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    The Christmas Secret: A Novel
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    The Christmas Secret: A Novel
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    The Christmas Secret: A Novel
    Ebook252 pages4 hours

    The Christmas Secret: A Novel

    By Donna VanLiere

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Donna VanLiere's 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.

    The Christmas Secret     is now a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original film. Watch it this holiday season!

    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 teenage 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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Publishers
    Release dateOct 13, 2009
    ISBN9781429985345
    Author

    Donna VanLiere

    Donna VanLiere is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling 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 Secret, 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 makes regular appearances at conferences. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband and their children.

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    Reviews for The Christmas Secret

    4/5

    60 ratings13 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Romantic, cosy; a novel about hope and Christmas, maybe a little too swet for real live but perfect for the Christmas period. Could be convenient to have a tissue nearby. Liked it.
    • 5/5
      The Christmas secret by Donna VanLiereStory follows a woman, Kristy with teo children and an ex husband who doesn't pay child support. She's sturggling through holiday season to not only support them but keep her job and kids watched while working at the department store.Also story follows a man-a relative of the owner of the department store and he's not quite adjusted to the work he's asked to do.She ends up losing her job, DCYF visits and things are not going at all. Things get worse before they get better.Like how the story combines the same people and there is joy during the season... Jason has to find the woman he had fired because she saved Judy's life-but she had been late for work. Love hearing of GLoria's Place, such a worthwhile place and things they do for others there.Amazing how everyone is connected, love hearing about the secret.I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
    • 3/5
      During the holidays, a struggling, young single mom of two loses her job and faces eviction from her home, plus battles with her ex-husband over visitation and child support. But the season of miracles has Christine believing in goodness again when she is hired on at Betty's Bakery, meets a handsome customer with his own internal conflicts and makes new friends who secretly and not-so-secretly help dislodge the boulder in the middle of her life's road. Family secrets are also unexpectedly revealed but all for the good. Christine's "miracles" too conveniently fall into place like dominoes in a line, and the romantic interest Jason came off as two different people, making the chemistry less believable for me. For those who appreciate a light, inspirational, feel-good story about the spirit of giving and humanity.
    • 3/5
      The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere#5 Christmas Hope seriesCozy, feel-good Christmas story about a 27yo single mother, Christine Eisley, who is struggling to make ends meet. No matter how hard she tries, it seems that there is always something to hinder her progress. Often enough, it is her ex-husband, who refuses to pay any child support to care for their two children and seems to spend all his time spying on her and finding ways to bring her back to court over the care of the children. She also struggles with balancing getting extra hours at work and juggling different sitters. Her main sitter often shows up late or cancels at the last minute, causing Christy late arrivals at work. The final straw for her boss was when she showed up late after giving CPR to a woman who collapsed in her driveway. He fires her, but this turns out to be a blessing in disguise.Christy finds a new job at Betty's Bakery, where she becomes acquainted with the "regulars", a mixed cast of characters which represents the good people of the town. They will all become important to Christy and help her through her difficulties.The owner of Wilson's Department Store, Marshall Wilson, has invited his 24yo grandson, Jason, to come back to town and work at his store until he finds another accounting position. He's been out of work for three months and takes his grandpa up on his offer even though he feels he is overqualified. He is self-centered and it takes some concerted effort by Marshall to teach Jason the importance of interacting with and giving to others. Jason is encouraged to volunteer at Glory's Place, where single mothers can leave their children while they are at work. Jason connects easily with the children. This position helps him see that he has other useful gifts besides just being an accountant. Jason, of course, sees Christy in the bakery and they both are drawn to each other and flirt with each other like nervous teenagers, but through a comedy of errors and misunderstandings caused by job changes, new co-workers, scrambled messages, etc., the two of them don't even learn each others' names until the end of the book.In this story, we are able to watch two different people at a crossroads in their lives and see how the people around them help them through and bring them together at a time when they are finally ready to give hope a chance.Cute story. I was drawn to the secondary characters and the little town more than to the two main characters, and although I really liked and admired Christy, I had a hard time believing in the quick turn-around by Jason.
