An Ivy Hill Christmas and 1 Corinthians, books #41-42

 

A sweet little book that plays out in England.  I liked it well enough, although I feel like the Epilogue should have been the last chapter, not an Epilogue.

Richard Brockwell, the younger son of Ivy Hill's most prominent family, hasn't been home for Christmas in years. He prefers to live in the London townhouse, far away from Brockwell Court, the old family secret that haunts him, and the shadows of his past mistakes. But then his mother threatens to stop funding his carefree life--unless he comes home for Christmas. Out of options, he sets out for Ivy Hill, planning to be back on a coach bound for London and his unencumbered bachelor life as soon as the festivities are over. But Christmas in the country presents unforeseen surprises, including encounters with an orphaned apprentice, the first love he disappointed years ago, and Arabella Awdry, a young lady who is far more appealing than he recalled . . . and determined to have nothing to do with him. Will Christmastime in Ivy Hill, with its village charm, kissing boughs, joyous songs, and divine hope, work its magic in his heart . . . and hers as well? (picture and book from Amazon)

In my journey through the Bible, I also finished 1 Corinthians. (see this post)

Book Count: 42/55

Happy Christmas Reading!

O:)

Melissa

All I Want for Christmas, book #40

This book started weird, then sort of came together, then finally I was up reading at 4:30 AM trying to see how it would end.  I'm not sure I'd give it 5 stars, though, maybe 3, simply because it seemed like several authors worked on it and no one read the manuscript all the way through before publishing.

James sells toys. He's a workaholic and he's made a very good living, even if his wife and four children don't appreciate it. Truth is, his marriage is falling apart and he barely recognizes his kids.  So when James's youngest daughter, 7-year-old Reba, asks God for a Christmas miracle to "fix" her family, something most unexpected happens—unexpected and horrible. The Christmas tree catches fire and the house burns down, taking with it all of their possessions.  One bad thing leads to another as rock bottom gives way to new lows and the family is sent spiraling down a dark and unfamiliar path. Reba wonders if God decided to give her the very opposite of what she prayed for.  Finally, separated and destitute, James and the family are left with absolutely nothing—nothing but a brand-new understanding of what's actually important in life.  Now James must rekindle his faith, learn what's truly important to him, and find a way to win his family back. If he can pull it off, there may just be that Christmas miracle waiting for him.  (picture and description from Amazon)

Happy Reading!

Melissa

 

Distortion, book #39

 

Robi picked this for us and it was another Terri Blackstock thriller for sure.  This is book 2 in a series, and after our last TB series I wasn't sure if we could just jump into book 2.  There were several things that would have made more sense if I had of read book 1 first, but it wasn't like I was completely lost.

When Juliet Cole’s husband of fifteen years is murdered before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning, then returns home to break the tragic news to her sons. But a threatening voicemail escalates this from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack.  Juliet realizes that she and her children are in danger too—unless she meets the killers’ demands. But as she and her sisters untangle the clues, her husband’s dark secrets come to light. The more she learns, the more her life is dismantled. Was her husband an innocent victim or a hardened criminal?  (picture and description from Amazon)

It's finally time for Christmas books!

Happy Reading!

Melissa