Category Archives: Beth Wiseman

April 25, 2022 · 12:01 am

Review: The Bookseller’s Promise by Beth Wiseman

Title: The Bookseller’s Promise by Beth Wiseman
The Amish Bookstore Novels Book One
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In the first novel of Beth Wiseman’s new Amish Bookstore series, a rare, old book may hold answers to a present-day romance.

Yvonne Wilson arrives in Montgomery, Indiana, determined to purchase a rare book on behalf of a client willing to pay her an absurd amount of money for her efforts. Engaged to be married in a few months, Yvonne is thrown off guard when she finds herself attracted to the handsome bookstore owner, Jake Lantz—and now she’s asking herself unexpected questions about her future.

Jake Lantz made a promise to his grandfather to never sell the book Yvonne wants to buy, and it’s a promise he plans to keep. Jake begins to read the book with Eva, one of his employees, and Eva sees this time together as a way to get Jake to see her in a new light. Eva’s loved him for years but senses Yvonne’s attraction to Jake right away—and she wonders how Jake feels about Yvonne, an attractive English woman determined to stay in Montgomery until she convinces Jake to sell the rare book.

As Yvonne’s, Jake’s, and Eva’s individual paths merge into something more than they could have imagined, each must face decisions they never anticipated. Will Jake ultimately break his promise to his grandfather? Will Yvonne leave the quaint life she’s been living in Amish Country to go back to her fiancé? And will Eva be able to get Jake to see her as more than a friend? The answers just might be buried within the pages of a rare book.

Review:

The Bookseller’s Promise by Beth Wiseman is a heartwarming Amish Romance.

Thirty-two-year-old Yvonne Wilson is a book broker whose search for a rare book leads her to an Amish Bookstore in Montgomery, IL. Although twenty-five-year-old Jake Lantz has already told her the book is not for sale, she decides to visit him in person to try to change his mind. Yvonne’s fiancé Trevor Adams has to go elsewhere on business, so she travels to Indiana on her own. When meeting with Jake for the first time, he again informs her the book is not for sale. Undaunted, Yvonne remains in town where she gets to know Jake and his employee, nineteen-year-old Eva Graber.  Acting completely out of character, she makes an impetuous decision that initially unnerves her.

Although she loves Trevor, Yvonne is a little leery of losing her independence. She does not want to lose herself after their wedding so she is relying on getting Jake to sell the book her buyer is looking for. Yvonne is surprised by how much she likes him and Eva but she worries she might lose her client if she fails to make the acquisition for him.  Deciding to see if time will change Jake’s mind, she instead enjoys sightseeing and giving Eva advice for letting Jake know she is interested in him.

Jake knows that his friend John Yoder is interested in Eva so he ignores any feelings for her other than friendship. He is not looking forward to hiring someone to replace her if things work out for her and John.  Jake is less than happy when Yvonne shows up at the bookstore, but he refuses to consider breaking his promise to his grandfather to never sell the book. He has not read the book so he surprised by Yvonne’s reaction to it.

Eva’s longtime crush on Jake has deepened over the years and she is frustrated he does not seem to notice she is now grown up. She is at first jealous of Yvonne, but the two soon become fast friends. Finally deciding it is time to stop waiting on Jake, Eva accepts a date with John. But is the man for her?

The Bookseller’s Promise is a poignant inspirational romance. Yvonne is a wonderful woman who eventually comes to question her long-held views on faith. Jake has always liked Eva but he worries that it might be too late for a chance to take their relationship beyond friendship. Eva is an appealing young woman whose dream of a future with Jake might be out of reach. Beth Wiseman weaves the different story arcs into a compelling and captivating novel that will resonate with readers. This first installment in The Amish Bookstore Novels series is off to a marvelous beginning that will leave fans eagerly awaiting the next installment.

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Filed under Amish, Beth Wiseman, Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Amish Bookstore Novels Series, The Booksellers Promise, Zondervan

October 25, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: A Season of Change by Beth Wiseman

Title: A Season of Change by Beth Wiseman
The Amish Inn Novels Book Three
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: A

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Finding peace means letting go of the past—and embracing the change that is to come.

Sisters Esther and Lizzie have a new employee, Rose Petersheim, to help them tend to The Peony Inn. But their old matchmaking ways have stayed the same. The sisters focus their efforts on the lovely twenty-five-year-old Rose. Though Rose is witty and outspoken, her nervous chattering makes her the best match for someone calm and good at listening. Someone like Benjamin—the handsome handyman who recently moved to town.