    • 3/5
      I really do like a good Christmas story and I do like Donna VanLiere but all of her stories make me tear up.
    • 5/5
      I can always count on Donna VanLiere to give me a heartwarming holiday read, and The Christmas Secret is no exception. I've absolutely fallen in love with the nameless small town where all her Christmas Hope books take place and would love to live there. The residents of the town really bring it to life, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. They're always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, and I love how all their lives intertwine into a beautiful, intricate web. Every time I read one of Ms. VanLiere's books, I'm reminded of the It's a Wonderful Life principle that each of our lives touch so many others, we are simply part of a much larger picture and not an island unto ourselves. I also enjoyed the fact that The Christmas Secret is a little more upbeat than some of the earlier books in the series that dealt with heavier topics. This one even has a wonderfully serendipitous little romance, which as a romance lover, I thoroughly appreciated. All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better book to put me in the holiday spirit.The author continues her tradition of alternating first and third person POVs. In this book, the first person narrator is Christine, a struggling single mother of two young children. As the story opens, Christine loses her job as a waitress due to circumstances outside her control. She's been late to work several times due to unreliable babysitters and is given one last warning. The next day, her car is trapped in her driveway by the car of a older woman who has had a heart attack at the wheel. Fortunately, Christine is able to save the woman's life, but her heroic effort is lost on her boss. Luckily, she manages to find employment at another restaurant, but her life has otherwise become one huge instance of the old adage “when it rains, it pours.” She's constantly threatened by an ex-husband who isn't paying child support, but who dares to call social services on her. She's being evicted for not keeping up with her rent, and then, all the Christmas gifts she buys for her children are stolen from her car, not to mention, the car breaks down. Poor Christine just can't seem to catch a break, but in spite of being desperately in need herself, she generously takes time to talk with and monetarily help another woman who is a regular customer at the restaurant.The primary third person narrator is Jason, who is the grandson of Marshall Wilson, owner of the iconic Wilson's department store that has become the centerpiece of the town in these books. While in between jobs, Marshall invites Jason to come work for him in his store. In Jason's mind, it isn't the ideal job, but having nothing better to do while waiting for his headhunter to call, he agrees. Jason is a young accounting major who has a slightly overinflated sense of self-importance. He comes from the city and doesn't really pay much attention to the people around him. I love the lesson his grandfather teaches him with his repeated quizzes that business is not just about the numbers but the people. By the time Jason is finally able to answer the questions correctly, I think he's learned his lesson well. Marshall also encourages Jason to volunteer at Glory's Place, a program that assists single mothers and their children. I think Jason was a bit surprised to find how good he is with the kids. The thing I liked most about Jason though, was the gentle way he flirted with Christine every time he came into the restaurant. Initially, she gives him the cold shoulder, because she thinks he's there playing spy for her ex-husband. In spite of her stand-offish-ness, Jason never gives up on trying to get her to go out with him, until slowly but surely these two start to fall for one another even though neither knows the other's real name. Through all of his experiences with the store, the kids, and Christine, Jason gradually comes to realize that he wants more out of life than what he's been pursuing up to that point. He wants a forever kind of love like his grandparents shared.A few of the secondary characters get their own POV scenes. Marshall is struggling with a life-changing decision. Gloria ([book:The Christmas Promise|831253]) returns along with her best friend, Miriam. The two of them become a support system for Christine. Patricia Addison ([book:The Christmas Hope|307143]) is the social worker who looks into the allegations of child neglect brought by Christine's ex-husband. Many other characters from past novels in the series have briefer supporting roles, or at the very least, are seen in the background. I've always loved how Donna VanLiere can pull together multiple story lines into one big whole. There are certain subplots that the reader is kept in the dark about throughout the entire book, but when all is said and done, they all converge into a perfect ending that could easily be tied up with a bow. I think it's this cohesive sense of oneness that makes this little town feel so warm and close-knit. The Christmas Secret was another great read in this already wonderful series. I'll certainly be looking forward to continuing with the series and eventually re-reading it for many Christmases to come.
    • 4/5
      The Christmas Secret is the first book I have read/listened to by Donna VanLiere, but it won’t be the last. In fact, I downloaded another of her Christmas novellas as soon as I finished this one. Filled with humor and heart, this novel points to the need for helping hands — extending them and accepting them. The cast of characters are fun — I want them as my friends (and family) too! I laughed out loud and I shed a few tears while enjoying this heartwarming story. And as the title suggests there are a number of secrets that are revealed along the way. You’ll have to decide just which one touches your heart the most. There are a few mild curse words in the book, but that did not keep me from giving this one a recommended designation. The author reads this audiobook and that is perfect! All in all The Christmas Secret is a great holiday read.Recommended.Audience: adults.
    • 5/5
      The is a wonderful Christmas story that teaches the meaning of Christmas is giving, Christine is a single mom of two little kids Zach and Haley, she struggles with bills and work and just life until a woman passes out driving beside her house , and her ex-husband Brad call the local family services on her , she losses her job but then it all turns around when she gets a new job and meets new people that her life journey takes a positive turn and another and another Christine find not only a new love in her life but who her father she never knew was and get a whole new life and family ...
    • 4/5
      This was such a heartwarming story! A true testament to the power of faith, perseverance and love. Christine was such an easy character to root for. I can't wait to read the rest of Ms. VanLiere's Christmas Hope series. Many thanks to the Book Report Network for providing me with a copy of this book.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this book, so much in fact, that it took me two days to finish it! I like heartfelt stories, and love stories about Christmas. It was well written, the words just flowed off the page for me. Would recommend it.
    • 4/5
      During the holiday season, I enjoy reading a feel-good Christmas story. This season, The Christmas Secret was a perfect fit for me. Christine has been cynical for most of her life. She stopped believing in the miracles of Christmas a long time ago. Struggling to make ends meet, Christmas is now one more thing that will set her back and something she just can't afford. Christine wants to see and feel the beauty of Christmas once again, but unfortunately life and unexpected events have harden her. I'm always waiting it seems—waiting for the right time, the right job, for the light to turn green, waiting on a call, waiting for my past to catch up with me, and for my future to begin. I got to the point in my life where I was so tired of waiting and wanted to know that my life was not just leading anywhere but somewhere. I wanted that childhood sense of wonderment back. The crazy how, when, and why of life finally caught up with me and I realized that there was no Oz, fairy-tale king, or Scrooge waking up from a dream moment that was going to whisk me away from reality, and that's when I wanted Christmas again. (p.6)Once again Christine is running late for work when she crosses path with a stranger. Little does she know that this interaction will lead her to a new beginning.Like the previous novels in the Christmas Hope series, The Christmas Secret leaves the reader feeling encouraged and hopeful about life, without being too "preachy". People and events come into our lives for a purpose. What we may view as an inconvenience, may be just the thing that leads us to where we want to be.
    • 4/5
      Christine Eisley is a single mother with two young children just trying to get by. She has a jerk of a ex-husband who doesn't pay child support, but feels the need to report her for child neglect. Christine loses her waitress job after being late one time too many. She finds a new job at Betty's Bakery and she also finds some wonderful new friends. She also meets a handsome stranger...The Christmas Secret is a sweet story filled with likeable characters, some fun twists, and lots of heart. Sometimes, though, it is a bit too sweet and not so believable. Poor Christine, I mean she had so many bad things happen to her!!! It got to be a bit much. This is a fun, easy read, though, and great to enjoy at this time of the year.
    • 4/5
      What a sweet, warm-hearted story for this time of the year. This is the first book I have read by Donna Van Lier and quite different from the books I usually read.The Christmas Secret was a pleasant surprise. It is the story of Christine, a single mother struggling to keep her head above water enough to give her kids a nice Christmas. Things just don't seen to be going her way until an unexpected emergency changes everything. And it is also about Jason, who has decided to work at his grandfather's store over the holidays to make some much needed money since being laid of from his accounting job. He feels the job is beneath him but with the influence of his grandfather's goodness and the people he meets he finds something better than making lots of money. The way the lives of these two characters and the others intertwine was believable and completely engaging. This was a hard book to put down. It was a quick, light read that made for perfect weekend reading.