My first read for the Holiday Challenge that I joined is The Gift by Nora Roberts. This is my first sampling of her work. I am staggered by the sheer number of books this woman has written! Just click on her name above, and you'll see what I mean!The Gift contains two stories, Home for Christmas and All I Want for Christmas. While they're pretty predictable, they're exactly the kind of heartwarming stories I was looking for in a Christmas read. There are even a few recipes to kick it off!
Home for Christmas
Jason has been away from his small hometown of Quiet Valley for 10 years, making a living for himself in the journalism world. He decides to come back home, trying to get in touch with his roots, preparing himself for the changes he knew must have taken place. His old girlfriend Faith had gotten married in the meantime, he already knew. What he finds when he gets to town is that she's had a daughter, but is no longer married. Faith has established a living for herself with a doll store, always her dream job. Confronted with Faith's now available state, Jason is in turmoil as all the old feelings come back and wonders if she feels for him. He's captivated by Faith's daughter Clara, and slowly Jason and Faith come to terms with the feelings they still have for each other. There is one last secret of Faith's that they must work through, can Jason forgive her for hiding it from him? (Well of course, because that's what is supposed to happen in a Magic of Christmas story, duh!)
All I want for Christmas
Zeke and Zack have been good all year, so they know that Santa just has to give them what they want for Christmas this year. Their request is a tough one, so they're giving Santa extra time to work it out: they want a mom, and not just any mom, but THE MOM! They don't really remember their real mother, she left them and their father when they were tiny, leaving Mac Taylor to raise his twin sons all alone. When music teacher Nell Davis comes to town, the boys believe that Santa has granted their wish, now it all depends on their Dad, and he can fix anything. Mac is hesitant though, all his time has been centered around the boys and giving them the best life possible, and he doesn't want to open them all up to being hurt again. Will he be able to overcome his fears and let Nell into their lives? (I know you're pretty sure he will, again with that Magic of Christmas thing!)
And now it's time for the giveaway! I'm ready to pass my copy on to make a new friend! It is a gently used hardback, dustjacket intact and Bookcrossing labeled. The only thing is that they had put some sparkly stuff as the ribbon and it's flaking off for some reason, but no actual damage, just wanted to warn you in case that matters! ;) While I would love a journal entry from you on Bookcrossing.com, it's not required, and the book is yours to do with as you please. To enter, just tell me what your favorite Christmas thing is, whether it's a certain cookie or dessert, a certain carol or activity, whatever it is that gets you in the mood. I will choose a winner on Dec. 12th, so I can get it mailed out to you before the big day!
My favourite Christmas thing is the decorated tree. Please enter my name in your draw. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteScrooge here... no favorite Christmas thing. Just a note to say no need to enter me. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you, darling.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...my favourite Christmas thing is cuddling on the couch with my hubby on Christmas Eve, after the kids have gone to sleep, just before the chaos begins. It's wonderful to watch the sparkling Christmas tree lights and see the presents and to think about how excited the kids are going to be.
ReplyDeletejonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite thing after presents would have to be egg nog!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas time is
ReplyDeletecooking in the kitchen with the
radio on and listening to Christmas
music. It gives me a sense of
joy.
I would love to be entered in your
contest.
I subscribe be google reader.
cenya2 at hotmail dot com
Even, I don't celebrate Christmas, I really like to see people decorate their houses. A warm and beautiful decorations.
ReplyDeleteI really like to read this book, please count me in the drawing.
Uniquas at ymail dot com
The best part of the Christmas season actually comes around New Year's -in my family we make New Year's pretzel. The pretzels are huge, fluffy things -more like loaves of bread -and we only make them once every year. My mom won't even share the recipe with me until I move out and have a place of my own so I can start making my own pretzels. Only the women in my family make it, and the tradition goes back eight or nine generations. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI like getting the decorations down from the attic...and decorating the houswe and the tree. Please include me in your giveaway.
ReplyDeletemtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
My favorite thing at Christmas is making divinity, microwave peanut brittle, and homemade goods for my family in Illinois. I have made divinity for my Mom for 30 years now since I found a recipe like her Mom made. This year it is sad though as I haven't gotten it made yet and she is in hospital and family wants to put her in a Nursing Home. She has Alhemizers and got violent yesterday morning.
ReplyDeleteMy heart has been heavy all day.
@squiresj, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas time is at night, watching the twinkling lights on our Christmas tree. It is so peaceful.
ReplyDeletePS: I'm an international reader so skip my entry if you don't send international.
Happy holidays!
tamsyn5@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great book,please count me in for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI love decorating the tree and house.While Christmas music is playing. And all the holiday baking.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
My favourite thing about Christmas is music, and I can't wait to start listening to it again. Please count me in for this book, it sounds great.
ReplyDeletealongtheway(at)telus(dot)net
driving around and looking at all the wonderful decorations thanks minsthins at optonline dot net
ReplyDeletejustpeachy36@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love the holiday season for so many reasons. One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is to go caroling... One year when we went, we went to a sort of run down area and we went and knocked on doors and sang out in the middle of the area. We knocked on one door and a very young girl, probably 16 with a baby came to the door. She was so touched that tears stood in her eyes and we were all deeply moved by how much she appreciated just a one little song. You never know what can bring joy to people.
My favorite Christmas things are Christmas movies! I love to have them on in the background while wrapping presents, making presents, baking cookies, etc. They're such a part of my holiday tradition. :)
ReplyDeletekrtrumpet [at] aol [dot] com
My favorite Christmas thing is getting together with family :o)
ReplyDeletesallylynnsara@hotmail.com
Heading over to my best friend's parents house Christmas morning, still in our PJs even though we're all adults.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway >^..^<
bloggyig at gmail dot com
My favoite Christmas tradition is the Jingle Bell dog run that benefits our local animal shelter. The whole family makes a costume for the dog and then walks in the fundraiser together.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite thing is to put up the outside lights and then tour the neighborhood to admire everyone else's.
ReplyDelete