Oliver sat at the kitchen table, coloring and humming. Chelsea leaned over and planted a kiss on the top of his head, baby Micah balanced on her hip. “You seem especially happy today,” Chelsea said.

           “Of course I’m happy,” Oliver said. “It’s Christmas tomorrow. I’m so excited to see what gifts God has planned for us.”

           Chelsea’s heart sank. “Oh baby, I told you, there won’t be any gifts this year. We don’t have the extra money. With Micah sick, I haven’t been able to work any extra shifts, and his medicine is expensive.”

          “Don’t worry, Mommy,” Oliver said. “You don’t need any money. God will take care of us. It’s Christmas, after all.”

          Chelsea swallowed the lump in her throat. Micah was too young to understand, but it killed her that she wouldn’t have a present for Oliver this year. “Come on, buddy. It’s time to get ready for bed. Are you almost finished with your picture?”

            Oliver put a hand over the page. “Don’t look until tomorrow, Mommy. I’m making the picture for you.” He added a few finishing touches, then turned the page over. “OK, I’m ready for you to read me my story.”
            After tucking Oliver into bed, Chelsea sat with Micah in her lap, holding him close as the coughs wracked his little body. When he finally settled, she lay him in his crib. This was not how she pictured the perfect Christmas Eve.

            Before she knew it, sunlight streamed in the window, and she was awakened by Oliver’s ecstatic voice. “Mommy, Mommy, I told you – look!” He raced into her room and pulled her over to the window. “God gave us a beautiful snowfall. Isn’t it a wonderful gift? Now we can make a snowman for Christmas!”

           Chelsea stared at Oliver. “This is what you think God gave us as a Christmas gift?”

           “It must be, Mommy. God always keeps his promises, and He told me He had something special planned for us this Christmas.” Oliver wrapped his arms around Chelsea. “Aren’t we lucky, Mommy?”

           Chelsea hugged her amazing little boy. “We are.” The room fell quiet. Too quiet. Chelsea moved over to Micah’s crib, where he slept, breathing easily. He was no longer a shade of gray, but now a bright pinkish hue. Oliver moved over to where Chelsea stood.

         “Micah looks better,” Oliver said.

         Chelsea reached down and pressed a hand to the baby’s forehead. “He’s no longer feverish,” she said.

         “You see, Mommy?” Oliver said. God made Micah all better for Christmas. It’s a miracle!”

          Micah opened his eyes and blinked up at his mother. He stretched out his pudgy arms, and Chelsea lifted him from the crib and squeezed him tight. She turned to Micah. “You’re right, dear child. God did have gifts for us this Christmas.”

Matthew 8: 2-4

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Dear Father, thank You for giving us the gift of children. Please help us to have faith like they do. You truly do give good gifts to Your children. Thank You for the wonderful blessing of Christmas. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The authors at Pelican Book Group have teamed up to bring you a Christmas basket full of stories for the season, and they’re all on sale for 99 cents!

Christmas Hideaway by Wendy Davy

Material witness Mandi Foster is running. And for good reason—if she testifies her family will pay the ultimate price. With no choice but to hide until the trial is over, she finds an isolated cabin to ride out Christmas alone—except she isn’t alone.

A mysterious stranger follows her through a treacherous winter storm into the Blue Ridge Mountains, and then saves her from a potentially fatal accident. But as coincidences pile up, Mandi suspects her handsome rescuer is harboring dangerous secrets.

Security Specialist Rylan Copeland is hunting. And for good reason—he has witnessed murderers walk away unpunished. He isn’t about to let that happen again—not when he can do something to stop it. But as he catches up to Mandi, danger comes in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

Will he convince her to testify in time? Or will another killer get away with murder?

My review:

Christmas Hideaway is not your typical Christmas novella! Ms. Davy kept me on the edge of my seat with the non-stop action. When the first line of the book is “At half past midnight, a creak sounded from the living room,” you know this is not all mistletoe and holly. Mandi Foster is the key witness in a murder trial, and the murderer will stop at nothing to silence her, even to go as far as threatening her grandmother! Mandi’s emotion and fear are real and believable, and when she is rescued by the man hired to protect her, the interactions between the characters are moving. Rylan has secrets of his own, some of which involve why he’s not too big on Christmas. Mandee, on the other hand, even when on the run, insists on bringing Christmas decorations to her hideaway. A fast read, but mostly because I didn’t want to stop reading. We read of God’s sovereignty over fear, and the devotional at the end of the story ties a big red bow on the story.

A Covert Cowboy Christmas by Carol James

 A December ice storm destroys Rebekah Kingston’s Christmas plans. With the power out and the West Texas roads closed indefinitely, she’s forced to spend Christmas at her brother Braden’s ranch instead of at home with her parents.

