Book Review - The 12 Gifts of Christmas by Lena Nelson Dooley + Giveaway

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Malcolm MacGregor is a successful businessman and a descendant of the clan in Scotland. Alanza Cantalmessa works in a gourmet pizza shop owned by her parents. The duo is smitten with each other but, Malcolm only has enough courage to make small talk. However, when he gets a promotion that will send him to Australia for six months, he has to move fast. He decides to give Alanza twelves gifts leading up to Christmas to proclaim his desire for her. Will Malcolm's plan work? Is the pair destined for happiness?

The novel might not be a preferred read for many because both main characters are perfect and wealthy. I felt the span of their relationship with from wooing phase to marriage within a span of around two weeks to be unrealistic. It felt a bit unrealistic because as much as you love someone, you can't be sure you know everything or all their flaws. Overall, a decent read but, not something I would gon out of my way to read again.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

About the Book

Book Title: The 12 Gifts of Christmas

Author: Lena Nelson Dooley
Genre: Christian Romance/ Christmas
Release date: September 4, 2018
Malcolm MacGregor is a descendant of Scotland’s Clan MacGregor and a successful young businessman in Fort Worth, Texas. Alanza Cantalamessa works at a gourmet pizzeria owned by her Brazilian artist mother and her Italian Poppa. Both of them are smitten with each other but Malcolm is too reserved to do much more than make small talk—until a promotion at work that will send him away to Australia for six months. It’s December and he has to do something—fast.

Praying about the situation, Malcolm decides to give her twelve gifts leading up to Christmas. Their families and friends think they are moving too fast. And a gold-digger who tossed Malcolm aside in the past has now decided he’s the man of her dreams.

Can Malcolm and Alanza overcome their obstacles before he has to go abroad? Or is it really not meant to be?

About the Author

 

Multi-published, award-winning author Lena Nelson Dooley is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, her local chapter in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, the Christian Authors’ Network, and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. Her forty-plus books have sold more than 875,000 copies. Lena’s books have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, and Publisher Weekly bestseller lists, as well as some Amazon bestseller lists. She also writes a popular blog, A Christian Writer’s World, that features other authors’ books. The blog received the Readers’ Choice Blog of the Year Award from the Book Club Network.

Lena is a three-time finalist in the Carol Awards ACFW contest. Her 2010 release, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, won the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western Fiction. Her next series, McKenna’s Daughters: Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers’ Top Ten Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for Historical Novel. The second, Mary’s Blessing, was a Selah Award finalist for Romance novel. Catherine’s Pursuit, released in 2013, was the winner of the NTRWA Carolyn Reader’s Choice contest, took second place in the CAN Golden Scroll Novel of the Year award, and won the Will Rogers Medallion bronze medallion. Her book, A Heart’s Gift, won RWA’s Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice Award in July 2017.
Lena is also the host of The Lena Nelson Dooley Show on the Along Came a Writer blogtalk radio network. She has experience in screenwriting, acting, directing, and voice-overs, and currently serves on the board of directors of Higher Ground Films. She has been featured in Christian Fiction Online Magazine, ACFW Journal, Book Fun Magazine, Charisma Magazine, and Christian Retailing.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lena is giving away a grand prize of a $20 Starbuck’s Gift Card and a surprise Christmas gift!!

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/d5c9/the-12-gifts-of-christmas-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review - The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson

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Abby's book club is composed of five very different women who become close friends after joining the book club together. They find they enjoy each other's company more than they enjoy the books. However, when Abby passes away unexpectedly, the group is struck in turmoil. She was the nucleus that held the group together along with being the support each of the women needed. They used to rely on Abby for motivation and advice along with being a mother figure to the youngest member. The group is unsure they can continue without her, but they receive a surprise gift from Abby. Will this surprise gift be able to fire up her group? Will the women  be able to find inspiration and companionship with each other?

I have read a few other Melody Carlson's Christmas stories and this one doesn't disappoint. Like the others its a very light read, but leaves your heart and soul warmed. Perfect for the holiday season because it allows us to remember that friends and family are important and to give back to others without expecting anything in return.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Christmas at Grey Sage by Phyllis Clark Nichols

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Maude and Silas deck out their adobe house with all the holiday trimmings that delight and thrill family and friends alike. Christmas at The Thornhills' Gray Sage Inn is always a day to remember until a tragic accident occurs. Now, Silas and Maude go on vacation during the holiday to escape the painful holiday memories. When Maude's best friend, Lily asks her to open the inn during the holidays for a group of eccentric travelers, she was hesitant to agree.

When the group of travelers arrives, they are surprised that Grey Sage Inn isn't decorated with Christmas decorations. After a snowstorm hits Santa Fe, the guests find themselves stranded and try to make the best out of the holiday as possible. Will Maude and Silas be able to heal and appreciate Christmas again?

The novel started with Maude's appreciation for Christmas; going into detail about her favorite decorations, traditions and moments. Then we get to meet the group of eccentric travelers and from there we find out why Silas and Maude don't celebrate Christmas anymore and the backstory of each traveler. I found the first few characters really boring and halfway towards the book, it finally picked up, but by then I was already over reading this book. It is a nice cozy reading novel for readers who loves Christmas stories, but this wasn't really my cup of tea.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - An Amish Christmas Love: Four Novellas by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin and Ruth Reid

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The "novel" is composed of four novellas of Amish Christmas Love. Each of the mini stories is how a person experiences the beloved holiday a different way. Whether it was spending a widow spending her first Christmas alone, a young woman finally finding the right person for her, a young man who has to choose between his new girlfriend or an old flame, and an unlikely pair being the perfect match.

Each story was a fun and heartwarming read, especially when the temperatures start to drop. It made me appreciate the small things in life and to remember what is really important during the holidays. As a person speaking from experience, it's very easy to get overwhelmed and take things for granted, especially when the to do list keeps getting longer and longer. Each novel took a two to three hours to complete, but some were more detailed while others felt there could have been more details.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson

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In the year of 1944, a young woman is clutching her young infant while weighing her impossible situation.  The father of Amelia's child was shot down in the South Pacific during the war. She loses hope as she lost her job and has no money. She decides to reach out to her infant's paternal grandparents as her beau always spoke highly of his childhood and upbringing.  Amelia and Jimmy take the train to meet Jimmy's grandparents and Amelia hopes they would take her and her son in. When she arrives an unfortunate accident causes her situation to become more dire, but when she finds out that his family is rich, would Amelia still be able to go through her plan?

This was the second novel I read by Melody Carlson. Both novels had central themes of Christmas and losing someone, but also redemption. The novella was a quick and lighthearted read with a "Christmas Miracle" sprinkled in.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Coloring Christmas Devotions by Lizzie Preston and Claire McElfatrick

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Ah, I can hardly believe that the holidays are around the corner. It's seems just yesterday I was huddled together with my SO trying to keep warm while waiting for the ball to drop. Although, to be fair, I am excited that the holidays are coming. It is like the only best time of the year. The coloring book includes devotions on one side of the book and on the accompany pages it includes an intricate coloring page. A fun and perfect activity for the holidays!

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - An Amish Family Christmas: A Charmed Amish Life Christmas Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray

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The fourth book in Shelley Shepard Gary's Charmed Amish Life series is about two unlikely people who weren't looking for love but found it anyways. Levi Kinsinger recently returned to Charm, Ohio after trying to find himself when his beloved father perished in a tragic factory fire.  Julia Kemp is a single mother who is on the run from a dangerous past. With both Levi and Julia running from their past, will they be able to learn to let go and trust each other?

A cozy read for anyone who is a fan of Amish love romance. The novel was a very quick and fun read. However, there wasn't much of a story and seemed more like a fluff novel and a bit boring towards the middle of the book. This is the final book in the Charm Amish Life series but each book can be read separately. 

**Disclosure - I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - Keeping Christmas by Dan Walsh

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**May contain spoilers**

The first holiday Judith and Stan Winters has spent without the company of her children and grandchildren. Unable to cope, Judith resides to keep to herself and not celebrate Christmas because after all who will there to celebrate with her. As each one of her holiday traditions fade away, Judith drops deeper and deeper into depression. Spending most of her adult years taking care of her family and putting their needs in front of hers, Judith is at a lost. She no longer feels needed and has nothing to do with her life -- no purpose. 

Stan is trying hard to make his wife happy. He finds a box of family heirloom ornaments that their children were making since they were toddlers.  Will this box of "ugly" ornaments be the one that ties the families together for the holiday?

The story is interwoven with the journey of three different families who are trying to connect with each other. The story is filled with twists and turns but the ending is a bit predictable. The heartwarming tale shows us the true meaning of the holidays -- family/friends and spending time with each other.  Full disclosure, bring tissues -- I must have cried at least 3 times. It is the perfect tale for the holidays to remind us to take time out of our busy schedule to appreciate the things that matter the most to us -- family and friends. (Yes, I keep saying that -- perhaps I should get off the computer and spend time with my family :P )

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book for an honest review** 

Book Review - The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

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The heart warming tale of friendship, giving, hope, and the Christmas Spirit will not leave leave you with a dry eye. Joy, the 85 year old neighbor of Miranda decides to do an ultimate Christmas adventure on her bucket list. Miranda reluctantly joins in on the adventure as she has her own problems that she would like to run away from.  In the middle of a divorce and having her house foreclosed on, Miranda welcomes the chance to spread the cheer and escape.

As the trip continues on, it becomes evident that Joy is struggling to keep up. Before, Miranda was afraid of letting Joy drive the RV and terrified of being behind the wheel; she is now ecstatic and becomes a great driver. Along their trip on Route 66, Miranda and Joy meet families and friends who are in need of a little holiday cheer and hope. Little by little, Miranda starts looking forward to spreading the cheer among others. Although, on her last stop -- she notices that on her last stop her heart is filled with joy but a little tinge of loneliness. Can she figure out a way to cure it in time to have the Christmas she always wanted?

The book is filled with dynamic and relatable characters, along with being a very quick read. It is well written and makes you wonder what will happened at the end of trip and will get Christmas Joy get to spread her Joy around and how she would be there for Miranda in the midst of her troubles. 

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion**