Christmas In SugarCreek
A Seasons of Sugarcreek Christmas Novel
Shelley Shepard Gray

Avon Inspire, HarperCollins Publishers
October 2011 /978-0062089762
Romance
Amazon

Reviewed by Jan Fields

Sweet romance is blooming in Sugarcreek. Judith has always been the good daughter -- so much so that her family takes her hard work a bit for granted. In her heart, she'd like to come home to a family of her own. However, her hopes for a good husband certainly don't include Ben Knox.

Though he's stayed true to his Amish faith, everyone's always known Ben Knox was a bit wild. He's certainly not the kind of man for Judith.

But, of course, he is. That's how romance novels work -- the path of true love never did run smooth. The question is how well does the author rope us in and make us care about the path of this particular true love. Shelly Shephard Gray makes us care very much. We hurt with Judith as she tries to sort out her feelings and how best to handle them. And we root for the other young loves in the novel as well -- Lilly, who worries she's not good enough for her husband Robert, who gave up so much to marry her. And Caleb, who loves a girl with secrets. Even though we know a happily ever after is a sure thing in sweet romance, we still find ourselves worrying a bit and caring very much for these young couples. This is a wonderful quick read for a cold winter's night and an inspiring look at the warmth of Christmas with family, faith, and love.