Gabe Rodriguez never thought he'd be where he is today ... working at an elementary school in the facilities and maintenance department. He's made a mess of his life and is trying to put it back together. However, he loves his work, and more than that, he loves the children, especially little Madeline Grace. Maddie is a sweet and precocious, seven-year-old who has stolen Gabe's heart. He'd do almost anything for her, except meet the new volunteer at Glory's Place where Maddie goes after school each day. Maddie's trying to be a match-maker!

The new volunteer is Amy Denison, an insurance adjuster from the next town over who has come to help out at Glory's Place in the afternoons. Amy too is trying to put the shattered pieces of her life back together. She's feeling unfulfilled in her job and in her life. She just wants something more. Amy loves the children and workers at Glory's Place and the volunteer work she is doing. She has a special affection for Maddie. Who doesn't love Maddie! Maddie is smart, a little bit deceptive and is doing her best to bring Gabe and Amy together. Will it happen, or is there something more in store for Maddie?

THE CHRISTMAS STAR is a charming story by Donna VanLiere about love and loss, about putting the broken pieces of our lives back together and moving on through our faith and hope. It's about finding hope in the darkest places, through forgiveness and mercy. Both Gabe and Amy know they cannot change the past and must forge on to make a new future. They are very realistic characters with hurts and hang-ups from their pasts that have brought them to where they are today. Maddie is a delightful character, very mature and articulate for a seven-year-old, and just wants to see Gabe and Amy happy. We meet old friends from Glory's Place who were in Ms. VanLiere's book, THE CHRISTMAS HOPE. The delightful and quirky characters here make this story a real treat. THE CHRISTMAS STAR is an inspirational Christmas story that will warm your heart and nurture your belief in the spirit of Christmas. Do not miss this one!