Books for Christian Girls: "An Amish Christmas Gift" by Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid & Kelly Irvin

{{It’s December and that means Christmas book reviews here on BFCG! Unlike how we did last year with every review day being a Christmas book, this year just Monday & Friday will be reviews of Christmas books. Wednesdays will be reserved for new releases. :) A couple giveaways are also scheduled this month, so keep an eye out!}}

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“Naomi’s Gift” by Amy Clipston

About this book:

“Naomi has started to think that she isn’t meant to find love, but she might receive more than she ever hoped for this Christmas.
Twenty-four-year-old Naomi King, who has been burned twice by love, has all but given up on marriage and children. As Christmas approaches a time of family, faith, and hope for many others Naomi is more certain than ever her life will be spent as an old maid, helping with the family s quilting business and taking care of her eight siblings. Then she meets Caleb, a young widower with a 7-year-old daughter, and her world is once again turned upside-down.”

Series: This novella is connected to the “Kauffman Amish Bakery” series and is the second book is the Christmas Stories line of that series. {See review of the first one, Here!}

Spiritual Content- Scriptures are quoted; Church going & singing; Prayers & Blessings over food; Many Talks about God & His plans; ‘H’s when talking about God are capital; Christmas & a Christmas program; Mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; Mentions of Heaven.

Negative Content- A bit of sarcasm; Pain (up to semi-detailed); A mention of a buggy & car crash (border-line semi-detailed); Mentions of gossips.

Sexual Content- a semi-detailed kiss; Noticing & Smelling; Blushes; Touches (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of being boy crazy; Love, falling in love, and the emotions.

-Naomi King

-Caleb Schmucker
P.O.V. switches between them

145 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

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“An Unexpected Joy” by Ruth Reid

About this book:

“Abigail has driven other suitors away, but can Micah find a way to show her he cares?
Being a caregiver for Micah Zook’s grandmother is the answer to Abigail’s prayers. In fact, the elderly lady keeps finding ways to set Abigail up with her grandson. Despite Abigail’s constant chatter, Micah realizes he’s beginning to care for her—until he makes a decision that leaves her feeling betrayed. With Christmas in their midst, can Micah find a way to reconcile with Abigail and to reveal the true feelings of his heart?”

Series: I can’t find that this novella is connected to any of the author’s other books. {If anyone knows that it is, please do let me know! :) }

Spiritual Content- Prayers; A few Scriptures are mentioned & quoted; Talks about God, Jesus, gifts, & godly examples; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Church & Christmas; Many mentions of shunning; Mentions of Prayers & Blessing over food.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: three ‘stupid’s; Mentions of many curses that are said but not written; A mention of black magic; A couple mentions of tattoos; Mentions of a bomb & fighting.

Sexual Content- a forehead kiss, an almost kiss, a semi-detailed kiss, & two detailed kisses; Staring at lips & wanting to kiss; Noticing (up to semi-detailed); Touches & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Love, falling in love & the emotions.

-Abigail Kemp, age 22

-Micah Zook, age 24
P.O.V. switches between them
136 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

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“A Christmas Visitor” by Kelly Irvin

About this book:

“Frannie Mast returns to Bee County for Christmas, but her heart stays back in Missouri with an Englisch farm boy.

Frannie knows her parents have the best of intentions when they send her back to Bee County, Texas, to live with her aunt Abigail and her husband Mordecai. After all, she knows nothing can come of a relationship with Rocky, the handsome but Englisch farmer boy back in Missouri. It s best to put those feelings aside, no matter how hard it is. But all bets are off when Rocky follows Frannie to Texas to plead his case. Could he be the Christmas gift to end all gifts?”

Series: Mentions of characters from the author’s “The Amish of Bee County” series. {I have not read (or reviewed) any books in that series.}

Spiritual Content- Prayers; Talks about God & His plans; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of Church; Rocky didn’t have a good earthly father, so he isn’t sold on a Heavenly Father (he does start thinking about Him, though); Church, Christmas & a Christmas program.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘shut up’ and a ‘stupid’; A hunting trip, shooting & mentions of it (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of boxers & hitting people; A mention of vomit.

Sexual Content- A very-detailed kiss; Touches & Embraces (semi-detailed); Noticing & Smelling (semi-detailed); Mentions of kissing; Mentions of modesty; A mention of an English girl wearing tight clothes; Rocky’s father left his family for another woman; Love, falling in love & the emotions.

-Frannie Mast

-Rocky Sanders
P.O.V. switches between them
122 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

In case you can’t tell, the first one was the best. I actually reviewed “Naomi’s Gift” last year for Christmas. ;) Let’s break down my thoughts on each novella:

“Naomi’s Gift” by Amy Clipston is the best one, in my opinion. Still just as cute as the first time I read it. :)

“An Unexpected Joy” by Ruth Reid was okay. While I liked Abigail’s heart for others, I did find her chatting very over the top. The falling in love seemed a little off….he was annoyed with her talking and then the next chapter he was in love with her…a little rushed to say the least. I’ve also never read an Amish book set in Michigan, so that was different.

“A Christmas Visitor” by Kelly Irvin was the smallest and most rushed out of the three novellas in this collection. While I had to laugh at the Amish eating Tex-Mex food (being from Texas and all) and while I liked Rocky, I felt like I was jumping in the middle of their story. It was very rushed and I was not a fan of that very detailed kiss! :(

So, I personally would just go out and buy a hardback copy of “Naomi’s Gift” by Amy Clipston by itself. ;)

See y’all on Wednesday with a new review! :)