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The Christmas Baby
Mistletoe Mommy
Anna Reyes is pregnant and widowed, and a Christmas homecoming isn’t so simple. Reuniting with her best friend, Ryan Savage, makes it easier—even though she knows he’ll soon be leaving their small coastal hometown. After putting his career on hold for his family’s business, Ryan’s finally ready to pursue his goals. But as he and Anna work to make the holidays special for a group of at-risk kids, Ryan wonders if he can give up one dream for another. They’re determined to make this a Christmas to remember, but can Ryan and Anna also make their holiday family last forever?
Anna Reyes is pregnant and widowed, and a Christmas homecoming isn’t so simple. Reuniting with her best friend, Ryan Savage, makes it easier—even though she knows he’ll soon be leaving their small coastal hometown. After putting his career on hold for his family’s business, Ryan’s finally ready to pursue his goals. But as he and Anna work to make the holidays special for a group of at-risk kids, Ryan wonders if he can give up one dream for another. They’re determined to make this a Christmas to remember, but can Ryan and Anna also make their holiday family last forever?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published November 21, 2017
24 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Carter
52 books245 followersWriter. Book Lover. Avid Gardener. World Traveler.
Lisa Carter is the Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty books. She writes the contemporary Truelove Matchmaker romance series with Love Inspired. She also writes romantic suspense—best described as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” When not hard at work on her next fictional adventure, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. www.lisacarterauthor.com
Follow Lisa on BookBub for the latest book news at https://bit.ly/3G2iWGv.
Join her newsletter mailing list for book happenings at https://rb.gy/2ilkh7.
Lisa Carter is the Publishers Weekly bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty books. She writes the contemporary Truelove Matchmaker romance series with Love Inspired. She also writes romantic suspense—best described as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” When not hard at work on her next fictional adventure, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. www.lisacarterauthor.com
Follow Lisa on BookBub for the latest book news at https://bit.ly/3G2iWGv.
Join her newsletter mailing list for book happenings at https://rb.gy/2ilkh7.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 5, 2017
I have not read a Love Inspired book for a long time. I used to review them and got very burned out on them. When Lisa asked if I'd like to read this one, I was a little wary for that reason, but I didn't need to be!
This is a gorgeously told tale about acceptance, love, and moving forward after loss without feeling guilty. The characters are endearing and will really touch your heart. It's a beautiful book to read for the Christmas season. The romance was sweetly portrayed and I didn't get a sense of a rushed relationship or unrealistic progression. I closed the book filled with hope and joy, which is exactly the way you want to feel with this type of book.
Thank you to the author for a complimentary review copy of this book.
This is a gorgeously told tale about acceptance, love, and moving forward after loss without feeling guilty. The characters are endearing and will really touch your heart. It's a beautiful book to read for the Christmas season. The romance was sweetly portrayed and I didn't get a sense of a rushed relationship or unrealistic progression. I closed the book filled with hope and joy, which is exactly the way you want to feel with this type of book.
Thank you to the author for a complimentary review copy of this book.
May 2, 2022
I don't know what happened here, but it's *BAD*. Like 'shoot it and put it out of it's misery' bad. Really, REALLY B.A.D.
First of all, Anna's been gone from Kipto-islandtown for 14 years. She left for college (4 years), married a Marine and travelled the states (10 years?), but their fondest wish was always to have a family. Which... if that's your fondest wish? WHY DIDN'T YOU IN THE TEN YEARS?!?!?
Anyhow, now Mateo Reyes is dead, as all spouses in Love Inspired books end up. Cancer took him, this time. Which gave him enough time to freeze some spermies for his wife to single parent, for him. I. Can't. Even. What the HECK?! And it's been THREE YEARS since he kicked the bucket, and NOW ((((N.O.W.)))) she's pregnant with the popsicled swimmers.
Don't ask. It gets WORSE.
So now Anna is back home and seven months pregnant, and due January 6th. Which makes today October 6th, if pregnancy is 40 weeks. OCTOBER SIXTH. And Bing Crosby's "It's Beginning to look a lot like X-mess" is on the radio, they're going to the Holiday Flotilla parade with Father Kipto-Satan waving from the procession, and Jack Frost is nipping at their noses.
