Archive | December 2023

The Christmas Town by Elyse Douglas

Dec13

Perfectly Charming

The Christmas Town by Elyse Douglas is a perfectly charming timeslip novel that I loved.

Travel back in time to a snow-covered Vermont in December 1943. Here we lose ourselves in a quaint, old-fashioned town that is warm and welcoming as Christmas approaches.

Elyse Douglas captures the reader’s imagination with her comprehensive descriptions as we spend a few hours immersed in the novel. Modern day gadgets are far from our minds as we settle into a simpler time.

In times of war, people pull together – but there will always be the unscrupulous black marketers who are out to make a quick buck.

All the characters were delightfully drawn. They had a charm that endeared them to the reader.

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The Christmas Hummingbird by Davis Bunn

Dec11

Love & Care

The Christmas Hummingbird by Davis Bunn is the most delightful tale set in the run up to Christmas. It is the seventh book in the Miramar Bay series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The area around Miramar Bay is a hotbed of forest fires. The fire service and police are on high alert as the dry weather sparks new fires daily. Unfortunately, there are those who take advantage of the fires to steal and loot from the householders who are evacuated. The police and fire departments work together to solve the crimes.

There are animals to rescue too, including the smallest hummingbirds. A young boy, just eleven years old, talented but mostly silent, comes out of his shell to save the hummingbirds. He forms a bond with one in particular.

We learn that the young boy is extremely talented. He has a vivid artistic talent, being able to draw from his imagination, as well as what he can see.

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Christmas In My Heart vol 3 by Joe L Wheeler

Dec11

Heartwarming

Christmas In My Heart vol 3 edited by Joe L Wheeler is the most charming collection of Christmas stories that will warm your heart.

We see the true meaning of Christmas – the coming of Jesus – we must not lose sight of Him amongst the tinsel and the trappings.

The richest people are not those with the biggest bank account but those with the biggest hearts that love.

All the stories were perfectly delightful. They spoke to my heart.

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Tidings Of Comfort And Joy by Davis Bunn

Dec9

Unlocked By Love

Tidings Of Comfort And Joy by Davis Bunn is the most delightful, heartwarming Christian Christmas novel that I just could not put down. If you only read one festive book this year – make sure it is this one!

I intend to re-visit this book again and again. I do not need to wait for December in order to read this book, its message is relevant all year round.

Within the novel we see love in action. Jesus calls us not to go to church but to be the church. Love needs to have arms, legs and hearts.

The novel is set over two time periods – present day and just after the end of World War II as a granddaughter and grandmother bond over events from both time periods.

After World War II there were many displaced persons. A small village in Oxfordshire has an old country house that is home to 300 orphans. Their care and survival is undertaken by the whole village. We see how fearful the orphans are in their silence. Hearts need to be unlocked by love.

There is the theme of loss. We understand a characters’ anger. “How dare he go off without me and leave me here by myself” (following the death of her husband). Anger, loss and fear are inextricably linked.

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