The Good, the Bad, and the Duke/ Janna MacGregor/ 356 pgs

I was very much looking forward to this book as the hero is the same guy who was a villain in the first two books of the series. It's always interesting to see how an author plans to redeem a character. I was not disappointed. Paul, the second son of a duke, wreaked havoc on the lives of his two best friends wives-to-be and he is persona non grata, despite inheriting a dukedom when his father and his older brother die in quick succession. Daphne has known Paul for most of her life as her older brother is one of the men now shunning Paul. When Daphne's family prepares to leave London to spend the Christmas holiday at their estate, she accidentally gets left home alone. Yes, it's a take on the movie, but other than the initial setup, the similarities end there. When Daphne's private journal is stolen by a street urchin, Paul steps forward to help her get it back. I feel like MacGregor hits her stride in this book. Both characters are fully fleshed out, are flawed, and have a way to go to set their lives back on track. The emotions are fully formed and Paul and Daphne's friendship is a delight. A job well-done on redeeming bad boy Paul.

The Doctor's Christmas Proposal / Eve Gaddy / 222 pgs

I'll admit it. Romance is not really my thing, although I'll be reading quite a lot of it this month. That said, I can appreciate a good romance when I do read it. This just wasn't one of those good romances. The first paragraph was a big mess and I barely even understood what was going on. It did get going after a while, but some of the typos (bad editing) got in the way. The story is of a woman, Mia, from Denver who goes to the fictional town of Marietta, Montana to be the date of her old friend, Wyatt, who she just happened to have a one night stand with that resulted in a pregnancy and miscarriage some months before. Wyatt never knew Mia was pregnant. The one night stand only occurred because he was so upset by getting jilted by his fiancee. So, now it's Christmas and Wyatt's one brother is about to become a dad, and his other brother is about to get married, and Wyatt does what all other stupid men do, he calls his one gal pal with whom he had a fling to come be his date and comforter. 

Blech.

I'm being generous and giving this book 2 stars instead of only 1, because the writing wasn't terribly bad. Then again, for a book that is supposed to be somewhat erotic, it really didn't get me all steamy. The cover is pretty though, and it doesn't look as slap-dash put together as some of these small publishing company books can be. So, it gets a Meh from me. It's not the worst book I ever read, but I wouldn't recommend anyone wasting their time.

The Autobiography of Santa Claus / Jeff Guinn / 290 pgs

I desperately needed this book though I had no idea at the time I started it. It has truly gotten me into the Christmas spirit. I have no good reason not to be in the spirit of Christmas, it just wasn't hitting me for some reason. The Autobiography of Santa Claus is just that, it is Santa Claus himself writing down his 1735 year history. Like most people know, Santa Claus was born in 280 AD in a small town in what is now Turkey. His name was Nicholas (most people didn't have surnames back then). He grew up to be the Bishop of Myra. History says that Nicholas died when he was 63 years old in the year 343, but the true story is that he left his life in Myra and ended up becoming the most renown gift giver of all time. Years later, he married, and has made many famous friends who have become his helpers. Over the years, he ended up acquiring flying reindeer and a home at the North Pole. 

The story is divided into 24 chapters, so one could start on December 1st, reading only one chapter a day, and finish on Christmas Eve. The story is also written with children in mind, so the language is pretty simple, although Santa does talk about topics like slavery and war, and how those things keep him from giving gifts to all the kids he would like. I highly recommend reading it yourself to learn more about what life was like for St. Nicholas and how different traditions about Santa Claus came to be, but I also think it ought to be read to kids as well.

Eggnog Murder/ Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, Barbara Ross/ 343 pages

The Eggnog Murder is a collection of three stories written by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis and Barbara Ross.  Each is a murder mystery that revolves around eggnog.  Each author features a series heroine in her story. In the Eggnog Murder did someone really want to murder a retired Tinker's Cove postal worker?  Or was it meant as a bad joke?   Lucy Stone is ready to solve the mystery.  Death by Eggnog deals with the demise of the town's cranky librarian.  Was it an accident or was it intended?  Hayley Powell lends a hand to the investigation.  In Nogged Off is it really a jinx that stirs up trouble for Julia Snowden?  In the midst of all the mayhem someone's boyfriend turns up murdered in Julia's moving van.  Is Imogen really that unlucky, or is something else going on?  All three stories go a good job of introducing their characters and tempting the reader to indulge in more of their crime solving antics.
 

Slay Bells: A St. Rose Quilting Bee Mystery/ Annette Mahon/ 259 pages

Slay Bells by Annette Mahon finds the St. Rose Quilting Bee members once again trying to solve a murder.  Kathy and her son Matt have been found shot to death just days before Christmas.  Possible suspects include Kathy's ex-husband Rusty and her fiance Dylan.  While the quilters combine solving the murders while quilting, a rash of thefts have them frightened.  The quilters work together to find information to help solve both the crimes. The author does a good job building up the story, but the end was a little abrupt.  If the reader likes quilting and murder and Christmas, they will enjoy this read.

Marry Me At Christmas/ Susan Mallery/ 330 pages

Marry Me At Christmas is the 21st book in Susan Mallery's Fools Gold Series.  Madeline Krug is part owner of Paper Moon, a wedding gown and clothing store.  When the local wedding planner is too busy to take on a last minute wedding, the mayor calls on Madeline to help out.  To Madeline's surprise she is planning a wedding for the sister of action star Jonny Blaze.  Ginger wants a small, simple wedding while Jonny wants to give her the grandest wedding he can.  Will Madeline be able to keep everyone happy?  This book will appeal to anyone who likes a Christmas Romance. For more information and read a likes please see the SCCCLD website.

