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Brides of Amish Country #5
The Christmas Quilt
Years ago, Rebecca Beachy kept her reasons for rejecting Gideon Troyer's marriage proposal a secret. Then Gideon left their Amish community. Now, Rebecca crafts quilts to raise money to cure her blindness. She's also busy guarding her heart against love. Until Gideon returns, at risk of being shunned, to make the winning bid on one of her exquisite quilts. Will the quilt—a patchwork promise of rediscovered love—bring Gideon and Rebecca back together again?
215 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
67 people are currently reading
635 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Davids
142 books404 followersI was born and raised in Northcentral Kansas. I'm a farmer's daughter, but I now make my home in the city of Wichita. I'm an RN. Neonatal nursing has been the main focus of my career. What can I say? I love babies. I was invited to the highschool graduation of a baby I took care of. Talk about making me feel old!
In June of 2011 I became a widow after my husband of 36 years and 11 months died from multiple brain tumors. It was a very sad time, but thanks to the three f's, my faith, my family and my friends, life is moving forward. I have four brothers, one daughter and two grandchildren who all work at making me feel loved.
I'm the author of more than 30 books and I'm currently writing a series called The Brides of Amish Country for Love Inspired.
In June of 2011 I became a widow after my husband of 36 years and 11 months died from multiple brain tumors. It was a very sad time, but thanks to the three f's, my faith, my family and my friends, life is moving forward. I have four brothers, one daughter and two grandchildren who all work at making me feel loved.
I'm the author of more than 30 books and I'm currently writing a series called The Brides of Amish Country for Love Inspired.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
August 4, 2018
"Hello, Rebecca."
The deep-timbered voice robbed her of coherent thought and made her knees go weak. The plate slipped from her numb fingers and crashed to the floor. 115
This book was very enjoyable. Probably the peak of Christian Amish Romance Fiction, IMO. Obviously, it has flaws, but this is basically the best you can do in the genre IMO. So kudos to Davids.
Gideon is a small-plane pilot. One day, while ill, he sees a segment on the news of the Amish community raising money for a blind Amish woman to get an experimental surgery. The woman is his love from long ago, Rebecca. She wasn't blind when he knew her, and he is shocked. He immediately returns to his old Amish town. He left the faith after Rebecca rejected his marriage proposal to pursue his 'worldly' love of flying.
Gideon uses Rebecca's blindness and his raspy, hoarse voice to keep her in the dark about his true identity. He's also shunned from his community, so talking to him (knowingly) would merit punishment for her from the Amish.
Let's analyze.
STRENGTHS
1.) This book will hit you right in the feelings. Davids is adept and skilled at ripping your heart out here. Rebecca's feelings for Gideon are visceral. Look at the scene I quoted above, where Gideon, , enters Rebecca's kitchen. She doesn't know he has come with his friend until he speaks, and her reaction is dropping the plate, which shatters.
This pretty much sums up what I'm talking about. You know, that ex. The one that got away. The one you still dream about at night. The whom, even now, you find your heart racing around at the thought of him. That's Gideon to Rebecca. And when he rejected the Amish faith and left the community, she thought she'd never see him again. Now it's almost too painful for her to hope for a future with him.
Stunning. As far as the male/female relationship goes in this book, Davids is taking no prisoners.
2.) Mensch I really like how Gideon acts. (Most of the time.) Okay, first off, Gideon is exactly the type of male I like. He's easygoing, and he just easily goes along with whatever Rebecca has on her agenda. She's going to the store to buy some yarn? He'll go with her. She needs to x, y, z? Great. He'll come with.
This isn't to say she needs anyone to go with her anywhere. She's very capable. It also isn't to imply Gideon is some little eager puppy who follows her around everywhere. Instead, what Davids is painting and I am trying to convey, is a man who's up for anything, doesn't have an agenda, doesn't put any pressure on his woman, goes along pleasantly with whatever she needs to do. The important thing for him is her company and her happiness. He's relaxed. He's happy to go along to get along. Nothing fusses him.
This kind of laid-back, go-with-the-flow type man is a huge turn-on for me. These males are written just for me. So many - Amish, Christian, and otherwise - romances employ these 'alpha,' hyper, take-charge males who are so domineering and like to throw their weight around. This turns me off. Gideon's strong, smart, and capable. But his easy, laid-back nature with Rebecca and his willingness to be super-patient with her and let her call the shots on how fast the relationship progresses and where to go on dates is very hot and charming. She can set the pace how she wants it. His accompanying her on her errands and chores shows that he cares about her and that her activities are valuable and meaningful to him.
Another mensch-like thing about Gideon is that when he Anonymously. I mean, NOM. The fact that he drops everything to run back to Amish Town after seeing Rebecca on the news. Him making sure to win her quilt at the auction.
Now, I know people might say he isn't a mensch because he deceives Rebecca when he befriends her after the auction. He doesn't tell her his real identity and allows her to believe he is a kind English stranger. But I forgive the book for this because it is a long-held, old romance trope, and I don't think it is a malicious one. I know, because of her blindness, this is ableism and he's trash or whatever, but that's not how I'm thinking of this plot device. I'm thinking of it more of in the vein of classics like Daddy-Long-Legs or The Saint or even the classic historical trope of someone showing up to a masquerade and approaching their love in disguise, even though their love doesn't know who they truly are. Yes, the fact that Rebecca is blind makes this idea come off as ableist trash, but I saw it instead as a classic romance trope used in a non-malicious way. YMMV. Perhaps this is really offensive to you. I found some offensive things in this book, but this wasn't one of them. Make your own determination.
Gideon's relaxedness and patience was another huge plus. Now he's back in town, but he doesn't pressure Rebecca to see him, go out with him, marry him... he's just willing to sit down and wait for whatever to happen. I really liked it. Rebecca can approach him at her own pace, engage or not engage with him as she wants to, and advance the relationship if she wants to. He puts no pressure on her and there is no deadline. The possibility that she might never 'love' him again occurs to him and he's fine with it. It's all very mensch-like.
I also liked how Davids portrayed Gideon's interactions with Rebecca. Often he is clumsy, sometimes will fall, or break something. This isn't because he is a clumsy person, but often because he is running after Rebecca for some reason or trying to prevent something. He often ends up flat on his back with Rebecca standing over him, laughing, or lightly chiding him for not looking where he is going. This is amusing to the reader, because usually he has ended up like this in some attempt to reach her or warn her about something. He never lashes out, never loses his temper with her even though she is gently teasing him about this. He also never tells her the true reasons he always ends up in these kinds of scenarios! It's really cute. A nice, skilled touch by Davids.
Another thing is Gideon's jokes and interactions with Rebecca. When he first meets her after years of absence, he always asks her about how to address blind people. He does this in a great way. For one thing, he doesn't ever try to pretend she's not blind. He wants to be considerate. He lets her tell him what to do and tell him how to act/talk. Eventually they are so comfortable with each other that they have interactions like this:
She let go of his hand again, this time to spin in a tight circle. Then, with a spray of ice, she stopped abruptly. She was breathing hard and smiling. She said, "Let me see you do that."
"Okay." He turned around once slowly. "How was that?"
"You're technique needs work."
"Are you blind? That was perfect."
She skated toward him. "Perfectly awful." 152
Davids has made it clear that he would never joke around with her like this three months ago, but now they are so comfortable with each other and like each other. What I like about Gideon is he doesn't freak out about Rebecca being blind. He's calm and unwavering. He stands back and assesses how she gets through the world without trying to step in and 'help' or boss her around or turn her into a child or anything. Mensch.
THE WEAKNESSES
I don't know where to start on this.
1.) Mean Christians. I guess I've been spoiled by the inclusive, relatively diverse world Emma Miller has created. I mean, relatively, because you can't get much whiter than an Amish community, although Miller DOES make a concerted effort to have black and half-black characters in her books. They are side characters, but still, it's more than I can say for other Amish Christian Romance writers. Miller includes dwarves, multiple people with Down Syndrome also, and her invented Amish community values everyone as God's children.
Davids, on the other hand, is much more harsh and realistic. At times she is rather depressing and I sometimes joke about her tendency for darker themes. (Dark for Christian romance books! Not actually dark.) That's brought to the forefront here, where Rebecca is rejected and seen as less valuable and a 'burden' due to her blindness. Whereas Miller's Christian propaganda teaches that in a Christian community, all are accepted (as long as they love Jesus!); Davids writing of Christian propaganda paints quite a different picture.
First, Gideon's plan to court Rebecca is met with disbelief by the other males.
"Jacob, we are trying to find a woman for Gideon. Any suggestions?"
"Find a woman who can cook," Eli stated firmly. "Looks fade, cooking doesn't."
"Rebecca is a good cook." Gideon was happy to list her accomplishments. He didn't like that she had been overlooked in her own community.
"There are plenty of healthy women to choose from around here. A man needs a strong wife to stand by his side," Jacob insisted... 139
The women are equally shocked that Gideon wants to court Rebecca.
If he could convince Rebecca of his feelings before she had her surgery, he could be by her side no matter what her results were. He needed her to understand his affection had nothing to do with her sight or lack of it. He decided to take this chance.
Drawing a deep breath, he said, "It's Rebecca Beachy."
Emma's brows arched in surprise. "You wish to court Rebecca? You don't mind that she is blind?"
"Why should I mind? She is funny, she is devout, she is hard-working and she has a wonderful smile. I loved her when we were young. I never thought I'd have a chance to love her again, but God has been good to me. After all these years she is not married and beyond my reach. Rebecca is the woman of my heart." 142
I was angry with these people, but I know Davids' view of reality is a lot more true than Miller's more loving one.
2.) Ableism Well, there were things I found offensive in this book. Not Gideon's deceit at the beginning, though. No, the two things that bothered me were a.) when, on page 200, Rebecca refers to being able to see again as 'being made whole.' That stung.
Another thing that really annoyed me about Davids' handling of Rebecca's blindness was
So, that bugged me.
3.) Even though Gideon's deceit at the beginning of the novel didn't bug me, his conversation with Rebecca's father later in the book did. I'm against women's futures being plotted in back rooms by the men in her life. I know this is a Christian patriarchal society, and that really pisses me off. What does the woman think? What is the woman's decision? How does she feel about this? Isn't it her choice to date or not date a man? I'm not on board with this "for her own good" shit. I understand it is a result of this society, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
TL;DR A stunning piece of Amish Christian Romance. Add some hot sex in here, and you'd have a five-star romance novel. Unfortunately, authors make these books sexless. :(
The emotions are palpable. Gideon is the kind of calm, patient mensch who gets me going. If only he was allowed to take Rebecca to bed! :(
I enjoyed this second-chance romance, it was emotionally satisfying. Although I had problems with it, overall it was pleasant. Recommended for those seeking 'clean' Christian Romantic fiction.
MENTIONS OF GOD 137
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
No sex. Some light kissing.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
Contemporary Romance
Holiday/Christmas Romance
Inspirational Romance
Second Chance Romance
Virgin Hero Romance - I'm guessing
Amish Romance
Disabled Heroine
He's a Mechanic, former Pilot; She's a... Amish Women Aren't Allowed to Work for Pay
The deep-timbered voice robbed her of coherent thought and made her knees go weak. The plate slipped from her numb fingers and crashed to the floor. 115
This book was very enjoyable. Probably the peak of Christian Amish Romance Fiction, IMO. Obviously, it has flaws, but this is basically the best you can do in the genre IMO. So kudos to Davids.
Gideon is a small-plane pilot. One day, while ill, he sees a segment on the news of the Amish community raising money for a blind Amish woman to get an experimental surgery. The woman is his love from long ago, Rebecca. She wasn't blind when he knew her, and he is shocked. He immediately returns to his old Amish town. He left the faith after Rebecca rejected his marriage proposal to pursue his 'worldly' love of flying.
Gideon uses Rebecca's blindness and his raspy, hoarse voice to keep her in the dark about his true identity. He's also shunned from his community, so talking to him (knowingly) would merit punishment for her from the Amish.
Let's analyze.
STRENGTHS
1.) This book will hit you right in the feelings. Davids is adept and skilled at ripping your heart out here. Rebecca's feelings for Gideon are visceral. Look at the scene I quoted above, where Gideon, , enters Rebecca's kitchen. She doesn't know he has come with his friend until he speaks, and her reaction is dropping the plate, which shatters.
This pretty much sums up what I'm talking about. You know, that ex. The one that got away. The one you still dream about at night. The whom, even now, you find your heart racing around at the thought of him. That's Gideon to Rebecca. And when he rejected the Amish faith and left the community, she thought she'd never see him again. Now it's almost too painful for her to hope for a future with him.
Stunning. As far as the male/female relationship goes in this book, Davids is taking no prisoners.
2.) Mensch I really like how Gideon acts. (Most of the time.) Okay, first off, Gideon is exactly the type of male I like. He's easygoing, and he just easily goes along with whatever Rebecca has on her agenda. She's going to the store to buy some yarn? He'll go with her. She needs to x, y, z? Great. He'll come with.
This isn't to say she needs anyone to go with her anywhere. She's very capable. It also isn't to imply Gideon is some little eager puppy who follows her around everywhere. Instead, what Davids is painting and I am trying to convey, is a man who's up for anything, doesn't have an agenda, doesn't put any pressure on his woman, goes along pleasantly with whatever she needs to do. The important thing for him is her company and her happiness. He's relaxed. He's happy to go along to get along. Nothing fusses him.
This kind of laid-back, go-with-the-flow type man is a huge turn-on for me. These males are written just for me. So many - Amish, Christian, and otherwise - romances employ these 'alpha,' hyper, take-charge males who are so domineering and like to throw their weight around. This turns me off. Gideon's strong, smart, and capable. But his easy, laid-back nature with Rebecca and his willingness to be super-patient with her and let her call the shots on how fast the relationship progresses and where to go on dates is very hot and charming. She can set the pace how she wants it. His accompanying her on her errands and chores shows that he cares about her and that her activities are valuable and meaningful to him.
Another mensch-like thing about Gideon is that when he Anonymously. I mean, NOM. The fact that he drops everything to run back to Amish Town after seeing Rebecca on the news. Him making sure to win her quilt at the auction.
Now, I know people might say he isn't a mensch because he deceives Rebecca when he befriends her after the auction. He doesn't tell her his real identity and allows her to believe he is a kind English stranger. But I forgive the book for this because it is a long-held, old romance trope, and I don't think it is a malicious one. I know, because of her blindness, this is ableism and he's trash or whatever, but that's not how I'm thinking of this plot device. I'm thinking of it more of in the vein of classics like Daddy-Long-Legs or The Saint or even the classic historical trope of someone showing up to a masquerade and approaching their love in disguise, even though their love doesn't know who they truly are. Yes, the fact that Rebecca is blind makes this idea come off as ableist trash, but I saw it instead as a classic romance trope used in a non-malicious way. YMMV. Perhaps this is really offensive to you. I found some offensive things in this book, but this wasn't one of them. Make your own determination.
Gideon's relaxedness and patience was another huge plus. Now he's back in town, but he doesn't pressure Rebecca to see him, go out with him, marry him... he's just willing to sit down and wait for whatever to happen. I really liked it. Rebecca can approach him at her own pace, engage or not engage with him as she wants to, and advance the relationship if she wants to. He puts no pressure on her and there is no deadline. The possibility that she might never 'love' him again occurs to him and he's fine with it. It's all very mensch-like.
I also liked how Davids portrayed Gideon's interactions with Rebecca. Often he is clumsy, sometimes will fall, or break something. This isn't because he is a clumsy person, but often because he is running after Rebecca for some reason or trying to prevent something. He often ends up flat on his back with Rebecca standing over him, laughing, or lightly chiding him for not looking where he is going. This is amusing to the reader, because usually he has ended up like this in some attempt to reach her or warn her about something. He never lashes out, never loses his temper with her even though she is gently teasing him about this. He also never tells her the true reasons he always ends up in these kinds of scenarios! It's really cute. A nice, skilled touch by Davids.
Another thing is Gideon's jokes and interactions with Rebecca. When he first meets her after years of absence, he always asks her about how to address blind people. He does this in a great way. For one thing, he doesn't ever try to pretend she's not blind. He wants to be considerate. He lets her tell him what to do and tell him how to act/talk. Eventually they are so comfortable with each other that they have interactions like this:
She let go of his hand again, this time to spin in a tight circle. Then, with a spray of ice, she stopped abruptly. She was breathing hard and smiling. She said, "Let me see you do that."
"Okay." He turned around once slowly. "How was that?"
"You're technique needs work."
"Are you blind? That was perfect."
She skated toward him. "Perfectly awful." 152
Davids has made it clear that he would never joke around with her like this three months ago, but now they are so comfortable with each other and like each other. What I like about Gideon is he doesn't freak out about Rebecca being blind. He's calm and unwavering. He stands back and assesses how she gets through the world without trying to step in and 'help' or boss her around or turn her into a child or anything. Mensch.
THE WEAKNESSES
I don't know where to start on this.
1.) Mean Christians. I guess I've been spoiled by the inclusive, relatively diverse world Emma Miller has created. I mean, relatively, because you can't get much whiter than an Amish community, although Miller DOES make a concerted effort to have black and half-black characters in her books. They are side characters, but still, it's more than I can say for other Amish Christian Romance writers. Miller includes dwarves, multiple people with Down Syndrome also, and her invented Amish community values everyone as God's children.
Davids, on the other hand, is much more harsh and realistic. At times she is rather depressing and I sometimes joke about her tendency for darker themes. (Dark for Christian romance books! Not actually dark.) That's brought to the forefront here, where Rebecca is rejected and seen as less valuable and a 'burden' due to her blindness. Whereas Miller's Christian propaganda teaches that in a Christian community, all are accepted (as long as they love Jesus!); Davids writing of Christian propaganda paints quite a different picture.
First, Gideon's plan to court Rebecca is met with disbelief by the other males.
"Jacob, we are trying to find a woman for Gideon. Any suggestions?"
"Find a woman who can cook," Eli stated firmly. "Looks fade, cooking doesn't."
"Rebecca is a good cook." Gideon was happy to list her accomplishments. He didn't like that she had been overlooked in her own community.
"There are plenty of healthy women to choose from around here. A man needs a strong wife to stand by his side," Jacob insisted... 139
The women are equally shocked that Gideon wants to court Rebecca.
If he could convince Rebecca of his feelings before she had her surgery, he could be by her side no matter what her results were. He needed her to understand his affection had nothing to do with her sight or lack of it. He decided to take this chance.
Drawing a deep breath, he said, "It's Rebecca Beachy."
Emma's brows arched in surprise. "You wish to court Rebecca? You don't mind that she is blind?"
"Why should I mind? She is funny, she is devout, she is hard-working and she has a wonderful smile. I loved her when we were young. I never thought I'd have a chance to love her again, but God has been good to me. After all these years she is not married and beyond my reach. Rebecca is the woman of my heart." 142
I was angry with these people, but I know Davids' view of reality is a lot more true than Miller's more loving one.
2.) Ableism Well, there were things I found offensive in this book. Not Gideon's deceit at the beginning, though. No, the two things that bothered me were a.) when, on page 200, Rebecca refers to being able to see again as 'being made whole.' That stung.
Another thing that really annoyed me about Davids' handling of Rebecca's blindness was
So, that bugged me.
3.) Even though Gideon's deceit at the beginning of the novel didn't bug me, his conversation with Rebecca's father later in the book did. I'm against women's futures being plotted in back rooms by the men in her life. I know this is a Christian patriarchal society, and that really pisses me off. What does the woman think? What is the woman's decision? How does she feel about this? Isn't it her choice to date or not date a man? I'm not on board with this "for her own good" shit. I understand it is a result of this society, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.
TL;DR A stunning piece of Amish Christian Romance. Add some hot sex in here, and you'd have a five-star romance novel. Unfortunately, authors make these books sexless. :(
The emotions are palpable. Gideon is the kind of calm, patient mensch who gets me going. If only he was allowed to take Rebecca to bed! :(
I enjoyed this second-chance romance, it was emotionally satisfying. Although I had problems with it, overall it was pleasant. Recommended for those seeking 'clean' Christian Romantic fiction.
MENTIONS OF GOD 137
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
No sex. Some light kissing.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
Contemporary Romance
Holiday/Christmas Romance
Inspirational Romance
Second Chance Romance
Virgin Hero Romance - I'm guessing
Amish Romance
Disabled Heroine
He's a Mechanic, former Pilot; She's a... Amish Women Aren't Allowed to Work for Pay
November 21, 2017
The Christmas Quilt is a beautiful read, especially as we prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love to quilt, so this book again was interesting to me. The symbolism of the quilt was cleverly portrayed throughout this short, inspiring novel. Now I must finish my Christmas quilt.
This quotation was written by the author.
“May the Lord bless and keep you and may He shine the light of His love upon you. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.”
This quotation was written by the author.
“May the Lord bless and keep you and may He shine the light of His love upon you. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.”
November 5, 2019
I loved this sweet and tender Christmas story by Patricia Davids. It isn't one of her new releases but this is the first time that I have read it. I was looking for a good digital library book to read and fell in love with the cover of this book. A very nice Amish Christmas Romance that swept this reader in from the first chapter.
Gideon wasn't always a pilot. In fact he was raised in an Amish family. Always curious about the English world outside the community, when his first love Rebecca Beachy turned down his marriage proposal, he decided to leave the Amish faith and learn to fly a plane.
The years had not been so good to Rebecca as she had lost her eye sight. Adjusting her life to her condition she was able to make beautiful Amish quilts, with the help of her Aunt Vera. Then she learned that there was an eye surgeon that might be able to help her regain her sight . The cost of this surgery would be more than she could ever afford and as an Amish person she didn't have health insurance. Would she ever be able to raise enough money to cover the cost of the procedure?
While watching the news Gideon gets caught up in a story about a blind Amish lady from the community that he grew up in. She was wanting to auction off a beautiful quilt she had made herself in hopes of raising money to help pay for a surgery to restore her eye sight. Gideon sees a picture of the blind lady and recognises Rebecca the girl he has always loved. He didn't know she was blind and wonders what he can do to help her get the money she desperately needs.
I was completely drawn into this beautiful story. The fact that it was well researched by the author made it seem so real. It doesn't happen often that a book can make this reader cry , but this one did.
I highly recommend it to all readers of Amish Fiction. It's a very good Christmas read and you won't be disappointed with it. It's book 5 of the Brides of Amish Country series but can be read as a stand alone.
I downloaded a Kindle version from the digital library. A review was not requested. All opinions shared here are my own.
Gideon wasn't always a pilot. In fact he was raised in an Amish family. Always curious about the English world outside the community, when his first love Rebecca Beachy turned down his marriage proposal, he decided to leave the Amish faith and learn to fly a plane.
The years had not been so good to Rebecca as she had lost her eye sight. Adjusting her life to her condition she was able to make beautiful Amish quilts, with the help of her Aunt Vera. Then she learned that there was an eye surgeon that might be able to help her regain her sight . The cost of this surgery would be more than she could ever afford and as an Amish person she didn't have health insurance. Would she ever be able to raise enough money to cover the cost of the procedure?
While watching the news Gideon gets caught up in a story about a blind Amish lady from the community that he grew up in. She was wanting to auction off a beautiful quilt she had made herself in hopes of raising money to help pay for a surgery to restore her eye sight. Gideon sees a picture of the blind lady and recognises Rebecca the girl he has always loved. He didn't know she was blind and wonders what he can do to help her get the money she desperately needs.
I was completely drawn into this beautiful story. The fact that it was well researched by the author made it seem so real. It doesn't happen often that a book can make this reader cry , but this one did.
I highly recommend it to all readers of Amish Fiction. It's a very good Christmas read and you won't be disappointed with it. It's book 5 of the Brides of Amish Country series but can be read as a stand alone.
I downloaded a Kindle version from the digital library. A review was not requested. All opinions shared here are my own.
December 14, 2011
Gideon Troyer left his Amish community years ago after his long time girlfriend, Rebecca Beachy, rejected him. He fulfilled his dreams of becoming a pilot. He had no desire to return home until he sees a tv news story about Rebecca; he discovers that she is blind, and a quilt she made is going to be auctioned off to raise money for surgery that could restore her sight.
Gideon returns to Hope Springs, so that he can buy the quilt to help Rebecca; he also spends time her when a snowstorm prevents him from returning home, and they are staying in the same inn, but he does not tell Rebecca who he really is. Gideon has a bad cold at the time which "disguises" his voice, but Rebecca feels attracted to him, and can't shake the feeling that he is someone she has met before.
After spending time getting to know her again, Gideon starts to consider giving up his life and freedom as a pilot, and return to the Amish and win Rebecca back, but will she forgive him for leaving in the first place?
I really enjoyed this story, it was sweet without being "syrupy". The only thing that bothered me was the fact that Rebecca's blindness was caused by an injury to just one of her eyes, so why was she blind in both? I understand she had to be totally blind for the storyline purposes, but I don't think the author had all of her medical facts right.
This book is part of a series called The Brides of Amish Country, but it works perfectly well as a stand alone novel. I previously read another book in the series, called The Farmer's Wife, and a few characters from that book made an appearance in this story as well, but there are quick explanations of their back stories so if you haven't read any of the other books, you won't feel lost.
Gideon returns to Hope Springs, so that he can buy the quilt to help Rebecca; he also spends time her when a snowstorm prevents him from returning home, and they are staying in the same inn, but he does not tell Rebecca who he really is. Gideon has a bad cold at the time which "disguises" his voice, but Rebecca feels attracted to him, and can't shake the feeling that he is someone she has met before.
After spending time getting to know her again, Gideon starts to consider giving up his life and freedom as a pilot, and return to the Amish and win Rebecca back, but will she forgive him for leaving in the first place?
I really enjoyed this story, it was sweet without being "syrupy". The only thing that bothered me was the fact that Rebecca's blindness was caused by an injury to just one of her eyes, so why was she blind in both? I understand she had to be totally blind for the storyline purposes, but I don't think the author had all of her medical facts right.
This book is part of a series called The Brides of Amish Country, but it works perfectly well as a stand alone novel. I previously read another book in the series, called The Farmer's Wife, and a few characters from that book made an appearance in this story as well, but there are quick explanations of their back stories so if you haven't read any of the other books, you won't feel lost.
September 4, 2014
Love inspired isn't my thing, Amish isn't my thing, but quilt fiction is. 1 out of three isn't too bad is it? I'll let you decide for yourself.
An Amish woman loses her sight because her boyfriend playfully throws a snowball that hits her in the face. Unknowingly that snowball contains a pine needle. The pine needle pierces her eyeball. The damage somehow causes her to go blind in both eyes (Why?). The woman feels her boyfriend won't want her, so she breaks up with him. Boyfriend is hurt and decides to leave the Amish faith and become a pilot.
