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Twilight, Texas #4.1-4.4
The Christmas Cookie Collection
Four delightful novellas featuring characters from Lori Wilde's New York Times bestselling book The First Love Cookie Club. First published as e-originals, they are now available in one volume and in print for the first time
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 29, 2013
101 people are currently reading
1240 people want to read
About the author
Lori Wilde
394 books2,266 followersLori Wilde can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to write. She even went to nursing school so she could have a schedule flexible enough to allow her to write on the side. She nursed for 20 years, working in a variety of settings from the newborn nursery to the recovery room, to dialysis. But she never lost her desire to write.
She sold her first book in 1994 to Silhouette Romance but later discovered she had a flair for comedy and branched out to Harlequin Duets and now, to Blaze.
Lori is an adventuresome soul who loves to travel. She’s taken flying lessons, completed two marathons, rode in a hot-air balloon, performed with a professional jazz band, traveled Europe as a teenager, hiked volcanoes in Hawaii, trod on glaciers in Alaska, shot white-water rapids, water-skied, snow-skied, raced all-terrain vehicles, bodysurfed in the Gulf of Mexico, and photographed grizzly bears in Yellowstone.
She lives in her native Texas, with her own real-life hero, Bill.
She sold her first book in 1994 to Silhouette Romance but later discovered she had a flair for comedy and branched out to Harlequin Duets and now, to Blaze.
Lori is an adventuresome soul who loves to travel. She’s taken flying lessons, completed two marathons, rode in a hot-air balloon, performed with a professional jazz band, traveled Europe as a teenager, hiked volcanoes in Hawaii, trod on glaciers in Alaska, shot white-water rapids, water-skied, snow-skied, raced all-terrain vehicles, bodysurfed in the Gulf of Mexico, and photographed grizzly bears in Yellowstone.
She lives in her native Texas, with her own real-life hero, Bill.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
November 4, 2013
The Christmas Cookie Collection by Lori Wilde is an Avon publication and was released in 2013. I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. I am also reviewing the book for Lori's review crew.
This is a Christmas themed collection of four short stories centered around the small Texas town of Twilight.
The first story is about Mark and Carrie. The town of Twilight has a legend concerning a penny fountain. The legend is that if you throw a penny in the fountain and make a wish you will marry your high school sweetheart. But, that didn't work out for Mark and Carrie. The two were very in love in high school. So in love they eloped. But, they had the marriage annulled when their parents got involved. Carrie stayed in Twilight while Mark made it big in the entertainment industry. Now Mark has shown up in Twilight to tape his TV show. Will the two be able to prove the legend is right or has too much time passed for the couple to reunite?
Story two deals with Raylene who made a fateful decision that has haunted her, her whole life. But her mistake was keeping it a secret from her husband Earl, who left her a year ago on Christmas Eve. When a young girl shows up looking for work, Raylene gives her chance. But, something is going on with this girl. Does she have a connection to Earl or Raylene?
The third story is about Christine, young woman whose dreams were shattered and now more than anything she wishes she could have a family of her own. When a widower with three children moves to town, Christine realizes the two knew each other in high school. They were attracted to each other back then, but life intervened and the romance never got off the ground. Will they have a chance now and will Christine get the family she wants so desperately?
The last story is about Carrie's sister Flynn and her husband Jesse. Flynn is nine months pregnant and excited about Christmas, but she really misses her mother during the holidays. When her husband tries to do a good deed, his troubled past comes back to haunt him. Will they be able to spend Christmas together?
All of these are wonderful, heart warming holiday contemporary romances. The order of the stories works out great starting with Carrie and ending with Flynn. The last story was especially emotional and a great way to end the book.
I really felt a connection to the story because I am only about a half hour drive from the town the stories were based on. Naturally, I recognized some of the places the author mentioned and that made the book really come alive for me. This town is a wonderful, clean town with a small population, and a really cute town square and there are always little celebrations going on, as well as some of the most wonderful bed and breakfast.
These stories will have you wanting to bake Christmas cookies and decorate your Christmas tree NOW. A great way to get into the holiday spirit.
Overall this one gets an A.
This is a Christmas themed collection of four short stories centered around the small Texas town of Twilight.
The first story is about Mark and Carrie. The town of Twilight has a legend concerning a penny fountain. The legend is that if you throw a penny in the fountain and make a wish you will marry your high school sweetheart. But, that didn't work out for Mark and Carrie. The two were very in love in high school. So in love they eloped. But, they had the marriage annulled when their parents got involved. Carrie stayed in Twilight while Mark made it big in the entertainment industry. Now Mark has shown up in Twilight to tape his TV show. Will the two be able to prove the legend is right or has too much time passed for the couple to reunite?
Story two deals with Raylene who made a fateful decision that has haunted her, her whole life. But her mistake was keeping it a secret from her husband Earl, who left her a year ago on Christmas Eve. When a young girl shows up looking for work, Raylene gives her chance. But, something is going on with this girl. Does she have a connection to Earl or Raylene?
The third story is about Christine, young woman whose dreams were shattered and now more than anything she wishes she could have a family of her own. When a widower with three children moves to town, Christine realizes the two knew each other in high school. They were attracted to each other back then, but life intervened and the romance never got off the ground. Will they have a chance now and will Christine get the family she wants so desperately?
The last story is about Carrie's sister Flynn and her husband Jesse. Flynn is nine months pregnant and excited about Christmas, but she really misses her mother during the holidays. When her husband tries to do a good deed, his troubled past comes back to haunt him. Will they be able to spend Christmas together?
All of these are wonderful, heart warming holiday contemporary romances. The order of the stories works out great starting with Carrie and ending with Flynn. The last story was especially emotional and a great way to end the book.
I really felt a connection to the story because I am only about a half hour drive from the town the stories were based on. Naturally, I recognized some of the places the author mentioned and that made the book really come alive for me. This town is a wonderful, clean town with a small population, and a really cute town square and there are always little celebrations going on, as well as some of the most wonderful bed and breakfast.
These stories will have you wanting to bake Christmas cookies and decorate your Christmas tree NOW. A great way to get into the holiday spirit.
Overall this one gets an A.
December 25, 2019
***2.4 stars***
I may review this someday, but probably not anytime soon. It was just so meh, that I'm not sure I'll ever find something fitting to write about it 🤷♀️
I may review this someday, but probably not anytime soon. It was just so meh, that I'm not sure I'll ever find something fitting to write about it 🤷♀️
May 23, 2016
Four delightful novellas featuring characters from Lori Wilde's New York Times bestselling book The First Love Cookie Club. First published as e-originals, they are now available in one volume and in print for the first time
Lori Wilde’s Twilight, Texas series is one of my favorite contemporary romance series’. The stories are heartwarming, funny, romantic, passionate, and always make me believe in the power of true love. And, as I’m sitting here finally posting this review, I’m shocked to see that there are, in fact, very few reviews of this wonderful collection.
I’m not going to review each book individually because this isn’t your typical collection written by various authors. In The Christmas Cookie Collection each story is written by Ms. Wilde, each is set in Twilight, and each is a 5 star read! That, dear readers of my review, is all you need to know. (But there are a few readers who did review each book, so be sure to give them a gander if you'd like more details.)
Anywho.... If you haven’t yet given Lori Wilde’s stories a try, please do. She has a special gift for bringing her characters to life, making them people I would love to call friends.
An ARC was provided by Avon Books. In appreciation I’m giving them an honest review.
Lori Wilde’s Twilight, Texas series is one of my favorite contemporary romance series’. The stories are heartwarming, funny, romantic, passionate, and always make me believe in the power of true love. And, as I’m sitting here finally posting this review, I’m shocked to see that there are, in fact, very few reviews of this wonderful collection.
I’m not going to review each book individually because this isn’t your typical collection written by various authors. In The Christmas Cookie Collection each story is written by Ms. Wilde, each is set in Twilight, and each is a 5 star read! That, dear readers of my review, is all you need to know. (But there are a few readers who did review each book, so be sure to give them a gander if you'd like more details.)
Anywho.... If you haven’t yet given Lori Wilde’s stories a try, please do. She has a special gift for bringing her characters to life, making them people I would love to call friends.
An ARC was provided by Avon Books. In appreciation I’m giving them an honest review.
July 31, 2022
Digital audiobook read by C J Critt.
From the book jacket: There’s a legend in Twilight, Texas. It says that if on Christmas you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your one true love, he will be your destiny. Carrie, Raylene, Christine, and Flynn are all members of the Christmas Cookie Club. Eash has a story to tell, and each discovers the miracles of the season the power of love.
My reactions
I knew going into it that this collection of novellas (originally published separately) would be a schmaltzy romance. I’ve read another work by Wilde previously and liked it; I found this one charming for its genre, though unremarkable. Despite the book jacket blurb, I found the chief refrain to be the legend of the town fountain – throw a penny into the fountain and you’ll be reunited with your high school sweetheart. Whatever.
It was a fast read and satisfied my need for a little Christmas in July, but I’ve basically forgotten the characters and their stories already.
C J Critt does a good job of reading the audiobook. She set a good pace, and had clear diction.
