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Celebrate Second Christmas, a treasured, lighthearted time of community, with four Amish romances.
“When Christmas Comes Again” by Beth Wiseman
Katherine knows the first Christmas without Elias will be hard for her and the children. But when a mysterious Englischer appears with photographs of her late husband, Katherine begins to wonder what other blessings Christmas could have in store.
“Her Christmas Pen Pal” by Ruth Reid
Joy was expecting a wedding proposal from Henry; what she got instead was news of another woman. But when her heartfelt letter to a cousin ends up in the hands of a young cabinetmaker, an unexpected correspondence between two strangers gets interesting fast.
“A Gift for Anne Marie” by Kathleen Fuller
Anne Marie and Nathaniel have been best friends since they were kids. Now things are evolving . . . in ways everyone else predicted long ago. But when her mother suddenly decides to remarry in another state, Anne Marie’s new chapter with Nathaniel looks doomed to end before it begins.
“The Christmas Aprons” by Tricia Goyer
Vanilla crumb pie has been Esther’s mem’s calling card for decades. But when Esther finally gets her hands on the secret recipe, she discovers that vanilla crumb pie is more than just dessert . . . it’s bachelor bait.
"Characters in each story are sweet, kind and caring. . . . Each author brings a separate writing style, creating a cozy holidaycollection." —RT Book Reviews, 4 stars
Rose turned her back on the man she loves after he assisted the Englisch during World War II—only to discover she’s an Englischer herself.
Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns that she was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work.
Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind—Englischers? When the man she loves leaves her behind, Rose is certain he left for good. Yet Rose discovers sometimes our greatest gifts are the ones we fear.
Mercy Lapp is ready for a fresh start. Having lost her beloved fiancé in a fishing accident during his rumschpringe, she escapes the painful memories by moving from her community in Shipshewana, Indiana, to Seymour, Missouri, where she takes a job as a mother's helper. She isn't exactly shy, but she's hesitant to get involved with the youth in the community because she isn't going to stay. She especially doesn't want a new romance.
Abner Hilty is excited to see his twin brother, Abram, for the first time in years. The two fled their hometown of Shipshewana when their witness of a murder put their lives in danger, Abner heading to Montana to work on a ranch and hunt big game, Abram meeting a girl in Missouri, marrying, and settling down there. Abner decides to spend the holidays with them in Seymour, but he has every intention of returning to Montana, maybe even for good. At a chance encounter, Abner is immediately drawn to Mercy, and even more so when he realizes that they've met before, back in Shipshewana.
Initially alarmed, Mercy soon warms to his attentions, even though she keeps him at arm's length. She also branches out and begins attending youth functions, forming new friendships that are solidified during a rare snowstorm. Just when Mercy and Abner are beginning to think about a long-term relationship, Mercy gets a phone call that changes everything. The information would have been welcome months ago, but now that she knows Abner, she's torn, and she will have to do some serious soul-searching to decide how to act on it.
In addition, you are invited to a facebook party tonight!
“When Christmas Comes Again” by Beth Wiseman
Katherine knows the first Christmas without Elias will be hard for her and the children. But when a mysterious Englischer appears with photographs of her late husband, Katherine begins to wonder what other blessings Christmas could have in store.
“Her Christmas Pen Pal” by Ruth Reid
Joy was expecting a wedding proposal from Henry; what she got instead was news of another woman. But when her heartfelt letter to a cousin ends up in the hands of a young cabinetmaker, an unexpected correspondence between two strangers gets interesting fast.
“A Gift for Anne Marie” by Kathleen Fuller
Anne Marie and Nathaniel have been best friends since they were kids. Now things are evolving . . . in ways everyone else predicted long ago. But when her mother suddenly decides to remarry in another state, Anne Marie’s new chapter with Nathaniel looks doomed to end before it begins.
“The Christmas Aprons” by Tricia Goyer
Vanilla crumb pie has been Esther’s mem’s calling card for decades. But when Esther finally gets her hands on the secret recipe, she discovers that vanilla crumb pie is more than just dessert . . . it’s bachelor bait.
"Characters in each story are sweet, kind and caring. . . . Each author brings a separate writing style, creating a cozy holidaycollection." —RT Book Reviews, 4 stars
Rose turned her back on the man she loves after he assisted the Englisch during World War II—only to discover she’s an Englischer herself.
Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns that she was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work.
Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind—Englischers? When the man she loves leaves her behind, Rose is certain he left for good. Yet Rose discovers sometimes our greatest gifts are the ones we fear.
