A Wild Goose Chase Christmas by Jennifer AiLee

From Goodreads.com
Upon her grandmother's death, Izzy Fontaine finds herself in possession of a Wild Goose Chase pattern quilt that supposedly leads to a great treasure. Of course, once the rest of the family finds out about the "treasure map," they're determined to have a go at the treasure themselves. And, if that weren't enough, Max Logan, a local museum curator, contacts Izzy and says that Grandma Isabella promised him the quilt.

What is it about this quilt that makes everyone want it? Is Izzy on a wild goose chase of her own, or a journey that will lead her to the treasure her grandmother intended?

My Take:  This book was a delight from beginning to the end.  It is part of the Quilts of Love series but can be read alone.  It is center around the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas but you could read this anytime of the year and still love it. 

Like with a lot of families now a days Izzy's family is bit dysfunctional.  they come together because they think that the quilt the their grandmother left will somehow lead to monetary gain.  There is a mystery that keeps them looking for the treasure.  And of course there is romance and all the mixups that many times go along with that.  This book will give you that bit of peace you may need during this time of year when you just need to be carried away for a short time to unwind and decompress.  This book is just the ticket you need.  

I received a review copy of this book from Abingdon Press ins exchange for my honest opinion.  

Book synopsis of A Simple Amish Christmas by Vanetta Chapman

Annie Weaver always planned to return home, but the 20-year old RN has lived in Philadelphia for three years now. As her time of rumschpringe is about to come to an abrupt end, bringing for Annie an overwhelming sense of loneliness. She returns home and finds herself face-to-face with a budding romance with an Amish farmer and important choices to make.

About Vannetta Chapman

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania.

Her novel, Falling to Pieces, was a 2012 ACFW Carol Award winner for best mystery. All of her books have been Christian Book Distributor bestsellers. She currently writes Amish fiction for Abingdon Press, Zondervan, and Harvest House. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

For more information, visit her atwww.VannettaChapman.com or blog with her athttp://vannettachapman.wordpress.com/. She can also be found athttp://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapm....

Book Synopsis of An Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson

Graphic designer Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. For almost a year, her mother has lain in a nursing home, the victim of a massive stroke, and Natalie blames herself for not being there when it happened. Worse, she s allowed the monstrous load of guilt to drive a wedge between her and everyone she loves most of all her husband Daniel. Her marriage is on the verge of dissolving, her prayer life is suffering, and she s one Christmas away from hitting rock bottomJunior-high basketball coach Daniel Pearce is at his wit s end. Nothing he s done has been able to break through the wall Natalie has erected between them. And their daughter Lissa s adolescent rebellion isn t helping matters. As Daniel s hope reaches its lowest ebb, he wonders if this Christmas will spell the end of his marriage and the loss of everything he holds dear

About Myra Johnson

Myra Johnson’s roots go deep into Texas soil, but after surviving five Oklahoma winters, she now enjoys the milder climate of the Carolinas. Empty-nesters, Myra and her husband share their home with two loveable (and very spoiled) dogs. Her debut novel, One Imperfect Christmas, was a September 2009 release from Abingdon Press. She also writes for Heartsong Presents. Her November 2009 release, Autumn Rains, won the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript and was named a 2010 ACFW Carol Award finalist.

Myra is currently at work on a 3-book historical romance series for Abingdon Press. Book 1,When the Clouds Roll By, releases September 2013.

Myra’s writing career was launched in 1985 when she sold her first short story while taking a course through the Institute of Children’s Literature. Myra later joined the ICL staff as a magazine writing instructor, teaching hundreds of students the fundamentals of story and article structure, plotting, character development, and market analysis. She now writes full-time and is active in her church as well as local and national writers groups. Myra and her husband have been married since 1972. The Johnsons have two married daughters and six grandchildren.

