![A Simple Christmas (Simple Gifts) by [Hubbard, Charlotte]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51jjcobOtKL._SY346_.jpg)
A Simple Christmas (Simple Gifts) by Charlotte Hubbard
The rustic beauty of a
country Christmas fills the Simple Gifts crafts shop, while the Amish residents
of Willow Ridge pull together in uncertain times—and in the face of an
unexpected homecoming.
Nora Hooley’s shop is
abuzz with preparations for the holiday open house, and Rosalyn Riehl is
handcrafting wreaths from evergreen boughs, pinecones, and other natural
materials. The work is a welcome diversion for the only unmarried daughter of
Cornelius Riehl: her gruff dat has been receiving envelopes marked Past Due,
leaving dutiful Rosalyn to manage the household’s inexplicably shrinking
budget. Then another distraction swaggers into Simple Gifts—blue-jeaned and
leather-jacketed, with a reputation that precedes him.
Marcus Hooley
hightailed it to Willow Ridge on a wing and a prayer—not that he’s the praying
type. He rejected his Amish roots long ago. But behind the bad-boy attitude is
a gifted horse trainer who’s counting on some bent-but-not-broken family ties
to throw him a lifeline. He can’t erase his past, but a sparking attraction
with strong, spirited Rosalyn holds the promise of a second chance . . . and of
shedding light on shadowy secrets to build a bright tomorrow.
An excerpt from the book:
The bell jangled raucously as the front door flew open and
hit the wall. “Hey—does anybody work here?” a young man called out. “You can’t
tell me this town doesn’t even have a gas station.”
Nora turned quickly toward him, her eyes widening in
recognition as she handed Rosalyn the star-shaped wreath. “This could get
interesting,” she murmured.
Rosalyn watched as Nora took her time passing between the
displays of handmade table linens and racks of hanging jackets, toward the
fellow who’d entered with a gust of wind that had apparently blown the door out
of his hand.
Or did he throw it open? Rosalyn wondered as she took in the
man’s black leather jacket and the rakish way his dark hair dipped over one
side of his face. Most English are at least courteous and they don’t come in
before the store opens. This fellow looks like walking, talking trouble—with a
capital T.
Rosalyn started
slowly toward the front door, in case their unexpected guest caused Nora
problems. She wasn’t sure what she’d do if this brash young man behaved
improperly, but she knew Nora would be coming to her assistance in this situation.
She wasn’t sure what to think, however, when the redheaded storekeeper walked
quickly around him to shut the door against the wind. Nora faced their visitor,
confidently crossed her arms, and gazed directly at him, unfazed by the fact
that he stood head and shoulders taller than she did.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Cousin Marcus from Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania,” Nora said as she looked him up and down. “Did you
finally show up to check out Wyatt McKenzie’s job offer? Or did another
girlfriend get smart and kick you to the curb for using her credit cards on the
sly?”
Rosalyn gasped. Was this Marcus Hooley, the horse trainer
Wyatt had called in October, hoping to hire an Amish man to manage the draft
horse farm he’d recently established? Everyone in Willow Ridge was wondering
why the cousin Luke, Ira, and Ben had recommended hadn’t bothered to provide
the references Wyatt had requested. As Rosalyn looked more closely, she saw the
resemblance this young man bore to Luke—and she couldn’t miss the rebellious
flare of his pale green eyes as he stared at Nora.
My Thoughts:
I loved going back to visit the beautiful and quiet town of Willow Ridge in Charlotte's newest book, a Simple Christmas. The wonderful descriptions always make me feel like I'm right there visiting among them.
There were some great charactors in this book, but for some reason the preachers stood out in my mind. They had some hard decisions to make and with prayer they tried to do what they thought was best for everyone. Their humbleness brought tears to my eyes.
I loved the feeling of community and how everyone cared for and accepted one another. In good times and in bad, they had faith that they would get through.
This is a series but all the charactors are explained well. I feel it can be read alone without a problem.
Such a great book to relax with and I never stopped reading till the end!
I received this book from the author for free. All opinions are my own.
About the Author:
Charlotte
Hubbard is the acclaimed author of Amish romance and fiction that evokes
simpler times and draws upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order
Amish community west of the Mississippi. Faith and family, farming, and food
preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle—and the foundation of all her
novels. A deacon, dedicated church musician and choir member, she loves to
travel, read, try new recipes, and crochet. A longtime Missourian, Charlotte
now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband and their border collie,
Vera.
Places you can visit Charlotte:
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