DUFFY THE CHRISTMASSY DRAGON by Kate Noble

 

This is such a delightful book. Duffy is called upon to help Santa with his delivery. The story is in rhyme and the illustrations are so colorful that they held the attention of my grandchildren, via video call, while I read it to them. 

This will be included in my grandchildren's gift next Christmas.

I received this book from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Book Review: The Christmas Town

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is a joyful story. It is filled with love, and family, each which were found expectantly.

Lauren Gabriel spent most of her life wishing for her mother to come and get her from each of the foster homes she lived in.  She is now 20 years old and still looking for the ever elusive home. She is a cashier and feels like another Christmas is not what she needs. Trying to avoid her lonely apartment one night, she drives around, until she sees a car accident. This brings her to a small town called Grandon as a witness. Soon she finds herself volunteering for Glory's Place. This is a place which provides assistance to single mothers and families. This feels just right for Lauren. Could it possibly be that she has now discovered home?

The author, Donna Van Liere wrote a story which is engaging and thoughtful. It is filled with hope and I found myself thinking about the rich characters which she made complex and real. I believe I will keep this on my shelf to pull out every Christmas.

Book Review: A Winterfold Christmas

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Reading Harriet Evans' books give me a cozy, at-home feeling. In A Winterfold Christmas the Winter family are awaiting a family reunion. This reunion is to take place over Christmas. Martha Winter enjoys the joyful feeling of having family around but also feels the ghosts of the past surround her. This is a magical time and this is a wonderful place to experience it.
As with other works of Harriet Evans, she has a gift to make the reader feel that warm feeling that comes when most families come together.

Book Review: Noelle

This book, Noelle, by Greg Kincaid, tugged at my heartstrings from the Prologue. It talked about the puppy mill where Noelle was born. My own dog was rescued at the side of the road from one of these places and would have froze to death if she were not saved.

I have not read the previous books in this series, but that was all right as they gave a good description of events and people that were in this book. Noelle was cast aside when she was born because she was not the perfect example of a Golden Retriever. However, she became the friendliest and most wonderful dog. Todd and Laura are two characters in the story.

Todd was born developmentally delayed. However, with the love and support of those around him he became a top dog trainer. In this book he and Laura move in together and look to the future. Todd becomes the manager of a new dog rescue facility.

Mary Ann, Todd's mom and outspoken library board member, has found herself in the new position of Mrs. Anna Claus.

Each of the characters is so easy to relate to, it was hard to believe that so much story could fit between the covers of this small book. This is definitely a book for those looking for a book for Christmas or for those who enjoy dog stories. I love both, so this fit in my life nicely. All the traditions of Christmas are included and put me in the mood for the season.

I was given this book by NetGalley and by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Once Upon a Christmas Rosanne Croft, Linda Reinhardt, Sharon Bernash Smith

I am embarrassed to say that I found this little jewel in my list of book I have already read. I guess I forgot to review it when I finished. 

Once Upon A Christmas  is a charming collection of 55 short stories written by Rosanne Croft, Linda Reinhardt and Sharon Bernash Smith. Each of stories are centered around Christ and the Christmas season. The stories also range from the 18th century to the present time and from a variety of countries. These were enchanting books to read at the holidays and I would recommend it to any lovers of that season.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Bella's Christmas Bake Off

I love Christmas fiction and this one is as funny as the title states. It also is dangerous to read while reading on an electronic reader as drooling may cause a short, just kidding.

The main character, Amy is a mother of grown children. And as her husband leaves she is on her own at Christmas. She feels a homeless shelter calling her for help. She also discovers her mother's old recipes being used by an old friend Bella, on her own cooking show. Bella is also claiming them as her own.

The characters were so well-written and full of joy. This is a book that is easy to enjoy and will leave the reader laughing out loud.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Christmas Cravings

This is a cute book which reads quickly. Christmas Cravings is a part of Greedily Yours Series. Even though it is a part of a series it is easy to become part of the series quickly. The author helps this along by looking back to help understand the story.

Christmas is here, but Mia and her boyfriend, Tom, aren't speaking. The sad thing is she doesn't have any idea why. Tom and Mia have had obstacles to overcome but they still seem to be made for each other.

Grab a warm blanket and a cup of tea and sit down for a story to help bring Christmas into the room with you. This book will fit in very well with the holiday times. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Bastei Entertainment in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: All is Calm, All is Bright.

This book, All Is Calm, All Is Bright, combines two of my favorite things...books by Colleen Coble and books set at Christmas time. In this set of two novellas readers return to Bluebird Ranch and Hope Beach

All is Calm is set at Bluebird Ranch a place of refuge for Lauren Eveman as a foster child. Even now, she is using it as a place to turn to in order to avoid her previous employer. Through this book the reader uncovers why she is nervous and why she is hiding. 

In the next story, Delilah Carter is almost run into the ocean. Following this she begins to have memories of her past. Sheriff Tom Bourne has been drawn to her for years, now he is planning to give her the perfect gift for Christmas. 


I thoroughly enjoyed both of these books and, even though they are short reads, Coble is able to leave me happy at the ends of the novellas. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Thomas Nelson-Fiction, in exchange for my honest review.