The Lost Stories

"An absolute treat of a New York City holiday tale, as told by intrepid gal reporter Lara Smith. Full of sass and secrets, in addition to well-researched history, whimsy, and, yes, joy."

—NYT Bestselling Author, Susan Elia MacNeal

Inspired by true Christmas and holiday events that changed the course of history.

In a heartwarming mix of "Tuesdays with Morrie" meets "The Holiday," reporter and war correspondent, Lara Smith, is sent to New York City to dig up human interest pieces on historic traditions of Christmas and the December holidays. Because of the tremendous suffering she's seen in the world, not to mention her own estranged family, she struggles to understand the importance of this assignment.

However, as Lara conducts interviews, she begins to see the holidays in a way she never expected. Through firsthand accounts, she's transported to a variety of places and times including the first Rockefeller Christmas tree in 1931, a Holocaust survivor who becomes a recipient of the Medal of Honor in the Korean war, the feisty St. Nick who began the ancient tradition of Christmas stockings, the end of the Civil war that leads to a trip to Jerusalem, and the first radio transmission Christmas Eve 1906.

Lara is surprised by the passion, grit, and sheer joy from the stories. Through ordinary people doing extraordinary things, a mystery to solve along the way, a new love, and the romance of New York City itself, she is inspired to take steps toward healing in her own life.

Her editor was right. This may be the most important story of her life.