Reviewer: Robyn Roberts
Title: Finding Christmas
Author: Gail Gaymer Martin
Publisher: Steeple Hill
ISBN: 0-373-81123-3
Release Date: October/Holiday 2005
Genre/Sub-genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance
Year/Setting: Present
Overall rating: 4.5
Sexual content rating: Subtle
Gail's Website:
www.gailmartin.com
Her daughter, Mandy, had died in the icy waters of Lake St. Claire, Michigan, three years ago—or so widow Joanna Fuller was told. At the urging of family friend Ben Drake, Joanna tried to accept her loss and move on. But mysterious phone calls reawakened her doubts. Was someone trying to reunite her with Mandy? In a frantic search for her daughter during the season of hope, Joanna unraveled the web of one man’s hatred…and came face-to-face with the truth she’d know all along.
Wow, what a book! Ms. Martin has such grace and sensitivity dealing with a very difficult subject. It’s not every day you see a romance about a widow who also lost her only child. However, I think "romance" puts this book into a box that doesn’t quite fit. There’s mystery, intrigue, sorrow, romance and a few thriller moments thrown in.
I also appreciated her fresh approach to a Christian romance. As a Christian, I am often disappointed by "Christian romance" as it is flat and doesn’t grip the reader. I thought Ms. Martin did an excellent job of presenting faith in the story without preaching and shoving it down our throats. I appreciated her sensitivity to the subject of faith while still delivering a top-notch novel that explores so many facets of writing.
I’m afraid to tell you very much of the plot for fear of giving things away. I think you’ll be surprised and delighted to see this story unfold. Joanna is a very strong woman who is still reeling three years after the death of her husband and daughter. Benjamin was a dear family friend who had moved away before the accident that killed Mandy and her father. Now he’s back in town and trying to help Joanna move forward.
This book was a page-turner for me and I didn’t want it to end. I hope you’ll enjoy Finding Christmas as much as I did.
Robyn
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