Mercy Lapp is ready for a fresh start. Having lost her beloved fiancé in a fishing accident during his rumschpringe, she escapes the painful memories by moving from her community in Shipshewana, Indiana, to Seymour, Missouri, where she takes a job as a mother's helper. She isn't exactly shy, but she's hesitant to get involved with the youth in the community because she isn't going to stay. She especially doesn't want a new romance.
Abner Hilty is excited to see his twin brother, Abram, for the first time in years. The two fled their hometown of Shipshewana when their witness of a murder put their lives in danger, Abner heading to Montana to work on a ranch and hunt big game, Abram meeting a girl in Missouri, marrying, and settling down there. Abner decides to spend the holidays with them in Seymour, but he has every intention of returning to Montana, maybe even for good. At a chance encounter, Abner is immediately drawn to Mercy, and even more so when he realizes that they've met before, back in Shipshewana.
Initially alarmed, Mercy soon warms to his attentions, even though she keeps him at arm's length. She also branches out and begins attending youth functions, forming new friendships that are solidified during a rare snowstorm. Just when Mercy and Abner are beginning to think about a long-term relationship, Mercy gets a phone call that changes everything. The information would have been welcome months ago, but now that she knows Abner, she's torn, and she will have to do some serious soul-searching to decide how to act on it.
In addition, you are invited to a facebook party tonight!
29 comments:
My favorite Christmas decoration is an ornament I bought from Hallmark. It is a couple in a hot air balloon that says, Merry 1st Christmas 2004. I bought this for our first Christmas together as husband and wife. The balloon is red with a green basket, with some green holly and red holly berries on it.
Blessings!
Judy B
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
Teardrop shape hard clear plastic inside was a piece of cotton and on top of the cotton was an angel
ami2late65@yahoo.com
My favorite ornament is a memory ornament for my mom. I got it after she passed away 12 years ago. Each year I place it on the tree I remember how much she loved decorating and the holidays.
eppersonkatrina@yahoo.com
My favorite decorations are the decorated Christmas tree. This just makes Christmas more joyful.
My favorite Christmas ornament is a unique custom glass blown ornament that my family and I designed and made in a glassblowing studio. My children picked the colors and the whole family hand worked on it.
My favorite Christmas ornament is an angel in memory of our daughter, that I never got to know.
Forgot my email
CherylB1987 AT Hotmail DOT com
My favorite Christmas ornament(s) ~
On our honeymoon 30-1/2 years ago we purchased wooden tree ornaments and continue to put them on our Christmas tree. The one I especially like is the small round momma bear with a mixing bowl with her little bear holding the spoon by her. They both have big smiles on their faces.
Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
My favorite Christmas decoration to get out every year is my tree and ornaments. Each ornament starts a whole evening of story telling-where it came from and the meaning behind each one. The way my little girls' eyes light up as soon as the box comes down and their giggles of excitement-just makes the Christmas spirit fill our home!
amandabu80@gmail.com
My favorite Christmas decorations are any that I've made myself.I have several. Hard to choose just one.
Elaine Shorb
tinkerbell2by2@gmail.com
My favorite ornaments were ones that I crossed stitch for each family member for Christmas last year.
Elaine Shorb
tinkerbell2by2@gmail.com
My favorite decoration is a wall hanging that a friend made when we lived in Iceland. It is two different fabrics of dark blues, like a midnight sky type blue. In the center of it is a white fabric square that has the Nativity scene embroidered into it. I hang it every year and think of my friend, missing her and fun times we had in Iceland, as well as reflecting on the Nativity. I have another that is a very close second... it is a miniature Christmas tree, maybe about 9-12" tall, silk, with silk mini rose buds, bells, and pretty white bows on it. It was a gift from my husband's roommate in Navy school. He wanted to cook, but couldn't cook in the barracks, so asked to fix us dinner in our apartment. They brought all of the ingredients, cooked AND cleaned... and brought us the tree as a thank you for letting them cook! I near panicked a couple of days ago because I couldn't find it in the decorations boxes. Thankfully, it has been found, and placed on the table! :)
Blessings!
Kelly Y.
kelly *at* dkcountryarts *dot* com
My favorite Christmas ornament is a ball my daughter made with my grandkids handprints and names.
leliamae54@netscape.net35
My favorite Christmas Decoration is a Nativity Scene my sister in law gave me the first year we were married. I love it and have even been known to leave it up all year. It is stunning beautiful and love it so much1=
Ceramic nativity set that I painted with the help of my former mom-in-law.
