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Secret Sister: An Amish Christmas Tale
After years of giving of herself to her family and community, Grace Beiler, an elderly Amish woman, is facing her first Christmas since losing her husband of fifty years to his battle with cancer. As she begins to reflect upon her own life, she wonders if she has properly fulfilled her promise to be a servant of God.
With Christmas drawing near, her depression becomes stronger until she starts receiving little gifts in the mail and left on her doorstep. She realizes that she has a “secret sister,” but has no idea who it might be, for each gift seems to relate to different, important events in her life. Just when she thinks she might have figured out who the secret sister is, a new gift arrives with a different meaning.
Who is making this Christmas one Grace will never forget?
With Christmas drawing near, her depression becomes stronger until she starts receiving little gifts in the mail and left on her doorstep. She realizes that she has a “secret sister,” but has no idea who it might be, for each gift seems to relate to different, important events in her life. Just when she thinks she might have figured out who the secret sister is, a new gift arrives with a different meaning.
Who is making this Christmas one Grace will never forget?
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2015
55 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Price
135 books648 followersECPA Christian Fiction Bestseller (June 2014, July 2014)
Amazon Top 100 Author for Books & eBooks (January 2016, September 2013, August 2013, May 2013, April 2013, February 2013, January 2013, December 2012)
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The author of over 30 novels, Sarah Price publishes with Realms, an imprint of Charisma House and Waterfall, an imprint of Brilliance Audio.
Her book, An Empty Cup, was #3 on Amazon Top 100 eBooks in January 2016.
Follow her on social media:
Blog:http://www.sarahpriceauthor.com.
Facebook: http://facebook.com/fansofsarahprice.
Instagram: @SarahPriceAuthor
Twitter: @SarahPriceAuthr
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SarahPrice
FAMILY HERITAGE
During the early 1700s, the Preiss family arrived in America aboard an old sailing vessel called the Patience. The family left Europe, escaping Catholic persecution for their Anabaptist beliefs. Sarah Price comes from a long line of devout Mennonites, including numerous church leaders and ministers throughout the years.
In 1969, Sarah Price was born in Pennsylvania and lived on the land of her ancestors, Johannes Preiss and "King Tammany", otherwise known as Tamanend, a chief of the Lenni Lenape nation in the Delaware Valley.
In the early 1970s, her family moved to Morristown, New Jersey where she still resides with her husband, two children, and assortment of animals.
Ms. Price has advanced degrees in Communication (MA), Marketing (MBA), and Educational Leadership (PhD).
Ms. Price was a former full-time college professor. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, she now writes full-time.
Amazon Top 100 Author for Books & eBooks (January 2016, September 2013, August 2013, May 2013, April 2013, February 2013, January 2013, December 2012)
-------------------------
The author of over 30 novels, Sarah Price publishes with Realms, an imprint of Charisma House and Waterfall, an imprint of Brilliance Audio.
Her book, An Empty Cup, was #3 on Amazon Top 100 eBooks in January 2016.
Follow her on social media:
Blog:http://www.sarahpriceauthor.com.
Facebook: http://facebook.com/fansofsarahprice.
Instagram: @SarahPriceAuthor
Twitter: @SarahPriceAuthr
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SarahPrice
FAMILY HERITAGE
During the early 1700s, the Preiss family arrived in America aboard an old sailing vessel called the Patience. The family left Europe, escaping Catholic persecution for their Anabaptist beliefs. Sarah Price comes from a long line of devout Mennonites, including numerous church leaders and ministers throughout the years.
In 1969, Sarah Price was born in Pennsylvania and lived on the land of her ancestors, Johannes Preiss and "King Tammany", otherwise known as Tamanend, a chief of the Lenni Lenape nation in the Delaware Valley.
In the early 1970s, her family moved to Morristown, New Jersey where she still resides with her husband, two children, and assortment of animals.
Ms. Price has advanced degrees in Communication (MA), Marketing (MBA), and Educational Leadership (PhD).
Ms. Price was a former full-time college professor. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, she now writes full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 23, 2017
True Love that Lasts A Lifetime and Beyond
My full attention was captured from the first page of the prologue. Grace Beiler carries a tray with green meadow iced tea and two drinking glasses out to the front porch where her husband of fifty years sits in the cool of the evening. He is not the man he used to be years ago when they first met. Aged from years of hard work, terminal cancer and a recent stroke has left him weakened and dependent on Graces care.
