The Kindness Challenge: A Christmastime Novella (Winter Wonderland, A Collection of Standalone Seasonal Stories)

Leah’s family is reeling after losing her husband earlier in the year. Thanksgiving has passed, and she is trying to find a way to bring him home for the holidays, even if he can’t actually be there. As she plans for her family’s beloved tradition of completing daily kindness challenges during the month of December, she comes up with an idea that will ensure her husband is still part of the holiday celebration. Twelve-year-old Lucy and nine-year-old Micah miss their dad and the special touches he would bring to their kindness challenge every year. They’re quiet and reserved as December begins but eager to fulfill the daily tasks. Leah hopes that remembering their dad throughout the month will make their eyes shine bright once again. ~//~\\~ "Melissa Cate opened the pages of her heart in this beautiful, thought-provoking story of a widowed mother with her two children. This inspiring tale of Christ-inspired love, told through a season of grief & Christmas joy, will make you pause and consider what your holiday season could look like. The Kindness Challenge has already impacted our Christmas, and if you let it, it will for you too." —Amanda Wright, Christy Award Winning Author "The Kindness Challenge is a feel-good Christmas story of hope and generosity in the face of loss. Though the characters are grieving a husband and father gone too soon, the acts of kindness performed in his name by his widow and children are a testament to the way our loved ones live on in our hearts. Melissa Cate has crafted an uplifting and emotional family story that inspires a spirit of Christian charity and drives home the true meaning of the holiday season." —Katie Fitzgerald, author of All Year with Anthony and Coming Back to Christmas and Winner of Spark Flash Fiction's 2025 Contest issue "This is a beautifully written story encompassing the heart of kindness and patience during a challenging time within a grieving family. The Kindness Challenge gives a heartfelt message about navigating through a holiday season with children as a now-widowed parent. It gives hope and makes you smile at all the ways we can not only show kindness, but remember our loved ones in the small things while doing it. Faith and love are woven into these pages flawlessly. A great short read that will warm your heart." —Alyssa Feliciano, Christlit Award Winning Author ~//~\\~ This title was originally published as a short story in Home for the Holidays: A Christmastime Anthology by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, LLC, in November 2025. The story has been expanded to include additional scenes/chapters, nonfiction resources for widows and widowed parents, kindness challenge ideas, and original artwork.
ASIN: 1965852661
VSKU: BVV.1965852661.VG
Condition: Very Good
Author/Artist:Cate, Melissa
Binding: Paperback
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: Book has little sign of wear or use