New Additions to My Christmas Reading: Christian Fiction by Kathi Macias

After Christmas, I spoiled myself with a few on sale books from one of my favorite Christian authors, Kathi Macias. 

Return to Christmas beautifully blends the two struggling worlds of a former marine and a little boy with attachment disorder. Former Marine Chet is having a hard time adjusting to civilian life. He doesn't need help. He needs employment. He doesn't have issues. The little boy his friends adopted has issues. But there is something about that little boy that draws him. Will the events leading up to this Christmas be able to melt his soldier heart or will he spiral into a dark depression?

A Husband’s Christmas Prayer pulls back the curtain on struggles pastors and their families face. Pastor Paul has been handed the promotion of his dreams, but his formerly supportive wife doesn’t share his sentiment about moving. She liked where she was―her home, church family, coffee with friends while the kids were at daycare. Why did they have to move? They both know there is a rift growing between them. As he ministers to difficult people, will he also be able to minister to his own family?

Chiapas, Mexico, had proven to be the distraction and escape Julie needed. As a teacher, she had longed to travel and instruct abroad. Now, she was teaching and falling in love with her students. But what she didn't expect happened in the short days leading up to Christmas. She didn't know that her freedom would depend on Ramon, the local pastor. She didn't anticipate the emotions this man of God would stir deep in her spirit. This Christmas Eve service would be unlike any other she had ever experienced. Would this simple man and his faith be enough to cause her to stay when she had every reason to leave?

For these and more titles by Kathi Macias, you can visit her website at https://kathimacias.com

Book Review: Unexpected Christmas Hero by Kathi Macias

Prepare to be moved by this heartfelt story of the season.

Josie Meyers appears to be living the American dream when she falls in love with and marries Sam. Her world comes crashing down when she becomes a widow and must cope with the fallout of her husband's decisions. When she loses her home to foreclosure, Josie and her two small children are forced onto the streets and into homeless shelters.

Forced to lean on the experiences and lives of other homeless people she meets, Josie remains unconvinced that the God she once knew cares for her family. What she doesn't know is that the course of her life will be changed by the influence of a homeless Vietnam veteran, who will lead her home to the One who waits for her.

One thing you must know about the work of Kathi Macias: it will touch your heart in a multitude of ways. Unexpected Christmas Hero puts a name and a face to the many around us who are homeless. From Josie and her children, to Rick, the homeless Vietnam veteran who has given his life to God, to Karen and Mr. Foley who work at the homeless shelters Josie's family stays at when they can, to members of Karen's church, and more, this book is filled with characters that will come to mean almost as much to you as your own friends and neighbors.

As I've watched the author's work evolve over the years, each new book is a call to service, a call to help others as Christ asks us to do. Each new book breaks through our prejudices, tears apart what we think we know about others, and opens our hearts to the possibilities of what this world would be like if we all lived as Jesus did.

With masterful storytelling, rich descriptions, and a way of touching your heart and mind in a way that can only come from God, Macias inspires her readers. I highly recommend this touching Christmas story. May it bless you as much as it has blessed me.

Publisher: ‎ New Hope Publishers; A Novel edition (October 1, 2012)

Language: ‎ English

Paperback: ‎ 240 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 1596693541

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1596693548

At the time the author wrote this book, there was a story of the homeless man who appeared on her cover. She sought to help reunite him with his family. The reunion took place in January 2013. You can read about it at https://kathimacias.com/2013/01/04/the-reunion-is-happening-now

This post first appeared at The Book Connection. I received no compensation of any kind for this review. 

Book Review: A Christmas Journey Home: Miracle in the Manger by Kathi Macias

After her siblings and parents are murdered in gang-and drug-related violence in Mexico, Isabella Alcantara's grandfather begs her to flee the country with her husband, Francisco. Her abuelo uses his life savings to hire a "coyote" to take a very pregnant Isabella and Francisco across the border. The young couple soon finds themselves alone in the desert and without a penny.

Miriam Nelson lives on a small farm along the Arizona border. Her faith is put to the test when her husband, a border patrol agent, is murdered in a skirmish with drug smugglers. Now the sole support of their son, Davey, the only help she has is her mother, whose health is in question.

As Isabella's due date arrives, she finds herself alone without any idea of how she will care for her baby. Their paths destined to collide, these two women soon discover a common yearning that binds them together.

Outstanding! A modern-day nativity story that blends a ripped from the headlines situation, a crisis of faith, and a grandfather's intercession. I think I have discovered a new favorite book by Kathi Macias.

With her masterful hand, Macias wows the reader with this story that tackles the issue of illegal immigration so prevalent in today's news. Portrayed in an even-handed way, you may never look at this issue the same again. Macias weaves a tale that tugs at your heart and brings the reader to kneel before the feet of the Prince of Peace.

A superb story, don't be surprised if reading A Christmas Journey Home becomes one of your family's holiday traditions. Don't miss this one!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ New Hope Publishers (October 5, 2011)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1596693282
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1596693289

This review first appeared at The Book Connection. I was not compensated in any way for this review.