Book Review: The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson

Back Cover: With Christmas around the corner, the Turnbull family is in need of a few small miracles.

It is 1937, and Lucy Turnbull knows better than to wish for a pony this Christmas. Her mother has assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony is the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they need at their boarding house are the paying kind. Then an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, and Lucy's world changes forever.

My Review: When I see Melody Carlson's name on the cover of a book, I expect that I'm about to open a cozy holiday story. The Christmas Pony was true to that expectation. One of the things that I really liked about this book was the main character is an enchanting little girl, and the story realistically follows her childish thinking. The other characters who occupy the book are varied and interesting. Without giving away too much of the story, I did enjoy the lesson that the little girl learned about how appearances can be deceiving. I loved the little romance that come along as well. This is a very nice little book for those looking for a light holiday read.
My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers who are looking for a sweet holiday read.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson

Excerpt: No one in Parrish Springs could recall exactly when Matilda Honeycutt came to town. No one seemed to know where she came from either, but most everyone remembered the day Matilda Honeycutt purchased the old Barton Building. Not because she made much noise when her bid won the run-down brick building in the sealed-envelope auction conducted by the city, but because Councilman Snider swore so loudly that patrons in the coffee shop next door to his real estate office actually heard his tantrum. The Christmas Shoppe, p 5.

Back Cover: The small town of Parrish Springs is not quite ready for Matilda Honeycutt.

A strange older woman with scraggly gray hair and jewelry that jangles as she walks, Matilda is certainly not the most likely person to buy the old Barton Building on the town's quaint main street. When it becomes apparent that her new shop doesn't fit the expectations of Parrish Springs residents, a brouhaha erupts. After all, Christmas is approaching, and the last thing the town needs is a junky shop run by someone who looks and acts like a gypsy. But as townsfolk venture into the strange store, they discover that old memories can bring new life and healing.

Once again, Melody Carlson delivers a Christmas story that will touch hearts and delight the senses. Sure to be a classic, The Christmas Shoppe is filled with the special magic the best Christmas stories share—that intangible mixture of nostalgia, joy, and a little bit of magic.

My Review: I love Christmas stories that are full of wonder and magic, but I was a little disappointed in The Christmas Shoppe. Melody Carlson's characters were very interesting and varied. She did a great job bringing to life the town of Parrish Springs with its rich history. The initial conflict made me turn pages, but I found myself a unsatisfied by the end. The story-line was a little thin, in my opinion. I would have liked to see deeper conflict and a more believable resolution to the story. Though the book left me dissatisfied, I can see that it would be a nice story to cuddle up with under a blanket before a warm fire, if you were just looking for a fluffy holiday read.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I don't actively recommend this book.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh

Excerpt: He knew the real reason for his lousy mood. It wasn't the president, the gas prices, or the Iran Hostage Crisis. It was being here. Not at the 7-Eleven. Back here in Seabreeze. Facing all this.

His mom, her crisis.

He should have been on the slopes all afternoon. Remembering Christmas, pg 27.

Back Cover: Can one Christmas change a life forever?

Rick Denton lives his life on his terms. He works hard, plays hard, and answers to no one. So when his mother calls begging him to come home after his stepfather has an aneurysm, Rick is more than a little reluctant. What was supposed to be just a couple days helping out at the family bookstore turns into weeks of cashing out old ladies and dealing with the homeless guy who keeps hanging around the store. The one bright spot is the lovely and intriguing young woman who works at his side each day.

As Christmas nears, Rick's old life beckons, the hurts from his past loom large, and the decisions he makes will determine more than just where he spends Christmas Eve.

With skillful storytelling, Dan Walsh creates a Christmas story that will have you remembering every good and perfect gift of Christmas.

My Review: What would you do if everything you've believed about someone suddenly appeared to be false? How would you handle your memories being questioned, and found lacking? The main character in Remembering Christmas is faced with these exact circumstances. Forced to reevaluated everything that he believes and remembers about his mother, father and step-father, Rick Denton learns that there is more to life than the way he has been living. This is a story of love, forgiveness, and second chances. Remembering Christmas is a wonderful holiday tale.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to those looking for a good holiday read.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson

Excerpt: Room 13 was the second on the left. She tried the key and was relieved to see that it worked. The door creaked, and she stepped into a sparsely furnished room with a twin bed, bedside table, dresser, and chair. The smell was musty and the chill in the air suggested that it had been unoccupied for a while. She looked across the brown linoleum floor to spot a closed heat vent in the floor. She opened it and warm air began radiating up.

She went over and sat on the bed, testing it to discover that the mattress was thin and the box springs were squeaky. Still, it was a huge improvement over her accommodations for the last eight years. In fact, the whole room was a pleasant surprise. Her own dresser for her things - not that she had any. Her own chair to sit in and just think. Her own bedside table with a lamp she could turn on and off whenever she liked. She could read in the middle of the night if she wanted. Really, the room was perfect. Christmas at Harrington's, pg 33.

Back Cover: Sometimes the best gift is a second chance.

Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret?

Reading Christmas at Harrington's, a story full of redemption and true holiday spirit, will be your newest Christmas tradition.

My Review: I really enjoyed Christmas at Harrington's because of the believability of the characters. Lena has been through so much in the last eight years. She has lost faith in herself, other people and even God. Now, she is looking for a chance to get back on her feet and start over, but the past keeps catching up to her. Christmas at Harrington's explores the idea of redemption and second chances. It gives a brief glimpse into the life of a woman who is shadowed by the past, and uncertain about the future. In a way, we can all relate to the struggles that Lena faces in the book. I love the hope in this story.

Christmas at Harrington's is an excellent and fast holiday read.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I would recommend this novel as an enjoyable holiday read. Who knows, you might just want to add it to your annual Christmas traditions.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.