From the book jacket: There’s a legend in Twilight, Texas. It says that if on Christmas you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your one true love, he will be your destiny. Carrie, Raylene, Christine, and Flynn are all members of the Christmas Cookie Club. Eash has a story to tell, and each discovers the miracles of the season the power of love.
My reactions
I knew going into it that this collection of novellas (originally published separately) would be a schmaltzy romance. I’ve read another work by Wilde previously and liked it; I found this one charming for its genre, though unremarkable. Despite the book jacket blurb, I found the chief refrain to be the legend of the town fountain – throw a penny into the fountain and you’ll be reunited with your high school sweetheart. Whatever.
It was a fast read and satisfied my need for a little Christmas in July, but I’ve basically forgotten the characters and their stories already.
C J Critt does a good job of reading the audiobook. She set a good pace, and had clear diction.
October 29, 2013
The Christmas Cookie Collection by Lori Wilde
Love this book-it's four stories in one to begin with and I have read many of the authors books about Twilight and love them all. Especially like Christmas themed ones.
I have read the other Club books and love the town and people for all the charity work they do for others.
This book starts out with Carrie, Carrie MacGregor and she hates Christmas.
She runs the town yarn store after the original one in town burned down. She heads up the town knitting club also and it's just a week from Thanksgiving.
The knitters ambushed her into decorating the shop because they knew why she'd never do it herself and we learn as the story goes on the reasons why...
This story also follows Mark Leland who is returning to the town to host his 'Fact or Fiction' myth buster show...
He is torn between keeping his promise to Carrie about NOT mentioning their busted relationship or cashing in on that for the show...
Hot steamy sex scenes and he knows he lives on the west coast and she in Texas and there's no way they will ever be together and she knows she may have him one night but forever??
Loved the scenes with Christmas decorations, so very detailed!
.
Next section of this book is about Raylene and we know from previous books that she was once married to Earl (for 35 years) but when he found out about something in her past that she neglected to tell him about he left on Christmas eve.
She works at the Horny Toad Bar in town... She wanted closure and agreed to let Nate, a returned from the war SEAL hang up Christmas decorations for her. She also put a 'help wanted' sign in the window of the bar.
Shannan Dugan had wandered into town and applied and got the job. She had been dealt a raw hand after her grandparents had died..
Lots of mysteries and secrets and I love the talk about the cookie swap!
Hot steamy sex scenes..
.
Last section is about christine who runs the local bakery and she's just created a new cookie from her own recipe. I love this as I love to experiment myself once a year.
Her cat had recently died, she'd never have kids and her parents were in Europe to spend Christmas with his brother, who is a GI.
Eli, who she had known from high school was back in town to get a cake for his 14 year old daughter's birthday. They have a lot of time to catch up on...
Love the idea of fantasy vacation, camping and hiking! They both know they have to take things slow but their physical attraction to one another says differently.
There is no way this is going to work, they each have businesses that are so far apart from one another...the birthday party does not go as planned and it could be the end of their relationship..
.
This section is about Grace. Flynn and Jesse celebrating a really good Christmas despite their past and the baby is about to be born..
They are delivering a Christmas Angel gift to the family less fortunate this year. The weather man advised of the ice storm about to hit the area.
Love little tips at beginning of each chapter for a perfect Christmas. His past once again catches up with him...
Community comes together...
I received this book from Edelweiss by HarperCollins in exchange for my honest review.
Love this book-it's four stories in one to begin with and I have read many of the authors books about Twilight and love them all. Especially like Christmas themed ones.
I have read the other Club books and love the town and people for all the charity work they do for others.
This book starts out with Carrie, Carrie MacGregor and she hates Christmas.
She runs the town yarn store after the original one in town burned down. She heads up the town knitting club also and it's just a week from Thanksgiving.
The knitters ambushed her into decorating the shop because they knew why she'd never do it herself and we learn as the story goes on the reasons why...
This story also follows Mark Leland who is returning to the town to host his 'Fact or Fiction' myth buster show...
He is torn between keeping his promise to Carrie about NOT mentioning their busted relationship or cashing in on that for the show...
Hot steamy sex scenes and he knows he lives on the west coast and she in Texas and there's no way they will ever be together and she knows she may have him one night but forever??
Loved the scenes with Christmas decorations, so very detailed!
.
Next section of this book is about Raylene and we know from previous books that she was once married to Earl (for 35 years) but when he found out about something in her past that she neglected to tell him about he left on Christmas eve.
She works at the Horny Toad Bar in town... She wanted closure and agreed to let Nate, a returned from the war SEAL hang up Christmas decorations for her. She also put a 'help wanted' sign in the window of the bar.
Shannan Dugan had wandered into town and applied and got the job. She had been dealt a raw hand after her grandparents had died..
Lots of mysteries and secrets and I love the talk about the cookie swap!
Hot steamy sex scenes..
.
Last section is about christine who runs the local bakery and she's just created a new cookie from her own recipe. I love this as I love to experiment myself once a year.
Her cat had recently died, she'd never have kids and her parents were in Europe to spend Christmas with his brother, who is a GI.
Eli, who she had known from high school was back in town to get a cake for his 14 year old daughter's birthday. They have a lot of time to catch up on...
Love the idea of fantasy vacation, camping and hiking! They both know they have to take things slow but their physical attraction to one another says differently.
There is no way this is going to work, they each have businesses that are so far apart from one another...the birthday party does not go as planned and it could be the end of their relationship..
.
This section is about Grace. Flynn and Jesse celebrating a really good Christmas despite their past and the baby is about to be born..
They are delivering a Christmas Angel gift to the family less fortunate this year. The weather man advised of the ice storm about to hit the area.
Love little tips at beginning of each chapter for a perfect Christmas. His past once again catches up with him...
Community comes together...
I received this book from Edelweiss by HarperCollins in exchange for my honest review.
October 17, 2013
This book is a quartet of short stories about four of the characters in the Twilght, Texas series. The first story involves Carrie MacGregor who owns the Yarn Barn. Her ex-husband Mark (from an extremely short lived marriage)is back in town as part of a TV show that wants to explore the legend of sweethearts reuniting in Twilight. In the second story bar owner Raylene Pringle is not looking forward to the holidays without her husband Earl who left a year ago when he found out she had given a baby up for adoption yers before. A mysterious Santa is lurking about and watching Raylene. Then a young woman with a hidden agenda shows up and gets a job at the bar. Shannon Dugan has come to Twilight to confront her birth mother and meets Nate a retired Navy SEAL. Nate adds another complication to an already bumpy situation. The third story is about Christine Noble, the owner of the local bakeshop. When widower Eli Borden comes in to get a cake for his daughter, Christine remembers her high school crush on Eli and their one and only kiss before he moved out of town. The two reconnect and their romance has a chance to grow and possibly lead to something permanent. The final vignette features Flynn and Jesse Calloway getting ready for Christmas and the birth of their baby. Issues from their past cause problems and sadness for both of them but they have each other to get them through the season. The story ends with the birth of their baby and the promise of a wonderful holiday for the new family.
I was happy to read about several of the characters that have been in the books but not really at the forefront. The Christmas theme was woven through the entire book and all of the stories were sweet and appropriate to the season. I'm hoping that there will be future visits to Twilight.
I was happy to read about several of the characters that have been in the books but not really at the forefront. The Christmas theme was woven through the entire book and all of the stories were sweet and appropriate to the season. I'm hoping that there will be future visits to Twilight.
November 1, 2013
This is the perfect Christmas collection of novellas and each one takes place in Twilight Texas. These little stories are sweet and touching and they really help to put you in the Holiday mood.
Now each story features a member of the Christmas Cookie Club. They are the perfect length and none of the stories feel rushed or anything.
Carrie – The man she was married to for one whole weekend is back and he is not alone. He is the host of a new TV show that debunks myth similar to the one Twilight, Texas has. Is Mark coming home proof that the myth really exists?
Raylene – Her husband left her after he found out she had had a daughter that she gave away before they were married. Now a young woman has come to town looking to work with Raylene and Santa seems to be everywhere you turn.
Christine –Christmas is a time for miracles. Maybe this year Christine will finally get the family she has wanted but didn’t think she could have.
Flynn – She and her husband are not only getting ready for Christmas this, they are also getting ready for the birth of their first child.
These stories are very easy and enjoyable to read. Only one of them bothered me a little bit and that was due to the whole widower plot line. I recommend this lovely book as well as the whole Twilight, Texas series to anyone who loves small town stories filled with sweet friends and delightful romance!
Now each story features a member of the Christmas Cookie Club. They are the perfect length and none of the stories feel rushed or anything.
Carrie – The man she was married to for one whole weekend is back and he is not alone. He is the host of a new TV show that debunks myth similar to the one Twilight, Texas has. Is Mark coming home proof that the myth really exists?
Raylene – Her husband left her after he found out she had had a daughter that she gave away before they were married. Now a young woman has come to town looking to work with Raylene and Santa seems to be everywhere you turn.
Christine –Christmas is a time for miracles. Maybe this year Christine will finally get the family she has wanted but didn’t think she could have.
Flynn – She and her husband are not only getting ready for Christmas this, they are also getting ready for the birth of their first child.
These stories are very easy and enjoyable to read. Only one of them bothered me a little bit and that was due to the whole widower plot line. I recommend this lovely book as well as the whole Twilight, Texas series to anyone who loves small town stories filled with sweet friends and delightful romance!
November 2, 2013
The Christmas Cookie Collection is just what the name states a collection of sweet romances. If you like novels by Debbie Macomber, Robyn Carr etc, you'll love Lori Wilde.
These stories are all set in the little town of Twilight Texas that thrives on the Sweetheart Myth, which is anyone that tosses a penny in the fountain will be reunited with their sweetheart and live happily ever after.
I really loved these stories, though I have to say the first two are the best. Carrie and Mark's story was so touching and selfless on her part. I really would have loved it if the two of them would have had a full length novel. I wanted to know more about the youthful lovers who parted so that Mark could go to school.
I also liked how he was a host of a reality show that busts myths and folklore like the Sweetheart myth. It made for some tense moments in the story, since Carrie and Mark as well as one other person in town seemed to bust the myth.
Raylene is the next lady to have a story, but her story was more that of her daughter Shannon, who she gave to her ex-husband of one night and his family. (Or rather they paid for her to go away and never see her child).
This is kind of a dueling story since Shannon gets involved with town sweetie Nate. God I want to find a Nate of my very own. He was a total sweetie. But you also get glimpses of what happened with Raylene and Earl. A shocking twist at the end brings that couple back together again, so two happy endings for the price of one.
Christine is the town baker. She has issues stemming from an accident years ago. Her high school crush shows up to get a cake for his daughter's birthday and things blossom between them.
Unlike the first two stories in The Christmas Cookie Collection, Christine's story feels hurried. The issues with Eli's daughter Sienna are resolved to easily, especially as Sienna is fourteen and going through an awful lot.
The final story is super short..the story of the birth of Grace. Her parents are Flynn and Jesse. An accident after Jesse is taken in for questioning prompts Flynn to go into labor. I found myself getting really nervous reading this story and again things worked out a little to quick and easy. For what was going on here, there should have been some drama...or oomph.
I enjoyed all four stories, some more than others, but that didn't make this any less than a fabulous holiday read. I only wish the stories could have connected each woman to another....so that there was more of a novel feel to the book instead of a collection of novellas.
If you are a sucker for Christmas romances...you can't pass this one up!
These stories are all set in the little town of Twilight Texas that thrives on the Sweetheart Myth, which is anyone that tosses a penny in the fountain will be reunited with their sweetheart and live happily ever after.
I really loved these stories, though I have to say the first two are the best. Carrie and Mark's story was so touching and selfless on her part. I really would have loved it if the two of them would have had a full length novel. I wanted to know more about the youthful lovers who parted so that Mark could go to school.
I also liked how he was a host of a reality show that busts myths and folklore like the Sweetheart myth. It made for some tense moments in the story, since Carrie and Mark as well as one other person in town seemed to bust the myth.
Raylene is the next lady to have a story, but her story was more that of her daughter Shannon, who she gave to her ex-husband of one night and his family. (Or rather they paid for her to go away and never see her child).
This is kind of a dueling story since Shannon gets involved with town sweetie Nate. God I want to find a Nate of my very own. He was a total sweetie. But you also get glimpses of what happened with Raylene and Earl. A shocking twist at the end brings that couple back together again, so two happy endings for the price of one.
Christine is the town baker. She has issues stemming from an accident years ago. Her high school crush shows up to get a cake for his daughter's birthday and things blossom between them.
Unlike the first two stories in The Christmas Cookie Collection, Christine's story feels hurried. The issues with Eli's daughter Sienna are resolved to easily, especially as Sienna is fourteen and going through an awful lot.
The final story is super short..the story of the birth of Grace. Her parents are Flynn and Jesse. An accident after Jesse is taken in for questioning prompts Flynn to go into labor. I found myself getting really nervous reading this story and again things worked out a little to quick and easy. For what was going on here, there should have been some drama...or oomph.
I enjoyed all four stories, some more than others, but that didn't make this any less than a fabulous holiday read. I only wish the stories could have connected each woman to another....so that there was more of a novel feel to the book instead of a collection of novellas.
If you are a sucker for Christmas romances...you can't pass this one up!
November 4, 2013
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
I received this book for review from the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review.
One thing I love about Lori is that she always finds a way to make the reader laugh. She also creates scenes that as you watch it unfold, you can do nothing to stop what is about to happen. The three stories are in the perfect order – start with a Christmas romance and end with what started this holiday in the first place.
If you’re a fan of Lori Wilde’s books, this is another book that you will enjoy. If you’ve never read her work before, what a great way to change that. The stories are such that you could read them at any time of the year. And because the holiday season is fast approaching, if you only have a little bit of time a day to squeeze some reading in, why not get this book. You could read one story at a time instead of trying to read them all at once.
Depending on your preference, you can read it as a paperback, wait until December and get the e-book version, or maybe you want someone to read to you and then your choice would be the audible – you can’t go wrong no matter which version you choose. Then you’ll be ready to read her next book in the Cupid, Texas series titled Somebody to Love coming in December.
I received this book for review from the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review.
One thing I love about Lori is that she always finds a way to make the reader laugh. She also creates scenes that as you watch it unfold, you can do nothing to stop what is about to happen. The three stories are in the perfect order – start with a Christmas romance and end with what started this holiday in the first place.
If you’re a fan of Lori Wilde’s books, this is another book that you will enjoy. If you’ve never read her work before, what a great way to change that. The stories are such that you could read them at any time of the year. And because the holiday season is fast approaching, if you only have a little bit of time a day to squeeze some reading in, why not get this book. You could read one story at a time instead of trying to read them all at once.
Depending on your preference, you can read it as a paperback, wait until December and get the e-book version, or maybe you want someone to read to you and then your choice would be the audible – you can’t go wrong no matter which version you choose. Then you’ll be ready to read her next book in the Cupid, Texas series titled Somebody to Love coming in December.
November 16, 2013
Oh My where do I start with this one? The Christmas Cookie Collection contains so many of my favorite things I'm not sure which one to tell you about first.
First of all if you have read a lot of my reviews you know that I love Christmas stories. I'll read a good Christmas story in the middle of July given the chance. However when it gets to be this time of year and I am given the chance to read a Christmas story, I am beyond ecstatic. Ireally enjoy Lori Wilde's work. She has a wonderful talent of creating fun charismatic characters that I just can't help but adore. Then she has set these wonderful characters in a small town! Yet another one of my favorite types of stories! So we have a WONDERFUL Christmas theme, we have Lori Wilde whom I am a huge fan of, and a couple of small town romance stories all in one book. I think to say I loved this book it putting it mildly. OK now I'll tell you a little bit about each story in the FABULOUS book.
Carrie The Christmas Cookie Chronicles #1: When Carrie's first love Mark Leland returns to twilight, it throws Carrie's world into chaos. Mark is in town to film a Myth Busters reality show. I loved that the town has so many sweethearts that have been together since high school. However the show is in town to disprove this theory of high school sweethearts staying together due to a wish in a fountain. I really liked Carrie she is just trying to get through the holiday season and not end up spending time with Mark when he is in town. However when these two are together there is no doubt they still have feeling for each other. There is a lot of drama over the TV Show and a really nice reunion romance story with Carrie and Mark.
Raylene The Christmas Cookie Chronicles #2: Raylene Pringle and her husband Earl are separated due to the secret that Raylene kept all these years. She had a baby girl that she gave up at birth. Earl doesn't take the news well and disappears. Raylene is having a tough holiday season. When Shannon shows up to answer the help wanted sign Raylene hires her and offers her a place to live. There's a little more to Shannon's story then she reveals right away. I loved the romance between Shannon and Nate Deavers. Nate really is just an all around good guy. He is exactly the type of guy Shannon needs after what her ex put her through. I don't want to tell you too much here. I'm just going to say that I love this story and I adored the end. This was one of those feel good Christmas stories for me.
Christine The Christmas Cookie Chronicles #3: Christine receives some disappointing news and she is just not in the HO HO HO holiday spirit this year. That is until an old friend from high school, Eli Borden, walks in the door. He is in need of a birthday cake for his daughter. However after meeting Christine again he finds he wants more then just a birthday cake. These two have a wonderful chemistry together. Eli has his hands full with 4 children at home. When Christine first meets Eli's children, things do not go well. Can Christine and the Eli find a way to blend their lives together to get that that happily ever after that all Twilight residents are finding with their high school loves?
Grace The Christmas Cookie Chronicles #4: I have to admit that Grace was probably my favorite story in this book. Flynn and Jesse Calloway have both had sad things happen in their past. However now they are expecting a brand new bundle of joy. I have to admit that once I started this story there was no putting it down. Once the snow storm started I knew major drama was on the way. Flynn is stranded in the car and very much in labor. Jesse has to find his wife in the middle of a major snow storm with heavy fog. There is plenty of drama in this story and it kept me completely enthralled. I don't want to give anything away but this is another one of those fabulous endings that I just LOVED.
On the whole I loved Carrie, Raylene, Christine, and Grace. As I said I think Grace was probably my favorite story, but they are all wonderful. I love Christmas stories, I love small town romances, and Lori Wilde has yet again created several wonderful stories that kept turning the pages quickly.
