Christmas Books in My TBR Pile

 

Christmas Amish Romance Short Story Collection Review: An Amish Christmas Star by Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, and Rosalind Lauer

A beautiful Christmas story collection centered around community, faith, and love is what you will find in An Amish Christmas Star by Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, & Rosalind Lauer.

"Buggies, Trains, and Automobiles" by Shelley Shepard Gray finds two strangers, John Miller and Ellie Coblentz, sharing a ride and discovering the Lord's plan for them. 

"Star of Wonder" by Charlotte Hubbard sees Raymond Overholt coming to Promise Lodge to sell his painted signs with stars and Christmas messages. Mennonite Lizzie Zehr is intrigued by them and Raymond, but any courtship between them would face opposition from the bishop of Raymond's Old Order community, unless he has a change of heart.

"Starlight Everlasting" by Rosalind Lauer finds newlyweds Rachel and Luke Coblentz eagerly awaiting their first Christmas together. When Luke's factory job threatens to keep them apart, they must have faith in the gift of a joyful ending.

What a fabulous seasonal story collection for fans of Amish romance, inspirational romance, Amish fiction, and Mennonite fiction. Tied together by being set during the Christmas season, these delightful stories will touch your heart and make you yearn for more from these talented authors. Each author created a unique story that displayed their knowledge of the genre and the importance of a faithful community.

Moving stories during the Christmas season abound in An Amish Christmas Star. Highly recommended!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington (September 27, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496734254
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496734259

I received a copy of this book from one of the authors. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Christmas Amish Romance Book Review: Christmas Comes to Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard

 

Christmas Comes to Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard is a seasonal Amish romance that will warm your heart and fill you with the joy of the season.

In the latest book from Hubbard's Maidels of Morning Star series, twin sisters Molly and Marietta Helfing eagerly await Christmas. Marietta has fully recovered from cancer, and the sisters' noodle making business is thriving. 

When a fire destroys their neighbor's home, the sisters welcome widower Glenn Detweiler, his dat, and two boys into their home. When Pete and his dog, Riley, return to help the family rebuild, Molly enjoys their reunion and a chance at happiness, but Marietta is convinced her illness has eliminated all prospects of marriage and worries over what kind of life she will have if Molly marries. Still, she delights in mothering Glenn's boys and bonds well with his father. Will the season bring the blessing of a double wedding to Morning Star?

What a tremendous addition to a wonderful series. Hubbard could not have written a better seasonal story. The Morning Star community becomes like family as you travel along their journeys with them, and when you add the holidays into the mix, you come up with a truly heartwarming and inspiring tale. 

Hubbard knows her genre and is a masterful storyteller. She never disappoints in keeping it fresh, while staying true to what her fan base enjoys. Watching these characters evolve through three books has been a delight. If ever there were a series ripe to be transformed to the small screen, it is the Maidels of Morning Star. Though Christmas Comes to Morning Star can easily stand alone, it is such a fabulous reading experience to start at the beginning. 

Christmas Comes to Moring Star is the perfect seasonal romance for lovers of Amish fiction and inspirational romance.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zebra (August 24, 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1420151835
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1420151831
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This review first appeared at The Book Connection. I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: Christmas at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

A splendid story of love, faith, and healing awaits you in Christmas at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard.

The joy the residents of Promise Lodge feel over their community's first wedding is marred by the bishop's narrow-minded sermon. Mattie Schwartz believes marriage and family aren't the most important of God's gifts, even if she does still carry feelings for Preacher Amos Troyer.

Amos still hopes Mattie will change her mind about taking another husband. But when an accident threatens to change the course of his life, Amos wonders what the Lord has planned for him and his beloved Mattie.

This is such a wonderful story. Like all of Hubbard's books, it's built around a community of people. The main focus of this novel might be Mattie and Amos, but the reader is treated with how the lives of others intersect, especially in light of Bishop Floyd Lehman taking some of the community to task at the wedding.

What I feel Hubbard has always done well is shine a light on Plain communities and, through her characters, made them more relatable to others. Their work ethic, their strong faith, and their human failings are all hallmarks of her novels. Promise Lodge is a community I would love to visit...even if I can only do that in my mind.

Christmas stories tend to be my favorite, so I enjoyed the seasonal aspects of this novel. Those great recipes at the end of the book will be fun to try.

Christmas at Promise Lodge is the perfect inspirational romance of the season. Though I highly encourage readers to start at the beginning of the series, this is a stand-alone novel that can be read by itself.

I don't have the space to keep many books these days, but I'll find room for this one.

