Christmas Picture Books (2)

 

Christmas books are some of my favorite picture books. I bought several news ones this year for the library. These posts are mix of books purchased and books sent for review. 

A postman discovers one last letter for Santa Claus - after Santa has left to deliver the gifts. With the help of some penguins, he does his best to make it to Santa in times.

A sweet fun story that's perfect for a storytime.

Mouse is lonely. When he makes a Christmas wish, he never imagines how it might turn out. But he has a magical time going on an adventure.

A sweet story about helping others and friendship. Plus the illustrations are great. 

Ming wishes she could fit in, especially at school. When she spies a Christmas tree in a shop window, she wishes her family could have a Christmas tree too. But her mother doesn't believe in celebrating Christmas as it's not part of their culture. 

A sweet story about wishing, family, and fitting in. 

What Christmas picture books have you been reading?

Holiday Review: Cup of Holiday Fear

* Book 10 in the Bakeshop Mystery series *

The holidays are in full season at Torte Bakery. So many delicious items are being prepared. With everyone working hard, Jules decides a night out is in order.  What better way to celebrate the season than the local inn's Dickens feast?

What starts out as a cozy night with snow falling, fantastic food, and wine flowing ends with disaster. The power goes out. The inn's owner is murdered. The new owner has already made a few enemies along the way.

Can Jules help figure out the murderer in time to enjoy the holidays

My Thoughts: Another fun edition to this great series. As always, my mouth watered while reading about all the treats Torte is cooking up. It was great checking in on favorite characters. I loved the holiday touches in this book - from the tasty treats to the Dickens feast to the carolers and to the holiday spirit. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: This series is perfect for your library's mystery section - great for cozy fans and great for foodie fans.

NaNoWriMo completed!

And on the last day of the month, I breathe a sigh of relief because I finished.

I normally finish with a few days left of the month to spare, but this year was harder.

The story is not complete.

 I tried something new this year - an adult Christmas Romance.

I'm hoping to make it read like a Hallmark movie.

And yes, it does need a lot of work.

I debated about writing something new this year, but in the end, I decided (also at the last minute) that I wanted to write something fun.

Did anyone else participate this year?

How did it go?

Holiday Book Review: Christmas Camp

Finding the Christmas Spirit in Christmas Camp. 

I reviewed this one for Fresh Fiction. Check it out.

Isn't the cover amazing?

This book is from the writer of the Netflix movie A Christmas Prince 

Christmas Book Review: Dear Santa

If you're a fan of You've Got Mail, you're going to want to read:

Instead of rival bookstores, it's based around Christmas stores.

I reviewed this book for Fresh Fiction - check out what else I enjoyed about this book!

Christmas Book Review: Alaskan Holiday

Josie has a job lined up in Seattle, but while she's waiting for it, she takes a summer job at a lodge in Alaska. She wasn't sure she was going to like it there in the remote town, but she grew to love the beauty of the place and made great friends. One friend, Palmer, doesn't want her to leave.

But his marriage proposal doesn't go the way he hoped. Josie can't pass up the opportunity in Seattle. Plus, she's not sure that she could live in Alaska. But she does enjoy Palmer's company and she might even love him.

Palmer decides to be patient. Maybe he can convince Josie of his feelings for her and ask her again in a romantic way. Once Josie leaves Alaska, maybe she'll realize how much she'll miss it - and him. 

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I loved learning more about Alaska and now I really want to visit. I liked the proposal scene and the what happened next. I felt badly for both Josie and Palmer, but I loved that she didn't give up her dream job to stay. The story is sweet and entertaining.

Cover Thoughts: Gorgeous. I'm ready to move there
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have for your holiday romance collection - it's a requirement to have a new Debbie Macomber book at Christmas time.

Christmas Book Mini Review: Merry and Bright

Merry's life is filled to the brim that she's not even thinking about romance - until her brother and her mother sign her up for a dating service. Now she's talking with a stranger over email and he's looking pretty good. Should they meet?

The Good:
You've Got Mail Christmas story (and the role reversal)
Her relationship with Patrick
Patrick chatting with Jayson
Her Boss
Her moments at work
Getting ready for Christmas
The emails and their conversations

The Bad:
Nitpicking: I could have used another page or two at the end.

Final Thoughts: It's not Christmas without a new holiday romance from Debbie Macomber!

Christmas Book Review: Winter Wedding

* Book 9 in the Whiskey Creek series *

Lourdes Bennett needs some time away from her life, after her last album tanked. She's going back to her country music roots, but needs a place to write. So she rents a cabin in Whiskey Creek, hoping to stay hidden. Lourdes hopes that her manager boyfriend will accompany her, but at the last moment, he backs out. When the heater dies at the cabin, Lourdes moves in her with landlord for the night.

