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Pat Wahler is the winner of Western Fictioneers' Best First Novel of 2018, a Walter Williams Award winner, and winner of Author Circle Awards 2019 Novel of Excellence in Historical Fiction for I am Mrs. Jesse James. She has also authored the Becker Family Novels, a three-book contemporary romance series, and a popular holiday collection, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas. A frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, Pat is an avid reader with a special passion for historical fiction, women’s fiction, and stories with heart. She lives in Missouri with her husband, a Peek-a-poo pup named Winston, and Bogey, a tabby with attitude. You can follow Pat’s newsletter, blog, and social media at www.patwahler.com.
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
The Christmas Keepsake is a short and sweet Christmas story by Pat Wahler. It's 2005, and Janelle Young has just received her dream job offer of being a booking agent in California. However, her boyfriend David has given her an ultimatum. She either chooses their relationship or moves to California to follow her dreams. Facing a heartbreaking dilemma, Janelle visits her grandmother to seek advice on what she should do. This leads to Grandma telling her own story during the Great Depression in 1938. Margaret Norwood (Peggy) was a talented soprano singing in the local church choir when she was approached by a handsome young stranger named Gardner. Looking to join a singing troupe and tour the country, Peggy has a tough choice on her hands when her mother falls gravely ill.
A tale about love and having to make hard decisions, The Christmas Keepsake will strike a chord in your heart and leave you with a smile. Through this novella, Pat Wahler tells a captivating story about two young women from two very different eras trying to make the best of their circumstances without hurting their loved ones. The characters are likable and completely relatable, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in their situations. Janelle and Peggy feel like a real grandmother and granddaughter duo, and I found every scene involving the two of them particularly adorable. The Christmas Keepsake is about love, hope, and the pursuit of happiness. I had a wonderful time reading the book and will gladly recommend it.
