It may be a few days late, but here are two
great reads to take some time for you in what can be a crazy season…
An Amish Gift by
Cynthia Keller
Description:
From the author of An Amish Christmas and A Plain & Fancy Christmas
comes a heartwarming novel of marriage and family, new beginnings and poignant
homecomings-just in time for the holidays.
After her husband, Shep, loses his latest job, Jennie Davis is grateful to be
in a car en route to beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Shep has
inherited a house from a distant cousin, along with the cousin's
long-established bicycle shop. The move gives Jennie, Shep, and their two
children a welcome chance for a fresh start.
While Shep dives into his new venture at the bike shop, Jennie carefully
restores their broken-down house. She loves being a stay-at-home mom but yearns
to find some fulfillment outside of her family-particularly as they struggle
financially. On morning walks, she forges a friendship with her Amish neighbor,
Mattie Fisher, who opens up about her modest way of life. Mattie's unswerving
good character in the face of adversity encourages Jennie to seek practical
solutions to her own difficulties. A passing remark by Jennie's son transforms
desperation about their finances into inspiration, leading her to embark upon a
candy-making enterprise.
Soon, Jennie's newfound purpose collides with Shep's growing stress at work and
long-simmering tensions between husband and wife rise to the surface. As the
holiday season approaches, their family is challenged as never before-until an
unexpected visitor arrives to give Jennie the greatest gift of all.
My
thoughts: I love when I read something I never thought
I would read. This book was selected by
an online reading group that I’m apart of and the story caught my attention but
what was most intriguing about this story is that it’s Amish Fiction packaged
in a very different way.
The Davis Family is like a
lot of other families today, struggling.
Since Shep has lost his job but inherited a house and a Bicycle Shop in
Lancaster County. Their dream home that
they own outright isn't the dream they believed it to be. It’s a rundown house and the bicycle shop isn't in much better shape. While Jennie
gets the house in order, Shep gets the bicycle shop up and running, but they
are still struggling and Shep refuses to let Jennie work to help provide for
their family. In the mean time, Jennie
meets her Amish neighbor, Maddie Fisher, whose friendship will change her
forever.
This story takes place over
about a year and a half and watching their story unfold was captivating. Many of us know how quickly things can change
in ways we would never expect. This is a
fantastic read that will put you in the holiday spirit but it will also remind
you of the importance of friendship.
Wild Goose Chase Christmas
Description: Upon
her grandmother's death, Izzy Fontaine finds herself in possession of a Wild
Goose Chase pattern quilt that supposedly leads to a great treasure.
Of course, once the rest of
the family finds out about the "treasure map," they're determined to
have a go at the treasure themselves. And, if that weren't enough, Max Logan, a
local museum curator, contacts Izzy and says that Grandma Isabella promised him
the quilt.
What is it about this quilt
that makes everyone want it? Is Izzy on a wild goose chase of her own, or a
journey that will lead her to the treasure her grandmother intended?
My
thoughts: Izzy’s grandmother, her rock, passes away and
she’s left to deal with her dysfunctional family, when a friend of Izzy’s
grandmother, Virgil, stops by with a gift, an heirloom quilt. Virgil’s grandson, Max, however has other
ideas, he heads up a Pioneer Museum, and Izzy’s grandmother told Max, he
could have it.
As Izzy and Max seek to
find the history behind the quilt, Izzy has family woes, will they try to get
her to sell this family heirloom, will Izzy and her family ever find true peace
with one another. I would snuggle up
under my own quilt and find out.
The images and descriptions
shared are courtesy of the publishers and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine,
and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your
family.
