Pages

05 September 2013

All Stories in A PIONEER CHRISTMAS COLLECTION Summarized by Noela Nancarrow

A Pioneer Christmas Collection
Barbour Publishing, Inc. (September 1, 2013)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 STARS *****

A PIONEER CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

I love Christmas and I love Christmas reads! Throw in a whole bunch of exceptional authors and you’ve got a real treat! This compilation of original and inspiring historical romance novella’s will entertain you with their appealing and intriguing tales of pioneer life and love in untamed lands. Each story concludes with the new pioneers celebrating Christmas in unconventional dwellings.

 ‘Defending Truth’ by Shannon McNear, sees Truth, a young woman in western North Carolina, alone and responsible for her younger siblings after her father had left them to fight the British. What will she do when she comes across a half-starved militia man loyal to the Crown? This is an intriguing and heart-warming story reflecting the battle on King’s Mountain and of God’s grace.

‘The Calling’ by Kathleen Fuller centers around a tavern in Unionville, Ohio, that also doubles as a stagecoach stop. Elijah Montgomery is pushed by his parents to travel and preach. Is he just being obedient to his folks or hearing the calling himself? What part might Milly, the lovely tavern girl who works for her father, have in helping Elijah to find his destiny?

‘A Silent Night’ by Anna Urquhart illustrates the struggles of a mother and young child surviving on their own in the woodlands of Michigan Territory in 1830. Refusing a marriage of convenience that most women would have taken up leaves Lorna vulnerable and unprepared for winter. How can she possibly survive and will they get their Christmas miracle that 6 year old Afton is praying for?

'A Pony Express Christmas' by Margaret Brownley has the bloomer-clad Ellie-May Newman searching across the unforgiving Nebraska Territory for her missing brother who rode for the Pony Express. After saving a man, she informs him he’ll be helping her on her quest. There’s an interesting love triangle in this story and an unexpected outcome for Ellie at the end of the trail. Margaret Brownley is a brilliant storyteller and this tale is a hearty feast for a novella!

‘A Christmas Castle’ by Cynthia Hickey ambushes Annie Morgan with quite a few eye-popping revelations when she arrives at her ranch in Prescott, Arizona, to chase down her new husband who was supposed to meet her in town. This story by Cynthia was fast-moving, delightfully romantic, and especially captivating!

‘The Cowboy’s Angel’ by Lauraine Snelling has a very pregnant woman and her son living on the Dakota Territory plains in 1875 waiting for her husband to return home after leaving weeks earlier to purchase supplies. With a baby coming, a 4 yr. old son, animals to care for, and snowstorms, Belle is in much need of a Christmas miracle from God’s angels. What could have befallen her husband?

‘A Badlands Christmas’ by Marcia Gruver soon has Australian Jonathon Nancarrow journeying from sophisticated New York City along with his two daughters to the small town of Medora in the heart of the wilderness, still seeking peace and healing after the death of his wife. His eldest daughter Noela takes quite a while adjusting to the overwhelming differences, especially having to live in a house made of dirt and grass called a soddie! Will this little family survive a harsh Dakota winter here and can Noela find love in the wilderness? Marcia Gruver writes an immensely memorable and highly entertaining read, delivering an enchanting story with a very sweet romance.

‘Buckskin Bride’ by Vickie McDonough takes us to Oklahoma Territory in 1889 to where Mattie and her two sisters Milly and Jess are living in a tipi, which unknowingly happens to be on handsome Irishman Conall Donegan’s land. Their father hasn’t returned and Mattie having been left in charge feels a huge responsibility to keep her sisters safe, fed, and sheltered. When Jess is hurt and they are all discovered, Mattie feels like everything is falling apart. Can things come together for Christmas?

‘The Gold Rush Christmas’ by Michelle Ule delivers an interesting and unique story with twins Samantha and Peter Harris travelling to Skagway, Alaska with good friend Miles. What sets out as a search for the twins’ father ends up becoming so much more for all three of these ‘musketeers’. This takes place during the 1897 Gold Rush bringing many unsavoury characters to the region; however this story which is based on a true account ends with an extraordinary Christmas inspired conclusion.

*Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley*
~~~
This book may be purchased through Amazon; CBD; Deeper Shopping; Barnes or Noble; or your local bookstore.
********************
GIVEAWAY:  We have 2 books of 'A Pioneer Christmas Collection' for giveaway this week. Marcia Gruver has kindly donated a book with signatures from all nine authors, and Carrie Fancett Pagels will be giving away another copy of this book!
********************
QUESTION: There are wonderful Christmas miracles illustrated in the stories throughout this book. We'd love you to share a Christmas miracle of your own if you have one! Otherwise, tell us what is special about Christmas for you?



62 comments:

  1. Thanks for this wondeful post, Noela. You really make all the stories sound too good. Now I HAVE to get the book... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! Yes MARIAN, you absolutely DO have to get this book!! :) It's a keeper!!

      Delete
  2. Christmas is the time I think of my Mom { now in Heaven for almost 14 years } the most it was her favorite time of the year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure Christmas must be both sweet and sad for you DANA... but special for the reason it was her favorite time of the year. Thank you for sharing Dana, God bless!

      Delete
  3. Christmas is so special to me because we celebrate as a family, all of us together !!! Last year was extra special, my granddaughter Jaelyn was Mary in the Christmas play and she was wonderful, I was so proud of her..... she is 10 years old, and such a sweet girl, she looked great !!!

    You do such a great job with your reviews and interviews, thank you so much !!! I sure would like to read this..

    Have a blessed day !! Rosemary rfoley@salemstate.edu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww that's awesome ROSEMARY, how special to see your granddaughter play Mary in a Christmas production! I'm sure you were the proudest Grandma there!!

      Thank you for your kind words Rosemary, and I wish you all the best in winning a copy of this fabulous book!! :)

      Delete
  4. Wonderful reviews on each author for "A Pioneer Christmas Collection"! This is on my list of books to get! I enjoy reading each Collection books of about 9 authors put out from Barbara Publishers.

    I can't really think of any Christmas miracle at the moment, but Christmas is such a special time for my mother's side of the family by getting together and spending good time together, despite all our different beliefs. I know this year I am actually praying for a huge Christmas miracle to happen. See on June 22 of this year my father was suppose to come up from the country of Mexico for my wedding, but he was pick-pocketed and had all his identification stolen. I haven't seen my father since December 9, 2009 when I went down to visit him. He told me in his last phone call to me on June 22, 2013 that he'd try to make it up for Christmas. My parents are divorced and a huge prayer I have is if and when my father comes up to visit this year, his heart would be open up to where he'd turn away from his sinful self and turn over his life to Christ. My mother, younger sister, my husband, and I are the only believers on my mothers side of the family. Plus, when my father turns his life to Christ, I know my mother will take my father back, she will have no other man than my father. So, I may not have a Christmas miracle yet, but I am sure praying for a Christmas miracle this year or any kind of a miracle for my father.

    Tracy
    http://poetics-of-life.blogspot.com/
    tlcfinch4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awe Tracy!! I'm praying and believing with you for your Christmas miracle!! Blessings

      Delete
    2. Thank you TRACY! I enjoy these Collection books also, and this one I think is the best yet! :)

      I hope you get your Christmas miracle this year regarding your father Tracy. That would be so wonderful! I will keep this in my prayers for you and I'm sure the other blog ladies will do so too. God bless!

      Delete
    3. I'm praying for your Christmas miracle, Tracy. (That's my daughter's name.) God bless you.

      Delete
  5. The wonder and love at Christmas time. People seem a little nicer and caring. I love the excitement in my 5 grandbabies as we decorate and prepare. All the lights and various colors. We are crossing our fingers for a white Christmas (something that doesn't happen often in Arkansas) When my grand daughter was 3mo old her first Christmas she was baby Jesus in our sign and worship of "Mary did you know" at church. (Only baby at the time)
    Thank you for all you do. And for the opportunity to possibly win this awesome book!!

    brooksjanice6564@flail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. brooksjanice6564@gmail.com. lol don't know what flail.com is ;)

      Delete
    2. You are so right JANICE... Christmas is a time that seems to add a special touch of love and joy in people! :) How exciting for you to share Christmas with 5 grandchildren, what fun that would be! I will have one for the very first time this year and I can hardly wait... although he will only be just a little over a year old! :) And would you believe he has already played baby Jesus at church too - at only a month of age. :)

      Thank you so much JANICE and I wish you all the best with your entry! Blessings!

      Delete
  6. I love Christmas, too. I love everything about it, even the hustle, bustle. Being German, my family is rich in tradition and I work on it to keep it this way. Now my married daughter is following the traditions and also making new ones of her own. I would love to read this and would love a chance at winning the book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for coming by SONJA! Absolutely Sonja... traditions at Christmas time help make it an extra special time and how great that your daughter is following yours as well as making her own! :)

      It's a wonderful book and I really hope you get a chance to read it!!

      Delete
  7. NOELA, Exceptional summaries of each book, my friend! I have it on Kindle from NG but would love an autographed copy since I live near King's Mountain :)

    My mom's birthday was on Christmas Eve and for her 70th birthday we had a huge surprise celebration for her (huge in all the children and grandchildren showed up). Little did we know it was to be our last time all together with her. She passed away from cancer the next summer. The Lord was so good to give us that Christmas with her and seeing the joy of being surrounded by her family!

    Love you ladies here at OWG!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is so precious that God gave you all that wonderful time together for her 70th and for that special Christmas before you lost your mum. To me things like that illustrate the gracious and loving heart of our Lord! Thanks for coming by and sharing ANNE. We love you too!!!

      Thank you ANNE for your sweet words, and I'm fascinated that you live near King's Mountain! You really do need to read this book and in particular SHANNON'S story. :) I was so fascinated by this bit of history, I did a Google search and saw that there are signs and plaques etc over Kings mountains at significant landmarks to do with this battle. Have you done the trek Anne to see any of these?

      Delete
    2. I have hiked to the pinnacle at King's Mountain (made a blog post about it last year) but I really want to go to the war memorial they have there. I hear it's pretty awesome.

      Delete
  8. This is such a beautiful post, NOELA! I can't wait to read this and soon I will as a lovely angel just gifted me with a copy! :) :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, that's so cool, Diana. (That's my mom's name!) I think these books will make wonderful Christmas gifts, so I'm happy to see it's already being gifted. I hope you enjoy all the wonderful stories.

      Delete
    2. Thanks DIANA! I can't wait for you to read it either!!! ;) Hasn't this been such a fun year Diana? :)

      MARCIA, I agree - these books will make the PERFECT Christmas gift!! Only thing is, I can be very impatient... sort of like a certain character of the same name lol, and I don't think I can wait until Christmas to give out copies! :)

      Delete
  9. I know I said it before, but feel I must say it again: THANK YOU, NOELA! You do such a sterling job of laying out the collection and painting such a lovely picture of each story. Your words are so encouraging! It's been such a privilege to rub shoulders with the other authors of the collection as well as fabulous people such as yourself I've met along the way. God bless!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww bless you ANNA, thank you so much for you sweet and generous words! I always ask God to help with the reviews, so I have to give the thanks to Him! :)
      It's been awesome meeting you and the other lovely authors of these fabulous stories as well. You're all such beautiful and extremely TALENTED ladies!!
      Blessings to you! And thanks also SHANNON!! <3

      Delete
  10. I love Christmas, always have. Still a kid at heart. Love being with family and friends. The Christmas baking. People just seem to be a bit nicer at Christmas. The world we live in now, nicer is better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't agree more JO-ANN!! I think Christmas brings out the kid at heart in all of us - perhaps that's why everyone's a bit nicer hey?! As adults, we can sometimes carry too many burdens and be too serious... Christmas can be a way of letting all that go for a time. :) Thanks so much for stopping in JoAnn and all the best with your entry!

      Delete
  11. Noela, you have such a gift and flair for writing these reviews. What you've done, masterfully I might add, is summarize the stories in brief, tasty tidbits we authors call a synopsis. Actually, we call them "the dreaded synopsis," because we have such a difficult time producing them at our editor's request. I have a mug on my desk that reads, What's worse than writing a Synopsis? NOTHING! So I'm amazed, inspired, and jealous of this awesome talent of yours. The next time I need one written, you'll be hearing from me! :)

    My Christmas miracle and memory is from when I was a small child. My favorite uncle and my mom had earlier in the year been in a terrible argument and weren't speaking. He and his family lived right next door, and I missed going to their house and hanging over the fence talking to my cousins. The rift caused a huge ache in my heart. That Christmas morning, we opened the door to find brightly wrapped gifts for all of us from my uncle. We turned to ask our mom if we could keep them, and she had big tears rolling down her cheeks. That's when I knew everything would be all right again. I love Christmas because it's the perfect time for forgiveness and restoration.

    Noela, thank you SO much for hosting our book this week. I'm humbled and grateful, and I know my fellow authors feel the same.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness, I do believe my very sweet friend, that is one of the best compliments I've ever received!! As I said in a comment above however, I have to give the thanks to God because honestly, half the time I don't even know how the words come out, so I think He writes through me! :) Thank you for your very kind words and it really is my pleasure and privilege to help promote this wonderful book!!

      Your Christmas miracle brought tears to my eyes MARCIA... That really is such a beautiful and a perfect Christmas miracle!!

      Delete
    2. I meant to also tell you - that I LOVE your writer's mug! Lol!! :)

      Delete
  12. Christmas means so much to me, Jesus birth , my mom and son both in heaven love Christmas so much. we all garthered at Moms and she put a big spread out for ever one to eat and injoy, my son he was so funny he would buy presents then couldnt keep a secret before Christmas he would of slipped and told you lol, now my daught carrys on we all gather at her house and praise God we are together, i love Christmas and would love to win this give away
    Shirley B jcisforme@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for sharing SHIRLEY! I have to say, your comment made me laugh with your story about your son LOL - how funny, and cute, that was of him!! :) I'm so happy to hear you are able to carry on the tradition at your daughter's house, and with praise in your heart.
      God bless you SHIRLEY, and I really hope you get to either win this or obtain a copy for yourself!

      Delete
  13. Christmas is actually a difficult time of year for me because, like Dana above, my mother died three days before. I've struggled in many ways over the last 17 years, trying to find a way to celebrate while I commemorate. It was helpful I had a little girl who loved all the traditions, and while often it was forced, I managed to make the cookies, decorate the tree, bake the ule log and so forth.

    Traditions and children go hand and hand, and often are what can pull us through challenging times.

    I enjoyed writing my story and I've enjoyed reading these stories--perfect for someone like me, for whom Christmas is not stars and happiness. Jesus, of course, redeems that, but I need others to help me through the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MICHELLE, I'm so sorry that Christmas holds such sad memories for you. I can certainly understand your sadness and I pray that even with the grief that's attached to Christmas, that you'll also continue to discover the deep joy and peace that's also attached.
      I'm so glad you've been able to share your beautiful Christmas story with everyone to bless others so much... and that you have also enjoyed reading the other stories! God is so good! Thank you so much for dropping by MICHELLE to share with everyone. Bless you! x

      Delete
  14. I have to admit to a bit of personal "humbug"-ness when it comes to Christmas, partly because of all the commercialism, and partly because I'm one of those OCD people who has trouble with what was probably the accurate biblical timeline of the events surrounding Jesus' birth. :-) (God has given me an interesting way to reconcile it all, though ... !) Christmas was pretty wonderful when I was a kid, but then came the pressures of adult life and parenting--so I can relate to Michelle's struggle to find joy in the season. I've learned over the years to release my own expectations on what I should and must "get done"--to focus on the joy of the Lord and the family He's given me ... you might say that's my big Christmas miracle, learning to live a life of gratitude. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi SHANNON! Thank you so much for sharing with everyone! Lol, I think we've all had a bit of humbug-ness (I love that term!), at one stage or other in our lives! Especially with the commercialism surrounding Christmas and for me that - that jolly fat man in the red suit that tries to claim Christmas is all about him! ;) But then I see the blessings in big television Christmas productions we have over here near Christmas called 'Carols by Candlelight' and I feel so excited that all these hundreds of thousands of people (most who don't know the Lord) are singing about Christ!!! :) In a world that's trying to get rid of God, this gives me hope.

      Delete
  15. I do have a Christmas miracle.
    On Christmas morning my young daughter and I were sitting looking at our lights on our tree when there was a knock on our apartment door. Special Delivery package from my parents delivered to the door by the mailman on Christmas morning!!
    Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot[net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's wonderful KATHLEEN! What absolute perfect timing!! :) Reminds me of the first Christmas that my husband and I shared. He had lost his job in the recent months and I was sad our first Christmas meal as a married couple was going to be a very bleak and scarce meal... and then a day or two earlier, we were surprised with a huge box of groceries from our church, and so we had a very special meal that was blessed by God's grace! That was our Christmas miracle that year. :)

