Christmas With Tucker

Christmas with Tucker, by Greg Kincaid, is a prequel to his already-released title, A Dog Named Christmas (which I have not read but was apparently turned into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie.) If a prequel is going to be released second though, I'm glad I started with the beginning of the story, back in 1962. In this story we meet young George, who lost his father in a farming accident in the summer of the same year. Transitions have been sad and sometimes rough when George is put in charge of caring for the neighbor's dog during the holiday season.

Before I get any further, I just want to say that although the title makes it obvious that this book is about a dog, and although the author is himself a big fan of these canine creatures, I didn't really feel like this book was about a dog. Sure, Tucker was a character in the story and you can feel his importance. Not being a big pet lover myself, I wasn't sure I'd be able to really get into this story but I was easily pulled in and came to love both this family and their adopted pooch.

Kincaid, although dealing with something of a hefty subject matter, does not write this story in such a way that leaves you feeling sad or depressed. Yes, there are moments when you wish to change the family history in the book and you long for the way "things used to be" (perhaps a little in your own life as well!) At the same time, the reader can easily grasp hold of the hope that Christmas with Tucker has to offer. The refrain of the book is that although we may have suffered great loss in our lives, we can't change the past and we must learn how to keep pressing forward - with hope. No, this isn't a Christian novel but it plays out very well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas story. Thoroughly. Kincaid creates characters that you believe in, root for, cheer on and, yes, sympathize with as well. The chapters are incredibly short making this 180 page book a quick and easy, and extraordinarily pleasant Christmas read. I definitely plan on keeping this story on my bookshelf for yearly re-reads and I'm looking forward to snagging a copy of A Dog Named Christmas also. If Kincaid writes any additional Christmas stories, I'll be right on them!

I'm very happy to say that not only did The Crown Publishing Group send me a copy of this book to read, they also have offered a copy to one of my readers! Would you like to win this cozy and inspiring Christmas read? If you would, simply leave a comment below. This contest is open to U.S. Residents only and will be open through Sunday, December 5th.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER (as selected by random.org) IS #31 - Cathy W. CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you, Crown Publishing, for offering us this wonderful story!