The Christmas Cradle

Seasons of the Heart #6

by Charlotte Hubbard

The Christmas Cradle

For the peaceful town of Willow Ridge, November presents an early holiday surprise. Stranded in the snow, 18-year-old Lena Esh and her boyfriend Josiah Witmer need more than a place to stay for the night. Lena defied her strict family and their judgmental beliefs to run away with Josiah and have his baby. But she's starting to wonder if he can prove as responsible as he is passionate. And she isn't sure how—or if—they can ever find a place to truly call home.

Expecting their own miracle baby, Miriam and Ben Hooley rally the town to help the young couple, and Lena draws strength from their unexpected support. Though trouble may come calling, in this season of joyous rebirth, a little child will lead them. And two couples will see their dreams of forever family come true . . .

Genres: Amish, Christmas, Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Audiobook, Amish Fiction

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 29, 2015

About the author

Drawing upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi, longtime Missourian Charlotte Hubbard (a.k.a. Naomi King) writes of simpler times and a faith-based lifestyle in her new Seasons of the Heart series. Like her heroine, Miriam Lantz, Charlotte considers it her personal mission to feed people—to share hearth and home. Faith and family, farming and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle, and the foundation of her earlier Angels of Mercy series. She’s a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and when she’s not writing, she loves to try new recipes, crochet, and sew. Charlotte now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout THE CHRISTMAS CRADLE there are many ups and downs, but with faith and lots of praying, everyone gets what they need the most. When tragedy strikes, will Faith be enough to carry the townsfolk through? Can Willow Ridge survive? I still can't believe this is the end of the Seasons of the Heart series. Charlotte Hubbard has a new series coming out in March 2016 and I can't wait to get started. Her characters are very lovable and strong and it always feels as if I'm reading about old friends. Charlotte also includes some delicious recipes at the end of this book. I love how Ms. Hubbard's stories always leave me with so much hope and faith. Now I need to find all the ingredients for the Chocolate Bread recipe that is included in this story that everyone in Willow Ridge loves so much.


ARC provided from Netgalley for an honest review.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Cradle by Charlotte Hubbard is the sixth book in Seasons of the Heart series. Ben and Miriam Hooley are expecting a baby. Miriam never thought she would ever have another child. It has been twenty-two years since she gave birth to the triplets. They baby is due around Christmas. Ben is working on a special gift for Miriam and the baby. One night while it is snowing heavily a buggy comes up their lane. Ben can hear the couple arguing inside the smithy.

Josiah Witmer and Magdalena “Lena” Esh have been traveling in the buggy for many hours. Lena is eight months pregnant and is exhausted. Josiah was offered a job at a supper club in Higher Ground by Hiram Knepp (I just groaned when I read this little tidbit). Ben offers the couple a place to stay for the night (because of the storm), but he also hopes to convince them not to go to Higher Ground. Getting Josiah to listen to them will be difficult. Unfortunately, Josiah is determined, hot headed, and makes rash decisions (without consulting other people involved). Lena thought the offer was too good to be true, but she is unable to go home. Her parents told her that if she left with Josiah, she would not be welcomed back home (they are not married). Josiah and Lena are very young to be starting a family especially on the wrong foot. Can everyone in Willow Ridge help this young couple? If Josiah does stay in Willow Ridge, what will Hiram Knepp do to the townspeople (especially poor Miriam)? What will Miriam and Ben name their newest child (it’s different but fits with the family)?

The Christmas Cradle is a lovely, heartwarming story. I enjoyed every bit of this book. It has a wonderful setting (Willow Ridge, Missouri), some great characters (Miriam, Ben, the triplets, Tom Hostetler, etc.), and good messages. The Christmas Cradle is well-written and will have you engaged from the very first page. I give The Christmas Cradle 5 out of 5 stars. I especially loved the ending of The Christmas Cradle (it is just delightful).

