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An eccentric old lady with strange ways, a small town, a ruthless City Councilman and a new to town City Manager fleeing a past of brokenness and pain are thrown together in a story that effects every one in this sleepy little town.

Melody Carlson has woven together a heart-touching story of faith and redemption. This book is just the right length to read on a lazy fall day as you cuddle beneath a stack of blankets. The story is easy enough to read that from the first page the reader is drawn in and hooked.

The Christmas Shoppe at first glance is a store filled with worthless odds and ends. The owner is an odd old woman that has captured the thoughts and imagination of the towns people. Every one has their own opinions of her and her odd dress and mannerisms. However, no one that steps into the little shop comes out the same. One can not help but be changed when they encounter the power of forgiveness - the facing of the brokenness in each person. This shoppe's power is in the facing of one's past, the acknowledgment of brokenness - and the shedding of truth on lies.
In a matter of weeks this small sleepy village ruled by tradition and steeped in silent pain held by each person is changed by the power of truth unleashed with love and compassion.

This book is so sweet. If you are a Secret Santa this year put it in your basket for your person with a mug, some cocoa and marshmallows and a small fleece blanket. Everyone needs to face something in our past and be released from a bondage of some sort. Though the book is not intrusive personally it will be one that makes the reader wonder what worthless piece of "junk" still has a hold on their life and is holding them back from the very best that God has for them.

Thank you so much Revell for this review copy. I am already recommending it for others to purchase.
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I enjoyed this Christmas story. As I finished the story, it reminded me of years when our family had subscriptions to the Guidepost magazine.

I think this is a story that is enjoyed based on one's openness to "listen" to the message and that message becomes whatever the reader needs to hear in the time he/she is reading the story. Just as the townspeople of Parrish Springs have many different initial impressions of Matilda Honeycutt, readers have many different reactions to stories. I think this one in particular can touch one's heart in various ways and for me that's the magic of the story created by Melody Carlson.

Sometimes we all look at old things as just something to be tossed in the trash but sometimes we gaze at an old thing and it reminds us of a different place and time and we realize that a treasured memory long ago forgotten has surfaced and all of the related emotions also flood our minds. This story reminds us that the past is always a contributing factor to our future but it also suggests that whether we take the past forward in negativity or positivity is up to each of us.

For me, it was the perfect story to read as the year draws to a close to view the 365 opportunities ahead. Happy New Year to All! ( )

This was another clean, short Christmas romance with a little Christmas magic in it. I bought this at a library sale and I voluntarily chose to review it. While this is not a recent release, it's part of a series that Guideposts put out. I've given it a 5*. A newcomer came to town and outbid others on a great old building in a popular business part of town. She doesn't dress like the other business owners and she ends up having half the town in a uproar. It's a very Christmas time message to us readers too. ( )

Cute short story with a message about forgiveness, peace, and love. ( )