An Amish Christmas Love

GIVEAWAY

WISEMAN, BETH
CLIPSTON, AMY
REID, RUTH
IRVIN, KELLY
AN AMISH CHRISTMAS LOVE

A Christmas potpourri of love and romance in Amish country.

My Review:

While not technically a true retro read since this book was published in the fall of 2017, I thought I'd include it on Retro Saturday because of it's Christmas theme -- assuming a winner might choose to wait until next Christmas before reading it. Once again I have my public library to thank for providing me with a copy of this book.

Winter Kisses by Beth Wiseman -- Three generations of Stoltzfus women find romance at Christmas. Grossmammi Ruth has been widowed for a very long time, but not single by choice. She's ardently pursued every widower in their community, much to the embarrassment of her daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Love Ruth because she's funny and frank and full of mischief.

Daughter-in-law, Barbara, also a widow, has no intention of looking for love again...until an unexpected stranger won't take no for an answer.  I have to say that this mature 'forty-something' romance was my favourite. And suitor Wayne definitely wins in the toe-curling category.

And then there's twenty-year-old Naomi who has shied away from love out of fear. Having witnessed the crushing grief of both her mam and grossmammi when their husbands died she's vowed to remain safely single. But this Christmas season changes that conviction.

Wiseman does an amazing job of including three romances and multiple points of view in this Christmas novella.

The Christmas Cat by Amy Clipston -- There's nothing like a good critter story to bring added warmth to a Christmas story and Hank the Cat does just that. This sweet, heart-warming story showcases the true meaning of Christmas as recent widow Emma faces what is sure to be a bleak and lonely Christmas. At least, that's what she thinks until Hank shows up on her doorstep and somehow ends up inside her house -- even though she's never been one to encourage pets in the home. But Hank isn't an ordinary kitty and Emma soon finds herself sharing 45 years worth of marriage memories with the sympathetic feline. Loved those slips into yesteryear as Emma relives the joy of first love and newly wedded bliss. And the power in a love strong enough to survive the hardships of decades together.

And then a group of youngies from the community come to spread some Christmas cheer with Emma (and Hank) and the vibrancy of their youth and caring bring the blessing that there is hope in the future...even without her beloved at her side. A moving and heartwarming read.

Snow Angels by Kelly Irvin -- Fans of the Bee County series will be thrilled over this novella addition to the series. No worries if you haven't read any of the books, this still makes a wonderful standalone story. But it was fun to become reacquainted with some favourite characters and be part of David's chance at a happily ever after. Irvin captures the magic of Christmas miracles in this delightful holiday novella.

Home for Christmas by Ruth Reid --  Ellie's mother took her away from their Amish community when she was a little girl but now that she is grown she has come back to deal with an inheritance left to her by an aenti she doesn't remember.

Widower Ezra had a special relationship with Ellie's aunt who was also his closest neighbour. You might say Aenti Bonnie had matchmaking in mind when she bequeathed her property to Ellie. Of course it's an impossible romance -- Englisch and Amish just don't mix. But Aunt Bonnie was a powerful prayer warrior and that legacy lives long after she has passed away.

An adorably awkward and funny first meet, an intuitive champion standard poodle named Lulu and and a fragile motherless child all contribute to the read-in-one-sitting frenzy that kept me riveted until the very end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of An Amish Christmas Love, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 24 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!