Kelly Marie Long's new release the novella "A Christmas on Ice Mountain" in An Amish Christmas Quilt. This is part of a series set in Pennsylvania. The story line in the series revolves around the natural marvel/phenomenon of Ice Mountain. Amish Mennonite live there and some of their customs are different from other American Amish.
This novella collection is published by Zebra, a Kensington imprint. All of Kelly's books have been published by Christian publishing houses up until now and this is her first foray into the secular market.
Here's the blurb:
A Christmas On Ice Mountain
By Kelly Long
Matthew Beider and Laurel Lapp's secret wish to marry is a gift their feuding fathers definitely won't accept. And trying to settle their dats' long-standing quarrel is making their holiday anything but merry. Can rediscovering the joys and friendships of Christmas past finally turn their families' futures bright?
FIVE STARS *****
I read only Kelly's story and haven't had a chance yet to read the other two novellas in the collection--one by Charlotte Hubbard and another by Jennifer Beckstrand.
An Amish Christmas Quilt was true to form Kelly Long, which I loved. A lovely romance with a little edginess in this story. And it interconnects with her Bride of Ice Mountain, which I am three quarters of the way through. So there's a nice overlap with some special characters from the series. Loved the siblings in this novella!
This novella was so cute and the plot so compelling that I had to keep reading it until I got to the end. This is one of the things that I like about novellas because I can often read them in an evening. This story had bibiliotherapy elements of forgiveness, long standing feuds, harboring resentment and listening to God's directives. Lovely happy-ever-after at the end! Highly recommend. I see this novella as a contender on my novellas list and on my bibliotherapy list for best of 2014.
Giveaway: This is Amish week on OWG blog and also our Pink Giveaway for breast cancer survivor awareness. We also have giveaway of ebook or paperback copy of this novella collection which includes Kelly's latest release! Question--Have you ever met someone who was Amish?
This sounds wonderful, CARRIE, and don't you just love the wintery Christmas cover? Maybe Paul will get me the Bride of Ice Mountain for my birthday. His poor wife has absolutely nothing to read. (wink) Thank you for sharing your lovely review with us on OWG!
ReplyDeleteVery nice cover! Haha. But this was a good book and you'd enjoy it. Paul won't believe you!
DeleteLove the book cover & it sounds like a great novella. Would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteThe only Amish I have met have worked at a shops I visited in Lancaster county. I also talked to an Amish woman a bit at her farm stand. I find them to be very helpful & friendly.
Blessings, Tina
I have met Amish in Lancaster too. I've seen them in Ohio. It was so cute to hear the little girl at a shop speak in old German to her grandmother.
DeleteMany,many years ago we had Amish friends. My dad was a UM minister for 50 yrs and we moved often. Lost track of them which makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is too bad, Bonnie. I wonder if you might ever reconnect? Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI have never met anyone Amish, however I love Amish fiction and Kelly Long's books are some of my favorites. I am really looking forward to reading these Ice Mountain books and am excited to know about this novella. Thanks for your great review and for bringing to my attention that this novella was part of the collection!
ReplyDeleteBrittany McEuen
I love Kelly's stories, too, and she's such a sweet person, Brittany. Hugs!
DeleteNot really, I have visited Amish communities and purchased things in their shops and eaten in restaurants but I wouldn't count that as meeting an Amish person. I'm kind of a quiet person until I get to know people then I'm more of a conversationalist. Thank you for the chance to win "An Amish Christmas Quilt" I enjoy the writing of all the authors included in this book.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Well, I do count that as having met them. Thanks for coming by, Wendy! Blessings!
DeleteI haven't met an amish person but I would love to.I love amish fiction books.Thanks for the chance to win this book.
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, Jackie! Have a blessed day!
DeleteI have visited both Berlin, Ohio and Ronks, PA. Went to meet the ladies and Authors of the Whoopie Pie Book Club and also to go for the Whoopie Pie Event. Love seeing so ,any Amish, but haven't really meet any so far. Love reading books about the Amish. Thanks for a chance at winning An Amish Christmas Quilt.
ReplyDeleteseraphinangel7(at)aol(dot)com
That sounds like SO much fun, Juanita! You are a travelin' gal!
DeleteWe actually stayed the night on an Amish farm a few years ago while we were on a vacation. The family was so warm and gracious. It was a wonderful experience!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
That is so cool! Was it a bed and breakfast place? How fun!
DeleteHow did you get so lucky Melanie ? How neat! I haven't met any Amish, but not for the lack of wanting to. I entered a contest of Beverly Lewis that would have been a trip to Shipshewana and a chance to meet some Amish with her. But, alas, I wasn't the lucky winner. I did get to meet her this year, and she has an Amish or Mennonite background. And, many, many Amish friends. So, that is the closest I will ever be. I love the cover on this book and all three of the authors. I also got to meet Jennifer Beckstrand. Such a sweet lady. Hello to all of the OWG gals and the friends who visit here. GOD bless all of you. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
ReplyDeleteMaxie I will confess I was disappointed by our trip to Amish country in Pennsylvania. We went to a pretty popular tourist town and it really felt like that--a touristy thing. The one aspect I did enjoy was seeing the Amish farmers in the fields.
DeleteI've talked to people in Lancaster, PA that were Amish, but no, I haven't "really" met anyone Amish. That would be neat, though. I do love reading about them!
ReplyDeletesusanlulu@yahoo.com
That counts, sweet Susan! I love Kelly's Amish books, too!
DeleteThank you for all of your wonderful comments and to Miss Carrie who is an inspiration to me!!!
ReplyDeleteKelly Long
I'm praying for you, Kelly. And I'm wondering how I am an inspiration to you! You're a blessing and inspiration to me! Hugs and love!
DeleteYes I have. We had them babysit in our hometown when the children were preschool. They loved the one on one attention :)
ReplyDeletedkstevensne at outlook dotcom
Oh that must have been so neat! I bet my kids would have loved an Amish babysitter. In fact that sounds like a great story idea. Kelly???
DeleteI am looking forward to catching up with this collection.
ReplyDeleteI have never met any Amish. Love to read about them though.
I forgot where you live, Mary. I have specific authors in Amish who I like to read and Kelly is one. Blessings!
DeleteI have never met an Amish person. Sharma Darby rdarby@roadrunner.com
ReplyDeleteSharma we have a lot of Mennonite people up where I am from. But they are different from Amish. The sweetest Amish image I have in my mind is in Ohio, a tall Amish father and his little boy as they took down their roadside stand and loaded the remaining produce into their carriage!
DeleteLovely review CARRIE - sounds like an inspiring heartwarming Christmas read! I'm sure you know already I haven't met any Amish over here haha, but I wouldn't mind adding a visit to one of their communities to my USA travel wish list! ;)
ReplyDeleteUm, yeah, that sounds right our Aussie Angel!!! Can't wait till you come visit! Will keep praying!!!
DeleteI would love to win a copy. angelachesnut246@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for your wonderful review, Carrie!! I haven't read any of Kelly's books, however, do love stories with the bibliotherapy elements you mentioned being in "A Christmas on Ice Mountain"!!
ReplyDeleteI love visiting Amish communities and have visited both the ones near Lancaster, Pa. and in the Shipshewana, In. area. I worked in an office near Shipshewana for a year, enjoyed learning more about the Amish and had the opportunity to eat in Amish homes twice. When I traveled to the Lancaster area, I asked the local residents for names of some of the restaurants and stores the Amish frequented, rather than the tourist traps, and was able to taste some wonderful Amish cooking/baking there also. I loved driving up and down the country roads and buying fresh produce/fruit and homemade foods and crafts from the roadside stands the Amish had set up and loved talking to them and learning more about their way of life. I would love to visit the Ohio Amish communities within the near future, I have friends who live near there also. There are also some small Amish communities in Ky. that I haven't visited yet, but would love to. I think at least one of author Mary Ellis' novels is based on Ky. Amish communities.
That is cool, Bonnie! The Amish have now moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where I am from. I've heard that many Amish are moving to more isolated areas because it is getting too crowded. I listened to a story set out west with an Amish community, too. I didn't care for Lancaster--it felt like a tourist trap--but the food was great there! Hugs!
DeleteAside from meeting Amish people while visiting their communities, I was at the train station going home from work, and there was an Amish couple also waiting for the train. We got into a conversation and it was enjoyable to hear about where they lived, where they had been and see their cute little baby they were traveling with. sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet, Sonja! I love the Amish attitude about forgiveness and accepting God's will! Thanks for coming by!
Delete