Diana's Review Of 'One Enchanted Eve' By Melissa Tagg

One Enchanted Eve (Enchanted Christmas Collection 2) By Melissa Tagg
Larkspur Press, Nov. 22, 2016

Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars!~
(No spoilers!)

Perfect Recipe For Love?

Author Melissa Tagg has penned a heartwarming, magical Yuletide tale set on a farm in charming Maple Valley, Iowa, where crystalline skies and glittering snow adorn quaint storefronts, wreaths decorate iron lampposts, lights are threaded throughout the trees, and Christmas music is piped through speakers. Simply enchanting, but just what is Rylan Jefferson doing here with Colin Renwycke...her student? 

Colin Renwycke is done with his role as a player and has but one goal in mind—to earn back the respect of his family by embarking on a new career as a pastry chef. He has natural talent but proves to be a mess in the classroom (not to mention he cannot follow a recipe), much to the dismay of his culinary instructor, Rylan Jefferson. When she is literally ready to kick him out of her class, Colin makes her a proposal that involves traveling all the way to his postcard perfect hometown in Iowa. Rylan needs his talent to further her career, but what about her hungry heart?—and could there possibly be more to this man than irresistible blue eyes and dimples? Together can they create the perfect recipe for romance?

Not a novella reader per se, this is the perfect time of year for me to cuddle up with a few...when the busyness of the holidays prevent me from reading a full length novel. Melissa Tagg's always fill the bill with her Christmassy snow-covered small town settings and complex characters. Blending humor with serious issues, Melissa Tagg is an expert at crafting a novella so chock-full of details, romantic tension, and descriptive imagery...that you will feel as sated as though you have just finished a full-length book! So put your jammies on, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and have yourself one enchanted eve! 😉

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This delightful novella may be purchased through Amazon and B&N.

GIVEAWAY: An ebook copy of One Enchanted Eve to one blessed commenter! To be entered please be sure to leave your email addy written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers.

Cowboy Christmas Homecoming - from Gilead, Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Four Historical Novellas - Cowboy Christmas Homecoming is sure to bring the reader enjoyment during this holiday season.

Pick this one for your Christmas read!

With stories from Julie Lessman, Mary Connealy, and Ruth Logan Herne -- Christian historical romance readers can't go wrong with this new release from new publisher Gilead!!!

FIVE STARS *****
(Disclaimer: I was only able to finish reading three of the four novellas before life got too hectic. I was unable to read Anna Schmidt's novella. But the first three novellas were so good, I give the collection a 5 Star rating regardless!)

The stories:

Last Chance Christmas, Julie Lessman’s novella, was a lovely read. As usual, Julie infused her story with passion and with Christ as the core of the relationship. I’ve had to wait over a year for another Julie historical and it was worth the wait!

A Cowboy For Christmas, Ruth Logan Herne’s novella, once again convicted me of why readers love her writing! A fantastic read! You won't be able to go to sleep until you finish it! She does a great job in captivating the reader.

Longhorn Christmas, Mary Connealy’s novella, makes you want to kick up your heels by the fire and read. She has some bonafide creds to tell this story — Connealy lives on a ranch with her husband. When you read this story you know you are getting the read deal. And that is as satisfying as the story!

Connie's Christmas Prayer, Anna Schmidt’s novella, I was unable to get to.  

Available through Christian Book Distributors
Amazon 
Barnes and Noble 

I read this collection of four novellas as a download from NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

Giveaway: A copy of the book (ebook only international unless available on Book Depository.)

FREE!!! The Substitute Bride by Carrie Fancett Pagels!

The Substitute Bride by Carrie Fancett Pagels

It's my birthday today, January 5th, 2016!!!  So click on the image above for a birthday goody you can take home with you!!! That's my bestselling new Christmas novella that has a 4.9 Star rating based on 33 reviews at this point!  If you read The Substitute Bride and like it, please consider doing a review! 

"A Christmas Carol" meets "It’s A Wonderful Life"

A letter for Sonja’s deceased friend arrives at the post office in Michigan, and with it a proposal. With her father threatening to kick her out of his home, Sonja impulsively responds, offering to travel west to be a substitute bride. At the same time, Louis’s railroad promotion sends him back to Michigan, the one place on earth he’d hoped to never return—where Christmas past was full of pain. A mysterious stranger leaves him marked copies of “A Christmas Carol” as he considers romancing Sonja in Christmas present. Will Louis discern the best choices for Christmas future? Does it include the Poor House, again? Even so—will God bring healing and love to him this year?

Do you want to give me a "gift" this year???  Go over to my Amazon Author page and "FOLLOW" me (click here) thanks! To all the amazing readers and reviewers and bloggers out there - a hearty "Huzzah!!!" and thank you for all you do for Christian authors like myself!  

I'll be busy most of the day on my birthday, but if you choose to leave a comment I'll be popping by and will check back on Wednesday, too!  Here's a link to my Facebook Author page if you want to "Like" that page (thank you if you already have!) and you can leave comments over there, too (click here)!

Family Fiction contest -- Last year The Fruitcake Challenge made it onto the long list for Book of the Year PTL, thanks to reader/reviewers! 

If you enjoyed Lilacs for Juliana or The

Lumberjacks' Ball and want to nominate one or both of the novels for the Books of the Year list, click here, and either type in the title name or peruse the list and click the "like" button where someone else has nominated it already.  

Thanks!!!

Bio: Former "Yooper" Carrie Fancett Pagels writes Christian historical romances about overcoming. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn't "cured" by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia's Historic Triangle, which is perfect for her fascination with history. Carrie enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and beading--but not all at the same time!

Diana Reviews One Enchanted Christmas ~*~a novella~*~ By Melissa Tagg

One Enchanted Christmas By Melissa Tagg, Dec. 2015

Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars~
(No Spoilers!)

                Simply Magical!

Melissa Tagg has penned a delightful, heartwarming small town romance simply brimming with Christmas galore—from the tinseled decorated lampposts and glistening snow atop craggy branches—to the twinkling lights wrapped around every tree trunk in Maple Valley, Iowa.

Mystery author, Maren Grant, has the most enchanting evening of her life when she goes on a date with Colin Renwycke, the dreamy model on the cover of her new book. An evening of dinner, a ride in a horse-drawn carriage on a lovely, crisp winter's night, and an open invitation to visit his family's farm in Maple Valley leaves her senses reeling. One year later—suffering from a bad case of writer's block and an inability to forget Colin—Maren impulsively decides to take him up on his offer. Once there she meets Colin's brother, Drew Renwycke, who has decided to renovate the family farm he inherited in the hopes of drawing his estranged family back together. What ensues is a magical holiday romance far exceeding Maren's wildest hopes and dreams. But which brother will win her heart at the Christmas Carnival?...for appearances can be deceiving and first impressions are not always lasting ones.


Truthfully, I'm not a big fan of novellas with the exception of a few authors' I have enjoyed reading. However, I do appreciate them during the busyness of the holiday season when it's difficult to read a full length book...especially Christmas novellas! And Melissa Tagg's is chock-full of the delight and enchantment of a small town Christmas—with the scent of evergreen wafting through the frosty air and a blanket of snow powdering the landscape—what a scenic setting for romance! Ms. Tagg is a wonderfully talented author who incorporates humor with serious issues as well, and she certainly packed a lot of story into a novella. And talk about the power of suggestion! I actually read this book with a cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and it was 70 degrees outside! lol So take an evening off from all the Christmas rush, and with your feet propped up and a cup of hot cocoa in hand...enjoy the dazzling One Enchanted Christmas tonight!




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This novella may be purchased through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

GIVEAWAY: I would love to give away an ebook copy of One Enchanted Christmas to TWO of our OWG viewers for a Christmas gift! :) To be eligible, please leave your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Noela reviews THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Substitute Bride

The Substitute Bride

by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Hearts Overcoming Press (October 11, 2015)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

‘The Substitute Bride’ sweeps you up in an enchanting, heart-warming novella that gifts the reader with the message that we are never just a substitute, but chosen specifically by God for His joy and purpose. Upon unwrapping this gift, you discover an engaging story where the past and present collide to create a future of love, healing, and hope!

In the town of Shepherd, Michigan, the lovely Sonja Hoeke works as a substitute mail carrier for her father who was recently injured. Even so, her father—a domineering and ornery man—is desperate to get Sonja out from underfoot and married, and threatens to send her away. Thus, when Sonja happens upon a missive sent to her recently deceased friend Cora from a pen-pal named Louis--and discovers a proposal within—she impulsively replies by offering herself as a substitute bride.

