What do you think?
Rate this book
Christmas Hotel #2
Christmas for Lucy
Lucy's eighth birthday is December 1, 1954, the same day her mama dies leaving her an orphan. Lucy’s cruel uncle and aunt throw her out of the apartment in Bowling Green, Kentucky she had shared with her mama, and into the street.
That night, cold and alone, Lucy prays to the baby Jesus lying in the manger of the Nativity scene in front of the Methodist church. She cries out for His help, protection, and love. Later, she drifts into a restless sleep, huddled near the fountain in Fountain Square Park. In the night, Lucy awakens shivering, but a huge dog lies down beside her and keeps her warm.
The next morning, she meets an old man, and the dog and the old man help her in her search for someone to love her and keep her safe.
Excerpt
Lucy lay curled in a ball near the fountain in Fountain Square Park. The tears that had flowed so freely earlier that day were now just dirty streaks on her little face. She gingerly tugged on the threadbare coat to try to gain warmth. The coat was a hand-me-down from Hazel her older cousin, and for once Lucy was happy that the coat was too big for her. She could wrap it around her body like a blanket. However, the dress she wore was too small, and the hem was well above her knee. She wore Hazel's discarded boots, but no socks. Lucy left in such a hurry she forgot her hat, scarf, and gloves.
Before she entered Fountain Square Park, she stopped by the Methodist Church on State Street. There was a Nativity scene out front, lit with floodlights. She knelt by the manger that held the baby Jesus. On occasion her mama attended this church along with Lucy, and even more often since August. Lucy knew about the baby Jesus. Her Sunday school teacher Mrs. Scott told her class about this precious baby. Mrs. Scott explained that He could save her from her sins and would protect her. Lucy did not understand sin, but she did understand the need for protection.
Lucy stared into the manger and studied the rubber doll representing the baby Jesus. He was wrapped in a blanket, and the baby doll had a sweet smile on his face.
She bowed her head and prayed aloud softly. "Dear baby Jesus, I'm scared. Do You know my mama died this morning? Do You know today is my eighth birthday? Do You know that nobody cares about me? Do You know I'm all alone in the world? Do You know that I have no home? Will You help me, baby Jesus? Will You protect me? Is there somebody out there who will love me? I'm so cold." As she prayed, the tears streamed down her face. No one came by. Lucy was indeed all alone.
That prayer was a couple of hours ago. Lucy now lay shivering near the old fountain. She buried her head in her coat to seek as much warmth as possible. She resembled a turtle returning to the protection of its shell. She snuggled close to one of the shrubs around the fountain. The shrub provided some shelter, so at least she had a bit of protection from the cold damp air as she peered out from her coat and gazed up at the heavens. It was a clear evening, and she could see the stars. Her mama would tell her to count sheep in her head to go to sleep. Tonight she counted stars. With the leaves long gone from the park's trees, she had a wonderful view. By the time she counted approximately fifty stars, she was asleep.
In the middle of the night Lucy woke up shivering. In the shadows a dog walked toward her. Her heart beat faster in panic. She was too scared to run, so she pulled her coat back over her head. If she couldn't see the dog, maybe he couldn't see her either. She felt movement at her back. Cautiously she peeped out from her coat and saw the dog now lying down beside her, resting his head on her body. She tentatively reached out to pet him, and he licked her hand and laid his head back down on her.
That night, cold and alone, Lucy prays to the baby Jesus lying in the manger of the Nativity scene in front of the Methodist church. She cries out for His help, protection, and love. Later, she drifts into a restless sleep, huddled near the fountain in Fountain Square Park. In the night, Lucy awakens shivering, but a huge dog lies down beside her and keeps her warm.
The next morning, she meets an old man, and the dog and the old man help her in her search for someone to love her and keep her safe.
Excerpt
Lucy lay curled in a ball near the fountain in Fountain Square Park. The tears that had flowed so freely earlier that day were now just dirty streaks on her little face. She gingerly tugged on the threadbare coat to try to gain warmth. The coat was a hand-me-down from Hazel her older cousin, and for once Lucy was happy that the coat was too big for her. She could wrap it around her body like a blanket. However, the dress she wore was too small, and the hem was well above her knee. She wore Hazel's discarded boots, but no socks. Lucy left in such a hurry she forgot her hat, scarf, and gloves.
Before she entered Fountain Square Park, she stopped by the Methodist Church on State Street. There was a Nativity scene out front, lit with floodlights. She knelt by the manger that held the baby Jesus. On occasion her mama attended this church along with Lucy, and even more often since August. Lucy knew about the baby Jesus. Her Sunday school teacher Mrs. Scott told her class about this precious baby. Mrs. Scott explained that He could save her from her sins and would protect her. Lucy did not understand sin, but she did understand the need for protection.
Lucy stared into the manger and studied the rubber doll representing the baby Jesus. He was wrapped in a blanket, and the baby doll had a sweet smile on his face.
She bowed her head and prayed aloud softly. "Dear baby Jesus, I'm scared. Do You know my mama died this morning? Do You know today is my eighth birthday? Do You know that nobody cares about me? Do You know I'm all alone in the world? Do You know that I have no home? Will You help me, baby Jesus? Will You protect me? Is there somebody out there who will love me? I'm so cold." As she prayed, the tears streamed down her face. No one came by. Lucy was indeed all alone.
That prayer was a couple of hours ago. Lucy now lay shivering near the old fountain. She buried her head in her coat to seek as much warmth as possible. She resembled a turtle returning to the protection of its shell. She snuggled close to one of the shrubs around the fountain. The shrub provided some shelter, so at least she had a bit of protection from the cold damp air as she peered out from her coat and gazed up at the heavens. It was a clear evening, and she could see the stars. Her mama would tell her to count sheep in her head to go to sleep. Tonight she counted stars. With the leaves long gone from the park's trees, she had a wonderful view. By the time she counted approximately fifty stars, she was asleep.
