Thursday, December 16, 2010

A Christmas Gift by Diane Craver


This story is told by a seven-year old girl who's faith is strong enough to comfort her whole family and positively affect many other people for years to come.

The book begins in 1957 when Debra Reeves discovers her father cannot read. He is trying to teach himself, because he is embarrassed to ask for help. Being seven, Debra decides the only solution is to pray for her father. God's answer to Debra's prayer solves more than one problem. Debra learns she is loved, the teacher sent to help is released from a life of grieving and Debra's sister finds happiness.
I have to warn you I cried more than once while reading this rather short book. Of course I laughed some too. All good books affect me this way.

A prologue sets the scene and adds a depth of reality that might not be possible without it. The epilogue lets the reader know what happens to all the characters for the next fifty-three years. It was a real delight to read that part. At first I wondered how the author was able to stop where she did with all that back story available, but it worked perfectly the way it was written.

Despite the title, this is not one of those stories that only makes sense during the Christmas season. This is one you'll enjoy all year long.

14 comments:

  1. Hi Sid,

    I'm glad you enjoyed A Christmas Gift! Thanks for the wonderful review.

    Hope you have a blessed Christmas season and a wonderful New Year!

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  2. What a wonderful review! Congratulations, Diane. Merry Christmas to both of you!

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  3. Hi Anne,

    Thank you so much! I'm glad you stopped by. Merry Christmas!

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  4. Hi Friends, "A Christmas Gift" is a wonderful book. Congratulations on your fantastic review!! Sid, you have a top-notch blog. I look forward to visiting again soon. Merry Christmas!

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  5. Thanks, everyone. I'm glad you liked my review and my blog. Please come again. We'll interview Diane in a future post.

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  6. Sidney you have a great blog. Diane, what a great review. The story sounds very heartwarming and I can't wait to read it. It's on my Kindle.

    Bon Chance with sales!
    Smiles
    Steph

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  7. Hi, Sid and Diane--I loved "A Christmas Gift." It was one of those stories that tug at your heart with every page, and with ordinary family events. Except what Debby learned about her father wasn't exactly ordinary--not unusual, but not ordinary either.
    I have the print--thank you, Diane--and I've re-read portions of it. One reason it appealed to me is the simple words of the text, as if it were spoken by a child. I write numerous essays, etc. about my childhood in the 50s, so this really appealed to me.
    Sid--I'm Presbyterian, too. I've been asked to be an elder more than once--we've been in the church 35 years--but to me, it's a "calling," and I've never felt that. I've never thought God wanted me to run the church!
    Nice blog--Celia

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  8. Hi, Celia. Thanks for commenting. I mentioned my being an elder and a Stephen Minister because my book, Where Love Once Lived, begs for some credentials. But, I think you're right, you should feel called to serve on Session. It is not easy and I sometimes think I got more out of worship before.

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  9. I agree with everyone about Sid's blog - it's a wonderful blog!

    Gina: So nice you visited - thank you for your lovely compliment about ACG!

    Steph: You'll have to let me know how you like A Christmas Gift - thanks for buying it.

    Celia: Wow - I learned something new about you. That's such an honor to be asked to be an elder but if you didn't feel the "calling," then you were right not to accept it. I'm glad you enjoyed ACG - I appreciate the wonderful feedback. I've always liked your posts about your childhood a lot.

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  10. This is a wonderful book. I agree with everything you said, Sid.

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  11. Thanks, Shawna. I'm at 92% in reading In All Things. Outstanding! I'll review and talk to you more about it later. For now, WOW!

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  12. Hi Shawna,
    I loved Orphaned Hearts and No Other. I hope to read In All Things soon. Your books are heartwarming.

    Thanks for stopping by Sid's blog and commenting!

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  13. This book DOES look delightful, Diane.

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