      Delete
  16. Our Miracle did not happen at Christmas but in February. My husband broke his neck. The doctor told us that he should be dead or paralyzed but thanks to the Lord above and the prayers of His people he is not.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe not a Christmas miracle, but a miracle nevertheless JANET! Am praising the Lord for touching and healing your your husband!! Thank you for sharing Janet. God bless!

      Delete
  17. Christmas is a very special time. No Christmas miracles, but so much joy to be had.

    All of the stories sound wonderful. A must read for me.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely MARY... even without Christmas miracles, there is so much joy to be had as we celebrate the birth of Christ, and the spirit of love and giving.

      This book is so special, and a must-read for sure!! Bless you Mary!

      Delete
  18. What is special about CHRISTmas for me is Jesus being born!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes REBECCA, Christ is definitely the most special thing about Christmas!! Thanks for coming by Rebecca! Blessings!

      Delete
  19. Christmas is a wonderful time to gather together with family! Thank you for sharing these summaries! I look forward to reading this special book!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome BRITNEY and I look forward to you and everyone reading this book also!! :) I agree with you Britney - having family gathered together at Christmas certainly makes for some special times. I'm especially looking forward to having a little one year old grandson running around this year experiencing Christmas! :)

      Delete
  20. What's so special about Christmas for me is when we gather before opening presents and my brother reads the Christmas Story. Then we pray and thank the Lord for all the special blessings He's given to us. One is my brother's youngest grandson. He was born with his intestines twisted and knotted. Majority of newborn babies do not live, but this coming October 20th, he will be 7 years old and started 1st grade this year. So many, many special blessings. Thank you for the wonderful review. Book sounds marvelous. Please enter my name in the giveaway. Thank you!
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spending time reading from the Bible and thanking the Lord for your blessings before opening gifts, is very special BARBARA! And something I've been inspired to begin myself this Christmas, so I thank you and everyone else who has shared that with everybody on these reviews. I hope others have been likewise inspired as well by all these great ideas!
      That truly is wonderful that your brother's grandson has begun first grade after that rocky start to his life. PTL!!

      Your name is entered BARBARA and I wish you all the best with the draw! :)

      Delete
  21. Oh, I SO much would love to have this signed book! That would be a Christmas miracle for me! I wish I did have a Christmas miracle to share, but I can say that each Christmas I've experienced is a miracle in and of itself as I have always celebrated Jesus' birth on that special day. I was/am blessed to have wonderful Christian parents who have always celebrated the "real reason for the season."
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha well I hope you get your Christmas miracle this year SUSAN! :)
      You sound like such a lovely person Susan, and that is testament to your wonderful Christian parents!! And even though miracles are great as a witness and encouraging to share, as you say - each Christmas is a miracle in itself - the fact alone that God sent His Son to be borne of a woman is a miracle, but also that we are privileged as children of God to celebrate that amazing fact! God bless!

      Delete
  22. I absolutely love all the stories in this book & would love to read it!

    Christmas is special to me because I was born(at home)that day - my parents lived in a farmhouse in the country, roads were snow covered & hazardous. My father risked his life a couple of times, getting out on the road trying to reach the doctor. I am honored to celebrate my birthday on the same day that the birthday of my Lord is celebrated!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you love the sound of all the stories BONNIE! They're great stories and I'm looking forward to reading them again myself! :) I hope you get to read this book soon!

      Oh wow, seems like you have a Christmas miracle in yourself Bonnie! I'm so glad everything worked out for your parents and their little Christmas surprise! :)

      Delete
  23. WOW Noela I am so impressed with this review! Marvelous Job!!

    Christmas is my favorite time of year because GOD loved us enough to send His Son to earth to redeem us from sin's clutches. The part I am most thankful for is the fact that if I were the ONLY one to ever accept GOD's gift He would have still sent JESUS. What an humbling thought!. :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. TERESA, my brilliant fellow reviewer and sweet friend, thank you for your encouraging words!

    That is indeed a humbling thought - that God would have sent His only son if we were the only person on earth!! How wonderful is our God?!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh this sounds like a wonderful book!! Christmas in itself is a joyous miracle!! I always thought I should have been born back then!! lol I've read all the other 'collection' books so far and the Christmas ones are my fav!! :)
