Christmas Books

i love this book very simple to follow very easy yet the outcome so fantastic. This is good book for quilters of all ages and all levels of skill.

Excellent book of Christmas applique designs! I did take my book to a copy shop and enlarged the designs, but this is easily and inexpensively done. Beautiful and colorful use of fabrics. Applique designs are simple to make. This books inspires fun and creativity. Definitely, one of my very favorite quilt books.

This purchase was made for my wife who states:-

Having had the book for a few weeks now, I find the contents very informative, and the instructions easey to follow. I can recommend this product to any would-be enthusiast.

I found this to be a charming project. Very versatile for making one block or many. Also, the possibilities were endless for decorating and using materials, buttons etc on hand. Instructions were clear and it could be easy (iron on ) or more experienced (hand appliqued completely.) I will be making several for next year. (Not enough time for this year)!

I can't wait to make this quilt. I saw one made up at a quilt show or something very similar and couldn't wait to find the pattern. It is just so clever and fun. My quilt group is planning on making it as a block of the month. I am so happy I bought this book, it makes me smile every time I look through it.
Sincerely, LPotts

Sit back and relax with this read because W. A. Heisler exhibits a truely remarkable understanding of what Christmas is all about. His storytelling will fill your heart with the love and peace we all need to feel. I'd recommend this to all those who are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle that Christmas has become.

Wow, what a journey An American Christmas will take you on. From the first story "The Tradition" it touched my heart and I could not put it down. This book is an emotional, heartwarming and inspritational read. So enjoyable. I have actually read it twice. I have given it for gifts and encourage everyone to read it. You will truly feel the power of the words.

I liked this book a lot. My favorite stories are "Stille Nacht" (set during World War II) and "These Four Walls".

The author has a good sense of humor and it's most evident in "These Four Walls" (the story about the kids and the 'witch').

There's also some suspense in "Stille Nacht" and "The Long Road Home." (That surprised me even though I read and liked a few of the author's uncollected suspense stories.)

Three of the stories have spiritual elements. I normally wouldn't enjoy stories like that (outside of the horror genre), because I'm an atheist. It takes talent to make an ornery guy like me appreciate a sentimental and spiritual Christmas-themed story.

I'm looking forward to a book of Heisler's suspense and horror tales.

W. A. Heisler does a magnificent job with these five spiritually uplifting and inspiring Christmas stories that will touch and warm your heart. Heisler is able to quickly pull you into each story and connect you personally with each character. His ease and humor keeps your interest. A great holiday gift idea for someone you love.

What a great way to spend your christmas vacation! The Christmas memories shared in the short stories of this book offers such a variety of characters each with a feel good theme that offers an uplifting solution to the commercial driven christmas it puts the focus on the real meaning of christmas and the importance of the memories we make during the holdays. I laughed, cried and really enjoyed An American Christmas.

Great doggy tales (and tails) for Christmas. Hounds and murder, a great way to spend the holidays. A great gift for the mystery-animal lover...or for yourself!

You'll want to wolf this one right down, but don't! Save it for one of those long waits at the airport, tiring trips over the holidays, or enjoy it with a cup of nog and a turkey sandwich after the big day has come and gone. For humor, suspense, and sometimes even touching stories, these tales should please dog lovers and mystery fans alike. No bones about it!

I'm more of a cat person than a dog person, but that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying the collection of short mystery stories in "Canine Christmas." There are more than a dozen stories in the collection and what's refreshing about them on the overall is their diversity and generally gentle nature. No gore, no guts, no agonizing graphical displays of violence. I selfishly bought the book for myself, but now I think I'll probably tuck it under the tree for someone else. Honestly? It just made me smile. That's worth sharing.

This collection of Christmas themed canine tales was filled with favorite and new authors for me. I loved Leslie O'Kane's contribution, as well as those by Patricia Guiver and other well known authors of dog mysteries. There were several unfamiliar authors and their stories were just as good. Each short story is very well crafted. I have to say my favorite story was by Virginia Lanier, her JoBeth Siddons series of Bloodhound mysteries has always been one of my favorites.