Trimmed with Murder/ Sally Goldenbaum/ 322 pages

Trimmed with Murder by Sally Goldenbaum is the latest book in the Seaside Knitters Mystery series.  Charlies Chambers is returning back to Sea Harbor after a long absence.  Almost home, a hitchhiker practically forces herself into his car.  Amber Hanson is also returning home after a long absence.  She is coming home for the reading of her Grandmother's will.  Add in murder and mystery for a story that will keep the reader guessing.  If you like reading cozy mysteries and watching Murder She Wrote, this book will appeal to you.  For more information and additional read a likes check out the SCCCLD website.

Lulu's Christmas Story / Ludmilla Bollow / 299 Pages / Christmas Challenge

In Lulu's Christmas Story - A True Story of Faith and Hope During the Great Depression playwright and novelist Ludmilla Bollow (Lulu) recounts her family's activities during the year 1935, from her eight-year-old perspective. She describes her experiences in such detail that you feel you are right there with her.

Lulu is a fan of Shirley Temple and the only present she wants for Christmas is a Shirley Temple doll.  Each Friday during the year, Lulu's mother works as a housekeeper for a doctor's family in order to deposit money into her "Christmas Club" account.  Lulu's mother, an orphan train child who suffered much cruelty at the hands of her adopted parents, wants to make wonderful Christmas memories for her six children to make up for the ones she never had.

This true story brought back many memories of my childhood.  My parents, children of the Depression era, made Christmas a magical time for our family. Many of the stories recounted in Ludmilla Bollow's book reminded me of many of our family holiday traditions and much simpler times.  A great holiday read that emphasizes things that really matter, like home and family.

Christmas Bliss/Mary Kay Andrews/294 pages/Christmas challenge

Weezie and BeBe are back in a fluffy Christmas tale. Weezie is getting married on Christmas Eve to Daniel, the chef at Guale. He is currently in New York working a guest chef at a trendy restaurant there, but he'll be back in time for the wedding. BeBe is nearly nine month's pregnant and trying to get a house ready for her and Harry to move into before the baby arrives. Weezie decides to go to New York and surprise Daniel. Will she be the one surprised? BeBe is surprised by news brought to her from a stranger. Will she be able to fix this problem before Harry finds out and the baby arrives?


I've never read MKA (as she calls herself.) I did hear her speak back last summer at the Spencer Road Branch Library. She was delightfully funny and slightly naughty. It would have been better to have more background on the two main characters, but the book was still what the doctor ordered after a hectic Christmas: mindless, happy fluff. I vaguely remember her describing her writing like a pina colada: easy to drink and leaving you wanting more.

SANTA VERSUS DRACULA / Melissa Dejesus and Ed Power / 167 Pages

How could I resist a graphic novel with the title SANTA VERSUS DRACULA! Dejesus (artwork) and Power (story) have created a hilarious, beautifully illustrated tale where the symbols of Christmas (quite literally) face off against famous fictional monsters.

When Dracula invades the North Pole, who do you think will win in the match-ups? Jack Frost versus the Invisible Man? Wintry the Snowman versus Frankenstein's Monster? Mrs. Clause (not the one you might expect) versus the Hunchback? Rumspringer the Reindeer versus Mr. Hyde? And last but hardly least (especially with a twist ending) Santa versus Dracula?

Read at your own risk, you may die laughing but you just might like it! :-)

Christmas Carol / Charles Dickens / 80 pages

Spurred by a discussion among friends, I realized that I had never read this classic work by Charles Dickens.
What better time to read it than over the holiday season. It is the story of miser Ebeneezer Scrooge, who is taken through Christmases past, present and future in his own life. From the terrifying experience, he learns to become less selfish and reach out to others.

Analysis

Dickens is a brilliant writer. The wry deftness with which he tells the story and the amazing details he includes are amazing. I found myself with a smile on my face during my entire reading. The book is short, well under 100 pages and moves at a rapid pace. Scrooge is no lukewarm villain. He is all villain until his transformation begins. And then the transformation proceeds at a measured pace until we have the joyful ending with which virtually everyone is familiar.

Recommendation

It is obvious that the best time to read this book is during the Christmas season. It takes on more meaning and can make your season more giving and fulfilling. It is an easy read and so can be read from middle school-age children on up to senior adults. It is a fine read-aloud or a nice cozy read by the fireplace. But wherever or whenever it is read, this is definitely a must read!    

The Puppy That Came for Christmas/Megan Rix/246 pgs

Megan and her husband Ian are trying to have a baby without much success. They hear about the Helper Dogs who train dogs to work with disabled people in England and decide to become puppy raisers. This story is about the two puppies that they raised for Helper Dogs - Emma & Freddy and the puppy who comes to stay - Traffy. Was a good book - focuses a lot on what Megan went through with the fertility treatments and the loss of the puppies - they had to go back for advanced training after 6 months. Not Marley & Me but you may enjoy it if you liked Marley.

A Season of Gifts / Richard Peck / 164 pages

This book is a companion book to "A Year Down Yonder" and is a Christmas book as all the stories lead up to the Christmas finale. The story is about the indomitable Mrs. Dowdell, an old woman who can wield an axe, shoot her shotgun, can food, and everything else. This is the story about how she helps the new family next door as well as the whole town. It isn't as good as the first book, but all the incidents are interesting and amusing. I think the reader should read the other book first.

Richard Peck captures 1958 pretty well and it is set in a rural Illinois town. I think an older child would get more out of this book. Actually, I think seniors would quite enjoy this as well since they remember 1958.