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Drew Barrymore recommended Holidays on Ice in Books (curated)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated Not a Creature was Stirring in Books
Jan 24, 2019
Who was Enough of a Scrooge to Leave the Dead Body in Merry's Motorhome?
Merry is hoping to turn her Christmas crafting business into a full-time job, and as part of that plan, she's purchased a motorhome from her ex-step-daughter. The hope is she can use it as a mobile crafting studio and a place to show her stuff at some of the more popular craft shows. She's trying it out at the Christmas Holiday Bazaar, one of her favorite events of the year. However, when she's unloading her products, she finds the dead body of her ex-husband in one of the storage compartments. How did his dead body get into the RV?
With as much as I love Christmas, this book was a lot of fun. We got lots of talk about everything Christmas, even comparing characters to famous fictional Christmas characters. I did feel the book needed another polish to flesh a few things out, and I found Merry's concern for her ex-husband's family a little hard to believe considering how short her marriage had been. On the other hand, I loved the majority of the characters, and Merry's relationships with her own kids was fabulous. The plot was good with many twists and turns. I figured out a couple of things early, but I was left guessing about the rest of it until the end.
With as much as I love Christmas, this book was a lot of fun. We got lots of talk about everything Christmas, even comparing characters to famous fictional Christmas characters. I did feel the book needed another polish to flesh a few things out, and I found Merry's concern for her ex-husband's family a little hard to believe considering how short her marriage had been. On the other hand, I loved the majority of the characters, and Merry's relationships with her own kids was fabulous. The plot was good with many twists and turns. I figured out a couple of things early, but I was left guessing about the rest of it until the end.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated Ava and Aaron's Christmas Story in Rhyme (Mariana Books Rhyming #5) in Books
Dec 24, 2021
Ava and Aaron's Christmas Story is beautiful. It is about them and getting a special gift for Christmas. Will they get that special gift? Will they get to spend time with their family? There is rhyming, and children will also learn to read and rhyme.
Children will learn that love and family are more important than presents. I enjoyed the meaning and the fun things they do together. It is all shown throughout the pictures. What fun it is to do something with your mom and dad.
The pictures are down well—the words blended into the images in some cases. I enjoyed the story and was reading the book in one sitting. It tells the story of Christmas and all its meaning. Family and some winter fun that comes along with the holiday season.
Are your children or child waiting for it to snow? Do they enjoy playing in the snow? This story is no different for these two lovely children in the story. Will Ava get her to wish of snow or will not? What are some of your family's Christmas traditions? What surprises are your child or children waiting for to get the shock of someone special or a loved one? Sometimes the wonder is lovely and enjoyable, and seeing someone after it has been a while. Bringing the family together is what it is all about. Is it not for Christmas?
Children will learn that love and family are more important than presents. I enjoyed the meaning and the fun things they do together. It is all shown throughout the pictures. What fun it is to do something with your mom and dad.
The pictures are down well—the words blended into the images in some cases. I enjoyed the story and was reading the book in one sitting. It tells the story of Christmas and all its meaning. Family and some winter fun that comes along with the holiday season.
Are your children or child waiting for it to snow? Do they enjoy playing in the snow? This story is no different for these two lovely children in the story. Will Ava get her to wish of snow or will not? What are some of your family's Christmas traditions? What surprises are your child or children waiting for to get the shock of someone special or a loved one? Sometimes the wonder is lovely and enjoyable, and seeing someone after it has been a while. Bringing the family together is what it is all about. Is it not for Christmas?
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! in Books
Dec 23, 2023 (Updated Dec 23, 2023)
Reality Show and Murder at Christmas
It’s the week before Christmas, but Meg has gotten roped into the reality show Blades of Glory! that is being filmed in the area. She just wanted to be working behind the scenes, but when someone attacks her mentor, who was supposed to be a competitor, she has to step in at the last minute as a contestant even though bladesmithing isn’t her specialty. But when another contestant is murdered, Meg begins to wonder if she is safe or if someone is out to do away with all their competition.
Yes, this is a Christmas entry in the series. While it may not quite seem like it from the teaser, we still get plenty of Christmas spirit on these pages, and I enjoyed some of the twists the set up brought us. It helps that we see many of the regular characters, and they are charming as always. I did find one of the other contestants to be very one dimensional. I get we weren’t supposed to like the guy, but did he have to be that much of a cliché? There is plenty going on to keep us reading, including set up, before the body drops, and I was never bored. However, the climax was weaker than it could have been, even though all our questions are answered. No matter when you read this entry, you’ll enjoy another Christmas with Meg.
Yes, this is a Christmas entry in the series. While it may not quite seem like it from the teaser, we still get plenty of Christmas spirit on these pages, and I enjoyed some of the twists the set up brought us. It helps that we see many of the regular characters, and they are charming as always. I did find one of the other contestants to be very one dimensional. I get we weren’t supposed to like the guy, but did he have to be that much of a cliché? There is plenty going on to keep us reading, including set up, before the body drops, and I was never bored. However, the climax was weaker than it could have been, even though all our questions are answered. No matter when you read this entry, you’ll enjoy another Christmas with Meg.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated The Christmas Gate in Books
Aug 30, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
The Christmas Gate is a sweet and memorable story. It is only part 1 of a two-part story. I like the concept. I know it deals with candles mostly. I like T.A. Cline idea to use seven Christmas Candles. It gave me a feeling of “The Christmas Carol” only done a bit differently. I enjoyed it.