But Rebekah and Braden are not alone. Also stranded is an annoyingly chatty ranch hand, Dirk Sims. While Rebekah is certain she’s met him before, Dirk insists she’s mistaken.

However, when Rebekah inadvertently eavesdrops on one of Dirk’s phone conversations, she discovers his lie. Dirk is not who he seems. This Christmas just got interesting.

My review:

The blurb for Carol James’ latest Christmas novella drew me in. This book was full of unexpected turns of events. While the premise of an ice storm could easily make for a predictable story of two people trapped together, that’s not how the story plays out. The characters are well-developed, believable, and lovable! I enjoyed watching the developing relationship between the two main characters, and I was drawn into to Rebekah’s very understandable range of emotions throughout the book. I’ve read several of Ms. James’ books, and I’ve enjoyed them all. This one is no exception. The devotional at the end of the story ties nicely into the theme of the book as well. God’s timing, while not always what we would have chosen, is always perfect. He knows what is best for us, even if we think we know better. Another inspirational read from Ms. James!

In the Bleak Midwinter by Clare Revell 

The Adelphi Theatre has been the centre of drama in Headley Cross for one hundred years. Interim manager, Flick Anderson, does her best to juggle running the theatre and directing her first play, Home Is Where The Heart Is. Flick is overjoyed when her best friend and ex-boyfriend, Will Reid, takes on the main male lead—especially as she wrote the role for him.

Award-winning actor Will Reid prefers stage work to anything else. When the job he should have been doing over Christmas is unexpectedly cancelled, he leaps at the chance of working with Flick. This be a new beginning for the two of them.

But life is never that simple. Just as Flick begins to thaw, a spanner is thrown into the works that could ruin Christmas and their second chance. 

My review:

In the Bleak Midwinter is a Christmas novella with a lot going on! Poor Flick is trying to run a theater and direct her first play at the same time, but things keep going wrong. Fortunately, her best friend and love of her life comes to star in her play, but things get even more complicated afterwards. This story has you cheering for their love and wishing for something right to happen in Flick’s life. The characters are well-written and the secondary characters add to the story.

If you’re looking for a book to get you in the Christmas spirit, and maybe in the mood to go to the theater as well, this is one you’ll enjoy!

  

Garrett by Izzy James

Garrett Tyler thought he was leaving Ballard House for home, secure in the knowledge that love had finally won-out for his long-time friend Olivia. He steps out the door and into the past, 1769 to be exact. While finding his bearings Garrett stumbles upon a beautiful woman being attacked. He makes sure she gets home and because of his kindness, she allows him to stay in an outbuilding—even believing his time travel story—while he figures out how he will get back to his life in the future. The more time they spend together, the deeper friendship they build, but one thing is going to rip her world apart.

Mercy Hansford is a confidant, independent woman running her own tailor shoppe. Her world is shaken when she is brutally attacked after delivering one of her sought-after shirts. The consequences of this night could be more far-reaching than either of them can guess.

Should Mercy trust a man she barely knows?

My review:

Garrett is a novella that takes you back in time. I admit, I felt a little lost in the first few pages since this is the second book in the series and I haven’t yet read the first, but I caught up quickly and the book read as a standalone. Garrett finds himself back in Yorktown, VA in the late 1700’s and meets a young woman at a terrible time in her life. Stranded in time, she puts him up in her spare room, and the two work hard together, as life isn’t easy in the 18^th century. They survive a terrible storm, a jealous man, and the danger of being accused of practicing witchcraft, since Garrett manages to travel through time with his smartphone. In the midst of this, they fall in love. If you want to find out how love can survive 300 years apart, check out Garrett. It is a well-written story with some deep spiritual messages. Now I need to go back and read Max, the first book in the series!

MistleToe Misses by Jody Day

Concert pianist Evan finally receives his big break. He’s on tour playing his passion and getting paid well to do it, he’s in love with a beautiful woman who just finished her own degree in nursing, and he’s about to propose in extravagant style. Even though their relationship has been long distance, he plans to go home and start his new life with her.

The virus lockdown skews all his plans.

Risé is working and living at a hospital with acutely ill patients. The precautions in place preclude any interaction with her family, with her friends, and with the man she is hoping will be her husband. How can he be, when no one knows how long this pandemic will last?

Health protocols, full personal protection regalia, social distancing, and video-chatting aren’t enough. How can their relationship hold when the world is falling apart? With wise words from those who love them, Evan and Risé find that being apart is hard, but with God, all things are possible. 

My review:

Mistletoe Misses is a heartwarming story. I hadn’t read the first book in the series but that didn’t take away from this one. I enjoyed reading how the main characters made the best of a difficult situation. Even when everything seems to be falling apart around them, they are reminded that God hasn’t changed. It’s an important reminder for all of us as well. Evan wants to propose to Risé, but struggles to figure out how to do so when he can’t get within 6 feet of her! We’ve all struggled with making connections the past two years, so the story is a timely one. A meaningful Christmas read!

Christmas Phone Booth by Loree Peery

Cautious observer Nicasia is at the Wilber Hotel for a wedding. She is careful when it comes to small spaces due to an attack as a teen, but intrigued by the antique phone booth, she steps inside to investigate.
A just man with a star, Logan grew up at the end of the nineteenth century in a very religious home. But his reverend father led two lives and left Logan believing there was something wrong with him.
Boom!
Nicasia is bowled over and knocked to the floor by a force that comes out of nowhere. Where had the man been hiding?
Logan is drawn to the 21st century maiden, but will he stay in the future?
Each wants to forgive those who hurt them and put the past where it belongs, but neither knows how. Will they help one another?

My review:

I’m not usually one for time-travel stories, but this was an interesting concept. Both Nicasia and Logan have difficult things to deal with from their past, and the author handles it well. The characters’ faith is weaved throughout the story, and we root for them to find peace, and maybe love along the way. Watching Logan navigate the 21st century after stepping out of the Wild West leads to some interesting adventures, but his kind heart and care for Nicasia wins the day.

Eight Cats of Christmas by Erin Stevenson 

Mia Donovan isn’t interested in a relationship, she’s too busy opening her cat shelter and rescuing floofy balls of fur. Being a bridesmaid is just a blip on her horizon.
Bryce Murphy has no plans to change his bachelor lifestyle, but is willing to stand up as the best man for a good friend.
In the chaos of plans gone awry, it’s up to the bridesmaid and the best man to come up with a strategy to get it all back on track. In the midst of disaster, love strikes two hearts.
Can eight cats, a feline allergy, and a photo shoot gone wrong bring Mia and Bryce together forever?

My Review:
Eight Cats of Christmas is the epitome of inspirational romance. Mia and Bryce fall in love almost from the very first page. Their relationship is adorable and seemingly without problems until halfway through the story. A best man prank, a “cat”astrophic photo shoot, and a surprise nemesis keep things interesting. The characters are lovable, and it’s easy to root for their happily-ever-after. The secondary characters are also enjoyable – I can’t help hoping we hear more from Mia’s brother Finn – he could use a happily-ever-after of his own. And for those who aren’t cat people, don’t worry – dogs are welcome (and loved) in this story!

 Blue Christmas by Clare Revell 

St. Morien, Cornwall at Christmastime. Beautiful. Peaceful… Deadly.

Detective Inspector Aidan Urquhart has a mystery on his hands. Three young women reported missing back in the summer have been found dead; all found wearing the clothes in which they vanished; all frozen solid on the cold shore.

When Jenica Zimmerman realizes her sister is missing, she heads to the Cornish coast where the police have few clues. The DI leading the case warns her not to take chances, to go home and leave the case to his team. Determined to stay, Jenica takes a room at a local inn and attempts to find her sister herself.

With Christmas fast approaching, all she wants a happy ending. But when a fourth body is discovered, all tidings of comfort and joy seem far away.

My review:

I started reading this book thinking it was a Christmas novella. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was a full-length novel. It was a good thing, too, since a lot is happening! Jenica Zimmerman, concerned for the well-being of her little sister, travels to southern England to find her. She finds herself dealing with the head detective whose hands are full with a serial killer on the loose. Determined to find her sister with or without the detective’s help, Jenica ends up interrupting multiple crime scenes, helping the detective with clues, and following the path to try not only to find her sister, but also to find the killer responsible for the deaths of several young women in the area.

The story takes place in a charming setting, and in the midst of the page-turning action, the author gives great details regarding the scenery, the history, and the traditions of the town, which happens to be in the midst of the Christmas festivities. This adds to the story.

Both the hero and heroine have had difficult pasts. The hero, Aidan, is a widower with a precious 7 year old daughter. The heroine, Jenica, grew up in a loveless home, with parents only concerned about their careers. Jenica and Aiden must overcome the pain of their pasts to find the promise of happiness with each other, all while trying to stay out of the serial killer’s crosshairs.

The characters are well-fleshed out and believable. The mystery keeps you guessing to the final page. Now that I know the end of the story, I want to go back and read the book again, with that knowledge in mind. If you’re looking for a page turning Christmas story that’s not your usual hot chocolate and ice skating, this is it!

Thanks for reading! I hope you’ll check out some of these gifted authors. If you haven’t read Saved by A Christmas Angel yet, it’s also on sale for 99 cents, but I won’t review my own book. 🙂  I hope you all will, though! Have a wonderful Christmas season!

God bless,

Karen