Vickie's Kitchen and Garden: The Christmas Cradle Virtual Tour & Giveaway

For the peaceful town of Willow Ridge, November presents an early holiday surprise. Stranded in the snow, 18-year-old Lena Esh and her boyfriend Josiah Witmer need more than a place to stay for the night. Lena defied her strict family and their judgmental beliefs to run away with Josiah and have his baby. But she’s starting to wonder if he can prove as responsible as he is passionate. And she isn’t sure how—or if—they can ever find a place to truly call home.

Expecting their own miracle baby, Miriam and Ben Hooley rally the town to help the young couple, and Lena draws strength from their unexpected support. Though trouble may come calling, in this season of joyous rebirth, a little child will lead them. And two couples will see their dreams of forever family come true…

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EXCERPT

Magdalena Esh wrapped the worn blanket more snugly around her shoulders, groaning from exhaustion. Fat, icy flakes were pelting the buggy, threatening to overwhelm the windshield wipers. She had no idea where the side of the snow-packed road ended and the ditch began. She was so tired of riding—so stiff from clutching the bulge of her unborn child—she wanted to scream.

“Why are we pulling over, Josiah?” she demanded. “This can’t be Higher Ground.

There’s supposed to be a big stone sign out by the road, and—”

“We took a wrong turn, got it?” the young man beside her snapped. He yanked on the lines to halt the horse. “You haven’t stopped whining since we left this morning. I can’t think straight—can’t see a blasted thing because of this snowstorm—and your yammering is driving me nuts!”

Lena sat taller despite her aching back. “I suppose it’s also my fault that Dolly threw a shoe?”

“If you want to take the blame for that, be my guest.” Josiah glared at her, his dark eyes narrowing beneath the brim of his black hat. “I should never have told you I had a new job in Higher Ground. Should’ve just—”

“Taken off without me?” Lena finished hotly. “What a lovely thing to say, just a month before your baby’s to be born! You liked me well enough when we were—”

“You didn’t exactly push me away, Lena!” he countered. “Now shut up! There’s a light in that building, so I’m going inside to see—”

A sharp rapping on the side of the buggy made them both suck in their breath. Through the fogged window Lena could make out the shape of a man’s head. She hoped by some far-flung miracle it would be the Hiram Knepp who’d hired Josiah rather than someone bent on taking advantage of their desperate situation.

Why did you ever think Josiah Witmer would look after you? Your parents warned you and you didn’t listen.

You can read my review of The Christmas Cradle here:

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Drawing upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community in Missouri, longtime Missourian Charlotte Hubbard writes of simpler times and a faith-based lifestyle in her Seasons of the Heart series. Like her heroine, Miriam Lantz Hooley, Charlotte considers it her personal mission to feed people. Faith and family, farming and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle. She’s a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and when she’s not writing, she loves to try new recipes, crochet, and sew. Charlotte now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie.

You can connect with Charlotte Hubbard here:

Website

Facebook

Buy Link:

B&N

Amazon

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