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2021 Fall Flurry of Holidays Challenge -- December Reviews and Discussion
I guess I am first, with a book about books that is holiday themed. My book is the Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer, a Chanukah Romance.In case the title didn't give it away, this is a Chanukah themed holiday romance. And its written in that style. It reads like any Christmas Romance, (or what I imagine Christmas Romances to look like.) It's an easy prototype for a Hallmark movie, and I could totally see it turning into one.
So you can't rate and review this book the way you would high brow literature. In fact, there are tons of things you can tear apart and nitpick, but you are just supposed to enjoy the ride, which I did. In a few places I had to work very hard to remind myself to suspend disbelief. Take it for what it was. And what it was, was a very fun Chanukah Romance.
Most people know I don't describe synopses, and I never ever spoil a book. But aside from the jacket cover, this book is exactly what you would expect. It's impossible to spoil. But I will indulge a little of the synopsis. Rachel is the daughter of a prominent Orthodox Rabbi, who secretly writes as a world best selling Christmas Romance novelist. Believe it or not, this isn't even where my suspension of disbelief had to be tested. I can completely understand a love of Christmas. Its hard not to be drawn to. There are aspects of it I love myself, including Carols, and Egg Nog. But what I love most, is how much attention is paid to miracles, and how loving and kind and giving people are to one another. It is indeed a magical time. But thinking of Chanukah as boring and flat and unmagical? Now that just made zero sense to me, that she couldn't see or relate to any aspect of the holiday was bewilidering - but hey, I promised I wouldn't nitpick.
So the basic plot is that Rachel and Jacob (true loves in the Bible/Torah) were arch enemies at summer camp, and also first and never forgotten loves. Years later, Rachel's publisher forces her to write a Chanukah Romance, and to research this she falls smack into the Orbit of Jacob, who is organizing a high level classy Motzah Ball, and her parents. She must spend 8 days volunteering to get a coveted ticket, and the quarreling lovers are back again, with misunderstandings, and snafu's, and hijinks. Rachel is hiding secrets from Jacob, her parents, and the world. Jacob has more of a haunted past than we knew, that unfolds as well. Of course the Motzah Ball is at the center of it all, where everything comes develops and comes into its inexorable finish.
One of the aspects of some depth that does enter, is that Rachel suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and the author does a very nice job of showing us what this condition looks like and how it manifests. Rachel's spirit and vitality is indomitable, and vivacious, with an attitude that doesn't quit, while her body quits before it gets started. She is afraid she can never be loved and will miss her whole life. This aspect was the part that didn't fit so easily into the Hallmark model, it was treated with some respect and depth. But it, and Jacob's haunted trauma's, did have some sensitive treatment, despite the formula and model. There is also some depth in the Judaism and related concepts that are well described within.
I want to add that this story is a book about books. The central character is a writer, writing a book that we read some of during the story, and trying to both write and live the Chanukah Romance was the central vehicle of the book.
I just want to say something about the Motzah Ball Concept. This is a real Christmas Eve concept that many of us remember. Jewish Singles would gather all over the world at locations for an elegant "Motzah Ball" on Christmas Eve. I went to more than a few in my day, and our best friends met at a Motzah Ball. I don't think they even have them anymore. The local organization that threw it was called SYJP, Single Young Jewish Professionals. But did I meet my husband there? I did not. I met him at the Queen Esther's Ball, the one elegant dance ever sponsored by BBYO. But this was a real setting for couples to meet, and perfect timing during Christmas Eve, when we had no other plans. In fact, we looked forward to it. It was a fun and beautiful night, where anything could happen. And did. So I agreed this was the perfect setting for this romance. It had it all, and Rachel and Jacob do discover the magic of Chanukah, as well as love.
Again, it wasn't high brow, but it wasn't supposed to be. I read it in an entire sitting, and right along with the beginning of Chanukah. It was a great start to the holiday. Fun book, nice to have a Chanukah option, and sweet ride. Nothing more, nothing less. Perfect for the holiday season.
The Twelve Jays of Christmas by Donna Andrews - 4 starsWhile Michael and the boys are on a skiing vacation, Meg has to stay home because of a sprained ankle. She is supposed to rest, but having to deal with escaped bluejays in the house, wombats in the basement, relatives converging on the house for Christmas, and a rude cantankerous artist her grandfather forces on them temporarily living in their library makes it difficult. The problem of the artist is kind of solved when Meg finds him murdered just when they decide to kick him out.
It's the usual delightful mayhem that Andrews does so well in this series. Though I thought the whodunnit in this one was too easy to figure out, the howdunnit was enough of a poser to make it interesting. Plus the Pomeranian puppies gave it extra cuteness!
The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox - 3 sugary starsCharlie and Cass are identical twins who grew up in the family bakery in Starlight Peak, CA. Charlie left town as soon as she could, trained as a professional chef and made her way to co-hosting a reality bake off show in LA. Cass stayed behind to support her parents at their bakery and continued with her high school bakery. When Cass is concussed a week before Christmas and can no longer smell or taste, she convinces her twin to switch places to keep up her hosting role on the reality show and she manages the busy Christmas time at the home bakery. Both were escaping a life that they didn't realize they didn't truly love as is any more and both didn't quite realize how less shiny the others life was.
Super cute Christmas rom-com. I especially appreciated the settings of bakery and a Great British Bake Off type show. Of course I wish I could have tasted all the goodies described though. The twin switch caused all the shenanigans as to be expected as they tried to figure out the others life. It was a relief when they finally came clean about the switch and some proper communication earlier could have helped. The end was a bit overly melodramatic but overall I quite enjoyed this holiday treat.
Tamarack County by William Kent Krueger5 stars
Christmas week in Tamarack County, Minnesota, brings a blinding snowstorm and a mystery. The wife of a long-time judge has disappeared. Her abandoned vehicle was found along a rural county road, the gas tank empty and no sign of the woman. Extensive searching turns up no clue to her location and the judge himself, sinking slowly into dementia and one of the least loved men in the area, has no idea where his wife might be. Cork O'Connor, one-time sheriff but now a private investigator, is asked to help the local police force in their investigation. After a few more unexplainable events it becomes obvious that someone has a vendetta against some people in Tamarack County. Cork's own son Stephen and his girlfriend are forced off an icy road onto an ice covered lake where the two teens nearly drown. A loveable pet dog belonging to a local resident is brutally killed. Somehow all of these crimes are connected but Cork cannot see the reasoning. It is possible that it is all related to a murder committed over 20 years ago but the killer is still in prison. Someone is seeking deadly revenge during what should be the most joyous time of year and the eyes of the criminal are fixed firmly on O'Connor and his family.
This is another great entry into the Cork O'Connor series and one of the best ones so far in my opinion. I truly enjoy the characters: Cork and his children, Jenny, Annie and Stephen, the aged Henry Meloux who brings Native American wisdom to those he loves, and even the townspeople who gather together to protect their own. If you are looking to begin a new series I highly recommend this one.
Sleigh Bells Ring by RaeAnne Thayne
2.5 stars
It was December 1 and I really needed a light charming sweet Christmas read. Even though I've been disappointed in the last few from RaeAnne Thayne, I could not resist this cover and title!
Christmas in Montana finds Annie back on the ranch once owned by her family and where she grew up until her parents divorced. Annie is the ranch manager for the Sheridan family, having taken the job a year earlier to help her recently widowed brother and his twins. Her brother's grief has led to one too many drunk and disorderlies, meaning while he spends Christmas in the county jail for the latest brawl, Annie has the twins. As if she hasn't enough to cope with, Tate Sheridan, the new head of the Sheridan Family business empire arrives on the ranch to prep it for the arrival of the extended family for one last Christmas before it is sold, and to scatter the ashes of the recently deceased beloved patriarch on the ranch he loved. Annie has had a crush on Tate since childhood, and of course working together to pull together a last minute Christmas for a grieving family, plus 2 adorable 6 year olds missing their parents, all conspire to make HEA inevitable.
But there is more than one romance! The ranch's head cowboy and Tate's troubled sister Brie also find romance over a litter of new puppies and one fine mare.
Definitely the best RaeAnne Thayne offering I've read in a couple of years, with characters and family situations that I liked. This is far from hot and steamy -- a few good kisses, but that also suited me for a light Christmas read. And she really delivers Christmas in this - including sleigh rides and cutting a tree in the snow, a blizzard, decorating, and best of all a first grade Christmas program. However, Thayne could have made this 30 pages less with fewer repetitions of a couple of themes over and over. Why must authors keep repeating over and over almost verbatim the same quandries faced by the main characters? I don't need to be reminded multiple times -- especially in language that looks copy pasted. Either add a few more activities, don't wrap up the ending so quickly, or make it shorter.
But I still enjoyed it and it was just what I needed.
Oh. What. Fun. by Chandler Baker3 Stars
"Tyler, Channing, and Sammy Clauster have descended on their childhood home, with significant others and four-year-old twins in tow, for another good old-fashioned Christmas. Overwhelming holiday magic, as always, comes courtesy of their mom, Claire. They know she’s thrilled to cook, wrap gifts, decorate, accommodate, play games, overprepare every Christmas Eve Eve Eve tradition, and still let Dad be known as the Fun One. It’s her thing, right? Maybe the family should have paid closer attention. Because this year, something is a little off-key—and it’s not just the carols."
This was a short story I found on Amazon and have to say I'm glad that I didn't buy it (it was included with my Prime membership). The idea of the book was kinda cute, but I felt that it was a little all over the place and the ending came and went before I even grasped what was happening.
This is a historical fiction novel based at the time of Chanukah, in fact Judah's Wife refers to the wife of Judah Maccabee, the Hammer. Who fought in the wars the allowed our people not to be annihilated. It is both a historical fiction, and yet holiday season read. The story is told alternating between Judah and Leah, (a character she named), and each of them are trying to discover themselves as the story is unfolding. For Leah, she is the daughter of a cheese seller, and she grew up in a home with terrible domestic violence. For her, learning to love a warrior and to understand the difference between a war that saves our people from destruction, and needless violence, that was her trajectory. For Judah, middle son of five, he is the big, bulky, and strong one. Picked to be commander of the armies, despite that no one has confidence in him, not his brothers nor his wife, beyond his abilities to use his strength and fierceness. And yet as a man, he is gentle, loving, perceptive, and devoted. He too has to wrestle with violence, needless violence, and figure out who he is. Both are trying to sort it out throughout the novel. I thought that aspect was well done.
The author, Angela Hunt, is a Christian historical fiction writer, and has what seems to be over a hundred books. But what astonishes me, and where my attention keeps turning, is to the breadth and depth of her knowledge, even with pieces or aspects of Judaism that are estoteric and not well known. It's almost impossible for me to believe she hasn't studied and lived this for her lifetime. I found this author, while reading on Cleopatra last year. She had a Jewish protagonist, lifetime friend to Cleopatra. The next book in her Silent Years Series is about a female protagonist in Jerusalem. She has written books on Delilah, Batsheba, Esther. And many more. The author has a particular interest in the Silent Years, the 400 years before the old and new testament, where little is known about the history, and particularly less about its women's figures. Like a true "midrash" writer, this is her story of what might have happened, and with some incredible historical accuracy as well as a flavor for the beliefs of this culture. There is a lot of emphasis in this book about what each of our purpose in life, what God created us for. And its hard for me to know if she, the author knows, what a central aspect of Judaism that is. That each of our bodies and lives have been created as a vessel by God for a particular purpose. Coincidence? I have no idea?
Meanwhile, this is causing me to reflect about how drawn to Judaism many non-Jews are. I daresay that people see a beauty in this religion, and want to know more, or even be a part of it. While in history, they went to annihilate us, now there is almost I daresay a huge draw. The concepts are beautiful, and people seem to take to them and see its beauty. Which, if you didn't know, was predicted in the teachings, and in this generation. But for Angela Hunt to be so prolific in this area, I am wondering about the gifts that her soul was created for, and how she understands her draw to this. She appears to be a star in the Christian fiction world. Curious.
Anyway, many of the facts are indeed accurate, and some things are things even highly literate Jews wouldn't know. For one, the final war that took place, ended on the 14th of Adar, the same day as Purim. Where twice on that day, the Jewish people were delivered out of annihilation. Also, that during and within a few years of this last war, none of the Maccabee brothers survived. Nor their children. Also, the reference to Leah being a cheese makers daughter, and able to produce such delicious cheese... Well I learned earlier this week, asking a question about Judith in the historical story, who I thought was Judah's wife. Turns out she was the aunt. That her profession was Cheesemaker. And the idea that Judah has "visions"? At least one was recorded, while the author gives us three. But that to me, prophecy, has been one of the most interesting aspects that I am drawn to. What is prophecy and predestination, and what is free will? Are some people anointed by God Created by and for a certain purpose? Were we always destined to win this war?
The story of the oil lasting eight days, didn't occur in the story, and the author explains, its because it probably never happened. Which is also true. But its meant to be a metaphor, of the eternal light that never goes out. Belief, and hope, and resilience. Which our characters deal with. At this time in our collective lives and in our world, it feels like belief is a lot harder to come by. God and Faith and Miracles are shielded from us. But they are there. The trick is, how to live one's life with both predestination and prophecy, and knowing we have to act on our own conscience and free will, whether it was prophesized or not. Kind of reminds me of the feeling in Harry Potter 3, when Harry realizes something essential on this theme. Outlander, even by Book Four has a similar premise. Do we act as we do, or how we were supposed to all along? Well, I think the mystery between the two is where life and magic happens personally. And my favorite place to muse.
Thank you, Angela, for this timely Chanukah historical fiction. I enjoyed it, and the prior Cleopatra book, and I look forward to reading more of your works.
Amy wrote: "This is a historical fiction novel based at the time of Chanukah, in fact Judah's Wife refers to the wife of Judah Maccabee, the Hammer...."
Superb review. You wrote a wonderful enticing review. Good on you. Thanks so much for taking the time to research items and write such a descriptive review. peace, janz
The Noel Diary: A Novel by Richard Paul Evans - 3 stars - My ReviewThis is my winter or holiday-themed book for the season, an author I had not read before – Richard Paul Evans. Apparently, he is known for his holiday stories. This one is set in December, but it is not what I would call a “Christmas story,” though it does contain Christian themes.
Protagonist Jacob Churcher is a successful, but lonely, author who has had a traumatic childhood. He was estranged from his parents after a family tragedy, and left home at age sixteen. When his mother dies, he travels to his former home to search for the truth about his past. While there, he meets Rachel, a woman who is searching for her birth mother.
This is a romance but is not overly saccharine. It addresses themes such as mental illness, adoption, parenting mistakes, and the need to feel loved. It is an uplifting story of forgiveness and healing.
Link to my PBT Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Definitely not Christmas-y, but I'm reading Winter-y for Fall FlurriesFrozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition / Owen Beattie, John Geiger
4 stars
This book first looks at the Franklin Expedition in the mid-1800s to find the Northwest Passage. Franklin and his entire crew of 129 people and two ships disappeared. In the years following, others set out to find them or some clue as to what had happened. In the early 1980s, Owen Beattie, a forensic anthropologist, and a team of others set out to the graves of three of the expedition members on Beatty Island to dig them up to do autopsies to see if that would tell them what had happened.
