Christmas at the Amish Market by Shelley Shepard Gray

Publisher’s Summary

Wesley is so busy running his family’s Amish market at the holidays, he barely has time for Liesl, the young woman he’s been courting for years. When she suggests her aunt Jenny could help Wesley out, he agrees to the plan. But Liesl neglected to mention her aunt is only twenty-six years old—and as charming as she is hard-working.

Jenny, still healing after a painful breakup, welcomes the distraction of working at the market. She soon realizes Wesley is everything she ever dreamed a man could be. But how can Jenny even think about romance with the man Liesl expects to marry?

But Liesl’s own feelings are more complicated than she’s willing to admit. With humor, faith, and a little help from their friends in the community, everyone might just find what their hearts are looking for this Christmas at the Amish market.

Like all of Shelley Shepard Gray’s works, Christmas at the Amish Market is genuine, relatable and true to life. She has a talent for tugging you into the narrative and enticing you to delight in the protagonists, as you follow their journey.

The Christmas subject makes the book an excellent, grand one to read since it captures all the fun and excitement of the holiday season without any of the commercialism and “keeping up with the Jones” difficulties.

As the protagonists attempt to navigate and balance expectations and romance, there are both happy and sorrowful moments, as well as sweet and tense ones.

Family, faith and forgiveness are all themes included in the novel, which I really enjoy, appreciate and value. The simple, frugal way of Amish life also appeals to me. But I don’t think I could handle living it!

Gray also includes a recipe for Cincinnati Chili at the end of the book that looks delicious. I plan to make it soon!

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

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Merry Christmas to All, May God Richly Bless You

Luke 2: 1-14 (KJV)

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Wise Words Wednesday

Friday Flashback ~ The Red Button: The Sweet Romance Prequel to A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Keith Eldred

About the Book

As mechanization spreads worldwide in the early 1800s, Ebenezer Scrooge leaves his mentor Fezziwig to launch his first enterprise, a factory that produces buttons for clothing. Such businesses spell doom for independent button-makers, but Scrooge seeks out the most respected small shop to gain expertise and tailor contacts. This is how he meets congenial craftsman Archie Endicott and his daughter and partner Belle, who immediately fascinates young Scrooge with her intelligence as she astutely counters his business proposals. As Scrooge and Belle learn more of each other—notably his large ambition and her entranced communion with the spirit of her late mother—they fall in love and become engaged. This delights Belle’s father but concerns Scrooge’s bankers. Side-by-side, the loving couple vigorously confronts mounting challenges, but their future is in jeopardy.

The Red Button can be purchased at these sites: Amazon: https://bit.ly/redbuttonbook
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/redbutton-Goodreads (I am not an affiliate of either)

A red button. A romance. In Keith Eldred’s prequel to A Christmas Carol, The Red Button, the narrative of Ebenezer Scrooge and Belle Endicott begins.

When Ebenezer Scrooge comes to their button shop, Belle Endicott and her father, Archie, are contentedly working together. Both Belle and Ebenezer are attracted to one other almost immediately and embark on a romance.

The Red Button, written in a language evocative of Charles Dickens’ old English, explores what could have happened between Ebenezer and Belle to cause the demise of their romance.

The backdrop of Belle and Ebenezer’s doomed love is nicely written and easy to follow. Quickly, I became attached to all the characters. When Scrooge began to value material wealth over human emotions and love, it shattered my heart. His character’s shift tugged at my heartstrings as I read it. Belle’s empathy and kindness were almost otherworldly, and she went above and beyond normal kindness.

There were various aspects of The Red Button that I found appealing. I was thrilled to see the inclusion of Fezziwig and Marley, as well as some of their backstories. The details of button making, both hand-made and factory-made, were fascinating. In addition, I was amused by Scrooge’s creation of a desk which was a forerunner to the standing desk!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. However, my review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

About the Author

Keith Eldred created the THIS IS RED project with his wife Janet, a public library director diagnosed with early-stage dementia. With Janet’s condition making every day precious, they decided to make the most of 2020, the year of their 30th anniversary, by publishing 20 books. All profits from these titles go to the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library, where Janet works. See more at https://thisis.red/

Keith is also helping his granddaughter Brook Johnson (age 8) create a book trilogy about her character The Puppy Queen.

