An Amish Cookie Club Christmas

Baking cookies every other Friday for their respective church districts gives Edna Esh and three of her closest friends a chance to give to the Plain community and strengthen their bond with each other. Now, with the blessings of Christmas in the air, they may even whip up a recipe for love . . . With the holidays around the corner, Edna is busier than ever juggling baking with her business serving meals to Englische tourists. Thank goodness for Mary Ropp’s help—until she breaks her leg. Mary’s daughter, Bethany, is available to fill in, but Edna isn’t so certain. She knows Bethany is so painfully shy that she’s never even courted, never mind interacting with Englische tourists! But the remedy may be closer than they think . . . When Bethany gets into a scrape with her bicycle, a personable, talkative young man comes to her rescue, and even accompanies her home. And he’s none other than John Esh—Edna’s oldest son. When he stops by again the next day, Mary gets an idea. Soon, with the encouragement of the Cookie Club, Bethany is indeed helping Edna, and spending more time around the Esh household—and John. As Bethany slowly comes out of her shell, it seems she and John have much in common—maybe enough to inspire a winter wedding—and the club’s sweetest creation yet . . . Includes Cookie Recipes!

Every other Friday, Edna Esh and three of her childhood friends meet to bake sugar cookies for their respective church districts on worship Sunday. It’s a time to give to the Plain community—and give support to each other as they share their joys and fears . . . Edna’s friend, Verna Bontrager, has a problem. Her outspoken twenty-year-old daughter, Myrna, has been fired from her job. Again. Myrna’s family really needs her to chip in, but she’s clearly unsuited to customer service—not to mention that her sharp tongue scares away any boy who might come courting. But Edna has an idea—and his name is Ezekiel Riehl. A widower with four young children, Ezekiel needs help. His house and his brood are a mess; his demeanor is gruff. It’s no surprise Myrna takes an immediate dislike to him. Yet she has no choice but to take on the challenge—and soon she starts to create order out of chaos. In fact, the kids begin to depend on Myrna—and so does Ezekiel. The truth is, she’s fallen in love with him. But if he’s to prove he’s not looking for a marriage of convenience, he’ll have to convince her of what’s in his heart . . . Includes Cookie recipes!

"Includes cookie recipes!"--Page 4 of cover.

The Christmas Cookie Cookbook is the perfect holiday present or year-round companion for new and seasoned bakers alike. Packed with tips, anecdotes, and tons of recipes, this cookbook is a must-have for anyone looking for a new holiday tradition or simply a fresh way to spread holiday cheer throughout the year. For almost twenty years, Ann Pearlman and a dozen of her friends have been in a Christmas Cookie Club founded by Marybeth Bayer. Every year at the same time, they gather at her house to exchange cookies, wine, and laughs. Now, with The Christmas Cookie Cookbook, Ann shows readers how to start a club of their own. The recipes and the inspiration are all here in one complete guide for cookie club hopefuls. With a diverse selection of not only Christmas cookies, but Chanukah and Ramadan cookies too, there’s a treat in here for everyone!

On a snowy December night, 12 women meet for a cookie exchange, where they tell stories of the cookies they baked, tales that are emblematic of the year that has just passed and focus on sisterly love and conflict, yearning for grandchildren and more, in a book by the Pulitzer Prize nominee of Infidelity: A Memoir. (General fiction). Simultaneous.

In this Amish romance anthology, three cousins in different states share holiday cheer and tales of new love through a delightful letter-writing tradition. Marybeth's Circle Letter by Patricia Davids To win a friendly competition, matchmaker Marybeth Martin must bring one more couple together by Christmas. Her only prospect is a man more interested in a nanny than a wife—until his little girl shows him the light. Love Delivered by Sarah Price Struggling farmer's daughter Katie Mae Kauffman discovers that she and a local widower can harvest more crops—and profits—by working together. But she'll have to put pride aside to make room for unexpected love. Sealed with a Kiss by Jennifer Beckstrand Corralling an unruly brood of seven is not babysitter Carolyn Yutzy's first choice for celebrating the season—but the sparks between her and their handsome uncle may be the best gift either has received.

Award-winning novelist's heartwarming story about family and love lost, found, and finally truly revealed at Christmas.

“So heartwarming and charming . . . an Amish novel that is a twist on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast . . . beautiful and inspiring.” —Harlequin Junkie In author Sarah Price’s fresh and inspirational retelling of a beloved classic, a dutiful young Amish woman agrees to marry a notorious recluse for her family’s sake—but the consequences are more than either bargained for . . . To most townsfolk, he’s known simply as The Beast. Annabelle Beiler has little interest in gossip, but she’s heard about Adam Herschberger’s scars and his gruff, solitary ways. Though he sounds like a character from one of Belle’s treasured books, the man is real and, it turns out, just as unreasonable as the rumors claim. When a buggy accident wipes out the last of her daed’s money, forcing him to sell their farm, Adam buys it. Then he offers Belle a deal—marry him, and her family can keep their home. Everyone is shocked by Belle’s decision, but she’s determined to be a good fraa, cleaning Adam’s rundown house and tending the overgrown garden. Breaking through her new husband’s icy reserve will be another matter. Belle’s courage and strength are abundant, but it will take true faith to guide Adam back to the heart of his Amish community—and to the loving marriage they both deserve. “This was delightful! Beauty and the Beast is my favorite of the Disney princess stories. This Amish twist on the story was terrific.” —The Neverending TBR “An interesting glance into Amish culture with a fairy tale romantic twist.” —The Alley-Cat7

Those who've spent time with the elderly Amish woman realize the wisdom in her words. One could say Catherine's kitchen is her office. Baking cookies is her form of therapy. Christmas wreaths, nailed to the porch of the Amish home, attract the eye of photographer Claire Ryan. Knocking on the door, she plans on asking permission to take some photos and then be on her way. But once inside, sitting in the warmth of that home with paper angels on strings and pine boughs decorating the mantel, Claire relaxes, eventually telling Catherine why she's about given up on finding love and no longer bothers with Christmas. Soon they're in the kitchen getting ready to make cookies. When Catherine brings out a wooden box holding old tin cookie cutters, Claire notices one is missing. The cookie cutter is found weeks later -- and it has nothing to do with making cookies.