PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION
From Donna VanLiere, the New York Times bestselling author of The Christmas Hope series comes another heartwarming, inspirational story for the holidays, The Christmas Table.
In June 1972, John Creighton determines to build his wife Joan a kitchen table. His largest project to date had been picture frames but he promises to have the table ready for Thanksgiving dinner. Inspired to put something delicious on the table, Joan turns to her mother’s recipes she had given to Joan when she and John married.
In June 2012, Lauren Mabrey discovers she’s pregnant. Gloria, Miriam, and the rest of her friends at Glory’s Place begin to pitch in, helping Lauren prepare their home for the baby. On a visit to the local furniture builder, Lauren finds a table that he bought at a garage sale but has recently refinished. Once home, a drawer is discovered under the table which contains a stack of recipe cards. Growing up in one foster home after another, Lauren never learned to cook and is fascinated as she reads through the cards. Personal notes have been written on each one from the mother to her daughter and time and again Lauren wonders where they lived, when they lived, and in a strange way, she feels connected to this mother and her daughter and wants to make the mother proud.
The story continues to from 1972 to 2012 as Joan battles breast cancer and Lauren learns to cook, preparing for the baby’s arrival. As Christmas nears, can Lauren unlock the mystery of the table, and find the peace she’s always longed for?l
Click here to purchase a copy:https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Table-Novel-Donna-VanLiere/dp/1250164672/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2URJI5P6NE5U4&dchild=1&keywords=the+christmas+table+a+novel+by+donna+vanliere&qid=1609893488&sprefix=The+Christmas+Table%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-1
My Review:
What a beautiful, heart-touching story! I almost wish this book was not listed as a “Christmas” story, because it’s a story that can be read at any time of the year. It takes a talented author to write a split-time story and have both timelines equally interesting. I loved Jean’s story, set in 1972, and her struggle to discover hope in difficult times. I equally loved Lauren’s story, set in 2012, and the hope she’s found in her faith, family, and family. Lauren and her husband are delighted as they get ready to welcome their new baby. But Lauren cooks her way through the recipe cards she found in an old table, she could never imagine the journey on which these cards will take her. Just have some tissues on hand when you read the last couple of chapters in this book. My heart was full when I finished the last page. It’s quite the ending to this story.
I didn’t read this book before Christmas, but I had, it would have been in my top reading list for 2020. As it is, it was a great way to begin a new year of reading. Don’t miss this one!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.