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Susanna's Christmas Wish

4.36 of 5 stars 4.36 · rating details · 59 ratings · 27 reviews

From the pen of bestselling Amish fiction author Jerry Eicher, (more than 350,000 books sold), comes a truly delightful and inspiring Christmas novella.

Fans will be delighted by this peek at an Amish Christmas, complete with the romantic wish of Susanna Byler to spend the holidays with the man of her dreams. But who is the man of her dreams? Is it the competent but plain A...more

Paperback, 141 pages

Published September 1st 2012 by Harvest House Publishers

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Dec 23, 2012 Krisz rated it 4 of 5 stars

*I want to apologize in advance for my mistakes if there are, I am not a native English speaker. Thank you!*

I always believed in the magic of the holidays, and of Christmas in particular because it brings people together, makes them better and more gentle, helps them feel in their souls the happy and dreamy children that they were once. No matter how far you are, when Christmas is coming is inevitable not to think about your family, the loved ones, and want to return as soon as possible at home...more *I want to apologize in advance for my mistakes if there are, I am not a native English speaker. Thank you!*

I always believed in the magic of the holidays, and of Christmas in particular because it brings people together, makes them better and more gentle, helps them feel in their souls the happy and dreamy children that they were once. No matter how far you are, when Christmas is coming is inevitable not to think about your family, the loved ones, and want to return as soon as possible at home and spend some of those great moments with them. And this is my favorite holiday, it's inevitable for me feeling excited when I look for the perfect gifts that will bring smiles on the faces of those I love, feeling happy like a child when the first snow settles, and not become melancholic because of the cute decorations.
So when Byler Susanna feels very sad and disappointed when her husband, whom she married recently, explained her very clear that they will never celebrate Christmas, because that is how things were always in his Amish family, rather strict when it comes to their beliefs, I perfectly understand her suffering. Both she and Herman are part of the Amish community are followers of the same religion, one in which modesty, simplicity and the traditional life is all.
It is inevitable that Susanna is upset with her husband, since Christmas was a very dear celebration of her, and her family always celebrated it in a simple way.
She wonders if she made the right decision marring him, and her thoughts go to Matthew, her first fiance, whom she loved with all my heart but now is a Englisha because chose to leave the community and live together with other people who do not share the same beliefs, and she did not want to accompany him at that moment.
When her ex comes back in the community, regretting his choices from the past and wanting to return here, especially for Susanna, who he still loves, things become complicated. His appearance could threaten her marriage.
Herman even begins to feel small in the eyes of his wife, being a simple and modest man, a worker, but not nearly as beautiful and charismatic as her ex.
Love and kindness will be the solution this time, but it remains to find out who will get it between the two .. Herman, her husband strict in terms of winter holidays, or Matthew, who is not seen well in the eyes of the community The magic of Christmas will help Susanna take the best decision ..

When I asked to review this book I wanted to read something specific for Christmas, and I think you already understand why..because I love it. I haven’t read carefully the description, I liked the cover, and since the action took place during the holidays, other details did not matter to me. Well, here comes the surprise I had when I started reading it. Christmas is more the décor, and things about Amish community and issues that Susanna is facing are the important ones.
I had no idea what Amish is when I started reading the novella. Many times I looked at the description on the cover to see if last period when the action happens. In my mind, I thought it was somewhere in the past, because of the behaving, thoughts and beliefs of the characters.
Obviously I could not feel the beauty of the book as a reader belonging to this religion will do. But the story is pretty inspiring, it shows that goodness and kindness help you get over any obstacle. Susanna is a young woman with a big and beautiful heart. Eventually, Christmas magic has a contribution, you'll see how, overall resulting a pleasant winter read, and as any book we learn something from is good from my point of view, so it is this one.
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Oct 25, 2012 Arlena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars, a-good-book, christian-fiction, ebooks, fiction-reviews, fiction, my-reviews, relationships, young-adult, holidays

Author: Jerry S.Eicher
Published By: Harvest House Publisher
Age Recommended: YA
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4

Review:

"Susanna's Christmas Wish" by Jerry S.Eicher was a nice holiday Amish novel. This novel was of how Susanna who thought that she would be happy ever after with Matthew, however, he decided to leave the Amish community and enter the English world. At this point Susanna knows that this would be no life for her so, she moves on and becomes interested in Herman Wagler......more

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Sep 28, 2012 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-historical-romance-fiction, chick-literature, christian-fiction, contemporary-fiction, romance-fiction

Susanna Wagler is trying hard to move forward and hoping to leave her past behind. But when your heart has been badly broken, it's hard to find ways to mend it again. She gave her heart many years ago to Matthew Yoder, who loved her and brought out all the goodness and love she had to offer. She believed after so many years of getting to really know him, that they would be married. In fact, when he asked, she was more than willing and ready to say yes. But little did she know that that simple an...more Susanna Wagler is trying hard to move forward and hoping to leave her past behind. But when your heart has been badly broken, it's hard to find ways to mend it again. She gave her heart many years ago to Matthew Yoder, who loved her and brought out all the goodness and love she had to offer. She believed after so many years of getting to really know him, that they would be married. In fact, when he asked, she was more than willing and ready to say yes. But little did she know that that simple answer would cause Matthew to realize he didn't really love her as much as she loved him. He left Susanna behind and went to live among the English. Now Matthew's been banned and Susanna has wondered if she could ever learn to love again.

Herman Wagler had waited most of his life for opportunity to present itself with Susanna. However, this was not the opportunity he had in mind, when he would spend months trying to find ways to heal her broken heart and restore the love she had inside. She did agree to marry him, but her heart just wasn't there. He hoped in time, she could come to love her as much as she loved him. But they were both raised to accept certain family traditions. For Susanna, her family celebrated Christmas as the English did on December 25th, while his family held on to the beliefs that it should be celebrated on January 6th. When Susanna asked him about spending time with her family on Christmas, Herman reminded Susanna that now that they were married, they would be establishing their own traditions and he would follow in the way he was raised and forbid Susanna to spend time with her family.

In the novel by Jerry Eicher, Susanna's Christmas Wish, invites the reader into a difficult time for newlyweds, Herman and Susanna Wagler. While this is just one of the many situations causing them conflict, Susanna is trying to fight her feelings of love and realizes, she loves Herman differently than she did Matthew. She knows she has to push back her past and try to find ways to really love Herman like she should and life suddenly becomes more complicated when Matthew comes to visit his family and is hoping Susanna's feelings for him, haven't changed.

I received Susanna's Christmas Wish compliments of Harvest House Publishers and Net Galley for my honest review. I am a huge fan of Christmas books and especially Amish romance novels, so when the opportunity presented itself to review this one, I knew I would enjoy it. I was not disappointed and truly admire Susanna's character. The choices she makes are admirable even despite not getting her way with trying to please her new husband, Herman. It shows that not all of our life choices are easy, but with grace and doing the right thing, great blessings can come from them. I rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars. (less)

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Aug 28, 2012 Judy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Susanna’s Christmas Wish - A Delightful Holiday Read!

This was a quick enjoyable read. I picked it up as often as I could. I just had to find out what was happening with Susanna and Herman.

Susanna and Herman had not been married long when they had their first disagreement. Herman was adamant about keeping his family’s tradition when it came to Christmas. Susanna was upset that she wouldn’t be able to spend Christmas at her Mom and Dad’s this year. She was determined to be a good wife to Herman an...more

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Aug 03, 2012 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

This novella is a heartwarming story that falls under the classification of Amish fiction. Susanna and Herman have been married for just a few weeks. Herman's family is very strict about sticking to the traditional ways while Susanna's family likes to celebrate the Christmas holiday on December 25 which is when the Englisha celebrate it. Herman has told Susanna that they will not be attending the celebration and Susanna is deeply hurt by this as this will be her first year she is not celebrating...more

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Oct 24, 2012 Paula-O rated it 4 of 5 stars

I only had one bad thing to say about this book of Jerry Eicher,
It is not long enough.....

"Susanna's Christmas Wish" by Jerry Eicher

Great story about Susanna who loved Matthew and the two planned marriage and happy ever after-well at least Susanna did. As the years went by she could see that Matthew had a restless spirit and when he talked of leaving the community she knew there would be no life for them together. Susanna loved her amish life and faith and would never think of leaving it.
After M...more

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Nov 15, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-fiction, christian-fiction, christmas, first-tour, inspirational, review-books, harvest-house-publishers

I’m a sucker for Christmas novellas and I’m so glad I had the chance to read this book! Susanna’s Christmas Wish is a beautiful Amish Christmas novella that took little time to settle into and get acquainted with newlyweds Susanna and Herman – both set in their ways and traditions. I could totally relate to Susanna’s struggle in learning to be submissive to your husband especially when he comes from a different background as well as Herman’s struggle to stick with his old traditions without thin...more

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Sep 13, 2012 Andrea Norton rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, amish, christian-fiction, christian-romance

Title: Susanna's Christmas Wish
Author: Jerry S. Eicher
Post Date: September 12, 2012
Blog URL: http://sweetpea0944.wordpress.com
Review Link: http://sweetpea0944.wordpress.com/201...

Susanna's Christmas Wish was the first novel I have read by Mr. Eicher. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised when I sat down to write this review and found that Jerry Eicher is a man and not a woman as I had assumed. His writing is wonderful and he beautifully expresses the heart of the female character in this...more

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Sep 16, 2012 Rhonda Gayle rated it 5 of 5 stars

A wunderbar book !!! Jerry Eicher has once again stolen my sleep as I have not been able to put Susanna's Christmas Wish down to close my eyes to get some sleep! I am a big Jerry Eicher fan, to begin with, and I love love love Christmas books. Poor Susanna is faced with a dilemma though: her new husband, Herman, does not celebrate Christmas as his family of origin felt it was an English custom and should only be celebrated in January on Old Christmas and in a VERY simple manner. Then her old boy...more

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Jan 15, 2013 Kristin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-book-challenge, kristin-jager-s-2013-book-challe

I recently read "Susanna's Christmas Wish" by Jerry S. Eicher. This book was a fairly quick read. I found it to be a book about how deep one's love can be.

This book was about Susanna and Herman Keim. Recent newlyweds who are faced with challenges and test of faith that they could have ever imagined. Through these trials and tribulations, their own love and commitment for each other is challenged. Without giving spoilers, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat. You keep thinking who is goin...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Sandi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, book, own

What a wonderful book. Susanna and Herman are newly weds just starting their life together. Matthew is Susanna's old boyfriend who has been put under the bann for going into the Englisha world but has come back to his family over the holidays. Susanna wants to carry on the Christmas traditions of her family. Herman has been brought up to not celebrate Christmas in December. Susanna's wish is to be the best wife to her husband, even if that means not celebrating Christmas with her family.

It is a...more

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Aug 25, 2012 Lynne Young rated it 4 of 5 stars

Anytime I get a book by author Jerry S. Eicher I know I am in for a good read. This one, although a novella, is no different. Right from the beginning you are drawn into the young marriage of Susanna Keim and Herman Wagler. Herman having a strict Amish upbringing and Susanna having a more relaxed Amish upbringing are at odds over the Christmas holiday. How they deal with this and the reappearance of Susanna's former fiance makes this book a delight to read. It was interesting to see how the auth...more

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Jun 05, 2013 Nancee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Nancee by: 0

Young newlyweds, Susanna and Herman Wagler are adjusting to their new life together. Susanna still holds onto memories of her past love, Matthew Yoder, who left the Amish community during his rumspringa. As preparations for Thanksgiving Day were being made at Susanna’s sister's home Matthew suddenly shows up. Matthew’s presence threatens Susanna’s relationship with Herman, and places Herman in a depressed state, worried that his wife doesn’t truly love him. To complicate matters Susanna is heart...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: SUSANNA’S CHRISTMAS WISH
Author: Jerry S. Eicher
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
September 2012
ISBN: 978-0736951517
Genre: Amish / Christmas novella

Susanna married Herman Wagler, on the rebound. She loved Matthew Yoder with all her heart, but when Matthew left the community, Susanna agreed to let Herman take her home from singings, and then agreed to marry him. But even after marrying Herman, she isn’t madly in love. She tries to be, she pretends to be, but it just isn’t there. It is wors...more Title: SUSANNA’S CHRISTMAS WISH
Author: Jerry S. Eicher
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
September 2012
ISBN: 978-0736951517
Genre: Amish / Christmas novella

Susanna married Herman Wagler, on the rebound. She loved Matthew Yoder with all her heart, but when Matthew left the community, Susanna agreed to let Herman take her home from singings, and then agreed to marry him. But even after marrying Herman, she isn’t madly in love. She tries to be, she pretends to be, but it just isn’t there. It is worse when she learns that Herman doesn’t believe in celebrating Christmas and he won’t let her celebrate with her family.

Herman does believe in Thanksgiving, so he allows Susanna to go to her sister’s house to set up for the festivities. But when Matthew is there also, things in Herman’s and Susanna’s marriage go from bad to worse. Tongues wag, questioning Susanna’s ethics. Herman is jealous, and Susanna’s heart is torn asunder. Will she remain true to her vows and find a lasting love with Herman?

SUSANNA’S CHRISTMAS WISH is a sweet little Christmas novella by acclaimed Amish author, Jerry Eicher. Being formerly Amish, I put a lot of faith in Mr. Eicher’s fiction about the people and their faith.

Susanna is a bit dramatic. She is determined to be the perfect frau and so she is constantly telling herself and Herman how much they love each other, they do, and rushing to make things absolutely perfect for him. I think she overdoes it, and her actions are transparent, making Herman struggle a bit more in his faith of Susanna. The characters could be fleshed out a bit more, making them more likeable, but this is a novella and there isn’t a lot of room for in depth point of view.

If you are looking for a cute, quick, Amish Christmas themed book, then SUSANNA’S CHRISTMAS WISH is a sweet little novella that you might love. I read it through in a day, and would have loved it to have been a longer, full length book. But it is perfect for a quick read. 4.5 stars $10.99. 144 pages.
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Oct 16, 2012 Diane A Brown rated it 5 of 5 stars

Love is the healing balm…

When Susanna’s broken heart finds a home with her new husband Herman she relishes the chance to be a gut frau (good wife). But when Matthew, her old sweetheart, returns from the Englisga life Susanna’s world starts coming apart.

Will the love between newly married Susanna and Herman be strong enough to keep them together? What of the other differences, will they pull them apart or can they find common ground?

Susanna’s Christmas Wish will warm your heart, a wonderful addi...more

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Nov 13, 2012 Faye rated it 4 of 5 stars

A Christmas tale of love and learning.

When newlywed Susanna's old flame comes back to their district, causing troubles in her new marriage to the love of her life, Herman Wagler. It get's harder when Herman announces that he doesn't want to celebrate Christmas with a big to do. Will Susanna and Herman be able to patch things up in time for Christmas?

This is actually the first novel by Jerry Eicher that I have personally read, and it exceeded my expectations by far. It wasn't your typical heartw...more

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Oct 15, 2012 Wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Susanna Keim married Herman Wagler after being jilted by Matthew Yoder who happened to be her sisters brother-in-law. Matthew and Susanna had been going out for two years and were engaged when he decieded to leave the Amish. He wanted Susanna to go with him but she refused so the engagement was broken since he is under the bann.

After a few months she finally agreed to let Herman take her home and since his Mamm agreed, he asked Susanna to marry him. She agreed even though she wasn't as in love w...more Susanna Keim married Herman Wagler after being jilted by Matthew Yoder who happened to be her sisters brother-in-law. Matthew and Susanna had been going out for two years and were engaged when he decieded to leave the Amish. He wanted Susanna to go with him but she refused so the engagement was broken since he is under the bann.

After a few months she finally agreed to let Herman take her home and since his Mamm agreed, he asked Susanna to marry him. She agreed even though she wasn't as in love with him as she'd been with Matthew, she thought she could grow to love him just as deeply.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and then there will be Christmas, she could hardly wait until Christmas day to spend with her family at her Mamm and Daedt's house. They always had a large family breakfast with everyone then spent the day enjoying the visiting and snacking before everyone would leave to go home. She knew that the Wagler's didn't celebrate new Christmas, they kept with the old Christmas, but she didn't think it would be a problem. Herman finally told her that they would not be going to her parents home because their family tradition would be as the Wagler tradition was always celebrated, the old Christmas. Susanna just didn't know how she would tell her family this and how she was going to get through this holiday season.

To make things worse, when she goes to her sister Mary's house to help prepare for Thanksgiving dinner she sees an Englisch car parked by the barn, she doesn't think too much about it until Mary meets her at the door and tells her that Matthew showed up the night before. Now she has to tell Herman that Matthew is back just after they'd had their first argument. When they return to Mary's for Thanksgiving dinner, Matthew still hasn't left like he said that he would, making the day very stressful for them. Not only is he there, he wants to talk privately to Susanna, she refuses, but he does catch Herman as he's getting the buggy ready to leave.

On the way home Susanna and Herman have quite the conversation and all does not go well. Herman stays out in the snowstorm until early morning making himself sick. Matthew has talked to the preacher stirring up trouble, and meddling Ivy, Herman's mother, comes over and stirs up more problems. This marriage doesn't seem to be going too well at this point.

I really did enjoy this short story! It gives you a glimpse into how, what I get the impression of anyway, a lot of Amish marriages start out. The bride and groom are just friends, marry for convenience (marrying a widow or widower to help with children for example), or because they are getting past the 'marrying age' and want to hurry and do so. Some couples grow to love one another and some don't, but they stay married regardless. Herman and Susanna have a lot of things working against them at a time that is supposed to be happy, being newlyweds and the holiday season. You'll have to read to find out what happens.

I would recommend that you get this book to read this holiday season, you won't be sorry.

I received this book from Harvest House Publishers for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.(less)

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Nov 11, 2012 JoyAnne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved the cover and the heartwarming story inside, add the Christmas season and you've got a great book! It can be read in one day which is good because it was hard to put down. The author took a difficult situation and worked it out beautifully, he really understood Susanna's heart and the dilemna she was in and expressed it wonderfully.

Susanna's Christmas Wish gets 5 out of 5 stars. I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Sep 17, 2012 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I just finished reading "Susanna's Christmas Wish" by Jerry Eicher. I give it 5 stars. Susanna is in love with Matthew and they are going to get married but then he wants to go to the English world and leaves her behind. She gets married To Herman and then Matthew returns. Susanna's Christmas wish is to make her marriage a good one. Does she get what she wants? I'll leave that for you to found out for yourself! But I think you will be surprised.

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Oct 01, 2012 IrenesChristianReviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Looking for a quick book with Amish believers as the main characters? This book is just what you are looking for! You will love every page.

The author, Jerry Eicher, does an excellent job of writing an easy to read and enjoy story. The characters are intriguing and their conversations will keep your attention. I thought the story itself about Christmas, past loves and current situations was relevant and everyone will enjoy it!

I gave this book 5/5 stars. I liked the story and how the characters in...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Sue Laitinen rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this story, I loved the newness of the relationship between Susanna and her husband, and how the author showed how their everyday trials helped their relationship become closer and stronger. Really enjoyable.

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Jan 13, 2013 Hannah rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this story, but there were many spots that were repetitive.

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Jan 26, 2013 Molly Fitzsimons schlenz rated it 4 of 5 stars

good quick little read.

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Dec 20, 2012 Bob James rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good story. Undeveloped subplot and character(Matthew) but it's Christmas Novella, so meant to be short.

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Jul 24, 2012 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 100-books-in-2012, 2012-rrrc-s-books-i-read-for-a-chal, amish, christian-fiction, read-fall-2012, read-in-2012, review-books, the-challenge-factory-s-120-books-i, november-2012

Susanna's Christmas Wish is a sweet and heart warming story about a couple's first Christmas season together and the struggles of trying to meld their different traditions together. It is a very quick read and I found it to be quite enjoyable. If you love Amish fiction and Christmas stories, I am sure you will enjoy this one.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

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May 07, 2013 Larik rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-library, reviews, 2013-reads

Great story! Susanna was dating a guy before he left Amish community and only after few weeks after her marriage to another who truly loves does this guy come back and wants to win her back. I really like how she battles with herself for what is right and ends up truly loving the man she married!! loved this book.

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Sep 24, 2012 Staci rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am not schooled in the Amish ways, but have always been fascinated by them. This book was a welcome insight into Amish beliefs, old and new. I truly enjoyed it. A wonderful look at Newlyweds and decision making. Good Christmas read.

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Jan 20, 2013 Lynne Kravitt added it

Excellent BOok

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Jun 17, 2013 Sharon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jun 05, 2013 Susan marked it as to-read

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About Jerry S. Eicher

Jerry Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 210,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, the Hannah’s Heart books, and the Little Valley Series. After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies. Jerry lives with his wife...more

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