HGTV Meets Immovable Force?

Posted on by November 23, 2016
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Deb’s Dozen: Christmas House Contest, Anxious Decorator, Crotchety Client, Handsome Videographer—Recipe for Disaster?

Alexis Blake wants more than anything to win the Restoring Christmas contest with the Home Project Network, which would launch her career. She’s hired the best videographer she could find who lived near the house. Arriving in town, she discovers to her horror that he is not available and that his obnoxious, but handsome, son, Gabe is his replacement. Alexis is not certain about the arrangements—even more so when she meets Elsie, the owner of the house. Alexis sees nothing but disaster in her future as she struggles to make sense out of all the details comprising her task.

As they work, reluctantly, together on the project, Alexis starts to warm up to Gabe’s demeanor and cheerful attitude. That she is living in the Langley’s basement apartment due to a room shortage adds to the mix. Will they be able to convince Elsie to change her house? Will the contractors be able to complete all the work? Is Gabe as good as he and his dad say he is? What will she do about these strange feelings?

I loved Restoring Christmas. Cynthia Ruchti has another winner. You’ll want to buy the book—a cozy, well-written romance and just the book to curl up and read along with a hot cup of cocoa, a nice fire burning in the fireplace, and a fluffy, warm comforter. Four stars!

Cynthia-Ruchti_green_couch1-1024x819Cynthia Ruchti “tells stories hemmed in hope.” When I interviewed her at the International Christian Retail Show this past June and asked why this topic, she related she watches HGTV for relaxation. She finds the show a good study on relationships as things do or don’t go well. She also is a fan of Chip and Joanna Gaines and their show on fixer-uppers.
She’d been assigned to write a Christmas book and had to come up with a story. While driving, she saw some fieldstone houses and inspiration struck. The character of Alexis is a HGTV wannabe who has to produce an audition video in eight weeks. She and Gabe, the videographer, along with Elsie, the reluctant and mysterious client, think they’re merely restoring a house, but what God is doing is restoring each of them.

A Husband’s Christmas Prayer

Posted on by November 26, 2016
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Deb’s Dozen: Happy husband, unhappy wife, major move. Will they make amends by Christmas?

Kathi Macias’s book, A Husband’s Christmas Prayer resonated with me. I’m one of the wives who have been moved to follow a husband’s career. Most times, I was fine with the move; one almost cost us our marriage. Paul and Diana Michelson faced the same situation. They had married and embraced ministry together. As a result, when a ministry opportunity came up for Paul to be senior pastor of his own church, he jumped at the job without consulting his wife. She put on a brave face, but was deeply hurt by the move—both because Paul didn’t consult her and by the fact she had to give up friends and a home she loved. The town to which they moved was small and lacked the amenities of the city they’d left. Paul’s job as the sole pastor left him little time for his children or his wife.

Will they be able to surmount the hurts and hardships? Will Paul ever understand why his wife is so unhappy? Will Diana ever find her place in this new environment? Will the ministry ever encompass them both again?

I enjoyed reading this book. The struggles Paul goes through gave me insight into the struggles my husband may have had. And I enjoyed getting to know the characters who became real to me as the book progressed. A Husband’s Christmas Prayer is a keeper—and one to be reread for the many insights to be gained. Four stars.

Kathi MaciasKathi Macias is a prolific author and editor who has written more than forty books. She has won awards for several including the Golden Scroll Novel of the Year for Red Ink along with finaling for a Carol for that book. She speaks at women’s retreats and churches, has a prison outreach, and mentors many. Kathi lives in California with her husband, Al, and loves being a mom and grandmom.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Ace Collins

Posted on by November 20, 2016
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Deb’s Dozen: Yuletide Brings Carols and Cookies and Cheer and Best Yet, Christ’s Birthday!

Ace Collins has penned yet another merry little Christmas book. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: A Countdown to Christmas is a thirty-one-day devotional based on Christmas customs and Christmas carols. Ace adds in potential gifts to be given and yummy-sounding recipes.

While I knew the history of many of the carols quoted in the book, I did not know the history of other Christmas songs mentioned in the text. I wished for a way to see the text of those songs too but royalty standards for music precluded him sharing them. I will be looking them up on the Internet! For example, I did not know Willie Nelson had penned a song, “Pretty Paper,” akin to “Good King Wenceslas” until reading this book. Through many of the stories, Ace reminds us to always consider “the least of these” as we are celebrating the season. And to find out that Irving Berlin felt “White Christmas” was inadequate! Thank heavens for Bing Crosby’s hearing the song and loving the music so the Christmas favorite has endured through the years.

I’m also intrigued by the homemade Christmas gifts Ace gives directions on how to make at the end of each chapter. Some of them would be wonderful not only as gifts but for self-indulgent treats.

And the recipes—yum! I can’t wait to make the Snickerdoodles and Buttery Christmas Cookies.

This devotional has something for everyone. You’ll enjoy reading the book and rereading the book every Christmas season!

Ace CollinsAce Collins is a master storyteller whose stories span many genres from World War II (In the President’s Service series) to service dogs to Christmas carols to mysteries and suspense to biographies, et al. He and his wife, Kathy, live in Arkansas where he does play-by-play for Oachita College basketball games. He love antique cars and antique guitars. Learn more about Ace at AceCollins.com

I received this book from Ace as a present–no review of any kind was implied. To purchase the book, click on the picture or the link. I receive a small remuneration from these sales.