Book Review: The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

4 out of 5 stars

"Whatever the reason, I find that with each passing Christmas the story of the Christmas Box is told less and needed more.  So I record it now for all future generations to accept or dismiss as seems them good.  As for me, I believe.  

And it is, after all, my story."

I usually read at least one Christmas book before the holidays. This year was the first year in a very long time that I had no desire to read, let alone it be a holiday book. 

I found 'The Christmas Box' by Richard Paul Evans at my local library's book sale three weeks before Christmas.  It is a small and short read with just 125 pages with a simple cover.  So why didn't I pick it up and read it? 

No Christmas spirit.  

This was the third most difficult Christmas of my life; the first being 2001 when I had miscarried a baby exactly one week before Christmas.  ( I still have a difficult time singing 'Away In A Manger' without crying.)  The second being the year my husband and I had just gone through some major issues in our marriage.  And this year, well, I really just don't want to talk about any of it. 

So last night, December 28, 2017, I decided at 11:30pm that I was going to read this book.  The writing flowed, the story was interesting and kept you focused on what would happen next.  I read the back cover at the book sale, but really had no idea what the story was about when I picked the book up last night to read it.  

It is a Christian book with a CHRISTmas message, but it definitely is not one of those religious-in-your-face type books.  

Anyone would enjoy this book's message. 

Since it is such a short read and I don't want to give away too much of the story and its plot, I will just say a few words about some take-aways and reminders I had from this simply beautifully written short story. 

Make time for people.  Especially children.

Keep your word.  Don't disappoint them.....they don't forget

and have difficutly forgiving sometimes.

The love of a parent is important.  

The time you put in is NEVER time wasted.  

And last, but certainly not least, 

broken hearts are very difficult to heal.

There is a pre-quel called 'The Timepiece'
which I will probably read next Christmas
(or maybe sooner!)

~Elle~

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Posted at 12:46 PM  |  by Elle

Book Review: The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank

The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book is about ninety-three year old Theodora inviting her dysfunctioanl family to her home in South Carolina for Christmas. The matriach is melancholy about Christmases past and wishes her family could show a little more respect for one another and realize how important the precious time spent with family is.

A cook is hired for the family's Christmas meal and a substitute is called in to fill in for the original cook when there is an emergency in her family. The replacement is none other than Theodora's family's cook of her childhood, Pearl. Pearl has come to earn her wings and whip Theodora's family into shape.

There are many wonderful lessons within this book, but somehow the book felt 'flat' to me. There are a lot of characters to keep straight with a lot of intricacies within their relationships. I spread this book out over a long period of time, so maybe that is why I felt a bit 'disconnected' from the characters.

I appreciate the book's idea of a loved one coming back to help set a family straight and be appreciative of one another, but it just felt very forced to me.

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Posted at 6:27 PM  |  by Elle

Book Review: Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs

Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the story of Avalon's town librarian, Maureen Davenport. She is finally getting her chance to direct the town Christmas play, but she will have to work with Eddie Haven who volunteers with the program each year to fulfill a community service requirement. Eddie is not a Christmas enthusiast and this bothers Maureen.

The story also touches on the story of Daisy Bellamy, her son Charlie, his father Logan and Daisy's crush, Julian.

The main reason I read this book is because it was the next book in the series and you kind of have to read it in order to get to the next book. Not my favorite in this series, but not my least favorite either.

View all my reviews

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Posted at 8:03 PM  |  by Elle

Operation Christmas Child~Pack A Shoebox With Small Gifts

Join Uncle Si & pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child!

National collection week is November 18-25.

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Posted at 12:55 PM  |  by Elle