Book: A Simple Amish ChristmasAuthoress: Vannetta Chapman
Pages: @277 Publisher: Abingdon Press
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Goodreads: A Simple Amish Christmas
Genre: Christian Fiction, Christmas
My summary: Annie Weaver has spent her rumschpringe becoming a registered nurse. But when a family emergency brings her home, she fears condemnation for her education. What she finds instead is understanding, her place, and love in a very unexpected place.
My say: A Simple Amish Christmas is exactly what it promises to be; a simple, sweet, Amish story that takes place near Christmas time. What I didn't expect, is to actually connect with Annie and her love interest Samuel. They both have strong fierce feelings, thoughts, and insecurities that made them easy to relate to. I enjoyed my time among Annie and her kin. This is a lovely story that reminds us to focus on what is important and to allow God to work our gifts for good.
My star rating: 4 out of 5 stars
My recommendation: I don't normally read Amish CF. But this was the most delightful Amish tale I have ever read. Therefore, I would recommend this one to all Christian Fiction fans. Even those who don't normally read Amish stories. Annie's a great strong educated woman. From the beginning she appreciates her people but also learn knows how to stand up for herself.
My favorite part: The goosebumps they would get when they accidentally touched. *le sigh*
My favorite line: "The knowing is easy. It's the doing that gives us trouble."
My cover thoughts: This cover is perfect for the story. However, I can't imagine how cold those buggies must be?
My kiddie-o-meter: Crystal clear
My holiday cheer meter: Low Medium High
My final say: I wish they had Amish camp for people who wanted to temporarily experience Amish ways. I would SO sign up.
Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com
Second Entry in the Christmas Christian Fiction Reading Challenge.
awww this sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteYou always find the cutest Christmas books! I'd love to curl up with this one and a cup of cocoa. And I agree--I'd sign up too! Great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm not normally a fan of Amish fiction and felt the same--that the story touched me more than I expected it to . . . And the buggies do look really cold! LOL
ReplyDeleteHi Juju! Thanks for recommending this story to me....I really enjoyed it! I especially loved the hero (and his beard...hee hee!). I thought the pacing was perfect through the whole story until the end, which was way too abrupt. I think the author needed to have a bit more of a resolution to wrap up the story. Other than that, I thought it was very sweet and the perfect Xmas read.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you!
Penny
You know, I generally do not pay much attention to Christmas books but the cover and title got me, so I read your review and I actually think I would enjoy reading this. Something about it clicked.
ReplyDeleteI love that cover, too.
You know, I grew up just outside of Amish country, and I would have loved to live that way - so simple and sweet...I'd sure miss blogging though! :D Great review!
ReplyDeleteI was going to start this one here soon...I love simple Amish storys...:D
ReplyDeleteI just finished The Help and I cant get it out of my head, so hopefully I can start a new book here soon!
LOL- Whats up with me repeating myself????
ReplyDeleteLOL Amish Camp, I love it. The next best thing is to visit Lancaster County. I took the boys for spring break last year and we went to an Amish mud sale. It was a neat experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm generally not into Amish fiction but this one looks really good. Thanks for a great review!
ReplyDeleteAwww this sounds like a very cute read! Thanks for sharing it. I love reading reviews reviews on books I normally wouldn't read. Thanks to you I'll more than likely buy it :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!!
Vane
Glad you enjoyed it - I downloaded it on my Kindle a while back.
ReplyDeleteI don't normally read Amish books either but this one sounds like a sweet, quick read. I may have to give it a try. :)
ReplyDeleteYou kind of really crack me up, "An Amish Camp"? LOL That would actually be kind of fun as long as it wasn't too cold. Like you mentioned, those buggies look awfully freezing cold!
ReplyDeleteLovely review my dear! I love the word fierce by the way! Perfect.
I didn't even know that Amish fiction was a genre?! This one sounds interesting, thanks for the review :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds adorable! I also didn't know that Amish fiction was a genre, but this sounds like something I could get into. Sweet and innocent and Christmas. yes!
ReplyDeleteAlas, no Amish camp Juju...but I use to live in PA and we'd drive to Lancaster all the time. Amish country....all the way....quite a vision. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one...happy reading....
ReplyDeleteWhere I grew up on the side of Amish country... we interacted sometimes and I always wished I was on their side. Yes a bit more chores but after that it was a simple life and the knowledge that I wasn't killing the earth as much as we do.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote and the book looks like it would be a enjoyable holiday read! Nice find.
Please do stop by to check out my new accomplice *grin* He is a bit cheeky but I think I can keep him in line!
Mad Scientist,
http://madsteampunkery.blogspot.com
this book sounds really good, I've seen a few reviews on it here and there.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Pretty cover.
