The Christmas Book Flood by Roseanna M. White - A Book Review

  

I have become familiar with the Jólabókaflóđ tradition in Iceland over the last few Christmas seasons. I searched the internet for the correct pronunciation and got a variety of answers, most varied on the sound of the last letter. The first four syllables are consistently presented as yo-la-bok-a, while the last can be found as flot, flod, and floth among other variations. The word translates in English to Christmas (or Yule) Book Flood. Roseanna M. White's novella The Christmas Book Flood uses the story of fictional characters Tatiana Eliasdottir and Anders Johannsson who both work for a publishing company called Sogufelagith, the Story Society, to tell of the birth of this tradition; which I will not spoil for you by explaining it here.

This wonderful novella is a quick read that book lovers of all types are likely to enjoy because of the tradition they will likely want to adopt. Those who enjoy a sweet romance will be especially pleased. The theme of miscommunication and its effect on self-esteem may have each of us examining our own assumptions as well as how our words and actions appear to others. Happy reading and merry Christmas!

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Christmas Book Flood from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Christmas in Nutfield by Robin Patchen

 

Sleigh Bells & Stalkers and One Christmas Night are the two novellas that make up Christmas in Nutfield. It was wonderful reconnecting with two characters from Patchen's original Nutfield Saga. The last time we saw Daniel Nolan he was just a boy, now he is a college student and the hero of Sleigh Bells & Stalkers, my favorite of the two novellas. The empathy-evoking story, centering around the drama of the dysfunctional Sullivan family, will likely make readers more sensitive to the hardships of those around them, and will hopefully inspire them to be more willing to step up and assist as Daniel does for the Sullivans. In addition to the drama, this story has plenty of action and suspense to keep readers fully engaged.

We also reconnect with Caro Neely. In One Christmas Night she finds herself searching for her niece alongside movie star Blake Carmichael whose son is also missing. The main theme of the story deals with why one must resist the urge to judge others especially when the judgments are made on preconceived notions based on second-hand information. Patchen fleshes out the sensitive theme without distracting from the tension in the story.

Christmas in Nutfield is not your typical Hallmark type Christmas story and will satisfy suspense lovers desire for a Christmas story designed with them in mind. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from the author without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

A Christmas in the Alps by Melody Carlson - A Book Review

  

I think this is around Melody Carlson's twenty-second Christmas book, of which I have read seven or eight. A Christmas in the Alps is a short, sweet, happily-ever-after story, a great little book for clearing your reading palate between weightier, more somber, reads. After recently becoming a fan of the BBC The Repair Shop series, I was especially interested in the story element of watch making and repair, a quaint occupation that leads one of Carlson's main characters to the also quaint town of Avre, France.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Wildflower Christmas by Grace Greene - A Book Review

   

Wildflower Christmas is a novella, and the third book in the Wildflower House series. In the prologue the author catches people who have not read books one and two up on Kara Lange's story. It made me think that those of us who have invested ourselves in Kara's story would likely have each written this prologue a little differently depending on our personal lens. As such, I'd wished I had begun my reading with chapter one.

Kara's plans for a quiet Christmas, like the ones she was used to, were quickly interrupted. A new boyfriend, coming alongside a recently discovered aunt in a search for the aunt's twin, caring for five-year-old Maddie while her grandmother recuperates, and the appearance of Victoria, a friend with whom she has had an evolving relationship, all work together to fill her December and Christmas with delightful, loving chaos. She wouldn't want it any other way. The story wraps up a lot of loose ends, and would serve well as a final book in a series, but enough is left open to give readers hope that they might encounter some of these characters in future books.

I used the word poignant to describe the first book in this series, and that word describes the series as a whole. I recommend this sweet, read, but suggest the books be read in sequence in order to get the greatest reading enjoyment. I am grateful to have received a copy of Wildflower Christmas from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

   

A short, sweet holiday read, Christmas in Winter Hill will delight fans of Hallmark Christmas movies. I wouldn't be in the least surprised to hear of its being made into a screen play at some time in the future.

Krista Galloway and her eight-year-old Emily moved from Phoenix to Winter Hill, Washington for Krista's new job as city manager. Krista is dismayed to learn of the city's obsession with their Christmasville celebration, having no fond Christmas memories of her own. Circumstances cause her to appear to be the town Grinch, and Krista faces disappointing Emily with another move.

I am grateful to have received a copy of Christmas in Winter Hill in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Christmas By the Sea by Melody Carlson - A Book Review

   

     Carlson has written over two hundred books among which are many Christmas stories. All of the ones I've read, including Christmas By the Sea, are sweet, encouraging holiday stories that would make wonderful Hallmark type Christmas movies.

     Wendy Harper and her son Jackson are headed to Maine to see the seaside cottage she often visited while growing up, the one she had inherited from her grandfather. While Jackson dreams of making a permanent move to Maine, Wendy must face the reality that selling the cottage is the only way to pay off the debts incurred during her husband's battle with cancer. While the characters are endearing, the ending is somewhat predictable, and in true Christmas movie tradition includes a rapidly progressing romance. The main theme of the story is trusting in God's provision.

     If you would like a sweet, quick read, this book fits the bill. I thank NetGalley and Revell for providing me with a copy of Christmas By the Sea in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson – A Book Review

    

     Fun, fun, fun!!! This short (168 pages) book is jammed pack with pure joy. This light hearted story will lift its readers’ spirits, and motivate them to seek out someone to bless this Christmas season. What could bring more joy than blessing others?

     Joy Jorgenson, an octogenarian, loves Christmas even though her childhood memories of the holiday are lackluster at best. She even has a blog to help others celebrate the holiday to the fullest. Now that she has reached the time in her life when she needs to move closer to her sons, Joy comes up with an ingenious and generous way to bless others with years of accumulated Christmas paraphernalia. The only problem is that it may be a bit daring for her to execute the plan on her own. Enter Miranda Fortner, a young neighbor who is facing foreclosure. Together these two women go on the adventure of a lifetime.

     I would recommend carving out some time, it won’t take much, to go with Joy and Miranda on their Christmas Joy Ride. You won’t be disappointed. Hmmm, I know we have some extra lights and ornaments up in the rec room closets; for whom might they be just the thing?

     I thank Revell Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for providing The Christmas Joy Ride for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.