The Three Gifts of Christmas

Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga #3

by Anita Stansfield

When her father remarries, LeNay Parkins finds her home, so impossibly changed, that she feels she can no longer stay. As she bravely sets out in search of a new life, she is overcome with illness the moment she steps off the bus into a strange town. Alone and frightened, LeNay accepts a kind offer from a passer-by to recuperate at her home. The name of this stranger is Alexandra Byrnehouse-Davies. Alexa is a widow whose spacious home and heart has more than enough room for LeNay. In time, LeNay forms a unique bond with Alexa's two grandsons. Then war comes between them. Time and again, happiness seems to slip through LeNay's fingers as she encounters a series of losses that cut into her soul and wear away at her faith. This romantic and inspiring Christmas story will be a sweet reminder of the intangible but powerful gifts of Christmas, gifts that cannot be bought at any price, but only given in love.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Lds, Christmas, Christian, Fiction, Holiday

232 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Anita Stansfield, the LDS market's #1 best-selling romance novelist, is an imaginative and prolific writer whose romantic stories have captivated her readers.

"With sales approaching a half million, Anita Stansfield has clearly found a niche in this market," said Nicole Martin, Publicist for Covenant Communications. "Her popularity stems from her ability to empathize with and write about the issues that LDS women deal with on a daily basis."

"I always write for women like me. It's through my interaction with other women that I've found there are some personal and emotional struggles that are typical," said Anita Stansfield. "I hope my writing makes women feel better about themselves and shows them these real problems can be solved through gospel principles."

Reviews

[Susan Jane]

Love that this was another book about the Byrenhouse-Davies and Hamilton Family. I love how Anita continues to write books about the family. Such a great reminder of the true gifts of Christmas.

[Christy]

I actually really enjoyed this book, or maybe that it was just something that I needed to read to be reminded about the important things in life, and that as we look at the life of the Savior we can find joy and peace during our trials. I loved the main character LeNay, and how she was able to break free from her past and learn to find happiness in the joy in her new life. I have thought about the 3 gifts that were talked about in the book hope, faith and charity. Hope for a brighter future, faith that things will work out during our trails, and serving where we can. As we give ourselves in service we can truly find happiness. I loved when Alexa talked about when we are at our lowest times that sometimes we need to close our eyes and think back on the memories that we shared with those that we love most and remember those. So as I have approached this Christmas season, I feel that I have been to focused inward, on the trials that are going on in our life. I feel that I have had that permanent lump in my throat and the thoughts on how we are going to get through this, but after reading this book, I felt that I need to be thankful for the blessings in my life. I need to have faith that Heavenly Father understands and will help, and I need to help those that are near me come unto him. Anyway, I would really recommend this book, I thought it was fantastic, especially to all my military wives out there, I loved it!

[Lover of Romance]

I love seeing these characters and being taken back to Australia and this classic Byrnehouse Davis family. We see strength, courage and a love that is tested in ways you don't expect. Powerful and emotionally provoking.

[Debby]

Ties the First Love Series into the Gable Faces East series.

Allison Hamilton's adopted/step grandmother LaNay is dying in Australia at Christmastime. Allison and LaNay have been close over the years and Allison wants to go visit and do some oral histories, but she's married, a mom, and in Provo. Her husband works it out and she goes to Australia. She spends days recording LaNay's history of how she was taken in on the ranch by her future grandmother-in-law, Alexandra Byrnehouse-Davies. Allison learns how and why various family traditions were started and how the family copped with the loss of one son in WWII and how LaNay marries the other.

Would make more sense if you'd read the First Love series, but well done.

[Laurie]

LeNay leaves home because her dad and his step wife make it an unbearable place for her. She travels to another town and gets sick and is taken in by a kind lady (Alexandra). She becomes one of the family and falls in love with her son (Jess). After they are engaged, Jess enlisted in the Air Force(he was already a pilot) and leaves to enlist in the war, due to a heart defect he doesn't pass his physical. His brother (Richard) passes away in the war, but Jess comes home and he and LeNay marry. LeNay gets pregnant and loses the baby, she heals herself by helping a woman take care of her newborn baby.

[Aubrey]

I loved this one. I knew that Jesse was just shy. I knew that he loved LeNay. But I was so mad that he went and joined the Air Force, he must have really loved Richard. I was shocked that Richard died. I knew he would live, because of the First Love Trilogy, but I thought that he would be injured or something. My mom said that it was so sad, so I expected the worst.

[Natalie Peterson]

What an amazing book! I couldn't get enough of it! One of the best romance novels ever, because it paints a realistic picture of real love, hope, endurance, and survival. A must read for any romance lover. Perfect for tweens, teens, young adults, and book groups. The Three Gifts of Christmas is perfectly clean and there are no inappropriate references, unlike a lot of romance novels.

[Megan]

I love Anita Stansfield’s books and this was no exception. It’s been a long time since I’ve read her books about this family but I had no problem picking this book up and having it make sense. It made me want to hold my family close and brought the spirit of Christmas to me. Good read.

