There isn't much to this very short story. I didn't care for how repeated "little pine three" and Mulberry Lane" were, but that was just the type of sThere isn't much to this very short story. I didn't care for how repeated "little pine three" and Mulberry Lane" were, but that was just the type of story telling. A sweet, simple story...more
Another one that is all based on a lie (one twin pretending to be the other). Barker is a wonderful storyteller, I just don't like stories that are baAnother one that is all based on a lie (one twin pretending to be the other). Barker is a wonderful storyteller, I just don't like stories that are based on people telling a lie on purpose. ...more
I appreciate what the author was trying to do. However, I think there are so many lessons to be learned without stretching supposing things that aren'I appreciate what the author was trying to do. However, I think there are so many lessons to be learned without stretching supposing things that aren't in scripture. This wasn't a bad book, just not for me....more
this wasn't bad, but I just wasn't getting into it. The writing was a bit stilted, but not bad. Just more telling then showing. this wasn't bad, but I just wasn't getting into it. The writing was a bit stilted, but not bad. Just more telling then showing. ...more
Good grief. I'm not having good luck this year with "Christmas" books.
Somehow, I missed the other reviews of my Goodreads friends about this book (wheGood grief. I'm not having good luck this year with "Christmas" books.
Somehow, I missed the other reviews of my Goodreads friends about this book (when will I learn?) and was shocked at the 70% mark of this book. It went from kind of a cute Christmas story to really dark family secrets. And honestly, I don't think it was handled well. It seemed people were eager to soften the horrible thing this person did by saying he was stressed and whatnot. Oh, everyone agreed it was horrible and wrong, but excuses were still offered. Sorry, there is never, ever, ever a reason that even softens an act like that.
Here is the spoiler if you want to know, but please know it is rather disturbing. (view spoiler)[ The main character's birth mother was raped by her stepfather who was drunk. Softening excuses of stress, drunkness, and the stepdaughter wearing a provocative bathing suit are offered. Everyone agrees it was wrong and evil even with that, but I felt like the offered explanations were in bad taste. (hide spoiler)]...more
Well, this was a story that was funny at parts, but mostly sad and dragged down by characters bitter about life. The ending didn't make up for it. TheWell, this was a story that was funny at parts, but mostly sad and dragged down by characters bitter about life. The ending didn't make up for it. The romance was rushed and weird. The faith element was also weird and very ambiguous, which made the story feel heavier and sadder. We needed real hope, real change, real answers.
Callie was great and kept this from being a 1 star book....more
A sweet, more typical romance story with an injured ballerina helping to produce a kid's nutcracker. I did like it that the hero just brought things oA sweet, more typical romance story with an injured ballerina helping to produce a kid's nutcracker. I did like it that the hero just brought things out into the open instead of letting them fester....more
I did like this book and I think it has a lot of value as helping us to remember these were real people like us populating the story that seems so famI did like this book and I think it has a lot of value as helping us to remember these were real people like us populating the story that seems so familiar.
What detracted from me were some assumptions I didn't get. I know it's popular right now to say "Mary and Joseph probably didn't know each other". Umm... I think this shows a severe lack of understanding of small towns in general and how interdependent people in ancient cultures were. I don't think Joseph and Mary would have hung in a modern way of thinking, but I don't doubt that they had watched each other grow up and knew each other. A few other assumptions made me raise an eyebrow, but that was the biggest one.
The other thing that detracted me is kinda sad -- I've heard most of the observations before. There weren't a lot of new things said here.
Overall, I would still recommend this book and might even reread it because it does have some good reminders....more
When you get a collection of stories from various authors, usually you find there are a couple of stories you just don't like. For me, this was a wondWhen you get a collection of stories from various authors, usually you find there are a couple of stories you just don't like. For me, this was a wonderful exception. There wasn't one story I hated. I plan to get myself a paperback copy of this collection at some point, it was so good and worth sharing.
Star of Bethlehem by Courtenay Burden Courtenay Burden's story was a wonderful starting point for this collection. It was historic, sweet, and cozy. A perfect Christmas read.
The Christmas Fruit Bowl by Erika Mathews Honestly, this story was my least favorite of the collection because it felt more devotional then story. However, it's still worth three stars and worth reading and rereading.
Room in the Manger by Hannah Gridley This story is about a young widow returning to her hometown. It was fun, with a hint of romance and beautiful redemption.
Home Forever by Angie Thompson I loved this story. I love how Thompson made Magda both talented with cars and a lover of womanly arts. We need more stories that show that one can be both a girly girl while having some not non-traditional girl interests.
He Is Still Emmanuel by Rebekah A. Morris I loved this story about a woman defending a pregnant teen who shows up in town. I love how this shows God's care for those who need it most, but are often looked down on.
An Auntie for Christmas by Hannah Foster This was another great story, although there were a couple of moments I felt like I needed more information to really understand what was going on.
Over all, a steller collection of cozy Christmas stories....more
Content note: the story starts off with the main girl rescuing a child who is drowning. But she removesA fun and sweet historical fairytale retelling.
Content note: the story starts off with the main girl rescuing a child who is drowning. But she removes much of her clothing. While accurate for what would be needed at the time, it did make it very awkward....more
"Heaven and Nature Sing" by Carolyn Miller ~ Shallow romance, kinda dull writing. But nice if you are in the mood.
"Far as the Curse Is Found" by Amand"Heaven and Nature Sing" by Carolyn Miller ~ Shallow romance, kinda dull writing. But nice if you are in the mood.
"Far as the Curse Is Found" by Amanda Barratt ~ I adored this story! It was so well written, great characters, and a wonderful story. The saving grace of the collection.
"Wonders of His Love" by Erica Vetsch ~ I didn't finish this one. Maybe I was just in the wrong mood? It felt like so many stories I've read, typical and dull. I might try to reread sometime in the future when I reread Far as the Curse is Found....more
I really enjoyed this (which is the first of anything that I've read by this author). I really love how she drew out so many wonderful biblical parallI really enjoyed this (which is the first of anything that I've read by this author). I really love how she drew out so many wonderful biblical parallels.
The ending really made it for me. I loved how she acknowledged this probably wasn't something Dicken's would have approved of, but that God has used his writing anyway.
I would love to use this right along side reading the book....more
I loved the first book in this series, but this one wasn't as good. I loved the characters and the ideas as much but so much of the story felt forced.I loved the first book in this series, but this one wasn't as good. I loved the characters and the ideas as much but so much of the story felt forced. Still, I enjoyed reading this Christmas story....more
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