This column was submitted by Evangeline Cessna, Local History Librarian at the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library. 

“The Amish Quiltmaker’s Uninvited Guest” is the latest from Jennifer Beckstrand featuring Colorado Amish quiltmaker Esther Kiem. Even with her thriving quilt shop and a baby on the way, Esther always has time for matchmaking. Her obstinate and practical distant cousin, widower Menno Eicher, is in need of a new wife as quickly as possible. He is overwhelmed by family and farm responsibilities, so he shows up to Esther’s community hoping his cousin will be able to help. Menno has a chance encounter with baker Joanna Yoder who is hardworking, honest, and forthright and she distracts him from his search allowing him to open his heart. Joanna is busy creating and selling tasty desserts, so she has no time for someone as tedious as Menno. Soon, though, she sees the kindness of his heart, the doting on his children, and the understanding man beneath the abrupt exterior.

The first book in a new Amish series by Linda Byler is titled “Who is Mary?” Mary is a bit of an anachronism in her Amish community in western New York. She has copper red hair and an inquisitive personality, and even though she joins in the hymn singing and the games of the other youth, she finds it all rather dull. None of the young men appear to be interested in her and she’s even less interested in them. With each passing year, she feels more and more out of place in the community where she grew up. Her aunt from Lancaster happens to visit and suggests that Mary come home with her and help manage her bakery and Mary desperately craves the chance for a change of scenery. Her parents forbid her to go as her father believes that leaving her family for the bustling town of Lancaster will lead her down the wrong path. Mary is twenty-one and perfectly able to decide for herself, but she is conflicted. If she stays, she may just become more of a disappointment to her parents. If she goes, though she may just discover where she fits in the world.

“Julianne and the Judge” is by Melody Carlson. Julianne Blackstone is fresh out of finishing school and longs to return to her sister’s ranch in Colorado. Her parents have other plans for her—plans that involve money, marriage, and mayhem. Julianne winds up working in her mother’s chic dress ship where she rekindles an old friendship with Levi Stanfield who is now an attorney and his father Judge Stanfield. She finds out that her father’s selfish plans are at odds with the law, and this puts Julianne’s life in danger. She finds herself torn between her parents and a strong sense of justice and wonders if she will ever find her place in this new western world.

Rebecca Connolly has penned “A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice,” a novel based on the courageous true story of the Carpathia and her captain—the one ship to answer the distress call of the Titanic. Shortly after midnight on April 15, 1912, Arthur Rostron, the captain of the Carpathia is awakened to a distress signal from the Titanic and decides to render aide. Unfortunately, the Carpathia is four hours away and there are several unanswered questions: Will his ship hold together if pushed beyond the limits of its engines? What if they also run into an iceberg? With the freezing temperatures, will there be any survivors when the Carpathia arrives? Kate Connolly is a third-class passenger on the Titanic. She is also among the last to receive instructions and help after the collision of the ship and the iceberg. Kate is able to board a lifeboat even as chaos swirls around her. As the ship sinks into the abyss of the ocean Kate can still hear the cries from hundreds of people still in the water.

Bestselling author Janet Dailey’s latest cozy Christmas series begins with “Evergreen Christmas.” The 12th annual Competitions of Christmas is underway in the close-knit town of Noel, North Carolina. Horse breeder and town newcomer, Jordyn Banks decides to take on the Christmas tree decorating champion who also happens to be her handsome neighbor. Jordyn was thrilled to find affordable land for sale in the quaint town of Noel. It’s an idyllic place to raise horses. She’s also glad that this small Appalachian Mountain community has welcomed her so lovingly. Jordyn didn’t count on inheriting a disputed Frasier Fir or falling hard for the handsome single dad-next-door. Nate Reed has devoted himself to raising his daughter since losing his wife to childbirth. He has won the Christmas tree contest nine times and now this quirky, strong, and beautiful woman threatens his winning streak. He also notices that his daughter is enamored of Jordyn’s grace and kindness. Is Nate falling for the beautiful horse breeder next door?

“By Evening’s Light” is by Leslie Gould. Treva Zimmerman seems to be at a crossroads in her life after her heartbreaking relationship. She returns to Lancaster County to visit her Amish grandparents and elderly aunt, but she plans to leave her Plain heritage and make a fresh start in Alaska. Treva finds herself torn between the expectations of her community and her own desire to follow her own path. Aunt Rosene suffers a heart attack and begins to relay to Treva her own past and desire to escape her Plain life to search for a lost love. Rosene looked for him all over Cold War Germany, but to no avail. Treva becomes determined to find her aunt’s long-lost love. Her plans are once again in disarray as a former farmhand returns unexpectedly. Will Treva be able to save the farm and explore her own destiny?