Search
Search results
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated What Child is This in Books
Jan 1, 2019
Simple, Heart Warming Short Story
The story opens on Christmas Eve in London in 1940. It's the middle of the blitz, and rationing is in full effect, so it is looking like a very dismal Christmas for Maggie and Jack Harris. But then what little they do have is taken from them suddenly, and they find themselves on the streets. Jack goes looking for shelter and finds what looks like an abandoned house. Is it abandoned? What will Christmas day bring?
While I rarely read short stories, I had to grab this story from Rhys Bowen. Best known for her historical mysteries, this is more of a glimpse at tragedy and triumph during 24 hours. As such, it doesn't have the twists or shocks you might expect, but it is a very heartwarming tale. Jack and Maggie really shine, although I did find Maggie annoying at times. Believable, but annoying. A quick read (I read it in about an hour), this is a good way to hold on to the Christmas spirit just a little bit longer.
While I rarely read short stories, I had to grab this story from Rhys Bowen. Best known for her historical mysteries, this is more of a glimpse at tragedy and triumph during 24 hours. As such, it doesn't have the twists or shocks you might expect, but it is a very heartwarming tale. Jack and Maggie really shine, although I did find Maggie annoying at times. Believable, but annoying. A quick read (I read it in about an hour), this is a good way to hold on to the Christmas spirit just a little bit longer.
When Holly White calls off her wedding, she returns to her family’s tree farm in Maine just in time for the annual Reindeer Games, which take place in the twelve days leading up to Christmas. However, the night before the games are set to start, Margaret comes in causing problems in her quest to keep the town exactly historically accurate. When Holly finds Margaret dead among the trees a few hours later, the police start looking a little too close to home. Can Holly clear her family and friends before Christmas?
If you are looking for a Christmas cozy, this one is perfect. Each page oozes Christmas cheer, and the games sound like a ton of fun. I’d love to visit and play myself. Unfortunately, I did feel this got in the way of the mystery at times, and Holly spent quite a bit to time reacting to events rather than actually investigating at other points. Still, it held together well overall, and we got a great climax. The characters are already sharp, and their relationships help add to the Christmas cheer.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-twelve-slays-of-christmas.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
If you are looking for a Christmas cozy, this one is perfect. Each page oozes Christmas cheer, and the games sound like a ton of fun. I’d love to visit and play myself. Unfortunately, I did feel this got in the way of the mystery at times, and Holly spent quite a bit to time reacting to events rather than actually investigating at other points. Still, it held together well overall, and we got a great climax. The characters are already sharp, and their relationships help add to the Christmas cheer.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-twelve-slays-of-christmas.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated A Cup of Holiday Fear (A Bakeshop Mystery, #10) in Books
Dec 31, 2019
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
STABBED IN THE HEART
AND YOU'RE TO BLAME
YOU GIVE CHRISTMAS A BAD NAME
Thank you, i just had to get that out of my system!
This is a really fun, easy read with likable characters.
The villain pretty much jumped out at me but i didn't feel condescended to so that's always lovely!
I really like Jules' friendship with Christmas-Hating Lance.
She's so determined to have him enjoy the holiday that she invites him to a fancy dinner where an awful woman is stabbed.
Things move at a pretty brisk pace from there and the ending is a Christmas treat!
STABBED IN THE HEART
AND YOU'RE TO BLAME
YOU GIVE CHRISTMAS A BAD NAME
Thank you, i just had to get that out of my system!
This is a really fun, easy read with likable characters.
The villain pretty much jumped out at me but i didn't feel condescended to so that's always lovely!
I really like Jules' friendship with Christmas-Hating Lance.
She's so determined to have him enjoy the holiday that she invites him to a fancy dinner where an awful woman is stabbed.
Things move at a pretty brisk pace from there and the ending is a Christmas treat!
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated Ted the Friendly Frog and Santa Frog in Books
Dec 19, 2019
Book Review: Ted the Friendly Frog and Santa Frog This book is set during the Christmas season. The family is getting ready for Christmas. Ted's father gets up to tell a story of meeting Santa Frog. As the story is being told, children will get to learn to rhyme some words. The series continues to teach children to read.Ted and his brother Brad seem excited about Santa Frog. Will they get to meet Santa Frog? What will Santa Frog bring them and how many presents? There is still the meaning behind the story. There seem to be an important meaning behind the story. Though this one will not know until the end of the book. What matters most is that Family Matters.I got the feeling of The Night before Christmas feeling with this story. As if you read. Though with the teaching of the meaning of Christmas and family being the center of the story. Though that is my thoughts on it.The author still gets the children to learn to read with the rhyming theme as you read. This is good as this helps with children and good to have parents pick up the series. It does teach lessons and meanings that are important for children to learn.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Death by Yule Log in Books
Dec 1, 2022
New Boyfriend and a Christmas Murder
This Christmas, Hayley Powell's daughter is coming up to Maine for Christmas and she's bringing her new boyfriend. Hayley does her best to greet Connor with an open mind, but something about him just rubs Hayley the wrong way. However, when a young man is found murdered after getting into a fight with Connor, it begins to look like Connor is the prime suspect. Hayley may not like him, but she doesn't want to see Connor accused of a crime he didn't commit. Can she figure out what is going on?
This story made me want to pick up the full length novels, not that I have yet. While I obviously didn't understand all the character history, I certainly got enough to fully enjoy what was happening here. The mystery was strong and kept me engaged until the end. As a bonus, there are recipes throughout, including one for a Yule Log cake.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.
This story made me want to pick up the full length novels, not that I have yet. While I obviously didn't understand all the character history, I certainly got enough to fully enjoy what was happening here. The mystery was strong and kept me engaged until the end. As a bonus, there are recipes throughout, including one for a Yule Log cake.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Yule Log Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Christmas mystery.
Wrapped With A Bow: Nine Holiday Short Stories as Unique as Snowflakes
Aubree Lane, R.E. Hargrave, Samantha Jacobey, Ella Medler, Cherime MacFarlane, Michele E. Gwynn, Jennifer Bryan Yarbrough, Teri Riggs and Holly Barbo
8.0
Rate It
Book
The Crazy Lady Authors Present A Blizzard of Books — Nine Holiday Short Stories as Unique as...
Contemporary Romance Seasonal Short Stories
Alex Hastings (4 KP) rated The Incredibles 2 (2018) in Movies
Dec 1, 2018
Contains spoilers, click to show
Incredibles 2 was a long awaited piece of my childhood that did not let down my expectations. The reversal of roles for Mr. Incredible and Elastagirl was enjoyable to watch. I am planning to buy this for christmas.
DO
Dictionary of Christian Biography: Key Figures in the Literature, Sects and Doctrines of the Early Church
Henry Wace, William Smith and Michael Ledger-Lomas
Book
Smith and Wace's magisterial A Dictionary of Christian Biography provides an account of the figures...
Christian Spirituality for Seekers: Reflections on the Spiritual Exercise of Ignatius Loyola
Book
The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola consist of a series of meditations and contemplations on...