The Christmas Stranger by Richard Paul Evans

 The Christmas Stranger

Book Summary

Sometimes the universe sends us exactly who we need...

Three years after losing his family in a Christmas Eve accident, grief-stricken Paul Wanlass hasn’t just given up on Christmas, he’s given up on life. He can’t imagine anything to keep him here—not his work as a computer repairman, not the residents in his Salt Lake City neighborhood, and certainly not the idea of connecting with someone new. When a stranger knocks on his door, claiming to be picking up a laptop, Paul allows him in—but discovers the man has a very different mission in mind.

Paul wakes the next morning unsure if his encounter with the stranger really happened or was just a dream–but when the stranger shows up again, Paul challenges him to give him just one reason to live. The stranger agrees to the challenge but warns Paul not to expect a path he would have guessed or chosen.

As the stranger promised, Paul’s life takes a wild and fateful turn. A robbery connects him with a woman who has also lost the love of her life, and, in a seemingly unrelated incident, Paul rescues a young boy from bullying, only to find the boy needs a different kind of rescue. The twists leave Paul wondering what these people have in common, and why they were brought together. Who—or what—really is this Christmas stranger, and how will Paul find meaning once again?

My Thoughts

The Christmas Stranger by Richard Paul Evans is a heartfelt, well-written story with believable characters who display both strengths and flaws. This narrative integrates themes of adversity and recovery. Evans effectively illustrates how, even during challenging periods, compassion and faith can provide guidance. The story demonstrates that hope may be renewed through support from unexpected individuals.  The story reminds us of the true spirit of Christmas. It is amazing how a stranger can change your life.  Kindness does not cost us a thing, but it can be so rewarding. I just loved Barkley, Paul’s darling dog (such a cutie pie).  The Christmas Stranger is a touching tale that will linger with you longer after its conclusion.

The Christmas Stranger is available from Amazon*.  You can find Richard Paul Evans' other novels here.  Todays images are of Salt Lake City, Utah during the holidays (the setting for the book). Thank you for joining me today. I am a little overwhelmed at the moment, so I am going to take next week off.  I will return on Tuesday, November 18 with The Botanist's Assistant by Peggy Townsend. I am hoping this will give me a chance to get caught up as well as rest (sharp spikes of pain are shooting through my back). I hope that you have a wonderful weekend. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links.

The Noel Letters by Richard Paul Evans

The Noel Letters

Book Summary

The Noel Letters by Richard Paul Evans has Noel Post returning to Salt Lake City, Utah after being away for sixteen years.  She has been estranged from her father, Robert Book since she was a teenager.  He is dying of cancer and would like to see Noel before he passes.  Noel is hoping her stay in Salt Lake City will be brief since returning dredges up unhappy memories for her.  Noel is surprised when she learns that she inherited her father’s beloved bookstore, Bobbooks along with the rest of his estate.  Thanks to some sudden changes in her life, Noel decides to stay in town for a time and work at the bookstore.  Noel begins receiving handwritten letters with life lessons and guidance all signed by “Tabula Rose:.  After reuniting with her childhood friend and first boyfriend, Dylan, they begin dating.  It gives Noel a chance to get reacquainted with his adoptive parents.  As Noel works in the bookstore, she begins to learn more about her father, the reason people admired him, and why he loved the bookstore.  Old memories begin to surface regarding her mother and the night she died.  Noel wants to learn the truth, but is she truly prepared to hear it.  Noel is at a crossroads in her life.  She needs to decide what path she wishes to take. 

