A Family to Share (Sequel to Deck the Halls) (Love Inspired #331) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Arlene James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2006

A Necessary Proposal

All mortgage broker Kendal Oakes wanted was a stable, loving home for his daughter, Larissa. He was widowed, and his motherless little girl was prone to uncontrollable tantrums. But then single mom Connie Wheeler walked into the church day care center . . . and their lives.

Connie had a way with Larissa -- the child's only calm moments came when Connie was nearby. So she agreed to babysit with her own son in tow. The two children and adults got along perfectly. It was almost as if they could be a family.

But when Kendal popped the question Connie longed to hear, did he want the true marriage she'd prayed for, or simply a union of convenience?

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 339 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (September 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786289260
• ISBN-13: 978-0786289264
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,071,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars --, May 29, 2009

By 

Christian Review of Books - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Family to Share (Sequel to Deck the Halls) (Larger Print Love Inspired #331) (Mass Market Paperback)

A FAMILY TO SHARE
By Arlene James
Review by Laura V. Hilton

Mortgage broker Kendal Oakes just wants a loving stable environment to raise his daughter, Larissa in. When his wife died, Kendal was out of town on an extended business trip, and Larissa was left alone with her dead mother for two days before she was found. This has caused severe emotional problems for the eighteen month old girl, and as a result she is continuously kicked out of day care centers.

Connie Wheeler has an eighteen month old son and a prison record, thanks to an unfortunate choice in a boyfriend. Now she fears that no one decent will ever love her. She loves children and wants to work with the church day care center, but her prison record denies her that opportunity.

Larissa takes an instant liking to Connie the first time the two meet, and Kendal quickly discovers that Connie is the only one who can handle his child. When Kendal finds out the truth about Connie's past, will he keep her away from his child? Or will they learn that true love conquers all?

A FAMILY TO SHARE is a cute story about two single parents determined to raise their children the best way they know how. Connie is insecure as a result of her past, yet she is drawn to help Larissa. Kendal is at his wits end, unable to handle his daughter. Unfortunately, Kendal's inability to handle a toddler makes him appear less than masculine to me.

The faith message in A FAMILY TO SHARE is gently woven in and doesn't appear preachy. The story line is good, but there were a number of discrepancies that ruined the book for me. Otherwise, A FAMILY TO SHARE is a good book. $4.99. 250 pages.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great story, July 11, 2006

By 

Megan "Avid reader and movie watcher" (Rogersville, Mo United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Family to Share (Sequel to Deck the Halls) (Love Inspired #331) (Mass Market Paperback)

Don't judge a book by its cover, or should I say, the main characters name which so happens to be Kendal. I know what I was thinking when I first read the back cover. Kendal? There was no way I was going to read that book. I mean, who in their right mind would name their son Kendal?

Well, I was wrong. After sitting on my book shelf for seven months I finally got the courage to read this story. And by the time I was finished, Kendal didn't seem all that bad.

This is a great story. I love the main characters, Kendal and Connie, along with their children Russell and Larissa. It has great values and morals. A good read. Highly recommended.

To those who plan on reading this story, you may want to read the book, Deck the Halls, if you haven't already. It tells the story of Vince and Jolie, minor characters in this story.

Great Job Mrs. James. I love your work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a picture perfect family --- hmmmm no -- but a family that loves each other in the end..., May 30, 2006

By 

ShelleyL "snowy652" (british columbia canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Family to Share (Sequel to Deck the Halls) (Love Inspired #331) (Mass Market Paperback)

***A story on letting go of one's past and walking into one's future without the excess baggage. It is not always easy (well--rarely easy) but with God's help (and the help of people who love you) can be done. I enjoyed how Connie and Kendal were able to meet one another's needs and how their relationship grew because of it. At times I wanted to scream at them because they both seemed a bit clueless of the other one's feelings -- but that could be due to past hurts and failures. Overall, it was a good story full of good morals.