But when Esther receives an anonymous love letter and flowers, Rose’s love life is no longer the only one capturing the sisters’ attention. As they sleuth around searching for Esther’s secret admirer, they uncover that their grumpy renter, Gus, has a secret of his own that could bring about a difficult change in all their lives. And their continued meddling in Rose’s affairs reveals she, too, is hiding something—an old wound that could threaten her future happiness.

As Rose, Lizzie, Esther, and Gus struggle to release the weight of their pasts, they discover that although people are complicated, love doesn’t need to be.

This charming third installment of the Amish Inn series from bestselling author Beth Wiseman is a picture of loss and healing in which forgiveness will prove to be the greatest act of love.

Review:

A Season of Change by Beth Wiseman is a poignant yet uplifting Amish romance. While this newest release is the third book in The Amish Inn Novels series, it can be read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend reading the first two novels as well.

Lizzie Glick and Esther Zook are widowed sisters who turned their home into a bed and breakfast. Since the summer has been unusually hot, The Peony Inn does not have many visitors. This turns out to be a good thing as Lizzie and Esther continue their matchmaking and learn their longtime boarder Gus Owens’ secret.  Esther also seems to have a secret admirer whose identity Lizzie is determined to uncover. Neither sister is looking for romance but they are curious who about who sent Esther a beautiful bouquet of flowers with a very unexpected message.

Twenty-five-year-old Rose Petersheim is a hard worker whose endless chatter sometimes wars on Lizzie and Esther’s nerves. They have counseled her to listen more and talk less but Rose finds it difficult to keep her thoughts to herself. When newcomer Benjamin King asks her out for a date, she is determined to follow their advice. But since he is very shy, their evening out is rather awkward.

Ben is frustrated with his inability to turn his sometimes tangled thoughts into words . He is tired of blind dates but he would like to marry and start a family. Ben is willing to give Rose a chance, but if their evening out does not go well, he is done with dating. Which is why he is very disappointed his dinner with Rose is so uncomfortable.

Ben remains intrigued by Rose, so he is delighted when she inadvertently reveals her true self to him after their disastrous date. Rose agrees to go out with him again and their romance begins in earnest. But the closer they become, she grows increasingly troubled by memories of her past.  As she tries to come to terms her fears, will Rose decide a future with Ben is not possible?

A Season of Change is an emotionally compelling novel with a heartfelt storyline and appealing characters. Rose is a spirited young woman who must decide whether or not to forgive the people who have hurt her. Ben is a charming man who is transformed by his relationship with Rose. Esther patiently continues her lessons of forgiveness and grace. Lizzie’s outspokenness leads to trouble when her well-intentioned interference backfires. With touching life lessons, Beth Wiseman brings this final installment in The Amish Inn Novels series to a bittersweet conclusion.

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Filed under A Season of Change, Amish, Beth Wiseman, Contemporary, Rated A, Review, Romance, The Amish Inn Novels, Zondervan

June 10, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: An Unlikely Match by Beth Wiseman

Title: An Unlikely Match by Beth Wiseman
The Amish Inn Novels Book Two
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

When sparks fly between a good Amish girl and a hunky member of the Hollywood elite, even matchmaking innkeepers Esther and Lizzie know better than to fan the flames.

Evelyn Schrock has dismissed the attempts of every young man in her small Amish community to court her. She’s willing to wait for a suitor who shares her curiosities about life and faith.

The only reason Jayce Clarkson is in Amish country hefting equipment for his famous father’s movie production company is for the paycheck. The homestyle cooking at the Peony Inn is a perk though, as is his friendship with Evelyn Schrock. If Jayce can endure his dad’s put-downs for a month, he’ll finally be in a position to make a fresh start—somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and the shadow of his checkered past.

To matchmakers Esther and Lizzie, the widowed sisters who operate the inn, Jayce seems like a good man stuck in a life he doesn’t want. But the boy isn’t Amish, and that leaves far too much room for broken hearts. Despite that, Jayce and Evelyn start to realize that they can’t deny their growing attraction. Any path forward seems impossible, and they will have to learn what the future will look like when they leave their fate in Gott’s hands.

Review:

An Unlikely Match by Beth Wiseman is a very charming Amish romance. Although this newest release is the second installment in The Amish Inn Novels series, it can be read as a standalone.

