There's just something to be said for family. As the old adage so accurately states...you can't live with them and certainly can't live without them. What to do? What to do? That perfectly sums up Theodora's dilemma this holiday season. The ruling matriarch of a proper Charlestonian family, she has her hands tied with trying to orchestrate the quintessential Currier & Ives Christmas without the help of her supposedly loving offspring.

If only she could turn back the clock and return to simpler times when the smell of fresh-cut holly and the waft of fruitcake permeated the house. Nowadays, her family is too busy putting up artificial trees and buying fat-free desserts to notice that the true meaning of Christmas has been lost forever. As if that is their only problem. The family takes the cake for deception and dishonesty as they brush any potential conflict under the rug as if it never happened. Theodora just can't figure out how they let it all slip away and become such total strangers. And more importantly, how will they ever get their family back on track?

As if the angels hear her plight, an unexpected visitor literally descends upon the family and sets out on a spiritual mission to guide them back on the path to reconciliation and ultimately harmony. Unbeknownst to them, this person holds a special place in Theodora's heart that gives her the encouragement to forge on and try to save her loved ones. Will this somewhat dysfunctional family be able to start anew? Can this angel bring the holiday spirit back into their souls so that they may once again find peace and tranquility?

THE CHRISTMAS PEARL is a delightful story that blends the true meaning of Christmas with the reality of the world in which we live. Dorothea Benton Frank sprinkles snowflakes of merriment as she transcends us back to a time when family was all that mattered. From the breathtaking historic photographs to the delectable holiday recipes, THE CHRISTMAS PEARL is the complete package of holiday joy.

Book Summary

Theodora is the matriarch of a family that has grown into a bunch of truculent knuckleheads. While she's finally gotten them all together in South Carolina to celebrate, this Christmas looks nothing like the extravagant, homey holidays of her childhood.

What happened to the days when Christmas meant tables groaning with home-cooked goodies, over-the-top decorations, and long chats in front of the fire with Pearl, her grandmother's beloved housekeeper and closest confidante?

Luckily for Theodora, a special someone who heard her plea for help arrives, with pockets full of enough Gullah magic and common sense to make Theodora's Christmas the love-filled miracle it's meant to be.