A True Christmas: Two Novels in One: The Christmas Note and The Christmas Town

by Donna VanLiere

Just in time for the holidays comes two of bestselling author Donna VanLiere's most cherished Christmas novels in one volume!

THE CHRISTMAS NOTE

Gretchen Daniels offers to help her mysterious neighbor when her mother dies, and the two women discover a note that that reveals a shocking secret about the woman's past. Can two very different people embark on a journey that explores a long-buried need for forgiveness, hope, and redemption?

THE CHRISTMAS TOWN

Lauren Gabriel longs for a place that she can truly call home. Her work as a cashier is unfulfilling, and at Christmas it’s unbearable. One day she witnesses an accident and suddenly finds herself being pulled into the town of Grandon, first as a witness, then as a volunteer for the annual fundraiser for Glory’s Place. Could this town and its people be the home she has always longed for?

Genres: Christmas, Holiday

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published October 29, 2019

About the author

Donna is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She's an in-demand conference speaker and gifted teacher and has 14 published books including four that have been adapted into movies.

Donna is the recipient of multiple industry awards including a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction, a Dove Award, a Silver Angel Award, two Audie Awards for best inspirational fiction, a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year and is an inductee in the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence joining such luminaries as Coretta Scott King, Hugh Downs, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Senator John Glenn.

Learn more about Donna by visiting www.DonnaVanLiere.com and stay up-to-date and in-touch by subscribing to her free Friendship List.

Reviews

[Wanda Mcguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first part of the book, "The Christmas Note". Gretchen and her two children move into an apartment in a new town, closer to her adoptive parents. The next door neighbor is aloof but Gretchen is determined to be nice. Who knows what reaching out to a stranger could bring?

The second part of the book, "The Christmas Town". This story takes place in the same town, with some of the same characters. Lauren, a young woman who has spent much of her life in foster care, just wants a family for Christmas. Taking unusual steps to reach out for the family she wants and need, brings her a lovely Christmas surprise.

[Tibbara's Den · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the town setting for both of these and had a really good time with Gloria and Miriam in both (though I enjoyed their banter and shenanigans even more in The Christmas Town). I definitely enjoyed the Christmas Town more than the Christmas Note. I was really enjoying the Christmas Note up until the reveals started happening. They were way too unlikely and convenient for my taste and lessened the impact. The Christmas Town also had a bit of that to it, but it was more heartwarming than eye rolling. All in all, though, I had a great time, and they hit the marks for heartwarming and uplifting that I enjoy this time of year.

[Shahna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story one is fine. It's that a little too perfect Christmas story with an overly happy happy ending.
Story two I found more boring? I'm also not a fan of constant bible versus in stories with no warning. bleh. The first one had none.

[Susan Ballain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t always care for books that have more than one story in them but this was an okay book! It had the Christmas vibes and feels you would want in a book! I liked the characters but stories got to be a little confusing!

[Ayla Fant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit confused by this one. In the first book, Melissa had the box. In the second book, it was lauren who had the box as a child? But all in all it was a very loving book

[Terry Confer Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful Christ based stories