Wildflower Christmas
By
Grace Greene

There is something very special about returning to Wildflower House in this third book of the series, a sweet novella that brings in the Christmas spirit. It's like walking into the pages of a warm and welcoming family story. It's wrapped in an old, historical house with sentimental memories of the past that draw the characters to gather in an emotional Christmas package of love, bonding, healing and creating new holiday memories.

I enjoyed reuniting with Kara Hart and catching up with some of the renovation progress to Wildflower House. The charm of the old vintage rooms that were decorated to perfection in Christmas lights, ribbons, trees, and festive holiday décor were a visual I walked into with ease. It was a magical wonderland that drew family and friends to celebrate Christmas together. Kara has planned a quiet and calm holiday season but the spirit of Christmas changes those plans in the walls of this historical home.

The characters in the book are easy to like and ones I loved getting into the holiday spirit with. Little Maddie Lyn is a doll and won my heart with her innocence and compassion. She is brightness that shines. As do most of the characters. The heartwarming love they all bring is touching and carries them through a bit of pain and heartache but with support and compassion together. There is a bit of a mystery that winds through the season that kept me hoping for happy results. It's a cast of characters that I enjoyed very much.

For a wonderfully delightful ushering into a Christmas of surprises, family reunions, and unconditional love for one another, this is a book to start the holidays with. I am so happy that I walked into Wildflower House and met up with the friends I have come to know in the Wildflower House series. Christmas is a special time of the year with it's traditions and memories. I am honored that I was taken into the pages of this book and spent time with these wonderful characters. Grace Greene has a talent to warm my heart with her beautiful writing.

Growing Only Dandelions
By
Joan Hugues
"A brand new foundation is required since no matter how hard she tries to grow a beautiful, healthy garden, she always ends up growing only dandelions." There is so much to that sentence for me and how this book touched my heart and soul. Dandelions are most often thought of as ugly weeds but when looking at them closely, they are delicate, beautiful plants that have many benefits to them. This is Bethany's story. It's like a dandelion plant. It has complex parts. Roots that carry "ugliness" caused by an abusive father, a stem of friends and family that supports a flower that life is good, and leaves that bring nourishment with faith and belief in the promises of God.

Joan Hugues has written a touching and inspirational story through the character of Bethany Grant. This book took me into Bethany's life in deep and emotional ways that tore my heart apart through the years of her growing up and how events formed her emotions, fears, and feelings. The events in her life are all part of what makes her who she is and how she feels about herself. Her self perceptions are formed by her image of how she sees herself because of what happens to her good and bad. The people she encounters on this life journey also have an influence in ways she doesn't even realize at the time. There are reasons for people in her life that aren't evident until later on. All these pieces seem to be haphazard and just random but there's a purpose and reason for every encounter and incident in her life.

I believe in the message this book spreads through the very descriptive passages written by Joan Hugues. I felt as if I were entering the heavenly corridor with Bethany and experiencing the brilliant beauty that the author creates in the words and images. I heard the heavenly voices singing the beautiful songs of pure love. I met Beth's loved ones with the pure joy of reuniting in a perfect body and place. It was a visual in heart and soul into the hope of the promises of Heaven. Perfection intimately portrayed in the words of this book.

This book gave me so much to think about. So much to be grateful for in my life. That there is nothing that happens without a reason and that the people who are in my life are there for a purpose. There is hope no matter what happens and that there is a glorious, divine power who works in our lives. "We all feel ugly at times...…..I realize that I deserve love. Everyone deserves love, especially the love from within."

This story touched me deeply and truly is an inspiration. It is an experience I am very grateful and honored I took. I will look at the "dandelions" in my life in a completely new way because of the message in this book. I'm humbly thankful.

