Benaiah Troyer has loved Susanna King for as long as he can remember, but when his parents died in an accident a year ago, he broke up with her–for her own good. After all, he was now the sole caregiver for his three younger sisters. What woman would want to put up with that? Still, against his better judgment, he can’t help leaving her a gift now and then, anonymously addressing her name in big … in big block print, just to catch a smile. Roses one month, maple syrup candy another; and maybe this time, something special for Christmas. //
Susanna has never gotten over losing Benaiah, but now the clock is ticking. Her father is selling his glass-blowing business, remarrying in January, and moving to Iowa with his bossy wife-to-be. Angry and frustrated, Susanna realizes she’s left with three options: one, go with Daed to his new home with a new mom; two, stay in Jamesport, Missouri, as an old maid; or, three, the best yet, flush out her mysterious secret admirer. But how could she be with anyone else when her heart is still with Benaiah?
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“THE CHRISTMAS ADMIRER” by Laura V. Hilton is an amazing Christmas story that will not only pull at her heart strings, but will have your mind busy taking in all the wonderful values in this book. Through the pages of this book, the author through her wonderful writing shows us that true love will find a way if it’s God’s will and worth striving for by never giving up, the importance of family – as a unit and the importance of both the young and the old, that faith is listening to God’s word and knowing it is so and the value of heartfelt prayer.
“THE CHRISTMAS ADMIRER” is the story of Benaiah Troyer and Susanna King, an Amish couple living in Jamesport, MO, each struggling to find a way for their love to come back together so they can wed.
Benaiah is from a poor family. He is the sole support for his siblings and his grandparents after the death of his parents. He’s finding it hard to pay the bills and put enough food on the table. Although he loves Susanna with everything in him, he doesn’t see how he can ask her to take on the burden of his family or support her as she is accustomed to living when he can’t properly support those he’s responsible for now. Feeling he’s not worthy, he breaks off their courtship last year giving Susanna no real reason other than it was him and not her.
Susannna loves Benaiah and always will. She’s willing to do and try just about anything to get him to come back to her and for them to wed. Does she dare try the “love potion” in the gingerbread? Will it be easier to convince Benaiah that they belonged together after his family was forced to come live with her when their farm house burned down? Will the mistletoe hanging everywhere have its effect?
On top of everything else, Susanna’s father, Peter King, without any warning or preparation announces that he’s going to remarry – to some woman named Irene who has a whole bunch of kids of her own – and that she is showing up that day. Susanna’s life is in complete turmoil. Everything is turned upside down, rearranged and she’s even ousted out of her own bedroom to make room for these kids. To make it even worse, he also announces that he’s selling out lock, stock and barrel and that Susanna would be moving to Iowa with him forcing her to leave Benaiah behind.
All this news greatly affects Benaiah as well since he’s sole income is from working with Peter in his glass blowing shop. Plus how could he ever live without Susanna! He’s now not only got to find a home to move his family into, but he has to find a job to pay for it. His need to buy Peter’s business to have an income and his desire to buy the farm so Susanna won’t lose the only home she’s ever know, becomes all-consuming to him. But how could he do it? His grandfather, Micah, kept reminding him where his name came from giving him advice to pray, to face his “lion” and to listen to God. It seems that both Peter and Micah, through their foresight yeas ago, had a hand in helping Benaiah achieve his goals.
“THE CHRISTMAS ADMIRER” is a book I will long remember and always cherish. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It’s not only at Christmas book, but an all year round book. If you are looking for a well-written Christian book, a love story you’re going to love that will have you wanting to read more and more about Benaiah and Susanna and the rest of this author’s books, and one will have you feeling all your emotions leaving you smiling, then read this book!
I loved this book! Laura V. Hilton has written a very heartwarming Christmas novel that I think is one of her best books yet. It was a page turner and I couldn’t put the book down. I laughed, cry, and was mad, frustrated and angry at a few of the characters, even yelling to them while reading through the book. I was so very happy and relieved on how it ended. I would love to read more of the main characters. Laura really did a fabulous job making you feel like you are there with the characters and the whole story. This is a wunderbar book and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is 100 percent my opinion.
I enjoyed this story by author Laura Hilton, who is new to me. The characters are hurt and struggling to trust God, as are so many of us, which makes them believable.
In all honesty, there were characters I just did not like. How could a father treat his daughter that way? Maybe we weren’t supposed to like him or his girlfriend. Or maybe we were supposed to learn about grace and mercy. But still, I had some negative reactions, which makes a story good, because we shouldn’t like every character in a true to life book.
All in all, this was tender, sweet, and fun. I had trouble putting it down as I wanted to see how it resolved. This seasonal story will not disappoint the lovers of Amish fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
I loved both Susanna King and Benaiah Troyer from the beginning. They are incredibly well developed and easy to sympathize with. They are facing enormous difficulties and roadblocks in their relationship with each other. I understood the emotions and frustrations that they had to deal with and try to sort out.
Susanna’s father on the other hand infuriated me. His refusing to talk with either Susanna or Benaiah and then only to issue orders made me see many shades of red multiple times throughout the book.
The journeys that Susanna and Benaiah were on were great. I was fascinated with the guidance and wisdom that was shared with each of them helping them learn to trust God.
I received a free copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*