A Season Of Hope introduces a widow raising her kinner in Lancaster County, where English outnumber the Plain folk and many people work outside the home or farm. Katherine Zook tries not to mix with men outside her community, but one older man takes an interest in her... he claims to be a relative of her late husband. He also makes strange claims about the FBI following him. Is he crazy, as Katherine's daughter Mary Carol and her beau Abe think, and is his advice worth following to help the kinner?

Her Christmas Pen Pal by Ruth Reid focuses on Joy Stolzfus. Living without electricity brings hazards. Joy mourns her parents, lost in a house fire a year previously. She has taken over the family bakery, but that occupies all her time. Her beau Henry could be casting his eyes elsewhere. While it's wrong to feel jealous, Joy's only human. She sends her pen friend Emily a box of her best cookies, but a cabinet maker called Noah receives the delivery instead. Amusingly, he writes back and the two strangers begin a correspondence. This is my favourite story.

A Gift For Anne Marie by Kathleen Fuller introduces us to Anne Marie Smucker in Pennsylvania, who will eat anything but pumpkin pie at Christmas. Her friend Nathaniel, who repairs clocks, is the object of admiration by another maid, but Anne Marie, who makes candles, is the one who has his attention. Only as a friend. Where can this lead? There's family change on the way for Anne Marie, and it seems she may have to start making up her mind about what she wants. This fun tale has a serious side.

Christmas Aprons by Trisha Goyer sets Esther Glick the challenge of making her mother's secret recipe vanilla crumb pies. Her family are not highly regarded, though hard- working. Will anyone bid on her pie - and a date with herself - at the Bachelors' Pie auction? We are so lucky as we get the recipe after the story!

AN AMISH SECOND CHRISTMAS will keep you smiling and baking at any time of the year. Enjoy this engaging read.

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