A Match Made at Christmas by Patricia Davids: Q&A with the Author, Review, & Excerpt!

 A Match Made at Christmas

Book Summary

USA Today bestselling author Patricia Davids continues her Amish romance series set in Harts, Haven, Kansas, with this emotional story about a cancer survivor and a grieving widower who are brought together at Christmas by the matchmakers of Harts Haven who have a little help from the hero's daughters.

With Christmas just around the corner, an Amish cancer survivor moves to Harts Haven for a fresh start as the new schoolteacher. She wants to escape the pity that she felt from the people back hom eand throw herself into her new job. She's worried her illness might return at any moment and isn't looking for love. Neither is a local widower with two daughters. The loss of his wife devestated him, and he never wants to feel that kind of pain again. The matchmakers of Harts Haven set their sights on the pair, by having them work together on a living Nativity for the school Christmas program. With three elderly matchmakers, a school full of rambunctious children, a handsome widower, rowdy sheep and one cantankerous donkey, Harts Haven is about to witness an unforgettable Christmas Eve where two unlikely people discover healing love is the true Christmas gift.

About the Author

USA Today best-selling author Patricia Davids was born in Kansas. After forty years as an NICU nurse, Pat switched careers to become an inspirational writer. She now enjoys laid back life on a Kansas farm, spending time with her family and playing with her dog Sugar, who thinks fetch should be a twenty-four hour a day game. When not throwing a ball, Pat is happily dreaming up new stories where love and faith conquer all.

Author Links

Author Website: https://patriciadavids.com/index.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaDavidsAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/175873.Patricia_Davids?from_search=true&from_srp=true

Author Q & A

Are any of the holiday scenes in this book inspired by your own holiday traditions?

Funny you should ask. My brother puts on a living nativity for his church with sometimes hilarious results. I’ve added a few of them to my story.

What are the key elements of a holiday romance?

I think the holiday must have some special significance to the character. For teacher Sophie, she is forced to come up with a school Christmas program on short notice at a new school. The event is the highlight of the Amish community and much anticipated. Is she up to the task? As things go wrong, can Karl help save the day?

Is it difficult to come up with a specific Holiday themed novel every year?

Oh my goodness yes. Amish Christmas themed stories are hugely popular, but the Amish don’t celebrate the way we do. No trees or lights, only small gift exchanges. Portraying the Christmas spirit really comes from inside the characters.

Do you decorate your writing room when you are writing a holiday book?

No, the Christmas story I’m working on is usually due 6 to 8 months before the holiday. My office is where I work but I do bling out the rest of home for the holidays.

 What is the best gift you've ever given? Recipient's reaction?

I hid clues around my home and let my daughter and my grandchildren search for them in a scavenger hunt. When all the clues were gathered, they assembled them into a picture of a fishing lodge in Montana. Then I sent them on an all-expense paid road trip the following summer. They were thrilled and talked about making the trip for weeks.

 What is the best gift you've ever received?

The year I moved back to the farm to take care of my elderly dad after my mom passed away, I got to spend many hours with my youngest brother who managed the farm for our dad. Being eight years older, I had moved away before he left grade school. It was wonderful getting to know him. That Christmas he gave me a gold and silver heart-shaped necklace to thank me for taking care of our father. I was overwhelmed. He’s not a hugger but he got hugged that night.

What’s next for you?

Amazingly, another Amish Christmas story. Christmas on His Doorstep releases on November 29^th from Harlequin’s Love Inspired line. 

My Thoughts

A Match Made at Christmas by Patricia Davids is a heartwarming Amish tale.  It is the second novel in The Matchmakers of Harts Haven series.  It can be read as a standalone.  However, I recommend reading the entertaining The Inn at Harts Haven.  I thought A Match Made at Christmas was well-written with steady pacing.  Rose Yoder has that gleam in her eye again.  Sophie Eicher and her sister, Joanna are new to Harts Haven.  Sophie has been hired as the new schoolteacher.  She wanted to get away from her hometown because she could not stand the looks of pity.  Sophie is a breast cancer survivor.  She beat the odds, but Sophie does not believe it.  She wants to make sure her sister, Joanna is happily settled before she dies.  Rose comes up with a clever scheme to match Sophie with widower Karl Graber.  Karl has two young daughters as well as his farm and the hardware store.  He needs help, but Karl is not ready to open his heart again.  This was a cute story.  There is some repetition of details.  

