My Favorite Holiday Book

All She Wants For Christmas

Jaci Burton

Carina Press

ISBN: 9781426890871 (Single) and 9781426890826 (Collection)

December 2010

This book was released as a part of a Holiday Collection from Carina Press "Naughty and Nice" which featured 3 other authors in the Nice section. This was the first time I had read a holiday themed romance and while reading the collection this automatically became my favorite and one I would read every holiday.

The story is about Riley Jensen, a country music singer, who is forced to go back to her hometown to film a biography. Riley left her hometown in Missouri when she caught the love of her life Ethan Kent and her best friend Amanda in bed together. Ethan made a huge mistake which cost him Riley and after ten years he has never stopped loving her. Ethan has had to hear the hurt filled songs from Riley with everyone in their small hometown knowing who she was singing about and to make matters worse his daughter is her biggest fan. When these two see each other again the chemistry that brought them together in the first place is back in full force. Ethan thought that if she had stayed in their small town she would have never became a huge star, which is why he stopped looking for. Will Riley get past the anger and hurt and let Ethan into her heart or will Ethan still be afraid that he doesn't have anything to offer Riley that is just as good as what she has in Nashville?

I read this book in just a few hours, I couldn't put it down. The book was so popular that Jaci made it into a series with the second book of the series having been released this holiday titled "A Rare Gift" which I also read in just a few hours. If you want a great story to sit by the fire or just sit in bed and read I would definitely recommend this book. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Have a great holiday!

Reviewed by: Tasha

Rating: 4 1/2

My Favorite Holiday Book

A VIRGIN RIVER CHRISTMAS
Robyn Carr
Mira
ISBN: 0778328961
January 2010
Contemporary Romance

This is one of my absolute favorite holiday books by the increasingly popular Robyn Carr. While it is certainly fine as a stand alone novel, if you are a fan of her Virgin River series (like me!) this book is the perfect holiday antidote if you want information about Jack and Melinda, Paige and Preacher, and all the interesting people who populate Virgin River.

The story is actually military themed and tells about Marcie, a young widow who has just buried her beloved husband after he has lingered for over a year in a vegetative state, unaware that he is home, or that his family cares for him as he lies in a convalescent home. When Bobby dies, Marcie is determined to find the Marine who saved his life, Ian Buchanan. Her search brings her to Virgin River, at Christmastime, to a backwoods cabin, to a man who does not want to be found. Ian has given up on a normal life and is consumed by his regrets from the war.

This is the love story of how Marcie pulls him out of his shell and in the process finds her own peace and redemption. I absolutely loved this book, the detail, and the story it told, in the wonderful style we have come to expect from Robyn Carr. If you only read one book this holiday season and come across this amazing novel, pick it up. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. For those of you familiar with Virgin River this will be one more terrifc chapter in that community's story. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by: Jeri Neal
Rating: 4 1/2

My Favorite Holiday Read

BLUEBIRD WINTER
Linda Howard
Harlequin
Shilouette Christmas Story (1987)
ISBN: 0-373-15147-0

It is true...good things DO come in small packages. BLUEBIRD WINTER is a timeless story, one which I pull out every couple of years to read. This superbly written short story gives readers a glimpse of what it means to have faith, determination, and belief in the miracle of life and love.

Kathleen Fields is eight months pregnant and unexpectedly goes into labor during a severe Oklahoma snowstorm. With her labor progressing, pain increasing and no power, Kathleen makes a terrifying decision.

Derek Taliferro is heading home from celebrating the holidays with his mother and her husband. Knowing he should have left the previous day, Derek prepares to endure a long dangerous ride, in the snowstorm, back home, to Dallas. Before he makes it home, he will make an unexpected delivery.

BLUEBIRD WINTER is truly a heartwarming read that I hope you have had the chance to read or will read.

Monica

THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT by Tracy Wolff

One of my favorite holiday novels is, "THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT", by Tracy Wolff. Vivian Wentworth is a divorce attorney working at the local women's shelter, helping the residents escape abusive marriages. The law firm she works for needed to take on more pro bono case, so Vivian is assigned a murder case. Vivian is not sure why she was handed this case, she is not a defense attorney and she knows almost nothing about criminal law, except what she learned in school. Vivian planned on meeting with the client, Diego Sanchez, but she is running a little late, and the meeting is not in the best part of town.

Rafael Cardoza hearing Vivian scream, saves her from a gang of teens. He doesn't believe that she is the right attorney to defend Diego, he believes Diego is innocent of killing his pregnant girlfriend. He can't help admire Vivian's determination to do right by Diego. Frustration mounts as someone is trying to stop their investigation. The attraction between Rafael and Vivian grows, but he knows Vivian is not for him, she comes from a wealthy background. There is no way Rafael will get involve with someone from a rich family again. Maybe he can just play awhile, but Vivan is not willing to let him get away. Can Rafael forget his past, and learn to trust again?

In THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT, Ms. Wolff combines a legal thriller with romance. Can two people from opposite sides of town learn to love, and have faith in each other? I enjoyed the dynamics between the two main characters, while Vivian comes from a wealthy family, she is left pretty much on her own. The only thing her parents are interested in is their social standing. Rafael comes from a large family where everyone knows everyone's business, and family celebrations are a way to have family time. The novel deals with death and grief, and what I liked best is that it is not a traditional Christmas story.

THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT
Harlequin
ISBN # 00373716079
December 2009
Category Romance


Reviewed by Gloria

Christmas Read

If you like Kate Kingsbury, like I do, here is a new one of hers that has never before been published. HERALD OF DEATH is a special Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery that will leave you shocked in horror at what the human mind can act upon. Thankfully, it is just between the pages of this great holiday read that will have you vacillating between disbelief and holiday cheer. The perfect book to grab, snuggle up next to the fireplace, and get lost in.

HERALD OF DEATH

A Special Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery

Kate Kingsbury

Berkley Prime Crime

November 2011

ISBN: 978-0-425-24335-0

Rating: 4

Reviewed by: Kathy Fisher-Asbery