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When a struggling young single mother saves the life of an elderly woman, she sets into motion a series of events that will test her strength, loyalty, and determination, all the while setting her on the path to finding true love. Christine Eisley is the mother of seven-year-old Zach and five-year-old Haley. Her ex-husband provides little, if any, child support and makes life difficult for Christine by using the children as pawns. She works long hours as a waitress to make ends meet, but her job is in jeopardy because she’s often late to work due to the unreliable teenaged sitters she’s forced to use. When Christine saves the life of a woman who works in Wilson’s department store, the owner of Wilson’s wants to find her, to thank her, but Christine has disappeared, losing another job once again. He sets his grandson, Jason, to the task of finding the mysterious “Christy.” Jason, an accountant by trade who has lost his job to downsizing, thinks he is “above” working at Wilson’s. Soon, he discovers that this new task gives him more than he bargains for. The Christmas Secret is a novel for anyone who wants to see how love is a gift that keeps giving back; that hope is a treasure that never runs dry, and that faith is a miracle that is reborn with each new day.
Gardenpartier
Posted January 17, 2010
Donna VanLiere is a great creative writer with the finest details to pull you into the book. It is easy to read and not too long for the busy lives we lead. I like to know there are still people in this world that strive to pay it forward! Why wouldn't everyone want to finish a book with such a good warm feeling!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 9, 2010
I Also Recommend:
I loved this book. Every year around Christmas time I like to purchase a few Christmas Stories. This year I purchased 3 Donna VanLiere books and I thought all of them were wonderful. It's easy reading and I can finish a book within a few days.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Feel good story, easy to read, entertaining but little depth. Perfect for reading on a plane.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 28, 2012
A fun enjoyable easy read during the holiday season!
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Posted November 5, 2012
Its about a single motherwho is trying her best to provide for her young daughter snd son. Until she meets the store owners grandson:)
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 30, 2010
I love Donna's Christmas books and have read them all. Always good to curl up to read while the cookies bake. The stories are always very heart-warming. My only issue with this one, especially since the book is short, was so many characters and names to keep up with. But I will be ready for another of her books next year!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I was at Barnes & Noble in San Francisco when I noticed that they were having a sale on audiobooks. I tend not to enjoy reading,so recalling that I'd read the review for this book on barnesandnoble.com,I read the back of the book cover,and I decided to buy it. I don't regret it. It helped me learn a bit about all the people in my life who have problems,not just myself. I don't know if it's suitable to be made into a movie,such other Christmas Novels,e.g P.S. I Love You are,but it's a great book to read or simply listen to.
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Posted January 16, 2010
The story was predictable, but I expected that. If you are looking for a happily ever after read this is a nice story.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.During the holiday season, I enjoy reading a feel-good Christmas story. This season, The Christmas Secret was a perfect fit for me. Christine has been cynical for most of her life. She stopped believing in the miracles of Christmas a long time ago. Struggling to make ends meet, Christmas is now one more thing that will set her back and something she just can't afford. Christine wants to see and feel the beauty of Christmas once again, but unfortunately life and unexpected events have harden her.
"I'm always waiting it seems-waiting for the right time, the right job, for the light to turn green, waiting on a call, waiting for my past to catch up with me, and for my future to begin.
I got to the point in my life where I was so tired of waiting and wanted to know that my life was not just leading anywhere but somewhere. I wanted that childhood sense of wonderment back. The crazy how, when, and why of life finally caught up with me and I realized that there was no Oz, fairy-tale king, or Scrooge waking up from a dream moment that was going to whisk me away from reality, and that's when I wanted Christmas again." (p.6)
Once again Christine is running late for work when she crosses path with a stranger. Little does she know that this interaction will lead her to a new beginning.
Like the previous novels in the Christmas Hope series, The Christmas Secret leaves the reader feeling encouraged and hopeful about life, without being too "preachy". People and events come into our lives for a purpose. What we may view as an inconvenience, may be just the thing that leads us to where we want to be.
ChristysBookBlog
Posted December 8, 2009
The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere is the fifth installment in the popular Christmas Hope series. Christine Eisley is having a heck of a holiday season. A single mother of two, she's facing her ex's demands and abuse, the loss of a job, and eviction at the end of the month. Everything changes when she saves a woman's life, maybe she'll end up saving her own as well. VanLiere has an incredible talent for creating sympathetic characters who grab hold of a reader's heartstrings and don't let go until the final page. There's the humor of a comedy of errors, melodrama of family secrets, and a good dash of romance. Christine proves that you can't judge a person by their first appearance and that everyone has a story. If you're looking for a pick-me-up during the holidays,VanLiere is just what the doctor ordered!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.If there is a particular time of year that engenders beneficent feelings within us it is the Christmas season. And, adding to the general good spirit of that time are the writings of Donna VanLiere (The Christmas shoes, The Christmas Blessing, The Christmas Hope). Her stories are filled with hope, faith, and love's power, often giving us a boost just when we need it.
Now, The Christmas Secret as read by the author will warm our hearts. This year's holidays may be a stretch for many of us, and it is especially challenging for single parents as we are reminded in the fifth of VanLiere's Christmas Hope series.
Single mom Christine Eisley works as a waitress to support herself and young sons 7-year-old Zach and Haley, age 5. Ex husband, Brad, is zero help in child support but still persists in trying to get custody of the boys.
Before Christine knows it she has lost her job and is threatened with eviction. As luck or the angel's would have it she has shown kindness for another by saving the life of a Wilson's department store employee. The owner of Wilson's want to show his gratitude for this unselfish act but the Good Samaritan has disappeared. His grandson, Jason, is sent in search of the mysterious young woman.
Jason's a bit miffed at this assignment for several reasons, but little does he know where his search will lead him. VanLiere's story is a welcome present this year - enjoy!
- Gail Cooke
Single mom Angela Christine Eisley raises her two young children (seven year old Zach and five year old Haley), but it is not easy as she works long hours for low wages and tips as a waitress while her former spouse Brad refuses to pay child support. He insists he will pay for the kids when he gains custody of them as he knows she can't keep paying court fees
Even as crummy as her job is Christine is shocked when she is fired for being late again as the teen baby-sitter failed to appear in a timely manner. Although despondent and fearful that she and the kids will be evicted, Christine saves the life of an elderly woman, but does not stay around for accolades. The woman works at Wilson's Department Store whose owner sends his unemployed grandson Jason to find the angel Christy, who no longer believes in the wonderment of Christmas.
Typical of her previous warm holiday tales that bring so much hope and promise to readers, Donna VanLiere provides a charming story of people in need of the miracle of love. The ensemble cast is fully developed with only Brad being Scrooge the sole stereotype. Fans will relish Jason's search for much more than just the Angel Christy and Angela Christine's need for the magic of Christmas to return to her life as readers know it is no secret that Ms. VanLiere always writes a tender heart warming Christmas tale.
Harriet Klausner
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Overview
When a struggling young single mother saves the life of an elderly woman, she sets into motion a series of events that will test her strength, loyalty, and determination, all the while setting her on the path to finding true love. Christine Eisley is the mother of seven-year-old Zach and five-year-old Haley. Her ex-husband provides little, if any, child support and makes life difficult for Christine by using the children as pawns. She works long hours as a waitress to make ends meet, but her job is in jeopardy ...