Book excerpt: Driving into a Lancaster County ditch during a near-blizzard is not where Maria Romano envisioned she'd end up on the day before Christmas Eve. But somehow she finds it fitting--after all, her life has been stuck and lonely for years, and the recent discovery that she was adopted makes her yearn for connection. So when a genealogy search leads her to a shop in Amish country, she can't help but visit in person, regardless of the weather. Despite a rough introduction, Maria is surprised by the warm and welcoming Amish family table she finds herself invited to on Christmas. But will the family's kindness be enough to help her find her place and the truth about her past? An Unexpected Christmas Gift is an endearing novella from Amish fiction author Kate Lloyd.