The Second Christmas by Marta Perry

The Second Christmas

Book Summary

The warmth of the Christmas season and a woman’s return home to the charming Amish community of Promise Glen opens the door to a second chance at love.

When Leah Beiler pictured returning to Promise Glen, she imagined taking everything she learned from her aunt’s business in Upstate New York and starting up a quaint herbal tea shop of her own. What she didn’t expect was for Josiah Burkhalter to insist on helping her. Josiah might have been her childhood sweetheart but they’ve both changed a lot since then and Leah’s not sure she can trust the man who once broke her heart.

Josiah is determined to make the most of this unexpected second chance. When he hears of Leah’s plans to open her own shop, he resolves to help in any way he can—beginning his gentle campaign to win her back by renovating the small cottage on her family’s farm.

 

During her time away, Leah looked forward to once again spending the holiday season with her family, especially Second Christmas, December 26th, a time of celebrating with extended family and close neighbors like the Burkhalters. But as Christmas nears, her feelings for Josiah grow more confused, strengthened by their time of working together. Now it will take all the magic of the season for Leah to confront her fears and reach for the love she deserves.

My Thoughts

The Second Christmas by Marta Perry is a heartwarming story.  It is the first An Amish Holiday Novel which is set in Promise Glen.  I like Marta Perry’s writing style.  It is engaging and friendly.  The story has a good flow as we go between Leah and Josiah’s point-of-view.  It allowed me to see things from each person’s perspective.  Leah is busy getting items ready for her new business and helping the family get ready for Christmas.  Leah has a secret that she has not shared with her parents.  She is hoping to keep it to herself, but she soon learns there is no escaping the Amish grapevine.  Josiah is doing the carpentry work on Leah’s little shop.  Josiah feels he does not have his father’s trust and he worries about this younger brother who loves to play pranks.  I enjoyed getting a glimpse of how the Amish prepare and celebrate Christmas plus Second Christmas.  I like how all the storylines came together to make a sweet story.  There are good life lessons that include forgiveness, trust, and leaving your worries with God.  Unburdening yourself to Him will always lighten your load.  The Second Christmas is a story that will tug at your heartstrings.  I look forward to the next An Amish Holiday Novel.  The Second Christmas is a touching tale with a shameful secret, ex-beau troubles, crafting Christmas gifts, a prank predicament, colorful Christmas cookies, a difficult letter, and curative clemency.

The Second Christmas is available from Amazon*.  The next An Amish Holiday Novel is The Promise of Easter which comes out February 7, 2023. You can find Marta Perry's The Promise Glen series here. You can find Marta Perry's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I am featuring The Road to Christmas by Sheila Roberts tomorrow.  I hope that you have a heartwarming day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

A Harvest of Love by Marta Perry

 A Harvest of Love

Book Summary

A determined widow and a single father learn that love is about taking chances and turning over new leaves in the quaint Amish community of Promise Glen, from national bestselling author Marta Perry.

When widowed shop owner Dinah Hershberger is unceremoniously charged with safely escorting an infant to his uncle, she finds herself torn. Jacob Miller is everything Dinah could want in a partner--he's kind, handsome, strong--and nothing she can ever have. As much as she yearns to help the new family adjust, each minute Dinah spends with Jacob and the baby leaves her heart more vulnerable and her head more certain that the secret she hides makes a future with the Miller men impossible.

Jacob has long admired Dinah for her strength and independence, but it's her generosity of spirit that tempts him like never before. With Dinah at his side, Jacob opens himself up to the daunting new world of fatherhood, but how can he pursue his feelings for her when his life is in such disarray? After the disappointments of her first marriage, she deserves better than what Jacob can offer.

But love has a surprise in store for these two troubled hearts, and happiness is within reach if only they can grasp it, making Promise Glen their own promised land.

