Christmas on TV: The Christmas Spirit (Hallmark, 2013)

Picture credit: IMDB

In this magical story of Christmas, Nicollette Sheridan plays renowned journalist Charlotte Hart. She is visiting her family over the holidays when a real estate developer shows up in Laurel Springs with an enticing offer to transform Main Street. Skeptical and looking for the real reason Daniel Huntsman (Bart Johnson) is making such a lucrative offer, she is en route to see the developer when she is involved in a horrible car accident. 

Charlotte awakens in the hospital to find she is in a coma, but her spirit is very much alive. She also meets the spirit of Daniel Huntsman, who happened to be on his way to see her when their cars collided. With only a few days left before the townspeople vote on whether to accept Huntsman's offer, Charlotte must find a way to change her friends' minds. The problem is they can't see or hear her. 

You can blame The Christmas Spirit for making supper late. I had recorded it on my DVR when it first aired and sat down to watch it. My poor hubby came home in the middle of it and had to wait to eat because I had to see how it turned out.

Considering this is the Hallmark Channel, you know some heartstrings will be pulled. And they are--up to the very end. Plenty of surprises and magic fill this seasonal movie of one woman's crusade to save her hometown. While the acting was superb by all, and it was great to see Sheridan on screen again, Olympia Dukakis gives a moving performance as Gwen Hollander, Charlotte's family's next door neighbor, who happens to be able to see and talk to spirits. She offers help to Charlotte and Daniel as they work their way through trying to get back to their lives again, which is interesting since they are after different things.

A touching, magical story awaits you in The Christmas Spirit, a 2013 seasonal movie from Hallmark Channel. 

I recorded this movie through my cable provider. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Christmas Nonfiction Spotlight: The Man Who Invented Christmas How Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits by Les Standiford

 

As uplifting as the tale of Scrooge itself, this is the story of how one writer and one book revived the signal holiday of the Western world.

Just before Christmas in 1843, a debt-ridden and dispirited Charles Dickens wrote a small book he hoped would keep his creditors at bay. His publisher turned it down, so Dickens used what little money he had to put out A Christmas Carol himself. He worried it might be the end of his career as a novelist.

The book immediately caused a sensation. And it breathed new life into a holiday that had fallen into disfavor, undermined by lingering Puritanism and the cold modernity of the Industrial Revolution. It was a harsh and dreary age, in desperate need of spiritual renewal, ready to embrace a book that ended with blessings for one and all. 

 With warmth, wit, and an infusion of Christmas cheer, Les Standiford whisks us back to Victorian England, its most beloved storyteller, and the birth of the Christmas we know best. The Man Who Invented Christmas is a rich and satisfying read for Scrooges and sentimentalists alike.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crown; First Edition (November 4, 2008)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0307405788
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0307405784

Christmas on TV: Window Wonderland (Hallmark Channel, 2013)

Photo credit: Hallmarkchannel.com

Chyler Leigh plays Sloan Van Doren, a driven young woman determined to become the next window dresser at McGuire's Department Store. Also interested in the job is artist Jake Dooley (Paul Campbell). Mr. Fitch, who heads up advertising and promotion, challenges Sloan and Jake to create a series of seasonal storefronts. The creator of the window that gets the most attention from passersby will get the job.

As the competition moves along, a mutual attraction develops between the serious and professional Sloan and the happy-go-lucky Jake, which is hampered by the contest and Sloan's rich boyfriend. With support from the store's window washer, Mac (Terence Kelly) and bathroom attendant Rita (Naomi Judd), it's anyone's game to win.

This romantic seasonal comedy is another 2013 Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas movie. I loved every minute of it. Sloan and Jake work for an extravagant department store in the city vying for a chance to become the new window dresser. Sloan has the college education, but Jake has natural artistic ability, which irritates Sloan to no end.

Sloan's boyfriend, Kenneth (Cameron Mathison) is a wealthy businessman. He doesn't take Sloan's job seriously and can't understand why she does either. It doesn't help that Sloan is so embarrassed by her family that she can't even bring herself to introduce them to Kenneth.

Window Wonderland has all the trademark elements of a great Hallmark Channel movie: romance, conflict, humor, a great setting, and a cast of actors who play their parts superbly. This seasonal movie would be nice to unwind with by the fireplace or to watch while trimming the tree. The storefront windows definitely inspire. And the surprise ending is a nice treat.


I recorded this movie through my cable provider. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Christmas Romance Spotlight: Christmas in the Rockies by McKenna Grey

 

"McKensie’s Christmas Gift"

 When McKensie Scott returns to Wycliffe, Wyoming, she’s uncertain of her future . . . and the man she left behind two summers before. With the help of an unexpected ally, McKensie will discover that sometimes leaving the people you love is the only way to find your path home.

 
"A Snowy Falls Christmas"

After five years of searching for answers at her family’s home in Scotland, Maura Coburn returns to Snowy Falls, Colorado, the place she's always called home. When Wyatt Dobbes sweeps into town to take over his family's horse farm, Maura realizes five years might not have been long enough. When unexpected circumstances bring them together, Wyatt and Maura will soon discover the powerful magic of Christmas, love, and second chances.

"Christmas in Moose Creek"

Saige Travers said goodbye to Owen McGregor sixteen years ago. A spontaneous choice brings Saige home to Moose Creek, Montana, and she doesn’t expect her past to catch up with her present. When Owen walks back into her life, she struggles to remember why she left. Together they discover second chances are real and hope is a cherished gift.

Can six willing hearts find a second chance at love? Join us this holiday season and fall in love like it was the first time.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/-gFbTzdPhns

Excerpt from “McKensie’s Christmas Gift” in Christmas in the Rockies 

The fog cleared from McKensie’s brain. “And knowing my aunt, she insisted you have the wedding here.”

“Yeah. I thought about moving the location, but Shirley insisted we still have it at the hotel, and Olivia—”

“Wouldn’t have wanted you to change a thing. I get it. Yes, you’ll have it here.” McKensie prided herself on handling tense situations, a handy talent when managing a kitchen. She avoided looking at Cameron throughout her conversation with Julie and realized he hadn’t moved, patient as ever. “When is the wedding?”

“The week before Christmas.”

McKensie raised a brow and studied her friend. “That’s fast.”

Julie shrugged. “When it’s right, it’s right. That reminds me, I have one more thing to ask Shirley about the food. Meet you in the foyer in ten, big brother.” She stopped at the door and pointed to McKensie. “I will call you tomorrow. We have so much to catch up on.”

Julie exited the office with as much excitement as she entered. McKensie replayed some of her last words over in her mind. When it’s right, it’s right.

Christmas Romance Book Review: Selling Christmas by Angelina Goode

 

If you're in the mood for a sweet seasonal romance, you can't choose a better one than Selling Christmas by Angelina Goode. 

As a real estate agent, Caroline is used to helping people find their dream home. When she is tasked by her broker with overseeing the first annual Christmas Tour of Homes, however, she might be in over her head. She doesn't even decorate her own house, so how can she bring the Christmas spirit to others?

Luke is a local police office and all around nice guy. His daughter Ella means the world to him. So, when Ella asks for a house of their own with a fireplace for Santa to fit through, he knows he has to try his hardest.

As Christmas fate brings Caroline and Luke together, they might just be exactly what the other needs... unless they let their pasts stand in the way.

Everyone knows I am a sucker for a great Christmas romance in book or television form. That's part of why I requested to review Selling Christmas. Another reason is that lovely cover. It is even prettier up close. Of course, I tend to like books with real estate agents as main characters these days, since I am one. 

Goode created the perfect seasonal romance: two people who meet by chance, obstacles that could prevent them from getting together, a small town setting, a great cast of supporting characters, and a happy ending. What more can you ask for in this genre? While you know how it is going to end, you still read every page because you don't want to miss a thing. 

You even fall in love with some of the secondary characters in this one. Sarah, Caroline's assistant who insisted upon decorating her office and pretty much acted like a kid on Christmas morning; Luke's partner Andrea who nudged him in the right direction; the shelter director, Lauren, who unknowingly played a role in helping both Caroline and Luke; and the antics of Caroline's co-workers added a fun element to the story. 

Christmas, romance, holiday fun, and a small town feel make Selling Christmas a story you will want to read over again. I hope Goode releases another seasonal story soon. 

ISBN-10 : 0996176934

ISBN-13 : 978-0996176934

Paperback : 324 pages 

Publisher : Beach Blanket Publishing (October 2, 2020)

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Christmas Fiction Book Review: The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White

 

The Tradd Street series continues with this seasonal offering from Karen White. The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street finds Melanie Trenholm overwhelmed with Christmas preparations, Marc Longo's continuing attempts to own her house, the ongoing excavation of the cistern in the garden of her historic home, and the ghosts that have connections to artifacts discovered in the cistern by local students under the direction of Melanie's best friend, Sophie. It sure doesn't sound like their will be much holiday cheer for Melanie and Jack's first Christmas with their twins. 

The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street is another fabulous addition to the Tradd Street series. As Melanie prepares for Christmas and the progressive dinner, which is a beloved holiday tradition in Charleston, she works to help Jack figure out clues that could lead to a fabulous new novel. 

Filled with familiar characters and a few new ones, this is a story where White puts Melanie's relationships to the test. The decision didn't sit well with some readers, but it worked well for me. Here's why:

• Melanie and her parents: Melanie continues to struggle with being abandoned by her mother and being left to care for her alcoholic father. This rings true for me. (SPOILER AHEAD) Just because her parents are back together and both in her life, doesn't mean that all is forgotten. That Melanie still battles those demons is not something that surprises me.
• Melanie and her sister: (SPOILER AHEAD) In the previous book, Melanie learns she has a half-sister named Jayne. While Melanie is still struggling to forgive her parents, she also has to cope with learning she isn't an only child. Sounds easy, right? She shouldn't be jealous of Jayne and how her parents are so welcoming to her, right? Pretty much, Melanie has been lied to, abandoned, and put in a position from a very young age to play the role of parent instead of being able to be a child. She may see how welcoming her parents are to Jayne as another betrayal. 
• Melanie and Rebecca: (SPOILER AHEAD) Melanie couldn't really stand her cousin before, but once Rebecca married Marc Longo, it further strained their relationship. Though Rebecca has said family means everything to her, she is still married to the man who is trying to steal everything that Melanie and Jack hold dear. For Melanie, it again comes down to a matter of trust. 
• Melanie and Jack: Melanie's past taints her relationship with her husband as much as Jack's past presents challenges they deal with now and into the future. Melanie finds it hard to trust anyone or to ask anyone for help. From early on she had to do things herself, so that's how she is comfortable operating. Just because Jack tells her he loves her and she can trust him, won't change that. Jack is clearly defined by his career as a writer. When he experiences writer's block or is having issues with his agent, he is easily depressed. That's understandable, but also leads to more issues between Mellie and Jack. Because Mellie doesn't want to add more stress and worry on his plate, she keeps things to herself and tries to figure them out alone--which often puts her in danger and makes Jack angry. 

There is only one thing that bugged me about this book: the ending. I'm not a fan of cliffhangers to begin with, but one character acted so much unlike himself that I'm disappointed. 

If I had to sum up The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street in one sentence, it would be: this is a story where a past betrayal leads Melanie and Jack on a quest to uncover clues about a treasure that could either save them or end up destroying all they hold dear. 

Hardcover : 384 pages

ISBN-13 : 978-0451475244

Publisher : Berkley (October 22, 2019)

I received this book as a gift. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. I whited out information in my review in case readers haven't read earlier books in the series. 

Christmas on TV: Angel in the Family (Hallmark Channel, 2004)

When widowed father (Ronny Cox) collapses, his daughter Sarah (Tracey Needham) calls her estranged sister. Beth (Natasha Gregson Wagner), feeling like she is jeopardizing her job, begrudgingly leaves her husband and a major account behind to be with her father in Los Angeles.

Their father convinces them that they need to return home to Trinity for Christmas. The house has been closed up since the death of Buddy's wife. When a frustrated Sarah cries out to her mother, the miracle of Christmas returns Lorraine (Meredith Baxter) to her family to help heal the wounds that have torn them apart.

Hallmark Channel ran this 2004 movie as part of its Countdown to Christmas in their 2013 lineup when I initially reviewed this TV movie. It features a fractured family that soon realizes their late wife/mother is what held them together. Sarah feels like the unappreciated older daughter who has been left behind to care for her widowed father; while Beth, the one who got everything--including all the love and attention, is pursuing a great career and is happily married. What Sarah doesn't know is how fragile Beth's marriage is. Their father, Buddy, has struggled to let go of his late wife, and is unable to move on.

This is a touching, heartwarming seasonal story. There are a few subplots that branch off of the main story, giving Angel in the Family a great deal of depth. This is an emotional story; one that will require a tissue or two. It will also force you to suspend a bit of common sense. It's touching to see how Lorraine comes back to help her family and the magical things that she can do, but other things she can't do make no sense: she can cause a tree with no lights strung on it to light up, can make the beds and cook hot chocolate without being seen, but she can't find an old phonograph so she and Buddy can dance together to music. I have to admit, I didn't care for Beth at first, but she grew on me as the movie progressed. I feel the best part of this movie is that everyone is able to step back and reflect on how their actions contributed to the distance between them--even Lorraine. If you like movies about second chances, this would be a good choice.

Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: December 5, 2006
Run Time: 88 minutes
ASIN: B000ION27G

I watched this movie on Hallmark Channel. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Covers That Remind Me of Christmas

This post originally appeared as a Top Ten Tuesday at The Book Connection. I thought it would be neat to revisit it here at this blog. 

I loved this book! It's the story of Santa Claus. 

Hubbard has such great Christmas covers. They make me want to spend Christmas with her characters.

One of my favorite Christmas book covers and a fabulous story.

This story has nothing to do with Christmas, but the town being shut down by a blizzard in this cover really reminds me of Christmas. 

Small towns and snow always remind me of Christmas.

Wouldn't this be a pretty place to spend Christmas?

Clever to have the main characters inside a Christmas ornament.

I have to ask why orange on this cover? The Grinch is what reminds me of Christmas, but orange? 

Scrooge carrying Tiny Tim means Christmas.

This cover shows the true meaning of Christmas. 

Christmas on TV: Angel of Christmas (Hallmark Channel, 2015)

Christmas isn't Susan's (Jennifer Finnigan) favorite time of year. That works out just fine, especially for Derek (Tahmoh Penikett), a fellow newspaper staffer who wouldn't mind starting up a romance with the vibrant blonde.

When Yvette (Holly Robinson Peete), her editor, announces she needs a fabulous human interest story for the Christmas edition of the paper, Susan knows this is the chance she has been waiting for. As Susan struggles with a story idea, her parents suggest telling the story of the family's 100-year-old heirloom Christmas angel, whose legend includes the power to bring people together.

Along her journey to writing the article of the Angel of Christmas, Susan meets Brady (Jonathan Scarfe), a handsome, upbeat artist who decides he will help Susan rekindle her Christmas spirit.

Angel of Christmas contains a healthy dose of romance, writing, and a family legend that blends past and present together to create the perfect Christmas romance story.

A past heartbreak had stolen Susan's Christmas spirit, but Brady is determined to rekindle it. Derek on the other hand is an ambitious newspaper staffer who believes Christmas is overrated. Typical parental interference comes into play as Susan struggles to come up with her story idea, and her parents suggest the family's angel will be the perfect subject because of its storied history--they would be happy if their daughter were settled and maybe the angel could help out. As Susan learns more about her grandfather, Owen (Marc Bendavid), and how and why he created the angel, what Susan believes is put to the test while her attraction to Brady grows.

A sweet ending that brings the past and present together leaves the viewer more than satisfied.


I watched this show on Hallmark Channel. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Historical Nonfiction Book Review: The Beautiful Snow by Cindy Wilson

If you're a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Little House books, or pioneer history, you'll want to grab a copy of The Beautiful Snow by Cindy Wilson.

If you've read the Little House books, you will recall The Long Winter, where Wilder describes the winter of 1880 - 81 and her family's struggle to survive when blizzards from October through April cut off supplies to the railroad town of De Smet, SD.

