Christmas Books

This lovely little volume is a gift that keeps on giving. Its essays are simple, elegant, soulful, inspiring. And thought-provoking. You may well find yourself searching your own Christmas memories, and finding gems you had long forgotten. Which is what this book is all about -- seeing, hearing, remembering those things we take for granted, and cherishing them anew. This is a book to feed the heart, and the soul. And it's just the right size for stocking stuffing!

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE is a collection of stories from twelve different people. Each short story is quite unique. Some of the authors received certain gifts that were an immediate success and others didn't recognize the significance of their gifts until years later. One man wrote about the traditions of Christmas that were shared by his family and how, even today, he can picture all of the stockings hanging up, each filled with unique and thoughtful items. A woman told her story of receiving a camera when she was eight years old from her Aunt Harriet. Because of the photographs that she took over the years, she became the storyteller for her family, and photography became a part of her entire life.

The stories really gave me some different insights and make me realize how each and every Christmas is special. All of the stories reflect in some way to the spiritual part of Christmas. The editor of the book, Gregory Pierce says "the Incarnation --the presence of God in our world-- is the essence of Christmas."

The kind of collection that is a great gift during the holidays for anyone - it reminds us of the spirit of the season and connects us to our past, our hopes, and the more important meaning of our lives! Great gift for family members, co-workers, neighbors and for anyone on your list!!

Each Author wrote very different stories, but each was very well done. I love Lynn Kurland and her story was the BEST.
Although I truly enjoyed Jenny Lykins story about Alane & Jared.
She made it so very real that you felt that you should try to reach out and help them somehow if you could. Also, Casey Claybourne has won over a fan with her story. I will try to find all of her books based on her story. This book is hard
to find and is worth the trouble.

This book is very hard to find, but it is worth all the trouble to get hold of a copy. If you are a Lynn Kurland fan, which I am the first story in the book is about members of the De Piaget and Mc Cloud clan. She has writen several books on these families and she finally joins the two families together in the present day. The other 3 books are in the anthology are wonderful. Do read this book if you can get it. It is worth it.

This was a wonderful collection of short stories by popular artists that makes you wish for more.

The first story by Lynn Kurland was titled the Three Wise Ghosts. If you are a fan of Kurlands', you would be familiar with the MacLeod and De Piaget families. Megan MacLeod McKinnon has never held a job long and when her brother gives her the chance to prove herself by going to Scotland to scout out a castle for him she jumps at the chance. She ends up at a quant inn with one other patrol Gideon de Piaget. Gideon, a workaholic is ordered to go on vacation by his brother. When the ghosts of their ancestors plot to bring them together sparks fly and there is laughs aplenty. Megan must learn to be responsible and Gideon must learn to have fun in order for their lives to mesh. The antics of the ghostly ancestors keep you laughing.

The second story by Casey Claybourne, Keeping Faith, is the story of two people, Alice and Piers, who are barely living life because of the grief of losing their daughter Laura. Laura's ghost cannot find peace until her parents are reunited so she leads her mother to a homeless orphan named Faith. Alice sees Faith as a second chance for a family and Piers sees her as a painful reminder of his loss. If they can't heal their pain, they will never be a happy family again. Faith falls in love with the couple and steals their hearts as well.

The third story by Elizabeth Bevarly, Only Fifteen Shopping Days Left, is the story of a divorced woman, Sophie, facing her first Christmas alone. While working as an elf in a department story, the spirit of a long ago store Santa vows to see her married by Christmas. When the stores owner Mitchell meets and falls in love with Sophie, he knows he will do anything to keep her.

The last and best of the four stories is by Jenny Lykins and is called The Ghost of Christmas Present. When a woman named Alane goes to a secluded cabin for the Christmas holidays she is befriended by the resident ghost Jared. Jared can't help materalizing in front of the beautiful woman, she is the first woman in two hundred years to stir his heart. Alane cannot believe she is falling for a dead man, but their love is threatened by a curse. Jared was told when he finally learns to love he will find peace and finally move on, but if he allows himself to fully love Alane, he will lose her. This was a wonderful story but I can't give away too much or it will ruin it. I highly recommend this book.

