Christmas in Paradise
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Believing her marriage to Richard is coming to an end, Mattie Greene returns to Paradise near Christmastime. Carson and Elisabeth are not ready to see their friends' marriage dissolve and they fight to keep them together. Will Mattie and Richard reunite in time for a perfect Christmas? Or will they spend the holidays – and the rest of their lives – alone? Book 3 in the Amish by Accident trilogy. Christian fiction
Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann
USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann seeks to pen compelling stories that captivate readers and bring glory to GOD. She has penned over forty Amish fiction titles in her “cant-put-down” writing style. She resides in Indiana Amish Country with her family on a former Amish farm where the documentary Breaking the Silence was filmed. "...Spredemann weaves a thread of love and intrigue into a quilt of faith and values." - reader reviewGrab a FREE story when you join my newsletter! Go here: https://www.jenniferspredemann.com/ABOUT MY BOOKS...It seems like every series I've written has been unique:AMISH GIRLS SERIES: (co-authored with my daughters) is a fun series set in Pennsylvania and is geared for teens (although many of my older readers have said they thoroughly enjoyed it!) (8 books + 2 tie-ins)AMISH BY ACCIDENT TRILOGY: Amish by Accident was originally a stand-alone book (my first book released!) It was SO different (that was my crazy imagination kicking in), I was unsure how readers would respond (or if anyone would even read it, LOL). And then the reviews started coming in! As of today, the book has 700+ Amazon reviews with a 4.5 STAR average! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I ended up writing a sequel and a prequel, thus the trilogy. :) (3 books)AMISH SECRETS SERIES: Oh, boy! This series tackles some pretty intense topics that you likely won't read about in your mainstream Amish fiction books. The first book in this series, An Unforgivable Secret is currently FREE in ebook. This was another one that I was unsure how it would resound with readers. It currently has 1900+ Amazon ratings and reviews with a 4.5 STAR average! GOD IS GOOD! (7 books)AMISH FAIRY TALES: (originally "FAIRLY" TALES, on purpose, but not everybody "gets" my twist on words) Basically, loose retellings of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, Amish-style (2 books, #3 on the backburner)KING FAMILY SAGA : the Bible stories of Isaac & Rebekah; Jacob, Rachel, & Leah; Joseph; Ruth; and David loosely told in an Amish context. (5 books so far)AMISH COUNTRY BRIDES: Sweet faith-filled romances set in Indiana (12 books)STAND-ALONE STORIES: Her Amish Identity (previously known as Love Impossible), An Unexpected Christmas Gift (Unlikely Singing loosely ties into this sweet love story)UNLIKELY SERIES: Unlikely Santa (An Amish Christmas Story), its sequel Unlikely Sweethearts, Unlikely Singing, and Unlikely Season - LOVED writing this series.AMISH COLLABORATIONS: Amish Christmas Miracles Collection (2020), More Amish Christmas Miracles (2021), Amish Spring Romance (2022)Coming 2023 (Lord willing!): AMISH COURTSHIP SERIESA Forbidden Amish CourtshipA Widower's Amish CourtshipTBA
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Christmas in Paradise - Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann
Christmas in Paradise
J.E.B. Spredemann
Copyright 2015 by J.E.B. Spredemann
All incidents and characters in this book are completely fictional and derived by the authors’ imaginations. Any resemblance to actual incidents and persons living or dead are purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this work/book may be copied, transmitted, or stored in any form or by any means, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without prior written consent from the authors/publisher.
Disclaimer: Any herbal information in this book was derived by the author’s (J.S.) education and experience as a Nutritional Herbologist, but is written for fictional and informational use only. No herbal information in this book is, in any way, meant as a prescription or medical advice. This information has not been approved by the FDA, AMA, or any other government agency. It is your constitutional right to prescribe for yourself, if you choose to do so. The author assumes no responsibility for the treatments in this book, if you should choose to implement them. Therefore, the government requires the recommendation that you see your health care provider if you have any medical concerns/issues.
Published in Indiana by Blessed Publishing.
www.jebspredemann.com
All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, are NOT subject to copyright laws in the U.S., and may be freely copied and/or quoted.
Cover design by J.E.B. Spredemann
Smashwords Edition
BOOKS BY J.E.B. SPREDEMANN
(*J. Spredemann)
AMISH GIRLS SERIES
Joanna’s Struggle
Danika’s Journey
Chloe’s Revelation
Susanna’s Surprise
Annie’s Decision
Abigail’s Triumph
Brooke’s Quest
Leah’s Legacy
NOVELLAS*
Amish by Accident*
An Unforgivable Secret* - Amish Secrets 1
A Secret Encounter* - Amish Secrets 2
A Secret of the Heart* - Amish Secrets 3
An Undeniable Secret* - Amish Secrets 4
Learning to Love – Saul’s Story* (Sequel to Chloe’s Revelation – adult novella)
A Christmas of Mercy – Amish Girls Holiday
Englisch on Purpose (Prequel to Amish by Accident)*
Christmas in Paradise – (Final book in Amish by Accident trilogy)
NOVELETTES*
Cindy’s Story* – An Amish Fairly Tale Novelette 1
Rosabelle’s Story* – An Amish Fairly Tale Novelette 2
COMING 2016! (Lord Willing)
A Secret Sacrifice - Amish Secrets 5
Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words
Ach – Oh
Boppli – Baby
Dat/Daed – Dad
Denki – Thanks
Der Herr – The Lord
Dochder – Daughter
Englischer – A non-Amish person
Fraa – Woman, Wife
Gott – God
Gut – Good
Hullo – Hello
Jah – Yes
Kinner – Children
Kinskinner – Grandchildren
Mamm – Mom
Schatzi – Honey, Sweetheart
Vatter – Father
Characters in Christmas in Paradise
The Greene Family
Richard – Mattie’s husband, protagonist, character in Englisch on Purpose
Mattie (Riehl) – Protagonist, main character in Englisch on Purpose
Lizzy and Matthew – Richard and Mattie’s children
The Welch Family
Carson – Elisabeth’s husband, character in Amish by Accident
Elisabeth (Schrock) – Protagonist of Amish by Accident
Lincoln, Jacob, Benjamin, and Leah – Carson and Elisabeth’s children
The Schrock Family
Jacob – Elisabeth’s younger brother, Rachel’s husband, character in Amish by Accident
Rachel (Brenneman) – Jacob’s wife, daughter of Saul and Chloe, character in Amish by Accident
The Riehl Family
Matthew – Maryanna’s husband, character in Englisch on Purpose, A Christmas of Mercy, and the Amish Girls Series (best friend of Jonathan Fisher)
Maryanna (Hostettler) – Mattie’s mother, daughter of Judah (bishop), character in Englisch on Purpose, A Christmas of Mercy, and the Amish Girls Series
The Fisher Family
Jonathan – main character throughout the Amish Girls Series, minister
JJ (Johnny and Judah) – twin sons of Jonathan and Susanna, cousins and good friends of Mattie
The Beiler Family
Brianna – Luke’s wife, protagonist in Amish by Accident
Luke – Brianna’s husband, main character in Amish by Accident
Authors’ Note
It should be noted that the Amish/Mennonite people and their communities differ one from another. There are, in fact, no two Amish communities exactly alike. It is this premise on which this book is written. We have taken cautious steps to assure the authenticity of Amish practices and customs. New Order Amish and Mennonites are portrayed in this work of fiction and may differ from some communities.
We, as Englischers, can learn a lot from the Plain People and their simple way of life. Their hard work, close-knit family life, and concern for others are to be applauded. As the Lord wills, may this special culture continue to be respected and remain so for many centuries to come, and may the light of God’s salvation reach their hearts.
To those struggling to hold on to a failing marriage, don’t give up!
God is still in the business of miracles.
Chapter 1
Carson squinted as he turned into the country lane, the rays of the sun reflecting off his Volvo’s platinum hood. He moved his sunglasses from his head to his eyes, quickly putting an end to his momentary blindness. The second he spotted the farmhouse, a smile danced on his lips. Just as he’d thought, his beautiful wife, Elisabeth, had come out to greet him, their two oldest children stationed at each leg.
The minute he stepped out of the vehicle, their oldest son was tugging on his pant leg. Daddy, Daddy!
Carson shifted his gaze from his wife to his son. What are you so excited about, Lincoln?
Mommy showed me how to spell my name today. L-i-n-c-o-
He paused momentarily, an unsure expression crossed his face, and he looked up at his mother. Elisabeth nodded in affirmation. -l-n?
That’s right. Very good.
Carson tousled the boy’s hair and swept him up into his arms.
That’s not all. Mommy said just three more weeks till Christmas!
Three weeks? Is that all?
Lincoln nodded his head profusely. "And Dawdi Ben and Mammi Leah are coming to visit! And cousins too."
Carson’s brow raised as he and Elisabeth met gazes. I thought we were going to the city to visit Mattie and Richard.
Elisabeth glanced at the children and raised a half-smile. Change of plans. Let’s talk about it after supper.
Carson understood her meaning. She didn’t wish to discuss the situation in the children’s presence. Hopefully everything was okay with Richard and Mattie.
He released Lincoln from his embrace once they were inside the house and instructed the children to go play in the living room. Carson followed Elisabeth into the kitchen. Mm…smells good. What are you making?
She peeked into the oven, then quickly shut the door. Pizza.
Vegan pizza?
His lips twisted.
"Jah. I found a recipe online today and decided to try it out." She placed a potholder on the counter.
Sounds great.
Carson reached for her hand and drew her close. So, what’s going on with Mattie and Richard?
He kissed her forehead.
He read something in Elisabeth’s expression. Was it sadness? Worry? "It’s