OCTOBER SIXTH.
What in Hades is THIS mess?
It's not even Halloween or Thanksgiving, yet!!
Moving on, Anna is subbing for a teacher at a school, it's October, and they're JUST getting an at-risk program going, this week. Why didn't it start at the beginning of the school year? And since when do teachers go to the parents place of employment to pick up the kids and take them to a parade without proving who they are or anything else? Because on the FIRST DAY of the 'At Risk' progam, they're going to pick up a kid from his mother to take him out. This kid met Anna literally *three hours* earlier - she's basically a stranger, and nobody questions this. It's ridiculous.
She's subbing for a teacher who's having a baby. If the woman was THAT close to delivering, WHY would she teach only for the month of September? This doesn't even make a LICK of sense, considering the upheaval it would mean to kindergartners. What school would have the 5-year old kids acclimate to a nine-months pregnant teacher to have her leave to have a baby in October, and replace her with a seven months pregnant teacher? Wouldn't that be too transitory for the classroom? NONE of this jives. At all.
Anna Reyes is convinced that her baby is a 'Gift of the Magi', because 'Reyes' means 'King' in Spanish (?! I don't know, that's what the book says) and the Baby is due on 'Three Kings Day', or something weird like that - never read THAT in my Bible. Also there's NO PLACE in the Scriptures that say the three visitors to the baby Messiah were kings, at all. In fact, it says they were wise men/sages... not Kings. So, false teachings. On top of it being taken completely out of scriptural context, because since when did the three wise men bring any gifts to ANYONE other than Messiah? They're not around anymore, and it almost sounds like a Catholic, 'pray to dead people' thing for her baby, which I KNOW is unscriptural. I don't like ANY of this.
Leaving off the scriptural lack of integrity, the writing in this one is abysmal, too. Oscar's mother is a young twenty-ish girl, who "might have been pretty at one time, but life had not been kind". She's a YOUNG TWENTY-ISH. That was a seriously *short* period of time she was pretty, hello...! ((shakes head))
Timelining this is disastrous, too. On Anna's first day in town, she goes straight to school and teaches (7am-3pm), stays after for the At-Risk program (3-4), goes to her brother's for a visit (4-5), drives all the way out to the new house to unpack her utterly stuffed car (5-6), goes to town for supper (6-7), goes to pick up Oscar and take him to the parade (7-9?)... and that's pushing it, for how fast things are going... and then talks to Margaret about being Mary/Joseph and takes Oscar to supper at McDonald's. (9-10pm). And they're griping about the little boy Oscar getting no sleep?!?!? Seriously?!
And that was JUST day one. Day two begins with the author saying "The next morning, Anna just got home from a much overdue grocery trip." She's been in town ONE WHOLE DAY... how is grocery shopping overdue when she's had a place to live all of 15 hours, tops?! GAHHHHHH!!!!
Which means it's a Saturday, if Ryan is there, fixing her steps. Which means her FIRST DAY of work would've been a Friday. Wouldn't she start fresh on a Monday? Wouldn't the administration ask her to start during a full week? THIS. MAKES. NO. SENSE. And of course she doesn't want his help - "Isn't X-mess the busiest season for your family's greenhouse?" IT'S *O.C.T.O.B.E.R* if she's seven months pregnant!!! It's Halloween season at the greenhouse, for the love of Mike!!!
"Trust me," he says. "Luke's got the Christmas tree stand under control. My sister's handling the wreath making, and Tess has a schedule worked up for the sleigh rides."
ARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!
I can't stand another WORD. I'm done. DONE.
First of all, Anna's been gone from Kipto-islandtown for 14 years. She left for college (4 years), married a Marine and travelled the states (10 years?), but their fondest wish was always to have a family. Which... if that's your fondest wish? WHY DIDN'T YOU IN THE TEN YEARS?!?!?
Anyhow, now Mateo Reyes is dead, as all spouses in Love Inspired books end up. Cancer took him, this time. Which gave him enough time to freeze some spermies for his wife to single parent, for him. I. Can't. Even. What the HECK?! And it's been THREE YEARS since he kicked the bucket, and NOW ((((N.O.W.)))) she's pregnant with the popsicled swimmers.
Don't ask. It gets WORSE.
So now Anna is back home and seven months pregnant, and due January 6th. Which makes today October 6th, if pregnancy is 40 weeks. OCTOBER SIXTH. And Bing Crosby's "It's Beginning to look a lot like X-mess" is on the radio, they're going to the Holiday Flotilla parade with Father Kipto-Satan waving from the procession, and Jack Frost is nipping at their noses.
OCTOBER SIXTH.
What in Hades is THIS mess?
It's not even Halloween or Thanksgiving, yet!!
Moving on, Anna is subbing for a teacher at a school, it's October, and they're JUST getting an at-risk program going, this week. Why didn't it start at the beginning of the school year? And since when do teachers go to the parents place of employment to pick up the kids and take them to a parade without proving who they are or anything else? Because on the FIRST DAY of the 'At Risk' progam, they're going to pick up a kid from his mother to take him out. This kid met Anna literally *three hours* earlier - she's basically a stranger, and nobody questions this. It's ridiculous.
She's subbing for a teacher who's having a baby. If the woman was THAT close to delivering, WHY would she teach only for the month of September? This doesn't even make a LICK of sense, considering the upheaval it would mean to kindergartners. What school would have the 5-year old kids acclimate to a nine-months pregnant teacher to have her leave to have a baby in October, and replace her with a seven months pregnant teacher? Wouldn't that be too transitory for the classroom? NONE of this jives. At all.
Anna Reyes is convinced that her baby is a 'Gift of the Magi', because 'Reyes' means 'King' in Spanish (?! I don't know, that's what the book says) and the Baby is due on 'Three Kings Day', or something weird like that - never read THAT in my Bible. Also there's NO PLACE in the Scriptures that say the three visitors to the baby Messiah were kings, at all. In fact, it says they were wise men/sages... not Kings. So, false teachings. On top of it being taken completely out of scriptural context, because since when did the three wise men bring any gifts to ANYONE other than Messiah? They're not around anymore, and it almost sounds like a Catholic, 'pray to dead people' thing for her baby, which I KNOW is unscriptural. I don't like ANY of this.
Leaving off the scriptural lack of integrity, the writing in this one is abysmal, too. Oscar's mother is a young twenty-ish girl, who "might have been pretty at one time, but life had not been kind". She's a YOUNG TWENTY-ISH. That was a seriously *short* period of time she was pretty, hello...! ((shakes head))
Timelining this is disastrous, too. On Anna's first day in town, she goes straight to school and teaches (7am-3pm), stays after for the At-Risk program (3-4), goes to her brother's for a visit (4-5), drives all the way out to the new house to unpack her utterly stuffed car (5-6), goes to town for supper (6-7), goes to pick up Oscar and take him to the parade (7-9?)... and that's pushing it, for how fast things are going... and then talks to Margaret about being Mary/Joseph and takes Oscar to supper at McDonald's. (9-10pm). And they're griping about the little boy Oscar getting no sleep?!?!? Seriously?!
And that was JUST day one. Day two begins with the author saying "The next morning, Anna just got home from a much overdue grocery trip." She's been in town ONE WHOLE DAY... how is grocery shopping overdue when she's had a place to live all of 15 hours, tops?! GAHHHHHH!!!!
Which means it's a Saturday, if Ryan is there, fixing her steps. Which means her FIRST DAY of work would've been a Friday. Wouldn't she start fresh on a Monday? Wouldn't the administration ask her to start during a full week? THIS. MAKES. NO. SENSE. And of course she doesn't want his help - "Isn't X-mess the busiest season for your family's greenhouse?" IT'S *O.C.T.O.B.E.R* if she's seven months pregnant!!! It's Halloween season at the greenhouse, for the love of Mike!!!
"Trust me," he says. "Luke's got the Christmas tree stand under control. My sister's handling the wreath making, and Tess has a schedule worked up for the sleigh rides."
ARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!
