The Christmas Keepsake By: Annie Rains

Received copy from Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) to read for an honest review

"Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul"  (Precious Memories Lyrics @Emibaapril Music Inc.   Songwriters Dp/Johnnie Robert Wright)

As a first time mother, amd lover of all things Christmas, I was so excited to pick out that all important baby's first Christmas ornament.  It had to be the best,  so of course, off to the local Hallmark store we went.  I will always remember that little train with a bear that says baby's first Christmas.  And of course, it came as part of a set for the next couple of years (Which we proudly collected).  Twenty-five years qnd four kids later, we still make the annual trip to the store for that perfect keepsake ornament.  We have collected Disney princesses, Harry Potter, Superheroes, Charlie Brown, and many more.  All showing likes or what was important that year.  But for this mama's heart, nothing compares to that first ornament and the hope, love, and dreams I felt for each Precious baby.  As the children leave the nest and marry, they are given a container with these ornaments wrapped up so that they may remember a bit of the past as they make new memories.  My prayer is that they will always know how valued and loved thru are- and that their past and legacy will be a small part of their beautiful story that is being written by God.

Annie Rains beautifully illustrates these sentiments and so much more in her heart-warming novel "The Christmas Keepsake".  Transported back to the small town of Bloom, Rains' readers are finally given the much awaited love story of characters Mallory and Hollis, who we have met in previous books.  The book begins with Mallory working overtime shifts to keep her beloved grandmother, Nan, in the expensive memory care facility she is currently living in.  Mallory's sister Maddie, wants them to sell their grandmother's beloved community theater to pay for this care.   Mallory, is able to convince her sister to allow her to do rectified the play "Santa, Baby" that her grandmother wrote one last time.   

While all this is going on, Mallory is reading through her grandmother's memory journal where each entry corresponds to a specific ornament.  Readers will take a journey wirh Mallory down memory lane, as she reads her grandmother's story and gains a greater understanding and knowledge of the whole woman her grandmother was (and learn some lessons along the way).  She will read about her grandparent's marriage, and a very special first-love that she never knew about.  Mallory finally is able to come to grips with her past, learn some valuable lessons, and realize what truly is important.  

Stimulanously, former town bad-boy Hollis is battling dons of his own:  neglect, feelings of unworthiness, and what life he should live?  Does he pursue his own dreams and passions pertaining to dog training and his beloved "pops Christmas tree farm, or does he follow in tbr steps of his unofficial adopted father?   

Rains used the theater and their childhood past to bring these two characters together in a beautiful and meaningful way.  All the while, telling the back story of Nan and Pops that will touch your heart.  I truly felt transported to the sweet, romantic town of Bloom and was in love with these two characters for the beginning.  Not only was I rooting for their romance, but for all things in their life to work out.  Rains expertly handles all the tougj/sensitive subjects found in the pages of this book with depth, sensitivity, and genuinely.  I found myself alternatively crying and at the same time thanking God for His mercy and grace.

Our pasts, while shaping us and impacting us do not have to define us.  We are each created in the image of God and he has a beautiful purpose and plan for your life.  Always remember, you are loved and worthy.

If you want a sweet and sentimental; yet uplifting and encouraging moments I highly recommend "The Christmas Keepsake" by Annie Rains.  Now I am in the mood for Christmas movies and hot cocoa.  Happy Reading!

Simba gives this book 4 paws.

Romans 8:28 ESV
"And we know that for those who love Gor all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

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