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Christmas Hope #4
The Christmas Promise
Each Christmas we are given a promise from heaven. And each year on earth we make promises to each other.
This is a story about how a promise from one person to another shows us the true meaning of faith, remembrance, and love.Seven years ago Gloria endured a family tragedy that almost shook her faith entirely. Each Christmas she places a card in an envelope on her tree, restating a promise she made to her husband before he died. Now, having moved from her small town and all the painful memories it held, she is building a life by caring for people in need. Whether it's a young mother who can't pay her electric bill or a family who needs some extra food, Gloria always finds a way. Miriam is a thorn in Gloria's side. Miriam is a constantly critical, disapproving neighbor who looks with suspicion at all the good things Gloria does. When a twist of fate makes them roommates instead of neighbors, it's the ultimate test of patience and faith.
Chaz has a good job as head of security at Wilson's Department Store, but each night he returns home to an empty apartment. He longs for a wife and family of his own but realizes that the life choices he's made have alienated him. He befriends a young boy whose mother has fallen on hard times, giving him a chance to have a life he thought impossible.In The Christmas Promise, the lives of these characters collide and we learn that even as we move ahead, the past is never far behind. And when we are forgiven much, we love much.
In this warmly humorous and deeply poignant story, we are reminded that the Christmas Promise is the promise of second chances.
This is a story about how a promise from one person to another shows us the true meaning of faith, remembrance, and love.Seven years ago Gloria endured a family tragedy that almost shook her faith entirely. Each Christmas she places a card in an envelope on her tree, restating a promise she made to her husband before he died. Now, having moved from her small town and all the painful memories it held, she is building a life by caring for people in need. Whether it's a young mother who can't pay her electric bill or a family who needs some extra food, Gloria always finds a way. Miriam is a thorn in Gloria's side. Miriam is a constantly critical, disapproving neighbor who looks with suspicion at all the good things Gloria does. When a twist of fate makes them roommates instead of neighbors, it's the ultimate test of patience and faith.
Chaz has a good job as head of security at Wilson's Department Store, but each night he returns home to an empty apartment. He longs for a wife and family of his own but realizes that the life choices he's made have alienated him. He befriends a young boy whose mother has fallen on hard times, giving him a chance to have a life he thought impossible.In The Christmas Promise, the lives of these characters collide and we learn that even as we move ahead, the past is never far behind. And when we are forgiven much, we love much.
In this warmly humorous and deeply poignant story, we are reminded that the Christmas Promise is the promise of second chances.
206 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2007
85 people are currently reading
3269 people want to read
About the author
Donna VanLiere
78 books1,334 followersDonna is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She's an in-demand conference speaker and gifted teacher and has 14 published books including four that have been adapted into movies.
Donna is the recipient of multiple industry awards including a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction, a Dove Award, a Silver Angel Award, two Audie Awards for best inspirational fiction, a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year and is an inductee in the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence joining such luminaries as Coretta Scott King, Hugh Downs, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Senator John Glenn.
Learn more about Donna by visiting www.DonnaVanLiere.com and stay up-to-date and in-touch by subscribing to her free Friendship List.
Donna is the recipient of multiple industry awards including a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction, a Dove Award, a Silver Angel Award, two Audie Awards for best inspirational fiction, a nominee for a Gold Medallion Book of the Year and is an inductee in the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence joining such luminaries as Coretta Scott King, Hugh Downs, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Senator John Glenn.
Learn more about Donna by visiting www.DonnaVanLiere.com and stay up-to-date and in-touch by subscribing to her free Friendship List.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 551 reviews
December 10, 2020
3.5 ⭐
I'm reading VanLiere Christmas books every year after I discovered The Christmas Shoes ❤️. I still haven't found another that I love as much, but this book was a lovely Christmas read.🎄
I'm reading VanLiere Christmas books every year after I discovered The Christmas Shoes ❤️. I still haven't found another that I love as much, but this book was a lovely Christmas read.🎄
November 13, 2022
A wonderful little book by one of my favorite holiday authors. The power of reaching out to help others to transforming one’s own life is the overriding theme in this story, one that will warm your heart. A special feature is the wisdom of the quotes that start off each chapter. I enjoyed this so much that I will be starting another of Ms. VanLiere’s books tonight.
December 15, 2022
So long as we love we serve;
So long as we are loved by others,
I would almost say that we are indispensable;
And no man is useless while he has a friend. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
At the heart of this Christmas Hope installment are two neighbors, Gloria and Miriam. It would be an understatement to say they are different. What will happen when they find themselves in the same house? And other roommates join them out of necessity? Both are widows, but Gloria is also missing a son who disappeared years ago. She made a promise to her late husband that she would never give up on finding him. Will this finally be the Christmas when she can make good on that promise? As with other books in this series, there are heartwarming and heartbreaking moments. What I love most is the different ways the characters enter into each other's stories and are woven together like a tapestry.
So long as we are loved by others,
I would almost say that we are indispensable;
And no man is useless while he has a friend. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
At the heart of this Christmas Hope installment are two neighbors, Gloria and Miriam. It would be an understatement to say they are different. What will happen when they find themselves in the same house? And other roommates join them out of necessity? Both are widows, but Gloria is also missing a son who disappeared years ago. She made a promise to her late husband that she would never give up on finding him. Will this finally be the Christmas when she can make good on that promise? As with other books in this series, there are heartwarming and heartbreaking moments. What I love most is the different ways the characters enter into each other's stories and are woven together like a tapestry.
November 24, 2021
Heartfelt and wholesome and a little faith-based. A feel good story with a happy ending.
December 15, 2015
It took me a bit to get into this one, but I'm so glad I kept reading. Once I got hooked on the story, I was hooked in a major way. This was a very good Christmas story!
December 16, 2017
I didn’t enjoy this as well as the other 3 books. We meet many more characters and the writing just confused me when she switched between characters without warning. I was hoping to see characters from first books but they only appeared for a short time.
February 13, 2017
3.75 stars.
January 1, 2025
Donna VanLiere can do no wrong...
I mean seriously folks. This was my least favorite book by her and it is still a solid five. I just adore her books. Beautiful and feel good literature.
I mean seriously folks. This was my least favorite book by her and it is still a solid five. I just adore her books. Beautiful and feel good literature.
January 4, 2013
Reviewed for THC Reviews
The Christmas Promise was another great Christmas story from Donna VanLiere. The first three books in the Christmas Hope series embodied a sense of sadness with death taking center stage in each of them. While I loved all those books, it was nice to have one with a more whimsical tone where no one dies or is struggling mightily with someone else's death. There are some heavy themes, such as loneliness, alcoholism, domestic abuse and a missing child, but there was enough humor and lighter moments to keep those things from becoming depressing. This book also had more of an ensemble cast than the first three with several characters playing significant roles. Overall, The Christmas Promise was a heartwarming Christmas story that I would recommend to anyone needing to lift their spirits this holiday season.
As with the other books in this series, The Christmas Promise is written in alternating first and third person POV. The first person narrator this time is Gloria aka Miss Glory. She is a retired widow whose adult son has been missing for seven years. He left home just before Gloria's husband, his father, died, and she hasn't seen or heard from him since. She somewhat recently moved to the unnamed small town that has been the setting for all the Christmas Hope books. In an effort to keep busy and to help others in lieu of helping her son, she collects and sorts donations of food, clothing, household items, and even the occasional car, which she them redistributes to the needy in the community. I have to say that Gloria has my dream job. Being a philanthropist is something I've always longed to do. Gloria is a very kind-hearted and loving woman who cares about everyone she meets and helps, maybe a little too much, as it takes her a while to figure out that she can't always help everyone in the way she would like to. Still she is generous to a fault with the only possible exception being her next-door neighbor Miriam. The woman is something of a snob, who always threatens to call the city on Gloria each time someone leaves donations in her driveway. Even Miriam has her own story though. Gloria just hasn't heard it yet. They've spent so long as rivals, she hasn't really taken the time to get to know the other woman, but that all changes when an unfortunate incident leaves the two of them living together temporarily. It was really fun to see these two develop an appreciation for one another and a deep friendship after feuding for so long.
