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From Amazon:
Josie Meyers thinks she is living the American dream when she marries a
nice, handsome man with a promising future. The dream quickly becomes a
nightmare when Josie becomes a widow
and must deal with the fallout of her husband’s decisions. She soon
finds that she and her two small children are forced to live on the
streets and in homeless shelters.
While the scenes surrounding Josie are dominated by Christmas decorations and carols, Josie finds herself struggling with the demands of caring for her two small children. She is forced to lean on the kindness and generosity of others. What she doesn't know is that the influence of one homeless man in particular is about to change the course of her life and lead her home to the One who waits for her. He becomes her unexpected Christmas hero.
While the scenes surrounding Josie are dominated by Christmas decorations and carols, Josie finds herself struggling with the demands of caring for her two small children. She is forced to lean on the kindness and generosity of others. What she doesn't know is that the influence of one homeless man in particular is about to change the course of her life and lead her home to the One who waits for her. He becomes her unexpected Christmas hero.
- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: New Hope Publishers (October 1, 2012)
- ISBN: 9781596693548
- AMAZON US
Author Bio:
Award-winning author Kathi Macias has written nearly 35 books, including the “Extreme Devotion” series, Beyond Me, How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I’m Surrounded by Loose Cannons?, Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today, the best-selling devotional A Moment a Day, and the popular “Matthews” mystery novels. Kathi has written commentary for Thomas Nelson’s Spirit-Filled Life Bible (Student Edition); was part of the devotional writing team for Zondervan’s New Women’s Devotional Bible;
and has ghostwritten for several prominent individuals including Josh
McDowell; former NFL player Rosey Grier; and the late chaplain of the
United States Senate, Richard Halverson. An avid writer, Kathi has
published numerous devotionals, articles, short stories, and poems in
various periodicals. The readership of her weekly devotionals has grown
into the hundreds of thousands, being picked up by the Christian Civic
League, Black Christian News, Latino Christian News, Christians in Recovery, and crosswalk.com.
A former judge for the Christy Awards, which recognize Christian novels of excellence, Kathi has won numerous awards herself. These awards include the Angel Award from Excellence in Media, a Hollywood-based organization set up to improve the moral and ethical content of films, television shows, books, etc.; fiction awards from the San Diego Christian Writers Guild; Golden Scroll Novel of the Year (Red Ink); Christy Award finalist (Red Ink); 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net; and the grand prize in an international writing contest. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi now serves as a staff member for the Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and spiritual advisor to the Christian Authors Network. She has also appeared on several radio and TV programs.
A popular speaker for women’s retreats, conferences, and churches, Kathi has taught creative writing and business writing in various venues; and has served on staff at a large church in Southern California, where she participated in biblical counseling, trained small-group leaders, and oversaw support/recovery ministries. With women’s ministry as her primary interest, Kathi also loves reaching out to others through various prison and homeless ministries. Passionate about praying for and aiding the persecuted church around the world, Kathi is a mother and grandmother and currently resides with her husband, Al, in California.
A former judge for the Christy Awards, which recognize Christian novels of excellence, Kathi has won numerous awards herself. These awards include the Angel Award from Excellence in Media, a Hollywood-based organization set up to improve the moral and ethical content of films, television shows, books, etc.; fiction awards from the San Diego Christian Writers Guild; Golden Scroll Novel of the Year (Red Ink); Christy Award finalist (Red Ink); 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net; and the grand prize in an international writing contest. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi now serves as a staff member for the Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and spiritual advisor to the Christian Authors Network. She has also appeared on several radio and TV programs.
A popular speaker for women’s retreats, conferences, and churches, Kathi has taught creative writing and business writing in various venues; and has served on staff at a large church in Southern California, where she participated in biblical counseling, trained small-group leaders, and oversaw support/recovery ministries. With women’s ministry as her primary interest, Kathi also loves reaching out to others through various prison and homeless ministries. Passionate about praying for and aiding the persecuted church around the world, Kathi is a mother and grandmother and currently resides with her husband, Al, in California.
Read this post where Kathi talks about reuniting a family.
My Opinion:
Get the tissue box! This story is going to be an emotional ride for you as it focuses on one of the most sensitive, and biggest problems in the world, homelessness. There's not a place on earth that doesn't know poverty and what homeless people are, and that to me is terribly sad.
While the author is taking you through this poverty-stricken world, our world, she reaches into your inner core with moral teachings. I asked myself a couple of times, "what would I do?"
A great surprise ending too! Honestly it took me back to the days of watching after-school special movies on the television. I lived for those movies as a tween/teen. So I consider it incredibly good writing, to be able to take me to that same place. Kudos, Kathi!
Definitely a great start to getting me in the spirit of Christmas.
4.5/5
DISCLAIMER: I was not compensated. Opinions are my own, unless otherwise stated. I received a copy of the book for review.
Thanks for the wonderful review of Kathi's second Christmas novel. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings!