Redrick Raccoon and the Christmas Mystery by Karen Monteith

It's Christmas Eve in the tiny hamlet of Berry Hollow. The smells of gingerbread, apple cider, and roasted chestnuts fill the air, and the town Christmas tree awaits its decorations. Redrick Raccoon and Henley Groundhog are nearly ready for Christmas, but Henley needs help keeping a promise so that no one will miss out on the wonder and mystery of Christmas.

Join in and enjoy the close friendship and amiable banter of the forest animal friends as they embark on their heart-warming adventure to discover that a wondrous mystery lies at the heart of Christmas. This high-spirited and beautifully-illustrated children's book will engage the imaginations of young readers and listeners.

This delightful Christmas story portrays the merits of keeping one's promises, and the strength of friendship, kindness, and working together as a team while bringing to life a new world of lovable characters and beautiful forest scenes. At the same time, the story gently guides young readers to the true meaning of Christmas in the simplest terms. It's a cozy bedtime story for a cozy season.

You will find yourself wanting to dive into Berry Hollow, with its lovable characters and quaint charm, again and again, this Christmas, and for many to come.

Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Grade Level: Preschool - 3

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Fishpond Kids (October 20, 2017)

ISBN-10: 1632694514

ISBN-13: 978-1632694515

Book Spotlight: A Yorkshire Christmas by Kate Hewitt

Wealthy New York City girl Claire Lindell isn’t looking for a Christmas miracle or happiness when she abruptly decides to hole up for the holiday at her godmother’s cottage in a little Yorkshire village, and lick her wounds from a near disastrous romantic decision.

After her car skids into a snow bank, Claire may have accidently found her perfect Christmas and the family and love she’s craved when she offers Noah Bradford of Ayesgill Farm help to push the back end of one of his sheep out of the icy mud, even if she’s going to ruin a brand new pair of Prada boots during the rescue.

What’s a little leather when love’s on the line?

Christmas Around the World series
Book 1: Christmas at Waratah Bay by Marion Lennox
Book 2: A Yorkshire Christmas by Kate Hewitt
Book 3: Christmas with the Laird by Scarlet Wilson
Book 4: Christmas in Venice by Joanne Walsh


File Size: 412 KB
Print Length: 105 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group (October 28, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00OZQOINK

First Chapter Review: The Very Best Christmas Present Ever by Evie Lester

I downloaded The Very Best Christmas Present Ever to my Kindle in December when it was free. This seasonal romantic comedy is only 99 cents right now.

BLURB:  This comic romance is a tasty morsel for the holidays to make even the truest cynic believe in love again.

Christmas is a time of togetherness, celebrations, family and love. But for Heather it is a time for second guessing and false hope. Fearing for her still young marriage and feeling abandoned in a time of great emotional need, she has pinned all her hopes on a Christmas present--a small gesture with great meaning--to renew her faltering relationship.

As her husband, Derek, an intern, spends long hours and late nights in the emergency room saving lives, Heather diligently and lovingly teaches her kindergarten class and wonders if her marriage is slowly, imperceptibly, slipping away. As Christmas approaches, she remembers the joy and the closeness she and her husband shared in holidays past, and grapples with her options for reigniting the spark they once shared. But did she get it all wrong when she decided that a mere sweet pastry from the hottest bakery in town was the answer to all her woes? Could it be that simple?

And how could a poodle skirt, a princess and bouncer help?

When all is said and done, Derek and Heather will come to know the regenerative power of love and Christmas, as the very best Christmas present ever touches both their lives and leaves their lives forever changed.

COVER: I'm not one to complain about seasonal settings, but this doesn't do it for me as the cover for a romantic comedy. I'm expecting a bit more whimsical. Though the silver and gold theme is lovely, and the two wine glasses hint at a couple living there, I want warm and toasty. Give me a fireplace with a couple sitting together on the couch in front of the tree, not this sterile Christmas tree photo that might appear on the cover of a magazine.

FIRST CHAPTER: Heather narrates the story of how she got the very best Christmas present ever. In the opening chapter, the gift giving has already happened, and she is sharing with the reader how it all took place.

KEEP READING: I'm not a huge fan of first person narrators. I don't want characters talking directly to me. It's just one of my peeves. Here, though, Lester really makes it work. The first chapter opens up with a great hook, and you're quickly ready to plop down and listen to Heather share her story. Within the span of very few pages, Lester sets up the conflict, introduces both characters (though Derek is only spoken about), and reveals Heather's occupation. The final paragraph begs the reader to continue. Well done. I definitely want to know how this turns out.


