It's Christmas time, and Leah Lewis-Hall finds herself spending the holiday season alone and stuck in the hospital. Luckily, she quickly befriends her hospital roommate, a young Amish girl, and her close-knit Amish family.  She becomes especially close to Ethan, the handsome and gentle older brother who can barely look Leah in the eye.  When Leah receives frightening news about her condition, Ethan will show her that miracles can happen- and that sometimes angels appear in the most unexpected places.  

This nationally bestselling book is the first of three stories in The Angels Trilogy by Lurlene McDaniel.
© Meghan Green and Jon Lancaster
Lurlene McDaniel began writing inspirational novels about teenagers facing life-altering situations when her son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. “I want kids to know that while people don’t get to choose what life gives to them, they do get to choose how they respond,” she has said. Her novels are hard-hitting and realistic, but also leave readers with inspiration and hope. McDaniel’s bestselling books have received acclaim from readers, teachers, parents, and reviewers. They include The Year of Luminous Love and its companion, The Year of Chasing Dreams; Don’t Die, My Love; Till Death Do Us Part; and many more. Lurlene McDaniel lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Visit her online at LurleneMcDaniel.com and on Facebook and follow her on Twitter at @Lurlene_McD. View titles by Lurlene McDaniel
"Do you always do what the elders say?" Both Ethan and Charity quoted rules and words of others. Did they ever think for themselves?

"Gelassenheit," he said. "That's German for patience and resignation. It means obedience to the Amish community. It is not something we do. It is something we are."

Leah had been raised to be on her own. Her mother's many marriages, their frequent moves and different schools had taught her to be independent. But she saw quite clearly that for the Amish, individuality was not a virtue. It was a curse. She stood. "Well, it looks like we've come full circle, Ethan. You were right after all--the English and the Amish can't mingle."

He stood too. "But we can care about one another," he said carefully. "We can always care."

She knew he meant care in a brotherly way. But after spending time with him, she didn't want to be just another sister to him. She wanted to be a girl who mattered to him the way Martha Dewberry mattered. Except that Leah wasn't Amish. And she never would be.

About

It's Christmas time, and Leah Lewis-Hall finds herself spending the holiday season alone and stuck in the hospital. Luckily, she quickly befriends her hospital roommate, a young Amish girl, and her close-knit Amish family.  She becomes especially close to Ethan, the handsome and gentle older brother who can barely look Leah in the eye.  When Leah receives frightening news about her condition, Ethan will show her that miracles can happen- and that sometimes angels appear in the most unexpected places.  

This nationally bestselling book is the first of three stories in The Angels Trilogy by Lurlene McDaniel.

Author

© Meghan Green and Jon Lancaster
Lurlene McDaniel began writing inspirational novels about teenagers facing life-altering situations when her son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. “I want kids to know that while people don’t get to choose what life gives to them, they do get to choose how they respond,” she has said. Her novels are hard-hitting and realistic, but also leave readers with inspiration and hope. McDaniel’s bestselling books have received acclaim from readers, teachers, parents, and reviewers. They include The Year of Luminous Love and its companion, The Year of Chasing Dreams; Don’t Die, My Love; Till Death Do Us Part; and many more. Lurlene McDaniel lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Visit her online at LurleneMcDaniel.com and on Facebook and follow her on Twitter at @Lurlene_McD. View titles by Lurlene McDaniel

Excerpt

"Do you always do what the elders say?" Both Ethan and Charity quoted rules and words of others. Did they ever think for themselves?

"Gelassenheit," he said. "That's German for patience and resignation. It means obedience to the Amish community. It is not something we do. It is something we are."

Leah had been raised to be on her own. Her mother's many marriages, their frequent moves and different schools had taught her to be independent. But she saw quite clearly that for the Amish, individuality was not a virtue. It was a curse. She stood. "Well, it looks like we've come full circle, Ethan. You were right after all--the English and the Amish can't mingle."

He stood too. "But we can care about one another," he said carefully. "We can always care."

She knew he meant care in a brotherly way. But after spending time with him, she didn't want to be just another sister to him. She wanted to be a girl who mattered to him the way Martha Dewberry mattered. Except that Leah wasn't Amish. And she never would be.

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