“All’s Fair in Love and Christmas” is much as it sounds. A play on the phrase “all’s fair in love and war,” the title is quite fitting, as we are presented with two workplace rivals, going head to head for a promotion, and the much-needed pay raise that goes along with it. Continue reading
Christmas Fiction
A Charming Christmas Conclusion!
What could be better than a farewell visit to our favorite little English village of Ivy Hill? A visit that takes place during the Christmas season, of course! Julie Klassen has given her readers a wonderful holiday gift by sharing one last story about the characters we came to know and love in her three-book series “Tales From Ivy Hill”, plus we get to meet a few new faces as well. Continue reading
A New Christmas Novella Collection from Four Talented Authors – Guest Review by Hayley
It’s the time of year to launch into a holiday themed TBR pile. Thus, when offered a chance for a Bethany House Christmas Novella Collection from four award-winning authors, you can guess my response!
“The Christmas Heirloom” presents to us a valuable amethyst brooch that has been passed down for generations from mother to daughter for almost 200 years. Continue reading
Melody Carlson’s Christmas 2018 Novella
You know Christmas is just around the corner when Melody Carlson releases her new, annual Christmas novella from Revell Publishers! “A Christmas by the Sea” is the newest release from the pen of Ms. Carlson and is a sweet little story of new beginnings, seaside reminiscences, the possibility of romance – and of course it all takes place at Christmastime. Continue reading
A New Christmas Tradition!
We just celebrated our Canadian Thanksgiving, and snow is in the forecast… You know what that means – Christmas is right around the corner! It’s time to pull out some old favorite Christmas stories, and hopefully add a few new ones to our collections. In fact, I just finished reading the most delightful little Christmas novel, perfect for ringing in the holiday season and certain to touch the hearts of readers of all ages. Continue reading
A Sweet and Memorable Christmas Novella
To be honest, I didn’t feel like starting a Christmas book quite yet – it seemed too early. But after reading only the first few chapters of a story that will definitely become an annual tradition, I was enchanted. Tamera Alexander’s newest release from Thomas Nelson, “Christmas at Carnton”, is a novella, but a fairly long one. It is also the introductory story to a new three-novel series about the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee. Continue reading
A Heartwarming, Memorable Christmas Gift – Guest Review by Hayley
Fans of “The Royal Wedding Series” rejoice! We now have “A Royal Christmas Wedding” to not only help us celebrate Christmas, but to melt our hearts, make us laugh, and maybe even wipe away a happy tear or two. If you loved previous books in the “Royal Wedding Series”, if you enjoy Christian fiction, or even if you just need some extra Christmas spirit, I encourage you to read “A Royal Christmas Wedding” without a moment’s delay! I have every confidence that it will become a new favorite Christmas story, and perhaps even your favorite in the series, as it did for me. Continue reading
Not On My Read-Again List
“Nothing is more beautiful than family”. With this theme as its tagline, Keeping Christmas is Dan Walsh’s newest Christmas novel released by Revell. Ultimately, it is a story of heartache and depression which ultimately transform into joy and hope. Empty-nesters Stan and Judith Winters are facing their first Christmas with none of their children or grandchildren able to come home. As the 25th of December draws nearer, Judith becomes more depressed and despondent. Stan, beside himself to help his wife, is faced with a difficult decision that will fill their home with Christmas joy once again, while simultaneously letting down a friend and crushing a dream.
With this plot in place, it is easy to see the setup for a heartwarming, sweet surprise at the end of the story. A reader’s journey along the way, however, is slightly tedious, a little unbelievable, and even somewhat depressing. To begin with, Continue reading
Sure to Become a Christmas Tradition
Many families have a special collection of Christmas stories they enjoy reading, year after year. Often this is a cherished tradition. And the only thing more fun than actually DOING a cherished tradition is adding to it – in this case, by finding new stories! If you are looking for new stories to add to your Christmas collection – stories that are unique, meaningful, and suitable for all ages – then I am happy to share with you a new volume that I have just discovered this Christmas season… “Twenty-one Candles: Stories for Christmas” was written by Canadian author Mike Mason, chapter-by-chapter over the course of many years, and collected into a single volume in 2014. As stated on the back cover, this book peers into the deeper meaning of the holidays and is filled with: “Silly sages and the wisdom of the simple. Stones and rockets and hand-written notes. Presents that unfold endlessly, and presents already open, if only we would notice.” Continue reading
The Christmas Cat review
Several years ago prolific, award-winning author Melody Carlson began a tradition of writing a simple yet heartwarming Christmas novella each autumn, just in time for readers to enjoy as December approached. As the years have passed, this tradition remains in place. From stories about puppies and ponies to department store Santa Clauses, Ms. Carlson has taken readers on many inspirational journeys of holiday imagining. The newest addition to this fun tradition is The Christmas Cat, published by Revell in 2014. As per Ms. Carlson’s previous novellas, this book contains all the necessary elements for a pleasant holiday story, including unexpected occurrences in the lives of lonely people, adorable kitty-capers, Christmas wishes come true, and hints of love.
Unexpectedly, The Christmas Cat opens with news of the death of Garrison Brown’s grandmother – and the uncovering of her will which places him as the sole guardian of Continue reading
Prairie Sky Book Reviews 