The Christmas Star - Donna Vanliere
St Martins Press - 2018
As Christmas approaches little Maddie, a spunky, sweet-natured seven year old who has grown up in foster care plays matchmaker. Amy and Gabe are two individuals who have had some rough patches in their lives and are looking for a fresh start. Can little Maddie work some magic?
A sweet story about second chances, reminding us to never give up on hope or love. I enjoyed this one.
Christmas on Cape Cod; Nan Rossiter
Zebra - 2018
Asa Coleman is a single dad to young son Cole. He's trying to do it all and hoping that this Christmas will be special for his son. He plans to gather family to Cape Cod for Christmas and also invites his friend Maddie Carlson. Asa never realized how much Maddie cared for him but, before the holiday is over the spirit of the season makes magical things happen between the couple.
This was a very short novella, a sweet story, but, something was missing. Apparently there is a backstory from an earlier book. I wished that I knew a bit more about Asa and Cole and what had happened to Cole's mother.
Alaskan Holiday; Debbie Macomber
Ballantine - 2018
Josie Avery, a Seattle native who lived with her mom takes a summer job at a rustic and remote Alaskan lakeside lodge in a town called Ponder. She wasn't expecting to find love in Alaska but, the obstacles may be too great for love to blossom.
I loved the Alaskan wilderness setting, so atmospheric. The small town characters were perfect: Jack Corcoran, rough around the edges, who often speaks without thinking and Palmer, the loner who would love to make Josie his wife. Alaskan Holiday was a short enjoyable holiday story.
I loved the Alaskan wilderness setting, so atmospheric. The small town characters were perfect: Jack Corcoran, rough around the edges, who often speaks without thinking and Palmer, the loner who would love to make Josie his wife. Alaskan Holiday was a short enjoyable holiday story.
I enjoyed Alaskan Holiday but didn't really feel like it was a Christmas story.
ReplyDeleteYes good point!
DeleteI'm glad to learn about these Christmas stories. I may be the only person who hasn't read anything by Debbie Macomber. My mother absolutely loves her books. Alaskan Holiday looks like one I'd enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually read her either but the Alaskan title sounded fun.
DeleteI've just reread a short one - The Christmas Letters - 5th time I've read it! And am now reading for the second time another short one - Last Night at the Lobster. I love both these books!
ReplyDelete've read and enjoyed both of those Nan!
ReplyDeleteChristmas stories always sound so good to me yet I never read any. I love the covers though. They are always so eye catching.
ReplyDeleteI liked the sound of the first one and the third one.
ReplyDeleteChristmas in Cape Cod revisits characters from The Gin and Chowder Club. A really, lovely story. Of course, I knew the characters but felt she gave enough info for a reader to enjoy this one even without having read the previous.
ReplyDeleteMy Monthly Motif challenge has holidays or winter as the theme so I found a book with snow in the title today to satisfy it. I do like reading the descriptions of the holiday books you read.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I've yet to read a Christmas Debbie Macomber book. I've watched a number of the movies but never read one of the books. I'm hoping to change that soon! I really enjoyed The Christmas Star. Her books are always so wonderfully Christmasy.
ReplyDeleteAlaskan Holiday sounds like something I should consider for next year's Holiday reading--I don't think I've read anything set in Alaska since Never Cry Wolf :)
ReplyDeleteThe covers of these books just make me happy :)
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