    I would be thrilled to read and review this one. Thank you for the chance to win. :)
    Blessings!
    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awesome CATHY, I'm sure the authors would LOVE you to read and review their book! :) Bless you too!!

      Delete
  26. Besides my Savior's birth, I love the decorations, the spirit, the Christmas movies and music; it's my favorite time of year. Thanks for the giveaways; this looks really good. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same here VERONICA! Love Christmas decorations, so hard to resist buying some new ones each year!! :) But I need to resist, we have no room left for storing them. :) Thanks for your entry!

      Delete
  27. A Christmas Miracle that I will always remember: We had just returned to Oregon after living about 2500 miles from our families (in Maryland). We were staying at my parents house, since we hadn't found a place of our own yet, so we were having to commute back & forth between the town where my husband had gotten a job (where we were also looking for a home) and my parents house, (about 70 miles). On Christmas Eve, we were returning to my parents house, when a heavy snow & ice storm began to fall on us. Our old car was struggling a bit, so we decided to get off the freeway, so we could drive slower, and instead took Hwy 99. Then all of a sudden, our car died, leaving us on the side of a fairly empty stretch of highway, with a just turned 2 yr. old & soon to be 4 yr. old daughters, as the snow continued to fall heavily and the temp kept dropping! This was in '83, so, no cell phones at that time, however, my parents had let us borrow one of their CB radio's for our cross-country trip home, & we still had it in our car. We decided to see if we could find someone listening to their CB on a Christmas Eve & ask them to call my parents & so my dad could come rescue us. We were thrilled when a family of CB-ers had heard our call and agreed to call my parents. That wasn't enough for them, though--when they heard we had two little ones in the car with us, they insisted on driving in the snow storm, and bring us to their home. They were enjoying Christmas celebrations with their family, and had a nice hot fire burning & warmed us up with steaming hot cocoa. We were so happy that they had chosen to take time out from their family celebrations, to come rescue a family of strangers! We happened to have an extra box of chocolates that we had bought "just in case) and gifted it to them, to share our thanks for their help.
    I would love to win this book of Christmas stories!
    vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Incredible story VICKI, thanks for sharing that! Wow, I'm so glad you had that CB radio with you, I nearly freaked out when I read your car died during those terrible weather conditions! :O What a wonderful family those people were to come to your rescue - that is such a beautiful Christmas miracle Vicki.. :)

      Delete
  28. A Christmas Miracle that I will always remember: We had just returned to Oregon after living about 2500 miles from our families (in Maryland). We were staying at my parents house, since we hadn't found a place of our own yet, so we were having to commute back & forth between the town where my husband had gotten a job (where we were also looking for a home) and my parents house, (about 70 miles). On Christmas Eve, we were returning to my parents house, when a heavy snow & ice storm began to fall on us. Our old car was struggling a bit, so we decided to get off the freeway, so we could drive slower, and instead took Hwy 99. Then all of a sudden, our car died, leaving us on the side of a fairly empty stretch of highway, with a just turned 2 yr. old & soon to be 4 yr. old daughters, as the snow continued to fall heavily and the temp kept dropping! This was in '83, so, no cell phones at that time, however, my parents had let us borrow one of their CB radio's for our cross-country trip home, & we still had it in our car. We decided to see if we could find someone listening to their CB on a Christmas Eve & ask them to call my parents & so my dad could come rescue us. We were thrilled when a family of CB-ers had heard our call and agreed to call my parents. That wasn't enough for them, though--when they heard we had two little ones in the car with us, they insisted on driving in the snow storm, and bring us to their home. They were enjoying Christmas celebrations with their family, and had a nice hot fire burning & warmed us up with steaming hot cocoa. We were so happy that they had chosen to take time out from their family celebrations, to come rescue a family of strangers! We happened to have an extra box of chocolates that we had bought "just in case) and gifted it to them, to share our thanks for their help.
    I would love to win this book of Christmas stories!
    vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great reviews on each author for "A Pioneer Christmas Collection"!"A Pioneer Christmas Collection"sounds wonderful. Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win.getting together with family and friends at christmas.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks EMMA, you're entered! God bless you! :)

      Delete

Google Analytics