A Forever Christmas

Books rank high on my Christmas wish list, and romance ranks higher than anything, so when I opened Missy Tippen's Christmas romance novel A Forever Christmas AFTER Christmas, I felt like I'd saved the best present for last. Without fail, Ms. Tippens hooks me in every time with engaging, true-to-life characters who end up feeling like family and a romantic plot that always keeps me turning the pages at record rate. Toss in two adorable little boys, the magic of the Christmas season, enough romantic spark to light up any tree, and an uplifting spiritual message that brings it all home, and you'll wish A Forever Christmas could go on forever. I love all of Missy Tippens' books because she is a gifted writer, but I have to say that her heartwarming Christmas novel A Forever Christmas is truly a gift in itself.

My friend Lori was right when she said that you need to be able to cry with this one. I must admit the last chapter was one of those Hallmark type tears in my eyes moments. It reminded me of Christmas movies from years past. "A Forever Christmas" was my first experience reading a novel from author and new friend Missy Tippens, another author from my home state of Georgia. Main character Sarah has come home for Christmas and is faced with her high school sweetheart that she once thought was her one true love, but he could not wait for her. Sarah has come home early from her teaching job because of an early school release because of the death of one of her students of terminal cancer. Going home for some rest and recuperation brings her into a new list of activities that aim in helping another lonely child, one who just happens to be that of that old boyfriend. Following Sarah's journey of emotions where she does not want to listen to God to possibly opening up to Him again and listening to what he wants is a beautiful story and educational to our own lives as readers. Missy tells and heart rending story of forgiveness and leaving bitterness and the past behind and following God. I enjoyed this story and definitely hope to look for more titles from author Missy Tippens in the future.

Missy Tippen's A Forever Christmas is a sweet romance that lives up to the promise of its beautiful cover. I cheered for Sarah and Gregory as they overcame the obstacles between them. Gregory's two young sons, Hunter and Chase, were so precious I wanted to pull them off the page and onto my lap. However this story is more than a feel good escape. Tippens reminds us what matters most to children at Christmas--not a pile of gifts, but spending time with those they love. A lesson for us all.

Devastated by the loss of her favorite student to cancer, kindergarten teacher Sarah Radcliffe returns to her hometown of Magnolia, Georgia to spend the holidays with her parents and try to ease the pain of her loss. When Sarah arrives in Magnolia, she finds her friend Donna Rae in the last stages of her pregnancy and directing the children's Christmas play at church. After receiving doctor's orders to stay on best rest, Donna Rae pleads for Sarah to take over the director position and even though Sarah does not want to be around children so soon after Peter's death, she agrees. One little boy stands out in the crowd of children. He stands in the back of the group and rarely says a word, but his quietness screams to Sarah. His name is Hunter Jones, and he is the oldest son of Gregory Jones, Sarah's high school sweetheart. The boy who broke her heart into a million pieces. Gregory Jones is living a very hectic life. After his ex-wife walked out on him and their two small boys a few years ago, Gregory has been mother, father, provider, and so much more. Owning his own business, Gregory is putting in a lot of extra hours to buy the gifts his boys want for Christmas and hoping that will make up for a mother they never see. As he rushes into the church building to pick up Hunter and Chase from the Christmas play practice, Gregory never expected to run smack dab into Sarah Radcliffe. It has been at least a decade since Gregory had been this close to Sarah, and she was more beautiful than ever. Forced to spend a significant amount of time with Gregory's boys because of the Christmas play, Sarah heart soon belongs to these two little boys and she realizes Gregory is working himself to the bone to provide toys for Christmas when all that Hunter and Chase want is to spend time with their father. Sarah soon comes up with several things for the Jones family to do together, such as decorate the Christmas tree and deliver cookies to several homebound individuals. When Gregory finds the boys' letter to Santa, which reads "Dear Santa, For Hunter - a whole day playing outside with Dad by myself. For Chase - to sleep in Dad's bed for a week. For both of us - Miss Sarah as our mom.", he realizes his boys just want him for Christmas, and a new mom too! But Gregory is not sure that he and Sarah can forgive each other for the transgressions of the past. This is such a sweet Christmas love story. Personally, I have always loved stories where former loves are reunited, and when Christmas is involves it makes it extra special. This is a wonderful story of young love remembered, forgiveness, and not only loving another person but loving an entire family. I really enjoyed seeing Sarah show Gregory that spending time with family is the most important thing. Like most other people, I live a very busy life, but the message of this book spoke loud and clear to me. Spend more time with the people you love! **check out more reviews at

You KNOW a book is wonderful when you close that last page and realize you're just grinning like crazy with the happiest ending ever. Terrific, perfect Christmas Romance.