The Christmas Hope by Donna VanLiere and Movie

Patti and Mark Addison lost their son in a car accident 4 years go. Since then, they have slowly drifted apart. Patti has engrossed herself in her work. It all changes when she meets 5 year old Emily. Breaking the rules to bring her home with her is just the start. Patti watches Mark melt around the little girl and soon finds herself in the same spot. Now she can only hope that she can find a way for them to be a family. Hope finds her and Mark in another way with a gift that is long overdue.

Ms. VanLiere puts heart into a story that makes your own heart melt. The characters have their faults but learn to work through their problems. Also her characters seem to have a lot to work through but that's what made it come across as so real to me.

I really loved Patti's dedication to her job. She truly loved what she was doing but had lost how to communicate with her husband in the process. She had to find a new balance all over again. Mark was a sweet heart but he could only take so much. Emily couldn't believe her mom was gone but having attention sure helped as well as love from the people around her whether new or old. I loved Emily's neighbors Greta and Hal. They were the cutest old married couple. They kept me in stitches throughout the novel and warmed my heart as well.

This was a great book and I loved seeing repeat characters even if they only had a line or two. I am curious to see how the next book goes and I won't wait till next Christmas either. Hope and Love should be celebrated all year long. I am keeping this short so that I don't give too much away.

Donna VanLiere/ Christmas Story/ Fiction/224 pages/ 5 out of 5

I watched the movie and despite a few changes I really liked it. There was one thing I really didn't like and that I won't give away cause it is central to the story. You know about it but I like the way it was handled better in the book than in the movie. Oh, well, you can't win every day! Tomorrow I start Before Anne of Green Gables by Budgie Wilson. I have heard great things about this.

FTC: This book is one I borrowed from a family member.

The Christmas Blessign by Donna VanLiere

Nathan Andrews is all grown up and in his third year as a medical student. He struggles to find a purpose when he sees so many patients dying and unable to help them. Meeting Megan Sullivan will not only change his life but might just be the pick up he needs. She also has a lot she can teach Nathan. Nathan has a lot to think about but maybe he'll finally understand everything his mother used to tell him.

Ms. VanLiere did a fantastic job in this book. It's been awhile since I have read The Christmas SHoes but I remember enjoying it very much. The flashbacks in this book helped my memory and gave great flow to the book. I was impressed with not only her handling of the different characters but how well she balanced all the emotion in the story. It never felt like it was over the top nor too much for me to handle in one book. I can't wait to read more of her work.

Nathan is stubborn but knows he wants to help people like he wasn't able to help his mom. He also has a great gift with children that is not easy to come by. His family is there to support him and he will need their support the more the story progresses. His father is steadfast and so amazingly nice. He never questions what Nathan wants to do but is able to turn it around so Nathan questions himself. Got to love that parent ability.

This is one author who I am so pleased to read again and I have more of hers on the stack that I borrowed from my mother. Ms. VanLiere has a way with words that is a joy to read. Definitely an author you'll see appear more on this blog.

Donna VanLiere/ Fiction/ Christmas/215 pages/5 out of 5

I hope to have my year in review up in a couple days.

Comfort and Joy by Fern Michaels, Marie Bostwick, Cathy Lamb, and Deborah J. Wolf

Comfort and Joy by Fern Michaels

Angie Bradford took over her mother's gift wrap business in Eagle Department store, and ever since her and the store chief Josh Eagle have been butting heads and going to court multiple times. The store is failing and so she needs to get things renovated hopefully if Josh will agree to it. But with Josh leaving the store at the first of the year and unexpected snow coming, Angie never expects an miracle to come out of the blue.


This is not my first story by Ms. Michaels and certainly won't be the last. I am intrigued and definitely want to read more of her work. Her characters are full of emotions and stand up for what they believe. If only they can work together and get past some of the issues that hold them back.

A High Kicking Christmas by Marie Bostwick

Kendra Erickson needs a break from Christmas. Being a Rockette for the last ten years has drained all the joy out of Christmas for her. But breaking her leg sends her off to a small town in Vermont, she may just right smack in the middle of a Christmas pageant that needs help. Kendra just might see Christmas in a whole new light.

Re-birth of Christmas in Kendra's heart is such a great story that Ms. Bostwick has won me over. I am so glad I have another one of her books on my shelf cause I want to read it soon! Definitely an author who will warm your heart in every word she writes.

Suzanna's Stockings by Cathy Lamb

Suzanna's life has all been planned out. But waking up floating over her own body wasn't part of it. Now she's in a coma, how she isn't sure and she needs to figure out how to get her life back. Jack Benson never leaves her side but she isn't sure why. Can she figure out what to do in time?

The searching that Suzanna goes through keeps this story very poignant. She reflects on all that is going on around her. Ms. Lamb keeps things focused on everything in this small town as well as the wanderings of Suzanna. A story that will warm your heart.

Family Blessings by Deborah J. Wolf

Things seemed odd when Kacey's mother seemed to stare off into the distance or repeat herself. But when in the middle of September, Kacey visited to find her mother decorating for Christmas something just didn't add up. Reuniting her family isn't going to be easy but their mother is dealing with something serious. It just might bring the family together again.

Heart wrenching is what Ms. Wolf is good at. There is light at the end of the tunnel. This family must come together to let go of the past. It's a journey none will ever forget.


These four stories touched on the hope, love, peace and family that is so much a part of Christmas. I will certainly not forget these stories. I hope to read more by this authors soon.

Fern Michaels, Marie Bostwick, Cathy Lamb, Deborah J. Wolf, Christmas story, Romance, Family, 352 pages, 5 out of 5

Definitely a good book to end the year on! I'll post my year's book records tomorrow! Happy New Year!

The Last Noel by Heather Graham

The O'Boyle family has a get away every year on Christmas Eve. Skyler, the matriarch of the family finds this very important. This year though will leave them wondering what will happen when three men show up on their doorstep. It's Boston, there is a storm coming, and one man is out for blood. Can this family play the games that they are asked and survive?

Ms. Graham always delights whether in romance or suspense. The characters are diverse and keep you guessing. The story line is amazing! The twists and turns this woman can come up with will leave you in the edge of your seat.

Between Skyler and David, Frazier, Jamie, and Kat this family is something else. Then you add in Uncle Paddy and it shows a completely different side of things. This family is going to have to stick together and make the best of things before losing their mother.

Even though it is a Christmas thriller, the family realizes that what is more important is their family. But is it too late? Can they save their family and can Kat get help to where they are at. It is storming and snowing, the prospects are not likely.


Heather Graham/Suspense/ Christmas story/Family/ 346 pages/ 5 out of 5

I am hoping to fit in a few more christmas books! LOL We'll see. :)

The Letter by Richard Paul Evans

In the conclusion to this series, MaryAnne is tired of feeling all alone. Since the death of their daughter Andrea, David has a difficult time dealing with it all. Now with the upcoming wedding of her brother, MaryAnne decides to go visit to take a break from it all. A letter found on Andrea's grave will take them all on a journey they won't soon forget.

Mr. Evans definitely knows how to grab of your emotions. This book did it for me more than the others. Having to figure out how to deal with the emotions of the time as well as what was going on in the lives of the main characters. As well as knowing the issues of the time period of the main story and making it all believable without being too crude.

MaryAnne is a woman who is so heart broken but knows she needs to move on with her life. David buries himself in work and never takes time for what really matters until its too late. These two have a lot to go through and realize how their love can get them through anything. It may take some time.


This book moved me and I loved seeing the full love story of this couple and how much it affected the lives of the man and his wife Kerri. I appreciated the whole thing and the understandings of the time were phenomenal. Definitely a new author that has completely won me over. A Christmas reading with emotion and heart.

Richard Paul Evans/ Christmas Story/ 336 pages/ 5 out of 5

Off to go get some writing done and then hopefully watch a movie tonight. :)

The Timepiece by Richard Paul Evans

A timepiece that has meaning is given to the man in the first story. He reflects on the story that surrounded it. MaryAnne is young and expecting and meets her future husband David. It is their life building together that has them get to know Lawrence who repairs clocks. All three lives will be entangled forever after one simple event.

Mr. Evans does it again! I love the bit of back story we get on MaryAnne and her Husband. I could see how she had become the woman she was in Christmas Box. The characters are full of such emotions. I was immensely pleased with his writing style.

Both MaryAnne and the father in the story again truly need to see the message not only in the timepiece but in life itself. There are a lot of lessons to learn and to see how life can be changed in an instant. This is a story that I'll not soon forget and an author that I have completely fallen in love with his writing.


Richard Paul Evans/Christmas story/ Adult Fiction/ 272 pages/ 5 out of 5

I was pleased that it flowed as similar as the movie since I had not read the book before. Now I hope to catch this month to compare it once again. :)