Then there is Chaz who just moved to town and got a job as a security guard at Wilson's Department Store. At first, he's very much a loner and a drifter, who only intends to stay long enough to earn a little money. He obviously harbors some secrets he doesn't want anyone else to know and on top of it all, is a functioning alcoholic who spends all his free time at the bottom of a bottle. He isn't exactly the most likable character initially, but things begin to slowly change for him as he discovers a caring side to himself he didn't realize existed. He works the night shift, and the turnaround starts with him caring for the little boy of a cleaning lady, who had nowhere else to take him and so brought him with her to work. Chaz develops a strong friendship with the little boy, Donovan, and to the extent she will let him into her life, the boy's mother, Carla, who is being abused by her boyfriend. Chaz also begins to feel a connection to Mike, the homeless man who sometimes stands outside Wilson's, and worries when Mike is hit by a car. Last but not least, Chaz falls in love at first sight with Erin, a pretty but very pregnant young woman who Gloria is helping.
What impressed me most about The Christmas Promise is how the author manged to seamlessly weave together all the lives of these characters until it was like they became one family unit. She even brought back a few favorites from past books like Robert Layton (The Christmas Shoes) and Jack and Nathan Andrews (The Christmas Hope). The Christmas Promise was very much a story of new beginnings. Each one of the characters in the book received some sort of second chance after life had thrown them a curveball. This time they chose the right path, but it wasn't without the help of strangers. The one thing I loved most about this book is the serendipitous nature of the characters' meetings which underscores the It's a Wonderful Life principle that each person's life touches so many others in ways that we often don't even know. The Christmas Promise is simply a warm, feel-good story that was a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
The Christmas Promise was another great Christmas story from Donna VanLiere. The first three books in the Christmas Hope series embodied a sense of sadness with death taking center stage in each of them. While I loved all those books, it was nice to have one with a more whimsical tone where no one dies or is struggling mightily with someone else's death. There are some heavy themes, such as loneliness, alcoholism, domestic abuse and a missing child, but there was enough humor and lighter moments to keep those things from becoming depressing. This book also had more of an ensemble cast than the first three with several characters playing significant roles. Overall, The Christmas Promise was a heartwarming Christmas story that I would recommend to anyone needing to lift their spirits this holiday season.
As with the other books in this series, The Christmas Promise is written in alternating first and third person POV. The first person narrator this time is Gloria aka Miss Glory. She is a retired widow whose adult son has been missing for seven years. He left home just before Gloria's husband, his father, died, and she hasn't seen or heard from him since. She somewhat recently moved to the unnamed small town that has been the setting for all the Christmas Hope books. In an effort to keep busy and to help others in lieu of helping her son, she collects and sorts donations of food, clothing, household items, and even the occasional car, which she them redistributes to the needy in the community. I have to say that Gloria has my dream job. Being a philanthropist is something I've always longed to do. Gloria is a very kind-hearted and loving woman who cares about everyone she meets and helps, maybe a little too much, as it takes her a while to figure out that she can't always help everyone in the way she would like to. Still she is generous to a fault with the only possible exception being her next-door neighbor Miriam. The woman is something of a snob, who always threatens to call the city on Gloria each time someone leaves donations in her driveway. Even Miriam has her own story though. Gloria just hasn't heard it yet. They've spent so long as rivals, she hasn't really taken the time to get to know the other woman, but that all changes when an unfortunate incident leaves the two of them living together temporarily. It was really fun to see these two develop an appreciation for one another and a deep friendship after feuding for so long.
