By Richard Paul Evans (2015)
Genre: Fiction - Christmas/Young Adult
Pages: 288 (paperback)
Via: Library
Mom's in her kerchief and I'm in my cap. We've just settled down for a long winter's nap. We're waiting for some dude to show up. He has a little round belly that shakes when he laughs like a bowlful of jelly.
No idea what that means. But if Mom likes it, then so do I.
Anywho, we're talking about Christmas books today. And one of our favorite authors popped up. Richard Paul Evans reigns supreme as "the King of the Christmas novel." Evans perches high on our Favorite Authors List. We've read just about every title he's ever written. And Evans is a prolific writer, if ya know what I mean. Mom's been reading his books ever since 2003, when she nabbed the Evans book that started it all: The Christmas Box. It's a perennial fave. And if you haven't read it, you should. Cuz it's really really good. (Mom re-reads it every holiday season. Since 2003. That must be some kind of a record. And yes, she has it pretty much memorized.)
Blue Plate Special
Anyway, today we're bringing you an Honest to Goodness, Tail-Waggin', Bow-wowin', Bark-worthy Mom and Kimber Blue Plate Special. Also known as a "Richard Paul Evans Twofer."
First, we recently re-read an Evans Christmassy novel called If Only. One of us didn't realize we'd already read it until she was about halfway in. But you know Mom. (It was previously published as Grace. That's what threw us off. So there!)
Anyway again, If Only isn't Evans' typical Christmas novel. Those usually center around love found. Love lost. Hopes dashed. Lives ruined. But then…. Redemption. Rescue. Love rediscovered. Forgiveness. Grace. Strong undercurrent of faith, hope, and love swirl throughout the typical Evans Christmas novel. And although there's All of the Above in If Only, it marks a dramatic departure from Evans' typical Christmas fare.
That's cuz If Only touches on a difficult topic: child abuse. Not exactly the stuff that makes for chestnuts roasting on an open fire or Jack Frost nipping at your nose. But Evans' handling of the topic is so sensitive and poignant and understated, he pulls it off. One powerful page after another. Like this:
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