Jennifer Beckstrand saves this collection from being a three-star review. Her novella is by far the best. Well written with delightfully quirky characters, the story is captivating and filled with humor, yet it still has strong Christian and Amish ideals throughout. The other novellas are more serious in tone, especially the one by Lisa Jones Baker. All three are interesting stories, tied together by the theme of Christmas candles. ( )

The Amish Christmas Candle contains three Amish stories written by Jennifer Beckstrand, Kelly Long and Lisa Jones Baker. Snow Shines on Ice Mountain by Kelly Long is set in Ice Mountain, Pennsylvania. Naomi Gish makes and sells candles in her shop. She has been trying to convince her father, Bud to give up running moonshine. Bud hires Grayson Fisher to work in Naomi’s shop during the day and run moonshine for him at night (sneaky). Gray is bitter from an accident when he was fourteen that lost him the use of his right arm. During the holiday season miracles can happen. Is it possible for these two to find love and happiness this Christmas season?

A Honeybee Christmas by Jennifer Beckstrand tells the story of Bitsy Kiem. Bitsy is on her own now that the three nieces she raised are happily married. One day, Yost Weaver stops by with his grandson, Levi. Levi “borrowed” some bee equipment from Bitsy and needs to make restitution. Bitsy wants to start a candle making business and Levi can be her apprentice. Yost will not allow his grandson to spend time alone with the unconventional Bitsy and insists upon accompanying him. Yost and Bitsy become reacquainted. Can these two very different people find a way to be together?

The Christmas Candle by Lisa Jones Baker revolves around Lydia Schultz. Lydia injures her ankle on the way home and John King (King’s Bakery) stops to assist her. King’s Bakery provides cinnamon rolls for Christmas treats for those in need every year. This year the list has doubled and they might not be able to provide them. Lydia misses her sister, Anna since she married and moved to Ohio. Every Christmas they would decide on a Christmas blessing and make it happen. Lydia and John team up to help each other and other this Christmas.

The Amish Christmas Candle has three heartwarming Amish stories. My favorite is A Honeybee Christmas. It is well-written, has delightful characters and plenty of humor. Bitsy is quite a character (I wish I had her gumption and zest for life). I am glad the author gave us Bitsy’s story (from the Honey Bee Sisters trilogy). All three novellas are easy to read and have good life lessons (honesty, truth, love, value of compromise, true meaning of Christmas). Snow Shine on Ice Mountain is heavy on romance (a little sappy), but the father was so mischievous. I liked the bayberry candle (it was interesting to find out they were made) and the Christmas miracle. There is a preview of An Amish Courtship on Ice Mountain at the end which tells the story of Bishop Umble. The Christmas Candle had a slower pace than the other stories, but it has a lovely ending. There is a recipe for the cinnamon rolls and an excerpt for Rachel’s Dream. I give The Amish Christmas Candle 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). ( )