A Highland Christmas by M. C. Beaton, Book review

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

ISBN-13: 978-0446609197

Synopsis:

Celebrate the Holidays with M. C. Beaton, The Queen of The Cozy Mystery!
In the dark, wintry highlands of Lochdubh, Scotland, where the local Calvinist element resists the secular trimmings of Christmas, the spirit of Old St. Nick is about as welcome as a flat tire on a deserted road. Nor is crime taking a holiday, as Constable Hamish Macbeth soon finds himself protecting an unhappy girl, unlocking the secrets of a frightened old woman, and retrieving some stolen holiday goods. 

Now the lanky lawman must use all his Highland charm and detective skills to make things right. And he had better do it quickly, for the church bells will soon toll and all of Lochdubh will be forced to face another dreary winter without the comforting embrace of Yuletide cheer.

My thoughts:

Oh my! The delightful things one finds when perusing the Bookmobile's offerings! M.C. Beaton's 'A Highland Christmas' was displayed in such a fashion I could not resist its title...After all it is the Christmas Season and whom does not love a 'whodunit' especially when set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands?

Chapter one:
'More and more people each year are going abroad for Christmas. To celebrate the season of goodwill towards men, British Airways slams an extra one hundred and four pounds on each air ticket...'
Imagine that?! 

Part of the Hamish Macbeth Mystery series, A Highland Christmas is one of those light and easy on the heart tale set in a small Highland village where due to Calvenist influence, Christmas has no place. No lights, no trees, no gifts for tiny tots for 'Santa Claus and presents are pagan flummery...'

I'll admit to be one of those people who never heard of M. C. Beaton and her lanky Police Constable Hamish Macbeth but after reading this story I am hooked! 
A missing cat and its lonely spinster (and very cantekerous) owner, a little girl whose parents do not celebrate Christmas, a mysterious theft of Christmas lights and a Christmas tree and an entire village who comes together in the true spirit of Christmas.

You will love to discover this story and enjoy the witty comments and intuitive eye of this Highland Police Constable bent on bringing a bit of cheer to his fellowmen!

Grab yourself a copy, brew a cuppa and enjoy by the fire!

5 Stars and a big Thank You to the author for a most enjoyable time!

About the Author:

M.C. BEATON has won international acclaim for her bestselling Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries. She is also the author of over 100 romance titles and a series of romantic suspense, The Edwardian Mystery Series. M. C. Beaton lives in a Cotswold cottage with her husband.

For more on Ms. Beaton visit her website (HERE).

Note to readers: I always enjoy sharing with others the novels I read. Please remember however that unless stated otherwise, these reviews are not requested by Author/Publisher and reflect only my opinion!

Fire Of The Raging Dragon by Don Brown, Book review

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN-13: 978-0310330158

Synopsis:


In the very near future, China, now the world's largest industrial producer and consumer of Mideast Oil, passes a law that all new cars manufactured in that nation will be operated on natural gas. Beneath the floor of the South China Sea, around the contested Spratly Islands, billions of gallons of natural gas wait to be mined. But at the center of the Spratlys, the remote but strategic island of Itu Aba is occupied by China's historic enemy, Taiwan.

When the new, power-hungry Chinese President, Tang Qhichen, orders Chinese Naval forces to attack Taiwanese forces on Itu Aba, U.S. President Douglas Surber responds, ordering the U.S. Seventh Fleet to try and quell a burgeoning naval showdown between the two Chinas.

Aboard the submarine tender U.S.S. Emory S. Land, one of the first ships in the naval war zone, is Ensign Stephanie Surber, a recent Naval Academy graduate who is also the First Daughter of the United States. As the Emory S. Land steams into harm's way, Ensign Surber's life is gravely threatened. The President must make a decision. Will he take a stand against evil? Or will he save the life of his daughter?

My thoughts:

Regulars on this blog know Don Brown happens to be a favourite of ours thus we queue to read his novels and spend lots of time debating the issues he brings us in his writings.

'Fire of the Raging Dragon' could be termed a 'what if' but I would rather think of it as a 'when'!
At times gripping and always flowing with just the right balance of interesting characters and events, this latest Brown's novel delivers a dramatic plot guaranteed to make you wonder yet again at our direction for the future. There are many scenarios out there and one wonders why a rude awakening is always needed for higher powers to react!

We follow the story as characters and events become intensely involved spinning out of control in fact, leaving no doubt time for diplomacy is over. With the realization this ultimate conflict will see enormous loss of personnel and military equipment, comes the frightening conclusion there is no solution in sight.
In typical Don Brown's fashion, both sides have family and friends heavily involved and you soon find yourself turning yet another page as you cannot let go! Each  new development brings another level of suspense!
A Master Storyteller, Don Brown blends fiction and reality with the quality we have learned to expect from this writer! 

