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  1. Andrea Cox
    Texas
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    WWII Christmas? Yes, please!
    April 26, 2015
    Andrea Cox
    Texas
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Where Treetops Glisten.
    by Andrea Renee Cox

    The last book I read in 2014 turned out to be one of my favorites for the year. Where Treetops Glisten is a collaboration novel that features the Turner family. The prologue introduces you to the family from the grandmothers point of view, which I found to be sweet and a wonderful way to begin the book.

    The storyline moves slightly forward at the beginning of the first official story, White Christmas by Cara Putman. In it, Christmas of 1942 certainly will be different for Abigail Turner. Her two siblings, Pete and Merry, are off helping with the war effort, which leaves Abigail to wonder how she may help others this holiday season. Jackson Lucas faces dark times for the holiday. On the brink of losing his familys farm, hes desperate to find answers and a way to assist his mother and sisters back home, while working hard in Lafayette, Indiana. When Abigail and Jackson meet, the question will be: Will they be able to open up to each other enough to help solve each others problems?

    After that, we step into Ill Be Home for Christmas by Sarah Sundin. This story sees Pete Turner return home on furlough, and he struggles to find feeling again after the difficult things hes seen and done in the war. Can healing come to him in the form of a little girl, who searches for her daddy? Or will little Linnies mother, Grace Kessler, discourage any further contact with Pete when she realizes hes her childhood bully? When their separate lives have no other option but to collide, both Grace and Pete must compromise and learn to adjust their perspectives if theyre ever to find the doses of healing they yearn for.

    The third full tale in this compilation, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Tricia Goyer, travels with Meredith Merry Turner to the front lines of the war. She works as a nurse on the front lines, but the toughest battle shell face is the betrayal that broke her heart. It becomes impossible to shove aside thoughts of her lost love when she thinks she sees him in the midst of the Netherlands where shes posted. Will her heart ever find solace so far from home?

    Lastly, there is an epilogue, which is, again, in the point of view of the grandmother. These bookends (prologue and epilogue in the grandmothers POV) were such a darling touch to frame the features in that I was blown away by the beauty of the entire setup.

    Earlier in 2014, I discovered Cara Putman when I read Shadowed by Grace. As you may remember, I absolutely loved that book. Well, when I found out shed teamed up with Tricia Goyer, I knew I couldnt resist such a treat. Cara immediately brought to life the time period that served as a backdrop for World War II in Where Treetops Glisten. Her research must have been quite thorough, for I felt completely immersed into the lives of Abigail and Jackson, and sometimes tripped my way back to reality when real life called for my attention. If Shadowed by Grace made me an instant fan of hers, her novella, White Christmas, ensured Ill be a lifetime cardholder (a nod to former times when members of clubs held cards stating their membership).

    Ill Be Home for Christmas was my first sampling of Sarah Sundin, and Ive got to tell you, it took my breath away. The character journeys all wove together perfectly, making me laugh and bringing tears streaming down my face. Theres an innocent quality to her work that is difficult to bring across in novels and even harder to describe. This woman had a challenge ahead of her with Petes journey, but she pulled it off with grace, talent, and a big dose of faith, which I love seeing in books. Shes definitely on my list of authors to keep my eyes out for.

    Tricia Goyer has yet to disappoint me with her historical fiction novels, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is no exception. The thing I find most satisfying about her books is how she seamlessly knits God and faith into her characters lives. Even when they struggle to find the footing of their faith, her characters seem to emanate whatever scrap of it theyre clinging to. The journey to strengthen their faith often helps me to bolster my own faith, as well, which is something I definitely appreciate in Christian fiction novels. When fiction meets reality thats where I feel most at home.

    If you havent yet read Where Treetops Glisten, now would be the time to spend that gift card money you got for Christmas. This book deserves five stars for certain, and thats what its getting from me. This book easily hit my top five favorites list for last year, and Im hoping it will hit your top ten for this year too.

    I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.
  2. Regina Jennings
    Oklahoma
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Perfect for a Snowy Evening
    November 23, 2014
    Regina Jennings
    Oklahoma
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Where Treetops Glisten.
    This collection is perfect for putting you in the holiday spirit. Nostalgic song titles, scenes set in beautifully decorated Christmas venues, and holiday memories make this a book I'll return to every Christmas along with my favorite Christmas movies.

    White Christmas - Cara Putman's story is like all of your favorite things about Christmas wrapped up together in one lovely package. Abigail Turner works in a candy store and Jackson Lucas works at a toymaker's. (After reading this I had to YouTube candy cane making so I could see how it's done.) Jackson's financial trouble could ruin Christmas for his family. Already uncertain about risking her heart, Abigail wonders what else Jackson is hiding.

