Returning to the setting of the Seasons of Sugarcreek books and being able to catch up with all the characters we have come to love and adore, is where Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelly Shepard Gray begins. When she finished writing Autumn's Promise, Shelly felt the need to tell Judith Graber's story since she felt it was a character she neglected. Judith needed a man who would love her enough to make her smile and that is what she finds in Ben Knox.
Ben Knox has the reputation of being the bad Amish boy, one who spent his rumspringa finding and capturing the hearts of girls and leaving them behind battered and broken. Even though Judith has always liked him, she isn't about to let her feelings get in the way of common sense. Yet that is all Judith's life has been about, being the girl who is reliable, dependable, one with a great head on her shoulders and very smart. She's the one her parents rely on to help with the household chores, the children and running the family store. Just for once, Judith dreams of doing something just for herself or finding just the right person who will take care of her.
Just when Judith doesn't think things can get any worse, they do. When her brother Caleb is called away from helping Judith with the store to care for her wife who is pregnant with twins, she feels overwhelmed. Her father offers to hire someone to help her out and Ben Knox is just the right person for the job. Will Judith be able to keep her heart and feelings locked deep inside or will Ben be the key to unlock the love she has kept inside? Could this Christmas season bring love and a new life for the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek?
I received Christmas in Sugarcreek compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and after falling in love with the characters from Sugarcreek in Shelly's series, I couldn't wait to share Christmas with the Graber family once again. A wonderful story of finding a bit of light and hope inside each of us, if we are but brave enough to seek it. Another award winning book that rates a perfect 5 out of 5 stars! Here's even more information about the book, the author and even a first chapter sneak peek that will capture your heart!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for HarperCollins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Her recent novel, The Protector, the final book in her “Families of Honor” series, hit the New York Times List, and her previous novel in the same series, The Survivor, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Shelley has won the prestigious Holt Medallion for her books, Forgiven and Grace, and her novels have been chosen as Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/Literary Guild Book Club. Her first novel with Avon Inspire, Hidden, was an Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two children in college, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and currently leads a Bible study group, and she looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.
When she’s not writing, Shelley often attends conferences and reader retreats in order to give workshops and publicize her work. She’s attended RWA’s national conference six times, the ACFW conference and Romantic Times Magazine’s annual conference as well as traveled to New Jersey, Birmingham, and Tennessee to attend local conferences.
Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page
ABOUT THE BOOK
Judith Graber has always been the obedient daughter. When her older brother Josh struggled with his love life, she offered wise counsel. When her younger brother Caleb flirted with the idea of leaving their order, she firmly told him he was wrong. Over the years, she’s watched her younger siblings, helped around the house, and worked in her family’s store during her spare time. Judith feels overworked, overlooked, and underappreciated this holiday season.
But everything changes when her father hires Ben Knox.
Ben Knox is the “bad boy” of Sugarcreek. Though he’s never considered jumping the fence, he’s certainly never tried to be anything close to dutiful. Two years ago he left Sugarcreek under a cloud of shame. Rumors circulated that his rumspringa had been filled with more than the usual harmless explorations.
Now he’s back and working side by side with Judith.
As the chaos of the holiday season threatens to sap all joy, sparks fly between Ben and Judith. But Judith steels herself to ignore her infatuation. The last thing she wants to be is just one more girl who falls under Ben’s spell. Ben, on the other hand, wants Judith to realize there’s more to him than his bad reputation. When he fled Sugarcreek, he was running from a disruptive home life. Now that he’s back, he wants a fresh beginning.
Could this Christmas season bring love and a new life for the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Christmas In Sugarcreek, go HERE.
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