The Christmas Table A Novel by Donna VanLiere

 Book Excerpt:

"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 determined 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 discovered 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 strangely, she feels connected to this mother and her daughter and wants to make the mother proud.

The story continues 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?"

Title: The Christmas Table
Author: Donna VanLiere
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"The Christmas Table" by Donna VanLiere

My Speculation:

I will say this was one inspirational read that was purely a joy to read. There were good times and some teary ones in how well this author presented the reader with a beautiful read that started in May 1972 and finished up in December 2012. It was interesting how the author brought out several storylines that came together so well at the end that definitely went from the past to the present. I loved how this particular table and hidden recipe cards became so important in this story.

Let's talk about the descriptive characters and secondary, where we find each one had a little something that kept your attention in what was going on at that time in this heartfelt story.

Lastly, I want to mention the interactions with those recipes and how they related so well in the story. I really enjoyed how that situation was brought out so well in the novel. And at the end of the story, we are given some wonderful recipes...'A Christmas Table Full of Recipes' that I do plan on trying.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.