(Previously Published December 3, 2021.)

‘TIS THE SEASON TO FEEL INADEQUATE; Holidays, Special Occasions and Other Times Our Celebrations Get Out of Hand BY DOROTHY ROSBY: Available in Audio-book and Book Format

TOUR FULL

Book Details:

Book Title:  ‘Tis the Season to Feel Inadequate; Holidays, Special Occasions and Other Times Our Celebrations Get Out of Hand  by Dorothy Rosby
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+) ,  258 pages
Genre: Humorous Essay
Publisher:  Unhinged Press
Release date:   November 2022
Format available for review:  print-softback (USA and Canada), e-book (GIFTED KINDLE, MOBI FILE (FOR KINDLE), PDF), audiobook (audible download)
Will send print books out:  USA and Canada
Tour dates: Nov 15 to Dec 5, 2022
Content Rating:  G – appropriate for general audience as defined above

Book Description:

Christmas comes but once a year; chaos never ends! Happy Halloween, merry Christmas and joyful Lumpy Rug Day. We didn’t make that up. Lumpy Rug Day is celebrated every May 3, though “celebrated” might be too strong a word. It’s the American way to create a celebration for everything, then turn it into a chore or worse, a nightmare. ’Tis the Season to Feel Inadequate is a collection of humorous essays about holidays, special occasions and other times our celebrations make us feel not-so-celebratory. It’s understanding for those who think Christmas form letters can be honest—or they can be interesting. or eaten all their Halloween candy and had to hand out instant oatmeal packets to their trick-or-treaters.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
BookBub
add to goodreads

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, in a good way. You know the feeling, you are expecting one thing and getting another.

The collection of Dorothy Rosby’s newspaper articles, which not only focus on Christmas but also holidays in general, is written in a straightforward, unpretentious style and is full of wry, sarcastic, clever humor.

I couldn’t help but feel that we have all been in similar circumstances-feeling inadequate, unprepared, overwhelmed and worn out-as we navigate our way through holidays. I also couldn’t help but feel Rosby was writing from an all too familiar place of experience.

Her writing style brings a feeling of much needed relief from the normal over the top experiences we all want and create for the holidays.

I liked Rosby’s ability to make you feel as though you were having a cup of coffee or tea with her and she was simply chatting with you about the chaos of the holidays.

The humorous short stories had me laughing and reflecting on how to stay away from holiday pitfalls. I found myself saying things like, “Listen to this,” to my family as the stories touched close to home.

I know my goals, expectations and anticipation for the Christmas season are always thwarted by my gradiose ideas that no one could accomplish. I think I’m striving for the excitement and joy that accompanied much more nostalgic times of childhood. In order to avoid slipping into the familial, social and commercial traps, I will now frequently refer back to thisbook. After all, when I was younger, Christmas in particular was low-key but a lot of fun; surely it can be the same now, right?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

Meet the Author:

Dorothy Rosby is a syndicated humor columnist and the author of four books of humorous essays. She’s the 2022 global winner of the Erma Bombeck Writers Competition, sponsored in part by the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop. She lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota, 20 miles from Mount Rushmore, something she’s very proud of though she’s not on it—yet.

