Melody Carlson. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 2017. 167 pp. (Paperback).
I have reviewed a Melody Carlson book every Christmas since I began doing this for The Alabama Baptist, and I decided not to do one this year. That is, until I read this one. It was so good that I didn’t think it was fair to keep it to myself!
One of the things I enjoy about Carlson’s books is her versatility — with a new Christmas book every year, her books have not become predictable or boring. Her characters are believable and appealing, and she still somehow manages to come up with unexpected plot twists. I won’t say anything about the surprise in this one because I don’t want to spoil it for you.
“The Christmas Blessing” is set in the World War II era and centers on a young woman who is down on her luck — near desperation — in a strange town. Sound like a Hallmark movie? Well, maybe a little, but Carlson doesn’t hold back her Christian references the way Hallmark does. If you’re a Carlson fan, you’ll want to add this one to your Christmas collection.
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Meet the reviewer
Martine Bates Fairbanks, Ed.D., reviews books and movies for The Alabama Baptist. She is a university professor and retired principal. She is a member of Central Baptist Church, Decatur.
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