Amish Christmas at North Star (WaterBrook Press) is a
collection of four stories of love and family with a Christmastime setting in
North Star, Pennsylvania. This
collection of stories was entrancing. As
I read each one, I would think, surely this is the best story of the group, but
each story was unique and wonderful.
Quite literally I believe Amish Christmas at North Star may be the
perfect Christmas companion. Settle in
on a chilly December day with a warm afghan, creamy hot cocoa, and this
book. Pure bliss!
The characters of these four stories come from the lives
of Rebekah’s Babies. Twenty five years
ago, three baby girls and one baby boy were all delivered on the same cold and
snowy winter night by Amish midwife, Rebekah Schlabach. An old newspaper clipping of the four births
is found by a young Englisher, Chase Wellington, who decides it is time to
write a follow up story on the four, Anna, Eden, Savilla, and Andy.
Katie Ganshert writes the story of the baby named
Anna. No one knows where baby Anna was
taken twenty five years ago. Anna’s mother,
Ruth, took Anna from Rebekah’s home before her husband or parents could come
for her and Anna. Chase is determined to
find Anna and discover why she and her mother disappeared twenty five years
ago. Neither Chase nor Anna is prepared
for what is uncovered.
Eden’s story is told by Amanda Flower. Her story is one of mystery and romance. An elderly Amish man, Isaac, who befriended
Eden has died in a horrible accident or is it an accident? Eden is looking for clues when she meets Isaac’s
great nephew, Jesse. Could Jesse have
caused his uncle’s death or is he the genuine nice guy he seems to be?
Cindy Woodsmall deals with a sensitive topic in telling
Savilla’s story. Savilla has broken up
with her long-time boyfriend, Kore, after she receives some devastating news. She won’t tell Kore why they are through and
he is furious. Both Saville and Kore are
thrown together to save another family and in turn receive God’s blessings
above all that they could ask or think about.
And the last novella is the story of Andy written by Mindy
Starns Clark and her daughter, Emily Clark.
This is a powerful tale of forgiveness and I must tell you, this one
made me cry, but they were good tears!
Andy has moved to Mississippi to try to get over his breakup with his
girl, Nellie. Nellie had left the Amish
community of North Star to turn English but she had a change of heart and came
back after three months. Andy feels he
can’t trust Nellie ever again. Andy’s
younger brother Sam is determined to get Andy back home and back in the arms of
Nellie. How can twelve year old Sam
manage all of that?
This is a power packed book, one not to be missed. Each story is a delight and there is a sweet
epilogue at the end of the fourth story to wrap everything up with a big red
bow. Amish Christmas at North Star will
be available on October 20, 2015. Get
your order ready as this is one you will read over and over.