Rachel J Good

Amish Christmas Kinner contains three novellas by Lenora Worth, Rachel J. Good, and Kelly Long. I enjoyed reading the three sweet Amish stories. The three tales are Christmas Eve Baby by Lenora Worth (The Shadow Lake series), Best Christmas Program Ever by Lenora Worth (Surprised by Love series), and Loving Luke by Kelly Long (The Amish Mail Order Grooms series). I thought all three were well-written with steady pacing. They are stories of romance and faith. We get to see how the Amish celebrate Christmas. I like their holiday traditions and how the holidays center around family. I did feel that Christmas Eve Baby was a tad long (when you begin to wonder if it will ever end, you know it is too long). Forgiveness, new beginnings, letting go, family, and faith are the themes. Best Christmas Program is the story that really tugged at my heartstrings. While each novella is part of a series, each one can be read on its own. Amish Christmas Kinner is a collection of stories that can be read at Christmas or anytime of the year. This is a heartwarming anthology.… (mais)

This short story collection features Christmas stories that involve children. Each story is unique, but emphasizes the importance of caring for others and remembering the reason for celebrating Christmas. While the characters experience heartache and sadness at times, they are ultimately redeemed by the kindness of others. There are romantic aspects to the stories, but they are clean and sweet, no graphic intimacies. I especially liked reading these stories for the holidays and because the characters were so interesting and they were what made the stories come alive. Each story can be read as a standalone.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.… (mais)

Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend by Rachel J. Good takes us back to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to the Green Valley Farmer’s Market where Caroline Hartzler works at her family’s chicken stand. Noah Riehl is the new auctioneer who comes to Caroline’s aid more than once. I found Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend a delight to read. I smiled and laughed often while reading it. I thought Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend was well-written with engaging characters. I enjoyed getting to know Noah and Caroline. Caroline is such a lively individual. I love her enthusiasm and exuberance for life. Caroline enjoys playing volleyball and loves to win. Her mouth, though, lands her in trouble frequently. It was great to return to the Green Valley Farmer’s Market and catch up with the characters in the earlier books in the series. While Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend is the fifth book in the Surprised by Love series, it can be read as a standalone. My favorite character in this series is Mrs. Vandenburg. She is a sweet woman who has a direct pipeline to the Man upstairs. Mrs. Vandenburg has a habit of being in the right place at the right time. She plays a key role in the story. Mrs. Vandenburg is a clever woman. There is one scene that cracked me up. I thought it was about time this individual got what was coming to him. There is drama mixed in with the lighthearted moments. I enjoyed the witty dialogue. Noah has a secret. Unfortunately, secrets have a way of following you and coming to light. I like that the characters are relatable and realistic. They have flaws and insecurities. Life is messy and we all make mistakes. I enjoyed watching the individuals grow in character and faith. Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend is a story about second chances, family, forgiveness, friendships, love, and grace. It is a story that will leave you with a smile on your face. Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend is an entertaining tale with vigorous volleyball clashes, spilled puzzles, a pretend boyfriend, a benevolent benefactor, repellent rumors, a demanding stand, and a faithful Friend.… (mais)