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Review of “The Substitute Guest” by Grace Livingston Hill

Publisher Description:

When Alan Monteith decides to help a friend in need by delivering a bottle of medicine to a sick woman, he never imagined being stranded in a blizzard. And he never imagined climbing a mountain on foot. But when his car breaks down in front of the Devereaux’s home, that’s just what he ends up doing. Daryl Devereaux was looking forward to a peaceful holiday until Alan Monteith arrives. As the young stranger and her brother trudge into the storm, Daryl is left to pray for their safe return, never realizing that night will change their lives forever.

My Review:

In several of my reviews, I’ve mentioned Grace  Livingston Hill’s books.  She was the original author of “Christian Fiction” and wrote more than 100 books.  Her first book was published in 1887.  She was a very popular author during her lifetime.  Her stories reflected the morals, styles, and expectations of the times in which she lived.  Most of her books have a strong Gospel message to them.  Some of her storylines will seem old-fashioned and outdated, but I think that’s why I love her books so much.  I also love that her heroines are strong, resourceful women of faith.  So, from time to time I’m going to review one of her books.

This book is one of my favorites of her Christmas-themed books.  There’s a little bit of adventure in this one, along with a good old-fashioned family Christmas gathering.  Alan Monteith is a young man looking for meaning in life, and when he accidentally has to spend Christmas in the Devereaux home, they are able to point him to the true meaning of Christmas.  

Set back and enjoy this story published in 1936.  Although we might smile a little bit over some of the ideas from that time period, your heart will be warmed by the true sentiment in this story.

About the author:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace Livingston Hill was born on April 16, 1865 in Wellsville, New York. In 1886, she moved with her family to Winter Park, Florida, where she got a job teaching gymnastics at a local college. She wrote her first book there, in an effort to raise money for a family vacation to Chautauqua Lake. The book was called Chatauqua Idyl and was published in 1887. She eventually married and began a family, but lost her husband to appendicitis. At this point in her life, her writing was the only way she could support her family. During her lifetime, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction including Blue Ruin and Mary Arden. She died in 1947 at the age of 82.