a more young adult feel to it than women’s fiction. Carolyn had a child out of wedlock and even though her husband adopted him she feels she has to pay his support all alone. I thought her mother-in-law was quite hateful and I hoped they’d come to a truce—I didn’t know how this story would end, and (to be honest) I didn’t really care. Either way was fine with me. 3 stars.

A Heart Full of Love by Kathleen Fuller

Ellie’s mother hasn’t stopped meddling in her personal life since Ellie lost her sight—and she’s taken it up a notch now that Ellie’s pregnant. When Ellie gives birth to twins, her mother insists on moving in to care for them. But when her mother’s behavior becomes unbearable, Ellie is forced to take a stand . . . and finally find out why Mamm can’t let go.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. A mother/daughter reaction is edgy at best when a daughter has a baby, but a blind daughter, with twins? Admittedly, Edna goes overboard, but she has her reasons. I wanted this pair to work though their differences and for Edna to learn to trust her daughter to not only take care of herself and her babies. I loved Ellie’s daed, and her husband was super kind as well. 5 stars.

An Unexpected Blessing by Vannetta Chapman

At 42, Etta thought she was finished having children, but she’s pregnant again. After a frightening labor, Etta finally gives birth, but her constant worry over her estranged grown son, David, haunts her still. As a new mother again, Etta must hold tightly to the promise that God will watch over her children—and that one day David will return.

My thoughts: Oh, I loved this story. I could so totally relate to Etta. My last baby was born at 41, and I was born when my mom was 42, so I know the feelings, the thoughts, the fears well. The conclusion to this story made me cry it was so perfect and sweet.  I think this was the best story in the whole collection. 5 stars for this one!

Overall thoughts: A great collection, I recommend the last two especially, but fans of babies and Amish women’s fiction might enjoy all four. Recommended. 4.25 stars average for the collection. 

Available in paperback, hardcover, ebook, MP3 cd, and audio. 383 pages