A Patchwork Christmas

Title: A PATCHWORK CHRISTMAS
Author: Kristin Eckhardt
Publisher: Guideposts
October 2008
Contemporary women’s fiction

Charlotte wants to make Christmas memorable for her three orphaned grandchildren, but circumstances seem to dictate the their holiday would be just as rough as the rest of the year – their first year since the loss of their mother. A bully is picking on Sam at school and as a result Sam is suspended from school. Another bully is picking on Emily, and Emily tries her hardest to ignore her, but it is difficult when confrontations are forced.

Things seem to be picking up for Sam when his best friend from California calls to invite him to California for Christmas, but Charlotte is heartbroken. She wants Sam to stay in Nebraska with them and celebrate Christmas with the family.

As Charlotte learns how to handle difficult situations will she discover that she can trust God to work things out the best way for their family?

A PATCHWORK CHRISTMAS is the fifth book in the Home to Heather Creek series. Each book in the series is written by a different author, but they all feature the same family as they follow Charlotte and her family through this first difficult year. I had the privilege of reading most of the books in the series, even ones that follow this book, and know that each of the stories stand alone. I’m reading the series out of order, and it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference, though I imagine that it might be smoother if a one could read them straight through, in order.

I enjoyed getting to know Charlotte and her family and I sympathized with some of the things that happened in the story—like when Emily was given the part of a sheep for the Christmas pageant. I know my fourteen year old daughter would die of mortification if that is what she had to do in a pageant, and so Emily’s response was completely realistic. I loved the blizzard in the book – I could actually see the snow and feel the chill. If you are looking for a great Christmas read, pick up A PATCHWORK CHRISTMAS. Available by calling 1-800- 431-2344. 262 pages. Hardcover.