All I Have to Give: A Christmas Love Story [Hardcover]

Melody Carlson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2008

Anna and Michael have been trying for years without success to have a baby. Now in her late thirties, Anna has given up on the hope of motherhood after heartbreaking miscarriages and shattered dreams. As Christmas nears, she has to consider the possibility that it might be time to empty out the nursery and convert it to a guest room. Amidst her heartache, Anna secretly struggles with strange health problems that have her very worried. But, as often happens at Christmastime, there are miracles in store for Anna and Michael. As each tries to give the other the perfect Christmas gift the magic of Christmas is working its way into their lives. And what each of them unwraps for Christmas will surprise everyone.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

What would you do to make Christmas special? Anna wants this to be the best Christmas ever, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that. But what happens when everything and everyone around her seems to be falling apart? Is this destined to be the worst Christmas ever? Fortunately for her, as often happens at this time of year, there are miracles in store. Just when Anna's happy holidays look hopeless, the magic of Christmas works its way into her life. And what she unwraps for Christmas will surprise everyone.

From the Back Cover

What does it take to make the perfect Christmas? A picture-perfect tree? Piles of brightly wrapped presents? A sumptuous spread on a gorgeous table? Take some time this Christmas to rediscover what it means to give--and receive--the gift of pure love. It may not be what you expect, but it might be just what you need.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Revell (July 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800718828
• ISBN-13: 978-0800718824
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #667,069 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Melody Carlson has written around 200 books for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her books range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including the Rita and Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars All I Have to Give by Melody Carlson, December 8, 2008

By 

Zan "Zan" (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All I Have to Give: A Christmas Love Story (Hardcover)

This was a beautiful inspirational heartwarming story. Michael and Anna are a lovely couple who are truly in love. I think that the author handles the subject of infertility in a compassionate and understanding manner. My only complaint is that I wish Anna had been a stronger heroine. I was disappointed when she thought she had cancer, but wouldn't do anything about it or talk to anyone about it. Also, I was disappointed when she didn't approach Michael about some doubts that she was having. Despite the fact that she is not a strong heroine, this is still a very good story and a quick read.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars --, April 18, 2009

By 

Christian Review of Books - See all my reviews

This review is from: All I Have to Give: A Christmas Love Story (Hardcover)

Anna and Michael have everything they want in life except for one thing: a child. Now approaching her forties, and after trying almost every option, it looks as if that door is closing for good. Just when Anna is ready to accept her fate, she fears that she has the same symptoms of an illness that claimed her mother. Worried that this is the last Christmas she will ever spend with her husband, she tries to do everything in her power to give him the best possible Christmas. She sacrifices what she cherishes the most to make him happy.

This is a sweet modern retelling of the classic story The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. It makes one wonder--if you knew this was going to be your last Christmas, what would you do to make it one to remember for your loved ones? I really liked the way that Anna wanted to do everything to make her husband happy even to the point of giving up what she loved the most. It's refreshing to see a Christmas story where the focus is on others and not on one's own self. I also appreciated her outburst during the mom's group as people need to be aware that couples without children are not always childless by choice.

The only negative thing about this book was the way that Anna acted when she first thought she had cancer. If someone has had a history of cancer in their family and they start to believe they have the same symptoms, now is not the time to be a protector from bad news. She should have told her husband immediately and gone to see a doctor. Even if funds were short, this was not something to push back. Furthermore, keeping such an important secret like this from her husband would also hurt their relationship in the future. Other than that, it is a great way to spend an afternoon to get yourself ready for the holidays.

This is a wonderful addition to the Christmas short stories that Melody Carlson has written throughout the years. It's a story that takes only a day to read yet the spirit of the Christmas season will remain with you throughout the entire year.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What Christmas is really about, November 18, 2008

By 

Deborah "Books, Movies and Chinese Food" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: All I Have to Give: A Christmas Love Story (Hardcover)

Anna and Michael have everything they want in life except for one thing: a child. Now approaching her forties, and after trying almost every option, it looks as if that door appears to be closing for good. Just when Anna is ready to accept her fate, she fears that she has the same symptoms of an illness that claimed her mother. Worried that this is the last Christmas she will ever spend with her husband, she tries to do everything in her power to give him the best possible Christmas. She sacrifices what she cherishes the most to make him happy.

This is a sweet modern retelling of the classic story The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. It makes one wonder if you knew this was going to be your last Christmas what would you do to make it one to remember for your loved ones. I really liked the way that Anna wanted to do everything to make her husband happy even to the point of giving up what she loved the most. It's refreshing to see a Christmas story where the focus is on others and not on one's own self. I also appreciated her outburst during the mom's group as people need to be aware that couples without children are not always childless by choice. The only negative thing about this book was the way that Anna acted when she first thought she had cancer. If someone has had a history of cancer in their family and they start to believe they have the same symptoms, now is not the time to be a protector from bad news. She should have told her husband immediately and gone to see a doctor. Even if funds were short, this was not something to push back. Further more by keeping such an important secret like this from her husband would also hurt their relationship in the future. Other than that, it is a great way to spend an afternoon to get yourself ready for the holidays. This is a wonderful addition to the Christmas short stories that Melody Carlson has written throughout the years. It's a story that takes only a day to read yet the spirit of the Christmas season will remain with you throughout the entire year.