The Christmas Visitor

September 2, 2013
Amish author Byler (Wild Horses) takes on the unrelentingly difficult life of Amish widow Ruth Miller, whose husband, Ben, died at a barn raising, leaving her to care for their six children on her own. With little income, Ruth is forced to give up her farm and move to a home owned by a member of her community. She barely has enough food to feed her family and is too proud to ask her neighbors for any more than they’ve already given her. But who is leaving boxes on her porch, filled with goodies she can’t afford herself? The generosity they represent touches Ruth’s soul and brightens the lives of her children. There is very little romance in this story, and a few point-of-view slips distract from the plot. Still, readers will cheer for the courageous widow as she learns to live and love again.

October 15, 2013

Raised in an Amish family and still a member of the Amish church today, Byler (Fire in the Night) offers a holiday Amish romance full of authentic detail. Recently widowed, Ruth Miller is now a single mother trying to raise six children. While the Amish community provides some support, even frugal Ruth is having a difficult time making ends meet. Then boxes of food and household supplies begin mysteriously appearing on the porch. As Ruth starts to wonder if they might be from the handsome newcomer to their community, John King, she also has to ask herself if she could ever really replace her late husband. VERDICT Christian fiction readers will appreciate this story of a widow's journey through grief and rediscovery of joy along with a glimpse into real Amish life.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.