I enjoyed catching up with Abby and Joseph Troyer from The Inn at Harts Haven.  I liked the characters in this story.  There is a close-knit community.  They help each other out as well as spread gossip.  The school Christmas pageant was entertaining.  I liked the theme and how they went about creating the props they needed.  It was wonderful how the play captured the true meaning of Christmas.  Love has the power to heal if you let it.   That is what we get to experience in A Match Made at Christmas.  There is humor sprinkled throughout that will have you chuckling.  I am looking forward to the next story in The Matchmakers of Harts Haven series.  A Match Made at Christmas is a lively Christmas tale with a meddling matchmaker, galloping goats, a delightful dog, burned bread, a determined donkey, pageant problems, and a cozy Christmas.  

Excerpt

“Oh, Karl. Yoo-hoo!”

Karl Graber cringed at the sound of Rose Yoder calling his name. He was in no mood to deal with her this morning.

After burning the oatmeal at breakfast, he discovered his renter had moved out in the night without giving notice or paying his back rent. Now Karl was going to be late getting to the store because his buggy horse was limping.

He pretended he hadn’t heard Rose. Maybe the elderly Amish woman who claimed to be the most successful matchmaker in Harts Haven would go pester some other poor fellow.

Bent over Checker’s front foot, Karl noticed that a stone lodged between the horse’s steel shoe and his hoof was the gelding’s problem.

“Hallo, Karl! I must speak with you.”

The tenacity of the eighty-four-year-old romance peddler was another difficulty Karl had to face this morning.

“I’m not interested in meeting your latest hopeful,” he muttered under his breath.

If the stubborn stone would come out, he could be on his way before the elderly woman reached the end of the block and crossed the wide street.

“Daed, Granny Rose is calling you.” His six-year-old daughter, Rachel, stood up and waved. Rose wasn’t related to Karl, but due to her advanced age most of the children in Harts Haven called her Granny.

“She’s coming this way,” Clara informed him from the front seat of the open buggy. His ten-year-old daughter wasn’t any more excited to see Rose than Karl was. She suspected the same thing he did. Rose was on a matchmaking mission.

“Hallo, Granny Rose,” Rachel shouted happily. “We’re taking our puppies to the store so someone can buy them. Would you like to see them?”

The offending stone popped loose. Karl dropped Checker’s hoof. “Got to get the store open, Rose. Can’t take time to visit.”

When he spun around, it was already too late. She had reached the buggy ahead of him. How did someone her age move so fast? She didn’t even look winded.

“Guder mariye, Karl. I’m so glad I caught you. There is a chill in the air this morning, isn’t there?”

It was the second week of November. Of course the air was cool. Rose hadn’t intercepted him for idle chitchat. He moved to step around her since she was blocking the buggy door. “Customers will be waiting for me.”

Rose didn’t budge. Other than picking her up and setting her aside, he had no hope of leaving until she finished having her say. He resigned himself to hearing who she thought would be perfect for him this time. As if any woman could take the place of his Nora.

“Did you find us a new mother?” Rachel’s hopeful tone stabbed his heart. Rachel was too young to remember much about the mother who died when she was three. She only knew other children had both mothers and fathers, and she wanted the same thing.

Clara scowled at her sister. “We don’t need a new mother. Ours is in Heaven. No one can replace her.”

Clara understood. She was old enough to remember what Nora had been like. A sweet, gentle, bright and loving woman. The world was a darker place without her.

