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While Shepherds Watch Are Keeping
Massachusetts, 1899This Christmas, Pastor Seth Shepherd has little to offer his flock of congregants in their time of need until Jessalyn Grant, a mysterious newcomer, comes to his aid.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2023
22 people want to read
About the author
Susanne Dietze
62 books656 followersSusanne Dietze began writing love stories in high school, casting her friends in the starring roles. Today, she's an award-winning, RITA®-nominated author who's seen her work on the Publisher's Weekly and ECPA Bestseller Lists for Inspirational Fiction. Married to a pastor and the mom of two, Susanne lives in California and loves fancy-schmancy tea parties, the beach, and curling up on the couch with a costume drama. You can visit her on her website, www.susannedietze.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 25, 2023
***RECOMMENDED - CHRISTMAS EASY READING TO PREPARE THE HEART FOR THE SEASON***
Massachusetts, 1899
"...when one is facing hardship, it often helps to focus on helping someone else."
"Never had a friend, male or female, challenged or encouraged him in his relationship with God or his work the way she had. He'd never met a woman who could make him feel this confused yet at the same time this peaceful- "
This was a lovely story with plenty of moments of redemption.
Shortly into the story, I realized I had read it before. I checked the copyright and found "Formerly Published in Love's Pure Light Collection, 2020 by Barbour Books."
But, it being Thanksgiving, and with me traveling, a Christmas read was the perfect cup of tea. I must say having reread this story: I truly enjoyed it & it touched my heart, bringing the meaning of Christmas forward. Beautiful. I ended up upgrading my rating from 3 stars in 2020 to 4 stars in 2023 (& adjusted it on the previous review).
Also, the author designed the beautiful cover of this novella. 👏🏻
((4 Stars=I really like it.))
I purchased the eNovella from Amazon not realizing I owned it in the previous collection. It stands alone fine, but I do recommend the full collection as the nativity travels forward in time.
All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.
Thanks to Susan Dietze for alerting me to the availability of this one!
It makes book 💯 in my 2023 reading challenge!!
Whoo hoo!!!
😁👊🏻💫👍🏻💥🙌🏻💞
𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 100 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023
Massachusetts, 1899
"...when one is facing hardship, it often helps to focus on helping someone else."
"Never had a friend, male or female, challenged or encouraged him in his relationship with God or his work the way she had. He'd never met a woman who could make him feel this confused yet at the same time this peaceful- "
This was a lovely story with plenty of moments of redemption.
Shortly into the story, I realized I had read it before. I checked the copyright and found "Formerly Published in Love's Pure Light Collection, 2020 by Barbour Books."
But, it being Thanksgiving, and with me traveling, a Christmas read was the perfect cup of tea. I must say having reread this story: I truly enjoyed it & it touched my heart, bringing the meaning of Christmas forward. Beautiful. I ended up upgrading my rating from 3 stars in 2020 to 4 stars in 2023 (& adjusted it on the previous review).
Also, the author designed the beautiful cover of this novella. 👏🏻
((4 Stars=I really like it.))
I purchased the eNovella from Amazon not realizing I owned it in the previous collection. It stands alone fine, but I do recommend the full collection as the nativity travels forward in time.
All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.
Thanks to Susan Dietze for alerting me to the availability of this one!
It makes book 💯 in my 2023 reading challenge!!
Whoo hoo!!!
😁👊🏻💫👍🏻💥🙌🏻💞
𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 100 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023
November 28, 2023
A Christmas novella set in 1899 small industrial town in Massachusetts.
The town of Millerton faces a difficult Christmas with the mill closing and families losing their income. Young Reverend Seth Shepherd tries his best to encourage his congregation and help them however he can. But he feels he is not meeting their approval just like he is not living up to his father's expectations.
A Christmas time visitor, a Miss Jessalyn Grant, gives the struggling church not only a generous donation for much needed repairs, but also offers her time and talents to ease the burdens of the congregants.
The kind and friendly Jessalyn is the niece of the Chester Mills owner, and she is on a mission to bring her uncle back to the fold and stop him from closing the mill.
In addition to these two themes, there is a whole network of deep and difficult subjects and strained relationships that every character brings with them.
Dietze writes about each of the conflicts without compromising the wonder and the message of Christmas.
