| "Evergreen Love" by Amy Clipston: Ryan Lapp had promised to marry Lorene Bontrager as soon as he was able to build them a house, but the day never came. Ryan moved away. Five years later, Lorene has settled in to her old maid role, and she's shocked when her younger sister announces her quick engagement to Ryan's younger brother. As they rush to plan the wedding, Lorene is constantly around the family she almost joined. Worse, she's forced to face Ryan himself, who has returned to town. As both Ryan and Lorene examine their own feelings, they must decide if they can find grace with each other--and the young people they once were--this Christmas season. There just might still be love in their future."--Provided by publisher. -- "Holiday of Hope" by Kelly Irvin: Henry Lufkin is one of four bachelors who lived in the West Kootenai, Montana, cabins that were destroyed by wildfires. He's the only one of them who hasn't since married, but he likes his solitude. Then an old friend asks him to care for his son, and Henry has to share his small cabin and his life with bewildered and rebellious ten-year-old Tommy. When the child encounters trouble at school, Henry reaches out to Tommy's teacher. Leesa Yoder never expected to find herself single and teaching sixteen young scholars, and she certainly didn't anticipate an inexperienced bachelor telling her how to do her job. Amid the flying sparks, can Henry and Leesa see that there might be hope and love in this unexpected situation?"--Provided by publisher. -- "Wreathed in Joy" by Kathleen Fuller: Mary Wengerd and Jakob Mullet have been best friends since childhood. Pressured by friends and family, they decided to date--with disastrous results. When they break up, their friendship is ruined. A year later, Mary is baking her Englisch friend's wedding and groom cakes for a Christmas Eve wedding. Mary loves the Christmas season, and had always dreamed of marrying during that time. Now she wonders if she'll ever marry. After she and Jakob form a tenuous new friendship, Mary breaks her arm. As he steps in to help her with the cakes, Mary is inexplicably and suddenly falling for him. But they've already dated, and that ended so horribly. Could it be better this time?"--Provided by publisher. -- "A Christmas Prayer" by Vannetta Chapman: Widower Micah Miller runs the Amish Tour Company, offering Englischers a glimpse of a simpler life as well as tea at Rachel King's. Rachel has never married and has recently lost her parents. When Micah comes across an abandoned and injured dog, he gives it to Rachel for company. As Rachel is charmed by the dog and shocked by news of the existence of family she never expected, her heart and mind bend toward the possibilities of change in her life--even toward the possibility of love."--Provided by publisher. |
