Advent Reads Day 8: Christmas Joy by Nancy Naigle

   Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Synopsis:  "A heartwarming Christmas story about family, friendship and finding love in unexpected places.

Joy Holbrook might be all work and no play, but that changes when her Aunt Ruby takes a fall that lands her in a rehabilitation center before the holidays. Joy takes a leave of absence from her job as a market researcher to run the family farm, even though the timing may hinder her chance at garnering the promotion of her dreams.

Ben Andrews isn’t your average accountant. He also happens to be the handiest man in Crystal Falls. He’s helped his elderly neighbor, Ruby Johnson, decorate for the annual Christmas Home Tour—and win—the last several years. He’s not about to let some drop-in niece break their winning streak.

Ruby seems overly concerned about Joy being able to handle Molly. Under the impression she’s referring Molly the bunny that is one of the menagerie of animals, Joy’s not worried at all until the next morning when a little girl named Molly shows up. For the sake of her aunt, Joy is forced to partner with Ben while Ruby is on the mend to help with preparation for the Christmas tour and, in the process finds her career-focused heart dreaming of a family.

Will the magic of Christmas help her to open her heart and find her everlasting joy?"

My Review: Like Debbie Macomber, Nancy Naigle has come to mean Christmas and this one definitely captures all the things you get from a Hallmark Movie, small town setting, interesting cast of characters, loads of emotions, some healing of hearts and a good dose of romance. This one was a bit heavy handed, almost a bit too much feel good spirit going around, so if Hallmark isn't your thing at Christmas, maybe pick a different book, but if you want all those feelings and over the top Christmas spirit oozing with romance this is the book for you.

My Rating: I don't usually say this but it might have been a bit much for me, but that could just be my mood this year. I more than likely would have gushed over this one last year.  As of right now I give it a rating of Three Paws but might try again when things are looking a bit more chipper.

Advent Reads Day 7: The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber

  Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Read for: Requested Review/Netgalley

Synopsis: "Peter Armstrong and Hank Colfax are best friends, but their lives couldn't be more different. Peter, the local pastor who is dedicated to his community, spending time visiting the flock, attending meetings, and, with the holiday season approaching, preparing for the Christmas service and live nativity. As a bartender, Hank serves a much different customer base at his family-owned tavern, including a handful of lonely regulars and the local biker gang.

When Peter scoffs that Hank has it easy compared to him, the two decide to switch jobs until Christmas Eve. To their surprise, the responsibilities of a bartender and a pastor are similar, but taking on the other's work is more difficult than either Peter or Hank expected. As the two begin to see each other in a new light--and each discovers a new love to cherish--their lives are forever changed.

In The Christmas Spirit, Debbie Macomber celebrates the true meaning of the holidays and the inclusive community spirit that binds us all."

My Review: If you have been around here for previous Advent Reads events you know this, but if you are new here it isn't Christmas for me until I have read the newest Debbie Macomber Christmas story.  There have been some really great ones and ones that were so so, but this might be one of the best ones yet! I loved the concept of the story and she really ran with it.  While we may have heard similar stories in the past but none quite like this one. I enjoyed both the friendships and the community elements in this book. Debbie usually has a strong romance element in her books and while it is there, it kind of takes a backseat. I loved the setting, the characters and the story.

My Rating: I have loved a lot of Debbie's Christmas stories but this is really up there with my favorites.  I really recommend this one for a real feel good story for the holiday season, full of traditions new and old and people coming together. I give it a rating of Four Paws!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley.  The above is my honest opinion and review.

The Christmas Spirit is out now and you can find it in digital and print format at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or check with your local bookstore or library and they will be happy to help you.

Advent Reads Day 6: Cat Family Christmas by Lucy Brownridge & Eunyoung Seo

 Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Read for: Requested Read/Netgalley

Synopsis: "Count down to Christmas with the Cat Family in this lift-the-flap advent book with more than 140 doors to open, as you help them decorate, bake, and prepare the house for the holiday season.

Count down the twelve days til Christmas in this delightful advent book. With a nod to nostalgic Victorian advent calendars, open up tiny but sturdy flap ‘doors’ on each one of the 24 pages to reveal little details and surprises.

Peer inside the cupboard doors and different-sized tins in the busy Cat Family kitchen to find the missing ingredients for the cake. Open all the front doors on the street when the Cat Family go carol singing.

This is a whimsical Christmas book that gives the Victorian advent calendar tradition a contemporary twist for advent calendar door–hungry hands. Every page is rich with Liberty print–style patterns and William Morris–inspired friezes.

The Cat Family is full of character and personality, and the picture painted of the holiday season in this charming picture book will fill you and your family with Christmas cheer!"

My Review: As we already discussed this season, I love books with cats, especially when you add in Christmas.  This was a really cute book that takes us through the Cat Family holiday preparations and classic traditions. There are TONs of open the flaps for lots of fun for those littles.  The illustrations and the events throughout the book definitely capture that Victorian era feel for a heirloom feeling book but with the bonus of being able to be handled by everyone, not carefully like books from the actual Victorian era.

My Rating: This was a really different and unique book that I enjoyed. There is so much going on in those detailed illustrations and the lift the flaps, there will be hours spent just enjoying them all and finding little secrets throughout. I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

I received a complimentary copy of Cat Family Christmas via Netgalley. The above is my honest opinion and review.

Cat Family Christmas is out now and you can find your own copy to enjoy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or request it at your local library or bookstore.

Advent Reads Day 5: A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig & Illustrated by Chris Mould

 Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Synopsis: "You are about to read the true story of Father Christmas.

It is a story that proves that nothing is impossible.
If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. It is most certainly not for you.
Because this book is FULL of impossible things.

Are you still reading?

Good.

Then let us begin . . .

A Boy Called Christmas is a tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow, and an eleven-year-old boy called Nikolas, who isn't afraid to believe in magic."

My Review: I know, can you believe that I hadn't read this book until this year?! I don't know why I kept putting this one off, but it was definitely perfect timing to read with Munchkin this year. Even though he is no longer a believer, this was still a magical book to read together. Nikolas has quite an adventure in this book and it creates quite the backstory to the Santa we all know. With so many quirky characters, plenty of action and lots of magical happenings, it just keeps the pages flowing.

My Rating: We really enjoyed this book and I am so glad that I waited to experience it the first time with my son. This is definitely a fun book to read as a family of both believers and nonbelievers. I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Advent Reads Day 4: The Christmas Pawdcast by Emily March

   Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Synopsis: "Mary Landry and her pregnant rescue dog are on their way home for Christmas when the unthinkable happens: Her car breaks down along a deserted stretch of mountain highway in the middle of a blizzard. Facing dire conditions, Mary seeks shelter from a lone cabin in the distance whose warm light beckons her like a Christmas star.

Nick Carstairs has one wish this season - to ride out his least favorite time of the year in peace while working on the latest episode of his hit True Crime podcast. The sexy-voiced podcaster didn’t plan to host a stranger and her pregnant dog, but he’s happy to help a traveler in need…it’s an extra perk that she’s gorgeous. Now if she would just stop trying to change his mind about Christmas.

As they spend time warming up by the fire - and an unexpected attraction roars to life - will Mary help Nick discover the wonder of the season after all?"

My Review: This was a super short audio book from Audible that was just right for a quick read with Christmas magic, romance and furry friends. I really enjoyed Mary and Nick's story, even though it is a quick read I still felt like we really got to know each of them and their backstories.  The description of Angel (aka Frank) was so great and I am dying to see a picture of this dog! She definitely makes the story with her large but sweet presence or is it presents?

My Rating:  A just right quick read full of the warm fuzzies for the holiday season. It is especially perfect for those with a love for the difficult furry rescues. I give it a rating of Four Paws!