Twas the Night Before

Rating:
Summary: The Santa Story
Review: I read this book because I thought it was a Christian Christmas romance. It's a romance set during the Christmas season, but to my surprise, it didn't even talk about Christmas being Jesus's birthday. Instead, this author (who also penned the Left Behind series) wrote a book about believing in Santa Claus. What the world doesn't need is another book or movie about Santa Claus. Christmas isn't about Santa Claus, it's about the miracle of the birth of Christ. The book was laid out with big print and big margins and was a fast read, but don't expect to find any theological messages.

Rating:
Summary: Heartwrenchingly beautiful
Review: Northwestern University journalist professor Noella Wright invites highly regarded newspaper reporter Tom Douton to provide a lecture to her students. Cynical Tom, who champions the working class, refuses to step into the fantasy world of academia until Noella erodes away his reluctance.

When they actually meet, he begins to fall in love with the rosy-colored professor, who is his diametrical opposite in outlook. Their relationship grows until Noella begins to wear a pendant that she insists was given to her as a child by Santa Claus. He refuses to be associated with an educated lunatic and ends their relationship. Needing an article for his part of the newspaper's annual Christmas edition, Tom flies to the Black Forest in Germany to learn more about the heritage of the holiday. His plane crashes and he is mysteriously rescued even as Noella is willing to suspend her beliefs in order for them to find happiness together.

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE may not be quite THE GIFT OF THE MAGI, but fans of seasonal romances will devour this interesting (though far-fetched) tale. The lead protagonists may be total opposites in perspective, but share much in common, which is why their relationship seems plausible. The story line is clearly and purposely a grand canyon of a stretch. However, fans of Yuletide romance who suspend reality for a few hours will simply enjoy Jerry B. Jenkins' fantasy love story that leaves no one left behind when it comes to feeling good.

Harriet Klausner