My Thoughts

A Harvest of Love by Marta Perry is the 3^rd book in The Promise Glen series.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. I thought A Harvest of Love was well-written with developed, realistic characters.  I like Dinah Herberger, a widow who runs the local bakery.  She had a rough marriage, but Dinah has not shared the details with anyone.   Unbeknownst to Dinah, Jacob heard conversations, so he suspects that the marriage was not rosy.  She was unable to provide her husband with a child which still bothers Dinah.  She is afraid to marry again and subject another man to a childless marriage.  Jacob is a good man with a heart of gold.  He is torn up that his sister has left the Amish.  Jacob feels that it is his fault, and he is determined to bring her back.   I loved the secondary characters that includes Dinah’s loving family. Dinah and Jacob work to take care of Anna’s child and keep him safe.  As they take care of the baby, romance blooms between them.    I enjoyed watching Dinah and Jacob fall in love.  I did feel that the story was a touch long and the pacing was a little slow in places.  I appreciated the tension which happened when someone came after the baby.  It added suspense to the story.  I liked that we get to catch up with the characters (Sarah, Noah, Dorcas, and Thomas) from the first two books in the series.  A Harvest of Love is a sweet story that I enjoyed.  It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.  It was a lovely ending to the series.  My favorite line from A Harvest of Love is, “Let the present trouble be enough for now, she told herself.  Trust the good Lord for the rest.”  A Harvest of Love is a heartwarming story with a bouncing baby boy, delectable jelly donuts, a handsome harness maker, an affectionate family, and a benevolent baker.  

A Harvest of Love is available from Amazon*.   The other two novels in The Promise Glen series are  are A Christmas Home and A Springtime Heart.  You can find Marta Perry's other novels here.  Marta Perry's next release is Nursing Her Amish Neighbor publishing December 28.  I want to share with you some of the other novels that came out today.  They include:  Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge, Have a Holly Haunted Christmas by Lynn Cahoon, Getaway with Murder by Diane Kelly, Christmas Grace by Mindy Steele, To the Tome of Murder by Lauren Elliott, Death by Apple Cider by Alex Erickson, Christmas Dessert Murder by Joanne Fluke, Strangers on a Skein by Anne Canadeo, and An Amish Baby for Christmas by Vannetta Chapman.  There is something for every reader.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope that you have spooky fun 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.

A Springtime Heart by Marta Perry

Hello!  Thank you for joining me today.  Here are a few of the new books out today:  The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs, Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook by Celia Rees, The Amish Schoolteacher by Jerry Eicher, Steadfast Mercy by Ruth Reid, Outsider by Linda Castillo, and A Springtime Heart by Marta Perry.  Which one do you want to read first?

A Springtime Heart by Marta Perry has Dorcas Beiler teaching at Orchard Hill Amish school in Promise Glen, Pennsylvania.  Seven years ago, an incident happened that had Dorcas change her ways.  Dorcas is surprised when learns that Thomas Fisher has returned to town and intends to stay.  Dorcas worries that he will reveal the secret that has been kept hidden these past seven years.  She must be on her guard and not give the community any reason to gossip.  Thomas Fisher has returned to open his own construction company and the reunite with his family.  He would like to renew his friendship with Dorcas, but she acts skittish around him.  Thomas gets an opportunity to spend more time with Dorcas when he commits to make repairs on the schoolhouse stable.  It will allow people to see his work plus Thomas will get to spend time with Dorcas.  Can they overcome the past in order to have a happy future together?

A Springtime Heart by Marta Perry is the 2^nd A Promise Glen Novel.  It can be read as a standalone if you have not read A Christmas Home.  I thought A Springtime Heart was well-written with realistic characters and a lovely setting.  I enjoyed returning to Promise Glen, Pennsylvania.  I was happy to see Sarah Yoder Raber from A Christmas Home in this story. We get a chance to see how she is doing since she married and became a mother to Noah Raber’s twin boys.  I liked the characters in this story.  I thought they were realistic with their own insecurities and foibles.  There is humor sprinkled throughout mostly from the children’s antics.  There are side stories in A Springtime Heart that add complexity and depth to the book.  Dorcas’ sister-in-law, Betsy is a new mother living with her in-laws.  She has a Martha Stewart type mother (who seems to do everything and does it well) which has caused Betsy’s insecurities.  Someone is out to shut down the Orchard Hill Amish school and Dorcas wants to find a way to stop it.  She loves teaching and does not want the community to lose its school.  Gossip is spreading fast through their community.  The latest tidbit could cost Dorcas her job and reputation.  There is also a slowly blossoming romance if only one of the parties will stay in town.  I enjoyed reading A Springtime Heart.  It is a sweet and charming Amish story.  I hope we get more books set in Promise Glen.  A Springtime Heart is a pleasant Amish tale with growing gossip, shadowy secrets, blooming blossoms, required repairs, a thorny romance, and springtime zeal.

