Christmas novella

A Sassy Creek Christmas by Shelia Stovall

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Sassy Creek Series

Ovaleta Mayhew can’t enjoy the coming Christmas holidays because of her worry for eight-year-old Ava Roberts. The remission of Ava’s leukemia was welcome news to all the residents of Sassy Creek, yet Ava is still in the hospital. Her parents had a huge hospital bill and were behind in their house payments. How could a retired couple help?

Pastor Seth Walters visits Ava often at the hospital, and is dating one of her nurses. He dreads introducing Lila to his congregation, fearing the pressure they’ll put on the relationship.

Ovaleta can’t help the Roberts family on her own. It’ll take the whole town to rally around them. Then she has a brilliant idea.

I loved meeting the lovable characters of Sassy Creek in this Christmas novella! The author has created a town full of sassy, believable characters and I kept turning pages to see what adventures they’d get into next.

If you like reading books in a series that are set in a small town, I believe you will love the folks at Sassy Creek.

I will look for more books by this author!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Weldon’s Secret Santa by Shelia Stovall

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Randall McCullough, retired from the postal service, can’t get excited about his birthday or the coming Christmas season since Shirley’s passing five years ago. Maybe he can find a way to be a blessing to a few folks this Christmas. That might help take his mind off his loneliness.

Alma Lee, who works at the drugstore, likes to argue with him. He’s known her since childhood and she’s always been the same way.

Randall is surprised when Alma Lee not only gets wind of his Christmas secret mission but also wants to help. He doesn’t want to admit that arguing with her brings some spark to his days. He agrees and the pair set off to help families in Weldon’s trailer park that has been allowed to deteriorate.

This story touched my heart! I love Randall, who remembers his wife’s generosity and learns from it. My attention was easily snagged early on by this gentle story.

I loved meeting the lovable characters of Weldon in this Christmas novella! The author has created a town full of believable characters that I learned to love.

If you like reading books in a series that are set in a small town, I believe you will love the folks at Weldon, Kentucky.

I will look for more books by this author!

-Sandra Merville Hart

 

Western Christmas Wishes

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Two novellas included in Western Christmas Wishes

 His Christmas Family by Brenda Minton

Laurel Adams didn’t really want to return to her childhood home in Hope, Oklahoma. Her grandmother was ill and needed help—that’s why she went home.

Cameron Hunt rented a guesthouse from Gladys and had reasons to prefer his own company. Yet with Gladys in the hospital, he figured he’d have to show Lauren the ropes and help her with Rose, the teenager who stayed with Gladys under foster care.

There are some surprises awaiting these two as Christmas approaches.

Not only did the struggles of the main characters tug at my heart, but also the secondary characters battled major obstacles.

An enjoyable holiday romance.

A Merry Wyoming Christmas by Jill Kemerer

Michael Carr, in between job assignments, returns to his family’s ranch for the Christmas holidays. A rift between him and his brother guarantees that he won’t linger too long after the holiday.

Leann Bowden looks forward to a new start in Wyoming with her two-year-old daughter, Sunni. Leann arrives at Sunrise Bend a few weeks before her new job starts to get them settled. It didn’t matter that Christmas was coming—there was nothing tying her to St. Louis.

There’s something about Michael that draws Leann to his quiet strength. Yet, if he doesn’t plan on staying, she can’t give into her feelings. She’s already been through one man leaving her and her daughter … she can’t go through it again.

Believable characters, an adorable little girl who tugged at my heart, and a sweet romance made this an enjoyable read!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

The Ornament Keeper by Eva Marie Everson

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A great book!

This contemporary novella is about a couple separated at Christmas. Felicia and Jackson were nearing their twenty-year anniversary when he moved out.

In spite of the separation, their three children are excited about continuing family traditions of selecting a live tree and decorating for Christmas. Felicia reluctantly agrees but tells them she’ll put on the ornaments herself.

The memories stirred by these decorations take Felicia—and readers—through the painful mistakes both she and Jackson made in their marriage.

I loved this story. The characters are believable though sometimes Felicia’s choices frustrated me. The story is woven in such a way that readers experience the children’s pain and loss as they try to cope with the situation. Though told in Felicia’s perspective, the honesty of the writing showed Jackson’s heartache and loneliness as well.

This well-written story is brutally honest. Inspiring. Recommend!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

 

Crashing into Love by Yvonne Lehman

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A master storyteller, Lehman has woven three completely different stories in a surprising way.

Each story has its own poignant message. These stories tugged at my heart and prepared me for the upcoming season.

Highly recommended reading for the Christmas season!

I’ve read several novels by this author and loved them all.

-Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas – Use coupon code SandraMHart for a 20% discount on Lighthouse Publishing books!