Friday, December 7, 2007

Home For The Holidays--Day Seven of Twenty Five Reviews of Chrsitmas: Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn (And our Second Giveaway!)

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We're on day six of our twenty-five reviews of Christmas, and our second Christmas book giveaway! I'll announce the winner of my first giveaway later this afternoon when I feel better.

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With a heavy nod to the Christmas classic by Charles Dickens, Robin Jones Gunn has written what is destined to become its own Christmas classic.

"Finding Father Christmas" is the story of Miranda Carson and her search for the father she has never known. Her journey takes her to England, just in time for the Christmas holiday.

Alone, fearful, and feeling quite lost, she stumbles her way to a tiny shop called Tea Cozy. Immediately Miranda is welcomed into the fold by a booming voice calling, "Come in, come in, and know me better, friend!" (my favorite line from "A Christmas Carol"--especially the Muppets version:-)

Katherine and Andrew, co-owners of the Tea Cozy, are taking part in a Christmas Eve production of "A Christmas Carol"...at least, a modified version of the play. Invited to attend, Miranda does so with a reluctant heart. But in the process of the rest of this story, she not only finds her heart, but finds her answers in the most unlikely of places.

Filled with delightful characters and a brief tribute to C.S. Lewis' Narnia classic, Robin has written a holiday hit. I fell in love with Miranda and related to her need for that father her heart longs for. The writing is so powerful that you feel what Miranda is feeling...the emotion leaps off the page and into your own heart.

My only complaint is my usual one...IT ISN'T FINISHED! At least, not to my liking! Good news: a sequel is planned. Bad news: I have NO idea when. But, don't let that stop you from reading this heart-warming novella that captures the essence of family, hospitality, and the reason for this Christmas season so beautifully.

I give "Finding Father Christmas" five out of five bookmarks, with a tiny blue velvet purse as a charm...read it, and you'll find out why.

Better yet, leave me a comment with your favorite line from a holiday classic (either movie or book) and I'll draw a winner next Friday!!

Happy Reading!

Deena

19 comments:

Ausjenny said...

this is one book i am looking forward to reading. it looks interesting. (dont enter me)

Unknown said...

Deena -

Please enter me for the book. I haven't read any Robin Jones Gunn for awhile but did enjoy what I've read of hers. As for a favorite line it would be from Miracle on 34th Street. Susan says "I believe." This coming from a girl raised by a single mother who discouraged any sort of fantasy or dreaming because she didn't want her daughter to be disappointed by "real life". Great movie but the old B/W version from the 40's is best not the newer 90's one.

NeedANap2 said...

Favorite is probably, "Seeing isn't believing but believing is seeing" from The Santa ClausE. I don't think this really applies to Santa but to Christ. :)

The book sounds enjoyable, please enter me (though I HATE to be left hanging!).

Deborah said...

i love robin jones gunn!! please enter me!

Brittanie said...

Dont enter me I already have it.
But I agree. It was great but felt unfinished. I wanted it to be twice as long. Can't wait for the sequel. :)

windycindy said...

Hi Deena! My favorite holiday movie line is, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!" It is from the 1983's "A Christmas Story"! Please enter me in your contest. Thanks and Happy Holidays.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

It's a long one. Sorry!!!
The Charlie Brown Christmas...
Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Melissa Markham said...

A favorite line...I love when Linus tells the Christmas story in Snoopy.

Maude Lynn said...

"Whose idea was it to have all these kids, anyway?" - It's A Wonderful Life.

Angela said...

I have to agree with windy city.. defently "you'll shoot your eye out!" LOL I love the leg lamp in that movie..

Im bloggin ya
http://contestaddict.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!"


Count me in please.

Blogged ya:

http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2007/12/saturday-edition-of-contests-galore_08.html

Unknown said...

Houston, we have a problem

Amanda said...

It's a Wonderful Life is my all time favorite Christmas time movie. My husband says to me almost weekly... "Whose idea was it to have all these kids?" LOVE IT! :)

Blessings to you and yours!

kitty said...

bah humbug :p

Unknown said...

The warmest of greetings to you,

My favorite line from a holiday movie would be, "I'm a cotton headed ninny muggins" from Elf...I know I feel like that sometimes :)

Thank you for your time, and the opportunity to enter this giveaway.

Have a beautiful day,
Lesley

Jcollaird at aol dot com said...

I would love the chance to be able to read your book sounds wonderful.

robynl said...

My favorite holiday movie line is, 'You'll shoot your eye out, kid!' I can just see me saying this over and over if one of my kids got a BB gun. LOL.
Please enter me.

ChristyJan said...

"Look, daddy! Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an Angel gets his wings." ... IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

dodo said...

This book looks so sweet. Please choose me.