Lizzie and Esther’s latest guests at The Peony Inn are from Hollywood. The large group  includes the producer, Brandon Clarkson, and his adult son, Jayce. Their relationship is tense due to Brandon’s constant berating of his son. Jayce has been in and out of trouble, but he no longer wants anything to do with the Hollywood lifestyle. He has a strong faith but he is struggling to find a church that feels like the right fit.  After the movie is finished, his father will pay him enough money for him to begin his life from underneath Brandon’s thumb. After meeting Evelyn Schrock, Jayce is beginning to envision a future that is very different from the life he currently lives. But Evelyn is Amish and has no intention of leaving the area or her Amish life. Will Jayce leave behind the worldly trappings and become Amish?

Evelyn is an upbeat young woman with an inquisitive mind. She has dated some but she has not yet fallen in love. Although he is not Amish, Evelyn is quite drawn to Jayce. They grow close as they enjoy chaste dates and their feelings continue to grow. Evelyn is surprised when their discussions turn to God and she is pleased to discover Jayce’s faith. Both are heartbroken when it is time for Jayce to return to California. Is their budding romance strong enough to weather their separation?

Lizzie and Esther have yet to replace their previous employee and they are exhausted caring for their guests. They are also both shocked when their testy tenant, Gus Owens, is offered a role in the movie. They are also taken aback to learn that Gus and Jayce share a friendship of sorts. The sisters have long wondered why their mamm insisted that Gus could live on the property as long he wishes. Does the answer to this question lie within a startling discovery? Will the changes in Gus continue once the guests have returned home?

An Unlikely Match is a wonderful Amish romance of faith, love and new beginnings. Evelyn and Jayce are marvelous characters who are a very cute couple.  The romance between Evelyn and Jayce is an absolute joy to watch unfold. Despite their divergent backgrounds, their faith draws them together. With an unanticipated plot twist, Beth Wiseman brings this beautiful romance to a touching conclusion. Old and new fans are going to love this latest addition to The Amish Inn Novels series.

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Filed under Amish, An Unlikely Match, Beth Wiseman, Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Amish Inn Novels, Zondervan

November 2, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: A Picture of Love by Beth Wiseman

Title: A Picture of Love by Beth Wiseman
The Amish Inn Novels Book One
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Both of them have vowed from the bottom of their broken hearts never to love again.

Sweet Naomi Byler cooks meals for the guests at The Peony Inn, where Amish sisters and owners of the inn Esther and Lizzie love her like a granddaughter. She’s as happy there as a young woman can be, considering that her fiancé, Thomas, has left her to court someone else. She knows she’ll get over the love of her life in due time, but she assumes marriage will never be a part of her future.

Amos Lantz and his mother are guests at the inn, visiting town for a cousin’s wedding. Attending a wedding is the last thing Amos wants to do since his own fiancée, Sarah, died tragically just a year ago.

Naomi and Amos understand each other’s grief and become quick friends when they discover their mutual love of painting. As the two begin to paint through their sadness together, Esther and Lizzie play matchmaker—a risky move with the potential to backfire. And when Thomas makes an unexpected return intending to win back Naomi, she realizes she no longer knows her own heart.

In this new Amish series from bestselling and award-winning novelist Beth Wiseman, true love takes root in the deepest of wounds.

Review:

The first installment in The Amish Inn Novels series, A Picture of Love by Beth Wiseman is a heartwarming novel of healing, faith and love.

Naomi Byler lives and works at The Peony Inn, a B&B owned by two widowed sisters, Esther Zook and Lizzie Glick.  The sisters love Naomi like a granddaughter and they want the best for her. Which is why they decide to do a little matchmaking when Amos Lantz and his mamm stay at their inn while in town for a wedding. 

Naomi is a warm-hearted and compassionate young woman. She is still trying to understand why Thomas ended their engagement and left town. Naomi is drawn to Amos as soon as they meet, but since her heart still belongs to Thomas, she is not looking for another relationship. She dearly loves Esther and Lizzie but she is frustrated by their recent matchmaking attempts. Naomi is firm when she asks them not to interfere but will the well-intentioned sisters honor her wishes?

Amos is still mourning the loss of his fiancée and he is dreading attending the wedding. He is quite observant and he notices the lingering shadows in Naomi’s eyes.  They decide to support each other at the upcoming wedding and they are surprisingly comfortable in each other’s presence.   Amos is taken off guard at his disappointment he will soon be leaving Naomi to return home.