I received a complimentary copy of The Christmas Cradle from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone loves a great Christmas story and this one provides the perfect setting and plot. I was totally engaged from the first page!! The story begins in November presenting us with a unique and very touching holiday surprise. Eighteen year old Lena and her boyfriend are stranded and need a place to stay, just for the night.... or so they think. Lena, from a very strict family, has been banished from her home and their judgmental beliefs to run away with Josiah and have his babe. Is she doing the right thing?? Even she , wonders at times!! Meanwhile, Miriam and Ben , who just happen to live nearby, are expecting their own miracle baby. They and the town rally around this young couple to extend a much needed helping hand .

The characters were described in a realistic and truly lovable way. I felt their every trial, disappointment and joy!! The plot moves quickly and is filled with unexpected twists and turns. Both sets of expectant parents experience troublesome times, shocking tragedies and disappointments, however, the Christian community pulls together to help everyone experience the true meaning of Christmas. I felt an intense sense of joy and happiness at the outcome of this book. In the season of joyous rebirth, a little child will lead them. Two families see their dreams come true, and become one!! A perfect book for the Christmas season!!

Fantastic!! It touched my heart and soul!!

Book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Joni Markowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a peaceful, easy feeling and reminded me to count my blessings.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the end of the Seasons of the Heart series. The Simple Gifts series follows the next part of the story.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels like life is crashing in around me lately and Charlotte Hubbard managed to whisk me away from all of that in The Christmas Cradle. Life was crashing in around Lena and Josiah in the story but God blessed them when He landed them at the home of Miriam and Ben Hooley in the snowstorm as they traveled to take a job from the former Bishop who had caused devastation for the entire Amish community. God has a way of turning things to good for those who are called according to His purposes though. He has a lot of work to do with Josiah to bring him around, but the Amish community takes he and Lena in and makes them feel like family, never judging them for being unmarried and expecting a baby.
I envy the way the Amish look out for each other. There are so many times when I feel alone and it seems that there is no one to help. The Amish rebuild barns, homes, and businesses for their communities and they work together to clean homes before the worship service in homes. With my disabilities, it is almost impossible for me to perform simple cleaning tasks and how I long for friends who would come in and take care of it like the Amish do for each other. I may not agree with everything the Amish do, but I love these things about them.
Thank you, Charlotte Hubbard, for a precious story of forgiveness and second chances. We could all learn a lesson on forgiveness and caring for others from the Amish and from your books. I love how this book included portions of a sermon and many scripture references. The sermon given by Ben Hooley really spoke to my aching heart as we currently deal with having to change churches due to disappointment in the church family (but never God....for I don't blame Him for the actions and sins of people).
I rate this book 5 stars and recommend it to all readers of Christian fiction.
I received an ebook of this novel from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Mave · Rating 5 out of 5]

It 's a story easy, clean, heartwarming. I love Amish culture and every time I read their stories with great pleasure. I admire their generosity, are always ready to help each other.
For Lena and Josiah is a really difficult moment: are going to have a baby but are thwarted by their families. Lena is willing to do anything for her love and to have a peaceful and loving family. They flee home, they are alone, have nowhere to go and there's a snowstorm in progress. Fortunately knock on the right door and Miriam and Ben welcome them into their home. But all the inhabitants of Willow Ridge welcome with love and without judgment these guys and try to integrate them into their communities. Ben and Miriam are expecting a child too. Ben is building a beautiful cradle, it will be a wonderful surprise for Miriam. Will Lena and Josiah find their way and be able to build a solid family and future?
It's the sixth book in the series "Seasons of the Heart", I have read only the fifth unfortunately. It can be read as a stand alone but for a greater understanding and enjoyment of the story is best to read the series in order. I'm sorry that this is the final book in the series, fortunately I still have to read the first four ones.
I love the style of this author, it is so addictive that you seem to be part of this community too. She has been able to create realistic, warm and completely lovable characters and an imaginary village, really welcoming, where I would move without any doubt. I can not wait to read another of her novels.
It was a great, lovable, well written book, a pleasure to read from start to finish! A wonderful story about forgiveness, solidarity, faith, friendship and love.
I'd recommend The Christmas Cradle to those who enjoy Christian historical romance.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.

