| Title | : | A Simple Amish Christmas |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1426710666 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781426710667 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 256 |
| Publication | : | First published March 1, 2010 |
A Simple Amish Christmas Reviews
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I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I loved writing it. I grew very close to the characters and the Amish community, and I found myself falling in love with the Christmas season all over agin.
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SUMMARY:
Annie Weaver always planned to return home, but the 20-year old RN has lived in Philadelphia for three years now. As her time of rumschpringe is about to come to an abrupt end, bringing for Annie an overwhelming sense of loneliness. She returns home and finds herself face-to-face with a budding romance with an Amish farmer and Annie has several important choices to make.
REVIEW: I have stayed away from Amish fiction for some time as I started to find many of them very formulaic. I really enjoyed this simple Christmas tale though. Annie was an interesting character as she had both a side that appreciated learning and becoming a nurse (considered more "Englisch" rather than Amish) as well as another side that appreciated the simpleness of her Amish lifestyle. Coming home allowed her to merge these two sides into a life that allowed the best of both. Both she and Samuel discovered that life does allow for second chances. I did feel that the story ended rather abruptly and would like to see a sequel as there were some sub-plots that never did come to a conclusion. But at this point, I don't believe there has been any follow up story. Overall a good Christmas read.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Secrets aren't always bad Annie. Unless they weigh heavy on your soul--"
"There is His admonition to do unto others as you'd wish-- I know the scripture, Mamm--I expect you do. Most of us know it. The knowing is easy. It's the doing that gives us trouble."
"God's serenity would be the only thing that would bring her joy--not the things she could or couldn't accomplish on her own. -
Chapman’s book lived up to everything I expected from it. It was a light, fluffy read full of Christmas spirit, happy endings, and little else. She does an excellent job of exploring the Amish culture of the Pennsylvania Dutch, which gave the novel a little color. The plot was predictable, you can see it coming from a mile away, and instead of foreshadowing Chapman kind of smacks you over the head with what’s going to happen next. Her writing style is very simple which made the book a very quick read and also seemed to mimic the Amish style she was writing about. While I normally would consider a “simple writing style” a negative mark for a book, it actually seemed to add to the quality of Chapman’s story. She’s writing about a simple, unadorned culture and writing about it in an overly ornate or literary style wouldn’t do it justice.
While this book is listed as both “romance” and “inspiration/religious” in genre it actually wasn’t as overt about either of these things as some of the other books out there. It does cross over into the “chick lit” category a little , but romance does not dominate the text. In fact, I found the family relationship with Annie and the rest of the Weavers more developed and more interesting than the romance developing between Annie and Samuel. It also isn’t heavy on the religious aspects either. While it is impossible to separate the Amish culture from religion, this is not a religiously dominated book either. It’s more of a coming of age story, where Annie is struggling to find her place in society and do what she is meant to do. Annie just chooses to find her path through God, and Chapman does an excellent job of making that struggle realistic. No one in this book is portrayed as perfect because they’ve “found” God, religion is a personal choice.
The plot is fairly simple, and while I loved how Chapman portrayed Annie and Samuel, some of the other characters in the book fell flat and I would have liked just a little more, if not character development, just character rounding out. It also seemed to end rather abruptly, and I would have liked for Chapman to carry the book through at least one more chapter describing the family’s “second Christmas” which she seems to be building up towards throughout the story. She also leaves a lot of sub-plot threads up in the air and I would have enjoyed seeing at least a few of those carried out to the end, such as Susan’s pregnancy, or the issue with the general store (which seems almost randomly thrown into the story as it is not resolved or even revisited at a later time with more information).
Overall I found the book an enjoyable, holiday read, and I’m glad I added it to my Christmas reading list this year. It’s a quick, simple (but in a good way) read, with a heartwarming story that will make you happy to spend the holiday season with your family. I do wish Chapman had tied up a few of the loose ends, but that’s no reason to shy away from reading this book. It might not be a Christmas classic, but it will help you get in the holiday spirit -
Opening Sentence: “…Annie Weaver sat in the back seat of her aenti’s car, determined to hold in her tears…”
When Amish children turn 16, they are encouraged to explore the world outside their community, to rebel a little. This is to give them a chance to decide if they wish to continue to follow the Amish faith. Annie Weaver was feeling restless so she opted to go and stay with her aunt and have her period of ‘Rumschpringe’. While she is away she becomes a qualified nurse. Something she does not tell her family as non-traditional medicine is something the Amish only use a last resort.