ReplyDeleteNice review! I've never read any Amish fiction before but I'm open to trying something new. One of my goals for next year is read more books outside of my comfort zone
ReplyDeleteWonderful review! I visited Amish country in Indiana. I loved every moment of my visit. I went with my local library, at the time. We went to a farm, shopped at the cute little town, and even had dinner at an Amish family's home. It was quite a treat! I think it was the best meal I've eaten in my entire life.
ReplyDeleteFor starters: I really like the cover. It's pretty. This book came on my Kindle Freebies email list a couple weeks ago. I was scared off by the "Christian Fiction" genre. I've been kinda stuck in a rut reading this genre for a while because many of the books are free. However, I only like about 50% of them because sometime they just overdo the "god" element. I prefer ones which have a very subtle religious theme. Would you say this one meets that? You did a great job with the review. I enjoy your format, its one of the main reasons for being a follower. You are also a gifted writer with strong analytical capabilities and I respect that - a lot!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never read an Amish CF, but this sounds like something I'd like to read especially this month. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteYou always convince me, Juju! If I was a publisher, I would totally hire you for promotions! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis book does sound really cute and a fun holiday read. I don't live far from Lancaster, PA and whenever I see them on their buggies, I am intrigued. I definitely wouldn't survive Amish Camp though. ha. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI’ve never tried an Amish read, but this sounds super cute!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds delightful!
ReplyDeleteLove that cover... it's beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent review. I hope you're having a great vacation and we'll see you again soon!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds really cute!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holiday Juju!
Darlyn: Ahhh thank you darling Darlyn. Happy Holidays to you too :)
ReplyDeleteKelli: I'm back for a hot minute and leave again for 3+ weeks this weekend :) Yah for vacation :)
Cherry: Right? So simple and sweet :)
Midnight: It is :)
Christie: Yah some of them are really slow. But this one was goood :)
Christina: Really? How cool. Do you ever go down to buy any local Amish made goods? :)
Shannon: Really? Ahhhh :) Thank you! *hugs* Sweetest thing I've heard allll day.
Just Your Typical: Thanks for stopping by darling :)
Gina Precious: I totally understand and get you! :) When I do my recommendations I will usually mention if I think a CF book is better suited for CF fans or if I think anyone should try it. But you have me thinking maybe I should do a cross over recommendation that is more clear and specific.
Now to answer your question: This one was subtle for me but I'm not sure it would be subtle enough for you. Usually Amish stories deal allot with faith. I did however recently purchase one (for my Kindle) that was very subtle and really good with very subtle faith elements called "An Amish Christmas" (review to come soon).
Thank you SO much for your kind words. You wowed and touched me with your kind honest words. Thank you. :)
Julie: Ooooo cool! I MUST do that some day. :)
Jenny N.: You go girl! That's awesome! *high five*
Andrea & Kaye & Carrie Hammock: Thanks and thanks for popping by friend :)
Mad Scientist: Really. How cool. Amen to that!
You're accomplice? Tell me more :)
GMR: I really must go there :)
Brizmus & Lizzy: Thanks :) I do believe it is a subgenre of Christian Fiction.
1stdaughter: LOL exactly! I am even willing to give up all electronics and electricity during Amish camp. But yah, it would probably need to be summer or fall :)
JessicaBookLover: Yah :)
Darlene: Oooo let me know what you think of it :)
V: Hey girly! I've missed you! :) Thank you for stopping by! :)
Gina Hott: You would like this one. It's sweet and not as slow as the average Amish story. :)
Joy: I must do that. :) What's an Amish mud sale?
Tina: You rock :) You can repeat your self alll you want :)
Melissa: Agreed :) I think if the Amish allowed me limited electronics I would do it :)
Cat: Really? Wow. Thanks. :)
Penny: O ya know I get what you mean. I wanted a little more love at the end too :) Ooo Penny I just read one you would dig. It's called "An Amish Christmas". (review to come soon)
Renee Ann: Right? That is exactly how I felt! :)
Kim: Thanks Kimmy dear :) See two takers to Amish camp already :)
I'd try Amish camp too -would be very interesting!
ReplyDeleteOne of my coworkers read it and said it was a cute read. The author did a few signings here during Thanksgiving but I missed it. I'll have to add this to my list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI would so sign up for an Amish camp!
ReplyDeleteMaya & Alyssa: Yah more takers :)
ReplyDeleteCari: O how cool. I would have loved a signing!
An amish retreat? Count me in! Did you ever see the movie with Tim Allen and Kristie Alley where they hide in an Amish town? Low budget movie, but still some very funny parts mixed in.
ReplyDeleteLydia: *smile* OOoo yes I liked that movie! It was really funny!
ReplyDelete