[Andrea Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the Seasons Of The Heart novels by Charlotte Hubbard. I've read nearly all of them, and this is a wonderful addition to the series and it is a Christmas book on top of it all. That's a plus for me. I adore romances with a Christmas setting.

This is the last book in the series and I'm going to be sad to see this series go, as I loved Willow Ridge and all the inhabitants.

In this book there are two couples Ben and Miriam who you will know from past books and Lena and Josiah, both couples are expecting babies, but they are at different points in their lives and relationships and find help in one another.

Lena is pregnant but not yet wed to Josiah, who is a very volatile young man. They are on their way to Higher Ground when they have trouble with their buggy in a snow storm. Hiriam is involved in their story which always brings drama to the story. He's just not a nice guy, as anyone that's read this series will know.

Josiah has done a lot of catering back in Iowa, and was going to work at Hiriam's supper club, but once in Willow Ridge he finds God has other plans for him.

Ben and Miriam help both Lena, who is struggling with Josiah's behavior and her pregnacy and Josiah grow up, while the younger two help them with some of the issues with Sweet Seasons.

The ending is really bittersweet and brings closure to everyone, knowing that all the drama that has been occurring will be at an end.

This is a beautiful uplifting story and a fabulous way to send off this grand series. If you haven't read any of these books, I urge you to do so. You won't regret it. All of them are stand alone novels, but you will see characters from other books mixing and minging.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas Cradle was a sweet and enjoyable story. It is the newest addition to the Seasons of the Heart series set in Willow Ridge. I didn’t realize that this book wasn’t simply a stand alone book when I began reading it, but that didn’t matter. The author did a great job of bringing me up to date on who characters were and what had happened in their lives to bring them to the point they were at in this book.

I liked that there were basically two intertwined story lines going on throughout the book. They both center around the upcoming birth of babies, however, that is where the similarity ends. Ben and Miriam are joyously awaiting the arrival of their child and it was so sweet to watch these newlyweds prepare for the occasion. The other couple, Josiah and Lena, have many struggles to endure and the road has not been smooth for them. Josiah caused much frustration for me as I read, but without any spoilers, I urge readers to keep going to see the work that God does in his life.

The characters in the story must also deal with the ongoing pestering of their former bishop, Hiram Knepp. He adds just enough trouble to make the reader wonder if all will really turn out fine for the people that Hiram is harassing.

This was a fun and uplifting Amish story. I received a copy of this book, through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on the Kindle

This is the 6th & final book in the series "Seasons of the Heart"

Well what can I say it such a good book like in real life was sort of guessing the sex of births in the book & what would happen

This is full of twists & turns it also shares such a positive message about forgiveness & how we can all reflect on things that happen in life

There was some lovely bible verses if I have to give this book/series out of 10 it be a 20 lol it i would recommend this & in fact have even give the first few books as gifts I know i will be re-reading this series again but in a straight off one rather than i have which is waiting for a book to be published

A true delight to read both this book which ending by each main character being tied off nicely but the series as a whole

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story. I appreciated how Josiah and Lena both grew up, and how Miriam and Ben helped in that process. I also liked how the greater community of Willow Ridge came together to support each member of the community as need arose. That's the kind of community member I want to be.
(Note that while this does work as a stand-alone novel, there is enough backstory that it would be BEST (not necessarily necessary though) if this was read in its proper order in the series.)
2020 Re-read: I take back my note from 2015. It is definitely best to read this series in order, so you can get the full extent of what has been happening in Willow Ridge before the events of this novel. I loved the reminders that when things look bleakest, God is inviting us to walk with Him in perhaps a new and unexpected direction. (2015 reading = 3 stars, 2020 re-read = 4 stars)