Surprisingly, I found the second half more interesting than the first. I guess all of it was potentially interesting to me, but I was surprised to be more engrossed in the parts as the modern-day scientists dug up the graves to find extremely well-preserved bodies and to read the details of their testing and what they found. Be warned that there are photos of the bodies that were dug up; of course, there are other interesting photos, as well.
The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer - 3 starsRachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt lives a life of secrets. Only a few people know that she suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which affects all aspects of her life. She is also, despite being the daughter of a very well know Rabbi, obsessed with Christmas. She loves Santa, the lights and the magic of the holiday so much so that she is a secret bestseller of Christmas romance novels. Being able to work from home as a novelist allows her a good living while manage her illness. However she is completely surprised when her publisher insists that she write a Hanukkah romance instead. She MUST find the magic in Hanukkah. Similarly her first kiss from summer camp, Jacob Greenberg, MUST also find the Hanukkah magic to pull off his super event, the Matzah Ball and keep his investors happy. Hallmark-like hijinks ensue as expected.
Super cute holiday romantic comedy. It is fun to read outside of Christmas for the holiday season. Having never had the opportunity to join in a Shabbat celebration, I enjoyed learning more about the culture. It is also great to have a heroine with a chronic illness. However the representation was a bit heavy handed. The characters were cute and quirky enough to enjoy and it was fun to see the Matzah Ball unfold. Parts of course required some suspension of disbelief for the normal holiday magic/ implausibility but glad I was able to include in the seasonal reads.
Shakespeare's Christmas - Charlaine Harris - 3.5 Stars
This is the third book in the Lily Bard series set in the small town of Shakespeare, Arkansas. Lily relocated there after a violent sexual assualt to start a new life away from friends and family who still looked at her with pity. Lily has reluctantly agreed to come back to her home town to attend her younger sister’s Christmas wedding.
Before she leaves for her trip she reads a newspaper story about Summer Dawn, a little girl abducted eight years earlier and still missing. Almost as soon as she gets to her home town, two people are murdered. Then Lily's private detective boyfriend, Jack, comes to town after receiving a picture of three eight year old girls. He realizes that one of them is probably the abducted baby. Unfortunately, one of the three is the daughter of her sister’s fiancé, so it is a race to find out which one is Summer Dawn, before her sister possibly marries a kidnapper.
This is not a feel good Hallmark style Christmas story. It's filled with darkness as it explores some disturbing themes. I like the way the character of Lily has developed over the course of the series and I hope that she can find her version of a happy ending in the final two books of the series.
The Christmas Pig - J.K. Rowling - 5 Stars
Jack's best friend is a stuffed animal he calls Dur Pig (DP). DP helped him through his parents' divorce and through his move to a new town, new school, and his mom's new marriage. Jack is devastated when his mean new stepsister throws DP out a car window on Christmas Eve. She buys him a new stuffed pig as an apology, but Jack wants DP. Jack nearly destroys his room and almost rips the head off the Christmas Pig before he collapses on his bed in tears. Then he notices "The Things" in the room are coming to life and speaking to him. The quest to find DP begins!
I thought this was a lovely, heart-warming tale about a lonely boy's search for his beloved toy. It's a great adventure story that would be perfect to read out loud to young children or grandchildren. There are some sad moments and some so joyful I actually burst into tears. That's why I have given it 5 Stars. Any author who can make you feel so emotional about a stuffed toy is a remarkable storyteller.
The Christmas Pig is beautifully presented with detailed black-and-white illustrations by Jim Field and will be an annual read for me. It's a pity my grandchildren are adults now but I'll have it ready if I ever get great-grandchildren.
Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan - 3 starsAs Christmas approaches, all should be well for Huckle and Polly at the lighthouse but Polly is struggling with the baggage of her own upbringing and growing up in a broken family which causes her to put off Huckle's plans for their future. An incident involving her best friend and unexpected phone call forces her to consider the circumstances of her own origins and consequences of misplaced love or passion.
Like the second book, most of the characters are quite unhappy for most of the book which doesn't make it the usual festive Christmas book. It was kind of heart breaking to see continued miscommunication and avoidance continue to cause problems. The end was a bit overly dramatic as well and seemed like a slightly out of place but perhaps perfect solution. Some issues were still a bit unsettled and I'm curious to know if they remain unsettled.
I am reading more broadly for winterThe Overnight Guest / Heather Gudenkauf
4.5 stars
Current day: Wylie is a true crime writer who has left her son with her ex-husband to head to an isolated rural area where she has rented an old farmhouse to be able to better concentrate on her writing. On a cold, blizzardy, freezing-rain/snow-filled night, she finds a little boy curled up in the snow outside the house. She brings him in to warm him up, but he’s not talking as to how or why he was there.
2020: 12-year olds Josie and Becky are best friends, but tragedy strikes when Becky stays overnight one night. The farmhouse then houses two murdered people and two people have disappeared. Josie is the only one who managed to get away.
Timeline unclear initially: a mother and daughter are kept locked in a basement, with an abusive man/father coming to visit occasionally.
Wow, this pulled me in right away and I wanted to keep reading! Unfortunately, for me, I was reading before bed (twice) and especially the first night, I had a hard time getting to sleep! (Which, really, in a thriller or horror book, is a good thing!). All three storylines were appealing to me, and the author brought them together very well.
Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melisa De La Cruz 2 stars
This holiday book is a modern twist on a classic story. In this version Darcy Fitzwilliam is a successful woman working in New York City who is now heading home to Pemberley, Ohio to see her family over the holidays. Her mother was ill and Darcy is returning to see her and her father even though she has not talked to them in some time. Her parents wanted Darcy to marry her old high school boyfriend, but Darcy was not interested causing a large disagreement. While in her home town Darcy also runs into other people from her past; her best friend adds humor to the story and an old nemesis, Luke Bennet, starts showing up. Darcy is soon surprised to lean that she actually likes Luke and has some choices to make.
The story is a bit silly and predictable in places. Darcy does not always act like the tough business person she is supposed to be, but the book is a quick read that is entertaining. Reader who enjoy remakes of the original Pride and Prejudice will like this book.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I try to reread it every December - not the cartoon or movie version but the version by Dickens. peace, janz
Sleigh Bells Ring - RaeAnne Thayne - 3 Stars
Annie McCade has given up her job in San Francisco to return to Angel's View Ranch to take care of her niece and nephew after the death of their mother. Her brother, Wes, has been drinking and picking fights in the local bar, finding himself sitting out the Christmas holidays in jail.
She's been the caretaker of the ranch for over a year. Annie's boss, Wallace Sheridan, passed away earlier in the year and his grandson, Tate Sheridan, has come to plan a memorial for his family so they can say their final goodbyes to Wallace. The entire family has been suffering issues since the death of Tate's father twenty years ago and this will be a chance to start over. While planning the memorial, sparks start to fly between childhood friends, Annie and Tate.
This is a clean romance that will remind you of a Hallmark movie. It had a couple of endearing twins and some new puppies. It definitely focused on sense of family and its importance.
My only complaint is that everyone was just too nice. But I can't complain about that when I specifically chose this for my Christmas reading. I'm mostly reading happy Christmas stories this month and this more than qualified. Plus, it had such a beautiful cover. Well written and humorous, I'll add another book by this author next Christmas.
Holiday in Death - J.D. Robb - 4.5 Stars
It's Christmas in 2058 New York and someone is celebrating the season by killing, using "The Twelve Days of Christmas" as his inspiration. The only link between the victims is a dating service named Personally Yours. To help solve the murders, Eve puts Peabody and McNab undercover as clients of the exclusive dating service. In addition to hunting down a serial killer, this is Eve's first Christmas with her new husband, and where she actually is surrounded by people she cares about. I was amused to watch her struggle with buying gifts and join Roarke in the tree trimming. Eve and Roarke struggle to find the balance between past and present, so that they can go on with their future and start new traditions together.
I have read all the books in this series and periodically like to go back and revisit them in audio. Susan Ericksen is a phenomenal narrator who brings the character of Lt. Eve Dallas to life and keeps the reader captured until the very end. Whether you have read the first in this series or the very latest, you will not be disappointed.
Much Ado About You – Samantha Young – 3***
Evie Starling, a thirty-three Chicagoan who’s just broken up with her boyfriend and been disappointed one time too many at work, decides to take a Bookshop Holiday in England to re-evaluate and regroup. She doesn’t expect to meet the devastatingly handsome local sheep farmer (and his even cuter dog). A charming rom com with all the usual tropes, and which ends at Christmas (of course). Perfect for a light holiday read.
My full review HERE
The Cat Who Saved Books - Sosuko Natsukawa - 5 stars
The Cat Who Saved Books is a true delight to read. It is an enchanting tale of a boy, Rintaro is a hikikomori, who is turned inward and rarely ventures out socially. It is the Christmas season and his grandfather, a kindly bookstore owner has died and Rintaro is destined to move in with an Aunt who he has never met. He begins working to close the book store, when the cat enters and changes things around.
This book is like a fairy tale who explores the wonder of books.
“Books are filled with human thoughts and feelings. People suffering, people who are sad or happy, laughing with joy. By reading their words and their stories, by experiencing them together, we learn about the hearts and minds of other people besides ourselves. Thanks to books, it’s possible to learn not only about the people around us every day, but people living in totally different worlds.”
"“A book that sits on a shelf is nothing but a bundle of paper. Unless it is opened, a book possessing great power or an epic story is mere scraps of paper. But a book that has been cherished and loved, filled with human thoughts, has been endowed with a soul.” “A soul?” “That’s right,” replied the cat emphatically. “These days people rarely pick up books anymore, nor do they infuse them with their thoughts. Books are gradually losing their souls. But there are still a few people like you and your grandfather who love books with every fiber of their being. You really listen to their message.”
It is a short quick read and perfect timing for the tag and the season.
In a Holidaze - Christina Lauren4 stars
This was a cute holiday romance about a woman who finds herself caught in a Groundhog's Day style time loop. She has to relive the week leading up to Christmas over and over until she finds out what makes her happy. I liked the story and how the main character grew throughout the story. The main love interest was good in an almost too perfect way. I liked the rest of the friends and family that she was visiting with that week and was a bit sorry we didn't get more of their stories. Overall it was an entertaining holiday story, full of Christmas traditions and romance.
The Christmas Bookshop – Jenny Colgan – 3***
This was a delightful rom-com. The city of Edinburgh is described as a virtual living Christmas card during this season, with fairy lights and snow and decorations, and all the shopkeepers on the street hosting parties. Our down-on-her-luck heroine will meet two promising romantic leads. Of course, there’s a hugely successful attorney sister Carmen feels inferior to, and the additional drama of the “mean-girl” nanny. But never fear, this holiday romance will deliver on the promise of an HEA ending.
My full review HERE
4 stars
A fellow private eye Victor Klovsky disappears as well another person. Chet and Bernie find themselves trying to figure out what happened and where they are in the middle of it being the holidays. Chet is still the humor dog giving his views on what is going on in the world around them. Bernie is still, go get them, no matter what detective with his Chet in tow to help keep him safe and on track.
This is an interesting storyline with a couple of nice simple twists that had me guessing. The crime is set during the holidays with a mention of Christmas and Hanukkah but not the focus of the book, it is just another cozy murder mystery.
I just did not care for the ending and small parts of the book. It felt disjointed and forced at times but I still gave it four stars.
Small Things Like These - Claire Keegan - 5 stars
Small Things Like These is a lovely novella set in Ireland at Christmas in 1985. Bill Furlong is a hard working man who provides for his wife and five daughters. We peak into his life and his thoughts as he travels about delivering coal to his customers.
Bill is faced with a moral dilemma and it is interesting to watch how this plays out.
I loved the writing and the story and encourage all to read it as it will take just a snippet of your time.
Dashing Through the Snow – Debbie Macomber – 3***
Last minute plans to travel from San Francisco to Seattle nearly thwart Ashley Davison and Dashiell Sutherland. Stranded at the airport they decide to share the last remaining rental car. Their road to HEA includes several detours: an abandoned puppy, a pair of petty thieves, and an FBI agent who has mistakenly identified one of them as an international terrorist. But never fear. It’s a holiday rom com and a lovely distraction, so curl up in a comfy chair, with a warm blanket and the beverage of your choice and enjoy.
My full review HERE
A Cowboy For Christmas – Lori Wilde – 2.5**
Okay, it’s an Avon Romance and I was expecting something predictable and heart-warming, not great literature. This had a lovely premise: a struggling, young widow with a toddler, meets her late husband’s estranged brother and the sparks fly. But there’s a very weak subplot involving Lissy’s mother-in-law; this tortured character just tortured me every time she appeared on the page, and the book lost a ½ star as a result. That’s not to say that I won’t get back on the horse and try another of Wilde’s cowboy romances in the future.
My full review HERE
The Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert - 4 starsGideon is a cheerful, almost-OCD type who loves the holidays, while his neighbor Paul is a grumpy minimalist contractor. When Paul's brother unexpectedly decides to spend Christmas with him, Paul needs Gideon's help to fix his place up to make it a worthy backdrop for his brother's plans to propose to his fiancee. Two lonely forty-somethings thrown together might just make a happy Christmas of their own.
This was a really cute, cozy, heartwarming, feel-good holiday romance, focused on the story instead of using it as a backdrop for sex. It makes for a nice palate-cleanser between heavier books.
Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols - Stephanie Laurens3 1/2
This is the second book in the sweet Christmas romance series by Stephanie Laurens. Lady Osbaldestone's grandchildren are back for the weeks leading up to Christmas. They have another mystery to solve - the book of Christmas carols is missing and the town cannot have a carol service without it. And of course there is another young lady and young man who get a little push by Lady Osbaldestone and her grandchildren to find love. This was a nice read as I wrapped holiday gifts. The mystery and love story were not quite as interesting as those in the first book, but I didn't care. Sometimes you just need a feel good, light read in the midst of holiday craziness and this book filled that need.
I just love Lady Osbaldestone's. Christmas chronicles because they are sweet and charming and as you say, fulfill a need in midst of holiday and year end crazy.
Winter is the most hygge time of year. It is candles, nubby woolens, shearling slippers, woven textiles, pastries, blond wood, sheepskin rugs, lattes with milk-foam hearts, and a warm fireplace. 
The Hygge Holiday - Rosie Blake - 4 Stars
This story is about Clara Kristensen who has mysteriously arrived at Yulethorpe, a tiny town where all the businesses seem to be closing. In a strange coincidence, Clara ends up house-sitting and managing Louisa's toy shop, after she decides to go on a long trip.
Clara misses Denmark and wants to bring the concept of hygge (hoo gah) to Yukethorpe, Hygge is a quality of coziness that makes a person feel peaceful, content and comfortable. As she starts leaving her hygge mark everywhere in Yulethorpe, we get to know a bit more about her but not what really brought her to England.
The other main character in the story is Joe, Louisa's son who is a workaholic from the London. He doesn't trust anyone and believes Clara is taking advantage of Louisa.
The story has a wonderful group of secondary characters. The star character for me was Louisa's parrot, Lady CaCa. She had me laughing every time she made an appearance. She would scream out movie quotes often at inappropriate moments.
This was a sweet, fun book. I loved the explanations of how to make things hygge, a phrase I never heard before picking up this book. I look forward to a Hygge New Year.
Cowboy Christmas Blues - Maisey Yates - 3 Stars
Eight years ago, Cooper Mason left Gold Valley and vowed never to return. He hates coming back home especially during the holidays because it reminds him of his sister, who died from cancer long before her time. This year his parents specifically asked him and he had little choice but to return.
