BEST-SELLING AUTHOR DONNA VANLIERE PENS POIGNANT RETELLING OF NATIVITY STORY IN 'THE CHRISTMAS JOURNEY'

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— The Christmas Journey, the latest title from New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Donna VanLiere, will be available November 1 from St. Martin’s Press. A poignant retelling of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Christ, the book features illustrations by Michael Storrings. 

Depicting the landscape from Nazareth to Bethlehem as well as detailing the lowly stable itself, VanLiere also brings to life conversations that might have taken place between the carpenter and his young bride.  Whether highlighting the foods Mary packed for the grueling trip, exposing the honesty of Joseph’s fears, or conveying both the intense pain and unspeakable glory of Jesus’ entrance into the world, The Christmas Journeyoffers a fresh perspective on the Holy Night. 
 
"Somehow through the years, we have sanitized the cave where Jesus was born and filled it with fluffy lambs and a radiant glow,” says VanLiere.  “We give little thought to the physical trip of getting to Bethlehem, let alone the emotions behind it.  I wroteThe Christmas Journey nearly 20 years ago for a church Christmas banquet as a reminder of what took place.  I've been reading it ever since."
 
VanLiere’s acclaimed The Christmas Hope series of books includesThe Christmas Shoes (based on NewSong’s classic Christmas song) and The Christmas Blessing, both of which were adapted into popular CBS television movies starring Rob Lowe, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Neil Patrick Harris.  In addition, Lifetime Television’s adaptation of The Christmas Hope starred Madeleine Stowe.  Last year’s The Christmas Secret, the fifth title in the series, was also a New York Times bestseller and was selected by USA Today as one of their "12 Books of Christmas" picks.  VanLiere is also author of The Angels of Morgan Hill, as well as the autobiographical Finding Grace, among other titles.
 
The recipient of a Retailer's Choice Award for Fiction; a GMA Dove Award; a Silver Angel Award; an Audie Award for best inspirational fiction; and a nominee for Gold Medallion Book of the Year, VanLiere is a popular speaker and has appeared at numerous women's and family events, including select Women of Faith and Extraordinary Women conferences. 
 
The Christmas Journey retails for $12.99. For further information, visit www.donnavanliere.com.