Title: Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
Author: Lori Copeland
Pages: 192
Year: 2015
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press
My rating is 3 out of 5 stars.
Arlene Santana and her husband, Jack, own a successful toy store. One of their two sons has recently become a father, so Arlene and Jack decide to take a trip to see their new baby granddaughter. Jack owns his own plane and is an experienced pilot. They take off and are cruising along when bad weather begins to cause problems. Then, the unthinkable happens.
After months of rehab, Arlene arrives at her new home. She doesn’t know who is taking her here, although the young man says he is her son. She wants to see her husband but is told he is out of town on business. She doesn’t know her birthday or how old she is. She can’t remember much of anything, and much of her time seems spent in a “Ground Hog’s Day” movie moment, repeating the same day over and over. How did she get here? When can she leave? Where are her sons and her new baby granddaughter?
I picked this book from my reading shelf as I was in the mood for a shorter story rather than a full-length novel, and I thought this might put me in a festive mood. This isn’t a story about Christmas at all. Some of the events in the story take place at Christmas time but that is just a date on the calendar. The story is depressing and sad, but what salvaged the read for me were two aspects that really brightened portions of the story. The fact that Arlene couldn’t remember much of anything in her recent life, and what she did remember sometimes was jumbled, she did remember God and His faithfulness to His followers. I also loved her three friends with whom she socialized. Gwen was hilarious! So, the novella wasn’t all doom and gloom, but it certainly wasn’t what I was expecting for a Christmas story.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )

Fifty-something Arlene, a woman deeply in love with her husband and eager to go meet her new grandbaby during the Christmas season, finds herself living a confusing life in a rehabilitation center with a curious set of older people in Beautiful Star of Bethlehem by author Lori Copeland.

For me, this was an unusual choice for a holiday read. Having skimmed the blurb, I figured that, despite the lovely book cover sparkling with Christmas promise, this wouldn't be a book to give me feel-good warm-and-fuzzies for the season. It is indeed a story that broaches a difficult subject, and it's not the kind of read I'd necessarily recommend to anyone in a depressed place.

Yet, hard as this fairly quick read was for me at times, it was ultimately worthwhile. Even considering the heroine's plight, I found her perspective interesting and even chuckle-worthy here and there. Certain stories give me a safe place to ponder ideas and how I might apply them, and Arlene's reflections on happiness are worth reflecting on.

It's the kind of story that reminds me that even in the midst of life's trials and imperfections, hope can still be found, and love can still be given and received. ( )

Title: Beautiful Star of Bethlehem (A Christmas Novella)
Author: Lori Copeland
Pages: 192
Year: 2015
Publisher: Shiloh
My rating is 5+ stars.
What an exceptionally touching tale so relevant to the current issues of loving and caring for people with memory issues. The main female character named Arlene has been married for years and is now on the way to meet her first grandchild with her husband. Suddenly life takes a jolting, heart-ripping twist and life for Arlene and her family is forever altered.
Throughout the novella, Arlene has moments where she remembers events, people and her faith though sometimes the thoughts fade as quickly as they come. Now, her sons and their families are under tremendous stress from grief and long term care for their mom. Through the fuzzy moments come words of wisdom, love and care of a mother, friend and grandmother when crisis come to her attention.
Depending on your life experiences, the hope of this novella might really touch your heart deeply, and like me it might even remind you that through all of life God makes beauty from ashes. Like the characters we might go through a myriad of emotions so intense we feel stress that we just cannot find a way to express. However, at some point, we will see God’s hand has been with us throughout the whole season we just walked through. When we come out, we aren’t the same people who went into the season of hardship, heartache or broken dreams, but our walk with the Lord will be so different, more real perhaps.
Stars shine brightest against a black background; God shines brightest and draws us near when we look to Him in the backdrop of our trails. Thank you Lori for writing a very heartfelt story one and all need to read; they’ll never forget it that’s for sure!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem by Lori Copeland is a short, Christian Christmas story. Arlene and Jack Santana are heading out to visit their first grandchild, Ella Parker Santana. Arlene is so happy and excited. The plane is packed with gifts for the new grandbaby (they own Santana Toys). Jack has a new plane and is eager to try it out (he is a pilot and was in the Air Force). It is December and very cold out. As they are flying ice starts forming on the plane. The ice protection system has failed on the plane. The plane crashes. Arlene suffers brain damage, broken ribs, and some paralysis. Arlene has a type of amnesia. She remembers some things from her past like her children and husband but she forgets most things day to day. Arlene is sent by her children to live at Sunset Gardens in Buckhead, Georgia to live near her son Steven and his wife, Julee.

Arlene drifts through the years at the home. She makes a few friends, but she is mostly unhappy. Arlene misses her husband, Jack and their home. Her children visit as often as they can, but Arlene does not remember their visits (or them). Will Arlene ever recover full brain function (her memories)? Can something be done to make Arlene happy so she can enjoy life again? I normally love all books by Lori Copeland, but I found Beautiful Star of Bethlehem to be very dispiriting. It is such a somber book. The writing is good (as always), but I just found the story lacking. I give Beautiful Star of Bethlehem 3 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of Beautiful Star of Bethlehem from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )