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Nov 30, 2009

Jie rated it:

The Christmas Hope

Hey, I just read a book called “The Christmas Hope” is the third book of the Christmas shoes series. Ever since I pick up the first book, The Christmas Blessing, I liked the author Donna VanLiere. She’s probably a not very famous writer but I just get in touch with the story that she had wrote so far.
This story “The Christmas Hope” is very heart warming, it takes you on an everyday person’s life’s adventure, through the hard times, you just want to jump in t More...

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Dec 22, 2010

Cait rated it:

THE CHRISTMAS HOPE is book three in a series, but it’s not necessary to read the books in order (obviously, I didn’t). Each once stand by itself as a wonderful story of the miracle of Christmas.

Patricia Addison is a social worker who hasn’t celebrated Christmas for the past four years, and is slowly losing the connection she had with her husband. After she breaks a rule and brings home foster child Emily for the holidays, she and her husband Mark are thrown back together in the desire More...

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Dec 23, 2011

Julie (Mom2lnb) rated it:

Reviewed for THC Reviews
I loved the first two books in Donna VanLiere's Christmas Hope series, and now I can add The Christmas Hope to my list of all-time favorite holiday-themed stories. In spite of my Christian background, I often find it difficult to read inspirational fiction, because it too frequently seems trite, vapid and/or preachy to me. Not so with Donna VanLiere's books. She somehow manages to impart an inspiring message full of depth and meaning that utterly warms my heart witho More...

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Jan 06, 2012

Book Concierge rated it:

A couple torn by grief find hope again at Christmas. Four years after their son died, Patti and Mark Addison are just going through the motions. But just before the holiday, Patti, in her capacity as a social worker with Family Services, is called out to place an orphaned child, and she makes a spur of the moment decision that will open her heart again.

This is a charming, simple Christmas story of hope, love and faith. It’s a bit maudlin and certainly predictable, but that’s okay duri More...

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Dec 14, 2010

Amy rated it:

This was the third in this series of Christmas stories, Nathan was still in the story, though he wasn't as much up front in the story as the previous two. This story was about a woman who takes a little girl home with her for Christmas, and this little girl brings her and her husband back together. I was happy that Patti was able to want to have a child in her life again, and that she and Mark managed to make their marriage work again. The only thing that bothered me, is that Patti was kind of s More...

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Dec 25, 2008

Jodi rated it:

This is the third book in the Christmas Shoes series, actually called the Christmas Hope series, and I've liked this one the best so far. Nathan, the little boy who bought the shoes for his dying mother in book one is still in this novel, but again, just as a minor character woven into the main characters' lives. I've really enjoyed this series of books much more than I thought I would. This is a touching one about a little orphaned girl and the impact she has on people's lives around Christm More...

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May 29, 2010

Kiwi rated it:

Wow. This book was really amazing - I've re-read it multiple times. I found it on my younger sister's bookshelf one day and was immediately immersed in the story. The characters were three-dimensional and well-rounded; there were parts were I cried, parts where I laughed. Overall, it was simply wonderful and it left me with such a satisfactory feeling as well as an important lesson about love and life. Simply beautiful!

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Jan 17, 2011

Christine rated it:

I did not know the topic of the story when I began to listen to it. I just did what I often do by finding an author I enjoy and then read a bunch of what they've written before going on to the next author. The Christmas Hope was a "picture perfect" story for a foster parent. Although I see glimpses of reality, I'm not naive enough to think it's going to be that simple...but one can always dream.

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Jan 05, 2011

Mommywest rated it:

This is number three in the Christmas Hope series, and though it's hard to choose a favorite, I would have to say that this one probably impacted me the most. I have never been in any of the situations described in the book (except labor), but this book just touched me to the core. Beautiful, wonderful story of hope, change, and Christmas miracles.

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Jan 04, 2011

Holly rated it:

2.5 stars. The more of these I read, the more I think that the author writes them with the purpose of them becoming made for tv movies. I think tv would be a better medium for these stories. The actors/director can probably show a greater depth and transformation of character than this author is capable of writing.

