An Endless Christmas

Once you finish reading An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti, you will undoubtedly want a family like the Binders. As the family gathers at the cottage of Dodie and Wilson Binder in the woods just north of Stillwater, something of a family tradition, Micah and Katie prepare for her first visit on meeting the family and of course the parents. They have been dating for almost 10 months and while things have been going great, Katie knows no matter how perfect Micah is, he won't want anything to do with her once she reveals what she has been hiding. What she didn't expect was for him to propose just moments after they arrived at the cottage.

They just didn't expect her answer to the question. Of course, she said, "No." She expected reactions she didn't get and while the woman rallied around her, the men attempted to figure out why she had said no and to hopefully figure out a plan to keep things going between the two. Perhaps she simply needed more time. Perhaps being under the pressure of being in a home filled to the brim with family members she was just seeing and meeting at the same time. No one wanted to think it wasn't because she didn't love Micah. The truth was she truly did, but now all Katie wanted to do was make plans to escape this place before Christmas arrived.

Yet no matter how much she tried to pull away, the families closeness, genuine love and peace kept her from making any immediate plans. She found herself trying to come up with legitimate excuses of why she shouldn't just rush on out the door. Being a nurse practitioner gave her much needed insight that most people missed and one thing was certain, despite all appearances, Micah's grandfather didn't look well at all. What it was she wasn't certain, but perhaps she might be needed after all and it wasn't for finding time to explain things with Micah even though she needed to do that. What she would find in the course of the time she spent with the Binders is that they truly were a family that wasn't afraid of honesty or for showing one another how they truly felt. She might just get more than a miracle this Christmas.

I received An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti compliments of Worthy Inspired and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion. This is truly a beautifully inspired Christmas book that will not only get you in the mood for Christmas but quite likely change how you view the Christmas season. Life is filled with fleeting moments and no tomorrow is ever a guarantee. This story helps you to appreciate each day as if it were an endless Christmas. For me, this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars and has found a permanent home in my personal library!

For more information about An Endless Christmas, Cynthia Ruchti or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti

You can find Cynthia Ruchti on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

For more reviews on An Endless Christmas, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page. 

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Worthy Inspired (October 13, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1617955876
• ISBN-13: 978-1617955877
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.9 x 1 inches

A Walk One Winter Night

I know most of you can relate to the busyness of the Christmas Season. With shoppers rushing around, people pushing and shoving and the commercialism that stems from the retail shopping, we lose that sense of wonder that comes with the true reason for the Christmas season, the birth of Jesus Christ. Too often we feel that since the story happened so long ago it hold little in the way of how we should handle this time of year. We find that at the end, we are barely rushing through things to have time to attend church or read the biblical account of the birth of the Savior in the Bible.

I think author Al Andrews has accurately captured just that overwhelming sense of stress that comes to a climax one winters night in his latest book, A Walk One Winter Night. The story takes place with an unknown man who finds he has lost the Christmas spirit and sense of wonder being caught up in the holiday hustle and bustle. He finds that taking a walk in any weather or any time of day is just what one needs to gain a sense of perspective. He finds just that when he happens upon a nativity set and gains a whole new insight on what happened that night through the eyes of Mary, Joseph, the Wise men and even the baby Jesus. What you learn might just change the Christmas season yourself and I'd almost guarantee you will never look at a nativity set the same way again.

I received A Walk One Winter Night by Al Andrews compliments of Worthy Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is such a great inspirational book because of it's simplicity in delivering a much needed to hear message inside in 96 pages. The illustrations are perfect because it isn't about the pictures its about the real meaning of Christmas instead. I rate this one a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. This would make a perfect gift for those that lose sight of what the real meaning of Christmas is despite all the holiday stress that comes instead. For more information about A Walk One Winter Night, Al Andrews or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

A Walk One Winter Night by Al Andrews

You can find Al Andrews on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest books.

To read more reviews on A Walk One Winter Night, please visit Worthy Publishing's website. 

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Freeman Smith (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605875287
• ISBN-13: 978-1605875286
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 6.7 x 0.4 inches

Merry Humbug Christmas

This time of the year, I love it when you can find some really remarkable Christmas novels that are so good you know that they would make an incredible movie. There hasn't been any great Christmas movies in quite some time but Merry Humbug Christmas provides an outlet in that case. The novel from author Sandra D Bricker is a two for one that combines two unique characters and divides the novel into two separate Christmas tales with a flair for humor and laughter.

