Hope is Born : a Mosaic Christmas Anthology

GIVEAWAY

I know I was supposed to review a Love Inspired book today, but this book showed up unexpectedly on my doorstep and, since it's a Christmas anthology, it's time sensitive. I knew I had to read it fast and post the review and giveaway right away so the winner could get their copy before Christmas!

MONSON, STACY
BERTIN, ELEANOR
ELKINK, DEB
ANDERSON, BRENDA S.
DICK, JANICE L.
DAVISON, SARA
MEYER, ANGELA D.
ALEXANDER, JOHNNIE
MERRICK, REGINA RUDD
HOPE IS BORN: A MOSAIC CHRISTMAS ANTHOLOGY

Nine stores. Nine pasts to overcome. Nine futures hang on the balance.

Christmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but what happens when the past threatens to destroy the peace and joy of the season? When the men and women in these stories face overwhelming challenges in their lives, can hope be restored this Christmas?

My Review:

A lovely collection of hope-filled stories set during the Christmas season. There's lots of variety in this collection -- from word length to writing style and content -- but all deliver an uplifting message that joy and peace can be found no matter the circumstances.

Mountaintop Christmas by Stacy Monson -- Reads like a super charged epilogue to the author's When Mountains Sing featuring Dawson and Mikayla. Though I haven't read that novel, I loved this story anyway. Mind you -- if you are already familiar with this couple and the story of how they came to reach their happily-ever-after, you will be thrilled with this bumps-in-the-road journey to their mountain top wedding.

I could totally relate to Mikayla's tendency to angst over worst-case-scenario-ing. There's a reason this girl is feeling overwhelmed...actually, a number of them! And what bride doesn't get panicky days before the nuptials? Love how Dawson is her rock. Steady, calm, earnestly in love and willing to let go and let God while he concentrates on the here and now. His patience and understanding might have addlepated me a bit. :-)

Like Wool by Eleanor Bertin -- A modern day prodigal son story -- very short -- that celebrates the hope grace brings to broken lives.

Ever Greening by Deb Elkink -- Beautifully descriptive prose bring aching imagery to the raw emotions single mom Holly is feeling this holiday season. She's haunted by Christmases past and it takes the persistent ministering of her aunt and uncle to help her find hope through forgiveness and grace.

A Beautiful Christ-mess by Brenda S. Anderson -- Once again Anderson deals out her own special brand of angsty hope in this novella spin-off of her Mosaic Collection book, A Beautiful Mess. No worries if you haven't read the novel, this story reads well as a standalone but if you've already become acquainted with the Belden family you'll be extra thrilled with this sweet story -- especially the epilogue!

Zax intrigued me when I was reading A Beautiful Mess and I knew he had a story worth telling so I'm thrilled that the author thought so too. Of course, despite Zax's good intentions, things turn out messy before they get better. Anderson excels at putting her characters through the paces and she doesn't let something as insignificant as a shorter word count interfere with her wickedly evil plans. :-) Another emotional roller-coaster literary ride from the Queen of Angst.

The Christmas Sweater by Janice L. Dick -- High school friends reunite after thirty years apart. Jeanne's developed an Eeyore outlook on life while Debbie is as enthusiastic and animated as Tigger. Debbie annoys Jeanne -- disrupting the quiet solitude of her grieving, daring her to start living again. A bittersweet short story that celebrates the bonds of friendship.

Taste of Heaven by Sara Davison -- Sorrow masks the joy of the holiday season as Daphne and Shawn struggle with loss. It takes a special Nativity service and a Christmas miracle to help them realize that the Saviour brings peace and hope to even the darkest places.

The Jukebox Cafe by Andgela D. Meyer -- This one has a kind of It's a Wonderful Life vibe to it - a very classic feel-good Christmas novella. Ex-Marine and new pastor Mike is harboring a few self-doubts and wondering about God's leading as he settles into his new position in a small town.

All that changes when he has the opportunity to help a stranded family in need on Christmas Eve. Pairing up with his worst critic he sets out in a blizzard to find presents for the children, and, helps a few of his parishioners along the way. Love the potential of sweet romance with cafe owner Ginger and the curmudgeonly Walter really spices up the story. And the Nativity program's controlled chaos was perfection. Could definitely see this story in Hallmark holiday lineup some day.

The Caretaker's Christmas by Johnnie Alexander -- "It's like the good Lord Hisself is telling me He needs my hands and He needs my feet to do His work for Him." (p 371) In this short but oh-so-satisfying story, Johnnie Alexander embraces the essence of Christmas with stark simplicity and quiet candor. Mac and Vince are the caretakers of other people's stories and they unite to bring Christmas cheer and a sense of belonging to a few lonely souls on Christmas Eve. Alexander has created a timeless classic with her signature flare for storytelling.

Reno-Vating Christmas by Regina Rudd Merrick --  "The perfect Christmas. What does that mean?...I think it means giving the glory of the day to God and not to ourselves." (p 440) Heartwarming and soul-satisfying. Roxy and Steve have both lost spouses and are fighting loneliness as the holidays approach. Their adult children are present in their lives, but the ache of missing that special someone is hard to bear at such a family focused time. Though long time friends, it's a health crisis that stirs up the whisperings of a second chance romance.

A lovely inspirational novella that's full of the warmth and hope of the season. I especially appreciated the gentle touches of humour. And this is a prequel to Merrick's Mosiac Collections novel which releases in June 2020. Looking forward to getting to know more about the Reno and Emerson clans -- I'm especially hopeful about a potential romance with secondary characters I've met here. (Crossing my fingers and saying puleeze nicely!)

My thanks to author Brenda S. Anderson for a copy of this anthology.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Hope is Born, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 14 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!