Then there is Chaz who just moved to town and got a job as a security guard at Wilson's Department Store. At first, he's very much a loner and a drifter, who only intends to stay long enough to earn a little money. He obviously harbors some secrets he doesn't want anyone else to know and on top of it all, is a functioning alcoholic who spends all his free time at the bottom of a bottle. He isn't exactly the most likable character initially, but things begin to slowly change for him as he discovers a caring side to himself he didn't realize existed. He works the night shift, and the turnaround starts with him caring for the little boy of a cleaning lady, who had nowhere else to take him and so brought him with her to work. Chaz develops a strong friendship with the little boy, Donovan, and to the extent she will let him into her life, the boy's mother, Carla, who is being abused by her boyfriend. Chaz also begins to feel a connection to Mike, the homeless man who sometimes stands outside Wilson's, and worries when Mike is hit by a car. Last but not least, Chaz falls in love at first sight with Erin, a pretty but very pregnant young woman who Gloria is helping.
What impressed me most about The Christmas Promise is how the author manged to seamlessly weave together all the lives of these characters until it was like they became one family unit. She even brought back a few favorites from past books like Robert Layton (The Christmas Shoes) and Jack and Nathan Andrews (The Christmas Hope). The Christmas Promise was very much a story of new beginnings. Each one of the characters in the book received some sort of second chance after life had thrown them a curveball. This time they chose the right path, but it wasn't without the help of strangers. The one thing I loved most about this book is the serendipitous nature of the characters' meetings which underscores the It's a Wonderful Life principle that each person's life touches so many others in ways that we often don't even know. The Christmas Promise is simply a warm, feel-good story that was a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
December 30, 2018
I cannot deny it! I absolutely love this series. The books are always the perfect Christmas remedy for feeling in the spirit. I also fully believe you can read these books any time of the year and still find some Faith and Hope in life.
This book was a little darker than the others have been. It dealt in depth with abuse and alcoholism. I was surprised how far the books went. But the books always teach something and it brings you back from the brink of hopelessness to find hope and a way for a new life.
This is mainly a story about Gloria or Miss Glory. And it follows her helping others because of how her life went astray. It brings in multiple story lines, but it all feeds together perfectly.
An absolute must read for the holidays and beyond!
This book was a little darker than the others have been. It dealt in depth with abuse and alcoholism. I was surprised how far the books went. But the books always teach something and it brings you back from the brink of hopelessness to find hope and a way for a new life.
This is mainly a story about Gloria or Miss Glory. And it follows her helping others because of how her life went astray. It brings in multiple story lines, but it all feeds together perfectly.
An absolute must read for the holidays and beyond!
December 30, 2019
3.5 stars
My first by this author. I love reading Christmas stories through the holidays. This had some enjoyable and refreshing characters in it and kept my interest. Mothers of wayward sons will especially enjoy this as it gives one hope. Maybe not always realistic and a bit predictable but certainly welcome. I just liked Gloria, the main character, with her big heart and her unwavering faith.
Add this to your Christmas reading. Preferably before the holidays as it is indeed uplifting.
My first by this author. I love reading Christmas stories through the holidays. This had some enjoyable and refreshing characters in it and kept my interest. Mothers of wayward sons will especially enjoy this as it gives one hope. Maybe not always realistic and a bit predictable but certainly welcome. I just liked Gloria, the main character, with her big heart and her unwavering faith.
Add this to your Christmas reading. Preferably before the holidays as it is indeed uplifting.
December 1, 2022
Book - 4.5 stars
Narration by the author Donna VanLiere - 5 stars
Narration by the author Donna VanLiere - 5 stars
February 15, 2019
Another nice Christmas story!
December 18, 2023
3.5 stars
December 13, 2022
This quote: I knew I could play the "what if?" game forever. Or I could let God work beauty out of the last seven years and actually sleep at night.
The timeliness of reading that line as I read this book at the 7th birthday of my daughter Hannah who's in heaven.
The timeliness of reading that line as I read this book at the 7th birthday of my daughter Hannah who's in heaven.
December 23, 2020
I like this series of books. Its nice to have a good author telling a good story without having to be bombarded with foul language.