Once Upon a Jingle Bells takes Joss Snow into unexpected places for Christmas. Growing up with a formal name of Merry Christmas Snow, a play on words she says can be used in Wheel of Fortune's Before and After puzzle, she decided to change her name after her parents were killed during the Christmas season. Now she swears off of celebrating the season at any cost and has enlisted her best friend Reese in this endeavor until this year. Reese is now engaged and so Joss is on her own. She books a cruise to the Mexican Riviera that is supposed to be a Bah Humbug cruise and when the cruise is cancelled she finds herself rebooked on the 12 Fun Days of Christmas cruise instead with no way out. You can only imagine how this one plays on when your stuck on a ship with Christmas celebrations at literally every corner. Will she be able to avoid catching more than the Christmas spirit after all?

The novel concludes with Reese's story in It Came Upon a Midnight Deer where we find Reese and her fiancè Damian heading to his family's cabin in Sugar Loaf to celebrate Christmas and for Reese to meet the family. While Reese may have had good intentions on making the best impression on meeting her new in-laws, this tale takes a turn for the completely unexpected beginning with a car accident on the road to the family home in which they literally hit a deer. While the deer is injured, it is able to hobble off into the night leaving Reese and Damian stranded in the snow with no phone service and their only out is a two mile hike in the snow. The laughs only build from this point on when literally NOTHING works out like Reese wants and she soon wonder if she is really cut out to marry into this family after all.

I received Merry Humbug Christmas by Sandra D Bricker compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and B and H Publishing Group for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. This was truly a breath of fresh air and I LOVED every single moment of this story. I love how Sandra combined the two best friends stories into two separate ones but still felt the overlap in what happened to both during an unexpected change in their Christmas plans. This is one of my favorite Christmas stories this year because it adds humor and laughter to the joy of the season and we all know it doesn't always work out as planned. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. Can't wait for more novels from Sandra in the future.

For more information about Merry Humbug Christmas, Sandra D. Bricker or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Merry Humbug Christmas by Sandra D. Bricker

You can also find Sandra D. Bricker on Facebook to stay up to date with all her novels.

To read more reviews on Merry Humbug Christmas from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance book tour, please click here. 

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: B&H Books (October 15, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433680750
• ISBN-13: 978-1433680755
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches

The Christmas Candle

What I love most about any of Max Lucado's books, is that they follow you wherever you go. The message you are bound to find will undoubtedly find its way into your heart and soul. What I have discovered is the perfect gift for those that love a great book just in time for Christmas. One that you can incorporate into your family devotions as well as a late night reading for your family next to a warm fire on a snowy night. The best part is that this is finding its way into being made into a movie so that it can enjoyed in a multitude of ways for Christmas.

In The Christmas Candle set in the late 1600's in Cotswald, England, we meet when the story originated with a candle maker and his wife. They are awakened in the middle of the night by a heavenly angel that appears and touches just one candle before disappearing, ensuring that the candle maker knows just which one was touched. The candle is then given to a woman who is desperate for food. She has no means to find money to help her children out and the candle maker instructs her to light the candle and pray to God for help. The next day at church service in St. Mark's the widow informs the church of the Christmas miracle that happened when she did just what the candle maker told her to do. She was given a farm by a wealthy uncle she didn't know so she can live in it and provide for her children without payment.

Now the legend continues in the small town that whenever the church service begins each 25 years, a Christmas miracle occurs by whomever the candle is given by the candle maker's family. This year however much has changed. Will the miracle of the Christmas candle still work in the hearts of the people living in the town of Gladstone? You'll have to pick this one up and find out. The best part is that this is coming to the big screen on November 22nd to a theater near you.

I received The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is such a wonderful and heartwarming story that I can see it becoming a Christmas tradition much like the reading of The Christmas Story or the Night Before Christmas. It definitely opens up the conversation around what happens in the book and compels us to look deep inside our hearts to see how wonderful the birth of Jesus Christ was so many years ago and how even today, that miracle still works the lives and hearts of those that believe in Him. Hands down a perfect 5 out of 5 stars! What a life-changing book this would make as a gift for someone this Christmas!

For more information about The Christmas Candle, Max Lucado or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado

You can find Max Lucado on Facebook to stay up to date with all his amazing books.

To read more reviews on The Christmas Candle, visit Thomas Nelson's website.

