So far this week, we’ve spotlighted upcoming releases through the end of the year for contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and mystery/suspense. Today, let’s look at Amish fiction!
I’m pretty picky about my Amish fiction. I have my favorite authors and I pretty much stick to those, though on occasion I will discover a new favorite on a friend’s recommendation or through a blog tour.
And usually I have a difficult time coming up with very many Amish titles for these “most anticipated” lists but this time there’s a decent number releasing in the next few months, particularly in September. Well, you’ll see in just a second lol.
A Plain and Sweet Christmas Romance Collection (Barbour Books, Sept 1) – Enjoy a simple Christmas, sweetened by love, in historical communities of plain faith people. Four romances develop among the Ohio River Valley Quakers of the mid-1800s. Two Mennonite couples face influences from outside their old traditions. Two Amish couples from the early 1900s are affected by world events. And in an Amana community, childhood sweethearts are reunited. Each story also includes a recipe for a sweet traditional treat.
Novellas include:
A Crossroad to Love by Lauralee Bliss, Simple Gifts by Ramona K Cecil, A Christmas Prayer by Dianne Christner, Treasure of the Heart by Melanie Dobson, Love is Forever by Jerry Eicher, Love’s Pure Light by Olivia Newport, Pirate of My Heart by Rachael O Phillips, Equally Yoked by Claire Sanders, Abigail’s Christmas Candles by Anna Schmidt Goodreads | Amazon
A Sister’s Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray (Avon Inspire, Sept 27) – In Shelley Shepard Gray’s third book in her Charmed Amish Life series, a respectable young woman finds herself falling for an Amish man from the wrong side of the tracks.
Amelia Kinsinger is the perfect Amish woman—at least according to her neighbors. And while Amelia takes pride in her role as homemaker, she’s also harboring a secret: She’s been in love with bad boy Simon Hochstetler for as long as she can remember. Too bad he’s about as far from “perfect” as an Amish man could get… but that’s exactly why she’s so drawn to him.
Life hasn’t been kind to Simon. He ran away from an abusive home at fifteen and things went downhill from there. Eventually, Simon landed in prison. But the experience changed him. Now back in Charm as a grown man, he’s determined to make a new life for himself and not think too much about his wild past…unless it pertains to Amelia.
He’s loved Amelia for years. To him, she represents everything good and kind in the world. When he realizes that she returns his affections, he starts calling on her in secret, even though her older brother Lukas—who just happens to be Simon’s best friend—has made it perfectly clear that Amelia deserves better. Simon disagrees and believes he’s the only one who can truly make her happy.
But when Amelia gets hurt, it sets off a chain of events that forces them to consider their future together—and face their past mistakes. There’s a chance for love… but only if Simon dares to trust Amelia with the secrets of his past. Goodreads | Amazon
A Love Made New by Kathleen Fuller (Thomas Nelson, Sept 13) – It seems as if everyone is falling in love in Birch Creek, including Abigail Schrock. But when heartbreak descends on her already fragile world, she can’t help but feel that if she’d only been a little prettier, she could be on her way down the aisle. To make matters worse, Abigail’s two sisters have found love, and all Abigail can seem to find is the chocolate she has stashed away in the pantry.
Asa Bontrager has never had trouble with the ladies in his Amish community—his good looks have always gotten him far. Which is why he’s baffled by the call he’s received from God to pursue Abigail, a woman who seems determined to turn him away.
Can Abigail find the peace and joy she so desperately desires? Will she allow herself to stop running and melt into the embrace of unforeseen comfort? If she does, she may discover a love powerful enough to restore her hope in a promising future. Goodreads | Amazon
Mattie’s Pledge by Jan Drexler (Revell, Sept 20) – Mattie Schrock is no stranger to uprooting her life. Even as her father relocated her family from one Amish community to the next, she always managed to find a footing in their new homes. Now as the Schrock family plans to move west from Somerset County to a fledgling Amish settlement in Indiana, she looks forward to connecting with old friends who will be joining them from another Pennsylvania community–friends like Jacob Yoder, who has always held a special place in her heart.
