Tag: Christmas

Book Review: A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber

BonnieReadsAndWrites4 Comments

This is a short review of a Christmas book that I read last week.

Book Description (A Ferry Merry Christmas)


Avery and Reed Bond grew up sharing a close-knit relationship, weathering life’s storms side by side. Even so, Avery often finds herself exasperated by her brother’s relentless matchmaking, while Reed can’t resist teasing his sister—after all, isn’t that what siblings do?

Facing their first Christmas without their beloved Grams, the woman who lovingly raised them, Reed and Avery decide to spend the holiday together at Reed’s home. However, their plans take an unexpected turn when the ferry Avery’s traveling on stalls in the middle of Puget Sound, stranding its passengers and leaving Reed waiting a now undetermined length of time for her arrival. What is at first an inconvenience threatens to ruin the plans of a number of commuters, but Avery and Reed soon discover that this unforeseen delay might end up being be a perfectly timed blessing in disguise.

While stuck on the ferry, Avery meets a handsome sailor and witnesses a Christmas miracle that reignites her belief in the holiday spirit. Meanwhile, Reed runs into a coworker who’s also waiting for a family member to arrive, and sparks a surprising and delightful connection.

In this tale of holiday magic, the Bond siblings find themselves taking a chance on love, proving that sometimes the best moments in life come when we least expect them.

Book Review

Cover of A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber. Image consists of book cover of girl in Red on a Ferry in Puget Sound. The book cover is placed in a red background.

This holiday novel by Debbie Macomber is a sweet and happy read. A ferry on the way to Seattle breaks down in the Puget Sound. As the hours stretch on, the personal stories of some of the people on the ferry, and some of the people waiting for them, are shown to us. There are estrangements–a husband and wife who are separated, and sisters who haven’t spoken for years.. There are also some sweet, clean romances, both on and off the ferry..

I did not feel transported to the Christmas season, however, Besides the occasional talk about Santa and holiday plans, this novel could have been set anytime. That being said, it’s a lovely, uncomplicated comfort story, perfect for the holiday season or anytime. If you’re looking for a challenging read, this is not it, but if you’re looking for comfort and uncomplicated romance, it’s right here.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

Two Christmas Book Reviews:

BonnieReadsAndWrites7 Comments

Hi everyone! Below are some mini reviews of two Christmas books: A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber and The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson.

Hailey Morgan had always planned to have a career in music. When her longtime boyfriend Zach let her know three years ago that he didn’t consider her talented enough to succeed, she tearfully let him go, but the doubt that he created has plagued her ever since.. Now he is back and wants to be a part of her life. To make it worse, her mother has invited him to Christmas dinner! Offered an escape to a cabin in a small town in Oregon, Hailey takes advantage of a chance to rekindle her songwriting and possibly start a new life.

This is a sweet, happy story that will transport you to the Christmas season. There are some outcomes that seem a little farfetched, but I was willing to set that aside and soak in the Christmas spirit. This is the kind of story that you can read by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. Recommend.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Madison has returned home to her family’s Christmas tree farm, which she co-owns with her sister, Addie, after a fire. She is met with a property in decline and a sister who doesn’t seem to want her there. To make things worse, her old crush is living nearby. Despite Addie’s lack of interest, Madison takes on an ambitious project to save the farm before it is too late.

This is a sweet family Christmas story. The ending is very predictable, but it’s a nice, easy read during the holiday season. Light up the tree, curl up with this one, and soak in the Christmas spirit.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

PURCHASE LINKS

A CHRISTMAS DUET

THE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

Book Review: Menace at Pemberley: Darcy and Lizzy’s First Christmas

BonnieReadsAndWrites7 Comments

*This is another review I did for Historical Novels Review, the magazine of The Historical Novel Society.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

It is late autumn of 1798 and Darcy and Elizabeth are married at last and living at Pemberley in love and harmony.

All the impediments to their match have been swept aside; their unpromising first impressions, Darcy’s machinations in having tried to prevent a match between Jane and his friend Bingley, Lady Catherine’s violent objections to a match between Darcy and Elizabeth, Darcy’s own stiffness and reserve even after he had supported Bingley’s suit for Jane’s hand following their return to Netherfield, the disbelief of Elizabeth’s family that she could ever like such a man…

These and all other objections have evaporated like the morning mist. And Lizzy’s whole family are visiting Pemberley for Christmas. What could possibly go wrong?

A letter from the Reverend Wilde, former rector of Longbourn parish, suddenly arrives warning Elizabeth of possible harm to her and her family at the hands of a former resident of Longbourn.

