Susanna's Christmas Wish

Title: SUSANNA’S CHRISTMAS WISH

Author: Jerry S. Eicher

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

September 2012

ISBN:  978-0736951517

Genre: Amish / Christmas novella

Susanna married Herman Wagler, on the rebound. She loved Matthew Yoder with all her heart, but when Matthew left the community, Susanna agreed to let Herman take her home from singings, and then agreed to marry him. But even after marrying Herman, she isn’t madly in love. She tries to be, she pretends to be, but it just isn’t there. It is worse when she learns that Herman doesn’t believe in celebrating Christmas and he won’t let her celebrate with her family.

Herman does believe in Thanksgiving, so he allows Susanna to go to her sister’s house to set up for the festivities. But when Matthew is there also, things in Herman’s and Susanna’s marriage go from bad to worse. Tongues wag, questioning Susanna’s ethics. Herman is jealous, and Susanna’s heart is torn asunder. Will she remain true to her vows and find a lasting love with Herman?

SUSANNA’S CHRISTMAS WISH is a sweet little Christmas novella by acclaimed Amish author, Jerry Eicher. Being formerly Amish, I put a lot of faith in Mr. Eicher’s fiction about the people and their faith.

Susanna is a bit dramatic. She is determined to be the perfect frau and so she is constantly telling herself and Herman how much they love each other, they do, and rushing to make things absolutely perfect for him. I think she overdoes it, and her actions are transparent, making Herman struggle a bit more in his faith of Susanna. The characters could be fleshed out a bit more, making them more likeable, but this is a novella and there isn’t a lot of room for in depth point of view.

If you are looking for a cute, quick, Amish Christmas themed book, then SUSANNA’S CHRISTMAS WISH is a sweet little novella that you might love. I read it through in a day, and would have loved it to have been a longer, full length book. But it is perfect for a quick read. 4.5 stars. $10.99. 144 pages.