"An Amish Second Christmas"

Beth Wiseman, Ruth Reid, Kathleen Fuller, Tricia Goyer

In the Amish community, Second Christmas is a time of family, fun and tradition.  These four short stories illustrate this.

"When Christmas Comes Again" by Beth Wiseman
Katherine and her children are facing their first Christmas without Elias, husband and father.  She knows it is going to be hard.  A mysterious "Englischer" appears with photographs of her late husband and even though the Amish frown on pictures of themselves she comes to treasure them.  But who is this "Englischer" and how does he know all about them?  

Read this story to find how a potentially sad Christmas contains many blessings.

"Her Christmas Pen Pal" by Ruth Reid

Joy had been expecting a wedding proposal from Henry, but she catches him with another young woman.  Heartbroken, she writes her cousin in another community and pours out her heart to her.  But her letters are mistakenly delivered to a young cabinetmaker.  Or are they?  Joy and he correspond and things become interesting fast. 

Will she recover from her broken heart?  Will she ever forgive the cabinet maker for reading her confessions?

"A Gift for Anne Marie" by Kathleen Fuller

Anne Marie and Nathaniel have been best friends since they were kids.  But everyone else sees them as boyfriend and girlfriend.  Then Anne Marie's best girl friend, Ruth, confides that the likes Nathaniel and wants her to put a "bug" in her ear.  Anne Marie does, but doesn't understand why she is bothered by this.  Her mom surprises her by deciding to remarry in another state.  

How will this seemingly mixed up situation end?

"The Christmas Aprons" by Tricia Goyer

Esther's "mem" has always been known for her vanilla crumb pie.  Her recipe has always been a secret, until Esther is finally given the recipe by accident or on purpose?  Because she discovers that the pie is more than just a dessert...it's a bachelor bait.  

Read this story to see if Esther is able to hook her fish or does she let him get away in spite of her bait.

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I enjoyed all of these stories very much.  Sometimes it is nice to be able to read a short story at one sitting.  Especially when you are too busy to become involved in a book.  This book contains reading group ideas and the Old Order Amish Recipes for the dishes mentioned.

Read more about the book here. 

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM BOOK LOOK BLOGGERS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.

Where Treetops Glisten

 

"Where Treetops Glisten"

Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin

"Where Treetops Glisten" tells the story of the Turner family, who live in Lafayette, Indiana.  It is a complication of three stories written by three different authors.  The time is the Second World War.  But each story is set in a different year and focuses on a different Turner child.  it also focuses on a different Christmas Song written in that year.

Cara Putman tells us the story of Abigail in "White Christmas".  She is going to college and working at a one-of-a-kind candy shop.  But due to the loss of her boyfriend, to the war, she is done with romance.  Until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" is by Sarah Sundin and about Abigail's brother, Pete.  Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned fro mteh European Theater.  Even though the war has changed him for the better, he has to convince the hometown folks of that fad.  Especially a widowed mother of a precocious little girl in need of Pete's friendship.  Can he convince her he is no longer a bully?

And last we hear the story of Meredith in Tricia Goyer's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".  She is a combat nurse on the front lines in the Netherlands.  Halfway around the world she has to face her deepest betrayal head on, which is what God had planned to heal her broken heart. 

The Turner family relies on God's strength during a tumultuous time.  Will each of the Turner children find their way home for  Christmas?

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I don't know when I have enjoyed a book as much as I have this one.  Even though it is written by three different authors, all of the stories flow together as one.  I enjoyed the book being set in a real town and based on real stories.

I also didn't realize that the three Christmas songs were written during WWII.  An added bonus were the Christmas recipes an all-around enjoyable book.  Would definitely make a great Christmas gift!

Read more about the book here. 

 I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM LITFUSE & BLOGGING FOR BOOKS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES