Wrapping up the seasons in Willow Ridge -- The Christmas Cradle

Here's the thing about a great conclusion to a great series:  it's kind of a love/hate relationship.  I can't wait to read the final book because I'm anxious to see how things wrap up.  But I hate to read the final book because, well, it's the last chance to visit the place and the people I've gotten to know and love. That's exactly how I felt about reading Charlotte Hubbard's The Christmas Cradle.

I feel like I have become personally involved with Miriam, Ben, and their family and friends in Willow Ridge through the Seasons of the Heart series.  Charlotte has done an awesome job of creating a fictional town where her readers could imagine visiting -- or even living -- and people who would be great friends.  As in the previous books in the series, The Christmas Cradle is filled with joys and heartaches and lots of opportunities for love, faith, grace, and forgiveness.

This may be the only Amish series I've ever read where I just couldn't wait to see how someone gets what's coming to him, but each story had me anticipating how in the world Hiram Knepp would finally get his due.  My lips are sealed -- not even a hint at how it happens -- but Charlotte has masterfully crafted that into the story in a way that showcases real strength in some of her characters.  You will just have to read the book to see the resolution for yourself.

I am glad to know that Charlotte has a "spin-off" of the series on its way.  So just maybe we will get to re-visit some old friends after all.

Thanks to Charlotte and her publisher for providing a copy of The Christmas Cradle in exchange for my honest review.

About the Book:

For the peaceful town of Willow Ridge, November presents an early holiday surprise. Stranded in the snow, 18-year-old Lena Esh and her boyfriend Josiah Witmer need more than a place to stay for the night. Lena defied her strict family and their judgmental beliefs to run away with Josiah and have his baby. But she’s starting to wonder if he can prove as responsible as he is passionate. And she isn’t sure how—or if—they can ever find a place to truly call home.

Expecting their own miracle baby, Miriam and Ben Hooley rally the town to help the young couple, and Lena draws strength from their unexpected support. Though trouble may come calling, in this season of joyous rebirth, a little child will lead them. And two couples will see their dreams of forever family come true…
 
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You can read an excerpt from The Christmas Cradle here.

About the Author: 

Drawing upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi, longtime Missourian Charlotte Hubbard (a.k.a. Naomi King) writes of simpler times and a faith-based lifestyle in her new Seasons of the Heart series. Like her heroine, Miriam Lantz, Charlotte considers it her personal mission to feed people—to share hearth and home. Faith and family, farming and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle, and the foundation of her earlier Angels of Mercy series. She’s a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and when she’s not writing, she loves to try new recipes, crochet, and sew. Charlotte now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie.

Charlotte will be awarding $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host.  Follow the tour and comment often to increase your chances of winning.

Find out more about the tour here.


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