When a mysterious painting offers her a trip to the past, will Isla find new hope for her future? On the brink of aging out the foster system, the last thing Isla Laird wants is to spend Christmas in an old-fashioned plantation. What’s the point of bonding with her foster mom when it’s too late to ever be adopted? But when a mysterious painting suddenly thrusts her into the nineteenth century, … into the nineteenth century, Isla is forced to face hurts and memories she’s long tried to bury. With time running out and her heart in tatters, can God use an impossible miracle to bring Isla hope for a new future?
A fun afternoon read filled with family, faith, and Christmas miricales.
Don’t miss these other titles from Bestselling Christian Historical author Stephenia H. McGee
Ironwood Plantation Family Saga
The Whistle Walk
Heir of Hope
Missing Mercy
The Accidental Spy Series (Previously The Liberator Series)
An Accidental Spy (Previously Leveraging Lincoln)
A Dangerous Performance (Previously Losing Lincoln)
A Daring Pursuit (Previously Labeling Lincoln)
Stand Alone Historical Titles
In His Eyes *Ties to The Hope of Christmas Past
Eternity Between Us
Time Travel
Her Place in Time
The Back Inn Time Series
Contemporary
The Cedar Key
more
History mixed with a little time travel fantasy-some of my favorite things. Love it!
After reading a previous book by this author, I wanted to read another by her. I was so glad I selected this story to read. I felt a connection with the characters. And I’ll recommend it to my friends.
Oh my! Author Stephenia McGee certainly knows how to write an intriguing, split time story. She wonderfully ties two time periods together, making her story easy to follow.
This novella reminds us that life isn’t always easy as McGee writes about a young woman who is in the foster care system. She just wants someone to be her forever family, yet feels that will never happen and pushes her foster mother away. But it’s Christmas, the time for miracles and Isla has an adventure ahead!
With a challenging subject handled well, this story of hope will warm your heart. A page turner, I highly recommend it if you enjoy a wonderful Christmas story, split time or historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
The Hope of Christmas Past is a sweet and inspiring afternoon read filled with moments of laughter and sprinkled with happy tears. Aside from the tastefully executed time-slip element, Isla’s story reads much like an encouraging coming of age story. The author’s portrayal of this young lady’s heart and jumbled emotions are genuine and relatable. Messages of hope, belonging, and love soothe the bittersweet longings for loved ones out of reach or situations beyond our control. What a wonderful story for young ladies to enjoy with their sisters, mothers, and grandmothers! This story reminded me to cherish the peace God graces us with as believers. I highly recommend this story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
This was such a sweet novella! I really enjoyed it! This story idea was so unique and original. I loved it! I enjoyed this trip back to Belmont.
I was given a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author, but was not required to write a review. The thoughts and comments are my own.
The was the first book I read by this author. I enjoyed her writing style very much. I am open to some fantasy in the books I read, and I enjoyed the time travel aspect of this story. It serves a purpose and helped the character see her world through different eyes and come to a decision that might have taken a while longer.
I enjoyed this Christmas novella and I recommend it. I plan to explore the author’s other books after reading this short story. It was a good introduction to her work.
What an incredibly unique and lovely story! A time-travel Christmas novella? Yes, please! I really enjoyed the spiritual content and the joy of this story. Very enjoyable!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.
I enjoyed The Hope of Christmas Past by Stephenia H. McGee. Thought provoking and imaginative novella. Wouldn’t it be exciting to journey into the past and discover how life used to be. Great characters and a lovely story with family, dealing with loss and a new beginning. Isla and her foster mother go to an old plantation for Christmas holiday, where she finds a portrait and is taken back into the nineteenth century. What she finds there will change her life.
Looking forward for more by this author. I received this novella from Stephenia H. McGee and all opinions are my own.
A sweet and fun story of the fear of aging out of the foster system with a bit of time travel mixed in. Author Stephenia H. McGee has written a charming story where readers will be able to connect to the emotions of the main character, especially her fears of aging out of the foster care system. With a bit of time travel mixed in where the main character meets some of her family from the past, the main character comes to learn that is she is loved and wanted and there is hope for a miracle of home and family.
Genre: Christian romance, inspirational
Publisher: By the Vine Press
Publication date: November 1, 2019
Number of pages: 102
An ecopy of this book was purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Time travel is not my favorite genre but The Hope of Christmas Past was an enjoyable read! My heart went out to orphan Isla Laird who has been in multiple foster homes and is now going to age out! She just wants to feel loved! Isla and her foster mother, Jody, are great characters! Ella, from the past, is a caring mother figure. You will enjoy this Christmas novella. I received a complimentary e-book from the author. This is my honest opinion,
I really enjoyed this novella. A time travel story that was fun and unique with wonderful characters. The old Belmont plantation was the perfect place for Isla and her foster Mom, Jody, at Christmas, even though Isla didn’t think so. When Isla “fell” into a different time and visited Ella from the past I knew this was going to be a wonderful book. Isla learned a lesson but would that make her realize the truth? This book has a spiritual aspect that we can all learn and was very intriguing.
I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
What a sweet novella! I love time travel stories, and Stephenia H McGee really knows how to write compelling time travel stories (Her Place in Time is another amazing story), and she really has perfected the novella format of drawing you in immediately into a short story. I really enjoyed The Hope of Christmas Past. Isla, the main character is about to age out of the foster system after losing her parents at a young age. What’s the point of getting close to her latest foster mom? She finds healing in the most unexpected places! Check it out, you know you want to.
I was given an advanced copy of this book with no obligation to post a positive review. All thoughts and comments are my own.
The Hope Of Christmas Past by Stephenia H McGee is a delightful Christian timeslip novella that will warm your heart.
There are all the elements to make a perfect Christmas wrapped up in tantalising descriptions. A warm welcome awaits the reader.
Themes of taking care of widows and orphans, and the all encompassing love of God swell the reader’s heart. God loves us forever and always, even when we think we have messed up. His love is unconditional.
Christmas is the time for snow and miracles and love. The Hope Of Christmas Past is a most charming tale that will entertain you and leave you feeling good.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
I don’t normally read time travel books, because I’ve always thought it just didn’t fit in with my favorite Genre’, Historical Romance. Well, I gave it a shot with Miss Stephenia’s book, Her Place in Time, and I loved it. Just as I loved this one. Of course this isn’t a romance story, but it is about love and acceptance.
Miss Stephenia has a way with time, yes, but she has an even better grasp on time travel and how to fit the two different time periods together to weave a wonderful story for all to enjoy. The story is clean and presented nicely so that any age may enjoy a story that carries you into the past right along with the character in question.
Isla Laird is about to turn 18 years old and will age out of the Foster care system and will be on her own. Isla refuses to bond with her current Foster mother because what was the point? She will be aging out soon, therefore, she is sullen and apprehensive about a Christmas trip to Belmont Plantation with her Foster mother.
While examining an old painting, Isla is suddenly transported to the past. To Belmont Plantation as it was back in the nineteenth century. The people there are so much different than the people Isla is used to, but she warms to their offer of friendship.
If I have whet your appetite, pick up a copy of The Hope of Christmas Past by Stephenia H. McGee and find out what Isla finds at the old Belmont Plantation. Enjoy!
FTC Disclosure: An ebook was provided by the author. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
The Hope of Christmas Past is a beautiful, enjoyable story. Through believable characters, vivid descriptions, and an extraordinary plot, Ms. McGee has crafted a very inspiring story of hope, trust, and family ties. It was fun getting reacquainted with Ella from In His Eyes, one of my favorite books by Ms. McGee. I highly recommend this Christmas Novella.
I was given an advanced copy of this book with no obligation to post a positive review. All thoughts and comments are my own.
The Hope of Christmas Past is an amazing story of finding peace, hope, and family.
I was hooked the moment I started reading and I did not want to stop.
Isla is perfectly portrayed as a teen who is being foisted into adulthood and doesn’t know what to do about it. Isla’s past forced her to grow up far too quickly and now that she will soon be considered an adult and forced to become truly alone she is lost within her hurt and so burdened that she can’t see the hope right in front of her.
The mysterious elements were wonderfully written and I absolutely loved how unexpected some things were.
I can’t wait to reread this novella when it finally gets to be around Christmastime, but of course, by then I will have already read it a million times over but one or two or ten more times wouldn’t be a hardship with glistening snow outside, Christmas music playing, and a cup of hot lavender tea.
I have always loved McGee’s novels and lately, I have loved them even more, her writing is becoming even more amazing and her books are shining with Truth and Hope, I can’t wait to see what her next books will have to offer.
With breathtaking plots and character’s that will induce smiles at the sweetness of moments and heartbreak because of a character’s pain or grave mistakes, Mcgee’s carefully crafted worlds are rich with history and filled with the Truth that only comes through Jesus Christ.