"christmas at rose hill farm" by suzanne woods fisher

A novel of love lost and found set during the 1977 Christmas season, Christmas at Rose Hill Farm takes the reader back to Suzanne Woods Fisher's beloved Stoney Ridge.

Bess Riehl is preparing Rose Hill Farm for her Christmas wedding, but her groom isn't who she thought it would be. Billy Lapp is far away from his Amish roots working as a rose rustler for Penn State and wants nothing to do with Stoney Ridge, his family, or Bess. And that suits Bess just fine. Why should she think twice about a man who left without a word, without any explanation? It's time she moved on with her life, and that meant saying yes to Amos Lapp, Billy's cousin and best friend. But as Bess and Amos's wedding day draws near, her emotions tangle into a tight knot. She loves Amos. Yet she can't forget Billy.

When a "lost" rose is discovered at Rose Hill Farm, Billy is sent to track down its origins. Get in, identify the rose, and get out. That's his plan. The only catch is that he's having a hard time narrowing down the identity of the lost rose, and he can't get those tropical blue eyes of Bess Riehl out of his mind.

As the history of the lost rose is pieced together, it reminds Bess and Billy—and Amos, too—that Christmas truly is the season of miracles.

"Filled with heart-twisting moments amid the sweet anticipation of love, this story will charm readers into the holiday spirit."

I've read many of Suzanne Woods Fisher's novels, but I haven't read the Secrets of Lancaster County series, which introduces Bess and Billy. This isn't really an issue, as the novel functions completely as a stand alone. But I did feel a bit of confusion regarding Amos. Through the first several chapters, I kept thinking, "Amos Lapp. Why do I know that name?" And then I realized that an Amos Lapp is the patriarch in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. And then I came to a page where the year was identified as 1969, and it all came together. It's the same Amos Lapp! Because I already have an affection for the character, I found myself caring more about Amos's journey than Bess and Billy's, though I did care about them, too. (Also, dearly beloved Jimmy Fisher pops up, sort of, in a way that made me smile.) But none of this is really important ... I just wanted to share my experience in reading!

I've come to expect several things from Fisher's novels: relatable characters, spiritual lessons that pack a punch without being preachy, and laugh out loud moments. Christmas at Rose Hill Farm provides all three. It's charming and funny while dealing with serious family and spiritual issues. (When you read it, be on the lookout for Maggie Zook, who provides the biggest laugh in the novel. I'd love to spend more time with her!) Though it ended far too soon, I hope that we'll be able to visit these characters again. 4-1/2 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Fishers' Inn at Eagle Hill books: The Letters, The Calling, "The Rescue" (novella) and The Revealing; The Stoney Ridge Seasons books: The Haven,The Lesson; and A Lancaster County Christmas.

Get The Choice, the first book in the Lancaster County Secrets series FREE! (as of 9-14-14)

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California.

Download Suzanne's free app! http://bit.ly/10Tygyi

Find Suzanne online: website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

Join best-selling, award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher for an Amish Christmas to remember. Filled with heart-twisting moments amid the sweet anticipation of love, Christmas at Rose Hill Farm will charm readers into the holiday spirit.

Suzanne is hosting a "Christmas Rose" iPad bundle giveaway and a nation-wide Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Book Club Brunch in November. Enter the giveaway below and sign up to host a brunch HERE.

 

TWO grand prize winners will receive:

• An iPad
• A Rose-patterned iPad case
• A Rose-patterned phone case (for any model phone)
• A Christmas wreath
• A set of Christmas hand-towels
• Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Five second place winners will receive:

• Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 28th. All winners will be announced September 29th at Suzanne's blog.

Host a Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Book Club Brunch! This fall Suzanne is inviting book clubs across the nation to throw a Christmas at Rose Hill Farm Book Club Brunch. Sign up here between now and September 29. If you’re selected as one of the 50 hosts, you’ll receive a copy of the book plus two other Revell titles (give them away as party prizes or door prizes or keep them for yourself), a complete party kit, and a discount code to purchase copies of Christmas at Rose Hill Farm for your book club at a discount. Suzanne is also encouraging each book club brunch to collect non-perishable items for their local community shelter. She will be making a donation to her favorite charity (helping abused women and children) for every brunch that meets their goal. Click here for more details and to SIGN UP!

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 29th to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."