A Picture of Love

Beth Wiseman

Nov 2020 · The Amish Inn Novels Book 1 · Sold by Zondervan

About this ebook

After facing heartbreak in their previous relationships, both Naomi and Amos vowed never to love again. In this first installment of The Amish Inn series from bestselling novelist Beth Wiseman, true love takes root in the deepest of wounds.

Sweet Naomi Byler cooks meals for the guests at The Peony Inn, where Amish sisters and owners of the inn Esther and Lizzie love her like a granddaughter. She’s as happy there as a young woman can be, considering that her fiancé, Thomas, has left her to court someone else. She knows she’ll get over the love of her life in due time, but she is beginning to assume marriage will never be a part of her future.

Amos Lantz and his mother are guests at the inn, visiting town for a cousin’s wedding. Attending a wedding is the last thing Amos wants to do since his own fiancée, Sarah, died tragically just a year ago.

Naomi and Amos understand each other’s grief and quickly become friends when they discover their mutual love of painting. As the two begin to paint through their sadness together, Esther and Lizzie play matchmaker—a risky move with the potential to backfire. And when Thomas makes an unexpected return intending to win Naomi back, she realizes she no longer knows her own heart.

• Sweet, uplifting Amish romance
• The first installment of The Amish Inn Novels—Book 1: A Picture of Love; Book 2: An Unlikely Match; Book 3: A Season of Change
• Book length: 85,000 words
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Ratings and reviews

A Picture of Love by Beth Wiseman is the debut of The Amish Inn Novels. This was an entertaining Amish story. I found it to be well-written with the story moving along at a steady pace. The characters are developed and lively. Lizzie and Esther are a hoot. I just love the widowed sisters who know each other’s foibles and bicker frequently. They are as opposite as two sisters can be (remind me of my sister and myself). Neither one had children and they consider Naomi Byler a granddaughter. They care for her dearly and want to see her happy again. There are some things Lizzie would love to do to Thomas, Naomi’s ex-fiancé. When Amos arrives, the sisters notice how he looks at Naomi. The sisters decide to give the pair a little push (sometimes a shove) towards love. There are a couple of side stories in A Picture of Love. Esther is having some physical symptoms that have her worried. As much as she dislikes doctor’s, Esther knows she must bite the bullet. Esther gets help from their grumpy renter, Gus Owens. She works a deal out for his help. Lizzie cannot stand Gus Owens. Lizzie and Gus trade verbal barbs quite often (they are hilarious). It turns out that Gus has a daughter he has not seen in over thirty years. She has decided to visit, so Gus wants to spruce up his appearance (it needs it). Mary and John Lapp rent the Dawdi Haus on the property. They have been married five years and unable to conceive. It has begun to affect their marriage. The Thomas situation left me with a few questions that I wish had been answered. I loved the humor in the story. I liked that A Picture of Love was not a traditional Amish romance. I laughed often while reading this amusing tale especially the scene with Lizzie and the kitten. Lizzie provided several laugh-out-loud moments for me. I liked that in A Picture of Love we get to see that you never know what God has in store for you. A Picture of Love is a story of forgiveness, second chances, faith, God’s timing, and love. This was a delightful and engaging story, and I am eager to read the next book in The Amish Inn Novels. A Picture of Love is a diverting Amish story with picture painting, merry matchmaking, pie payment, a cute kitten, hair help, and sister shenanigans.

About the author

Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman has sold over two million books. She is the recipient of the coveted Holt Medallion, is a two-time Carol Award winner, and has won the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award three times. Her books have been on various bestseller lists, including CBA, ECPA, Christianbook, and Publishers Weekly. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in south-central Texas. Visit her online at BethWiseman.com; Facebook: @AuthorBethWiseman; Twitter: @BethWiseman; Instagram: @bethwisemanauthor