Annabelle Preston had always had a crush on Cooper but being seven years younger, he always treated her like a little sister. She is determined to seduce him while he's home. She puts her plan in action, the whole time thinking Cooper knows who she is. Unfortunately Cooper thinks he's picking up a stranger for a quick hookup.
It was a quick read with lots of steamy bedroom scenes, some emotional upheavals between our main characters, and some heartfelt moments wrapped in a Christmas theme.
The 19th Christmas - James Patterson - 3 Stars
The premise of the story involves Lindsay Boxer and the San Francisco PD who are investigating a mysterious criminal named Loman, who is supposedly planning a big score on Christmas Day. He is killing people, including members of his own team, and leaving clues to confuse the police. Meanwhile, Yuki and Cindy are working on freeing an innocent man from prison, and Claire is missing in action at a conference in San Diego.
My F2F bookclub chose this as our Christmas book. I think the person who selected it didn't realize it was well into a continuing series. Having read two or three of the Women's Murder Club mysteries years ago, I was somewhat familiar with the characters.
It was an enjoyable story but there was nothing that made me want to rush out at pick up any of the others. I think long time fans might enjoy it more than my club members and I did.
The Matzah Ball - Jean Meltzer - 4 Stars
Rachel was raised in an Orthodox Jewish household. Her father is a well-known rabbi and her mother a prominent physician who specializes in reproductive issues. Rachel secretly loves the excess of the Christmas season. Over the years she has created a secret career writing Christmas romances under the pseudonym of Margot Cross. She bemoans the lack of magic in Hanukkah.
Wealthy and attractive Jacob Greenberg has returned to New York to put on the event of the season, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah called the Matzah Ball Max.
Rachel and Jacob met at a Jewish summer camp twelve years ago and had a teasing and special relationship that haunted both into their adulthood. Now Rachel desperately needs a ticket to the exclusive sold out Matzah Ball so she can branch out to writing non Christmas romances. Rachel also suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which she keeps secret from all but her parents and best friend, Mickey.
It took me at least a quarter of the way through the book before I really got into the story. There were a lot of references to the Camp Ahava summer and it was hard to believe that a few weeks when the main characters were twelve would be such a defining moment in their lives.
I enjoyed witnessing how they worked to show how Hanukkah, the quiet celebration of a miracle, could have a sense of wonder and enchantment. I thought the explanations of Jewish traditions were done in a way to explain them to non Jews without getting too technical. I knew very little about Chronic Fatigue Syndome and thought that thread was an interesting side plot that made sense to the main storyline.
This book was a lovely romance that had no spicy sex scenes. I don't think I've read any contemporary Jewish themed holiday romances. I thought the secondary characters were sweet and funny. Next year I plan to search out some local bakeries and get my hands on some of that rugelach. It sounds fabulous.
A Christmas Journey by Anne Perry 3 starsThe book opens at an English manor in Victorian times at a society gathering. It is expected that the engagement of Bertie and Gwendolen will take place this early December weekend. Gwendolen is a young widow, recently out of mourning. Isobel is another young widow, who out of jealousy makes a very cruel remark to Gwendolen. Gwendolen rushes out of the room, and no one sees her again until in the morning when her body is found in the lake. Everyone blames Isobel for saying something so awful it caused Gwendolen to throw herself over the bridge into the lake.
In order to expiate her guilt, Isobel is sent on a trip to deliver the news to Gwendolen's mother in northern Scotland. Vespasia goes with her. They return to London just before Christmas. The final scene is Christmas eve with the same group that the book opens with and all is forgiven and promised to be forgotten.
Really not much depth in this one, making it a quick read.
An English Murder - Hare
Audio performance by Chris MacDonnell
3 stars
It’s Christmas. It’s snowing. It’s an English country house. There’s a murder.
Of course there’s a murder. Or two.
The setting is post WW2. There are political tensions within the gathered family. The son of the house heads a fascist organization. A visiting scholar is a refugee Jew. The very correct family butler is struggling to maintain the standards of a past generation. The lord of the manner is dying of old age. His cousin, a prominent member of parliament, arrives with his own security agent. So convenient, the agent can head the investigation as the snow comes down and the body count goes up.
This was a mildly entertaining, predictable mystery. It made me think, just a bit, of The Remains of the Day. The character interactions were designed to highlight the cultural, political and financial adjustments that occurred following the war. In other ways, the plot was a pale imitation of an Agatha Christie or Margery Allingham mystery.
Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod. 4 stars
This us my favorite cozy Christmas mystery, where we meet Prof. Peter Shandy and his highly caricatured colleagues at Balaclave Agricultural College in New England. Shandy is a quiet reserved type who loathes all the holiday hoopla at the college. As the story opens, Shandy has lost his temper and hired a company to deck his house out in excessive holiday decor as he skips town for freighter cruise of the Atlantic. When he returns home sooner than planned, he discovers the body of a faculty wife in his livingroom.
I have lost track of how many times I have reread this. This year, due to a bout of insomnia this week, I listened to the audobook instead of reading one of my print or ebook copies. It lost a star because I found the audio only ok, not great. Which was perfect for dealing with insomnia.
