A Simple Christmas Wish by Melody Carlson

Rachel Milligan is caring for her seven-year-old niece, Holly, at her home in Chicago when she receives devastating news: Holly's parents have been killed in a plane crash. Because Rachel is Holly's only known relative, she assumes that she will be her beloved niece's guardian. However, custody is awarded to Lydia, a distant aunt who happens to be Amish. Just a week before Christmas, Rachel takes Holly to the Amish community in the hopes of persuading Aunt Lydia to relinquish custody. Instead, Lydia sets out to teach Holly to live according to the Amish way. As family secrets emerge and old wounds are healed, Rachel realizes that she will do whatever it takes to ensure that Holly has the loving family she needs.
Combining an Amish family saga with the anticipation of Christmas cheer and the promise of a budding romance, this newest Christmas story from beloved author Melody Carlson is sure to please.



About The Author 

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington's, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, the Life at Kingston High series, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. She is the winner of a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. Melody and her husband live in Oregon.

My Review:


A very quick Christmas read. Only 168 pages, and easy read for an evening. This is both an English and Amish story. We find fate bringing Rachael Milligan, a world traveling flight attendant, wearing Amish attire. Huh? There is a lot that leads up to her spending time living with the Amish. The main reason is her seven year old niece Holly. We find Holly quite infatuated with all the newness of Amish life, like most children, their love the animals. Dogs, cats, horses, cows....a dream place. Can you imagine being a child and ending up at an Amish 3 hour service in German? She had to be one sweet girl to endure what was so unfamiliar to her. She has all this family she has never known.
This is not your typical Amish story, and the reality of everything that has happened to both Rachael and Holly. Will Rachael be able to return to her previous life after being with the Amish? Or will God have some other plans for her. How about Holly can she stay with this new family, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles, and Cousins she has never know?
Melody Carlson has woven a really refreshing Amish story, and you won't be disappointed.

I received this book through Baker Publishing Group Publishing Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.