Book Information:
A SLEIGH RIDE ON ICE MOUNTAIN
Kelly Long
For solitary toy-maker Sebastian Christner, hiring Kate Zook as his new housekeeper is simply the right thing to do. Now she can support her special-needs brother. But one taste of her independent spirit is showing him undreamed-of holiday joy—and making him long to give her a home for always.
A MAMM FOR CHRISTMAS
Amy Lillard
Bernice Yoder has far too much to do to entertain holiday dreams. Even if she can help Jess Schmucker outwit his three mischievous young daughters, it’s impossible to imagine the handsome widower can see her as anything but a scolding schoolteacher. He never guesses how a magical Christmas Eve will open his eyes to love or how Der Herr will awaken their faith and hope.
AN UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS BLESSING
Molly Jebber
As much as Charity Lantz’s children need a father, the young widow isn’t sure her new neighbor Luke Fisher can ever be the right choice. They’re having more disagreements than snowflakes in December. Besides, he’s never given a sign he wants to be more than friends. Can Gott show them a way past their misunderstandings to a forever love?
About the Authors
Molly Jebber is an educational, motivational, and Women’s Christian Connection speaker. She was raised in a small town in the Midwest, and insists if you had blinked twice, you would’ve missed it. She loves God, her family and friends, sunshine, swimming and traveling to the Amish communities. Creating historical Amish characters and throwing them into difficult situations and joyous times has been challenging and fun for her. The greatest reward she’s experienced in becoming an author is meeting wonderful people from all over the world who’ve been encouraging and supportive.Kelly Long is the author of the acclaimed Amish Patch of Heaven series and has been a finalist for the coveted Carol Award from the American Christian Fiction Writers. Her novel Lily’s Wedding Quilt was a 2011 Goodreads Favorite Book of the Year. Born and raised in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania, she’s been married for nearly twenty-five years and has five children. Please visit her at kellylongbooks.com.
Amy Lillard won the 2013 Carol Award for her first Amish romance Saving Gideon. She was also a Maggie Awards finalist. Born and bred in Mississippi, she now lives with her husband and son in Oklahoma. Visit her at amywritesromance.com.
Giveaway
Click here for a giveaway via rafflecopter!! One copy of The Amish Christmas Sleigh, One copy of Change of Heart, One Amish doll, One tote bag, One Barnes & Noble Gift card, One ink pen.
My Thoughts about the Book:
The Amish Christmas Sleigh is a very delightful book in that it consists of three independent novellas, which I found to be a neat way to experience three authors whose works I haven't read before! I also hadn't read Amish fiction before, so having the chance to expand my awareness of more variety within the Christian fiction genre was a great opportunity.
The first novella I read was A Sleigh Ride on Ice Mountain by Kelly Long. Unfortunately, my review of this novella is pretty mixed, as sexual content kept getting in the way of the piece having a rich storyline. So, while I enjoyed the main plot of the book, the various times that sexual desire interrupted the plot make this first novella a little difficult for me to recommend. The main storyline is clever--Kait, who cares for her disabled brother & becomes the housekeeper for Sebastian, a toymaker--is a good one as the reader waits to see if Kate and Sebastian will fall in love; I just wish the sexual content hadn't detracted from the novella's potential.
The next novella, A Mamm for Christmas by Amy Lillard is a very sweet & tender story, and I very much recommend reading it! Jess is a widower who is struggling to raise three young girls while caring for the family farm, all while still grieving the loss of his wife the year before. His daughters are precious in a very spunky way, and is the character development area of author Amy Lillard's that I enjoyed the most. While I began the novella feeling sad that Constance, Hope, & Lily Ruth don't have a mother, the girls' relationship with their dad, the way they say what's on their minds in a truthful (sometimes frank) manner, and the scheme they put together to try and have their school teacher come to their house and color and depth to the book. When Bernice Yoder, the girls' school teacher, makes her entrance into the book--by confronting Jess no less--the novella becomes even more well-rounded. It's clear immediately that Jess and Bernice are the "will they get together or won't they?" couple within the book, but Lillard adds other characters and situations that make the novella extremely enjoyable.
The final novella, An Unexpected Christmas Blessing by Molly Jebber is another wonderful read. The story begins by the reader meeting Charity Lantz, who became a widow a year prior. Charity has two children, Josiah & Beth, and her mother lives next door. It is clear that her family means a lot to her, and Charity has a very neat relationship with her children. When she gains a new neighbor, Luke Fisher, on the other side of her, Josiah & Beth take to him immediately. The relationship between Charity and Luke is genuine, pure, and comes very naturally--it is a solid friendship with no hidden agendas. The main thing they have in common is how much they each love the children. Several events occur that cause Luke & Charity to rely on one another, which deepens their friendship while making them each find it harder to not fall in love with the other person. But a secret in Luke's past has potential to disrupt the relationship between Luke & Charity. The weaving of the "will they marry or won't they?" storyline is an excellent one, and makes An Unexpected Christmas Blessing a must-read!
*I received a complementary copy in exchange for my honest review.
The first novella I read was A Sleigh Ride on Ice Mountain by Kelly Long. Unfortunately, my review of this novella is pretty mixed, as sexual content kept getting in the way of the piece having a rich storyline. So, while I enjoyed the main plot of the book, the various times that sexual desire interrupted the plot make this first novella a little difficult for me to recommend. The main storyline is clever--Kait, who cares for her disabled brother & becomes the housekeeper for Sebastian, a toymaker--is a good one as the reader waits to see if Kate and Sebastian will fall in love; I just wish the sexual content hadn't detracted from the novella's potential.
The next novella, A Mamm for Christmas by Amy Lillard is a very sweet & tender story, and I very much recommend reading it! Jess is a widower who is struggling to raise three young girls while caring for the family farm, all while still grieving the loss of his wife the year before. His daughters are precious in a very spunky way, and is the character development area of author Amy Lillard's that I enjoyed the most. While I began the novella feeling sad that Constance, Hope, & Lily Ruth don't have a mother, the girls' relationship with their dad, the way they say what's on their minds in a truthful (sometimes frank) manner, and the scheme they put together to try and have their school teacher come to their house and color and depth to the book. When Bernice Yoder, the girls' school teacher, makes her entrance into the book--by confronting Jess no less--the novella becomes even more well-rounded. It's clear immediately that Jess and Bernice are the "will they get together or won't they?" couple within the book, but Lillard adds other characters and situations that make the novella extremely enjoyable.
The final novella, An Unexpected Christmas Blessing by Molly Jebber is another wonderful read. The story begins by the reader meeting Charity Lantz, who became a widow a year prior. Charity has two children, Josiah & Beth, and her mother lives next door. It is clear that her family means a lot to her, and Charity has a very neat relationship with her children. When she gains a new neighbor, Luke Fisher, on the other side of her, Josiah & Beth take to him immediately. The relationship between Charity and Luke is genuine, pure, and comes very naturally--it is a solid friendship with no hidden agendas. The main thing they have in common is how much they each love the children. Several events occur that cause Luke & Charity to rely on one another, which deepens their friendship while making them each find it harder to not fall in love with the other person. But a secret in Luke's past has potential to disrupt the relationship between Luke & Charity. The weaving of the "will they marry or won't they?" storyline is an excellent one, and makes An Unexpected Christmas Blessing a must-read!
*I received a complementary copy in exchange for my honest review.
copyright 2015 LeAnne Klopfenstein
No comments:
Post a Comment