Debbie Lynne Costello's Story for A Cup of Christmas Cheer (2014) Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

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.

Launch Party for Debbie Lynne Costello with Giveaway

Celebrate with us! "The Letter" in this year's A Cup of Christmas Cheer

                         Heartwarming Tales of Christmas Past

View more inspiration for “The Letter” at
 https://www.pinterest.com/debbielynne1/the-letter/

Some of the best gifts this season will be delivered via mail. Packages, boxes, gift certificates, and cards send our love, especially at Christmastime. And such is the case in Debbie Lynne Costello’s short story “The Letter” debuting in Guidepost’s A Cup of Christmas Cheer 2014. 

This touching story depicts a family torn by pride and separated by war who receives a life changing message of God’s healing and redemption, wrapped in an unassuming white envelope and sent via the United States Postal Service.

Despite a little postal intervention, holiday goodwill doesn't kindle easily, at least to a young war widow trying to raise her children without the help and support of her pampered mother-in-law. Only a Christmas miracle will melt the ice around the proud matron’s heart to embrace the best gift of all—family. But will nerves frazzle before the frost thaws between them?

Set at the end of World War II, after most surviving soldiers have returned home and families are rebuilding lives with or without loved ones, this story captures the high emotion of our country celebrating its first peacetime Christmas since before Pearl Harbor. 

Like all of Debbie Lynne Costello’s stories, it features a strong southern heroine whose courage is a pillar to her family, a touching tribute to the women who served at war-work while their men braved the battlefield. But will this struggling widow’s faithfulness prove enough to turn hard hearts and reconcile the past? 

Patriotism, forgiveness, and personal character abound in this beautiful story that will surely enrich every reader’s appreciation of family, home and country. Read this heartwarming story where God’s grace is the overarching theme, making miracles--both big and small--possible at Christmastime.

Celebrate with Debbie Lynne on her debut by entering to win this gift bag full of Christmas goodies to enjoy or to pass along to loved ones.  

Leave a comment about a special gift you sent or received in the mail with your email addy, and this prize package could be yours.

Cuddle up in this Christmas fleece with a tall cup of gourmet Godiva chocolate coffee and nibble on these toffees as you read A Cup of Christmas Cheer 2014. A papier-mâché mailbox holds handmade historical note cards, or use to store your own Christmas treasures. Cherish original sheet music from the era, and proudly display these ornaments that capture the historical ambiance of this story.

Another winner will receive a set of the 2013 collection of A Cup of Christmas Cheer (with Carrie's short story "Snowed In" and another commenter will receive the 2014 set of A Cup of Christmas Cheer, volumes 3 & 4, with Debbie Lynne's story!!!

Purchase your own copy of the Guideposts collection here: http://www.shopguideposts.org/catalog/product/view/id/2084

Connect with Debbie Lynne Costello on her blog, http://theswordandspirit.blogspot.com/

and facebook https://www.facebook.com/debbielynnecostello?fref=ts  

Leave a congratulatory comment here for Debbie Lynne for a chance to win one of these three prizes!

Carrie Fancett Pagels on Debbie Lynne Costello's Blog Today!

A Cup of Christmas Cheer Collection

I am visiting Debbie Lynne Costello's blog today along with Carla Gade and Marilyn Turk. We all contributed to Guidepost Books "A Cup of Christmas Cheer."

There is a GIVEAWAY of a set of the books on Debbie Lynne's blog, so come by!!!


Click HERE to GO

Review of Carla Olson Gade's "Upon a Christmas Tree Schooner" for A Cup of Christmas Cheer Blog Hop 1

Upon a Christmas Tree Schooner by Carla Olson Gade

Inspired by the real Christmas tree schooners, of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a ship's captain takes his schooner for his last haul of the season upon icy Lake Michigan to return with Christmas trees for the German immigrants in his town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His journey leads to an unexpected surprise of hope and healing for he and his grieving wife with a Christmas gift to treasure for years to come.

My review:  This story is the sixth one in Volume One Tales of Faith and Family for the Holidays in Guidepost Books "A Cup of Christmas Cheer" which releases this month. I love the little graphics they did for each story.  Carla's "Upon a Christmas Schooner" has a little schooner ship up top.

Set in 1880 in Wisconsin and in Michigan's beautiful upper peninsula (from whence I am from!) this story about Captain Mathias Grunewald and his wife Rosina is very touching.  The couple lost their only child, a son, on the Great Lakes the previous year.  Mrs. Grunewald has slipped into extended mourning. As her husband prepares to obtain a shipment of Christmas trees to sell in their German community, the couple prepares to start a new beginning.

Mathias encounters treacherous weather on the lakes as he nears the Upper Peninsula and arrives after snow has begun.  Once the crew gets to the lumber camp to take on the trees, Mathias has a providential encounter--with young Luca, an orphan. Although the camp boss asks Captain Grunewald to take the boy to the orphanage in Wisconsin, he refuses--he lost his own son from his schooner the previous year.

Spoiler alert:

Young Luca has his own agenda but almost brings tragedy, yet again, upon Captain Grunewald and his crew. When Mrs. Grunewald sees the young man who has come home with her husband, three lives begin to change forever.

Loved this story!  I think this could really be a Christmas classic story that could be read and re-read.  Having an 11-year-old son, this story did upset me a little to read.  I know how rascally boys that age can be and it is sad what happened to the Grunewald's son.  Carla did a great job of not letting the reader dwell on that sadness, however.  I highly recommend that you read and enjoy this story by a talented author!!!

Carla Olson Gade

BIO

Carla Olson Gade writes adventures of the heart with with historical roots. In addition to her contribution in A Cup of Christmas Cheer, she is a multi-published author of inspirational historical romance. She resides with her family in rural Maine and looks forward to celebrating Christmas with her first grandson.

Carla's Social Media LINKS:

Website  

Blog 

Facebook

Twitter  @carlagade  

Pinterest

Here's the rest of the Blog Hop schedule:

Saturday, November 9th,   Ashley Clark is on Anita Mae Draper's blog.

Saturday, November 16th, Anita Mae Draper is on Johnnie Alexander Donley's blog.

Sunday Nov 17th  Julie Carobini on Ashley Clark's blog 

Friday, November 22nd,  Carrie Fancett Pagels is on Carla Olson Gade's blog.

Saturday, November 23rd,  Johnnie Alexander Donley is on Julie Carobini's blog 

Friday, November 29th,  Colonial Quills Blog to announce Grand Prize winner. Grand Prize winner must have left a comment on each of the Blog Hop blogs.  A $70 porcelain tea set from Yorktown Victory Center, a $10 Amazon gift card, special cocoa packets, the two-book hardcover copies of "A Christmas Cup of Cheer" and more will be given away.

To order A Cup of Christmas Cheer two-book hardcover set from Guidepost Books, click here.

GIVEAWAY

Carla is giving away a beautiful German "Brocade Star" beeswax Christmas ornament made from antique mold, just as the Grunvald family in Upon a Christmas Tree Schooner might have had on their Christmas tree. Isn't this beautiful?

QUESTION:  Have you experienced a Christmas tragedy and had God bring healing in a subsequent Christmas?  Leave your email address and answer/comment to enter.