The Christkindl's Gift

Culdee Creek Christmas #1

by Kathleen Morgan

When Anna Hannack's father-in-law brings home a wounded stranger only days before Christmas, Anna's not happy. Christian charity moves the Hannack family to help the injured man, but the young widow Anna keeps her distance. The tragedies of life have shattered her trust, and she's determined not to let another stranger threaten her family. Could it be, though, that this rugged Scotsman is actually the gift Anna's young children have asked of the Christ child this Christmas?

Genres: Christmas, Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, Fiction

171 pages, Hardcover

First published January 9, 2004

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Kathleen began her career writing contemporary romances and soon moved to historical and futuristic romances. She sold her first book, a futuristic romance, in April 1990 while stationed in Korea as an Army nurse. Additional romances soon followed, until she had sold a total of fifteen books in the general market, establishing a loyal readership along the way.

Since that time, she has received numerous awards for her work, including a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice award and Career Achievement award, and The Literary Times award for Literary Excellence in the Field of Romantic Fiction. She was also a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist.

Kathleen now focuses her writing talents in the area of inspirational fiction, offering readers characters who struggle to redefine their growing faith in everyday life.

Reviews

[Rachel Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty cute story. The whole "Anna struggling to trust a man" plotline did feel like it was drawn out, and I'm not entirely sure how realistic it was for Anna and Ian to profess their love for each other after only knowing each other for two weeks, but I did love all the information about German Christmas traditions and the relationship between Anna and her father-in-law was touching. Not one of my favourite Christmas novellas, but a sweet, easy read. 3.5*

One weird thing about the copy I read: the back cover says that this book is set in 1871 but the first page says 1913. Anyone else have this?

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming Christmas story set in 1870's Colorado with a German heroine and Scottish hero. My only quibble was heroine's behavior at the end. Instead of confronting the hero, she assumed the worst.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story that will definitely put you in the right mood for Christmas!

[Kayrene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet little story about getting past grief, tragedy, and trusting again. Enjoyed it.

[Eddist Rhett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gift

What a glorious story of love, faith and trust that came from a stranger found left for dead. Ian was taken in by Anton Hannack and his daughter -in-law Anna and her two children Erich and Rosa . This family found compassion and finally Ian and Anna found love for one another. This was not easy for Anna for her beloved husband Karl had been taken away by their kindness to a stranger in the past. God was in this home and their hearts were fill with compassion, that help Anna come to see Ian as a man of trust worthiness, finally worthy of her love and her family's as well!

[Ruth E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book about love developing between a Scottish man and a German widow in Colorado. The only part I wasn't clear about was whether it happened in 1871 or 1913, because both dates are mentioned. It was very inspirational. It showed the struggle of two people who both felt unworthy because of events from their past and how they overcame their feelings.

[Judy Tolley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Squeaky clean

I didn't realize these books were Christian books and that was ok. But I found the storyline bogged down with very unrealistic characters. Also many times this book was a bit "preachy". Won't be reading the rest of the series.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Well-written. I really liked Ian, the male protagonist. There should be more men like him. The female protagonist, Anna, was likeable, but she annoyed me somewhat. Still, it is a good, inspirational story.

[Lewestover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two lessons to take from this story: Things that happen to us in the past mold us into who we are
in the present -- if we allow it to. Second, the law of forgiveness applies to one's self as much as
it does toward others.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a nice sweet story set around Christmas time. Very interesting to learn about some of the German traditions. I love reading Anna and Ian's story.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fantastic story of trust and forgiveness.
Loved the setting and the characters

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warm, faith filled story set in the 1913 Colorado Christmas season. Themes of salvation, forgiveness, family & trust. Strong characters.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice read, but some of it was quite unbelievable tbh. I did enjoy reading about the german traditions though.

[Ranee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just had to read another Christmas story as we put away the decorations. A sweet story with ein bisschen German and Scottish, drama and resolution.

[Phyllis Barlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet fast reading Christmas story. I like the Christian slant this book has. Plan to read the second one soon.

[Kim Gogolewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel the story was drawn out for way too long. It's a sweet love story, but could have been done in less words and chapters.

[Mary M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet read!

[Audree Curry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Easy read.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in 1913, this story tells the Christmas traditions and customs of a German family living in Colorado. There's one custom I may use next year! On the eve of St. Nickolaus Day, children write letters to the Christ child, telling him their Christmas wishes. They leave these letters with their shoes, and St. Nickolaus delivers the letters to Jesus after filling their shoes with treats. These kids, Erich and Rosa, made a very unique Christmas wish together, and then readers are kept waiting until the very end of the book to see if it comes true!

[Crazy Uncle Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out pretty good. However, once the romance portion of the story started it began to go downhill. Sappy, sappy, sappy! I never thought I would find a story that was more sappy than Twilight but this one was. The romance was so bad in this that I actually was hoping that Ian and Anna wouldn't get together. I think the reason for this (aside from the weak writing) was the fact that these two people seemed to have no other reason for wanting to get together other than hormones. Anyway, I forced myself to finish it but I was less than impressed.

[writer... · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the insights into pioneering life and family of this story. Believable characters and ethics of their choices. I was frustrated by the choice of our German haus frau in so unquestioningly believing gossip overheard while in town when she had such difficulty believing the houseguest her father in law rescued from near death. That was unbelievable for this reader.

German Christmas traditions and recipes were lovely inclusions.

Finished Dec 18.14

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Christmas story of hurt, distrust and love this one involves a young widow and her two children and father in law into this mix comes an injured stranger which the father in law brings home. This story line is one which pits the children’s wish for Christmas, another father and the wariness of their Mom to open her heart to another stranger into their home.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to finish the Culdee Creek family series. Like her other books it was true to the common pitfalls of the romance genre. It was a quick easy read and engaging enough to keep the pages turnong

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I think there are many previous books that preclude this one, to give the reader of a story line. I liked it; a cozy winter day book.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas with a German and Scottish flair. Typical "love at first sight" and learning to trust this handsome stranger. Never did find out why he'd been shot.