A Quaker Christmas

by Lauralee Bliss

Christmas is a simple matter among the Quakers of the historic Ohio River Valley, but can it be time to welcome love into four households? The Hall family runs an inn that welcomes travelers like Silas Jones who challenge their beliefs and woo their daughter. Widowed Lucinda Hughes mourns her husband’s death, while Will Davis blames himself for his friend’s demise. Keturah Wilkes is curious and outspoken among her community, which leads her to trouble among Henry Mangun’s rowdy family. Susannah Griffith has only been an observer of her new husband’s activity with the Underground Railroad until this Christmas Eve.

Genres: Christmas, Christian Fiction, Amish, Romance, Anthologies, Novella, Fiction

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Lauralee Bliss is a published author of over thirty Christian romance novels and novellas in both historical and contemporary with nearly 600,000 sold. In 2018 she received a 25-book published award from ACFW. Her recent releases are Escape from Amsterdam and two books in the Angel Series - Christmas Angels of Virginia and Angel in the Crossroad.

Lauralee enjoys writing books reminiscent of a roller coaster ride for the reader. Her desire is for readers to come away with an entertaining story and a lesson that ministers to the heart. Her new imprint HeartSoul Press exemplifies this.

Lauralee is also an avid hiker, hiking the entire Appalachian Trail twice from Georgia to Maine and from Maine to Georgia, one of only 24 women to accomplish this feat. She has also completed other trails totaling over 10,000 miles including the Florida Trail of which her Florida Trail adventure "Gators, Guts and Glory" is part of the Hiking Adventure Series along with Mountains, Madness and Miracles - 4000 Miles Along the Appalachian Trail.

Reviews

[Sarah Sundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Christmas novella collection offers a sweet remedy for seasonal stress—short, uplifting stories to refresh your love of the holiday. The four stories were each satisfying, although my favorite was Rachael Phillips's due to her fabulous humor. This collection is as delightful as the gingerbread cookies the four women share.

[Carolyn Vandine West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this collection of novellas focusing on the Christmas season and the Quaker lifestyle.
I did not realize that the Quakers do not celebrate Christmas and how much they were persecuted. I did know they helped with the Underground Railroad from references in history. One of these stories the last one focused on that.
Nothing heavy here just some light reading for the season. If I had started reading it sooner I would have just read one at a time, but now that Christmas is over so is this book.
I received this book at no cost from Amazon, but am not sure who to credit for that benefit.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought all but the third of the novels in this collection were dull and boring. Most had little to do with Christmas. The last story was a little more interesting with a non Quaker woman married to a Quaker and trying to hide slaves on the underground railway.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary is leary of Silas who is not respectful of their Quaker ways and beliefs, but can they each come to a mutual understanding?

Will feels responsible for a fatal accident that claimed the life of his best friend, Alan. Can Alan's widow Lucinda accept what was and look ahead to what is yet to become?

Some say the River Pirates are a legend of the past, while others believe they still rule the waters and land. Henry longs to escape from his questionable lifestyle. When Henry rescues a woman who has fallen into the water his priorities take on a new promise. Each possesses a different belief and way of life but can the two successfully blend their future?

For Susanna, the wife of an Underground Railroad Abolitionist, life can be lonely indeed for the times when Nathan is away. When a runaway slave shows up at her door one cold night looking for a way to escape the injustices of the South, Susanna is given an opportunity to make a difference and to prove her equality.

Using authentic language of the Quaker Friends in conversations added to the charm of these novellas. It did take some getting used the language used in the beginning of reading but I soon got lost in them! I enjoyed them all but my favorites were: Pirate of My Heart and Equally Yoked. The suspense was gripping! The overall messages are inspiring and I was challenged in my faith. I highly recommend these well written novellas!

[Jae Roth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot figure out the 5 star ratings. I couldn't even finish the second story, the first two were so bad. Sorry to the authors of the remaining stories, but there are too many things on my to read list to struggle through this mess.

The first story was terrible. The dialogue was banal, and the whole story was amaturish. I was stunned to find out this author had been publish prior. The story was stiff and stilted. I could not have cared less about the characters. If you are writing a romance there must be chemistry between your H and h. There was zero. The reactions of the characters were ridiculous. I'd say they were one dimensional, but the characterization in the first story was't even that good.

This is the sanctimonious, poorly written nonsense that gives inspirational fiction a bad name. I had been curious about the series, Romancing America, but if this is an example of the quality of writing from this publisher, no thank you.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Crossroad to Love - three stars. Sweet little romance and good characters.
Simple Gifts - Three stars. Sweet but didn't really stand out.
Pirate of my heart - One star. This story was to short for the chosen plot. I hated everyone but Henry.
Equally Yoked - Four stars. Best of the book. I loved that it was about a husband and wife.

Overall - a weak collection that really wasn't very good.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of four novellas. I am not a fan of historical fiction, but these were great stories! I did not realize how much the early Quakers were persecuted. These novellas brought that home. All four stories were well written and the characters came to life for me!

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of four Christmas novellas each featuring a Quaker heroine. An enjoyable read at Christmas time with each novella only taking an hour or less. Great book to take a break from shopping or wrapping.

[Alice LaJuett · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyable

This was a truly enjoyable read.Great characters, good storylines. It was a good way to while away the evening. I will read more from these authors.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four short novellas. New to me authors. My favorite was Equally Yoked by Claire Sanders.

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only like one of the four short stories in this book. Maybe it was because of mainly Quaker plain speak. The story by Claire Sanders was delightful easy reading. The other I struggled with. I am a very good reader so this book came as an unpleasant surprise to me.

[Happyscrapper · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - i’m seeing a pattern reading these Christmas books that have multiple authors in one book and I do not finish them or struggle to finish them. I’ve got a couple more of my stash from the library. We’ll see how they go.

[Auroura]

it was good easy to follow

[Shelly Dabbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different kind of Christmas book of stories as the Quakers do not celebrate the holiday in traditional ways. Stories were good.

[Zach Strassburger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridiculous but decent escapism

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There wasn't much Christmas celebration because that is not the Quaker way, but I enjoyed these four stories about Quakers at Christmas in the 1800s. I think my favorite was the one about the Underground Railroad because it had some suspense.

[Lynn Lorenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally read Christian romance, but this is such a sweet romance, and I do love those! Also I love historicals and this is a time period I'm interested in.
Claire's story was my favorite, although they were all good.
If you're looking for a sweet story and a glimpse into the Quaker world, this is the book for you!

[Janie R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy this reading this book about the Quakers,though they didn't celebrate Christmas, some of the characters knew a little about the traditional Christmas. There is a great recipe in the back of the book fro Gingerbread cookies. I always enjoy reading books about the Quakers.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really into Amish books. This Quaker one was a good read. I especially like the last story. It was less of a love story and more about the human spirit urging us to help other people. Each story in this was different, yet all were good. Or maybe I am just easy to please.

[~*Trema*~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too slow paced and simple for me. Definitely liked the last story best. (Equally Yoked by Claire Sanders).

[Phyllis Swain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked all 4 of these books about the simple life of Quakers and how they celebrate Christmas. Took me back to a much simpler time, when we focused on what was really important in our lives.

[Terrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading; heart warming stories.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Enjoyable

I enjoy novels based on pieces of American history. The last book in this collection was my favorite. Very well written.

[star]

Good Book