wonderful little Christmas read
598666
Our Totally, Ridiculous, Made-up Christmas Relationship by Brittainy Cherry

This was gifted to me by the author and Paranormal Romance & Authors That Rock

  I enjoyed this book very much. It took me a couple days to read due to work interference but with the time put together it is only about 2- 2 1/2 hours of reading. The story follows two points of view of both the main characters. This was done very well, normally the alternating points of view annoy me but this was done wonderfully. When the point of view changes it picks up right at or right before the other ended. Kayden is trying to make it as an actor and is struggling with it, he just can't seem to get the break he needs. When he goes home for a Christmas dinner his family drew names for secret santa and his aunt pulled his name. Her gift to him is an interview with an acting agency. This could be the break he was looking for. After going to his interview he's sitting in the lobby just thinking. Jules comes from a very famous family and she doesn't talk about it much. After not making it she now works at an acting agency helping others make it in their dream. After not going home for three years she's finally decided to bring her boyfriend of seven months home. At the last possible second things take a bad turn for Jules and her plans and she feels forced to bring a guy home to the family. Running to the agency she works for she wants to hire a fake boyfriend.  Kayden volunteers and they're off to Jules' family for Christmas. All Seems to be going well until her now ex calls and leaves a message on her phone that her mother finds. Needless to say everything starts to blow up in her face. In the midst of all the yelling and arguing about bringing home a fake boyfriend Kayden gets a call forcing him to rush home to his family. Jules takes him home and finds out a little secret that Kayden was keeping from her and they part ways. To find out the ending you really just have to read it. At first I felt that the idea of a fake boyfriend at Christmas time wasn't a very original thought but Brittainy really puts her own twist to the whole thing and makes it her own. It doesn't just focus on the fake boyfriend and getting caught but on the two people and what is going on with each of them. I'm glad that I read this little Christmas story because it had me laughing so hard at some points and at others wanting to tell Jules and Kayden that everything will work out. For me this is a 5 stars/fangs. For a short fun Christmas read this is a wonderful book. Please read it and enjoy it!
3160294
This novella is a perfect sweet and charming Christmas read. It has everything that I like when looking for a holiday read; a beautiful festive cover, a quaint setting, very likable characters, and a romance that seems realistic and not over the top. Anna heads to the Cotswolds for Christmas to escape her life in NYC. Local carpenter and handyman comes to her rescue. The place she intends to stay is flooded so the owner finds her a room in Willoughby Close. This is the first of 4 books in the Willoughby Close Series and I look forward to reading the next installment.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to review.
3733567
Caitlin is spending the holidays housesitting for a friend and catching up on some reading. When she finds a stray kitten and heads to the vet's office, she is surprised to discover Noah, her college boyfriend. Noah ended their relationship when he went to vet school because he didn't believe in long distance relationships. Once he left, he regretted it and tried to find Caitlin to tell her, but was unsuccessful. Now that he's run in to her, he wants a chance to get her under the mistletoe. Mistletoe Magic is a cute, sweet Christmas read. My only regret is that it's not longer. I would have liked to see the relationship develop more between Caitlin and Noah. But don't let that stop you. It's definitely a great novella to pick and enjoy for the holiday season.
3257035
The Family Were Born With is a tiny little novel. It can be read in about an hour and a half. But as I write this, during the Christmas season of 2014, I can heartily recommend the book to its target readers. The extended m/m sex scene makes it most appropriate for gay males, although anyone who is comfortable with that would enjoy this novella as well. Author Kaje Harper spins a simple Christmas tale of Jesse, the younger son of Gayle, and Christmas Eve/Christmas Day at their family home. What makes this Christmas different from all their others is that Gayle is expecting the arrival of another son, Sam, a son she gave away at birth and has never met. She is so uptight about this meeting that she pushes away gay Jesse and his partner Devin, fearing that Sam will not approve of his newly met younger brothers sexuality. But this is a Christmas story, after all, so have no fears that everything comes out in the wash. The plot points in between are what makes the story worth reading, for Harper brings in a subplot involving Sams runaway adoptive teenage brother. And thats what propels the novel to a satisfying conclusion. Harpers novella is a welcome addition to gay Christmas literature.
1591082
Loved the short stories, all lovely little gems.  Each could be the genesis of a novel.  I recommend this book to anyone, especially at Christmas time.
306139
Great little warm and fuzzy family Christmas Story!
684268
A Husband's Christmas Prayer is my first Christmas book of the season and I am so excited. Granted it's still in the upper 80s around here and October may seem too soon to dive in but for me it's just perfect.

Each year I look forward to Kathi Macias' Christmas book. I think I've read all of her past seasonal novellas and thoroughly enjoyed them. This year's edition was another delight. The main characters are Paul and Diana Michaelson. When we first meet them Paul has just accepted a Senior Pastor position in the tiny community of Desert Sands. Unfortunately Paul got all caught up in the "we are one" aspect of marriage and forgot to include Diana in the discussion. Diana is a wonderful wife and she set aside her reticence to follow her husband. But the hurt ran deep and eventually it just had to be dealt with.

I particularly enjoyed the use of Ephesians 5:21-33 in the storyline. Pastor Paul preached a sermon on it that was meant to encourage his flock. But God is so gracious that he used Paul's own message to speak to his heart.

Another of my favorite things about this novel was the supporting characters. Virginia and Mitchell are beautiful examples to each of us as we get older. Until you breath your last God has a plan for you. The McDonald family reminds us to be aware of those around us that aren't in our usual circles. After all the Bible instructs us that we are blessed to be a blessing.

Now for all of you that are still saying that it's too early for a Christmas book, let me say that the majority of this book has nothing to do with Christmas. The culmination of the story is on Christmas but the heart of the narrative takes place in the months leading up to it. You literally can read this book at any time of year and be moved by it. I heartily recommend it to all.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
4009316
I usually skip over novellas but at Christmastime I devour them. Some people love Christmas movies, I love Christmas novellas. It's such a treat to snuggle up in the evening with a quick read. Amish Christmas at North Star is an even bigger bonus because it includes four novellas in one book.

Katie Ganshert sets the stage with the backstory of a cold and snowy night when four babies were born by the hands of an Amish midwife named Rebekah Schlabach. The circumstances were so unusual that the new little ones were forever dubbed "Rebekah's Babies".

The novellas then take up the individual stories of the babies twenty-five years later. What I really enjoyed about each story was that the author's personal style shined through. For instance Amanda Flower writes some really great cozy mysteries and her story in the book includes a bit of mystery along with the theme.

All of the authors are some of my personal favorites so I don't think that I could really choose a favorite story among them. While each of the stories relates to the opening they are also very stand alone. In fact other than the main characters being born on the same night and the central story revolving somewhat around North Star I didn't really find much that connected them until the ending that tied it all together nicely.

This book would make the perfect stocking stuffer for the book lover on your list. You could also pair it with a box of hot chocolate and fuzzy socks and it would become a full fledged present. Whatever you decide you can't go wrong with this group of writers.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
1858427
Chris Grabenstein has given us a wonderful holiday gift in the form of the short story, THE CHRISTMAS TREE THIEF. The author has written two good novels that take place during the Christmas holidays, but this little story is quite different. You'll laugh at George Grimble's obsessive approach to yard decorations, and his discovery that someone has dared to lop off one of his trees--on Christmas morning. Then, however, as George sets out to find and punish the thief, we learn that the story contains a touching lesson about life, tolerance and the meaning of Christmas. This story is worth more than the 99 cents you'll pay to download it.

By the way, I don't own a Kindle, so I tried downloading Kindle for PC. The download was simple--and free--and I was reading the story almost immediately. Now I know I can access Kindle files on my laptop! (Not as handy as a Kindle, but it works!)
1866643
I am normally not one to write reviews, but I enjoyed this book so much I felt compelled to do so. It is about a young woman who has lost both of her parents within a years time and only has a couple of close friends who are away for the Christmas holidays. As a teacher at school with trimester, she has six weeks off with nothing to occupy her time. She says a prayer to not be lonely for Christmas, and soon that prayer is answered in the form of two new, handsome and single neighbors and a call from her church to step in and direct the Christmas play.  Between getting to know her new neighbors and taking some neighborhood children under her wing, so to speak, she finds her Christmas break is going much better than she expected.

