Book #10 in the 12 Books of Christmas Giveaway: Sarah's Christmas Miracle by Mary Ellis

I know there are tons of Amish Fiction lovers out there. If you're one of them, you're in for a special treat this week! Book #10 in the 12 Books of Christmas is Sarah's Christmas Miracle, given away by author Mary Ellis. Here's a blurb about the book:

“Joy to the World!”

Sarah Beachy has much to be happy about as autumn gives way to winter. She loves her job at the English bed-and-breakfast where she cooks and refreshes rooms between guests. She has a serious beau, and everyone expects an engagement soon. Why, then, just before Christmas, would she jeopardize everything by deciding to take a trip to Cleveland to track down her brother, who left the Order years ago?

Her family’s faith in God is put to the test as the holiest night of the year approaches and Sarah remains far away. Sarah’s mother, Elizabeth, has been missing her son for such a long time…will she lose her daughter to the English world as well? Or will the Beachy family receive an unexpected Christmas miracle?

A Plain and loving story of hope and redemption, one that will be a welcome addition to the joy of the Christmas season.

Author Mary Ellis grew up close to the eastern Ohio Amish community, Geauga County, where her parents often took her to farmer’s markets and woodworking fairs. She loved their peaceful, agrarian lifestyle, their respect for the land, and their strong sense of Christian community. She met her husband in college and they married six days after graduation.

She, her husband, dog and cat now live in Medina County, close to the largest population of Amish in the country—a four-county area in central Ohio. They often take weekend trips to purchase produce, research for her best-selling books, and enjoy a simpler way of life.

Mary enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, bicycling and swimming. Before “retiring” to write full-time, Mary taught Middle School in Sheffield Lake, Ohio and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate for twenty years—a job with amazingly sweet fringe benefits.

Visit Mary's website:  www.maryellis.wordpress.com

Let's see how Mary answered my fun holiday questionnaire:

Favorite Christmas carol:  O Holy Night
A family Christmas tradition: Having a potluck dinner at one of my aunt's homes with the extended family of cousins and in-laws; then everyone heading off to their respective houses of worship on Christmas eve.

A memorable gift you've given or received: I've both given and received an "adopted" wolf from a sanctuary out in Washington State. The wolf has since passed on but her photo still hangs in my hallway.

Favorite Christmas television show or movie? A Walton's Family Christmas
When do you start your holiday shopping? November, right after Thanksgiving, although once in a while I'll find something while traveling and tuck it away for Christmas.

Ever been kissed under the mistletoe? Of course I have! Too many times to count! (hahaha)

Do you deck the halls in style or keep it simple? Fairly simple--but my husband does put up these outdoor lights around the eaves of our house's roof line that looks rather spectacular.

What food do you overindulge in during the holidays? There really isn't space available if I want to be honest. Suffice it to say, turnips and rutabagas are perhaps the only things I don't overinduldge in, (but I will indulge if the bowl is on the table.)

Favorite recipe to share? 

Amish Haystack Dinner

This is often used by Old Order Amish for fundraising events or other community suppers, and is served “salad bar” style.

A guest donates whatever they can afford per plate at the end of the line.

You start at the beginning of the line and build your “haystack” with the items you enjoy, in the quantities you can handle.

 From bottom to top:

  1) crushed Ritz crackers

  2) sloppy-joe seasoned meat

  3) shredded cheese

  4) chopped onions

  5) diced tomatoes

  6) chopped peppers

  7) shredded lettuce

  8) peas

  9) your choice: melted cheese sauce OR sweet & sour salad dressing

10) optional: Doritos chips either for scooping or crushed for topping

11) optional: sour cream

This dinner is usually served with dinner rolls/butter and with ice cream topped with chocolate syrup for dessert.

Enjoy!

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Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for Sarah's Christmas Miracle. Deadline is Friday, December 3. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Saturday, December 4.

**Contest disclaimer: Void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents. Odds of winning depend on number of entrants.**