After a little scheming by his mamm, Lizzie and Esther, Amos remains in town while taking care of some work around the inn. He and Naomi continue spending time together and they soon bond over their love of painting. Amos is a little shocked when he realizes his feelings toward Noami are deepening, but he is uncertain if she wants more than friendship. Naomi is also experiencing a sudden awareness of her own changing emotions but Thomas’s sudden reappearance provides an opportunity for a reunion. But after suddenly abandoning her months earlier, can she trust him with her heart again? And, most importantly, what will Naomi do about her feelings for Amos?

A Picture of Love is a charming Amish romance that is heartfelt and engaging. Amos and Naomi are delightful characters that are easy to love. Esther and Lizzie are quite entertaining and a secondary story arc involving one of the sisters adds unexpected depth to the storyline. With a slight misunderstanding between Amos and Naomi providing unexpected tension, Beth Wiseman brings this endearing romance to a sigh-worthy conclusion.  This first installment in The Amish Inn Novels series will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

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Filed under A Picture of Love, Amish, Beth Wiseman, Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Amish Inn Novels, Zondervan

September 4, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: Listening to Love by Beth Wiseman

Title: Listening to Love by Beth Wiseman
An Amish Journey Series Book Two
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 321 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

He’s Amish. She’s Englisch. They are best friends, despite what the gossips say. But could the rumor mill know more than they do?

Englischer Natalie Collins looks forward to Friday night suppers at Levi and Mary Shetler’s house every week: delicious food, wonderful conversation with her Amish friends, and, best of all, the presence of Levi’s older brother Lucas. Natalie and Lucas have become best friends despite their different backgrounds. They share a love of books, and he is teaching her about God in a way that she can understand.

But the closer they become, the more opinions everyone seems to have. Levi and Mary, Lucas’s family, and even Natalie’s mother—whose own life is a mess at the moment—have concerns about their relationship. Why can’t everyone understand that it’s possible to just be friends? Besides, they couldn’t be together even if they wanted to be. Lucas would never leave the Amish faith, and Natalie is Englisch and pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine.

But when a terrifying accident happens, Natalie and Lucas are forced to confront their true feelings and decide if they can stay true to themselves and each other.

The second novel in the Amish Journeys series by bestselling author Beth Wiseman explores the compromises and sacrifices it takes to truly listen to love.

Review:

Listening to Love is a thought-provoking Amish story of love, healing, friendship and family. Although this latest release is the second installment in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Journey series, it can be read as a standalone.

Nineteen year old Natalie Collins is an Englischer whose relationship with God has grown through her friendship with Lucas Shetler. Through an unexpected inheritance and her friends’ generosity, Natalie is going to college where she plans to achieve her life-long dream of becoming a veterinarian. Despite all of the positive things in her life, Natalie is troubled by her mother Cecelia’s inability to move past her hurt and bitterness from her divorce. She is also dipping into her college savings to help support Cecelia whose financial situation is becoming dire. The time Natalie spends with Lucas is a huge bright spot in her life but do their feelings for one another run deeper than friendship?

Natalie is a caring and very responsible young woman but she is growing weary of financially and emotionally supporting her mom.  She is also a bit concerned about the career path she has chosen for herself. Natalie and Lucas live in very different worlds but they are trying to remain true to the plans that God has for them. Both of their friends and families are growing worried that their relationship might turn into a romance. Thankfully, Natalie has Lucas and God to help her navigate the unexpected obstacles that suddenly appear in her life.  

Lucas and his family are Old Order Amish which is very strict and eschews modern technology. Even in the face of his mother’s disapproval, he cannot deny how drawn he is to Natalie. If they are to have a future together, one of them will have to sacrifice the life they are currently living. Can Lucas walk away from his family and faith in order for them to be together?

Cecelia has been trying hard to overcome the betrayal of her husband divorcing her. She feels guilty over relying so heavily on her daughter and she is growing desperate as she searches for employment. When Cecelia meets Lucas’s neighbor Moses Schwartz, she does not hesitate to accept his job offer. She is happily settling into her new position and she is finally beginning to regain her lost confidence. But will Cecelia revert to destructive coping mechanisms when faced with an unexpected crisis?

Listening to Love is a heartwarming Amish novel with an engaging romance and endearing characters. Natalie and Lucas are winsome characters who are faced with life-altering decisions once they fall in love. They both grow and change as they work together to make the right choice for their future. Cecelia’s story arc is quite uplifting but challenging as she begins healing from her painful divorce. Old and new fans of Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Journey series are going to love this newest addition to this heartfelt series.

