Amish Joy

While most women her age are searching for husbands, Astrid Kauffman has chosen a different path—writing romance novels and donating her profits to her beloved Amish community. But when Astrid struggles with writer's block, she agrees to play matchmaker for Imogene Yoder, a widowed mother of rambunctious twin boys. Perhaps the diversion will spark her creativity. Fortunately, Astrid has just the match for Imogene: a widower she believes is the finest, most handsome man in town. In fact, Astrid realizes he's perfect . . . for herself!

One fateful starless night, 17-year-old Ira Wagler got up at 2 AM, left a scribbled note under his pillow, packed all of his earthly belongings into in a little black duffel bag, and walked away from his home in the Amish settlement of Bloomfield, Iowa. Now, in this heartwarming memoir, Ira paints a vivid portrait of Amish life - from his childhood days on the family farm, his Rumspringa rite of passage at age 16, to his ultimate decision to leave the Amish Church for good at age 26.

Under the Harvest Moon by Beth Wiseman: When Naomi Dienner is suddenly widowed, she never expects to find love again...until she meets Brock Mulligan, an English family friend hired at harvest time. Will God open Naomi's heart - and give Brock his own second chance at love? Other stories: Love and Buggy Rides by Amy Clipston; Mischief in the Autumn Air by Vannetta Chapman; and A Quiet Love by Kathleen Fuller.

Best-selling author Amy Clipston's Kauffman Amish Bakery series chronicles the tensions, loves, faiths, and challenges of the residents in the Amish community of Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. In A Life of Joy, the fourth installment in the series, 18-year-old Lindsay Bedford has reached a crossroads. Should she stay in the small Amish community she's known and loved for four years or return to the "English" life of her hometown in Virginia?

Join Liz Eckardt and the lovable members of the Material Girls quilting group in the peaceful town of Pleasant Creek, Indiana. The scenery and serenity at the heart of Indiana's Amish country will envelop you as these women embark on heartwarming adventures to uncover the truth about the town's fascinating past.

Born and raised Old Order Amish, the son of a highly regarded Amish Bishop, with only an eighth grade education, he would become a prophetic voice to the marketplace, government, and educational spheres of influence. Take the journey with us as we take an in-depth look at the real life events of one such man, The Amish Prophet.

Newly widowed Amish woman Anita Graber has returned to live with her brother and his family in Lancaster County. As an expectant widow, she is quite surprised when everyone from the bishop's wife to her brother decides that her baby needs a father. Anita endures many embarrassing moments as she's forced into one awkward situation after another. Even though another man is the last thing on her mind, she finds a friend in her sister-in-law's brother, Simon.

Romance is in the air, old-fashioned courtship is alive and well, and love is an eternal promise in these three novellas from Beth Wiseman, Kelly Long, and Kathleen Fuller.

Finding love at Christmas was the last thing on Elizabeth's mind, but that changed the moment she met Joseph, a newcomer to her Amish community. Her feelings for Joseph reinforced her decision to continue to live with her Amish foster parents after she turned 18. Just when Elizabeth is daydreaming of getting married and having babies, a chance encounter with a stranger in a coffee shop turns her life upside down. From the stranger, she learns that everything she knew about her late parents was a lie. When she finds out the secret her parents kept from her, will she ever feel the same?

The Baker Apple Orchard is finally taking shape, but not everyone is happy about it. Cherish and the Englisher visitor are still at odds, so Cherish steps up her plan for her to fall in love with the local beekeeper. If this works, it will be one step toward getting rid of her. Cherish is soon distracted when she decides Joy isn't as happy as she could be for a woman who's about to give birth.

Three charming stories of new school years and new romance.

Joy Lehman has pressed on faithfully since losing her husband, raising their children and running a thriving bakery alone. Even caring for her oldest son, Johnny—seriously injured after a fall—has not shaken her fierce independence. Johnny will walk again, she's sure. Until then, a meeting of the Widows' Club at her home makes it clear that Joy must consider some costly renovations. Her brother-in-law, Uriah, is happy to provide the lumber and the labor—if Joy will accept his help.

Noah made the decision to stay behind when Miranda and Simon went away on their rumspringa. That decision cost him his best friend and his betrothed at the same time, all because he couldn't bring himself to leave his sister after she passed up marriage to take care of him when he was younger. A year later, he runs into them, but they have become Englischers. Will Noah be able to accept the changes in Miranda and win her back, or will her circumstances prevent her from returning to the Amish ways without getting Noah shunned?

Joshua Kanagy’s older brother has left the family gift shop business, which is wonderful gute for Aaron, but not for Joshua. Horses are his talent—raising and training them. But how can Joshua step away from the shop when his parents have already had to give up the dream of leaving their legacy to all three of their sons? Enter Joy Yoder, a determined, if sometimes misguided, helper who always manages to drag Joshua into her schemes and promises. Only now her focus turns to finding a solution to his problem, partly to distract from her own.

Abigail Kemp has managed to frighten off everyone who's ever driven her home from a singing. Sure, she will live to be an old maid. Abigail starts saving her money to buy a horse, so she can at least have some independence.