EXCERPT

Mattie smoothed her apron, hoping her bad mood would dissipate as she stepped into the doorway of the dining room. What a sight it was! The long tables covered in white cloths gave the large hall a simple elegance. Every seat was filled with friends and family members who visited happily as they ate their meal. The aromas of baked chicken, stuffing, and warm bread soothed her as she gazed from table to table, trying to locate Amos. She hoped he hadn’t given up on her. He’d be disappointed if she didn’t join him for dinner.

Her gaze lingered on the raised eck table, where her younger son sat with his new bride. The sight of them sitting so close, lost in each other’s gazes, made Mattie’s heart overflow with a special love. It’s their happiness that matters, she reminded herself. They’re the future of Promise Lodge no matter how things work out—or don’t—with Floyd Lehman.

Mattie wondered why Roman was returning to his place at the wedding party’s table with a secretive smile, appearing slightly out of breath. He waved off Noah’s teasing question, squeezing his younger brother’s shoulder as he sat down beside Laura Hershberger—his cousin and Deborah’s closest friend. What a blessing that her boys were so close, and that they remained so connected to Christine’s girls, as well. Once again, as she gazed at their earnest faces, she wondered how those four kids—and Deborah—had reached young adulthood already.

If your sons are twenty-four and twenty-one, there’s no denying how old that makes you, Mattie realized wistfully. Maybe Amos has it right. Maybe you should accept his proposal, for who knows how long he’ll keep asking a middle-aged widow to make her home with him? Roman’s building a house now, so he’ll have a home to offer the right young woman when she comes along. Do you want to grow old alone?

Series: Promise Lodge
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zebra (September 27, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420139436
ISBN-13: 978-1420139433

This post first appeared at The Book Connection. I received a free copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: The Christmas Cradle by Charlotte Hubbard

Welcome back to Willow Ridge with the latest book in Charlotte Hubbard's Seasons of the Heart series, The Christmas Cradle.

Lena Esh and her boyfriend Josiah Witmer get lost in a storm while on their way to Higher Ground. When they arrive at Ben and Miriam Hooley's doorstep, they are welcomed with open arms. Not a surprise considering the faithful and friendly Hooleys, who are awaiting the birth of their first child together.

As they rally the town together to help the young couple, Ben's mind is also on the instructions given to him by the bishop that Miriam give up her Sweet Seasons Cafe and stay at home. And of course, former bishop Hiriam Knepp keeps poking around to keep things lively.

What a wonderful series this is. I've loved it since the beginning, and with each new addition I enjoy it more and more. The complexity and growth of the characters--or lack of growth as sometimes happens; the talent of the author who has masterfully crafted an entire community of people who seem as real to me as my own family; the delicious recipes and the fabulous themes that run throughout each book all captivate me completely.

If there were one author I could highly recommend this year, Charlotte Hubbard would definitely be the one. You simply must read her books to appreciate them.

Series: Seasons of the Heart (Book 6)
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zebra (September 29, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 142013311X
ISBN-13: 978-1420133110

This review first appeared at The Book Connection. I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Spotlight: An Amish Christmas Quilt by Charlotte Hubbard, Kelly Long & Jennifer Beckstrand

With all the warmth of a cozy quilt, three authors stitch together Amish tales of hearts joined, friendships patched, and the bright joys of Christmas tradition . . .
A Willow Ridge Christmas Pageant
Charlotte Hubbard

Seth Brenneman didn't expect his holiday would include rescuing pregnant young Mary Kauffman and her two children. . .or having unexpected feelings for the still-grieving widow. But when they must play the leads in an impromptu live Nativity pageant to help his Amish community, will their roles reveal their hearts--and work a miracle for a lifetime?

A Christmas On Ice Mountain
Kelly Long
Matthew Beider and Laurel Lapp's secret wish to marry is a gift their feuding fathers definitely won't accept. And trying to settle their dats' long-standing quarrel is making their holiday anything but merry. Can rediscovering the joys and friendships of Christmas past finally turn their families' futures bright?

A Perfect Amish Christmas
Jennifer Beckstrand
Anna and Felty Helmuth's grandson, Gideon, plans to spend Christmas on a beach in sunny Mexico. But Anna is quite sure he'd rather be with them, snowshoeing, ice fishing--falling in love. And she knows the perfect girl. Not only is Dottie Schrock an excellent quilter and baker, she's having a party. There's just one complication--Gideon is not invited. Dottie has her reasons, but Anna trusts that the spirit of Christmas--and true love--will change her mind, and her future . . .
"Fans of Amish fiction will love the Seasons of the Heart series."--Marta Perry, Lydia's Hope
"A delightful voice in Amish romance. Sweet and funny." --Emma Miller

Seasons of the Heart, connected

Kensington Trade (October 28, 2014)

ISBN-13: 9781617735547 •• ISBN-10: 161773554X

Click on these links to buy this book now!

• The Book Depository •• Amazon •• Barnes & Noble • 

• B-A-M •• Chapters •• IndieBound •• Powell’s •• Kensington Books • 

Ebook: • Kensington Books •• Kindle •• Nook •• iBooks •

Excerpt from A Willow Ridge Christmas Pageant

 “Are we ready? I think our Nativity’s going to be a huge success, with such a heavenly little angel and a regal king,” Rebecca said as she grinned at each of the kids. “And how’s our main attraction?”

Emmanuel, cradled in Mary’s arms, wiggled when Rebecca smiled down at him.

“He’s been fed and changed, so he’s ready,” Mary replied. She smiled at the little parade walking up the Hooleys’ lane. “And here come our shepherds and the other wise men and angels. Everybody looks really gut, Rebecca. We couldn’t have done this without your help.”

As Rebecca murmured something in reply, Mary lost track of it. A tall, broad-shouldered man in a flowing brick-red tunic was striding up the lane toward her, and while she couldn’t see his eyes, she sensed Seth was looking right at her . . . just as she was gazing at him. Thank you for this night, Lord, as we celebrate the birth of Your son and the beginning of our new life in Willow Ridge, Mary prayed quickly. Help me be your faithful handmaiden, as the Virgin Mary was so long ago.

“Let’s hope this works the way I envisioned it,” Rebecca said as other folks began to gather from around town.

Mary turned just in time to see a star-shaped balloon rise into the air, on a long ribbon tied to the light post—and when Rebecca turned on the second lantern, which was aimed skyward, the star glowed and sparkled. Miriam, Ben, Bishop Tom, and the Zook family all let out a delighted oh!

“Folks will be able to see that from quite a ways off!” Tom said. His face shone with boyish wonder as he gazed raptly at the shimmering star above them.

Many moons ago—like, in 1983 while I was still a school librarian—I sold my first story to True Story magazine. This launched me into writing about seventy of those “true confessions” stories over the years, and I’ve been a slave to my overactive imagination ever since. My stories invariably take on a life of their own, different from the way I’ve proposed them: I love it when unforeseen characters and plot twists come along, because they keep me guessing right along with my readers!

I love touring historic homes, trying new recipes, crocheting, and playing with my border collie Ramona—although it’s humbling, having a dog smarter than I am! I’m an ordained Presbyterian deacon, and I devote a lot of time to singing in my church choir and to practicing/performing with our percussion ensemble. I’m celebrating more than thirty-five years with my husband, who—bless him—has never once suggested I get a real job! 

www.CharlotteHubbard.com

https://www.facebook.com/charlotte.hubbard1

Book Review: Winter of Wishes by Charlotte Hubbard

Winter of Wishes is another heartwarming story in the Seasons of the Heart series by Charlotte Hubbard.

Rhoda Lantz is feeling a bit left out. Her widowed mother is about to remarry, and her twin sister Rachel is a busy newlywed traveling the countryside visiting relatives to pick up wedding gifts. For the first time in her life, Rhoda will be living alone.

Andy Leitner's wife left him and their two children behind for the better life she desired. As a stretched thin nursing student, Andy, an Englischer, is also the caregiver for his mother.

When Rhoda answers Andy's ad looking for someone to take care of his family while he's away, it seems God has given her a meaningful new direction for her life. Falling for Andy could lead to her being shunned by her community. Is Rhoda wishing for things she can't have or will she remember that everything is possible with God?

I think I have found a new favorite Charlotte Hubbard book. I've truly loved all the books in this series, but this one is outstanding. I stayed up late--way too late--reading it and would sneak moments in during the day to read a few pages.

The wonderful thing about Amish fiction is that sense of community they bring; so while Rhoda and Andy's story is the focus of Winter of Wishes, the reader is also brought up to date on the Hooley brothers, their aunts Jerusalem and Nazareth, Preacher Tom, the shunned bishop Hiram Knepp, and other members of Willow Ridge. In addition, we see other familiar characters, like Rhoda and Rachel's sister Rebecca and the banker, Derek Shotwell. A new twist with this story is how it leads in perfectly to Hubbard's and Naomi King's crossover book, An Amish Country Christmas. The seeds are planted in this book for folks from Willow Ridge to visit Cedar Creek.

Lovers of Amish fiction and inspirational romances will enjoy Hubbard's Winter of Wishes.


Series: Seasons of the Heart
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra (September 3, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420121715
ISBN-13: 978-1420121711

This post first appeared at The Book Connection. I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.