It doesn’t matter how many times I visit Amish country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, I learn something new every single time. Very often, that new-to-me thing finds itself into the plot of the next book in my Amish Mystery series.
Take for example the Christmas season. During one of my research trips, I learned that many one-room schoolhouses inside the Amish community host an annual Christmas program. In the days leading up to the program, the children learn poems, songs, and skits that they will perform in front of their families. The majority of the content is religious in nature, but it’s also not out of the realm of possibility to hear Santa Claus mentioned in a song or two. The classroom is also spruced up for the big event with simple paperchains and homemade snowflakes.
Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?
Sure enough, as I drove home to New York, thinking about everything I’d learned, I knew I wanted to visit the notion of an Amish school’s Christmas program via my series’ characters. And how better to explore it than through the eyes of Detective Jakob Fisher and his memories of growing up inside the Amish community…
A Christmas Mourning, my brand new E-short story, is now available wherever you buy E-books. It’s a mystery, of course, but this time it involves a missing heirloom and an enduring truth about family, love, and the power of forgiveness.
Thank you, Destination Amish, for letting me visit with you today. And I wish all of you reading this, a very Merry Christmas!
~Laura Bradford
Laura is giving one lucky reader the chance to win an ebook copy of A Christmas Mourning!
To enter, leave a comment. For an EXTRA chance share this post and leave a comment if you do.
Giveaway starts today, Monday, December 7th and ends Monday, December 14th.
Laura Bradford is the national bestselling author of the Amish Mysteries and the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries (written as Elizabeth Lynn Casey) with Penguin Random House. The Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries will be added to the mix in 2016. Laura is a former Agatha Award nominee, and the recipient of an RT Reviewer’s Choice Award in romance. Laura enjoys making memories with her family, baking, playing games, and catching up with friends. To learn more, visit her website: www.laurabradford.com and/or her author page on Facebook.
37 thoughts on “The Christmas Season in Amish Country by Laura Bradford”
I could use cheering up and a good read as I go off to a new holiday.
that looks so good! i love new books
Me, too, Amy!
shared on fb amy guillaume linderman
Noreen, A Christmas Mourning will definitely get your holiday spirit going…
What hymns or songs are common during an Amish Christmas celebratio
Jody, they’ll actually sing (since it’s kids) some of our songs–even some with references to Santa…and sometimes they’ll change the words to have a more religious feel. But it’s all in good fun and “okay” because it’s the children.
Have never read anything by Laura Bradford. I would love to read this one…thank you for the opportunity….blessings
Hi Lorraine, thanks for stopping by today.
Shared on FB & Pinterest
I can’t wait to read A Christmas Mourning…
Julie, I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try!
What a good giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Deborah!
Love reading Amish novels.
They are mighty special!
I would love to have this book, I have been reading Amish Christian Christmas as much as I can get my hands on.
There is something magical about them, isn’t there?
You are awesome for doing this give away. Thanks for a chance to win. I love reading Amish books.
Thanks for coming by, Kristina.
Would love to win the book. Sounds like a really good read! Thanks for having the contest. Merry Christmas to everyone.
Merry Christmas to you, too, Kathy.
Would live to read this book.
Thanks for coming by, Linda.
Sounds like a great Christmas book. Would love to read it!
It is a special one, Debbie!
Would love to read this book! Merry Christmas! I shared!
Merry Christmas!
Love reading Amish books! Especially Christmas ones. This holiday season, Thanksgiving and now Christmas is hard this year. Lost my last sibling (brother) in January and my husband that I was married to for 32 years and went together 8 years before that died in my arms before the ambulance could get to our house in May. I mostly read, because I am disabled, and home most of the time. Thanks for a chance to win, looks like a really good book!
Anna, hold your memories close this Christmas.
Another great Christmas story!
Thanks, Mary Lou!
Love reading amish books still have a passion for reading keeps me young 74
And what a great way to stay young. 🙂
Can’t wait to read
I enjoy reading Amish Books it gives me a way out of the worldly things and to enjoy their humble life’s style.
The winner of an ebook copy of A Christmas Mourning is Amy Guillaume. Congratulations!