If you are like me and enjoy Christmas stories and small town romances or either one, I think you should check this one out. I think you will really enjoy all 4 stories contained in this collection. So what are you waiting for click the link and get your copy ordered!
I was given the opportunity to read this book to share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my pleasure to share my thoughts with you on the wonderful Christmas story.
First of all if you have read a lot of my reviews you know that I love Christmas stories. I'll read a good Christmas story in the middle of July given the chance. However when it gets to be this time of year and I am given the chance to read a Christmas story, I am beyond ecstatic. Ireally enjoy Lori Wilde's work. She has a wonderful talent of creating fun charismatic characters that I just can't help but adore. Then she has set these wonderful characters in a small town! Yet another one of my favorite types of stories! So we have a WONDERFUL Christmas theme, we have Lori Wilde whom I am a huge fan of, and a couple of small town romance stories all in one book. I think to say I loved this book it putting it mildly. OK now I'll tell you a little bit about each story in the FABULOUS book.
Carrie The Christmas Cookie Chronicles #1: When Carrie's first love Mark Leland returns to twilight, it throws Carrie's world into chaos. Mark is in town to film a Myth Busters reality show. I loved that the town has so many sweethearts that have been together since high school. However the show is in town to disprove this theory of high school sweethearts staying together due to a wish in a fountain. I really liked Carrie she is just trying to get through the holiday season and not end up spending time with Mark when he is in town. However when these two are together there is no doubt they still have feeling for each other. There is a lot of drama over the TV Show and a really nice reunion romance story with Carrie and Mark.
Raylene The Christmas Cookie Chronicles #2: Raylene Pringle and her husband Earl are separated due to the secret that Raylene kept all these years. She had a baby girl that she gave up at birth. Earl doesn't take the news well and disappears. Raylene is having a tough holiday season. When Shannon shows up to answer the help wanted sign Raylene hires her and offers her a place to live. There's a little more to Shannon's story then she reveals right away. I loved the romance between Shannon and Nate Deavers. Nate really is just an all around good guy. He is exactly the type of guy Shannon needs after what her ex put her through. I don't want to tell you too much here. I'm just going to say that I love this story and I adored the end. This was one of those feel good Christmas stories for me.
Christine The Christmas Cookie Chronicles #3: Christine receives some disappointing news and she is just not in the HO HO HO holiday spirit this year. That is until an old friend from high school, Eli Borden, walks in the door. He is in need of a birthday cake for his daughter. However after meeting Christine again he finds he wants more then just a birthday cake. These two have a wonderful chemistry together. Eli has his hands full with 4 children at home. When Christine first meets Eli's children, things do not go well. Can Christine and the Eli find a way to blend their lives together to get that that happily ever after that all Twilight residents are finding with their high school loves?
Grace The Christmas Cookie Chronicles #4: I have to admit that Grace was probably my favorite story in this book. Flynn and Jesse Calloway have both had sad things happen in their past. However now they are expecting a brand new bundle of joy. I have to admit that once I started this story there was no putting it down. Once the snow storm started I knew major drama was on the way. Flynn is stranded in the car and very much in labor. Jesse has to find his wife in the middle of a major snow storm with heavy fog. There is plenty of drama in this story and it kept me completely enthralled. I don't want to give anything away but this is another one of those fabulous endings that I just LOVED.
On the whole I loved Carrie, Raylene, Christine, and Grace. As I said I think Grace was probably my favorite story, but they are all wonderful. I love Christmas stories, I love small town romances, and Lori Wilde has yet again created several wonderful stories that kept turning the pages quickly.
If you are like me and enjoy Christmas stories and small town romances or either one, I think you should check this one out. I think you will really enjoy all 4 stories contained in this collection. So what are you waiting for click the link and get your copy ordered!
I was given the opportunity to read this book to share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my pleasure to share my thoughts with you on the wonderful Christmas story.
November 6, 2013
The author sent me a copy of the book for my honest review. What an amazing book for the Christmas season. Great addition to the Twilight season. Their are four short stories in the book each about four different women in Twilight, Texas. The book will make you laugh and cry. It is a heartwarming book that you will want to read every Christmas season. A perfect stocking stuffer. I loved all four stories and if you asked me which one is my favorite I would have to say all of them. Thanks Lori Wilde for my copy of the book.
October 27, 2013
Lori Wilde has done it again. This books makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time.The story takes you back to Twilight,TX. You get to visit with 4 of her beloved characters Carrie,Raylene,Christine and Flynn. You feel like your apart of the Twilight family.If you want to read a great Christmas tale this book is for you. Once you start reading it you can't put it down.
October 29, 2013
Review coming on Wednesday as part of Tour.
Lori Wilde writes heartfelt romance with a Christmas theme that keeps you turning pages long into the night, with laughter and tears!!
Lori Wilde writes heartfelt romance with a Christmas theme that keeps you turning pages long into the night, with laughter and tears!!
January 17, 2016
By: Lori Wilde
Published By: Avon
Age Recommended: New Adult - Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Book Blog For: NOR
Review:
"The Christmas Cookie Collection" by Lori Wilde was truly four beautifully written stories that all had the 'Christmas Theme.'
Story one was of Carrie Mac Gregor ...
The story starts with Carrie displaying that she hated Christmas. In Twilight, Texas Carrie owned the Yarn Burn store and its was close to Thanksgiving. What will her life take on as the knitting club ('gossipy knitters') would be in her shop soon. Did they have something in mind for dear Carrie during this holiday? Who was Mark Leland who was returning to the town to take own a 'Fact or Fiction myth buster show(Reality Show?)' Once they had been so "smitten enough to run off to Vegas...but it was one dumb weekend out of their life." What had they once meant to each other? Was there any truth to the 'legend of Jon Grant and Rebekka Nash? Who ever thought that 'Twilight's sweetheart legend...if you throw a penny into the fountain and which for it you'll be reunited with your HS sweetheart. Did Carrie still have a attraction for Mark? This novella was a good romantic story that you will have to pick up to see what will happen between Carrie and Mark. In the end will Carrie love Christmas? Check out this read to find out.
Story two was of Raylene Pringle who had once been a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader...now owed the Horny Toad Bar(country and western bar). Once married to Earl, but he "found out about something in her past that she neglected to tell him and so...he left on Christmas eve." What was this secret that Earl had discovered after thirty-five years? Raylene had lied to Earl about money she had received ... they had wed and now it seemed like there marriage was over because he was gone. Now it seemed like Raylene 'was in limbo, waiting for the love of her life to return.' Raylene needed to go on with her life because she wasn't taking care of herself...'she made no decisions' and her business was not being taken care of properly because she was trying to do it all by herself. Yes, she needed help. However, their was Nate Deavers who was from the 'war Seal' who had become friends with Raylene and offered to hang her Christmas decorations for her. Was divorce in Raylene future? So, she thought maybe with the Christmas holiday coming she needed a plan of action...'forward motion.' As the read continues Shannon Dugan shows up at the 'Horny Toad Tavern.' Who was Shannon? What secrets did she have? Now, to get the rest of the good novella you will have to pick up this read. Be ready for mystery and secrets and even some 'steamy sex scenes' that will be revealed in the interesting read.
Story three was of Christine Noble was the owner of the town's local Twilight Bakery and she had created a special cookie from her own creation as she had done many times during this time of Christmas. It was "the right combination of chewy crispness...And pretty darn tasty." With all of this was she happy?
Christine was spending the holidays without her parents due to the fact they were visiting her brother and his family in Europe. Christine had stay behind due to a wedding cake she had to prepare for a 'Christmas Eve Wedding.' Her cat 'Cocoa had just died and lastly she had received some bad news from her specialist. What was this?...You will have to find out by picking up this wonderful read. So, we find Christine was putting everything into her bakery to take her mind off of the troubling things that surrounded her life. Thank God for her friends that came into her shop to help cheer Christine up. Would this be enough to keep her from feeling sorry for herself? Had Christine suffered...due to accident he had a permanent limp...giving up one thing she loved most....and now...life just seemed so unfair.
Eli Borden, a widower, with four children from Jubilee, Texas was looking for the best cake for his daughter Sierra's birthday and was lead to the 'Twilight Baker' which was a half hour drive from his place. Would you know that the owner of this bakery was a HS friend that 'he'd once kiss behind the school gym two day before his family moved to Jubilee. Who would have thought Eli would see her again..."she was a sweet blast from the past." Would she remember him? Yes! Now after sixteen years he now talking to Christine...just like old times. Was there 'physical attraction' between these two coming to the surface? Eli had "walked into her bakery swaggering back into her life and she was feeling all those complicated feelings again." Now, how would Christine send Christmas?
Christine realized that she had 'two choices...allow sadness and loneliness to overwhelm her, or put one foot in front of the other and move on." As for Eli after seeking Christine after sixteen years...had 'feeling come galloping back?
To get it all you will have to pick up this read to see what was in store for Eli as he pursues Chrissy. Was this something "magical...fate... and Destiny? I really enjoyed this novel by this author and I am sure you will too!
