Customer Reviews

The Christmas Blessing (Christmas Hope Series #2)

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We met young Nathan Andrews in THE CHRISTMAS SHOES, where he met a kind man named Robert Layton, who gave him the money that he needed to buy his dying Mother a pair of sparkly shoes, so she would look nice when she went to Heaven. Now, years later, Nathan has grown up, and is now a third year medical student, having doubts about his future career. He realizes that he still has a lot to learn about blessings, sacrifice, and faith, and when he meets Meghan Sullivan, a track star born with a hole in her heart, he knows that she will be the one to teach him those things. He also knows that he will learn lessons from Meghan's young friend, Charlie, who is wise beyond his years, and also a heart patient. Between the two of them, they will help Nathan to overcome one of the most difficult times in his life.

As sequels are not always as good as the first in a series, I had doubts about buying this book. But now, I couldn't be happier that I purchased it. THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING is just as good, if not better, than THE CHRISTMAS SHOES. VanLiere has made Nathan a kind, and intelligent young man, and Meghan is a fantastic young woman filled with hope and love, who is reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks' Jamie Sullivan (of A WALK TO REMEMBER). Charlie is a young boy, who's illness has forced him to grow up much too fast, but who keeps his head up, and a smile on his face. Fans of VanLiere's last novel THE CHRISTMAS SHOES, or Nicholas Sparks' A WALK TO REMEMBER, will cherish THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING forever, and pass it down from generation to generation. A must-have book for the holiday season, or any other time of the year.

Erika Sorocco

Were you left panting at the end of "The Christmas Shoes" to know more about the 23-year-old medical student Robert Layton met on an icy Christmas Day at the cemetery?

Well... this book is for you.

"The Christmas Blessing" is the sequel to VanLiere's "The Christmas Shoes," and it's a better book overall. The characters are less stereotyped, the plot is somewhat less predictable, and the preachy passages have been toned down. Like the first book, it's also a tear-jerker, so keep the tissues handy.

In this book, we see the eight-year-old, sequin-shoe-buying boy after fifteen years have passed. He is now a medical student coping with life, death, and insecurities on rotation as a medical student in the hospital.

It is not necessary to have read "The Christmas Shoes" to read this book, although I imagine that most readers will take the books in order.

This book is recommended for anyone who enjoyed "The Christmas Shoes," enjoys sappy, romantic stories, or the miraculous nature of everyday family love. It might also be appropriate for students and others who are struggling with whether or not they have made the right choices.

Once again, Donna VanLiere has written another masterpiece. The sequel to The Christmas Shoes certainly exceeded my expectations. Mrs. VanLiere continues the daily saga of Nathan Andrews -- a young man looking for his place in the world. What the reader finds in The Christmas Blessing is an easy to read page-turner with great characters. The story line is simple (but not insulting) and easy to follow. Mrs. VanLiere has been truly blessed with creativity and her ability to bring a things together and produce a superior novel. My only question to Mrs. VanLiere: When is your next novel???????

I purchased this book along with the Christmas Shoes, thinking it would be a nice gift for one of my children. I had to read them to see if they were as good as I had hoped. I didn't think that the sequel, Christmas Blessing, could possibly be as good as the Christmas Shoes, but I think it was almost better.
I cried several different times and had to bury my face in a dishtowel. It touched me deeply because I believe in Christmas miracles too. I would recommend this book to those who are in need of an uplifting Christmas story. It's warm and fuzzy, yet so sad in some places. It makes you think seriously about the miraculous power of love and selflessness.Both books are now MINE. I can't bear to give them away as a gift.

I just read The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing. I have read LOTS of books, but these two really top all lists. EVERYONE should read them, even though I had a good cry all the way through. (My husband just died this past February)
The cover says "Christmas Hope series"--are there others to follow?

This book captured my attention from the first paragraph and held it until the very end. Not only are we brought up-to-date with Nathan's life, we are introduced to many more incredibly courageous people who continue to teach us that there is a bigger plan in life than what we are able to imagine. The author has written this book in such a way that you feel as if you personally know each character and are a part of their lives. Ms. VanLiere has a gift with words and will take the reader through the hills and valleys of the lives of Nathan, his family and friends and will leave you with joy in your heart, a smile on your lips, and hopefully the knowledge that you can achieve your dreams. I highly recommend this book.

I loved this book. Donna VanLiere helps you feel again the magic of Christmas and opens your eyes to the gift of Christmas. I cried through the book and want to give this book to everyone I know. For the ones in my family who know the real "reason for the season" and for those who don't to get a glimpse of what Christmas IS.
Loved it.

Last year, I purchased the book "The Christmas Shoes" and enjoyed it very much. In fact, I read it again this year and it was still just as touching as the first time. When I saw the sequel sitting on a shelf at the bookstore, I eagerly scooped it up and rushed home to read. I thought that I knew exactly what was going to happen as soon as Meghan's sickness was mentioned, but in the end the story was unpredictable. I enjoyed the different scenery and characters that were in this book. I would definately suggest that you read "The Christmas Blessing".

The Christmas Blessing was a fanominal bood that I enjoyed greatly! You learn so much in these books by Donna Vanliere, but this particular book stood out to me. It shows how love can go so far in the simplist things. Also, how just one little accident or change can remake your life forever. Nathan has such character, as to go as far as to fulfill his dreams because of his mothers death. In this book I learned that everything happens for a reason, and if you would like a page- turner book, buy The Christmas Blessing. You learn so much more about yourself!

This was one of the best books that I have ever purchased. I had read the Christmas Shoes and I was thrilled to have read both of these books. It was a book that had a real meaning. I can't say enough good about the book, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great book to read.