My Thoughts:
The Christmas Quilt offers a glimpse into the lives of two Amish couples. Leah and Adam are expecting their first children- twins- and life has become quite stressful as they prepare for their arrival. Annie, Adam's sister, and Samuel, on the other hand, have a close relationship and are praying for Leah and Adam. They sense that something is wrong but they don't want to intrude.
My favorite characters were Annie and Samuel. They are important members of this Amish community, offering care to those in need, whether it's assistance with a heart attack or tending to a woman in labor. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Annie and Samuel worked together- in their marriage as well as when they helped others. Their easygoing nature and love of the Lord made them engaging as well as inspiring.
On the other hand, I had a much more difficult time warming up to Leah and Adam. I had a really hard time with this:
Adam's jaw clenched and he snapped the reins, signaling to their pretty black gelding to continue down the lane. "Ya. We'll be staying and you'll act like a happy fraa, whether you feel like it or not."
To be fair, this was at the beginning of the book, but I almost didn't want to read any more after that statement! It was way too harsh for my taste.
Adam and Leah are experiencing marital stress- like all couples do at some point- and a lack of communication on top of that. Not a good combination. Adam, in particular, goes through a dramatic transformation throughout the book which makes for a satisfying ending. Those that enjoy Amish fiction will be pleased.
About the book: Annie's life is deliciously full as the Christmas season approaches. She helps her husband, Samuel, attend to the community's minor medical needs. She occasionally assists Belinda, the local midwife, and most days, she finds herself delivering the buggy to her brother Adam. Annie's sister-in-law Leah is due to deliver their first child before Christmas morning, and Annie is determined to finish a crib quilt before the boppli arrives. With six weeks to go, she should have no problem . . . but God may have a different plan. Leah is rushed to the English hospital when the infant arrives early, and Annie discovers the Christmas quilt may hold a far greater significance than she ever imagined.
Meet the author: Vannetta Chapman has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather's birthplace in Albion, Pennsylvania. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.Find out more at: http://www.quiltsoflovebooks.com
In honor of their new Quilts of Love releases, The Christmas Quilt and Aloha Rose, authors Vannetta Chapman and Lisa Carter are gearing up to ring in the Christmas season with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th with fellow Quilts of Love author Lynette Sowell!
One winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 30th. Winner will be announced at the "Christmas Bee" Facebook Party on December 10th. Connect with the authors from the Quilts of Love series, Vannetta Chapman, Lisa Carter, and Lynette Sowell, for an evening of book chat, quilt trivia, Christmas traditions and gifts, PLUS get an exclusive look at January's Quilts of Love book!
Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on December 10th!
*I was given a copy of this book by Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.*
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