[Lacey]

Didn't realize this was part of a series. That being said it was a great book and a sweet and emotional story of family, extended family, healing and love. A great read anytime and not just at Christmas!

[Allyson]

Didn't know it was a series, cute story and I enjoyed it.

[Marissa]

3.5

[Tiffany]

Cute story. Lots of emotions were brought to the front. Im glad I read this book and think the other stories in this series will really bring this series together.

[Ralynn]

A quick read, a touching story that had you crying and smiling.

[Sharon Buxton]

C-. fiction, historical fiction. Did not realize this book was third in a series until I added it to Goodreads...maybe it would have been more appealing if I knew how it tied in with the first two?

[Dorry Lou]

When LeNay Parkins finds she can not stay at home anymore, she is amazed when a stranger takes her in. She soon becomes a part of their family. A great story of loss, love and how one can change.

[Jessica]

This was time period and very sweet. It was also clean . It was moving with heartache, loss and showed what love in a family should and could be, effects of war and other really great messages, like giving to others.
I didn't know before I started, but there are two others before this: The Gable Faces East and Gables against the Sky
I'm sure they are just as great.

[Carli Anderson]

"The Three Gifts of Christmas", by Anita Stansfield, is a story about a girl named LeNay that leaves an uncomfortable situation at home and is rescued by an amazing and unbelievably kind widow. It's at the home of this kind widow where LeNay learns what it is like to be a part of a real family. They include her in the daily chores of running the ranch, and when Christmas comes around they include her in all their celebrations and family traditions. LeNay learns the true meaning of Christmas and falls in love while she's at it. This is a heart-warming story about family bonds, love, and kindness. Plus it's not really a Christmas book, so you can read it any time of the year! I recommend this to any reader looking for a book that will put a smile (and maybe even a tear) on your face.

[Kate]

This book is the 'segue' between the 'Gables' series and the 'First Love' series in the Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton saga. I liked how it told the story of Michael Hamilton III's (from the 'First Love' series) parents, LaNay and Jesse. I enjoyed getting to know them as characters, and seeing how they fit into the family . . . not only in terms of lineage, but in terms of kindness and charity, which is the legacy Jess and Alexa Davies wanted to leave their posterity.
I love how the author used LeNay's story to teach her granddaughter, Alison about that legacy, and about the 3 most important gifts we can give at Christmastime.

[Cheryl]

By reading this book I have finally tied the Gable books together with the First Love series. I like how Anita Stansfield lets you glimpse the lives of previous characters from other books. The Gables series tell of grandparents and great grandparents of Micheal Hamilton, a main character in the First Love series. "The Three Gifts of Christmas" tells the story of Micheal's parents. Any of these books could stand alone, however I have enjoyed getting the full story.

[Christina]

This is a nice tie between the Jess/Alexa books and the Micheal/Emily books. It bridges the gap.

It isn't a deep or intense story - which is normal for Anita Stansfield's short Christmas specials - but it is easy to read and enjoyable. I particularly like the way it spans a number of years in a creative way.

[Susan]

I like only some of this author but felt this was especially good. A woman and her family set aside their Christmas plans so she can spend some time with a dying Grandmother. This is the Grandmother's story. I thought that knowing the end at the beginning might spoil it, but the story is in the process.

[Julie]

Good story, and fun to read at Christmastime. Not the most through of Stansfields book, it moves through some parts really quickly like she wanted to make sure to finish this story in just one book instead of two or three like she usually does. But it is still a good book with some good moments and some good happy ending morals.

[Julia]

This was a wonderful love story. I also enjoyed how LeNay Hamilton remained strong and faithful after the death of her husband (Michael Hamilton's father). I look forward to reading it again, even if I don't read it during Christmas time!

[Janelle]

I may be giving this somewhat of an unfair rating, because it was overall a pleasant read. However, it was something I could always put down, and I thought the plot was too fragmented. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie, complete with good values, romance, moments to laugh and cry about, etc.

[Marsha]

I just finished this book. I really enjoyed reading more about that amazing family and I guess Michael Hamilton did the temple for his family when he joined the church. It was just a really good book.

[Chelsea Raadgep]

If you want to know about the truest gifts that you can receive during the Christmas season, this is the book for you. That's what I seriously loved about this book. It showed me that we are given gifts every day and the most special ones come from the ones that you love.

[Cinnapatty]

Picked this book up from my mom over Christmas. It was all right. It's a romance. I'm not much for romance I guess. It was predictable and a bit corny for me, but had a good message nonetheless. Nothing inappropriate which was good coming from an LDS author.

[Angee]

Another great book by Anita Stansfield. A great love story with lessons to be learned. It makes me want to be more charitable and giving every time of year, not just at Christmas. I loved the setting: the story being told firsthand to a granddaughter. Great read!

[Susan]

The three gifts of Christmas are "faith, hope, and charity" as told by LeNay Hamilton. She reminices the events in her life that brought her to the Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton station, and how she becomes a part of this amazing family.

[Toni]

Another Byrnehouse-Davies and Hamilton book - love it!! Great lessons about Christmas and the true meaning can be learned.