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Gwyneth Paltrow recommended Goodnight Moon in Books (curated)
ClareR (5890 KP) rated Afraid of the Christmas Lights in Books
Dec 1, 2020
I don’t like Christmas books. Usually. I like A Christmas Carol, but I tend not to read many modern Christmas books - unless they’re children’s ones at work, or when I used to read them for my own children when they were little. Which is probably why I liked this so much. Usually in anthologies, there will be a few standout stories that make reading the collection as a whole worthwhile, but I’ve really struggled to single out one or two - I enjoyed them all far too much for that.
Most of the stories are set around Christmas with only a couple of exceptions. That didn’t cause me to like them any less though. The real standouts for me (if I absolutely HAVE to choose!) were: Phoebe Morgan’s Unexpected Present - the gift wrapped so nicely in expensive M&S paper being the main protagonists husband; The Switch by James Delargy had a Stephen King vibe to it (and I should add that it wasn’t because of The Green Mile!); Fresh Meat by Elle Croft gives new meaning to a raw meat diet for your cat; and The Vigilante by Clare Empson was a sad story of a Charles Dickens look-a-like who tries to save victims of crime in the dead of night.
If you need an excuse to buy this, then the proceeds go to ESDAS and Rights of Women, both domestic abuse charities.
Many thanks to The PIgeonhole for serialising this book, and to the authors who joined in. As always, it was a great experience!!
Most of the stories are set around Christmas with only a couple of exceptions. That didn’t cause me to like them any less though. The real standouts for me (if I absolutely HAVE to choose!) were: Phoebe Morgan’s Unexpected Present - the gift wrapped so nicely in expensive M&S paper being the main protagonists husband; The Switch by James Delargy had a Stephen King vibe to it (and I should add that it wasn’t because of The Green Mile!); Fresh Meat by Elle Croft gives new meaning to a raw meat diet for your cat; and The Vigilante by Clare Empson was a sad story of a Charles Dickens look-a-like who tries to save victims of crime in the dead of night.
If you need an excuse to buy this, then the proceeds go to ESDAS and Rights of Women, both domestic abuse charities.
Many thanks to The PIgeonhole for serialising this book, and to the authors who joined in. As always, it was a great experience!!
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Santa Suit in Books
Oct 28, 2021
Ivy Perkins buys a 106-year-old farmhouse, sight unseen, after a divorce. Known as Four Roses Farm, it was once home to Bob and Betty Rae Rose. Bob was famous as the town's Santa Claus, which Ivy learns when she discovers his lovely Santa suit tucked in a closet. In the pocket is a note from a young child, who simply wants her father to return home from the war. The note strikes a chord with Ivy, who finds herself wondering who the child was--and did she ever reunite with her father? Her investigation brings her in contact with the local townspeople, including Ezra, her realtor, neighbor, and handyman; a young woman named Phoebe; and a sweet town elder named Everett. Despite her reluctance to join in the town's many Christmas traditions, Ivy cannot help but be swept up in the small town and its spirit of Christmas.
"You mean, what's a nice, single, big-city girl like me doing in a hick town like Tarburton?"
This was an incredibly adorable, silly, cheesy book (more of a novella really). If you love Christmas movies, you'll find that this is basically a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form. And, as such, it's practically perfect: the snowy setting, a magical Santa suit, and a small town romance. What more could you ask for? Yes, you could pick at plot pieces and motives, but why? This is a quick read and a sweet one. Read in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. 4+ stars.
"You mean, what's a nice, single, big-city girl like me doing in a hick town like Tarburton?"
This was an incredibly adorable, silly, cheesy book (more of a novella really). If you love Christmas movies, you'll find that this is basically a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form. And, as such, it's practically perfect: the snowy setting, a magical Santa suit, and a small town romance. What more could you ask for? Yes, you could pick at plot pieces and motives, but why? This is a quick read and a sweet one. Read in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. 4+ stars.
The Yuletide Inn is a cornerstone of Rudolph, New York, offering a nice place to stay and nice restaurant for the many people who come to take part in the Christmas festivities that the town hosts all year long. When the owner has a heart attack just a couple weeks before Christmas, his son Gord comes to town to help run things, but he immediately starts making plans for big changes – changes that could hurt the town. Merry is concerned about what this will do to her own shop, her friends, and family. But when Gord is killed, she has a new concern – find the killer before someone she loves his arrested for the crime.
I was in the mood for a Christmas cozy, and this one delivered in spades. Being set in December certainly helped. The author does a good job of setting up suspects and motives before the murder happens, but I did feel the book stalled out a bit in the middle as events pushed actual investigating to the background. The characters are wonderful and charming once again.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-we-wish-you-murderous.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I was in the mood for a Christmas cozy, and this one delivered in spades. Being set in December certainly helped. The author does a good job of setting up suspects and motives before the murder happens, but I did feel the book stalled out a bit in the middle as events pushed actual investigating to the background. The characters are wonderful and charming once again.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-we-wish-you-murderous.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 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 (1760 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?
