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| GIVEAWAY RANDOM RETRO READ DAY |
THE CHRISTMAS STAR
Thirty-two-year-old Amy Denison volunteers at Glory's place, an after-school program where she meets seven-year-old Maddie, a precocious young girl who has spent her childhood in foster care. Unbeknownst to Amy, Maddie is a mini-matchmaker, with her eye on just the right man for Amy at Grandon Elementary School, where she is a student. Amy is hesitant -- she's been hurt before and isn't sure she's ready to lose her heart again -- but an unexpected surprise makes her reconsider her lonely lifestyle.
As Christmas nears and the town is blanketed in snow and beautiful decorations. Maddie and the charming staff at Glory's Place help Amy to see that romance can be more than heartache and broken promises.
In The Christmas Star, Donna Van Liere delivers yet another sweet, joyous story that is sure to capture readers' hearts.
My Review:
published in 2018
This is the second book I've read by Donna VanLiere -- also, obviously, the second in her long list of short Christmas novels, some of which have even been made into movies. I read The Christmas Table last year and rushed to my library to for more VanLiere novels only to find them all checked out with hefty holds lists. Fast forward a year and I decided to get a head start on my Christmas reading, this time well ahead of those pesky holds!
The Christmas Star embraces the spirit of Christmas through characters who are striving to live faith-filled lives. They aren't perfect, some can be downright snarly (I'm looking at you, Miriam) but all of them have hearts of gold and generous spirits.
Star among them is seven-year-old Maddie, matchmaking wannabe who seems to have a direct line with Heaven in the matter-of-fact way innocent children have. I was prepared for a cute, light romance with festive flare. What I got was a shattering "Oh! Uh-oh!!! Yikes!!!" moment that switched to "Uh-huh, amen!" by the end of the book. And tons of deep, abiding, life-affirming faith moments that crescendo into a glorious finale! In short, sweet holiday perfection.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
This giveaway is for a paperback copy.
If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Christmas Star, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a 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 September 18 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!
I've not read one of Donna's books before and this sounds like a good one to start with. Count me in, please, Kav! :)
ReplyDeleteckbarker at gmail dot com
Shes been publishing a Christmas book every year for ages and I just discovered her last year. Definitely worth a holiday read. Good luck, Cheryl!
DeleteI love Christmas stories and this one sounds delightful. Thanks for introducing me to a new author. Great review!
ReplyDeletepwestfall7 at hotmail dot com
Thanks, Pam. Good luck!
DeleteMy sister has been reading her books, but I had never heard of her. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI just discovered her last year. I think she only writes Christmas stories and devotionals maybe? I'll have to check that out. Good luck, Lucy!
DeleteThank you for the fabulous opportunity to win a copy of "THE CHRISTMAS STAR"!
ReplyDeleteI so love the cover! Looks like we all need to hold hands and sing carols around the base of that tree. Sounds like a marvelous story too. One that can get me out of the late summer blues with some spirit of Christmas here in September. I'm ready for it!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
You're welcome, Kay. It's a beuatiful Christmas-y cover, isn't it? Twill be the season soon enough. Good luck, Kay!
DeleteI love Christmas stories! This sounds really good!
ReplyDeletedmandres5 at gmail dot com
So do I! Good luck, Melissa!
DeleteIt’s about time to start reading Christmas books and getting in the spirit.
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Yes -- the weather is finally cooperating up here and there's nothing like reading a Christmas book with a cup of hot cocoa on a cool evening. Good luck, Melanie!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com
You're welcome, LSA! Good luck!
DeleteSounds like the perfect time to start reading Christmas stories and this one sounds amazing!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I like to get a head start on my Christmas reading so I can get more books in. Good luck, rubynreba!
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