A Simple Christmas Wish by Melody Carlson, Book review

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• Publisher: Revell (September 15, 2013)
• ISBN-13: 978-0800719654

SYNOPSIS:

One girl in need of a home. 

One woman in search of a home for her heart. 

One Christmas where it all seems possible.

Rachel Milligan is caring for her seven-year-old niece, Holly, at her home in Chicago when she receives devastating news: Holly's parents have been killed in a plane crash. Because Rachel is Holly's only known relative, she assumes that she will be her beloved niece's guardian. However, custody is awarded to Lydia, a distant aunt who happens to be Amish. Just a week before Christmas, Rachel takes Holly to the Amish community in the hopes of persuading Aunt Lydia to relinquish custody. Instead, Lydia sets out to teach Holly to live according to the Amish way. As family secrets emerge and old wounds are healed, Rachel realizes that she will do whatever it takes to ensure that Holly has the loving family she needs.

Combining an Amish family saga with the anticipation of Christmas cheer and the promise of a budding romance, this newest Christmas story from beloved author Melody Carlson is sure to please.

“Available November 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Here are my thoughts:

For those of you familiar with The Christmas Pony Melody Carlson's latest Christmas story brings once again a wholesome offering for the Season! 
There is something gratifying in holding Melody's novels, each cover beautifully illustrated and featuring raised letters, the synopsis an indication this is just the sort of novel you can and will share in all probability with everyone! She writes with her heart like any good storyteller!

A stirring tale of a small child who loses both parents to a tragedy during the Christmas season only to find out the aunt who is taking care of her must give her up to a whole unknown branch of the family! 

There has been many stories written about the Amish but this has a twist! How far will someone go to keep someone they love?

For Rachel who has lost her brother and his young wife to an airplane crash, the reading of their will brings a bitter twist to her hastily revised plans for the future. According to the legal document she must relinquish Holly to the little girl's Amish aunt...

Melody Carlson weaves a touching story of hope and love mingled with despair and even anger, drawn against the plain Amish world. 

A lighthearted tale of bridges built across two worlds and a simple Christmas wish...

You'll enjoy this one tucked in by the fire with a cuppa! 

4 stars!

About the Author:

Melody Carlson has written around 200 books for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." 

Her books range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, True Colors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. 

Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including the Rita and Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. 

Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

Visit her website (HERE)

I received a copy of this title from BAKER/REVELL to review . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.