Merry Christmas!

Luke 2: 1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Cozy Christmas Reads!

Looking for some good Christmas reads? Check out these Christmas titles I have read this year and recommend!

Christmas at the Circus by Joanne Biscoff

A short story about The Greatest Season on Earth
In 1800’s New Orleans, newlyweds Charlie and Ella Lionheart are spending their first holiday season together within the circus. It’s Ella’s first Christmas away from her mountain home and with thoughts of family and new beginnings, see what surprises the kindhearted lion tamer has in store for her on Christmas Eve.
A touch of holiday magic beneath the Big Top!

Gideon’s Gift by Karen Kingsbury

One long-ago Christmas, Earl Gibson lost the two things most precious to him: his wife and daughter. Angry and heartbroken, he ended up living on the streets and abandoned any belief he’d once had in God. Ten years later Big Earl meets Gideon, a seven-year-old leukemia patient who believes with all her heart that “Christmas means never having to ask God how much he loves us.” Gideon is determined to reach this lonely and hurting man who hates Christmas–and he is just as determined to rebuff her. It will take a miracle for Earl to come to understand the true meaning of Christmas. But if he can accept what Gideon wants to give him, he might find that he can return the favor with a precious gift of his own.

Christmas at Whitefriars by Elizabeth Camden

Mary Beckwith lives in a magnificent English castle during the twilight years of the gilded age. With the help of an American millionaire, she has succeeded in renovating her beloved Whitefriars castle into a splendid estate just in time for Christmas.
From across the ocean, millionaire Everett Wooten has spent a fortune propping up Whitefriars to add modern conveniences and rebuild crumbling old walls. Even though he’s never met Mary, they have enjoyed a lively business correspondence over the nine years they have been working toward a renovation. Now he has finally come to see Mary and the castle in person, but nothing is as he was led to believe.
Mary and Everett try to find a way forward, but red-blooded American entrepreneurship doesn’t always mingle with blue-blooded English tradition. Can a Manhattan business tycoon and an English lady come to an accord, or will their joint venture in Whitefriars result in heartbreak for them both?

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

Krista Galloway is not a fan of Christmas. After her rough childhood in multiple foster homes, the holiday season just brings too many bad memories to the surface. But when she accepts a job as a city manager in the mountain town of Winter Hill, Washington, Christmas is part of the deal. The small town is famous for its Christmasville celebration, something that the city manager . . . well, manages. As she tries to make her tiny new apartment feel like home for her and her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, Krista begins to wonder if this move was a mistake. She doesn’t always feel welcomed in the close-knit town, and Emily continually wonders, “Where’s the snow?” Can a friendly stranger and his family help restore Krista’s Christmas spirit before the big day?

 

Do you have any Christmas favorites?

 

The Enchanted Sonata

Clara Stahlbaum has her future perfectly planned: to marry the handsome pianist, Johann Kahler (ah!) and settle down to a life full of music.

But all that changes on Christmas Eve, when Clara receives a mysterious and magical nutcracker.
Whisked away to his world—an enchanted empire of beautiful palaces, fickle fairies, enormous rats, and a prince—Clara must face a magician who uses music as spells…and the future she thought she wanted.

The Enchanted Sonata, a retelling of The Nutcracker Ballet with a dash of The Pied Piper, will captivate readers of all ages.

An enchanting tale for Christmas time!

So I have a bunch of books I am currently reading but when I got my message that I had this book ready for pickup at my library, all those books got set aside.  It only took me a couple of days to read but that was because I could not put it down.

This book is written by Heather Dixon Wallwork. This is the same Heather Dixon who wrote Entwined. Which I am definitely going to track down and reread.

Back to The Enchanted Sonata, this is a spin off of the story of the Nutcracker and Clara. I could also see a little of Phantom of the Opera in the tale as well. I absolutely loved this tale. I was drawn into the story very quickly. Heather does an incredibly job of writing a story that the readers can almost visualize. I loved how Heather made music magical, since it really is. (:

This was truly an enchanting story! Perfect for Christmas time but can be read anytime of the year.

On Heather’s website, she writes that this book is a part of a series. Currently there isn’t any news that I could find but I am looking forward to reading more!

I recommend this book to all fans of Heather Dixon Wallwork.

 

*Unfortunately I do have to mention this, I am not a English major but there were quite a few typos in the story. For anyone who is picky about this, I am giving you fair warning.

 

The Gift of the Magi

Today this book is having its 112 birthday. It was originally published on December 10, 1905. Isn’t that so so cool, well, I think so.

This is a short Christmas story by O.Henry. It, in the version I read, is only three pages long, so, it is a very quick read. I remember listening to a dramatized version of this a long time ago but this is my first time reading the story. Since it is Christmas time, it is the perfect time for me to read it.

If you need a short story about what true gift giving is all about, then this is the story you should read. It is about a young couple, who learn the meaning of giving.

Title: The Gift of the Magi

Author: O Henry

Reading Resolution 40: Read a book that was published before you were born.

The Bridge

The New York Times bestselling author of Learning and Leaving shares a heartwarming Christmas story about a devastating flood, lost love, and the beauty of enduring friendships. Number one New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury delivers an instant classic with this heartwarming Christmas story about a hundred-year flood, lost love, and the beauty of enduring friendships. Molly Allen lives alone in Portland, but she left her heart back in Tennessee with a man she walked away from five years ago. They had a rare sort of love she hasn’t found since. Ryan Kelly lives in Nashville after a broken engagement and several years on the road touring with a country music duo. He can still hear Molly’s voice encouraging him to follow his dreams; Molly, whose memory stays with him. At least he can visit The Bridge—the oldest bookstore in historic downtown Franklin—and remember the hours he and Molly once spent there. For thirty years, Charlie and Donna Barton have run The Bridge, providing the people of middle Tennessee with coffee, conversation, and shelves of good books—even through dismal book sales and the rise of digital books. Then in May, the hundred-year flood swept through Franklin and destroyed nearly every book in the store.
Now the bank is pulling the lease on The Bridge. Despondent and without answers, Charlie considers the unthinkable. Then tragedy strikes, and suddenly, everything changes. In the face of desperate brokenness and lost opportunities, could the miracle of a second chance actually unfold? The Bridge is a love story set against the struggle of the American bookstore, a love story you will never forget.

Oh, I wish there was a place like the Bridge. The little bookstore in my town went out of business a couple of years ago. It was so sad to see the store close. If there was a place like the Bridge in my town you can only guess where I would be everyday.

This is my first Karen Kingsbury novel and I liked it. I first heard of it after watching the movie The Bridge. It was easy to read and had a really cute story. I read it in just two nights. The one thing about the book was it was actually really sad. It was still a good story, and I really enjoyed the book.

Karen Kingsbury wrote a great book about how one person’s life can touch many lives. I recommend this great Christmas read!

 

Title: The Bridge

Author and her website: Karen Kingsbury

Reading Resolution 51: Read a book that is set in a place that you would like to visit.

This review is written in my own words and is my honest opinion.

A Royal Christmas Wedding (Updated)

Avery Truitt aches for true love—the kind she once shared with Prince Colin. Can she dare to hope for happily ever after, or is a fairy-tale ending beyond reach? College volleyball star Avery Truitt has not seen her former flame, Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom, since he suddenly pushed her away five years ago. But now, the sadness of losing her father and the joy of her sister Susanna’s pregnancy have brought Avery back to Brighton just in time for Cathedral City’s enchanting Christmas season. Avery knows she can’t avoid seeing Colin—now the Kingdom’s most eligible bachelor—whether or not her heart is ready to relive the pain. But seeing him again might bring her the closure she needs after all this time. When Colin finds himself at the center of a centuries-old Brighton tradition, he must decide whether to follow the path laid out before him or follow his heart to the only woman for whom he would ring the Pembroke Chapel Bell. Can Colin convince Avery to meet him at the chapel on Christmas morning—as tradition dictates—or will Avery run back to her St. Simons home and pursue a coaching career as planned? In the fourth installment of the Royal Wedding Series, New York Times bestselling novelist, Rachel Hauck, weaves a charming story of holiday romance as two broken hearts seek the love they once knew.

Last year on December 30th, I reviewed this book. That is why this post has the “updated” on the title. Don’t worry, I did not change my opinion of the book. It was just as good the second time through. Plus it is perfect timing, since it is Christmas time.

So, let’s talk about this book. This book is actually my favorite in The Royal Wedding Series. Probably because it set in the Christmas season. And if you have not guessed by now, Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I also liked that is was a quick read that did not drag out too long. It is a novella but put in book format. Another part of the book that was fun was when Rachel Hauck wrote the parts that were the TV show. I thought that was a fun thing to do to keep her readers reading till the last page. I am glad Avery got her story in a book. I liked her character from the first time she was introduced in Once Upon a Prince. As for Colin, he was not a bad character at all. He was introduced in the first book as well.  He was the character that you felt bad for because he did not want to hurt his father’s feelings or Avery’s feelings. But he knew that he would end up hurting one of them, no matter what he did.

I would personally say you can read this book without having to read all of the others in the series. But if you think you want more background on some of the characters, you could just read the first book and then this one. Really it’s up to you.

My personal favorite part was actually Hauck’s ending. She ended the book and series as all good fairy tales go, And they all lived happily ever after.

So in what order would I put this series from my favorite to least favorite. Here it is.

1. A Royal Christmas Wedding
2. Once Upon a Prince
3. Princess Ever After
4. How To Catch a Prince

I recommend the whole series but since it is Christmas time, I highly recommend A Royal Christmas Wedding. It is just the perfect time to sit next to your Christmas tree, with a warm drink and a book.

What is you favorite season or time of the year?

 

Title: A Royal Christmas Wedding

Author and her website: Rachel Hauck

Reading Resolution 34 (Part 4 of 4 parts): Read a series/trilogy.

This review is written in my own words and is my honest opinion.

 

Are you interested in reading what I wrote about this book a year ago? Well, you can read that here.

