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.