A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher ~ review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Revell (September 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800719956
• ISBN-13: 978-0800719951
• Review copy provided by the publisher
• Want to purchase a copy, click here.

Product Description:

Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits.

Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality.

Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas?

With her trademark plot twists and attention to detail, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers readers a beautiful Christmas story of love, forgiveness, and what truly matters in life.

My take on this book:

I have read a few of Suzanne Woods Fisher's stories set in Lancaster County, so I was anxious to read a Christmas story set in the area. It's the story of two families, an Amish family, The Riehl's and an English family the Fitzpatricks. Each family is struggling with major life issues and need a bit of reminding as to what is important in life.

Mattie, Sol, and Danny Riehl have made a trip to the doctors office for a follow up because Mattie suffered a miscarriage a few weeks ago. While they have six year old Danny, Mattie has always dreamed of having a houseful of children but struggles with infertility. The situation has stolen Mattie's joy making her question why others can so easily have children but she can't. Jaime and C.J. Fitzpatrick have issues of their own. C.J. is a teacher, but also works with his dog Tucker as a search and rescue team. His marriage to his wife Jaime seems to be slowly raveling apart and he isn't sure what to do to fix it. Jaime's father left when she was young, and when he recently dropped back into her life, she became frantic to have his acceptance, add to this the fact that she lost her mother six months ago to a freak accident and suspicions that her husband is having an affair. She won't talk to C.J. and he is unsure how to reach her. When the couple runs an errand to the Riehl farm, they become stranded, and soon both couples are learning what really matters in life.

I loved this story, I read it in about an hour and was anxious to see how things would turn out. The plot moved along well, and wasn't predictable like many of the Christmas stories I read. The characters are very realistic with the issues they are dealing with. I read alot of Amish stories and often the Amish seem a bit condescending where the English are concerned but not so in this story. The Riehl's were very open and accepting of the Fitzpatrick's, and not only that we see Mattie really struggle with the issues she is facing.I thought the story line with Mattie's cousin Zach really added to the main story, and Danny was such an inquisitive child. I love when an author adds a dog to the story, and Tucker and C.J.'s job as a SAR team was interesting and I enjoyed learning a bit about it.

If your looking for an inspirational Christmas story set in Amish country give this one a try, for me the only complaint I had was seeing it end. 

rating 5/5