The Gift Of Christmas: In The Spirit Of...Christmas (1984) - Plot & Excerpts
Today's review is on the first of two Christmas stories contained in this reissued release of Debbie Macomber's, The Gift of Christmas and Linda Goodnight's, In the Spirit of Christmas.The Gift of Christmas, was a sweet, warm and fuzzy Christmas Romance. Ashley Robbins knew Cooper Masters for many years as her mother cooked for him. She had loved him since she was sixteen and he had assisted her in financing her education.When she is finally able to pay him back the education money, Cooper is awed by her beauty and her fun loving personality. She is drawn to him because of his business savvy and formal demeanor....opposites attract, but they also clash.The story is about a gal who has her life in order and she knows what she would like in a husband. She's patient enough to explain her beliefs; he's wise enough to seek his answers from those who have an answer, but the question remains, can they overcome their differences and let love grow in the middle?Not only was this a delightful Christmas romance, it tasted of fairytale goodness and could be considered a Christian read as well. I rated this part of the book at 4 stars.Linda Goodnight's In the Spirit of Christmas was definitely a Christian Christmas Romance read and it was beautiful. There were scriptural references but they were indeed pertinent to the basics of the story.Lindsey Mitchell was a strong christian woman living alone in the mountains and operating a Christmas tree farm. Jesse Slater was a widowed father to a six year old girl. He had no use for Christmas and although he believed in a God, he sure didn't know Him. And he had determined that once cheated out of his inheritance, he was going to fight for it and claim it for himself and his daughter. It was easy to love all three main characters and to enjoy their road to becoming a real family.And even when the story reached the point where Lindsey would be shell shocked to learn of Jesse's real intent, I was glad to see there weren't pages of smoldering anger and misunderstandings to straighten out. In this story, both Jesse and Lindsey, loved the other and wanted what was best for the other. Forgiveness and understanding followed and made this one of the best Christmas stories I read this year. Rated this read a 5 star read, so between the two we averaged 4.5 stars! This was Debbie Macomber's very first annual Christmas-oriented novel published around 1985. She has written one every Christmas since.Cooper Masters, wealthy owner and entrepreneur of a rapidly-growing and successful warehousing and shipping business, has paid for his long-time housekeeper's daughter's education. Ashley Robbins, has taken that gift and become a school teacher. Off-beat, unconventional, and popular with her students, she wants to pay Cooper back for his generous gift. She has secretly been in love with Cooper since she was 16 but who is she but just the daughter of her mother's employer? Now 26, she is beautiful, accomplished and prays that her secret love will return her regard. How can that be since Cooper is some 14 years older than her and still treats her more like a little sister rather than a romantic interest? Does Cooper secretly admire the lovely young Ashley, even though she is younger and comes from a completely different world from his? How will all of this work out this special Christmas season? Enjoy this heartwarming Holiday tale, wholesome enough for the entire family to enjoy. The second half of this novel combo is In the Spirit of....Christmas by Linda Goodnight. This Christian-oriented inspirational romance is also fitting and appropriate for all age groups.Widower Jessie Slayter and his 6 year old daughter journey back to his roots in the hill country of Oklahoma to seek that which was stolen from him: His mother's 18 acre farm and house. He returns to this boyhood home to discover it in the ownership of one lovely young Lindsey Mitchell who has turned it into a Christmas tree farm. Needing money desperately and security for his young daughter, he hires on to help Lindsey. At first, all he wants is to obtain legal title to the property which was stolen from him as a teenager but he didn't realize how much of a romantic draw the young woman would have on him and how she comes to love Jessie's daughter Jade. Lindsey herself has been cheated and lied to and her heart broken by a fickle young man. Lindsey's Christian faith draws Jessie in like a magnet. How on earth will he admit that he initially came only to claim the home that she thinks is hers? Thus the dilemma is the tension in the story and it is told with such compassion and heartfelt emotion that it is difficult to get through with dry eyes. Truly a beautiful and meaningful Christmas story full of faith and goodness
What do You think about The Gift Of Christmas: In The Spirit Of...Christmas (1984)?
Good wholesome read from a favorite "beach read" author. One for the Christmas season.
—findyourwayintomyheart
Family friendly brain-candy, cute but a bit too much religion for me.
—HanaNicole