He happens to pick up a newspaper one day and sees that back in Amish land there is going to be a an auction of a quilt to raise funds to help the woman get the surgery she needs to restore her sight. The article has a photo of the woman (Photographs-Amish?)
The boyfriend is surprised to see that that the blind woman happens to be the same one that dumped him many years ago. He's stunned to learn that she's been blind all these years. He decides to attend the auction and bid on her quilt.
While at the auction he accidentally sits behind the woman and decides to strike up a conversation with her. Since she's completely blind and he has a cold she has no idea it's her former boyfriend. He gets snowed in and cannot return home promptly. During the several days he's there, she falls in love with him all over again, but still doesn't realize who he is because he's given her a different name. None of the other sighted Amish people recognize him either, except his cousin.
Back home he decides to donate the rest of the money she needs for the surgery and he also decides to become Amish again. Oddly, no one recognized him this time either because he's started growing his beard . (except for 1 person who decides not to say anything). She's not willing to pick up where they left off, but he keeps trying.
Since he's wise to the outside world, he's allowed to accompany her to NYC for her surgery. The doctor does surgery on the one eye that was damaged and even tho it was a risky surgery it worked just fine and she can see out of both eyes again.
Of course he wins her love again and they'll live happily ever after.
PS After reading some of the other reviews I see I mis-remembered about the story being in the newspaper. Sorry about that.
An Amish woman loses her sight because her boyfriend playfully throws a snowball that hits her in the face. Unknowingly that snowball contains a pine needle. The pine needle pierces her eyeball. The damage somehow causes her to go blind in both eyes (Why?). The woman feels her boyfriend won't want her, so she breaks up with him. Boyfriend is hurt and decides to leave the Amish faith and become a pilot.
He happens to pick up a newspaper one day and sees that back in Amish land there is going to be a an auction of a quilt to raise funds to help the woman get the surgery she needs to restore her sight. The article has a photo of the woman (Photographs-Amish?)
The boyfriend is surprised to see that that the blind woman happens to be the same one that dumped him many years ago. He's stunned to learn that she's been blind all these years. He decides to attend the auction and bid on her quilt.
While at the auction he accidentally sits behind the woman and decides to strike up a conversation with her. Since she's completely blind and he has a cold she has no idea it's her former boyfriend. He gets snowed in and cannot return home promptly. During the several days he's there, she falls in love with him all over again, but still doesn't realize who he is because he's given her a different name. None of the other sighted Amish people recognize him either, except his cousin.
Back home he decides to donate the rest of the money she needs for the surgery and he also decides to become Amish again. Oddly, no one recognized him this time either because he's started growing his beard . (except for 1 person who decides not to say anything). She's not willing to pick up where they left off, but he keeps trying.
Since he's wise to the outside world, he's allowed to accompany her to NYC for her surgery. The doctor does surgery on the one eye that was damaged and even tho it was a risky surgery it worked just fine and she can see out of both eyes again.
Of course he wins her love again and they'll live happily ever after.
PS After reading some of the other reviews I see I mis-remembered about the story being in the newspaper. Sorry about that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2011
Title: THE CHRISTMAS QUILT
Author: Patricia Davids
Publisher: Love Inspired
December 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-81588-3
Genre: Inspirational/Contemporary Romance/Amish
Gideon Troyer left his Amish community years ago after his long-time lover, Rebecca Beachy, rejected him. He fulfilled his dreams of becoming a pilot, and made more money than he knows what to do with. But returning home is the last thing on his agenda—until he sees a television broadcast about a quilt auction to help fund a surgery to hopefully restore sight to a blind Amish woman—Rebecca Beachy.
Rebecca is attracted to the unseen English man who appears at her side at the auction, and feels that he is familiar, but she can’t place why. She is stunned to learn that he buys her quilt and hurries to thank him. He says he’s leaving, but an ice storm keeps him stranded at the same hotel she’s staying at. The next day, Rebecca and Gideon spend the day together, but she still doesn’t realize who he really is.
Will Gideon be able to give up his planes and freedom and return to life as an Amish man? Will Rebecca ever forgive him for leaving her and taking her heart?
THE CHRISTMAS QUILT is a beautiful Christmassy story set in Ohio. It is the fifth book in Ms. Davis’ Brides of Amish Country series, but it easily stands alone. I enjoyed getting to know Gideon and Rebecca.
I haven’t read all of Ms. Davids’ books, but out of the ones I’ve read, I liked this one the best. It was a good way to spend the day after Thanksgiving, relaxing and reading. I enjoyed the characters and the setting and of course, the romance. If you are looking for a good Christmassy Amish romance, then THE CHRISTMAS QUILT is a good book to consider. Discussion questions are included at the end. $6.50. 280 pages.
Author: Patricia Davids
Publisher: Love Inspired
December 2011
ISBN: 978-0-373-81588-3
Genre: Inspirational/Contemporary Romance/Amish
Gideon Troyer left his Amish community years ago after his long-time lover, Rebecca Beachy, rejected him. He fulfilled his dreams of becoming a pilot, and made more money than he knows what to do with. But returning home is the last thing on his agenda—until he sees a television broadcast about a quilt auction to help fund a surgery to hopefully restore sight to a blind Amish woman—Rebecca Beachy.
Rebecca is attracted to the unseen English man who appears at her side at the auction, and feels that he is familiar, but she can’t place why. She is stunned to learn that he buys her quilt and hurries to thank him. He says he’s leaving, but an ice storm keeps him stranded at the same hotel she’s staying at. The next day, Rebecca and Gideon spend the day together, but she still doesn’t realize who he really is.
Will Gideon be able to give up his planes and freedom and return to life as an Amish man? Will Rebecca ever forgive him for leaving her and taking her heart?
THE CHRISTMAS QUILT is a beautiful Christmassy story set in Ohio. It is the fifth book in Ms. Davis’ Brides of Amish Country series, but it easily stands alone. I enjoyed getting to know Gideon and Rebecca.
I haven’t read all of Ms. Davids’ books, but out of the ones I’ve read, I liked this one the best. It was a good way to spend the day after Thanksgiving, relaxing and reading. I enjoyed the characters and the setting and of course, the romance. If you are looking for a good Christmassy Amish romance, then THE CHRISTMAS QUILT is a good book to consider. Discussion questions are included at the end. $6.50. 280 pages.
October 27, 2015
This is the story of Gideon and Rebecca. Gideon left the faith years ago when Rebecca refused his marriage proposal. He decided to get into flying since that was always his love and he had to leave the Amish community since that is forbidden by the Amish. Rebecca is blind and consided an old maid in her community. She feels nobody wants her because she is blind and will not make a good wife. She lives with her aunt and they help each other. The story opens with Rebecca selling a quilt at an aution to raise money for a surgery that might give bring back her wye site. Gideon, who everyone calls Booker in the English world, sees a news report on the auction and the quilt made by an blind woman. Gideon decides to go to the auction to buy his lost loves quilt. At the auction he sees Rebecca but he looks different and has a cold so she does not recognize him, even though he feels familiar. He ends up buying the quilt and meets his cousin Adam. Adam offers to let him stay at the Inn his wife and him own, since the roads are closed. Little does he know that Rebecca and her aunt will be staying at the Inn also. Will they be able to find love again or will secrets of the past from both of them make it impossible?
As with all the stories in this series, I really enjoyed it. So people say it is a little predictible and I guess that is kind of true but I still enjoyed it. I also enjoyed getting to see characters from previous books in the series again. I really like how the author brings something new to the book for the reader to learn about one book was Alpacas and this book was eye diseases and cures for them. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to others in the series that I have not read.
As with all the stories in this series, I really enjoyed it. So people say it is a little predictible and I guess that is kind of true but I still enjoyed it. I also enjoyed getting to see characters from previous books in the series again. I really like how the author brings something new to the book for the reader to learn about one book was Alpacas and this book was eye diseases and cures for them. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to others in the series that I have not read.
November 11, 2012
This was a really sweet story, if a bit contrived in places. I actually ended up walking a partially-blind friend home last night (his sight is affected by light, so he can see well in daylight but not at all at nighttime) and I think this book gave me a better appreciation for what it means to be blind. I definitely preferred this book to the other one I've read by this author, An Amish Christmas, but I still found it a bit predictable in places. But I did like reading about all the secondary characters who had appeared in previous books and would like to go back and get to know the other characters better someday. All in all, a sweet book if you don't mind a bit of predictability. 3.5*
September 9, 2016
This is the first book I've read by Patricia Davids. The story, one of redemption and hope, took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. Although I liked all the characters, I think Gideon was my favorite. His kind heart was so touching. I think even readers who don't typically like Amish fiction would enjoy this one.
June 18, 2014
All I can say is Patricia Davids does it again. I love learning about the Amish and how strong their faith is. I also like learning about why they do and don't do things. Great story!
November 28, 2022
It's hit or miss with Patricia Davids. I've read some *phenomenal* books by hers... I've had DNF-ers at 16 pages. This one? It's a definite MISS.
BUT...!!!! The premise is *right* up my alley, so I had to add a star for it. I love imperfect hero/heroine stories. I'm also extremely fussy about the research the author does on her physical disability.
Rebecca (because *ALL* Amish women are Rebecca, I swear...) was hit with a snowball that had a pine needle in it, and while she was rushed to the hospital and released okay... she was diagnosed with uveitis in BOTH eyes (?!?!?!) and started going blind. The process took SEVEN YEARS. According to the web med sites, uveitis is fast moving and comes on quickly, but doesn't spread from one eye to another, so... what the farts?!?!
The guy who hit her with the snowball proposed, she said no (because who wants a blind wife) but she didn't tell him why. He was torn between this soul-deep desire to fly (become a pilot) and marry her, so when she rebuffed him, he left the Amish and went after his heart's desire. He'd been baptised, so YES, this resulted in a shunning of him.
Ten years later, Gideon is 'Booker'. Because Gideon - Bible - Good Book - Booker. Except that's something Patricia Davids would know, not Craig NonBeliever in 2011. Booker sees her on television (REALLY?! They would've asked no photos/videos be taken, hello), and finds out that 1) she's blind, 2) she's raising money for a surgery to restore her sight via quilt auction. He's sick and grounded anyhow, so he takes his laryngitis and cold to Ohio to bid on her quilt.
Due to no voice and ten years time, she doesn't recognize him, he finds out she's single, he falls hard all over again, and decides to go back to the Amish, mostly because Rebecca, partly because he's lonely. But he *LOVES* flying.
Gideon goes home, 'admits his mistake' (pg126)... WHAT IS THAT?! If it was his choice, his dream, his chosen path, why would he EVER regret having flown? NO. Absolutely not.
Pg 136 says that being Amish is about resisting temptation and evil. I'm sorry, but there's JUST as much gossip, slander, lying, cheating, drugs, and evil amongst the Amish. On top of that, they're hypocrites - riding in a car is okay, but driving one isn't? If cars are evil, abstain!
Worse, they add to scripture (Ordnung), which is explicitly forbidden in the Bible, so they're OUT of God's will. Rosanne goes to church as a non-Amish - Gideon knows there are plenty of people out there who ARE in God's will who aren't Amish, so... the whole thing is ridiculous.
In a perfect world, she would love him enough to leave and become Mennonite so he could fly. But Rebecca, we find, is a selfish arse the ENTIRE BOOK. Muh eyes. Muh sister. Muh aunt. Muh future. Muh quilts. Muh surgery. Me-me-me-me-me. She *NEVER* puts anyone else before herself. She' a hideous person, and while she's drawn to Gideon, she's more about herself. And this NEVER changes.
Her sister is already 'shunned'. And if she went Mennonite, she would still have limited privileges in the more liberal community that she's moved to. She KNOWS his love of flying. But while he gives every dime he has, ever dream he's EVER had, everything he's built for himself (his business, his friendships) for her... she won't give *ANYTHING* for him. She's a piece of work not worthy of him.
And she could still have a relationship with her sister. With her family (if she were Mennonite), to an extent. And she'd have Gideon, too. Not to mention his friends, their wives, the children they'd have... she would NEVER be alone.
Pg 218 Gideon is talking about potential brides and says one woman "is fifteen years older and likes garlic". But he's been in the community barely a few weeks, it's not the community where he grew up... HOW does he know these details about the women????
Then comes the whole surgery thing, which is ridiculously unbelievable. They basically 'cure' her with a cornea transplant, which 1) doesn't require a NY city specialist surgeon and 2) isn't outpatient, hello. They send her to the hotel after her 2 hour surgery, and ONE DAY LATER they're taking off the bandages, and - VOILA! - she can see.
I've watched 'Blink'. ((Yes, it's horror and rated 'R'.)) It's about corneal surgery. The brain 1) can't accept vision after not having had any for any extended amount of time, so everything is blurry at first as the brain readjusts to 'seeing'. More, it sees things 'delayed', where the muscles are weak yet and can't keep up with the images, so things she sees wouldn't translate in real time right away, and/or would be distorted as the brain worked out the imaging. NONE of this happens in the book.
They don't even require her to wear wrap-around dark glasses to help her eyes/brain adjust to the light, hello.
It's just *VOILA!* She sees!! Yay!!
That's NOT how it works.
Then Gideon says THE DUMBEST thing. "Your kapp is on straight, there's no egg on your apron, and there's no dust on your backside". He's quoting from the beginning of the story, but 1) this is irrelevant to the 'I can see' scene, 2) it wasn't even HIMSELF he was referencing, it was something he overheard her aunt say, and 3) it's WEIRD. Why would he say that to her? It makes NO sense.