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Dec 15, 2008

Katie rated it:

Another heart-wrenching Christmas story about a family finding the true meaning of Christmas. It's a cute story, but after I read the 4th book, I'm finding something to read that doesn't have to do with someone dying on or around Christmas. It's getting to be a little too depressing for me. I hate crying!!

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Nov 23, 2008

Sarah rated it:

A good short story in the true sappy fashion of most little Christmas season novels. (not to be picky, but I didn't really care for the narrator's voice in the audio version, and would recommend reading instead, though it was a easy one to fall back into between errands, etc.)

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Nov 22, 2011

Jackie rated it:

A fantastic Christmas read that truly gets you in the spirit for the holidays. A sweet story of an orphan taken in by her social worker. Has encouraged me to seriously consider adoption in the future. No child should be left without a loving, safe and comfortable family.

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Apr 10, 2010

Virginia rated it:

Sweet story about a social worker whose marriage is on the rocks after the death of their son. She takes a little girl into her home and they form a family. It is just too sweet. Very very nice. Short book, just right for the holidays. Hmm. It is April, right.

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Feb 12, 2012

Debbie rated it:

I love reading books like this around the holidays. It gives me hope that there really are good people in the world. I also like this author's writing style; it's easy to read when you're just wanting a. "feel good" book to read. I enjoy her books.

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Dec 27, 2009

Cheryl rated it:

Another masterpeice by a great story teller. Some of the characters have been carried over from The Christmas Shoes. But this is an independent and very tocuhing story. Another one that just has to put you in the true spirit of the Christmas.

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Dec 20, 2011

Fourpetesake rated it:

I read these three books last year and this year, I decided to re-read the last one in the series. A perfect and short Christmas read that helps me to refocus ont eh importance thinsg fo teh season, inside of myself and busyness.

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Apr 20, 2011

Winta rated it:

This book is about a social worker who loses hope and almost her marriage after her son dies. However, she regains hope after letting a young girl whose mother died in a car crash stay with her. This is a sweet chapter book.

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Jan 26, 2010

Heather rated it:

I liked this book a little better than The Christmas Blessing. This book again had some of the same characters from the previous two books, and was another book that was really easy to read. I enjoyed the story line and will read more by this author if I find them.

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Feb 22, 2012

Flchen1 rated it:

I enjoyed this story--a little girl in need of a home brings healing to a couple who's lost their sense of family. It's aptly named The Christmas Hope as it gives a renewed sense of hope to readers.

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Dec 23, 2011

Chris rated it:

I liked it, it madee me smile, but I still liked "The Christmas Shoes" and "The Christmas Blessing" a lot more than this one. I was really happy to read that Nathan and Megan had a baby girl!

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Feb 07, 2010

Ellie rated it:

I love this series of books she wrote while awaiting the adoption of her first daughter. This story is about the 5 year old girl who comes into their lives--a bit late, but not short!

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Nov 07, 2009

Bradley rated it:

Another heart warming tale wrapped around the sorrow and loss that comes with losing a family member. Again in this third installment, the author has found a way to weave new characters into the story and tie the original characters in as well. Not as good as the first two books but still pretty good.

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Jan 20, 2009

Sheryl rated it:

I agree with the author concerning this book: "If we would just take the time to listen and see, we would walk toward God and believe, or at least some of us will. Some like me."

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Dec 16, 2010

Clacie rated it:

this is my favorite in the series so far. donna vanliere narrated very well, i could hear the emotion in her voice, which made the emotional scenes extra touching.

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Dec 05, 2008

Megan rated it:

I love that this book tied back into the first. I never actually shed tears over this one, but I came close. Looking forward to reading the Christmas Promise next year.

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Nov 27, 2010

Cindy rated it:

I loved this book. I was drawn to the characters, so much so I did not want to end the story. I am moved by the storyline and inspired by such beautiful hope.

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Jan 09, 2010

Laura rated it:

Don't have to read the first 2 books to read this one, but she integrates characters into this book from them, so it's helpful. Loved it!

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Nov 13, 2009

Lisa rated it:

Great book! A good one to read over the holidays. This is one where I was bawling on the orange line reading it.

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Nov 08, 2010

Linda rated it:

I really like this series. I listened to The Christmas Promise last year and this year I chose this one. I really liked this story.

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