I can't stand another WORD. I'm done. DONE.
February 28, 2018
Mistletoe Mommy Anna Pruitt Reyes is widowed and pregnant posthumously through IVF, and a Christmas homecoming isn’t so simple. Reuniting with her best friend, Ryan Savage, makes it easier—even though she knows he’ll soon be leaving his teaching career and their small coastal hometown to return to research in North Carolina Pharmaceutical Company. After putting his career on hold for his family’s business, Ryan’s finally ready to pursue his goals. But as he and Anna work to make the holidays special for a group of at-risk kids Oscar, Maria, and Zander, Ryan wonders if he can give up one dream for another. They’re determined to make this a Christmas to remember, but can Ryan and Anna also make their holiday family last forever? Does finding her in the storm and delivering baby Ruby help?
November 13, 2020
Sweet Holiday Read
I haven’t read this author before but happened to win this book in a contest. It was a sweet holiday story about a widow who lost her husband to cancer but is now pregnant with his child through fertility treatment and back in her hometown where her best friend, Ryan, doesn’t understand her choices. Ryan has always been in love with Anna but she left her hometown and eloped with someone else. Now these two are teaching at the same school but Ryan is leaving for his dream job after Christmas. Will Anna convince him to stay? Anna was quite stubborn and independent and it got her into trouble. There are lessons to be learned there! It’s ok to ask for help occasionally!!!
I haven’t read this author before but happened to win this book in a contest. It was a sweet holiday story about a widow who lost her husband to cancer but is now pregnant with his child through fertility treatment and back in her hometown where her best friend, Ryan, doesn’t understand her choices. Ryan has always been in love with Anna but she left her hometown and eloped with someone else. Now these two are teaching at the same school but Ryan is leaving for his dream job after Christmas. Will Anna convince him to stay? Anna was quite stubborn and independent and it got her into trouble. There are lessons to be learned there! It’s ok to ask for help occasionally!!!
December 7, 2017
The single and pregnant aspect was different that anything I had read before. Anna is a widow who chose to have her late husband's child a few years after he died.
The story between Ryan and Anna was good, however what I loved about this book were the three at-risk children that Ryan and Anna worked with in an after school program. I wanted to keep reading to see how their stories would end! I liked how the pastor's wife was so connected and helped the families of the at-risk children help themselves. I wish real life always had such happy endings.
This was a nice Christmas story and if you like contemporary Christian fiction, I think you will like this book.
The story between Ryan and Anna was good, however what I loved about this book were the three at-risk children that Ryan and Anna worked with in an after school program. I wanted to keep reading to see how their stories would end! I liked how the pastor's wife was so connected and helped the families of the at-risk children help themselves. I wish real life always had such happy endings.
This was a nice Christmas story and if you like contemporary Christian fiction, I think you will like this book.
December 22, 2017
The Christmas Baby by Lisa Carter
A Christmas story that will warm your heart and get you in the Christmas spirit. Lisa Carter tells a delightful story of two old friends who have both had their hearts broken, dealt with loss, and are struggling to find themselves despite obstacles they both face. Can they each let go of their past lives and plans and let God work his will in their lives?
A Christmas story that will warm your heart and get you in the Christmas spirit. Lisa Carter tells a delightful story of two old friends who have both had their hearts broken, dealt with loss, and are struggling to find themselves despite obstacles they both face. Can they each let go of their past lives and plans and let God work his will in their lives?
December 11, 2017
This was the first Lisa Carter book I've read and I plan to read more. "The Christmas Baby" was such a sweet and lovely story. The main characters, Anna and Ryan, had several problems to deal with, but they were both strong and caring individuals with integrity and a heartwarming concern for other people with problems. I loved the inclusion of the young troubled children like Oscar and Zander. The plot was different from any other romance novel I've read. I highly recommend this book.
December 21, 2017
Interesting characterization of Hero - and - Heroine has just enough angst to be real.
GOOD STORY!!!
GOOD STORY!!!
December 26, 2018
A sweet story to read for the Christmas season.
March 22, 2023
Lovely Christmas story
October 17, 2025
Great read
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews