An Amish Family Christmas: A Charmed Amish Life Christmas Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray

An Amish Family Christmas: A Charmed Amish Life Christmas Novel
By: Shelley Shepard Gray 

Published: October. 2016
Published By: Avon Inspire
Format Read: ARC, eBook
Genre: Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction
Date Read: August 4, 2016
Rating: 3.5/5

 I was sent a copy of An Amish Family Christmas: A Charmed Amish Life Christmas Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray, from the publisher via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

After the death of his father, Levi Kinsinger is absolutely lost. Unable to face his siblings he rents a small shack of a home in his hometown of Charm. He attempts to distract himself with work at his family’s lumber mill until he meets his beautiful new neighbour and her sweet little girl.

Single mother Julia moves to town to create a better life for her daughter Penny. Memories from her past keep her guarded, but an unlikely friendship with Levi begins to blossom. Then a secret she had been keeping for years comes to light and puts her and Penny’s safety in jeopardy. Can the bond she, Levi and Penny have created stand the test of these revelations?

Meanwhile Levi’s best friend Simon is helping his sister open a refuge for abused women and children. An Amish Family Christmas is the fourth book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s series The Charmed Amish Life.

An Amish Family Christmas is the first Amish fiction book I’ve read that wasn’t set on a farm in one way or another. This was a welcome change and gave me a different glimpse into their culture. It did seem as if the characters were slightly more immersed in the “English” way of life, but they still valued their faith and Amish traditions.

The characters were interesting with backstories that helped to justify their personalities and the decisions they made. I think that author could have easily extended the length of this novel on those stories alone.

Unfortunately because it was so short, I found as a reader that I missed out on some important relationship development. Especially when it came to Levi and Julia’s friendship. The secondary story line of Tess and her refuge for abused women and children seemed to be lost amidst the main story. Although hopefully the author will expand on this in future installments of this series.

An Amish Family Christmas was a light and cozy read that would be best read on a cold day, curled up by a roaring fire. It was a sweet story with strong a strong family dynamic. Because this is the first book I have read in this series, I am now curious to go back and read the first three books.

I would recommend this book to fans of Amish fiction, especially those have already read the previous books in this series.  

The Quieting (Bishops Family, #2) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Title: The Quieting (Bishops Family, #2)
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Published: May 2016
Published By: Fleming H.  Revell Company
Format Read: Trade Paperback
Genre: Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction
Date Read: May 11, 2016
Rating: 4/5

I was sent a copy of The Quieting (Bishops Family, #2) by Suzanne Woods Fisher from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Quieting picks up shortly after The Imposter (Bishops Family, #1) left off. Like in the first book readers follow David Stoltfuz, a widowed minister raising his family in the Amish community of Stoney Ridge. Another returning point of view is that of David’s son Jesse, who works as a buggy repairman. Several new characters are introduced to the series including David’s socially clueless niece Abigail, who along with her sister and grandmother come to stay and be of assistance.

The Bishops Family series has a cast of characters that rate among my favourites in any genre. They are interesting and complex with wonderful story lines that set them apart, yet at the same time connect them together.

 Even under a great deal of stress and commitment David is still a solid and caring father, minister, son, uncle and friend. There is something about his nature that drew me to him from the first book.

At just sixteen years old Jesse is living on his own running a buggy repair shop. He is trying to put his past troubles behind him and be a man. The level of maturity and responsibility for a boy in the Amish faith is quite different than that of their “English” counterpart.

Although I did miss reading from the point of view of David’s eldest child Katrina, I did like the addition of his niece Abigail. This character was quite unlike any of the others. Her lack of social skills was almost comical at times and I was reminded very much of Sheldon Cooper from televisions The Big Bang Theory. Like Sheldon Cooper, Abigail is endearing in her own way and only wanted to be of great help. Her love of knowledge and genealogy added an interesting element to her character, which I really enjoyed. Another new character that aligned with Abigail’s story was Dane. Like David, Dane is a kind soul and quite intelligent too.

I loved being back in their world and the town of Stoney Ridge. Suzanne Woods Fisher sets the stage for a warm and inviting reading experience, that I just become so immersed in. I found The Quieting had less notable quotes of wisdom, compared to The Imposter. However it included more moments of amusement that put a smile on my face.

I would recommend The Quieting for fans of Amish fiction, especially to those who have read the first book in the series. 