Now, three years after leaving her family, she is asked to come home as her father has been in a serious accident – both his legs have been broken after a car hit his buggy in a snowstorm. He is perilously ill. On her first night at home she meets up with the local Amish farmer Samuel Yoder he is medically trained and gives aid to the community. He remembers the flibberty gibbet she use to be and questions both her ability to care for her dad and her commitment to the community.
Samuel is a widower and the loss of his wife and baby eight years ago has stolen his youth and his passion for life. Annie Weaver’s return to the community seems to awaken something deep inside him but he feels that he is too old for her.
Now Annie is home and once again living the simple life she knows she never wants to leave. She just needs to figure out how to use her training for the good of the community.
In the days leading up to Christmas Samuel realises what an asset to the community Annie will be as they work together ministering to the sick. Is there any way he can convince her to stay? Should Annie follow her heart? Both Samuel and Annie seek the will of God and accept the advice of family and friends.
A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS is a sweet (but not sickly), heart-touching romance and that is both warm and fuzzy and inspirational.
A well-written and researched debut inspirational novel, it has realistic main characters and a very good story that just sucked me in from page one. I do hope that there will be more stories from this wonderful community. Author, Vannetta Chapman, says she is writing more Amish romances, as well as mysteries and Christian historical, so hope to read a lot more of her work in the future. -
Easy read centered around an Amish community. Not very Christmasy but nicely put together and a good quick read. Dont know how close the author stuck to Amish culture but it’s a sweet story.
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I really enjoyed this short story. Of course, I always enjoy books featuring the Amish. In this one, it's Christmas time and I love the way they celebrate the holiday....it's simple without all the commercialism and fanfare we "Englischers" have.
A quick read which can be devoured easily in a weekend. -
Title: A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS
Author: Vannetta Chapman
Publisher: Abington Press
October 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4267-1066-7
Genre: Inspirational/Amish
Annie Weaver left home during her rumspringa to live with an aunt. While there, she got her GED and her RN. She has a good job at a Children’s hospital when she gets a call that her dad was in an accident. Annie drops everything and rushes home to care for her dad.
When she gets there, she discovers that Amish “doc” Samuel Yoder has questions about her ability to care for her dad. Annie doesn’t want to admit that she has an RN and as much training as he does, but she doesn’t want him to treat her like an irresponsible child either.
Samuel isn’t prepared for Little Annie to be all grown up. His best friend is her father, and while Samuel is attracted to her, the age difference between them causes him to hesitate. But will it be too long, to lose her to a man closer to her own age? And will Annie find her place in the Amish world again?
A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS is the debut novel by Vannetta Chapman. It has a different approach to many of the Amish books I’ve read, but it is no less good. I really enjoyed getting to know Annie and Samuel and learning about the community they live in.
Annie is a realistic heroine, but I was a little surprised at how easily she gave up her job at the hospital. I was also a little confused because the prologue indicates she was sent away unwillingly, but later it says that she went away. There were also portions of the book that encouraged skimming. Still, this was an excellent debut novel and I would look for more by this author. I’m giving it 4 stars since I don’t have the option of giving it 4.5. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book, making it ideal for discussion groups. $13.99. 275 pages. -
This book was just what I needed at the start of my break. I honestly expected it to be a cheesy, and although it is a love story, it wasn't cheesy at all. The character's felt genuine as did Chapman's portrayal of the Amish way of living. It didn't just come across as how a non-Amish person thinks it should be.
The main character, Annie, has spent three years away from her Amish community. Once she returns, she realizes how much she has longed for a simpler way of life, but feels confused by the restlessness that she feels from time to time. I could really feel her emotions and the confusion she felt about her developing relationship with Samuel.
The plot is slower paced, but I think it suited the novel overall. It was interesting to learn about how they live their day to day lives and how they handle medical problems within the community.
I was a little skeptical in general of the story getting so caught up in the Christmas theme that it would be overshadowed, but it definitely wasn't. Chapman blended the idea and meaning of Christmas really well in the story without being heavy-handed. The romance, while somewhat predictable, feels very sincere. It's fairly obvious how it will turn out, but it's more about watching them get there than wondering if they will or not. The blossoming romance was tender without be overly emotional or cheesy.
It did end a bit abruptly for me. It all ends well, but there's no falling action, it just ends. I'm sure this isn't something that would bother everyone, but I would have liked a bit more closer, just a short epilogue or something.
Overall, this was a sweet, comforting read. I recommend for those who like sweet romances and Amish-set stories. -
Annie Weaver world turned upside down when an unexpected call came while on duty as an RN in Philadelphia. She had been homesick for home with Christmas coming, but to learn her father was injured brought her face to face with Samuel Yoder, the Amish “Doc”. Their encounters created some unexpected twists and turns throughout the story, but the community was open to Annie’s nursing skills. Will romance bud between Annie and Samuel for her to experience the simple Christmas she loved and longed for?
This debut book by Vannetta Chapman was released in 2010, so I’m not sure how I missed reading it before now. -
An effective story about a young Amish woman who uses her time among "the English" to become a registered nurse, and then is called back to her community when her father is injured in a buggy accident. Right off the bat, Annie has an abrasive encounter with Samuel, the man who serves as the community's medical advisor -- he still recalls the flighty girl who left, and treats her as such. Over time, their relationship changes, but both of them have a lot of self-doubt to overcome...
Vanetta Chapman writes honestly, if a bit didactically in spots, about her characters' emotional and spiritual struggles, and these are not cardboard "religious" characters; their faith is fully integrated into their personalities and not just a convenient plot device. The stories surrounding Annie and Samuel can be a bit sugarcoated, but not always. There's a few minor disappointments -- after all the hype about the school Christmas presentation, for example, I'd have liked to have actually seen it, along with a more conclusive resolution for one of the girls Annie was helping. And there's an apparently significant point made two-thirds in about a potential crisis affecting the entire community that just goes nowhere. Maybe Chapman's saving that for a sequel, though; it would certainly seem that there are more stories to be told about her Miflin County Amish. -
Annie is such a wonderful Amish woman. She left home at sixteen to pursue her education while living with her Aunt in Philadelphia. She is called home to help her family and she heads back without a second thought. With the holiday season upon her, she is feeling really homesick for her Amish family and their traditions. Once returning back, she quickly gets back into her Amish routine while she cares for her father. In only a month's time, she meets Samuel, who cares for all the sick in their community but he is not a doctor. She is able to use her nursing skills to help him and the community.
Without giving away any details of the book, I wish Ms. Chapman would write another book to make this a series so we can see how things play out with Annie and all the other characters in this novel. Although I am happy with how the story ended, I feel that it could continue if she wanted it to.
Based on reading this book, I would never have thought that this was Vannetta Chapman's first novel. Her writing is wonderful and so is her talent to develop her characters. I am looking forward to reading more from her as it becomes available! -
At the age of 17, Annie Weaver is sent to live with her aunt. While doing so, she continues her education to become an RN. Let me remind you that this is against everything the Amish believe, that is receiving a higher education. One day while at work, she receives some horrible news. There has been an accident and she is asked to return home. Upon her return home, she finds herself butting heads with an Amish farmer who is having some personal issues of his own. What will this Christmas season bring for Annie? Will she find love when she isn’t expecting to? To find out read: A Simple Amish Christmas!
I absolutely loved this story. In fact, I don’t have anything bad to say about any of the Amish based books that I have read. This one in particular, is a favorite of mine. I love how family pulls together during a crisis. I also love how two people, both going through some personal issues find a way to help each other out without even realizing it. I will admit, I was afraid of how the ending would turn out. However, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome of this story.
I rate this book: 5/5 -
I read this book on my Kindle.
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Chapman. I really enjoyed it. I've read so many Amish books that they are starting to run together on me. But this one hit a little closer to home with the medical field being involved.
Some things I noticed medically were
1) she got her high school degree and graduated with a RN degree in 3 years. I wanna know what planet that happens on, cuz there is a huge shortage of nurses, and yet waiting lists to get in.
2) she had some maternity training in nursing school and performed perfectly at the delivery in the book. I've been a Labor & delivery RN for 4+ years and you can't learn everything in 1 semester of school. Our nurses go through 12+ weeks of 1:1 training and still don't know everything. I would be very surprised at a RN letting a student nurse perform such tasks by herself to qualify the student as a pro. I can't believe an APGAR of 7 was made without a stethoscope or adequate lighting.
