Review: Christmas at Harrington's

Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson

Publication Date: October 2010
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group/Revell
Format: Hardcover, 176 pp
Genre: Seasonal/Holiday
ISBN-13: 9780800719258
ISBN: 0800719255

(Received for review from Revell Books)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Borders, IndieBound

Author's Website: www.melodycarlson.com

Excerpt: Click HERE!

Synopsis (Book Blurb):

Sometimes the best gift is a second chance

Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret?

Reading Christmas at Harrington's, a story full of redemption and true holiday spirit, will be your newest Christmas tradition.

Thoughts:

I really enjoy seasonal or holiday reads, especially when they have a great story to tell. Christmas at Harrington's once again shows author, Melody Carlson's great versatility as a writer. She has written YA books for young girls, Chick Lit for today's woman, devotionals and about every thing else all from a Christian perspective.

I had read a couple of books by Melody before and reviewed two others earlier in the year here on my blog, Anything but Normal (YA), and Always, a devotional for teen girls. I really liked both of these two and I was excited to have the opportunity to review one of Carlson's Christmas books, she has written several Christmas novella's.

At 176 pages, Christmas at Harrington's a quick read, but perfect for the hectic holiday season. Lena Markham has a problem. She needs to find a place to start over, to get a second chance at a better life. She has no money, no friends and she doesn't have any job prospects and it's almost Christmas. Convicted of a crime she didn't commit, Lena has spent the last eight years in prison. Who would want to hire her? When Lena ends up with a donated red coat, she unexpectedly gets offered a job as Mrs. Santa Claus. But can she keep her past in the past and move on to a brighter future?

This book is full of the true meaning of Christmas and what it means to find redemption. It isn't your typical fluffy little Christmas book. Lena's character has seen some pretty hard knocks in her life and trusted the wrong people, which makes it hard for her to accept God's love into her life. I thought Carlson did an excellent job of portraying a character that finds out what Christmas is really all about. It's a short book, with a great pace. Readers who love Christmas stories will love it as well as readers who are looking for a book with a great message. It is a story that I would definitely share with my family and friends.

Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my bookbag!




Click HERE for my review of Anything but Normal by Melody Carlson

Click HERE for my review of Always: A Teen Devotional by Melody Carlson