This little coloring book is great. You don't have to be an artist to get good results. Really cute, and a bargain. Bought several more, different kinds. Holiday ones are best.

This was our first stained glass coloring book and the whole family enjoyed it. The paper is thick and smooth and lovely to color with markers or crayons. The designs are simple enough for young children to color but adults can embellish them with shading, etc. Often the kids would lose interest after about 30-40 minutes but the adults would keep on coloring. We have since much enjoyed the Tiffany book as well.

Used during a school club (6th-8th). Kids loved it. Used markers, both permanent and washable. Takes about 20-25 minutes to completely color a page.

Beware of this little book.
It will grab you!

The curious title led me to casually glance through
it. But, then I read the entire book without putting
it down.

The humor and imagery of the separate stories were facinating
and uplifting. The real joy, however, was when the various
stories drew me into the theme of the entire book:
The connectedness of us all!

Mr. Moore has penned a major good read, chock full of kernels of homespun wisdom and generally great sentimental entertainment for all ages and beliefs. His "Christmas Stories from a Dying Man" celebrates love and family, illuminating what helps all of us overcome our personal tragedies. Although a thoroughly modern tale, the writing and themes evoke the timeless poignance of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." The collection is thought-provoking and heartfelt, and not without generous dollops of whimsy. Mr. Moore's characters will keep you warm long after you put down his splendid slender volume. You undoubtedly will return to them for many holiday seasons to come. Each tale adds another layer of understanding, crescendoing in a final nine pages which I could not put down... and, I venture, you, too, will be unable to resist such a conclusion.

This book is both entertaining and thought provoking. I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I am going to give copies of the book as gifts this holiday season.

Absolutely gorgeous. Stunning illustrations. Magical ... haunting ... I cannot say enough.

I love Christmas books for children and when I discovered this one, I couldn't believe it. It is a definite heirloom and one to be shared with the entire family. This book was not totally set for the younger age group but for everyone. It isn't entirely encompassed with baby words and illustrations like others I've seen. The pictures are also quite beautiful.

This hardbound book is absolutely beautiful, consisting of wonderful illustrations based upon the gospels of Matthew and Luke (KJV).

The illustrator Gennady Spirin, is masterful, brilliant, and elegantly captures the essence of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The construction of the book itself, 33 pages in length, is designed for adults and mature children and is most definitely not a plaything for toddlers.

Purchase this book and establish a new and wonderful Christmas family tradition.

Sit and enjoy the reading. If you're planing a long flight you could read all the book in that flight. The story is good for any age because it doesn't have curses or bad words or sex or anything scary but this is not a Xmas story.

Although Rachel Hampton has survived a hit and run accident, and is able to resume helping run the Three Sisters Inn, she's still a bit wary. Was the hit and run an accident? Or did someone hit her on purpose. Then Tylor Dunn comes to stay at the Inn. He believes his grandfather was murdered, and he wants to know what happened, but no one will talk about it. His search stirs up old memories and rouses a killer, and Rachel is the intended victim.
Marta Perry always tells a good story. This is book two of her Three Sister Series, set among the Pennsylvania Amish Community. A Christmas To Die For is an exciting blend of romance and suspense. Now I'm looking forward to book three.

Is justice worth it?

Tyler Dunn returns to the land owned by his grandfather, land right in the heart of Amish country. His grandfather, John Hostetler, died of a heart attack during a robbery and now Tyler wants justice. But will justice come at the expense of Rachel Hampton, whose family owns the inn adjourning the Hostetler property? And does love stand a chance in the midst of this suspicion?

