Christmas At Harrington’s by Melody Carlson
Just in time for the holidays, comes Christmas at Harrington’s, a tender story about fresh starts from Melody Carlson, the bestselling author of The Christmas Bus.

In Carlson’s latest tale that will charm readers, Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life after false accusations landed her in prison, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent.

When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret?

Full of redemption and true holiday spirit, Christmas at Harrington’s will be readers’ newest Christmas tradition.
Christmas at Harrington’s
by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-0-8007-1925-8
Available Oct. 2010; $15.99

I highly recommend this novel as a nice Christmas treat. I read it in one evening – even stayed up late to finish since I was enjoying the story so much.

After serving a prison term for a crime she didn’t commit, Lena Markham is now back in the world, and she’s about to make a fresh start in a new town. She lives in a boarding house where she befriends a single mother and her child. Thinking she has a job at a department store, she finds herself going to work, only to discover there’s some mix-up, and she ends up being hired as a Mrs. Claus.

Mrs. Claus ends up being a big hit at Harrington’s department store, and Lena is glad to have employment and she enjoys seeing the kids each day. However, how long can she keep her secret hidden – if people found out about her prison background, will it affect her whole future? Also, can she let go of the pain and bitterness that she harbors against her former husband and learn to accept God’s grace and forgiveness?

This is a heartwarming tale that involves a falsely accused woman, a little girl (Jemima), and an older woman, Moira, who seeks friendship with Lena and has the uncanny sense of knowing that Lena’s been through a lot of heartbreak. I highly recommend this book if you want a good Christian story to read during the holidays.

The only concern I had about this story is that I felt that there were a few loose ends that were left hanging with some of the secondary characters. But this is minor, and doesn’t affect the story overall.

Many thanks to Baker/Revell for providing me with a review copy!

~Cecelia Dowdy~