An Amish Year

An Amish Year was the first time I’ve ever read a novel by Beth Wiseman so I was surprised to find out it’s not one story but four stories! I would consider it to be 4 short stories about different characters. I really liked this format because as a single mom it can be hard to read a whole 300+ page novel from start to finish before I forget what the beginning was about.  But when each story is roughly 100 pages, give or take, I can read the story, engage with the story and have a complete understanding of what is going on.  An Amish Year contains four stories: Rooted in Love, A Love for Irma Rose, Patchwork Perfect and When Christmas Comes Again. Rooted in Love and When Christmas Comes Again was previously published in another Beth Wiseman book.

Rooted in Love is a love story focused on Rosemary Lantz. When she was a teenager she dated Saul Petersheim. They were crazy about each other. But then something changed. Out of the blue Rosemary broke up with Saul. She did not give him a reason or explain why she was ending their relationship. Saul was heartbroken.  He is still deeply in love with Rosemary and wants to spend the rest of their lives together. But until Rosemary can share her secret with Saul they will never be together. Can Saul convince Rosemary to break down the walls she has built and let him in?

A Love for Irma Rose is about Irma Rose. That’s pretty obvious just by the title of the story. This story takes you back in time to 1957 when Irma is a spirited young lady. She loves adventure and being her own person. But it’s time for her to start the process of settling down and she has someone just as wild and crazy interested in her! Jonas, a wild and crazy young man who’s life is full of adventures. Will Irma chose a path that is safe and secure? Or will she take a chance on Jonas and have the adventure of a lifetime?

Patchwork Perfect was a change from the previous two stories. I felt the first two were told with a female character focus and now we were focused on the males perspective. Eli Byler has just recently lost his wife. He has moved with his two children to Lancaster to start over and have a change of scenery. He is also intent on finding a new wife and mother for his two children. But instead of following down the path and marrying one of the towns widows he falls for Miriam Fischer. Miriam is different than any other Amish woman. She plays basketball with the boys, does not cook nor garden. She’s not the typical “wife” and that’s fine with her. Miriam has no desire to marry. But Eli has eyes set on her. Can Eli show Miriam there’s an amazing life with him and his two children?

When Christmas Comes Again focuses on the first Christmas after Katherine Zook lost her husband. This will be first Christmas for Katherine and her four children without Elias. She’s not sure how they are going to get through it. But then a stranger starts coming around. He has photos of her late husband, Elias. Maybe this exactly what Katherine and her family need.

I really enjoyed the four stories by Beth Wiseman. I found them enjoyable and easy to read. You can pick up your own copy of An Amish Year on Amazon.