Title: The Gift of Christmas Present

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

ISBN: 0-8007-1867-4

Genre: Inspirational/Contemporary/Fiction

 

Esther Daniels thinks Christine Bradley is too good to true. The quiet young woman Esther has recently hired as her companion works hard and is conscientious about her duties. She even does extra things that make life easier for Esther, not that Esther would praise her for it. But still, Esther is sure Christine is hiding something. Could she be a charlatan who preys on the elderly in hopes of getting their money?

 

When Christine first approaches Esther Daniels, she fully intends to tell the elderly woman the truth. But feisty Mrs. Daniels won’t let Christine get a word in edgewise, and instead of telling Esther that she is her biological granddaughter, Christine ends up with a job as her grandmother’s caretaker. Maybe that’s for the best. She’ll get to know her grandmother and then surprise her with the truth.

 

When the real truth comes out, life takes a terrible twist, and Christine is not sure she can handle it. Will she lose the family she is just beginning to get to know and love?

 

The Gift of Christmas Present is the stirring story of a young woman searching for her biological family. Christine is a sweet heroine, who wants the truth, but is stunned when she finally meets it face-to-face. Esther is a spunky, cranky old woman who nearly steals the show. Having lost the ones she holds dearest, she’s fussy and impatient with the dysfunctional family left behind to care for her. Christine shows fortitude and true patience as she cares for her grandmother.

 

A heart-tugging story, The Gift of Christmas Present shows that you don’t have to be a conventional family to find love and acceptance. It also shows that God is in the circumstances, even when they seem impossible to work out. The cover price might be a bit steep, but the story is certain to warm you heart, even though some of the topics are tough to handle.