The Christmas Gathering – Three novellas by Shelley Shepard Gray, Rachel J. Good and Lenora Worth

 

This set of three novellas is a great way to put yourself in the Christmas mood. They are sweet encouraging stories. Faith is a strong theme throughout demonstrating the strength of Amish families.

A Christmas Reunion, written by Shelley Shepard Gray is about an Amish family, the Troyers. They are unique in that they associate closely with non Amish friends, or Englishers.  Mark Troyer invites his friend,  an Englisher, Brandt, to spend Christmas with them. I had to forget what I know of the Amish that live in my area. My limited knowledge of the Amish is that they like to keep separate from the Englishers. The Troyers also have relatives who are Englishers. Brandt has discovered a new faith in God and his family has distanced themselves from him because of it. The closeness of Mark’s family and their acceptance of him brings him peace.  Mark’s cousin, Tricia and Brandt develop a close friendship as they celebrate the season together. Will her family approve of their newfound relationship and will they be accepted?

The second novella is We Gather Together, by Lenora Worth.  This story is about  a large Amish family reunion held at an Inn owned by an Amish family.  Lucas and his family are there for their family reunion while Kayla and her family are there for her sister’s wedding. Problems arise because of an old family feud between the two families. The two grandfathers courted the same girl. When she made her choice, the feud began between the one time friends.  Kayla and Lucas try to bring the families together and their friendship grows.  They both depend strongly on their faith in God.  Can they overcome and resist being drawn into the feud?

Hitting all the Right Notes by Rachel J Good, is the third and last story of this collection.  Mark, a young Amish boy, loves to listen to his English neighbors, the Musselmans, when they play their instruments and sing. As he grows older he helps Mrs. Musselman, now a widow, with various chores. Unknown to his parents, she gives him music lessons and he discovers he is very talented. Mark’s Amish friends are from the “wild” young men who don’t conform to all the rules.  Some drive cars and have cell phones.  They decide to form a band and call themselves, ”The Amish Rebels”

Joline is a young Amish woman who also is drawn to the English music. She comes from a large family and is responsible for looking after her siblings.  She has made friends with some Englisher girls and they take her to hear Mark’s band.  Mark’s parents find out about his activities and are shocked and disappointed. When he refuses to stop, they kick him out.  He ends up staying at the center where Joline works.  One by one, Mark’s friends decide to join the Amish church and drop out of the band.  Joline fills in as a band member and their friendship grows. When it becomes clear that she will not give up singing, her family sends her to live with a relative.  Will they find their way back to each other?

This is an easy  and lighthearted collection.

Go HERE to learn more about this book.

I received a complimentary ARC* of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.

 

 

*   Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) are a preview copy and are not a finished product. They may differ from the final published work and may include additional editing.

Hope Like Wildflowers by Pepper Basham ~ a book review

This is the third book in a series.  While it would be helpful to read the other books, this is a stand-alone story set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the early 1900’s. 

Kizzie McAdams finds herself alone and frightened and stranded in the forrest surrounded by wild coyotes.  Her job as a housemaid in the local landowner’s house ends when she discovers her relationship with the son has left her pregnant.  He is afraid he will lose his inheritance so he refuses to marry her.  Her father, upon learning of her situation, disowns her and throws her out. She is taken in by a local couple, Joshua and Nella.  She is mistreated by the local community, referring to her as a soiled dove and kept woman.  After it becomes clear that the father of her child is not going to marry her she decides to leave and start a new life in another town.  Just as Joshua rescued her, she rescues Noah after his carriage crashes. The friendship that develops is very respectful and heartwarming but is threatened by Noah’s stressful and sometimes contentious relationship with his brother.  His brother is  currently in control of the family business.  Eventually, Kizzie finds herself having to make a life changing decision.

The author gives us a wonderful story of complex family situations, unfair stereotypes, acceptance, forgiveness and redemption. Kizzie’s deep faith and reliance on God’s love guide her.  This is a story of rich verses poor and discovering what really makes one rich.

This is from the publisher:

"An Appalachian Girl Seeks a Place to Belong
 
Return to the mountains of 1910s Appalachia with beloved author Pepper Basham to discover Kizzie McAdams's story.

Kizzie McAdams spent her childhood longing to see beyond the mountains of home, but when her job as a servant in a landowner’s house results in an unplanned pregnancy, her world tips into uncertainty and heartbreak. Disowned by her father, she seeks comfort in the arms of the man who promises to take care of her, but his support is conditional and inconsistent. She finds acceptance in the home of a nearby family who not only offer Kizzie friendship but point her to a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Despite her change of heart, her status as a social outcast brings with it continued threats and alienation so she flees her past in hopes of starting over in a nearby town. But her new world carries many of the same prejudices as the old. It also brings the unexpected friendship of businessman Noah Lewis, a man who lives with the same desire as Kizzie for helping the marginalized.

Unfortunately, Kizzie and Noah’s attempts to help those in need pit them against Noah’s elder brother, a powerful mill owner who holds control of the family finances. Is Kizzie and Noah’s growing romance strong enough to battle family power, social expectations, and Kizzie’s past to capture their happy ending? And when Kizzie’s first love returns to claim her, which future will she choose? "

You will not want to put this down, it will keep you engaged, page after page.

Go HERE to read an excerpt.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.