 |
| A Cup of Christmas Cheer, 2014, Volume 3, Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Past |
"The Letter" by Debbie Lynne Costello in Guidepost Books A Cup of Christmas Cheer Collection 2014
Volume 3, Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Past
Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels
This beautiful short story is set in 1945, after WWII has ended. Savannah residents Benjamin and Sharon Davis have lost their son, Richard, in the war. And their relationship with their daughter-in-law has suffered. They've rarely seen Jennifer and their grandchildren. (I love that one of the children is "Cassie" as I have my own Cassie, now grown!) When Jennifer receives a letter inviting her to visit, she decides to take little Richie and Cassie to see their grandparents, despite the fact that her mother-in-law has always been so cold toward her.
Debbie Lynne is masterful at the subtle nuances in emotion and also in conveying the concerns of both women in this powerful story. It was mentioned that this would make a great Hallmark movie, and I thought the same thing! The Davises seem almost clueless as to the situation their daughter-in-law, a single parent working to support her children, at a foundry.
Sharon, a society matron, looks down her nose at Jennifer and she feels it keenly. But for the sake of the children, she's tried to set those concerns aside for the sake of her children and because of the letter she received. Debbie Lynne does a deft job of helping the reader see inside the head of the mother-in-law and make her objectionable behavior be understandable given her background. Forgiveness is a big theme and trying to understand others.
A very smooth read and one you'll enjoy re-reading in years to come! Kudos to Debbie Lynne!
Purchase your own copy of the Guideposts collection here: http://www.shopguideposts.org/catalog/product/view/id/2084
Giveaway: A copy of the 2014 collection of A Cup of Christmas Cheer.
Debbie Lynne is masterful at the subtle nuances in emotion and also in conveying the concerns of both women in this powerful story. It was mentioned that this would make a great Hallmark movie, and I thought the same thing! The Davises seem almost clueless as to the situation their daughter-in-law, a single parent working to support her children, at a foundry.
Sharon, a society matron, looks down her nose at Jennifer and she feels it keenly. But for the sake of the children, she's tried to set those concerns aside for the sake of her children and because of the letter she received. Debbie Lynne does a deft job of helping the reader see inside the head of the mother-in-law and make her objectionable behavior be understandable given her background. Forgiveness is a big theme and trying to understand others.
A very smooth read and one you'll enjoy re-reading in years to come! Kudos to Debbie Lynne!
Purchase your own copy of the Guideposts collection here: http://www.shopguideposts.org/catalog/product/view/id/2084
Giveaway: A copy of the 2014 collection of A Cup of Christmas Cheer.
Beautiful review, Carrie. You capture the fine threads as well as the overarching patterns and make it look effortless. That's why your both such wonderful writers. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved your review on DL's party, Kathy! I hope DL told you how wonderful she thought it was because she thanked me! Hugs!
DeleteThank you for the wonderful review and all the hard work you and Kathy put into this launch. Kathy I loved your review, too. I just can't say thank you enough for all your hard work, ladies. God Bless and Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, DL!!! We're so glad to CELEBRATE your success!!! Big hugs!!!
DeleteThis review, was very well done. I love reading Christmas Stories like this one. oh.helllo.hiya@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love reading them and writing them and this story, by DL was great. The Letter is a smooth satisfying read!
DeleteI loved Carrie's review! She does an awesome job writing them. A testimony to her wonderful writing ability!
DeleteThank you for the great review, Carrie. I would love to read Debbie Lynne's story. It sounds really interesting. One of my daughters has a mother-in-law who has never liked my daughter. It's a very sad thing to know.
ReplyDeleteI thought DL handled this topic beautifully Kay! That is sad to be rejected like that.
DeleteThank you, Carrie. Kay, I'm so sorry your daughter has to go through this. I know it must be very hard for her. Hopefully one day her mother-in-law will open her heart to your daughter. Thanks for coming by.
DeleteFinally! With internet issues affecting both Kindle and PC, it has taken me seemingly forever to get on here! I feel like I've been digging ditches! lol CARRIE, this is a lovely review on what sounds like a heartwarming Christmas read. Congrats, DEBBIE LYNNE!
ReplyDeleteTY, Diana! Hope your internet is functioning well now! Hugs!
DeleteThank you, Diana! Ugh! Internet issues make our life come to a screeching halt! It is amazing how much we rely on it anymore.
DeleteWonderful review - I would love to read this story! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletebettimace at gmail dot com
Betti, this is a lovely read and DL says all the stories, like last year's series, are really good!
DeleteHey Betti! Thanks for coming by. I hope you get a chance to read my story along with both books!
DeleteCarrie, thanks for the lovely review of The Letter. Congrats, Debbie Lynne! A Cup of Christmas Cheer sounds like a fun and festive read. Thank for the giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a gratifying story and enjoyable to read, Caryl! TY!
DeleteHey Caryl! Thank you! I hope you get a chance to read CoCC.
DeleteI really do love the sound of this story! I want to be entered to win because I can't remember if there's a set of books in the grand prize or not. Greedy of me, huh? :)
ReplyDeleteNo, Anne, no set in the gorgeous grand prize package from Kathy and yes you are being greedy hahahaha! Love you!!!
DeleteLOL, Anne! Carrie and Kathy did a fabulous job on the giveaway you won! It was an awesome gift. I know you are going to enjoy it.
DeleteWhat a great sounding story. Would truly love a copy. Thank you for sharing and giving me an opportunity to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteI need to purchase my own copy, too, Robin! I've only had the privilege of reading DL's so far and the authors from last year's collection, if not in this year's, have to purchase copies just like anybody else!
DeleteThanks for coming by, Robin. I hope you get a chance to read all 4 books! They are all wonderful stories. You can go to CoCC blog and find all the giveaways so you can stop by and enter them!
DeleteI am blessed with a wonderful mother-in-law, but I know a few who are not.... would love to win this Christmas
ReplyDeletecollection :)
dkstevensne AT outlook DOT com
Hi Dee, I just got your books ready to mail for the 2013 collection!!!
DeleteI have a wonderful mother-in-law too, Dee. I have been so blessed. She was always there to help me out and do things with. She has alzeheimers now and I miss my friend.
DeleteA lovely review thank you. I'm all for heart-warming stories.
ReplyDeleteTY and me, too! heart-warming is good!
DeleteHey Mary! CoCC is right up your alley if you love heart-warming!
DeleteCarrie, this was a great review! I loved it.
ReplyDeleteTY Regina! I think you'd love DL's writing!
DeleteHey Regina! Carrie is awesome at reviews!
DeleteI would love to read Debbie Lynne's story!
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
It will touch your heart, Patty!
DeleteHey Patty! I really hope you get a chance to read 'The Letter'. You can stop by CoCC blog and find other giveaways!
DeleteThanks for the wonderful review, Carrie!!
ReplyDeleteI received "A Cup of Christmas Cheer" (won in another contest, thank you - Debbie!!) just a couple of days ago and can't wait to read "The Letter"!! It sounds like an emotional, heart-warming story - I love the theme of forgiveness, also that the story is set just after the ending of WWII.
I never had any problems getting along with my mother-in-law and hope that my daughter-in-law is able to say the same - I try very hard not to be one of those interfering mother-in-laws.. She is a wonderful daughter-in-law to me, wife to my son and mother to my granddaughter. She has done much for me and is a huge encouragement to my son, they are wonderful Christian parents who are very involved in my granddaughter's activities - church, school and sports.
Congrats, Debbie!!
Shared post!!
You have been blessed, Bonnie! TY for your kind words! My inlaws will be here in less than two weeks. Hope I can get the hose ready!
DeleteAwe, thank you, Bonnie. I'm glad you had a good experience like I did. I have a new daughter-in-law and I hope always be her friend.
DeleteGreat review Carrie. What a nice collection for reading during Christmas time. It would be great to win this...
ReplyDeleteVicki
TY Vicki! Yes, I can't wait to read the whole collection! I ordered my copy!
DeleteHey Vicki, Both last year and this year volumes of A Cup of Christmas Cheer are the types of stories that will never go out of style. Hope you get a chance to read both sets.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you all :)
ReplyDeleteDeanna
Merry Christmas to you, Deanna! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThank you for the wonderful review! I have treasured loved one and friends that would love these Christmas stories!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Hey Melanie! I hope you get a chance to read my story along with the others in CoCC!
DeleteI love to read this book
ReplyDeleteHope you get a chance to read it, Cubie.
DeleteIt looks like it would be a good book to read
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartwarming story. What a great review Carrie ! I would love to read this.
ReplyDeleteHey Deanne. Thank you, for your kind words. I do love Carrie's reviews, too.
DeleteGreat review!I would love to win this giveaway.Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteHey, Jackie. There are more giveaways you can learn about on CoCC blog.
DeleteCarrie, good job. Of course your reviews always are. Sounds good. I would love to be the winner. Love reading all of the comments and reply's. The OWG have a great blog. :) My youngest daughter has been a single mother since her daughter was three years old. The daughter is now but still dependent on her mom because of health problems. So, I know it isn't easy on single moms, unless they make big money. Maxie
ReplyDeleteHey Maxie! I agree with you, Carrie always does an excellent job on her reviews. My husband and I were recently talking about this very thing. It is so hard on single moms.
DeleteGreat Review Carrie! Sounds like a great book!
ReplyDeleteHey Nancy! Thank you!
Delete<3 <3 <3 would love it . Thanks and Blessings ,DanaGirl
ReplyDeleteHey Dana. Thanks for coming by.
Delete