Old Order Amish Ivy Zook is wrestling with her need to shed her community's ways so she can grow the business of her dreams: planning parties. As long as she's stuck living without modernization, she can barely get her business on its feet. But if she leaves too soon, she'd cause trouble for her sister, Holly, who is planning her wedding to Joshua Smucker. All of their plans become twice as complicated when an old car crashes into the storefront of Greene's Pharmacy, carrying a Swartzentruber (ultra-conservative sect) Amish man, Arlan, and his very ill sister.
The Zooks take in Arlan and Madga, tending to the woman's illness and Arlan begins helping around the family farm. Ivy and Arlan are on different tracks, one wanting to leave her community and the other to return to his. But both young people are trying to discover what God has in store for their futures and what miracles might lie around the corner this Christmas season.
The Zooks take in Arlan and Madga, tending to the woman's illness and Arlan begins helping around the family farm. Ivy and Arlan are on different tracks, one wanting to leave her community and the other to return to his. But both young people are trying to discover what God has in store for their futures and what miracles might lie around the corner this Christmas season.
Karen R. (flwergirl) -
A heartfelt story full of faith, hope, and love! An unwed pregnant teen on the run with her brother find a haven in the compassionate care of an Amish community. This story follows the Zook family from the previous novella, A Christmas Remedy, featuring Holly's younger sister, Ivy. It easily reads as a stand alone though.
I enjoyed this story from start to finish! It is well written with relevant topics, especially for young adults. The crisis of faith and major life decisions that both Arlan and Ivy are dealing with adds interesting dialogue. Some sparks fly at first, but they help each other see more clearly the direction they both seek. I liked the point that real freedom comes through genuine faith in Christ, with an emphasis on grace and compassion over rigid rules; also the sacrifice of love for others and trusting God with the future. "...for by grace you have been saved...", as it says in Ephesians 2.
Recommend for any reader who enjoys a hope filled story with family and faith at the center. 4.5 stars
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
I enjoyed this story from start to finish! It is well written with relevant topics, especially for young adults. The crisis of faith and major life decisions that both Arlan and Ivy are dealing with adds interesting dialogue. Some sparks fly at first, but they help each other see more clearly the direction they both seek. I liked the point that real freedom comes through genuine faith in Christ, with an emphasis on grace and compassion over rigid rules; also the sacrifice of love for others and trusting God with the future. "...for by grace you have been saved...", as it says in Ephesians 2.
Recommend for any reader who enjoys a hope filled story with family and faith at the center. 4.5 stars
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
A Christmas Haven by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall picks up shortly after The Christmas Remedy ends. While A Christmas Haven can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading The Christmas Remedy first. There is a cast of characters at the beginning of the book. I found the book to be well-written with developed characters and thoughtful pacing. Ivy Zook finds the rules of her community restrictive and she believes going Englisch will allow her to be free to pursue her dream of having a party planning business. Arlan Keim gives up everything to help his sister, Magda get the medical treatment she needs and save her from the future her parents have planned for her. I liked how Arlan saw Ivy's way of life in a totally different light. Someone from the outside can give you a different perspective as Arlan did for Ivy. The story is filled with hope which I found uplifting. I like that we get to catch up with Holly and Joshua from The Christmas Remedy as well as Red Zook. There is a sweet epilogue that gives a look at Ivy, Josh, Magda, Red, Arlan, and Holly's lives a year later. A Christmas Haven has hope, love, heartache, joy, and forgiveness. We see that you never know what God will have in store for you. You just need to be patient, pray and follow His lead. I like how Arlan and Ivy bonded over books. I was shocked to learn the Swartzentruber Amish do not read fiction. My favorite phrase from A Christmas Haven is âWho I am can't be defined by breaking bonds with my family. It can only be defined by blooming right where He planted me.â A Christmas Haven is a fulfilling novel with party planning, an auto accident, a benevolent bishop, restrictive rules and a wonderful wedding.
