Christmas Reading Challenge - completed

I finished my last challenge for 2009! Woohoo!

The Christmas Reading Challenge is being hosted by The True Book Addict,

The goal was to read 3 Christmas books between November 27th and December 31st.

I was able to complete this challenge by reading:

The Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke

Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham

The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere

Click HERE to see reviews and posts related to this challenge

Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke

Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 256
Challenges: Christmas Reading Challenge

Author's Website



Simple Description:
Oh yes, it happened again. Hannah has happened across another dead body. Some girls get all the bad luck. This time she is with Norman though, so her Mother can't be too upset. Larry runs and owns the Crazy Elf Christmas tree lot. He has several investors and some are thinking that Larry isn't being completely honest with them. Hannah gets caught up in this because she is providing cookies for his cookie shop and he gives them blank receipts, not a good business plan. She learns this while in a business class at a local college with her Mom. To make the story more interesting we have Carrie, Norman's Mom, sneaking around and acting suspicious. Norman and Mike get Hannah a Christmas tree, but of course Moishe can't stay away from it.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
I can't help it, I love these books. It doesn't bother me that there isn't really a murder investigation until half way through the book. I just love being back in Hannah's town and learning about everyone again. There are more and more hints of Hannah choosing a man and I like where it's headed - I just want her to get there. I guess that would be my only complaint, I would like to see Mike out of the picture - he might be hot but he can be such a jerk. haha! If you love cozy mysteries, or know somebody who does, you need to check out this series. Start from the beginning through..the books do build on one another. Oh..and these books do include lots of cookie and dessert recipes - I've been several and they have been yummy.

This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.

Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham

Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 336
Challenges: Christmas reading challenge
Author's Website



Simple Description:
Jake Mallory is about to be executed. It's the Revolutionary war and he is on the American side, it's almost Christmas but the British want to make an example out of him. Suddenly he see's his adopted sister and then rose petals...and then he is almost hit by a car.

Mallory is driving to her parents house, it's current day, when she see's a person just appear in front of her car. She tries to avoid the person but skids on ice and hits him. When she gets out to help him, she thinks he works for one of the many historical tour companies, why else would he be in period costume? However, he seems awed by everything around him and out of place.

She takes him home and tries to play it off that they are old school friends, but her brother, Mom, and eventually her Dad all catch on and believe Jake when he tells them the truth, that he is from the past. Jake needs to get home to his adopted sister and make sure she is ok, however there is the feeling of instant attraction between him and Mallory.

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
I enjoyed the book, Heather Graham is one of my comport authors. However, it wasn't my favorite by her and it wasn't my favorite Christmas book. There were times in the story where the bickering between Mallory and her brother annoyed me and there were times when I would get confused for a second. I think she should have used more chapters or something. However, I still really enjoyed it and recommend it to others. I love the ending, perfect ending for the Holiday season.

Thanks to ????? for providing this book for review.
This book is part of my collection and was either bought or given to me.
This audio book was rented from my local library.

Christmas Reading Challenge

I know what you are saying, your saying "Seriously Kris..enough of the challenges already. Do you really think you should be signing up for more when you aren't even close to finishing some you are already signed up for?" Well..the answer to that question would be Yes! Come on, it's for Christmas books! Who doesn't love to read Christmas books in December (other than the Grinch and Scrooge)?

This irresistible challenge is being hosted by The True Book Addict. To read about the challenge or possibly sing up yourself, click HERE.

I'm personally going to mark myself down for 3 books, I already own 2 that I plan to read. Now to find a third one.......

Here are the rules:

• will run from Thanksgiving Day, November 26 through New Year's Eve, December 31, 2009
• you can choose 1 - 3 books...I know it seems a small amount, but it's a busy time of year and the challenge is only a little over a month.
• These must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore or a book of Christmas short stories (sorry, no children's books, but YA novel is okay).
• Be sure to check back here in a couple of days, I will have a list of new Christmas books coming out and some old favorites to recommend.
• Be sure to come back and link your post here on Mr. Linky. This is my first time using it so if it doesn't work, leave your link in the comments. Please leave a comment after you post your link in Mr. Linky. Thanks!