Christmas Books

Room at the Inn contains two great Christmas novellas. Great stories to curl up and read over and over.

Orange Blossom Christmas by Kristy Dykes. A cute story about two very different personalities who are pushed together by circumstances not of their own choosing. A great read.


Mustangs & Mistletoe by Pamela M. Griffin
A wonderful story that keeps you entertained from the first to the last page. Ms Griffin brings the characters to life & makes you feel their joy & heartache along with them. This is a timeless story that can be enjoyed and learned from for a long time. Amazing what can happen when you are not looking for love.

The two novellas in this book, by Kristy Dykes and Pamela Griffin, are heartwarming and sweet. Perfect stories to snuggle up and read by the Christmas tree lights. The characters are well developed and so likeable. Readers will remember their sweet journey toward love and marriage long after the last page of the book is turned. A definite must-read during the holiday season. For more of my reviews, visit my website at www.robinmillerbooks.com

ROOM AT THE INN offers two light, contemporary novellas for some delightful reading this Christmas season.

Orange Blossom Christmas, by Kristy Dykes, takes us to a run-down bed-and-breakfast in Florida. Owner Landon Michael is expecting the imminent arrival of the first guest to stay at the inn since his wife had died, over a year ago. Lois Delaney, secretary at a church in north Georgia, is sure this little vacation is exactly what she needs for a relaxing Christmas vacation. What she finds, instead, does not quite live up to her expectations.

Landon, on the other hand, is wondering what possessed him to open the inn again, yet is strangely drawn to his guest. When Lois learns she is the inns only guest, she is curious about Landon. The two are drawn together, and Landon is pulled out of his reclusive existence as he gets closer to Lois, even though he is convinced she is as crazy as a loon.

It is fun reading and you'll love getting acquainted with Landon and Lois as they each come face to face with their own loneliness and find a special brand of peace at Christmastime. Oh, there are a couple of delicious-sounding recipes at the end of this novella you just have to try.

In Mustangs and Mistletoe, by Pamela Griffin, we meet Taylor Summerall, content to work with her parents at the Silver Spur B&B Ranch. When brother Chad coerces Taylor into taking on the responsibility for a friend Chad has invited to spend the holiday at the ranch, Taylor detects some match-making mischief afoot. She is sure she can thwart any attempts to throw her into the arms of Derrick Freeborn, Chad's accountant friend from Chicago.

Derrick, seeking some rest and relaxation from the corporate jungle, finds himself at the mercy of Taylor and her `schedule' to teach him all about what happens on a ranch - from learning to ride a horse to camping out on a freezing Texas winter night. Taylor's obvious attempts to keep herself aloof from Derrick only pique his interest in her.

Here is a really fun, light-hearted romance with the wonderful backdrop of a Texas Christmas.

This is good reading for the season, curled up in front of a cozy fire with a cup of hot chocolate, cappuccino, or just a plain old cup of tea - or any favorite winter-time beverage.

Sandra Claus brings a new tradition to Christmas - a child for Santa and Mrs. Claus, and Christmas for the animals! All beautifully illustrated!

We sat in front of a cozy fire . . . and read Sandra Claus out loud. We always read a 'Christmas Story' . . . a routine for us for 10-15 years. We look forward to many more years of sharingSandra Claus out loud on Christmas Eve; Meredith & John W., Oxford, Maryland.

Sandra Claus is a charmingly crafted story with enough complexity to captivate adults, but enough magic to enthrall children. Linda & Parris F., Virginia Beach, Virginia

As a teacher I am always on the look out for new children's books to use in my classroom. After reading this story I knew I had to have it for my classroom library. It is a wonderful, fun and imaginative story that had every child in my class mesmerized when read to them. I even had a few children who were skeptical about the whole "Santa" thing but after listening to this story they couldn't wait to leave cookies out for Santa or Sam. I will definitely share this story with my classes year after year. When I have my own family this story will become a family tradition. It is a timeless story that can be shared from generation to generation sitting by a cozy fireplace from year to year. A definite must have for any personal or school library.

This is a darling story about Santa & his brother Sam. It explains how Santa is able to be in so many places at once. The authors' read this story at a local bookstore. My son & his second grade classmates loved this book. When Santa visited their classroom later that year, the kids ran & got the book to show Santa. The children really believed this story was written by & about Santa and his brother. I was also very impressed with the authors' reading of the story. Apparently, they are both educators. Their experience with children is apparent in the writing of the story as well as their reading of it.

This is a delightful little book for kids who believe in Santa - but may be just a little curious or uncertain about how all the miraculous things he does take place. It is the only book I have seen that acknowledges that kids just might have question or doubts, at the same time as they tenaciously hold on to the wonder of it all. What I like best about it, though, is the way it both looks and reads like the kind of old-fashioned narrative a parent might create, right on the spot, one event spilling into the next (this happened and then that and then that) as he or she sits in a cozy time with her child. There is a lot of text printed in a very attractive, just the right size, easy to read font, that a second grader can read, on his own, and feel like he is really reading a book. The look of it somehow conveys the quality of a soothing spun-as-we-go along narrative, The pictures too are clear and uncomplicated - drawn for the kids and not to wow the adult. My son loved reading it first to me, and then, asked "Can I read it by myself, tomorrow?" The authors have a terrific website that tell you more about the story.

