The Gift of Christmas Past(Woodsmall Press, October 2017)

Arson wasn’t the only fire that ignited between them.

Promises shattered.

Lies spoken.

She was arrested.

He returned to the safety of his wealthy parents.

Almost ten years later, Hadley and Monroe are both specialists in the field of speech therapy. They meet again . . . thrown together to help a four-year-old-girl rendered mute after being rescued from a fire.

Years of secrets and anger beg to be set free as Hadley and Monroe try to push aside past hurts and find common ground in order to help the traumatized child and her family.

Can the love of Christmas past drift into the present, bringing healing and hope for all?

Learn more, read an excerpt, and purchase a copy.

Cindy Woodsmall is the "New York Times" and CBA best-selling author of eighteen works of fiction. She's been featured in national media outlets such as ABC's "Nightline" and the "Wall Street Journal." Cindy has won numerous awards and has been finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards. Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in Flowery Branch, GA. ||**|| Erin Woodsmall is a writer, musician, wife, and mom of three. She has edited, brainstormed, and researched books with Cindy for almost a decade. She is very excited about their first coauthored book.

I really enjoyed this book and thought the characters were very relatable. The story is gritty and emotional with topics that can leave scars. As I read about the foster care system and how the two main female characters faced that life, I wanted to cry. Everyone wants to be loved and wanted, but for Hadley and her friend that didn’t seem to happen. To often people misjudge others and cause heartache and trust issues.

Hadley had a reputation of lying and stealing. When she tries to make up for her mistakes, it backfires on her. I loved her strength and willingness to overcome her past. I think her anger fueled her desire to prove to herself that she is a valuable person. As she becomes an adult, she runs into someone from her past that destroyed her hopes and dreams. Can she forgive this person? The story is a look at past mistakes, learning to forgive and finding purpose. I loved reading how the characters each had issues that were painful to deal and how the author showed their vulnerable side.

This book takes readers on a journey of two young girls through the foster care system and shares their struggles, and delivers a powerful story of forgiveness. I hope everyone will pick up a copy and let your heart be filled with a sense of peace, love and family.

I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinion.