A Child's Christmas Wish

by Erica Vetsch

A Baby for Christmas

The only Christmas gift Oscar Rabb's four-year-old daughter prays for is one the widower can't provide: a baby sibling. And when his neighbor's house burns down, he's willing to open his home to pregnant and widowed Kate Amaker and her in-laws--but not his heart. Even if his little girl's convinced Kate's unborn child is the answer to her wish.

Kate quickly sees the generous but aloof Oscar has little interest in growing closer to his houseguests. Still, she intends to make the coming Christmas a season to remember for his daughter. And as Oscar starts to open up to her, Kate can't help picturing just how wonderful the holidays--and a future together--might be.

Genres: Christmas, Love Inspired Historical, Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Clean Romance

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published November 7, 2017

About the author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum. You can connect with her at her website, www.ericavetsch.com where you can learn about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspi... where she spends way too much time!

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice Christmas story, I enjoyed all the characters.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming Christmas story destined to become a traditional favourite.

I adore the way Erica Vetsch includes historical details that make me feel like I'm right there smack in the middle of the story. I think I might just be able to make cheese now -- at least the old-fashioned way. The author has created a little bit of Switzerland in the wilds of Minnesota, including some delightful Christmas traditions.

Take one reclusive widower with a heart-stopping adorable four-year-old daughter and thrust him completely out of his comfort zone when he's compelled to provide shelter for his stranded neighbours. Watching Oscar slowly unbend as Kate and her in-laws transform his solitary life into a buzz of activity was pure reader delight.

A hope-filled story that definitely belongs on the discerning reader's Christmas reading list.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ~ It's the first of November 1875 and the Amaker's return from church to discover their home engulfed in flames. The elderly Amaker's and their pregnant grand-daughter in-law are now homeless. The recently widowed Kate asks "Lord, haven't we suffered enough?"

Oscar feels terrible for his neighbors' loss and he's ready to dip his hand into his pocket to donate to their rebuilding. He hadn't expected the pastor and his wife asking him to take in the Amakers until more permanent arrangements could be made, after all his land was closest for the Amakers to look after their animals. But Oscar has his four-year old daughter, Liesl, to take care of, and he's still grieving the wife he lost in child birth. Just looking at the pregnant Kate pulls up his grief.

She bit her lip for a moment, her eyes looking suspiciously moist. His muscles tensed. He hated to see any woman cry, even Liesl. It made him feel so helpless.

“It’s kind of you to put us up. I don’t know what we would do, where else we would go.” She blinked hard, lifting her chin, her shoulders rising and falling as she breathed rapidly, staring at the glowing embers. “I...it’s just...gone.” Her pretty eyes met his once more.

And just like that, Oscar had houseguests.

This is a first book I've read written by Erica Vetsch and I thoroughly enjoyed it. She brought to life her characters and the surprises they encountered. I enjoy reading this time period and look forward to reading more from Ms. Vetsch.

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing Christian Christmas Story! I loved it! It is full of strong Faith themes. It is a story of hope, patience, love and faith! I loved watching the main characters, Oscar and Kate, fall in love even though they had tough times with both losing a spouse. Leisel, Oscar's daughter, was super cute. I also loved all the Christmas traditions and Switzerland references. Great story and I definitely recommend!

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very rarely, more like almost never, do I ever read several books by the same author in a row. But, for some reason unknown to even myself, I did read these three Love Inspired Historicals from Erica Vetsch back to back. As soon as I finished one I just went ahead and started the next.

A Child's Christmas Wish was the third title that I read. Not only did this one have a wonderful Christmas setting, which I was reading in August, by the way, but this one also had the strongest message of the need for faith and hope in hard times and the incalculable importance of family. I genuinely liked the Bernese Mountain Dog in this one but it was little Miss Leisl who won my heart.