File Size: 1802 KB
Print Length: 65 pages
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00H1FBLIM

This post first appeared at The Book Connection. I downloaded a free Kindle version of this book in 2014. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Novella Review: Elf Trouble by Sherry James

The Studs 4 Hire series returns in the seasonal novella, Elf Trouble by Sherry James.

Gil Boyd wants nothing to do with the hyper-commercialized version of Christmas that abounds these days. When his bosses at Studs 4 Hire volunteer his services to a local animal shelter for their annual Santa Paws fundraiser, he silences his inner Grinch and hopes to get the job done quickly.

What he doesn't count on is quirky shelter volunteer, Holly Everwood, who is filled to the brim with Christmas spirit. Along with her band of cantankerous mutts, Holly will tempt Gil's resolve to stay unattached this holiday season.

I've missed the Studs 4 Hire series, so I was thrilled to learn of this new release. Though past Studs 4 Hire novels have focused more on the female owners of the company that hires out fabulous looking handymen, this novella finds one of the "studs" as the main character.

Having grown up under less than ideal circumstances, Gil Boyd despises Christmas. When his bosses ask him to build a Santa house for an animal shelter's annual fundraiser, he tries just about everything he can think of to weasel out of the job. But they think he will be perfect for it, so eventually Gil agrees. When a crisis strikes at the animal shelter, volunteer Holly Everwood suddenly finds herself in charge of making sure their Santa Paws fundraiser is a huge success, including working with Gil to design and build the Santa house.

Sparks quickly fly between the two, but both have reasons not to get involved. As they find it harder and harder to keep things professional between them, the days to the Santa Paws fundraiser are quickly approaching, and it seems impossible that the project will be completed on time.

This is a quick, funny, and sexy read. James knows her genre and puts together a fabulous story that will get your blood pumping and tickle your funny bone. The dogs add a neat element to this romantic seasonal tale. You'll definitely want to see how Gil and Holly get to their happily ever after.


Print Length: 159 pages
Publisher: Dusty Trail Publishing; 1 edition (December 19, 2013)
ISBN #: 9780991281053
ASIN: B00HGWSZUM
BN ID: 2940148918691

This review first appeared at The Book Connection. I purchased a digital copy of this book for my Kindle. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: Winter of Wishes by Charlotte Hubbard

Winter of Wishes is another heartwarming story in the Seasons of the Heart series by Charlotte Hubbard.

Rhoda Lantz is feeling a bit left out. Her widowed mother is about to remarry, and her twin sister Rachel is a busy newlywed traveling the countryside visiting relatives to pick up wedding gifts. For the first time in her life, Rhoda will be living alone.

Andy Leitner's wife left him and their two children behind for the better life she desired. As a stretched thin nursing student, Andy, an Englischer, is also the caregiver for his mother.

When Rhoda answers Andy's ad looking for someone to take care of his family while he's away, it seems God has given her a meaningful new direction for her life. Falling for Andy could lead to her being shunned by her community. Is Rhoda wishing for things she can't have or will she remember that everything is possible with God?

I think I have found a new favorite Charlotte Hubbard book. I've truly loved all the books in this series, but this one is outstanding. I stayed up late--way too late--reading it and would sneak moments in during the day to read a few pages.

The wonderful thing about Amish fiction is that sense of community they bring; so while Rhoda and Andy's story is the focus of Winter of Wishes, the reader is also brought up to date on the Hooley brothers, their aunts Jerusalem and Nazareth, Preacher Tom, the shunned bishop Hiram Knepp, and other members of Willow Ridge. In addition, we see other familiar characters, like Rhoda and Rachel's sister Rebecca and the banker, Derek Shotwell. A new twist with this story is how it leads in perfectly to Hubbard's and Naomi King's crossover book, An Amish Country Christmas. The seeds are planted in this book for folks from Willow Ridge to visit Cedar Creek.

Lovers of Amish fiction and inspirational romances will enjoy Hubbard's Winter of Wishes.


Series: Seasons of the Heart
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra (September 3, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420121715
ISBN-13: 978-1420121711

This post first appeared at The Book Connection. I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg

It would be hard to keep me away from a seasonal title, but when I saw this one, I knew I had to read it. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has long been a favorite of mine. I was thrilled to learn my daughter is reading it this year (2013) for English Language Arts.