Other than the unbelievable stuff, I really liked the story.
4 stars. A great Christmas Holiday read. -
I must say that even though Vannetta Chapman is new to the Amish genre, she created an amazing tale in which fully enthralled me. When I didn't have book in hand, I pondered on what Annie was up to, how her daed's legs were doing and how David was occupying him, and Sharon Smucker was getting alone. Let me say that I do know that the characters are fictional, but they became my friends and would love to have girlfriends like Annie, Charity, and Rebecca, and help Sharon through all the feelings she and her family are dealing with. I know, like Samuel and hopefully Sharon, that even though you forgive, you never forget, but it gets easier.
I hope Vannetta continues with more books that we can learn to love these characters even more. To see if Charity finds a beau... maybe even David, learn more about Annie's aenti and why she lived in Philadelphia, and if Annie becomes a midwife for her community.
Danki Vannetta for a such a wunderbaar story of love, faith, and patience. -
A Simple Amish Christmas
By: Vannetta Chapman
I am a big fan of Amish Fiction and Vannetta Chapman knows how to write them. She brings her characters out in a way that you feel like you are right there with them.
We have a young Amish girl, Annie Weaver, who left home at an early age to go and live with her English aunt. She wants to further her education, get her GED, and be an RN. She is missing home and at 20-years old she decides to go back home. Will she be accepted back home with her education and will she be able to use it? There is an Amish farmer back home , could she find happiness after living among the English?
You will love "A Simple Amish Christmas" and Annie with her new education.
This is a good clean novel you do not want to miss out on. -
Vannetta Chapman did a great job on her debut novel A Simple Amish Christmas. It was so good I couldn't put it down and I do hope she writes a follow up book to let us know what happens to Annie Weaver and Samuel Yoder. Annie returns home from living in the English world for 3 years. She is coming home because of her sick Father. She had hopes of returning one day anyway. In the English world she went on with her schooling and became a RN. Will she be able to continue her work as a RN? Will she be baptized and join the church? Will she find love back in Mifflin County? You must read the book to find out. I wouldn't want to spoil it for you! I promise you, you will love this story!
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Annie is called home to help her Dad after an accident. She has been living with her aunt in Philadelphia for the past 3 years while doing her rumschpringe. She has gone to school and is a nurse. Her family doesn't know that she's a nurse and she's so happy to return to her Amish roots that she doesn't tell them right away but is glad to be able to help her father. She meets Samuel who she knew when she was a child and is now the acting doctor for the Amish. After a rocky start, they become attracted to each other.
This was a good read. Chapman did a good job of fleshing out her characters and making them likeable. I will miss reading about Annie and Samuel. -
I read this on the Kindle
It a nice read while it has Christmas in the title it didn't focus just on this
Annie who left the Amish before she was baptised in to the faith & she becomes a Nurse when her father has a accident she goes home to look after him the family don't know she a nurse
This is a different read from some of the Amish books i have read still a very good read it has been left so it could have more in a series of the people -
This was a great book!! I saw it on the free list on Amazon and thought I would give it a try and am I glad I did. The book is an easy and fun read. I have not read an Amish romance in quite a while but the characters are so much fun and I did not want the book to end. The author is new and I can't wait to read more of her books!
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Occasionally I will pick up an Amish book to read and this is one I got on my Kindle. I read it quickly and it was an enjoyable read complete with good characterizations and a satisfying ending.Even if you are not usually a fan of Amish fiction, you might want to pick this one up for a Christmas read. I was totally charmed by it.
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I really liked this book but didn't give it more stars because it kinda left me hanging.....there were other stories started that weren't finished as much as I was happy to read about the couple finally getting together....wish there was a sequel.
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This was a pleasant read about life in an Amish community at Christmastime. I enjoyed its focus on the role of medicine and healers in the community, but other than that it wasn't really a stand-out read for me. It was an enjoyable read with nothing objectionable.
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Wonderful Christmas story with engaging characters and a beautiful Christian romance.
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A Simple Amish Christmas is an appropriate read any time of the year. You will enjoy the story line and as in all of Vannetta Chapman's books you will become involved with the characters.
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What is there say . . . besides delightful?
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This was a great book about deciding what you want in life.