Depot at Shepherd, Michigan

Railroad manager Louis Penwell, meanwhile is on his way to Shepherd to meet his penfriend Cora, hoping to marry her in order to advance within the railroad business. Burdened with the knowledge that she lived at the Poor House—the place of his nightmares—was yet another incentive to marry Cora. How will Louis handle the tragic news when he arrives? And what will his reaction be when he learns that Sonja has offered herself as a substitute bride?

This novella awards the reader with intrigue as our hero Louis receives parcels inscribed with cryptic messages; with drama through the heartless Poor House proprietor; and with a sweet emerging romance. A wonderful cast of characters—including the Reverend Carlton Mathews and his gracious wife Teresa—supplement the endearing heroes of the story. And I always enjoy how author Carrie Fancett Pagels unfailingly enriches her stories with meticulous historic detail... Making it not only informative but delivering an authenticity that ferries you away to another time! It's an honor to highly recommend this book!

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'The Substitute Bride' may be purchased here through: AMAZON

GIVEAWAY: A copy of 'The Substitute Bride' to one blessed commenter in choice of e-book or paperback! To be eligible for the drawing please leave your e-mail using (at) and (dot) to protect yourself against spammers.

Diana's Review Of THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE By Carrie Fancett Pagels



The Substitute Bride by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Substitute Bride By Carrie Fancett Pagels
Hearts Overcoming Press, October 2015

Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars!~

                                                          O' Little Town of Christmas

In The Substitute Bride, author Carrie Fancett Pagels has written an enchanting holiday story guaranteed to warm the cockles of your heart in spite of the flurry of sparkling, crystalline snowflakes dusting the town of Shepherd, Michigan.

Sonja Hoeke is the substitute mail carrier for her injured father who continuously threatens to kick her out of his home—demanding she find a husband by Christmas. Sonja nervously opens a letter penned to her deceased friend, Cora, from a Mr. Penwell in South Dakota. Not knowing Cora has passed away, Louis Penwell extends a proposal to her—desperately needing a wife for his railroad promotion. Sonja impulsively responds to the letter offering to become a substitute bride, which Louis does not receive because he is en route to his new position in Michigan. Shepherd is the one place Louis had wished never to return, as his past there is filled with haunting memories. But will a strange woman's notes of Christmas past, present, and future...and meeting the lovely Sonja bring healing to his troubled soul?

As always, Carrie Fancett Pagels pens another delightful, heartwarming story of faith, hope, and healing—intertwining A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life! With a compassionate hero and heroine—and endearing secondary characters who will cause your heart to melt despite the scenic white carpet of snow and frosted evergreen trees—the magical sights and scents of Christmas come alive in The Substitute Bride! Shepherd is a real town in Michigan where its townsfolk keep their history alive to this day, and Carrie Fancett Pagels gives us a sweet taste of what it may have been like...in Christmas past.

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This novella may be purchased through Amazon.

GIVEAWAY: A copy of The Substitute Bride to one blessed commenter (choice of ebook or paperback.) To be eligible for the drawing please leave your email address using (at) and (dot) to protect yourself against spammers.

Christmas Traditions 8-in-1 Collection - Guest Review by Tina Rice

Christmas Traditions
FIVE STARS ***** 
8 Christmas Novellas...Stories of Love at Christmas
    by Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall,  
    Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Niki Turner and Gina Welborn

Reviewed by Tina St.Clair Rice, Guest Reviewer

1) A Nutcracker Christmas by Jennifer AlLee
Isabella Brandt is one of many ballerinas in the 1945 San Francisco Ballet Corps.  She, like the others, are trying out for a coveted position in the upcoming performance of the Nutcracker.  

Violinist Victor Randolf recently immigrated to America from Hungary and was fortunate to land a position in the Orchestra for the Ballet Corps.  As Isabella and Victor work together they form a closeness neither of them expected.  With Thanksgiving coming up, Isabella invites many of the ballerinas and Victor to her apartment.  After the delicious Thanksgiving meal, they gather in the living room enjoying coffee and listening to Victor play his violin.  An unexpected “guest” shows up, the last person Isabella expected to ever see again.  Beyond shocked, Isabella can only stare while her other guests leave.  What, how can this happen?  What does this mean for her future?

I like the way Jennifer weaves her story and shows her characters feelings, challenges, past hurts, hopes, dreams and faith.  Taking us backstage for a glimpse of the hard work it takes to produce a production like the Nutcracker and into their lives away from the stage. 