Rhonda
rhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net
My favorite Christmas ornament is a little gift wrapped box with a red bow and a photo of our grandson Jacob glued on it. It has a tag that says it holds his love for his grammy & pap and we should never unwrap it.Jacob made it for my hubby & I when he was in first grade. He is now 12 years old.
meashy@verizon.net
My favorite ornament is a small basket that has been in my family for over 80 years. It is made of metal, oval in shape, about 4in long and 1 1/2in deep. The handle has turquoise beads woven through the center. When my dad was in grade school, in a one room schoolhouse, they exchanged grab bag gifts for Christmas. Most of the kids got chocolate bars except for one little boy who got this basket. He, according to my dad, looked very disappointed so Daddy asked him to trade the basket for his chocolate bar. This little basket has hung on my grandparents tree, my parents tree and now mine since that long ago Christmas.
Thank you for the opportunity to enter this drawing.
Merry Christmas.
ruthann.standish@gmail.com
I think that my favorite Christmas decoration is a tie between our Christmas tree (because of the history behind so many of the ornaments) and our stockings. We have four children, so including my husband and I, we have six stockings hanging up and they just look so good on the mantle. The kids' stockings have sweet pictures on them. Our oldest daughter has an ice skater, our son has a gingerbread man, our third child -a girl has a reindeer, and the youngest daughter has a snowman.
Thanks for the chance to win these books.
Brittany McEuen
kbmceuen at yahoo dot com
Each year Ilook forward to decorating our Christmas tree. The day after Thanksgiving we get a fresh Christmas tree and decorate it. We make a Christmas tree decorating party out of it. We listen to Christmas carols and string freshly made popcorn on it. My husband and I have 12 children. Every year that I had a baby my mother in law would give us a wooden sleigh ornament. Each one has the childs name hand painted on it that was born that year. That company went out of business and she would then give me golden sleigh ornaments that were engraved with the chils name. Every year the children look forward to helping decorate the tree with their ornament. It makes for a great time of fellowship as we decorate the tree and reminisce.
Cnnamongirl (at) aol (dot)com
Each year Ilook forward to decorating our Christmas tree. The day after Thanksgiving we get a fresh Christmas tree and decorate it. We make a Christmas tree decorating party out of it. We listen to Christmas carols and string freshly made popcorn on it. My husband and I have 12 children. Every year that I had a baby my mother in law would give us a wooden sleigh ornament. Each one has the childs name hand painted on it that was born that year. That company went out of business and she would then give me golden sleigh ornaments that were engraved with the chils name. Every year the children look forward to helping decorate the tree with their ornament. It makes for a great time of fellowship as we decorate the tree and reminisce.
My favorite Christmas decoration is the set of Advent paraments we have at church for our worship table and pulpit.
They have a very pretty blue background and are designed to be able to expose one more candle each week. The piece for the worship table has one large creamy colored candle in the middle on the front with yellow and orange (jewel tone) quilting around it. There are 2 2-sided stoles that go on each end. They have a matching candle on the one side and are plain on the back. The piece for the pulpit is also 2-sided.
They are displayed in this order:
Week 1: Worship table candle with 2 blank stoles & blank pulpit.
Week 2: Worship table candle with 2 blank stoles & candle side pulpit piece.
Week 3: Worship table candle with 2 candle stoles & blank pulpit.
Week 4: Worship table candle with 2 candle stoles & candle on pulpit.
I don't really enjoy any of the other paraments, they're not something I grew up with, but these add such a richness and warmth to the front of our sanctuary.
Thanks for the opportunity to share and also for the chance to win!
Barbara Beers
barbarabeers (at) verizon (dot) net
All of the handmade ornaments that my kids have made throughout the years.
I have a Fontanini collection and each year we set up a 13 foot nativity in our family room. I love the stories with each figure and the story it tells when we have it all set up!
Colored Christmas lights is my favorite.
Marilynn Walton
980 Apple Blossom Apt 4
Neenah, WI 54956
My favorite Christmas decorations is a small turkey I put on my "fancy tree". I got it off one of 176 funeral arrangements for my daddy. Out of all those floral arrangements there was not a single dove; daddy was a big hunter and this reminds me of him each Christmas.
Sherri McKinney
202 Proffitt St
Brodhead, KY 40409
Congratulations to Marilyn Walton!
My favorite Christmas ornament is any handmade ornament on my tree
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