Book four was of Flynn and Jesse with a baby(Grace) soon to be born were celebrating a Christmas...thing were tight for them but they were determine to make it... she had purchased a tree and put on a ornament that her mother had given her...however, it had fallen and was broken up into many pieces...Flynn was having a hard time at it because she was missing her mother who had died of ALS. Now, she and her husband were out delivering Christmas Angels gifts 'to the less fortunate before the weather got to bad. For Jesse things had once been bad for him..."sending ten years in prison, even for a crime he hadn't committed." But know things were different he was not only a husband but soon to be a father...a Dad. But before this would happen...this is where I say you must pick up this good read to see what all with happen as Grace arrives.
Wow! this was some good reading of four Christmas novella's that once you started reading you will continue on to the next one. This is a smooth read where one read will lead you into the next one. In the end you have a beautiful read of four well written Christmas story of a Christmas season in the town of Twilight, Texas where you will find all of the characters so well developed and to very intriguing. it may seem that you know some of them. Would I recommend "The Christmas Cookie Collection?" YES!!!
November 17, 2013
I loved each of these wonderful stories which is the perfect romance collection for the holiday season. Each of these stories revolves around a member of the Christmas Cookie Club that are having a hard time around the holidays due to losing someone that they truly cared about or have yet to find their true love.
The first story involves Carrie who hates the holidays because her high school sweetheart, Mark, left her after having their marriage annulled eight years ago. She never has gotten over the pain of that event and has recently found out that a reality television show is coming to Twilight to prove that their first love legend is only fiction. To Carrie’s horror, she learns that the host of Fact or Fiction will be in Twilight as well and is none other than her ex-boyfriend, Mark.
Mark has never gotten over his relationship with his high school sweetheart, Carrie and is hoping that coming to Twilight will help him finally get over her or to make amends. He never expected the feelings that he had for her to come rushing back to him the moment he laid eyes on her. The only thing is that Carrie wants nothing to do with him and is avoiding him at every turn. Can he convince her to give their love another chance?
This was one of my favorite stories out of all of them. Carrie never has gotten over the love of her life and the holiday season only reminds her of what she had lost. They married right after high school and Carrie ended the relationship after learning that Mark was accepted to a big college and she never wanted to stand in the way of him pursuing his dreams. She didn’t want him to stay in Twilight if he had the opportunity for bigger and better things just because he was with her. Very sweet story and I loved that they never stopped caring for each other and that love will always find a way.
The second story involves Raylene, the owner of the Horny Toad Tavern, who is just as bitter about the holidays as Carrie. Raylene is having a hard time around Christmas because her husband left her a year ago after learning that she had a child before they were together and she had given that child to the wealthy grandparent’s of the father. She has never forgiven herself for that decision and now she has lost the only man that she has ever loved.
A mysterious young woman comes into town and ends up on Raylene’s doorstep looking for a job but is really there for a different reason. Shannon Dugan has come to Twilight to learn more about the mother that had left her behind and see if she can build a relationship with the only remaining family that she has left. Shannon gets more than she bargained for when she meets Nate Deavers, a man that would do anything to show Shannon that family isn’t the only thing that she can have while she is Twilight. Shannon now has the opportunity to make a home in Twilight and find that everything that she has ever wanted has been waiting for her in this small Texas town.
I think that Raylene’s story was the best because it dealt with two people finding something that they had always been searching for. Raylene never forgave herself for giving Shannon to her paternal grandparents because she felt that since they were wealthy they could provide her with a better life. Shannon grew up with a silver spoon but never really had the love that she needed from her grandparents and recently had her heart broken from a two-timing con man. I loved Nate in this story because once he saw Shannon, that was it for him. It was love at first sight and he treaded carefully as to not scare her away from the possibility of a relationship with him. Shannon was afraid to love again after her last disastrous relationship but I loved how caring and considerate Nate was with her. Was so glad that everyone found their happy ending in this story and Raylene was able to find the love that she once thought that she had lost.
The third story is Carrie’s and it was a cute one. Carrie has always been wanting a family of her own but after a car accident as a teenager, she learned that she could never have a child. This fact prevented her from having a true relationship because the jerks that she dated before ran when they learned that she would never be able to conceive. Happy with her successful bakery, Carrie yearns for something more when Eli walks into her shop one day. Eli, is a face from her past, a high school crush that she never forgot about and neither did he.
Eli is a widower raising four kids of his own and has heard great things about the bakery in Twilight. So he entered Carrie’s bakery on a mission to have her make a birthday cake for his teenage daughter, never expecting to find the girl that he once kissed behind the high school bleachers working there. The two of them have a second chance at love but have to face a few obstacles along the way. Great story but I would have loved their story to be just a little bit longer.
The last story in this collection is called Grace and involves Jesse and Flynn Calloway. On Christmas Eve, they venture out into the snowy night to bring presents to a family who wouldn’t have much of a Christmas otherwise. Flynn is nine months pregnant with their first child and could give birth at any time so they try to rush home so Flynn won’t be out in the cold for very long. On the way home, Flynn and Jesse get separated and Flynn is involved in a car accident and Jesse will do whatever it takes to get to his wife and unborn child. Very short tale but the perfect ending for this collection.
Lori Wilde is a great writer and knows how to write fabulous small town romances that will tug at your heart strings. I love her Twilight, Texas series and I think that The Christmas Cookie Collection will be a book that you can read over and over again this holiday season.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The first story involves Carrie who hates the holidays because her high school sweetheart, Mark, left her after having their marriage annulled eight years ago. She never has gotten over the pain of that event and has recently found out that a reality television show is coming to Twilight to prove that their first love legend is only fiction. To Carrie’s horror, she learns that the host of Fact or Fiction will be in Twilight as well and is none other than her ex-boyfriend, Mark.
Mark has never gotten over his relationship with his high school sweetheart, Carrie and is hoping that coming to Twilight will help him finally get over her or to make amends. He never expected the feelings that he had for her to come rushing back to him the moment he laid eyes on her. The only thing is that Carrie wants nothing to do with him and is avoiding him at every turn. Can he convince her to give their love another chance?
This was one of my favorite stories out of all of them. Carrie never has gotten over the love of her life and the holiday season only reminds her of what she had lost. They married right after high school and Carrie ended the relationship after learning that Mark was accepted to a big college and she never wanted to stand in the way of him pursuing his dreams. She didn’t want him to stay in Twilight if he had the opportunity for bigger and better things just because he was with her. Very sweet story and I loved that they never stopped caring for each other and that love will always find a way.
The second story involves Raylene, the owner of the Horny Toad Tavern, who is just as bitter about the holidays as Carrie. Raylene is having a hard time around Christmas because her husband left her a year ago after learning that she had a child before they were together and she had given that child to the wealthy grandparent’s of the father. She has never forgiven herself for that decision and now she has lost the only man that she has ever loved.
A mysterious young woman comes into town and ends up on Raylene’s doorstep looking for a job but is really there for a different reason. Shannon Dugan has come to Twilight to learn more about the mother that had left her behind and see if she can build a relationship with the only remaining family that she has left. Shannon gets more than she bargained for when she meets Nate Deavers, a man that would do anything to show Shannon that family isn’t the only thing that she can have while she is Twilight. Shannon now has the opportunity to make a home in Twilight and find that everything that she has ever wanted has been waiting for her in this small Texas town.
I think that Raylene’s story was the best because it dealt with two people finding something that they had always been searching for. Raylene never forgave herself for giving Shannon to her paternal grandparents because she felt that since they were wealthy they could provide her with a better life. Shannon grew up with a silver spoon but never really had the love that she needed from her grandparents and recently had her heart broken from a two-timing con man. I loved Nate in this story because once he saw Shannon, that was it for him. It was love at first sight and he treaded carefully as to not scare her away from the possibility of a relationship with him. Shannon was afraid to love again after her last disastrous relationship but I loved how caring and considerate Nate was with her. Was so glad that everyone found their happy ending in this story and Raylene was able to find the love that she once thought that she had lost.
The third story is Carrie’s and it was a cute one. Carrie has always been wanting a family of her own but after a car accident as a teenager, she learned that she could never have a child. This fact prevented her from having a true relationship because the jerks that she dated before ran when they learned that she would never be able to conceive. Happy with her successful bakery, Carrie yearns for something more when Eli walks into her shop one day. Eli, is a face from her past, a high school crush that she never forgot about and neither did he.
Eli is a widower raising four kids of his own and has heard great things about the bakery in Twilight. So he entered Carrie’s bakery on a mission to have her make a birthday cake for his teenage daughter, never expecting to find the girl that he once kissed behind the high school bleachers working there. The two of them have a second chance at love but have to face a few obstacles along the way. Great story but I would have loved their story to be just a little bit longer.
The last story in this collection is called Grace and involves Jesse and Flynn Calloway. On Christmas Eve, they venture out into the snowy night to bring presents to a family who wouldn’t have much of a Christmas otherwise. Flynn is nine months pregnant with their first child and could give birth at any time so they try to rush home so Flynn won’t be out in the cold for very long. On the way home, Flynn and Jesse get separated and Flynn is involved in a car accident and Jesse will do whatever it takes to get to his wife and unborn child. Very short tale but the perfect ending for this collection.
