Chosen Vessels

~ Description  Imagine a Victorian England village in the Cotswolds where very little out of the ordinary ever happens . . . except at Christmas time. This year, Edward Haddington, a lowly candle maker, is visited by a mysterious angel. That angel silently imparts a precious gift—a gift that’s bungled and subsequently lost. The candle maker and his wife, Bea, struggle to find the gift. And when they do, they have to make a difficult choice. Who among their community is most in need of a Christmas miracle? Join inspirational author Max Lucado and experience anew the joy of Christmas. ~ My Review  A dear story, full of charming settings, memorable characters (honestly, who doesn't love the Haddingtons?), and a theme that spells Christmas.  I read this book after watching the movie and—quite honestly—I liked the movie better. The book had it's own perks, though, giving a bit more background to some of the characters. Emily was a more likable gal in the mov

~ Description Forced to return to the ski lodge where she once worked, Savanna Holt is reminded of one special Christmas and how ambition led her to make the worst mistake of her life: Leaving Luke Nelson. Stunned to discover Luke never left, but worked his way up from lift operator to manager, Savanna sees the opportunity as a gift from God. She’s determined to win Luke back. But Luke wants no reminders of his past hurt, or a relationship with the woman who put ambition before love. Can Savanna convince Luke she’s changed and her interest isn't because of his position? And when her dream job beckons, will she sacrifice her dream for a second chance at love? ~ My Review Well, gracious, that was cute. In a charmingly-written tale that reminded me of a Hallmark movie, this novella was sweet, touching, and heartfelt—all in under 100 pages. Luke, Savanna, Mylie, and the Freemans were all such fun characters, each realistically done. And the medical details and loads of

~ Description  In the 1940s, the small Pennsylvania town of Haven is rather subdued with their young men facing battles in far-away Europe. Young Andy Gilbert, burdened with his job of delivering telegrams bringing the news of those missing or killed in action, faces the coming holidays with dread and discouragement. With each new message he must deliver- met by screaming mothers, grief-stricken wives, and weeping families--he longs to join the ranks of the numbered dead. Only one elderly woman recognizes the pain and suffering tormenting Andy--and it is through her wisdom that the stars again can shine for Andy and for a town that desperately needs the hope those stars represent. A touching novella book from a bestselling novelist. ~ My Review "Oh my, how heartbreaking!" was my first thoughts when I got a chapter or so into this book. And it certainly does hold a special sort of sadness. But there is hope, too. There's always hope. <3 The story—ahh, it t

Amazon || Goodreads ~ Description  Lt. Neil Hudson is sure to have a rotten Christmas. How can he have anything but a rotten Christmas when he's stuck in war-torn Germany away from his family, friends, and all hope of a decent turkey dinner? That's when the Slades come into his life. ~ My Review  A short story set in German a few months after the end of WWII? Sign me up! This short, heart-warming tale by indie author Kellyn Roth did not disappoint. The teasing banter between Neil, Kell, and Clive was so fun and guy-typical. And the Slade family—ahh, they were darling! A sweet story, full of Christmas spirit. Four crush caps out of five!  **I received a copy of this story from the author in exchange for my honest review.** I'm doing a mini book review nearly every day leading up to Christmas, in participation with the 12 Days of Christmas blog party. Be sure to check out  Stories by Firefly  for more Christmas fun! <3 

~ Description  A heartwarming Christmas story about a hundred-year flood, lost love, and the beauty of enduring friendships. Molly Allen lives alone in Portland, but she left her heart back in Tennessee with a man she walked away from five years ago. They had a rare sort of love she hasn’t found since. Ryan Kelly lives in Nashville after a broken engagement and several years on the road touring with a country music duo. He can still hear Molly’s voice encouraging him to follow his dreams; Molly, whose memory stays with him. At least he can visit The Bridge—the oldest bookstore in historic downtown Franklin—and remember the hours he and Molly once spent there. For thirty years, Charlie and Donna Barton have run The Bridge, providing the people of middle Tennessee with coffee, conversation, and shelves of good books—even through dismal book sales and the rise of digital books. Then in May, the hundred-year flood swept through Franklin and destroyed nearly every book in the sto

