Book Review: An Amish Home by Various Authors

Hello everyone,

Today’s review is on An Amish Home, a novella collection with stories from Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid and Kathleen Fuller.

For those of you who have been long-time readers of the blog, you’ll probably remember that I used to read a lot of novella collections a few years back, however I stopped after a while because sometimes I didn’t really like the stories. However, since I jumped back into reading more Amish and Christian fiction a couple months ago, I discovered that there were a lot of Amish fiction novella collections available and I was curious to try them out. An Amish Home is the first one I picked up, and I was not disappointed!

As I’ve done for previous reviews of novella collections, I am going to write a review for each one and then do an overall review for the entire collection at the end.

A Cup Half Full by Beth Wiseman 

Beth Wiseman is one of my new favorite writers  that I’ve discovered in the last few months, I’ve really been enjoying her Daughters of the Promise series, and I also really enjoyed this novella by her. “A Cup Half Full” follows a young Amish woman, Sarah, who was in an accident a month before the start of the novella that left her legs paralyzed. She starts to adapt to life in a wheelchair, however she also harbors bitterness towards God for allowing her to live. Her husband, Abram, does everything he can to help her adjust to a new way of life, but also holds on to the hope that someday they can have children, but Sarah’s fears of her ability to take care of a child hinders that. I really enjoyed this story and I felt like the author did a good job of dealing with a somewhat difficult topic, however she did it in a really good way and in such a way that it didn’t seem like the story was rushed in the end or that everything was tied up neatly. 4/5 Stars.

 

Home Sweet Home by Amy Clipston

Amy Clipston is an Amish fiction author I’ve been meaning to read from for a few weeks, but I just haven’t gotten the chance to. “Home Sweet Home” follows Chance and Mia who are forced to move into the daadi haus belonging to Chance’s boss after they are evicted from their apartment. However, as they adjust to life without modern conveniences, they also have to deal with being in debt and a newborn, and the stress that comes with all the issues they are currently facing. Will they ever feel at home in their new dwelling place? This was another good novella, it deals with issues such as finances and how that can put stress on a marriage, and even some of the resolution wasn’t quickly tied up, it also left some loose ends, which is realistic. The end gave the feel that yes, things are looking up for Chance and Mia, but that doesn’t mean its going to be perfect and that they still have issues that they need to work through in the future. There were a couple of times I found Mia to be somewhat exceedingly cruel to her husband, however it did make sense considering all the stress they are going through. I look forward to reading more of Amy Clipston’s novels in the future. 3.5/5 Stars.

A Flicker of Hope by Ruth Reid 

Ruth Reid is an author who was completely new to me, I had not heard of her until I picked up this collection, but I was not disappointed! A Flicker of Hope follows a style that I really enjoy, a story set in the present day, while also switching to events the characters’ past that had effect on the present day. I felt like the author did a go great job in switching back and forth and as well as dealing with very real issues. This novella follows Amish couple Thomas and Noreen King, who have been married for fifteen years, the marriage started out well, but after facing many trials their marriage is strained and appears to be getting worse. However, when a fire destroys their house, it might just be the very thing that finally starts to bring them back together. I really enjoyed this story, and it seemed to progress naturally towards the end and it ended happily, but not in the cliche sort of way. I’m definitely keeping Ruth Reid’s works on my radar in the future. 4/5 Stars.

 

Building Faith by Kathleen Fuller 

Kathleen Fuller is another Amish Fiction author that has been on my radar ever since I started reading Beth Wiseman’s books, but I haven’t had a chance to check out her books, but this novella was a good introduction to her writing. “Building Faith” follows Faith Miller who longs to be a carpenter, and finally gets a job making cabinets for her friend, but she soon finds that she will have to work with her ex-fiance, Silas. However, it could be a good opportunity for them to work through differences. I liked the story, but I honestly wish that the communication between Silas and Faith had been better, especially when readers find out how Faith broke off her engagement. Overall, there was a happy ending, but the story was a tiny bit melodramatic. But it also made sense, a little. I’m looking forward to reading some of Kathleen Fuller’s full-length novels in the future. 3.5/5 Stars.

An Amish Home was a great collection of four novellas. I enjoyed each story and I definitely want to continue reading more works from each of these authors in the future. I’m also looking forward to reading more of these novella collections in the months to come. Overall, I am giving the whole collection 4/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

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Book Review: Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock

Hello everyone,

Today’s review is on Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock.

Tis the season to curl up with many of the contemporary Christmas novels that are on the market for readers! If you read last week’s post you know that one of my favorite authors of Christmas fiction is Debbie Macomber, however I think Terri Blackstock’s Catching Christmas probably outranks many of Debbie Macomber’s Christmas books, and I hope that she writes more Christmas fiction in the future. 

Terri Blackstock is a new to me author, I’ve seen her books around, but she tends to write more suspense and thriller fiction, which honestly just isn’t my cup of tea, I’ve tried several times. But I was excited and curious when I saw that she had written a Christmas book, and I knew that I had to add to my ever-growing pile of books to read, and I wasn’t disappointed! 

Catching Christmas follows two characters who brought together by a meddlesome grandmother who only wants to see her granddaughter happy. Sydney Baston is a first year associate at a law firm, already she works relentlessly, but when her law firm starts making staff cuts, she is forced to work even harder in order to ensure that she still has a job come the new year. However, it also means that she has to spend less time with her grandmother, who has been needing a lot more extra attention, and she can’t afford to hire a caretaker for her. She resorts to calling a cab company to have a cab driver take her grandmother to her doctor’s appointments. Enter Finn Parrish, a former chef and restaurant owner who was forced to close his restaurant when the recession hit and now works as a cab driver to pay his rent. He then gets a call to pick up a customer, only when he gets there he discovers a wheelchair-bound woman who has no idea who he is and doesn’t seem to know where she is supposed to be going. After begrudgingly helping Miss Callie, he soon becomes her personal driver when she keeps calling the cab company and asking for him specifically. He reluctantly helps her as she goes around town trying to find a suitor for her granddaughter and trying to make it the best Christmas ever. Even though Finn tries to resist Miss Callie’s request, he also feels like this a chance for him to make up for not taking care of his dying mother several years ago. 

In case you didn’t pick up on it, I loved this book! I loved the characters and I loved the message of this book. This is not a typical Christmas fiction book that focuses on romance. Rather it focuses on priorities, hope and belonging and the treasure of family. And it is also a story of redemption in various ways. 

I loved the characters, Finn was great, and there was a description given of him at the beginning of the novel by a minor character as looking similar to the character Luke Danes from Gilmore Girls…well, he also has similar characteristics to him too, and that definitely helped me to have a better picture of him. Sydney was also a great character, although there were times when it seemed that she didn’t have the right priorities, especially when it came to her grandma, however it was interesting to see her come to that same conclusion in the end. And then there is Miss Callie, Syndey’s grandmother, who is sweet, but also kind of pushy, especially when it comes to Finn, but at the same time, her pushiness seems to be something that he needed in the end. 

I really enjoyed Catching Christmas, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for good and cozy Christmas read! 4/5 Stars. 

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

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Book Review: A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Hi everyone,

Today’s review is on A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber.

I can’t remember when I discovered that Debbie Macomber has written several Christmas novels, but I do know that ever since I discovered that I have been hooked on them and have tried to read each new release over the last three years. A couple years ago I was introduced to the character Mrs. Miracle and her adventures, I had even watched one of the Hallmark movies starring Doris Roberts (probably best known, at least by me, from Everybody Loves Raymond), and she was definitely perfect for the role. And I definitely pictured her voice when I was reading A Mrs. Miracle Christmas.

 

A Mrs. Miracle Christmas seems to deviate from Debbie Macomber’s typical stories a couple meeting each other and falling in love. Rather, the main couple is already married, but they are both struggling with the desire to raise a family, but Laurel is infertile, and all of their attempts to either adopt or foster a child have ended up in heartache. Laurel has all but given up on her dream, but she doesn’t realize that her husband Zach, still holds onto the hope that someday they might be able to adopt a child. They live with Laurel’s grandmother, Helen, who is slowly losing the ability to take care of herself due to the onset of dementia, and as a result they realize that they need to get a caregiver to take care of her, however there are no caregivers available until the new year. Enter Mrs. Miracle, who arrives on their doorstep ready to help the McCulloghs out and be a good friend to Helen. Mrs. Miracle instantly brings a light to the household, and Helen is even happier and more active than she was before Mrs. Miracles appearance in their lives. However, Helen also claims that Mrs. Miracle is an honest-to-goodness angel, however both Laurel and Zach view this as a sign of her dementia. But they also start to experience seemingly out of the ordinary events, ones that seem to point that they might just get to be parents someday after all.

 

Let me the first one to say, that yes sometimes Debbie Macomber’s books can be very light and fluffy, but she does a good job of dealing with the grief of infertility and the longing for a child and the toll that that can have on a young married couple. She also does a good job of showing how keeping secrets, even though they are not of a sinister nature, can cause for cracks in the foundation of a marriage, especially once the other spouse starts to suspect that the other is hiding things from them.

 

I loved the story, and even though I might not hold to the same beliefs that Debbie Macomber does regarding angels, it is definitely worth putting that inside to enjoy a sweet and lovely Christmas read. One thing I will say is that in order to enjoy this book, one should be willing to put aside their belief and theology on angels and just appreciate the wholesomeness of this story. Also, it is interesting to hear Mrs. Miracle talk about the Nativity story and her “role” in it.

 

I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this novel, especially Laurel’s grandmother Helen, she was so sweet and it was interesting watching her deal with the effects of dementia while being cognizant of what is going on. I also loved her relationship with Mrs. Miracle and how she peppers her with questions, wanting to know everything she can about angels and heave, and what the future has in store for her granddaughter and her husband. While Mrs. Miracle indulges her questioning, she also reminds her that there are certain things about the future that are best left until they occur. Laurel and Zach were also good characters and it was interesting to see them work through their issues individually and together and how eventually reconciling with each other leads them to have a deeper love for each other during this seemingly tough season in their lives. I don’t want to spoil the ending for those that want to read this novel, but I will say that things do end happily for them!

 

Overall, I enjoyed A Mrs. Miracle Christmas, it was great to read about Mrs. Miracle and more of her antics. It was also refreshing that this wasn’t a typical Christmas romance, but rather about a couple learning to love each other again, to no longer have secrets between them, and that sometimes it is okay to hold onto seemingly impossible and heart-wrenching dreams like the desire for a child of their own. I’ll admit I almost cried a couple times while reading this book, especially when I was reading the Epilogue because it was just so sweet and a little bit bittersweet (I’ll leave it up to you all to find out why that is). This was another great read from Debbie Macomber and I am looking forward to seeing what she puts out for Christmas next year. 4/5 Stars.

 

Happy Reading,

 

Janelle L. C.

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Recommended Christmas Reads

Hello everyone, 

Thanksgiving is over and now the countdown to Christmas begins! For the next few weeks leading up to Christmas I am going to be doing a short series of several Christmas fiction review, and I thought the best way to kick off this series was to share some of my recommended Christmas reads from the past few years. I’m also including a list of books I would like to get to in the future Christmas season to come!

Recommended Reads: 

• Come, Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp

“Every time the Christmas season comes around, we look forward to putting up a tree, giving and receiving gifts, and participating in other traditions that make this wonderful time of year so special. But sometimes the most significant aspect of the season–remembering and focusing on the coming of Jesus–grows old and familiar. In Come Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional, Paul Tripp seeks to recapture our attention and reawaken our awe during Christmastime. Each day is structured like Tripp’s best-selling devotional, New Morning Mercies’ with a compelling, gospel-centered thought followed by an extended meditation for the day. Each of the thirty-one devotions also includes a Scripture reading and notes for parents and children, equipping us to do the one thing that matters most each December–celebrate Jesus” – Taken from goodreads.com

• Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber

“Ashley Davison, a graduate student in California, desperately wants to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle. Dashiell Sutherland, a former army intelligence officer, has a job interview in Seattle and must arrive by December 23. Though frantic to book a last-minute flight out of San Francisco, both are out of luck: Every flight is full, and there’s only one rental car available. Ashley and Dash reluctantly decide to share the car, but neither anticipates the wild ride ahead.