Time for…

Now that Thanksgiving day has past, Christmas is the next big holiday! So, guess what? Time for Christmas music, Christmas decorations, Christmas shopping, and CHRISTMAS BOOKS! Yippee! So, I am going to start reviewing Christmas books today! Beginning with…The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere.

One more thing. Just because Thanksgiving day is over doesn’t mean we immediately jump back into our gloomy and ungrateful attitudes. No, it is still Thanksgiving weekend! Even if it wasn’t that, we should always remember to be thankful. Just because Thanksgiving is one day out of the whole year, it doesn’t mean be thankful only one day. Thanksgiving day should be every day in our hearts.

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving Day! Now to my review…

 

Sometimes, the things that can change your life will cross your path in one instant-and then, in a fleeting moment, they’re gone. But if you open your eyes, and watch carefully, you will believe…. Robert is a successful attorney who has everything in life-and nothing at all. Focused on professional achievement and material rewards, Robert is on the brink of losing his marriage. He has lost sight of his wife, Kate, their two daughters, and ultimately himself. Eight year old Nathan has a beloved mother, Maggie, whom he is losing to cancer. But Nathan and his family are building a simple yet full life, and struggling to hold onto every moment they have together. A chance meeting on Christmas Even brings Robert and Nathan together-he is shopping for a family he hardly knows and Nathan is shopping for a mother he is soon to lose. In this one encounter, their lives are forever altered as Robert learns an important lesson: sometimes the smallest things can make all the difference. The Christmas Shoes is a universal story of the deeper meaning of serendipity, a tale of our shared humanity, and of how a power greater than ourselves can shape, and even save, our lives.

Wow, I picked up this book, just a few days ago, and read it within one night. I did not have an opinion about this book or author, since this is my first Donna VanLiere book. But WOW, I was not expecting this. I liked this book so much. So much that I went and checked out the next book and started it. And if wasn’t writing right now, you can guess where I would be.

I am so glad I started this Christmas season with this book. It had Christmas spirit, from the beginning of the book to the end of the book. With the message of forgiveness, love, and the meaning of Christmas. The book is actually based on the song Christmas Shoes.

The book is short and a quick read but well worth it. Even though is it short, VanLiere switched points of view many times but it worked.  I am usually not one to cry during books or movies but if you are one who does, then please take my advice. Have a tissue when you read this book.

I highly recommend this book.

Title: The Christmas Shoes

Author and her Website: Donna VanLiere

Reading Resolution 25: Read a book where the main character is a boy.

This review is written in my own words and is my honest opinion.

 

Coming Soon… The review of The Christmas Blessing, the sequel to The Christmas Shoes.

Wow, it’s November! Plus a review of Hometown Girl

Happy November, my fellow readers. I woke up this morning and could not believe it was November already. And at work I kept writing the wrong date. October flew by. Yesterday, October 31, we had snow flurries in the air, but what can I say, I live in Michigan and you can except snow anytime. So, as the days get colder and darker, it is the time of the year for hot chocolate and reading curled up under a blanket. One more thing before I get to my review. Has anyone of you been hearing things about Thanksgiving and Christmas? Well, I have. It has been mentioned more that once at my house. My sisters and I are getting super excited about having everyone home for the holidays and shopping for Christmas presents.

 

Beth Whitaker isn’t supposed to be a small-town girl. She’s always dreamed of leaving Willow Grove, Illinois, for the big city, but she feels trapped, struggling to make up for a mistake that’s haunted her for years. Just when Beth is finally ready to break free, her sister impulsively buys a beloved but run-down farm on the outskirts of town, and she begs Beth to help with the restoration. Reluctantly, Beth agrees to help—and puts her own dreams on hold once again. Drew Barlow hasn’t been back to Fairwind Farm since he was a boy, and he’s spent all these years trying to outrun the pain of a past he thought he buried long ago. When he learns that the owner has passed away, his heart knows it’s finally time to do the right thing. Returning to Willow Grove, Drew revisits the old farm, where he attempts to piece together his memories and the puzzle of the crime he witnessed so long ago. Both on a journey to find peace, Beth and Drew are surprised when they begin to experience a restoration of their own. But when long-buried secrets break through the soil and the truth unfurls, will it threaten their budding relationship—and the very future of the farm?

From the very moment I started this book, I knew I was going to like this book and I did. The cover was what originally caught my attention. Don’t you think it is a cute cover? Courtney Walsh is a good author, even though this is my second book that I have read by her. I am probably  going to go and pick up all of Walsh’s books and binge read.

Well, let’s talk about this book. It was an intriguing plot with a mystery, that kept me reading to till the end of the book. Each main/side character was interesting and well developed. Beth and Drew were great main characters. Both had their own and different stories.

I recommend this book. It was a good read, that I enjoyed very much.

 

Title: Hometown Girl

Author: Courtney Walsh

I received this book from Waterfall Press. 

This review is written in my own words and is my honest opinion.

 

Read my review of Just Look Up another book by Courtney Walsh.