THE CHRISTMAS SECRET by Donna VanLiere, read by Donna VanLiere, Macmillan Audio, 2009, 6 hrs., Five CDs, Unabridged, CD ISBN 978-1-4272-0765-4
THE CHRISTMAS SECRET is as light a confection as the pastry sold at Betty’s Bakery, the scene for much of the story. Christine is a single mother who is trying to keep it together at a time when events seem to conspire against her. Just when everything looks darkest, a simple act of kindness creates a shower of good deeds that spread Christmas in surprising ways. Donna VanLiere is more qualified than most authors to narrate her own book—by virtue of her background in theater and radio—and she doesn’t disappoint here. VanLiere gives just enough distinction to the various characters to communicate the shifts from the first-person point of view of Christine’s story to the varying points of view of the subplots and their colorful characters. VanLiere’s British accent even gets an outing through an expat Brit who frequents Betty’s Bakery. This lovely Christmas story, like a well-made pastry, is good at any time of year. E.E.M. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