    I'll Be Home for Christmas - is Sarah Sundin's story about second chances. Ever since Grace Kessler's husband was killed in battle, she's had trouble handling their six-year-old daughter who likes to slip away from her nanny and roam the city alone. Pete Turner sympathizes with little Linnie . Once he was an ornery kid and he'd spent a fair amount of time getting Grace's brother into trouble, as Grace remembers all too well. Has Pete matured enough to trust him with Linnie...and with her heart? Great romantic tension.

    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - OK, I'll admit I didn't catch the pun until just now as I was typing it. Merry Turner & Title of the Novella ...maybe I'm just slow. Merry Turner had her heart broken when her prewar boyfriend left the States to fight for the fatherland. As her nursing unit approaches the German border through the Netherlands she can't stop hearing David's voice in the local accents and catching glimpses of his features in the faces of the injured German soldiers. I don't want to say too much, but this story has a fascinating "what if?" to keep the conflict strong.

    So maybe it's bad form for authors to mention their own writing experiences in a review. If so, please forgive me, but I have contributed to a novella collection before and what impressed me most about this collection was the interlocking story lines. Each story featured a Turner sibling and included a lot of family background and shared characters. This is not easy to do when the story is a cooperative effort between three authors, but the Misses Putman, Sundin and Goyer do a remarkable job of keeping the events flowing seamlessly. If you are interested in behind-the-scenes information, don't forget to read their Author Chat in the back of the book where they discuss the lengths they went to in order to keep their characters and settings consistent. Fascinating!

  3. IVLeague
    Cabot, AR
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Warms your heart and soul
    September 15, 2014
    IVLeague
    Cabot, AR
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Where Treetops Glisten.
    Where Treetops Glisten kindles warm feelings of nostalgia in the hearts of readers. Journey down memory lane to a time when pleasures were simple and courtship was virtuous. Linger in the warm feeling of patriotism, but be prepared to grieve over the ravages of war. The trio of Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, and Sarah Sundin author this World War II romance in perfect harmony.

    The Turner family hails from Lafayette, Indiana in the heart of the Midwest. Like most families of the early to mid-1940s they are seeking normal as the nation fights its second Great War. Where Treetops Glisten takes a look into the lives of three Turner siblings: college student Abigail, big brother and Army pilot Pete, and nurse Meredith. While their lives intertwine their struggles are different and each must learn to hear the voice of God. He calls them individually to face their fears, risk their hearts, to give, and to trust. In there own way each story is one of redemption and renewal.

    I found two characters to be absolutely delightful! The first was Grandma (Louise Turner), she is tenderhearted, perceptive, and always delivering well-timed, sage advice. She reminded me a little of my own grandma with her rock solid faith. The other was sweet, rambunctious, and mischievous, little Linnie. Linnie is the catalyst to Pete and Graces relationship and for me a reminder of how my own children have taught me so much about God. This darling girl made me laugh (yes, out loud)! These two gals tie for the role of best supporting actress.

    This holiday season snuggle up with Where Treetops Glisten. It will warm your heart and soul. I give it 5/5 tree-topping stars.

    **I received this book free as a member of the Litfuse blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
  4. Robin Willson
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    So so good!
    December 20, 2022
    Robin Willson
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Christian historical. Three unique, enjoyingly long short stories that involve a family and three grandchildren. It's during the time of WW2, which effects each in a way as unique and individual as they are. These authors are fabulous, so you can guarantee this book is too. Never a dull moment, each struggling and learning faith lessons and life lessons. You'll love each member of the family as well as their friends.

    #WhereTreetopsGlisten #ChristianHistoricalRomance #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout
  5. beckie
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    family christmases
    December 20, 2014
    beckie
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    This review was written for Where Treetops Glisten.
    "Where Treetops Glisten" is three stories of Christmases from 1941 to 1945 involving the Turner family written by Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin, and Tricia Goyer. These three ladies are experts at historical fiction and this novel is an interwoven showcase of the authors at their best. The three authors do a brilliant job at maintaining a similar writing style and keeping the family dynamic flowing throughout the stories.

    The Turners have three living children and "Treetops" focuses on each child for three Christmases. The stories are of love, of course, but also of the war both at the front lines and at home. The Pete character will make any woman swoon and Merry is such a great character, the reader won't want the book to end. I give it 5 stars. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from Waterbrook Press.

Displaying items 1-5 of 34
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