At first they drive in silence, but forced into close quarters Ashley and Dash can’t help but open up. Not only do they find they have a lot in common, but there’s even a spark of romance in the air. Their feelings catch them off guard—never before has either been so excited about a first meeting. But the two are in for more twists and turns along the way as they rescue a lost puppy, run into petty thieves, and even get caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Though Ashley and Dash may never reach Seattle in time for Christmas, the season is still full of surprises—and their greatest wishes may yet come true.” – Taken from goodreads.com

• Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber

“Before beginning her dream job as sous chef in one of Seattle’s hottest new restaurants, Josie Avery takes a summer position cooking at a lakeside lodge in the remote Alaskan town of Ponder. Josie falls for the rustic charms of the local community–including Jack Corcoran, the crotchety keeper of Ponder’s famed sourdough starter, and, in particular, the quiet and intense Palmer Saxon, a famed master swordsmith.

Josie and Palmer become close during the long Alaskan summer days, but Josie knows that, come fall, she’ll be returning to reality and the career she’s worked so hard for. Palmer, on the other hand, would like nothing better than to make Josie his wife and to keep her in Ponder. But Josie can’t imagine abandoning her mother back in the Emerald City and sacrificing her career to stay in this isolated town–not even for a man she’s quickly coming to love.

Fate has other plans. Josie misses the last boat out of town before winter sets in, stranding her in Ponder and putting her dream job at risk. As the holidays approach, Josie and Palmer must grapple with the complications that arise when dreams confront reality, and the Christmas magic that can happen when they put their faith in love.

Debbie Macomber is at her best in this beautiful holiday story about the far journeys we travel to find a place to call home. ” – taken from goodreads.com

• Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber 

“Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her—minus her photo—and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects—or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away. ” – taken from goodreads.com

• Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber

” Friendly and bubbly, Julia Padden likes nearly everyone, but her standoffish neighbor, Cain Maddox, presents a particular challenge. No matter how hard she’s tried to be nice, Cain rudely rebuffs her at every turn, preferring to keep to himself. But when Julia catches Cain stealing her newspaper from the lobby of their apartment building, that’s the last straw. She’s going to break through Cain’s Scrooge-like exterior the only way she knows how: by killing him with kindness.

To track her progress, Julia starts a blog called The Twelve Days of Christmas. Her first attempts to humanize Cain are far from successful. Julia brings him homemade Christmas treats and the disagreeable grinch won’t even accept them. Meanwhile, Julie’s blog becomes an online sensation, as an astonishing number of people start following her adventures. Julia continues to find ways to express kindness and, little by little, chips away at Cain’s gruff façade to reveal the caring man underneath. Unbelievably, Julia feels herself falling for Cain—and she suspects that he may be falling for her as well. But as the popularity of her blog continues to grow, Julia must decide if telling Cain the truth about having chronicled their relationship to the rest of the world is worth risking their chance at love. ” – Taken from goodreads.com

• Starry Night by Debbie Macomber 

“Carrie Slayton, a big-city society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories. So her editor hands her a challenge: She can cover any topic she wants, but only if she first scores the paper an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author.

Living in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a megabestselling memoir about surviving in the wild. But he stubbornly declines to speak to anyone in the press, and no one even knows exactly where he lives.

Digging deep into Finn’s past, Carrie develops a theory on his whereabouts. It is the holidays, but her career is at stake, so she forsakes her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she even expected. And soon she is torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart.

Filled with all the comforts and joys of Christmastime, Starry Night is a delightful novel of finding happiness in the most surprising places. ” – Taken from goodreads.com

• A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber 

“As the holiday season begins, Laurel McCullough could use some good news. She and her husband, Zach, have been praying for a baby that seems more and more like an impossible dream, and they’ve had to move in with her beloved grandmother, Helen, who’s having trouble taking care of herself. But when Laurel contacts a local home-care organization for help, there are no caregivers available.

Then Mrs. Miracle appears at her door. No stranger to lending a helping hand to a family in need, Mrs. Miracle reveals herself to be nothing short of a godsend. Helen’s even convinced she’s an angel! Still, Laurel has to admit that Helen has become noticeably happier and more engaged, decorating the family Christmas tree and setting up the nativity with Mrs. Miracle’s companionship. In the meantime, Laurel and Zach begin to encounter curious signs, all pointing toward the arrival of a special baby.

With Christmas approaching, there appears to be even more to Mrs. Miracle than meets the eye. In a classic turn of Debbie Macomber’s signature seasonal magic, Laurel, Zach, and Helen experience a holiday of heavenly proportions. ” – Taken from goodreads.com

• Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock 

“As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current court case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.

The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is making his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.

When Finn meets Sydney, he’s quite sure that she’s never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He’s willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.” – Taken from goodreads.com

My rating: 5/5 Stars.

• Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber 

“Harry Mills is a guardian angel on a mission: help twenty-four-year-old Addie Folsom get her life back on track—and, if the right moment strikes, help her find love. Posing as a teacher at a local college in Tacoma, Washington, Harry is up to the task, but not even he can predict the surprises that lay in store.

After trying to make it on her own, Addie has returned home to Tacoma for the holidays, but this time she plans to stay for good, enrolling in the local community college to earn her degree. What she doesn’t plan to do is run into Erich Simmons.

Addie and her next-door neighbor, Erich, are like night and day. Growing up, he was popular and outgoing while she was rebellious and headstrong, and he never missed an opportunity to tease her. Now she intends to avoid him entirely, yet when they’re suddenly forced to spend Christmas together, Addie braces for trouble.

Perhaps it’s the spirit of the season or the magic of mistletoe, but Addie and Erich soon find they have more in common than they thought—and that two people who seem so wrong for each other may actually be just right. With a little prompting from a certain angelic teacher, the two are in for a holiday miracle they’ll never forget. ” – Taken from goodreads.com

My rating: 3/5 Stars.

• Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber 

“Mrs. Miracle on 34th Street 

This Christmas, Emily Merkle (just call her Mrs. Miracle) is working in the toy department of Finley’s, the last family-owned department store in New York City. And her boss is none other than Jake Finley, the owner’s son. 

For Jake, holiday memories of brightly wrapped gifts, decorated trees and family gatherings were destroyed in a Christmas Eve tragedy years before. Now Christmas means only one thing to him—and to his father. Profit. Because they need a Christmas miracle to keep the business afloat. 

Holly Larson needs a miracle, too. She wants to give her eight-year-old nephew, Gabe, the holiday he deserves. Holly’s widowed brother is in the army and won’t be home for Christmas, but at least she can get Gabe that toy robot from Finley’s, the one gift he desperately wants. If she can figure out how to pay for it… 

Fortunately, it’s Mrs. Miracle to the rescue. Next to making children happy, she likes nothing better than helping others—and that includes doing a bit of matchmaking! 

This Christmas will be different. For all of them. ” – Taken from goodreads.com

My rating: 4/5 Stars.

• Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn

” In FINDING FATHER CHRISTMAS, Miranda Carson’s search for her father takes a turn she never expected when she finds herself in London with only a few feeble clues to who he might be. Unexpectedly welcomed into a family that doesn’t recognize her, and whom she’s quickly coming to love, she faces a terrible decision. Should she reveal her true identity and destroy their idyllic image of her father? Or should she carry the truth home with her to San Francisco and remain alone in this world? Whatever choice she makes during this London Christmas will forever change the future for both herself and the family she can’t bear to leave. ” – Taken from goodreads.com

My rating: 4/5 Stars.

• The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson

” The small town of Parrish Springs is not ready for Matilda Honeycutt. A strange older woman with scraggly gray hair and jewelry that jangles as she walks, Matilda is certainly not the most likely person to buy the old Barton Building on the town’s quaint main street. When it becomes apparent that her new shop doesn’t fit the expectations of Parrish Springs residents, a brouhaha erupts. After all, Christmas is approaching, and the last thing the town needs is a junky shop run by someone who looks and acts like a gypsy. But as townsfolk venture into the strange store, they discover that old memories can bring new life and healing. ” – Taken from goodreads.com

My rating: 4/5 Stars.