A beautiful book full of Santa Claus patterns copied from antique postcards. If you are a cross-stitcher who collects Santa's or postcards, you will love this book!

book is absolutely beautiful. It can be passed down for generations to come.

When I got this book, I was kind of curious, because it looks like a thin book. Boy, was I in for a surprise. Not only do you get to see the finished product for ALL the patterns, but you also get an un-biased history on Santa Claus. The charts are in the back of the book, and offer information on different cloth choices. These charts are printed on glossy good quality paper, the same as the rest of the book, and use the color AND symbol chart methods. Unless you have a thread conversion chart or are not willing to get one, and you don't use DMC threads, don't get this book. On the very back page are instructions of how to stitch on aida and linen. This book is filled with 22 classic and charming pictures of historical and modern pictitions of Santa Claus. It looks easy enough for people who have very little experience in cross-stitch, while offering an enjoying stitching experience for us more experienced stitcher's. I HIGHLY recommend this book. If Amazon offered a sneak peak at some of the pictures, it would definitely be a selling point for this item.
Happy Stitching!

I was looking for something different for the holidays, and the description certainly sounded like this book fit the bill - although I have to admit that I doubted that anyone could successfully combine the elements in the book's description into a coherent enjoyable story. I'm glad that I took the chance; Mr. Shaw has a genuine talent for spinning an imaginative, exciting and fast paced tale, however unlikely the individual elements may sound!

I think it's hard for a children's book to succeed when it lacks the exposure provided by one of the large national publishing houses like Scholastic, and this is a tragedy in many ways because writers like Mr. Shaw have to struggle for their voices to be heard, and we miss many great stories that simply never make it to the hands of the reading public. This book is superior to many of the offerings I've read from large national publishers that have been aggressively marketed over the years.

I highly recommend this book as a wonderful story for kids (boys and girls) in the 7 to 10 year age range. My compliments to Mr. Shaw for a great read that will be enjoyed by both my daughter and I for many years to come.

After finishing this book, my only regret was that there is not yet more available from Shaw. Shaw's writing style is very similar to Steven Brust, especially Brust's -- 'Vlad Taltos' books. This book is a fun, humourous, fast-paced book that will draw you in and keep you racing for the end, and then leave you wanting more.

This story focuses around the adventures of three youngsters; our man with a plan is Bennett Short, and his two sidekicks are Darcy Decker and the Pickle, aka Stanley Valentine. Bennett is a big fan of the Man in Red, and we do not mean the one with horns and pitchfork. Santa is his hero and he has a plan to sneak aboard Santa's sleigh. He wants to get to the North Pole and find out all the Santa Mysteries and write a tell-all book and make a gazillion dollars.

But as most of us know, things do not always go according to plan. Bennett and his friends do get to the North Pole and they get to hang out with Santa. However Darcy's curiosity leads to devastating results.

In this awesome little book you will find our Al Gore as a robot created by Santa, and see Santa abducted by aliens who hate Christmas and all that is fun. You will watch Darcy go from being arrogant and expecting Pickles to mess things up, to realizing that he does so again and again. Yet with all of that, Darcy never gives up and keeps striving to correct his mistakes and make up for the damage he has done.

This is in part a coming of age story, part adventure and a whole lot of fun. We watch Darcy grow and mature, and we in turn can learn from him and face the struggles and difficulties in our lives anew. The greatest power of story is that story at its best is myth, but not myth in something that is not real, but myth in the sense of the ultimate underlying reality of existence. Shaw captures the essence of that second type of myth in this and his other book Sherman Oak and the Magic Potato. In that sense, even though he has only published 2 books, he is in my opinion a great writer.

This is a book that was so fun to read I have already started it a second time, this time reading it more slowly to savor the story rather than racing through as I did the first time I read it.

This book would be a great end-of-term summer read!

(First published in Imprint 2007-07-27 in the book review column.)

This was a fun book to read. I don't normally read children's fantasy books, but on the request of a friend I purchased The Santa Mysteries and gave it a try. And I was not let down. It was a great Christmas story, but it is at its heart a fantasy fiction book. I would call it a strange (in a good way) cross between the movie Monster House, Zathura, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Raindeer.

The author states on his website that his books are for readers who liked Harry Potter, Narnia, and the Wizard of Oz. S. William Shaw was dead-on. If you like children's fantasy, this is an unforgettable must read.

This book was a very well written book that made me laugh. It was about Sanata deliverng his goodies and was having a really bad time at it. I read this book to my nieces and they loved it. They were laughing at the pictures and just having a good time. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read about christmas and enjoys a little humor with it.

This book was a very well written book that made me laugh. It was about Sanata deliverng his goodies and was having a really bad time at it. I read this book to my nieces and they loved it. They were laughing at the pictures and just having a good time. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read about christmas and enjoys a little humor with it.

I was raised thinking that Christmas was not complete without this book. It never failed to make me laugh. This is a charmingly illustrated, humorous story about Santa having a bad night on his delivery rounds. A polar bear and a tag-along elf complicate his evening as he stumbles from one slapstick move to the next. He manages to get his work done and leave without causing any major damage, though, and the family has a great Christmas morning without knowing that Santa knocked over their tree just a short while before. Kids and adults alike that I've read this book to have adored it; I read it to my own family every Christmas. This is the kind of book that becomes a beloved addition to the holiday library, right next to the collector's copy of "The Night Before Christmas." I highly recommend it for years of seasonal enjoyment!

Santa is up to all the work that makes Christmas merry for all of us. But, how to really enjoy it, himself?

Mrs. Santa comes up with a great idea. Why not stop off at the last house on his route and play for a while!

Children will delight in this little book and beg to hear it again and again. Cute illustrations!

This reissued Golden book will be a hit with three and four year olds! The busy elves, the too-busy-to-play Santa, and his solution (to play at the last house on the route) will make grownups smile even after the billionth reading.

This is a refreshing Christmas tale of Santa
and his beloved elves. Busy in his home at the North pole, the story shows you all the wonders of Christmas toys being made.

Santa was so busy that he never got to play with any of the toys, that is when Mrs. Clause had an idea. "Why not stop at the very last house on your list and play a while." she told Santa. What a wonderful idea! Santa thought and smiled.

A delightful children's story with colorful illustrations and a hope that maybe you
will be the last house that Santa stops at next year! You never know!

This has become my favorite Christmas story. I read it to adults as well as children. The simplicity is matched only by its depth. Outstanding illustrations increase the experience.
A keeper!

The story of the magi bringing their gifts to Christ re-told with an application that is relevant and tender. It is a favorite to read at Christmas.

A fresh look at the gifts of the Magi and their hidden meanings. A very quick, thought-provoking read.

Thanks for the book, Anne. I haven't finished yet but it's great. I recommend it to families looking for a good christmas story.

Peace, Van.

This is the perfect book to start your holiday season. A wonderful story of a struggling family during the Great Depression and the generosity of the eldest child in creating a memorable Christmas. The characters are well developed. Short enough to read in a series to your family. This is what "family values" mean to me. Merry Christmas.

It is getting close to Christmas and Tom Van Sloaten is getting discouraged. His father has not been getting work. As a matter of fact, his father's health seems to be getting worse, and with the country in the midst of the the depression, it looks like a grim holiday season. Of course his younger sister who also goes to the same high school seems unaware of the strain on the family, she is only aware of her own social agenda. And the younger brothers and sisters are looking forward to Sants's visit. In this bittersweet Christmas story Anne Osborn Poelman weaves a Christmas story for all ages. Tom struggles with the desires of his heart and the expectations of those around him and looks for the true meaning of Christmas. Others around him also are looking for their own meanings of Christmas. This is a tender story that does not dissappoint and does not strike a single false note. This is based on an experience from the author's family's history. A delightful story that will be enjoyed over and over.

There are many times that people, as a whole, seem to forget what the true meaning of Christmas is. It's not about the gifts, or the commercialism, but about the birth of Christ. SILENT NIGHT, featuring the artwork of Thomas Kinkade Studios, is a subtle reminder that Christmas is truly about giving, and not receiving.

SILENT NIGHT uses the words from that oh-so-powerful and well-known song to accompany beautiful illustrations that feature scenes that truly bring to life the spirit of Christmas. Included at the end of the book is the actual sheet music for the song SILENT NIGHT, penned long ago by Josef Mohr. That simple, haunting melody will play in the back of your mind as you focus not just on the gorgeous pictures, but on the meaning behind the Austrian priest's lyrics.

A beautiful, priceless book to be shared with your family to remind them about the true meaning of Christmas.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

Beautiful illustrations by Thomas Kinkade. Touching book about the birth of the Savior. Traditional Christas Carol "Silent Night" is the text but the illustrations are what make this a great book.

While many people seem to get wrapped up in the commercialism of the holidays, Thomas Kinkade manages to keep himself grounded, and embrace the true meaning of the holidays. To showcase the birth of Christ in the manger, and bring the true glory and light of the holidays to life.

In SILENT NIGHT, Thomas Kinkade Studios pairs gorgeous full-color illustrations that depict scenes of cottages with Christmas lights strung on them - snow and icicles dripping from their roofs - animals such as raccoons and deer hibernating in the snow, shepherds watching the moon rise on the mountains, their sheep surrounding them; bustling people traipsing through the snow-laced streets on their way to church, or various functions where they will celebrate Christ's birth with friends and family, exchanging gifts with one another. And, to make it even more splendid, all of these illustrations are paired with the lyrics of SILENT NIGHT, penned all those centuries ago by Austrian priest, Josef Mohr.

SILENT NIGHT brings the true meaning of Christmas to life, and will touch all those who glimpse at this beautiful book.

Erika Sorocco