Don’t be put off by this book’s size.  It is little but proof that good things do come in small packages!   With over 50% of marriages ending in divorce today, this book should be read by all those who are married and those planning to marry. 

After 20 years of marriage, Jake and Marlee Ebenezer have decided they are done.  Without even telling their children their plans, they take off on Christmas Eve to meet a lawyer and sign the papers to end their marriage.   Hazardous driving conditions from a snow storm causes Jake to lose control of the car, and they have an accident.  When Marlee regains conscienceless she is alone in the car.  Presuming Jake has set off in search of help, she decides to find him.  In the process she finds a warm cozy house and is invited to stay.  The owner is an elderly man named Jake.  As the story unfolds and in some very surprising and unanticipated ways as he helps Marlee find the truth. 

I found this not only to be a wonderful Christmas story but also a very inspirational one concerning marriage. Too many people give up too quickly on their marriages and choose divorce. They never know what wonderful blessings they might have experienced if they had only weathered the storms and worked on their relationship.  Caught up in the moment few consider the far reaching consequences their choices will have not only on them but their children. 

The authors did a wonderful job in capturing the damaging thinking and attitudes couples in conflict that blinds them to seeing what the real answer is.  This little book sends a powerful message. 

I found, A Marriage Carol, quick to read, thought provoking, and filled with surprises!

I received this book free Moody Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

This was a delightful book with quite a different story line than I have read before.  Rebekah Hendricks is 19 but stuck on her family’s farm in Oklahoma with an overbearing, controlling mother that treats her like a child.  She is young and full of adventure with grand ideas of how her life will be.  A young man named Arthur Samson  seems to be her ticket out and the man of her dreams.  Arthur has enlisted to fight in the Great War so she anxiously awaits his return to begin their life together.

Her mother’s sister requests her help as she is very sick.   Hesitantly her mother allows her to go.   Rebekah is thrilled.  Not only will this get her out of her home but she will be closer to her beloved Arthur’s training camp.  Her head is dizzy with plans.

She finds out quickly life has a way of making other plans for us.  Upon arriving at her aunt’s, she finds there is a Spanish flu epidemic and her aunt dies shortly upon her arriving.  The greater shock is that her aunt has been caring for 4 children whose mother also died and their dad is a soldier in the war.  Now Rebekah is shouldered at the tender age of 19 with 4 children who have no one but her to care for them.

I can remember when my children were young and how hard and tiring the days were but I had so many modern conveniences.    The author was wonderfully vivid in writing about all the days entailed in caring for children in the 1900’s without all the modern “fluff” I had.  I found myself actually feeling tired reading about all the work she did!  It made me realize how blessed I was!

I loved how I was made to feel a part of the daily life during that era.  Caring for the sick was an awesome job without all the day to day chores of running a home. Before all the medications and antibiotics  we have today, sickness was often fatal and people really suffered.

The story shows a young woman maturing through hardships.   Rebekah becomes torn apart as she struggles with pursuing her dreams or accepting the reality of the responsibility she has been placed in.   After much wrestling with herself and the Lord she accepts the truth she has always known:  God is in control and His plan is always perfect.   She reminded me of myself the times I have fought what God has chosen to bring into my life until I too submit to Him and find real peace.

This is an outstanding book with strong spiritual lessons.  How wonderful when a book can entertain us and teach us more about ourselves and God.  This one does all of this and more!

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255