Secret Santa Anthology by Fern Michaels, Marie Bostwick, Laura Levine, and Cindy Myers

This is an anthology of Christmas stories that have a Christmas theme and some romance to make the read sweeter.  They're a great way to relax after a busy day wrapping presents or cooking, or maybe you want to take a break and have a little read before you hit it again.  I enjoyed them; I think you will, too.

Zebra Fiction sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

Mister Christmas by Fern Michaels seemed a bit contrived to me.  Claire is summoned by a dying client who lives in Ireland and is fine.  He just wants to play matchmaker.  She leaves angry, but her potential mate goes back with her...

The Yellow Rose of Christmas by Marie Bostwick is easily my favorite.  It's an old fashioned story about a spinster that has given up on love.  And then someone starts leaving her yellow roses and sweet messages...

Nightmare on Elf Street by Laura Levine is a hoot.  Jaine takes a job as Christmas elf and worries more about her thunder thighs then the kids.  But when someone kills Santa, it gets worse...

Room at the Inn is a sweet story that's a little too good to be true, but I liked it.  They're snowbound in temporary lodging and have neighbors of all nationalities and personality types.  How are they going to celebrate Christmas there with no food except canned food from summer visitors?  Barb finds a way.

All in all, these were all good, fun reads.  The only thing that would make it better would be a nice mug of hot chocolate.

Happy reading.

Ties That Bind by Marie Bostwick

It's hard enough when  your younger sister dies in a car accident and you suddenly inherit her daughter, but when your parents try to take her away from you it gets much worse...

Kensington Books sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It's a Cobbled Court novel and has been published, so check at your local bookstore for a copy.

Ms. Bostwick writes stories that are filled with Christian principles and tug your heartstrings.  I found myself crying several time while reading this story.  Sometimes from sadness, sometimes from joy.  She makes her characters real and draws you into their story.  It's easy to relate to them and feel what they are feeling.  That's why you end up with a tear in your eye.  Another nice touch is that the main character works in a quilt shop and you learn a bit about quilting while reading.

Margo's younger sister hadn't visited the family for five years or so.  Margo was attempting to get her mother and father and Mari and her daughter to reconcile by having them over during the Christmas holidays.  Unfortunately, Mari doesn't make it all the way there.  

There are a lot of things that can't be unsaid or forgiven when the other party dies suddenly.  That's what Margo's family is facing.  While they are trying to deal with this new grief, she finds herself on the other side of the child's hospital bedside disagreeing with her parents over who should get custody.  Her sister wrote a note indicating she wanted Margo to raise the six year old.  Her father totally disagrees.

There is a lot of trauma in this story.  It's exactly what would happen if people found themselves in this position.  How it's resolved makes a good story.  And Margo even has an opportunity for love if she can open her heart.

This is a book about family.  A good family that has some challenges.  Why not get a cup of coffee or tea, pull up a chair, and start turning the pages in this book?  I bet you don't stop until you've read the whole thing.

If you'd like my copy of this ARC, please leave a comment here on my blog and email me at info at bookfaerie.com with your name and address and why you'd like to read it.

Happy reading.