THE CHRISTMAS
CLASSIC RETURNS
Celebrating 30 Years of
THE SPECIAL GUEST
A beloved Christmas story,
beautifully reissued for a new generation.
THE CHRISTMAS
CLASSIC RETURNS
Celebrating 30 Years of THE SPECIAL GUEST
A beloved Christmas story, beautifully reissued for a new generation.
Lee and Donna Allen proudly support churches through fundraising efforts and Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child, pledging $5 from every book sold to help spread hope and generosity.
Click below for more information
CHRISTMAS
CLASSIC RETURNS
Celebrating 30 Years of
THE SPECIAL GUEST
A beloved Christmas story, beautifully
reissued for a new generation.
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Deluxe Coffee
Table Hardcover &
Premium French-Flap Paperback
✔ 20% OFF orders of 1 book and
30% OFF orders of 2 or more books
✔ In Stock — Ready for Immediate Shipping
✔ Personally Signed by Author Lee Allen
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A Timeless Inspirational
Christmas Drama
“Some strangers arrive by
chance. Others
on assignment.”
Click below for more information
the special guest: a christmas story is available on amazon
the special guest: a christmas story is available on amazon
✔ Available in Hardcover or Paperback
✔ Available in Ebook
✔ Don’t Forget to Leave a Review!
The Sequel
LEGEND OF THE WOODEN STAR
French-flap Paper Back Edition
Reg $21.95
the sequel: legend of the wooden star Is also Available on Amazon
✔ Available in Hardcover or Paperback
✔ Don’t Forget to Leave a Review!
special 30th hardcover
coffee table edition
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For Anyone WHO HAS EVER PRAYED FOR A MIRACLE
First published in 1995, The Special Guest, A Christmas Story would go on to be a national bestseller with 500,000 copies in print. Now for its 30th Anniversary, the Allens have published a special "Coffee Table" edition available in hardcover
with embossed dust jacket or fancy French-flap paperback. The Allen's goal with this 30th Anniversary Edition
is to reach a whole new generation of readers.
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The STORY
The holidays have arrived, and Richmond is bustling with activity. For the Reid family, however, this Christmas looms as a painful reminder of the accident that changed their lives forever one year ago.
The story opens on Christmas weekend with teenager Scott Reid working his part-time bag boy job at the local Food-Krops Super Market. That afternoon, Scott notices an elderly man sitting outside in the blustery cold, reading a book for hours.
Concerned, Scott approaches the man to offer help. He soon learns that the out-of-town stranger—who dresses in clothing from the same era as his 1949 vintage Packard automobile—calls himself Zachery. Zachery explains that he was passing through when his car “just up and quit running.”
Not wanting the man to be stranded during the holiday weekend, Scott invites him home for dinner. Once their guest arrives, unexpected events begin to unfold, leaving the Reid family wondering if more than mere chance brought the stranger to their home.
As the weekend progresses, the Reids are challenged to “build a bridge” with the man responsible for hitting their daughter while driving under the influence—a tragic accident that left 9-year-old Jenny in a coma.
The story reaches its climax on Christmas morning when the Reids discover that their guest has mysteriously left in the middle of the night. It is only then that they uncover the true identity of their special guest—and the miracle he leaves behind.
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30th Anniversary
Coffee Table
Edition
Now in Audiobook
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🎧 Just Produced: A Highly Immersive Audiobook
Experience ONLY $21.95!
Featuring multiple dynamic voices and
original music, this high-production
audio experience brings the story to life like
never before. You won’t want to miss it.
meet the author
& artist
Author
After college and military service—where Lee served as an officer in the Airborne—he began his career in business, a vocation he continues to this day. Still, his true passion is writing. He is currently working on producing a full-feature film adaptation of
The Special Guest.
Artist
Meet the Artist. Donna Campbell Allen is an award-winning artist and illustrator. Her love is painting children’s portraits. In addition to painting, she teaches watercolor to aspiring artists.
Lee & Donna
They are the proud parents of five grown and married children, and now have a growing number of grandchildren — currently six, with the seventh on the way! They often say,
“When all is said and done, our greatest legacy will be our children and grandchildren.”
This 30th Anniversary Edition of THE SPECIAL GUEST is lovingly dedicated to their grandchildren.
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backstory
Lee originally wrote The Special Guest in 1992 as a Christmas keepsake for his two grade-school children. Later, after he and Donna were newly married, they added Donna’s illustrations and self-published the book for local distribution in their hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Its popularity quickly grew — selling 6,500 copies locally — which led New York–based Kensington Publishing to republish it for national distribution, printing 500,000 copies. The book became a national bestseller.
The Special Guest has since been called a modern-day classic, often compared to the film It's a Wonderful Life. Lee and Donna are both humbled and grateful to know that thousands of readers have embraced their story. Whether it’s the touching lesson on the power of forgiveness or the mysterious identity of the Reids’ special guest, the book continues to capture the timeless magic of Christmas.
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samples of illustrations throughout the book
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the special guest
Order the Book Combo and Save 30%
Enjoy both books together and receive
30% OFF.
Choose your preferred edition of The Special Guest — hardcover or premium French flap paperback — and add The Legend of the Wooden Star to complete the collection.
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testimonials
Sara @sarasbooksandcoffee
"This is a gentle story with a spiritual undertone"
Judy J.
This story portrays the true meaning of Christmas. I love it! A story of hope, forgiveness, and joy…….a story everyone should enjoy reading.
S Magdalena's
"It is a heartwarming story about forgiveness and how it can be healing in itself "
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