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Reprint edition (September 24, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401689949
• ISBN-13: 978-1401689940
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.9 x 1 inches

A Christmas Gift for Rose

"Rose couldn't get Jonathan off her mind. He'd captured a large slice of her thoughts since that first evening three years ago when he'd stared at her over the fire pit at the Yoder's place during a Singing. Distance had not lessened her care.

When he'd gone overseas, Jonathan had written and told her he worked at the hospitals away from the front lines. Rose should have been thankful, but as a pacifist he should have had no part in supporting the war - not even in the hospitals. If Jonathan had been drafted, that would have been one thing, but he'd volunteered. And while other young Amish men waited out the war on the home front, growing gardens in the small county prisons or working for the Conservation Corps, Jonathan had left their Amish community and traveled to a distant county with armed soldiers. He'd trained in their camps and made friends with outsiders. The shame! And she was the one left to see the disapproval in the gazes of her fellow Amish. To hear the women's comments around the sewing circle. She was the one who'd received a visit from a very unhappy bishop upon the discovery of what Jonathan had done and where he'd gone.

Pretty soon he's going to stop being Amish. Most likely he's already made that choice," the bishop had commented after it was discovered that Jonathan was in France. His disapproval had been clear. Though they were friendly with their English neighbors, there was a dividing line. Though invisible, the barrier was all Rose had been raised to know. There was "them" and "us." Rose knew there was no middle ground.

Being among the English had no doubt changed Jonathan. Supporting the war most likely did too. In all their months apart her feelings for him had never waned, yet how could she continue loving someone who had chosen to follow the world's way?" (pg 8).


In the latest novel from best selling author, Tricia Goyer, A Christmas Gift for Rose, takes us back to the Amish community located in Berlin, Ohio during 1945, where we see the struggle that is working in the life of Rose Yoder when Jonathan left the Amish to join in the war efforts as a medic. It goes against everything they both were brought up to believe. Now that he has returned home, she has assured herself that their relationship is over but why do these feelings for him continue to linger? What will happen when Rose discovers that she too was born English? What will happen to the feelings she still has for Jonathan or will the faith she was brought up on as an Amish woman be too hard to let go of?

I received A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer compliments of Zondervan Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the review is based on my personal opinion of the book. I love getting the opportunity to review books that bring not only a love for reading during the Christmas season but also share a wonderful message that lasts long after you finish the final page. Tricia Goyer is definitely one of my favorite authors so I LOVED being able to review this book just in time for the upcoming Christmas season. Trust me, you'll want to pick this one up if you love Christian Amish Romances set in the 1940's during a time of war for both the Amish and English communities. This shows what it really means behind sacrifice, deep love and discovering one's own true identity. The answers might just surprise you. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about A Christmas Gift for Rose, Tricia Goyer, or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer

You can also find Tricia Goyer on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on A Christmas Gift for Rose from the Litfuse Publicity Tour, please click here.

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 24, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310336783
• ISBN-13: 978-0310336785
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches

Prayers of A Stranger

I'm starting to sense God's presence in all things, especially in the latest books I've been writing and Prayers of A Stranger by one of my favorite authors, Davis Bunn is certainly no exception. In fact I've highlighted more passages that spoke to me personally than I think I ever had in a book before and to me, that means something.

"It's a shame that life does not give us a time free of other worries when we can heal."

In the novel, Prayers of A Stranger, Davis Bunn accomplishes something more than taking the reader along for a great story. He lets the presence of God speak to your own heart, if you are willing to listen and open yourself up to Him. In fact he does this so well, you feel as if the journey is designed especially with you in mind and I personally feel that is God's anointing on this wonderful novel without being heavy handed on religion that would put most people off when reading a Christian book.

Prayers of A Stranger is a story about healing and seeing the good that often accompanies difficult times we can not understand and may not this side of heaven in our walk on Earth. Amanda Vance works at the local hospital as the administrative assistant under a harsh director, Moira Campbell, who makes work a living hell for those working with her. In fact her day starts out like the ordinary but soon turns into something quite unexpected. All the hospital staff seem to be in good spirits and being close to Christmas is not the reason. It seems that Moira is about to be reassigned, and thus the need for the rejoicing of all the hospital staff. It even puts Amanda in better spirits.

She learns the new director will be starting in the coming days and she is advised to take a few weeks off to think about what direction she wants to take her career in. Seems some of the staff think she will return to her former job as a critical care nurse since she was seen waiting just outside the nursery of the critical care infants. But she can't go back to that. Not yet. It's still too soon and the pain is as fresh as the day it happened. The day she lost their only child, before it had a chance at life. This is the reason she stayed as far away as possible and taken the position of working as an administrative assistant. How will she ever move forward.

When Amanda is given a gift of a trip to Israel with her neighbor Emily, who can't take her husband Frank since he is waiting a double hip replacement and can't endure the trip. Rather than having the trip wasted, Emily invites Amanda to see the Holy Land with her. Amanda isn't sure she should go since her husband Chris is still trying to find a way to save his company Avery Electronics from going bankrupt in this tough economy. Yet even Chris knows that Amanda hasn't been the same wife he married since the loss of their child and thinks this might be the answer to restoring her faith and helping to heal her from this loss. Yet neither of them could prepare for what happens when Amanda places a simple prayer into the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. It's truly an inspirational story for cold hearts to make them whole again.

I received Prayers of A Stranger compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers and Net Galley for my honest review. I have read several of Davis Bunn's books and remain amazed at how many different directions his writing has taken him. This is such a great book to share with those that may be questioning their own walk of faith through tough times. I know for me, it has truly been a huge walk up call and has melted my own hardness of heart and restored my prayer life. Thank you to Davis Bunn for sharing God's message to my own soul. For this reason, I personally rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion, and I am sure that there is something for everyone is this one. It comes at the perfect time for those looking for a bit more than just a really good Christmas story. Perhaps one with just the perfect message in store to speak to your own heart. Are you will to listen and open your heart?

For more information about Prayers of A Stranger, Davis Bunn or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Prayers of A Stranger by Davis Bunn

You can also find Davis Bunn on Facebook to stay up with the latest on all his wonderful books.

You can also visit his website by clicking here. 

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Original edition (September 11, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849944880
• ISBN-13: 978-0849944888
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches

The Christmas Star

The hardest thing to deal with during the holidays is the death of a family member. Yet despite the fact the war is over and people are finding reasons to celebrate with the depression in the back and soldiers returning home, it's not the same for Jimmy Reed. While it's been a couple years since him and  his mom received a telegram informing them that Robert Reed was killed while defending his country, he hasn't been able to deal with the loss of his father.

His mom, Marge works long hours at Miller's Store in hopes she might make enough money to get Jimmy something he needs for Christmas, but she knows the one thing he wants most in the world will be something that no amount of money can buy. She struggles with finding a way to help him deal with his grief and lately he's been getting into more trouble at school. She fears it's only a matter of time before he gets into trouble that will have a lasting effect and will only get worse.

Now that Christmas is almost here, Jimmy learns of a way to make some extra money but simply providing a couple of guys with the key to Miller's Store that his mom has. If he does that, they will offer to split the take once they rob the safe the weekend before Christmas. Jimmy wonders if being able to have enough money will be able to turn his life around, but once he commits to following through with this plan, he can not go back or they will threaten to kill his mom.

In the novel, A Christmas Star by Ace Collins, the reader is taken back to December 21, 1945 where the story begins. The country is beginning to celebrate once again except for Jimmy. Despite the people he encounters in town, he can't help but feel he will never live up the image of his dad who won the Congressional Medal of Honor, which has now replaced the traditional Christmas star on the top of their tree since they received it. To Jimmy, it's just another reminder that his dad is gone and will never come home. This is such a classic story of seeing different sides to a situation and how Jimmy deals with coming to terms with a solution is strictly brilliant by this author. I know this novel has found a permanent home in my library and will be one I read each year just before Christmas.

I received A Christmas Star compliments of Pump Up Your Book Tours and Abingdon Press for my honest review. I'm such a huge fan of any Christmas Fiction books and when Ace Collins coupled this one with a background of World War II, I was completely interested. It truly has a timeless message of hope and light in the darkest of places, especially during the Christmas season that will last long after you finish the book. Truly this is a book that can be read at any time during the year and I have to rate this one a 5 of of 5 Christmas Stars!!!

For more information about The Christmas Star, Ace Collins, or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Christmas Star by Ace Collins

You can also find Ace Collins on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews from the Pump Up Your Book Tour for The Christmas Star, click here. 

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (October 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426714688
• ISBN-13: 978-1426714689
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches

Unexpected Christmas Hero

"The late November sunshine was thin and tepid, but a welcome interruption to the gray skies and constant drizzle that usually hung over the small Washington town of Riverview for the better part of eight or nine months each year. Josie Meyers shivered as she stood in line behind her two children, waiting their turn for a free Thanksgiving meal.

Tears bit her eyes at the memory of past Thanksgiving celebrations, particularly the most recent one the previous year. Though they had all been grieving the passing of Josie's mother, they still managed to turn the day into a festive occasion, as the four of them gathered around the table to give thanks for the spread that awaited them.

Sam, she thought. You stood there that day, offering a brief prayer of thanksgiving to a God I'm not sure you even believed in, and never let on for a moment that you hadn't a clue where our next meal would come from or how we'd make the mortgage payment that month. How in the world were you able to carry it off for so long? If you hadn't gotten sick, would you finally have found a way out of the mess we were in - or would you be standing here with the three of us now, begging for a hot meal and wondering where we'd sleep tonight?" (pg 9).

So now Josie is forced to take things one day at a time as she tries to find enough food and a place that is warm enough each night for herself and her young children Jacob and Susanna. There is a waiting list for government assisted housing so for now she kills time at the local library and mall until the shelters open each night. Occasionally she can save enough through food vouchers and her monthly checks to stay in a modest motel but more often than not, she's on the streets trying to stay warm and try til something better comes along.

In Unexpected Christmas Hero by Kathi Macias, we find out what it's like to live through the eyes of Josie Meyers who had everything until her husband Sam died from cancer and left her owing more money then she could ever imagine. When their home was repossessed, there was no family members who would take her in and her pride kept her from calling on her friends to ask for help. She had hoped that some how, some way, that she could figure out a way to secure them all permanent housing but never realized that it would turn out like this. Now when she meets a homeless Vietnam Veteran by the name of Rick who offers her son Jacob the last piece of his pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, her life will be changed in unseen ways by the God she has abandoned in her search for hope.

I received Unexpected Christmas by Kathi Macias compliments of Pump Up Your Book Tours and New Hope Publishers for my honest review. Even though this is a Christmas story I can see the message that it contains being shared throughout the year. After reading this one, I felt like I had just witnessed a true Hallmark moment, like the movies that come out this time of the year. What an ideal movie this one would make and the impact to people seeing it would really spread the message of hope and faith in God no matter how dire the situations are in your life. I easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 Christmas Stars and have now added this one to my permanent shelf to read every single year. This is soon to be a classic in my opinion.

For more information about Unexpected Christmas Hero, Kathi Macias, or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Unexpected Christmas Hero by Kathi Macias

You can also find Kathi Macias on Facebook to stay up to date with her latest books.

To read more reviews on Unexpected Christmas Hero from the Pump Up Your Book Tours, please click here. 

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: New Hope Publishers (October 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596693541
• ISBN-13: 978-1596693548
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches

The Ghost of Christmas Present

I am always so thankful for the fall because it always brings such great Christmas stories to print and The Ghost of Christmas Present by Scott Abbott and Amy Maude Swinton is a perfect novel to read to bring about the sense of hope, love and peace just in time for Christmas. This is a combination of Mrs. Doubtfire mixing with the right amount of Miracle on 34th Street. We are immediately introduced to Patrick Gutherie, a single father to his young son Braden, who has recently been diagnosed with similar heart condition that has taken the life of his mother and Patrick's wife, Linda. How is it possible that he is about to lose the only other person in the world after trying to move forward after the death of his wife and soulmate. It's only a matter of time before Braden will join his mother and Patrick will be left all alone.

When Patrick receives an emergency phone call from the hospital while teaching his drama class in college, he fears the worst. He arrives at the hospital and immediately learns that Braden might have a chance at a new life and possibly reverse his heart condition. Finally the break he's been searching for. As he prepares for Braden's upcoming surgery, he learns that he has been laid off from his teaching position due to cutbacks and worse yet, his father-in-law Tom Cake, has filed a custody hearing to assume responsibility for the care of raising young Braden. Tom has long since held Patrick responsible for the death of his daughter and wants to ensure that the same doesn't happen to Braden. Now facing the scrutiny of a Child Protective Services worker, Rebecca Brody , Patrick must find a job and be able to get current on his rent, utilities and have money in the bank otherwise he will lose custody of his son. 

Faced with losing his son just when a Christmas miracle has presented itself, Patrick must find a way to make money and fast. His only options seem to be his love of Shakespeare and theater and his ability to act. Is it possible to find a way to make enough money to save his son. Will there be a Christmas miracle after all on 34th street? Or will Patrick lose the only thing keeping him alive in this world and watch his scrooge of a father-in-law gain custody of his son forever?

I received The Ghost of Christmas Present compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review and was hooked from the first page. I couldn't wait to see how this one would work out and finished it in a matter of a couple of hours. It was that good. I love the creativity that Patrick used to step outside the box and utilize his acting talents to find a way to bring money in to keep the lights on, and a roof over his head. He did what I believe most parents would, and that's whatever it takes to make sure your kids are well cared for and loved. Braden truly admires his father and despite all the stress in his own life with his heart operation, Braden can see his dad's true feelings and knows something is wrong even though Patrick won't share everything. He attempts to find a way to keep a positive spin on everything that is going on and in the midst of it all, changes the lives of every single person he encounters. This one rates a perfect 5 out of 5 Christmas stars and HIGHLY recommend this one to anyone looking for a feel-great Christmas novel!

For more information about The Ghost of Christmas Present, Scott Abbott, Amy Maude Swinton or where to pick up a copy of this wonderful novel, please click on the link below:

The Ghost of Christmas Present by Scott Abbott and Amy Maude Swinton

A Merry Little Christmas

The Martin farm, Oklahoma, 1961

Franny's mother always said that if humans ever landed on the moon, the first thing they'd need was music. It was the one essential that made a place inhabitable - you know, to get through all those dark and lonely - not to mention unmarried and dateless - nights.

Franny sighed and turned up the dial on her transistor radio. Frank Sinatra's version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" wooed its way over the airwaves like a slow kiss under the mistletoe. She swayed and sange along as she dumped the last of the slop into the troughs of her forty rambunctious hogs. Then she climbed up on the fence for a little swine soiree.

"You know, I can't wait to see who Dick Clark features next on American Bandstand, but now that I'm thirty-three, I guess I should be watching The Lawrence Welk Show. Right?" The hogs grunted their replies, but it wasn't anything worth repeating. "Honestly, you guys can be such boars." She chuckled to herself at her bad pun.

As the last musical ribbons of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" tied up like a bow, Franny hopped down on the other side of the pig fence, picked up her radio and slop bucket, and heaved a sigh. Christmas was coming, and it looked like she was going to spend the holidays alone. Again.

With that piteous little thought bobby-pinned to her mind, she turned around and came face-to-face with a man. A stranger! She let out a yelp loud enough to startle the man and arouse the poor hogs into a frothing frenzy. The bucket and radio went flying as Franny went slip-sliding onto the muddy ground." (pg 9-10).

In the latest Christmas novel from Anita Higman, A Merry Little Christmas takes us back to the 1960's, on Franny's farm where she runs into quite literally a man who wishes to purchase the family farm she has had up for sale for the last 12 years. Funny how things like that just fall into place. Now that Charlie Landau and her have meet quite informally, she can finally find time to pursue the life long dream of a career in music in the big city. All she needed was a way out and Charlie fell right on in. It seems as if Charlie has been looking for a way to prove himself worthy to take part in his father's business, but after many unsuccessful attempts thus far, Charlie is hoping that taking over a farm and making a profit might be just the thing his father needs to see he is more than capable.

Set in the midst of the civil unrest with racial tensions running high, the book overlaps between a transition of ownership and jobs between Fanny and Charlie and thrusts them both into dealing with the unfair treatment of Noma Jefferson, an eldery women with the face as richly hued coffee who had shown Franny the kindness worthy of the Good Samaritan, when she finds herself having one of the worst days ever. Will Franny and Charlie be able to see past their own difference of money and be able to see the simpler side of life that money can never buy, perhaps Noma Jefferson really is an angel in disguise set upon the world to restore the hearts of the good people in Charlie and Franny, but of course, you'll never know unless you read this Christmas novel yourself.

I received A Merry Little Christmas by Anita Higman compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Summerside Press for my honest review and love a great story like this one. It brings to light so many different emotions and how each of the characters interacts with one another makes this one memorable long after you finish reading it. It's almost like you witnessed these events yourself. Anita does an exceptional job at transporting the reader right back into the heart of Oklahoma in the 1960's through the music and references to items like record players, transistor radios, and even the old time diner experience is rich and vividly described. It's things like these that truly enhance the experience for the reader and make them all the more real. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and think it's a must read for your Christmas season.

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A Merry Little Christmas by Anita Higman

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• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Summerside (October 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1609366883
• ISBN-13: 978-1609366889
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches