The Christmas Promise

by Donna VanLiere

Book Overview

Each Christmas we are given a promise from heaven. And each year on earth we make promises to each other. This is a story about how a promise from one person to another shows us the true meaning of faith, remembrance, and love. Seven years ago Gloria endured a family tragedy that almost shook her faith entirely. Each Christmas she places a card in an envelope on her tree, restating a promise she made to her husband before he died. Now, having moved from her small town and all the painful memories it held, she is building a life by caring for people in need. Whether it's a young mother who can't pay her electric bill or a family who needs some extra food, Gloria always finds a way. Miriam is a thorn in Gloria's side. Miriam is a constantly critical, disapproving neighbor who looks with suspicion at all the good things Gloria does. When a twist of fate makes them roommates instead of neighbors, it's the ultimate test of patience and faith. Chaz has a good job as head of security at Wilson's Department Store, but each night he returns home to an empty apartment. He longs for a wife and family of his own but realizes that the life choices he's made have alienated him. He befriends a young boy whose mother has fallen on hard times, giving him a chance to have a life he thought impossible. In The Christmas Promise, the lives of these characters collide and we learn that even as we move ahead, the past is never far behind. And when we are forgiven much, we love much. In this warmly humorous and deeply poignant story, we are reminded that the Christmas Promise is the promise of second chances.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312367767
• ISBN13: 9780312367763
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 206 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

Story of what a Miracle could be

Thoroughly Enjoyed this story I can't recommend it enough to you. The characters hook you, the writing is brilliant with the exchanges between them. You will laugh out loud at times, get angry and cry. The feeling the details and this incredible series marches on. This may be one of my favorites if not my favorite in this series.

Sweet Promise indeed

Once again, Donna makes another hit. My daughter and I love this series and cannot wait to the next one to come.

Another Christmas Gem from Donna

Just when I think Donna cannout outdo herself, she does! The Christmas Promise is an absolutely beautiful story about people who would be the furthest things from friends coming together to create yet another family of happy souls centering around the joy of Christmas. What makes this book even more special are the hidden gems for readers who are familiar with Donna's three other Christmas Shoes books. With each book, she comes full circle again, and the possibilities are endless for us to see these friends of ours in future writings (hint hint, Donna!). For the last 50 pages of this book, I did not have a dry eye. It was a wonderful release and an exceptional conclustion to a fantastic book. Make sure you re-read the prologue right after finishing the book, and you will recognize another little surprise you probably did not catch when reading it for the first time. I highly, Highly, HIGHLY recommend this book. Make sure you make The Christmas Promise part of your Christmas celebration!

beautiful and simple

I picked this book up at the library at a whim, not hoping for much. The story is beautifully crafted. Its' simplicity brought me to tears. I am so moved that I'm going to read more books by this author. I highly recommend this story for a good rainy/snowy night!

Another Christmas gift from Donna VanLiere

Several years ago I picked up The Christmas Shoes and found myself quickly caught up in the simple, heartwarming story. I couldn't put it down. Every year VanLiere crafts another story that quickly engages the reader and keeps them reading until the last page. The Christmas Promise is another in what has become a series of intersecting Christmas books that are sweet, simple and heartwarming to read. This Christmas we follow Gloria who is almost a one-woman social service agency for the town in which she lives. Weighed down by the loss of a husband and son, she still tries to reach out to others and is the person many turn to when there is no other help. Unfortunately, she is the port in the storm for her judgemental and nosey neighbor Miriam, who has been flooded out of her home. Add a soon to deliver unwed mother and several of the town's homeless and down and outs and she is almost busy enough to forget her losses...almost. This is a sweet and simple story that will bring tears to your eyes (don't read it at your desk at work, like I did). Look for an appearance by Nathan Andrews, one of the continuing threads through all these stories, and if you are like me, you will go back to the first three books in the series to read agian.