The Christmas Secret

Northeastern Wisconsin (along with a good portion of the rest of the US) is preparing for a major snowstorm today, the first of the season. It's been an odd almost-winter. The grass was still green on the lawns making it difficult to discern that it really is almost winter. We've had two other snowfalls, but nothing that stuck to the ground either time.

Snowstorm Allison is supposed to drop a whopping 8-14" of snow by the time it leaves sometime late tomorrow afternoon. In anticipation of a snow day from school tomorrow and two children home, I headed to the grocery store to stock up on pizza, milk, and snacks. Apparently everyone else in a 50 mile radius had the same idea! The grocery store was calling in extra staff on their day off to meet the rush. Every check-out line was open and four carts deep in lines.

You'd think that the blizzard was going to last for a week instead of 24 hours! I have to admit, even I submitted to the hysteria. What was going to be a $20 trip turned into $70 of must-haves (it didn't help that Mia was along offering suggestions) like potato chips, soda, and Little Debbie brownies. I'll need school to start again on Thursday just so we can all recover from our junk food coma!

The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere is the fifth installment in the popular Christmas Hope series. Christine Eisley is having a heck of a holiday season. A single mother of two, she's facing her ex's demands and abuse, the loss of a job, and eviction at the end of the month. Everything changes when she saves a woman's life, maybe she'll end up saving her own as well. VanLiere has an incredible talent for creating sympathetic characters who grab hold of a reader's heartstrings and don't let go until the final page. There's the humor of a comedy of errors, melodrama of family secrets, and a good dash of romance. Christine proves the point that you can't judge a person by their first appearance and that everyone has a story. If you're looking for a pick-me-up during the holidays, VanLiere is just what the doctor ordered!

I'm giving away two copies of this book this week! If you'd like to win, just leave a comment on any of my posts this week or send me an email before 10 pm on Dec. 10th. I'll announce the winners here on Friday.