Peggy Blann PhiferBesprekingen

The Christmas seasons is often a time of reflection and traveling down memory lane. It can be a time of hurt and pain, but also a time of healing. This story is a tasteful combination of tough issues dealt with humor and heart. A little 6-year-old girl's heart is at stake when she has to deal not only with the recent loss of her mother to a boating accident, but then her father's death through a motorcycle accident. How does Bethany survive?

Bethany's Aunt Molly moved from Minnesota to Las Vegas to live with her brother Pat and his daughter Bethany. She had originally come to help Pat while he was still grieving over the loss of his wife in a boating accident. But it became painfully clear to her that Pat had an additional problem: alcoholism. He had gone from completely leaving the stuff alone for as long as she could remember to drowning his sorrows in the bottle every evening. Molly struggled in her changing role from little sister to friend and confidante. How could she help her brother? But before she could even get started, he was suddenly killed in an accident. Now, she had to deal with this loss and with her niece's shock. The household was hurting.

None of the coping would have been possible if it weren't for Pat's fire fighter partner, Trace. Trace had been close to Pat's family since Bethany was born. During the difficult period of loss of his partner and best friend, Trace began to spend time with Pat's family. Bethany came alive when he was there. He knew what she liked and it was through his gentle care that Bethany began to deal with her aching grief. Bethany's grandmother became a stable factor in the group. She only lived a few blocks away, but moved into the house to help. Between the four of them, the family slowly recovered from their great loss.

This is a difficult book to describe. The situation was serious and heartbreaking. Yet the author created a family from the four grieving parties, and transformed them into a loving, caring unit that supported one another. She used humor, surprisingly, to bring them all closer. And I found it appropriate and well balanced in spite of what you would expect. In fact, you can't help but laugh your way through the silliness that is Molly and Trace and even the grandmother. Together, their antics and love helped a little girl recover from a serious loss. Kudos to the author for a well written, sensitive, and yet light-hearted book about what makes a family. I consider this a memorable book.

Another thing I like about the book is that while being a faith based story, it doesn't tend to lecture or talk the topic of loss to death. Instead, it is a book of action. It demonstrates how the characters loved each other even in the worst of circumstances. It wasn't easy. But they toughed it out together. If anything, the book performed as a great object lesson for the readers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from The Book Club Network on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."

This dramatic story kept my attention to discover how everything would turn out for the characters. Alcoholism and grief create the themes in this read. How each person handles these issues makes a difference in how they face life. Read this book by Peggy Blann Phifer and look for hope at Christmas time.

I received a copy of this book from the Bookclub Network for an honest review which I have given.

This is a wonderful story of what people can survive. You will love all the characters. It made me laugh and cry through the whole book. I did not want to put this one down. This helps to see how someone can survive many deaths in one family. I loved it. I received this book from book fun.org for a fair and honest opinion.

Sadness turned to Sunshine
This story, although set around Christmas holidays, is so much more than just another Christmas story. It is a wonderful story of family pulling together during heartache. The little girl in the story is easy to love and the sacrifice her aunt makes in her own life to help her niece is commendable. There are plenty of surprises in the story so it is not predictable and it is heartwarming to watch everyone grow in their faith as they heal from the tragedies in their lives. I recommend this book to all ages as it will appeal to a wide range of readers. Somehow Christmas does still come, even when we are feeling lost in life and the lesson of that simple statement might be all someone needs to find the path of healing.
I received this book from BookFun.org in exchange for my honest review

Somehow, Christmas Will Come is a beautifully written family story which has seen so much tragedy in their young lives. The one most impacted by the world gone wrong is a little 6 year old girl by the name of Bethany. At the age of 5, she lost her mother. At the age of 6, she loses her father. How will she survive?

There are several aspects about this author's writing I really enjoyed. The first is how well she penned the dynamics of Patrick Dugan's family. She uses wit and humor to flesh out Patrick's character, how he lovingly fathered his daughter, handled his job professionally, and grieved his wife quietly. In spite of the emotional toll of so many problems the family faced, there were lighter moments that caused me to laugh out loud and tugged at my heart.

The second aspect I liked is the development of a new face in the story after Patrick was gone, that of Trace Whitcomb. His place in the family dynamics is crucial to their survival. He quickly became a key player. It was exciting to read how a grandmother, an aunt, a first grader and a best friend became a new family unit for Bethany's sake. Of course, it was not perfect. There were the usual issues to deal with and even a bit of a surprise at the end. But all that put together is what makes this book a joy to read.

Finally, there is a romantic element that develops between Molly and Trace. The author makes this part of the story seem natural rather than unrealistic or obtrusive, as it may very well have become. Kudos to the author for making it all fit together so well.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from The Book Club Network on behalf of the author. 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Smiles, Tears, Kleenex, and Sighs...

This wonderful Hallmark-type book put me in the mind-set of playing a Nintendo or computer game where the objects are coming at the main figure and the figure does't know where or when the objects are coming, but he needs to be ready to jump or fight at a minute's notice. Indeed, after Molly Dugan moves to Vegas to be with her recently widowed brother,Patrick, and his six-year-old daughter, Bethany, life swirls out of Molly's control. She and Jessie, Patrick's mother-in-law, are left scrambling to put the pieces back together and carry on for themselves and Bethany as well, before she is lost in the miasma of denial and irreparable hurt.
Fortunately, Patrick's firefighter buddy Trace, who is a strong believer and a long-standing family friend, is quick to step up to offer help.

I liked the story in general. It was a feel good tale, to be true, but after so much pain, wouldn't anyone wish someone in that position a little happiness? I liked the way Ms. Phifer had little Bethany talk... almost grown-up, yet having trouble with a few words, which made her real and adorable..."Okay, Daddy. I unnerstand, and I'm proud that you perteck the crazy people out there." Once I read the afterwards, I felt like Ms. Phifer had included part of her life in the book. No wonder some of the sad part was so realistic!

Given the nature of the book, I certainly would have liked to have seen more of an emphasis placed on the characters recognizing God's hand in their lives, or their conversations about Him that would have brought them comfort.

This book reads like it was made to be a Hallmark movie, and I hope that indeed Hallmark will buy the rights! I'm ready to see it as well as read it!

I was given this book by bookfun.org and am not required to write a positive review.

Peggy Blann Phifer grabbed me from the first page of this book to the end. Most of this mystery you will never see coming. No one would ever want to be in Erin Macintyre's shoes, she is going to be a first time Mother, and then looses her husband.
With so much turmoil in Erin's life, I loved the people who really cared about her, and surrounded with their Love and protection. Her Father-in-law is such a darling man, I would like him in my life!
I would have like the story to on, answering questions...that I think I have answers to, but it does say series on the cover!!!
If you want a really great mystery to read! This is for you!!

I received this book from the Author Peggy Blann Phifer, and was not required to give a positive review.

Erin Macintyre finds her life turned upside the day her husband, Justin, was killed. The baby she carries will be raised without his father. If that's not enough to deal with, now someone is after her, leaving notes and threatening phone calls but she doesn't know why. P.I. Clay Buchanan returns home after he gets an envelope from Justin with a note to call him. Only thing is, the envelope is four months late in arriving. The first place Clay goes when he arrives home is to Justin's gravesite and he runs into Erin. Clay and Justin were best friends and Clay vows to himself he'll do everything to protect Erin. She's not happy to see him but his feelings for her remain unchanged. Now he has to find a way to convince her that her life is in danger and that she needs to trust him. With few options available to her, Erin reluctantly trusts clay with her life but will she trust him with her heart?

Oh what a tangled web we weave! WOW! This is definitely a story that keeps you on your toes the whole time you're reading it. As I was reading I kept thinking this would make a great episode of "Murder She Wrote" or "Columbo". The tale was very tightly woven and keeps you turning pages to find out what's going to happen next. I must admit that I didn't care for Erin very much in the beginning, but slowly I warmed-up to her as I learn her story. I loved Clay and how he handled things. His quiet faith and steadfastness had an impact on Erin. There was a great cast of supporting characters whom I hope to see again. This author really allowed you to become completely entangled in the lives of these characters and I found myself trying to solve the puzzle right along with them. Slowly but surely the intensity builds as you gather each clue with a few red-herring along the way. Although this story has a climactic ending that is totally satisfying, the door stands open and ready for the next book. I'll be watching for that one! This is Peggy Blann Phifer's debut novel but it sure doesn't read that way. To See The Sun is book 1 in the Desert Faith Series and one I definitely recommend!
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 509 KB
ASIN: B006US56MI
Paperback: 356 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (January 6, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1468121081
ISBN-13: 978-1468121087