About the book:
Sarah Beachy has plenty to be joyous about as autumn leaves start to fall. She loves her job at the English bed-and-breakfast where she cooks and refreshes rooms between guests. She has a serious beau, and everyone expects an engagement soon. Why, then, would she jeopardize everything by suddenly deciding to take a trip to Cleveland to track down a brother who left the Order years ago?
Her family’s faith in God is put to the test as the holiest night of the year approaches and Sarah remains far away. Sarah’s mother, Elizabeth, has been missing her son for such a long time…will she lose her daughter to the English world as well? Or will the Beachy family receive an unexpected Christmas miracle?
My review/thoughts about the book:
This story kept my interest until the end. I am not a huge Amish fiction fan, but if the story is interesting enough it will hold my attention. This story was sweet and had some strong redemption themes. It's wasn't much different in plot than most Amish novels, but it was unique enough that I enjoyed it. It was also a fairly short story, less than half the length of most Amish novels, so the story ended quickly but with a satisfying resolution. There was also a great point that one of the characters made. You can make someone love you. They have to do that because they want to and trying to possess them isn't going to make them love you more, but less. The other theme was that a mother's love knows no bounds. Like a prodigal, one of the characters returned and the mother did exactly what that lost and hurting soul needed. She loved unconditionally like mother's usually do. That always brings healing. That was well done and made this book above average. One more note... the main character is 19 and the girl on the cover looks barely twelve, so don't mistake this book for an elementary school aged reader. It's for young teens on up.
12 comments:
I really enjoyed A Carol For Christmas by Robin Lee Hatcher.
Lynn McCallum
Shepherd's Abiding by Jan Karon is one of my favorites.
bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com
The problem with picking just one favorite is too much diversity. Although I've read and enjoyed many newer stories related to Christmas, my favorite is still "The Gift of the Magi" by O'Henry.
Merry Christmas,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
I started collecting Christmas stories two years ago. Yes, most of them are corny, but that's kind of expected for the season, isn't it?!
I have quite a few books now, but my favorite is probably the classic tale "A Christmas Carol."
reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com
I always appreciate your honest reviews, Michelle, and would love to read Mary's book.
I agree that most Christmas books are kind of corny, but for some reason, that's okay. I'm going to list two of my favories:
Christmas Every Morning by Lisa T. Bergren (Christian fiction)
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
I enjoyed The Christmas Shoes!
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I still love The Gift of the Magi by O'Henry. That has been my favorite ever since I was a little girl.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I loved Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn. I am a huge Amish Fiction fan. It does take a moment to get used to the Dutch that is in most of the books if you aren't used to it, but the stories just warm the heart!
I love Christmas stories so it's difficult to pick just one. But, Tidings of Comfort and Joy by Davis Bunn and The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson are a couple of favorites.
Thanks for having a giveaway, Michelle. I'd like to be entered, please.
iamstumbeline(at)yahoo(dot)com
I don't have a favorite. There are many I like. One that does jump out is Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com
I guess I am with the majority here I don't have a favorite, other than kids christmas stories I honestly don't remeber one book that is Christmas, winter yes but not christmas.
danellejohns at gmail dot com
and the winner is...
Carole!
Post a Comment