2) Eleven Pipers Piping by Angela Breidenbach
(CFP: This NEW RELEASE novella was only published this fall. The other novellas and short stories originally released last year. Angela lost her father last year while the collection was being written.)

Mirielle Sheehan is the music teacher at an exclusive church school for boys in the 1890's frontier town of Helena, Montana.  She is determined to help eleven abandoned young orphaned boys of various ages as they struggle to buy food and survive on their own as newsies—boys selling newspapers.  However, the school superintendent has given her a choice: either turn these rowdy street boys into model citizens or they will get sold into indenture or sent to the military—within the week.  

Evan Russell has been searching for his 6 year old son, Joseph, for sometime now.  After his wife died, he left Joseph in his brother's care while he went away to work.  However, Joseph is missing after a fire destroyed the home and family with it.  Is Joseph alive somewhere? He has to be!  Mirielle and Evan join forces to locate young Joesph with the help of the newsies.  Will they be able to find Joseph or is he really gone?  Praying for a miracle they enlist the citizens of Helena along with the newsies.  

This is a sweet and endearing story.  The 11 newsies certainly captured my heart and I so wanted them to find a safe, loving place to live...off the streets.  Evan's heartbreaking search for his son had me in tears as he struggled to hold onto the hope that Joesph is still alive somewhere.  I like Mirielle's spirit, compassion and dedication to these young boys.  This is a story that will capture the hearts of the readers.

3) An Apple For Christmas by Darlene Franklin 

Ruby Nelson is the new teacher at an all girls school in 1895 Vermont.  She enjoys teaching these young girls, even the challenging ones.  There are twin girls, Pippin and Margil, in her class that have captured Ruby's heart.  The twins father, MacIntosh—Mac Cortland, owns an apple orchard he and his deceased wife started years earlier.  Before moving from New York, Ruby's background was in agricultural science involving apples and is very interested in the Mac's apple orchard.  She also finds her heart drawn to Mac.

It is fun that Mac and the twins are named after apples...which fits the story-line very well. Margil fell in love with Ruby right off but it took a little longer for Pippin. It was fun to watch the interaction between Ruby and Mac—some very humorous moments too.  The twins were delightful and full of plans for their father and teacher.  Will their plans turn out the way they hoped or will they fall far short?
An Apple for Christmas is full of humor, love, faith and apples—of course—making this a sweet story.

4) Christmas Lessons by Patty Smith Hall

As a child Claire Davenport learned she had Polo which left one of her legs weakened and her walking with a cane.  Because of her disability, she broke off her engagement two years ago to the love of her life, Billy Warner.

After the broken engagement Billy leaves Marietta to pursue his dream of coaching football.  Now back in Marietta, he accepts the head coach position at the school where Claire teaches.  Claire learns he is back and will be working at the school at a staff meeting.  Added to that, he will be helping Claire as she works to give Christmas to the needy families in the community.

Can Billy learn why Claire really broke their engagement?   As they work together will they find that they still love each other?  I like how the author shows that despite having a disability, it doesn't mean you can't live a full, active life...including love.  Misunderstandings, insecurities, redemption, forgiveness, love and faith are woven to create a sweet story.

5) Handcarved Christmas by Cynthia Hickey

Laura Worth lived in a small town in Missouri with her parents and is the oldest of their 10 children.  An advertisement in the town paper catches her eye for young single women to be brides for eligible men in Montana.  With nothing to keep her in Missouri this seems like an answer to her prayers so she starts up a correspondence with a perspective groom, Benjamin Cooper, or Ben.  After some time and prayer she concludes that she is to be Ben's bride and travels the long way to Montana.  Now she anxiously awaits her groom at the train station, peering out the window but only sees more snow falling, no groom in sight!  What has happened to him?  What should she do?  Finally hiring a driver to take her the two hours ride to Ben's home she arrives and knocks on the door.  Ben opens the door, puzzled why a young woman would be at his door step in the middle of a snow storm.  He learns that she is to be his bride!  Finding a note left by Ben's brother, Sam, explains that Laura is Sam's Christmas gift to Ben.  

To protect her reputation Ben has no choice now but to marry her since they were alone all night.  They return to town the next day and marry.  Of course, things don't go as smoothly as they would like.  Being strangers, they both have a lot to learn about each other and being married.  As they work side by side, along with Sam, they learn to care for each other.  Christmas is fast approaching and they each have their little secrets preparing for the holiday.  What will Christmas bring to this couple? 

Handcarved Christmas is a charming and sweet romance set in 1880 Montana where mail-order brides are common.  I like the way the author shows the characters struggles as they learn to live together and care for each other, their strengths, weaknesses and faith.  Great story!

6) The Fruitcake Challenge by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Our hero/heroin live and work near Mackinaw City in Northern Michigan's logging camp in 1890.  Josephine-Jo Christy, daughter of the camp's owner, is the camps cook and longs to leave and find another life for herself.   She has vowed to leave once this camp site moves on to the next camp site where the white pines they harvest are plentiful.  Jo longs to marry and have a family but does not want to marry a lumberjack.  Tom Jeffries is a teacher but teaching jobs are scarce and pay little, so he finds a job with the Christy logging camp as a lumberjack to support himself and his widowed mother. 

Both Jo and Tom have prayed for God's leading in their lives and question His direction at times.  Tom challenges Jo to bake a fruitcake like his mothers', if she does he will marry her.  Jo takes up the challenge, not to marry him but to take him down a notch or two—he is way too cocky, and besides he is a lumberjack.  But over the months as they get to know each other and Jo bakes one fruitcake after another that doesn't meet Tom's specifications, Jo begins to rethink baking yet one more fruitcake.  Tom now has second thoughts on his challenge to Jo, he wants to marry her but not because of her baking a fruitcake.  Things don't go smoothly as the deadline gets closer.  Even though Jo's fruitcakes are not like Tom's mothers', each fruitcake she bakes spark romance in other unlikely couples. 

I loved the sparks between Jo and Tom, each trying not to admit to themselves that there is an attraction.  I like the way the author includes Jo and Tom's thoughts showing their uncertainty and how vulnerable they really are. The description of how remote the logging camp really is from the nearest town and the difficulty traveling back and forth gives us a glimpse of their way of life.  Those in the camp are more like family than co-workers and rely on each other daily.  No story would be complete without surprises, and this one includes some surprises along the way keeping the reader engrossed in the story.  I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would like to see more of the characters in a follow-up story. 

7) Sadie's Gift by Niki Turner

Sadie Hubbard is a nurse working in the local Preventorium in the early 1920's.  She cares for children who have or have been exposed to Tuberculosis (TB).  Her heart goes out to them and their families and wants to make each Christmas a very special one even if she has to sacrifice to do it.  

Nathan Wells is a man on a mission, to return his recently deceased brother's car to his parents and then be left alone with his grief.  As Sadie is walking across the icy street he swerves to avoid hitting her.  Angry, he informs Sadie that she has to pay for repairs to the car.  

Later when Sadie arrives at the boarding house in which she lives she runs into Nathan again as he is now staying there too until his car is repaired. Will they be able to get past their first meeting and work together for the children?  Can Sadie's actions reveal the true Spirit of Christmas to Nathan?  Can Nathan release his anger and grief? 

This is a very touching Christmas novella in many ways, a bit of suspense, range of emotions, humor, romance, redemption and Spirituality.  I love the way God's love is revealed through Sadie's heart and how she shares the true Spirit of Christmas. 

8) Holly Daze by Gina Welborn

This is a charming short novella set in 1880's Iowa at Christmas time.  This little town has a festival each year in which they continue years of superstition—the placing of a cherry twig into glasses of holy water by an unmarried maiden, Lena Reinhardt, to bring good fortune for that year.  James Holly, an English paleontologist, is in Iowa for a geological survey at the time of the festival.  While there one of his fossils is stolen, delaying his departure until it is found.

The character's struggles in this novella are clearly shown.  Struggles that even Christians have— like Lena and James. I like how faith, forgiveness and redemption is addressed and opens the eyes to God's forgiveness and what it means for the believer.  A bit of humor, faith, love and romance makes this a charming Christmas story.

 THANKS TINA for the reviews!!!

GIVEAWAY:  This #1 Amazon Bestseller in Christian Christmas stories continues to stay on the top five of the list even months after release! Now available in paperback, we're giving away a copy to one of our readers. (International winners ebook only.) Answer this question: Why do you read Christmas collections? 

