An Amish Family Christmas by Marta Perry and Patricia Davids

I recently read this double Christmas novella book by Marta Perry and Patricia Davids.  I have read books from both of these authors and was delighted by these two stories, as well.

Heart of Christmas was Marta Perry's contribution and as all the books of Marta's that I have read, it was really enjoyable.  And a nice way to prepare for the holidays ahead.  

Susanna Miller, Amish school teacher for many years, has pretty much decided that she won't be marrying.  Toby Unger had been her beau who left her shortly before their wedding.  She had a very hard time reconciling with those feelings.  However, after years she finds that Toby's wife, mother of his two children has passed away.  His father, has also had an accident and needs Toby's help in his business.  Toby returns home to find that Susanna is the teacher of his children's Amish school.  His children, having suffered the trauma of their mother's death each face problems in adjusting, with his daughter becoming very shy and unresponsive and his son, William, becoming a troublemaker.

Toby briefs Susanna on his children's problems and she struggles to help them.  As the holidays approach, it is time to prepare for the yearly Christmas Program.  How will she cope with helping the children, seeing her former fiance and dealing with a harse school board member, Mr. Keim?

This book is very heartwarming.  I loved it!

Author Marta Perry











A Plain Holiday is Patricia David's portion of the book, and it too was a wonderful holiday read.

Sally Yoder left the Amish community during her Rumspringa time, but her heart is still with her people, her family, community and Amish ways.  She has always loved Ben Lapp, but she is a much different person, and has become strong as an individual, probably not the type of woman Ben would have in mind or find acceptable.

As a nanny for two Englischer children, grandchildren of an Amish woman who left the fold, she finds herself in her Amish community showing the children this area.  As she encounters Ben again, stirrings of her heart are still apparent and she tries to hold them back.

Ben plans a sleigh ride with the children and it is suggested that Sally go as well.  An unexpected snowstorm brings a challenge to all, and brings them under the same roof for the duration of the snowstorm.

Enjoyed this story very much!  These are absolutely wonderful authors.  Must reads for this holiday season!

Author Patricia Davids

A Mother For His Children by Jan Drexler

This is the first book that I have read which was written by Jan Drexler.  I have to say that I really enjoyed this book and it was a hard book to put down.  So I didn't!

Ruthy Mummert leaves her Amish community after she was badly hurt by her sweetheart, Elam and her best friend and neighbor Laurette.  After having been with Elam for 8 years, he begins a relationship with her best friend.  The hurt was almost more than she can bear or forgive.  She finds an opportunity to work for a widowed father in Indiana.  As she arrives there she is surprised by the fact that this man had ten children.

Because she and Levi, her new employer are living in the same home, although in a separate building, the church elders are frowning upon the situation and as a result Levi offers Ruthy a chance for a "marriage of convenience'.

As they decided to do this, and become man and wife, in word only, Elam comes and finds Ruthy in Indiana.  He convinces her to return home with him.  The story is a wonderful story of forgiveness and second chances.  You will want to read this one!

Author Jan Drexler

Chat with Vera: The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller (Review & ...

Chat with Vera: The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller (Review & ...: ISBN: 9780784212550 About the book:  Yearning for a fresh start, Ewan McKay travels with his aunt and uncle from northern Scotland...

The Nativity Bride by Miralee Ferrell

Continuing with the 12 Brides of Christmas series, I have just finished reading The Nativity Bride by Miralee Ferrell.  This is the first thing I have read from this author and I have to say that I do enjoy her writing style very much.

In this story 16 year old Deborah is courting 18 year old Curt Warren.  They are happily together and feeling that they plan to spend the rest of their lives together.  Curt is contemplating his future and the fact that he does not want to continue to farm as his father has done throughout his life.  He feels the talent of wood working driving him in a different direction.  His father is very unhappy and Curt leaves home to apprentice in The Dalles as a woodworker despite his father's feelings and advice.

Five years pass and Deborah has had merely two letters from Curt.  She has courted others but no one fills the hole in her heart.  Curt returns after these 5 years and the feelings he once had for Deborah still remain.  But after all this time, will Deborah have feelings for him?  Deborah's mother is also a factor in their future as she has poor health and needs to be cared for by Deborah.  As Deborah helps Mr. Warren, Curt's father, go through his wife's belongings after her death, she uncovers some items that hold the keys as to whether Curt and his father will ever reconcile.  One of the items is a beautiful handmade nativity set.

This story was very uplifting and shows the importance of forgiveness in each of our lives.  I will be watching for other works by this author.

I have received a ebook from the publisher for my honest review.

The author, Miralee Ferrell

The Simple Life Devotional by Wanda E. Brunstetter

I just finished reading The Simple Life Devotional and can only say, Wanda has crafted a meaningful, wonderful and inspiring book of Devotional thoughts.  The book follows a pattern with a short story telling of some Amish experiences and then a section called "Food for Thought" containing an uplifting thought followed by a section called "Food for the body".  Food for the body includes a wonderful recipe.  Some looked so tempting I couldn't wait to try them.

The 60 devotional stories are proceeded by a scripture pertaining to the story.  The devotionals are all based on experiences of her Amish friends with each giving you an uplifting feeling.  I read every devotional and saw many that I wanted to apply to my own life.

Wanda is such a good writer and I feel really happy and blessed to have been able to read this excellent book!  I highly recommend it.
5 stars for Wanda's new book!                                                                  

Author Wanda E. Brunstetter

Unforeseeable by Nancy Mehl

Nancy Mehl is one of my Facebook friends, an author whose books I enjoy.  I won a copy of her book Unforeseeable in a contest.  I just finished reading this fascinating book.

Callie Hoffman lives in Kingdom, Kansas.  She is Mennonite and has a past that keeps her from progressing.  The secret that she keeps in her heart and has tried to bury in her mind has caused her to have changed from the young woman she once was.

Her fiance is Levi Housler and he is also the new pastor in their congregation.  Her life seems wonderful until a murder occurs in their town.

This book was quite suspenseful and was a page turner from the beginning.  You will not want to miss this great book!  For Christian readers is also inspiring and uplifting.
Author Nancy Mehl

The Gingerbread Bride by Amy Lillard

Maddie was in love with Harlan and wanted to be sure he felt the same way.  In this historical fiction, which takes place in 1870 in the Ozarks in Alabama, an old woman convinces Maddie she has a love potion that will do the trick.

Maddie begins to feel guilty about what she has done to cause Harlan to have strong feelings about her and is convinced those feelings stem from her love potion.

This story is probably very true to the period and is a sweet story that will keep your attention.  Perhaps is was a bit too hard to convince Maddie of Harlan’s feelings than it could have been, but I enjoyed the story and Amy Lillard’s books have always been enjoyable to me.

I received an ebook copy of The Gingerbread Bride for my honest review, which I have given.

 This book is part of a 12 part series in the called The Heartland Brides.

You can find this series at various booksellers.

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