A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg opens five years after the actual death of Ebenezer Scrooge. Bob Cratchit, patriarch of the Cratchit family and Scrooge's former clerk, now owns Scrooge and Marley. In the years since Scrooge's death, Bob's generosity has run amok; not only leaving him the unwitting victim of shysters and the Cratchit family distanced from each other, but Bob's poor management skills have left Scrooge and Marley teetering on the verge of ruin. Scrooge makes a ghostly appearance to Cratchit, warning him he will be visited by three spirits.

In as much as A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is an indictment on capitalism, A Christmas Carol 2 is a humorous commentary on what happens when money is handed over to people or causes without first applying good judgment and common sense. The three spirits aim to show Cratchit the error of his ways and how even though his intentions are admirable, his actions often create more problems than real help. Readers find sprinkled throughout this tale characters from other Dickens' books and numerous footnotes about these characters or supposed conversations between Dickens and his publisher.

A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg is a real treat. While many retellings of Scrooge's transformation have come to us over the years, this is perhaps the most unique twist of the story I've seen, and it certainly is one of the funniest. I'm hoping I might be able to sneak in another reading of it before the year ends. Some of the text will be familiar to readers of A Christmas Carol, and though the style has a modern feel to it, it also captures the essence of Dickens. This reader feels that while this is a light and humorous story, it highlights an issue that plays itself out in political and social circles today. If you enjoy tales of the season, you won't want to miss this one.

Paperback: 156 pages
Publisher: Third Road Press (November 28, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0615727573
ISBN-13: 978-0615727578

This post first appeared at The Book Connection. I received a paperback copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: An Amish Country Christmas by Charlotte Hubbard and Naomi King

An Amish Country Christmas by Charlotte Hubbard and Naomi King is two romantic seasonal tales wrapped in a beautiful cover.

In "The Christmas Visitors," Nate and Bram Kanagy arrive in Cedar Creek to pick up their new sleigh and courtin' buggy from James Graber. While in town, they catch sight of Martha Coblentz. They soon learn she has a twin sister named Mary. The boys are smitten with the Coblentz twins right away, and the girls invite them to stay at their parents' house to help them celebrate their birthdays. When the girls create a bit of trouble for the Kanagy boys, it will take a heap of grace and some unexpected intervention to put things right.

Then in "Kissing the Bishop," as the season's first snow arrives in Willow Ridge, the residents are in a time of transition. Dealing with the fallout of Hiriam Knepp's actions and his excommunication leaves them considering a new bishop.

Luckily, Nazareth Hooley and her sister, Jerusalem, have agreed to help Tom Hostetler host the bishops' meeting. Preacher Tom enjoys their company, especially Nazareth's; but he knows the laws won't allow him to remarry after his wife left him for another man. Nazareth and Tom's dream of a life together seems out of reach, but perhaps faith and love can bring them a miracle.

Even after I finished the book last night, I was unsure what this review would look like. I love this author's work under both her names, so I signed up for all three of her book tours (she has three new releases this fall--2013). With all the books I read and review these days, I usually donate most of them. But these ones I keep because I want to make sure I have both of the complete series. Can you tell I admire her work?

While in most ways this book featuring two crossover short stories remains true to the Amish fiction genre, I also feel the author took a bit of a risk with the content. The physical attraction of these characters to each other plays a more significant role than one may be used to seeing. It is handled within the confines of the genre and not offensive in any way, but it caught me off guard. That said, they are spectacular stories; true displays of what faith, patience, and love can mean to people's lives.

I feel Hubbard/King excelled in portraying very different age groups in one collection and holding it together by that hope for the future. The Kanagy boys and the Coblentz twins are just starting out in life. Bram hasn't even made a commitment to the church yet. In "Kissing the Bishop," however, Nazareth and Jerusalem Hooley are in their fifties, Tom has married children, and Vernon Gingerich is a widower who has known Tom since their younger years. It's nice to see these two age groups alongside each other. I don't feel there are enough romance novels written about Tom and Nazareth's age group, and the ones surrounding characters in their late teens and early twenties can focus too much on the physical side of a relationship.

Though I've read this book out of the chronological order of both the Cedar Creek and Seasons of the Heart series, An Amish Country Christmas did nothing but make me eager to read Winter Wishes by Charlotte Hubbard and Amanda Weds A Good Man: One Big Happy Family by Naomi King even more than I did when I requested them. If you enjoy seasonal romances, you'll want to get your hands on this one, too.


Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra (October 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420131885
ISBN-13: 978-1420131888

This post first appeared at The Book Connection. I received a free copy of the book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.