Although this plot is a common one, Cynthia Hickey adds so much to it that it seems new and fresh. The dialogue is great and the characters are well-developed (even secondary ones). Charlotte Nelson has arrived as the new teacher in Plumville, Arkansas, only to find that the town is split over a generations-old feud. Undaunted, Charlotte decides to have a Christmas pageant to unite the town.
One of the first people Charlotte meets is the sheriff, Asher Thomas. But the sheriff is up to his eyeballs in trouble of the half-pint variety -- namely 3 nephews. Asher's brother left for parts unknown after his wife died and left his three sons with Asher, an unmarried man bewildered by the mischievous nature of the three boys. In fact, that is why a new teacher had to be found after the school year had started -- the boys ran off the last teacher.
Everything about this story is charming. Charlotte is one-of-a-kind. Asher is usually two steps behind his difficult nephews. The townspeople are absolutely loonie (How can the preacher be on one side of the feud 6 days/week and minister to everyone on the 7th day?) Get this book; you will be delighted too.
One of the first people Charlotte meets is the sheriff, Asher Thomas. But the sheriff is up to his eyeballs in trouble of the half-pint variety -- namely 3 nephews. Asher's brother left for parts unknown after his wife died and left his three sons with Asher, an unmarried man bewildered by the mischievous nature of the three boys. In fact, that is why a new teacher had to be found after the school year had started -- the boys ran off the last teacher.
Everything about this story is charming. Charlotte is one-of-a-kind. Asher is usually two steps behind his difficult nephews. The townspeople are absolutely loonie (How can the preacher be on one side of the feud 6 days/week and minister to everyone on the 7th day?) Get this book; you will be delighted too.
