The Christmas Secret (Thorndike Basic) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Donna VanLiere (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2009 | Series: Thorndike Basic

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.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

VanLiere makes getting into the Christmas spirit easy with the fifth installment in her Christmas Hope series (The Christmas Promise; etc). Single mom Angela Christine Eisley's struggling to care for her young children, Zach and Haley: her waitress job isn't bringing in a ton of dough; and Brad, her disgruntled ex, refuses to pay child support and is bent on taking custody. Soon, she's lost her job and her landlord's threatening eviction, but salvation comes in the form of another job and a handsome bachelor named Jason Haybert, who's trying to locate the anonymous good Samaritan who saved a family friend's life. The holiday cheerleading doesn't stray too far afield as VanLiere tidily wraps up this reminder of the magic of giving. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Donna VanLiere is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling 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 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 speaks regularly at conferences. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband and their children.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 337 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (December 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410421732
• ISBN-13: 978-1410421739
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,387,535 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Donna VanLiere is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author and gifted conference speaker. She has published ten titles including The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing, both of which were adapted into movies (starring Rob Lowe, Kimberly Williams-Perry and Neil Patrick Harris) and garnered big ratings for CBS television. LifetimeTelevision adapted The Christmas Hope (starring Madeline Stowe) and premiered it December 2009 to stellar ratings as well. Donna's non-seasonal novel, The Angels of Morgan Hill, has captured the same warmth as her Christmas books and continues to please loyal and new fans alike.

Donna 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, a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year and was recently inducted into the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence joining such luminaries as Coretta Scott King, Hugh Downs, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Senator John Glenn. Donna is an in-demand conference speaker having appeared at countless women's and family events, including select Women of Faith and Extraordinary Women conferences.

Donna's latest book, The Christmas Journey (October 2010) is a retelling of the story of the Nativity told through Donna's signature voice and accompanied by moving and beautifully rendered watercolor illustrations throughout. The eighty-mile journey of a common carpenter and a simple peasant girl is one of the most powerful stories in history. As books go out of print and stories fade from memory, the journey of Joseph and Mary and her delivery inside a common barn continues to bless and inspire hope in people around the world.

Look for her brand new novel entitled "The Christmas Note this fall (2011).

Donna lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband, Troy, and their children, Grace, Kate and David.

Learn more at www.DonnaVanLiere.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond amazing!, November 4, 2009

By 

A. Pohren (IA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Christmas Secret (Hardcover)

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to curl up with a wonderful, touching and inspiring book. Donna VanLiere has become such a tradition for me, or rather her books have. Each year I eagerly anticipate her newest release, which I gobble up within a couple of days and then I am left downtrodden because I know I have to wait another year for another treasure by her.

Each of Ms. VanLiere's stories are filled with the greatest of struggles, perseverance, warmth, the greatest of goodness and bonds of selfless friendship. Each and every story has yet to fail to warm my heart and put a smile to my face at the acts of kindness and generosity of the characters.

The Christmas Secret is the story of a young single mother, Christine, who is constantly struggling to make money to feed, clothe and take care of her beloved young children. To make matters worse, her ex-husband is a vengeful man who tries, at every corner, to make Christine's life more stressful and worrisome with threats of taking the kids away from her.

This is a story of one young mother's deep and unyielding love for her children. A mother who would do anything to care for them. Christine's big break seems to come when she is hired by Betty who is the owner of a bakery/restaurant. It is here that Christine meets many new friends and learns the true meaning of faith, bonding and what it is like to belong. Not to mention this is also the place she comes in contact with an obnoxious and overbearing, but very handsome man, who she feels a strange sort of connection with.

The Christmas Secret is full of delightful twists and turns and a few surprises along the way. I have to say that I adored all of the characters and felt a very special adoration for Gloria, one of the most generous and caring woman you will ever meet. Throughout the entire story, I was brought to tears, laughter, warmth and every motion in-between. Ms. VanLiere has such a mind-blowing talent to bring her readers into the story, make them care deeply for the characters and make the characters and actions remain with the reader long after the final word is read.

I actually discovered Donna VanLiere a few years ago and have felt truly blessed by her work ever since. As I had stated previously, hers is one of the new releases that I eagerly anticipate each year and I have yet to be disappointed. For me, the holiday season isn't off to an official start until I have read a novel by this wonderful author.

I highly recommend The Christmas Secret for anyone looking for an excellent and engrossing story. A story that will remain with you for a very long time and turn you into a huge fan of Ms. VanLiere.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Christmas Secret, October 28, 2009

By 

Kathleen "snow leopard" (Wla, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Christmas Secret (Hardcover)

OH MY GOSH!!!! This book, is hands down amazing!!!!

>>Before reading this book I thought to myself, there are a lot of books out there that say, "New York Times Bestselling Author"; and so like dude, what book out there isn't...but after reading a few pages and of course the rest of the book, I realized why this book Is "New York Times Bestselling Author" hands down.

>>This book not only has Christmas (which I truly LOVE), in it but also has a deep, true, simple message; if everyone knew about it and did something about it this world would be a better place!!!

>>>I hope they make a movie out of this book and represent it the way it is written and not leave parts out and ruin the book, but have the book stand for what the movie mirrors.

>>>>I love the characters and how they all come together at the end. its like a mystery, but not giving away too much so the audience is still wondering as the plot develops.

truly a great book!!! it will stay in the fam.!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A REMINDER OF FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, October 27, 2009

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Christmas Secret (Audio CD)

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