This is a delightful Christmas romance!

I absolutely loved Amelia! She is a very sweet woman who is carrying a huge burden of heartache. She is beautifully presented and so well developed that many times I wished I could just wrap my arms around her and help to shoulder the load of pain she had.

The development of the story is fantastic. This isn’t the light-hearted story that I was expecting based on the earlier Christmas books I’ve read by this author. It is filled with deep emotion.

I received a free eBook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

This was a fast read for me - in fact I read it in one sitting. There wasn't a whole lot of time for character growth and development, so you're really just reading it for the storyline itself. Amelia had a lot to deal with, and I felt sorry for her. But I have to tell you, I was unhappy with the decision she made at her in-laws house. And it wasn't necessarily because the author wrote it that way, I just anticipated the story going in a different direction.

What I did love about this was that it had the overall theme of God's love, forgiveness, and moving forward. Sometimes we can find help from the places and people we least expect it. That was shown in the story (don't want to give out any spoilers), and it reminded me that we really cannot judge a book by its cover. Instead we have to meet them and learn about them with an open mind, and let time decide our opinions.

This is probably my favorite story to date by Melody. I look forward to reading (hopefully) more Christmas stories from her! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Christmas Blessing is the latest story by Christian author Melody Carlson. It is November 1944 in San Diego, California. Amelia Richards and her baby, Jimmy has decided to pack up and move to Rockford, Montana to be near Jimmy’s paternal grandparents. James Bradley is the father of little James and he passed away a month after he was shipped out. James and Amelia were going to marry on the first leave that he received, but his plane was shot down before that could occur. Amelia is spending the last of her funds to get her to Montana in the hopes of a better life for Jimmy and herself (a family). The only hitch in Amelia’s plans is Mr. & Mrs. Bradley are unaware of Amelia and Jimmy. Amelia is not sure how they will be received. Will they be welcomed or turned away? Christmas is the season for miracles. Will Amelia’s dreams come true this Christmas?

The Christmas Blessing is a lovely story. I found it to be well-written and to have a good pace (once you get into it—it starts off slowly). It is a short shorty containing under 200 pages (can be finished in just a couple of hours). It contains good messages (forgiveness, trust, power of prayer, faith) and has a heartwarming ending. My rating for The Christmas Blessing is 4 out of 5 stars. I did feel that the characters are not fully developed (fleshed out), the ending is slightly rushed, and the story is predictable (unoriginal). I missed the humor that is present in Melody Carlson’s other Christmas stories (Christmas at Harrington’s and The Christmas Joy Ride). The Christmas Blessing is a charming novella that will appeal to readers who enjoy happily-ever-after romance stories.

I have been loving WWII books lately, so I was excited to read The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson! At the beginning of the story, Amelia has to make the hard choice to leave her home to try to make a better life for her baby, but her determination is tested and she is faced with an even harder choice. Ultimately, she has to decide to do whatever it takes to provide for her baby, even when it's the hardest thing she's ever done...but the story doesn't end there! You'll have to read the book to see how it all works out ;) But you can rest assured that it has a happy Christmas ending!

The book is pretty short and is probably considered a novella; usually I'm not crazy about novellas, since it doesn't give as much time for the characters and plot to develop, but I think Melody Carlson really struck a good balance with this one. Christmas is the perfect time to read about faith, family, second chances, and happy endings, and this book doesn't disappoint! If you're looking for a good story to read curled up by the fire this Christmastime, this one is a great choice!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to give a positive review.

A delightful Christmas store that warms the heart and brings the Christmas cheer so much closer. Another outstanding read from one of the most delightful Christian authors on the market.

The Christmas Blessing is a beautifully written story. The book has a great plot and well developed characters. I love this author's books and look forward to reading many more in the future.

This was such a sweet yet heart wrenching story. There were points I was sooo upset about decisions being made. And just when I thought the story was ending…and I wasn’t the happiest with the way things were going…something I wasn’t quite expecting happened and I was soooo happy it did.

An uplifting, beautiful novella of a young woman who has lost everything. Yet, continues to search for love and survival for her baby and herself.
All to be found as the story is on its last pages.
A magical Christmas story.

The Christmas Blessing offers a look back at a different time. It is November 1944 and America is at war. The lives of men, women and families are turned upside down. What was normal before December 7, 1941 has become passé. There has been an urgency attached to everyday life that was not there before the war. And while this November 1944 Christmas will be the last of the war, the people who are involved do not know that and continue their frenetic pace of living in the moment.

This review will not give away any of the plot of the book. I will leave that to others. The themes of the novella are redemption, hope, a mother’s love (in two cases), restoration and being willing the make the hard, but best choices.

I enjoy Christmas books and I enjoy reading Melody Carlson’s books. Her Christmas offering for 2017 did not disappoint.

I would recommend this book. I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley and Revell in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.

The Christmas Blessing

by Melody Carlson

Revell

Christian

Pub Date 05 Sep 2017

I am voluntarily reviewing The Christmas Blessing through Revell and Netgalley:

Amelia Richards looses hope after her baby's father was shot down in the south-pacific in 1944. She is jobless and broke when she decides she needs to turn to her son's paternal grandparents but they don't even know he exists.

In desperation to save her son, Amelia leaves him wrapped up in the manger in front of his grandparents house. She has no doubt the wealthy couple will be able to get her son the medical attention and the love he needs.

Is James really did? Or was their misinformation? Will Jimmy's Grandparents be able to take him in?

Find out in The Christmas Blessing!

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Melody Carlson is one of my favorite authors, so I jumped at the chance to read her new Christmas novella, The Christmas Blessing.

Amelia and James fell in love in just a couple days. James was on leave, she had been able to fight off the interests of other enlisted men, but James was different. Unfortunately, an impulsive, unwise decision meant she was left expecting a baby after finding out that James had been killed in action before they could be married. Without close family of her own, and only a hairdresser's wage to sustain them, she sets out to connect her baby with his grandparents even though she knows they have every right to doubt her story or shun her based on her actions. Unfortunately, both she and the baby get terribly ill and she makes a decision that she knows will haunt her, but must be done.

Overall, this was a really sweet novella. I always love a feel-good Christmas novella to start out the season especially one with a hefty dose of forgiveness and redemption. Nothing strikingly new about the storyline, but well-written and enjoyable for the couple of hours it takes to read.

A perfect Christmas story. Amelia and James meet in San Diego during WWII and immediately fall in love. James gets called back to base in the eve of their wedding. Amelia finds out months later that she's pregnant and James has been killed in action.
A very heart warming story with a perfect ending.Highly recommended!

Is too early to be thinking about Christmas? It will be here before you know it! Okay, so maybe it is a little too early to be thinking about Christmas, but it's never the wrong time to think about what you're going to read! The holidays are really busy times, but I always want to feel a little holiday spirit in the books I read. There isn't really a lot of time for reading a large book around Christmas time, so novellas are the perfect way to get the Christmas mood, while still having time to enjoy the season. Also, I've found that when Christmas is over, I lose interest in Christmas books. If I'm 162 pages into a 254-page book, I'm not going to want to finish that.

Melody Carlson has written several Christmas books, and I love all the ones I've read! They are a great length for reading around the Christmas season, and won't take away from cookie-baking time! Her newest release, The Christmas Blessing, is historical fiction, centered on a young lady who is struggling after the death of her fiancé in World War II. Amelia Richards and James Bradley had every intention of getting married--they even got the license. But James was called back to his ship before they were able to use it. Amelia now has a newborn baby, but James was killed in the Philippines before he even knew about his son. Amelia feels she has no other choice but to leave California to take Jimmy to meet his grandparents--who also don't know that he, or Amelia exist. But things don't turn out quite like Amelia expected when her money is stolen, and Jimmy becomes very sick. Can Amelia find the courage to do what's best for her baby?

This book is the epitome of a feel-good Christmas story. It's so sweet and easy to read. Since it's so short--only 177 pages--everything happens pretty fast. But I like that feature in holiday books, because it helps them flow easier and keeps me from getting bogged down. Although the Kindle edition of this book is cheaper, I love Melody's books in the hardcover. They are so pretty! The Christmas Blessing is a great addition to Melody Carlson's collection of Christmas books. Get it now so you're prepared as soon as Thanksgiving is over!

Happy Reading!



I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, and a favorable review was not required.

This post contains affiliate links.

THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING is a sweet novella that I easily read in a few hours. It is similar to a short story I read maybe a year ago by another author, but slightly different. Both involved unwed mothers who never married their soldiers before they were killed at war. Both contacted the man's parents for help with the baby. Both parents wanted to adopt the baby.... etc. The other story the heroine was a waitress, this one she's a hairdresser. Otherwise, pretty much the same. Including the twist at the end.

I loved James's father, he was a real sweetie. His mother wasn't near as awful as the one lady made her sound, and I was glad that Amelia landed on her feet when she arrived with nothing except the clothes on her back and her baby. Unexpected cash, cheap rooms, a job almost immediately, and of course, James' family.

A feel-good holiday story by acclaimed author Melody Carlson that will be a welcome addition to anyone's reading list, and an ideal gift under the Christmas tree for an avid reader on your list. The local library would undoubtedly love to be a recipient of this book, too!

I look forward to Ms. Carlson's annual Christmas story. THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING is not my favorite, but it is definitely good.

I received a copy of this book free and all opinions are my own.

Carlson knows how to write a feel good, sweet Christmas story that will warm your heart. A story of Christmas miracles. Unfortunately the ending felt a bit rushed and I would have loved to have seen this story fleshed out to a novel twice its size. All in all an enjoyable story that will have you looking forward to the Christmas season.

The Christmas Blessing is another beautiful read by Melody Carlson. I love her Christmas stories and this one did not disappoint. It is a story full of loss and heartache, faith and inspiration, and love and hope. The author did a great job showing the emotions of the characters. There were a few scenes that brought tears to my eyes and made me smile in others.
The Christmas Blessing is a good, clean, and quick read. I liked it and I recommend other readers to add it to their Christmas reading list.

Four stars.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

A short & sweet story that really tugs at the heartstrings....& I never guessed the ending!
It is lovely to read something that leaves you with a warm feeling inside, especially as that
is definitely not the way it begins. It tells of the consequences of one wrong choice made,
& how even that can be turned around for good if we humbly ask God's help. There must
have been many such happenings in wartime, & not all as happily resolved. Faith should
not be considered a 'get out of jail free' card, but rather an unchanging Rock to turn back to
no matter how we have erred.

I never miss a Melody Carlson Christmas book. Full of warmth, goodness and the joy of the season, they're always a delight to read.

Thank you to Revell and Netgalley for the free copy of this novel. All opinions in this blog are my own.

Let me start off by saying that this is a super quick read. I started it at 8 and was finished at 9:30. This is also the second Christmas book I have read this month, which is also quite shocking because I tend to be a scrooge. (Don’t like all the commercialization of the holiday)

Carlson creates a cute, picturesque plot in this novel. This is the first novel that I have read by her, so I didn’t know what quite to expect. Right away, I knew that it was a great book to squeeze into an evening. The plot, though it had its twists, stayed on the surface and didn’t get too deep. I think I would’ve loved this novel more had it been double the size, and if the problems and relationships had been developed much more. I really wanted to dig into the characters pasts to help understand their motives better.

I did like the family atmosphere that Carlson created. With the novel being set during the holidays, it created the closeness that is felt during Christmastime. It also showed that it can be lonely for some people. She plays on both of these aspects with the various characters in her novel.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Christmastime reads or is in the need of a quick, feel-good novel. It is available on September 5.

THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING By Melody Carlson
Amelia it was love at first site, and he's off to war, leaving her an little Jimmy. No James now, no income, and unknown to James parents, she goes to Rockland. In dire needs she help the beauty salon, asking about the Bradleys. Instead of words of encouragement to meet them,,finds they were wealthy, and Mrs Bradley was harsh. Maybe, the grandfather, being he was a Doctor, would be the one to meet. Beautiful story of hope, and miracles at Christmas. A good plot, readers will enjoy this story, as all of hers are good, with a good message in them.
Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.