Lori Wilde is a great writer and knows how to write fabulous small town romances that will tug at your heart strings. I love her Twilight, Texas series and I think that The Christmas Cookie Collection will be a book that you can read over and over again this holiday season.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2014
There's a legend in Twilight, Texas. It says that if on Christmas you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your one true love, he will be your destiny. — Carrie, Raylene, Christine, and Flynn are all members of the Christmas Cookie Club. Each has a story to tell, and each discovers the miracles of the season and the power of love.
Carrie: Reconnects with her high school sweetheart . . .the only man she's ever loved.
The town myth is that if you throw a penny in the fountain you'll be reunited with your high school sweetheart. Carrie and her sweetheart Mark eloped to Vegas, but annulled the marriage right after they got home. Mark went off to college, promising that he'd come back for her and never spoke to her again. Carrie stayed in Twilight and runs the local yarn store. She hates Christmas because that's when her mother died and also when Mark left. Now he's a big Hollywood celebrity hosting a reality show. He's on his way to Twilight to do a segment on the town myth. Seeing him again makes Carrie realize that she had never stopped loving him, but she isn't so sure about risking her heart again. I liked the way that she pushed back against his Hollywood charm and pointed out that he wasn't following the dreams that he'd had. Mark had never been back to Twilight but seeing Carrie again reminds him of all the good things about his hometown. He realizes that he wants another chance with Carrie if she'll just trust him this time. I ended up really liking Mark. In spite of the director wanting to totally trash the myth, Mark stood up for the town and for Carrie. I liked the way that he went after what he wanted.
Raylene: Discovers that the daughter she gave away at birth is living right in Twilight . . .
Raylene own the local bar and ran it with her husband Earl until he walked out on her the year before. He found out that she had had a child that she gave up for adoption when her previous in-laws paid her to go away. He wasn't mad about the baby, he was angry that she had kept it secret from him. Now she just doesn't seem to care about anything except wondering if Earl will ever come back. She has also thought about that baby girl every day since she gave her up. Then a young woman comes to the bar looking for a job. Raylene gives her a job as a waitress and lets her stay in the upstairs apartment. She gets the feeling the young woman is hiding something, but she doesn't push. There's something about her that calls to Raylene. I loved seeing her connect with Shannon. Raylene got a couple of Christmas wishes granted by the end.
Shannon had found out the truth about her adoption earlier in the year, but she was recovering from her divorce. The man she had married was a con artist who stole almost everything Shannon had. Now she wants to confront her mother and find out the truth of what happened. She decides to take the job at the bar to get to know Raylene first. She connects pretty quickly with Raylene and finds that there are many similarities between them. She also discovers that she feels far more at home in Twilight than she ever did in New York. Shannon also encounters Nate, a former Navy SEAL with issues of his own. He's immediately smitten with Shannon and works hard to court her. He knows she has trust issues because of what her ex did, but he has the patience to wait her out. I really liked all the sweet dates he took her on.
Christine: Has given up on love . . . until the man of her dreams walks through her shop door.
My favorite of the stories. Christine owns the Twilight Bakery and makes wonderful cakes and cookies. Her love of baking gave her something to focus on after she was in a car accident that ended her Olympic dreams. That accident also took away her ability to have children, ending her dreams of having a family of her own. Then a blast from her past comes through the bakery door. Eli was her crush when they were in high school. Now he is a widower with four kids and he needs a birthday cake for his oldest daughter. Even though they haven't seen each other in sixteen years their connection is immediate. I loved the way that Eli didn't waste any time asking her out. Their date was really sweet and I loved seeing how compatible they were. There was also some pretty good heat between them, though they worried that their relationship was moving too quickly. I loved how quickly three of Eli's kids took to Christine. The oldest daughter was a pill, but completely believable in her attitude. It was great to see Eli and Christine talk out their expectations and move on in a realistic way.
Grace: It's Christmas Eve and Flynn and Jesse Calloway are thrilled to be expecting a new baby. Then Flynn's car hits a patch of ice, and Jesse must move earth . . . and heaven . . .to save her and their unborn child.
Flynn and Jesse are preparing for their first Christmas and the arrival of their baby. Things haven't been easy for them since Jesse was released from a prison sentence for a crime he didn't commit. Finances are really tight as Flynn is going to college and Jesse is trying to get his business back up after a fire. But they know that they can handle anything as long as they're together. When they go out delivering Christmas to a poor family, Jesse gets caught up in some trouble. He sends Flynn on home while he straightens things out, but she isn't there when he arrives home. An ice storm had hit earlier than expected and she slid off the road. To top it all off she went into labor, alone in the fog. With the help of a dog who appeared at his house, Jesse goes off in search of Flynn, arriving in the nick of time. It was so sweet to see how nervous he was about being a father and how happy he was when the baby arrived.
Carrie: Reconnects with her high school sweetheart . . .the only man she's ever loved.
The town myth is that if you throw a penny in the fountain you'll be reunited with your high school sweetheart. Carrie and her sweetheart Mark eloped to Vegas, but annulled the marriage right after they got home. Mark went off to college, promising that he'd come back for her and never spoke to her again. Carrie stayed in Twilight and runs the local yarn store. She hates Christmas because that's when her mother died and also when Mark left. Now he's a big Hollywood celebrity hosting a reality show. He's on his way to Twilight to do a segment on the town myth. Seeing him again makes Carrie realize that she had never stopped loving him, but she isn't so sure about risking her heart again. I liked the way that she pushed back against his Hollywood charm and pointed out that he wasn't following the dreams that he'd had. Mark had never been back to Twilight but seeing Carrie again reminds him of all the good things about his hometown. He realizes that he wants another chance with Carrie if she'll just trust him this time. I ended up really liking Mark. In spite of the director wanting to totally trash the myth, Mark stood up for the town and for Carrie. I liked the way that he went after what he wanted.
Raylene: Discovers that the daughter she gave away at birth is living right in Twilight . . .
Raylene own the local bar and ran it with her husband Earl until he walked out on her the year before. He found out that she had had a child that she gave up for adoption when her previous in-laws paid her to go away. He wasn't mad about the baby, he was angry that she had kept it secret from him. Now she just doesn't seem to care about anything except wondering if Earl will ever come back. She has also thought about that baby girl every day since she gave her up. Then a young woman comes to the bar looking for a job. Raylene gives her a job as a waitress and lets her stay in the upstairs apartment. She gets the feeling the young woman is hiding something, but she doesn't push. There's something about her that calls to Raylene. I loved seeing her connect with Shannon. Raylene got a couple of Christmas wishes granted by the end.
Shannon had found out the truth about her adoption earlier in the year, but she was recovering from her divorce. The man she had married was a con artist who stole almost everything Shannon had. Now she wants to confront her mother and find out the truth of what happened. She decides to take the job at the bar to get to know Raylene first. She connects pretty quickly with Raylene and finds that there are many similarities between them. She also discovers that she feels far more at home in Twilight than she ever did in New York. Shannon also encounters Nate, a former Navy SEAL with issues of his own. He's immediately smitten with Shannon and works hard to court her. He knows she has trust issues because of what her ex did, but he has the patience to wait her out. I really liked all the sweet dates he took her on.
Christine: Has given up on love . . . until the man of her dreams walks through her shop door.
My favorite of the stories. Christine owns the Twilight Bakery and makes wonderful cakes and cookies. Her love of baking gave her something to focus on after she was in a car accident that ended her Olympic dreams. That accident also took away her ability to have children, ending her dreams of having a family of her own. Then a blast from her past comes through the bakery door. Eli was her crush when they were in high school. Now he is a widower with four kids and he needs a birthday cake for his oldest daughter. Even though they haven't seen each other in sixteen years their connection is immediate. I loved the way that Eli didn't waste any time asking her out. Their date was really sweet and I loved seeing how compatible they were. There was also some pretty good heat between them, though they worried that their relationship was moving too quickly. I loved how quickly three of Eli's kids took to Christine. The oldest daughter was a pill, but completely believable in her attitude. It was great to see Eli and Christine talk out their expectations and move on in a realistic way.
Grace: It's Christmas Eve and Flynn and Jesse Calloway are thrilled to be expecting a new baby. Then Flynn's car hits a patch of ice, and Jesse must move earth . . . and heaven . . .to save her and their unborn child.
Flynn and Jesse are preparing for their first Christmas and the arrival of their baby. Things haven't been easy for them since Jesse was released from a prison sentence for a crime he didn't commit. Finances are really tight as Flynn is going to college and Jesse is trying to get his business back up after a fire. But they know that they can handle anything as long as they're together. When they go out delivering Christmas to a poor family, Jesse gets caught up in some trouble. He sends Flynn on home while he straightens things out, but she isn't there when he arrives home. An ice storm had hit earlier than expected and she slid off the road. To top it all off she went into labor, alone in the fog. With the help of a dog who appeared at his house, Jesse goes off in search of Flynn, arriving in the nick of time. It was so sweet to see how nervous he was about being a father and how happy he was when the baby arrived.
November 23, 2019
This collect of romance novellas takes place in the town of Twilight, Texas. The book has four major stories and a final short story that completes the first story of Flynn the daughter of Raylene in the second novella. All are members of the Christmas Cookie Club and the knitting club who work to see that less fortunate families have a Christmas.