Everything You Are
By
Kerry Anne King
This is a story that took me into a book that is written with words but drew me into it with the power of music at it's core. Music is a universal language and speaks to the heart, mind and soul. This book did just that for me. I fell into the pages like I would at a symphony as a maestro conducts the orchestra to create magic and an experience in melodies and notes. It is a book that has a story that captivated me and kept me reading. Just as a great musical piece draws me to listen, this book drew me to turn the pages. I love the inscription at the beginning of the book: "Without music, life would be a mistake."-Friedrich Nietzsche"

The characters in this book are complicated but ones I found I connected to. Ophelia "Phee" MacPhee is a young eighteen year old girl and she inherits her grandfather's luthier business. As he's dying he has her promise to make sure Braden Healey, a young man he sold a cello to when she was young, play the cello or else a curse would cause terrible things to happen. Braden has a "contract between him and the cello, an idiot piece of paper he'd signed when he was still a child-rambling on about a curse that would befall him if he didn't play."

Braden Healey has a secret even he doesn't remember after a terrible accident. He can no longer play the cello because of the injury to his hands. He loved the cello and it was a part of him. He has a daughter, Allie, who loves the cello herself but life is turning tragic, her father has left her family when she needed him and now she is finding acceptance in all the wrong people, places and things. She's rebelling and wants her father only until she's "of age" and can be on her own.

The cello....it speaks, lures, draws these people to herself. It's like she has life, a soul. and the characters depend on her to breathe. Phee, Braden and Allie each have a connection to the cello in their own unique and intimate ways. How can these people find healing for all the hurts they have endured? Is it possible for the cello to mend the brokenness and pieces they each find their lives in?

This book looks at some very difficult subjects that cause divisions and hurt in families. Kerry Anne King addresses these issues in a sensitive and compassionate approach through the characters. It's a story about accepting mistakes, forgiveness of themselves and each other, supporting through love and devotion, and one of never giving up. Through hardships and addictions, loss of trust and forgiveness, fear of failure and then finding love, this book took me on the emotional "concert" of the character's journey. I felt that if I closed my eyes and just listened, I would hear the cello calling along with Phee, Braden and Allie. This book is marvelously and beautifully written. The passages are musical artwork in written words. Music penetrates deeply and so does love. This is found in "Everything You Are" written by the very talented story creator, Kerry Anne King. I highly recommend this book!

Christmas In Snow Valley
By
Tammy L. Grace
This is my review for Christmas in Snow Valley by Tammy L. Grace. This is a sweet novella included in the Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge collection.

Snow Valley is a beautiful place that captured my imagination and the magic of preparing for a Christmas celebration. Snow Valley Resort is a destination vacation spot especially attractive in the winter months. This is where Emily grew up with her sister, Sara. It holds many memories for Emily, mostly fond ones, but one memory that she can't forget. Her old beau, Nick. The reason she has not returned to Snow Valley.

When Emily's sister, Sara, calls and really wants her to come to Snow Valley for the holidays, Emily gives in. She hasn't seen Sara in a very long time and this is a good time to go. When Emily gets there, Sara tells her that she and her husband, Mike, have a fantastic opportunity to go to Europe over the holidays but they need someone to run their coffee shop, Latte Da and be in charge of organizing the annual Christmas Tree Party at the Lodge. Emily can't let her sister down, so she agrees to take on the challenge.

It was a great read going through all the preparations for this party. I felt a part of the holiday spirit with all the wonderful characters in the story. It was a beautiful setting I experienced and it really got me in the spirit and mood for Christmas. Then there are the two pups that just make the story complete with how much they make a place a home. I loved reading about decorating the trees in the Lodge, the snow falling and blanketing the pines and mountains, the lighting of the Christmas tree in the square, making gift bags for the children and the excitement of Santa showing up. It was a holiday party wrapped between the covers of a wonderful book.

I loved going to Snow Valley with Emily. The descriptions and atmosphere of a snowy, mountain resort were perfectly written to make me escape into the magical wonderland of this novel. It's a HEA read that made my heart feel good. Thank you, Tammy L. Grace for kindle copy of this book that I had so much fun reading. A festive five stars that shine so bright!