Sunday, October 11, 2015

"Christmas Cradle" by Charlotte Hubbard

About The Book

The Christmas Cradle

For the peaceful town of Willow Ridge, November presents an early holiday surprise. Stranded in the snow, 18-year-old Lena Esh and her boyfriend Josiah Witmer need more than a place to stay for the night. Lena defied her strict family and their judgmental beliefs to run away with Josiah and have his baby. But she's starting to wonder if he can prove as responsible as he is passionate. And she isn't sure how—or if—they can ever find a place to truly call home.

Expecting their own miracle baby, Miriam and Ben Hooley rally the town to help the young couple, and Lena draws strength from their unexpected support. Though trouble may come calling, in this season of joyous rebirth, a little child will lead them. And two couples will see their dreams of forever family come true . . .


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This book was released in September 2015
This book is part of my personal library that was used to review

My Review

“Christmas Cradle” by Charlotte Hubbard is the final book in her 'Seasons of the Heart' series. Though this is the final book it can be read by itself if someone hasn't read the prior books, but I have to say that there is something special being missed out by not reading the prior books. There is one constant thread throughout the series and that is who the bad guy is.

Not long ago I read a review on a book (can't remember what book sorry about that) and it was the message of forgiving a character who the reader just hates. This series is a great example of hating a vile character who got nuttier and nuttier with each book to the point where I couldn't stand this character and wished for just deserts for this character. I wasn't sure what was going to happen but I kept thinking that no matter what happened I have to forgive this character even though they are just a fictional character with no real person to forgive. In all honesty it was a great exercise in forgiving in those who seem unforgivable. That is all I am going to say about that for anything more and I would be spilling the beans on what happens with the character.

This is a book with some pretty important lessons such as forgiveness, overcoming mistrust and hatred, learning to step up to do what needs to be done, to grow in maturity, and how to handle the uncertain future with grace. Things don't always work out the way one expects or hopes for but with the support of family and friends, but above all else being in God's will nothing is impossible for a person to have that peaceful, happy ending. That is one thing that really seemed to be the most important message in the story that if we are in God's will, even if we want to be in control, things will work out in ways that we can't even begin to understand.

Lena and Josiah are a young couple that are facing an unknown future with so many unknown factors in their future as well. This is really a story that gives hope to all those young couples who are facing the same problems as this young couple for together things can be overcome. With love and support of family and friends nothing is impossible, but it always help to remember that hard work is a major component in making things turn out for the best. That is something that was never in question though for neither Lena or Josiah were afraid of working hard and sometimes it seemed as if they were working a little too hard at somethings and not hard enough for other things.

To give my opinions on the young Lena and Josiah would sadly give away something really special about them for they go through so many changes throughout the story. As I said they are not afraid of hard work in the slightest but at times work a little too hard on somethings. There are plenty of changes that this couple face and mistakes that they each made that they have to own up to along the way. There are some pretty big changes that happen which makes it so hard to describe this young couple without giving away part of the plot so I am going to leave them as it stands with what I said.

I loved seeing Ben and Miriam again playing such a large part of the story for their strength is something that was really needed in this story without a doubt. Ben and Miriam have played such a large part in the entire series, even though each book has been stand alone books, Ben and Miriam have been important with the lessons that really fit the story itself. This is no different but here they play a larger part and the lessons they teach are just as important.

This entire series is going on my keep shelf so that I can pull it out over the years to read time and time again so that I can see what new message will be there for me to discover. I hope all who have been reading this series will enjoy this book as much as I did, and for those who haven't read the other books, I hope with this book will entice those who haven't to pick up the other books to do so. I look forward to the new series that will be starting next year.


Other 'Season's of the Heart' Books and Novellas
                                                      found in An Amish Country Christmas
                                                   found in An Amish Christmas Quilt