A small book, about 200 pages, but it manages to pack in an emotional load. One of the final stories written by Andrew Greeley, it continues his message of love and grace. ( )

Peter and Mariana have always loved each other, but were separated when Peter chose to join the Army and became Captain Kane, war hero. On his third deployment in Iraq, Peter is badly injured and has to make decisions that include Mariana.

A pretty light-weight book. Almost like reading a briefly sketched plot outline on a napkin...where was the character development. Only the primary character had any hint of development. I read it in less than four hours, and I am NOT a particularly fast reader...not at all.

On the other hand, it was nice to hear of a heaven where truly, "all will be well, all manner of things will be well." ( )

It takes a lifelong romantic, and a person who believes that God is about love and joy and laughter to create Home for Christmas. Andrew M. Greeley tells the story of a lifelong romance that went off-track, and God's determination to put it right.

Petey Pat Kane and Mariana Pia Pelligrino have been in love their whole lives. And, they first met Father Jimmy Joyce, who would become Monsignor Jimmy, when they were just second graders preparing for their First Communion. He was a powerful force in their lives, but he was long gone from Poplar Grove, Illinois by the time they went to their senior prom, a special occasion that ended so tragically that Peter left town, and didn't return.

Despite his shaky start as the son of an abusive drunk, Peter ended up in Iraq for three deployments, where he was a hero. And, it was the last deployment that changed his life forever. When Peter died for nine and half minutes, his ensuing conversation with God sent him back to earth, knowing God laughs a lot, and he had plans for Petey Pat and Mariana. But, Peter, the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, might have been a hero in Iraq, but he was scared to return to the wealthy girl who loved him.

Home for the Holidays is another Christmas story with a happy ending. But, Petey Pat's conversations with God, known as "the One," puts a different slant on the story, as does Kane's experiences in Iraq. Most Christmas stories do not give the author the opportunity to express an opinion about Iraq. Since Kane had three deployments, three years in Iraq, and three Purple Hearts, he feels he can confidentially tell someone his opinion. "I don't like this war one bit. From beginning to end it has been phony; from 'shock and awe' to 'surge,' the Pentagon has deceived us and the American people. Not enough troops, no WMDs, inadequate armor, no response to roadside weapons, pathetic vehicles like unarmored Jeeps and Humvees, idiots to administer an occupation plan that didn't exist, insufficient Arab speakers, poor care at VA and Army hospitals. This has been a snafued war from day one."

Despite the preaching, against the war, and for a laughing God (an image I like), I enjoyed Peter Patrick Kane and Mariana Pia Pelligrino. And Monsignor Jimmy Joyce was just the right sort of priest to conspire to create a happy ending in Home for Christmas. ( )

God love to laugh! That's what Peter Patrick Kane was told when he had a near death experience after being a victim of a suicide bomber in Iraq.

His life had been difficult and staying there would have been nice but God wasn't ready for him yet.

A delightful little tale as can be spun only by Andrew Greeley - and even Blackie gets a mention! ( )