And once the Bennets, Bingleys, Philips, Gardiners and Colonel Fitzwilliam and his friend Lieutenant Colonel Harvey have arrived, unnerving incidents start to build up.

Can Darcy sufficiently protect the household? As the cold of winter sets in, he strives to find a solution, but equally should the visitors leave and return home early to take themselves out of harm’s way? What are the motives of the ill-wisher and can he or she ultimately be found so as to face the proper punishment?

Lizzy and Darcy stand united, their relationship remaining loving and affectionate throughout as they face the threat together. And love is in the air for two other couples during the Christmas celebrations.

BOOK REVIEW

Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice is now Mrs. Darcy in this well-imagined continuation of the classic novel.  Elizabeth is just settling into married life when she receives a letter from Reverend Wilde, formerly a rector at Longbourn, warning her of possible danger from Isabella Scargill, a previous acquaintance who had been threatening the Reverend. Wilde thought Isabella, also known as Helen St. Clair, might come to Pemberley to cause trouble.  Elizabeth and Darcy prepare for this unwelcome visitor at a time when they are also getting ready for holiday guests. As the preparations ensue, strange things start happening at Pemberley.

Menace at Pemberley is the second in the Elizabeth Bennet series.  It can be read as a standalone.  It is an enjoyable Christmas story that will please anyone who loves Jane Austen retellings.  It is pleasant to read about the life of a married “Lizzy and Fitz,” as they call each other, and the story is well done.  The tone of the book is similar to Pride and Prejudice, and the descriptions of life at Pemberley transport you into Jane Austen’s world.  Elizabeth’s adjustments to becoming the mistress of the house are interesting and realistic. The mystery includes a missing person and has intriguing twists and turns. The Bennet family are among the Christmas guests, and there are new romances on the horizon.  An enjoyable read.  Recommended.

I received a free copy of the book via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. This review was published in the November issue of Historical Novels Review.

PURCHASE LINK

*Click on the image below for the Amazon link.

Sunday Post: Merry Christmas Eve!

BonnieReadsAndWrites48 Comments

Doug took this Christmas picture three years ago, and I use it every chance I get.

Sunday Post is hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a place to catch up on the week, share news, and showcase new books. 

It’s Christmas Eve. I’m going to make omelets this morning and we’re having chili tonight. I made some chocolate chip cookies yesterday, and I’m making a chocolate Yum Yum tomorrow. So, with the Christmas candy that’s in the stockings, that’s enough dessert for this week. I’m going to make an Ooey Gooey Butter Cake for New Year’s. I found that recipe in one of my Mom’s recipe books. 

I know I asked about food-related traditions last week, but I was wondering if you have other non-food Christmas or holiday traditions that you follow. One of our favorite traditions is the way we label our gifts. The gift-giver on the label is a hint as to what’s inside. For example, many years ago I gave Doug a DVD player. So the label said To: Doug From: Dick Van Dyke. Because his initials are DVD. Right now I have a gift waiting for me from Elizabeth Zott (fictional characters are allowed), so I assume it’s something regarding science or food. It’s a really fun tradition because we make attempts to guess the present before we open it.

What non-food holiday traditions do you share with your loved ones?

Big shout out to Gail Meath, who made me a new logo for the website. Here it is:

She sent me a few different colors and styles, and I’ll be using them all. I appreciate you so much Gail! The ebook of the prequel novella to Gail’s JAX DIAMOND series, called TWO OF A KIND, is free right now, so pick it up on Amazon HERE while you can.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOG

Last week I reviewed A Winter By The Sea, did a double review of The Curse of Penryth Hall and Coconut Drop Dead, and also reviewed The Girl Who Tried To Change History. I did a Spotlight of The Finding Machine and participated in Book Blogger Hop.

NEXT WEEK ON THE BLOG

I plan to review Pierogi Peril, The Seamstress of Acadie, and The Lily of Ludgate Hill. I will participate in Top Ten Tuesday and Book Blogger Hop. I’m going to be working on a list of my Top Ten Books of 2023 as well, to be posted after the New Year.

BOOK HAUL

I already had the ebook of Random in Death by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts), but I picked up the audiobook this week as well.

I also picked up The Ark and the Dove, The story of Noah’s wife! I’ve never thought about her too much, so this should be interesting.

Have a wonderful Christmas! Remember to share your holiday traditions in the comments below! 

Book Review: The Santa Suit

BonnieReadsAndWrites8 Comments

What a wonderful Christmas story! When Ivy buys an old farmhouse, she doesn’t realize it is the home of the former town Santa, and that a Santa Suit she finds will be the key to happiness for more than one person. The characters are endearing, and the story is fun, magical, and just right for Christmas. The reader is transported to the Christmas season in a big way. 