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated The Gift Of Christmas Past in Books
Feb 27, 2019
As a long time fan of Cindy Woodsmall, I was excited to see what she what co wrote with her DIL. It was a book that I wouldn't be used to by her, as she's a wonderful Amish fiction novelist, and this is a contemporary novel. But, I was pleasantly surprised with this collaboration by these wonderful ladies!
I am a person who sometimes, unintentionally, holds on to the past and that can hinder me with my here and now. That's what this book is like. Hanging on to the past, and not being able to full move on or forgive. Hadley and Monroe are beautifully chiseled and have been through so much in their lives. My heart truly ached for their early years. But, both Cindy and Erin pieced together a beautiful story of hope, forgiveness and tenderness and gave readers an unforgettable Christmas story.
This is definitely worthy of 4 stars and keeping on the shelf! Both ladies are talented and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this collaboration. I highly recommend this Christmas read to all and look forward to more of these great stories! Well done, ladies!
*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
I am a person who sometimes, unintentionally, holds on to the past and that can hinder me with my here and now. That's what this book is like. Hanging on to the past, and not being able to full move on or forgive. Hadley and Monroe are beautifully chiseled and have been through so much in their lives. My heart truly ached for their early years. But, both Cindy and Erin pieced together a beautiful story of hope, forgiveness and tenderness and gave readers an unforgettable Christmas story.
This is definitely worthy of 4 stars and keeping on the shelf! Both ladies are talented and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this collaboration. I highly recommend this Christmas read to all and look forward to more of these great stories! Well done, ladies!
*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated A Christmas Carol in Books
Apr 27, 2018
We all, at one point or another, have heard the story of A Christmas Carol, whether we read the book in school, watched a movie with the family, or saw the Muppets version on youtube (which, by the way, is my favorite. I heartily recommend it.). But there is so much more to the story that we don’t grasp because of how our culture has changed. This is the way it is with every classic book. But A Christmas Carol is a story that needs to be understood in it’s full impact because of the story it tells and the lessons it teaches. Stephen Skelton has made it possible.
The Special Edition of A Christmas Carol is a small book, perfect to fit in a small handbag (or a stocking!) with a beautiful cover. The book itself is printed with Dickens’ story in the main section of the pages, and the notes, subtext, and annotations printed in the outer margins. After every “Chapter” (called a Stave in the text) there is a discussion section, perfect for any age group, either young children or mature Christians. The discussion features Bible verses and questions, and relates events, topics, and themes from A Christmas Carol to our everyday Christian walk with God. Extra verses and topics follow the end of every discussion section for those older individuals who wish to go further into studying the themes targeted in the book: Selfishness, Regret, Repentance, Salvation, and Rebirth. At the end of the book is a list of resources for further study.
The story of A Christmas Carol remains, to this day, a classic in literature because it is a wonderful story of sin and greed turned around to Christianity and charity through allegory and parable. It has proved itself a wonderful story to every reader, and will continue to do so forever. Hopefully, this will be the edition that becomes the standard.
Recommendation: All ages. Wonderful for family discussions or group Bible studies. Perfect Christmas gift or stocking stuffer!
**Thank you to FSB Associates for providing my review copy!**
The Special Edition of A Christmas Carol is a small book, perfect to fit in a small handbag (or a stocking!) with a beautiful cover. The book itself is printed with Dickens’ story in the main section of the pages, and the notes, subtext, and annotations printed in the outer margins. After every “Chapter” (called a Stave in the text) there is a discussion section, perfect for any age group, either young children or mature Christians. The discussion features Bible verses and questions, and relates events, topics, and themes from A Christmas Carol to our everyday Christian walk with God. Extra verses and topics follow the end of every discussion section for those older individuals who wish to go further into studying the themes targeted in the book: Selfishness, Regret, Repentance, Salvation, and Rebirth. At the end of the book is a list of resources for further study.
The story of A Christmas Carol remains, to this day, a classic in literature because it is a wonderful story of sin and greed turned around to Christianity and charity through allegory and parable. It has proved itself a wonderful story to every reader, and will continue to do so forever. Hopefully, this will be the edition that becomes the standard.
Recommendation: All ages. Wonderful for family discussions or group Bible studies. Perfect Christmas gift or stocking stuffer!
**Thank you to FSB Associates for providing my review copy!**
Johana Lee Scott (4 KP) rated Amazon in Apps
May 25, 2018
free shipping (3 more)
shows
movies
product selection
My Main reason for Prime is Shipping
I love Amazon. They offer products I cannot find locally. My main reason for getting Amazon Prime was for the free shipping. This last Christmas season I literally saved 600 on SHIPPING alone. The shows and movies are pretty good, but the selection ins't that great.