Book Review - A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson

My Review

After her husband dies, Vera Swanson moves to a new town to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. When her daughter's family moves away, Vera finds herself alone in a new place with the holidays just ahead.  When her neighbor's four year old child, Fiona, knocks on the door, Vera's life changes. Vera helps Fiona and also takes on her challenge to make a special Christmas quilt for Fiona's mother. Vera doesn't know anyone in town, so she puts up signs looking for quilters - and finds herself surrounded by some new friends.

I wanted to read A Quilt for Christmas because I have enjoyed Melody Carlson's other Christmas books. (I try to read the new book each year!) This book was no exception.

This is a short book (novella length) and a cozy read for a long afternoon or a quiet weekend. I found Vera a very likable and sympathetic protagonist.  She is lonely and she wants to make friends and help others - and by the act of opening the door (literally and figuratively) to little Fiona Albright, she does just that.

The other women in the quilting circle are also interesting - Tasha is a happy, fun-loving young artist;  Beverly is a friendly empty nester; and Eleanor is a grouchy retired therapist who is living with her adult son.  In the course of the book Vera (and the reader!) gets to know them all and learns their stories.  One of the ladies even has a sweet romance over the holidays.

I recommend A Quilt for Christmas for anyone who is looking for a cozy Christmas story.   This gentle and uplifting book would make a great Hallmark movie!

Book Synopsis

Cuddle up with this cozy story of giving and forgiving--with a little bit of romance

Christmas should be celebrated with family, but for Vera Swanson, that's not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one--until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help.

With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera's aid, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request--a Christmas quilt for Mama.

Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all. And she may even find herself a new family of friends along the way.

Author Bio

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than 250 books with sales of more than 7.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, her novel All Summer Long was made into a Hallmark movie, and the film version of The Happy Camper is soon to be released. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

 

Book Review - Finding Christmas by Karen Schaler

Book Synopsis
With all the glittering decorations, twinkling lights, snow angels, gingerbread men and mistletoe, Christmas is Emmie’s first love.

This year, she can’t wait to share her favorite Christmas traditions with her boyfriend, Grant. She thinks he’s “the one.” So when Grant’s hectic work schedule has him more “Bah Humbug” than “Ho, Ho, Ho,” Emmie creates a holiday-themed scavenger hunt to help him find his Christmas spirit. At the end of the journey, Grant will arrive at the charming town of Christmas Point where she’s planned a romantic weekend filled with holiday activities.

But Emmie’s plan backfires when a mix-up has the wrong guy following her clues! Sam, a best-selling mystery writer, thinks Emmie’s clever Christmas riddles are from his agent, who is trying to help him get over his epic writer’s block.
When he arrives at Christmas Point and finds the stunned Emmie, he immediately feels she’s someone special, but she can’t see beyond the fact that the wrong guy has shown up. Inspired by the small, charming town, Sam decides to stay and convinces Emmie to join him in a little holiday fun while she waits for Grant.

When Grant finally shows up, Emmie is disappointed to discover he’s not enjoying the activities she planned and can’t help wonder if he’s really the one for her. She also can’t get Sam out of her mind and all the great times they had together. With Christmas coming fast, Emmie will need the magic of the season to help steer her in the direction of true love…

 

Purchase Links

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My Review
Emmie loves Christmas more than anything, so naturally she plans to make her first Christmas with boyfriend Grant extra special.  She plans an elaborate holiday scavenger hunt that will take him to a small mountain town called Christmas Point, so they can have a romantic holiday weekend together.  The catch?  The wrong man gets the scavenger hunt clues.  Sam is a mystery novelist with writer's block. He thinks the clues are from his agent, and he arrives at Christmas Point for the weekend.  Emmie's boyfriend is too busy working to join her, so she becomes friends with Sam and sparks start to fly.

I wanted to read this book from first description because I love Christmas! I love Christmas novels and Christmas movies, and knew I would like this book because of the author's background.  Karen Schaler has written a number of Christmas movies for Hallmark, Netflix, and Lifetime.

Finding Christmas reads like the most charming Hallmark Christmas romance imaginable.  Emmie starts out a little grumpy because she is on a big Christmas shopping trip and her perfect wreath purchase is blocked by another customer - Sam (we will see him again later).  At first I thought Emmie was going to be a shopaholic character, but she really isn't.  She works hard managing a nonprofit community center and helping families in need.  Christmas is her one special time that she likes to shop - and often for others.

Sam is such a charming character.  He is a great sport who is up for anything - from decorating cookies to ice skating.  From the start I wanted him to get together with Emmie.  I absolutely loved their scenes together.

I especially loved the Christmas scavenger hunt that Sam (mistakenly) went on.  Every little stop of the hunt was great fun.  The author even has tips on how to plan your own holiday scavenger hunt in the back of the book!

Christmas Point is a charming setting for this story.  It is a little town (population 720) dedicated to all things Christmas.  Emmie stays at an inn there that is owned by a widow named Ruby.  Ruby is a lovely, warm character and her friendship with Emmie adds a lot to the book.  I loved all the details of Christmas celebrations in this little town too.  I have to add that Ruby even has a sweet Border Collie named Dasher!   (I enjoy all books more when they feature a lovable dog or cat.)

I also loved Emmie's passion for all things Christmas.  I could just picture her apartment from the book's description:

"Her entire apartment looked like a scene from a Christmas fairy tale.  There were hundreds of white twinkle lights hanging overhead, attached to the loft's old wooden ceiling beams.  The lights also outlined all the windows.  From top to bottom, Emmie's apartment was filled with all kinds of Christmas decorations from vintage to modern, similar to how her office was decorated.  Emmie didn't discriminate.  She had a snow globe collection, an angel collection, and a snowman collection, as well as several antique nativity sets. ...  It was the perfect balance of old and new, and it felt genuine and real" (p. 57).

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and know that other fans of Christmas novels will like it too.  Finding Christmas is a perfect holiday read -- just settle in with a cup of cocoa and prepare to get in the holiday spirit!
 

Author Bio
Karen Schaler is a three-time Emmy Award–winning storyteller, author, screenwriter, journalist, and national TV host. She has written original screenplays for Netflix, Hallmark, and Lifetime Christmas movies, including the Netflix sensation A Christmas Prince. Karen wrote the Hallmark movie and novel Christmas Camp, and the sequel novella, Christmas Camp Wedding. Traveling to more than sixty-five countries as the creator and host of Travel Therapy TV, Karen is constantly inspired by the diverse people, places, and cultures she encounters. All of Karen’s stories are uplifting, filled with heart and hope.

Find out more about Karen at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins and TLC Book Tours.

Book Review - Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

Book Synopsis
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?

My Review
Krista Galloway is newly divorced with an eight year old daughter named Emily.  She leaves her home in Phoenix to move to a small town called Winter Hill, Washington.  She has accepted a job as city manager for the town, and upon arrival realizes that a big part of the job involves planning the annual Christmasville celebration.  The problem? Krista hates Christmas.

I enjoy all things Christmas, including, of course, Christmas books.  I like Melody Carlson's Christmas books, so was eager to read her latest holiday story.

Christmas in Winter Hill is a very sweet story.  Krista is a bit of a grump, but understandably so, after a rough life (years in foster care as a child, a Christmas Eve birthday that was always forgotten, a cheating husband, a contentious divorce).  With all she had been through, I really pulled for her in this book.

The story of this book involves Krista and Emily's settling into a new town just before the holidays and Krista managing the Christmasville celebration.  There is a charming and mysterious little cottage called the Christmas House that is up for a community giveaway, and there is the possibility of romance with a young widower who has a daughter a bit older than Emily.

