Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, and Sarah Sundin have combined their efforts to tell the story of the Turner family from Lafayette, Indiana during WWII. Three siblings have decided their place during this turmoil and each have chosen differently. One is stateside on the home front having recently lost her husband, another serves as a combat nurse in the Netherlands, and the last has experienced combat face to face, having returned home safely on leave but forever changed by what he experienced. Each has seen their share of tragedy and heartache but the time for healing has arrived. Will they be able to trust God with their fears and open their hearts to what He has in store?
If you didn't know there were three authors, you probably wouldn't pick that up. The characters are the same, the town the same showing how well the authors collaborated. The authors have done an excellent job of weaving the family's story together making it cohesive and bringing the town of Lafayette into your own town. I don't live far from Lafayette and have visited there so it is what first attracted me to the book--that and the fact that I love Christmas stories. As with many books published today, this volume includes a Reader's Guide with discussion questions for book groups. The unexpected is a few Christmas cookie recipes consisting of the character's favorites for a holiday cookie exchange as well as a chat with the authors giving the reader additional insight as to how the three novellas that read more like a cohesive novel came into being.
Three songs which became quite popular during the War, White Christmas, I'll Be Home for Christmas, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas have become the titles for the three interwoven stories. I will definitely read this book closer to the holidays curled up on the couch with the Christmas tree lights twinkling. It is an excellent read for anyone who enjoys love stories set in the mid 20th century and makes for a good reminder of those who won't be home for Christmas this year but who are fighting for freedom as well as the sacrifices soldiers have made for us historically and how their families sometimes made the ultimate sacrifice.
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one. Two thumbs up!
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