The Christmas Blessing

I purchased this book along with the Christmas Shoes, thinking it would be a nice gift for one of my children. I had to read them to see if they were as good as I had hoped. I didn't think that the sequel, Christmas Blessing, could possibly be as good as the Christmas Shoes, but I think it was almost better. I cried several different times and had to bury my face in a dishtowel. It touched me deeply because I believe in Christmas miracles too. I would recommend this book to those who are in need of an uplifting Christmas story. It's warm and fuzzy, yet so sad in some places. It makes you think seriously about the miraculous power of love and selflessness.Both books are now MINE. I can't bear to give them away as a gift.

I just read The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing. I have read LOTS of books, but these two really top all lists. EVERYONE should read them, even though I had a good cry all the way through. (My husband just died this past February) The cover says "Christmas Hope series"--are there others to follow?

Once again, Donna VanLiere has written another masterpiece. The sequel to The Christmas Shoes certainly exceeded my expectations. Mrs. VanLiere continues the daily saga of Nathan Andrews -- a young man looking for his place in the world. What the reader finds in The Christmas Blessing is an easy to read page-turner with great characters. The story line is simple (but not insulting) and easy to follow. Mrs. VanLiere has been truly blessed with creativity and her ability to bring a things together and produce a superior novel. My only question to Mrs. VanLiere: When is your next novel???????

We met young Nathan Andrews in THE CHRISTMAS SHOES, where he met a kind man named Robert Layton, who gave him the money that he needed to buy his dying Mother a pair of sparkly shoes, so she would look nice when she went to Heaven. Now, years later, Nathan has grown up, and is now a third year medical student, having doubts about his future career. He realizes that he still has a lot to learn about blessings, sacrifice, and faith, and when he meets Meghan Sullivan, a track star born with a hole in her heart, he knows that she will be the one to teach him those things. He also knows that he will learn lessons from Meghan's young friend, Charlie, who is wise beyond his years, and also a heart patient. Between the two of them, they will help Nathan to overcome one of the most difficult times in his life.As sequels are not always as good as the first in a series, I had doubts about buying this book. But now, I couldn't be happier that I purchased it. THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING is just as good, if not better, than THE CHRISTMAS SHOES. VanLiere has made Nathan a kind, and intelligent young man, and Meghan is a fantastic young woman filled with hope and love, who is reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks' Jamie Sullivan (of A WALK TO REMEMBER). Charlie is a young boy, who's illness has forced him to grow up much too fast, but who keeps his head up, and a smile on his face. Fans of VanLiere's last novel THE CHRISTMAS SHOES, or Nicholas Sparks' A WALK TO REMEMBER, will cherish THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING forever, and pass it down from generation to generation. A must-have book for the holiday season, or any other time of the year.Erika Sorocco

This book captured my attention from the first paragraph and held it until the very end. Not only are we brought up-to-date with Nathan's life, we are introduced to many more incredibly courageous people who continue to teach us that there is a bigger plan in life than what we are able to imagine. The author has written this book in such a way that you feel as if you personally know each character and are a part of their lives. Ms. VanLiere has a gift with words and will take the reader through the hills and valleys of the lives of Nathan, his family and friends and will leave you with joy in your heart, a smile on your lips, and hopefully the knowledge that you can achieve your dreams. I highly recommend this book.