It’s November 19, 1966 and Mike McRae is on his way to Vietnam.  His father Frank gifts him an old hymnal that he himself carried as a young Marine in WWII. The spiritual meaning of the book takes Mike off guard a bit. He’s never thought of his dad as a spiritual guy. And, there is good reason for that.

Horrible unforgettable memories of WWII atrocities by the Japanese have buried themselves deep into Frank McRae’s mind. He hates it that now his son fights in yet another Asian war half way across the world.

Worse than that though is watching the love of his life Maggie fight a war against an evil nemesis - cancer. Frank is very bitter and questions a God who would allow such things to happen. In the meantime, Julie (Frank’s daughter) and her husband Dan do the best to minister in love and be Christ-like in the midst of their own private war.

The McRae’s are an ordinary American family struggling to survive spiritually, physically and emotionally. When Mike delivers news that has the power to blow the family apart, the reader may find themselves praying for the McRae family.

I am a big fan of J.M. Hochstetler. Her American Patriot series was one of my favorites and I was sorry to see we wouldn’t get book number three. Until I found One Holy Night I didn’t know that book three of the Patriot series is indeed being released soon.

What makes her writing so compelling is the combination of real life characters and riveting plots. Reading becomes a journey and an adventure.

I really appreciate the readers’ discussion guide in the back.  It takes my reading deeper and is a good aide for book clubs.

August 23, 2008