Christmas Books

This is a great book of short stories. I had never really read short stories before because they left me at a dead end, these leave you hanging but also give you a good idea about what will happen next. Kind of like sweet and sour sauce. My favorite is "Be Careful With My Heart". Its a great story about finding love after you have lost your first love.She couldn't have written a better book of short stories.

This is a great book of short stories. I had never really read short stories before because they left me at a dead end, these leave you hanging but also give you a good idea about what will happen next. Kind of like sweet and sour sauce. My favorite is "Be Careful With My Heart". Its a great story about finding love after you have lost your first love.She couldn't have written a better book of short stories.

"Big Apple Christmas" is the most wonderful romantic anthology. As a native New Yorker, these charming, beautifully written tales brought back many wonderful memories of Christmas from my past. And also gave me ideas for new traditions I'd like to start.

*****"Moonlight and Mistletoe" by Carrie Turansky tells the story of Sarah, a professional organizer, and Justin, a poet. This couple is drawn together when Sarah's neighbor, Lillian, is injured in a fall because of the clutter in her apartment. Justin hires Sarah to eliminate his Grandmother's clutter, and they grow closer as they work together on the project. But Sarah is dismayed that Justin isn't career minded, and therefore believes they have no future. Will she give up on the man she is falling for?

*****Emily and Bryan literally run into each other at Kennedy Airport in Gail Sattler's "Shopping For Love". Emily is running away from her messed up life, including Brian with an "i". How can Bryan with a "y" be capturing her heart? Bryan has feelings for Emily, too. But he lives in Washington state and she in Minnesota. Can they make a long-distance relationship last?

***"Where the Love Light Gleams" is Lynette Sowell's contribution to this anthology. Gwynn and Theo have two things in common. They have both been widowed, and their daughters are best friends from college. When Gwynn says "goodbye" to the majestic 75-foot pine tree in her front yard, her family sends her on a trip to New York to see the sites and visit the tree in Rockefeller Center. This was a decent story, but the relationship development was a bit choppy.

********Vasthi Reyes Acosta's "Gifts from the Magi" is the story of two childhood friends, Cecilia and Elias, reunited when he returns to town as her church's youth pastor. Cecilia is working on her Master's thesis, and has been volunteered by her family to help chaperone the youth events over the Christmas holiday. Seasoned with Latin flavors, this story repeatedly sent shivers up my spine! You must do yourself a favor and read this in one sitting.

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (10/07)

Every year about a million people cram into Times Square in New York City on New Years' Eve, while another billion TV viewers tune in to watch the ball drop and a new year to begin. There are bound to be plenty of stories of people who venture to New York City to take in all the lights, sounds and activities of the holiday season. "A Big Apple Christmas" gives you four stories of people who ventured to New York, not for love, but find themselves enjoying being in one of the United States' busiest cities.

In "Moonlight and Mistletoe" Sarah Montgomery has made friends with her neighbor in her apartment building. Lillian is an elderly lady with a big heart and way too much stuff. After Lillian's accident, Justin comes to help with Grandma's things. He hires Sarah to organize Grandma's belongings. How can he take this much time off in order to help Grandma, doesn't he even work? Why is he offended when Sarah tries to rid Grandma's home from children's poetry books?

In "Shopping for Love," Emily Jones just wants to forget Brian. She has been burned in a relationship and just needs some rest and relaxation, so she takes off to New York City. The farthest thing from her mind is literally falling into the arms of another Bryan. Why won't this Bryan just leave her be? Every chance he gets he invites her to go shopping and seeing the sights.

"Where the Love Light Gleams" is a heartwarming story of Gwynn Michaud's trip to New York to see a tree from her land be the centerpiece of Rockefeller Center. As chance would have it, her daughter's roommate Maline is from New York and offers to house Gwynn during her stay in the Big Apple. Theophilius Stellaki is Maline's father and is a cranky professor, but being a proper gentleman, offers to accompany Gwynn to the lighting ceremony. Will he end up escorting her to more than just a tree-lighting?

"Gifts from the Magi" is by far one of the most romantic stories I have ever read. Elias Perez is youth pastor at the church where he grew up. Cecilla was one of the few girls who didn't make fun of Elias and his being sickly when they were kids. Throughout the Christmas season, the two work together on many projects. He's a friend to her so she asks who would possibly be giving her all these anonymous gifts like two dove candy bars and four cell phone pictures of pigeons.

After reading "A Big Apple Christmas," you won't be watching the ball drop on New Years quite the same way. Maybe there are stories like this one developing out there on Times Square. Even if you can't make it to New York to celebrate Christmas this year, you still can enjoy "A Big Apple Christmas!"

I bought this and A bit of Applause for Santa Claus as a gift exchange with my book club. This really got everyone (all women) laughing...

I bought this book for my mother and my sister. When we were children, my mother always read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to us on Christmas Eve. This book mimics the rhyme and theme of the poem, but replaces the text with fun rhymes that acknowledges the hard work that Mrs Claus puts into Christmas (as Moms know, Santa's efforts are nothing without his wife's support!). I loved the illustrations, they are whimsical and colorful. I even purchased a matching ornament for my mother and she is just thrilled with it! I just purchased another copy for a friend of mine for next year!

I buy all the Blaze books without reading what they are about, mainly because I know what they're about. Sex. Pure and simple. Sometimes they have a good story to go with it and sometimes they don't. But there's always sex. So I never feel like one of the Blaze books needs a review. You either like this stuff or you don't. But this one happens to be a cut above the others. The first two stories are first rate, but nothing too out of the ordinary and the third story in the trilogy is outstanding.

Having read more than my fair share of short stories, I've come to the conclusion that it's very very hard to write a little story and still get a good feel for the characters. Hard to give out the background without being all exposition or to get to know the characters without making it seem stilted. All three get it right in this one. The story by Kathleen O'Reilly "Dear Santa" is the best of the bunch. A man trying to escape Christmas gets stuck at a lodge with a woman who trys her hardest to keep Christmas alive. Sounds preditable, but it's not. There's layers of emotion here and some pretty dark secrets that both of them are keeping. Watching her crack the man's shell and wiggle herself into his life is spellbinding. And I love the payoff at the end. I was crying and laughing.

The older couple who run the Inn are great characters too and it's fun to see them in all the stories and to hear how our couples are doing at the end. I was just really pleased to death to find such a gem in what I thought would be an ordinary Blaze book. Well done!

I really liked this Christmas themed anthology. All with the steamy love scenes you'd expect from Blaze with three very good stories to boot.

This anthology take place in the Lake Placid, New York area. Specifically in a cozy cabin resort all decked out in festive holiday cheer. Our group of soon-to-be-lovebirds get snowed in by a storm....hmmm.......what to do....what to do....;). Add to that a pair of pseudo Mr. & Mrs. Clause matchmakers and your sure to see some mistletoe magic.

"Holiday Inn Bed" by Jacquie D'Alessandro.........4 stars
Jessica and Eric need some serious alone time. With their families battling like the Hatfields and the Macoys since the engagement announcement, its no wonder that they barely have time for one another. Now their ready to put out the Do-Not-Disturb sign and get down to the loving business. Only the family has followed them to the resort! And gets snowed in with them!

"His for the Holidays" by Joanne Rock.........5 stars
Its been five long years, but Georgia girl Heather still remembers the military man, Jared, who left her after one weekend of passion. She knew he was shipping out in a few hours, but that didn't soothe the sting she felt after he left without saying goodbye. It shouldn't of hurt, but it did. And now she has an opportunity at revenge. Mr. No-Goodbye invites her, out of the blue, to spend time with him at a the picturesque New York resort. A chance to get to see some real snow. But she's not coming to see some flakes, she coming for something steamier and THIS time she'll be the one not to say goodbye.

"Dear Santa..." by Kathleen O'Reilly.........5 stars
Rebecca didn't know who to expect to see when her secret Santa invited her up to the cozy mountain lodge, but it certainly wasn't Cory from high school. He's the only guy who ever made her feel 'tingles'. There was always something dark and secretive about him and even more so now. So why was she so incredibly attracted to him and why is he so distant? Not one to waste an opportunity with a hunk, she makes her move. But what she finds is something of a kindred spirit and her own Christmas miracle.

Like I said, all very good. D'Alessandro's is a fluffy cute romance. I love revenge plots so naturally I enjoyed Rock's extremely witty story. But of all three, O'Reilly's is the best IMHO. The tortured hero still haunts me, days after reading it. A good emotionally gripping story.

So, if you like Blaze, ask Santa to stick this one in your stocking (just make sure its wrapped!;))

This is an excellent range of stories and all are well written. The styles vary and there is a good leavening of humour. A delightful concept to join together stories that somehow connect to Christmas. My copy has already been shared and enjoyed. We hope to follow up some of the authors with whom we were not familiar

Got the book on time and enjoyed every little tale. Haave passed it on to a friend to read. Thank you! Luann Robertson

Mr. Rodrigue has done it again. "A Blue Dog Christmas" is not only filled with wonderful pictures of his newest Blue Dogs, but it is also a heartwarming story that brought back some of my own childhood holiday memories. It is a fantastic book for adults as well as children, good for bedtime reading.

Mr. Rodrigue has done it again. "A Blue Dog Christmas" is not only filled with wonderful pictures of his newest Blue Dogs, but it is also a heartwarming story that brought back some of my own childhood holiday memories. It is a fantastic book for adults as well as children, good for bedtime reading.

This box set lists as "both Snowmen books." Not very helpful. The two books enclosed are Snowmen at Night, and Snowmen at Christmas. So don't make the mistake of ordering Snowmen At Christmas through amazon's "deal" portion of this webpage!

Anyhoo, these two books are WONDERFUL. The artwork is absolutely enthralling, and the rhyming stories are adorable. It tells the story of what snowmen do, after you go to bed, and after you go to bed at Christmas. The paintings are stunning, and include Mark Buehner's signature "hidden figures," ie, there are Santas, bunnies, and dinosaurs hidden in many of the paintings. This adds a fun dimension to an already wonderful set of books.

I highly recommend these two books, because they will captivate your child, and you will love to read such beautiful books to your child.

Truly a treasure.

I'm glad I read the review because I was hoping that it was a new "snowman book". I already have and absolutely love "snowmen at night" & "Christmas".i wish they'd write more! the illustrations are so beautiful.

What a great book. Read to my two boys age 4 and 6 and they were engrossed in this story of the boy Nicholas who's good deeds for others led to him becoming St Nicholas (Santa Claus). The holidays are a great time to teach kids about thinking of and giving to others and this book offers a great platform for doing just that.

"This is the first in a series of the "Nicholes Stories" childrens books. It is a tale about a boy named Nicholas, whose simple gift of love is seen by Angels, and his wish is a lasting reward that effects the world forever." These books will become cherished family traditions for the holidays.
"The Nicholas Stories have been designed to provide inspiration to young and old and is designed in content for all people of the world."
This book and the others that follow bridge the gap between the true meaning of Christmas and Saint Nicholas while reminding us all to live life with compassion, honesty and belief. I adored them and can't wait to read them to my grandchildren!!

Great fun for all ages; children and adults appreciate the photography, Santa's expressions, and Santa's message. Santa shares the message of the importance of being good . . . not only so he will visit but also to be considerate of others. Love both books, we are "collecting" the series and giving them as gifts!

Wonderful children's book and a nice compliment to another book produced last year ... arrived fine.

This is a very enjoyable book. Has a great message for kids and is fun for them to read.

We have kids and lots of books. This is must have. The kids love it, and we do too. Very well written and great illustrations. If we did not have kids I would have purchased it!