December 4, 2011
I listened to this book with my mother. The author read the book & did a wonderful job. I had a hard time following as it jumped back & forth between Chaz & Gloria. Not realizing this was part of a series, I enjoyed meeting Mr. Wilson, Robert Layton, Jack & Nathan Andrews again from Christmas Shoes & Christmas Blessings. Christmas Promise could definitely be read as a stand alone book. As Nathan & Jack briefly appear. Mr. Wilson & Robert Layton play more prominent parts, but still are not major players. I have yet to read Christmas Hope.
Since I am hearing impaired & only got the CDs for my mother, who is legally blind, I also checked out the hardback copy of the book. It took 2 days to listen to, & as we finished each day's listening, I'd stay up & read. (I also wait for the DVDs to come out so I can close-caption movies & finally catch what everyone else laughed at & the nuances I miss in a theater.)
If one does not build their life around God & look for His hand in their life, this book is a fairy tale. However, I do not believe in coincidences & I feel this is a very plausible book. Ms. VanLiere does an excellent job of conveying it.
Since I am hearing impaired & only got the CDs for my mother, who is legally blind, I also checked out the hardback copy of the book. It took 2 days to listen to, & as we finished each day's listening, I'd stay up & read. (I also wait for the DVDs to come out so I can close-caption movies & finally catch what everyone else laughed at & the nuances I miss in a theater.)
If one does not build their life around God & look for His hand in their life, this book is a fairy tale. However, I do not believe in coincidences & I feel this is a very plausible book. Ms. VanLiere does an excellent job of conveying it.
December 22, 2021
Gloria has moved to a new town to start over after her son ran away and her husband died. She collects and distributes items to those in need. Her snobby neighbour is always complaining about the mess of junk in Gloria's front yard. When her neighbor's house is flooded Gloria offers Miriam a place to stay while the repairs are made. Chaz is a drifter who has found temporary work in a department store as a night watchman. He helps the young woman who cleans the store by watching her child for her while she cleans.
How these people meet and how their lives are changed during the Christmas season makes this a great story to read especially this year. It's a story of hope ...despite all the bad things that have happened to these people, things will indeed get better.
How these people meet and how their lives are changed during the Christmas season makes this a great story to read especially this year. It's a story of hope ...despite all the bad things that have happened to these people, things will indeed get better.
December 8, 2008
I was surprised by how much I liked this "Christmas book." It has many lessons for the reader, but the one that struck me the most was that we need to be careful who and how we judge others. I recommend this book to you!
June 20, 2012
This is a good story, but the reason I didn't rate it higher is because I detest books that introduce a dozen or so characters in a short story...It takes me several chapters to figure out who everyone is and then BAM! the book is ended! Maybe I'm just slow witted...
November 26, 2010
Nice to read a "feel good" book during the holidays! Definitely on the light side, but enjoyable just the same.
December 19, 2017
Totally enjoy book. This is what the true spirit of Christmas is all about. Loved it.
October 28, 2019
Sweet Christmas story. Nice to read something light
December 14, 2022
This is a sweet and hopeful book, perfect for the holiday season.
January 9, 2023
This book was such a cute, feel good Christmas book. Once I started I couldn’t put it down. Perfect book to read in front of the Christmas tree.
October 17, 2019
The premise of this book may be surmised by the quote the authoress chose to begin Chapter 8 of "The Christmas Promise" with: "Life's most urgent question is, 'what are you doing for others?'" (Martin Luther King Jr.)
To approach life in this way changes everything, doesn't it? Even within the giving of a book review we have a choice to make. We rate by stars or with the addition of words. By choosing to write a review we're able to provide feedback to an author or authoress which they may find beneficial when moving ahead within their writing careers. By writing a review we're able to help one another as reader's to make a decision regarding what book we might choose to read next and know our "why" behind it before we do. If we live our lives with helping others at the forefront it changes our approach to how we live. We become far less me focused and place our focus where it should belong instead.