CANINE CHRISTMAS is a Christmas mystery anthology and each mystery includes one or more canines.

I have always said a presenter or editor could not go wrong with an anthology. But when the anthology takes on a special subject such as this one I feel it makes even more entertaining. CANINE CHRISTMAS has a wonderful variety of authors such as, Parnell Hall, whose story "Clicker Training" leads the way; Virginia Lanier who treats us with another story involving her bloodhounds; H. Robert Perry writes a `tongue in cheek' (at least that's how I took it) mystery called the "Toy Pincher," which I found it quite humorous; Mark Graham's serious story "Fencing Crib" brought some emotions out of me; Jeffrey Marks offers us a hard-to-solve whodunit in "Yellow Snow; Deborah Adams writes a very funny story about a Psycho Santa and his elves and there's more! After reading each one I am quite sure anyone who reads CANINE CHRISTMAS will find a favorite among the many tails... I mean tales.

Note: Holiday mysteries are a treat to read, especially during the Christmas season, but mind you if you stick to enjoying them only one month out of the year, you will miss out on the many, many holiday reads that have been offered in the past and will be offered in the future. For myself, I have found reading holiday books can be just as magically all year around.

In a charming Christmas town, with a lovely elderly couple leading the way, the citizens of Christmas Valley are in for quite a treat. Rather than closing, the owners of the town's bed and breakfast have decided to open their doors to strangers...in keeping with the true spirit of Christmas. It is the cast of characters that perhaps they aren't prepared for. Perhaps most interesting of all is the arrival of a young couple in a colorful bus...bearing a striking resemblance to an ancient couple responsible for the very first Christmas.....
Heartwarming...if a tad bit overly so. Perfect, however, for the season.


DYB

I am so glad that I happend to come across this book on Amazon! This story is packed with memorable characters, interesting situations and plot twists.

The premise is interesting--a Christmas themed town--and the crisp writing keeps the plot action going at a quick pace.

If you collect Christmas books, as I do, this will be a GREAT addition to your collection.

Also recommended:

Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices--another GREAT holiday book about the impact of seemingly small acts of service.

Great book to read for the holidays. Would recommend this to my girlfriends.

This is definitely a Hallmark movie to be made. The characters are so delightfully described that you immediately form an image of them in your mind. The slow conversion of the community is as magnetic as the coming together of the guests at the bed & breakfast. I am so glad I read this before Christmas because it opened up whole new feelings as well as observations of God working in my life and the lives of others. We all have poeple like these in our midst.

THE CHRISTMAS BUS is a sweet tale by prolific author Melody Carlson that entertains while encouraging readers to embrace the true spirit of Christmas. Edith Ryan is the cheerful, glass-half-full owner of Shepherd's Inn in the quaint town of Christmas Valley (population 2,142). Her husband, Charles, is the local pastor of Christmas Valley's only remaining church. After 25 years, Christmas Valley has revitalized its economy by becoming the "Christmas capital of the world," complete with Mrs. Santa's Diner (don't miss the "Blitzen Burgers") and the North Pole Coffee Shop. Tourism rules.

So it's a problem when Collin and Amy, a young married couple expecting their first baby, roll into town in a psychedelic broken-down bus nicknamed "Queenie" and detract from the carefully-staged ambiance. With no money and the birth of the baby imminent, it's only the kind heart of Edith Ryan that turns the town's hostility toward the young couple around --- and changes Amy and Collin's view of Christianity.

But Edith has her own set of problems. For the first time, her adult children and young grandchildren won't be making the trip to the B&B to spend Christmas with them. In a fit of inspiration, she decides to offer a discounted Christmas package for those folks who need a place to stay --- and people to be with --- over the holidays. The inn soon fills up as it attracts a motley assortment of lodgers for the holidays. Lauren and Michael Thomas are a pleasant, 30-something couple who have problems that seem insurmountable. Jim Fields and his wife Carmen constantly squabble. Divorcée Leslie and her young daughter Megan are a pleasant addition to the cast of characters, giving Carlson a chance to throw in a little romantic intrigue. Albert Benson is an elderly widower who seems to have lost the joy of living.

Myrtle Pinkerton is a crotchety elderly woman who seems to promise nothing but trouble. But, as Edith reminds herself, "this Christmas was about being hospitable to strangers. And she'd certainly never had a guest who was any stranger than Myrtle Pinkerton!" Myrtle seems intent on disrupting the peace of Christmas Valley, from making a scene in the local coffee shop to getting involved with the Christmas pageant at the church. When she decides to add live animals to the program, things threaten to fall apart. Then, when Edith's heirloom porcelain angel disappears, it seems certain that one of the guests has broken or stolen it. Will suspicion ruin their Christmas together? Edith takes her problems to God in prayer, and all ends well, as readers will expect.

The story moves along smoothly, and although most of the characters are lightly sketched, readers will bond with the delightful Edith Ryan and roll their eyes over the cantankerous Myrtle. Yes, there are clichés here --- the Victorian B&B (a staple in faith fiction), the allegorical "no room in the inn" seen before in faith fiction, and the angel in disguise. But in Carlson's capable hands (she's a Gold Medallion and Rita Award winner), the plot line transcends the clichés and is warm and endearing. The pretty page designs and attractive cover make this a natural for gift-giving.

In a season that is too often rife with a preoccupation for material things, Carlson reminds us that one of the true gifts of Christmas is reaching out to those in need, and perhaps entertaining angels unawares.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby.

This was a great childrens and family book. The prices for a family to share this treasure is outrageous, please reprint the book so others can enjoy the wonderful ..

I have been trying to buy this for my youngest child, lol [she is thirty] and for myself to read to seven grandkids. I bought this for said youngest when she was about ten, and it was her favorite book. Her nephew, my oldest grandchild now 19 ripped it when he was a baby. No fair prince is online for a copy. Hundreds of dollars is way out of line, reads 'gouge' to me. I agree with the writer that suggests we pursue the publishers to reprint, it would be about time. Join the party, how can we get started?

I have been looking for this book everywhere. My mom used to read it to us as kids, and now that I am a mother myself I would love nothing more than to share this wonderful book with my son. If anyone can help me get this book I would love it!!

I grew up reading this book along with others on Christmas Eve every year. My parents won't give up their copy for the same reasons I want one. I have a four year old now and can't wait to share the magic of this book with him. This book contributed to some of the best memories of my life.

Simon and Schuster, do you see these prices??? I am writing this not as a review, but as a sort of petition to the publisher, to get this book back in print. I hope that this works ... new generations of children deserve to love this book as much as ours has! If you agree, please select "Yes".

I enjoyed this little book!! Some really neat ideas to spice up the holiday season. From decorating to party hosting you'll find something new, interesting and fun to do. Its a great little book for finding new traditions and visiting old ones. Its worth a read.

I purchased the autumn book and really enjoyed it, so I ordered Christmas Joy. I was tad disappointed to see this was such a small and slender volume. It has the same cute recipes and suggestions but fewer of them. It is also fairly short- only 46 pages. I read it in about 15 minutes.

Overalll, a cute book, but I was expecting more.

Susan Branch is a wonderful author. Not only does this book allow the reader to cook but also to become part of the wimsy and the fun that is a book from Susan Branch

Purchased this as a Christmas gift for my nephew's wife. She loved it!

This book has it all and is delightful. I bought this as a gift for my sister-in- law and am I ever glad I also got one for myself. Itis beautifully illustrated and is filled with recipes, decorating ideas and special thoughts. Its one of those books that you get out each year at Christmas time and you read it again and again.

Whatever your religious persuasion, you can't help but crack a smile and shed a tear reading this book. It's not just for the holidays, but should be read year 'round. I've given it as a gift for many years now. And will continue the tradition with my own baby.

I read the story "A Christmas Story" and as a 33 year old I have been through some tough times myself but reading the story just made me cry like a baby... This is what Christmas really means. GOD has definetly left some Angels here on earth.

This is my favorite Christmas story. It speaks to the hopeful child in all of us, who wants to believe in the unseen magic of a jolly old elf. It touches me every year since I first discovered this gem. Its power comes from the fact that it's a true story. Do something nice for yourself and read it.

I read the story of how you played Santa to the poor children. I had tears in my eyes and cried like a baby. This inspired me to do something for the children that have nothing. I went to our own post office and found some children of my own to play Santa to.

As an elementary school teacher I love sharing this wonderful story of a jewish man who shares the wonder of giving hopeless children a chance at hope. By reading letters to Santa written by children with no hope of receiving anything for Christmas, Jay Frankston played Santa to the joy and wonder of children of all ages in the Cleveland area for twelve years. A great story of selfless giving.

Heart breaking story of homelessness during the Christmas season with a miracle to boot. Diaz' usual fabulous artwork works well with Bunting's deft story tellings of social issues, especially here.

Very moving, very powerful discussion point with kids grades 1-4. Highly reccommend for story or book discussion groups.

December is a remarkable book -- it manages to connect homelessness to the realm of miracles and the mystery of Christmas. As a reading teacher, I've had the pleasure of meeting Eve Bunting and sharing her stories with hundreds of children. The younger set don't always understand the implications of the old lady who visits on Christmas Eve, but they are deeply touched by the generosity of a mother and child who are willing to share a cookie, a precious coat and the box over their head. The story has something of the aura of O'Henry's Gift of the Magi. December is a pleasure to read and a treasure to share.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, cooking, visiting, family gatherings, one seeks a few moments of quiet, of stillness. Eve Bunting and illustrator David Diaz can provide those moments with "December."

Although designated for ages 4-8, this magnificent book is truly for all ages. Sit down with your little one or your spouse or you and a cup of tea for a few moments with "December," truly a story of the spirit of Christmas.

This is one of those books in which there has been a true collaboration of writer and artist. Each page is framed by symbolic representations of the theme of each page. On the cover is a picture of an angel. The frame contains feathers in the calming colors of blue and green, while the bright colors of the angel reflect her glory.

A mother and son, homeless, are spending Christmas Eve in a cardboard box with a board for a door. They have the top of a Christmas tree that a tree salesman was kind enough to give them. It is decorated with bits and pieces of the past. Taped to the wall is the picture of the angel, taken from a calendar, the December page. The have the overcoat of the husband/father whose absence is not explained.

A knock comes at their board/door. The mother cautiously answers. An ancient, bent, homeless woman asks for shelter. They share their space, the boy gives her one of their two Christmas cookies. The next morning the woman is gone. What the boy finds is a heart-stopping miracle.

That's just half of this quiet, but powerful story about giving and sharing. Learning the rest of the story is up to you.

I had to read it twice to have the story really sink in. This book is very moving and quiet. A really great job from Eve Bunting and a book to be remembered.

The power of a testimony, or one's life story, is sometimes all that will shake us from our own grief long enough to enable change. Did I Expect Angels? is a book that shows just how powerful it is to listen and to be heard, and to let those that love us know that we are not doing well, to cry out for help. Humans can be angels, it all depends on if they are the right person at the right time, and if they are willing to invest a little. We all have angels.

In Did I Expect Angels? the grieving Jennifer meets an unexpected angel, Henry who tells her the story of his life. She never thinks to listen until her story becomes so much like his that her mind is finally able to focus on someone, on something besides her pain. Life does not make pretty, endings are not always good but if we try to pretend that we have gotten better, improved, or no longer need anti-depressants when we do, it is just a matter of time before our momentum will decrease and our life will fall apart with it. Jennifer was exactly in that spot when she met the greeter at a the local 24 hour store, an older man from Costa Rica. Jennifer thought the world would be a better place without her, that her daughter would do better in the loving arms of someone else rather than being surrounded by her own mood swings and depression.

Did I Expect Angels? is a new take on 'It's a Wonderful Life', this is a novel that does not smoothe over, it does not dumb down pain. A captivating read, it shows the power of one life impacting another. Kathryn does a spectacular job in the writing. It is not mystical, surreal or strange at all, the angels are modern day heroes who mostly just happen to be the perfect person in the right place and time. I loved this book, the whole way through I was emotionally tied in to the book. I highly recommend it, really. It blew me away.

Reviewed by Allison King for RebeccasReads (7/08)

Jennifer's life is still in turmoil eighteen months after her husband has passed away. She can't get her life together or move forward, but knows she needs to for her little girl. Both families are supportive and wanting to help her, but Jennifer is unable to accept that life will never be the same. Depressed, grieving and overwhelmed, she decides there is only one way to make things better. Luckily, this is the night she runs in to Henry. He knows Jennifer from the store he greets at and they've talked about his homeland, Costa Rica. He sees the look of desperation in her eyes that night and decides he needs to tell her the story of hardship and tribulations he has had to endure. In a diner, their stories unfold.

The author, Karen Maughan, takes the lives of Jennifer and Henry and creates an amazing story that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. She takes us back to before Jennifer's tragic loss of her husband and brings us through to current day. The ups and downs of her life seem to reflect that something tragic might happen. Henry's life is rewound for us to see his start in Costa Rica and his long, hard road to immigrate and make something of himself in the United States for his family. The author's writing method of jumping from Jennifer's past to current time to Henry's past, throughout the book makes the story flow easier. It helped mix up the times you had to read Henry's broken English (be aware there is a bit of Spanish used in the story), but that actually made the story `different' to me. You might not understand a few words, but the meaning still comes through by how he tells his story.

On a personal note, having lost my husband suddenly, the passages after she found out she had lost him were so clear in my own memory. I could truly identify with Jennifer's grief, inability to focus and anger at everyone. The steady flow of `get over it' from family is hard to hear when you are still grieving. I needed a box of Kleenex next to me for most of the second half of the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone that loves stories that pull at your heart. The book is short in length (182 pages), so most people might be able to read it in one sitting.
Overall, this was an amazing book that brought the stories of a woman in anguish and a man full of life together. The meaning of our lives is a strong theme in this book from start to finish. Sometimes, the best moments in life are those unexpected angels that come to you and change your life... forever.

This is one of the best books I've read this year, and here's why:

You will want to read this book in one sitting. Guaranteed.

The author is able to capture the voice of Henry, the immigrant, perfectly. From his choppy English to his dreams of what life will be like in America, I felt like if I looked over my shoulder, I might see him there, whispering his story to me.

The main character, Jennifer, suffers grief in such a real way. She handles it as best she can, but is slowly succombing to a deeper grief. The author is able to evoke emotions so real and powerful, I wanted to reach into the pages and take some of Jennifer's grief and shoulder it myself.

It's a beautiful story. What's beautiful is not how Jennifer copes so well or how everything is tied up neatly in a package at the end, but rather, how the story is so REAL. Jennifer does not deal with her husband's death well. Henry has a hard time as an immigrant in America. This book shows what it means to be human: that through the worst, we still endure. And perhaps we will find happiness.

Grief affects everyone in many different ways- but there's a healthy limit to it. "Did I Expect Angels?" is the story of Jennifer Huffaker and her seemingly never ending grief over her husbands death. The mental agony of it all slowly becomes more and more intense and she's left with a drastic decision, but an old friend stops her and imparts his infinite wisdom to her to save Jennifer's life. Heartwarming, sorrowful, funny, and insightful, "Did I Expect Angels?" is a brilliantly written emotional roller coaster which will take you from page 1 to page 168 with little desire to stop. "Did I Expect Angels?" is highly recommended to community library fiction shelves everywhere.

In her debut novel, Kathryn Maughan tells the story of a young mother struggling to recover from the tragic loss of her husband. Jennnifer, widowed at an early age, is forced to raise their young daughter alone and finds herself on the brink of suicide. The author creatively intertwines Jennifer's story with that of an unlikely friend, Henry, who shares his past in effort to connect with Jennifer and help her move on with her life.

