Synopsis
Perennial New York Times bestsellers and Audie Award finalists The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing have become inspirational holiday classics, and THE CHRISTMAS HOPE is poised to become a seasonal favorite in its own right Patricia and Mark Addison have long given up the hope of having a meaningful Christmas. But this year, Patricia’s job as a social worker will lead her to a very special five-year-old. Against her better judgment, Patricia bends the rules and takes the little girl to her own home. Through the presence of Emily in their house, and her penetrating questions about heaven, the Addisons learn that there is no sorrow so great that faith cannot help you find your way through. And Christmas will once more be a time of joy in their home. THE CHRISTMAS HOPE is a story of love in the face of loss, joy when all seems hopeless, and how light can shine into the darkest places.
Publishers Weekly
Nathan Andrews, who at eight bought shoes for his dying mother (The Christmas Shoes) and as a medical student fell in love with a young heart patient (The Christmas Blessing), takes a backseat in Van Liere's latest Christmas confection. The focus this time is on Patti and Mark Addison. Patti is a devoted social worker, but she can't seem to feel anything for her handsome pilot husband (they sleep in separate bedrooms), and she can't understand why anyone could feel happy during the holidays. Leave it to a child to teach Patti the meaning of Christmas: Emily is a beautiful five-year-old who, against the rules, Patti brings home rather than take her to the local orphanage. Emily-who believes in angels and is possibly the gentlest, sweetest child to ever cavort across a novel's pages since Little Nell-quickly insinuates herself into the Addison hearts. Another child's illness introduces the Addison gang to Nathan, now a doctor expecting his own first child. Too much coincidence binds their stories together, but Van Liere serves up another heart-tugging holiday tale. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.