Melody Carlson did it again, I absolutely adore Melody's Christmas stories, The Christmas Bus was a feel good Christmas novel. As a quick Christmas read, it was fun to revel in the spirit a little longer. I did enjoy this short little novel, even with its faint predictability. In a faintly obvious mixing of tales, The Christmas Bus is a story about sharing Christmas with everyone, including those who might not be quite so lovable or even likable! There are the lonely, the homeless, the expecting, and the scrooges in this story, all interacting with one another to make one memorable Christmas. In exchange, they have opened up their inn for any wayward travelers who needed a place to stay for the holidays. For the owners of The Shepherd's Inn, this would be an interesting holiday, as their own children would be unable to come for Christmas. In Christmas Valley, the little town there plays on every bit of Christmas that they can to draw tourism. While this second novel played a bit more obviously on Christmas story themes, such as the Mary & Joseph story with a young expecting couple that have rolled into town in an old rickety bus, it was still a fun read. This was my first, however, and it was cute. I understand that Melody Carlson, author of The Christmas Bus, has actually written many Christmas themed novels. What a lovely,little Christmas novella! I highly recommend,and I couldn’t sing its praises more. I even got my Bible out to find all of the room names/what they were based on. I thought it was cool how all of the rooms,in the Inn, were named from the twenty-third Psalm. It’s such a fun read, and it will be a favorite of mine for years to come.

I just love their little community and church. Colin and Amy reminded me of Mary and Joseph,but Edith thought so as well. Leslie,Peter,and Megan were the sweetest. She’s so calm,kind,caring, and always turns to the Lord.

Edith and Charles are the sweetest couple ever. I would love to spend a Christmas in Christmas Valley,Oregon! It seems so magical,and I would love to stay at the Shepherd’s Inn. I read this book once every Christmas for awhile now. This is one of my favorite Christmas books.

The christmas shoppe by melody carlson