The Christmas Quilt

Annie has a bit of a procrastination problem. Whenever she sets out to complete a project, she generally believes she will have more than enough time to complete it, yet each time, she finds herself rushing in an effort to complete it and often times has to ask for the help of others to get her projects complete. However in order to complete the quilt she has promised to make for her best friend, Leah who is expecting twins at the end of December, she honestly believes this time she will have more than enough time to complete it. If she can only find time between working with her husband Samuel, as one of the only certified Amish nurses as he makes his rounds as the town's herbalist and healer. She also lends a hand with the Amish mid-wife Belinda whenever she has need of her skills, along with herself being pregnant and expecting their first baby.

When an unexpected call in the early morning hours to Annie and Samuel warrant their medical assistance with Leah, who has gone into premature labor, she knows that without proper medical help at an English hospital, Leah may lose both of the babies. She learns that if Leah wants any chance at all at bringing her babies into this world healthy, she must remain for as long as she can in a hospital in Philadelphia that specializes in the very medical issue that Leah is facing. But how can Leah remain in the hospital while her marriage seems to be eroding between her and Adam? It was one thing before when it seemed that they might find a way to work through the issue of the growing separation between Leah and Adam, but now with miles separating them, is there hope they can work to make things right between them, even though they can't be together?

In the novel The Christmas Quilt by best selling author Vannetta Chapman, the true test of what love truly means is placed before not only Leah and Adam but for their families as well. With Leah's own health and that of her unborn babies being at the forefront of everyone living in the town of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, it teaches each of them just how precious life really is and that none of us are guaranteed any amount of time here on earth. Those that believe they will have time to work things out another day are placed before the fire to take hold of the present and realize what a gift time truly is. This is the 11th novel in the Quilts of Love series and each can be read as a stand alone novel.

I received The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman compliments of Abingdon Press and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are my own. I rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and for those that love a Christmas theme to their standard Amish romance stories, than this is truly one you won't want to miss. Each of the pieces of the quilt that Annie begins to piece together tell the meaning and stories behind each of the nine fruit of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control, and gentleness as a reminder of what our lives should look like to others as believers in Christ.This novel picks up the story of Annie and Samuel that readers were introduced to in A Simple Amish Christmas.  A discussion guide is included as well as a sneak peek into Aloha Rose, the 12th book in the Quilts of Love series.

For more information about The Christmas Quilt, Vannetta Chapman, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman

You can find Vannetta Chapman on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Christmas Quilt from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tour, please click here.

• Series: Quilts of Love (Unnumbered) (Book 11)
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (October 15, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426752776
• ISBN-13: 978-1426752773
• Product Dimensions: 0.2 x 7.3 x 9.5 inches

Annie's Christmas Wish

It's not often you find a great Christmas novel with a compelling and lasting message regarding extended family, but I think Barbara Cameron has managed to do just that with Annie's Christmas Wish, book 4 in her Quilts of Lancaster County Series. This is perfect for those that enjoy Amish fiction or even a great contemporary romance because that is exactly the blend that Barbara has managed to create.

Annie Bontrager knows that she desires to become a writer at some point in her life. She carries around a notebook so that she can capture whatever thoughts or ideas come to her wherever she might be like all great writers do. She carries that inspiration from being around her step mother Jenny who was a famous newspaper reporter when she used to live in New York City. Jenny was raised English and thus was never really subject to the terms one usually finds in an Amish community. However when a bomb exploded while covering a story on children who were living in a war zone, she found comfort and love recovering in the Amish community of Paradise, Pennsylvania under her grandmother's care. It was there she discovered healing and love in the being reunited with David, Annie's father who was born Amish but decided not to join the church and in a way incorporated the love of both English and Amish upbringing in the children. Annie's mother died when she was just a child and had known no other mother but Jenny. To her, she was as real as a mother could be.

The family is on the brink of making a trip to New York City for vacation and Jenny hopes to show Annie not only the major tourist sites but also take her on a tour to her old office as well as to the New York Times, something Annie has only dreamed about doing for as long as she can remember. All she knows is that the desire to write is just as strong in her blood as it was for her mother and even though she knows at some point she might find love, she isn't the least bit interested right now.

Yet Aaron Beiler who has grown up with Annie as a close childhood friend has been making plans for what he believes will be his future with Annie working as a carpenter and furniture maker in town. Now if only he can convince Annie that his feelings go beyond that of just her friend and into something more. With the trip to New York coming up however, Aaron fears that Annie's love for writing might take her someplace she may never want to return. He just want's a wife that will take care of the home and any future children they might have and leave making a living up to him. What if Annie goes to New York and decides to never return? Is there anything he can do to change her mind?

I received Annie's Christmas Wish by Barbara Cameron compliments of Abingdon Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are mind alone. This is such an incredible book and one of the few that really reach to the heart of what really makes a family even though in this case it is a blended one. Annie sees the relationship with Jenny as that of what a mother/daughter relationship is as well as one with Jenny as her friend as well. Jenny never tries to replace Annie's birth mother but gives her the room and the time to accept her as she is in her role as a mother and wife in their family. It also shows how difficult our choices can be when it comes to the true desires of our hearts, in this case with Annie's love of writing and how she will have to make a choice that will forever change the relationship in her family and possibly her community as well. I rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and think this makes the perfect Christmas addition to The Quilts of Lancaster County series!

For more information about Annie's Christmas Wish, Barbara Cameron or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Annie's Christmas Wish by Barbara Cameron

You can also find Barbara Cameron on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Annie's Christmas Wish, please visit Abingdon Press' website. 

• Series: Quilts of Lancaster County (Book 4)
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426733895
• ISBN-13: 978-1426733895
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches

A Patchwork Christmas

Sometimes it can be hard to find the time to read a really great Christmas story because so often we are too busy that reading a large novel be difficult. In A Patchwork Christmas by Judith Miller, Nancy Moser, and Stephanie Grace Whitson, the reader will be delighted to find three beautifully written short stories that give the reader the impression of reading a full length novel. Each is different and based in the historical late 1800's. This book is perfect for those of you wanting a taste of truly something amazing and are limited on time to complete a full length novel. Each of these three Christmas romances offer the reader something beautiful to keep the warmth of finding true love at the forefront of the holiday.

Seems Like Love by Judith Miller takes us back to Amana, Iowa to a small Amish town where we find Karla Stuke is working with her family running the town's hotel. Little did she expect to find her childhood friend, Frank Lehner to show up as a guest while working as an apothecary in training before moving to his own shoppe. Karla has found that hiding away working at the hotel keeps her from finding true love, since her own opinion of herself is quite low, considering her finace' left her for another woman. Thinking it's all based on her looks, she doesn't think that every a spark with her old friend can be ignited into anything more, but could Karla be wrong? This one is truly a fun and hopeful romance to enjoy.

A Patchwork Love by Stephanie Grace Whitson takes us back in time to find love between a war-veteran Peter Gruber who becomes a savior and hero at some point when a train finds itself stuck in the snow. Peter and his mother offer a warm food until the train can continue and he finds a young girl, Molly is ill. Since his mother is familiar with healing they offer Molly and her mom, Jane shelter until the train can move again. Jane has also injured herself in a fall and between them both, need more than just physical healing. Like Karla from the first story, Peter feels that since he has been disfigured from his service in the war that his hopes of every finding love is lost forever. Will Jane seem something more in Peter that just his external scars?

Finally in The Bridal Quilt by Nancy Moser, you find the classic love story of two people, Ada and Samuel that should be together but everything in their lives is keeping them apart. While they are dating, they are not yet engaged , and every single opportunity that presents itself, seems to turn out quite differently than what either of them was planning. In one case, she was hoping he was coming to ask her to marry him and finds out he only wants her help with finding gifts for the orphans instead. Even though his family wants Samuel to give up his charity efforts, Ada is all too willing to marry him, but it soon seems Samuel may never be ready to propose until another man appears in Ada's life. Will Samuel soon realize that the gift he's been searching for he been in front of him the whole time?

I received A Patchwork Christmas by these lovely, talent authors compliments of Barbour Publishers and Net Galley for my honest opinion. In each of these stories there is a profound message of hope and acceptance to be found, no matter what the circumstances may be. Included in all of them are discussion questions and wonderful recipes that would be an added bonus to any book club. There are also some quilting patterns for Christmas Ornaments as well for those looking for something a bit more than just a Christmas romance book!!! I rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and think this is the perfect book for those looking for great short stories with a Christmas theme.

For more information about A Patchwork Christmas, Judith Miller, Stephanie Grace Whitson or Nancy Moser, or where to pick up your own copy of this delightful Christmas book, please click on the links below:

A Patchwork Christmas by Judith Miller, Stephanie Grace Whitson, and Nancy Moser

You can find them all on Facebook book to stay up with their latest books, simply click on their names to go to their pages.

Judith Miller
Stephanie Grace Whitson
Nancy Moser

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books (September 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616267488
• ISBN-13: 978-1616267483
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches

Susanna's Christmas Wish

Susanna Wagler is trying hard to move forward and hoping to leave her past behind. But when your heart has been badly broken, it's hard to find ways to mend it again. She gave her heart many years ago to Matthew Yoder, who loved her and brought out all the goodness and love she had to offer. She believed after so many years of getting to really know him, that they would be married. In fact, when he asked, she was more than willing and ready to say yes. But little did she know that that simple answer would cause Matthew to realize he didn't really love her as much as she loved him. He left Susanna behind and went to live among the English. Now Matthew's been banned and Susanna has wondered if she could ever learn to love again.

Herman Wagler had waited most of his life for opportunity to present itself with Susanna. However, this was not the opportunity he had in mind, when he would spend months trying to find ways to heal her broken heart and restore the love she had inside. She did agree to marry him, but her heart just wasn't there. He hoped in time, she could come to love her as much as she loved him. But they were both raised to accept certain family traditions. For Susanna, her family celebrated Christmas as the English did on December 25th, while his family held on to the beliefs that it should be celebrated on January 6th. When Susanna asked him about spending time with her family on Christmas, Herman reminded Susanna that now that they were married, they would be establishing their own traditions and he would follow in the way he was raised and forbid Susanna to spend time with her family.

In the novel by Jerry Eicher, Susanna's Christmas Wish, invites the reader into a difficult time for newlyweds, Herman and Susanna Wagler. While this is just one of the many situations causing them conflict, Susanna is trying to fight her feelings of love and realizes, she loves Herman differently than she did Matthew. She knows she has to push back her past and try to find ways to really love Herman like she should and life suddenly becomes more complicated when Matthew comes to visit his family and is hoping Susanna's feelings for him, haven't changed.

I received Susanna's Christmas Wish compliments of Harvest House Publishers and Net Galley for my honest review. I am a huge fan of Christmas books and especially Amish romance novels, so when the opportunity presented itself to review this one, I knew I would enjoy it. I was not disappointed and truly admire Susanna's character. The choices she makes are admirable even despite not getting her way with trying to please her new husband, Herman. It shows that not all of our life choices are easy, but with grace and doing the right thing, great blessings can come from them. I rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information on Susanna's Christmas Wish, Jerry Eicher, or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Susanna's Christmas Wish by Jerry Eicher

You can also follow Jerry Eicher on Facebook, by clicking here. 

A Simple Amish Christmas

Annie Weaver was 16 going on 17 when she was sent to live with her aunt during her rumschpringe. While most young teens are rebelling at this time, Annie has used hers to become a certified RN working at Mercy Hospital after living with her aunt for past three years. Three years working among the Englisch and three years away from her family. Now that she is seeing Christmas decorations everywhere she turns, she is missing them more and more. When she receives news that her father, Jacob has been in a buggy accident she rushes home to help care for him.

What she doesn't expect is to run into Samuel Yoder. More of a farmer than a real doctor, the Amish community of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania see him as more of a doctor even though he lacks any formal training. He was also the one who feels responsible for Jacob's accident. Had he not been at Samuel's farm helping him decide on which crop to plant next year, he would have never driven his buggy home late at night. Now this is just another burden that falls on Samuel's shoulders. He has already lost his wife and baby during an unexpected blizzard that left them lost and unable to find their way home. It was a day before they were even found.

Annie now struggles with competing with Samuel in helping to care for those in their community. There are those that want Annie to treat them because they are unable to pay for the care they receive from Samuel and with influenza beginning to spread in the community, the Weaver family feels that Annie needs to find a way to work together with Samuel and put aside whatever differences they may have. Yet will love find a way into both of their stubborn hearts as well?



I received A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman compliments of Abingdon Press and Net Galley for my honest review. This is such a perfect story for the Christmas season in letting go of grudges and finding forgiveness and hope amid whatever circumstances we may find ourselves in. The reader is immediately taken in by Annie's gentle way with her patients and her honesty in making sure those she helps understands she isn't a doctor but a nurse practitioner. She struggles with how to maintain her Amish roots while using the talents God has given her to use despite learning the Englisch ways. I rate this one a perfect 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend this one to all my Amish readers!

For more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman

The Christmas Singing

Mattie Lane is said to be a journey one encounters during the course of the day when anything extraordinary or magical can happen. It's also the pet name for Mattie Eash, bestowed upon her by Gideon Beiler when they were courting. Now whenever she hears it, it makes her cringe with anger, bitterness and extreme sadness.

Gideon broke up with her after Mattie discovered him in the arms of an English girl named Ashley. Gideon said it was for the best and for the last two years, Mattie has attempted to start her life over again. This time with someone who is stable and won't leave her, Sol and if she can just find it in her heart to love him enough to marry him, then her life might be as perfect as it had been with Gideon.

She's been able to start over as the owner/baker of Mattie Cakes, making muffins, cupcakes and homemade custom designed cakes for the people who come into her bakery for a taste of goodness and the love she pours into her cakes. When tragedy strikes the bakery and fire erupts leaving it in a pile of ashes, and Mattie in the hospital, Gideon rushes to her side to ensure that the woman he has spent his whole life loving is safe. He wonders if one day, he'll have the courage to tell her the real reason he called off their engagement but for now he's content just making sure she'll be OK after the fire.

In the latest novel from Cindy Woodsmall, The Christmas Singing, takes us into the mixed up world of Mattie and Gideon. Into the world of love that will never die and remains the perfect ingredient for a Amish Christmas story that will last long after you finish the final page. I received this book compliments of WaterBrook Multnomah for my honest review and found this to be the perfect recipe for a cold, winter's night to warm your heart and give you a blend of Christmas Spirit. This one rates a perfect 5 out of 5 stars! For more information about this book, the author or where to pick up this wonderful book, please click on the links below:

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

You can also find Cindy Woodsmall on Facebook by clicking here.