Menno makes a comment that no one can make green meadow tea as good as Grace can. After all these years together he still loves her special tea that years ago he taught her to make. Sharing the tea with Menno, Grace makes conversation with him about the upcoming wedding season and the approaching holidays. Finally he looks at her and simply says "it's time to go". Grace thinks he is tired and ready to sleep. That isn't what Menno meant. It broke my heart.
Sarah Price has masterfully penned a great story about the life of a young Amish girl who meets the love of her life. Against her parents best wishes they marry. They spent fifty years together sharing the good times and the bad times. Death separates them and Grace is left by herself to mourn his loss. She starts receiving gifts and notes from a secret sister. Each gift takes Grace back in time to a special memory she remembers from the past. Who is sending her these gifts? They never come to her mail box but always through a neighbor.
The story has the most beautiful ending. I though that it was very tender and it touched me in a special way. I want to thank the author for this beautiful account of the Beilers' life together and the months following Menno' s death. Very well written.
My full attention was captured from the first page of the prologue. Grace Beiler carries a tray with green meadow iced tea and two drinking glasses out to the front porch where her husband of fifty years sits in the cool of the evening. He is not the man he used to be years ago when they first met. Aged from years of hard work, terminal cancer and a recent stroke has left him weakened and dependent on Graces care.
Menno makes a comment that no one can make green meadow tea as good as Grace can. After all these years together he still loves her special tea that years ago he taught her to make. Sharing the tea with Menno, Grace makes conversation with him about the upcoming wedding season and the approaching holidays. Finally he looks at her and simply says "it's time to go". Grace thinks he is tired and ready to sleep. That isn't what Menno meant. It broke my heart.
Sarah Price has masterfully penned a great story about the life of a young Amish girl who meets the love of her life. Against her parents best wishes they marry. They spent fifty years together sharing the good times and the bad times. Death separates them and Grace is left by herself to mourn his loss. She starts receiving gifts and notes from a secret sister. Each gift takes Grace back in time to a special memory she remembers from the past. Who is sending her these gifts? They never come to her mail box but always through a neighbor.
The story has the most beautiful ending. I though that it was very tender and it touched me in a special way. I want to thank the author for this beautiful account of the Beilers' life together and the months following Menno' s death. Very well written.
December 19, 2015
Very well-written! A touching and memorable Christmas story that doesn't shy away from addressing painful subjects or hide the fact that Christmas can be a difficult time for some. A different Amish story that makes you smile and tear up.
October 19, 2015
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!
In Secret Sister, author Sarah Price has written a heartwarming Amish yuletide tale of bewildering secrets and love lost—set amongst the fragrant scent of pine, the soft glow of candles, and crystalline snowflakes ushering in the Christmas season.
Feeling so very alone and heartbroken from recently losing Menno – the love of her life – not to mention her children growing up and moving into different communities, Grace Beiler is truly suffering in silence. It is the Amish way to accept God's will in all things and not to question or complain about one's lot in life. Although her Amish community is kind to her, Grace feels like a fifth wheel when they offer to give her rides or invite her places with their families. Soon strange events begin to take place when Grace starts receiving notes and gifts that cause her to reflect on meaningful incidents in her past—when she and Menno were young and courting, and their subsequent life with their children. Apparently Grace has a "secret sister" who is seeking to encourage her, but who is she?...and how is she aware of these things that are only significant to Grace? As she attends her favorite event of the year which happens to be the Christmas program, Grace receives another gift—one that will change the course of her life forever.
In Secret Sister masterful storyteller, Sarah Price, has written an exquisite novel destined to become a Christmas classic! What an intricate, unpredictable plot! In one evening I literally read half of this book trying to figure out who the "secret sister" was and I never did. Being an empty nester myself, I could truly identify with Grace's inability to know just where she belonged after devoting her whole life to raising her children. I didn't just have tears in my eyes at the wonderful conclusion—they were literally streaming down my cheeks—I was that moved. For those of you who don't want to read a story about a more "mature" woman (lol)...have no fear. The book goes back and forth between past and present and there is plenty of blushing romance and drama, too! Highly recommended read for any time of the year!
In Secret Sister, author Sarah Price has written a heartwarming Amish yuletide tale of bewildering secrets and love lost—set amongst the fragrant scent of pine, the soft glow of candles, and crystalline snowflakes ushering in the Christmas season.