'THE BEST GIFT OF ALL' by Julie Lessman - Reviewed by Bonnie Roof



Bonnie reviews 'THE BEST GIFT OF ALL' by Julie Lessman 
IN Home for Christmas: Christmas Historical Romance Collection 

5 Stars *****

"I need 'you', Lizzie - your laughter, your encouragement, your gentleness, your love - and not just in my bed. I need you in my heart and my mind, to feel your love like before, when it was just you and me. I need to be close to you, hold you, talk to you, pray about where I've been in my mind lately." (The Best Gift of All).

Boston, Massachusetts  - 1934

It's 9 p.m., Lizzie Brady sighs as her husband, John, is late getting home from work - as on so many previous nights. During the Depression many people are pressed to work long hours, as does John with his business partner Collin McGuire, Lizzie's brother-in-law, at their printing business. John - previously always gentle, kind, and steady - has become irritable, Lizzie feeling he is no longer the perfect spouse, mentor, and lover. Even six-year-old Teddy and four-year-old Molly have noticed their father's "grumpiness". Lizzie, has put baby Sara to bed, Teddy and Molly are hoping to stretch bedtime long enough to show their father their artwork. Lizzie is fatigued, due to her advancing pregnancy and caring for three children; this pregnancy affecting her worse than the previous three.

Work isn't the only thing contributing to the changes in John. When Molly gets out of bed repeated times, having problems sleeping - Lizzy gets in bed with her, John's resentment of the attention Lizzie gives their children - reappears. Until Lizzie's current pregnancy, John felt he had the perfect marriage - Lizzie's feelings near worship (one look or kiss being all it used to take to make her "swoon"), they almost never fought.

He loves his children, yet his jealousy of them fills him with guilt, shame, and makes him feel weak - the attention Lizzie gives them leaves little for him; he doesn't know how to tell her without sounding selfish. "What kind of man resents his children? A man who needs his wife." Lizzie is the best mother he knows, but sometimes he needs a wife, sometimes - their children need to learn the love of he and Lizzie come first. He was always a man who inspired trust - now his own lack of trust could destroy him and the love of his wife. He can be prideful, continue to withdraw into his work, forget his convictions and God, watch his love being strangled through his resentment; but chooses to beseech God to free him of jealousy, restore his heart and the peace and harmony he and Lizzie have always known. 

Lizzie doesn't feel their marriage can be the same as it was before they became parents, with responsibilities to their children. When she invites a former boyfriend, Michael, John's estranged brother who betrayed both of them - to their house, in the hopes of renewing John's relationship with his brother, tensions are stressed to the max. She feels a stranger to her own husband, weak, an imperfect mother, and a failure as a wife. Feeling, also, John has a clean heart and pure love - unlike her - and doesn't love her as much as he once did.

Two people struggling to mend the lines of communication, and their love - in the process. Julie Lessman has written a beautiful, heart-warming fiction that is based on fact from a friend's story, and one that, unfortunately, many people are now confronted with on a daily basis. I loved visiting with the warm, endearing, members of the O'Connor family again - enjoying all the other elements I've come to expect in Julie's stories: passion, romance, drama, unexpected twists, anguish, humor, forgiveness and redemption - through God's love and seeking His plan for one's life. 'The Best Gift of All' will be an inspiration to all!

And they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. Mark 10:8-9.

'The Best Gift of All' is part of the 'Home For Christmas', Historical Christian Romance Collection, available at Amazon. NOTE: We hope to review some of the other fine novellas in this collection soon! Ruth Logan Herne, our front-runner for Angel's Heart Award (Julie won our first one!) has Second Chance Christmas, Pam Hillman, who we've also hosted on OWG blog has All Aboard: Destination Chrismas (Which sounds great!), and Janet Dean has A Daddy for Christmas (sweet!)--so be on the watch!!!

PRE-ORDER NOW from Amazon - Kindle copy for only $2.99--Releases October 10th!!!

Giveaway: Julie has generously offered an ebook giveaway copy of 'The Best Gift of All' to one blessed commenter!! Question: What book of Julie's is your favorite?  

Christmas Traditions Review - By Guest Angi Griffis

Christmas Traditions Series

Get Into the Christmas Spirit!

Guest Review by Angi Griffis

"Handcarved Christmas"-by Cynthia Hickey

Laura Worth has traveled all the way from Missouri to Montana to meet the man she intends to marry, Benjamin Cooper. The only thing is, she’s never met him, except through his letters. Laura’s excitement grows until the moment she arrives at his ranch and he opens the door…only to find that he knows nothing about her. Deciding that she can’t make the long trip back to Missouri, Benjamin agrees to marry her. But it’s going to take both of them a little time and a little getting used to being married. Cynthia Hickey has crafted a sweet, romantic Christmas story that’s sure to bring a smile to your face and a sigh to your heart.

