The Christmas Remedy: An Amish Christmas Romance

· Sold by WaterBrook
4.4
7 reviews
Ebook
208
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

When an Old Order Amish woman takes a job at a small-town pharmacy struggling to survive in a world of "big box" stores, her motive is to help her Plain community. But the advent of the holiday season brings an unusual mystery to the surface--and possibly love.

Twenty-four-year-old Holly Zook lives a unique life for a young Amish woman. Years ago, her bishop allowed her to continue her education and become the lead technician for Greene's Pharmacy, an old-timey drugstore that looks out for the Amish community--a group largely without secure healthcare plans. She knows she can't marry and hold onto her professional job. She's Amish, and she can only have one or the other, so she spurns love and works toward addressing treatable diseases--like the one that claimed her father's life.

As long as Holly continues to avoid Joshua Smucker, the one man who draws her like a warm hearth in winter, she should be fine. When something unexpected threatens Greene's Pharmacy, Holly and Joshua must work together to unravel what's happened and find the "missing" patient before the Board of Pharmacy shuts them down. As the snows of December arrive, with Christmas in the air, will Holly succumb to the generous spirit of the season?

Ratings and reviews

4.4
7 reviews
Kristina Anderson
October 23, 2018
The Christmas Remedy by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall is An Amish Christmas Romance. Holly Noelle Zook has an unusual profession for an Amish woman. She is a pharmacy technician at Greene’s Pharmacy in Raysburg, Pennsylvania and studying for admission to nursing school. Holly wants to bring better health care to the people in her community. She wants to make sure they have access to medication and doctors. Holly is determined that what happened to her father ten years ago will not happen to anyone else. Holly is aware that to achieve her goals she must sacrifice having a husband and children since Amish woman quit working once they get married. Holly returns to Greene’s one morning after her deliveries to find Joshua Smucker standing outside. She enjoyed socials and other youth events with him for six months until he began to get serious. Holly is attracted to him, but she will not give up her goals. Inside the pharmacy, they find Lyle Greene on the ground after suffering a stroke. Lyle’s son, Brandon, who is close to becoming a licensed pharmacist, moves home to help care for his father until he is back on his feet again. Lyle and Brandon do not have the best relationship, and Brandon does not plan on working at Greene’s after graduation. He wants to work at a large chain pharmacy where he can earn more money. Then the pharmacy board inspector pays a visit bringing a serious matter to their attention. Holly and Joshua with help from Brandon and Graham have six weeks to resolve the problem. If they do not succeed, the community could lose Greene’s Pharmacy forever. The Christmas Remedy is a unique Amish story. Holly Zook is a spunky, intelligent and determined woman with one goal in mind. She is a progressive thinker for a baptized Amish woman. Holly is willing to give up a future with Joshua to achieve it. But is there another way? Brandon is estranged from his father, and he plans on working at a large chain pharmacy to earn a bigger paycheck. Time at Greene’s Pharmacy and in Raysburg gives Brandon a different perspective. I found The Christmas Remedy to be well-written with with a lovely small town. The thoughtful characters suited the story. The author explained Holly and Brandon’s motivations, and we see how circumstances as well as time can alter their viewpoint. I like the mystery that is included. It adds more interest and depth to The Christmas Remedy. Readers get to see how the Amish view healthcare and how they manage without insurance. I have insurance and can still barely afford to visit a doctor with the high co-pays. Many Amish prefer herbal remedies over modern medicine. Holly wants to educate the Amish on their options and know when to visit a doctor. Preventative care is important to staying healthy and finding a serious illness in time. Readers also get to learn more about pharmacy operations. They are governed by rules and regulations just like any business except they have more oversight and reporting (the laws vary from state to state as well). There is Christmas tidings and romance as well in The Christmas Remedy. I hope we see more Amish books like The Christmas Remedy with females in unique professions. Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall created an intriguing Amish novel in The Christmas Remedy.
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Meagan Myhren-Bennett
October 24, 2018
The Christmas Remedy By Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall Holly Noelle Zook is determined to prevent any needless Amish deaths, not when they could be prevented with basic medical care and knowledge. The loss of her father has driven her to help out in the nearby English pharmacy for years. And she hopes to further her own education so she can help her friends and neighbors even more. When an emergency threatens everything she's ever worked and Greene's Pharmacy could be shuttered Holly Noelle has to accept help from Joshua Smucker. Josh is everything an Amish girl could want unless she's Holly Noelle. Working outside the home is not an option for an Amish woman should she marry and Holly is determined not to marry. EVER! So dating is out of the question - though if she and Josh could just be friends... Brandon Greene is just this close to having his pharmacy license when his dad needs him. Not that his dad would ask but Holly Noelle let him know. And once again his life is on hold thanks to the unexpected. He had been happy to leave Raysburg behind but now it looked as if he was back at least for a short stint. With time counting down Holly, Josh and Brandon have their work cut out for them if they are going to get to the truth of what happened before everything went wrong. Where was the paperwork they so desperately needed or had Doc Greene truly done something wrong? This is a nice Christmas read, one that has the Amish and English life woven together in a mutually caring community that is just starting to break down the barriers and mistrust that have divided them. There are characters that one can connect with almost instantly and see the varying viewpoints from each one's perspective and sympathize accordingly. Maybe everything doesn't work out just how everyone would have hoped but that could be a good thing in the end. If you want a feel-good read, pick this one up, curl up in your favorite corner and while away a few contented hours. I received this book from the publisher through their book launch program. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Joanne Parker
December 15, 2018
An Amish Christmas live story
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About the author

CINDY WOODSMALL is the New York Times and CBA best-selling author of twenty works of fiction and a non-fiction book. She's been featured in national media outlets such as ABC's Nightline and the front page of Wall Street Journal. Cindy has won numerous awards and has been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards. She lives outside Atlanta with her husband, just a short distance from her children and grandchildren.

ERIN WOODSMALL is a writer, musician, wife, and mom of three. She has edited, brainstormed, and researched books with Cindy for almost a decade.

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