In the middle of the night Lucy woke up shivering. In the shadows a dog walked toward her. Her heart beat faster in panic. She was too scared to run, so she pulled her coat back over her head. If she couldn't see the dog, maybe he couldn't see her either. She felt movement at her back. Cautiously she peeped out from her coat and saw the dog now lying down beside her, resting his head on her body. She tentatively reached out to pet him, and he licked her hand and laid his head back down on her.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2013
42 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 17, 2014
3.5/5.0
With this young girl's heartbreaking situation, the reader instantly feels sympathy and hope for her happiness.
Read full review in the 2014 November issue of InD’tale Magazine.
With this young girl's heartbreaking situation, the reader instantly feels sympathy and hope for her happiness.
Read full review in the 2014 November issue of InD’tale Magazine.
w-lit
May 12, 2016For a star rating and complete review please visit InD'tale magazine online,Nov 2014 issue. http://www.indtale.com/reviews/inspir...
December 11, 2021
Lucy find her real family.
The day Lucy finds her dead mother, her aunt and uncle kick her out of her apartment and say she can not stay there. As she seeks shelter she goes to the nativity scene in front of the church. During the night a huge dog helps her stay warm and safe. As the story unfolds Bullet the dog protects Lucy and helps her find her real family.
The day Lucy finds her dead mother, her aunt and uncle kick her out of her apartment and say she can not stay there. As she seeks shelter she goes to the nativity scene in front of the church. During the night a huge dog helps her stay warm and safe. As the story unfolds Bullet the dog protects Lucy and helps her find her real family.
December 23, 2019
A very good story
Not my usual choice, but we'll worth the diversion. I have enjoyed meeting all of them. It's good to see justice meted out. Thanks for writing them into my life.
Not my usual choice, but we'll worth the diversion. I have enjoyed meeting all of them. It's good to see justice meted out. Thanks for writing them into my life.
January 2, 2020
Wonderful story
This was the first time I have read a story by this author. This story was a blessing in the whole book. I loved the characters and the entire storyline.
This was the first time I have read a story by this author. This story was a blessing in the whole book. I loved the characters and the entire storyline.
January 20, 2020
Easy reading, very predictable plot. I enjoyed it a lot since the setting is my hometown.
June 11, 2018
Christmas for Lucy is the second book in the Christmas Hotel series by Saundra Staats McLemore. Lucy, the heroine of the story, visited the church where her mom was saved and where they had gone to together. Now Lucy’s mom is dead, and Lucy is at the church to tell Jesus that her mom is dead and she is now 8 years old and alone in this big world.
While she was asleep on a park bench, cold and alone, the Lord sent a dog to guard her and keep her warm, as it was a huge dog. Lucy names the dog Bullet . He also sends a nice man that takes her to a place called Christmas Hotel where the birth of Jesus is celebrated every day.
Each chapter begins with a Scripture verse, my favorite one is: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware. (Hebrews 13:2). I appreciate how the author likens the book, `The Little Engine That Could` to the Scripture verse Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
I would caution the reader that there is vivid abuse throughout the book. This is a touching story on love for our neighbor, and Jesus` love for all mankind. This is also a book with a bit of suspense.
Disclosure: “I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.”
While she was asleep on a park bench, cold and alone, the Lord sent a dog to guard her and keep her warm, as it was a huge dog. Lucy names the dog Bullet . He also sends a nice man that takes her to a place called Christmas Hotel where the birth of Jesus is celebrated every day.
Each chapter begins with a Scripture verse, my favorite one is: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware. (Hebrews 13:2). I appreciate how the author likens the book, `The Little Engine That Could` to the Scripture verse Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
I would caution the reader that there is vivid abuse throughout the book. This is a touching story on love for our neighbor, and Jesus` love for all mankind. This is also a book with a bit of suspense.
Disclosure: “I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.”
December 23, 2016
This is the second book in the Christmas Hotel series. It can be read as a standalone, but I definitely recommend reading the first book in the series to get additional background on the hotel and the family. I loved the first book, and I loved this one just as much. It was very enjoyable re-visiting the Christmas Hotel. My heart broke for Lucy, a young orphan who had been kicked out on the streets, but it was beautiful following her story and seeing how God worked through the circumstances in her life to place her with people who would love and take care of her. One again the author has written a story that had me pulled in from the first pages and kept me reading because I didn't want to put it down. I was given a copy of this book, but a favorable review was not required. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 19, 2015
I liked this book. Even though it is the second within a series, it works well as a standalone. Since I have not read the first book in the series, I really appreciated that.
However, at times I felt that the story dragged on a bit too much...and I sometimes caught myself thinking, 'Really? There's more?' Also, I noticed a few instances of "telling" vs. "showing" (where the writing could have been stronger, if that hadn't occurred), along with some general typos and missing words - and one character name change.
Overall, though, this is a sweet story about a girl in need who finds a loving family. It's a heartwarming, feel-good Christmas story that historical fiction fans will certainly appreciate.
However, at times I felt that the story dragged on a bit too much...and I sometimes caught myself thinking, 'Really? There's more?' Also, I noticed a few instances of "telling" vs. "showing" (where the writing could have been stronger, if that hadn't occurred), along with some general typos and missing words - and one character name change.
Overall, though, this is a sweet story about a girl in need who finds a loving family. It's a heartwarming, feel-good Christmas story that historical fiction fans will certainly appreciate.
September 12, 2022
Great book
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews