The Angel of Forest Hill
An Amish Christmas Romance
-
-
4.7 • 43 Ratings
-
-
- $8.99
-
- $8.99
Publisher Description
A time of anticipation. A season of miracles.
Because of Joel’s impossible situation, twenty-one-year-old Rose must sacrifice everything. As days pass into years in the midst of the beautiful hills, the laughter of children, and God’s providence—is it too much for Rose to hope for love in return?
An amazing journey toward love and belonging, filled with the wonder of the season of Christ’s birth.
When Old Order Amish Rose Kurtz is asked to leave her family, travel deep into West Virginia, and help Joel Dienner with his children in the wake of tragedy, the quiet young woman recognizes a home where she might find kindness instead of criticism and hope replacing harsh words. She agrees to stay in Forest Hill and become Joel’s wife for the sake of his family needs, but their marriage is to be a partnership, one built from need, not love and affection.
As the years pass, Rose continues to beckon Joel to join life again, to take joy in his growing children, and to awaken his heart to the possibility of new love. Joel hopes that Rose can move beyond deep-rooted hurts to see the beautiful Christmas ahead, their season. But will the arrival of a beautiful widow and a series of misunderstandings reverse how far Rose and Joel have come?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bestselling novelist Woodsmall (Hope Crossing) returns this holiday season with another Amish story about finding unexpected love in the face of tragedy. Rose Kurtz works hard but feels she can never live up to her Mamm's expectations, so when the bishop of her community asks her to move from Pennsylvania to help a grieving father in rural West Virginia, she gladly agrees. Joel Dienner, still deep in mourning after his wife's unexpected death, reluctantly lets Rose care for his newborn daughter and two young sons. They marry a week later to avoid wagging tongues, and three years pass as they create a strong bond over the children. Rose slowly heals from her wounding childhood and Joel begins to feel again, but they may not be able to get past the hurdles that threaten what could become a real romance. The story builds quietly as Woodsmall focuses on the tough minutiae of forging a new life when original expectations fail to materialize. Woodsmall's many readers will love this well-written, ruminative story that will be a welcome respite from holiday busyness and stress.
Customer Reviews
Angle of Forest Hill
I could not put this book down. Great touching heart warming story. Absolutely loved it
Lovely Christmas Amish novel!
The Angel of Forest Hill by Cindy Woodsmall is a lovely Amish romance. Rose Kurtz is the only daughter in the family. She has eleven brothers and their needs dominate the household. Her mother has never had a kind word for Rose. Then one day the Bishop comes by to ask a very large, life altering favor from Rose. There is a family in need in a small Amish community. Joel Dienner just lost his wife, Florence (died giving birth). He needs someone to help with the children (two children in addition to the new baby, Grace). There are only eight families in this little Amish community. They would love to help, but they all have their own families and responsibilities. Because of the circumstances, Rose would have to marry Joel. Rose knows this is her chance to get away and she agrees. The two marry, but they each have their own bedroom. A year later Joel is finally starting to come alive again. Rose has been a big help with the kids and with Joel’s business. Her suggestions have even helped his business become profitable. Four years later the two of them are still in separate bedrooms. But they are attracted to each other. They spend more time together and get to know each other. Joel helps Rose overcome her fears. Erma, Joel’s former mother-in-law, is very nasty to Rose. Joel talks to her and, unfortunately, lets it slip that Rose and Joel have never consummated their marriage. Erma hot foots it over to the Bishop to tell him. The Bishop (Joel’s father) has no choice but to take this issue to a higher authority. Just when Rose and Joel are ready to move forward with their relationship, they might be ripped apart. Join Rose and Joel in The Angel of Forest Hill.
The Angel of Forest Hill is a special book. You will be drawn in right from the beginning. The book is well-written, has good characters, and a beautiful setting. The story is told from Joel and Rose’s point-of-views. I give The Angel of Forest Hill 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). It is a sweet story, but it does have a predictable ending. The Angel of Forest Hill is lovely book that will help you get into the spirit of Christmas. It is a short novel (208 pages) that can be finished in just a couple of hours. I do wish the author had provided an epilogue. I would have liked to find out how Rose and Joel fared. Did they have kids? Did Rose end up having a good relationship with her mother? There are a couple of recipes at the end of the book.