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I’ve not actually read Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe, but I was happy when I realised that this could easily be read as a standalone novel – there were only a small amount of moments when I felt like I was missing some information that came from the main novel.

It’s only a very short book, but that made it all the better for me because I prefer reading short stories over Christmas than trying to dig into a really big novel, just because I struggle for time over Christmas.

The characters were all brilliant. I loved Becca because I know people with the same attitude over Christmas as her, so it made me laugh a bit seeing people I know as Characters in a book.

It was a cheesy festive romance, and there were a few parts where I wasn’t too sure on how far the novel was going to go, but thankfully it balanced out the romance with the plot really well.
  
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows (Flavia de Luce, #4)
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows (Flavia de Luce, #4)
Alan Bradley | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
6
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
It’s the week before Christmas, and a movie crew is coming to film at Flavia’s family home. While excited, Flavia is plotting how to trap Father Christmas when he shows up on Christmas morning. However, that takes a back seat when the lead actress is film is murdered. Fortunately for Flavia, the suspects are trapped in her home due to a massive snow storm. Can she figure out who the killer is?

While I do like the characters and didn’t find Flavia nearly as annoying in this book as I did the previous one, I found the plot way too slow. The murder happened half way through the book, and the tension and set up to justify that just wasn’t present. Once the murder took place, the book definitely picked up, however.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-i-am-half-sick-of-shadows.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
SK
Silent Knife (Celebration Bay, #2)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Liv wants her first Christmas as the event coordinator in Celebration Bay to go well, but she’s hit some unexpected snags. First, Trim a Tree has opened with their tacky gifts. Then the store hires a second Santa, a violation of town policy. However, when that Santa is found murdered, Liv really has her work cut out for her.

After enjoying the first, I was looking forward to revisiting this festive town for Christmas. The plot got bogged down a bit in the first half, and I could not stand one character. However, those were minor issues. I did mostly enjoy the book, and things picked up by the end. I couldn’t wait to figure out who had done it. There were lots of references and things to help get us in the Christmas spirit as well.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/12/book-review-silent-knife-by-shelley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The Christmas Prayer
The Christmas Prayer
Wanda E. Brunstetter | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
7
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Looking for a good Christmas story. Wanda give you one. I really liked it. They wonder what it like to be on trail to west to California. It about Three wagon trains that meet up and are all set to travel to get to California.

There a young girl that is to marry a fellow traveler? Will she do so to help her mother or will her heart win out? For there are two others that are interested in Cynthia. There are quite adventure for all of them.

They seem to get stuck in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Will they survive or will they not. Will Christmas bring them together or will is pull them a part. Will Cynthia get her Christmas payer be answered?

Wanda does a wonderful job with showing us the hardships of Oregon trails and natures? She show us what it like on the trails though a young woman and always the friendship that are built.
  
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!
Mo Willems | 2023 | Children
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Pigeon Gets a Christmas Book
Santa needs to go wrap a few presents, but he leaves us with one request. You guessed it, don’t let the Pigeon drive the sleigh. And as soon as Santa leaves, Pigeon shows up trying to wheedle his way into driving the sleigh. Will he get his wish? Or will reality be different than his dreams?

Those familiar with Pigeon will love this Christmas entry in the series. It felt a little too familiar at times, but it was still fun overall. If you aren’t familiar with these books, the dialogue to us and stylized pictures will take a bit to get used to, but once you do, you’ll find the fun. I once again love that Pigeon sees his wish isn’t all he thought it might be, but this lesson is filled with humor. I can see this becoming a Christmas hit that is possibly requested year-round.