A Christmas Courtship by Shelley Shepard Gray

 A Christmas Courtship

Book Summary

A solitary sort, forty-two-year-old Atle Petersheim spends his time hard at work in his wood shop. But as the days get long, he realizes just how lonely he’s become. When his longtime crush, Sadie Mast, a widow and mother of three, asks him to help her build a room in their barn for her son Cale, Atle can’t say no. Eager to pursue Sadie at last, he turns to bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller for courting advice. More than happy to help, Sarah Anne decides the best way to learn about love is through books—romance novels to be precise.

Between completing holiday orders for her flourishing food business, helping Cale navigate a dramatic new relationship with his boss’s daughter, and coming to terms with the trauma her late husband had inflicted upon her and her children—not to mention Atle showing up at her door with flowers—Sadie is in over her head. Though Atle’s efforts are initially clumsy and his declarations a bit awkward, Sadie can’t help but be charmed by him. He’s patient and kind...and at times even seems to know far more about romance than he’s let on.

My Thoughts

Sarah Anne Miller Canon is a newlywed at sixty-two and enjoying her career as a bookmobile driver.  Sarah Anne does more than dispense books in her compact vehicle.  Atle Petersheim has admired Sadie Mast for a long time, but as a bachelor at forty-two, he has no idea how to court a woman.  He asks Sarah Anne to find him a book that will help him with the task.  Sarah Anne come sup with an unusual solution.  Cale Mast is sixteen-year-old who works hard to help his widowed mother, Sadie.  He would like to court Hope Overholt, his boss’s daughter, but Cale is unsure how to go about it.  Cale also is pondering his future and the career that would be for him. 

   A Christmas Courtship by Shelley Shepard Gray is a sweet heartwarming story.  I enjoyed reading it very much.  I had just finished reading a couple of lackluster books and needed a pick me up, A Christmas Courtship did the trick.  A Christmas Courtship is the 3^rd tale in The Berlin Bookmobile Series.  It can be read as a standalone, but I do recommend the two previous books.  I thought the book was well-written with engaging characters.  The characters are realistic and developed.  The book moved along at a good pace and was over much too quickly.  There are some good life lessons about forgiveness and dealing with painful memories.  The story does discuss domestic abuse.  I like how the author handled this difficult subject. Gwen the goat was a delightful addition.  It was cute how Atle  took to her.  A Christmas Courtship is a story of faith, hope, and love.  I love A Berlin Bookmobile Series and I hope there will be more adventures with Sarah Anne.  A Christmas Courtship is a heartfelt, entertaining tale that made me smile and laugh. 

A Christmas Courtship publishes October 19 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  The other A Berlin Bookmobile Series are A Perfect Amish Romance and An Amish Surprise.   You can find Shelley Shepard Gray's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with my thoughts on In Hot Water by Kate Kingsbury.  It is the debut of A Misty Bay Tea Room Mystery series.  I hope that you have a joyful 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.

An Amish Surprise by Shelley Shepard Gray

 An Amish Surprise

Book Summary

Miriam and Calvin Gingerich have been trying for a baby for several years, but the Lord hasn’t seen fit to bless them. Though Calvin claims he’s content with their childless state, Miriam knows he’s not, and when he starts spending more time off their farm, she worries he’s found someone else. But just as she finds herself at her lowest point, she discovers the ultimate surprise. Unable to confide in anyone who might tell Calvin—out of fear she’ll disappoint him with another miscarriage—Miriam turns to bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller—and any books she may have on pregnancy and childbirth.

Calvin has been keeping a secret from his wife, but it’s not another woman. It’s a little boy. One afternoon when visiting Sarah Anne’s bookmobile, he meets Miles, a ten-year-old living with a foster family down the road. But after spending more time with the boy, Calvin learns that his foster family has no plans to adopt him. Calvin feels a connection with Miles and yearns to give the boy a home, but he’s afraid to tell Miriam, knowing she’s devastated they can’t have children of their own.

As weeks pass and Sarah Anne learns that Miles has nearly given up hope of ever finding a real home, she knows it’s time to intervene. It’s going to take some fancy footwork and a whole lot of prayer, but she knows she can help make this struggling couple into a happy family of four. 

My Thoughts

 An Amish Surprise by Shelley Shepard Gray is the 2^nd book in The Berlin Bookmobile Series.  This story can be read as a standalone if you have not read A Perfect Amish Romance.  This is such a sweet story with multiple storylines.  Calvin and Miriam Gingerich have been married four years.  Miriam has conceived before, but she has not been able to carry a child to term.  The doctor gives them a slim chance of Miriam conceiving a child.  The couple has decided to leave it in God’s hands.  Miriam is a worrier who feels she has disappointed her husband and she wonders if he is straying.  Calvin meets Miles, an Amish foster child, at the bookmobile and they bond.  Calvin tries to meet the bookmobile as often as he can so he can spend time with Miles.  Calvin would like to adopt Miles, but he knows how Miriam feels about adoption.  Sarah Ann Miller finds herself attracted to one of the bookmobile patrons.  She is not sure if she is ready to date nor does she know how dating works after all these years.  Miles is ten years old and has been in a number of foster homes since his grandparents passed away.  His current home is chaotic and Miles wonders how long he will there.  Miles also wonders why no one ever picked him to adopt.  The point-of-view alternates between the characters (Sarah Ann, Miles, Calvin, Miriam, and Pete).  An Amish Surprise is well-written with charming characters.  I just loved Miles and felt bad for this sweet boy.  I also adored Miriam and Calvin’s dog (such a cutie).  Faith, compassion, a second chance at love, patience, God’s timing, and all children deserve love are some of the themes in the book.  An Amish Surprise is a touching story.  I like how the author addressed the issues of infertility, foster children, and late in life dating.  There is a good blend of Englisch and Amish.  Sarah Ann Miller is a fun character and I like how the bookmobile fits into the story.  One of my favorite phrases is, Faith is what happens when the Lord gets tired of you making silly plans.”  I am eager to read the next book in The Berlin Bookmobile Series.  An Amish Surprise is a heartening tale with rowdy youngsters, the rambling bookmobile, late in life romance, a surprising secret, a quiet foster child, and a bounding hound.  

An Amish Surprise can be purchased from Amazon*.  The first book in The Berlin Bookmobile Series is A Perfect Amish Romance.  You can find Shelley Shepard Gray's other novels here.  I appreciate you stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with Shielding the Amish Witness by Mary Alford.  I am off to get some work done around the house.  I am trying to check one item off my checklist each day (it is a long list).  I hope that you have a joyful 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.