Sarah's Christmas Miracle

by Mary Ellis

From the bestselling author of A Widow's Hope and Never Far from Home comes a brand-new Amish novella that will add joy to the Christmas season. Sarah Beachy has plenty to be joyous about as autumn leaves start to fall. She loves her job at the English bed-and-breakfast where she cooks and refreshes rooms between guests. She has a serious beau, and everyone expects an engagement soon. Why, then, would she jeopardize everything by suddenly deciding to take a trip to Cleveland to track down a brother who left the Order years ago? Her family's faith in God is put to the test as the holiest night of the year approaches and Sarah remains far away. Sarah's mother, Elizabeth, has been missing her son for such a long time...will she lose her daughter to the English world as well? Or will the Beachy family receive an unexpected Christmas miracle?

Genres: Amish, Christmas, Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Holiday

137 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Mary Ellis is a former schoolteacher turned USA Today bestselling author who’s written twenty-six novels including Amish fiction, historical romance, and suspense. Her first mystery, Midnight on the Mississippi, was a finalist for the RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award and a finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award. Her latest book is One for the Road from the Bourbon Tour Mysteries from Severn House. One Hundred Proof Murder releases August 31, 2021. Her latest Amish novella is Missing at Amazon Kindle. She enjoys gardening and bicycling and lives in Ohio with her husband and dog. www.maryellis.net or www.facebook.com/Mary.Ellis.Author

Reviews

[Megan Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing!! I loved the struggle of Sarah and how she overcame it. The ending was the best part of the whole book.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Christmas stories that go a bit deeper beyond the decorations and fluff of the holiday season, this is a great one. Sweet novella that blends Amish fiction, romance, Christmastime and a modern day prodigal son. It took a bit for this one to pick up for me but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. Really enjoyed this one!

[Vickie Jameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarah's Christmas Miracle is an Amish novella by Mary Ellis. The story has elements of faith, family, forgiveness and community. It's a quick read with likeable characters. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Rachel Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Beachy is at a crossroads in her life, hanging on to her childhood as she's unsure about the responsibilities of entering the adult world. She's witnessed the hurt that her mother has experienced in losing her older brother to the English world, and this has made her cautious about becoming a wife and mother. But Adam Troyer is desperate to get married and can't understand why his beau is happy to remain at in her parents' home, working at the local inn. So both Sarah's family and Adam are worried when she sets off to Cleveland to visit her older brother and decide whether the life of an Amish mother and wife is best for her. But Sarah soon discovers that life in the city isn't as rosy as her brother made it sound, and her journey makes her realise what she really wants in life.

This was the perfect Christmas novella; the return of a prodigal son mixed with the coming of age of a young woman. It only took me a few hours to read this book but it really warmed my heart and put me in the Christmas mood. Ellis crafted her characters wonderfully and I loved reading about Sarah and her family, as well as the other members of the community and the English couple who run the local inn. All of these characters were entirely believable and Fredericksburg sounds like a lovely place to live. I appreciated all the little details about the Amish way of life, from descriptions of the cookies that they were baking to the school performance on Christmas Eve. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a short Christmas story to put a smile on your face. As it's only 134 pages long this would also be perfect for someone wanting to try Amish fiction for the first time, or for a girl in her early teen years. This is the first book I've read from Mary Ellis but I'll definitely be looking out for more of her books as she's clearly the cream of the crop when it comes to Amish fiction! 10/10

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: SARAH’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
Author: Mary Ellis
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
August 2010
ISBN: 97-0-7369-2968-4
Genre: Inspirational/Amish/Christmas

Sarah Beachy has much to be thankful for. She has a job she loves at an English bed and breakfast, a beau who is thinking marriage, and a family that loves her. But as she begins to expect that Adam will ask her to marry her, Sarah begins to worry. She has a brother who has left the Amish years ago during his rumspringe and she wants to know why, and the bigger question, will she regret having children?

As Sarah begins to search for answers, she questions her boss who has two children she never sees, and her mother, who mourns for Caleb, years later. When none of them hold the answers, she decides to look for Caleb and find the answers for herself. Will Sarah ultimately decide to leave the Amish behind, or will she return home to a steady man and marriage?

SARAH’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE is the sweetest story I’ve read in a long time. I totally loved it. Ms. Ellis is a very talented story teller who not only introduced me to the kitchen of a cozy bed and breakfast (and made me hungry with all the talk of food) to the insides of an Amish farmhouse.

Sarah is a very real heroine, one I couldn’t help but fall in love with and sympathize with as she looked for answers. The story also included the point of view of Sarah’s mother, Elisabeth, her beau, Adam, and her brother, Caleb, giving each of these a distinct personality, and helping the reader to fall in love with each of them. The ending of the book caused me to reach for a tissue.

Don’t miss SARAH’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE for a holiday story that will stay with you long after you close the pages of the book. Some delicious sounding recipes are included at the end of the book. $10.99. 134 pages.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story kept my interest until the end. I am not a huge Amish fiction fan, but if the story is interesting enough it will hold my attention. This story was sweet and had some strong redemption themes. It wasn't much different in plot than most Amish novels, but it was unique enough that I enjoyed it. It was also a fairly short story, less than half the length of most Amish novels, so the story ended quickly but with a satisfying resolution. There was also a great point that one of the characters made. You can make someone love you. They have to do that because they want to and trying to possess them isn't going to make them love you more, but less. The other theme was that a mother's love knows no bounds. Like a prodigal, one of the characters returned and the mother did exactly what that lost and hurting soul needed. She loved unconditionally like mother's usually do. That always brings healing. That was well done and made this book above average in my opinion, thus my four star rating.

[Pamela Pavkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah's Christmas Miracle is a sweet inspiring story written by Mary Ellis. This story touches on so many emotions throughout the story and will have the reader reaching for a tissue at times. The characters are very likeable and we'll developed. The storyline will definitely keep the readers turning pages.

Sarah Beachy is a young Amish woman who has a job she loves at a B&B, a beau, and a brother she is missing dearly. After she witnesses her mother constantly mourning her son Sarah makes the decision to set out and try to find him. This journey takes her to Cleveland and the throws of the English world. Now her mother also worries if Sarah will also be lost to the English world. Will Sarah make the right decision? Will she bring her brother home in time for Christmas? This is definitely a year jerker and will keep the reader turning pages looking for answers. I think this is one of the sweetest stories I have ever read.

I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.

Congratulations to Mary Ellis for writing this sweet inspiring story for her readers enjoyment.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading Christmas books during the weeks leading up to the holiday and this novella was perfect! While the book is set during the Christmas season, it is more than just a holiday book.

This is the story of Sarah, a 19 year old Amish girl who is transitioning into adulthood. She has a job working in a non-Amish bed and breakfast and a beau who is ready for marriage. Her older brother left home prior to committing to the Amish faith and was never baptized. He hasn't been heard from in 5 years, and Sarah is filled with questions about his decisions and his life prior to making her final commitment to marriage and the church.

This book is really the coming of age tale of Sarah. We experience her journey into adulthood over the course of the novella. Although the book is short in pages, it is long in important themes, like faith and family. The characters are well-developed and believable. The author writes with knowledge of the setting and as a reader, I felt like I was in the middle of many of the settings that she described.

A wonderful, heartwarming book that I recommend. Looking forward to finding more books from this author!

[Dorry Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always like to start reading Christmas books in October in order to give me time to read a lot of them.
This book is about Sarah, an Amish girl whose brother left home 5 years before. He got involved with "English" people and had not returned back to see the family.
Sarah decided she was going to look him up in the city. She really wanted him to come home for Christmas. She was amazed at what kind of condition she found him in.
Regardless, he was not happy to see her so she did not linger long.
What would it take to bring him home?

[Marilyn Rushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book.
Sarah Beachy is not ready to join the church or to make a commitment to her beau Adam. She wants to find her brother Caleb whom left home 5 years ago without a word from him. She visited his best friend to get any information on her brother. Sarah is determined to go to his last known address and find the answers she is seeking before making any commitments. After taking a bus trip to the location Caleb is thought to live, Sarah is surprised when she arrives at the address. Upon returning home Sarah is ready to make some decisions.
A story of love and hope.

[Arjaye-Rose Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing story!!! Poor Sarah was at a crossroads in life, left to see her brother and what his life was like in the English world. She realised how many blessings she truely had in life and how thankful she was for all of them. Her visit sparked change in her brother and the ending of this book on Christmas Eve is perfect.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah needs to know why her brother left 5 years ago to work in the English world. A part of her needs to know if an English life be better than committing to her beau Adam and having a life of children.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about love between a brother and sister, even when they are miles apart-physically and morally.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting story. Very emotional. Sarah and Adam were a great couple.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful cast of characters in an Amish community where you'll find love, laughter, sorrow, forgiveness and coming home.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good YA novel. Introduces a different culture from my own.

[Lauren Desrocher]

DNF

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, christmassy, interesting to learn about the Amish perspective.

[Dolores Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding rendition of a broken familys reuniting and the many Blessings that come with it! Forgiveness is essential and it is a big burden that is lifted from?all as they carry on as a permanently United Family!! A must read!!!

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Beachy works at the Country Pleasures bed and breakfast owned by Mrs. Pratt. Sarah cooks breakfast, washes linens and tidies room six days a week. She loves her job.

Sarah lives on a farm with her parents and two sisters and has a serious boyfriend, Adam Troyer who seriously wants to marry Sarah but she keeps dragging her feet on being baptized and joining the Church so they can announce their engagement.

Sarah is a loving and kind young woman and invites Mrs. Pratt and her husband, Roy, for Thanksgiving dinner at her family’s home because neither their son or daughter were going to make it to the Pratt home for this holiday.

Caleb, Sarah’s brother had left home at nineteen to join a construction crew headed for Cleveland and had never returned. That was five years ago. Sarah worried that Caleb’s absence at both Thanksgiving and Christmas would leave a void in her family’s happiness during the joyous season.

Adam Troyer had been dating Sarah for three years and had a good paying job making furniture. A few other men wanted to court Sarah but according to Adam, Sarah was HIS! If Sarah WAS his, then why wasn’t he happy and full of gratitude?

Sarah began to question her mother, Elizabeth, about Caleb wondering if she really missed him since he left the family five years ago. Elizabeth became quite upset and told Sarah to change the subject but Sarah kept probing until her mother began to cry. Sarah, being the type of young woman she was, felt terribly bad she had made her mother cry and apologized.

However, unbeknownst to Sarah, those questions she asked her mother about Caleb brought forth a string of memories for Elizabeth and she would never forget Caleb and she’d have: “...a dull ache in her heart until the day she died.”

Sarah decides she has to somehow find Caleb and ask him some questions before she can marry Adam Troyer. She hops in her buggy and sets off to see Caleb’s friend, Albert Sidley. Luckily for Sarah, Albert was able to provide Sarah with an address for Caleb in Cleveland, although it was four years old.

Now armed with an address, how in the world is Sarah going to find this place in Cleveland? She’s never been outside her small community and going to big city like Cleveland can be a dangerous place for a young woman Sarah’s age. And why would Sarah leave just before Christmas, what can she possibly gain by going to Cleveland and finding Caleb?

This was a beautiful story, one that you’ll want to read again and again. It would be a lovely one to read with family and friends at Christmas. Mary Ellis never fails and outdoes herself every time!!

[Paula-O · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of Mary Ellis Christmas novella, "Sarah's Christmas Miracle".

Mary packed a lot into this little book, Sarah is happy with her life, she has a long time beau - works in English B&B where she cooks and cleans.

Adam, the beau, sometimes wonders if Sarah truly loves him as she seems content to wait for marriage. She has not taken vows to the church which needs to be done before the amish wed and then there is certain time of year that they do it also so work will be slower and allow them a little time.

Sarah had a brother that left his home on construction job and never returned, now it is 5 yrs later and Sarah wonders what he is doing,how he is living and what changes have been made as he lives like one of the "English". She worries about it to the extent that she plans a way to find out his address and a visit to him.
When Sarah did visit her brother and saw he lived in dire straits as he was unemployed, she thought more of her life and how it was sort of in limbo and that she should make some changes and live life as she was meant to do as a wife- mother and helping in the community. Sarah came back home with a different attitude and Adam saw this when they were together again.
The Christmas miracle came about when Caleb visited a church and accepted that he needed his home and god in his life. He finally accepted that we are all sinners and God wants us to come home and live for him, I thought of the prodigal son when I read about Caleb.

This is a Plain and loving story of Hope and redemption, a welcome read at Christmastime and any other.....

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Beachy seems to have it all! As a 19 yr old Amish girl she has a job she loves working in a Bed and Breakfast, she has been dating Adam Troyer, and he would like nothing better than if she would join the church so he can make her his wife. She has never questioned wanting to be Amish, but to settle down and have children is something she can't do until she gets finds some answers to problems that have been bothering her.
Her brother Caleb had left the Amish faith several yrs ago, joining a construction crew and leaving for Cleveland and for all intents and purposes never looking back. The question she has is simple enough, what would make someone leave his family and faith, her brother holds the answer, so Sarah takes a trip to Cleveland to get answers, hoping she can at least convince him to come home for Christmas.
This is a very short story, unlike most Amish stories I have read it doesn't really center around a romance, even though we are given a glimpse of Sarah and Adam's relationship this story is more about redemption, faith, a mother's love, and a young ladies quest to find answers and hopefully bring her wayward brother home for Christmas.
This book is a very quick read and if your a fan of Amish fiction, with a holiday twist then you wont want to miss this book!
This book was provided by Readers Favorite for review.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Ellis writes beautiful stories…

I knew even before I read Sarah’s Christmas Miracle that it would be a wonderful Christmas story… something to read each December — or anytime you’re in the mood for a holiday story (I read Christmas stories whenever I need a warm, cozy feeling)!

This was a perfect Christmas novella, wasn’t it? It features the prodigal son… will he ever return home? It also has the coming-of-age of his sister, who has never given up, but is holding on to the hope that he will someday return home.

In the meantime, Adam, who has been courting Sarah for several years, is getting more than a little frustrated because she won’t make a commitment to him.

I loved reading about Sarah and the other members of her family, especially the bishop — who is, in my humble opinion, ornery as the day is long. Well, maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on him… after all, he loves his son, but his son left home. Will he lose his daughter too?

These are wonderful, believable characters who make me want to move to Fredericksburg! Doesn’t it sound like a lovely place to live? Mary paints such a picture — I could smell the turkey.

This novella has everything I love in a book… it’s Amish, about Christmas, and written by one of my favorite authors! I will definitely be recommending it — especially at Christmas time!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Beachy has a good life, she is nineteen, and has not joined the church yet. And while she has not had the typical rumschpringe, she just has not been ready to commit to the church yet. She knows that joining the church will open the way for her beau, Adam Troyer to ask her to marry him, and while she is fairly positive she loves him, she is unsettled about having a family.
She has questions that she wants answers to. Questions about why her brother Caleb so easily walked away from his Amish home and life, for a life among the Englisch in Cleveland. She wants to know why a child would leave his parents and siblings, she wants to understand that before she has her own family.
Her mamm is not happy about the trip Sarah has decided to take to find Caleb, and neither is Adam, but Sarah is determined to find answers. Will she find the answers she is looking for? Will she find what she is looking for in Cleveland?
I believe this is the first Mary Ellis book I have ever read and I truly enjoyed it. Ms Ellis, truly caught the atmosphere of a young Amish girl looking to find her way. I enjoyed this book very much. 144 pages US $10.99 4 stars.
This book was provided by Christian Bookworm Reviews, for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review

[Cheri Swalwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading Sarah’s Christmas Miracle by Mary Ellis. What a great book! I love all her stories - Amish or Historical. She writes with such depth and describes the places and people so intricately that I feel as though I’m part of the family. I feel in love with Sarah’s family immediately and loved how she went back and forth between the “Englisher” world and the Amish world so effortlessly.

Ms. Ellis’ books always have an undercurrent of spiritual truths throughout and this was no exception. You can feel the love of God throughout the family without it being forced or appearing fake. This was a great novella to get anyone into the spirit of Christmas and remember exactly why we celebrate to begin with.

I will be recommending this book (and all of Ms. Ellis’ books) to all my friends. They are the type of books that everyone loves as they speak to us all no matter what stage of life we are in. I can’t wait to read the next book Ms. Ellis writes - I know I will love it as much as I have her others.

[Diane U · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah is nineteen years old, she works at an English bed and breakfast and has a wonderful beau named Adam. There is just one thing, she has not been baptised into the Amish church so they cannot announce their engagement to the church. Sarah is worried about getting married and starting a family. Her oldest brother left the Amish community five years ago to become a carpenter in Cleveland, Ohio with the union and has never returned. She sees how her mother is hurt and how it has impacted her family, especially during the holidays. Before she gets married, she goes to find her brother to get some answers.

This is a wonderful holiday novella. It focuses on family, forgiveness and faith. This is the first book that I have read from Mary Ellis and I truly enjoyed it. I am looking foward to reading more from her in the future.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this little book. Sarah's brother left the Amish faith several years prior and she was really worried about staying in the faith, getting married, and having children, especially if all they do is leave. Sarah has a beau, Adam, who is ready to marry her, but how long can he wait? I really loved the parts about the Bed and Breakfast that Sarah worked at. I would love to go there. I also loved the part of the story where Sarah goes to see here brother. Overall very cute story that will get you in the Christmas mood.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah is having difficulty committing to the Amish life and setting a wedding date with her fiance. She is also missing her older brother Caleb who has gone "English". With Christmas fast approaching, she sees the sadness her mother displays over the 5 year laps of hearing anything from Caleb. She hopes that finding Caleb will help her answer the questions over her future.

Mary Ellis does a nice job in her short Christmas "novella" of the interplay of personalities and questions of commitment and forgiveness interspersed with the Christmas theme of love, light, and hope.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

‎"Sarah's Christmas Miracle" by Mary Ellis gets 5 stars from me. Sarah Beachy is afraid to tell Adam Troyer she will marry him because her brother Caleb left the Amish faith 5 years ago and no one has heard from him. Sarah must find him and find out the reason he left. She is afraid to have children of her own that will break her heart someday. She goes and finds her brother and is disappointed but the ending will have you believing in love and God forgiveness again if you had doubts before reading this book.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first time reading an Amish Romance book. Mary Ellis did a nice job getting one into the holiday spirit. It was short, simple and sweet. I feel she really knows the culture of the Amish and that comes across in her work.
For me, I don't like a predictable ending. I knew what was going to happen from the beginning. I was disappointed when I finished the book and everything played out exactly like I had guessed. This book did not leave me wanting more.
It was a very sweet story and I do not want to discourage people from reading this work. It's just not for me.