The Christmas Journey

The Christmas Journey by Donna VanLiere
Religious

This is a re-telling and elaboration of the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. This age-old story is given a more personal outlook by describing the era and the thoughts of Joseph and Mary. Joseph's fears about the immaculate conception and his fears about how to raise the Son of God. Mary is very serene even while she is in a lot of pain from the labor. People have not changed throughout the ages thinking the worse of Mary and her pregnancy before wedlock.

The illustrations by Michael Storrings are wonderful. Although this book is quite short and might be considered a children's story, younger children may not understand or empathize with the personal thoughts of Mary and Joseph. However, it is still a story to be enjoyed by all ages.

I usually pass books on to be read by others. However this book will not be passed on as I would like to read this every Christmas Eve to my children and grandchildren. A book to be kept and treasured.

First Line: "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world."
Buy this Book

Rating:
(4.5/5)

The Christmas Secret

The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere
Women's Fiction

Christine Eisley is a single mother of two small children. She works as a waitress trying to make ends meet as her ex provides little child support. Her ex is not above making her life difficult with his demands to see his children when he wants to use them against her.

When an elderly woman suffers a heart attack at the end of Christine's driveway, Christine helps her and makes sure she is okay before going to work late once again. The inconsistency of baby sitters and this latest incidence causes her boss to fire her and it is just before Christmas. Later that day her landlord decides Christine will never make good on what is owed and tells her to vacate by the end of January. Christine's world just keeps getting worse and worse.

Jason has been down-sized as an accountant and with the holidays right around the corner firms are just not interviewing. He goes back to his small hometown to work with his grandfather who owns Wilson's department store. Jason feels the job is far beneath him and his grandfather sets out to try to teach him the department store is all about the people who work there. The elderly lady Christine (Christy) saved happens to be Jason's grandfather's assistant. One of the tasks is for Jason to find the Christy who helped but she has vanished.

Christine gets a job at Betty's Bakery and be-friends all the local customers. They all help each other and they are the ones that end up giving Christine the greatest gift of all.

I enjoyed reading this very up-lifting book. This is a book of friendship, loyalty, love and hope with a generous dash of miracle thrown in.

First Line: "I didn't know my father; it's how my mother wanted it or maybe what he wanted."

The Christmas Secret at Chapters
Rating:

(4.0/5)