This novella is full of unknowns, difficult and sometimes wrong decisions, and hard choices, but the main characters pray at every turn and rely on God to solve the situations.
The town of Millerton faces a difficult Christmas with the mill closing and families losing their income. Young Reverend Seth Shepherd tries his best to encourage his congregation and help them however he can. But he feels he is not meeting their approval just like he is not living up to his father's expectations.
A Christmas time visitor, a Miss Jessalyn Grant, gives the struggling church not only a generous donation for much needed repairs, but also offers her time and talents to ease the burdens of the congregants.
The kind and friendly Jessalyn is the niece of the Chester Mills owner, and she is on a mission to bring her uncle back to the fold and stop him from closing the mill.
In addition to these two themes, there is a whole network of deep and difficult subjects and strained relationships that every character brings with them.
Dietze writes about each of the conflicts without compromising the wonder and the message of Christmas.
This novella is full of unknowns, difficult and sometimes wrong decisions, and hard choices, but the main characters pray at every turn and rely on God to solve the situations.
July 19, 2025
Both Jessalyn and Seth were struggling with the expectations from their family members when they met. Jessalyn was visiting her Uncle after her father's rejection, and Seth was following God's calling to be a small town pastor against his parents' wishes.
As Christmas drew near, Jessalyn's uncle planned to close the mill, which employed the majority of the people in town. Seth was asked by his father to take a new pastoral role close to home. Yet, both felt a need to help each other in order to help the community they both loved.
The questions for everyone were: Would Mill be saved? Would Seth leave for another church? Would Jessalyn return to her father's home? Or.... would Seth and Jessalyn seek God's desire for them and accept their identity in Christ?
As Christmas drew near, Jessalyn's uncle planned to close the mill, which employed the majority of the people in town. Seth was asked by his father to take a new pastoral role close to home. Yet, both felt a need to help each other in order to help the community they both loved.
The questions for everyone were: Would Mill be saved? Would Seth leave for another church? Would Jessalyn return to her father's home? Or.... would Seth and Jessalyn seek God's desire for them and accept their identity in Christ?
December 9, 2023
This was just a sweet novella to read just in time for Christmas. We meet Jessalyn who has the skills that will hopefully help the little town that is struggling with the mill closing. At the same time, she meets Pastor Seth Shepherd who is doing all he can to encourage his little flock.
When the two of them put their minds together, there's no stopping them. Unfortunately, the pastor's plans aren't ones Jessalyn is expecting.
I enjoyed getting to know both characters as they do all they can to help the little town. Jessalyn and Seth both have things in common such as their faith and issues with their family members. Neither live up to expectations.
If you're looking for a historical holiday read to get you into the Christmas spirit, this one will truly enjoy.
*The author sent me the book for review. This is my personal opinion.
When the two of them put their minds together, there's no stopping them. Unfortunately, the pastor's plans aren't ones Jessalyn is expecting.
I enjoyed getting to know both characters as they do all they can to help the little town. Jessalyn and Seth both have things in common such as their faith and issues with their family members. Neither live up to expectations.
If you're looking for a historical holiday read to get you into the Christmas spirit, this one will truly enjoy.
*The author sent me the book for review. This is my personal opinion.
January 1, 2024
I loved this Christmas novella full of faith, family, and the importance of the true meaning of Christmas. I like reading novellas over Christmas. It is such a busy time of year, and I always try to find one that will transport me to a simpler time. This is a wonderful story and I found myself wrapped up in Seth and Jessalyn's growing friendship. I would have read this one much quicker, but our household has been sick for a few weeks and that put a damper on my reading time. I purchased this ebook and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
December 2, 2023
A lovely Christmas story
A delightful addition to Susanne's books. A Southern Belle goes west. An insecure pastor who has much to learn. It's an easy, pleasant read.
A delightful addition to Susanne's books. A Southern Belle goes west. An insecure pastor who has much to learn. It's an easy, pleasant read.
December 10, 2023
A good Christmas read!!
Set in 1899 in a mill town, this is a wonderful story of forgiveness and family! A great comforting story!
Set in 1899 in a mill town, this is a wonderful story of forgiveness and family! A great comforting story!
February 24, 2025
A very sweet little Christmas book. It was heartening to watch how the Lord worked and provided for the characters in this book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews