The Christmas Dog

The Christmas Dog
by
Melody Carlson

MY THOUGHTS:
This is a nice book to help you get into the Christmas spirit, but it's so mildly holiday-focused that it would be a good read any time of the year. The story line mingles three generations, step family relationships, and canines in a way that helps each of us examine our own preconceived notions of others. Some of the characterizations seem a little extreme. For example, Betty, the elderly woman who is the primary character, is certain that her new neighbor is up to no good and she seems obsessed over this beyond what would be expected. Her step-grandaughter's mother, Stephanie, also seems to have extreme perceptions about her grown daughter Avery.

But in these judgemental attitudes the reader has a chance to step back and examine his or her own perceptions, hopefully opening up to possibilities that God was trying to reveal all along.

This is an enjoyable book and a quick read perfect for a chilly evening by the fire.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Christmas miracles can come from unlikely sources.

Betty Kowalski isn't looking forward to the holidays. She just can't seem to find Christmas in her heart. Maybe it's because her husband is gone. Maybe it's because she's missing her children. Or maybe it has something to do with her obnoxious new neighbor, who seems to be tearing his house apart and rearranging it on the lawn.

But when a mangy dog appears at her doorstep, the stage is set for Betty to learn what Christmas is really all about.

Read and excerpt HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus. She also writes many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon. Visit Melody's website at www.melodycarlson.com.

Thank you Revell for providing a book for review.