I loved The Christmas Cactus. Wholeheartedly. Christy Martenson created a world of love and joy, introducing her readers to characters who become friends and crafting a storyline that was beautifully full of family, strength, and perseverance. In addition to all that, it passed the real test of a wonderful story: my own emotion kept leaking out in laughter and tears as I celebrated and mourned and giggled along with Katie Jo.

It's been a rough couple of years, right?  In the midst of it all, I got to read The Christmas Cactus.  And it was like being transported.  A strong heroine with a real faith, putting the needs of her siblings ahead of her own desires.  And in doing so, grows stronger and finds hope for real happiness.  Rare and beautiful . . . in a story told so you feel you're there with her. If you'd like a refreshing break, check out The Christmas Cactus.

The Christmas Cactus is a warm, delightful story that takes place in the late 1800's. After being abandoned, Katie Jo and her siblings find themselves homeless on the frontier. A kind farmer offers to help them which changes the trajectory of their lives.

This is the perfect cozy Christmas story for anyone who enjoys sweet romances, charming characters, and plucky heroines who are know to wield frying pans on occasion to protect their family.

As I edited The Christmas Cactus, I found the simplicity, depth, and wholesomeness of the story to be very refreshing.

The Christmas Cactus depicts entertaining real-life family scenes, shares sincere heart-searching conversations with the Lord, and gives you a taste of farm life in Washington Territory in the 1870s.

Martenson did an outstanding job of bringing each character to life according to their age and kept their reliance on God true and authentic. In fact, the entire story is filled with gems of truth without preaching and is fun, heart-wrenching, and satisfying.