Christmas on Breakers Point by Chautona Havig

by admin | Dec 1, 2019 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

MY REVIEW:

When I signed on to review Christmas at Breakers Point I expected it to be a seaside Christmas romance due primarily to its cover. Truthfully I found very little romance in this novel and what was  there actually took a back seat to the rest of the story. Not to say that was a bad thing. In fact this is a heart-warming yet sometimes poignant tale of the people in a small island town who rallied around an elderly man and his niece as they lived through the last days before his final breath on earth.

Honestly, I probably would not have chosen to read this book had I known I would read much of it sitting in my mother’s room in a hospice facility – just a little too close to home to my own situation. Yet it turned out to be an encouraging experience as I witnessed the interaction between Bud and his niece Mallory and her determination to make his last Christmas a wonderful experience for him. I loved how hard Mallory worked to make his Christmas wish come to pass, especially the numerous faith-building conversations between her and her friend whose disillusionment with other Christians had brought her to a crisis in her faith.

Strong characters, difficult situations, and a very strong Gospel message worked together to make Christmas at Breakers Point an excellent read even if it was not at all what I expected.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book:  Christmas on Breakers Point Author: Chautona Havig Genre: Christian Contemporary Fiction, Christian Romantic Fiction, Christmas Click here to get your copy!

One man’s last Christmas wish might change two lives forever.

Mallory Barrows has one last Christmas with her uncle.  She’s determined to make it the best one he’s ever had.

She knows when she asks what he wants as his final gift, it won’t be a tie or a new mug. He won’t need those where he’s going, and he’s quite happy about that.

Mallory just didn’t think he wanted a miracle wrapped in paper and tied with a shiny red bow!

Christmas on Breakers Point is the introductory book to the Independence Islands Series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her on the web and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

MORE FROM CHAUTONA:

The book opens with a phone call that goes like this:

Her phone buzzed. Without taking her eyes from the page, Mallory Barrows fumbled about until her hand closed around it. The book held her bound in ropes of suspense as the villain slipped into the party unannounced—unseen. While she followed him around the edge of the imaginary room, her thumb swiped, tapped, and answered the call as if on autopilot.

Even as Mallory said, “Hello?” her breath caught. The guy had found his prey.

“Mallory, honey?”

Without a second look, she dropped the book and sat up, feet planted firmly on the floor and all attention on the call.  “Is it time?”

“’Fraid so, darlin’. Doc says it’s a matter of weeks or a month or two. And I promised.”

“I’ll be there Friday afternoon.”

Just days after I wrote those lines, I woke up to a message from my sister.  “Call Mom.”

I called.  Mom said, “I need you to come.”  That was Thursday.  I walked into Mom’s house on Saturday evening and our lives changed forever.

I don’t know if God prepared me for this change by having me write that scene just days before, but I have to say it felt like it!  Everything went crazy for over a month as I tried to wrap up my mother’s affairs in Missouri, I had to try to finish three books in a time of upheaval and turmoil.  No, it’s not the same as trying to help a young woman reclaim her True First Love so she could reclaim her first earthy love.  It isn’t the same as starting a whole new life and a new business.  But… oh, how it felt like it.

Another parallel in the story and my life was how Mallory struggles to try to get Uncle Bud to eat. I did the same thing for most of my time in Missouri.  Mom struggled and hard just to swallow and just wanted to eat.  So, while I was writing, I worked hard to come up with a recipe that Mallory might use to convince Uncle Bud to eat something.  The result were these Coconut Lime Cookies. I hope you love them as much as Uncle Bud did.

Coconut Lime Cookies

Ingredients:

2 ¼ cups white flour
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup sugar
3 oz room temp cream cheese—cubed
½ tsp vanilla
Zest of 1 lime (key limes may be preferred)
½ cup (1 stick) melted butter (warm)
1 egg
1 TBS milk (whole is the most delicious… and half & half is even better)
1 TBS lime juice (again, some may prefer key limes)
½ cup powdered sugar  (reserved for rolling cookies in)

Directions: (oven preheats to 350)

Stir together the first five ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside

Stir together sugar, cream cheese, and lime zest in a large mixing bowl. Cream butter in. Repeat with egg, milk, and lime juice, one at a time. Make sure your ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

Add dry ingredients slowly. Mix well.

Roll dough into approximately 1” balls.  Roll each ball into powdered sugar and place on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.

Bake for approximately 11-12 minutes until lightly golden.

Before you eat, close your eyes and imagine yourself beneath swaying palm trees with warm sand between your toes.  Merry Christmas!

BLOG STOPS:

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize of a 6 Month Kindle Unlimited subscription!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f1b8/christmas-on-breakers-point-celebration-tour-giveaway

Home to Chestnut Grove by Christy Barritt

by admin | Oct 7, 2019 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

MY REVIEW:

I have read and enjoyed quite a few of Christy Barritt’s novels. Most of them are mysteries, some may contain a humorous touch, but all have inspired me to read most everything she writes. Home to Chestnut Grove is a bit different than previous books I’ve read by her but I am also a sucker for Christmas stories this time of year so naturally I had to read it. A story about a young woman whose dreams of Broadway have been a disappointment and who returns home to a dying small town uncertain of her reception. As her readers can probably guess, even in a Christmas romance, Barritt cannot resist adding a bit of a mystery to round things out. This is a lovely story with a strong theme of forgiveness and hope that should touch all but the hardest hearts and it might just soften them. Don’t miss this one for sure if you are a lover of Christmas books.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

by admin | Oct 3, 2019 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

MY REVIEW:

Each year when the days of summer are winding down and autumn begins to open the doors to the beginning of fall and winter holidays, I anticipate the release of Melody Carlson’s traditional Christmas novella. I never know what kind of story to expect but I am confident that it will be a good one that will probably touch my heart in some way. This year’s offering from Carlson, Christmas in Winter Hill did not disappoint.

Featuring a young single mother whose life has not been easy, the story introduces her to a new home town where everyone pretty much drops everything to celebrate Christmasville in the days leading up to Christmas. Unfortunately most of the saddest events in Krista’s life took place around Christmas. As a result Christmas was way down her list of favorites so when she found out her new job as city manager would plunge her deeply into preparations for the festival, Krista wondered if she had made the right decision in moving to Winter Hill.

A well-paced plot, excellent characters, and enough conflict to keep things interesting made Christmas in Winter Hill a delight to read. A bit of romance didn’t hurt anything either. I loved this story with its faith filled message of the true spirit of the Christmas season. Another win for Melody Carlson!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Spend this holiday season in a town you’ll never forget–and never want to leave.

“That sign says Home of Christmasville–what does that mean? Does Santa Claus live here?” Emily giggled like she knew better.
“What do you think?” Krista grimaced at the plywood Christmas tree alongside the welcome sign. It could use a new coat of paint.
“I know, Santa isn’t really real. But are we near the North Pole now? You said it snowed a lot here.” Emily peered eagerly out the window, almost as if she expected to see snowflakes flying.
“It does snow here,” Krista confirmed. “But it’s still late autumn, Emily.” She pointed to where some orange and gold leaves still clung to a large tree, vibrating in the afternoon breeze.
“But why did that sign say Home of Christmasville?” Emily persisted.
“I’m not sure.”

Krista Galloway is not a fan of Christmas. After her rough childhood in multiple foster homes, the holiday season just brings too many bad memories to the surface. But when she accepts a job as a city manager in the mountain town of Winter Hill, Washington, Christmas is part of the deal. The small town is famous for its Christmasville celebration, something that the city manager . . . well, manages.

As she tries to make her tiny new apartment feel like home for her and her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, Krista begins to wonder if this move was a mistake. She doesn’t always feel welcomed in the close-knit town, and Emily continually wonders, “Where’s the snow?”

Can a friendly stranger and his family help restore Krista’s Christmas spirit before the big day?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over 200 books with sales of more than 7 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.