The Imposter (The Bishop's Family #1) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Title: The Imposter (The Bishop's Family #1)
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Published: October 2015
Published by: Fleming H. Revell Company
Format Read: Trade Paperback
Genre: Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance
Date Read: October 11 2015
Rating: 5/5

I was sent a copy of The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Suzanne Wood Fisher’s The Imposter is the first book in a new Amish fiction series called The Bishops Family. It follows David Stoltzfus a widower who owns his own store while raising his 5 children. Also a minister in the small town of Stoney Ridge, he befriends a local spinster named Birdy, who just happens to be the sister of the Bishop Freeman Glick, a man who David is forever at odds with.   Meanwhile David’s sixteen year old son Jesse returns home with some news that breaks his sister’s heart. 19 year old Katrina learns that her former love is engaged to another. 

Earlier this year I read Suzanne Woods Fisher’s novel The Choice and couldn’t put it down. So when I saw that she was releasing a new series I jumped at the chance to read and review it. I went into The Imposter with high expectations and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. 

More than the cover
As I began to read The Imposter I was surprised that there was more to this book than the back synopsis mentions. Katrina moves in with an injured widow to help her keep house and run her growing moss business, but what of the other characters? Personally I think that David, Jesse and Birdy’s storylines are all just as important as Katrina’s. These multiple perspectives gave a lot of depth and excitement to the book. Aside from the lacking description, the fall leaves and basket of apples on the cover perfectly suit an October release. Another smart addition to The Imposter was a character list at the beginning. This made for a great reference as more characters were introduced. I wish more books would include a page like this. 

Then there was David..
Speaking of the cast of characters; they were just wonderful! I found the two female leads to be quite relatable. Birdy and I are both tall and awkward and I share the same temperament and lack of confidence as Katrina. Despite Jesse’s knack for getting himself into less than proper situations, his storyline was very entertaining. Then there was David. I am not normally one to crush on book characters, but I certainly did in this case. Not only was he was he a good father, but the strength he had in his faith and convictions never wavered. 

Growth
Unlike other books I have read, The Imposter showed a lot of growth in its characters and their relationships. My favourite perspectives varied from Birdy and David. I loved how her mindful observations of the nature around her positively influenced David and his sermons.

Recommendations
As a new reader of Amish fiction, I believe that it is starting to become one of my favourite genres. Reading about the Stoltzfus family was an enjoyable cozy experience and I can’t wait for the release of the second book in this series. I would recommend The Imposter to fans of the genre who are looking for a warm curl-up-by-the-fire type novel. 

Notable Quotes:
I don’t think I have ever read a book where I have flagged more passages than I have with The Imposter. Suzanne Woods Fisher is a beautiful writer and I lost count of how many times I stopped to re-read parts again and again. Here are some more of my favourite quotes from this book:

“It was as if her heart were a teacup that fell to the floor and shattered.” 

“Something incredible happened. He suddenly became relaxed. His soul settled, as if it had found a still point.” 

“His eyes lifted to the sky, the blue, blue sky, and he took a deep breath of crisp morning air, a symbol that every day is a new chance to begin again.”

The Choice (Lancaster County Secrets #1) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Title: The Choice (Lancaster County Secrets #1)
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Published: January 2010
Published By: Revell
Format Read: Kindle for PC, eBook
Genre: Christian Fiction, Amish Fiction, Romance
Read: March 31 2015
Rating: 5/5

After the sudden death of her father, Carrie’s plans to run away with beau Sol are changed in favour of raising her younger brother Andy. Angry with her decision, Sol leaves her and their faith behind for a chance of becoming a baseball star. Meanwhile, Carrie concerned with the future and well-being of her brother decides to marry a young man named Daniel and become baptised into the Amish church. She and Andy move onto a new farm with Daniel, his father and Grandmother Yonnie. In a bid to get to know the man she married, Carrie learns of the past Daniel was trying to run away from back in Ohio. The Choice is the first book in Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Lancaster County Secrets trilogy. It is a fast moving story filled with romance and faith. 

The author sure doesn’t waste any time getting into the plotline. The first chapter alone gives the reader more information than other books I have completed in the past. In fact I think a better name would have been The Choices. Tragedy keeps occurring at every turn. I can see how this may seem like too much for some, but for me I was so lost in the story for this to bother me. 

The characters were interesting and complex. My favourites included sweet and innocent Andy and Yonnie who certainly spoke her mind. Especially the witty comments she made about the bishop and his “backed up plumbing”. 

As a newer fan of Amish fiction, I just get so wrapped up in learning about the plain lifestyle and beliefs. I find it touching how the community comes together when a member is in need. An example of this from The Choice is an old fashioned barn raising. Everyone comes together to do their part. This is the true meaning of community, in my opinion. 

I would recommend this book to not only fans of Amish fiction, but to those readers who enjoy a story with meaning. Even a non-religious person like myself could see the hope and wisdom in this book. I am looking forward to reading the other two books in this trilogy: The Waiting and the Search.