The Christmas Singing

I'm not usually one for Christian fiction or Christian romance books. I've read a few Amish romance novels and I couldn't ever connect with the characters. My own life seems so far removed from the characters in these kinds of books, so normally I don't really have a frame of reference to go with. So I don't really know why I picked this book to review but I'm glad I did.

This is a light easy read with characters that are real and flawed and likable. The story centers around Mattie who had her heart broken by the love of her life, Gideon. She then moves out of state, starts a new life with her own bakery and meets a safe, nice man who she plans to marry. Through various circumstances, she comes back into contact with Gideon and realizes that she's not over him completely.

While the ending became a little predictable, I enjoyed this book all the way to the end. Honestly though, every romance novel regardless of genre is a little predictable! I don't want to give anything about the story away, but there's really no bad guy here. All the characters had their flaws but you could really empathize with them. They all had their reasons for doing the things they did but didn't try to actively hurt one another.

My only small complaint is, there were parts that I felt would have been better and made the story overall better if they had been fleshed out more. A little longer, more in depth book would have been better for me.

A nice surprise is the recipes at the end of the book for the cakes in the story. They sound so very yummy and if I ever have the time and the inspiration I might have to pull out this book and make one of those cakes. If Christian romance, especially Amish is your thing you will really enjoy this book.

I received a copy of this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for my review. I was not required to give a positive review and all thoughts contained within are my own.

Cindy Woodsmall has done it again. She has written another great Amish book that was difficult to put down when I got it. It's hard to believe that Christmas is just a little over 6 months away but I have greatly enjoyed this book. I love reading books about the Amish and loved reading about this one.

"The Christmas Singing" is a heartfelt book that I could not put down and it only had 189 pages in the book which meant that in one day I could read this book. I loved how Gideon had a nickname for Mattie and never truly understood why until I finished the book.

I highly recommend this book to all those who love to read a good book while its raining or you just want to read a heart-warming book then this is the book for you! Read an excerpt from the book here. You can purchase this book at most online retailers and from most retailers as well.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

The Christmas Singing, by Cindy Woodsmall, is an Amish stand alone novella but features the reappearance of characters from other novellas. And even though not a lot is written about Christmas itself, the story is still delightful and entertaining.

The Christmas Singing is about Mattie Eash's new life three years after a devastating breakup with her childhood boyfriend, Gideon Beiler.

Mattie moved from her home in Pennsylvania to her brother's home in Ohio, after catching Gideon in the arms of an Englisher. There she begins a very prosperous business and finds a new boyfriend, Sol Bender, someone who makes her feel very safe. However, an unexpected and crushing event forces her to move back home to Pennsylvania - and closer to Gideon.

Mattie's unresolved anger and frustration leaves her and Gideon both confused and unable to move forward in their lives. As time progresses we see new, mature love begin to emerge and the past finally dealt with in a kind and forgiving manner.

I really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to reading the prior novella, Sleigh Bells, and the subsequent one, Cherry Blossoms. I received an e-book copy from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.

Recently, I read The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall. It is another of her great Amish books. As an outsider of the Amish way of life it always interests me to get glimpses into what it might be like to follow the auld ways.

The Christmas Singing follows the story of Maddie--affectionately known as Maddie Lane--who is a young, Amish woman who creates beautiful cakes and runs her own cake shop. However, disaster strikes Maddie Cakes and Maddie is forced to move back home to her parents' house while she rebuilds and re-evaluates things in her life. When Maddie returns home she also had to face the reason that she left--Gideon. Gideon is the man Maddie first loved and he broke her heart. We get the chance to see Maddie deal with forgiveness, pain, and so much more as she discovers the true motives behind what Gideon has done.

The Christmas Singing is filled with strong writing and beautiful imagery. Although the plot can be easy to anticipate at times it's predictability in no way detracts from the story itself. If you have enjoyed other Cindy Woodsmall books then you will not be disappointed with The Christmas Singing. It is an excellent read and should be enjoyed by anyone who likes a glimpse into the Amish way of life, love, and faith.

I was given a free copy of this book by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing for review purposes.

I loved this book. The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall is an Amish novel set in Amish towns in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The main character Mattie Eash moved to Ohio after her childhood love broke off their relationship. Determined to make a new start, she opens her own cake shop and her creativity flourishes. With a successful business, Mattie has it all--even a promising beau, safe and loyal.

But when her shop goes up in flames and she's forced to return to Pennsylvania at her elderly parents' request, she dreads what she knows will happen--seeing her ex-boyfriend Gideon.

Gideon Beiler has his reasons for breaking up with Mattie. In spite of her suggestion that he cheated on her, Gideon did not do that. But for him, it was easier to allow her to think that way instead of telling her the truth. Gideon's Mattie Lane, as he always called her, lived in Ohio but it didn't keep him from making visits every now and then to check up on her, in secret. When Gideon hears that Mattie Lane has returned to Ohio for a few weeks, he can't help but feel those old feelings stir up so strongly. But he must hold them to himself, because he knows she can't find out the truth.

This book was incredible. Cindy did a great job writing the story, and Gideon's secret kept me on the edge of my seat! This is a great story for the Amish enthusiast. I highly recommend this one! It's a keeper!