Review: An Amish Second Christmas by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Ruth Reid, Tricia Goyer

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

When Christmas Comes Again by Beth Wiseman
Katherine Zook and her four children are facing their first Christmas without a loved one, and the future seems dim. But when a mysterious "Englisch" man begins to show up in the most unlikely of places, Katherine can't help but be suspicious . . . and a bit curious.
 
Her Christmas Pen Pal by Ruth Reid
When Joy Stolzfus's boyfriend tells her he wants to court other women, she's shocked. She pours her heart out in a letter, but it mistakenly reaches Noah Esh. The two begin writing letters back and forth, but a misunderstanding threatens to topple the relationship they're building.

A Gift for Anne Marie by Kathleen Fuller
Anne Marie Smucker's life is pretty perfect. Until she discovers her widowed mother is getting married and they're all moving. On top of that, Anne Marie's relationship with her friend Nathaniel has changed, and she's more confused than ever about her feelings for him.

The Christmas Aprons by Tricia Goyer
Esther Glick bakes a Christmas pie for a fundraiser, and she soon finds herself sitting across from bachelor Ammon Schwartz. Esther receives many orders for pies, but when she breaks her wrist, she discovers what community and love are all about.

My Review

This is a wonderful collection of holiday-themed stories that Amish fiction fans will love! I enjoyed each story and the characters in them. "When Christmas Comes Again" had a bit of a mystery and I loved the healing that the family went through as they showed compassion instead of holding on to past grudges. "Her Christmas Pen Pal" was a fun twist on You've Got Mail, and the romance was great! "A Gift for Anne Marie" is sweet story of friends who become more when they realize they will be separated. There are other conflicts besides the move, including a friend of Anne Marie's who decides to pursue Nathaniel. The friendship they share is lovely, but when new feelings begin to develop confusion and hesitation enters in and disrupts the harmony they had enjoyed. I love when friends fall in love since they have a great foundation and know each other so well. It was funny to see just how well Nathaniel knew Anne Marie and her moods. "The Christmas Aprons" shows how important community is and reaching out to make friends and share our talents. The romance in this one was especially lovely since Ammon helps Esther see that she is desirable and worthy of romantic love.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: A Lawman for Christmas by Karen Kirst

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

The Gift of Family

Committed to her spinsterhood, Isabel Flores isn't about to trust a man with her hard-won independence or her heart—especially not lawman Ben MacGregor. But when a little boy is abandoned on her property, the so-called "Debonair Deputy" of their small Tennessee town helps her care for the child. And Isabel begins to hope he might be more than just a handsome flirt.

Ben is well aware of Isabel's aversion to love and has his own secret reasons for avoiding relationships. But as he and Isabel do their best to make the holiday special for their young ward, Ben wonders if he could be a family man after all. Will this Christmas be the first of many for Isabel and Ben's little instant family?

My Review

I really enjoyed this story and the way Isabel gradually warmed up to Ben as he proved to her through his actions that he isn't who she assumed him to be. They have a good chemistry, especially when they became friends and the attraction between them leads to thoughts of more. The addition of Eli into their care brought to light the secret yearnings Isabel and Ben both have to be parents. There is an element of danger with a bank robber on the loose and a mystery to solve- where did Eli come from and who left him with the Flores girls? A sweet story set during the holidays, it made me want to cozy up next to the fire after decorating the house with evergreen boughs and cloves stuck in oranges ;)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

HoHoHo Readathon: Goals!

I'm so excited for the holiday themed books! I've already read a few and they made me ready for Christmas and celebrating. Join in the readathon fun with us, just click on the image above to sign up! (Sign ups are open through Nov 10th)

I'm hoping to read as many books from the Return to Christmas Falls series as I can during the readathon... which would be one book a day!

Books I'm Grateful I Read Giveaway Hop!

Happy fall! It's time for another awesome giveaway hop! A book I'm grateful I read this year that I'll be giving away a print copy of is The Whys Have It by Amy Matayo. Check out my review here and enter to win below!

Synopsis

His music holds the heart of America... but his soul holds a terrible secret.

Chart topping pop musician Cory Minor has it all—fame, money, more women at his disposal than time to spend on them. He’s living the life most American men only dream of. Until an ordinary concert in Springfield threatens to destroy everything he’s worked for. 

As he and his band leave the arena for his next show, Cory’s tour bus crashes into two teenage girls, killing one girl instantly and leaving the other barely clinging to life. Lawsuits are threatened, tabloids are talking, and Cory’s idyllic world falls apart. But what no one knows is that this scene is all too familiar. Because this isn’t the first accident Cory has caused. This isn’t the first time he’s destroyed someone else’s life to save his own. 

It’s just the first time he’s had to face it head on. 

Small town girl Samantha Dalton has no one—no mother, no father, and now no sister. She’s lost everything in a world that celebrates excess. So when Cory Minor shows up at her doorstep offering money and apologies, she turns him away too. You can’t lose what you don’t have, and she can’t take another letdown, especially not from someone who has managed to rip away all she had left. Samantha has been fine on her own for years, she’ll be fine now too. 

At least that’s what she tells herself. 

But Cory won’t leave. He’s persistent in the worst possible way. 

Will Cory’s determination to make things right pay off in the end, or will Sam keep pushing him away until there’s nothing left to fight for? How can two people learn to rely on each other when life keeps hurting them both?

Entry-Form