Naomi’s Christmas

PRAISE FOR THE PLEASANT VALLEY NOVELS

Hannah’s Joy

“[A] warm tale of love and belonging.”

—
Genre Go Round Reviews

“Amish book lovers…you are
ferhoodled
if you don’t go out and pick up a copy of
Hannah’s Joy
RIGHT NOW!”

—
The Mary Reader

“Refreshing.”

—
Romance Novel News

Katie’s Way

“Superb…Magnificent Marta Perry provides another engaging Pleasant Valley tale.”

—
Genre Go Round Reviews

“
Katie’s Way
stands alone, but readers will love…all of the novels in the order they were published…great
characters and a bit of mystery…a delightful novel!”

—
Romance Reviews Today

“A great story of friendship, second chances, and faith…wonderful.”

—
Reviews from the Heart

“While this is a love story, it’s also a very complex story…I highly recommend this
book and this series to anyone who loves Amish romances.”

—
Night Owl Reviews

Sarah’s Gift

“Perry’s fourth Pleasant Valley book places her well-rounded characters in a sweet,
entertaining romance.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“Perry’s narrative keeps a nice pace as things develop credibly…between Aaron and
Sarah; the legal challenge makes for more than merely romantic tension. Minor characters
are also clearly sketched and differentiated.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“The latest Pleasant Valley inspirational Amish romance is a superb contemporary that
focuses on the role of a midwife in modern America…another powerful Pleasant Valley
tale.”

—
Genre Go Round Reviews

Anna’s Return

“Those who enjoyed the first two series titles will eagerly await this third entry,
which does not disappoint. It will also appeal to fans of Amy Clipston and Shelley
Shepard Gray.”

—
Library Journal

“Perry crafts characters with compassion yet with insecurities that make them relatable.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“A story of forgiveness, redemption, and mistaken ideas…full of wonderful characters…a
wonderful book!”

—
Romance Reviews Today

“In today’s fast-paced society, it’s a joy to sit back and enjoy a book that can combine
romance, faith, and a bit of a thriller…I look forward to reading more of Ms. Perry’s
books.”

—
Night Owl Reviews

Rachel’s Garden

“Sure to appeal to fans of Beverly Lewis.”

—
Library Journal

“A large part of the pleasure of this book is in watching Rachel be Amish, as she
sells snapdragons and pansies to both Amish and ‘English’ at an outdoor market, taking
in snatches of Pennsylvania Dutch.”

—
The Philadelphia Inquirer

Leah’s Choice

“What a joy it is to read Marta Perry’s novels!
Leah’s Choice
has everything a reader could want—strong, well-defined characters; beautiful, realistic
settings; and a thought-provoking plot. Readers of Amish fiction will surely be waiting
anxiously for her next book.”

—Shelley Shepard Gray, author of the Sisters of the Heart series

“A knowing, careful look into Amish culture and faith. A truly enjoyable reading experience.”

—Angela Hunt, author of
Five Miles South of Peculiar

“Marta Perry has done an exceptional job describing the tradition of the Amish community…a
wonderful start to what is sure to be a very memorable series.”

—
Romance Junkies

“I loved
Leah’s Choice
by Marta Perry! More than just a sweet Amish love story, it is a complex mix of volatile
relationships and hard choices. I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it!”

—Colleen Coble, author of
Tidewater Inn

Other Pleasant Valley novels by Marta Perry

LEAH’S CHOICE

RACHEL’S GARDEN

ANNA’S RETURN

SARAH’S GIFT

KATIE’S WAY

HANNAH’S JOY

N
AOMI’S
C
HRISTMAS

Pleasant Valley

BOOK SEVEN

M
ARTA
P
ERRY

ALWAYS LEARNING

PEARSON

This story is dedicated
to my children and grandchildren,
with much love.
And, as always, to Brian.

Naomi Esch,
a beekeeper, eldest child of Sam Esch

Nathan King,
widower, a dairy farmer; Ada, his late wife; his children: Joshua, six, and Sadie,
almost five

Ezra King,
Nathan’s father

Sarah Schultz,
Nathan’s sister

Emma Miller,
mother of Nathan’s late wife, mother of Elizabeth, Jessie, and Seth

Elizabeth Miller,
middle sister of Nathan’s late wife

Jessie Miller,
youngest sister of Nathan’s late wife

Seth Miller,
brother of Nathan’s late wife, Englisch

Elijah Esch,
Naomi’s oldest brother; Lovina, his wife

Isaiah Esch,
Naomi’s youngest brother; Libby, his wife

Sam Esch,
Naomi’s father

Betty Shutz,
Sam Esch’s new wife

Anna and Sara,
Naomi’s sisters

Paula Schatz,
Mennonite, runs Pleasant Valley’s bakery

Hannah Brand,
protagonist of
Hannah’s Joy
, Paula’s niece, partner in the bakery; William Brand, her husband

Leah Glick,
protagonist of
Leah’s Choice
; Daniel Glick, her husband; their children: Matthew, Elizabeth, Jonah, and Rachel
Anna

Katie Miller Brand,
protagonist of
Katie’s Way
, quilt shop owner; Caleb Brand, her husband, furniture shop owner

Rhoda Miller,
Katie’s sixteen-year-old sister

Rachel Zook,
protagonist of
Rachel’s Garden
; Gideon Zook, her husband; their children: Becky, Joseph, Mary, and Josiah

Joseph and Myra Beiler,
Leah’s brother and sister-in-law

Anna Beiler Fisher,
protagonist of
Anna’s Return
; Samuel Fisher, her husband; their children: adopted daughter Grace and baby David

Barbara Beiler,
Leah’s sister-in-law

Bishop Mose,
spiritual leader of the Pleasant Valley Amish

ach.
oh; used as an exclamation

agasinish.
stubborn; self-willed

ain’t so.
A phrase commonly used at the end of a sentence to invite agreement.

alter.
old man

anymore.
Used as a substitute for “nowadays.”

Ausbund.
Amish hymnal. Used in the worship services, it contains traditional hymns, words
only, to be sung without accompaniment. Many of the hymns date from the sixteenth
century.

befuddled.
mixed up

blabbermaul.
talkative one

blaid.
bashful

boppli.
baby

bruder.
brother

bu.
boy

buwe.
boys

daadi.
daddy

Da Herr sei mit du.
The Lord be with you.