Rose’s cheerful expression softened with sympathy. “I’m still looking for someone special to join your family. Clara is right. She won’t be your mother. Instead, she will be your stepmother, but she will love you and take care of you as if you were her own.”

Rachel sighed. “I hope you find her soon.”

“That’s enough, Rachel,” Karl said. “What do you want, Rose?”

“I’m here to tell you about the new teacher. She arrived yesterday. She and her sister are staying at the inn for the time being. They are Grace Sutter’s nieces from the Amish side of her family.”

Grace was another elderly widow, Old Order Mennonite, and co-owner of the Harts Haven Inn along with Rose and Rose’s widowed daughter, Susanna King. The trio were all fond of meddling. A single man stood little chance of remaining unattached in this Amish community unless he avoided the widows. Rose’s knowing smile put Karl on his guard.

Rachel clapped her hands. “Yay, the new teacher is here. Now I can go back to school and be in the Christmas program. I hope I get to be an angel like Thea and Miriam Bachman last year. Their mother made the most beautiful wings for them.”

Rose grinned. “Your teacher’s name is Sophie Eicher. Her sister is Joanna. They are lovely young women.”

“Also single and hoping to find husbands in Harts Haven. I know what you’re doing, Rose. Not interested!” If his cutting tone didn’t drive his point home, maybe his scowl would.

Rose puffed up like an angry little hen. “Don’t take that tone with me, Karl Graber. For shame.”

He was thirty-two years old, but she made him feel like an errant toddler. “I’m sorry.”

She inclined her head. “You are forgiven. I stopped to tell you we are hosting a welcome party at the inn on Saturday so folks can meet Sophie and her sister. Would you kindly spread the word?”

He eyed her suspiciously. Where was the catch? “Sure. What time?”

“We’ll start at noon, but folks can come and go as they please.” She turned to his daughters. “I know you girls must be excited to go back to school.”

A Match Made at Christmas is available from Amazon*, Bookshop,  Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and Harlequin.  The first book in The Matchmakers of Harts Haven series is The Inn at Harts Haven.  Patricia Davids has Christmas on His Doorstep coming out on November 29 and it can be preordered from Amazon.  You can follow Patricia Davids on Amazon to receive an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my latest review.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Ode to Murder by Nicole Dieker.  It is A Larkin Day Mystery.  I hope that you have a peaceful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Inn at Harts Haven by Patricia Davids

The Inn at Harts Haven

Book Summary

In this close-knit Amish community, she’ll hide in plain sight…

Pregnant and desperate, Victoria Worthington runs to the only place that’s ever felt safe. For years she’s been controlled, first by her crime-boss father, then by her ex-boyfriend. Donning a hand-sewn dress, a kapp and a new name, she escapes as Abby Martin to the Amish community of Harts Haven, where she spent happy summers with her grandparents. Taking a job as a maid at the local inn, Abby plans to repair her grandparents’ abandoned house and build a new life for her baby.

Since a tragedy took his family, contractor Joseph Troyer has traveled from one Amish town to another, refusing to let anyone get close. Not that it stops the inn’s elderly, eccentric owner, Rose, from doing some matchmaking while Joe renovates her kitchen. Though Abby is more outspoken than any Amish woman he knows, something draws him to her—and to the secrets she’s hiding.

Taken under Rose’s wing, Abby begins to find her place at last. But even here there’s no hiding from the past. Only by facing it with courage, faith and the unexpected gift of love can this haven become the home she’s longed for.   

My Thoughts

Victoria Worthington has escaped her controlling, dangerous father and duplicitous boyfriend.  Victoria is pregnant and she wants to protect her unborn child Harfrom them.  She heads to the one place she felt happy and safe.  Her grandparents lived in Harts Haven and Victoria spent her summers with them until they passed away when she was fourteen.  Victoria dons Amish clothing and changes her name to Abby Martin.  She gets a position at Harts Haven Inn thanks to co-owner Rose Yoder.  The Harts Haven Inn has yet to open because it is being remodeled by Joseph Troyer.  Rose likes to play matchmaker.  She believes Joseph and Abby are a perfect match.  Neither party is interested in a relationship, but that does not deter Rose.  Rose manages to finagle the two together quite often.  Joseph and Abby soon become friends.  There is potential for more between them, but Joseph does not know Abby’s secrets.  The past soon comes knocking and Abby’s new friends work to keep her safe.  Will Abby get the future she has dreamed of, or will her father win once again?  

