An Amish Holiday Family

An Amish Holiday Family by Jo Ann Brown is the fourth installment in the Green Mountain Blessings series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but they are a pleasure to read as a whole. I thought An Amish Holiday Family was well-written with developed, realistic characters. Beth Ann Overholt is a remarkable woman. She is at a crossroads in her life. Beth Ann had been a midwife helping Amish women deliver their babies under the care of a physician. Circumstances have left her without a job and then her grandmother passed. Beth Ann was raised by her grandmother and feels the loss heavily. She is in Evergreen Corners to help with the reconstruction which is in the final phase. Robert Yoder came to town to visit the sister he has not seen in twenty years. She escaped their abusive father as soon as she was able and never returned. Robert is carrying a heavy burden and it is not something he wishes to share. He does, though, want to find a way to rebuild the damaged covered bridge. Then comes along three children who need Beth Ann and Robert’s help. They are living in squalid conditions without adult supervision. Douglas, Crystal, and Tommy Henderson were delightful especially little Tommy. They provided humor in the story. There are some sections, though, that are sad (have your tissues handy). We get to see if Beth Ann and Robert can come together to help these three children. With a little help from God and the good people of Evergreen Corners, there might be a Christmas miracle. There is a mystery in the story as well. Tools and decorative items are disappearing from the job sites. The individual is sneaky and manages to disappear quickly. I liked that the characters from the previous three books are in An Amish Holiday Family. We get to see what is happening in their lives. I like that Evergreen Corners is a close-knit community. I can see why people who are visiting chose to stay. I loved the epilogue that wrapped up the story beautifully. An Amish Holiday Family is an emotional novel with a covered bridge conundrum, a tricky thief, a grocery gift giver, a surplus of laundry, and holiday happenings.