About
the book:
When
Molly Dugan's best friend gets married and leaves St. Paul,
Minnesota, Molly feels alone and plans a visit to her brother,
Patrick, in Las Vegas. Molly had been worried about him ever since
his wife died in a tragic boating accident. Grieving she could
understand, but she sensed something deeper going on. And she was
concerned about Patrick's six-year-old daughter, Bethany. So she sets
aside her life in St. Paul to spend an indeterminate time in Vegas.
When Molly gets there, she finds more than she bargained on. And in
the lead-up to Christmas, the situation only gets worse. Little
Bethany loses her last anchor. How does Molly convince her that
somehow, Christmas will come?
My
review:
This
is a delightful novella about tragedy, love, and restoration.
Christmas is difficult after the loss of a loved one and Phifer has
done a great job of creating just such a situation. Yet she has taken
the loss and, as God promises, worked it for good. All of the
wonderful redeeming events that happen could not have without the
tragedy happening first.
The
characters are well developed. Molly is at a loss when Bethany's
world falls apart – again. But with the support of Patrick's wise
mother-in-law, we see Molly grow into the person she needs to be.
That little Bethany is a kick. Phifer did an excellent job creating
her. And the handsome fellow, Patrick's fellow fire fighter, is quite
a man, godly, compassionate, sensitive. He brings with him a strong
element of Christianity that eventually permeates the family.
Be
aware that this novella is about tragic loss just before the
Christmas season. While it is an excellent novella, it may be hard
for some to read if they have experienced something similar.
I
really liked how the story ended. It is a very good example of God's
grace and restoration. Readers will get a true sense of what
Christmas means.
Peggy
Blann Phifer is an author, columnist, book reviewer and author
interviewer whose work has appeared on various web sites and
periodicals, both in print and online. She enjoys handcrafts of all
kinds. A retired executive assistant, she and her husband of 25 years
live in southern Nevada.
Elk
Lake Publishing, 188 pages.
I
received a complimentary digital copy of this book through The Book
Club Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
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