Award-winning author Eva Marie Everson wraps up a Christmas story of hope, love, and forgiveness just in time for the holidays. The Ornament Keeper, a contemporary Christmas novella, features Felicia and Jackson Morgan who are spending their first Christmas apart after twenty years of marriage. But a lifetime of gifted ornaments helps Felicia piece together the story of their marriage and the one … one mistake of unforgiveness she made before they said, “I do.” Can these memory-filled ornaments reunite this family before Christmas? Only time will tell.
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Can one holiday tradition hold the power to heal two broken hearts?
Grab a cup of your favorite brew, a few tissues, and cozy up for an evening or two of sheer delight. Eva Marie Everson’s beautiful Christmas novella will tug at your heartstrings.
After twenty years of marriage, Felicia Morgan and her husband, Jackson, face their first Christmas apart. When Felicia decides not to decorate for Christmas, her daughter insists they at least have a tree. After she promises her mother that she, along with her brothers, will do the heavy lifting, Felicia concedes.
In a hurry to get the task behind her, Felicia pulls out the decorations and unpacks more than she bargained for. As she unwraps nineteen ornaments given to her by her now estranged husband, each one sparks a flood of emotion-filled memories spanning two decades. Will these sparkling reminders of what once was uncover the heart of their dilemma and become a source of healing for their broken marriage?
Everson’s engaging story of love, hope, and forgiveness combined with her masterful storytelling and relatable characters, may encourage you to begin your own ornament tradition as well as unwrap a few hope-filled, healing memories of your own. An ideal way to gear up for a holiday worth remembering.
Perhaps this story would be best if read in one sitting, two at the most. Even though this is a novella, the author manages to acquaint us with the characters and their story. At times, I wondered if the author had somehow channeled my life. I could relate to many of the occurrences, not all happy ones. I read this over the course of a few evenings, and I realized that it was somehow bothering me. I felt for Felicia but thought she also needed a slap upside the head. Her husband, Jackson, was not a saint, but he continued to try and reach out to her. This book brings to light that many times we create our own troubles where none exists. I did like that Jackson was able to select the perfect ornament to commemorate each year.
WOW! This little book packs a punch! This was my first read of Eva’s work, but I am certain it will not be my last.
The Ornament Keeper was a lovely read about unexpected blessings, the secret dreams we hold in our hearts and the challenges of marriage. I loved the characters: Jackson, Felicia, and their children. An extended group of family, friends and mentors are also infused in the story, which leads to richness and details rarely found in a novella. Add to this the fact that it revolves around the Christmas season, one of my favorite times of the year, and I was hooked!
The messages in the book are heartwarming and at its conclusion, I found myself weeping. Such great visual imagery and the character’s situations were easily relatable to all sorts of readers. I believe this would make an excellent Christmas gift for just about anyone on your list that likes to read.
There are lessons from both sides of the marriage between the two main characters, and their children also have their own stories, too. Eva expertly weaves a tale that is thought provoking. The Ornament Keeper will make you laugh, cry and rejoice by the last page.
I received an advance copy and chose to review. Thank you to Eva and New Hope Publishers for the chance to enjoy this tremendous story!
I’m not normally a fan of contemporary fiction, but I had to share this one. Recollections at Christmas lead to a real and relational story with reconciliation at its heart, bringing healing to all. A perfect gift for the holidays. Or now. The reader won’t be disappointed!
Felicia Morgan has always followed a set traditional routine when it comes to setting up the family Christmas tree but after twenty years of marriage, she and her husband have separated and she doesn’t have the heart to celebrate. When persuaded to keep up the tradition for her younger children’s sake, Felicia reluctantly agrees and one painful ornament after another, she slowly adds them to the tree as the memories attached to each one overtake her.
The Ornament Keeper is a beautifully written story that is both sentimental and poignant yet filled with meaning for each of its readers. I loved how the author used the memories behind each ornament to take Felicia through the events from each year to give her a true context of her marriage and helped her understand her own role in why it fell apart.
This is a lovely, lovely book with a clear message of forgiveness and reconciliation, the true meaning of the season. I enjoyed it so much and hope others will read it also. Perfect for a cozy evening by the fire after a long day of shopping or baking.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by JustRead Publicity Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.