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18 August 2015

Noela reviews the CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS Collection

Christmas Traditions

Christmas Traditions - Multiple Authors 
Forget Me Not Romances (July 31, 2015) 

Seven of the Eight Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow 
5 Stars *****

8 Heart-warming Christmas Romance Short Stories

This is a Christmas bounty right here! Eight beautiful, heart-warming stories about Christmas traditions and the priceless gifts of new love and renewed faith, create a gift that is both a joy and a blessing to read.

Nutcracker Christmas by Jennifer Allee
This gorgeous story danced right off the pages and onto the stage of my imagination! Isabella is granted the principal role in the Nutcracker, and Victor is a violin player in the orchestra. But when Isabella receives a Christmas miracle, it might just spell the death of a dream for Victor. Beautiful, enthralling and magical!

An Apple for Christmas by Darlene Franklin
Don’t just give your teacher an apple, give her an orchard! This is a delectable apple-flavored story about a pretty school teacher, the widower Mac, his apple orchard, and his twin daughters Pippa and Margil. We share in Mac and the girls’ journey of moving forward past grief and anger and allowing love back in. Could one of Mac’s apples sweeten the girl’s teacher to become a part of their lives?

Christmas Lessons by Patty Smith Hall
Christmas can be a giver of lessons as well as gifts! History teacher Claire Davenport was surprised and dismayed to see Billy Warner stepping in as the new coach… the man she broke off an engagement to! Billy hopes to finally discover why she walked out of his life, because she still takes up residence in his heart. What will be the key to opening locked doors and allowing love in? Step back into class with this inspiring and melt-your-heart love story!

Handcarved Christmas by Cynthia Hickey
Cynthia Hickey carves out a festive story of warm Christmas traditions comprising of pines, presents, and secret plans! Benjamin’s brother stuns him by arranging a surprise bride to arrive at their Montana home after he’d left, leaving Ben no choice but to wed her. Wanting at first to strangle his brother, in short time he wanted to hug him. But Ben and his bride struggle with getting to know one another’s heart and wishes. Will Ben manage to carve out a Christmas to remember for them both?

The Fruitcake Challenge by Carrie Fancett Pagels
A well-educated and cocky lumberjack, a pretty camp cook who wants to leave, a spicy romance, and a nourishing spiritual message are just a handful of the ingredients making up this mouth-watering and engaging story! Tom Jeffries takes up a position as the new axeman of the logging camp. He becomes smitten with the boss’s daughter Jo, and carelessly proposes to marry her if she can bake a fruitcake as good as his mother’s. Will the cake deliver all of its promises? A delicious story!! (Also available individually as a paperback.)

Sadie’s Gift by Niki Turner
Always giving, Sadie has a heart as big as her state of Colorado. But this Christmas might just be Sadie’s turn to receive an unexpected gift! Sadie and Nathan got off on the wrong foot when Sadie inadvertently caused Nathan to have an accident in his brother’s car… the last thing he had of late brother. Nathan is furious and demands Sadie to pay! But how can she pay when she still has to buy Christmas gifts for the sick children of the Preventorium? So she runs away! This is a perfect, heart-warming Christmas story of selfless giving and sacrificial love.

Holly Daze by Gina Wellborn
This delightful story had me in a daze as I became lost within its pages that oozed of charm and atmosphere! Both James Holly, the geologist and world-traveled fossil hunter, and Lena, the pure toy-makers daughter and town’s good-luck charm, have personal battles and don’t feel they’re good enough for each other. As they overcome shameful thoughts, feelings of inadequacy, and superstitions, will James and Holly find the courage to shoot for their dreams?

Watch for an upcoming review of Eleven Pipers Piping, by Angela Breidenbach.

* * * * * * * * * *

 GIVEAWAY: An E-book copy of Christmas Traditions PLUS an ebook copy of Lilacs for Juliana, Carrie's new release. We're giving away three copies of Lilacs for Juliana this week and three copies of Christmas Traditions as we celebrate these two new releases!
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33 comments:

  1. Diana FlowersAugust 18, 2015 at 1:56 PM

    Wonderfully enticing reviews, NOELA! I love Christmas books!!

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    1. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 10:27 PM

      Then you'll love all these Diana!! :-) They are some of the most Christmassy Christmas tales you'll read... With everything that is Christmas, in them! Thanks!

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  2. ChristineAugust 18, 2015 at 2:59 PM

    This sounds lovely - Christmas time stories are always welcome at my house :-)

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    1. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 10:31 PM

      I imagine your house is a wonderful place to be then, Christine! :-) There's something so special about Christmas...

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  3. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 3:39 PM

    Makes me (almost) want to put up the Christmas tree! This collection sounds wonderful, and I'd love to win a copy.

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    1. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 10:39 PM

      Haha I know what you mean, Kathleen! :-) Christmas is coming early this year on OWG!! Thanks for your comment... Maybe you'll get an advance on your Christmas wish list in winning this! ;)

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  4. Bonnie RoofAugust 18, 2015 at 3:59 PM

    Thanks for your heart-warming reviews, Noela!! I loved each of these novellas when I read them last year, and look forward to reading Angela's, also.

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    1. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 10:45 PM

      Yes, me too!! Thanks so much Bonnie, bless you!

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  5. BettiAugust 18, 2015 at 5:22 PM

    Wonderful reviews, Noela. I am enjoying these lovely Christmas stories - my set came with Angela's story and you are in for a real treat, with that sweet story! Looking forward to thoroughly enjoying all the rest of them.

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    1. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 10:47 PM

      Yes Betti, I missed that one unfortunately, but I look forward to reading it especially after your praise of it!! God bless you Betti!

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  6. Trixi August 18, 2015 at 5:36 PM

    I'm no where near ready for Christmas, but these stories sound like they would get me in a holiday mood :-) I recognize 2 of these authors and the rest are new-to-me. I do love discovering new writers! Sounds like a wonderfully delightful collection...thank you for the chance to win a copy!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 10:50 PM

      Trust me Trixi, it'll have you pulling out your Christmas tree by the end of it!! ;) It's great to discover new authors through these collections, and these are AMAZING authors in Christmas Traditions, so you are in for a huge treat!! All the best!

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  7. Caryl KaneAugust 18, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    Noela, thank you for this delightful review!

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    1. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 10:51 PM

      Thank YOU Caryl!! Many blessings to you and happy reading!!! :)

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  8. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 18, 2015 at 9:05 PM

    Great job with these reviews, Noela! Thanks so much for your kind words! I enjoyed reading the first seven, too, and can't wait to read Angela's new book, that is included in the collection. Eleven Pipers Piping should be fun, I enjoyed her novella that this is the sequel to. Blessings!

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    1. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 11:06 PM

      Thanks Carrie!! They are all amazing stories, and The Fruitcake Challenge was particularly tasty! ;) Thanks for doing the links too, Carrie. Hugs!!

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  9. ASC Book ReviewsAugust 18, 2015 at 9:17 PM

    I LOVE novellas and CHRISTmas Novellas make it even better! :)

    Many Blessings, Amada (a.m.a.th.a)
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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    1. UnknownAugust 18, 2015 at 11:08 PM

      I totally agree with you, Amada!! :-) CHRISTmas blessings to you and all the best with your entry!!

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    2. ASC Book ReviewsAugust 19, 2015 at 6:01 PM

      And to you also! :) Thank you!

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  10. AnonymousAugust 19, 2015 at 3:16 AM

    All the stories sound amazing. The cover looks so cozy.
    Thank you for the Giveaway.

    lientjiehuman(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au

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    1. UnknownAugust 19, 2015 at 8:15 AM

      And they are amazing too, Lientjiehuman! :-) I hope you get to cozy up to this Christmas collection soon!!

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  11. Mary PrestonAugust 19, 2015 at 4:21 AM

    What a marvellous collection of short stories.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. UnknownAugust 19, 2015 at 8:17 AM

      Hi Mary! They would have to be one of my favorite Christmas collections!! Blessings!

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  12. UnknownAugust 19, 2015 at 11:33 AM

    Hey Noela,

    I absolutely love the covers of all these books. Reading them would truly be a joy during the holidays.
    You always do such an amazing job writing the reviews for such beautiful books. Thanks xoxo
    oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com

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    1. UnknownAugust 19, 2015 at 8:41 PM

      Hey Danie, thank you so much for your sweet words! These are indeed beautiful stories and I would love to grant you that Christmas wish! All the best!!

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  13. Mary Ellen AshenfelderAugust 19, 2015 at 9:18 PM

    Each of these stories sound lovely and interesting. I would be thrilled to add them to my collection. Love stories about Christmas and the magic of the season. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway.

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    1. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 5:00 AM

      There's just something about Christmas and love isn't there, Mary Ellen?!! Thank you so much for coming by to read about these wonderful novella's!

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  14. AnonymousAugust 20, 2015 at 12:24 AM

    Great reviews again Noela. Like Always! I was remembering some of these stories while reading your review. And, so anxious to read the third of Carrie's. Makes me think how close it is getting to Christmas. Seems the Christmas's are getting closer each to me now days. Love you OWG girls and would love to be having a real party so I could meet each of you in person. How wonderful that would be. Thanks for this giveaway. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com < And, hello to each of you other ladies. GOD bless.

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    1. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 5:05 AM

      Oh Maxie, wouldn't that be AMAZING!!! Hey if I ever become a millionaire, I'll come to the US and throw a big party to get us all together!! :) Love and big hugs to you Maxie, and thanks always for your wonderful support. My daughter and I were just saying a little while ago how fast this year has gone. Hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner, again! :) Hello to you from the other 'angels'!

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    2. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 9:46 PM

      We'd love to meet with you in person, too, Sweet Maxie!!! We keep praying that Noela will fly over here sometime! This collection includes The Fruitcake Challenge. I'm excited for you to read Lilacs for Juliana, too, Maxie! Blessings!

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  15. JaniceAugust 23, 2015 at 6:52 PM

    Christmas is such a special time, and short stories are great for the busy season. Thank you for the chance to win good books by great story weavers!♡
    Blessings, Janice
    jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 23, 2015 at 8:44 PM

      Thanks, Janice! I prefer novellas and short stories, too, for the holidays! blessings!

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  16. Mrs TinaAugust 24, 2015 at 2:38 PM

    Congratulations on this series of book releases ladies!

    Not entering this contest.....but wanted to say this is a wonderful group of heartwarming stories.
    I have read them all except for Eleven Pipers Piping which I am looking forward to reading.

    Blessings, Tina

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