But as always it brought a smile to my face, and a frequent snicker.
Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin 2 StarsVery atmospheric novel. Sokcho is a beach town in the shadow of the DMZ between North and South Korea.
The narrator is a young French Korean woman. Like Sokcho itself, much of her persona is a borderland, a contradiction, a 'no man's land' who's never really sure where she belongs or what her life should be.
She meets a French cartoonist/graphic artist who travels to Sokcho to inspire his latest book. We see the town through the artist's eyes, and honestly the landscape is just plain bleak.
The defining quote for me: "Oozing winter and fish, Sokcho waited."
For me this book was depressing and every single character was a grotesque, two-dimensional caricature.
Despite the cover, this is not a holiday rom-com. But it IS set in winter (at least to start)....
Eight Perfect Hours – Lia Louis – 3***
Sam and Noelle meet when both are stranded in their cars during a blizzard. When the weather clears they part, strangers still and not expecting to see one another again. But you wouldn’t have a romance if they didn’t keep bumping into one another. It’s a fairly predictable story line and a fast read. NOT a holiday book, though, despite the cover’s promise. There are some serious issues these characters must deal with on the road to HEA.
My full review HERE
Yay!! I got all three! It's not a holiday book but parts of it are set in Winter when it is snowing and cold (kind of like it is here now!!)Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah 4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
The Grump Who Stole Christmas by S. Doyle - 2 starsA quick and easy holiday read. The set up was good, a corporate bigwig in Manhattan returns to her roots to help her injured father with a bed and breakfast known for holiday charm. She meets and instantly insults the hot new arborist who is managing the tree farm aspect of her dad's business. The story is just pretty inconsistent with interesting plot lines started and not finished, assuming they were teasers for additional books in the series, but weirdly dropped in the middle of the book. The book ended fairly abruptly as well but good enough entertainment for a flight.
*The romance did get a bit spicy in the end.
Holiday Hexes by J.L. Collins -2.5 stars rounded upAnother mystery set in Holiday Haven, the home of all magical beings just outside of the North Pole. It is also the home of those running Santa's toy workshop. Star's mother runs the workshop and it's all hands on deck with the wishlist from all the children of the world is corrupted and the workshop is unable to prepare toy production the week before Christmas. Star, a tough CEO of her own toy workshop, in Texas is unexpectedly in town and able to help solve the problem while reacquainting herself to magic and her mom's chosen home.
This was actually my least favorite of the 3 in the series that I've read. I'm not quite sure, maybe since it was mostly centered only on elves and witches and the awkward mother/daughter relationship. I'm still in for more next Christmas season though.
So... I read this for Fall Flurries as a book set in a cold climate that features winter weather and holidays such as Christmas, but it is not a cheery book:Ice by Ulla-Lena Lundberg - 4 stars - My Review
Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear – 4 StarsOpening on Christmas Eve 1931, Maisie Dobbs sees a man commit suicide on a very busy street in London. What follows is a race against time in the week between Christmas and the New Year to try to find out who the man was and who is sending threats to the Prime Minister’s office threatening incidents leading to a massive public loss of life if the demands contained within the letter are not met, and Maisie is brought in to work with Special Branch. The plot is more dramatic compared with the other books in this series, and the book shows how the soldiers and nurses who fought in the Great War continued to suffer and were often homeless or destitute more than a decade after the end of the war.
Okay, Nicole R ... This one's for you!
All I Want For Christmas Is a Cowboy – Jessica Clare – 3***
Young woman with a stressful job decides to go to her family’s cabin in Wyoming over Christmas for some alone time. Misses the turn in a blizzard, crashes her car and is rescued by a handsome cowboy. It's a predictable, fast holiday cowboy romance. And I did so like looking at the cover!
My full review HERE
The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer – 4 StarsThis was a very light, fun way to end the year. Rachel, a Rabbi’s daughter, is secretly the best-selling author of a string of Christmas romances. When her publishing deal runs out, rather than being given another one to write more Christmas romances, Rachel is told that her publisher wants a Jewish holiday story, or she will not be given another contract. Desperate to find a story, Rachel hopes to gain inspiration at the Matzah Ball, being organised by the man who hurt her deeply at Summer Camp when they were both 12 years old. I really liked how the author developed the story, and showed Rachel’s chronic illness and the challenges she faces living with it. I also really liked the secondary characters, and I hope to read more by this author.
Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber – 5 StarsSet in the two weeks before Christmas, with discussion of decorating and gift buying.
I really enjoyed this fifth instalment in the Verity Kent mystery series. Verity and her husband have spent a few weeks relaxing at the seaside with friends when Verity’s Great-Aunt Ilse turns up having escaped war-ravaged Germany. Someone has been sending Ilse threats, and Verity needs to use her Secret Service connections to provide answers. This is the first book in this series where we see the relationship Verity has with her family, and it also showed how strong anti-German feeling and suspicion was in Britain following World War One. This book was slower and less action-packed than the other books in this series, but I really liked getting to know the characters in more depth.
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All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy (other topics)The Toast of Time (other topics)
All Change (other topics)
Murder Most Fair (other topics)
The Matzah Ball (other topics)
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Ulla-Lena Lundberg (other topics)J.L. Collins (other topics)
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