The Amish Christmas Sleigh by Kelly Long, Amy Lillard and Molly Jebber

It is a few days before Thanksgiving.  It snowed over 5 inches of snow this weekend.  I had a good cup of tea and the book titled “The Amish Christmas Sleigh” to read.  I settled in and completed this book of three stories in less than two days.

I have never read anything by these three authors – Kelly Long, Amy Lillard, and Molly Jebber.  But I will look out for these three authors in the future.

In each story, one of the characters holds on to a secret that haunts them.  They have difficulty in getting through a difficult time.  They can't let go of the past.  Someone  enters their lives that make them confront their fears and grab onto their last chance of happiness.

An actual sleigh is part of each story.  I believe the sleigh represents being free of the fears, the doubts, the worries.  When you are sleighing you are closer to nature and you are feeling the excitement of the ride.  You feel the cold air hitting your cheeks and you are not worried about anything.  It’s fun and you are exhilarated.  After the ride, you are relaxed and ready to sit back with that cup of cocoa.  This is what it feels when you resolve a problem.  You are happy, excited about tomorrow and so relieved.

I enjoyed this collection.  I loved that each story ended on a happy note.  A delightful holiday read.  ****
I received this book free to review.

Link to purchase- http://amzn.com/B00RRT31E4.
Link to giveaway - http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDBhZGNmNTQzZGFkMzUwNzcyZmIzY2U1NDc5MjA0OjY=/?

Dan Walsh - Keeping Christmas

A sweet and touching book that related to me as I was an empty nester at one time.  As I started to read, I was pleasantly surprised that it was based in Mt. Dora, Florida.  I know the place well and often frequented the Home Depot in Leesburg where one of the characters worked.

Judith and Stan were alone for the holidays for the first time.  Judith was having a difficult time with this change in her life.  Stan loved his wife and tried to make things better for her.  It is a story of  sacrifice, love and traditions.

I shed a few tears at the end of the book.  Change is inevitable. Judith and Stan were fortunate to have each other and both became closer as they went through this rough patch in their lives and marriage.  A valuable lesson is that your life doesn't end when your children are gone.  Your life will be different  and you will be creating a new normal.  The love between the parents and their children will keep them close even when there is distance between you.