[Cheryl Baranski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Cradle is book six in the Seasons of the Heart series.
Charlotte Hubbard has done it yet again. She has written another book that is so riveting and moving that I didn’t want to put it down. Characters that will capture your heart and are sure to delight you. There is so much love, laughter, tears and unexpected happenings that you won’t know what will happen next. I felt as though I was part of the story I was so caught up in it. Be sure to kick back, relax and enjoy a refreshing glass of sweet tea.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely story taking place in an Amish community. A young couple accidentally end up getting lost, and get help from someone from this community. They let them know, that the man, who has offered a job, is not someone to be trusted. There is a strong theme of forgiveness in this book. The community is forgiving of the out of wed lock pregnancy of the young couple, and they forgive the man, who does many hurtful things to the community. Miriam writes a letter to reunite the young couple, with their unforgiving parents. This was a good listen from audible.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a sweet, wholesome, and feel good read. It's faith based and places the reader inside Amish culture.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lena and Josiah are heading for the promise of a new job, but problems engulf them. Not yet married, Lena is expecting their child soon, and it seems they disagree about everything. Getting lost, they end up in Willow Ridge, which turned out to be blessing for everyone. This is an intriguing series, and this installment is one of the better ones. It’s not all goodness and light, but even out of the ashes come good things. It’s well written, with the characters readers have come to know and love.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben and Miriam are expecting 22 years after the triplets. A snow storm brings another couple also expecting a little one. This story was filled with many choices , to quit work, and be at home. For Joshia, selling the farm, and starting a restaurant business. Will he and Lena being young, will they get married. Good story to read, many characters you will enjoy, and wonder what decision they will make.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this via Audible, as it was included in membership. I wasn't too sure at first, but I did really enjoy it. Being an Amish book, I thought it would be a bit samey as others I've read but this had quite a few ups and downs in it to keep me listening. Apparently, it is the last in a series, and I haven't read the others, so in my opinion, it could be read as a stand alone. Maybe you would get more from it if you read the others first.

[Helen Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful Amish series

Yes has been one of the best series I have read in a long while. It was enjoyable, romantic, God honoring and each book had an original plot. I recommend the series. It is one you will not be able to put down. Charlotte Hubbard is one of my new favorite authors

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a pretty good story of Amish traditions. You see how religiously pious people can forget to love, first. Without love, we lack God Himself, Who is the personification of love in our lives. Where there is love (sometimes tough, with boundaries) people are able to respond and grow. It takes patience and trust in God to love people. 4⭐️s.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

We listened to this book, and the narration was good with varied voices. The story gives a glimpse into Amish life and the way they handled a pregnant, unmarried young woman and a leader who turned from the Christian way of treating others. Great characterization, plot, and ending, even as it was somewhat predictable.

[Ramona Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sessions of the Heart

What a wonderful series and such a greatwriter. Sorry to see the series end but I have smiled and cried right along with all who have read any of Charlotte's stories. Once again would recommend to one and all😊

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives us a powerful reminder that even though people try to mess up God’s plans for our lives, God is so much greater. Sometimes justice can be brutal, but in this case, I think it was well-deserved. Very well done!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. The characters were so easy to relate to. They are all so different, and yet knit together to make a very interesting story.
I was surprised by the ending, and wanted it to continue. I hope there is another one up coming now that my interest is peaked.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, a wonderful book in the Seasons of the Heart Series. I just learned that Willow Ridge lives on in a a new series, Simple Gifts. I'm looking forward to getting the first book in that series.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so sad I finished this series. It was so good!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story. Pure pleasure.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting end to Hiram Knepp.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed this book. Would recommend. This was a good series.
Enjoy this book, you won't be disappointed.
There were disasters, but good things happened too.

[Melanie Byrnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid ending to an enjoyable Amish series.

[Kathy Aufleger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series.