A CHRISTMAS TO DIE FOR is the second in The Three Sisters Inn trilogy. This is the first book I've read in the series so I can verify that it is easily read as a stand alone. However, there is what appears to be a significant spoiler from the first book that is revealed in the conclusion of A CHRISTMAS TO DIE FOR so you may want to read this series in order.

Marta Perry does a beautiful job at creating characters who are both likeable and show a lot of depth in their emotions. Rachel's plight touched my heart instantly. She is still recovering from a hit and run accident (apparently addressed in the first book, HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT) and her fears are understandable. Years ago, I too was involved in a hit and run incident where I was a pedestrian so I immediately felt a bond with Rachel. Her desire to have a family Christmas, despite some of the past upheavals in her own life, is both understandable and heart wrenching.

A CHRISTMAS TO DIE FOR is a poignant tale set in the midst of the Amish people. The setting is just as important as the mystery and characters themselves, as the ambiance makes the story all the more powerful. I will definitely be reading the other two books in this series!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Perfect for the disillusioned or stressed, friends, lovers, spouse, family, cops, vets, volunteers, hard-workers, young, old. A smile to the wise, sigh of relief for the lonely or sad.

"Christmas Wishes" is a heart-rending, poignant collection of short stories, that can drag the Scrooge in you, clawing and kicking, against your will and cynical attitude, past the commercialism and façade into the spirit of the genuine joy of Christmas! (It did for me!)1 story and my aunt & daughter were enchanted and eye-sparkling--and want their own copies! It is a balm for the skinned-up knees of the heart, and a soothingly warm and honey-sweet tea-toddy for the sore throat of the soul.

THIS is the gift you WANT sitting right at every store register during the holidays, and the one you want to sign your name to when you give it--get several!

What a pleasant surprise! This collection of sometimes hilarious, always touching short Xmas stories (plus a way-clever adaptation of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" set in the White House) will make a great gift or stocking stuffer for friends and family this year. Author Moore likes to pack his stories with unexpected twists and turns that lead to meaningful conclusions. The final story, "Snow Ripples" is especially amazing in it's depiction of a homeless man's journey from down and out to a decent life through the kindness of strangers and his own hard work. I'm glad I picked this up, and will also buy for friends for this Xmas! Happy Holidays!!!!

A new kind of Christmas book, geared towards adults. What grown-up couldn't use a little boost of REAL Christmas Spirit during the ever more commercialized Holiday Season? Realistic stories about people who have lost the spirit, and how they get it back. The real shocker is the story, "My Fellow Americans, God Bless Us, Every One," - a rewrite/update of Dickens famous Christmas story, featuring as the new Scrooge the President of the United States. I can't help but wonder which president the author had in mind? Get this book and start some new, mature Christmas traditions.

In a crowded, Christmas-shopper filled bookstore, loaded with brimming displays of colorful books, this one just grabbed me as I walked past and turned me around and called on me to pick it up. It implored me with its dazzling clear blue dust jacket festooned with large sparkly letters in the title and a huge white full moon with Santa's sleigh just disappearing off the cover. The illustrations in this book are lavish and colorful and filled with heart-warming sentimental details and the innocent joys of childhood wonder and expectation on the most magical night of Christmas Eve. In a way this book is "A Visit from St. Nicholas" but in a different family's home in a different era. Like its predecessor it captures the excitement and the hustle-bustle of that "jolly old elf" busy at work bringing Christmas fun to children. The text is simple and little ones will love it and so will the people who love them. Merry Christmas!

Tony Johnston's Clear Moon, Snow Soon is a wondrous Christmas picturebook that captures the spirit and mystery of a visit from Santa Claus on a starry winter night. Soft, breathtaking, full-color splash-page illustrations by Guy Porfirio highlight the very simple text, making Clear Moon, Snow Soon perfect for the youngest beginning readers. The deep blue-white of the wraparound cover painting is particularly striking.