Then a week later she 'relapses' by hitting her head, which is actually a whole NEW reason to go blind (Footballer's migraine), and... WHY???!?!?!?!?!?!? Just why? If you're going to go the miraculous cure route (as ALL chrischun writers do), what's the point of the relapse? To diffuse her anger at finding out Gideon's Booker? Like that wouldn't happen, anyhow?
It... required a TON of suspending reality to make it thru, which irked me. That I had so many dog-ears irked me even more. I just... couldn't go with it. Sorry.
BUT...!!!! The premise is *right* up my alley, so I had to add a star for it. I love imperfect hero/heroine stories. I'm also extremely fussy about the research the author does on her physical disability.
Rebecca (because *ALL* Amish women are Rebecca, I swear...) was hit with a snowball that had a pine needle in it, and while she was rushed to the hospital and released okay... she was diagnosed with uveitis in BOTH eyes (?!?!?!) and started going blind. The process took SEVEN YEARS. According to the web med sites, uveitis is fast moving and comes on quickly, but doesn't spread from one eye to another, so... what the farts?!?!
The guy who hit her with the snowball proposed, she said no (because who wants a blind wife) but she didn't tell him why. He was torn between this soul-deep desire to fly (become a pilot) and marry her, so when she rebuffed him, he left the Amish and went after his heart's desire. He'd been baptised, so YES, this resulted in a shunning of him.
Ten years later, Gideon is 'Booker'. Because Gideon - Bible - Good Book - Booker. Except that's something Patricia Davids would know, not Craig NonBeliever in 2011. Booker sees her on television (REALLY?! They would've asked no photos/videos be taken, hello), and finds out that 1) she's blind, 2) she's raising money for a surgery to restore her sight via quilt auction. He's sick and grounded anyhow, so he takes his laryngitis and cold to Ohio to bid on her quilt.
Due to no voice and ten years time, she doesn't recognize him, he finds out she's single, he falls hard all over again, and decides to go back to the Amish, mostly because Rebecca, partly because he's lonely. But he *LOVES* flying.
Gideon goes home, 'admits his mistake' (pg126)... WHAT IS THAT?! If it was his choice, his dream, his chosen path, why would he EVER regret having flown? NO. Absolutely not.
Pg 136 says that being Amish is about resisting temptation and evil. I'm sorry, but there's JUST as much gossip, slander, lying, cheating, drugs, and evil amongst the Amish. On top of that, they're hypocrites - riding in a car is okay, but driving one isn't? If cars are evil, abstain!
Worse, they add to scripture (Ordnung), which is explicitly forbidden in the Bible, so they're OUT of God's will. Rosanne goes to church as a non-Amish - Gideon knows there are plenty of people out there who ARE in God's will who aren't Amish, so... the whole thing is ridiculous.
In a perfect world, she would love him enough to leave and become Mennonite so he could fly. But Rebecca, we find, is a selfish arse the ENTIRE BOOK. Muh eyes. Muh sister. Muh aunt. Muh future. Muh quilts. Muh surgery. Me-me-me-me-me. She *NEVER* puts anyone else before herself. She' a hideous person, and while she's drawn to Gideon, she's more about herself. And this NEVER changes.
Her sister is already 'shunned'. And if she went Mennonite, she would still have limited privileges in the more liberal community that she's moved to. She KNOWS his love of flying. But while he gives every dime he has, ever dream he's EVER had, everything he's built for himself (his business, his friendships) for her... she won't give *ANYTHING* for him. She's a piece of work not worthy of him.
And she could still have a relationship with her sister. With her family (if she were Mennonite), to an extent. And she'd have Gideon, too. Not to mention his friends, their wives, the children they'd have... she would NEVER be alone.
Pg 218 Gideon is talking about potential brides and says one woman "is fifteen years older and likes garlic". But he's been in the community barely a few weeks, it's not the community where he grew up... HOW does he know these details about the women????
Then comes the whole surgery thing, which is ridiculously unbelievable. They basically 'cure' her with a cornea transplant, which 1) doesn't require a NY city specialist surgeon and 2) isn't outpatient, hello. They send her to the hotel after her 2 hour surgery, and ONE DAY LATER they're taking off the bandages, and - VOILA! - she can see.
I've watched 'Blink'. ((Yes, it's horror and rated 'R'.)) It's about corneal surgery. The brain 1) can't accept vision after not having had any for any extended amount of time, so everything is blurry at first as the brain readjusts to 'seeing'. More, it sees things 'delayed', where the muscles are weak yet and can't keep up with the images, so things she sees wouldn't translate in real time right away, and/or would be distorted as the brain worked out the imaging. NONE of this happens in the book.
They don't even require her to wear wrap-around dark glasses to help her eyes/brain adjust to the light, hello.
It's just *VOILA!* She sees!! Yay!!
That's NOT how it works.
Then Gideon says THE DUMBEST thing. "Your kapp is on straight, there's no egg on your apron, and there's no dust on your backside". He's quoting from the beginning of the story, but 1) this is irrelevant to the 'I can see' scene, 2) it wasn't even HIMSELF he was referencing, it was something he overheard her aunt say, and 3) it's WEIRD. Why would he say that to her? It makes NO sense.
Then a week later she 'relapses' by hitting her head, which is actually a whole NEW reason to go blind (Footballer's migraine), and... WHY???!?!?!?!?!?!? Just why? If you're going to go the miraculous cure route (as ALL chrischun writers do), what's the point of the relapse? To diffuse her anger at finding out Gideon's Booker? Like that wouldn't happen, anyhow?
It... required a TON of suspending reality to make it thru, which irked me. That I had so many dog-ears irked me even more. I just... couldn't go with it. Sorry.
January 16, 2018
Amish Rebecca Beachy rejected Gideon Troyer's marriage proposal for an unkown reason 10 years ago, causing Gideon to leave his Amish community to learn to be a pilot. Since then he's been shunned and has not returned. When he chances to see a tv report about a quilt auction to raise money for an operation to help Rebecca regain her sight, he takes the chance to return to Hope Springs, Ohio for the auction and to find out what's going on. What he finds, is the hope and courage to give up his life "outside" and flying and return to the Amish - and hopefully win Rebecca.
Clean story with a bit of an unusual twist on how real life infringes on the Amish community.
Clean story with a bit of an unusual twist on how real life infringes on the Amish community.
September 19, 2017
This is the 5th book by Patricia Davids that I have read and it was by far my favorite. It was a beautiful story of love and redemption. Putting your faith in God will bring you all the joys you've ever imagined. In times of trial Rebecca was able to love again and find forgiveness even when she felt she didn't deserve it. Excellent story!
December 20, 2019
A sweet romance. She rejected his proposal, she new she was going blind. He left the Amish to learn to fly. The church shunned him because he had already been baptized. 10 years later Gideon see a tv announcement for a quilt sale to raise funds for Rebecca Beachy experimental surgery to cure her blindness. Loved it. Just right for this time of the season.
December 25, 2022
I was delighted with Gideon and Rebecca’s second chance romance because though they have been separated for years it’s obvious from the start that neither has forgotten their first love. Rebecca’s adaptive life skills and her quilting abilities are impressive as is her acceptance of her blindness and her intense Christian faith. It is that aspect of God’s will and love that draws me to Amish romance stories time and time again. I admired Gideon’s commitment to returning to his Amish community and though it takes a while for Rebecca to look past his faults there is no denying the man’s love for her and his Amish roots. This is a wonderful story and I enjoyed it immensely.
March 17, 2025
Rebecca and Gideon were a young Amish couple, until there was a major misunderstanding and Gideon left the community. When Gideon returns, Rebecca is blind, yet he still loves he. There is a chance that surgery can help her, but there are many obstacles. I liked this quote that "courage is simply fear that has said its prayers."
June 17, 2018
I’m so enjoying this series. Since this book is no longer available in libraries and stores, my daughter hooked me up with Hoopla and now I am able to read all the books in the series. One a day 5 days in a row. Fun!!!
April 21, 2019
Such a touching story! Rebecca Breachy is a strong woman who has had to give up love and adjust her life from being blind. Gideon Troyer left the Amish. He pursued his dream, but felt an emptiness. This is a story of two people who seeks forgiveness and love. I enjoyed their love story.
March 1, 2020
Sweet second chance romance. Gideon and Rebecca reunite ten years later when he finds out she’s gone blind and is in need of funds to pay for her surgery.
I liked Rebecca’s independence and Gideon’s big heart.
I liked Rebecca’s independence and Gideon’s big heart.
November 21, 2024
This was something that I would typically never read, but I thought it would be interesting to try something new. Although it's not my taste, I enjoyed the book enough to finish it. 3 stars because I feel neutral about it.
January 13, 2018
I can't understand how this got such high ratings. Thought the whole story was rather "hokey".
July 15, 2018
Excellent story!
I really enjoyed this story. I could just feel the love between Gideon and Rebecca. I couldn't hardly put it down. This is an excellent series.
I really enjoyed this story. I could just feel the love between Gideon and Rebecca. I couldn't hardly put it down. This is an excellent series.
January 5, 2019
A sweet love story. A young man returning to his Amish roots. The woman who had rejected him ten years ago. Will they be able to begin again?
August 15, 2019
Very good!
July 17, 2021
Great series. This series can be read out of order.
April 27, 2022
I liked this book. Nice story about 2nd chances. The characters were 3-dimensional and, for a change, it is a romance where the man is the protagonist.
July 9, 2023
Another Great Read Amish Man Now English Amish Blind Woman A TV news report begins a Journey of Reconnecting Faith in God some New info about decisions made and LOVE that never died ☺️☺️☺️
December 23, 2023
A wonderful Amish Christmas read! 🎄
Lovely storyline and characters
Lovely storyline and characters
June 8, 2025
Cute book!
November 7, 2014
I believe this is the second novel I've read by Patricia Davids. Both happen to be Christmas books in her Brides of Amish Country series. I enjoyed it very much.
Gabriel "Booker" Troyer grew up Amish, but, he was almost always a little restless. So when the love of his life, Rebecca Beachy, turns down his marriage proposal, off he goes. Because he was baptized into the faith, or, into the community, he is to be shunned now. This bothers him more than he'd like to admit, I believe. When readers meet him, we learn he's a pilot with a small business. In the opening scenes, readers witness a sick (and probably contagious) Booker watch television. He just happens to see a clip on the local news about the Amish community, about a fund raiser, an auction with quilts. They are raising funds for a blind woman, Rebecca Beachy. She's contributing at least one of the quilts that are being auctioned, I believe. Booker is shocked and determined. Shocked because he had no clue that his former lover had turned blind. Determined to go there, to buy her quilt no matter what, to contribute what money he can to pay for the surgery that could restore her sight. Equally determined it turns out to NOT reveal his identity.
Rebecca Beachy has accepted her blindness. It was an accident pure and simple that caused the blindness. A snowball with the needle of a pine tree hidden inside. No one knew it was there, of course, no one thought an innocent snowball fight would end up with her getting hit in the eye, and her eye being cut. She learned soon after that an infection-leading-to-disease would take away her sight completely in a few years. She did NOT tell the man she was courting the news. That man, of course, was Gabriel. She's graceful and grateful. Perhaps a tiny bit too good to be true, but, then there are occasions where she's fiery and fierce.
So. The two reconnect. As Booker and Rebecca at the auction. He gets snowed in by bad weather and the two see each other a few times over the course of a few days. The connection is there or still there. Their time together as awkward and as forbidden as it is special to them both.
Will Gideon decide to return to the Amish in repentance? Will he be reunited with his family? Will he reconnect with Rebecca as Gideon? Do they have a future together? And will enough money be raised to pay for Rebecca's eye surgery? Will she regain her sight?
I liked this one very much. There was so much to enjoy!
Gabriel "Booker" Troyer grew up Amish, but, he was almost always a little restless. So when the love of his life, Rebecca Beachy, turns down his marriage proposal, off he goes. Because he was baptized into the faith, or, into the community, he is to be shunned now. This bothers him more than he'd like to admit, I believe. When readers meet him, we learn he's a pilot with a small business. In the opening scenes, readers witness a sick (and probably contagious) Booker watch television. He just happens to see a clip on the local news about the Amish community, about a fund raiser, an auction with quilts. They are raising funds for a blind woman, Rebecca Beachy. She's contributing at least one of the quilts that are being auctioned, I believe. Booker is shocked and determined. Shocked because he had no clue that his former lover had turned blind. Determined to go there, to buy her quilt no matter what, to contribute what money he can to pay for the surgery that could restore her sight. Equally determined it turns out to NOT reveal his identity.
Rebecca Beachy has accepted her blindness. It was an accident pure and simple that caused the blindness. A snowball with the needle of a pine tree hidden inside. No one knew it was there, of course, no one thought an innocent snowball fight would end up with her getting hit in the eye, and her eye being cut. She learned soon after that an infection-leading-to-disease would take away her sight completely in a few years. She did NOT tell the man she was courting the news. That man, of course, was Gabriel. She's graceful and grateful. Perhaps a tiny bit too good to be true, but, then there are occasions where she's fiery and fierce.
So. The two reconnect. As Booker and Rebecca at the auction. He gets snowed in by bad weather and the two see each other a few times over the course of a few days. The connection is there or still there. Their time together as awkward and as forbidden as it is special to them both.
Will Gideon decide to return to the Amish in repentance? Will he be reunited with his family? Will he reconnect with Rebecca as Gideon? Do they have a future together? And will enough money be raised to pay for Rebecca's eye surgery? Will she regain her sight?
I liked this one very much. There was so much to enjoy!
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