Connect with the Author:  website  ~  twitter  ~  facebook  ~ bookbub ~  goodreads

Tour Schedule:

Nov 15 –Literary Flits – book review / giveaway
Nov 16 –Pick a Good Book – book review / author interview / giveaway
Nov 17 –Deborah-Zenha Adams – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Nov 22 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 23 –Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Nov 25 –FUONLYKNEW – book review / guest post / giveaway
Nov 28 –Cover Lover Book Review – book review / author interview / giveaway
Nov 28 – @twilight_reader  – book review 
Nov 29 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
Nov 30– Paws.Read.Repeat – book review / author interview / giveaway
Nov 30 – Amy’s Booket List – book review / giveaway
Dec 1 –Lynchburg Reads– book review / giveaway
Dec 1 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review/ guest post / giveaway
Dec 1 –Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway
Dec 2 –Liese’s Blog– book spotlight
Dec 2 –Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Dec 2 – Novels Alive – book review / giveaway
Dec 2 – Novels Alive – book spotlight / giveaway
Dec 5 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review / giveaway
Dec 5 – Duckfacekim09 – book spotlight / giveaway
​Dec 5 – Captive Dreams Window – book review / giveaway

Enter to win a signed copy of:
‘TIS THE SEASON TO FEEL INADEQUATE HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL OCCASTIONS AND OTHER TIMES OUR CELEBRATIONS GET OUT OF HAND

 (one winner-USA only-ends Dec 6)

https://gleam.io/LQAK0/tis-the-season-to-feel-inadequate-book-tour-giveaway

 @DorothyRosby  @iReadBookTours @acornsireadbooktours @laurenireadbooktours

#holidayhumor #christmashumor #giveaway  #iReadBookTours #books  #authors  #giveaway

LET THEM EAT FRUITCAKE BY KATHLEEN J. ROBISON~CELEBRATE LIT TOUR WITH GIVEAWAY

About the Book

Book: Let Them Eat Fruitcake

Author: Kathleen J. Robison

Genre: Christian Holiday Romance

Release date: October 11, 2022

Faith, romance, and fruitcake.

Victoria Randall has it all—a new job in an ideal locale and the eye of Chad, the hunkiest guy in her apartment building. Christmas is going to be great this year. But when a call from her best guy friend back in Bay Town tells her that her grandmother isn’t doing well, she decides to fly to Grandma’s rescue.

Art has loved Victoria since they were five, but after she returns and keeps him locked into total friend zone he decides to let his hopes go. Easier said than done when he spends so much time with her, making and delivering her grandmother’s fruitcakes. Add to that the legend of love surrounding them, and well… it’s tough.

A horrible accident puts things into perspective for both Art and Victoria, but Art decides it’s too late, and when some guy shows up acting like Victoria’s boyfriend, he’s sure of it. By the time she’s ready to head back to California, all hope of a romance between them seems lost—right up to the moment her grandmother thrusts a piece of fruitcake into her hands.

Are the matchmaking properties of Sally Trotman’s fruitcake their last chance at a happily-ever-after? Find out in Let Them Eat Fruitcake—a story of faith, romance, and of course, fruitcake.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kathleen J. Robison is an Okinawan-American, born in Okinawa, and raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore. Her travels and her family are the sources of her inspiration for her books. Kathleen and her Pastor husband have eight adult children. Seven are married, blessing them with eighteen grandchildren and counting. Her ethnically diverse background extends to her family of currently thirty-five personalities which provide many opportunities to share God’s amazing love amidst the challenges of real life.

More from Kathleen

Writing this book has been a treasured time, and I’m so excited it’s released. Joining Miz Sally again (from previous Bay Town Books) and meeting her granddaughter, Victoria and love interest, Art, was a delightful journey of love and faith at Christmas. I hope you’ll feel the magic (God’s spirit) as much as I felt moved by Him to write it.

Although totally fictional, it’s personal, and close to my heart. My mother-in-law has baked fruitcakes forever. I even remember her mother, from Wales, baking fruitcakes over fifty years ago, but I wasn’t a fan of the sweet bread then. And I don’t remember how the story idea came about, but when it did, I knew I wanted to bake with my mother-in-law, red-haired Harriet…well, white-haired now. But still as feisty as the reputation of redheads, and so very generous.

My mother-in-law turned ninety-eight on this book’s release date, and she is still baking fruitcakes. Dozens of loaves. She continues to live in her own home, cooks, cleans, and drives to pick up great-grandchildren after school. Needless to say, she’s amazing. Two years ago, when I decided to write Let Them Eat Fruitcake, the first thing I wanted to do was ask if I could bake with her. I didn’t have to. She called my husband and said, “Let me talk to Kathy.” We were both quite shocked, as she’d never asked to talk to me before. Although I share a close relationship with her, her phone calls are reserved for mother-son conversations.

“Kathy, I was thinking…I want you to come make fruitcakes with me. No one else is interested in it, and I’d like to pass it down to you.” I almost cried. It definitely was a God-winked moment, and I told her so. And we did. We’ve baked and passed out the luscious cakes for two years in a row. My own grandmother also made fruitcakes, but all my family says Harriet’s is the best. So, I look forward to baking again with her this Christmas. I wish I could pass on the recipe, but it’s a mega batch! If you go on my FB Author Page and/or my blog at www.kathleenjrobison.com/blog, there’s a video that shows what I mean. I pray that Let Them Eat Fruitcake blesses the readers and points them to following the Spirit of God moving in their lives. Whether it’s through fruitcake or anything else! I hope you enjoy this fun Christmas romance.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 18

lakesidelivingsite, November 18

Texas Book-aholic, November 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 20

deb’s Book Review, November 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 22

Inklings and notions, November 23

Splashes of Joy, November 24

By the Book, November 25

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 26

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 29

For Him and My Family, November 30

Artistic Nobody, December 1 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, December 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/22ad0/let-them-eat-fruitcake-celebration-tour-giveaway

www.celebratelit.com

Keeping Christmas Volume II by Multiple Authors- Includes Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Keeping Christmas Volume II

Authors: Chautona Havig, Tabitha Bouldin, Susan K. Beatty, Jennifer Sienes, Melissa Wardwell, and Stacy T. Simmons.

Genre: Christian Christmas Romance

Release date: October 18, 2022

In castles far and near, long ago and yesterday, find happily-ever-afters wrapped in love and tied with Christmas joy.

Escape to Greenaway (by Chautona Havig): She just wanted to escape another holly, jolly family holiday. Because snowbound in a castle B&B with one of Santa’s elves (or as good as) is so much better. With the help of the castle’s owner, Tonya plays matchmaker in a bid to get that Christmas-loving girl out of her hair.

The King’s Promise (by Tabitha Bouldin): In a world of airships and kings, a prince makes a promise that tears him away from his love. An ordinary baker’s daughter finds herself caught in the middle of a game where the winner earns the queen’s crown. They both want what they can’t have as they struggle toward a seemingly impossible happily ever after.

A Castle for Christmas (by Susan K. Beatty): Sadie Foster abhors wealth. Will Randolph, on the other hand, works for the uber-wealthy owner of an over-the-top castle on the California coast–Sadie’s father. When Christopher Foster leaves the castle to her, Sadie doesn’t want anything to do with it or his money. But what if Sadie and Will use the castle and her inheritance for the good of others—together?

An Irish Christmas Heart (by Jennifer Sienes): Will she choose love or an arranged marriage? In the midst of post-famine unrest, Eleanor Blake, daughter of an English nobleman, is thrown into a maelstrom of emotions. How will she escape the duty for which she was born and the confines of the ill-fated Menlo Castle of Galway, Ireland to find her true love?

Christmas at Curwood’s Castle (by Melissa Wardwell): A Christmas party at Curwood Castle should have been Angel Davis’ Cinderella moment. Especially when her dear friend Jimmy arrives. Instead, one obstacle after another threatens to break any chance at a happily-ever-after.

Christmas in the Cotswolds (by Stacy T. Simmons): She’s a paleontologist and ardent Jane Austen fan. He’s enmeshed in the exactitude of mathematics, can they find common ground? Do opposites attract, will the romantic castle, and dashing duke be the undoing of Victoria’s plans?

Grab a mug of something hot and delicious and curl up somewhere comfy. Your literary chariots await to take you on a journey from an early twentieth-century castle in the San Gabriel Mountains of California all the way across the pond to the beautiful Cotswolds of England. These six novellas, all set in castles real and fictional, celebrate the heart and joy of Christmas in this second volume of castle Christmas novellas.

Click here to get your copy!

Christmas, castles, different authors and an anthology? What is there to dislike? Sincerely, and to be quite honest, it can be challenging to find the time to read a book during this season, but you just cannot match a collection of fantastic novellas!

Although I didn’t know two of the authors, I adored each and every one of the stories. With their snow, romance and globe-trotting characters, they were ideal for setting the stage for the upcoming Christmas holidays and getting you into the spirit.

If possible, enjoy another collection of Christmas tales around a fire while curled up in your coziest blanket and sipping your favorite hot beverage.

Don’t miss this fantastic compilation of Christmas from around the globe!

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. However, my review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

About the Authors

USA Today Bestselling author of Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education, but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing—and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies including several in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.

Tabitha Bouldin is a student at Southern New Hampshire University, where she is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Creative Writing. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she works with critique groups and provides endorsements for other authors. Tabitha’s genre of choice is Contemporary Christian Romance which she describes as: Adventure with heart. Tabitha spent ten years working as a Medical Assistant before God opened the door which allowed her to become a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom and author.

Melissa Wardwell resides in Owosso, Michigan with her husband and three teen-aged children.She doesn’t mind alternating between the world of writing and the reality of being a mother, but she would rather sit with a good book or a good friend and a cup of coffee. When she isn’t penning works of fiction, she is busy reviewing books for her blog, Back Porch Reads. To see more from Melissa Wardwell, visit www.melissawardwell.com

Who says you can’t begin a new career after middle age? Certainly not Susan K. Beatty. She is passionate about writing about finding courage through faith and grit, particularly through the trials of breast cancer and other life trials. Her daughter is a metastatic breast cancer “thriver” and has been an inspiration for her writing. Susan’s first novel, Faces of Courage, debuted May 2021, as part of the Faces of Courage series, including several novelettes. She is also the author of An Introduction to Home Education (AKA California Homeschool Manual). Susan is a professional writer/journalist and is active in the writer community. She is proof you can begin a fiction writing career at any age.

Stacy T. Simmons writes uplifting fiction that delights the reader’s romantic sensibilities. Thirty-four years of marital bliss is a great contributor. She is a mom of two grown children, and she and her family have a menagerie of pets she likes to call “Noah’s Ark.” You can find her working on her next manuscript with a piece of dark chocolate and a cup of coffee nearby. Connect with Stacy on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and her blog, Fueled by Faith and Caffeine.

More from Tabitha

Castles near and far. Over time and across worlds both real and fictional. When it came time to write for Keeping Christmas, the world opened up to offer each of us a jewel for our stories. While I chose to base my castle off of a real castle in Romania, others chose a different route. Yet we all came together with a singular mission to write stories about Christmas and to bring the joy of Christ into each and every book. Keeping Christmas is about more than overseeing a holiday. It is looking back through the years of Christmases far and wide, from our real world through fantasy lands some of us dreamed up, and keeping the spirit of the season alive.

Come and keep Christmas with us as we journey across land and sea, through the skies on an airship, and deep into the contemporary halls and towering turrets. Here you’ll meet characters to fall in love with and read stories that span the ages, from a scribe in King Herod’s castle to a paleontologist in the Cotswolds.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 16

Through the Lens of Scripture, November 17

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 18

By the Book, November 18

Inklings and notions, November 19

deb’s Book Review, November 20

Blogging With Carol, November 20

Texas Book-aholic, November 21

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 22

For Him and My Family, November 22

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 23

Older & Smarter?, November 24

Mary Hake, November 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 25

She Lives To Read, November 26

Holly’s Book Corner, November 26

Simple Harvest Reads, November 27 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Splashes of Joy, November 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 28

Writing From the Heart Land, November 29

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 29

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the Celebrate Lit Authors are giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/22acd/keeping-christmas-volume-two-by-celebration-tour-giveaway

http://celebrate-lit-publicity-group/

Starlight Inn by Annee Jones on tour with Celebrate Lit: Includes Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Starlight Inn

Author: Annee Jones

Genre: Sweet/ clean Contemporary Romance

Release date: November 4, 2022

Hope Garland is driving home for Christmas. She’s depressed because she caught her fiancé cheating (or he dumped her for her best friend). Tears blurred her vision, she crashes the car….. in reality she gets taken to hospital and is in a coma.

However, in her mind after the crash she’s OK, she gets out of the car but it is totalled & it’s the middle of a snowstorm. Needs a place to stay…. Finds the Starlight Inn, run by the Kringles. Meets other guests, including a handsome stranger. They’ll be snowed-in for Christmas so have to make the best of things…..end up falling in love.

When she wakes from coma on Christmas Day, she finds someone set a snowglobe on the windowsill next to her bed which has a little Victorian inn inside with a sign that says “Starlight Inn”. The doctor comes in (or perhaps it will be the young hospital chaplain) and it’s the same man from her dream that she fell in love with (and there’s promise for them to have a real-life romance).

Click here to get your copy!

What a sweet, charming and uplifting Christmas tale!

As I was reading I could almost feel myself in the quaint, snow-covered town where Hope is left in a lurch during a blizzard. I could easily picture myself stranded and having a great time at the Starlight Inn. Both the hosts and the other guests were enchanting. The novella had a wonderfully touching finish that made me happy for Hope, her family and her new friend.

I had never read anything by Annee Jones before, but I dare say this won’t be my last time. I truly enjoyed how she was able to take a brief story and make you feel as though you had gotten to know the characters well. I found it to be truly impressive for such a short tale.

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. However, my review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

About the Author

Author Annee Jones loves to write all things romance, fantasy, cozy mystery, & more. She is passionate about writing stories where dreams come true, and love wins in the end!

Professionally, Annee works as a disability counselor where she helps her clients navigate through complex medical and legal systems while rediscovering their wholeness in Spirit.

Subscribe to Annee’s newsletter to stay up to date on new releases, sneak peeks, author parties, and exclusive giveaways: https://www.anneejones.com/newsletter.

More from Annee

Angel Cookies

½ C. brown sugar

½ C. granulated sugar

½ C. shortening

1 stick butter

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 C. sifted flour

1 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp soda

½ tsp salt

Instructions:

Cream sugars, shortening, and butter together. Add egg and vanilla. Add other ingredients. Form into balls about the size of walnuts. Dip half of ball into water, then in granulated sugar. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 10

Holly’s Book Corner, November 10

Texas Book-aholic, November 11

Inklings and notions, November 12

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 12

deb’s Book Review, November 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 14

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 15

Bizwings Blog, November 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 16

An Author’s Take, November 17

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 18

Blogging With Carol, November 18

She Lives to Read, November 19

For Him and My Family, November 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 21

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 22

Mary Hake, November 22

Cats in the Cradle Blog, November 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Annee is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 gift card and copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Enter Here for Giveaway!!

#CelebrateLit

On the Way to Christmas: Three Stories by Sheila Roberts, Melissa Ferguson and Amy Clipston

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, anything can happen.

In this glittering and heartwarming collection, three of today’s bestselling sweet romance novelists offer up the gift of cheer for the winter holiday season.

A Christmas Do-Over by Sheila Roberts

Darby doesn’t want to go home for the holidays, but a career fail sends her slinking back to the small town she always wanted to escape. No one there is especially glad to see the former mean girl—especially not her sister, Erica, or childhood best friend, Gregory. Darby is working hard to be a better person, but has she eaten enough humble pie to make amends?

Dashing Through the Snow by Melissa Ferguson

When Willow’s boyfriend of seven years dumps her on the eve of a romantic getaway, she decides to take the two-week train trip on The Christmas Express alone. Hurt as she feels, she can’t anticipate how the hilarious rebound ride with conductor Oliver, elf Ian, and aging world adventurer Clarence will heal her heart—and renew her sense of worth.

A Perfectly Splendid Christmas by Amy Clipston

Kacey adores the metropolitan life, but when she gets away to help her sister during a family crisis and run her bakery, she falls in love with former classmate Drew. The problem: he’s a small-town man, and she’s a big-city woman. Is their love big enough to overcome such a major difference?

Curl up with your favorite holiday drink and sink into three worlds where dreams once thought long-gone are still within reach.

Three stand-alone romantic holiday novellas that also include discussion questions for book clubs.

The wonderfully delightful novella collection On the Way to Christmas was written by Sheila Roberts, Melissa Ferguson (two new authors to me) and Amy Clipston.

Each story will warm the cockles of your heart. You can’t help but feel the spirit of the season as you take part in Darby’s mean girl attitude transformation in Sheila Roberts’ “Christmas Do-Over,” experience an exciting Christmas train ride in Melissa Ferguson’s “Dashing Through the Snow” and drool over delectable fresh bakery treats in Amy Clipston’s “A Perfectly Splendid Christmas.”

Although I wasn’t sure about the two new authors to me, I decided to take a chance because the book sounded so intriguing. I’m very glad I did because the stories were ideal for the holiday season. Of course, Amy Clipston’s tale cannot be overlooked. I always enjoy them!

So, grab your favorite blanket, curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and settle back to enjoy three distinct yet wonderful Christmas stories!

I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

#NetGalley #OntheWaytoChristmas

The Matchmakers of Holly Circle by Chautona Havig with Giveaway on Tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: The Matchmakers of Holly Circle

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian / Romance / Christmas

Release date: November 21, 2014

They’ve been in love for ten years, but it takes an interfering neighbor with a penchant for poker to unravel the mystery of their persistent platonic relationship.

Flirtation can be an art, or so they say. Well, if so, Ruth and Richard are “the old masters” of the flirting game. Despite their strictly platonic relationship, there’s “something there,” as so many of their friends and families say. Neighbors and friends for ten years, neither seems willing to change the course of their relationship.

Three doors down, at the end of the cul-de-sac, Mason Dickenson has watched his favorite neighbors with an interested eye, but he’s finally had it with the dance. So, with a pack of cards and a few tricks up his sleeve, he’s determined to get them out of the “friend rut” and into romance.

Thanks to Mason’s unique matchmaking scheme, Ruth and Richard concoct one of their own—a deeper, stronger, eternal love and relationship that nothing on earth can match.

Click here to get your copy!

Mason Dickenson is without a doubt my favorite character in Chautona Havig’s The Matchmakers of Holly Hill. His love for those he cares about, his wish for others to be happy, his mad poker skills, his matchmaking… I could go on, but I think you get the point—he’s a sweet 90-year-old Holly Circle neighbor. I would love to have a story written just about him, featuring his romantic side.

Richard and Ruth’s non-romantic, seemingly platonic relationship, which they hide behind in their ten-year friendship, is the main focus of Havig’s novel. I enjoyed getting to know them better. However, I felt that the angst, lack of communication and drama spoiled the first part of the story for me, though it was pretty much made up for by the second 1/2 to 2/3’s.

Mystery, friendship, forgiveness and love are all present in this Christmas tale, which helps to make a sweet Christmas story.

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. However, my review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author of Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

Download a free short story that happens 10 years before the book begins?

When This Life Denies You Coffee, Wait 10 Years

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, October 14

She Lives To Read, October 15

Holly’s Book Corner, October 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 16

Texas Book-aholic, October 17

deb’s Book Review, October 18

Pause for Tales, October 18

Lots of Helpers, October 19

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 20

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 23

Cover Lover Book Review, October 23

Blogging With Carol, October 24

Simple Harvest Reads, October 25 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, October 26

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 26

Splashes of Joy, October 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2200a/the-matchmakers-of-holly-circle-celebration-tour-giveaway