The Christmas Star by Ace Collins

The Christmas Star by Ace Collins

From Goodreads.com
  

Robert Reed gave his life for his country in the early days of World War II. His sacrifice was honored when his widow and son were presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Each Christmas the final decoration Madge Reed hangs on the family s tree is that medal. Rather than being a symbol of honor for young Jimmy Reed that shining star represents loss, pain, and suffering. Yet a letter delivered by one of Robert s fellow soldiers and a mystery posed in that letter put a father s sacrifice and faith into perspective and bring new meaning to not just the star hanging on the Christmas tree but the events of the very first Christmas. Then, when least expected, a Christmas miracle turns a final bit of holiday sadness into a joy that Jimmy has never known

My Take:This is the kind of book that I like to read around the holidays.  Jimmy is a young man that is hurting (just like many people hurt around the holidays when they lose their loved ones).  Jimmy makes a few bad decisions when he thinks that these decisions will help with how he is feeling but when he learns how his father really dies and when he reads a letter written by his dad it helps him to have a truly Christmas Miracle.  

This is a great story for this time of the year but also for any time of the year. 

I received a review copy from Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book synopsis and review of The Christmas Quilt by Vanetta Chapman

Annie's life is deliciously full as the Christmas season approaches. She helps her husband, Samuel, attend to the community's minor medical needs. She occasionally assists Belinda, the local midwife, and most days, she finds herself delivering the buggy to her brother Adam. Annie s sister-in-law Leah is due to deliver their first child before Christmas morning, and Annie is determined to finish a crib quilt before the "boppli" arrives. With six weeks to go, she should have no problem . . . but God may have a different plan. Leah is rushed to the English hospital when the infant arrives early, and Annie discovers the Christmas quilt may hold a far greater significance than she ever imagined.



About Vanetta Chapman


Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. 

Her novel, Falling to Pieces, was a 2012 ACFW Carol Award winner for best mystery. All of her books have been Christian Book Distributor bestsellers. She currently writes Amish fiction for Abingdon Press, Zondervan, and Harvest House. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

For more information, visit her atwww.VannettaChapman.com or blog with her athttp://vannettachapman.wordpress.com/. She can also be found athttp://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapm....(less)

My Take:  I really enjoyed this book and I was delighted to revisit the characters from A Simple Amish Christmas which I read last year.  This is a good book to read this time of year as it is just the right length and just light enough that you can read it when you just have short snippets of time (which face it we all only have short snippets at this time of Year).  You can read this book as a stand alone but I think you would really enjoy this book more if you read A Simple Amish Christmas first.  This book is also in the Quilts of Love series which you can read each title alone.

It is about a year later after the events of A Simple Amish Christmas and Annie is content with her life with her husband.  She is trying to help with her Sister in Law who is very pregnant with twins.  Her brother and sister in law have grown apart during the pregnancy and neither can figure out why.  Then the unthinkable happens and Leah goes into early labor.  The Christmas Quilt is the Quilt the Annie is making for Leah's babies.  She takes it with her to the hospital to work on and then she and Leah decide to tell stories to go along with each of the parts of the quilt.  This is a great book that helps you to dwell on other things about this time of year and not just the commercialism and I want of the modern holiday.

I received a review copy from Abingdon Press and Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Music for Your Heart by Ace Collins

Music For Your Heart by Ace Collins

From Goodreads.com
Have you ever had a song stuck in your head for days? Something abut its tune or lyrics impacts us and holds our attention. Why? How did the song come to be? Why was it written? And what does the song really mean? In Music for Your Heart, best-selling and award-winning author Ace Collins takes you behind the scenes of your favorite songs to show how the lyrics and music began. Through insider stories, artist bios, and inspiration from Scripture, Collins weaves stirring reflections on our adored and popular classics. Whether the featured song is a holiday carol, children s worship tune, or love song, each short chapter will inspire curious music enthusiasts as well as those seeking a book for a devotional meditation. Digging deep into the words and history of the music, these uplifting and informative reflections will warm the heart like the songs themselves. Songs include: - Jesus Loves Me - You Are My Sunshine - How Great Thou Art - White Christmas - Amazing Grace - Sweet, Sweet Spirit - Blue Moon - Jingle Bells - You Raise Me Up - Deep and Wide - I Will Always Love You - Moon River

My Take:  I really have enjoyed reading this book along with devotions.  I like learning the various stories behind these songs that everyone knows and I found myself singing these songs after I read the entry for that day.  I liked how the author tied in the Bible into the story even to songs that were not considered a Christian song.  Each entry will have you coming away with an " I didn't know that" moment.  You will be humming the various songs in your head and enjoying yourself immensely  

I received a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion from Abingdon Press.