Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston

 

Book Description: Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman's story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams ... and secrets. You'll discover how the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle can clash with the 'English' way of life---and the decisions and consequences that follow. Most importantly, you will be encouraged by the hope and faith of these women, and the importance they place on their families. Naomi's Gift re-introduces twenty-four-year-old Naomi King, who has been burned twice by love and 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. 

My Review:  I love Christmas stories!  There's just something about the "magic" of the holiday.  And Amy Clipston once again pens a fascinating and heartwarming story set in the small village of Bird-in-Hand, Naomi's GIFT.

My heart goes out to Naomi . . . she lives for everyone else.  She's a hard working, kind hearted Amish lady.  She's one of those women that can easily bake, cook, clean, quilt and love her family.  But Naomi is "riddled" by sadness.  She longs to be married and have a family of her own but after two attempts of being "burned" by love, Naomi feels that she will probably be an old maid.  Not that she minds, but she just longs to love and be loved.

The story begins with Caleb, a widower, and his 7 year old daughter stopping at the farmer's market before visiting his aunt and uncle.  His daughter, Susie, takes off once they enter the market and heads directly for the quilts.  The quilts that Naomi makes.  It is here at the quilts that the distraught Caleb finds his lost daughter.  It is also where he and Naomi meet and Naomi is distraught by Caleb's eyes!  Oh!How! Those eyes speak!  Such sadness but "that" look says ever so much!

Caleb and Susie continue on their way, leaving Naomi to go on with her life only to meet Susie and Caleb at church.  Love this love story! 

This small book is packed with the"magic" of Christmas....a wonderful combination of love, adventure and His story!