A Springtime Heart is available from Amazon*.  The first A Promise Glen Novel is A Christmas Home.  Thank you for reading my review.  Tomorrow I am reviewing Outsider by Linda Castillo.  It is the 12th A Kate Burkholder Novel.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

A Christmas Home by Marta Perry: Review & Giveaway!

Welcome!  A Legacy of Murder by Connie Berry, A Christmas Home by Marta Perry and Child's Play by Danielle Steel are out today.  Pretty Little Fliers by Erin Johnson releases October 25.  It is the first book in her new Magic Market Mysteries.  Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey comes out October 29.  It is the debut of A Cider Shop Mystery series.  

A Christmas Home by Marta Perry has Sarah Yoder returning home to Promise Glen, Pennsylvania.  Sarah has spent the last ten years raising her three siblings with her father who moved when the mood struck him.  This is Sarah’s chance for a fresh start.  She does not wish to be an old maid, but to have a husband and children of her own.  However, Sarah does not want a widower to marry her, so he has a caregiver for his children.  Sarah’s grossmammi, Etta has acquired Sarah an interview with Noah Raber, a local furniture maker, to be his bookkeeper.  Noah has twin six year old boys to raise on his own since his wife, Janie disappeared when the twins were babies.  Noah gets assistance from his mother, but she is currently out of town visiting her daughter who just had a baby.  Sarah gets the position and quickly sets out to organize Noah’s accounting books (done by hand).  She is a take charge type of person and has ideas to help improve Noah’s fledgling business which leads to a few clashes.  Sarah becomes close to the Noah’s twins who look forward to seeing her each day.  The more time she spends with Noah, she realizes what a kind strong man that he is and she begins to fall in love with Noah.  Sarah works to keep her feelings hidden since Noah is married and divorce is not allowed for Amish.  It does not help that Noah and Sarah are working with local schoolteacher, Dorcas Beiler on the school’s Christmas program.  Christmas is a time when wondrous things can happen.  Will Sarah get the man and home she desires?

A Christmas Home by Marta Perry is the first book in The Promise Glen Series.  I always enjoy reading books from Marta Perry who has a charming writing style and relatable characters.  Sarah Yoder lost her mother when she was eighteen.  She has three younger siblings which meant she had to take charge of the household and raise them as well as taking care of her father.  Sarah’s three siblings are now happily married and settled so she can have a life for herself.  She has chosen not to join her father on his latest move.  Sarah has returned home to Promise Glen, Pennsylvania to live in the grossdaadi haus with her grandmother, Etta Miller.  She obtains a bookkeeping position with Noah Raber and helps to promote his furniture business.  Sarah tries to resist falling for Noah and his busy twin boys because Noah is married.  His wife left when the kids were babies and divorce is not an option for Amish.  Can you imagine being stuck in a marriage for the rest of your life after your spouse has deserted you?  I liked the characters in A Christmas Home from the insightful Etta Miller to Noah’s active twin boys, Mark and Matthew.  There is a wonderful community with thoughtful, caring people as well as those who gossip.  The book is well-written with steady pacing.  The author’s depictions allowed me to visualize the settings and the characters.  I could feel the character’s emotions in this heartwarming Christmas story.  I like Christmas stories because it is a time of year when people are in better spirits and it seems that anything can happen during this magical season.  The phrase I wanted to share from A Christmas Home is “You can always trust God to take care of the details.”  There are recipes at the end of the book along with Amish Christmas customs.  A Christmas Home is a touching tale with busy boys, furniture making fundamentals, scheming friends, bookkeeping bedlam, and family Christmas traditions.

A Christmas Home is available at Amazon and other major booksellers.  Would you like to win a copy of A Christmas Home?  Please leave a comment with your email address (so I can contact you if you win) by October 16, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  It is open to U.S. mailing addresses only.  The next novel in The Promise Glen Series is A Springtime Heart which comes out July 7, 2020.  Marta Perry will have Amish Protector out on March 24, 2020.  It is the second installment in the River Haven series.  Thank you for joining me today.  I am sharing my review of Child's Play by Danielle Steel next time.  I have been reading Danielle Steel's novels since I was twelve years old when I went looking for a book to read and found Full Circle on the shelves in our hallway. I then proceeded to read each of her books and have continued to do so.  I hope that you have a delightful day. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader