All I Have To Give - Melody Carlson (Christmas)

REVELL
ISBN: 9780800718824
September 2008


Melody Carlson is a master at creating engaging, emotional stories. As Christian stories go, I've never found her books to be preachy, something I appreciate. Instead, she spins stories around likeable characters and touching storylines.

In ALL I HAVE TO GIVE, the main character Anna becomes troubled when her husband spends more time at work. After years of trying to conceive and a heartbreaking miscarriage, Anna's ready for a happy holiday season. To revitalize her marriage and spirits, she sells some family china in order to purchase an engine for the car her husband is trying to restore. As events unfold, Anna learns a lot about herself, her husband and the true blessing Christmas provides.

ALL I HAVE TO GIVE is a good story, but it's another spin on the classic O'Henry tale. After starting the book, I realized that was the path the story was taking pretty quickly. I'm a huge fan of O'Henry's "Gift of the Magi," and I suppose I'm just growing tired of the number of books that take that plot and respin it every holiday season. That's why I can't say Carlson's book is my favorite. It's good, but I was hoping for more.