Unexpected Christmas Hero ~ Review & Giveaway @alandkathi #ChristmasGiftGuide




Christian Fiction/Christmas



Back of the book:

Josie Meyers thinks she is living the American dream when she marries a nice, handsome man with a promising future. The dream quickly becomes a nightmare when Josie becomes a widow and must deal with the fallout of her husband’s decisions. She soon finds that she and her two small children are forced to live on the streets and in homeless shelters.

While the scenes surrounding Josie are filled with Christmas decorations and carols, Josie finds herself struggling with the demands of caring for her two small children. She is forced to lean on the experience and lives of other homeless people she meets. What she doesn’t know is that the influence of one homeless man in particular is about to change the course of her life and lead her home to the One who waits for her. He becomes her unexpected Christmas hero.



About the author:


Twitter @alandkathi 
Website kathimacias.com


Though I'm a wife, mother, grandmother, and yes, great grandmother, I also ride on the back of my hubby's Harley and am known as "Easy Writer." (Update: Hubby sold Harley and bought a 2005 sunburst orange Corvette, so I'm still "Easy Writer" but in comfort now!)






My thoughts:

I have once again been profoundly affected by a Kathi Macias novel. This time she delves into the world of homelessness. I’ve never experienced this personally so there were aspects of the situation that I had never thought about.

Josie is busy living the good life when out of the blue her world begins to shift. First she loses her mother then her husband becomes ill and she loses him as well. The breaking point comes when her home is foreclosed upon. She and her two young children are forced to learn to navigate the system in order to survive.

Because of her limited funds there are times when she and her children sleep in an alley behind a dry cleaner’s shop. As a mother, how could you ever sleep? You would constantly be jerking yourself awake to make sure your children were okay. Sleeping in a homeless shelter probably wouldn’t be much better. Of course you are warmer and relatively safer, but being surrounded by desperate people that you don’t know would be very unsettling.

The story delves into so many areas, such as obtaining nourishment and lodging. Have you ever thought about how you would spend your daytime hours, especially with two little children in tow? How do you go about getting out of these circumstances? The situation seems dire.

Just when I was totally overwhelmed with grief for this family, a ray of sunshine began to peak through. God began to weave people into their lives that would change them and ultimately draw them unto Himself. The most profound pairing was that of Rick and this family. Rick is a homeless Vietnam veteran that suffers from some mental disabilities. Rick chooses the streets rather than a veteran’s home where he would most likely spend his days on mind numbing medication.

Through Rick we are able to glimpse what total dependence upon God looks like. It seems like an oxymoron to be jealous of what a homeless man has, but that is exactly how I felt. Rick embodied the Christ-like character of laying down his life so that others may obtain life.

As I sit here writing this I am completely overwhelmed with feelings. This story will of course make me view the homeless and their situation differently. It will also make me take a look at my reliance upon God to provide my every need. I urge you to get this book and let it speak to you.


“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
With the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Giveaway:

One reader will win their own copy of Unexpected Christmas Hero!  Open to US only 18+. Giveaway will end on 12/03/2012 at 12:01am EST. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to be entered.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

13 comments:

  1. Thank you for your moving review of Kathi's second Christmas novel. I'm glad it touched you so. I have to admit to crying through many moments.

    Wishing you and your readers a blessed Thanksgiving.

    Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  2. We have helped several friends when they have hard times. I love helping random people too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you so much for the thoughtful review, my friend. Many blessings to you and your readers/followers. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  4. We help families in need through our church missions and outreaches
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  5. other than church donations, no don't know any but i don't get out much - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. We give to charities, I'd like to think that helps out many people!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes, we have!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes I have. Our Church lets us know when there is someone in need & my family gives what is needed, like food, clothing or money.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am always having to help my sister's family in need.

    ReplyDelete
  10. We have been a family in need and if it wasn't for people willing to help, my kids would not have a Christmas or a Christmas meal. Thanks so much to all who donate to help families like mine in need of even the basics to survive.

    ReplyDelete
  11. i am always on both ends of the spectrum but with a tight knit community and a lot of prayer I get through it just like others every year

    ReplyDelete
  12. My church helps alot of familys at christmas, We all but clothes and appliances and food and toys for the kids to give out! I hope it makes peoples day a little brighter

    ReplyDelete

Blog Designed by: NW Designs