When a struggling young single mother saves the life of an elderly woman, she sets into motion a series of events that will test her strength, loyalty, and determination, all the while setting her on the path to finding true love. Christine Eisley is the mother of seven-year-old Zach and five-year-old Haley. Her ex-husband provides little, if any, child support and makes life difficult for Christine by using the children as pawns. She works long hours as a waitress to make ends meet, but her job is in jeopardy because she's often late to work due to the unreliable teenaged sitters she's forced to use. When Christine saves the life of a woman who works in Wilson's department store, the owner of Wilson's wants to find her, to thank her, but Christine has disappeared, losing another job once again. He sets his grandson, Jason, to the task of finding the mysterious "Christy." Jason, an accountant by trade who has lost his job to downsizing, thinks he is "above" working at Wilson's. Soon, he discovers that this new task gives him more than he bargains for. The Christmas Secret is a novel for anyone who wants to see how love is a gift that keeps giving back; that hope is a treasure that never runs dry, and that faith is a miracle that is reborn with each new day.

From Publishers Weekly
VanLiere makes getting into the Christmas spirit easy with the fifth installment in her Christmas Hope series (The Christmas Promise; etc). Single mom Angela Christine Eisley's struggling to care for her young children, Zach and Haley: her waitress job isn't bringing in a ton of dough; and Brad, her disgruntled ex, refuses to pay child support and is bent on taking custody. Soon, she's lost her job and her landlord's threatening eviction, but salvation comes in the form of another job and a handsome bachelor named Jason Haybert, who's trying to locate the anonymous good Samaritan who saved a family friend's life. The holiday cheerleading doesn't stray too far afield as VanLiere tidily wraps up this reminder of the magic of giving. (Oct.)
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Review
"VanLiere makes getting into the Christmas spirit easy."
--Publishers Weekly

"Tired of sugar plums and impossibly perfect families? Consider this stark tale with its appealing heroine who struggles against losing faith in herself and in God."
--USA Today

If you like stories with plenty of heart, likable characters, interesting twists and happy endings, then The Christmas Secret is a don't miss."
--Book Reporter