(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)

[Trixi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved watching this story unfold! Learning some of the Christmas traditions from Switzerland and the meaning behind them was pure delight. It's almost as if I celebrated the blessed season with a family I could call my own. Liesl was a pure bundle of fun energy and a curious nature to suit her four-year-old heart. There's nothing more delightful than watching Christmas through the eyes of a young child! Oscar for all his gruffness has a soft heart under it all, still grieving his late wife but wanting the best for his young daughter. Kate, too, is grieving her late husband while looking forward to the birth of her first child, as bittersweet as it is. The elderly Martin & Inge Amaker reminded me of my own grandparents; warm, giving and a strong sense of family. There were many times in this story that I found my eyes stinging with unshed tears and my heart squeezing tight. The faith message is strong, often reminding me of why we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus. God can weave people together in a way none of them anticipated and I loved how He did it in this story! Emotional & character depth, faith, the warmth of family, Christmas traditions, love and newness from the ashes is what the reader will find in the pages. I can easily see this become a Hallmark movie, it's that good!

*I received a complimentary copy from the author. No favorable review was required and all opinions are my own. *

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing Liesl Rabb wants for Christmas is the one thing her widowed father, Oscar, can't give her. A baby brother or sister. Oscar's wife died in childbirth, along with her baby two years previously and Oscar has withdrawn from the world as much as is possible for him to do so. Then one night his neighbor's house burns down and he reluctantly asks them to spend the night at his house. The neighbors include an old man and his wife and their widowed and pregnant granddaughter-in-law, Kate. Seeing Kate heavily pregnant is painful for Oscar after what he has endured. The one night turns into two, then even more.

Erica Vetsch has written a fine story indeed. I loved every minute. Set in Minnesota in the late 1800s, she includes much history of the area and the inhabitants of the town. Her characters were so nice to know, too. We see here the wonderful spiritual theme of God knowing what is going to happen to us even before it does and working things out for our good. Not one dull moment here.

*I was gifted with a preview copy of this book by the publisher and author. All opinions stated are entirely my own.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this heartwarming tale, a still grieving young widower feels obligated to take in an elderly couple and their grandson’s widow after their house is destroyed by fire. Although he has mostly isolated himself from others since his wife’s death, Oscar finds himself drawn to the family despite his determination to remain as disconnected as possible. What else could he do as he watches his young daughter blossom under their care.

“A Child’s Christmas Wish” is perfectly delightful book for the approaching holiday season. I loved all the characters from gruff Oscar to his lively daughter Liesl as well as each of the Amaker family. Filled with large doses of kindness, faith, and traditional Christmas celebrations, the story ended much too soon for me.

I have enjoyed many books by this author and this one was no exception. I would highly recommend adding it to your Christmas reading list.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful Christmas story by Erica Vetsch!

Losing everything in a fire, Kate and her in-laws at the mercy of their very reluctant neighbor, Oliver. Oliver has a precious little girl that reminded me of my daughter when she was that young.

As Kate and Oliver, and the rest of the families adjust to living together, a mending of hearts and love grows between them. What seems impossible becomes possible with God.

You'll fall in love with this family as much as I did. I especially loved Liesl. This was a heartwarming Christmas story perfect for curling up near a fire with a cup of hot cocoa, or wherever your favorite reading spot is!

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Julie (Let's Read Good Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Harlequin Books]

Received 5 stars @ Harlequin.com (as of 11/25/17). To view reviews, go HERE> https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/...

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! I was looking on Hoopla for CF Christmas books and saw this one. It sounded interesting, so I decided I would check it out. I am sooo glad I did! Just a truly sweet warm Christmas story. It reminded me a bit of Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly. There is a widower with a young daughter and a widow who is expecting a child. These two struggle with a growing attraction and their loyalty to the ones they lost. Add in precious Liesel and the Amackers, as well as other members of the community, and you will find yourself caught up in a world gone by full of old traditions that have long since disappeared.

I love that the author worked in so much history. I learned a great deal about cheese making and Swiss Christmas traditions, as well as the history of our nation.

I wish this was part of a series as I already miss everyone!

[Chanover55 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate amaker & her late husban's grandparents return home from church to find their home in flames, It is a complete list, what are they going to do? The pastor's wife makes a suggestion that that stay, at least the first night with Oscar Rabb. He has the room but has been a reclusive widower for the past 2 years, since the death of his wife and new born daughter two Christmases ago. Reluctant to take them in, he does so, hoping they will be gone soon. Kate reminds him too much of what he lost as she is pregnant & due at Christmas time. Nothing goes as he hoped and his now four year old daughter, Lestl seems to blossom u Der the care of Kate and the grandparents. A nice Christmas read.Some editing problems but not enough to ruin the read.

[Anna |This Curly Girl Reads| · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d never read this author, but the story was charming, and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, interesting cultural history, and cheesemaking!

The end was a bit abrupt compared to the rest of the story’s comfy/friendly pace (Hence my 4 instead of 5⭐️ rating). I was remise to leave this family so suddenly!

I enjoyed watching the characters grow and heal through some real life loss. The love story is gentle and sweet. Little Liesl was precious, and the advent window tradition was so neat—I would love to try doing something like that!

This is a cozy read that will leave you smiling ❤️

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story filled with faith and kindness as a family suffers a great loss and their neighbor opened his home to them. Erica Vetsch currently writes Regency stories but the few I have read in the Love Inspired publishers (generally not the best) are so much better with strong realistic faith underpinnings.

[Joni Markowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delicious novel filled with scents and signs ofChristmas. Sprinkled with perseverance, loss and love. A child wishes for a real baby for Christmas and her journey of faith and delightful results.

[Dana McReynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this heartwarming Christmas book, the history, the setting, the relationships formed and those Advent parties that sounded so fun.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet second chance romance. Very clean. Enjoyed it very much.

[Barbara Walz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender and moving

I loved the faith expressed in this story! And the humility of the characters. It's a beautiful message of how God cares for each of us if but trust himl

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

[Alice Vetsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the best I have read in Christian writing. A good read for all!

[Audrey Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this Christmas story about a girl's wish. It was also about two people who were dealing with their own grief and trying to move forward
This book was well written and I look forward to read other books by this author.

[Patrice Doten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, wonderful, uplifting, and well-written book. The emotional and spiritual depth made me care SO much about these characters. I also learned a plethora of fascinating details about the culture of Swiss immigrants to my home state. I hated for the story to end. And since it’s out of print and I have to return the library copy, I’m searching for a like-new used copy so I can reread this gem again in future.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter how bad our circumstances may seem at times, we can often look around and find someone who is facing much greater trials than we are. Oscar Rabb could only see his pain caused by the death of his wife and baby during childbirth two years earlier. Then his neighbors return home one evening from a church service to find their home engulfed in flames. Kate Amaker had lost her husband about six months earlier when a mean bull turned on him. His grandparents lived with them and she had just realized she was with child right before he was killed. Now their home is gone also. Can things get any worse? Today Kate and her in-laws would probably get in their car and drive to a local motel to spend a few days until they could get details sorted out. In 1875 in rural Minnesota, life was more complicated. Most folks had to rely on family, friends, or neighbors when tragedy struck. Details about the condition of her husband’s business affairs began to come to light and things simply got bleaker. Where do you turn when every way you turn, life simply hits you with another hard blow? Even as Oscar tried to keep his distance while doing what he could to help, his four-year-old daughter was growing fonder of Kate and her in-laws. At the same time, they were becoming more attached to her. The Bible speaks of a child leading. Although that is not the overt message of the book, the reader can see it being lived out as the weeks pass. For me, the little girl was the heart of the story. She was such a dear child, quite precocious and very determined. I believe she portrayed a stronger faith than any of the adults. I enjoyed this story. I received a copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Lindsay Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars! What can I say about this book? I absolutely adored it. This might actually be my favourite Love Inspired book that I have read to date. It was such a festive story for the Christmas season fast approaching. The traditions that were in this book had me wishing I shared them with my family each Christmas. Advent and the anticipation leading up to Christmas is one of my favourite things about the holiday season, I was thrilled that that was a large aspect of the storyline. I loved the characters, the writing was absolutely phenomenal, the setting had me believing I lived in Berne, Minnesota. But my favourite thing about this book would have to be the stories told within this book, the festive traditions that this Swiss family/community had. This was such an uplifting Christmas read for me and I will be definitely rereading this one whenever I need to feel cheered up. (During the Christmas holidays or not.)