December 20, 2017
First two stories were great for me. Good characters, good conflict and all of that. The last two seemed to have underdeveloped conflict. I just don't buy into the "I'm infertile so no man could ever want me!" situation. I do understand being disappointed you could never have children, but few men will walk away for that reason and that reason alone.
And the last story was cute, but... I just don't know.
Regardless, Twighlight is a town I'd enjoy reading more from.
And the last story was cute, but... I just don't know.
Regardless, Twighlight is a town I'd enjoy reading more from.
November 5, 2013
Lori Wilde brings us a collection of stories in one. This is a story about the women of Twilight, Texas. Twilight has a long history of romance and legend tells that if you throw a coin into the fountain you will find true love and live happily ever after. The well developed characters are strong and very lovable and each woman has her own story to tell. Each and everyone has made mistakes at one point or other and must come to terms with there mistake and figure out how to make it right.
A few days before Thanksgiving Carrie learns that her one true love Mark is coming back to town after many years absence. She and Mark were high school sweethearts who impulsively ran off to Vegas and got married. 48 hours later when confronted with real life issues Carrie claims their marriage was a mistake and wants the marriage annulled. Mark was extremely hurt and angry so he accepted a scholarship to college, but never looked back. Carrie, knowing this was Mark's only chance at college, sacrificed her happiness for him. She has forged a life for herself in Twilight, always regretting the decision to let him go. Will their reunion be one of happiness or rather one of anger?
Raylene, is a feisty 60 year old woman who has both loved and lost in her life. When she was 6 years old and Earl pushed her down on the playground, he also stole her heart. Their young romance has always been a rocky one and during their last break up she has a heartbreaking experience that will haunt her. After all the years she and Earl have been married she finally confesses her secret. In a fit of anger Earl leaves and she hasn't heard from him in a year. She loves Earl and wants to explain her turmoil to him. Will she find Earl or will she forever wonder what has become of her soul mate?
Christine is a young woman who's hopes and dreams are forever shattered. She experienced tragedy in high school when hit by a car where she sustained numerous injuries. After several surgeries and a lengthy rehabilitation she is left with an exaggerated limp. She feels the men in her life have always judged her based on her disability and all she really craves is someone to love her and a family of her own. In to her shop walks Eli, a boy she knew in high school and her first kiss. Eli, a widow and father of 4, immediately recognized Christine from high school, but was surprised that they remembered one another. Could Eli be the one she was looking for and could he overlook her disabilities? Was this her chance to have it all or would it just be another reunion of friends?
Then there is Flynn, Carrie's older sister. In high school, Flynn fell in love with the bad boy from the wrong side of town. Even after he was arrested and sent to prison, Flynn loved him and believed in him, but was afraid her happily ever after was not going to happen. 10 years later important facts came to light and Jesse was exonerated of all charges. Jesse returned to Twilight and marries Flynn. They are living their dream and expecting a child. On Christmas eve an unexpected ice storm hits the area, Flynn returning home from delivering gifts to the needy hits a patch of ice and the car begins to slide. With no control over the car, her first thoughts are of her unborn child and Jesse. When he arrives home to find it empty and the terrible weather outside he worries where Flynn could be. Prompted by his worry for Flynn and their child he leaves the house in search of Flynn. Where could Flynn be? Was she somewhere hurt and needing help?
As I said each have their own story to tell-4 different stories with 4 different endings. This is a story of love, courage and faith.
I was given this book for an open, honest review without any influence from outside factors.
A few days before Thanksgiving Carrie learns that her one true love Mark is coming back to town after many years absence. She and Mark were high school sweethearts who impulsively ran off to Vegas and got married. 48 hours later when confronted with real life issues Carrie claims their marriage was a mistake and wants the marriage annulled. Mark was extremely hurt and angry so he accepted a scholarship to college, but never looked back. Carrie, knowing this was Mark's only chance at college, sacrificed her happiness for him. She has forged a life for herself in Twilight, always regretting the decision to let him go. Will their reunion be one of happiness or rather one of anger?
Raylene, is a feisty 60 year old woman who has both loved and lost in her life. When she was 6 years old and Earl pushed her down on the playground, he also stole her heart. Their young romance has always been a rocky one and during their last break up she has a heartbreaking experience that will haunt her. After all the years she and Earl have been married she finally confesses her secret. In a fit of anger Earl leaves and she hasn't heard from him in a year. She loves Earl and wants to explain her turmoil to him. Will she find Earl or will she forever wonder what has become of her soul mate?
Christine is a young woman who's hopes and dreams are forever shattered. She experienced tragedy in high school when hit by a car where she sustained numerous injuries. After several surgeries and a lengthy rehabilitation she is left with an exaggerated limp. She feels the men in her life have always judged her based on her disability and all she really craves is someone to love her and a family of her own. In to her shop walks Eli, a boy she knew in high school and her first kiss. Eli, a widow and father of 4, immediately recognized Christine from high school, but was surprised that they remembered one another. Could Eli be the one she was looking for and could he overlook her disabilities? Was this her chance to have it all or would it just be another reunion of friends?
Then there is Flynn, Carrie's older sister. In high school, Flynn fell in love with the bad boy from the wrong side of town. Even after he was arrested and sent to prison, Flynn loved him and believed in him, but was afraid her happily ever after was not going to happen. 10 years later important facts came to light and Jesse was exonerated of all charges. Jesse returned to Twilight and marries Flynn. They are living their dream and expecting a child. On Christmas eve an unexpected ice storm hits the area, Flynn returning home from delivering gifts to the needy hits a patch of ice and the car begins to slide. With no control over the car, her first thoughts are of her unborn child and Jesse. When he arrives home to find it empty and the terrible weather outside he worries where Flynn could be. Prompted by his worry for Flynn and their child he leaves the house in search of Flynn. Where could Flynn be? Was she somewhere hurt and needing help?
As I said each have their own story to tell-4 different stories with 4 different endings. This is a story of love, courage and faith.
I was given this book for an open, honest review without any influence from outside factors.
November 2, 2013
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
This book contains four stories that take place in Twilight, Texas. I really enjoyed the stories, but I think my favorite of the four was Raylene. Twilight sounds like a really nice town and enjoys a lot of tourism because of the Sweetheart legend.
Twilight, Texas - town lore says that if you threw a penny in the fountain at Sweetheart Park that you would forever be reunited with your high school sweetheart and live happily ever after. Legend also has it that if you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow on Christmas and dream of your one true love, he will be your destiny.
Carrie: Eight years ago, two days after Christmas when Carrie and Mark returned from their impulsive wedding in Las Vegas, they discovered that Mark had been accepted to Columbia and they decided they had made a mistake and had the marriage annulled. That was eight years ago and Carrie hasn't heard from Mark since. Now a reality show is coming to twilight to try to debunk the Sweetheart myth and the host is none other than Mark.
Raylene: Raylene and Earl had been sweethearts since first grade. and even though they'd broken up and made up numerous times, they'd finally gotten married. Then last Christmas Raylene told Earl a terribly secret she'd been harboring for thirty-five years and Earl left and she hasn't heard from him since. Raylene now runs their bar the Horny Toad alone and lost without Earl. And then Shannon applies for a job.
Christine: Christine was once an Olympic hopeful until a horrible accident. Now she owns the Twilight Bakery and does very well for herself. But this Christmas her cat has just died and she's had some other bad news. Then Eli Borden walks in to order a cake for his oldest daughters birthday. They'd shared one kiss in high school when she was a sophomore and he a senior and then Eli's family had moved away from Twilight.
Grace: Jessie spent 10 years in prison, framed, but it was never proven so he did his time. Now he and Flynn are finally married and expecting their first child. Just before Christmas when they're delivering Christmas to an underprivileged family, they are on their way home in the middle of an ice storm when they're stopped by the police and Jessie is taken into the police station for violating his parole and Flynn is sent home. When Jessie returns home, Flynn isn't there and he goes out to try to find her.
This book contains four stories that take place in Twilight, Texas. I really enjoyed the stories, but I think my favorite of the four was Raylene. Twilight sounds like a really nice town and enjoys a lot of tourism because of the Sweetheart legend.
Twilight, Texas - town lore says that if you threw a penny in the fountain at Sweetheart Park that you would forever be reunited with your high school sweetheart and live happily ever after. Legend also has it that if you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow on Christmas and dream of your one true love, he will be your destiny.
Carrie: Eight years ago, two days after Christmas when Carrie and Mark returned from their impulsive wedding in Las Vegas, they discovered that Mark had been accepted to Columbia and they decided they had made a mistake and had the marriage annulled. That was eight years ago and Carrie hasn't heard from Mark since. Now a reality show is coming to twilight to try to debunk the Sweetheart myth and the host is none other than Mark.
Raylene: Raylene and Earl had been sweethearts since first grade. and even though they'd broken up and made up numerous times, they'd finally gotten married. Then last Christmas Raylene told Earl a terribly secret she'd been harboring for thirty-five years and Earl left and she hasn't heard from him since. Raylene now runs their bar the Horny Toad alone and lost without Earl. And then Shannon applies for a job.