As for "The Christmas Promise" itself, the premise deserves 5 stars; but, the book as a whole I've chosen to rate as a 3. It's a good read but not a great one. Previous books within this series unfolded more rapidly and had more substantive characters. This book was hard for me to become a part of, to immerse myself in, to feel all the feels I've become accustomed to from this authoresses previous body of work. I believe this may have had to do with the fact that there were too many characters in this book and not enough pages to fully develop all of the various storylines. This is most felt towards the end of this book's pages.
In regards to storylines, for me, this book was very predictable. Predictability often leaves no room for surprises that enhance ones reading experience. There were no real surprises. Everything fell into place too neatly; and, as we all know, the majority of life being lived doesn't unfold so nice and tidy, presented with a bow.
Reading this book at Christmas time is advised. For sentimentality and sappiness sake, it may just stir up all the feels in you if read by a Christmas tree, tucked in with a blanket, your favorite hot beverage in reach, and nothing but time on your hands. But, if you're a busy bee, skip this one as it's lack of depth may cause you to feel undernourished when you're on the go.
The biggest thing to take with you are the quotes found at the beginning of each chapter within this book. Each one reminds us that it's better to give than to receive: "From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." (Arthur Ashe)
To approach life in this way changes everything, doesn't it? Even within the giving of a book review we have a choice to make. We rate by stars or with the addition of words. By choosing to write a review we're able to provide feedback to an author or authoress which they may find beneficial when moving ahead within their writing careers. By writing a review we're able to help one another as reader's to make a decision regarding what book we might choose to read next and know our "why" behind it before we do. If we live our lives with helping others at the forefront it changes our approach to how we live. We become far less me focused and place our focus where it should belong instead.
As for "The Christmas Promise" itself, the premise deserves 5 stars; but, the book as a whole I've chosen to rate as a 3. It's a good read but not a great one. Previous books within this series unfolded more rapidly and had more substantive characters. This book was hard for me to become a part of, to immerse myself in, to feel all the feels I've become accustomed to from this authoresses previous body of work. I believe this may have had to do with the fact that there were too many characters in this book and not enough pages to fully develop all of the various storylines. This is most felt towards the end of this book's pages.
In regards to storylines, for me, this book was very predictable. Predictability often leaves no room for surprises that enhance ones reading experience. There were no real surprises. Everything fell into place too neatly; and, as we all know, the majority of life being lived doesn't unfold so nice and tidy, presented with a bow.
Reading this book at Christmas time is advised. For sentimentality and sappiness sake, it may just stir up all the feels in you if read by a Christmas tree, tucked in with a blanket, your favorite hot beverage in reach, and nothing but time on your hands. But, if you're a busy bee, skip this one as it's lack of depth may cause you to feel undernourished when you're on the go.
The biggest thing to take with you are the quotes found at the beginning of each chapter within this book. Each one reminds us that it's better to give than to receive: "From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." (Arthur Ashe)
December 20, 2019
This was an enjoyable little Christmas story. The Christmas Hope series of books by Donna VanLiere all take place in the same town. Some of the characters are recurring and that makes the books feel familiar. There are some Christmas stories that by chapter 2, the storyline becomes obvious. This was not one of those books. It seemed there were characters that had no interaction with each other ...until the end. The Christmas Promise is mainly about the lives of Gloria and Miriam and Chaz. There were so many others that came into each one of their lives. It is also the story of that long ago last promise Gloria made to her husband before he died and how it influenced her daily life. Her Christmas wish was always to fulfill that promise.
December 3, 2021
What can i say about this book, it certainly didn't disappoint me. I am impressed with this series by Donna Vanliere. This book is 4th in the series and i loved it, it had me from the beginning. The characters were so real, as if i knew them personally. And i loved the surprise twist at the end i didn't see it coming. Can't wait to read more in this series.
December 18, 2017
This book was amazing. It was miraculous that the main character glory was looking all this time for her son with a porch light constantly on. I think that we all should really strive to find a miracle with every Christmas that occurs and even if it is a small one realize that they still happen to every family today.
September 25, 2018
If you want a book with no huge conflict this is the book for you. In the best way possible it is like a Hallmark story without the overdone love story. Nice and short, an easy read to relax at the end of the day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 551 reviews