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Hey loves. Happy Tuesday. It's Book Review Day!!! Lots of Christmas books, and not just romance either. Ella had a Girl Scout meeting in November at the library and I checked out a few books for the first time in forever. I still read more on my kindle #momlife but I do enjoy holding a book in my hands.
As the holiday season begins, Laurel McCullough could use some good news. She and her husband, Zach, have been praying for a baby that seems more and more like an impossible dream, and they’ve had to move in with her beloved grandmother, Helen, who’s having trouble taking care of herself. But when Laurel contacts a local home-care organization for help, there are no caregivers available.
Then Mrs. Miracle appears at the door. No stranger to lending a helping hand to a family in need, Mrs. Miracle reveals herself to be nothing short of a godsend. Helen’s even convinced she’s an angel! And Laurel can’t help but notice that with Mrs. Miracle’s companionship, Helen is noticeably happier and more engaged, decorating the family Christmas tree and setting up the nativity. In the meantime, Laurel and Zach encounter curious signs, all pointing toward the arrival of a special baby.
As Christmas approaches, there appears to be even more to Mrs. Miracle than meets the eye. In a classic tale of Debbie Macomber’s signature seasonal magic, Laurel, Zach, and Helen experience a holiday of heavenly proportions.
Then Mrs. Miracle appears at the door. No stranger to lending a helping hand to a family in need, Mrs. Miracle reveals herself to be nothing short of a godsend. Helen’s even convinced she’s an angel! And Laurel can’t help but notice that with Mrs. Miracle’s companionship, Helen is noticeably happier and more engaged, decorating the family Christmas tree and setting up the nativity. In the meantime, Laurel and Zach encounter curious signs, all pointing toward the arrival of a special baby.
As Christmas approaches, there appears to be even more to Mrs. Miracle than meets the eye. In a classic tale of Debbie Macomber’s signature seasonal magic, Laurel, Zach, and Helen experience a holiday of heavenly proportions.
- From Amazon
I love the Mrs. Miracle movies on the Hallmark channel. The book didn't disappoint either. It is true when they say a book is always better than the movies. This is also not my typical young romance type of book. 5 out of 5 stars.
Holiday Cookies
For nearly three decades, the Chicago Tribune has run its annual Holiday Cookie Contest, asking readers to submit recipes that are both unique and meaningful to them. Each recipe is accompanied by a brief description or story explaining why the cookie is special to the reader and their family. The Chicago Tribune's award-winning food writers and editors carefully consider these essays, select the finalists, and then publish winning recipes.
Holiday Cookies is a comprehensive collection of the best holiday cookies as curated from nearly three decades worth of reader submissions. These delicious recipes represent an eclectic mix of traditional and modern recipes from diverse cultural background and skill levels, such as Tropical Nuevo Latino Cookies, Dorie's Dark and Stormies, and Grandma Grump's Peanut Butter Drizzles.
Complete with full-color photography and helpful baking tips, this gorgeous compilation brings the warmth and expertise of a cross-generational baking community home for the holidays. From cookie classics to twists on old standards, Holiday Cookies provides the home baker with a plethora of possibilities for any holiday party.
Holiday Cookies is a comprehensive collection of the best holiday cookies as curated from nearly three decades worth of reader submissions. These delicious recipes represent an eclectic mix of traditional and modern recipes from diverse cultural background and skill levels, such as Tropical Nuevo Latino Cookies, Dorie's Dark and Stormies, and Grandma Grump's Peanut Butter Drizzles.
Complete with full-color photography and helpful baking tips, this gorgeous compilation brings the warmth and expertise of a cross-generational baking community home for the holidays. From cookie classics to twists on old standards, Holiday Cookies provides the home baker with a plethora of possibilities for any holiday party.
- from Amazon
Ella and I found a few new recipes to try. Some were just a little weird for our tastes. I give it a 3 out of 5 stars.
Make this Christmas the best and brightest yet, with hundreds of gorgeous decorating ideas and delicious recipes. From holiday house tours and ways to deck the halls to handmade gifts and festive feasts, this beautiful book will help you celebrate Christmas in Country Living style. Create stunning wreaths, turn saltshakers into sparkling snow globes, craft Advent calendars from tiny envelopes, bake gourmet-store-worthy cookies, and more to make a truly happy holiday.
- From Amazon
This book was honestly nothing like what I expected. I had hoped to get some new decorating tips and didn't like anything. Even Ella who loves doing crafts didn't find anything she likes. I give it 1 out of 5 stars.
Hard-driven, corporate lawyer Evan Conner is tasked with accompanying his ailing boss to Kringle, Texas, where his employer plans a lavish party to make amends for his Scrooge-like misdeeds that almost destroyed the quaint little town five years earlier. Dismayed to find a stray dog who’s just had puppies in the house they’ve rented for the event, Evan calls local vet, Chloe Anderson to bail him out. Chloe is the most charming woman Evan’s met in a very long time, despite her silly Christmas costume and plethora of pet hair on her clothes. He loves her bubbly attitude and bright smiles. But the town is suspicious of Evan and his wily boss, and they warn Chloe that big-city men simply can’t be trusted. As Evan's feelings for Kringle and the adorable veterinarian grow, he finds himself yearning for the most perfect Christmas gift of all…Chloe’s love.
- from Amazon
A fun easy read. Sometimes finding love can change your ways. 5 out of 5 stars
The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall
Sophie Breeze is a brilliant bridesmaid. So brilliant, in fact, that she’s made it her full-time job.
As a professional bridesmaid, Sophie is hired by London brides to be their right-hand woman, posing as a friend but working behind the scenes to help plan the perfect wedding and ensure their big day goes off without a hitch. When she’s hired by Lady Victoria Swann––a former model and “It Girl" of 1970’s London; now the Marchioness of Meade––for the society wedding of the year, it should be a chance for Sophie to prove just how talented she is.
Of course, it’s not ideal that the bride, Lady Victoria’s daughter, Cordelia, is an absolute diva and determined to make Sophie’s life a nightmare. It’s also a bit inconvenient that Sophie finds herself drawn to Cordelia’s posh older brother, who is absolutely off limits. But when a rival society wedding is announced for the very same day, things start to get…well, complicated.
Can Sophie pull off the biggest challenge of her career––execute a high-profile gala for four hundred and fifty guests in record time, win over a reluctant bride, and catch the eye of handsome Lord Swann––all while keeping her true identity a secret, and her dignity intact?
Heartwarming and hilarious, Katy Birchall's The Secret Bridesmaid celebrates the joys (and foibles) of weddings, the nuances of female friendship, and the redeeming power of love in its many unexpected forms.
- from Amazon
As a professional bridesmaid, Sophie is hired by London brides to be their right-hand woman, posing as a friend but working behind the scenes to help plan the perfect wedding and ensure their big day goes off without a hitch. When she’s hired by Lady Victoria Swann––a former model and “It Girl" of 1970’s London; now the Marchioness of Meade––for the society wedding of the year, it should be a chance for Sophie to prove just how talented she is.
Of course, it’s not ideal that the bride, Lady Victoria’s daughter, Cordelia, is an absolute diva and determined to make Sophie’s life a nightmare. It’s also a bit inconvenient that Sophie finds herself drawn to Cordelia’s posh older brother, who is absolutely off limits. But when a rival society wedding is announced for the very same day, things start to get…well, complicated.
Can Sophie pull off the biggest challenge of her career––execute a high-profile gala for four hundred and fifty guests in record time, win over a reluctant bride, and catch the eye of handsome Lord Swann––all while keeping her true identity a secret, and her dignity intact?
Heartwarming and hilarious, Katy Birchall's The Secret Bridesmaid celebrates the joys (and foibles) of weddings, the nuances of female friendship, and the redeeming power of love in its many unexpected forms.
- from Amazon
I requested this ebook from the library months ago after another blogger recommended it. I had totally forgotten what it was about, and didn't take the time to read an intro just jumped right in. I thought it was a thriller, it was not. It is a twist on a wedding planner (which at one time I wanted to be one) Such a fun read and not your typical romance. I give it 5 of 5 stars.
Emma loves everything about living in Sapphire Bay. The scenery in the small Montana town is spectacular, her communications business is thriving, and her six-year-old twins are happy. When a Christmas Facebook post goes viral, Emma and her friends are swamped with people asking Santa for help. But it's her twins' Christmas wish that breaks her heart.
Jack Devlin finds missing people. When his brother asks him to locate Emma's ex-husband, he thinks it's going to be an easy case. But the more time he spends with Emma, the more complicated their relationship becomes. With more than one heart on the line, will they go back to their old lives or risk everything for a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love?
CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET is the first novel in the Santa's Secret Helpers series and can easily be read as a stand-alone. Each of Leeanna's series are linked so you can find out what happens to your favorite characters in other books. Happy reading!
Jack Devlin finds missing people. When his brother asks him to locate Emma's ex-husband, he thinks it's going to be an easy case. But the more time he spends with Emma, the more complicated their relationship becomes. With more than one heart on the line, will they go back to their old lives or risk everything for a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love?
CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET is the first novel in the Santa's Secret Helpers series and can easily be read as a stand-alone. Each of Leeanna's series are linked so you can find out what happens to your favorite characters in other books. Happy reading!
- from Amazon
My favorite Christmas book of the month. I liked that the main characters didn't just jump into a romance without thinking about their actions, kids, where they were living, etc. Made the love story so much more believable. 5 out of 5 stars.
A sweet second chance single dad stand alone romance set in the world of the Wrights from USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde…At seventeen, I left Isaac Donoghue behind to become a professional ballerina.When I return home to dance in the Nutcracker, I never expect to run into him. Let alone on my first day in town. I can’t help but admire him in a crisp suit with his toned soccer body, chiseled jaw line, and all too familiar piercing green eyes. I thought nothing could surprise me more.Until his five year old daughter runs out of the ballet studio.I’m only in town for a month. I shouldn’t get involved with anyone, especially the ex I’ve been pining after for years. Especially when he has a daughter to consider.But where Isaac is concerned, I’ve never been able to stay away.With the help of some Christmas magic, maybe we finally have a shot at our second chance.
- from Amazon
Off to go read some more Christmas books before the season is over. Check back next week for my top 5 books of 2021.
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I loved The Secret Bridesmaid and I'm glad you did too.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Secret Bridesmaid as well! That's a bummer there weren't any fun crafts in the Christmas Joys book.
ReplyDeleteLauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net
I have a Mrs Miracle book that I'm starting tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool idea for the holiday cookies book - I had no idea the Chicago Tribune did that with the submissions. I'm intrigued by the weird ones LOL
ReplyDelete