Thursday, September 15, 2011

A Lancaster County Christmas


Title: A LANCASTER COUNTY CHRISTMAS
Author: Suzanne Fisher Woods
Publisher: Revell
September 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8007-1995-1
Genre: Inspirational/Amish/Women’s fiction

Jaime has not been handling life so well since her mother was killed in a freak accident. She’s been on sleeping pills to try and cope, but when she needs her prescription refilled, there’s a different doctor seeing her, and he gently suggests that maybe she needs a different sort of help, something more than sleeping pills.

Mattie is an Amish woman who has just miscarried yet another baby. She’s fearful, scared that something will happen to the one child she has, coddling Danny from even working with her husband, Sol. Sol tells her the boy needs to grow to be a man, but yet, he’s guilty of doing the same thing.

When Danny leaves a toy at the doctor’s office, the doctor asks Jaime to deliver it. Jaime is hesitant. She and her husband are on their way to meet her father and go on a Christmas cruise. But she reluctantly agrees. And this visit will change both her life and Mattie’s life in ways they never imagine…

A LANCASTER COUNTY CHRISTMAS is a sweet story about very real characters who are struggling to get things right. About letting go, and letting God. About even believing that a good, kind God could allow bad things to happen to good people. And it’s set in Lancaster County, during winter, with back-to-back blizzards coming in.

A LANCASTER COUNTY CHRISTMAS started a bit slow as we were introduced to the characters, but it soon picked up. All of the main characters were very real and struggled with different issues, from Danny, to his cousin, Zach, and all four of the adults. The entire story took place during a three day time period, and there were six points of view included in it, telling the story from their stand points. There’s a saying, “you see what you see because you are where you are.” This is brought to life as you see the story through the different characters’ eyes.

I thoroughly loved this book, and highly recommend it. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $15.99 hardcover. 200 pages.

Enter to win your very own iPad Prize Package in Suzanne Woods Fisher ’s “Christmas in December” Giveaway! Enter at the link below and then be sure check out the blog tour – many of bloggers are giving away a copy of A Lancaster County Christmas! http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13425768 Winner of the iPad will be announced on 9/27 during Suzanne’s Facebook Party!



About the book:

Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits.



Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality.



Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas?



With her trademark plot twists and attention to detail, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers readers a beautiful Christmas story of love, forgiveness, and what truly matters in life.



About Suzanne:

Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. She has many, many Plain relatives living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and travels back to Pennsylvania , as well as to Ohio , a couple of times each year for research.

Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles--simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-- into your life.

When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

Link to buy the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Lancaster-County-Christmas-Suzanne-Fisher/dp/0800719956/ref=sprightly-20

To celebrate the release of her first Christmas book, Suzanne Woods Fisher has teamed up with her publisher, Revell, to bring you the "Christmas in September" iPad Giveaway! The winner will be announced on 9/27 at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party! Details below. Tell your friends and join in the fun (9/7-9/27).

Oh and be sure to follow the blog tour here - many of the bloggers have copies of the book to giveaway!

Suzanne and Revell will be presenting one merry winner with a Christmas Prize Pack (valued at over $600):

•A Brand New iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
•$25 gift certificate to iTunes
•A copy of A Lancaster County Christmas

To enter, click here http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13425768. But, hurry the giveaway ends on 9/26.

But, wait! There's more! The winner will be announced at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party on 9/27 at Suzanne's author page. During the party she'll be revealing something *BIG* - you won't want to miss it. She'll also be hosting a book chat, trivia contest and giving away a few early Christmas presents! Hope to see you there.

Blog Tour Schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13425768)

2 comments:

cjajsmommy said...

Great review, Laura! This sounds like a book I definitely want to read. And I love having a connection to Suzanne -- Franklin county is where I live and I have been acquainted with some Benedicts in the past.

Suzanne said...

Hi Laura! Thanks for your thumbs up for "Lancaster County Christmas!" You put so much thought into your reviews--it shows and I really appreciate it.
Just read your other comment--how awesome to think she has met some Benedicts! What a lovely surprise for me. Blessings to you in your own writing, Laura! Warmly, Suzanne Woods Fisher

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