Review for A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson

  
Rating: 5 Stars!! 
Review: 
Thank you to Revell Books for sending me this FREE ARC COPY to review for them last month!! This was the 3rd Christmas Novel ive read by Melody Carlson and i have to say she has become my FAVORITE Christmas Novel Author!! 

The Characters were very enjoyable to read about. Vera was my favorite by far mainly because i could relate to how she was feeling about celebrating Christmas years after losing a parent. 

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Western Oregon especially when the scenery was described. 

Overall a Phenomenal Heart-tugging Christmas Novel about making a quilt in honor of a parent!! Can't wait to read more by Melody in the future!!

Review for America's Favorite Christmastown by Dawn Klinge

  
Rating: 5 Stars!! 
Review: Thank you to JustReadTours for picking me to promote and review this book for them for the Book Tour this week. This was my first time on this tour and i really enjoyed this book. It reminded me alot of The Hallmark Channel Romance Movie with Vanessa Marcil  but with a Christmas twist to it. 

The Character were very enjoyable and interesting to read about, I can't pinpoint my favorites because i enjoyed all the characters mentioned in the story. 

The Setting was very enjoyable to read about since i felt like i was in the book while reading. 

Overall a Phenomenal Contemporary Christmas Romance about a Youtuber which i'd never read a book featuring Youtube before!! Wish this was part of a series but i can't wait to read more by Dawn in the future!!

Review for The Man I Never Met by Elle Cook

  
Rating: 5 Stars!! 
Review: 
Thank you to Goodreads and Penguin Random House for picking me to win this FREE ARC COPY in a giveaway on Goodreads last month!! This was my first time reading a book by Elle Cook so i wasnt sure what to expect but i have to say i enjoyed this one very much mainly because it reminded me alot of One Day in December and Me Before You. 

The Characters were enjoyable to read about. Hannah and Davey were my favorites. It was sad when Davey got sick but i loved how the author took a real life experience to help motivate her to write a romance set during Christmastime. 

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in England while reading. 

Overall a Phenomenal Contemporary Romance set during Christmastime!! I do wish this was part of a series cause i'd love to see how Hannah and Davey are doing now. 

Can't wait to read more by Elle in the future!!

Review for Know Your Bible Journal for Women by Barbour Publishing

  
Rating: 5 Stars!! 
Review: 
Over the past 12 months ive been doing this Bible Journal every Sunday Morning along with Bible Reading and Devotional Read. I have to say i loved this one more then i did the past ones ive done. 

This one was so informative and educational about all the lessons The Bible teaches us that we may of forgotten over the years. 

Overall a Phenomenal Bible Journal!! Can't wait to explore more Bible Journals in the future!!

Review for You Can Run (Laurel Snow #1) by Rebecca Zanetti

  
Rating: 5 Stars!! 
Review: 
Thank you to Between the Chapters Book Club part of Kensington Books for picking me to win this FREE COPY in a giveaway in their email newsletter earlier this year. 

This was my first time reading a book/series by Rebecca Zanetti so i wasnt sure what to expect especially since ive never read a book about a Serial Killer before but i have to say this one kept me on the edge of my seat from page 1. 

The Characters were  very interesting and enjoyable to read about. Laurel Snow  was definately a favorite of mine. I wasnt a big fan of Huck as he came on abit headstrong and forceful to Laurel. 

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Washington State while reading. 

Overall a Good Book 1 in this Series about an FBI Agent searching for a Serial Killer!! Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!

Review for Forever Christmas

  
Rating: 5 Stars!! 
Review: 
This was my first time reading a book by Robert Tate Miller so i wasnt sure what to expect but i have to say i loved this one from Chapter 1. It reminded me alot of It's a Wonderful Life. 

The Characters were very enjoyable to read about. Andrew and Beth were my favorites. 

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was in NYC 2004. 

