Christmas In Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound Of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, The Dawn Of Christmas (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Christmas in Apple Ridge is a three-in-one collection of Amish stories. This edition has a new story The Christmas Singing. All the stories were really good, and I loved the twists in them. The characters were so realistically written.The Sound of Sleigh Bells introduces you to Beth Hertzler who shows up in all of the novellas. Beth works at Hertzler's Dry Goods store and travels around once a year to find Amish goods to sell to Englisch and Amish stores. On her travels, she finds a beautiful carving on a tree trunk. Something about it calls to her so when she starts receiving letters from the "old man" who made it a part of he starts to open. Until she finds out who was really writing the letters...The Christmas Singing is about Mattie who owns a bakery in Ohio Amish land. She specializes in making beautiful cakes, and for the last three years her business has been booming. But then tragedy strikes, leaving Mattie devastated. Going home for the holidays isn't what Mattie wants because of her old beau Gideon who broke off their engagement. But when Mattie sees Gideon, she isn't sure how to handle it all. The Dawn of Christmas features Sadie who has been away on numerous mission trips to Peru for the last three years because she found out on the eve of her wedding day that she couldn't trust her intended. Scarred from the ordeal, Sadie doesn't trust much of anything anymore so when she finally comes home for a visit she is surprised to find that she can get along with a man who doesn't want to marry either. Is it even possible for Levi and Sadie to get together with their trust issues?I really enjoyed these novellas! The writing was superb and reeled me in right away. I couldn't wait to see what happened in all of them. I think I need to read it again during Christmas... :-D It would make a great Christmas present. Now I want to read the spring novella that goes along with these, The Scent of Cherry Blossoms. I was given this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review. Series: The Apple Ridge Series, books 1-3~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Book 1- ‘The Sound of Sleigh Bells’ by Cindy Woodsmall“Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?”Spiritual Content- Psalm 4:8, Many Scriptures & Prayers are said.Negative Elements- N/ASexual Content- Two almost kisses that get interrupted.-Beth Hertzler-Jonah Kinsinger P.O.V. switches between Beth & Jonah~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Book 2- ‘The Christmas Singing’ by Cindy Woodsmall“After Gideon coldly broke her heart, can the warmth of the season revive Mattie’s hopes?Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve.Three years later, will learning the truth behind his rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?Spend Christmas with the Amish in this story of love, romance, heartache, and restoration.Experience the holidays with the Plain folk and discover the power of second chances in this touching story from the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Bridge of Peace.Gideon Beiler has loved Mattie Eash since they were children. But when faced with unexpected circumstances, he makes up an excuse to end their engagement. He doesn’t want to lie to her, but he believes that telling Mattie the truth will be more hurtful. Brokenhearted, Mattie moves from Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania to Ohio, where she pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator. She finds a new beau—a man offering the secure relationship Gideon has denied her. When Mattie is forced to return to Apple Ridge, she and Gideon must confront the suffering created by his dishonesty – and address the powerful emotions that continue to bind the two childhood friends.”Spiritual Content- Scriptures & Prayers are said.Negative Elements-N/ASexual Content- A Kiss-Mattie-Gideon P.O.V. switches between them & Sol~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Book 3- ‘The Dawn of Christmas’ by Cindy Woodsmall“Sadie enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it’s time to come home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan—but soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a future together?”Spiritual Content- Like the first two, Scriptures & Prayers are said.Negative Elements- N/ASexual Content- Kisses-Sadie-Levi P.O.V. switches between them, Beth & Jonah~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* I really enjoy Amish fiction, and this one was very good! My favorite was the first one. :)Don't forget to check out the Author's website, read chapter one, and buy it here! *I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.*BFCG recommends this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
What do You think about Christmas In Apple Ridge: Three-in-One Collection: The Sound Of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, The Dawn Of Christmas (2012)?
Sweet stories of overcoming obstacles and past hurts and the power of love :)
—Tin
Loved these 3 books and love how she tied the stories together. Good stuff!
—queenlena