As Henry reveals his own story of love and loss, Jennifer daydreams about her past. She retraces her life back to the day that she met her late husband, and in the process tells the story of a young girl searching for love, security, and a sense of belonging.

The story depicts the harsh realities that often accompany sudden tragedies, as well as the new direction that can be found within despair. Jennifer and Henry find mutual solace and understanding in each other's life experiences. By listening to Henry's story, Jennifer is guided towards new hope and motivation to move forward with her life. It also seems that in sharing his story, Henry finds personal meaning and purpose within his own hardships. Their stories are intricately paralleled throughout the book in a masterful effort to relate the deeper message that we are all connected at a fundamental level by our own humanity.

Maughan beautifully illustrates the healing power of human connection. Maughan has a talent for character develop and quickly endears both characters to the reader. This emotional story is both heart wrenching and heartwarming, and those looking for an entertaining read will find it in this well written novel.

Armchair Interview says: Very substantial offering from this first-time author.

squirt,jessi,becca,and aunt Ceclia are all involved in a car crash. Squirt gets hurt and jessi predicts it will be the worst Kwanzaa and Christmas ever. Buy the book if your into drama and love towards your family.

It's the Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa time, (AGAIN,) for the BSC and Jessi decides to educate the BSC's sitting charges about Kwanzaa by putting on a play based on the old African legend Malindy Meets the Devil, (or something like that.) But then tragedy strikes. While Jessi is riding in the car with her Aunt, younger sister Becca and her baby brother Sqwirt, they get involved in a car crash, resulting in young Sqwirts head injury. Jessi starts to think that her Holidays are ruined, but are they?

In Happy Holidays Jessi, Jessi wants to have the kids in the neighborhood celebrate Kwanzaa. But then when Jessi, her sister, Aunt Cecelia, and Squirt get in a car accident, Squirt gets hurt. Will the Kwanzaa celebration happen? Or is it history?

Jessi is filled with holiday excitement. She loves Christmas, and she can't wait for Kwanzaa, when her whole family- including out-of-town relatives-will celebrate together.
But then a terrible accident occurs. Squirt hurst his head in a car crash and is rushed to the hospital.
Everyone is relieved to find out that Squirt will be okay. But meanwhile, the stress of the accident has taken it's toll on the family.
If holidays are supposed to be being together, then why is Jessi's family being pulled far apart?

I really liked this installment. Jessi, the narrator describes Kwanzaa, the African holiday and the history and traditions about Kwanzaa.

Jessi's redoubtable Aunt Cecilia is just as overly punitive as ever, until her father intervenes and reminds her that as long as she is living in HIS house, she will have to abide by HIS rules and not try to enforce her own. He defends his children and reminds his sister yet again that Jessi and her 8-year-old sister are still children and to cut them some slack. Chastened, the girls' aunt vows to do an about face and once again takes them Christmas shopping. Instead of chewing them out for being hungry or clowing around, the aunt bites her tongue. The only thing I had trouble with was her allowing the girls' baby brother to ride outside of his car seat when he becomes restless and fussy.

Unfortunately, they are involved in an accident and Squirt (John, Jr.) has to be hospitalized. Distraught over the baby's injuries, the parents chew the aunt out for her sheer irresponsibility (why would any ADULT allow a baby to ride in a car without being properly harnessed)? The Kwanzaa gatherings with other members of Jessi's family are strained and everybody is up in arms over the harm done to poor Squirt.

The subplot is excellent. Ann Martin has a real gift for creating dialog and scenes. The other members of the BSC plan a Kwanzaa skit and the BSCers and charges alike all get into the spirit of Kwanzaa and actually learn a few things. I laughed at the hilarious story of Malindy's Soul, the story the group put on. It was a delightful farce and really quite well woven into the story.

Fortunately, Squirt recovers and everybody has a wonderful holiday. Instead of Santa, everybody follows the Kwanzaa celebration. This book is really good.