• The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson

“After years abroad, Garrison Brown returns home to Vancouver to build a new life. When his beloved grandmother passes away a few weeks before Christmas, Garrison goes to her house to sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While Garrison hopes to dispense with the task quickly, his grandmother’s instructions don’t allow for speed. She has left Garrison with some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends–plus a sizeable monetary gift for the new owners. Garrison’s job is to match the cats with the right owners without disclosing the surprise gift. Along the way, he may just meet someone who can make him stay.
Humorous and heartwarming, this latest Christmas story from bestselling author Melody Carlson is the perfect gift for pet lovers and anyone in whose heart Christmas holds a special place. ” – Taken from goodreads.com

My rating: 4/5 Stars.

• The Christmas Promise by Donna VanLiere

“Each Christmas we are given a promise from heaven. And each year on earth we make promises to each other.

This is a story about how a promise from one person to another shows us the true meaning of faith, remembrance, and love.Seven years ago Gloria endured a family tragedy that almost shook her faith entirely. Each Christmas she places a card in an envelope on her tree, restating a promise she made to her husband before he died. Now, having moved from her small town and all the painful memories it held, she is building a life by caring for people in need. Whether it’s a young mother who can’t pay her electric bill or a family who needs some extra food, Gloria always finds a way. Miriam is a thorn in Gloria’s side. Miriam is a constantly critical, disapproving neighbor who looks with suspicion at all the good things Gloria does. When a twist of fate makes them roommates instead of neighbors, it’s the ultimate test of patience and faith.

Chaz has a good job as head of security at Wilson’s Department Store, but each night he returns home to an empty apartment. He longs for a wife and family of his own but realizes that the life choices he’s made have alienated him. He befriends a young boy whose mother has fallen on hard times, giving him a chance to have a life he thought impossible.In The Christmas Promise, the lives of these characters collide and we learn that even as we move ahead, the past is never far behind. And when we are forgiven much, we love much.

In this warmly humorous and deeply poignant story, we are reminded that the Christmas Promise is the promise of second chances.” – Taken from goodreads.com

My rating: 4/5 Stars. 

• The Christmas Light by Donna VanLiere

“In the small town of Grandon, five very different people discover the true meaning of Christmas. Jennifer and Ryan are both single parents, struggling with their own losses and heartache as they attempt to move forward in the present while still holding onto the memories, joy, and heartache of the past.

Sixteen-year-old Kaylee is faced with a life-changing situation that has affected her whole family. Stephen and Lily are happily married and ready to start a family. All of them are facing their own struggles, and all are finding their way through the dark. When they are brought together for a rather unconventional church Nativity, they will learn that with strength, courage, and love, there is always hope. ” – Taken from goodreads.com

My rating: 4/5 Stars

• 12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep 

“When CLARA CHAPMAN receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of one thousand pounds. That’s enough money to bring her brother back from America and reinstate their stolen family fortune. But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiancé, BENJAMIN LANE.

Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on whoever stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is faced with the anger of the woman he stood up at the altar.

Brought together under mysterious circumstances for the Twelve Days of Christmas, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.” – Taken from goodreads.com

My rating: 3.75/5 Stars

• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

” To bitter, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, Christmas is just another day. But all that changes when the ghost of his long-dead business partner appears, warning Scrooge to change his ways before it’s too late. ” – Taken from goodreads.com

My rating: 3/5 Stars.

• The Matchmakers of Holly Circle by Chautona Havig 

” Flirtation can be an art, or so they say. Well, if so, Ruth and Richard are “the old masters” of the flirting game. Despite their strictly platonic relationship, there’s “something there,” as so many of their friends and families say. Neighbors and friends for ten years, neither seems willing to change the course of their relationship.
Three doors down, at the end of the cul-de-sac, Mason Dickenson has watched his favorite neighbors with an interested eye, but he’s finally had it with the dance. So, with a pack of cards and a few tricks up his sleeve, he’s determined to get them out of the “friend rut” and into romance.

Thanks to Mason’s unique matchmaking scheme, Ruth and Richard concoct one of their own—a deeper, stronger, eternal love and relationship that nothing on earth can match. ” – Taken from goodreads.com

My rating: 3/5 Stars.

Christmas Books I Want to Read: 

• Anything Debbie Macomber releases in the next few years. 
• Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep 

• The 12 Brides of Christmas by Various authors

• The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection  by Various authors

• A Log Cabin Christmas Collection by Various authors

 

Happy Reading, 

Janelle L. C.