This is a light, quick read.  It is only 168 pages.  It is still October now, but the story put me in the Christmas mood.  I think it would be an especially nice afternoon or evening read over the holidays.  It is a sweet story that would make a good Hallmark movie!

Recommended for fans of Christmas fiction -- just make cocoa, coffee, or tea and settle in to enjoy!

Author Bio
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than two hundred books with combined sales of more than seven million. She is the author of many Christmas books, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, Christmas at Harrington's, The Christmas Cat, The Christmas Joy Ride, The Christmas Angel Project, The Christmas Blessing, and A Christmas by the Sea. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

Book Review - Moonlight Over Manhattan by Sarah Morgan

Book Synopsis
Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list—dealing with Madi’s temporary dog sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry.

Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi—how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple—he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide twenty-four-hour care. But there’s nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel.

Ethan’s kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all—letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas?

 

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

My Review
Harriet Knight is a Manhattan dog walker.  She is a kind but timid person, and challenges herself to do one thing that scares her each day in December.   One of the things she tries is online dating.  As a result of a disastrous blind date, she escapes a restaurant through a bathroom window and turns her ankle.  When she has it checked out in a local hospital, she meets a handsome doctor named Ethan Black.  She goes home, assuming this was a one time meeting.  To Harriet's surprise, when she is called on to help with an unexpected dog walking - and pet sitting - challenge, it is at Ethan's apartment. Ethan is taking care of his sister's lovable - but destructive - spaniel named Madi.  Madi has separation anxiety and needs constant company.  That is where Harriet comes in.  As she stays at Ethan's apartment to help Madi, sparks fly, and it turns out to be a very special December for them both.

Moonlight Over Manhattan is part of Sarah Morgan's Manhattan With Love series.  I have read and reviewed several books in this series.  They are all fun reads, but I think Moonlight Over Manhattan is my favorite in the series.  I really enjoyed Harriet as a character.  She is kind and likable, and I admire the way she challenges herself to do things that make her nervous.  Ethan is also a kind hearted person.  They both love books and reading ... and there is even an adorable dog involved!   (Note for fellow dachshund friends - Harriet is fostering a dachshund for a rescue group early in the book.)

I loved the glimpses of Manhattan over the holidays, and enjoyed the wonderful descriptions in this book in general.  For instance:

"They walked along the snowy streets, their breath clouding the freezing air.  This part of Manhattan had a small, intimate feel.  Snow fell like frozen confetti, muffling street noise and carpeting the cobbled streets.  In this part of the street the trees reached across and touched each other, street lamps bathing the snow with an ethereal glow" (p. 167).

All the books in this series are feel good reads, and Moonlight Over Manhattan is no exception.  Harriet and Ethan are likable, kind, caring people whom readers will enjoy getting to know.  They are also well developed characters who have enough little quirks to be really interesting.

Moonlight Over Manhattan is a light, fun holiday read.  It is perfect to enjoy for a few evenings or over a winter weekend.  I recommend it for fans of contemporary romance, feel good reads, and holiday novels.

Author Bio
USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes lively, sexy contemporary stories for Harlequin.

Romantic Times has described her as ‘a magician with words’ and nominated her books for their Reviewer’s Choice Awards and their ‘Top Pick’ slot. In 2012 Sarah received the prestigious RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America. She lives near London with her family..

 

Connect with Sarah

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I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours.

Book Review: The Knights Before Christmas by Joan Holub

Book Description:
'Twas December 24th, and three brave knights were just settling in for the night when out on the drawbridge, there arose such a clatter! The knights try everything to get rid of this unknown invader (Santa Claus!), a red and white knight with a fleet of dragons . . .
But nothing would stop
 their white-whiskered foe.
 No matter their efforts,
 he just would not go!
This parody of Clement Clarke Moore's well-known poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas is kid-friendly, clever, and just plain silly.  Sure to become a holiday classic of a different kind!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

Goodreads | Indiebound | iBook | Kobo

My Review:
I am a fan of Joan Holub's books for children.  They are told with such good humor and such clever word play.  I knew The Knights Before Christmas would be another fun book for children, and it is!

This book is a parody of The Night Before Christmas, set in a medieval castle with knights.  It is bright and colorful, with great illustrations by Scott Magoon.

The humor is fresh and breezy.  What a fun book for a home or classroom read aloud! 

To give an example of the humor:

"Silent Knight, in his nightie and iron-armored cap, was just settling in for a long winter's nap."  There is an illustration of the knight dreaming:  "I'm dreaming of a white javelin, just like the one I used to throw."

I enthusiastically recommend this cute and clever children's book for your Christmas collection.    

About the Author:
Joan Holub is the author of 140+ books for children including the acclaimed picture books Little Red Writing, The Knights Before Christmas, and Mighty Dads, a New York Times bestseller. Joan co-authors (with Suzanne Williams) three series: Goddess Girls (ages 8-12, Greek mythology with a middle school twist), Grimmtastic Girls (for ages 8-12, fairy tale adventure with a middle school twist), and Heroes in Training (ages 6-11, Greek mythology adventure chapter books). Watch for her upcoming chapter book, What Was Woodstock?, and her board book, This Little President, both available in early 2016!

Website | Author Blog | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

Facebook | Facebook (Goddess Girls) | Facebook (Grimmtastic Girls)

I received a copy of this book from Mother Daughter Book Reviews in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: M Is For Manger by Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley

Book Synopsis
Travel through the alphabet with this beautiful rhyming storybook that tells the story of Jesus’ birth. Begin with the angel who tells Mary that she is God’s chosen vessel and follow along until you reach the zillions of stars that paled in comparison to the star that announced the birthplace of the newborn King. Beautifully illustrated and written, this book will be a classic for parents to read to their children every Christmas season.

My Review
M is for Manger is a lovely picture book for children about the birth of Christ.  The Christmas story is told in chronological order with an ABC format.  Each letter has an illustration, a short narrative, and a Bible verse.  For instance:

"A is for Angel.  An Angel said to Mary, 'You are the favored one.  You're going to have a baby boy, and he will be God's Son.'"  "The angel told her ... 'You have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son.' (Luke 1:30 - 31, NLT)."

This is a perfect read aloud, great for home, Sunday school, or a church preschool.  The illustrations by Claire Keay are sweet and charming, sure to appeal to young children.  I highly recommend this book for the Christmas season.
  
  I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.

Weekend Window Shopping at Birdhouse Books - Vintage Christmas

Happy Small Business Saturday! 

Please remember your favorite local and online small businesses today  as you enjoy your holiday weekend.

I have a 25% off sale running all weekend, through midnight on Cyber Monday (November 30).  I also have many new Christmas arrivals in my store ... with more Christmas items added the next couple of weeks.  You will find all these unique gifts at Birdhouse Books on eBay. 

Children's Advent and Christmas is a rare 1966 vintage book by Vita Et Pax.
 

Wumpy's Christmas Gift is a vintage picture book for children by Nancy Nash, with illustrations by Richard Floethe (1956)

Mortimer's Christmas Manger is a picture book about a little mouse who discovers the real meaning of Christmas after he takes up residence in a manger.  It was written by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.

Holiday Recipes Around the World for Electric Cooking and Baking is a cute 1960 vintage cookbook booklet.

The Little Drummer Boy is a DVD of the classic children's special by Rankin Bass.

This Christmas postcard features a little boy and girl discovering a tree with candles and fruit outdoors.

This Christmas postcard features a little boy and girl with a snowman who holds an umbrella.  This looks like an Ellen Clapsaddle illustration.

This especially sweet Christmas postcard features a little girl with an old fashioned teddy bear.

Santa Claus wishes a village a Merry Christmas with the help of an old fashioned megaphone on this postcard.

A sweet little girl puts shamrocks on a snowman on this charming Christmas postcard.

This Coronation Collection vintage Christmas card features a mailbox full of wrapped gifts.

A sweet mother deer and her fawn rest in the woods on a snowy day on this vintage Christmas card.

I hope you've found some treasures here, and hope you'll visit my store as well:  Birdhouse Books.   Have a wonderful weekend!

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - The Great Christmas Knit-Off by Alexandra Brown

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS KNIT-OFF

Alexandra Brown

Releasing Oct 13th, 2015

Harper Collins

The perfect seasonal tale of how laughter, friends and wacky Christmas sweaters can mend a broken heart.

Heartbroken after being jilted at the altar, Sybil has been saved from despair by her knitting obsession and now her home is filled to bursting with tea cozies, beanies, and sweaters. But, after discovering that she may have perpetrated the screw-up of the century at work, Sybil decides to make a hasty exit and, just weeks before Christmas, runs away to the picturesque village of Tindledale.

There, Sybil discovers Hettie’s House of Haberdashery, an emporium dedicated to the world of knitting and needle craft. But Hettie, the outspoken octogenarian owner, is struggling and now the shop is due for closure. And when Hettie decides that Sybil’s wonderfully wacky Christmas sweaters are just the thing to add a bit of excitement to her window display, something miraculous starts to happen…

BUY NOW

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Author Bio

Alexandra Brown began her writing career as the City Girl columnist for The London Paper - a satirical diary account of her time working in the corporate world of London. Alex wrote the weekly column for two years before giving it up to concentrate on writing novels and is now the author of the Carrington’s books. Set in a department store in the pretty seaside town of Mulberry-On-Sea, the series follows the life, loves and laughs of sales assistant, Georgie Hart. The Great Christmas Knit Off is Alex’s fourth book and is the first in a new series set in the fictional village of Tindledale, following the lives of all the characters there.

Alex lives in a real village near the south coast of England, with her husband, daughter and a very shiny black Labrador.

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Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Snowbound at Christmas by Debbie Mason

Snowbound at Christmas
Christmas Colorado #5

By: Debbie Mason  

Releasing September 29, 2015

Forever

Surviving the holidays will take a Christmas miracle . . .

Ex-cop Cat O'Connor is bored working for her sister, Chloe, as a personal assistant on the set of her soap opera. Until Chloe gets an opportunity to audition for the role of a lifetime and asks her identical twin to substitute for her on the soap with no one the wiser. It's a perfect switch-until Cat attracts the attention of the mysterious Mr. Tall, Dark, and Way-too-handsome leading man.

Grayson Alexander never thought being snowbound in the charming town of Christmas, Colorado, for the holiday would get so hot. But between working with sexy, tough Cat on set and keeping his real reason for being there under wraps, he's definitely feeling the heat. And if there's one thing they'll learn as they bring out the mistletoe, it's that in this town, true love is always in season 

 Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/07/snowbound-at-christmas-christmas.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24397025-snowbound-at-christmas?from_search=true&search_version=service

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/114924-christmas-colorado

Buy Links:  Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo  

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Snowbound-at-Christmas-Colorado/dp/1455588032/ref=pd_sim_b_1/178-5663675-3927360?ie=UTF8&refRID=0D48JWBG2K1BP3AFDYZP

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snowbound-at-christmas-debbie-mason/1121002313?ean=9781455588039

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/snowbound-at-christmas/id955530370?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/snowbound-at-christmas

                                       

Author Info

Debbie Mason is the bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their "likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots" (RT Book Reviews). She also writes historical paranormals as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series has received several nominations for best paranormal as well as a Holt Medallion Award of Merit. When she isn't writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children, an adorable grandbaby, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Website:  http://authordebbiemason.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbie-Mason/492150187499546

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AuthorDebMason

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6202108.Debbie_Mason

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