Stressed and dysfunctional English family meets friendly and functional Amish family. Object: changed behaviors that results better familial relationships. In the first part of the book, the reader is introduced to the Davis family, Shep and Jeannie and their two teenaged kids, Willa and Tim. They have inherited a rundown house and bicycle shop in an Amish community. It’s their last chance to make a living, but they have no savings to fall back on, and little ability to make a go of things. Shep has not been able to earn a living, despite having several jobs. The kids snipe at everyone, and no one is happy. Enter the Fisher family, Mattie and Abraham and their eight kids. The interaction between the two families, and the growth of the characters really make this tale interesting. Bad things have happened to both families, but their outlook and coping mechanisms are different, at least until the families start to alter the way they look at things and react to them. It’s a heartwarming story, and nice for any time of the year. ( )

“An Amish Gift” by Cynthia Keller is a wonderful Christmas book. It’s the story of a down-on-their-luck English family who inherits a home and business in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Their troubles have led to disillusionment and distress among the family members. Shep, the husband, forbids Jennie, his wife, from helping bring in money for the family even though they are floundering. Tim and Willa, the kids, are sassy mouthed and ill-behaved. When the family befriends their Amish neighbors, the Fishers, their home life gradually becomes more civilized and happy. When Jennie finds a business that she can run, with the help of her family, things look up for them.

This is a story of how the hectic, material pace of the world can be tempered by the easy, but work-filled way of the Amish.

I really liked this story. It was a good read for me at Christmas when the material world collides with the religious world and we all seek a peace that is elusive for the most part for many of us.

I received a free print copy of this book for my honest review from the publisher. The opinions expressed here are my own.


You can view my review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-3K
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This was a great book loved it! ( )

Author: Cynthia Keller
Published by: Ballantine Books
Age Recommended: YA - Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 5

Review:

"An Amish Gift" by Cynthia Keller was a good novel It really was just a great, short, sweet, feel-good book to read especially during this blessed holiday. "It was definitely a reminder of what is really important during the holidays." We find that this story is of the 'Davis Family' which consisted of Jeannie (mom), Shep (dad) Tim, Willa (the children) and Scout(the dog). We will travel through two different Christmas's with this family where the first Christmas was one full of sadness, bitterness and much anger. As the story moves along we now find that the Davis Family has moved due to an inheritance. They thought this was a good move due to the fact that Shep has lost his job and their finances were nearly in bankruptcy. Maybe a new start in a new place would be great but upon on arriving the 'new house' and Shep's new job a lots of TLC was needed.

You can see in the read that "Jennie was holding the family together with a string and a prayer." "When the family befriends their Amish neighbors, the Fishers, their home life gradually becomes more civilized and happy." "When Jennie finds a business that she can run, with the help of her family, things look up for them." Now, this is the time that I will say you must pick up the excellent read to see how the author gets the reader through this storm for the Davis's. It will be a bumpy ride but in the end...well you will see.

"An Amish Gift" was a good clean book even with some Bible references in it that wasn't overly done. It was interesting to see the 'Davis Family' actually were learning from their Amish neighbors. So, if you are interested in a good clean read that could be read any time...not only at Christmas...I would recommend "An Amish Gift" novel to you. ( )

What an entertaining book...I read it in one afternoon. The story begins with what is a new beginning for the Davis familly..Jennie, Shep, Tim, Willa and their dog Scout. Can you imagine a relative you have never heard of leaving you their home, and business?
What we soon discover is that both the house and business need a lot of TLC. On several walks with Scout, Jennie meets an Amish family, first Mattie Fisher, and then the whole family and extended.
We travel through two Christmas's with the Davis Family, on the first there is so much anger and bitterness. As we travel along the next year, something changes.
What an enjoyable read between the two cultures. Yes there are differences, but there are also many of the same problems. We see how things are handled within each family, and we come to love them all.
A really different story of Amish books...I for one Loved it, and didn't want it to end!

I was provided with a copy of this book through the Publisher Random House, and Net Galley, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )