Christmas Hope

Patti Addison can't escape the past. After her son's tragic death four years ago, she divorced herself from emotion and began avoiding her husband. And Christmas is nothing but a reminder of her pain - until she meets Emily, a five-year-old foster child who shows Patti, a devoted social worker, what she's really missing. Nathan, the protagonist of Van Liere's bestselling "The Christmas Shoes" and "The Christmas Blessing" makes an appearance here as well, but the story belongs to Emily. A heart-tugging tale of hope and redemption.

This was an extremely well written book. From start to finish it tugs on your heart strings. The way the main character changes with her grief and is able to accept love again is nothing short of inspiring. I have also read The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing but in my opinion The Christmas Hope was the best of all 3. What an excellent book!!!!!

I thought this book was wonderful! It showed the true meaning of what Chistmas is all about - sharing and caring. I cannot wait to read all the other books that this author has written. I would recommend this book to anyone!

No other time of year is as filled with hope as Christmas. With this, the third book in her inspiring series, Donna VanLiere reminds us that faith can overcome the greatest heartbreak and that love does, indeed, conquer all. Patti Addison, a social worker, is married to Mark, a pilot. Their marriage, if not broken, suffers due to the loss of their only son in a car accident four years ago on Christmas Eve. Joy is no longer a part of their lives, and the holiday season is especially painful. Well trained, Patti knows that social workers should not become personally involved with those they help, but Patti forgets this and brings home Emily, a sweet five-year-old who has no place to live. It is through Emily, who has a firm belief in heaven and angels, that Patti and Mark find happiness again, the joy that a true Christmas can bring. VanLiere, joined by Oliver Wyman, gives a poignant reading to this tug-on-your-heartstrings story. - Gail Cooke

In spite of their love for one another the death of their son Sean at eighteen threatens to kill the marriage between social worker Patricia and pilot Mark Addison as she has not been able to move on and he can no longer take it as he has grieving to do too. He is leaving her, but she fails to even react to that missive. Five years old Emily Weist's mother died in a car accident; currently she resides with nice foster parents, but they are leaving town to say their good-byes to his dying father. With no place to put Emily except in a group setting, Patricia decides to bring the little girl to her home for Christmas breaking every rule of the Department of Family Services. Instead of leaving as he planned at that time, Mark pitches in with caring for the little girl. Soon the miracle of Christmas brings these three lost souls together along with an adopted newborn as a loving family with hope for the future. Donna Van Liere always provides an uplifting tale and her fans will celebrate her latest holiday good cheer. The people starring in THE CHRISTMAS HOPE seem genuine as each struggle in their own way in a world that seems so filled with misfortune at least for them until they connect over on Yuletide season. As with the CHRISTMAS SHOES and THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING, this is an inspirational tale that gives hope for all even when life seems out of control and so dark that no light is imminent. Harriet Klausner