Feeling so very alone and heartbroken from recently losing Menno – the love of her life – not to mention her children growing up and moving into different communities, Grace Beiler is truly suffering in silence. It is the Amish way to accept God's will in all things and not to question or complain about one's lot in life. Although her Amish community is kind to her, Grace feels like a fifth wheel when they offer to give her rides or invite her places with their families. Soon strange events begin to take place when Grace starts receiving notes and gifts that cause her to reflect on meaningful incidents in her past—when she and Menno were young and courting, and their subsequent life with their children. Apparently Grace has a "secret sister" who is seeking to encourage her, but who is she?...and how is she aware of these things that are only significant to Grace? As she attends her favorite event of the year which happens to be the Christmas program, Grace receives another gift—one that will change the course of her life forever.
In Secret Sister masterful storyteller, Sarah Price, has written an exquisite novel destined to become a Christmas classic! What an intricate, unpredictable plot! In one evening I literally read half of this book trying to figure out who the "secret sister" was and I never did. Being an empty nester myself, I could truly identify with Grace's inability to know just where she belonged after devoting her whole life to raising her children. I didn't just have tears in my eyes at the wonderful conclusion—they were literally streaming down my cheeks—I was that moved. For those of you who don't want to read a story about a more "mature" woman (lol)...have no fear. The book goes back and forth between past and present and there is plenty of blushing romance and drama, too! Highly recommended read for any time of the year!
December 11, 2015
I loved this story even though Grace's story with her family had me in a "Blue Christmas" mood. I had thought about putting it down until after Christmas but I'm so glad I didn't. What a wonderful tale of faith, commitment and love.
December 8, 2015
I read a lot of Amish books, but none has moved me as much as this one. A tale of a family torn apart by a shunning and deaths, it is yet a story of hope and forgiveness. Grace Beiler adheres to her husband's will to shun their daughter when she marries an Englisher. After Menno's death, mysteries gifts keeps showing up concerning Grace's life. Who is her Secret Sister that know so much about her? A very moving and emotional story of love, death, shunning and forgiveness.
February 19, 2022
This was nothing like I had hoped it would be. Pages of sad and daunting memories that just made my whole day gloomy. Just not what I want to read at Christmas time. Grace was a good idea; just not the story I had hoped for her!
December 30, 2018
A wonderful book of reflections and memories and in the end forgiveness showing how important family is and that is all that really matters .
December 15, 2019
This is the first book I have read by this author. I definitely hope it is not the last!! I enjoy Amish stories and truly liked this one. It was presented in a different way than most of the Amish stories I have read. It is from the point of view of a Widow Amish lady and it goes back in time to cover the most critical times in her life. I definitely recommend this book to lovers of Amish country tales and those who are interested in learning more about the Amish. I will be looking for more books by this author.
December 16, 2015
Really good storyline!!!
I love the idea of a secret sister. It was a surprise to find out who it was, but not in a disappointing way! I've had a secret sister, though I wouldn't have called it that at the time!
I love the idea of a secret sister. It was a surprise to find out who it was, but not in a disappointing way! I've had a secret sister, though I wouldn't have called it that at the time!
January 6, 2018
An enjoyable read, An Amish tale with a bit of mystery surrounding it.
September 30, 2020
sweet... sad.... romantic....
January 9, 2019
Secret Sister: An Amish Christmas Tale is a somewhat confusing yet interesting story at the same time. The setting in an Amish village is also unique and provides some valuable insight into a little-known society. I find the story to be very heart-touching and simply something you wouldn't find anywhere else.
The story goes:
Grace Beiler was married to Menno Beiler, a very faithfully Catholic Amish (as all characters in the story are) man, for fifty years until he dies from terminal cancer. She hardly keeps contact with her children anymore and she becomes a lonely elderly woman. While mourning her loss, she starts receiving gifts. It is thought that these gifts are all from a "secret sister" (another confusing Amish concept that takes a while to grasp, but it's basically someone that takes care of another in situations like the one Grace has to deal with.) The gifts were eerily (and somewhat creepily) reflecting the pain and mourning she was going through, and the gifter seemed to be someone close. The "meat" of the story takes occurs as she doesn't recognize the handwriting on any of the letters, which makes the whole scary kind of creepy since the gifts seemed to be a window straight into her life (stalker?). Throughout the story, she receives many gifts whose themes coincide with her emotions, and Grace cannot figure out who is giving her these peculiar items. Eventually, after many months, Grace eventually realizes that the gifts are from her late husband, Menno, and the story descends into a series of flashbacks and recollections from her past back when he was still alive. The gifts revive some images of Grace and Menno's past, and the flashbacks from her life are very heart-touching and something very sappy to read.
The whole dynamic of this unknown gift-giver throughout the story left me with conflicting thoughts throughout reading of who the sender could possibly be, and my thoughts ranged from the following:
-Sympathetic family member
-Secret admirer (who also happens to be super creepy)
-Pitying townspeople
My main criticism of the story is how Grace was not able to recognize Menno's handwriting, and it took a bit to fall into the Amish setting. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book because its story is so unique and different and something you wouldn't ever find anywhere else.
P.S.: It's also a very nice Christmas story!
The story goes:
Grace Beiler was married to Menno Beiler, a very faithfully Catholic Amish (as all characters in the story are) man, for fifty years until he dies from terminal cancer. She hardly keeps contact with her children anymore and she becomes a lonely elderly woman. While mourning her loss, she starts receiving gifts. It is thought that these gifts are all from a "secret sister" (another confusing Amish concept that takes a while to grasp, but it's basically someone that takes care of another in situations like the one Grace has to deal with.) The gifts were eerily (and somewhat creepily) reflecting the pain and mourning she was going through, and the gifter seemed to be someone close. The "meat" of the story takes occurs as she doesn't recognize the handwriting on any of the letters, which makes the whole scary kind of creepy since the gifts seemed to be a window straight into her life (stalker?). Throughout the story, she receives many gifts whose themes coincide with her emotions, and Grace cannot figure out who is giving her these peculiar items. Eventually, after many months, Grace eventually realizes that the gifts are from her late husband, Menno, and the story descends into a series of flashbacks and recollections from her past back when he was still alive. The gifts revive some images of Grace and Menno's past, and the flashbacks from her life are very heart-touching and something very sappy to read.
The whole dynamic of this unknown gift-giver throughout the story left me with conflicting thoughts throughout reading of who the sender could possibly be, and my thoughts ranged from the following:
-Sympathetic family member
-Secret admirer (who also happens to be super creepy)
-Pitying townspeople
My main criticism of the story is how Grace was not able to recognize Menno's handwriting, and it took a bit to fall into the Amish setting. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book because its story is so unique and different and something you wouldn't ever find anywhere else.
P.S.: It's also a very nice Christmas story!
March 22, 2019
I read this book for fun and because I enjoy learning about the Amish Culture. The book is about a recently widowed woman named Grace Beiler who is spending her first Christmas without her husband. A lot of the book is set up with flashbacks and journal/diary writings. Grace is missing her husband, as well as one of her daughters, who was shunned from Grace's home several years prior by her late husband. The shunning also has caused Grace to have a strained relationship with her son who feels that she should have stood up to her husband to stop the shunning. The book has some mystery in it because someone keeps secretly sending Grace gifts and she has no idea who it is. The gifts are significant because they are reminders of things from her and her husband's relationship. No one would understand the significance behind them except for Grace and her now deceased husband. What I like about the book is that is shows that even the Amish have struggles within their communities, families, and relationships. Sometimes these struggles can pull them apart. Overall, the book was realistic, and I was able to learn more about the Amish Culture and their language.
January 9, 2019
I found this book to be very long and not as interesting as I had hoped. Not that it was a bad book. It is about an Amish widow Grace that loses her husband of fifty years due to cancer. This is her first Christmas without him. She had lost a son who was young when he died and lost a daughter due to be shunned as she married an Englisher after being confirmed into the church. She is estranged with another son due to the relationship he has with the shunned daughter and her oldest daughter she is not close with. The book goes back and forth from present to past reliving the story on how the relationships have be strained. She then starts receiving mysterious gifts that remind her of the good memories in her life. The ending reveals who her secret sister is and is a huge surprise to her.
December 28, 2022
I thought this was going to be a sweet story of a recent widow being blessed by her community in the form of a 'secret sister' sending words of encouragement to Grace.
It was that . . . but it was so much more! From the very beginning, there was a definite element of mystery surrounding the very personal and specific nature of the gifts being given to Grace. I loved how each gift invited her to reflect on her life, especially the 50 years of her marriage, as well as reminding her of God's sovereignty and provision, even in the difficulties.
While I did end up figuring out the 'who' of Grace's secret sister before the 'reveal', I didn't figure out the 'how' or 'why' until the very end . . .
4.5 stars
It was that . . . but it was so much more! From the very beginning, there was a definite element of mystery surrounding the very personal and specific nature of the gifts being given to Grace. I loved how each gift invited her to reflect on her life, especially the 50 years of her marriage, as well as reminding her of God's sovereignty and provision, even in the difficulties.
While I did end up figuring out the 'who' of Grace's secret sister before the 'reveal', I didn't figure out the 'how' or 'why' until the very end . . .
4.5 stars
November 3, 2020
this was a sweet story, a perfect book for Christmas reading. I am a fan of Amish fiction but haven't read any of Sarah's books and I was not disappointed. She really captures the essence of the Amish. What I really liked was how she wove into the story the current struggles of the Amish as the English people encroach upon not only their land but way of living as well. I grew up in the area and I always enjoyed driving through the "Amish country" . It is really is heartbreaking to see the area filled with super stores and subdivisions. Anyway this book is a refreshing change from other books I read, I enjoy reading about a simpler way of life
September 5, 2021
This was a very quick read. I enjoy reading about the Amish. This is not exactly a very upbeat story. It brings up many tragedies happening in Grace's life. Grace is the main character in this book. While there were some upbeat parts to the book it seemed to mostly mentioned all the bad that has happened to Grace and her family throughout her life. It also is about a secret sister who leaves little presents for Grace over the course of months that remind her things from her past. When you have a secret sister you are not to know who they are, but pretty early on it was easy to figure out who it was going to be.
September 12, 2020
What a great story! This was my first book written by this author, and I hope to read many more of her stories soon.
The multiple timeline narrative was well-organized and easy-to-follow. The characters were well-developed. The faith element was very strong throughout. This was an emotional read that truly pulled at my heartstrings on many occasions.
Highly-recommended to read at any time of year!
I borrowed this book from our local public library system.
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** This book is completely clean in language and content. :0}
The multiple timeline narrative was well-organized and easy-to-follow. The characters were well-developed. The faith element was very strong throughout. This was an emotional read that truly pulled at my heartstrings on many occasions.
Highly-recommended to read at any time of year!
I borrowed this book from our local public library system.
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** This book is completely clean in language and content. :0}
December 25, 2022
This was such a wonderful good read fir sure and certain! It’s a heart wrenching story of love, obedience, forgiveness and seeking God’s will above our own. Although I don’t agree with the harshness of shunning, I understand the reasoning behind it. I loved the mystery in this book. I just started reading more from this author, Sarah Price, this year. This book has so much depth to it. She is definitely becoming one of my favorite Amish authors.
December 19, 2019
Relatively quick read with a hidden story. A secret sister is what one may recognize as a secret Santa. But the secret sister in this story sent gifts that were meaningful to the recently widowed main character. The secret sister seemed to know so many elements of her life. Walk with Grace as she makes a wonderful Christmas discovery.
May 1, 2021
This story is a beautiful love story between two young amish people that fall in love, despite one's parents' disproval of them being together.
They become strong together and learn life's different problems together.
This story is such an amazing story with love, value, strength, forgiveness, faith, mystery, and so much more.
A page turner for sure
They become strong together and learn life's different problems together.
This story is such an amazing story with love, value, strength, forgiveness, faith, mystery, and so much more.
A page turner for sure
January 10, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice story, had some good characters and put me in the Christmas spirit ( even though it's January). I enjoyed it and will search out more books by this author.
December 9, 2018
Loved all the Amish history and traditions. The storyline was not very exciting. Caught myself smiling each time the author included Amish says like, "ain't so" and "for sure and for certain".
January 11, 2019
Very good! Touching heart warming story that slowly draws you in. a little mystery involving forgiveness and a loving family.
November 30, 2019
A sweet story
This is a delightful story of a timeless love that continues even when one of the couple passes. Loved this book.
This is a delightful story of a timeless love that continues even when one of the couple passes. Loved this book.
November 20, 2020
Charming love story
December 5, 2020
3.5- a quick read that felt good at Christmas time
December 10, 2020
It was Christmas related. It was available on Overdrive. It was sweet, an easy read, predictable.
September 28, 2021
Good book with a twist
January 20, 2022
Beautifully written story about grief, loss and love built upon over half a century of marriage.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews