The Angel of Forest Hill by Cindy Woodsmall is a lovely Amish romance. Rose Kurtz is the only daughter in the family. She has eleven brothers and their needs dominate the household. Her mother has never had a kind word for Rose. Then one day the Bishop comes by to ask a very large, life altering favor from Rose. There is a family in need in a small Amish community. Joel Dienner just lost his wife, Florence (died giving birth). He needs someone to help with the children (two children in addition to the new baby, Grace). There are only eight families in this little Amish community. They would love to help, but they all have their own families and responsibilities. Because of the circumstances, Rose would have to marry Joel. Rose knows this is her chance to get away and she agrees. The two marry, but they each have their own bedroom. A year later Joel is finally starting to come alive again. Rose has been a big help with the kids and with Joel's business. Her suggestions have even helped his business become profitable. Four years later the two of them are still in separate bedrooms. But they are attracted to each other. They spend more time together and get to know each other. Joel helps Rose overcome her fears. Erma, Joel's former mother-in-law, is very nasty to Rose. Joel talks to her and, unfortunately, lets it slip that Rose and Joel have never consummated their marriage. Erma hot foots it over to the Bishop to tell him. The Bishop (Joel's father) has no choice but to take this issue to a higher authority. Just when Rose and Joel are ready to move forward with their relationship, they might be ripped apart. Join Rose and Joel in The Angel of Forest Hill.
The Angel of Forest Hill is a special book. You will be drawn in right from the beginning. The book is well-written, has good characters, and a beautiful setting. The story is told from Joel and Rose's point-of-views. I give The Angel of Forest Hill 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). It is a sweet story, but it does have a predictable ending. The Angel of Forest Hill is lovely book that will help you get into the spirit of Christmas. It is a short novel (208 pages) that can be finished in just a couple of hours. I do wish the author had provided an epilogue. I would have liked to find out how Rose and Joel fared. Did they have kids? Did Rose end up having a good relationship with her mother? There are a couple of recipes at the end of the book.
The Angel of Forest Hill is a special book. You will be drawn in right from the beginning. The book is well-written, has good characters, and a beautiful setting. The story is told from Joel and Rose's point-of-views. I give The Angel of Forest Hill 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). It is a sweet story, but it does have a predictable ending. The Angel of Forest Hill is lovely book that will help you get into the spirit of Christmas. It is a short novel (208 pages) that can be finished in just a couple of hours. I do wish the author had provided an epilogue. I would have liked to find out how Rose and Joel fared. Did they have kids? Did Rose end up having a good relationship with her mother? There are a couple of recipes at the end of the book.
My thoughts: First, the disclaimer. "I bought my own copy of this book. All opinions are my own." That done, I greatly enjoyed reading THE ANGEL OF FOREST HILL and getting to know Rose and Joel. I hurt for them as Rose dealt with impossible situations, a husband, numb with grief, the deceased wife's mother intent on destroying her life, her mother who listed everything she'd ever done wrong and called her worthless. I hoped Rose would find love and thrive in this story.
In some ways, the insecure Rose changed. She became strong and had thorns. But then something would set her back and she'd flounder. It was an adventure watching her take one step forward and two steps back, sometimes on the same day.
A good Christmas novella.
In some ways, the insecure Rose changed. She became strong and had thorns. But then something would set her back and she'd flounder. It was an adventure watching her take one step forward and two steps back, sometimes on the same day.
A good Christmas novella.
