The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

A young father tells the story of the Christmas that he'll never forget. Having to move into someone else's home is never easy. At first, it is difficult for this man to get over. Most of all, the change is most affecting his wife and little girl. The woman they move in with may just help this man figure out what he truly wants and needs for his life.

This story is heart warming. Mr. Evans has written a classic with this one. I've had it for awhile just took me forever to read. I am so glad that I did because it gave me the true meaning of Christmas to share with others and to love. This is one author that I will read more of.

Richard Paul Evans/New Author/ Christmas/ Family/ 83 pages/ 4 out of 5

I read this one yesterday but never got a chance to do anything since I wasn't home. lol I thought this was very close to the movie.

Just Like The Ones We Used to Know by Brenda Novak

Angela Forrester loves Kayla like she is her own daughter. But that is not the case, but now Kayla is wanting to know here “real” father. Angela isn't so sure at first and then decides to go back to where it all happened. She just hopes it goes better than expected.

Ms. Novak really gets to the heart of the matter. I loved this quick holiday story. :) So sweet and then full of heat. :) Definitely an author I would love to read more by.


The Night Before Christmas by Melinda Curtis

Emma Roberts was looking forward to helping her family with the Santa Express in her hometown. Now she gets an offer to drive a man to Las Vegas and she isn;t sure she wants it. Simon has the offer of a lifetime but has to scramble to find a driver. Emma may be the perfect one for the job but she just might find a way into his heart as well.

Ms. Curtis writes a sweet romance to life your spirits. Emma is a character you just want to hug. She has beliefs that she sticks to. You get a good glimpse into the life of Emma and her family. Simon may not be as hard of a nut to crack as he thinks.


All the Christmases to Come by Anna Adams

Andrew Durham takes being a single dad very seriously. Now his girlfriend is expecting and he isn't sure what to do about it. He is resigned to lose her because she wants more kids and he doesn't. But something keeps tugging at his heart.

Ms. Adams writes emotions that are so real in her characters. There are unsure people and then there are people who know what they want. You'll see both in this story. It may take an unplanned event to make them all see the same thing.

These three tales were so much fun to read! I couldn't get enough and definitely want to read more by all three authors. I was hooked with each one and didn't want to see any of the stories end. All three authors are truly talented and I am curious to see if they have written other Christmas stories.

Brenda Novak, Anna Adams, Melinda Curtis, Christmas, Romance, New Authors, 304 pages, 5 out of 5

Off to read Prince of Fire by Daniel Silva and hopefully some more writing. :)

Christmas Husband by Mary Anne Wilson

Madison Symthe loves being the voice of Dr. Love. She is able to help people even though she may be pretending on a few things. Now she is asked to be a Christmas present for someone including the husband that doesn't help her out. Now she has to contact an escort service for help, she would rather give up on the whole thing. But when she meets a man after talking to the lady who runs the service, she wonders if that could be the man for her.

Ms. Wilson writes a wonderful romance that heats up. I loved it from the beginning cause the boy really wanted his father around. It truly is a sweet Christmas story that is full of surprises. Ms. Wilson knew how to keep things interesting and keep you wanting to read.

Madison loved doing her job but never felt to take the time to take care of herself. When she is hit with an unexpected situation, I was curious to see how she'd handle things. It certainly was going to show her what she is made of.

This was a cute romance and I really liked it. I definitely would love to read more by this author whether Christmas related or not.

Mary Anne Wilson/New Author/249 pages/ Christmas/Romance/4 out of 5

I finished this one before I left for work. :) I loved this one. Now off to another Christmas book. :)

Hell for the Holidays by Chris Grabenstein

Christopher Miller is at it again to save the city. Well maybe not so much the city but get one more bad guy off the streets. With the anniversary of the last attack, which affected Chris’ daughter Angela, he really wants to stick around home as much as possible. But that does not prove to be possible. It seems to be a terrorist attack at first but Chris does not see how that could be possible with the usual suspects uninvolved. It will take some quick thinking on his part as well as the team he works with to bring down whomever is leading the attack before something horrible happens.

Mr. Grabenstein brings it again with this thrilling story about the Holidays. It is one that leaves me on the edge of my seat. His compelling characters really keep you turning pages. They are easy to feel for or cheer for. The situations seem outlandish at first but then it does not mean something like this could not happen. The scary thing is that it could very well happen.

I was really happy to read more about Christopher and his family. Angela is so sweet and his wife Nicole is always there to remind him when he needs to be home no matter what is going on. I was surprised at the character Dr. Tully that he could easily sway people’s thinking in following him just was not something I thought could happen. But if it is someone who shares your beliefs that definitely would help sway you. The things that that characters got away with at first was astonishing. It certainly made for interesting reading. I just was curious at how long it would take Christopher and his team to figure it all out.

This story had me at first since it is a character that I am fairly familiar with. This book did not disappoint for one moment. I hope there is another one in the works because this is a character I would love to read more about.
Chris Grabenstein/ Christmas Book Challenge for AN2R/ Christmas book/ 396 pages/ 5 out of 5

Chirstmas with Anne and Other Stories by L.M. Montgomery

Christmas with Anne and Other Stories by L.M. Montgomery

Being a huge Anne of Green Gables fan, I picked it up when it first came on in 1996. It has been sitting on either a shelf or a box for the longest time. Picking up for my Christmas Book Challenge, I figured this would be a good time as any to finally read it. I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful L.M. Montgomery can write. I loved all of her novels whether it was Anne or Emily of New Moon or some of her stand alones.

The two stories taken from the Anne stories were so familiar to me thanks to the movies that were done that I could hear the characters speaking in my mind. The rest of them each had a moral lesson and it was wonderful. The characters were so vivid and I couldn’t get enough of them.

This was a refreshing Holiday read because it showed the simple Christmas where you give more than you receive is important. I really liked that. I wish I could hug Ms. Montgomery for all the imagination she stirred up in my life. And bonus to Rea Wilmhurst for putting these stories together.

L.M. Montgomery, Edited by Rea Wilmhurst, 214 pages, Christmas Stories, AN2R Christmas Challenge, 5 out of 5 stars

Now off to a few other review books. :)

The Christmas Child by Max Lucado

A Chicago journalist needs to go to Texas for an assignment over Christmas. He and his wife Meg had a fight. So he decides to stop in the town of Clearwater to find out the meaning behind the picture of the church there that was sent to his father a long time ago. The only thing the guy knew about it was that he was born there but he was adopted. But there is more to the town than meets the eye. He meets an old man who knows a story to be told about a young girl’s faith, a wooden manager scene, and a scarlet cross that will lead the journalist home.

Mr. Lucado is a fabulous writer. Though a short book in length, there is so much emotion poured into it. It is a story that will make you tear up and all that happens. The characters are strong and want to be there to be peace made.

The journalist in this book does not have a name and it really does not matter to some extent. The journey he goes on is one that can be for anyone. He has a lot ahead of him and it could be overwhelming. Yet he takes it all in stride. He is not perfect but he understands what is given to him and that is what helps him the most.

I absolutely loved this book. It is a sweet story and one that can be read all through the Christmas season. Once will not be enough for me. This is one I would even love to own. Forgiveness is something that can always be given. Mr. Lucado does a wonderful job telling the story and I look forward to reading more of his work.