The only complaint I had was that I wish we would’ve gotten a little more background on Oscar and what happened to his family. We learned about Kate, Inge, Martian, and Oscar’s late wife’s family, just not about Oscar’s. But that’s just a minor detail.

Highly recommend to Love Inspired lovers and anyone who loves Christmas!

Favourite quote: “Sometimes we need things that are beautiful to look at and serve no other purpose than the pleasure they give us. They make us feel better.”- Page 242

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read Christmas stories and this book was a page turner! I loved the story even if it included a little heartbreak. It was fun watching gruff Oscar open up more and more and enjoy the Amakers company. His daughter Liesl is just pure joy and wonderment. She is enjoying having a "family" and being a part of traditions she never knew. Kate is trying to look ahead to the future but doesn't want to leave behind the life she has grown to love. Martin & Inge Amaker are the typical grandparents. They are hard working, loving, warm and love passing down family traditions! Erica always writes characters that are not only likable, but easy to fall in love with. Her characters different personalities flows right out of the words and can easily not only be pictured but also heard, This books story is a tale of heartbreak, love, family and most of all faith.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. No favorable review was required and all opinions are my own.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reviewed this for RT Bookreviews Magazine : https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-re...

This holiday romance is woven together with faith and the characters’ strong spirits. Vivid detailing brings the Christmas traditions to life, and character development is steady. Some plot points could have been explored a bit more fully to keep the reader fully engaged throughout, and there is some predictability. The character of Liesl is enjoyable and ties everything together nicely.

Oscar Rabb’s 4-year-old daughter Liesl knows exactly what she wants for Christmas: a sibling, something the single father can’t give her. Liesl quickly bonds with their new house guests, widower Kate Amaker and her in-laws, who are staying with them after a fire took their home. For Oscar, the changes are reminding him of the happy family he lost when his wife died. Is it possible for someone to find love a second time? (LOVE INSPIRED HISTORICAL, Nov., 224 pp., $5.99)

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Child’s Christmas Wish
By; Erica Vetsch
I really enjoyed this heartwarming Christmas story. Vetsch drew me in right at the start and I as hooked. The story and the characters both were well developed and so real like. Oscar’s neighbors house burn down to the ground one night . He is trying to raise his four year old daughter the best he can since his wife passed away. He had rather be left alone, but he opens his doors to the widowed and pregnant Kate and her two in-laws. This story brought tears to my eyes several times. I loved Oscar’s little daughter . Her one wish for Christmas is a baby . I love watching this story unfold and wandering what was going to happen next. I felt so sorry for Kate and her in-laws. She had just buried her husband.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but was not told that I had to give a positive review.

[Becky Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the history in this novel, as well as learning things about Switzerland, such as names of the cantons (which the cows were named after), bits of the language, food, and traditions. Also it was fun to learn about cheesemaking. But aside from all this history, the story is fun and so captivating that I could not put it down until I finished reading it. The story has encouraging themes of faith, of trusting God while waiting for Him to work for our good & for His glory, realizing that God is never surprised, trusting God through our heartaches, and of trusting each other. My favorite quote is: “One thing I do know. My faith grows best when it is tested.” I really enjoyed this book, and want to read more of this author’s stories. I won this book on a blog, and I freely chose on my own to leave my own honest review. I just can’t wait to read more!!