"Sadie’s Gift"-by Niki Turner

Sadie Hubbard is a nurse at the local Preventorium, and desperately wants to give the resident children a special Christmas. But lack of funds makes it near impossible to fulfill her mission, causing her to resort to the only way she knows to make a little extra money. Taking her beloved family heirlooms to a pawn shop. Nathan Wells has suffered recent heartbreak and just wants everyone to leave him alone to his grief. When he and Sadie meet by accident, literally, Nathan must learn to get along with her since they are boarders in the same boarding house. As Christmas draws ever closer, will Sadie be able to help Nathan find the Spirit of Christmas again? A beautiful story by Niki Turner, reminding us what the true Spirit of Christmas is all about.

"The Fruitcake Challenge"-by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Jo Christy is tired of life in a lumber camp and wants to start a new one for herself in another location. Being the camp cook, she dreams of getting a job in a bakery and living on her own. But there’s a new man in camp and he’s determined to court her. Despite the fact that she gets annoyed with constant attention from the camp’s new lumberjack, she can’t help but feel drawn to his sweet nature. But when Tom Jeffries, said lumber jack, issues a challenge to her to make a fruit cake as good or better than his mother’s, sparks fly between the two. As Christmas approaches, it’s Tom’s desire to make Jo his wife…if only he can convince her. Carrie Fancett Pagels has written a sweet, fun Christmas story full of romance, humor, and hope. Get ready to snuggle under a blanket with a warm hot chocolate and a good book!

"An Apple For Christmas"-by Darlene Franklin

Ruby Nelson has quit her research position in New York to take a teaching position at the Spruce Hill Female Academy in Vermont, in the hopes that she can teach the young girls and help them to learn valuable skills they will need later in life. Even before the first day of school, she receives a visit from two of her students (twin sisters, Margil and Pippin) and their handsome father, MacIntosh “Mac” Cortland. Mac discovers that she is interested in horticulture and invites her to visit their apple orchard. In the weeks that follow, it doesn’t take long for the girls to warm up to Ruby. Deciding they would like her to become part of the family, they plan a scheme designed to get Ruby and Mac together and all it takes is ‘an apple for Christmas’.

"Christmas Lessons"-by Patty Smith Hall

For history teacher Claire Davenport, everything was going just fine. Her life, her job, and the Christmas project that she was working on to help the less fortunate families in their school district. That is until she’s coerced into a partnership to work on the project with the last man she wants to see. Her former fiancé, Billy Warner. And it doesn’t help that she feels self-conscious about the disability that caused her to break off their engagement in the first place. Coach Billy Warner has come back to his alma mater to teach history and coach the team. Backed into a corner, he reluctantly agrees to help Claire with the Christmas project. But still he wonders what triggered Claire to break their engagement two years before. As Christmas approaches, the two of them begin working closely together, and Billy is determined to find out what caused the breakup and hopefully win back the heart of the woman he loves, maybe in time for Christmas.

"Nutcracker Christmas"-by Jennifer Allee

Isabella Brandt loves the Ballet. For years, she has dreamed of being the lead dancer in a major production. When a twist of events lands her the principal role in The Nutcracker and at the same time temporarily disables the accompanying pianist, she must rely on the music of an accomplished violinist from the San Francisco Ballet Company. A very handsome Hungarian violinist. Victor Randolph loves playing his violin in the orchestra. When a little accident causes him to cross paths with the lead ballerina in The Nutcracker, he never imagines that he would fall in love with her. Yet as the weeks progress, he finds himself drawn closer to her. But then a visit from a surprise caller stops Victor from telling her how much he cares for her. Now the only thing to get them through is the Lord and a Nutcracker Christmas.

CFP:  Thanks, Angi!!! Great reviews!!!

We'll have reviews of Angela Breidenbach's Eleven Pipers Piping later on the blog! We're missing a review of Gina Wellborn's novella, also, which we'll be including in future reviews. 

Giveaway: We have three ebook giveaways this week of this novella which PTL is now at #3 and was at #2 on Best Selling Holiday books on Amazon (right next to Debbie McComber's Christmas release!!!) We are THRILLED about this collection--get it while it is on sale!  Over $20 worth of novellas for only 99 cents right now while on sale!!!