The Beloved Christmas Quilt

The Beloved Christmas Quilt: Three stories of Family, Romance and Amish Faith by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Jean B. Brunstetter and Richelle Lynn Brunstetter. We get to see how one quilt with a Psalm 31:3 embroidered on the back helps and guides three generations. Luella's Promise by Wanda E. Brunstetter is set in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. Luella Ebersol was hired by Atlee Zook to care for his dying wife, Dena Zook and young son, Daryl. Before Dena passes away, she gifts Luella with a special quilt that Dena and Atlee received as a Christmas gift from Dena's mum the first year they were married. It is a quilt that is to pass from mother to daughter. After Dena's passing, Luella continues to work for Atlee and care for little Daryl. Slowly the pair begin to care for each other, but Luella's parents are not pleased with the pairing (age difference). Without her parents blessing, Atlee and Luella cannot have a future together. Is there a chance for them to have a happily ever after?

Karen's Gift by Jean Brunstetter takes us to Lykens, Pennsylvania. Karen and Seth Allgyer moved to Lykens two years prior to get away from the commercialized Paradise. Karen misses her family especially now with newborn, Nancy Anne in the house along with her other daughters, Roseanna and Mary. Karen is worried about Nancy Anne who was born early and is afraid the little girl might suffer from the effects of the German measles Karen had while pregnant. Seth is having trouble at work with a co-worker and he cannot handle any more stressful news. How will the family cope during this worrying time?

Roseanna's Groom is by Wanda Brunstetter's granddaughter, Richelle Lynn Brunstetter (her first published story). Roseanna Allgyer is marrying John Beiler. She is excited and nervous to start her new life with the man she loves. They are standing before the Bishop while he discusses their responsibilities when John suddenly flees. Roseanna is hurt and confused. John goes away, and old beau, Mark returns to town wishing to court Roseanna again. Roseanna is afraid to trust another man with her heart. What choice will Roseanna make?

The Beloved Christmas Quilt contains three sweet stories. I liked how we get to experience three generations of the family. It was nice that the characters from Luella's Promise are in all three tales. My favorite one is Luella's Promise. It is well-written, good pace, and engaging characters. I like the messages or themes in the novellas. They include friendship, power of prayer, kindness, compassion, overcoming adversity, and following God's path for your life. My rating for The Beloved Christmas Quilt is 4 out of 5 stars. Roseanna's Groom is a nice story and for Richelle Brunstetter's first published work, she did a good job. Karen's Gift, though, was not as enjoyable. I was not fully engaged by this short story. It lacked the nice, easy writing style that readers prefer (and we get from Wanda Brunstetter). The Beloved Christmas Quilt has three inspiring, romantic stories that will leave you with a warm feeling in your heart.