This is a collection of four different Amish stories that have the common theme of gardening. As the reader is led down the garden path in this book, one will discover that each tale is unique. The stories are: “Rooted in Love” by Beth Wiseman, “Flowers for Rachael” by Kathleen Fuller, “Seeds of Love” by Tricia Goyer and “Where Healing Blooms” by Vannetta Chapman.
The story of Rosemary and Saul is of love at cross-purposes. The two had courted as teenagers, and seemed to be in love. Then one day, out-of-the blue, Rosemary said the relationship was over. Saul had given his heart to her, and no one else has ever been right for him. Saul stills pursues her to no avail. The big question is, why did Rosemary call it off? Years pass, and she still won’t tell him. Even if Rosemary never goes out with him again, Saul needs the answer for his own peace of mind. Will he ever get it?
Hard working Rachael has left her home to nurse her grandfather back to health. She also spends a good deal of her time gardening to supply them with food to eat, as well as, items to sell to supplement their meager income. She doesn’t spend any time on social activities. Despite that, Rachael has suddenly started receiving things from a mysterious person. Gideon admires Rachael from afar. The one and only time he attempted to ask a girl out, she laughed at him. That was years ago, and he has never tried again. Can shy Gideon get the courage to tell Rachael how he feels about her? What will her answer be if he does?
Heirloom tomato seeds are all that Sadie has left as a heritage after the death of her beloved mother and father. The seeds have been carefully saved after each harvest by her mother, and the generations before her. Now it was up to Sadie to plant them, and keep the tradition going. After moving across country, she attempts to grow them in soil and a climate she is not used to. Despite her unfamiliarity with the area, she throws caution to the wind and plants every single seed–saving none of them. Eli offers his extensive garden knowledge to help her. He is hoping working together will lessen Sadie’s grief, and bring the two of them closer. But will she reject him when Sadie finds out the truth about Eli’s heritage? Was Sadie mistaken to plant all of the seeds without holding some back as a “safety net?”
Emma is a 50-year-old widow, who is taking care of her elderly, widowed mother-in-law, Mary Ann. Emma feels empty with her children grown and her husband gone. She is also overwhelmed by the enormous work involved in caring for the huge garden Mary Ann insists they keep. Then Emma discovers a runaway teenage boy has been sleeping in her barn, Mary Ann gets hurt in the garden and a new love might be sprouting in Emma’s life. Will the garden be a place for both plants and people to be nurtured? Will Emma’s love and loneliness for her deceased husband hold her back from growing in new ways?
I thought all of these tales were very entertaining, and each one included faith in God. It was enjoyable to have a different “voice” in each work. This book has four stand-alone Amish stories and they all have a garden theme, but that is where the similarities stop. The authors have all gone their own direction with each one.
The first story has a bit of a mystery concerning why Rosemary ended the relationship despite still loving Saul and vice versa. The tale of Rachel and Gideon involves is a tender and sweet love story. Eli’s other job as a traveling writer added an unexpected twist and a lot of interest to “Seeds of Love,” along with some humor.
I liked that the last story featured senior citizens as the main characters. That is a different age group than fiction normally centers on, and it added a refreshing addition to that tale. It also dealt with issues one rarely hears about occurring in Amish communities. Although this is fiction, it shows that the Amish, like everyone else, must deal with living in a fallen world–and the unhappy situations that can sometimes result. However, the solution this story gives has a distinctive Amish flavor.
This collection of stories involving gardens can be enjoyed anytime of the year, however, it is especially apropos to read it now, in the spring-time, when gardens are beginning to grow. I recommend this 5-star book to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Thomas Nelson Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.
Author Information about Beth Wiseman
Blog: http://blog.bethwiseman.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fans-of-Beth-Wiseman/47576397539
Website: http://www.bethwiseman.com
Author Information about Kathleen Fuller
Website: http://www.kathleenfuller.com/
Author Information about Tricia Goyer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/triciagoyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authortriciagoyer
Website: http://www.triciagoyer.com
Author Information about Vannetta Chapman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks
Website: http://vannettachapman.com/
