The Christmas Gathering
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Christmas miracles abound in this trio of stories that celebrate holiday blessings with three Amish families who discover the season’s sweetest gifts . . .
A CHRISTMAS REUNION by Shelley Shepard Gray
Tricia Troyer is thrilled when Brandt Holden, her cousin’s English friend, joins the Troyers’ holiday gathering for the second year in a row. The sparks between them are clear to everyone. When Brandt asks Tricia to be his girlfriend, they both know she’ll have important choices to make about her future. But the two aren’t as different as some believe—and with open hearts and understanding, their very own Christmas miracle just might be
possible . . .
WE GATHER TOGETHER by Lenora Worth
When Lucas Myer meets Kayla Hollinger on the shores of Lake Erie, he’s smitten. Their families are even staying at the same inn, for different gatherings. The two plan to meet again—but soon enough they discover a problem: their relatives are locked in a longtime feud and forbid them to socialize. Fortunately, Lucas and Kayla are old enough to make their own decisions—and they decide to create a Christmas miracle of forgiveness and love . . .
HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES by Rachel J. Good
Years ago, Mark was banished by his Amish family when he chose a career in music. It still hurts, especially during the holidays. And now, just before Christmas, he and his band find themselves stranded after their manager absconds with their money. Desperate, Mark is offered a job teaching piano—but that’s just the first miracle. His work will not only bless others in need, but a longtime fan might just capture his heart—and even lead him home . . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Cultures clash, forbidden romances ignite, and old wounds heal in time for Christmas in this upbeat trio of novellas from Shepard Gray (A Is for Amish), Worth (The Widow's Unexpected Suitor), and Good (Dating an Amish Flirt). Shepard Gray's "A Christmas Reunion" finds Brandt Holden reuniting with Tricia, a friend's Amish cousin with whom he's been exchanging letters since meeting her a year ago. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Tricia must decide whether she's willing to leave her culture behind for a chance at love. Worth's "We Gather Together" takes place at a tiny inn on Christmas eve, where Lucas Myer and Kyla Hollinger form a bond despite a long-running family feud stemming from their grandparents' romantic rivalry. Themes of rebellion are explored in Good's "Hitting All the Right Notes," which finds Andrew Hollinger starting a rock band with his friends during Rumspringa. When he meets and falls in love with a fan who's not yet baptized, he's forced to choose between love and his faith. Despite a few weak moments (the family feud in "We Gather Together" feels more like a plot device than a real obstacle to the protagonists' love), readers will appreciate the combination of happily-ever-after story lines with meaningful considerations of the challenges of navigating between Amish and Englisch cultures. It's a welcome burst of holiday cheer.