A second visit to Promise Lodge -- Christmas at Promise Lodge (with an EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY info)

Christmas at Promise Lodge is Charlotte Hubbard's delightful second installment in her Promise Lodge series.

Things start off on a high note with the preparation for Promise Lodge's first marriage celebration . . . but then as sometimes happens in Charlotte's stories, there is a twist with a difficult bishop.  (Readers of her Seasons of the Heart series know exactly what I mean!)  Lots of challenges -- some of them very big ones -- mixed with love and patience bring all kinds of excitement as the community moves toward their first Christmas together.  

As always, Charlotte fills her story with a wide variety of characters you either love or love to hate . . . or at least strongly dislike at times.  The relationships and conflicts keep the story moving at a very engaging level.  Although some outcomes are pretty much expected, there are lots of twists and turns along the way.  Fans of great Amish fiction should really enjoy this story.

Thanks to Charlotte and her publisher for providing a copy of this book.  I was happy to write this honest review based on my own thoughts. 

About the Book:

Promise Lodge's first wedding is cause for celebration—but the bishop's narrow-minded wedding sermon doesn't sit well with the Bender sisters, especially widowed Mattie Schwartz. She believes marriage and family aren't the only important gifts God gives--even if she suspects her tender feelings for Preacher Amos Troyer run deeper than simple friendship. Amos hasn't given up hope that stubborn, spirited Mattie will change her mind about taking another husband, but when an accident threatens to change his life forever, he wonders if the Lord has sent him a message. He'll need faith, hope, and charity to find the right path—and a Christmas blessing to convince Mattie to walk it with him.

Exclusive Excerpt from the Book: 

Mattie felt calmer as she made her way to the eck table. The bride and groom sat in the center, and behind them sat a white cake decorated in pale blue, displayed on the glass cake plate Mattie had used when she’d married Marvin Schwartz—an idea Beulah and Ruby had suggested after they’d baked and decorated the cake together.

“It’s gut to see all you kids enjoying this wonderful day,” Mattie murmured as she reached for Noah and Deborah’s hands. “And I wish you two a lifetime of God’s blessings as you begin your life together.”

Deborah grabbed Mattie’s hand between both of hers and squeezed it. “We can’t thank you and Amos enough for our plot of land, and for building us a beautiful home,” she replied earnestly. She leaned farther over the table, lowering her voice. “And I hope you and your sisters and Amos can work out a solution—a sensible peace—about running your businesses and marrying in God’s gut time rather than in Bishop Floyd’s.”

A sensible peace . . . in God’s gut time rather than Bishop Floyd’s. Was that too much to hope for? Too much to ask of God, the father of them all?

“Denki, Deborah. That’s a lovely idea,” Mattie murmured. She felt blessed indeed, witnessing the mature, sincere faith reflected in all the young faces at this table. “Our mission as God’s Plain people is always to attain the peace He desires for us—in our relationship with Him, and amongst ourselves, as well.”

About the Author: 

Many moons ago—like, in 1983 while she was still a school librarian—Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. This launched her into writing around seventy of those “true confessions” stories over the years, and she’s been a slave to her overactive imagination ever since. Over the course of her writing career, she has sold nearly 50 books—most recently, Amish romance series she’s written as Charlotte Hubbard or Naomi King. 

Charlotte lived in Missouri for most of her life, so her Amish stories are set in imaginary Missouri towns. These days she lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband of 40 years and their Border collie, Ramona.

 
Charlotte will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.  Enter here to win!