Since Mattie last saw Jacob, they’ve both grown into different people with different dreams. Jacob yearns to settle down, but Mattie can’t help but dream of what may lie over the western horizon. When a handsome Englisher tempts her to leave the Amish behind to search for adventure in the West, will her pledge to Jacob be the anchor that holds her secure?
Tender, poignant, and gentle, Mattie’s Pledge offers readers a glimpse into Amish life in the 1840s–and into the yearning heart of a character they’ll not soon forget. Goodreads | Amazon
Mount Hope by Sarah Price (Realms, Sept 6) – An Amish retelling of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park
When her father can no longer provide for his large family, Fanny Price is sent away from her small Amish community in Colorado to live with her aunt’s family in Mount Hope, Ohio.
Fanny immediately feels out of place at the Bontrager farm but finds a friend in her aunt’s stepson, Elijah Bontrager.
As time passes, Fanny begins to long for their friendship to blossom into something more, but her hopes are dashed when Elijah starts to court someone else.
With her uncle pressuring her to marry a man who can take her off his hands, Fanny must learn to rely on God for her future. Goodreads | Amazon
Plain Truth by Debby Giusti (Love Inspired Suspense, Sept 1) – When widowed doctor Ella Jacobsen is attacked and left for dead in her children’s clinic, the peace she’s found in Georgia’s Amish country is shattered.
Someone is after something in her clinic and wants her out of the way…but what are they looking for?
Ella knows only that her life is in the hands of army special agent Zach Swain. Zach can’t resist the vulnerable but headstrong Ella, who stares down danger to care for the people she loves.
With one look, the loner soldier goes from investigator to protector. To save Ella, he must uncover the secrets that swirl around the idyllic community. And he needs to do it fast, because Ella is running out of time. Goodreads | Amazon
An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray (Avon Inspire, Oct 18) – In Shelley Shepard Gray’s fourth book in her Charmed Amish Life series, an unlikely Amish romance reveals that Christmas is a time for family, miracles—and love.
Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Newly returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi is trying to fit into his old life, only to discover he seems to have outgrown it.
But when Julia, his young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, Levi finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a job Levi takes personally. Soon enough, friendship grows into attraction, but Levi can’t help having doubts. There’s something about Julia that doesn’t ring quite true…
Like Levi, Julia Kemps has survived her fair share of hardships—but only by hiding the truth of her past. Being an unmarried mother in an Amish community was unthinkable. Feeling hopeless, Julia did the only thing she could do: she moved to a new town and pretended to be a widow. But meeting Levi, she’s hopeful for the first time. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret, and eventually…perhaps even sharing her life with him.
Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together…in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire. Goodreads | Amazon
The Amish Christmas Kitchen (Kensington, Sept 27) – Something’s always baking in an Amish oven, and at Christmastime, all the ingredients for joy are at hand. Wrap yourself in the warmth of the Amish home—and the Plain peace of hearts joined by love. Each story includes a recipe from the author!
BAKING LOVE ON ICE MOUNTAINby Kelly Long –Newly married, Clara Mast and Daniel Kauffman have little to give but love during their first Christmas season together. But generous hearts are always willing to be creative in this “Gift of the Magi” inspired story.
THE CHRISTMAS BAKERY ON HUCKLEBERRY HILLby Jennifer Beckstrand –When shy Katie Rose Gingerich’s dat sends her to Huckleberry Hill to secure a marriage proposal, she never expects to long for carefree Titus Helmuth—or to hope that he might want to spend every Christmas with her . . .
THE SPECIAL CHRISTMAS COOKIEby Lisa Jones Baker – A charity auction, an unexpected friendship, and a stubborn spirit combine in an unusual courtship. But for Emma and Jonathan, overcoming obstacles is just one of the lessons to be learned about special blessings this holiday season. Goodreads | Amazon
The Devoted by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell, Oct 4) – Bright, curious, and restless, Ruthie Stoltzfus loves her family but is stuck in a sea of indecision about her future: Should she stay Amish? Or should she leave? She’s done all she can to prepare to go–passed the GED, saved her money–but she can’t quite set her journey into motion.
