A Christmas book review in September?!
Why not?
If my husband had his way, there would be Christmas music playing in the Shoop household all year long!
And a new Christmas book is a great way to get us in the spirit and prepare our hearts for the upcoming Holiday Season.
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 Amish 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.
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.
My Take:
This is the first book by Suzanne Woods Fisher that I have read, except for her recent non-fiction release, Amish Values for Your Family. I had heard a lot about her Amish novels, so I was looking forward to reading this one.
The story takes place over a three-day period beginning on December 23rd. The Fitzpatricks are stranded at the Riehls farmhouse, and it is soon discovered by the reader that everyone present has some things to learn about love and forgiveness. The story is told from the point of view of all five adults who are present in the house (C.J., Jaime, Mattie, Sol, and Mattie’s cousin, Zach), which I thought would be confusing but actually ended up giving the novel an overall cohesiveness that I really enjoyed.
When I discovered that this book was to revolve around an “English” couple getting stranded during a snowstorm with an Amish couple, I was a little leery. The plot sounded very good, but I have read some Amish novels that seem to show the Amish way of life as perfect and the English way of life as wrong or evil. That was not the case at all with this book. Each character learned something from the other characters and from the other characters’ way of life that would continue to help them in the future.
This rather short book was a breeze to read—I read it in a day—but it was not breezy or light in its meaning.
A Lancaster County Christmas is a unique and engaging novel that makes you think about what truly matters in life.
I will give A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher … 4 BookWorms.
Link to buy the book: "A Lancaster County Christmas"
Be sure to follow the blog tour here - many of the bloggers have copies of the book to giveaway!
About the contest:
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).
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 one of the icons below. 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.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell/Baker Publishing Group through LitFuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Hi Shoopette! Just popping by to thank you for being a part of the blog tour for "A Lancaster County Christmas!" I liked your writing style--easy to catch and get carried away! Glad the book didn't feel stereotypical to you...that means so much to me. Warmly, Suzanne Woods Fisher
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