Christine: Christine was once an Olympic hopeful until a horrible accident. Now she owns the Twilight Bakery and does very well for herself. But this Christmas her cat has just died and she's had some other bad news. Then Eli Borden walks in to order a cake for his oldest daughters birthday. They'd shared one kiss in high school when she was a sophomore and he a senior and then Eli's family had moved away from Twilight.
Grace: Jessie spent 10 years in prison, framed, but it was never proven so he did his time. Now he and Flynn are finally married and expecting their first child. Just before Christmas when they're delivering Christmas to an underprivileged family, they are on their way home in the middle of an ice storm when they're stopped by the police and Jessie is taken into the police station for violating his parole and Flynn is sent home. When Jessie returns home, Flynn isn't there and he goes out to try to find her.
November 7, 2013
Title: Christmas Cookie Collection
Author: Lori Wilder
I received a copy of Lori Wilder’s new book ‘The Christmas Cookie Collection’ in exchange for an honest review.
If you could be reunited with your high school sweetheart or you first love; would you? Do you believe that there is one special person for everyone? Ms. Wilde takes us back to Twilight, Texas for the holiday season showing us the magic of love. These stories will have you laughing and crying, while feeling the joy and pain of these four women, as they remember what made them fall in love in the first place. Ms. Wilde brings us hope that if we believe things can change. People change…remembering what made them fall in love in the first place only to bring them back to that point again is magic and Ms. Wilde has found of way of showing us that magic in ‘The Christmas Cookie Collection.
On our journey through Twilight we find Carrie and Mark reunited finding that they still love each other. Then there is Raylene and Earl; who have lost their way with secrets. Christine once destined for the Olympics only to have had an accident that has left her with a limp…giving up on the chance for love until fate brings Eli back into her life. The last of the four stories is about Flynn and Jesse (from a previous Twilight Texas book) and a baby for Christmas. Each story is full of heartfelt warmth as they find the love that they had for each other. The characters were so realistic that I would never believe that they were not real. They touched me as I connected with them while going through each of their stories. Magic!!!!!!!
So, grab a plate of holiday cookies along with your choice of beverage. Find a nice comfy place to read and enjoy Christmas, love and friends as you head to Twilight, Texas for Second Chances. You might want to grab a box of tissues (because you will find) yourself crying and laughing along with a penny perhaps…just in case you need a second chance at love.
Author: Lori Wilder
I received a copy of Lori Wilder’s new book ‘The Christmas Cookie Collection’ in exchange for an honest review.
If you could be reunited with your high school sweetheart or you first love; would you? Do you believe that there is one special person for everyone? Ms. Wilde takes us back to Twilight, Texas for the holiday season showing us the magic of love. These stories will have you laughing and crying, while feeling the joy and pain of these four women, as they remember what made them fall in love in the first place. Ms. Wilde brings us hope that if we believe things can change. People change…remembering what made them fall in love in the first place only to bring them back to that point again is magic and Ms. Wilde has found of way of showing us that magic in ‘The Christmas Cookie Collection.
On our journey through Twilight we find Carrie and Mark reunited finding that they still love each other. Then there is Raylene and Earl; who have lost their way with secrets. Christine once destined for the Olympics only to have had an accident that has left her with a limp…giving up on the chance for love until fate brings Eli back into her life. The last of the four stories is about Flynn and Jesse (from a previous Twilight Texas book) and a baby for Christmas. Each story is full of heartfelt warmth as they find the love that they had for each other. The characters were so realistic that I would never believe that they were not real. They touched me as I connected with them while going through each of their stories. Magic!!!!!!!
So, grab a plate of holiday cookies along with your choice of beverage. Find a nice comfy place to read and enjoy Christmas, love and friends as you head to Twilight, Texas for Second Chances. You might want to grab a box of tissues (because you will find) yourself crying and laughing along with a penny perhaps…just in case you need a second chance at love.
September 9, 2016
I received this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked that all the stories were intertwined. The only thing I really have to say on a somewhat negative note is that I would have liked them to all have been longer.
All the stories take place in Twilight, Texas. The town has a legend about two star-crossed lovers that got seperated during the Civil War. They reunited 15 years later at twilight on the banks of the river where the town of Twilight is now located. A statue was erected to honor the couple. Over the years there came to be a rumor that if you threw a penny into the foutain that you would be reunited with your high-school sweetheart.
There are 4 novella's included in this book and they are all very good. They tell the stories of Carrie, Raylene, Christine, & Grace. I like that the characters deal with some trials and tribulations that I can relate to.
All in all, I recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked that all the stories were intertwined. The only thing I really have to say on a somewhat negative note is that I would have liked them to all have been longer.
All the stories take place in Twilight, Texas. The town has a legend about two star-crossed lovers that got seperated during the Civil War. They reunited 15 years later at twilight on the banks of the river where the town of Twilight is now located. A statue was erected to honor the couple. Over the years there came to be a rumor that if you threw a penny into the foutain that you would be reunited with your high-school sweetheart.
There are 4 novella's included in this book and they are all very good. They tell the stories of Carrie, Raylene, Christine, & Grace. I like that the characters deal with some trials and tribulations that I can relate to.
All in all, I recommend this book.
November 13, 2013
The Christmas Cookie Collection contains four wonderful stories of four woman who live in the small town of Twilight, Texas where they live and work and love. They share a bond of the love of Christmas and baking cookies, but their Christmas spirit has dimmed in light of circumstances that have touched their lives throughout the year. But just when they thought no miracles would happen for them in this most blessed time of the year, the legend of the Kismet cookie under your pillow, will make all your Christmas dreams come true and the love of your life will be your one true love..
I so enjoyed reading these wonderful stories. They were so heartwarming and made me grateful for my own wonderful friends. Lori Wilde has the touch to make her readers fall in love with the wonderful people who grace the pages of her books and makes you want to move into the towns they live in.
I so enjoyed reading these wonderful stories. They were so heartwarming and made me grateful for my own wonderful friends. Lori Wilde has the touch to make her readers fall in love with the wonderful people who grace the pages of her books and makes you want to move into the towns they live in.
November 7, 2013
I have always had a soft spot for the Christmas romance novels that come out every year and this year Lori has struck gold with this collection of Christmas love short stories. The Christmas Cookie Collection is four short stories Carrie's story is first and she is reconnected with her high school sweetheart, will she get her happy ever after or will the legend in Twilight, Texas be proven to be nothing more than a tourist trap. Raylene is up next to have her story told and I got to say I really loved her story it had me crying and hoping she gets her happily ever after, then Christine is reunited with the man she had a crush on when she was in high school in the third story of the book and the fourth and final story in the book is Grace. This book was a sweet read that I could read over and over and over again. This is a must read for the holidays and will not disappoint.
September 22, 2013
The Christmas Cookie Collection by Lori Wilde
Release date: October 29, 2013
Reviewed by Reading In Pajamas/ Dawn
Rated: 5 Stars
REVIEW:
I loved everything about this book. Once again Lori Wilde made me like I had been dropped in the middle of Twilight Texas to continue learning about the characters. I enjoyed Carrie, Raylene and Christine's stories. The emotions felt so real I found myself staying up way to late and letting the dishes wait so I could keep reading. I highly recommend this book. This story can be read as a stand alone, but is a wonderful series.
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Release date: October 29, 2013
Reviewed by Reading In Pajamas/ Dawn
Rated: 5 Stars
REVIEW:
I loved everything about this book. Once again Lori Wilde made me like I had been dropped in the middle of Twilight Texas to continue learning about the characters. I enjoyed Carrie, Raylene and Christine's stories. The emotions felt so real I found myself staying up way to late and letting the dishes wait so I could keep reading. I highly recommend this book. This story can be read as a stand alone, but is a wonderful series.
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November 1, 2013
I received this book from a book review club gor free to read and give my honest opinion. this book was fabolous I read all of lori wildes books but this one gets u in the mood for christmas for sure. the book has four seperate women in twilight texas. each woman has a story to tell wbout live. I dont want to ruin the stories for evetyone but I will say this book sucked me in. each of the womans stories I was able to get involved in and felt like thy were my bedt friend while they told their story. I would hughky recommend this book to anyone that enjoys anything Christmas with romance!
November 6, 2013
Lori Wilde's the Christmas Cookie Collection was such a wonderful book. I really enjoyed it from beginning to end. It contains 4 short stories in the book, Carrie, Raylene, Christine and Grace. I enjoyed them all but I think Raylene was my favorite. Each story is fun and touching at the same time. All the stories take place in Twilight, Texas, a wonderful little town where dreams really do come true. I really loved all the quirky characters in the book. If you love a good Christmas book check out this wonderful book. You won't be sorry!!
November 2, 2013
Four great stories to add to the Twilight, TX series. If you haven't read any of Lori's books this series would be a good place to start. She makes you wish you lived in her town. Thanks Lori can't wait for the next story.
"I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a completely HONEST review."
"I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a completely HONEST review."
September 30, 2013
This is a wonderful series all inclusive in one book Lori Wilde writes stories that are not vulgar, you can let your grandma or teen read them. These romances are all set in small town Texas and intertwine the various characters. