Finding Father Christmas (Father Christmas Series #1) | 
 enlarge | Author: Robin Jones Gunn
Publisher: FaithWords
Category: Book
List Price: $13.99
Buy New: $7.54
You Save: $6.45 (46%)
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Rating:  10 reviews
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 176
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 0.8
ISBN: 0446526290
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780446526296
Publication Date: October 11, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new item. Over 4 million customers served. Order now. Selling online since 1995. Few left in stock - order soon. Code: H20081114205835T
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Product Description
Bestselling author Robin Jones Gunn brings readers a poignant Christmas novella about a woman, desperate for a place to belong, who finds herself in London a few days before Christmas, looking for the father she never knew.
In FINDING FATHER CHRISTMAS, Miranda Carson's search for her father takes a turn she never expected when she finds herself in London with only a few feeble clues to who he might be. Unexpectedly welcomed into a family that doesn't recognize her, and whom she's quickly coming to love, she faces a terrible decision. Should she reveal her true identity and destroy their idyllic image of her father? Or should she carry the truth home with her to San Francisco and remain alone in this world? Whatever choice she makes during this London Christmas will forever change the future for both herself and the family she can't bear to leave. Robin Jones Gunn brilliantly combines lyrical writing and unforgettable characters to craft a story of longing and belonging that will stay with readers long after they close the pages of this book.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Reviewed for FIRST Wild Card Tour at http://wynsbooks.blogspot.com November 9, 2008
albey
I haven't read Christian Romance for years. I was very pleased with these 2 books, a little mystery, a little romance, no vivid adult content, so refreshing. These books would make wonderful Christmas holiday reading. Both were novellas, short and easy to read but very difficult to put down until completely read. Miranda now an orphan goes in search of her biological father and when she meets the family isn't sure whether to go ahead and tell them or not. She was not raised as a Christian but finding the family at Christmas time helps to introduce her to the faith and to see it come out in the lives of the people she meets. The author obviously has theater training because her descriptions are vivid and right on. Miranda although surrounded by other characters is definitely the main character and in fact the attitude of the story is almost biographical. The scenes are warm and cosy, perfect atmosphere for Christmas. The second book in the series is just as good as the first with more character development and an awesome proposal. I would definitely recommend both these books
 Wonderful Holiday Book - Full of Family and Faith! October 30, 2008
W. Barker (Seattle, WA)
Perfect for : Personal reading, Book Club reading, GREAT Gift Book (Note: the book does include discussion questions at the end)
In a nutshell: I think this is my ALL-TIME favorite holiday book (especially when combined with the sequel!). Going against her quiet nature, Miranda Carson leaves America and travels to England where she hopes to find her birth father by tracking down the studio who produced the only photograph she has of him. This is a heart-warming story of a blossoming faith and a quest to find family. I fell in love with the characters and the homey feeling this story gave me. My favorite characters in the book are Katharine and Andrew MacGregor, and Ellie and Julia Whitcombe. These characters help to spread a warmth throughout the story (along with the other characters of course!), full of new experiences, warmth, acceptance and growth. This was a quick read for me, made more enjoyable by the approaching holidays (yes - I would put up my Christmas tree today if my family would let me!) I highly suggest reading this book, and plan to give a few sets for Christmas gifts this year!
My Review:
I absolutely loved this book and the sequel, Engaging Father Christmas. It was a fast read for me that made me feel warm and peaceful. I highly recommend both books for personal reading, book club reading (there are include discussion questions) and as books that would be great for gifts!
Characters: With a handful of main characters, it was hard not to love each and every one of them, so I'll just talk about a few here, and let you read about the others yourself! ;) Miranda Carson is the main character, who goes on a quest to find her birth father. She has no family left in America, where she was raised by a fanciful actress mom until she was 11, then raised by a kind woman until 15, at which time she ventured out on her own to San Fransisco. (She lost both women, her Mom died in a theater accident, and her "aunt" died of cancer.) Along her journey, she meets Katharine and Andrew MacGregor, who invite her to join them for the annual Christmas play, then the after-party. Andrew has a wonderful Scottish accent, and a wonderfully warm and outgoing personality. She also meets Ellie and Edward Whitcombe and their two children Mark and Julia. Ellie is dressed in a wonderfully elegant dress, reminiscent of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Story-Line: The characters in the story help Miranda (and the reader) to feel welcome through the holiday season, opening their homes to a perfect-stranger. Katharine plays a very important part throughout the book, and I just loved her. The story carries the reader through Miranda's spiritual (yet bumpy) journey, and her literal journey to find what she hopes will be her father's family.
Readability: This was a very enjoyable, easy read. The author has done a wonderful job of helping the reader to experience the settings of the book, making it easy to lose track of time. I believe it only took me a few hours to read (along with a few distractions from my family).
Overall: This was a beautifully written book, that will surely be a cherished favorite among holiday stories. It is a nice easy read that could easily be shared with the rest of the family (no questionable scenes or language). readers will fall in love with the characters and ambiance throughout the book, and will look forward to reading the sequel. I especially enjoyed the dark green printing in the book instead of the normal black lettering - it helped to complete the holiday feel!
Her Father was there all the time... January 10, 2008
Debra Gaynor (Hawesville, KY USA)
Miranda was searching for someone; what she would find would change her life forever. Her search lead her to the Tea Cosy in Country Heath. As she looked in the window, she wondered if she had made a mistake traveling from San Francisco to London. She had few clues, a birth certificate, a playbill, and an old photograph. The quaint teashop was warm, inviting and seemed to be drawing her in. The owners Katherine and Andrew were dressed for the annual performance of Dickens play A Christmas Carol. Miranda had not been to a play since she was nine years old, when she had made the decision to shun all plays and had denounced all fables and fairy tales, including the tooth fairy, Easter Bunny and Santa. Her mother was Eve Carson, actress. Miranda's childhood had been one of moving from one motel to another as her mother took one role after another. She did not mean to neglect Miranda but Eve's first love always seemed to be the theater. Miranda spent her life trying to remain invisible. She longed for a father, someone who would love her, someone who would accept her. Would she find the acceptance she desperately needed or would she go home keeping her secret to herself?
Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn is a delightful Christmas novel. The story is written from Miranda's point of view. I felt it was an interpretation of Dicken's A Christmas Carol. MS Gunn is a talented writer; her words drew me into the story. I could almost see the old church with the brilliant stained glass windows and the home of Ellie and Edward. I could almost feel the warmth of the fire and the chill of the snowflakes. I felt I had been transported to the Tea Cosy and Ellie's home. The characters are well developed. Miranda is deprived and vulnerable and searchest for acceptance, yet not willing to wound others. Ellie, Katherine, Andrew and Doralee are perfect supporting characters. All showed love for Miranda. The end of the plot has a hint of romance in the future. I did not want this book to end. I wanted to see more of Miranda's life. Did she stay in London? Did she and Ian find love? Finding Father Christmas is the perfect Christmas book. It certainly put me in the right frame of mind for Christmas. I will be recommending Finding Father Christmas to all my friends!
Nice, cozy read... December 31, 2007
Michelle Sutton (Arizona)
This was a nice, cup of cocoa kind of read. While it had some poignant and soul-searching moments, I didn't find it very deep or compelling. But then again, I'm not much of a warm fuzzy Christmas story kind of book reader, either. So there was not enough conflict to make my heart respond. But it was a nice story and I want to read the next book in the series. I want to know what will happen to Miranda's love life since this story had no romance in it at all. Maybe if the book had been longer than a novella the author could have probed the inner workings of her heart more. But given the limitations of the word count, the author did a good job with this novel. It was well-written, and I finished it, which is a rare occurrence these days. Need I say more?
EXCELLENT December 18, 2007
Tina E. Smith (KY)
This was an excellent read. For ladies who never knew their fathers and were close to their mothers this book is for you.
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