The Inn at Harts Haven by Patricia Davids is a special Amish novel.  I was instantly drawn into the debut of The Matchmakers of Harts Haven.  It is a well-written novel with steady pacing and developed characters.  I enjoyed getting to know Victoria, Joseph, Rose, Susanna, Grace, and the others.  I just loved Rose Yoder.  She is a delightful character.  Rose is a kindhearted woman who added humor to the story.  It was great to visit Harts Haven and get to know the warmhearted people who live there.  The suspense added depth and intrigue to the story.  It had me quickly turning the pages so I could find out how the story would turn out.  I would have liked a more complete wrap-up regarding the father.  I laughed often while reading this story thanks to Rose.   The Inn at Harts Haven is an enjoyable tale (I was sorry for it to end).  This is my favorite book by Patricia Davids.  The author combined suspense, romance, and faith with relatable, kind characters into a charming creation.  I am eager for the next book in this series.  The Inn at Harts Haven is an appealing Amish tale with an outspoken outsider, a kind carpenter, a meddling matchmaker, a dangerous dad, a scruffy farmhouse, and a caring community. 

The Inn at Harts Haven is available from Amazon*.  Patricia Davids next release is Mistaken for His Amish Bride which publishes March 29.  You can find Patricia Davids other novels here.   Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with Invisible by Danielle Steel.  I hope that you have an uplifting day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Someone to Trust by Patricia Davids: Review & Excerpt

Someone to Trust by Patricia Davids

 

Book Summary

Some connections go beyond words…in this novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Patricia Davids. On an Amish matchmaking trip, can she avoid falling in love? Esther Burkholder has no interest in her stepmother’s matchmaking when her family visits an Amish community in Maine. Deaf from a young age, she’s positive a hearing man couldn’t understand the joys and trials of living in a silent world. But Gabe Fischer is certainly handsome, hardworking and brave. More importantly, he sees the real Esther. Might this Amish bachelor be her unexpected perfect match? 

About the Author

USA Today best-selling author Patricia Davids was born and raised in Kansas. After forty years as an NICU nurse, Pat switched careers to become an inspirational writer. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and grandchildren, traveling and playing with her dogs, who think fetch should be a twenty-four hour a day game. When not on the road or throwing a ball, Pat is happily dreaming up new stories. Visit Patricia Davids website to subscribe to her newsletter and learn more about her books.

My Thoughts

Someone to Trust by Patricia Davids is a cute Amish novel.  Wanetta Burkholder has married into a family with four daughters of marriageable age and she knows her cousin in Maine has four bachelor sons.  The two women decide that Wanetta and her step-children should visit which gives them the chance to do a little matchmaking.  Gabe Fisher is too busy working to have time to court and Esther Burkholder, who is deaf, does not want a hearing husband.  The matchmaking venture seems doomed from the start.  I enjoyed this engaging Amish novel.  It is the 4^th book in North Country Amish, but it can be read as a standalone.  I thought Someone to Trust was well-written with steady pacing.  I liked the characters especially Gabe and Esther.    An Amish deaf woman is a unique concept.  I like how the author dealt with the topic of deafness.  Esther was a strong character who did not let her deafness keep her from enjoying life.  She lived a full life with a job she loved, good friends, and special talents (sketching and sewing).  Esther is also a smart woman who came up with some great ideas for helping Gabe’s leatherworking business.  Faith and God are beautifully incorporated into the story.  It is wonderful that the Amish view children with disabilities as gifts from God.  There were some sweet, tender moments in the story along with some humorous ones.  Jonah, Esther’s younger brother, provided some of the amusing ones.  He is an honest little fellow.  It was interesting learning about the leatherworking trade.   This is my favorite book by Patricia Davids.  Someone to Trust is a heartwarming Amish tale with matchmaking mamas, fetching flowers, stunning sketches, wandering walks, a woman satisfied with self, a compassionate man, and surprising romance.  

