"Twice Blessed" Book Review

Twice Blessed

(Two Amish Christmas Novellas)

by Barbara Cameron

BOOK DESCRIPTION:  Two Amish fiction novellas:  

Her Sister’s Shadow
Katie and Rosie Stoltzfus work part-time in an Amish store and part-time in Two Peas in a Pod, their own business raising vegetables and fruits and canning them for sale. Although they are identical twins, their personalities are very different: while Katie has always been more outgoing and attractive to boys, Rosie has always felt in her sister’s shadow. It will take an unexpected business opportunity and one very special man to help Rosie see that she’s a unique woman of her own.


 His Brother’s Keeper
Ever since they were boys, Ben Fisher has trailed after his brother, Mark. Ben has always envied Mark because he’s always been more adventurous, but he's even more jealous now that Mark is engaged to Rachel, a woman they both love. When a terrible accident on Christmas Eve results in their mistaken identity, Ben suddenly has an opportunity to create the life he’s always wanted. While everyone believes he is his brother, who’s still in a coma, Ben finally has a chance with Rachel. But how can he realize an opportunity for real happiness if it means deceiving his kin? 

MY REVIEW:  Her Sister's Shadow:  Twins have always intrigued me.  It is so interesting in this novella that Katie and Rosie know when something is wrong with the other.  Katie is the one who is a magnet for the young men in the Amish community and Rosie has not even dated any young men yet.  So Katie is shocked when her sister takes an interest in Jacob and even more shocked when he returns the interest.  This seems rude and hurtful to me as an observer.  Obviously, since they are identical twins, Katie doesn't think looks are what is keeping Rosie from dating.  Katie thinks that she has the perky, friendly personality and that Rosie....well, doesn't.   

               I really enjoyed this novella.  It is fun, light reading.  I love reading novellas as they can be read quickly.  I sit a number of hours per week with my mother who is recovering from a massive stroke and is now in a nursing home. So quick reads suit my needs quite well at the present time.   
              While the two novellas are called Christmas novellas, I felt this novella was lacking in details that made me feel they were Christmas themed.  In an Amish Christmas novella, I expect to read of the Amish Christmas traditions which are quite different from those of the English world.  

              I highly recommend this book to readers of Amish and Christian fiction.   I am giving this novella 4 stars.
              I received a copy of this book from netgalley and Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

MY REVIEW:  His Brother's Keeper:  Ben and Mark are not just identical twins; they are best friends. 
But they are facing a problem that threatens to drive them apart.  They are both in love with Rachel.  How on earth can they ever resolve this problem?  Neither of them wants to hurt the other and Rachel feels deeply for Ben, but she is engaged to Mark.   An accident allows the truth to be revealed but Rachel may not forgive Ben.  
               While I truly enjoyed this book, I had some moments of confusion when Mark and Ben were hospitalized where I did not know which was which brother.   I had to go back through the book to figure it out.  This left me feeling a bit undone as I read this novella.   
                While the two novellas are called Christmas novellas, I felt this novella was lacking in details that made me feel they were Christmas themed.  In an Amish Christmas novella, I expect to read of the Amish Christmas traditions which are quite different from those of the English world.
A bonus for readers is the Amish recipes featured at the end of the two novellas that were mentioned in the book as characters made and enjoyed the food created from the recipes.    
                I do give this novella 4 stars as it captured my attention immediately and drove me to put other things aside to read.   
                I highly recommend this book to lovers of Amish and Christian fiction.
               I received a copy of this book from  netgalley and Abingdon Press.  


About the Author:       


Barbara Cameron has a heart for writing about the spiritual values and simple joys of the Amish. She is the author of more than 35 fiction and nonfiction books, three nationally televised movies, and the winner of the first Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award. Barbara currently resides in Edgewater, Florida. Find out more about Barbara at BarbaraCameron.com and Amishliving.com.