Book Review - Hannah's Hope by Karen Kingsbury
Believing in and Creating Christmas Miracles Book Review -
Hannah's Hope by Karen Kingsbury Reviewed by Lisa M. Hendey
During our annual Christmas break from school, the boys and I
typically take a lazy afternoon in pajamas and share a special
Christmas book. As they've grown older, we've evolved from
picture books to lovely inspirational novels. Our selection for
this year will be Hannah's Hope by the inspiringly prolific
Karen Kingsbury.
Hannah's Hope (Warner Faith, October 2005, hardcover, 176 pages)
is the fourth installment in Kingsbury's popular "Red Gloves
Series". The series combines compelling stories of love, faith
and belief with real world opportunities for service to others.
Hannah's Hope is both an encouragement and a page-turner. From
multiple perspectives, the book tells the story of a trio of
family members separated and isolated both emotionally and
physically. Teenage Hannah appears at first glance to "have it
all". She is a busy, intelligent, wealthy girl attending the
best school and keeping up with an active extracurricular life.
As we come to know Hannah's heart, however, we recognize her
acute loneliness, brought on by the fact that her parents live
halfway across the world due to their careers.
Hannah's mother, Carol, hasn't let being a mom slow down her
drive and ambition. She's made the tough choices, even though
this has meant leaving her daughter to be raised by an unfeeling
grandmother. Carol daydreams about her eventual run for
political office and hiring her daughter as an intern - perhaps
then they can have a close relationship. Upon informing Hannah
of an impending separation during Christmas, Carol reveals a
major surprise that will change the course of Hannah's life.
Carol's secret introduces us to a third character in the book,
Mike, and to his life as an officer and helicopter pilot in
Iraq. Separated from the only family he knows, Mike longs to be
reunited with someone special, and finds a true faith in God and
the power of prayer along the way.
Hannah's Hope offers an exciting plot line and a few twists that
will keep readers glued to the story. But the true value of this
lovely book is in its message of faith, family and belief. If we
believe that God ultimately loves and provides for us, we can
turn to Him in faith regardless of how insurmountable life's
problems and difficulties may seem. He hears us, and in His own
way responds to our prayers. Our Christmas miracles may not be
as dramatic as Hannah's, but His love for us makes great things
possible for each and every one of us.
I am looking forward to sharing Hannah's Hope with my family
this season. The "Red Gloves Projects" listed at the end of the
book offer wonderful ideas for reaching out to and supporting
the men and women of our military, who may be serving far away
from loved ones this holiday season. Along with praying for our
own Christmas miracles, perhaps our family will have the
opportunity to create a few miracles for others in need or
lonely this Christmas. It is thanks to our belief in the
greatest holiday miracle, the birth of our savior Jesus Christ,
that we celebrate this season. In Jesus' name and with his
example, sharing love and belief with others should be at the
top of our Christmas list this year.
For additional information on Hannah's Hope visit
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446532363/digitalcropper-
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Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous
web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and
http://www.christiancoloring.com, and an avid reader. Visit her
at http://www.lisahendey.com
Lisa Hendey 7010 N. Marks, Suite 103 PMB 262 Fresno, CA 93711