Christmas Book Review: O Little Town by Deborah Raney, Janyre Tromp, and Amanda Wen

What it’s About:
Stories of small-town Christmas and the enduring love of God from three critically acclaimed authors

In the sleepy small town of Mapleview, Michigan, Christmas is always something special. In this charming collection of romance novellas, join three generations of Mapleview residents longing for love--and finding it--on the most wonderful night of the year.

"Hopes and Fears" by Amanda Wen

Emma Trowbridge is determined to give her students the Christmas pageant of a lifetime. The last person she expected, or wanted, to encounter in her two-room classroom is her childhood rival, Frederick Oberstein. He would rather be far away himself. He wants no part of cheer, Christmas or otherwise. Can they learn to see each other in a new light--and embrace a new season of hope and faith together?

"While Mortals Sleep" by Janyre Tromp

While World War II rages overseas, news reporter Eleanor Sweers returns home to Mapleview to face the repercussions of the death of her sister and her nightmare of Christmases past. But the homefront isn't as far from the war as she thought: a bomb has landed in the middle of the U.S. Now Eleanor and family friend Gideon Braum may have to choose between the scoop of a lifetime and the love of a lifetime.

"The Wondrous Gift" by Deborah Raney

High school football coach Caleb Janssen and music teacher Rachel Hamblin bond when they both lose their jobs at a Christian school. But when they discover their plans for the future are mutually exclusive, the fallout threatens to tear them apart.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this collection of holiday themed stories. Set in the town of Mapleview, Michigan, three authors create stories from different generations of towns folk. Amanda Wen’s story, set in the early days of the town’s settlement, is a sweet tale of love and forgiveness. Janyre Tromp’s story, set during WW 2 involves intrigue and the most lovable male character, Gideon. Deborah Raney captures modern day Mapleview in her romance of two teachers. I like that the schoolhouse from Wen’s story appears in Raney’s. Each story is unique and thoroughly enjoyable. From historical fiction, to mystery, to contemporary these authors have delivered three engaging and wonderful stories. Add this to your Christmas to be read pile. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fiction Review: Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner

Book Description:

Betty Sweet never expected to be a widow at 40. With so much life still in front of her, she tries to figure out what's next. She couldn't have imagined what God had in mind. When her estranged sister is committed to a sanitarium, Betty finds herself taking on the care of a 5-year-old nephew she never knew she had.

In 1960s LaFontaine, Michigan, they make an odd pair. Betty with her pink button nose and bouffant hair. Hugo with his light brown skin and large brown eyes. But more powerful than what makes them different is what they share: the heartache of an empty space in their lives. Slowly, they will learn to trust one another as they discover common ground and healing through the magic of storytelling.

Award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner offers fans a novel that invites us to rediscover the power of story to open the doors of our hearts.

My Review:
I love this beautiful story of courage and hope. The author captured the decade of the 1960s with great insight. I was about Hugo's age at that time, and remember so much of what Susie Finkbeiner has written. I love how Norman's family wraps Betty in graciousness and kindness as she faces difficult times. And the stories Betty tells to Hugo are precious. Susie intertwined them perfectly with what the characters are going through. If you enjoy a good read that leaves you with a feeling of hope, you'll want to read Stories that Bind Us. From the lovely cover to the last sentence, I enjoyed every word. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.  

Nonfiction Book Review: Kit Kat & Lucy: The Country Cats Who Changed a City Girl's World by Lonnie Hull DuPont

Book Description:

After years of vibrant city life in San Francisco, Lonnie Hull DuPont reluctantly trades her three-room apartment on Telegraph Hill for a farmhouse in Michigan. She immediately misses the rhythm and the pace of the city, and the isolation of country living has her longing for something more.

Enter Kit Kat, an obsessive-compulsive tortoiseshell, and Lucy, a playful Russian Blue who can nail a bat right out of the air. These stray cats arrive a year apart and each ask to move into the farmhouse--and ultimately DuPont's heart. From the hysterical process of getting two strange cats to like each other to the exciting years of watching those cats thrive--and inspire DuPont in the process--this book is the heartwarming story of how one woman's world would never be the same.

My Review:

Kit Kat & Lucy is a delightful read about two sweet creatures who brought joy to their owners in a time of transition. In the book, I learned of Lonnie Hull DuPont's struggles in life. I loved how she found peace though these sweet creatures. Another wonderful aspect of the book is her relationship with her husband. Their marriage is a centerpiece as they snuggle into their new home many states away from where they met. Reading Lonnie's writing, left me feeling like I was reading a letter from a friend. I can honestly say, I smiled a great deal and even laughed out loud a few times. If you love animals, especially cats, you'll enjoy the antics of Kit Kat & Lucy. I can easily give this book five stars.
I received this book in exchange for a fair review.