Kyle hasn't loved anyone since his last girlfriend married his stepbrother. He certainly never loved his ex-wife. She's making trouble for him all the time and he's at the end of his rope. The more time he spends with Lourdes, the more he realizes he's attracted to her.

But Kyle's not looking to leave Whiskey Creek and Lourdes isn't looking to settle down in a small town. Is there something between them worth exploring anyways?

My Thoughts: I really loved this addition to the Whiskey Creek series.

I loved learning more about the musical business in Nashville. I loved watching the process of Lourdes writing songs.I like how she trusted Kyle right off the bat and how they became friends. I like the slow building romance and this was fantastic.

And not without road bumps. Lourdes needed to figure out her life in Nashville, including her relationship with her manager. Kyle had an ex-wife, Noelle who did her best to make his life horrible. I felt bad for him for having to deal with her and her insecurities and crazy plans. 

I liked the Christmas scenes of getting a Christmas tree and decorating houses, seeing the town decorations, and family dinners.

As always, I liked seeing characters from former books and checking in with them. 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: If you're a contemporary romance fan, you better be reading this series.

Christmas Book Review: Dashing Through the Snow

Ashley Davison wasn't planning on going home for Christmas. Then her boss had a change of heart and gave her a couple days off. Now she's desperately trying to get a flight home - only there's a problem buying a ticket.

The man behind her needs to get to Seattle for a job interview before Christmas. Circumstances lead to them sharing a rented car and driving up together.

They get off to a rocky start with insults, banter, and misunderstandings. As the day progresses, they realize that the tension between them might be something more. Can they reach Seattle in time for Christmas without killing each other?

My Thoughts: What a way to start off reading Christmas romances this year. This book was different than expected with the fun twist giving it a more action feeling. I liked the banter between Ashley and Dash - they both made me laugh. I loved the road trip and watching the characters stop along the way. Of course I loved Little Blade. The puppy added humor to the story, showing a soft side in each of the main characters.  Even though the timing of the book took place in such a short time, for the most part it worked. I could have used another few pages on the ending though, I felt that everything wrapped up way to quickly. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: My Library
Fun Fact: This will be a Christmas movie this year on the Hallmark channel (So looking forward to it)

Final Thoughts: It's not the Christmas season without a new Debbie Macomber book.

Holiday Review Thursday: Heart of Christmas

* Book 7 in the Whiskey Creek series * 

Eve had her heart broken and recently all her friends have found their happily ever afters. Now as she's turning 35, Eve's starting to feel depressed.

On her birthday, her friends are busy, so she decides to go to a bar for her own celebration. There she meets a stranger. When she wakes up the next morning, she discovers that she's not alone.

He's just traveling through the area and isn't interested in sharing details. The more Eve sees him, the more curious she gets.  Can she find her own happy evening or will she end up looking outside Whiskey Creek?

My Thoughts: I love this series and I'm happy to be reading about Eve - she's had a hard couple of years. I liked learning more about the B and B and especially more about the ghost who haunts it. I liked the moments between Ted and Eve and how they're working on their friendship after what happened. I liked Rex and how Eve learns more about this past. I like how she attempts to take care of him. I love how this town supports each other and leans on each other. I think Baxter needs a book soon. A great addition to the series and a book that shows the true meaning of Christmas. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it - but it doesn't exactly match the book

Source: ARC sent for review 

Holiday Review Thursday: Santa's (Zany, Wacky, Just Not Right!) Night Before Christmas

With Mrs Claus not feeling well, Santa has a hard time getting ready for his big trip this year. He even washes his suit in purple paint. This accident has a rippling effect on Christmas - and not in a good way. How ever will he fix it?

My Thoughts: It's an entertaining story and I think kids will really enjoy it - especially all the changes to Christmas. As an adult reader, I wasn't crazy about the message of whose job is should be to do the laundry. I wish that the changes to Christmas happened for a different reason, not a sexist one. The illustrations are great, showcasing all the differences - much to Santa's horror.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Sent for Review

Review: Sleigh Bells in the Snow

Kayla Green hates Christmas - so when a work opportunity comes up, she jumps at the chance to work over the holidays. She heads for snowy Vermont to help out a new client.

Kayla's the best in the business and right now Jackson needs the best. He needs her to convince his grandfather how to market the resort. His grandfather used to run the resort, but things changed. Jackson was called home to help out and while he's added some great features, they don't matter if people aren't staying there. If word about the resort doesn't get out soon, there might not be a resort anymore.

The moment Kayla arrives, shes knows she's in trouble. The resort's perfect, but Christmas hits her in the face wherever she goes. The idea of dodging the holidays seems to be fast diminishing. Her workaholic ways might not be what this resort needs. For the first time ever, she might fail at her job unless some Christmas magic inspires her.

My Thoughts: I Loved this book - and not just for the perfect Vermont setting. (Although it did make me immediately want to book a stay on a snowy mountainside.)  I loved the O'Neil family - even though they fight and banter with each other, they're all about love. I liked watching Kayla figure out the snow and realize that she's not always right. I loved the moments where Jackson showed Kalya the resort and all the beauty the mountain had to offer. A wonderful romance that's fill of warmth, love, and family. I can't wait to read more about this family! 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - but I wish the resort was in the background
Source: Library

Holiday Thursday Review: Deck the Walls

The tagline is a wacky Christmas Carol - and this book lives up to it!

I loved the craziness of this book; it was really funny. I liked how the kids were annoyed by the adults talking about Christmases long long ago. I liked the food fights, the snow fights, and the togetherness. The illustrations were cute and clever.  The book is a sweet funny clever read that your family is sure to enjoy. 

Holiday Review Thursday: Magic Christmas Key

 

Andy loves spending Christmas at his grandparents' house in the country. Every year he goes there with his cousins and they all have a great time together playing in the snow. With everyone getting older, the question emerges between the cousins on the magic of Christmas. Andy still believies, but his cousins scoff at the idea, which is why Papa gives Andy the Magic Christmas Key. He asks that Andy keep it safe and only use it on Christmas Eve to ensure that Santa will always find his way to Andy. Andy promises, but later, things get out of hand. Could Andy have ruined Christmas?

My Thoughts:  I enjoyed this Christmas tale. I love the idea of a Magic Christmas Key. I really love the idea of the whole family gathering in the country for Christmas and playing in the snow. I enjoyed the puppy and his role in the story. It's great for older kids starting to question Santa Claus. In some ways, the story reminds me The Polar Express with the question about the magic of Christmas and if there's an age you stop believing. While it's a picture book, it's a little long for readers. I would say it's perfect for early elementary school readers looking for a fun story about family, Christmas, and magic. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Sent for Review

Mysterious Saturday Review: 12 Clues of Christmas

 * the 6th book in the Royal Spyness Series*

Lady Georgiana Rannoch can't imagine spending Christmas at her home in Scotland with her family especially when her sister-in-law's been talking about her behind her back. In order to escape, she answers an advertisement for a house party looking for a hostess for a proper English Christmas for guests.

It just so happens to be in the exact quaint village her mother will be spending Christmas. On the day that Georgiana arrives, a man has died. A neighbor fell out of a tree and died. 

For the next several days, another mishaps occurs. As the deaths start piling up, it's hard to tell if the deaths are accidental or something more sinister. 

Georgiana's starting to get worried as more people die. She's not about to let something happen to her new friends or her family. Luckily, Darcy's shown up and she has someone to lean on. However, after hearing her sister-in-law wanting to marry her off, Georgiana's determined to figure out her future.

My Thoughts: A fabulous addition to the series, a perfect Christmas cozy mystery. Bowen executed the mystery beautifully, as it kept me guessing until the end. I loved learning about the old fashioned English Christmas: the food, the past times, and the small village traditions. I adore Lady Georgiana's grandfather and her maid. Their manners make me laugh, both for different reasons. I'm impressed with Lady Georgiana's streak of independence, her morality, and her stubbornness. I like her flirtation with Darcy. He's charming. I'm so curious to the ending of the book and what the means for Lady Georgiana's future. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Gingerbread Cookie Murder

Hannah (and her neighbors) can't deal with the crazy Christmas display - complete with flashing lights and cranked up music. Several times she attempts to bang on his door to ask him to turn it down. Each time, there's no answer.

Hours later Mike - the police officer she sometimes dates, shows up. He goes over there along with Hannah and Norman. With no response, they break into the apartment. Hannah discovers Eddie's body by the refrigerator.

His ex-wife isn't stunned by the news. Upon her admission, she wanted to kill him daily. Since winning the lottery, Eddie's been spoiling their kids. However, he's willing to finance their educations so she puts up with his crap.

The police believe they've captured the killer. Hannah isn't sure, in fact, she believes the killer is still at large. She digs a little deeper. The police seem to be dismissing a key clue.

Is she right? Can she find evidence to link her suspicions?

My Thoughts: My first Christmas book of the year. I really love Hannah's mysteries. They're fun, fresh, and not to mention delicious.

The Cover: LOVE it!

Source: my Library

Up Next: Devil's Food Cake Murder which will be out in February. So looking forward to it!

Gingerbread Pirates

A wickedly cute picture book about a boy names Jim who makes gingerbread cookies with this mother on Christmas Eve. He insists that they make pirate ones and takes Captain Cookie into bed with him. The cookies come alive in the night and Captain Cookie wants to know where his crew has gone. He goes off in search of them and discovers...Santa Claus. The awesome drawings complete this fun tale and I can never pass up a good Christmas story.