Amish Mennonite Romance

For generations, Ellie Hostetler's family has tended their Lancaster County orchard, a tradition her twin brother, Evan, will someday continue. Yet when Evan's draft number is called up in the lottery for the Vietnam War, the family is shocked to learn he has not sought conscientious objector status, despite their Old Order Amish belief in nonresistance. The faraway war that has caused so much turmoil and grief among their Englisher neighbors threatens to touch much too close to home. Can she and her family find the courage to face a future unlike any they could have imagined?

One quilt binds three generations of Amish women. Enjoy the gift of a brand new romance from New York Times best-selling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, along with stories by her daughter-in-law, Jean and granddaughter, Richelle.

Join retired Amish newlyweds Emma and Lamar Miller in Florida for the winter as they lead another quilting class with a new group of unlikely students: Jennifer, a pregnant new mom; Mike, a charter boat owner; Erika, a wheelchair bound teen; Kim, a waitress; Noreen, a newly retired widow; and BJ, an artist facing illness. When old friends visit from Indiana, will romance also become a subject of class discussions?

Calvin has been keeping a secret from his wife, but it’s not another woman. It’s a little boy. One afternoon when visiting Sarah Anne’s bookmobile, he meets Miles, a 10-year-old living with a foster family down the road. But after spending more time with the boy, Calvin learns that his foster family has no plans to adopt him. Calvin feels a connection with Miles and yearns to give the boy a home, but he’s afraid to tell Miriam, knowing she’s devastated they can’t have children of their own.

Graduate student Beth Winslow was sure she was ready to navigate the challenges of becoming a surrogate. But when early tests indicate possible abnormalities with the baby, Beth is unprepared for the parents' decision to end the pregnancy - and for the fierce love she feels for this unborn child. Desperate, she flees the city and seeks refuge at Hopen Haus, a home for unwed mothers deep in a Tennessee Mennonite community.

As Amish widow Emma Yoder contemplates the task ahead, her thoughts center on one: What if she fails? Longing to remove a burden from her family by becoming self-sufficient, Emma has offered to hold quilting classes in her home. But when she sees the patchwork of faces assembled for the first lesson, her confidence dwindles as doubt threatens to take hold.

Cherish is still distracted by what caused the rift between Debbie and Bliss, and when she can't take it any longer, she sets out to investigate. When she finds shocking evidence, she wonders whether the sweet and good-natured Bliss has them all fooled.

Veronica Fisher knows how lucky she is to be marrying her best friend. Seth Lapp is kind, hardworking, and handsome—but most importantly, he loves Veronica. When an accident on the job steals Seth away from her, a heartbroken Veronica is certain she will never love—or be loved—again. Yet when she discovers a batch of forgotten recipes and opens a bake stand to sell her Mammi’s raspberry pies, Veronica picks up a regular customer who gives her heart pause.

The Baker/Bruner household has a permanent addition to their family - cousin Debbie. Debbie has found a way to fit in with the bonnet sisters and their blended family. Although, she'd rather have a very different life and secretly hopes she won't be there forever. Could the man she rejected be the answer to her future? Or will he only add to her long list of disappointments?

There's never a dull moment at the Baker Apple Orchard. As a gesture of goodwill and to smooth family wounds, Earl, Florence's older brother, visits the orchard bringing with him a surprise. The surprise turns into a shock when Earl introduces the woman he's planning to marry. When Wilma learns the potential bride is nearly her age, she is convinced he can find someone better, and younger. Wilma hatches a plan and enlists Ada's help.

Things are not going well for Hope. Her relationship with Fairfax is not how she imagined. When Cherish learns Hope is upset, she sets out to fix things between Hope and Fairfax, but will that make things worse? Besides helping her sister, Cherish is more determined than ever to get rid of Caroline, their long-term Englisher guest.

The matchmakers have their eyes on romance - and in this small Amish community, no one is safe. Their sights are first set on plain, independent Willow, who’s shocked when her parents try to marry her off to bachelor Samuel. But can she and Samuel evade their parents’ meddling long enough to find love on their own? Then there’s Valerie, a widow who’s never recovered from losing the man she really loved. Now at her friend’s urging, she and Ed have one last chance to find their own happiness…if they can revive the spark that once promised a lifetime of love.

Ryan Lapp had promised to marry Lorene Bontrager as soon as he was able to build them a house, but the day never came. Ryan moved away. Five years later, Lorene has settled in to her old maid role, and she’s shocked when her younger sister announces her quick engagement to Ryan’s younger brother.

Suvie has three marriage proposals - but none from the man she truly loves. No matter how lonely widower Aaron Beachy is, he seems determined to stay that way. Now, Suvie will do whatever it takes to change that.

With Christmas around the corner, it’s time for Amish families to include holiday greetings in their circle letters, each writer adding to a growing collection as it travels on to the next. In this delightful trio of stories, three cousins scattered across the country share their blessings - and reveal news of romantic surprises.

Making rugs for Simple Gifts has taught Loretta Riehl that an unassuming pattern can reveal surprising depth. People, too, have a way of defying first impressions. Drew Detweiler came to Willow Ridge under a cloud, but the handsome craftsman has gained the community's respect for his upholstery skills and commitment to making amends for his mistakes. As her new brother-in-law's twin, he's joining the family for dinners and Sunday visits at the Riehl house, and Loretta can't deny enjoying his attentions.

The sisters are back from their brother's wedding. It's not long before Cherish discovers something is amiss with Debbie, their new houseguest. What is it that Debbie is hiding from everyone? Cherish does her best to find out. She also has doubts about their former houseguest. Are her intentions about joining their Amish community genuine, or could she have another agenda?

Two unwanted guests, a road trip, and an Amish wedding! Shortly after the family has said goodbye to one unwanted houseguest, Bliss' cousin arrives for an extended stay. Cherish wants Debbie to fit in well with the family, but she's not too hopeful given some early warning signs. Levi is left behind when Ada, Wilma, and the girls take a road trip to Ohio for Earl and Miriam's wedding. Is it possible the pair will have a peaceful wedding without any outside interference? Will Earl and Miriam get their happily-ever-after?

Cherish is finally on her way to her farm, but what will she find when she arrives? Back at the apple orchard, Wilma is worried that Joy, her good daughter, continues to stay away from her family. Could there be something wrong with Joy or her husband? Wilma is determined to get to the bottom of their strange behavior.

When a newspaper ad prompts Darla King to travel to Birch Creek in search of a husband, her identical twin, Amanda, promises their parents she’ll convince Darla to come home. After all, Amanda is the responsible and reliable one. She has always protected Darla, who acts on impulse and trusts people too easily. The sisters’ close relationship is strained as Darla asserts her independence, and Amanda grapples with regrets of her past and the longings of her own heart.