Christmas Traditions

An unusual and fascinating read. Writing at its best. Shelved.

Dear Fay, I regard this as an early Christmas gift: through your vivid, graceful, richly detailed writing, I’ve entered a fascinating culture and to meet unforgettable characters. I also greatly admire the compassion and psychological depth displayed here: you enable the reader to understand and appreciate not only the Amish life but universal features of the human personality.

Thanks so much for your generosity. On my shelf. Maria, The Pharaoh’s Cat

Hi Fay!

What a sweet, delightful glimpse into a world I know very little about. I will come back to read more of this, just to fill my mind with an area of life I'm not well-versed in. Thanks for sharing this. Very enjoyable... Backed with pleasure.

Kim
Invisible Justice

I read your chapter 1 and chapter 4 and found the story telling to be sweet - reminicent of the Harlequin romances I once curled up. Chapter 4 in particular set a lovely tone with the oil lamp, popcorn strings, rag rug - all traditional pictures to fit the traditional story. Nice tension and forshadowing towards the end - I have a few predictions, but since I'm reading out of context I won't embarass myself and share them.

I just wanted to let you know that I read and enjoyed your work. Best of luck.

Fay, what a delightful, surprising and enlightening book. Even the cover is irresistible.
Shelved.
Lynn

For the idea and the difference of the story I shelve this.
I think it could use a good edit and tightening. There are some considerably lengthy paragraphs that could be parred and broken down.
Not a lot of speech in the first chapter either, which tends to let the book lag a little. The pace isnt as quick as I would have liked but I think that will come with reorganizing the paragraphs.
Enjoyable and intiguing.
T.L Tyson-Seeking Eleanor

Fay,
I came across this as I was scanning through the numerous books on the site for something that was different - the idea of learning more about and perhaps understanding the Amish religion and culture appealed to me. I think this is such an informative and intelligent piece - from a human interest point of view. And of course your storyline is interesting, also with much human interest appeal. I am compelled to tell you that your wintery scenery at the start was very welcome here in the midst of great Caribbean heat and as I imagined Margaret on her journey I hoped it would last forever because it made me feel cooler somehow, the hot temperature here as I am sitting in front of the computer at the moment unbearable! So thank you for that cool, refreshing feel! I find your writing very atmospheric and your narrative comes across as natural to me, believable and very vivid. Margaret is already so likeable but I am not yet sure of Levi - and I think any story which helps its characters to emerge out of their self-indulgent ways to greater understanding and a fuller, more compassionate existence is worth the read. I am happy to read on and have backed this in the meantime.
All the best,
Zan

shelved.This is a really good story, keeping us
in suspense to know if Margaret can finally overcome Levi's prejudices.
Suggestions.
If I were you I would a) upload a bit more b) cut it down while maintaining
what matters (impossible I know). c) put an exciting incident in Ch 1, maybe
a flash forward of a row with Levi, or even to the cow attack!.
Just my notions..probably quite wrong.
All the best with this.........Mikey (The Free)

Fay,
I came across your book on someone else's shelf, and I'm glad I did. I was starting to wonder if I was getting too picky in terms of what I backed. Your novel is very well-written--intelligent, taut, nuanced. The opening scene, as Margaret approaches the farm, is beautifully rendered. You create atmosphere and an underlying tension in the setting. I did worry a bit that this might turn out to be another romance novel in a unique setting, but that's until you gave Margaret a husband. So, all bets are off! I'd be reading more (I already am attracted to Luke, Levi, and Jeremiah), but I'm dog-tired and running out of steam. I did read enough to know that I want it on my shelf.
Best,
Denise
Grand Hope

Fay,
Wow this is superb writing, very professional. Your narrative paints beautiful pictures of a snow covered countryside and a snow capped farm house. The peaceful quiet of winter comes right off the page. So much feeling and emotion and great conflict and tension with Margaret and Levi. I wanted to see more dialogue but then you deliver in chapter 2 with incredible Amish dialect, so natural and real. Well Done! Fun read. Good luck with it.
Steve Ward
Test Pilot's Daughter: Revenge

Had to read this cos my grandson's name is Levi and I'm a christian so I was enthralled by the way you captured the barriers between religion and human nature. A smooth read . Alice Castell Brenin.

This is charming and very difficult to put down. True story-telling always shines through and this is beautifully done. On my shelf. Patrick Barrett (Shakespeares Cuthbert)

Fay, this is beautifully written. Evocative, honest and also a revelation for those of us who do not know much about the Amish. Your characters have real depth and the tale flows with ease. I have no problem given this a turn on my shelf, but do think you must reach out to others and swap reads...this is a wonderful story and deserves more support.

All the best
Elaina
Gathering of Rain

The Amish--a mystery to me, and I do so love to solve a good mystery. Ahhh--Levi. Such a grim demeanor on this one. A sister, an aunt, an outcast… His facial expressions speak more than do his words. Nice narrative skills, and the dialogue comes across as believable, as does the dialect.

Good insights into Levi’s character. Individuals change with age, usually evidenced by either a softening or a hardening around the edges--but it’s always one of the other, no one seems to stay the same. And you did a good job (with Levi) of showing this without having to explain it.

Ah, and Jeremiah obviously chose the softer path. The archaic King James Version dialect, that was an unexpected (but interesting) touch. Oh, ho--the big secret is revealed--Margaret had a hand in Levi’s personality changes.

And the boy sees things about Margaret’s husband Harry she didn’t expect. All this comes across as real, and I found this an interesting glance (only 12,000 words) into a culture much different than is that of the rest of us. I have often wondered if the Amish might have stayed on the proper path--as we others wandered off the trail and slid into the ditch.

Nicely done. I watch listed this and would like to know if you later add chapters.