Holiday books come and go, but Clear Moon, Snow Soon should become part of your Christmas reading shelf, especially if you have young children. The winter blue cover with the hologram title is lovely and an invitation of beautiful illustrations inside. The reader is not disappointed. Illustrator, Guy Porfirio, has captured the wonderlust that a young boy has while waiting for Santa. Rich, golden-hued colors reflect an evenings glow throughout. A simple read, this is the definitive bed-time story book for December. Rising Moon has always been know for publishing "beautiful" children's books and Clear Moon, Snow Soon is another visual winner.

Clopper and the Night Travelers is a picturebook for Christian children, told from the perspective of a friendly donkey who was present for the birth of Jesus Christ. Clopper and the Night Travelers further tells the tale of how Jesus' mother and father followed the guidance of an angel to hide the baby Jesus from the wicked King Herod's dominion. "When we got to Israel, Joseph heard that Herod's cruel son Archelaus ruled the land around Bethlehem. In a dream, God warned Joseph not to go back there. So we kept going north, all the way to Nazareth. That was a long trip and my hooves needed a rest!" Jovial, cartoony illustrations endear this story, which makes the early years of Jesus' family's life accessible to young readers. A welcome addition to Christian children's picturebook shelves. Also highly recommended is the previous picturebook in the Clopper series, "Clopper the Christmas Donkey."

Clopper and the Night Travelers is a well-grounded, child-friendly telling of the first years of Jesus' life. Shared through the eyes (and ears) of a donkey, the readers hear the story from a new voice. Nearly each page set has (on a parchment page) the Biblical words allowing older children to learn not only Clopper's story, but The Story. Illustrated by Ed Olson, the inviting characters add to the tale. Emily King (be sure to read her stories of Mrs. Twiggimbotham) continues in her use of fine language and correct grammar to present a new Christmas book, both pleasing to children and adults.

Clopper is an adorable storyteller. He includes scriptures on many pages as he describes his experiences during his time with Jesus. The pictures also show accurately that Jesus wasn't a newborn when the wise men came to visit the Lord. The story follows a progression of events including the time Mary and Joseph stayed in Egypt with Jesus until they were told it was safe to return. But because of the reputation of Herod's evil son, they took no chances and decided to continue on to Nazareth. A map shows the route their journey took. I enjoyed the detailed illustrations and the story given from the donkey's point of view. This book could be read any time of the year even though it's geared toward Christmas time.

In 1912 in the Sierras, life is not only hard for everyone, but most people believe they are worse off now than a few years ago. Ten years old Daisy James insists she sees angels, but her two older brothers and her younger siblings look upon her as a lunatic. Still, Daisy believes while knowing that all the townsfolk are sad, especially her mother Abigail, who stopped singing and laughing when she lost the baby last year.

Daisy has a plan to bring joy and God back into the lives of the beleaguered locals. She wants to build a church, but no one heeds the words of a preadolescent female. With the patience of Job, Daisy writes a play, COME, MY LITTLE ANGEL, in which she persuades her peers to participate on the journey back home.

COME, MY LITTLE ANGEL will catch the attention of the reader from start to finish with its "Little Engine that Could" story line to inspire everyone at a time we need books like this. The historical tale never slows down as readers feel the pain of the charcaters and the hopes of the little heroine who refuses to bend from peer, parental, and sibling pressure. Diane Noble provides a noble experience for those readers who need a lift or who want an angel in their life should share the novel with their children.

Harriet Klausner

A sparkling gem of a story that transcends season and settings! From the first page, COME MY LITTLE ANGEL tugged at my heartstrings, drawing me into young Daisy's magical world, infusing me with her unwavering hope. A timeless classic!

I decided to read this book based on a recommendation by Liz Curtis Higgs (one of my favorite authors)and I am so glad I did. This book is a wonderful little story about how God honors the faith of a child. I read alot of books and it has been a long time since one moved me to tears, but that is exactly what this one did. It is easy to focus on the bad things in this world, especially now, but this book reminds us that God does care about us and our world and he will answer prayer.