Second chances and the Christmas spirit abound in Mindy Steele’s heartwarming novel, one of faith, love, and the power of community.Grace Miller believed herself in love with the charming Englischer who eventually broke her heart. Now alone except for the secret life growing inside her, she arrives in the unfamiliar small village of Walnut Ridge, Kentucky, to hide and hopefully gain forgiveness.… hide and hopefully gain forgiveness.
She is pleasantly surprised, however, to find a tight-knit, welcoming group who help her heart grow right alongside her belly. And with the holidays around the corner, there’s plenty of preparations to occupy her mind. Also occupying her mind? Her strong, protective neighbor, Cullen Graber, the town’s blacksmith, who seems intent on not allowing her to ever suffer alone.
Cullen Graber gave up on love after too many losses early in life. He planned to live out his days focusing on his smithy business, yet the beautiful and mysterious Grace refuses to leave his thoughts. But can they open their hearts to God’s grace and create a new family together before Grace must return home?
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I really, really liked this book. I feel like Grace was so relatable and why not many face her situations I feel that as Christians we all at one point have wondered if we deserve the forgiveness God gives us. Grace while faced with a tough situation she took things in stride and you seem to “watch” her grow as the story went on. Cullen oh man I liked him to his heart was always in the right place to help those who needed help. He truly loved deeply and with the losses he faced he seem to not have a wall around his heart and he was open to what God gave him. This book is a clean read and I really felt like I was catching up with friends why reading it. I love Tess and you will need to read the book to find out why, because I would just give to much away about her. Overall I could not put this book down and this was a quick read and a really good book to me. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
“Christmas Grace” by Mindy Steele
A Captivating Story
For those of faith, a story of God’s timing of forgiveness and the opening of hearts for second chances, and the healing of old wounds, too. Walnut Ridge, KY what a great community to claim as home. Yes, I loved this story and the time I spent with Grace and with Cullen. I found it very hard to put this story down, even to tend to necessities. This is a worthy read. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley
This review shares my honest opinion.
The author gives us a story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go, right to the end there are surprises! I loved most of the people in this Amish Community, they embraced this broken girl, no friends and banished by her father far from home, Grace Miller is living in the Sinner Shack.
We also meet a kind Amish man, and get to know him, many set their cap for him, but we learn why he is not married. Cullen see a broken woman, and tries to see to her needs, even if she feels unworthy of anyone helping her.
This is a read that highlights forgiveness and grace, and living ones faith, from beginning to end the pages flew on this great read!
I received this book through Net Galley and Entangled Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.
Christmas Grace by Mindy Steele stands as my first Christmas read of 2021 and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Grace and Cullen, the main characters, held my interest from the start. Grace, and everyone around her, recognizes that she is far from perfect, but Cullen is an amazing male lead as he reflects the selfless love of Jesus so well to Grace. The character-driven plot gave both Grace and Cullen the necessary time and development to grow as people and embrace their future. I adored their relational tension and blossoming love.
My enjoyment of Christmas Grace’s storyline overshadowed the few typos and occasional awkward conversation in which I wasn’t sure which character was speaking. However, I mention those flaws as I know some readers might struggle with them more than I did. Amish romance is not my normal genre, so I cannot speak to the cultural authenticity or plot uniqueness, but I think many Christian Fiction readers will find Christmas Grace by Mindy Steele enjoyable.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
Christmas Grace by Mindy Steele is a wonderful addition to anyone’s Amish Library. It is a must-have addition to your Christmas library.
Grace Miller has sinned, been shunned by her community, allowed to return to the church, and punish by her father by being sent to a small community of Amish in Walnut Ridge, Kentucky, to live in isolation until her baby is born. It is Grace’s hope to return to her community after the birth and be accepted by her community and most of all, by her family.
As the story progresses, Grace is shown acceptance by new friends, and her aunt, in this small Amish community. She is especially helped by a kind neighbor, Cullen Graber, who is the the town’s blacksmith. Cullen understands loss and loneliness. He is determined to care for Grace even when Grace doesn’t understand why.
Travel through this story and discover forgiveness and second chances as Grace and Cullen’s story unfolds.
Mindy has again given us a 5-star book to ponder and enjoy.
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Uniquely different! This well written Amish Fiction drew me in to the point that I forget it was fiction. This was a Christmassy read that was filled with the Spirit of the season. Until reading this book I didn’t realize there were Amish communities in Kentucky. I liked the characters that made this story come to life. I loved the unpredictable suspense early in the book that had me on the edge of my seat. I thought the book was definitely entertaining, easy to read, inspirational and romantic. I enjoyed this book so much that I hated to see the end coming.
Grace Miller made the mistake of dating an Englischer after her kneeling vow. Jared Castle made Grace believe that he loved her and that he was willing to become Amish. When he found out she was pregnant Jared left town leaving her to face her family and her pregnancy on her own. Even through she confessed her sins before the church and had received forgiveness, her Father Ben Miller banned Grace from her home and sent her to Kentucky to hide away in a run down cabin in the mountains. How could a Father be so unforgiving to his daughter?
Aenti Tess Miller lived in Walnut Creek Kentucky. She was unmarried and lived by herself. She seemed to be bitter and cold to Grace and after she arrived in Kentucky Aenti Tess didn’t go out of her way to make her niece feel welcome. There seemed to be a cloud of secrets that surrounded Aenti Tess and few people in the community knew what was in the older woman’s past.
Cullen Graber was Graces closest neighbor. He was a blacksmith for the community and kept busy with his work. He was very handsome but he was a loner. He started doing little things to help Grace. He couldn’t believe the baby’s father had abandoned Grace in her time of need. The fact that her father banned Grace from her home and family and sent her to live in a old run down cabin appalled Cullen . What kind of Father does that to his daughter when she needed forgiveness and love more now than she ever had before? Such a pretty Amish maedel that made a mistake in her life banished from her family, unforgivable and left to live on her own in the sinners cabin.
I recommend this book to readers of Amish Fiction and for those who like to read Christmas novels. This book can be read as a stand alone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Christmas Grace is the first introduction to the talents of Mindy Steele. I thought it was a great first for me. I enjoyed reading this sweet tale of faith and grace. I loved the chemistry between Cullen and Grace. It is a little predictable but still worth reading. I had no problem reading the story in one sitting. This is a delightful and quick read that would be perfect to spend a cold, rainy day drinking hot tea by the fire.
I am giving Christmas Grace four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean Amish Romantic Fiction and for those taking place during the most magical time of the year. I will be looking for more by Mindy Steele in the future.
I received a copy of Christmas Grace from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
What I think you should know:
Christmas Grace by Mindy Steele is a contemporary Amish Romance.
What you might need to know:
Grace is an unwed mother after becoming pregnant by her “English” boyfriend. She is repentant for her choice.
What I think about this book:
While it had an unusual heroine, what started out as a sweet predictable Amish Romance had so many hidden gems that I will be thinking about it for a long time to come. When Grace is sent by her father to stay in Aunt’s community until her child is born she feels that the punishment is what she deserves. Instead of being shunned by the community like she has been by her father she is welcomed with open arms, and love that sees past her mistakes. I loved the residents of Walnut Ridge. The people show her God’s love and mercy and help her to see that since she has repented she has been forgiven. Even a villain in the story had some powerful truth “Paid Enough?….. You think you must pay for making a mistake. That is for Gott. Not Man” I really enjoyed reading this book and definitely read more by Steele in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
What a true Christmas spirit novel full of wonderful, easy to love characters, well except for maybe one. Grace finds herself expecting and is dumped by her boyfriend. She lives in a very strict old order Amish community with an even stricter father. Even though she confesses before the church and is forgiven, her father still sends her away to another Amish community where his sister lives. He gives very specific instructions to be followed to the letter by Grace. I couldn’t help but feel for her. We all make mistakes and no one is perfect. But she is placed in a broken down shack on a hill without easy access. Very few furnishings, a broken front door and very little food or wood for a fire.
She even has to use an outhouse! But this new community welcomes her with open arms and loads of love. Her “closest” neighbor is a bachelor, Cullen, who checks on her periodically. The two of them are broken from their pasts and need healing in a big way. The hardest thing to do is forgive one’s self.
Grab a cup of hot coffee or tea and a warm blanket and travel to a place that seems so real you want to go there yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
I have always had a hard time understanding how the Amish shun someone when they believe that person has done something that goes against their rules. My heart instantly went out to Grace as she steps inside the little cabin she has been sent to stay as part of her punishment. Her father has turned his back on his daughter and I could feel the despair Grace felt. Now she must face the consequences of her actions alone. The author describes the place Grace now calls home as a lonely, deserted falling apart little forgotten about dwelling. Well that is what I describe it as. Perhaps it is exactly how Grace feels. Now what will she do as she ponders over her situation? Grace will face a bumpy road like no other as she is an unwed mother to be in a community that she is a stranger to.
Cullen is oh my what can I say about him. He is kind, giving, handsome and has a big heart. He can’t believe Grace is going to live in that rundown shack. Maybe he will have to look in on her to make sure she has provisions. Cullen is upset that Grace’s family has left her in that horrible shack with no one to help her. I could feel his anger at the thought of Grace being shunned. The scene that Cullen comes up on at the shack is heartbreaking. Now he knows that Grace needs help and the town will have to step up and welcome her.
Grace’s aunt seems to be a stern uncaring woman but soon a secret is discovered. It helped me understand Tessie more and I saw within her a woman who has suffered so much in her life. I think she was my favorite character because she is like many who suffer in silence. She had me crying as she finally stood up to the person who had hurt her. In that moment she said, “I forgive you.” It is a lesson we can all learn from. The pain we endure from someone only God can heal. With His guidance we are able to forgive. I applaud the author for a character who many can relate to.
The story is beautifully written where a community opens their hearts to a woman who feels rejected. Their compassion for Grace is heartfelt and shows Grace what family means. I liked the surprises in the story and the healing of the heart that several characters experience. The faith element in the story is written well and delivers a message that God all supplies our needs and gives us hope.
“It is what we earn from our mistakes, what we do to right our wrongs, that matter.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Christmas Grace by Mindy Steele is a heartwarming Christmas story. Grace was lied to by her ex-boyfriends and then sent away by her father. She was left alone in a rundown home and left to fend for herself while expecting a child.
This is a nice story of second chances, of forgiveness, and caring for others. The story is nicely written, easy to read, with great characters. There is a bit of humor and mystery written into this story as well, which makes it very enjoyable to read. The new community Grace lives in is so loving and caring and does not hold her mistake against her. I really enjoyed the parts of the story of the ladies helping her and including her in their events. Her nearest neighbor, Cullen, is very caring and continues to deal with his own loss. I enjoyed the twist with her aunt’s history and how it affected her life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.