Wilson's thoroughly researched account of that hard winter weaves history through Wilder's fictionalized tale, focusing on the weather, the railroads, and the pioneering spirit that kept the settlers holding on until the trains finally arrived in May.

Wow! What a book. It's not a book I could read in one or even two sittings. Wilson does a fabulous job of providing so much information that you need time to digest it.

The introductions and background set the stage for a month by month journey through that hard winter of 1880-81. Each month starts off with a calendar that shows weather reports compiled by various newspaper articles. The Beautiful Snow brings you through that period of American history as settlers were wooed into moving west and following the railroad, all to be stranded on the unforgiving prairie once the blizzards started. Historical figures, maps, photos, and informative sidebars add to the reading experience, truly immersing you in the time period. The epilogue and various appendices provide additional information that rounds out this account perfectly.

Though I definitely believe this is a book for Wilder fans, history lovers and those interested in the history of the American railroads will enjoy The Beautiful Snow. I will treasure this book as part of my ever-growing Laura Ingalls Wilder collection.

Highly recommended!

Paperback: 376 pages
Publisher: Beaver's Pond Press (February 7, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1643439057
ISBN-13: 978-1643439051

I purchased a copy of this book in January 2020. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Middle Grade Historical Fiction Review: The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

 

On the Dakota prairie, the muskrats built their thick-walled houses and the geese flew south with great haste, not even stopping to rest in the Big Slough. Pa Ingalls watched these signs and worried of what they foretold.

The Long Winter continues the saga of the Ingalls family--pioneers who continued to move west until they finally settled in the new town of De Smet in Dakota Territory. A surprise October blizzard leaves Pa fearful for his family’s safety, as their claim shanty is in no condition to withstand the seven months of storms a wise American Indian has predicted.

Pa moves Ma, Mary, Laura, Carrie and Grace into the store building in town so they can be snug, warm, and close to supplies. But the constant blizzards, sometimes only a day or two apart, keep the trains from reaching De Smet. There is no coal, no kerosene, no flour, and no game to hunt. The men go to work on sunny days with picks and shovels, trying to clear the Tracy cut so that the trains can get through to the townspeople who are slowly wasting away. Then the word comes--no trains until spring, and the people of De Smet wonder how long they can survive.

The reason I am drawn to this book is because of its wonderful descriptions. Wilder paints a clear picture of what it was like to live in Dakota Territory during that harsh winter. From the hunger for food, to the frost covered nails on the roof of her house, to the piercing screams of the constant blizzards, Wilder pulls me in. I feel the pain Laura experiences as she watches her family suffer through the dangers of living in a new town where not even rabbits can be hunted for food. I admire Almanzo and Cap as they risk their lives to save the townspeople. And I join in the excitement of waiting for that first train to arrive after months of no supplies, so the townsfolk can celebrate a long overdue Christmas. 

A book of courage against seemingly insurmountable odds makes The Long Winter a must read for all Laura Ingalls Wilder fans.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins; Reprint edition (May 11, 2004)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060581859
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060581855
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 11 years, from customers
• Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 790L
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
• 
  

I own the entire Little House series that was republished in 1971. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Christmas Romance Spotlight: Christmas in Bayberry by Jennifer Faye

She’s trying to save the family candle company.
He’s trying not to fall for Bayberry—and her—again.

Kate Taylor knows what she wants in life: to one day run her family’s candle business, which is at the heart of the close-knit community of Bayberry, Vermont. But the company isn’t doing well.

Wesley Adams is on the fast track to be an assistant vice president at his financial firm in Manhattan. Before the promotion is announced, he’s sent to this small town from his past to do an analysis of the candle company.

He doesn’t expect to bump into his childhood crush, Kate, and when he does, sparks fly. As he spends time in Bayberry, he falls for the town’s Christmas traditions—and for her. But he has a responsibility to submit an honest report. Will it extinguish Kate’s dreams…along with any chance they have for a future together?

This heart-warming romance contains a free Hallmark original recipe for Cast Iron Beef Stew.

Paperback: 333 pages
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing (July 7, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1947892819
ISBN-13: 978-1947892811