My Thoughts

The Noel Letters by Richard Paul Evans is 4^th novel in The Noel Collection.  Each book in this series can be read on its own.  I have enjoyed Richard Paul Evans’ novels since I read The Christmas Box.  I thought The Noel Letters to be well-written with developed characters and steady pacing.  Noel Post is a woman who has let anger rule her life for too long.  Painful childhood memories have influenced her life and her decisions since she was a teenager.  After a sudden rash of losses, Noel has some downtime to reflect.  She begins receiving handwritten letters that offer guidance, thoughts, quotes, and reflections.  Noel can let these special missives help her or she can ignore them.  There were several times when I found myself wanting to shake Noel and tell her to open her eyes (and her heart).  There were some special characters in this story.  Grace, Wendy, and Dylan each had something to offer Noel if only she would let them.  I loved the descriptions of the bookstore.  It sounded like a special place that would attract bibliophiles.  I thought the store’s name, Bobbooks was disappointing and lackluster.  It needed something magical and that was not Noel’s choice.  I loved the quotes before each chapter about books and writing.  There were other quotes interspersed throughout the book.  There were some ones that I loved that I made sure to write down. The Noel letters is an emotional story that will tug on your heartstrings.  The Noel Letters is a special holiday tale about misunderstandings, second chances, love, grief, books, and forgiveness.  

The Noel Letters is available from Amazon* as well as other major booksellers.  The other novels in  The Noel Collection are The Noel Diary, The Noel Stranger, and Noel Street.  You can find Richard Paul Evans' other novels here.  The upper graphic that I included today is a picture of the Sugar House neighborhood where Noel grew up in the book. Thank you for dropping by today.   I am off to do more cleaning, sorting, and such.  I have barely made a dent in this house.   Merry Scary Victorian Christmas by Mollie Cox Bryan is planned for tomorrow.  It is the 3rd A Victoria Town Mystery Novella.  I hope that you have an uplifting day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Noel Stranger by Richard Paul Evans

I cannot believe that Christmas is almost here. Bones Behind the Wheel by E.J. Copperman will be out on January 8 along with Seven Deadly Zins by Nancy J. Parra.  The Wartime Sisters by Lynda Cohen Loigman will be published on January 22.

The Noel Stranger by Richard Paul Evans takes readers to Salt Lake City, Utah.  Agnetha “Maggie” Walther is shocked when she learns that her husband, Clive is a bigamist.  Maggie hides in her home for the next six months to avoid the people’s looks and reporters.  Her friend, Carina convinces Maggie that she needs to get out and suggests she purchase a Christmas tree.  Maggie goes to the local tree lot where she meets the owner, Andrew.  Andrew delivers the tree later that evening and they chat over coffee. Maggie is taken with him and cannot stop thinking about the handsome Andrew.  A few days later Maggie goes back to the lot to obtain Christmas lights, and he offers to help her decorate the tree.  Their friendship begins and quickly blossoms into romance.  Maggie’s heart is opening as she falls in love with Andrew.  But then Maggie discovers that Andrew has been not been forthcoming on his past and doubts begin to surface.  Can Maggie listen to Andrew with an open mind and heart?

The Noel Stranger is the second book in The Noel Collection (The Noel Diary is the first book in collection), but each book in the series is meant to stand on its own.  While I have enjoyed other stories by Richard Paul Evans (The Christmas Box being my favorite), The Noel Stranger was a letdown.  Maggie is supposed to have trust issues, but she meets Andrew and seems to instantly fall in love.  Within two weeks, they are jetting off to Mexico for a vacation.  I would have expected the romance to progress at a slower pace as she slowly gets to know Andrew.  The Noel Stranger felt unrealistic and predictable.  The story lacked depth and I was not able to connect with the characters.  Maggie is a contradiction as well as selfish.  Maggie has been neglecting her business for the last six months while she has been wallowing at home in self-pity (I would have been angry).  She has been relying on her business assistant to run the business and she has little training (I am shocked she still has a business).  The story felt contrived and flat.  I rolled my eyes so often they hurt the next day.  The Noel Stranger features forgiveness, love, redemption, hope, compassion, important of communication and second changes.  I am giving The Noel Stranger 3 out of 5 stars.  The Noel Stranger is a light, clean romance novel that is an easy and quick story to read (just not the right fit for me).

Thank you for joining me today.  I am off to unearth the Christmas gifts I have been buying all year (wish me luck) and get them stuffed into gift bags (such a delightful invention).  I gave up on gift wrap when I saw how quickly people tore it off the gift and then wadded into a ball for the trash.  I will be sharing my thoughts on The Nightingale Christmas Show by Donna Douglas tomorrow.  It is the ninth story in The Nightingales series (for fans of Call the Midwife).  Stay warm, try not to stress out and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader