Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

We are fast approaching Christmas! Our book of the month for December is Where Treetops Glisten by Cara Putman, Tricia Goyer and Sarah Sundin.



Three siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, filled with the wonder of Christmas

Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America’s involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana.

In White Christmas by Cara Putman, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements—until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.

Abigail’s brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theatre in Sarah Sundin’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete’s friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he’s no longer the bully she once knew?

In Tricia Goyer’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, “Merry” to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that’s precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart.

The Turner family believes in God’s providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ’s birth and God’s plan for a future?

Who's joining in?

i'm joining in.

Me too! Excited to start this Christmas book while in a Winter Wonderland here now! 😊

I read it earlier this year!

Welcome Jackie, Michele and Michelle!

I just picked this one up from the library today! It fits perfectly with my December genre, which is WWII, so that's cool too!

I checked it out of the library so I plan to join in also.

I was able to locate the book at library, ebook that I can read, two weeks for audio book so will start without audio.

I had hoped to join in on this one, but it is not available in my Libby or Hoopla. I may have to break down and spend the $13 to buy it. I’ll see how my other books/challenges are going and then make my decision.

Lynnette wrote: "I had hoped to join in on this one, but it is not available in my Libby or Hoopla. I may have to break down and spend the $13 to buy it."

I reviewed this when it first came out, a 5-star read for me. I want to join in, but couldn't find it on Libby, Hoopla, or my library - so I ordered it on eBay. Lynnette, I found it for around $5 with free shipping. Don't know when it will arrive, however.

Thanks Carole, good to know.

I completed the book today. I really enjoyed the three stories about the siblings during WWII.

I would love to join. I found it on Kindle today.

I finished this last night and am looking forward to discussing it with y'all starting next Monday!

Here are the discussion questions for this month’s book. Feel free to answer any, or all, or choose your own question to ask, or point to bring up.
REMEMBER! Spoilers are totally allowed from this point on, so if you’ve not yet finished the book, you might want to wait to return to the thread until you’re done reading! 🙂

1. The novels in this collection were inspired by the great Christmas songs of the WWII era. How does each song fit each story? What's your favourite Christmas song and why?
2. How does Louise Turner help each of her grandchildren? Do you have a special person in your life like her? Can you be that special person to someone in your life?
3. The Turner family has experienced troubles and tragedies. Where do they find their strength? How do you see this in the stories? How can you and your family bear the troubles and tragedies you face?

'White Christmas' (Abigail's story)
1. Abigail Turner is dealing with the residual effects of grief. What tips would you offer Abigail to move forward in a healthy manner?
2. Jakcson has done everything he can to help his mother and sisters, yet life has intervened and now he is overcome with guilt. Have you ever experienced a situation like that? What advice would you give Jackson?
3. It is simpler to wall our hearts off rather than risk love. Is it worth the risk of future pain?
4. Grandma is a voice of wisdom in Abigail's life. Who has been that voice in your life?

'I'll Be Home for Christmas' (Pete's story)
1. Pete Turner feels empty after his combat tour. How does he try to get filled again? What works? What doesn't? What do you think about Pastor Hughes's advice for Pete to give? In the long run, what does Pete learn through the process of giving?
2. Throughout the story, Pete, Grace, and LInnie give each other a variety of things -- from baby-sitting to ornaments to wooden spoons. How do these gifts reveal the heart of the giver? What's the favourite gift you've ever given?
3. More than anything, Grace Kessler wants to protect her child -- and herself. What good things result from this instinct? What mistakes does she make? What does she ultimately learn?
4. Linnie Kessler is a handful. Do you have any handfuls in your life? How can you encourage them to respect others without squashing their spirit? Were you a handful yourself? Any fun "handful stories" to share?

'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' (Merry's story)
1. Merry Turner is a combat nurse and goes by the name Meredith. How does her name change reflect the changes within her? Why does she ask to be called Merry at the end of the story?
2. Daaf (David) is doing his best to care for those who the Nazis are trying to hunt down and hurt. Even when the Americans arrive he has a hard time believing that those in his care are safe. Do you ever let your worries overwhelm you? How do you deal with your worries?
3. Meredith's favourite part of nursing is talking to the injured soldiers. What drew her to nursing in the first place? How have the experiences in your life directed your life's path?
4. Everything changes in Meredith's heart when she realises the real reason that David left. Do you think he made the right decision in leaving? Like Merry, when is a time that the truth set you free from past pain?

First of all, I have to say that I loved that Grandma Louise was the 'glue' that connected these stories!

I'm not entirely sure I had a favourite story of the three. I thought they were all really strong. That being said, there was something about the pastor's advice to Pete that stuck with me. That I shouldn't try to be like someone else . . . that I should find out who God created *me* to be, and then, by Christ's help, be the best possible version of me I can be!

I finished first two stories, and half way through the third, will be back once finish up. I have to return library book in 4 days so need to move fast, lol.

Just finished the first story, on to #2 tonight. I read this collection back when it was first released in 2014, but had forgotten most of the details. Glad to be reading it again.

Ok, finished reading, quick question… I know I heard stories of people getting married quickly during the war times, does anyone know if the getting engaged within a month of knowing someone was just the times?

While I personally don't know of any couples whose engagements followed so swiftly on the heels of meeting, I feel it does fit in with the 'who knows what tomorrow may bring' sort of attitude that was common in the era.
If you are referring to Abigail and Jackson, I do feel like the timeline from meeting to engagement was a bit quick, but I did appreciate that their engagement lasted about a year.

Yes, the first two stories seemed quick to engagement. Made me wonder if times then were simpler than now. I loved all three couples.

I finished this collection last night and enjoyed it very much. Although I had read it to review in 2014, I didn't remember all that much, so it was a refreshing read.

One of my first thoughts is how much I enjoyed little cultural things that were mentioned and all the memories they brought back. I was born in 1947, so I had a personal connection with...

LIFE magazine - My parents subscribed to this. I wasn't old enough to be very interested, but can remember that it was an oversized magazine, full of pictures of current events.

Cherry Coke - I loved walking into our local drugstore and watching two squirts of cherry syrup being added to my Coke. Today's canned ones don't come close!

Shorthand - I loved shorthand classes in high school, was fast at it. Never really used it in a job, but was very helpful for taking notes in college.

Singer sewing machine - My grandmother was a great seamstress who loved her black Singer.

Holiday Inn - I loved this movie and others like it. Still watch them today.

$1.10 for a 6-foot Christmas tree - I think trees were more expensive when our family bought them - maybe $20? So much fun bringing a live tree home! We carry that tradition on today.

Does anyone else have memories like these? I was a little surprised that Bob Hope entertaining the troops in war zones around the world wasn't mentioned. Or maybe it was and I missed it.

I loved the little details as well! I am not old enough to have experienced much of that, but I have fond memories of my parents and grandparents sharing their experiences with soda fountains and the like. I think it's because of that that I still have a very soft spot in my heart for movies like 'Holiday Inn', 'White Christmas', and 'It's a Wonderful Life'.
I don't remember Bob Hope or the USO Tours being mentioned, come to think of it. Too bad, as that would have been a really cool detail to include!