A Pioneer Christmas Collection, book #55 or #1, depending on how you look at it!

(The post title comes from whether you consider this a 2013 book since I started it in 2013 and 55 makes a nice even number, or a 2014 book since that is when I finished it and 1 is always an exciting beginning number!)

Whew!  Finally finished this awesome book.  When you have a great combination like PIONEER and CHRISTMAS it is bound to be good!  I took I short break to read the Agatha Christie book, but was back on track before long, even if it was after Christmas before I finished.  

At first I ate this book up, working through Defending Truth (1781) and The Calling (1820) and A Silent Night (1830) ... then things started getting a little slow around A Pony Express Christmas (1862) and A Christmas Castle (1867). I mean, how many different ways can you say ... lady alone because husband/brother/dad died or left, throw in a child/siblings maybe, cold winter, knight in shining armor comes along to rescue, she doesn't want help, falls in love, they live happily ever after.  But by the time I rounded down to Buckskin Bride (1889) and The Gold Rush Christmas (1897) I was again in love with this book. 

Journey along with American settlers who learn that despite where the trail takes them or how primitive their lodgings may be Christmas is all about the heart. Determined to honor Christ's birth, these pioneers find a way to make Christmas happen in places like a cave, a tipi, and a dugout. Modern readers will enjoy a peek into life before commercialism took over the sacred day, distracting us from the true blessings of faith, hope, and love. Enjoy nine original novellas of Christmas romance as penned from many of today's leading Christian authors, including Lauraine Snelling, Margaret Brownley, Kathleen Fuller, and Vickie McDonough.

This is not for the faint of heart...it can get long and is best read perhaps over a month, not necessarily one story every day while your family sits waiting for you to finish so you can cook supper, open presents, play a game, ... oh wait, did I just say that out loud?  (picture and description from amazon)

O:)
Melissa