Comfort and Joy (Hannah, Kristin) [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Kristin Hannah (Author), Sandra Burr (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005 | Series: Hannah, Kristin

Joy Candellaro used to love Christmas more than any other time of the year. Now, as the holiday approaches, she finds herself at loose ends. Recently divorced and estranged from her sister, she can’t summon the old enthusiasm for celebrating. So without telling anyone, she buys a ticket and boards a plane bound for the rural Northwest. Yet Joy’s best-laid plans go terribly awry. The plane crashes deep in the darkness of a forest. Miraculously, Joy walks away from the wreckage as the plane explodes, obliterating all evidence of its passengers. Amid the towering trees, Joy makes a bold and desperate decision to leave her ordinary life behind and embark on an adventure . . . just for the holidays. Daniel O’Shea has returned to the small town of Rain Valley, following the death of his ex-wife. Now he is a single father facing his son’s first Christmas without a mother. Six-year-old Bobby isn’t making it easy - the boy has closed himself off from the world, surrounding himself with imaginary friends. When Joy and Bobby meet, they form an instant bond. Thrown together by fate, these wounded souls will be touched by the true spirit of Christmas and remember what it means to be a family. Then a dramatic turn of events shows Joy the price of starting over. On a magical Christmas Eve she will come face-to-face with a startling truth. Now she must decide: In a time of impossible dreams and unexpected chances, can she find the faith to reach for the love she has found . . . and the new life only she believes in?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kristin Hannah is the bestselling author of many acclaimed novels, including On Mystic Lake, Between Sisters, The Things We Do for Love, Comfort & Joy, and Magic Hour. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and on Kauai with her husband and son.

From AudioFile

Narrator Sandra Burr depicts Joy Faith Candellaro, high school librarian and recent divorcée, with edgy apprehension when she learns that her sister is pregnant by her ex-husband and that they plan to marry. Joy purchases a plane ticket to Hope, British Columbia, over Christmas to ease the pain. The play on names and words almost buries this little story with its Christmas message of forgiveness, but Burr salvages it through a compelling delivery. Her adept characterization of a grief-stricken 6-year-old is stellar, as is her portrayal of the child's father, who has a velvety Irish brogue. It's no surprise where their relationship is headed or how the story ends. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio on CD Unabridged; Unabridged edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597379050
• ISBN-13: 978-1597379052
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,878,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this magical Christmas tale., February 17, 2006

By 

a reviewer in Seattle (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Comfort and Joy (Hannah, Kristin) (Audio Cassette)

I haven't read a Kristin Hannah book yet that I didn't love... and I place this one at the top. I sailed through this unabridged audio, read so fabulously by Sandra Burke. This is not the usual kind of story I expected. If you've read other books by this author, you pretty much know how things will go..... but I was pleasantly surprised by the twist in this story.... actually, I loved the way the story ended. I am a true fan of this author and can't wait for her next book. I immediately fell in love with Joy, Bobby, and even the gruf Daniel, with his wonderful Irish accent. This is the kind of book you just can't wait to finish, but never want to end. I highly recommend it. I'd love to see Kristen revisit these people one day in a future story....

JMHO //(*_*)\\

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A HOPEFUL CHRISTMAS STORY - READ WITH UNDERSTANDING, November 3, 2005

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: Comfort and Joy (Hannah, Kristin) (Audio CD)

Christmas isn't a time for cynicism or skepticism. It's a time when miracles can happen, which is almost what occurs in the life of Joy Candellaro.

As our story opens it seems that Joy isn't aptly named because there's not much in her life but betrayal and misery. Her divorce from Thom is still new enough to pain and her sister is the one who caused it. Not a time for family happiness!

In spite of all this, Joy determines to celebrate her first Christmas on her own with a tree, the trimmings, and an eye-popping gift that she certainly feels she deserves. However, the holly and tinsel go by the board when her sister, Stacey, drops by to announce that she's going to have Thom's baby. Joy sees red, and buys an airline ticket for Canada. Does she know anyone there? No. Does she know what she'll do when she gets there? Has no idea. She simply wants to escape from a life that has become untenable.

Kristin Hannah fans know that there's good news in the offing, and they'll not be disappointed or surprised when Joy meets a father and son who are enduring more than their share of sorrow. You know what they say about comfort and joy.

Sandra Burr gives a splendid reading of this story of second chances - if you have the courage to accept them.

- Gail Cooke

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story of faith and hope, March 29, 2009

By 

E. Kreklau "book lover on life's journey" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Comfort and Joy (Hannah, Kristin) (Audio CD)

I picked up this audio book at a travel stop while on a 6-hour road trip. Not usually one to read fiction (and certainly not romance novels), I am so glad I was enticed to select this one. Although the events of the story are somewhat far-fetched (an extra-marital affair between the main character's sister and husband, and a plane crash in the rainforest), the authentic expression of emotion through the main character Joy grabbed both my psyche and my heart. I was also fascinated by and empathized with the characters' personal struggles, and was touched by their complex, fragile relationships. If your heart is open - or possibly even longing - to experience a renewed sense of faith, hope and true love, this story will refresh your spirit.