Fire of the Raging Dragon is definitively worth reading by anyone associate with the Military family for it covers every facet of their life!

Worth 5 Stars Folks!


About the Author:

Don Brown is the author of Thunder in the Morning Calm, The Malacca Conspiracy, The Navy Justice Series and Black Sea Affair, a submarine thriller that predicted the 2008 shooting war between Russia and Georgia. 

Don served five years in the U.S. Navy as an officer in the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps, which gave him an exceptional vantage point into both the Navy and the inner workings of 'inside-the-beltway' as an action officer assigned to the pentagon. 

He left active duty in 1992 to pursue private practice, but remained on inactive status through 1999, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

For more on this interesting author visit his website (HERE).

 

I received this book free from ZONDERVAN as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Breaking Hearts...

As news trickles in, our hearts goes to these families who have lost precious loved ones!

'Twenty-six people, including 20 children, died after a gunman walked into a Newtown, Connecticut, elementary school and opened fire.' 

Our thoughts and prayers goes to the Mums, Dads and siblings...

Saint Lucia...A Beautiful Scandinavian Tradition...

 

On 13 Decembre Saint Lucia is celebrated in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries with candlelight and processions as a part of Christmas celebrations. The eldest girl in each family portrays the Christian Saint who overcame the darkness and found light. 

Originally this celebration happened on the longest night of the year (Winter Solstice). Wearing a white robe in the early morning and a crown of candles, the young girls traditionally serves parents and friends Lussekatter or Lucia buns and coffee (or mulled wine).

Christmas Around The World...

A Christmas Homecoming by MaryAnn Diorio, Book review & Giveaway

Publisher: Pelican Ventures Book Group-Harbourlight Books
ASIN: B00A0VFNPQ

Synopsis:

Seven Christmases have passed since Sonia Pettit last heard from her daughter Jody. Since Jody's departure, Sonia's world has been turned upside down. Her husband has died of a broken heart, and her son, bitter over his sister's destructive actions, has become rebellious.

Her greatest desire is to have her family together at Christmas, but after what Jody has put them all through, can Sonia truly forgive her daughter?

Jody Pettit O'Dair ran away to experience a life of adventure and excitement, but since her departure, her world has been turned upside down. She's been abandoned by the man she met and married, lost her job, and is unable to care for her two children. With nowhere else to turn, this prodigal daughter begins the long journey home and prays she will be welcomed after walking away so long ago.

Will Jody find forgiveness in the arms of her family as easily as she received it from God?

My thoughts:

An E-book is still something of a novelty to me and not my first choice but in this case I was more than willing to make an exception. I borrowed my son's reader to enjoy this Christmas story to its fullest.
'A Christmas Homecoming' is a short story to be sure but with a lot of punch! 
As I read it I wondered at the plot and found myself in many ways reacting to one part or another. In fact I shared this story already with others starting with my husband, my daughter and so on...It was not just another Christmas story. A Christmas Homecoming has many messages and guaranteed to make readers reflect how each and everyone of us would react.

Consider Mum who not only lost her partner and has no knowledge of the whereabouts of her precious daughter. Then there is the brother who from an easy going youth turned overnight into a resentful adult bent on his own destruction.
Let's not forget the prodigal daughter faced with abandonment, single parenthood of not one child, but two and the loss of her only income since she lost her job. 
Jody is 10,000 miles away from home and the 25 hours + of her journey home with two children in tow, a backpack and a tote as her only belongings are daunting enough for this reader! Facing her family after so many years of estrangement is nothing short of nerve wracking.

The messages however are simple and yet so beautiful to uncover. Each of the protagonists have a lesson to learn. Faith is all that keeps them from unraveling and here Dr. Diorio excels, never pushing, allowing readers to savour and as we soon discover, letting God take charge allows each to remember how much they love each other.

A Christmas Homecoming is the sort of story we need to read at this time of the year. Like myself you might ponder how you would react in the same circumstances. You might just as humbly as myself discover you still have much to learn! In the end Faith is the only cure for whatever ails us.

I could not find anything I did not like in this story and almost wished it was even longer. I will therefore enjoy reading it again and tuck it on my shelves for the next Holiday Season...A tradition maybe?

5 stars for a meaningful story perfect for this Blessed Season!

About the Author:

Dr. MaryAnn Diorio loves God, people, children, and dogs, in that order. She also is passionate about story and its power to transform the human heart. Dr. MaryAnn, as she is affectionately called, writes compelling fiction that deals with the deepest issues of life. She is Adjunct Online Professor of Fiction Writing for Regent University and coaches writers on their journey to publication.

For more on this author check out her website (HERE) 

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE FOR ADDITIONAL REVIEWS (HERE)

Grab a copy of MaryAnn Diorio's "A Christmas Homecoming" for JUST .99! 

MaryAnn is celebrating by giving away a Paperwhite Kindle! 
Details below!

One "merry" winner will receive:

• A Paperwhite Kindle
• A Christmas Homecoming by MaryAnn Diorio

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 22nd. Winner will be announced on 12/23/12 at MaryAnn's Blog.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

 

I received this book free from LITFUSE GROUP as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love, Book review

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN-13: 978-1595549020

Synopsis:

Book 3 in Dorothy Love's Hickory Ridge Romance series.

Ethan and Sophie long to share a future together. But the secrets they're not sharing could tear them apart.

Sophie Caldwell has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after years away. Despite the heartaches of her childhood, Sophie is determined to make a home, and a name, for herself in the growing town. A gifted writer, she plans to resurrect the local newspaper that so enchanted her as a girl.
Ethan Heyward's idyllic childhood was shattered by a tragedy he has spent years trying to forget. An accomplished businessman and architect, he has built a majestic resort in the mountains above Hickory Ridge, drawing wealthy tourists from all over the country.

When Sophie interviews Ethan for the paper, he is impressed with her intelligence and astounded by her beauty. She's equally intrigued but fears he will reject her if he learns about her shadowed past. Just as she summons the courage to tell him, Ethan's own past unexpectedly and violently catches up with him, threatening not only his life but their budding romance.

My thoughts:

Every Perfect Gift was my first novel by Dorothy Love and the last of the 'Hickory Ridge Romance' series. This fact shall perhaps account for my dismay at reading lines which fitfully alluded to other stories and characters. Perhaps it would be fair to suggest readers to read the first two books to enable them to understand a little more of Sophie's story.

Dorothy Love gives her audience a good amount of historical facts, all interesting enough for this historical buff to check out. 'Every Perfect Gift's plot however is not what I expected.

At times slow as molasses, at others the inclusion of characters and events I had no knowledge of left me irritated and any interest in the main protagonist, her budding romance or any of the sub characters quickly subsided (unless you count a young scamp named Robbie featured in Sophie's past now turned Minister)! 
There seemed to be loose ends and you wonder at the direction the author took with the plot. 

Let me clarify this review is based on an ARC in need of additional editing which might account also for any lack of enthusiasm on my part.

The one satisfying moment related to description of Sophie's chosen profession was her never ending patience with defunct printing machines. I also liked the red livery next to the white church on the cover (described in such fashion in the book). 

3 Stars!

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE AND ADDITIONAL REVIEWS (HERE)!

About the Author:

An accomplished author in the secular market, Dorothy Love makes her inspirational fiction debut with her Hickory Ridge series of historicals set in her native South. Her skillful blending of the historical and the personal reflect her passion for discovering the histories of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things and set her apart as an authoritative voice of Southern historical fiction.

Find out more on her website (here) 

And now for the Giveaway...

Dorothy Love is celebrating the new book in her Hickory Ridge Romance series, Every Perfect Gift with a "Home for the Holidays" 12 Days of Gifts contest.

Celebrate the holidays with Dorothy Love and her protagonist, Sophie Caldwell, as they count down the days to Dorothy's author chat party with 12 Days of Gifts! Dorothy will be giving away copies of Every Perfect Gift and other holiday essentials, as well as key items from the book that Sophie would have worn during or used to celebrate the holidays (a beautiful, red shawl, Victorian ornaments, stockings). It's all happening on Dorothy's Facebook page. She'll post a new giveaway each day.

So bring on the Christmas cheer with Dorothy and the "Home for the Holidays" 12 Days of Gifts. Then join Dorothy on the evening of December 13 for her author chat party! During the party, Dorothy will announce the 12 winners from the Home for the Holidays giveaway and host an author chat about Every Perfect Gift and favorite Christmas traditions. Oh, and she'll be giving away lots of fun prizes.  

RSVP today

I received this book free from LITFUSE GROUP as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Second Sunday Of Advent

'Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.'

(Reading 1 - Second Sunday of the Advent)


As the soft light of candles casts flickering shadows on the walls and the fire crackles in the fireplace, the World holds its breath in anticipation of the Joy to come, as magical as the very first Christmas.

Enjoy the Season!

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, 

and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit,

become a child again at Christmas-time.  

~Laura Ingalls Wilder~