An Amish Christmas Bakery: Four Stories

Paperback – ebook, audio

October 1, 2019

by Amy Clipston (Author), Beth Wiseman (Author), Kathleen Fuller (Author), Kelly Irvin (Author)

Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN-13: 978-0310352808

From bestselling authors in the Amish genre come four delicious stories perfect for celebrating love, joy, and the holiday season.

Cookies and Cheer by Amy Clipston

Alyssa Byler wants to build a sugar cookie nativity scene for her bakery’s Christmas window display—all she needs is the right cookie cutters. She turns to handsome blacksmith Kyle Smoker. Using Kyle’s handmade cutters, Alyssa created a striking display that brings more customers than she can handle. She soon realizes she’s been too busy to focus on the true meaning of Christmas—and too distracted to explore her feelings for Kyle. Together, they put aside the holiday rush to celebrate the season that brought them together.

My thoughts: Amy Clipston is known for her super-sweet bakery stories and this one fits right into her brand. Alyssa is a hard worker but she's so busy she forgets the important things about Christmas, such as family and friends. There is a weak faith message, a very sweet young love romance, and a good lesson for everyone during this busy hustle and bustle time of the year.

Loaves of Love by Beth Wiseman

Katie Swartzentruber has been left in charge of her family’s bakery, but she soon finds herself overwhelmed with orders during the holiday season. She is tempted to move her Old Order family into the modern world by using propane ovens. Meanwhile, her childhood friend Henry Hershberger is trying to find the courage to tell Katie that he’s harbored a secret crush on Katie for years. As the demands at the bakery intensify, both Katie and Henry must find the courage to go after what’s important.

My thoughts: Beth Wiseman pens a love pentagon. Five individuals. To quote a country song: Who's seeing who, who's cheating who, who don't even care anymore. Wiseman is a hit or miss author for me but I enjoyed this story and actually like and care for the characters. Especially Clara. This was a really good novella. I was glad for Katie's final decision.
Melting Hearts  by Kathleen Fuller

When her aunt Carolyn begs for help during the busy Christmas rush, Mattie Shetler eagerly packs her bags and heads to Birch Creek. She doesn’t know her uncle has also asked for help with the bakery’s new expansion from Peter Kaufman, Mattie’s sworn enemy. As the two work together, Mattie discovers not all is as it seems. With Christmas just around the corner, Mattie and Peter open their hearts for the greatest gifts of the season: forgiveness and maybe even love.  My thoughts about Melting Hearts  by Kathleen Fuller; Another hit or miss author, Fuller tells rather than shows resulting in this read feeling disconnected with the characters. I also disliked how hateful Mattie & Peter were to each other. The story got a lot more interesting when they declared a truce and Mattie started to discover the truth.

Cakes and Kisses  by Kelly Irvin

Martha Ropp works hard at her family’s bakery, making cakes and pies for community celebrations. To help during the busy Christmas season, Martha’s mother hires Ambrose Hershberger to make deliveries. Martha remembers Ambrose as a gentle giant from her school days. But the more they work together, the more they want to spend time together outside of the bakery. When both are too timid to make the first move, the town matchmakers step in.

My thoughts: Set in Jamesport Missouri I kept expecting to run into characters written by two other authors: Laura V Hilton and Charlotte Hubbard. Of course, I didn't. :) I got the initial impression Ambrose is special needs... and he is but high-functioning, A very special story that rose through the ranks to becoming my favorite in this collection. Sweet!

Overall thoughts: A good read by four popular Amish authors -- this would make a good gift for the Amish reader on your list -- or for yourself. Good for any time of the year.

Bonus review by Marilyn: An Amish Christmas Bakery will cause readers to want to bake and dig out some old favorite recipes. Each novella is centered a round a bakery and a chance of finding love. The characters are true to life with their flaws and strengths. Each author penned their novella in their own unique style.

Amy Clipston’s creativity with Cookies and Cheer was a delightful read with Alyssa Byler’s brilliant creation of a nativity from sugar cookies. Seeking assistance from Kyle Smoker, the local blacksmith, brought the perfect result for each cookie cutter needed. But the bakery was overwhelmed with so many orders for the nativity cookies caused undue stress and strain. Will Alyssa discover where she failed in putting God and family first before Christmas Day?

Loaves of Love by Beth Wiseman showed Katie Swartzentruber struggling with all the holiday baking. David offered Katie a propane stove so she could keep up, but Katie discovered flaws with the end results. Henry was a life saver in many ways to Katie even though their past relationship had been rocky. Could Christmas be any more perfect when there’s an unexpected meeting at the bakery?

Kathleen Fuller brought Mattie Shetler and Peter Kaufman to Birch Creek in her tale of Melting Hearts. Even though Mattie had been there to help her aunt in the bakery, she was more than a little surprised when her uncle asked Peter to come to assist him with an addition. Will they be able to find forgiveness and discover a new admiration for one another by Christmas?

Cakes and Kisses by Kelly Irvin was a pleasure to read as Mattie Ropp and Ambrose Hershberger worked together in the bakery. Ambrose lacked some basic abilities but his heart was huge and his memory was remarkable. Mattie desire to teach Ambrose to read with Ambrose even helping with baking duties grew their relationship to more than employee/employer. Who’s going to be the one to speak first on their feelings with their lives so different?

I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit. I was under no obligation to write a positive review but have shared my own opinion.

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Read an Excerpt

Read an excerpt of An Amish Christmas Bakery here.