Ray has seven different visions. They all mean something different and show different things. I loved it. I can't wait for the next part to come out to read it. T.A. Cline writes this plot well. My favorite and best part are the Christmas candles and how they show up even when Ray put them away.
I would love to tell you more but why tell the story when you can read it yourself. I like the concept of how the gate opens and gives Ray a vision for seven nights. There a big surprise at the end and something you do not expect.
What are the candles and what do they mean? There appears to be a vision for each, and a color for each candle it represents. Hopefully, Ray and you seem to understand the mysterious box that Ray finds?
Ray has seven different visions. They all mean something different and show different things. I loved it. I can't wait for the next part to come out to read it. T.A. Cline writes this plot well. My favorite and best part are the Christmas candles and how they show up even when Ray put them away.
I would love to tell you more but why tell the story when you can read it yourself. I like the concept of how the gate opens and gives Ray a vision for seven nights. There a big surprise at the end and something you do not expect.
What are the candles and what do they mean? There appears to be a vision for each, and a color for each candle it represents. Hopefully, Ray and you seem to understand the mysterious box that Ray finds?
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated The Queen of Christmas in Books
Dec 15, 2019
Christmas Trees and Mystery
Dagmar Smith is known for her Christmas tree displays, including a new themed tree each year. This year, she’s asked Allie, a dancer, to help with the unveiling of the tree since the theme is The Nutcracker. Allie, Aunt Gully, and Verity are on hand to help, but when something goes wrong, they find themselves with a mystery on their hands. Can Allie figure out what happened?
This is a short story taking place after the most recent Lobster Shack novel. There’s a strong mystery with a decent twist along the way to the climax. If you aren’t familiar with the series, now’s a great time to jump in since the emphasis is on this story with little backstory. The characters are developed for a short story – there isn’t time to develop them further. Since this takes place at a Christmas party, you’ll find plenty of holiday spirit with something Christmas related even providing a clue. I breezed through it in about 45 minutes, so if you are looking for a festive, fun story to read this month, this is the story for you.
This is a short story taking place after the most recent Lobster Shack novel. There’s a strong mystery with a decent twist along the way to the climax. If you aren’t familiar with the series, now’s a great time to jump in since the emphasis is on this story with little backstory. The characters are developed for a short story – there isn’t time to develop them further. Since this takes place at a Christmas party, you’ll find plenty of holiday spirit with something Christmas related even providing a clue. I breezed through it in about 45 minutes, so if you are looking for a festive, fun story to read this month, this is the story for you.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated Dashing Through the Snowbirds in Books
Dec 23, 2022 (Updated Dec 23, 2022)
Programming an Ice Cold Murder
It’s a few days before Christmas, but Meg’s house isn’t full of visiting relatives like normal. Instead, it’s full of Canadians who are there trying to finish up a rush project. They are working with Mutant Wizards, Meg’s brother’s computer company. Their CEO, however, is less than ethical. Just as Meg starts to learn some of the things he’s been doing recently, he is killed out in her yard. Is she harboring a killer in her house?
It had a very busy couple of weeks, and I hadn’t realized just how stressful until I sat down with this book and began to truly relax while visiting Meg’s world again. As with the other Christmas entries in the series, the Christmas spirit comes through on every page. But it never forgets it is a murder mystery. The climax could have been a little stronger, but I’m being nitpicky there. I absolutely love this cast of characters, and I delighted in spending more time with them. They had me smiling and laughing as I read. If you need a dose of Christmas spirit, this book will definitely give it to you.
It had a very busy couple of weeks, and I hadn’t realized just how stressful until I sat down with this book and began to truly relax while visiting Meg’s world again. As with the other Christmas entries in the series, the Christmas spirit comes through on every page. But it never forgets it is a murder mystery. The climax could have been a little stronger, but I’m being nitpicky there. I absolutely love this cast of characters, and I delighted in spending more time with them. They had me smiling and laughing as I read. If you need a dose of Christmas spirit, this book will definitely give it to you.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated Dearly Deleted in Books
Dec 21, 2023
Killing at Christmas
Winnie Lark is staying in Copper Bay for Christmas, in fact, she’s playing host to her family. She’s nervous about her strained relationship with her parents and all of them fitting in her cottage. But before they even arrive, another murder happens in town. Her friend Owen is hosting a bestselling mystery author at his bookstore, but after the signing, Owen finds a dead body behind his store. Can Winnie save his reputation?
This book doesn’t waste any time before jumping into the mystery, and it kept me guessing until we reached the end, which took me by surprise. I fell in love with the characters in the first book, and that continued here. I also liked seeing how naturally Winnie’s relationship with her brother has developed. I did feel one sub-plot got a little short changed, but I did like how it was resolved. The Christmas setting is fun, and there are some great scenes in the second half of the book. If you can work this book in before Christmas, you’ll be rewarded. But no matter what time of the year you read it, you’ll be glad you did.
This book doesn’t waste any time before jumping into the mystery, and it kept me guessing until we reached the end, which took me by surprise. I fell in love with the characters in the first book, and that continued here. I also liked seeing how naturally Winnie’s relationship with her brother has developed. I did feel one sub-plot got a little short changed, but I did like how it was resolved. The Christmas setting is fun, and there are some great scenes in the second half of the book. If you can work this book in before Christmas, you’ll be rewarded. But no matter what time of the year you read it, you’ll be glad you did.
Milk (Unhinged Holidays, #2)
10.0
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