Excerpt

“I’m happy to tell you that your mother’s cousin Waneta is coming for a visit.”

Gabe Fisher looked up from the glowing metal wheel rim he was heating in the forge as something in his father’s voice caught his attention. Ezekiel Fisher, or Zeke as everyone called him, wasn’t overly fond of Waneta, so why was he trying so hard to sound cheerful?

Gabe glanced around the workshop. None of his three brothers seemed to have noticed anything unusual.

Seth continued setting up the lathe to drill out a wheel hub. “That will be nice for Mamm. She has been missing her friends back home. I know she and Waneta are close.”

Seth was Gabe’s younger brother by fifteen minutes. They might look identical, but Seth was the most tenderhearted of the brothers. He was twenty minutes older than no-nonsense Asher, the last Fisher triplet, who was readying wooden spokes to be inserted into the finished wheel hub. Asher bore only a passing resemblance to his two older brothers. Where Gabe and Seth were both blond with blue eyes, Asher was dark-haired with their mother’s brown eyes. All three men shared the same tall, muscular frame as their father.

“Is she bringing her new husband to meet the rest of us?” Moses asked, greasing the axle of the buggy they were repairing. At twenty he was the baby brother by four years and the one that looked the most like their mother, with his soft brown curls and engaging grin. He was the only one who hadn’t yet joined their Amish church. He was still enjoying his rumspringa, the “running around” years most Amish youths were allowed before making their decision to be baptized.

“This isn’t the best time for a visit,” Asher said, expressing exactly what Gabe had been thinking.

“Apparently your mother and Waneta have been planning this for ages, but she only told me last night. She wanted it to be a surprise for you boys.”

Asher’s brow furrowed. “Why?”

“You know Waneta. She likes to surprise folks. They should be here later today.”

Gabe continued turning the rim in the fire. Both his parents had gone to the wedding, but he and his brothers had been busy keeping the new business running. A business that didn’t look like it would support the entire family through another winter. If things didn’t improve by the end of the summer, the family would have some hard choices to make.

“They? Her new husband is coming with her, then?” Seth said.

Gabe glanced at his father and saw him draw a deep breath. “He isn’t, but his children are.”

Seth finally seemed to notice their father’s unease and stopped working. “How many children?”

“Five.” 

“The house will be lively with that many kinder underfoot,” Moses said. “How old are they?”

“The youngest is ten. The others are closer to your ages,” Daed said, keeping his eyes averted.

Seth, Asher and Gabe exchanged knowing looks. They shared a close connection that didn’t always require words.

Asher’s lips thinned as he pinned his gaze on his father. “Would they happen to be maydels close to our age?”

Their father didn’t answer.

“Daed?” the triplets said together. Moses stopped what he was doing and gave them a puzzled look.

Their father cleared his throat. “I believe your mother said they are between twenty and twenty-five. Modest, dutiful daughters, as Waneta described them.”

“Courting age,” Moses said with a grin.

“Marriageable age.” Seth shook his head. “I don’t have any interest in courting until we are sure our business will survive.”

Gabe crossed his arms over his chest. “Has Mamm taken to importing possible brides for us now?”

There was a lack of unmarried Amish women in their new community in northern Maine, but that didn’t bother Gabe. Like Seth, his focus was on improving the family’s buggy-making and wheel-repair business while expanding the harness-making and leather goods shop he ran next door.

“Tell Mamm we can find our own wives,” Asher said.

“When we are ready,” Seth added.

Daed scowled at all the brothers. “That kind of talk is exactly why your mother was worried about sharing this news. She wants you boys to be polite to Waneta’s new stepdaughters and nothing more. Show them a nice time while they are here. No one is talking about marriage.”

Someone to Trust is available in paperback at Amazon*, Harlequin, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-million, and Indie Bound.  The digital version will be available on February 1.  The other novels in the North Country Amish series are Shelter from the Storm, The Amish Teacher's Dilemma,  and A Haven for Christmas. You can find Patricia Davids other novels here.  The images I used today deal with scenes from the book.  Esther drew sketches of flowers, Gave and his family were wheelwrights, Gave created items from leather (the leathermaking tools photo), and Esther is proud of who she is and states she is Deaf (with a capital D).  Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope I have helped you to find a new book, author, or series.  Next time I am featuring To Fetch a Felon by Jennifer Hawkins.  It is the first novel in A Chatty Corgi Mystery series. I hope that each of you have a witty day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Promise by Patricia Davids

Welcome!  Two books that are still coming out on June 9 are The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season by Molly Fader and Daddy's Girls by Danielle Steel. Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert (originally coming out June 9) has had its release date changed to August 11.  It is the debut of A Booklovers B & B Mystery series.  Across the Winding River by Aimie K. Runyan has moved to August 1.  Publishers are changing release dates on novels due to the pandemic.

The Promise by Patricia Davids has Henrietta Raber announcing to her two sons, Isaac and Levi that she has sold Raber Stables.  She then states that the moving truck will be there is two days because they are moving to Cedar Grove, Kansas where she inherited her parent’s farm.  Henrietta tells her sons that she will deed the farm to the first son that marries.  She feels it is time for one of her sons to provide her with grandchildren.  Levi has been running the horse farm since his father’s death and it is a job that he loves.  Isaac does not wish to leave his Englisch friends nor is he ready to become baptized.  Sarah Yoder is thrilled when she hears that Isaac has returned to town.  They got close the summer he spent with his grandparents and they have been corresponding since Isaac returned to Lancaster.  Isaac, though, does not feel the same way towards Sarah.  Levi feels the best way to get back to Pennsylvania is to get his brother to marry Sarah.  Levi suggests a plan to Sarah that will capture the attention of his competitive brother.  As Sarah spends time with Levi, she begins to wonder if it is really Isaac her heart desires?  

The Promise by Patricia Davids is the 3^rd novel in The Amish of Cedar Grove series.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  I thought The Promise was well-written with solid characters and a lovely setting.  There is humor scattered throughout the book that I enjoyed.  Things never go as we plan them which leads to amusing situations.  Sarah’s greatest desire is to marry a man, settle down near where she grew up, and have a family.  She has no desire to move anywhere else.  Unfortunately, there is a shortage of single men in her district.  When Isaac Raber returns to town, it seems that God has answered her prayers.  Isaac did propose to Sarah before he returned to Pennsylvania the summer he visited.  Levi Raver loves his work of raising and training horses for racing.  He has A Wing and a Prayer who is a promising filly.  He needs to return to Pennsylvania, though, if he is train and race her.  It was interesting to learn that Amish could raise, train, and own racehorses.  They cannot ride the horses nor bet on the races.  I liked that the characters from The Wish and The Hope appeared in the story.  We get a chance to catch up with them.  There are two side stories in The Promise.  Henrietta Raber has returned to her hometown for a reason as her children soon learn.  It will take some time to get the full story from her.  Isaac keeps his phone close at hand and seems to text someone frequently.  The Promise is a sweet, heartwarming story with festive fishing jaunts, a canoe crisis, one fine filly, a risky race, traveling by tractor, and quixotic quandaries.

The Promise is available from Amazon* along with the other two novels in The Amish of Cedar Grove series.  The other two titles are The Wish and The Hope. Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  I will be back tomorrow with Deadly Sweet Tooth by Kaye George.  It is the 2nd The Vintage Sweets Mysteries.  I hope that you will have a harmonious day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.