Mini Review: Holiday Books

Title: Promise Me
Author: Richard Paul Evans
Pages: 334

It’s 1989 and a year that will be very complicated and mysterious for Beth Cardall. Her six-year old daughter Charlotte is sick and only getting worse. The doctors are stumped about her illness and are not sure about the diagnosis. If that’s not enough, she learns her husband, Mark, has been unfaithful. They separate for awhile and Beth rethinks this as Charlotte’s illness intensifies. They reconcile under the condition that it’s for Charlotte’s best interest. Beth soon realizes she still loves Mark and wants to move past his infidelity. The same day she’s ready to give their marriage a second chance, Mark tells her even more devastating news.

As the holiday season approaches, Beth finds herself alone still trying to cope with Charlotte’s illness. On Christmas Eve, she meets the handsome Matthew and instantly her life is transformed. I figured out Matthew's connection to Beth pretty early, however I didn’t find that it took away from the storyline. Evans is a pro at telling holiday-themed stories filled with hope that the reader can’t help but to get lost in. As with his previous holiday novels, Promise Me will leave you feeling satisfied and believing the best in all things.

Title: Call Me Mrs. Miracle
Author: Debbie Macomber
Pages: 253

It's Christmastime in New York City. Mrs. Miracle aka Emily Merkle is spending the holiday season working in the toy department at Finlay's department store. Jake Finlay has went against the store buyer's suggestion of ordering 500 Intellytrons. J.R. Finlay, Jake's father and store owner, is not convinced his son made the right decision and questions whether his son will be able to run the store when he retires.

Meanwhile, Holly is looking after her nephew Gabe when her brother is called to return to Afghanistan. It hasn't been a smooth transition for either of them as both are sadden that Mickey will not be with them for Christmas.

A chance meeting at a coffee shop brings these two stories together. With Mrs. Miracle's help, Jake and his father, along with Holly and Gabe will have their best Christmas yet.

The Snow Globe - Sheila Roberts

Sentence summary: A snow globe affects the lives of three friends.

My review: Kylie is down on her luck this holiday season. Her boyfriend dumped her (for her sister!) and she’s recently unemployed. During a girls’ weekend with her two best friends, she wanders into an antique shop. A snow globe catches her eye and the shop owner tells her its history. Believing in miracles, Kylie buys it and hopes it will bring good things into her life.

As she prepares to spend the holidays with her family and her ex-boyfriend, she begins to see the scenery change within the snow globe. A toy shop is the main fixture and Kylie begins searching for the shop. When she finds it, she's surprised that the owner is a young man who is single and very cute. With the help of the snow globe, Kylie’s holiday will be merry and bright.

Suzanne is a busy woman: she’s a wife, a mother and runs her own real estate company. She wants to have the perfect home which leaves her harried and always on the go. Having her doubts about the snow globe to begin with, she’s even more skeptical when Kylie gifts it to her. One thing leads to another and Suzanne finds herself involved in a freak accident that leaves her immobile. Perhaps this is exactly what she needs to gain perspective.

Alison is facing the holidays alone without her beloved grandmother. Her mother died when she was young and spending the holidays with her family is something she dreads. The snow globe helps her see maybe she isn’t as alone as she thinks she is.

Lasting impression: The Snow Globe is a quick read. Less than 200 pages, it's easy to read in one sitting. Quite honestly, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would, especially Alison’s story (which seemed rushed and unfinished).

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Book details:
Genre: Fiction (Holiday)
Pub. Date: October 26, 2010
Pages: 166
Source: Library

The Christmas Secret by Donna Van Liere

During the holiday season, I enjoy reading a feel-good Christmas story. This season, The Christmas Secret was a perfect fit for me. Christine has been cynical for most of her life. She stopped believing in the miracles of Christmas a long time ago. Struggling to make ends meet, Christmas is now one more thing that will set her back and something she just can't afford. Christine wants to see and feel the beauty of Christmas once again, but unfortunately life and unexpected events have harden her.

I'm always waiting it seems—waiting for the right time, the right job, for the light to turn green, waiting on a call, waiting for my past to catch up with me, and for my future to begin.

I got to the point in my life where I was so tired of waiting and wanted to know that my life was not just leading anywhere but somewhere. I wanted that childhood sense of wonderment back. The crazy how, when, and why of life finally caught up with me and I realized that there was no Oz, fairy-tale king, or Scrooge waking up from a dream moment that was going to whisk me away from reality, and that's when I wanted Christmas again. (p.6)

Once again Christine is running late for work when she crosses path with a stranger. Little does she know that this interaction will lead her to a new beginning.

Like the previous novels in the Christmas Hope series, The Christmas Secret leaves the reader feeling encouraged and hopeful about life, without being too "preachy". People and events come into our lives for a purpose. What we may view as an inconvenience, may be just the thing that leads us to where we want to be.

Book details:
Series: Christmas Hope #5
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-55836-9
Pages: 291
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction - Holiday
Source: Library
Date Finished: December 20

The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

James Kier is reading his morning paper when he reads an obituary. His obituary. Puzzled by the false report, he searches the internet and finds a story explaining his death. Even though he knows he's very much alive, it's the anonymous, (and not so anonymous) unsympathetic comments he reads, that cause him to re-evaluate his life.

James Kier is a shrewd real state investor. He's richer than rich and will be the first to admit he's taken advantage of many individuals to reach the top spot. Does he feel guilty? No, don't be foolish! If these individuals weren't so weak in the first place, he wouldn't have taken advantage of them. So it's really their fault.

Shaken up by the comments, James finds his namesake and attends the repast at his house. The deceased James Kier was a humble man. He didn't live in a big mansion or drive an expensive car. Quite the opposite in fact. He was a school bus driver and touched the lives of many students. He was a dedicated husband and loving father. His presence will be missed by so many.

As James speaks to the widow and her son, he realizes for the first time what a good, decent man really is. This awareness changes him forever. He decides, with the help of his assistant, to make amends with the five people he has hurt the most. Will they welcome his apology? Have they long ago forgiven him for his ways? Or will they slam the door in his face before he can say he's sorry? James is not sure, but determined to find out.

Meanwhile, his only son is getting married and doesn't want James to attend the wedding. He was an absent father and did the despicable: he left his mother when she needed him the most. Will his son forgive him for his past mistakes? Or is it too late for a reconciliation?

Mr. Evans has a talent for writing inspirational holiday stories. The Christmas List is a treasure waiting to be discovered.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-1-4391-5000-9
Pages: 349
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction (Holiday)
Source: Library book
Date Finished: December 19