WHITE CHRISTMAS by Tanya Stowe

Tessa Conway is a political watch dog who plans to spend Christmas in White, Arizona on her grandparents ranch. She loves the town and all the traditions. Chad Fletcher has lived in the public eye and had a very public break-up with his fiance. He decides to go spend Christmas with his Aunt Nell in White, Arizona. Tessa and Chad hit it off right away. As they spend time together they seem to be of like-mindedness but then Chad decides to align himself with a company that has a questionable reputation. Tessa's not sure Chad is the man she thought he was and decides to end their relationship. Will Chad choose to do the right thing no matter the cost?

I must say I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to White, Arizona. I got caught up in their 12 days of Christmas celebration which was really neat. It made me want to go and live there and be a part. Chad and Tessa are both very likeable characters as well as all their families. The story has a easy pace to it. No major conflicts, just a nice, curl-up-on-the-couch-with-a-cup-of-cocoa kind of read. I recommend you enjoy a White Christmas! (no shoveling required)!
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 195 KB
Publisher: Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing) (November 29, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
ASIN: B006G5EH2K

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE by Linda S. Glaz

Aleni Callan lost her faith when she lost her husband in Afghanistan. All she concentrates on now is her nursing job at the hospital, raising her son Ty and missing her husband. Brice Taylor was a soldier in Afghanistan who came home and wrote a bestselling book about his war story. He meets Aleni when he participates in the Polar Bear Plunge and suffers from hypothermia and a concussion. Aleni can't understand why someone would deliberately put their life in jeopardy like that. She is bitter and closed-hearted but the Lord has a way of using people and circumstances. Could He possibly be using her son, Ty and her sweet mother-in-law to help her see her need to love again especially when she begins to see that Brice is really not who she thought he was.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Polar Bear Plunge. The cover intrigued me as well as the story line. I LOVED the characters in this story. I found myself laughing, sighing and smiling. Ty will win your heart for sure and the dogs are so much fun. The dialog was snappy and the issues dealt with were very realistic. You could easily relate to Aleni. She judged Brice, I'm sure, much the way we would have. Brice is a total gem. He was a swoon-worthy hero!!!! Megan, Aleni's mother-in-law, is an absolute sweetheart. There is no way you can walk away from this story with hypothermia because it definitely warms you heart!!! I appreciated the reminder that God knows just what we need and when we need it and sometimes delivers it where and when we least expect it. So don't be left out in the cold, take the Polar Bear Plunge, it's guaranteed to warm you up!!!
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 193 KB
Publisher: Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing) (November 29, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
ASIN: B006G40ZZE

SAVANNA'S GIFT by Camille Eide

Savanna Holt returns to the ski lodge where she once worked when she drives a friends daughter there to be with her grandparents over Christmas. Seeing the lodge reminds her not only of one special Christmas but it also reminds her of the biggest mistake she's ever made, leaving Luke Nelson. She's surprised to find he's not only still there but is now the manager of the lodge. When a blizzard delays her departure she sees it as God giving her an opportunity to clear the air and show Luke how much she's changed. Luke, however, isn't really interested in a relationship with a woman who once put her career ahead of her love for him. But the pull of love can be strong. Luke begins to see how Savanna has changed. So what will happen when Savanna gets the job opportunity she's been waiting for?

What a GREAT little story! You will fall in love with the characters and the Evergreen Ridge Resort. The story has such an easy flow and yet has the depth of a longer story. Very heart-warming. I thought that for such a small story the characters were larger than life. The conflict between Luke and Savanna was handled in a realistic way and their reactions were so true to life. You'll also love the toe-curling kisses. I really appreciated the lodge's Christmas tradition. I thought it was really neat. You'll just have to read the story to find out what it is. If you're looking for a good Christmas read with lots of depth and a great message then I recommend Savanna's Gift.
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 167 KB
Publisher: Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing) (November 29, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
ASIN: B006G3YF6K

THE LAST CHRISTMAS CARD by Laura Briggs

Samantha Sowerman is a missionary who's returned home until she gets her paperwork ready to go to Brazil. One day in the mail she receives a letter addressed to someone who used to live there but the postmark is over 60 years old. She feels compelled to find it's rightful owner. She steams open the inside to see if there is any helpful information. She finds a tender and heartfelt message from a soldier to his sweetheart. She decides the best place to start would be the military base. Sergeant Ty Lars is a soldier sent home from the war because of an injury that caused him to now work behind a desk. He is lonely and bitter, not really having a purpose in life anymore. When Samantha enlists Ty's help in the finding the owner of the card they know they will need a Christmas miracle to do that. Could it be that they just might find their own Christmas miracle along the way?

What an enjoyable story! I've not read anything by this author before but the storyline sounded very intriguing. Boy I'm sure glad I gave it try. It's a story that's very easy to read and keeps you turning pages to find out how it all turns out. It reads very much like a Christmas movie you might find on Hallmark this time of year. Though it was a short story (about 77 pages) it felt liked a full-length one to me. It didn't seem hurried at all. I really liked the lead couple. Samantha was an upbeat gal whose faith made a difference in the life of a brooding soldier named Ty. It just made me reflect that we have an impact on people and we need to always be conscience of that in light of how we behave. Some of the parts in this story were so touching to me I found myself getting the Kleenex. If you're looking for a good holiday read, I would recommend you pick up The Last Christmas Card. I'm sure glad I did!
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 428 KB
Print Length: 77 pages
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B005JKR7H0

THE IRISH HEALER by Nancy Herriman

Rachel Dunne is a healer like her mother. But then she's accused of murder when a child dies while in her care. Because of the scandal she is forced to leave Ireland and her beloved family. She vows never be in charge of someone sick again. She no longer trusts her ability to heal and her faith in God is shattered. Her cousin secures her a position in London with Dr. James Edmunds. Having seen too many deaths and having his own faith crisis he commits to giving up his practice and moving to the country. When a cholera epidemic sweeps through London and visits the doctor's house, both Rachel and James will be challenged to face their greatest fears and perhaps learn what true faith really means.

This was a wonderful story and very easy to read. It really pulls you in from the beginning and holds your attention to the very end. I felt the characters were very well drawn and the author's description of the time period made me feel as if I was right there. The relationship between Rachel and James seemed very natural and you could definitely feel the spark. Rachel was a pretty amazing character. So full of inner strength yet she felt so lacking. I thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Mainprice and how her faith was so natural. The way she encouraged Rachel was inspiring to me. You get a picture of how devastating cholera was whether rich or poor and even doctors were brought down by the dreaded disease. It makes me thankful I didn't have live in that time. Those who like Julie Klassen are sure to enjoy The Irish Healer. I sure did! A thank you goes to Worthly Publishing for providing this ARC through Netgalley for my review.
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Worthy Publishing (April 3, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1936034786
ISBN-13: 978-1936034789