Overall a touching faith-based Christmas Novel about appreciating what we have in life and not taking people for granted!! Can't wait to read more by Robert in the future!!

Review for Plain Promise by Beth Wiseman

  
Rating: 5 Stars!! 
Review: 
Thank you to my book club friend Amanda for sending this book and series last year!! 

This was my first time reading this book but my 2nd time rereading this series so i kind of knew what to expect even tho each book talks about a different daughter of Promise, PA. 

The Characters were interesting and enjoyable to read about. Sadie Fisher, Kade Saunders and Tyler Saunders were my favorites. Loved learning about their history and connections to each other. 

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Promise PA near Lancaster County PA especially when the scenery was described since my parents and i vacationed there a few summers ago. 

Overall another Good Amish Fiction Novel in this series about Daughters of Promise PA!! Can't wait to read more by Beth in the future!!

Day 10 of Blogmas: Putting up the Christmas Tree and Decorating it!!

Welcome to Day 10 of Blogmas!! Today my mom and i put up our Christmas Tree and decorated it. 

Same as last year we put up the smaller one just being my mom and i our 2nd Christmas without my dad plus its alot easier to maintain with our 5 1/2 year old Cat. 

As you can see in the picture below, We put on LED Colored Lights with Silver Garland and Decorations that were given to my parents and i through the years as well as a Fiber-optic Angel on top. 
Hope you enjoyed todays Blogmas Post, now for Day 10 Question: Have you put up your Christmas Tree Yet?! If so, Let me know in the comments below, i love hearing from my followers!! 

Review for A Cry in the Night by Mary Higgins Clark

  
Rating: 2 Stars!! 
Review: 
I was optimistic about this ne since i enjoyed others by Mary in the past but sadly this one was disappointing from the beginning and never got better for me. 

The Characters were interesting and enjoyable to read about. Jenny was my favorite. 

The Setting was okay but not very well described about where the story was set. 

The Chapters were too descriptive about the history of the characters and storyline not much happening within the story. 

Overall an OK Mystery but ive read better by Mary. I will read more by her in the future but this one just isnt a favorite of mine. 

Day 9 of Blogmas: Christmas Decorating

   
Welcome to Day 9 of Blogmas!! Today my mom and i put out some of our Christmas Decorations mainly consisting of Nativity Scenes, Ceramic Christmas Tree, Old World Santas, Snowmen etc as you can see in the collage i post above!! 

Hope you enjoyed today's Blogmas Post!! Here's Day 9 Question: Have you decorated the inside of your house yet for Christmas?! If so, Let me know in the comments below!! I love hearing from my followers.

Day 8 of Blogmas: Decorating Christmas Cutout Cookies

  
Welcome to Day 8 of Blogmas!! Tonight My Mom and i baked and decorated Christmas Cutout Cookies. 

We try to do them every year in December but we didnt last year since we werent in a festive mood for Christmas after losing my dad a month earlier. This year we're only 10% in the mood for Christmas but not much. 

As you can see in the picture above we did Bell, Snowman, Gingerbread Man, Star, Santa, Stocking, Snowflake, Christmas Tree, Rudolph, Bear and Candy Cane Cutouts with Homemade buttercream Frosting and different colored sprinkles. 

Hope you enjoyed today's Day 8 Post!! Here's today's question: Did you bake and decorate any cutouts this year?! If so, what kind?! 

Let me know your answer in the comments below, i love to hear from my followers.

Review for What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon

  
Rating: 5 Stars!! 
Review: 
This was my first time reading a book by Amy Harmon so i wasnt sure what to expect but surprisingly i loved it and i  think i found my 2nd Favorite Historical Fiction Author!! 

The Characters were so interesting and enjoyable to read about. Anne and Eoin Gallagher were my favorites. I loved the Granddaughter and Grandfather connection which i think is why i loved this book so much.  

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Ireland 1921 and 2001 especially when the scenery was described. 

Overall a Phenomenal Gutwretching Historical Fiction Novel about a woman who goes back in time to change what happened to her family!! Can't wait to read more by Amy in the future!!

Day 7 of Blogmas: More Christmas Cookie Baking

      



Welcome to Day 7 of Blogmas!! Another Christmas Cookie Baking Day!! Today My Mom and I made 10 Dozen Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies. 

When i posted these photos on my Facebook Page today, my so called best friend made a rude comment asking "Why so many?!", yes i may seem like alot BUT  with most cookie recipes you do get more then 3 dozen out of them especially if your making them for cookie trays to give to people, a smaller size cookies fits better on the tray opposed to the Quarter size. 

Alot like yesterday's post, this recipe is another dump and mix one and this ones nice because you refridgerate the dough for about an hour or overnight before rolling and baking the dough. 

My Mom's had this recipe a long time so its always been another favorite of mine over the years. 

Hope you enjoyed todays Blogmas Post!! Here's Day 7 Question: Have you made any Christmas Cookies this year yet?! If so, What ones?! 
Let me know in the comments below, i love hearing from my followers!!




     

Day 6 of Blogmas: Christmas Cookie Baking

  
Welcome to Day 6 of Blogmas!! Today my mom and i baked some Christmas Cookies: 
Peanut Butter Balls with Mini Chocolate Chips and Coconut Chocolate Caramel Bars. 

Peanut Butters Balls is a super easy one to make similar to a Dump Recipe. You just mix everything in a baking bowl then roll the dough into balls. My mom's had this recipe for a long time i think since i was around 5 or 6 years old and it's always been a favorite of mine. 

Coconut Chocolate Caramel Bars is a newer recipe that we've made only once before but is always so good. It's basicly a layer recipe with crushed graham cracker on the bottom then the chocolate, coconut and caramel, just keep repeating til you get toward the top of the pan. 

Hope you enjoyed reading today's blogmas post!! Here's Day 6 Question: Do you make Christmas Cookies?! If so, What kinds do you like to make?! 

Let me know in the comments below, i always love hearing from my followers!!

Review for Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

 Rating: 3 Stars!! 
Review: 
Thank you to my book club friend Sylvia for gifting me this book in 2020 for Christmas. I meant to read this book in December last year but my mindset wasnt right so i pushed it back too this year. 

The Characters were funny and interesting to read about. Becky wasnt my favorite at the beginning of the book but Chapters 5-22 really started making me love her character who ultimately became a favorite by the end. 

The Setting was very well described especially when the scenery surrounded England was described. 

I rate this one 3 Stars because it didnt get interesting to me til Chapters 5-22 since the first 4 Chapters were just the main character complaining to retail Managers about their Before Christmas Sales. 

Overall it was a Good Christmas Contemporary Read i just wish Chapters  1-4 would of been more interesting!! I will read more in this series by Sophie, i just hope not all her books start out like this one did. 

Day 5 of Blogmas: Favorite Christmas Movies

  
Welcome to Day 5 of Blogmas!! Today we are talking about Favorite Christmas Movies. Now let's face it every December many of us sit down and write down a list of Christmas Movies to watch whether its a Classic like It's a Wonderful Life or a Network one like Hallmark Channel, Freeform, GAC Family etc. 

Pictured above are only a few of the ones i own on DVD but normally my list is MUCH Longer then that cause i usually watch Disney, Freeform, Hallmark and GAC Family Christmas Movies as well as a few Lifetime ones but the ones pictured are favorites from my childhood or ones i remember watching with my parents over the years. 

That's it for today's Blogmas Post!! Here's your Day 5 Question: 
What are your favorite Christmas Movies?! Are any of them the ones i have featured in this post?! Let me know in the comments below as i love to hear from my followers!! 

Day 4 of Blogmas: Favorite Christmas Songs

Welcome to Day 4 of Blogmas!! Today we will be talking about Favorite Christmas Songs, i have many favorites so i wont write them all out cause i'd be here all day and you'd be reading it for a long time, LOL so i'll just list my TOP 5 Favorites. 

1. Dream a Dream by Charlotte Church 
2. The Chipmunk Song by Alvin and the Chipmunks, David Seville 
3. Grown-up Christmas List by Amy Grant Gill 
4. A Christmas to Remember by Amy Grant Gill 
5. A Candle in the Window by Alabama 

Most of mine are classics cause i remember my parents would listen to them many times in December's when i was growing up in the 90s and 2000s. Each one has a different meaning to me connected with a memory. 

I guess that's it for today's Blogmas Post, Make sure to let me know in the comments below your thoughts i love hearing from my followers. 

Day 4 Question: What are your favorite Christmas Songs?! Are they any of the ones i mentioned?! 

Day 3 of Blogmas 2022: Favorite Christmas Reads

Welcome Back to Blogmas Day 3!! 
   
Today we are talking about my Favorite Christmas Books that ive read in previous years which will be mostly Contemporary and Cozy Mystery Genres. 

Amish Christmas Pie by Wanda E Brunstetter, As most of you know Amish Fiction was one of the FIRST Genres i read when i started reading again in 2017 mainly because my Great Grandmother (My Mom's Grandmother) at the time lived across from Amish for 60 years of her life so throughout my childhood to my midTeens i would visit her alot and i was always fascinate with The Amish way of life and i still am at times. This book was a fun read 5 years ago (I was suppose to reread it this year but havent gotten to it yet so you will probably see it in my December 2023 TBR next year) about an Amish Man who feels tortured by his past and an Amish Woman who is looking for answers in her past. Throw in a desperate father searching for his son  and you have this Romance that will inspire and enthrall you. 

The Lopsided Christmas Cake by Wanda E Brunstetter, is another Amish Romance  about twin sisters where they bake a cake for a charity auction (Amish dont have Health Insurance and mainly believe in Praying to God for their Financial Troubles so to raise money for medical expenses they hold auctions to help raise money to pay for those bills by selling Crafts, Baked Goods etc) in front of a live audience. Elma tries to take charge and Thelma the klutzy-optimist manage to entertain the audience as well as 2 bachelors, an outspoken woodworker and a shy harness maker from a neighboring Amish Community as fall leads them to the Christmas Season where romance may be blossoming for them. 

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher, is another Amish Fiction Novel about an Amish Woman who owns a Rose Farm and wants to hold her wedding there but she finds out the man she's about to marry isnt who she thought he was. Billy is an old flame of the owner of the farm until he's call to the farm to help find a lost Rose which teaches everyone that Christmas really is the season of Miracles. 

Grace by Shelley Shepard Grey, Book 4 in the Sisters of the Heart Series about a family Bed and Breakfast where they have plans to close it for the holiday season until two unexpected visitors appear seeking shelter which tests the family's hospitality. Levi is sullen and angry but insists on staying for 5 days. Melody is 9 months Pregnant but doesnt say why she traveled from Kentucky by herself. Overall everyone tries to make the best of the uncomfortable situation except for Katie who knows a things or two about keeping a secret but she is determined to learn the truth about these two strangers all while keeping her own secret safely hidden away until a snowstorm arrives and traps them in the inn forcing them to reveal all their secrets. 

Peace by Shelley Shepard Grey, Book 3 in The Secrets of Crittenden County Series takes you to a year later after secrets and scandal are revealed in an Amish Community but can they finally find peace under a bright promise of Christmas?! This one basicly talks about a secret an Amish Woman is keeping about meeting an Englisher while she was working at an Inn. 

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Most of us have read this Classic from time to time throughout our life. I love reading Classic Christmas Stories during December cause they always remind me of what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. 

The Christmas Town by Donna VanLiere, Book 8 in The Christmas Hope Series is a favorite of mine because it talks about starting over and finding what the true meaning of Christmas means to us in a different way. 

The Christmas Prayer by Wanda E Brunstetter, is a Historical Fiction set in 1850 along The California Trail about Choosing to Love winning over a timid heart or going ahead with an arranged life. 

Finding a Plain Christmas by Amos Wyse is another Amish Fiction Novel about finding what a Plain Christmas really is opposed to a commercial one. 

Jacob's Bell by John Snyder is based on a true story about how The Salvation Army company  helped a little boy find redemption before Christmas. 

A Plain and Sweet Christmas Romance Collection by Jerry S Eicher is a Historical Romance with several stories in it about Simple Christmases before Electonics were made. 

The Beloved Christmas Quilt by Wanda E Brunstetter about a quilt that is passed down each Christmas to the next generation to help them appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. 

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber, is a sweet Christmas Story about a woman who allows her family to set her up on blind dates to help her find her Christmas Love. If youve seen Hallmark Channel's Christmas Movie Merry and Bright, then you know how this book ends :). 

Fairy Tale Weddings by Debbie Macomber, Book 1 and 2 in The Legendary Lovers Series is about Retelling of Cinderella and Beauty & The Beast told in a Modern Day Contemporary Era so if you love those kinds of stories then THIS Book is definately one you should give a try. 

The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere, Book 1 in The Christmas Hope Series. If you've heard the song The Christmas Shoes then you know that this book is based on that song and that it goes more in depth then the song does and is a MUST READ that teaches us to be thankful for what me have and hold on to what's precious before life changes forever. 

Mistletoe Murder by Leslie Meier, Book 1 in The Lucy Stone Cozy Mystery Series is about Lucy Stone trying to solve a murder why in the process of trying to finish up baking cookies and making gifts before Christmas Arrives. 

The Christmas Blessing by Donna VanLiere, Book 2 in The Christmas Hope Series about Nathan the little boy from The Christmas Shoes but he's a young adult now in medical school who questions if he wants to be a doctor til he meets Charlie and Meghan, who has a hole in her heart and needs a liver in order to survive. Tragedy strikes toward the end of the book BUT a blessing also happens in return for Meghan. 

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber, is a nothing lovely Christmas story by Debbie about a gossip columnist who has to write an article about an interview with a celebrity book writer but when she starts to fall for him she wonders what truly matters. 

Christmas Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke is Book 23 in Cozy Mystery  Hannah Swensen  Series about a Bakery Owner who has to solve a murder while getting ready for Christmas and The Annual  Christmas Ball. 

The Spirit of Christmas by Cecil Murphey, is a Contemporary/Self Explainatory Novel about finding The Spirit of Christmas through hard times. 

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand is a cute Christmas Story about a amily who gathers in Nantucket for a Christmas filled with surprises. 

5-B Poppy Lane by Debbie Macomber is another Christmas Novel about a family who lives at 5-B Poppy Lane as they tell you the story of how the couple met during WW2. 

Christmas at Cedar Cove by Debbie Macomber is another wonderful Christmas Novel, based on the tv drama formerly on Hallmark Channel about spending Christmas with The Shelton's and Wyse Families. 

A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber, takes us back to Cedar Cove to celebrate Christmas with The Wyse's as they anticipate the birth of their Baby. 

One Day in December by Josie Silver, Similar to Me Before You if that series had a Christmas aspect added to it without sadness. 

The Christmas Light by Donna VanLiere, Book 7 in The Christmas Hope series about Small Town Grandon where 5 different people discover the true meaning of Christmas. 

White Christmas Wedding by Celeste Winters, is a Heartwarming Feel-Good Holiday Romance Standalone about a family who finds hope where they thought it had been lost. 

Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber, Book #4 in The Angelic Intervention about a woman who helps be a Nanny to a widower and his children. If you've watched The Hallmark Channel Movie, then you know how this story goes. 

Marley by Jon Clinch, a retelling of A Christmas Carol told from the perspective of Marley. 

The Candy Cane Caper by Josi S Kilpack, Another Cute Cozy Mystery Novel set during Christmas about the owner of a local bakery who tries to solve a mystery while getting ready for Christmas. 

Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber, about finding love in most unexpected places during the Christmas Season. 

We Met in December by Rosie Curtis, very similar to One Day in December about Two people living in One House enduring a year that changes everything for both of them. 

A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas is a Historical Fiction Novel about a scandalous love under the mistletoe during a Christmas Ball in London. 

Winter is Not Forever by Janette Oke, Book 3 in the Seasons of the Heart Series about learning where your life is going after a high school graduation. 

A Baxter Family Christmas by Karen Kingsbury, Book #24 of The Baxters Series takes you back to The Baxter Family to spend Christmas with them. 

The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber, is about a woman who wants to have the perfect Christmas  but feels she can't without a husband and children til she meets a professional Matchmaker who changes her mind on what a Perfect Christmas really is. 

Mr Miracle by Debbie Macomber, similar to Mrs Miracle just replaced with a Man also based on The Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie. 

The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson, is about a woman and her family who share a house with another family during a vacation in Colorado during Christmas. 

The Promise of Hope by Julie Lessman, is about a woman who feels hopeless after miscarrying but finds hope through her husband during The Christmas Season.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, another Favorite Christmas Classic about a little boy learning the true meaning of Christmas even if you have very little money. 

A Plain and Simple Christmas by Amy Clipston is about an Amish Family's former daughter who was shunned years earlier  when she decided to lead the Amish Community to marry an Englisher and move with him. Now she's 8 months pregnant with her first child and longs to return home for Christmas with her family.

The Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark, is a Mystery about a Christmas Cruise that sets sail during Christmas. 

Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray is another Amish Fiction Novel about celebrating Christmas with an Amish Family in Sugarcreek Ohio. 

That's it for this Post for Blogmas so make sure you check back tomorrow for Day 4!! 

Here's your question for Day 3: What are your favorite Christmas Reads?! Are they any of the ones i mentioned above?! Let me know in the comments below i love hearing from my followers!!

 

Day 2 of BLOGMAS 2022: Anticipated Christmas Reads

 










Welcome back to Blogmas!!

For Day 2 im featuring and talking about Most Anticipated Christmas Reads on my TBR this month. Most of mine are by authors ive read before but 3 of them ive never read before so essentially im really excited to read the ones by Judith Kinghorn, Robert Tate Miller and Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. 

The SnowGlobe by Judith Kinghorn is a Historical Fiction about Christmas in 1926 Surrey England where it holds a promise to an 18 year old girl named Daisy, as she prepares to celebrate Christmas with her family until she finds out her father is leading a double life where he illusions are shattered, worse of all her father's mistress, introduced as a family friend, is joining them for Christmas. While Daisy wrestles with the truth she also deals with 3 men vieing for her affection while the maid and cook have a secret of their own as well. 

To me this book sounds so interesting and intriguing cause i dont know any other HF Novel that has so many twists and secrets mentioned in the Synopsis. 

Forever Christmas by Robert Tate Miller is a Christian Fiction about Christmas giving us what we want instead of what we think we need. This one definately seems like it has 2 special lessons in it that we all can learn from. 

The First Songs of Christmas by Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth is a Nonfiction/31 Day Advent about Meditations on Luke 1 and 2 to help us rediscover God's eternal plan to redeem the world through His Son, Jesus. Im anxious to get to this one since ive been trying to reconnect with my Religion and finding Grace in God since losing my dad last year so im hoping this one will help me alot.  

Hope you enjoyed learning more about these 3 Most Anticipated Christmas Reads on my TBR for Day 2 of Blogmas!! 

Day 2 Question: What are some of YOUR Most Anticipated Christmas Reads on your TBR this month?! If you dont have any, What ones are you most looking forward to reading this month?!