The Christmas Hope

October 31, 2005
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.

September 1, 2005
This third entry in the author's best-selling "Christmas Hope" series ("The Christmas Shoes", "The Christmas Blessing") is another touching and uplifting tale of redemption and courage in the face of adversity. Grief stricken over the death of their son, Patricia and Mark Addison have given up hope of repairing their tattered marriage, but Patricia's job as a social worker leads her to break the rules and take in a five-year-old girl who has just lost her mother. Emily's childlike innocence and inquisitive nature about the afterlife may be just what the Addisons need to renew their faith and rediscover the joys of Christmas. This emotional holiday treat will warm the souls and hearts of Van Liere's fans. VanLiere makes her home in Tennessee.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.