This story was well written and immediately drew me in with its wonderful characters (I especially loved the Hollister boys).  I also loved that the reason for the season was not forgotten, but I also didn't find preachy.

All in all, this book was very enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it. I can't wait to read the books about her friends.
4461260
i really enjoyed this lovely little Christmas story complete with exactly what you hope for in one; love and miracles. Ms. Marchetto gently reminds us what is truly important during a time when materiel things are on everyone's mind. Our familes
3631570
What a delightful story! Jessica Gray has gifted us with a beautiful short story of love and kindness...and a true miracle of Christmas. This book deserve to be on your short list of MUST Reads this holiday season.
2481165
It's hard to find a well written Christmas book that has a good Christmas message.  But, I found one in this little gem.  The book is short, but it has a great story, with a wonderful message of what Christmas is really all about.  The characters were very likable.  My favorite thing in a book is when you can see characters changing to be better people through their experiences.  That is what happens throughout the book in a very sweet way.  I am encouraging both of my older daughters to read it, I think it has a message that most older children could use today.  I think it would be a great family read-aloud book.  I highly recommend this Christmas read!
864287
A delightful Christmas book that was gifted to me by Goodreads under their First Reads program.

I have never read a book by this author but I was impressed with her characters and situations that revolve around the Christmas season. Her writing reminds me of Maeve Binchey or Helen Van Slyke, two women who weren't afraid to tackle hard subjects like death, disease and infidelity.

The story begins a few days before Christmas when Kelley, the owner of the Winter Street Inn discovers his wife Mitzi is doing more than kissing the Santa Claus the Inn uses. In fact they have been sleeping together for some 14 years and she is ready to leave him after Christmas.

Mitzi is Kelley's second wife, his first, Margaret is a beautiful newscaster and the mother of his three older children. Each child has a problem, and Bart, Mitzi and Kelley's child is in Afghanistan this Christmas.

Everyone comes together at the Inn and what happens will be engrossing.

Not sure this is the kind of book you want to read at Christmas? Don't be afraid of taking the leap, this is a heartwarming, sometimes humorous look at everyone's Christmas. It will leave you with a warm glow inside. (less)
2619638
A lovely little tale from Liv Rancourt.  If you are looking for a quick little read and want something Christmasy, here you go. Mackie is stuck in her hometown, she is an actress with no where to work so she gives it her all and becomes Santa in the local mall.  During work one day she sees her college boyfriend Joe - Joe left town heading for Hollywood 8 years ago.  Every year since he left he has sent her roses for her birthday.  She hopes he doesn't recognize her as Santa.

Will he recognize Mackie?  Does he still love her?  Can they recapture what Joe let go of?

The only reason I didn't give The Santa Drag 5 stars is the abrupt ending.  I just felt like there was more to tell.  Ms. Rancourt spins a lovely tale.  I fully intend to read more from her.
920465
A lovely, fun Christmas read. Makes me want to find that lovely little hotel.
4717297
I found The Christmas Pony to be a delightful story. It's a very quick read but one that leaves you with a wonderful, warm, holiday feeling.  If you enjoy reading you will probably be able to finish this book in a couple of hours...but you will be entertained all the way through. Melody Carlson is a personal favorite author and this book did not disappoint at all.

As a little girl I was fascinated by horses and wished to have one. I was told often that they  were just too expensive. I guess that dream may be universal for little girls because it is the exact same one that Lucy Turnbull has in The Christmas Pony. A little girl's wish for a horse initially drew me into the story line but the quick adventure that unfolds is what kept me reading.

When two strangers find their way to Lucy's house her life is forever  changed but not in the way that I initially anticipated. While I thought the story would read more like a generous benefactor entering her life...I was actually a little surprised at the twist of events. Of course, there were parts of the story that were expected but that just added to the warmth of the story and the characters.

If you are looking for a quick read that will fill your heart and lift your spirit, The Christmas Pony just may be what you are searching for.
Christine
The IE Mommy