~ Description  An award-winning novelist’s heartwarming story about family and love lost, found, and finally truly revealed at Christmas. Christmas takes a very different turn when the guests of honor break up instead of announcing their engagement. Trapped with his family, they learn that love looks different than either imagined. Both in their eighties, Dodie and Wilson Binder celebrate every Christmas as if it were their last. This year, their grandson Micah is planning to ask his girlfriend, Katie, to marry him so they can celebrate with the whole family. But things go very wrong when she says "no." Now they are stuck. Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster. But sometimes too much is just enough. Especially when it's Christmas. ~ My Review  After grabbing this book for a couple bucks from CBD, I started it with little idea of what to expect... And I was blown away by what I found tucked inside the pages. First

~ Description  Todd, they always want you to adopt a dog. That's what they do. Besides, we don't need another animal around here, and most definitely not a dog. When Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man still living on his parents' Kansas farm, hears that a local animal shelter is seeking temporary homes for its dogs during the days leading to Christmas, he knows exactly what he wants for the holidays. His father objects, but Todd's persistence quickly wins out. Soon the McCrays are the short-term foster family for a lovable pooch the young man names Christmas. But what about all the other dogs who will be forced to spend the Yuletide season in cages? In the days that follow, Todd uses his special gifts of persuasion to encourage his hometown to participate in the Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program. What follows from his small act of kindness will teach his family, and his community, about peace on earth and good will toward men and animals. ~

~ Description Christmas Eve, 1941. Mere days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt met at the White House. As war raged throughout the world, the two leaders delivered a powerful message of hope that still resonates today. Bestselling author and renowned historian David McCullough relates a compelling story about the spirit of Christmas and the power of light to shine in difficult, dangerous times. Also sharing the stories behind the songs "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas," this beautifully designed book is filled with historic photographs and uplifting messages that will bring the Christmas spirit home to your family. ~ My Review Wow. I'm not even sure how this book first ended up on my to-be-read list (seeing it around Goodreads somewhere would be my first guess), but gracious, I'm so glad I read it. An inspiring, non-fictio

~ Description Bestselling author Karen Kingsbury offers the final installment in her Red Gloves seriesthe heartwarming tale of a girl whose only wish is to be held by the father she never knew. 15-year-old Hannah Roberts remembers when her father was her closest friend. The image is hazy, though, pulled from her distant childhood memories, and her father is now very cold and distant. Feeling orphaned, Hannah lives a lonely life with her wealthy, ailing grandmother. As Christmas nears, Hannah learns a shocking truth: the man she believed was her father is not her parent after all. In an effort to find answers, she begins a desperate search for her real father, Air Force pilot Mike Conner. Local politicians and the city's newspaper catch wind of her quest, and the entire state joins in Hannah's hope that she'll find her father before the holidays. ~ My Review Holy moley, this book was fantastic. Karen Kingsbury was a new-to-me author of 2018 that, after five a

~ Description Laughs abound in this bestselling Christmas classic by Barbara Robinson! The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows the outrageous shenanigans of the Herdman siblings, or “the worst kids in the history of the world.” The siblings take over the annual Christmas pageant in a hilarious yet heartwarming tale involving the Three Wise Men, a ham, scared shepherds, and six rowdy kids. Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys Herdman are an awful bunch. They set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s toolshed, blackmailed Wanda Pierce to get her charm bracelet, and smacked Alice Wendelken across the head. And that’s just the start! When the Herdmans show up at church for the free snacks and suddenly take over the Christmas pageant, the other kids are shocked. It’s obvious that they’re up to no good. But Christmas magic is all around and the Herdmans, who have never heard the Christmas story before, start to reimagine it in their own way. This year’s pageant is definitely like no

~ Description  The story of Ebenezer Scrooge opens on a Christmas Eve as cold as Scrooge's own heart. That night, he receives three ghostly visitors: the terrifying spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Each takes him on a heart-stopping journey, yielding glimpses of Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit, the horrifying spectres of Want and Ignorance, even Scrooge's painfully hopeful younger self. Will Scrooge's heart be opened? Can he reverse the miserable future he is forced to see?  ~ My Rating  5 stars  ~My Review  Ahh, how could I not review this amazing story on Christmas Day? It's quite amazing. :)  My family listen to an audiobook of this classic a few years ago and, to be honest, I didn't even like it that much. It was good, but not great. Then last Christmas, I read the book again (a super pretty, illustrated version that was a gift from my parents ;)) and...it was epic.  Like, how did I miss half of this goodness before

~ Description  The Great Depression is in full swing, and Mrs. Kabrick hopes to make Christmas a special time for her children even though they don't have much. With the back door constantly opening and shutting, time flies bringing cold air, visitors, and a very special Christmas Eve. ~ My Rating  5 stars  ~ My Review  Oh, how endearing and whimsical!  Christmas Eve at the Backdoor  was a delightful read. From the very beginning, with all the ties to the importance of back doors, I was pulled into the story and the joy and charm of a historical Smalltown USA. (I just love those stories, y'all. ^_^) The Kabrick family's Christmas preparations are repeatedly disrupted by this and that, but they greet each interruption with smiles and keep the true meaning of Christmas deep in their hearts.  Definitely one of my favorites by this author! <3  ~*~  Visit Stories by Firefly for more fun  posts with the 12 Days of Christmas blog p

~ Descrption  A cold night in Texas, a dream of marriage, a happily ever after.... Single mom Amber Richardson spends every holiday season working to give her young son the best Christmas possible and striving to ignore the empty chairs around her table, chairs she wishes her mother and father and extended family occupied.  She'd hoped that this holiday would be fuller and happier than the rest. Her handsome firefighter boyfriend, Will McGrath, has brought immeasurable joy and love into her life. Up until recently, they'd even been talking about a future that included wedding bells. Lately, though, the wedding talk has been nonexistent and Amber can’t help but worry that Will's starting to have second thoughts....  Until a fire station surprise brings very good tidings. ~ My Rating 5 stars  ~ My Review  What a darling little Christmas story! <3  Prior to reading this one, I had read two novellas and a novel by Mrs. Wade and, wh

~ Description  This was Laina’s second Christmas without her parents, who had died in an accident, and she was sure it would bering nothing but tears, because she and her aunt couldn’t seem to get along. When a frightening experience occurs, Laina, her cousin, and her aunt and uncle find unexpected cause for smiles. ~ My Rating  4 stars ~ My Review  I've really enjoyed the stories I've read in Rebekah Morris' Christmas Collection!  This was the fourth I've read, and the most recent. They're all really sweet little stories. :)  In Christmas Smiles , pre-teen Laina is living with her aunt, uncle, and cousin, and feeling really unloved and unwanted. Laina was a very real character, with fears and struggles. I didn't connect with the aunt at first, but...let's just say she grew on me a bit. ;) The farm setting and family situation was really interesting. I loved the family who owned the farm! They were all great and loving.

~ Description  Old Joey’s lips fell open in astonishment as he examined a pair of boots. They were bright red, standing out like a forgotten apple on an autumn tree. He whistled, long and low. “Red boots!” A pair of shiny red boots bring unexpected Christmas joy to a shopkeeper and a little girl. A very short story. (Approximately 8 minutes reading time.) ~ My Rating  5 stars  ~ My Review  Red Boots  was such a sweet little story, that touched my heart and brought a smile to my face! The authoress did an excellent job at transporting the reader to Old Joey's shop, and bringing the characters to life inside only a few pages. I truly enjoyed! <3  Psst! This story is also permafree on Amazon Kindle, so you should totally go get it... *wink*  ~*~  Visit Stories by Firefly for more  12 Days of Christmas fun! =D 

~ Description  Tully wants more than anything to make his teacher smile. But no one knows that Miss Ravenstow is trying to escape the pain from her past. No one, that is, except Tod the mailman, who holds in his hands something far more valuable than a special delivery.  Discover a very special Christmas story that opens the door for those seeking shelter from the pain of their past. Inspire your entire family with a beautiful portrayal of how a simple candle in the window can bring hope for the future and an encounter with the Light of the world.  ~ My Rating  5 stars  ~ My Review  Oh my goodness, this story was just the most precious little thing ever!! ^_^  Last year, I won a giveaway of a bundle of audiobooks/dramas. This was included and when I saw that it was Chrismasy (and connected to WWI, according to Goodreads :D) I wanted to listen right away! Unfortunately, it slipped my mind...until this year. I got to listen to it back in November though

~ Description  When she finds herself in charge of the Christmas Eve skit, Mandie, with Joe's help, tries to remind everyone of the holiday's true meaning by secretly gathering all the town's orphans and giving them parts in the play as well as a home in the church basement. ~ My Rating  4 stars ~ My Review  Ahh, such a sweet story!  I had read this little books several years ago when I read the entire 42-book Mandie series, and I re-read it last month with my reading buddy. It was really sweet! :)  And Lisa. *laughs* Oh, Lisa. ;D It's not a favorite of mine among the Mandie books (not a lot of mystery, here... xD), but still so good!  Lots of Mandie/Joe moments for my fellow shippers out there, and the true reason of Christmas shows through very well. <3  This book would be good for any age, whether you're a long-time Mandie fan or new to the series. A sweet lil' Christmas story! 

~ Description  Recently-orphaned Esther Ashton doesn’t expect much from Christmas with her brother away fighting in the South Pacific, her sister-in-law hospitalized with a new baby, and her job at the department store providing little to no profit. Will Esther have any sort of a Christmas or will it be another dud? Esther Ashton’s New Dress, a Christmas short story, is sure to delight any fan of Christmas, the 1940s, and brevity.   ~ My Rating  5 stars  ~ My Review  EEPS, such a sweet little WWII story! :D This weekend, I jumped at the chance to review this short story by an indie author. I ended up reading it the same night, and I really enjoyed it!  At first, I wasn't really sure where the story was going (especially since it only had a couple of pages to play-out), but as soon as scene-two happened, I caught on. And the story was just so precious and sweet! <3 The WWII feel was very well done, and I just wanted to stay and hang o

~ Description  A sacred season is about to unfold for three women whose hearts belong to God.  Elizabeth is barren, yet her trust in God remains fertile. Mary is betrothed in marriage, yet she is willing to bear God’s Son. Anna is a widow full of years, yet she waits patiently, prayerfully for the Messiah to appear in the temple courts. Following in their footsteps, you too can prepare for the Savior to enter your heart, your mind, and your life in a vibrant, new way. Best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs explores the biblical stories of Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna, unwrapping each verse with tender care and introducing you afresh to The Women of Christmas.  ~ My Rating  5 stars  ~ My Review  This book is incredible. The amazing writing, the details in the Christmas story that I had never caught before, the rawness and realness of Mrs. Higgs... So good! I  read it last December/January (another Mom-recommendation! ;D), and I really enjoyed it. The wri

~ Description Robert Reed gave his life for his country in the early days of World War II. His sacrifice was honored when his widow and son were presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Each Christmas the final decoration Madge Reed hangs on the family s tree is that medal. Rather than being a symbol of honor for young Jimmy Reed that shining star represents loss, pain, and suffering. Yet a letter delivered by one of Robert s fellow soldiers and a mystery posed in that letter put a father s sacrifice and faith into perspective and bring new meaning to not just the star hanging on the Christmas tree but the events of the very first Christmas. Then, when least expected, a Christmas miracle turns a final bit of holiday sadness into a joy that Jimmy has never known.  ~ My Rating  5 stars  ~ My Review  The Christmas Star  was such a sweet, WWII-era story!!  I grabbed this book from CBD awhile back, but I hadn't gotten around to reading it until rec