Will Henderson, abandoned by his father sixteen years ago and left in the care of an Amish couple, has joined the Amish church and is about to marry Karen Yoder. But as Will contemplates marriage and potential fatherhood, he wonders will he eventually destroy his family as his father did his?
Karen Yoder can't break through the barrier her fiancé has suddenly constructed around his heart. When she seeks the advice of an old boyfriend, Will begins to see green. Is there a chance there won't be a December wedding after all?
Riddled with guilt and shame over abandoning his son, Frank Henderson sinks into depression. As he begins to search for Will, he wonders if there is anything he can do to make it right.
When Will's life is threatened, the strength of blood-ties is put to the test. Can Will find it in his heart to forgive his father and marry the woman he loves? Can an old recipe for White Christmas Pie contain the truth that sets him free?
---description from the back cover :D
Where do I even begin with this book? I love Christmas books, I love Wanda Brunstetter's books, and I love stories with perfect, tear-jerking, emotional, traumatic (yep, I love adjectives...), and lovely endings. Maybe I'll ramble for a little while about each of the characters and how much I love them. :)
Will is an amazing leading character. The struggles he faces over dealing with his father abandoning him are so realistic. How he thinks that maybe he shouldn't marry Karen because of fear of destroying his family like his father did, shows that he's just the best (not that I'm biased or anything.) He's thinking of her best interest, and not for himself.
Karen is probably my favorite character. She's so kind and compassionate. She puts others ahead of herself. She's supportive of Will, her fiancé. She loves him in spite of all his troubles. And that ending... *sigh* Oh, just thinking about it makes me want to go read it again right now. (More semi-spoilers ahead. If you'd like to skip them, skip the italics :D) When Mark busts out the front glass and Karen climbs into the buggy... *sniff, sniff* and checks ___(blank)__ for a pulse... *sniff*
Frank is not my favorite character. It's not that he's a bad character, he's just not as 'good and perfect' as Will and Karen. :) I sorta understand his struggles, but he's still not my favorite. I do live how he searches for Will though. Even if he is sixteen years late...*cough* But if Frank hadn't abandoned Will, Will never would've met Karen. ;-)
Megan is Frank's second wife. (She's not Will's mother.) Don't ask why I'm mentioning her ahead of Mark and Regina, but I am. Megan is really sweet and extremely supportive of Frank. It's through her that Frank comes to know the Lord as his Savior, and eventually, how Frank locates Will. :)
Mark and Regina Stoltzfus are the Amish couple that Frank left Will with. They couldn't have children of their own, and they raised and loved Will as if he were biologically theirs. Although they think of Will as they're son, they don't try to keep him separated from Frank. Will calls them "Papa Mark" and "Mama Regina", which I loved. <3 :)
Have you read this book?
Do you want to?
Are you ready for Christmas? I'm not! :D
"Christmas Tidings" ~ Day Four
Today's stops on the Christmas tour!! ;)
~ Visit Whimsical Writings for a Christmas recipe!
~ Visit Rebekah Ashleigh's blog for a Christmas movie review!
~ Visit Counting Your Blessings One by One for a Christmas recipe!
How's everyone Christmas preparations coming?
~Faith ;)
It sounds like a really good book!
ReplyDeleteAnd, wow. I love that quote by Charles Dickens! :)
I'm sorta-semi ready for Christmas. I have most of the gifts for my family and friends, but there are some that sill need mailed that I haven't gotten around to. And they need sent, like, today if I want them to get there by Christmas! But hey, that's all part of the fun. All the hustle and bustle. ;)
Going back to your post. . .Will sounds so sweet! But. . .haven't I heard you say that other guy characters in other books are the best? *wink, wink*
Sorry, I'm teasing you. ;)I think the book is at our library, so I'll have to check it out!
It's SO GOOD!!!! *grins*
DeleteYes, I just love Mr. Dickens. (Though "The Christmas Carol" is the only book of his I've really read, but...)
Yeah, same here. I have everyone's gift, either here or in it's way here, except for Mom's (Shh!) but I have an idea for that, I just need to actually buy it. ;) Mom and I went to the post office to send a few things yesterday. I still have two gifts to mail, but I haven't gotten them yet. :) Oh, yes! I love all the hustle and bustle, the business of the season. ;D
Will IS sweet! *groans* You would have to catch on to that, wouldn't you?? Yes, I've said that before. But it's true!
Yes, do check it out!! It's really amazing!! :-)
This book is SO good. I really enjoyed it. I'd have to say this is my favorite Christmas book so far. : )
ReplyDeleteIsn't it?? I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Rebekah. I thought you'd like it. :) Really?? I think it's mine too! I love how it's not ALL Christmas. ;)
DeleteThanks for commenting, Rebekah!