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Filed under Amish, An Amish Journey Series, Beth Wiseman, Contemporary, Listening to Love, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Zondervan

July 5, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: Her Brother’s Keeper by Beth Wiseman

brother's keeperTitle: Her Brother’s Keeper by Beth Wiseman
Amish Secrets Book One
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Charlotte came to Amish country to find answers. What she never expected to find was peace.

Charlotte Dolinsky is not above playing dress-up and telling a few lies to find out what happened to her only brother. In fact, that is exactly what she’s come to Lancaster County to do. Now, calling herself Mary and slipping on a kapp, Charlotte will lie her way into the confidence of anyone who knows why Ethan had to die. Unless she gets found out first.

But when Charlotte befriends a quiet Amish man named Isaac Miller, she begins to rethink her motives. And with a little help from a friend back home, Charlotte might find out that love comes packaged in ways she couldn’t have foreseen.

Isaac’s been caring for his cancer-stricken father and sympathizing with his frustrated mother for three difficult years. And that means he hasn’t been dating. He believes Hannah King is the woman for him, but Hannah is still grieving the loss of her fiancé, and Isaac has all he can handle on the farm. When Hannah’s family plays host to a woman named Mary, their new cousin shakes things up for all of them.

As Charlotte digs deeper into the mystery of Ethan’s death, she finds more than she’d bargained for in the community he once called home. But will she ever learn the truth? And what will the community—and her new family—do if they learn the truth about her?

Review:

Fans of Amish fiction are going to love Beth Wiseman’s newest release, Her Brother’s Keeper. This first installment in the Amish Secrets series has a very unique and fascinating storyline but it is the characters that make it such an outstanding read.

Charlotte Dolinsky is determined to find answers about her brother Ethan’s death in Lancaster County. Dissatisfied by answers she receives from his fiancée Hannah King, Charlotte devises a scheme to do little undercover sleuthing in the Amish community. Armed with a little knowledge of the Amish faith, she poses as a distant cousin of the Kings and they open their home (and eventually their hearts) to her. But Charlotte is woefully unprepared for Amish life and she quickly discovers there is much more to being Amish than donning a kapp and living without electricity. She grows increasingly uncomfortable with the lies she must tell to divert their suspicions but when she begins to care for Hannah and her family, Charlotte is torn between ending her deception or continuing to seek answers about her brother’s death.

Charlotte and Ethan’s abusive childhood left permanent scars on both of them. Charlotte finds it difficult to trust or get close to people while Ethan suffered from depression off and on over the years. Neither has much of a spiritual background so Charlotte found Ethan’s newfound faith difficult to believe and she harbored serious reservations about his engagement to an Amish woman. Learning of his suicide devastated Charlotte and she is desperate to understand why someone on the verge of marriage would suddenly and inexplicably take his own life.

Charlotte’s crash course in Amish living provides the basics (i.e. dress, common dialogue, etc) but as she quickly discovers, there is much she does not know. She quickly realizes how unrealistic her scheme is but she comes up with very plausible explanations for her mistakes. While she comes to appreciate some of the Amish lifestyle, she is very uneasy with the spiritual aspects she encounters.

Charlotte is surprised by how much she likes Hannah and she cleverly works discussions about Ethan into their conversations. Hannah’s answers to her probing questions are not completely satisfying but their surprisingly in depth exchanges about faith begin to resonate with Charlotte.  Discussions with Ethan’s best friend Ryan also aid Charlotte on her spiritual awakening but this journey has just begun when her deception is uncovered. Although the Amish are quick to forgive, will this prove to be the case for the King family and the other members of their community?

There is also a slight romantic element to Her Brother’s Keeper, but these relationships are not the focus of the novel. Charlotte and Ethan’s friend Isaac go on a few dates but it is soon apparent that their relationship is strictly platonic. Isaac is really interested in Hannah but he is afraid it is too soon to ask her out since she appears to be still mourning Ethan’s death. Hannah is caught off guard by her jealousy when Isaac and Charlotte begin dating and she becomes quite introspective as she tries to overcome her unexpected feelings. This contemplation is surprisingly useful and helps her move through the grieving process.

Her Brother’s Keeper is a heartfelt and poignant novel and Beth Wiseman tackles some very difficult subjects with a great deal of sensitivity. The faith portion of the storyline is realistic and it is absolutely delightful watching Charlotte begin her spiritual journey. There is also a bit of a suspense aspect to the novel as Charlotte tries to uncover the truth about the circumstances leading up to Ethan’s death. All in all, it is an absolutely incredible beginning to the Amish Secrets series that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next installment.

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Filed under Amish, Beth Wiseman, Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, Romance