13 December 2012

A Christmas Homecoming by MaryAnn Diorio, Book review & Giveaway


Publisher: Pelican Ventures Book Group-Harbourlight Books
ASIN: B00A0VFNPQ

Synopsis:


Seven Christmases have passed since Sonia Pettit last heard from her daughter Jody. Since Jody's departure, Sonia's world has been turned upside down. Her husband has died of a broken heart, and her son, bitter over his sister's destructive actions, has become rebellious.
Her greatest desire is to have her family together at Christmas, but after what Jody has put them all through, can Sonia truly forgive her daughter?
Jody Pettit O'Dair ran away to experience a life of adventure and excitement, but since her departure, her world has been turned upside down. She's been abandoned by the man she met and married, lost her job, and is unable to care for her two children. With nowhere else to turn, this prodigal daughter begins the long journey home and prays she will be welcomed after walking away so long ago.
Will Jody find forgiveness in the arms of her family as easily as she received it from God?

My thoughts:

An E-book is still something of a novelty to me and not my first choice but in this case I was more than willing to make an exception. I borrowed my son's reader to enjoy this Christmas story to its fullest.
'A Christmas Homecoming' is a short story to be sure but with a lot of punch! 
As I read it I wondered at the plot and found myself in many ways reacting to one part or another. In fact I shared this story already with others starting with my husband, my daughter and so on...It was not just another Christmas story. A Christmas Homecoming has many messages and guaranteed to make readers reflect how each and everyone of us would react.

Consider Mum who not only lost her partner and has no knowledge of the whereabouts of her precious daughter. Then there is the brother who from an easy going youth turned overnight into a resentful adult bent on his own destruction.
Let's not forget the prodigal daughter faced with abandonment, single parenthood of not one child, but two and the loss of her only income since she lost her job. 
Jody is 10,000 miles away from home and the 25 hours + of her journey home with two children in tow, a backpack and a tote as her only belongings are daunting enough for this reader! Facing her family after so many years of estrangement is nothing short of nerve wracking.

The messages however are simple and yet so beautiful to uncover. Each of the protagonists have a lesson to learn. Faith is all that keeps them from unraveling and here Dr. Diorio excels, never pushing, allowing readers to savour and as we soon discover, letting God take charge allows each to remember how much they love each other.

A Christmas Homecoming is the sort of story we need to read at this time of the year. Like myself you might ponder how you would react in the same circumstances. You might just as humbly as myself discover you still have much to learn! In the end Faith is the only cure for whatever ails us.

I could not find anything I did not like in this story and almost wished it was even longer. I will therefore enjoy reading it again and tuck it on my shelves for the next Holiday Season...A tradition maybe?

5 stars for a meaningful story perfect for this Blessed Season!

About the Author:
Dr. MaryAnn Diorio loves God, people, children, and dogs, in that order. She also is passionate about story and its power to transform the human heart. Dr. MaryAnn, as she is affectionately called, writes compelling fiction that deals with the deepest issues of life. She is Adjunct Online Professor of Fiction Writing for Regent University and coaches writers on their journey to publication.
For more on this author check out her website (HERE

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE FOR ADDITIONAL REVIEWS (HERE)

Grab a copy of MaryAnn Diorio's "A Christmas Homecoming" for JUST .99! 

MaryAnn is celebrating by giving away a Paperwhite Kindle! 
Details below!



One "merry" winner will receive:
  • A Paperwhite Kindle
  • A Christmas Homecoming by MaryAnn Diorio
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 22nd. Winner will be announced on 12/23/12 at MaryAnn's Blog.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

 

I received this book free from LITFUSE GROUP as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.




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