Sometimes you just want to relax with a book that is just a lot of fun without too many complications, especially at Christmas. This is such a book.

I recommend this to anyone who wants to experience some Christmas joy.

I received a free copy of this book from the St. Martins Press via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Kay Andrews

MARY KAY ANDREWS is the New York Times bestselling author of 29 novels (including The Santa Suit; The Newcomer; Hello, Summer; Sunset Beach; The High Tide Club; The Weekenders; Beach Town; Save the Date; Ladies’ Night; Christmas Bliss; Spring Fever; Summer Rental; The Fixer Upper; Deep Dish; Blue Christmas; Savannah Breeze; Hissy Fit; Little Bitty Lies; and Savannah Blues), and one cookbook,The Beach House Cookbook.

A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, she earned a B.A. in journalism from The University of Georgia. After a 14-year career working as a reporter at newspapers including The Savannah Morning News, The Marietta Journal, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where she spent the final ten years of her career, she left journalism in 1991 to write fiction.

Her first novel, Every Crooked Nanny, was published in 1992 by HarperCollins. She went on to write ten critically acclaimed mysteries under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. In 2002, she assumed the pen name Mary Kay Andrews with the publication of Savannah Blues. In 2006, Hissy Fit became her first New York Times bestseller, followed by fourteen more New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers. To date, her novels have been published in German, Italian, Polish, Slovenian, Hungarian, Dutch, Czech and Japanese.

She and her family divide their time between Atlanta and Tybee Island, GA, where they cook up new recipes in two restored beach homes, The Breeze Inn and Ebbtide—both named after fictional places in Mary Kay’s novels.

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MY AMAZON REVIEW (“HELPFUL” VOTES APPRECIATED)

MY GOODREADS REVIEW (“LIKES” APPRECIATED)

A Regency Christmas Anthology

BonnieReadsAndWrites2 Comments

A Regency Christmas Anthology by Susan Payne is a collection of three Regency romances. 

In A Regency Christmas Story, Penelope is struggling to pay her brother’s gambling debts to Lord Leighton. Will she offer up anything in order to pay?

In The Best Christmas Present, The Earl of Williamsburg is looking for a wife. But a debutante’s mother is catching his interest, and possibly his heart.

In Sugar Plum Christmas, Micheline works for a bakery which caters to the aristocracy when she catches the eye of Lord Hedley. Can he win her heart by discovering her past?

These Regency Christmas romances did not meet my expectations for Christmas stories. A Christmas story must transport you to the Christmas season, no matter what time of year it might be. Here I am right in the middle of the actual Christmas season and I found these stories to have only passing references to Christmas. The book cover is also very generic. It feels as if these were already existing stories that were thrown together at the last minute.

I also found the main male protagonists to be lacking character. They had no problem with taking mistresses on the side and their treatment of women was abhorrent. I found Sugar Plum Christmas to be the best of the three, but only because it describes the confections Micheline is baking so well. Sugar Plum Christmas also had the best Christmas atmosphere, although it was still not enough.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

Link to the Book on Amazon

Link to Susan Payne’s Amazon page

Link to my Goodreads Review

A Year Before Christmas

BonnieReadsAndWrites5 Comments

This is a delightful Christmas Story Poem by Cathy Cade. It is a new take on “A Night Before Christmas,” complete with Santa, Reindeer, and ….Engineering? You will enjoy this lively poem and its colorful, captivating illustrations. It is clever, saucy, and fun.

Buy A Year Before Christmas on Amazon

Cathy Cade’s blog and bio

Duffy the Christmassy Dragon

BonnieReadsAndWrites2 Comments

by Kate Noble

This book is adorable! This cute, captivating, illustrated children’s book tells the delightful story of how Duffy the Dragon helped Santa and his reindeer save Christmas. The illustrations are so colorful and well done, and the story is written as a fun kid’s poem. 

Here is one of the colorful and imaginative illustrations of Duffy the Dragon.

I loved this book and I can’t wait to read it to my five-year-old grandson. You can’t get any higher praise than that.  The book can be obtained on Amazon Canada or on the Author’s website. Both links are below. I live in the US, but still had the option of purchasing it on Amazon Canada. Instead, I ordered the book from the author’s website, where she offers personalized dedications. She is also working on more Duffy books.

I received a free digital copy via Netgalley. I loved it so much I purchased a hard copy. My review is voluntary.

Link to The Author’s Duffy the Dragon website

Link to the book on Amazon Canada