Finding Father Christmas & Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn

"Come in! Come in, and know me better."

-Spirit of Christmas Present

from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

"By beloved author Robin Jones Gunn, two timeless, heartwarming Christmas novellas bound together for the first time in an omnibus edition.

In FINDING FATHER CHRISTMAS, Miranda Carson's search for her father leads her unexpectedly to London with only a few feeble clues as to who he might be. Immediately welcomed into a family that doesn't recognize her, and whom she's quickly coming to love, she faces a terrible decision. Should she reveal her true identity and destroy their idyllic image of her father? Or should she carry the truth home with her to San Francisco and remain alone in this world? Whatever choice she makes during this London Christmas will forever change the future for both herself and the family she can't bear to leave.

In ENGAGING FATHER CHRISTMAS Miranda Carson can't wait to return to England for Christmas and to be with her boyfriend, Ian. She has spent a lifetime yearning for a place to call home, and she's sure Carlton Heath will be it, especially when a hinted-at engagement ring slips into the conversation. But Miranda's high hopes for a jolly Christmas with the small circle of people she has come to love are toppled when Ian's father is hospitalized and the matriarch of the Whitcombe family withholds her blessing from Miranda. Questions run rampant in Miranda's mind about whether she really belongs in this cheery corner of the world. Then, when her true identity threatens all her relationships in unanticipated ways, Miranda is certain all is lost. And yet … maybe Father Christmas has special gifts in store for her after all."

-Book description courtesy of Faith Words.

It is always enjoyable to read a novel set during Christmas, at Christmastime.  I have wanted to read these two novellas for a while, so I am glad I finally got a chance.

There were many things I liked about these two books in one.  First, I liked the setting.  It was set in England, although in a fictional town.  The description of the place at Christmas was very warming and comforting. I have always wanted to visit England, and hopefully, one day I will have the chance.

Another part of the setting was the theatre and the Christmas play, a Christmas Carol.  I taught this play when I taught 7th Grade Language Arts.  It is a great story, a story of redemption, one I love to hear again and again. The author, Robin Gunn, found a way within the novellas to tweak the way the story was presented in the theatre and it made it most endearing.  It is also a central part of Finding Father Christmas and Engaging Father Christmas.

Finally, I love the protagonist's journey, because at one point in life, it was my own journey too. In book one, while Miranda is searching for her real father, someone she only knows by an old photograph of him dressed in a Santa suit, she is also on a journey, to know the real Father Christmas and the Son, who is THE central figure in the stage of life.  In book two, Engaging Father Christmas, Miranda's story continues, as her hopes and dreams are revealed and God demonstrates He has good plans for her life.

I recommend this book for anyone who likes to read good stories at Christmas.  If you are a fan of Robin Jones Gunn, you will like this story too.

Many blessings this Christmas!

In Him,

Beth

***Just for fun, and since it is Christmas, I thought I would do a quick book giveaway!  If you would like to win a copy of this book, simply comment below with a favorite story, scripture, or memory you have of Christmas.  The winner will be drawn on Monday, December 19th.

Congratulations to Jen! You are the winner of the copy of Finding Father Christmas/Engaging Father Christmas omnibus edition!! If you could please email me your address to bethlisteningtohim@gmail.com, I will get your book in the mail!! Merry Christmas!

To read an excerpt from the book, you can go here to Amazon.

To learn more about the author, visit her webpage at

robinjonesgunn.com.

P.S.  Finding Father Christmas was made into a movie this year by the Hallmark Channel!   There is another showing on December 20th, so check it out!

Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher, Faith Words, in exchange for my review.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  The thoughts and opinions here are entirely my own.

Sisterchicks on the Loose by Robin Jones Gunn

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.  Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."

-Psalm 126:2

 

I remember the first time I heard about these books, the Sisterchicks novels.  I overheard a conversation a librarian friend of mine was having with another person.  They were discussing whether or not either one had read the latest Sisterchicks book.  I hadn’t read much Christian fiction at that point, so I was very interested in knowing what they were talking about.  The first one I read was Sisterchicks Do the Hula.  The second was Sisterchicks on the Loose.  That was about 6 years ago.  When Waterbrook Multnomah had this book as one of my selections to review, something pulled at me to read it again.  I am so glad I did.

Sisterchicks on the Loose, by Robin Jones Gunn, is the first in a series of wonderful novels about two fun things, friendship among women and travel!  Central in these adventures is Christ, and the beautiful things God communicates to these women, while they travel, thus changing their lives.  In Sisterchicks on the Loose, lifelong friends Sharon and Penny travel to Helsinki in search of Penny’s aunt she has never met.  Throughout their journey, they are challenged, encouraged, and drawn into a deeper walk of love with God.

Each one of these novels speak to me in a different away, but I always walk away feeling refreshed by the love and goodness of God.  In this particular Sisterchicks novel, one of the characters, Penny, has what is described as a “bionic nose.”  In other words, she has an extraordinary sense of smell.  I deal with this too, so that fact alone was encouraging, to encounter, albeit in fiction, another person who struggles with something so odd like I do.  In Sisterchicks on the Loose, you will find chocolate, Finnish saunas, lovely, glorious snow, but most importantly a stirring in the heart of God’s love for you as demonstrated to Penny and Sharon.

I would recommend this novel to any adult woman, and I often do!  I share my books and pass along copies whenever I have the opportunity!  If you are a woman who enjoys Christian fiction, and likes to travel, then this is a book for you!  I have talked to some women who have difficulty in friendships other women.  I believe this book will refresh your heart with hope for good friendships as well!

Many blessings to you on your journey in Christ.  May you discover all the goodness and love He has for you in His heart.

Blessings,

Beth

 

To learn more about the author, please visit www.robingunn.com.

Disclaimer-I received this book as part of a free books for bloggers program from Waterbrook Multnomah.  I was not required to give a positive review.  The thoughts an opinions expressed here are entirely my own.