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    The Christmas Promise: A Novel
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    The Christmas Promise: A Novel
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    The Christmas Promise: A Novel
    Ebook159 pages2 hours

    The Christmas Promise: A Novel

    By Donna VanLiere

    4.5/5

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    Currently unavailable

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    About this ebook

    Each Christmas we are given a promise from heaven. And each year on earth we make promises to each other. This is a story about how a promise from one person to another shows us the true meaning of faith, remembrance, and love.

    Seven years ago Gloria endured a family tragedy that almost shook her faith entirely. Each Christmas she places a card in an envelope on her tree, restating a promise she made to her husband before he died. Now, having moved from her small town and all the painful memories it held, she is building a life by caring for people in need. Whether it's a young mother who can't pay her electric bill or a family who needs some extra food, Gloria always finds a way.

    Miriam is a thorn in Gloria's side. Miriam is a constantly critical, disapproving neighbor who looks with suspicion at all the good things Gloria does. When a twist of fate makes them roommates instead of neighbors, it's the ultimate test of patience and faith.

    Chaz has a good job as head of security at Wilson's Department Store, but each night he returns home to an empty apartment. He longs for a wife and family of his own but realizes that the life choices he's made have alienated him. He befriends a young boy whose mother has fallen on hard times, giving him a chance to have a life he thought impossible.

    In The Christmas Promise, the lives of these characters collide and we learn that even as we move ahead, the past is never far behind. And when we are forgiven much, we love much. In this warmly humorous and deeply poignant story, we are reminded that the Christmas Promise is the promise of second chances.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Publishers
    Release dateJul 1, 2010
    ISBN9781429922203
    Author

    Donna VanLiere

    Donna VanLiere is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her much-loved Christmas Hope series includes The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing (both of which were adapted into movies for CBS Television), The Christmas Secret, The Christmas Journey, and The Christmas Hope, which was adapted into a film by Lifetime. She is also the author of The Angels of Morgan Hill and Finding Grace. VanLiere is the recipient of a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction, a Dove Award, a Silver Angel Award, an Audie Award for best inspirational fiction, and a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year. She is a gifted speaker who makes regular appearances at conferences. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband and their children.

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    Reviews for The Christmas Promise

    4.5/5

    15 ratings6 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Another heartwarming Christmas Story by Donna VanLiere. Gloria, also known as Miss Glory works with the homeless and/or single parent, low income families. She teaches classes, takes in donations that she later passes out and offers more than just her moral support. These people are like family to her. Her husband died 7 years earlier and her youngest son left home a week before he died. She still leaves the porch light on for him. We meet her surly, uppity neighbour Miriam, a young homeless pregnant woman named Erin, an alcoholic young drifter named Chaz, a battered woman and her young son as well as a homeless man named Mike among others. Can Christmas bring a miracle to the many people Miss Glory touches? Brings a tear to the eye.
    • 4/5
      This charming tale with a Christmas setting is sure delight all those who enjoy stories with happy endings, even if the way there is fraught with bumps along the way. Some plots twists add to the interest of the tale, made all the better by the well-executed reading by the author in this audio version. You might think you have it all figured out, but you may be surprised after all. A well-told story, and not just for the Christmas season.
    • 4/5
      Seven years ago, Gloria Bailey suffered a devastating family tragedy that almost took away her faith completely; as it was, Gloria's idyllically happy life was shaken down to its very foundation. Since then, she has struggled to comprehend the reason why her life was turned upside down; and to somehow find the strength of will to carry on. Each Christmas she places a card inside an envelope on her tree, acknowledging and solemnly restating a promise she had made to her husband just before his death.Now, having moved from her small town and all the painful memories it held, she is slowly building a new life for herself by helping those in need. Whether it's a young mother who can't pay her electricity bill or a family who needs some extra food, Gloria always finds a way to be of service. She seems to have found her life's purpose again, and Gloria is - if not living the type of life that she had once envisioned - at least living a tentatively pleasurable life.Gloria's faith is also slowly being rekindled; faith in herself and faith in others. Then, there is Miriam Lloyd Davies, Gloria's elderly neighbor. Gloria is convinced that Miriam is a thorn in her side: a constant annoyance that Gloria does her best to avoid at all costs. Miriam is constantly critical; a disapproving and mean-spirited neighbor who looks with suspicion at all the good things that Gloria does. When a twist of fate makes the women roommates instead of neighbors, it is the ultimate test of patience and faith.Chaz McConnell has a really good job as head of security for Wilson's Department Store, but he is also terribly lonely; returning home each night to his empty apartment. He longs for a wife and family of his own but also realizes that the choices that he has made in life have alienated him. He soon befriends a young boy whose mother has fallen on hard times, allowing Chaz the chance to have the sort of life he once thought impossible.In The Christmas Promise: A Novel, the lives of all these characters collide and we learn that the past is never far behind, even as we move ahead. And when we are forgiven much, we love much. In this warmly humorous and deeply poignant story, we are reminded that the ultimate Christmas Promise is the promise of second chances.I had read and enjoyed one of Donna VanLiere's previous books, The Angels of Morgan Hill, back in February of 2012. In my opinion, The Christmas Promise: A Novel was really quite good; a quick and engaging read that I enjoyed very much. I found this to be a feel-good story; touching and sweet and truly heart-warming. The story's plot may have been slightly far-fetched, but I still found it enjoyable. I give this book a B+!
    • 5/5
      This is book 4 in this series. This book tell the story of Gloria and the lady that lives next door to her. Miriam is also a widow.. but she is from a high class of people she thinks. After Miriam stays with Gloria and is made to help with her charity work , helping people who have less find what they need ,be it clothes, jobs,fridges,cars and even babysits for the families .. if any one has it to give they give it to "Miss Glory" and she and her friends see to it .. it goes to a family in need. In this book Gloria get a big shock one night when an unexpected person comes to her to door to check on Donvan ( the son of one of the people she helps)
    • 5/5
      The Christmas promise by Donna VanLiereLove how each chapter starts out with words of wisdom from other famous people-touching!Starts out with the past when she lost her son and husband within a few short weeks of one another.Grace will prevail. Story then goes back a year and we find Gloria and she's been a widow for 7 years cleaning out a frigerator that one has dropped off in her driveway.She cleans it out and then donaes it to another in town who is in need of one=she has contact with a church in town.Love hearing of how things work in this town-it's a community effort.She gets others in town to donate huge boxes of clothes to those in need and she loves that she's able to do this for others.Love memory of Mt. St. Helens as we've visited there-new life all around.Like hearing from the author herself about how this book and series came about. Books that help others, they reach out to you.Love the characters and how they turn out during the Christmas stories. Promise of love and grace that makes Christmas.From NLS for my BARD
    • 4/5
      The Christmas Promise is the second audiobook by Donna VanLiere that I have enjoyed this Christmas. (I am currently listening to number 3, The Christmas Note.) Full of humor and heart, this book’s message of second chances is front and center, whether it’s a grumpy neighbor or an estranged family member or a mom who has made some bad choices. Familiar characters from this series make an appearance making them feel like old friends. VanLiere reads the book herself, and her voices and inflection are a real treat. I listened to this book on a few daily walks and on two plane flights, and I must admit I had to stifle a few laughs and squint back a few tears. This heartwarming novella is perfect for the busy holiday season when time is short and nerves get a bit frazzled. So make sure to make some time for this touching book.Recommended.Audience: adults.