By Tricia Goyer- Cara Putnam- Sarah Sundin
Reviewed by Martha Artyomenko
When you see a book on the shelf written by this caliber of authors, you have to pick it up. The blend these three authors give to a story forms a seamless line up of three separate stories. Three characters, from the same family go their different ways in this Christmas story. Each one has their own unique story to tell, and because of this you will find yourself drawn in quickly.
The World War Two setting adds to the charm, as there are not as many Christmas stories set in that time period, even though there are several Christmas movies. I found that especially appealing. It interwove the history throughout the story of the characters that were all searching in their own way.
The theme of Christmas songs will have you humming and likely reaching for your DVD of White Christmas or CD of Bing Crosby songs. Do you want a Christmas read, but you like a little bit of depth in your “lighter” books as well? This is the book for you. It is not a heavy read, but it will make you stop and think throughout the stories. These authors are all well known for addressing issues in a very tasteful way, so this book would be appropriate for teens as well as adult readers. Topics of war are discussed, and there are some light romantic scenes, but it is done very skillfully.
I have a special giveaway to offer for commenters on my blog today! Pete’s favorite cookies were peanut butter, while there is also a recipe for White velvet cutouts in the book. What is your favorite cookie recipe? Do you have one to share with me? I am always looking for good cookie recipes! If you don’t have a favorite recipe to share with me, let me know what your favorite Bing Crosby movie is.
Make sure that you leave a valid email address to contact you as well, in case you are the winner.
About the Authors:
Three of the most beloved Christian authors of World War II-era fiction have come together to gift their readers with the new Christmas release, Where Treetops Glisten (WaterBrook Press/September 16, 2014/ISBN: 978-1601426482/$14.99), a collection of three Christmas novellas.
Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman and Sarah Sundin invite readers to turn back the clock to days gone by as they listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow and get to know the Turner family. Each of the three siblings is forging their own paths in their own love story filled with the wonder of Christmas. Hailing from the heart of America in Lafayette, Indiana, these characters will never be the same as the reality of America’s involvement in World War II hits incredibly close to home.
The collaboration was unique and enjoyable for the writing trio. “We started in the brainstorming phase, throwing out character and family ideas and making them mesh,” explains Sundin. “The collaboration was challenging since our stories are more tightly connected than in most novella collections, but it was a lot of fun.”
In Putman’s White Christmas, college student Abigail Turner loses a beau to the war and is skittish about romance, until a young man with a serious problem needs her help. Pete Turner, a former fighter pilot in Sundin’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas, is trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. In Goyer’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner (or “Merry” to those who know her best) is using her skills as a combat nurse in the Netherlands. She’ll have to face the deepest kind of betrayal a world away from her family, but that could be precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart.
The unsettled World War II era may not at first glance seem like a backdrop for love to flourish. “Our purpose is to remind readers of the importance of family, of home, and of togetherness,” Goyer reveals. “Even in a time of war we can remain strong because of the love of God and the love of those we serve.”
Will the Turner family be able to absorb the miracle of Christ’s birth and His plan for their futures even in such a tumultuous time? “There’s a freshness and sense of wonder to Christmas,” Putman says. “The idea that God would send His Son to earth as a newborn is an incredibly humbling thought. Combine that with great music, tradition and the love of family, and it becomes a magical time where almost anything seems possible.”
Readers will be able to feel the crunch of newly fallen snow under their feet as they get caught up in these stories of love and loss set against one of the most pivotal times in world history.
Want to buy your own copy?
Where Treetops Glisten is available from your local booksellers and online.
I don’t know that this is my favorite tasting recipe, but I do really like it and it’s flourless, so it’s way easier than most gluten free cookie recipes! It is hard to find great tasting gluten free cookies. It’s a simple peanut butter cookie recipe:
I cup peanut butter (I do natural without any hydronated oils)
1 cup sugar (I do raw cane sugar)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
Optional: course sea salt to spinkle on top
Then I bake 8-12 min at 350! Easy and simple! I like softer cookies so some may want to bake longer.
My email is katie07edgar(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite Bing Crosby has to be White Christmas! I can’t wait to read this book…it sounds amazing!
The cookie recipe I learned to cook with as a kid is so simple. I recently saw an ad in and can’t wait to try it!
We called them:
GA Cookies
1 c. Peanut butter
1 c. Sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
Mix all ingredients together. Form dough into 1 inch balls. Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart. Press down gently with a fork, to make intention marks in the cookie. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.
I saw where this recipe also added in chocolate chips! Yum! Chocolate and peanut butter!
Hi dear Martha!!!
I’m going with my favorite Bing movie because my daughter(s) is/are the baker(s). :-)
My all-time fav from Mr. Crosby is ‘High Society’!
oops…my email is psalm106(dot)1atgmail(dot)com ;-)
After seeing chocolate crinkle cookies on Christmas cookie buffets for years and never trying them, I made some of my own two years ago. They are officially my favorite Christmas cookie! The recipe that caught my eye was this one: http://whatsgabycooking.com/gooey-chocolate-crinkle-cookies/#.VIyTe6azPDM
Doodads
1 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup of walnuts
1 cup chopped dates
1 egg white,unbeaten
Pinch of salt/sea salt
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Mix all ingredients together & drop by rounded teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet . Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes until golden ..
My favorite cookie recipe is for Peanut Blossoms-basically a peanut butter cookie with a Hershey’s Kiss on top. Most people use that recipe so I am including an easy chewy goodie to make.
On an ungreased cookie sheet place small twisted pretzels. Place a Rol.o chocolate on top of each pretzel. On top of the Rolo, place and M&M peanut. Bake for about 5 minutes or until slightly melted in a 250 degree oven. Cool and eat. I am all for the easy stuff!
Sounds like a good book, would love to read it!
Here is my cookie recipe: Pine nut cookies with rosemary http://www.marthastewart.com/318695/pine-nut-cookies-with-rosemary
I just had this cookie last weekend and plan to try to make it myself tonight. It is a not-too-sweet, slightly savory cookies that tastes like Christmas! It was incredible!
I always loved gingerbread men cookies as a child, and Mama baked them for the holidays.
Crisp Gingerbread Men Cookies
1 cup dark molasses
1 cup lard or vegetable shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
3 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon vinegar
6 cups flour
cinnamon sugar
Dissolve soda in the vinegar. Melt lard, sugar, and molasses in a double boiler and cool. Add egg, ginger, and soda mix. Blend in flour and roll out until thin. Cut with a gingerbread man cookie cutter, place on a greased cookie sheet, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake 8 – 10 minutes in an oven preheated to 375 degrees.
My favorite cookie recipe is the peanut butter cookies with milk kisses on top. I don’t make the real deal dough, I just buy it premade in the dry pack from betty crocker mix it up, ball it, rub with sugar and top with a kiss when done cooking.
White Christmas is my FAVORITE FAVORITE Christmas movie.. my sister and I have been watching it every December 23rd for about 10 years now!! Make me all warm inside every time!!
I don’t think that I have read anything by Patricia Goyer yet, but this looks interesting. Thank you for the review.
My favorite Bing movie is probably Holiday Inn! Love White Christmas too though, maybe it’s a tie. :)
I am not much of a baker, anymore. I used to live to bake cookies at Christmastime. But, I am older now…and live alone.
I love Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” movie. I am also a”party pooper” when it comes to snow. But, we can always DREAM of a “White Christmas”!!!
Happy New Year!!
Favorite Bing movie…Holiday Inn.
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