One Imperfect Christmas [Kindle Edition]

Myra Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Graphic designer Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. For almost a year, her mother has lain in a nursing home, the victim of a massive stroke, and Natalie blames herself for not being there when it happened. Worse, she’s allowed the monstrous load of guilt to drive a wedge between her and everyone she loves—most of all her husband Daniel. Her marriage is on the verge of dissolving, her prayer life is suffering, and she’s one Christmas away from hitting rock bottom.

Junior-high basketball coach Daniel Pearce is at his wit’s end. Nothing he’s done has been able to break through the wall Natalie has erected between them. And their daughter Lissa’s adolescent rebellion isn’t helping matters. As Daniel’s hope reaches its lowest ebb, he wonders if this Christmas will spell the end of his marriage and the loss of everything he holds dear.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Myra Johnson launched her writing career in 1985 when she sold her first short story while taking a course through the Institute of Children’s Literature. Myra later joined the ICL staff as a magazine writing instructor, teaching hundreds of students the fundamentals of story and article structure, plotting, character development, and market analysis. She now writes full-time and is active in her church as well as local and national writers groups. Her manuscripts have placed in several contests. One Perfect Christmas won first place in the 2008 Winter Rose (Mainstream with Romantic Elements); Pearl of Great Price took third in the 2007 ACFW Genesis (Contemporary Fiction); and Autumn Rains won the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript. Myra and her husband, Jack, have been married since 1972. Recent transplants from Texas to Oklahoma, they share their home with two love-hungry dogs and a snobby parakeet. The Johnsons have two daughters, both married, and five grandchildren. She currently lives in Broken Arrow, OK. Website: www.myrajohnson.com; Active blogger on www.myra.typepad.com and www.seekerville.blogspot.com

Product Details

• File Size: 469 KB
• Print Length: 281 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1426700709
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (June 1, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004GHNIFW
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,718 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-wrenching and Real August 21, 2009

By Carla Stewart

Format:Paperback

Myra Johnson's debut novel, One Imperfect Christmas, puts together all that is perfect about Christmas--family, faith, celebration of life and the birth of Christ. It also gives us a glimpse into life's imperfections--loss, guilt, self-doubt, and the pain of having a loved one suffer in illness.

Natalie Pearce faces the same frustrations many busy women do--the responsibilities of maintaining a home, trying to quell her temper with a husband whose job is top priority, and providing guidance for an adolescent daughter who can be a handful at times. Add to that a budding career for herself and helping out with her retired parents, and it's easy to see how Natalie falls into the "guilt" trap when her mother has a debilitating stroke. Blaming herself for not being there, Natalie erects a wall around herself, alienating her family and giving her father more worry instead of help in caring for the mom who's confined to a nursing home.

One Imperfect Christmas is a family's journey through broken marriage, misunderstood feelings, and the lengths to which a young teen will go to bring her parents together and be the catalyst for healing and peace. Warm and heartfelt, the writing is deeply introspective, and there were times I didn't like Natalie very much, but as we are all vulnerable to life's traumas, she was also relatable. Who among us is always likeable? And even more, who hasn't experienced the need for divine intervention more than a few times in our lives?
Myra's debut book is one to ponder, to reflect on our own relationships, and to celebrate the joys of Christmas.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One Imperfect Christmas gives a perfect ending October 22, 2009

By Janet Dean

Format:Paperback

Myra Johnson's One Imperfect Christmas rings with truth--not every Christmas is a picture-perfect celebration. Sometimes life deals a blow, bringing even strong Christians to their knees. Natalie Pearce turned down her mother's request to help put away her Christmas decorations. When her mother suffers an incapacitating stroke, Natalie is ripped apart with guilt and spirals into depression, driving a wedge that rips her family apart. If you've gone through a heart-wrenching illness or loss of a loved one, you'll identify with the Pearce family as they struggle through their year of trial. Natalie and Daniel's marriage looks doomed to failure, even as their teenage daughter Lissa schemes to keep her family together. In the end, with God's help, Natalie is able to forgive herself, accept life as it comes and the healing love of family, her very own Christmas miracle.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Myra October 12, 2009

By Gloria Teague

Format:Paperback

Myra Johnson's book, One Imperfect Christmas, was one perfect gift for myself. The holidays are just around the corner and it's always difficult for me since I lost my mother. I was immediately drawn to the characters in this book because their happiness and tragedies mirrored some within my own family. I could empathize with Natalie for the guilt she felt because I'll always worry, "Did I call Mom often enough", "Did I spend enough time with her" and "Did she really know how much I loved her?" Ms Johnson takes the reader into the heart of this family, through the good times and the bad, and reminds us how wonderful it is to be loved. I look forward to reading her following books.

More About the Author

Myra Johnson's roots go deep into Texas soil, but after recently surviving five icy winters and blistering summers in Oklahoma, she and her husband now enjoy the milder weather of Carolinas. The Johnsons share their home with two lovable (and very spoiled) dogs.

Myra's debut novel, ONE IMPERFECT CHRISTMAS, was a September 2009 release from Abingdon Press. She has also written for Barbour Publishing's Heartsong Presents line. AUTUMN RAINS (October 2009) won the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript and was named a 2010 ACFW Carol Award finalist. In November 2011, AUTUMN RAINS, ROMANCE BY THE BOOK, and WHERE THE DOGWOODS BLOOM (Heartsong Presents romances set in Missouri) were re-released as a Barbour 3-in-1 collection entitled GATEWAY WEDDINGS. Myra's latest novels are A HORSEMAN'S HEART (August 2011, Heartsong Presents) and A HORSEMAN'S GIFT (June 2012, Heartsong Presents). A HORSEMAN'S HOPE will complete the "Horseman" trilogy later in 2012.

Myra writes full-time and is active in her church as well as local and national writers groups. Married since 1972, the Johnsons have two beautiful daughters, two terrific sons-in-law, four rambunctious grandsons, and two precious granddaughters.