Patrick Kelly is a young man on a journey of his own. He’s come to Stoney Ridge to convert to the Amish and has given himself thirty days to learn the language, drive a buggy, and adapt to “everything Plain.” Time, to Patrick, is of the essence. Every moment is to be cherished, especially the hours he spends with Ruthie, his Penn Dutch tutor.
Ruthie’s next-door neighbor and cunning ex-boyfriend, Luke Schrock, is drawn to trouble like a moth to a flame. Rebellious, headstrong, defiant, Luke will do anything to win Ruthie back–anything–and Patrick Kelly is getting in his way.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites readers back to Stoney Ridge for a story of dreams deferred and hopes fulfilled–complete with Fisher’s signature twists that never fail to leave readers delighted. Goodreads | Amazon
More Than a Promise (Zebra, Sept 29) – One of the only women in the quilting circle without children, Mariana Miller prayed to be blessed with a little one throughout fifteen years of marriage. But now, newly widowed, Mariana discovers she’s pregnant—with twins! How will she support herself and the babies, not to mention stay healthy when the doctor puts her on bed rest? As neighbors band together to help, Mariana is more grateful than ever for the Amish community. She especially looks forward to visits from Reuben Weisel, her late husband’s business partner and best friend. Reuben’s quiet strength comforts her—until he proposes marriage…
Honorable and loyal, there’s no doubt Reuben sincerely wants to provide for Mariana and the twins. Never married, he can now be a good husband and father. So long as the bishop approves, to wed him is a sensible choice—and an unexpected gift. But when Mariana discovers there is more behind Reuben’s proposal than she thought, their fragile agreement and fledgling love will be put to the test… Goodreads | Amazon
The Cherished Quilt by Amy Clipston (Zondervan, Nov 29) – Emily Fisher is eager to meet the new employee at her father’s shop in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. But when Christopher Hochstetler arrives, his cold demeanor freezes her attempts at building a friendship.
Longing for a fresh start, Christopher travels from Ohio to Bird-in-Hand to work at his uncle’s shop. Christopher’s heart is still wounded from memories of home, and making new friends is the last thing on his mind—he knows the pain that comes with losing those you love. When Emily is kind to him, he tries to remain distant, but he soon finds himself stealing glances at her throughout the day.
When Christopher shares his tragic reasons for leaving home, Emily decides to make a quilt for him as a gesture of their friendship. Even though he is not a member of the church, she’s found someone with whom she can imagine a future. The two are quickly falling in love when a family emergency calls Christopher back to Ohio without warning.
Emily finishes the quilt, in spite of her pain. But when Christopher receives it, will he have the courage to follow his heart? Goodreads | Amazon
Christmas Cookie Mystery by Naomi Miller
(I couldn’t find a blurb or anything for this one yet but isn’t that cover cute?)
What about you? What new releases in Amish fiction are you most looking forward to through the end of 2016?
Shop my “Most Anticipated Fall/Winter 2016” store to see all these books in one place!
It’s so hard to wait for these up coming titles!!! I have Kathleen’s new book can’t wait to read it!!
yay!
Great list! I’m most looking forward to A Sister’s Wish, Mount Hope and Hope Made New. I have a feeling I’ll finally be reading some Amish fiction soon…
😀
My list is 10 pages long……. please stop finding so many great books to read.
LOL!!!
I’m very picky about Amish fiction, too, since I live so close to Lancaster. I can sniff out an author who doesn’t really know what she’s talking about pretty early on. And, I have a hard time understanding deep attraction to men who shun deodorant, so that sort of ruins it for me.
Plain Truth looks good though. And that cookie cover is very cute!
LOL – men who shun deodorant… yeah… that would probably do it for me too haha!
Ooo. A few I don’t know about! Thanks!!
yay!
I have some of these from Netgalley and now I am going to go hunting for the rest! Great post and thanks so much!!
thanks, Susan!
You can’t go wrong with Shelley and Suzanne but all of these titles look so good! When will we find the time to prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas? ?
i have no idea hahaha! Just buy everyone books and cater it in 😉
I am looking forward to reading all of these! I love Amish fiction!!! I might not get much else done for a while but reading all of these new books.
Lol! 🙂