Fiction Book Review: The Gift of Christmas Past by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall

About the Book:
Arson wasn't the only fire that ignited between them.
Promises shattered.
Lies spoken.
She was arrested.
He returned to the safety of his wealthy parents.

Almost ten years later, Hadley and Monroe are both specialists in the field of speech therapy. They meet again . . . thrown together to help a four-year-old-girl rendered mute after being rescued from a fire. 



Years of secrets and anger beg to be set free as Hadley and Monroe try to push aside past hurts and find common ground in order to help the traumatized child and her family.

Can the love of Christmas past drift into the present, bringing healing and hope for all?

My Review:
I enjoyed The Gift of Christmas Past. The characters are real, they have faults, feelings, and struggles. I love that. And they have spunk! That's awesome and it serves them well. Sometimes books portray women who have been abused or neglected as needy and whiny. Not so with The Woodsmalls. They gave Hadley and Elliott, sisters by chance/friends by choice, the strength and bravery they needed to overcome difficult circumstances. Of course there is a spiritual thread as well. One of my favorite characters is a doctor named Trent. You'll have to read the book to see what I mean. Although the story is not overwrought with the holidays, there is a touch of peace and joy in the story. This is a great book to read this winter. I received this book for free.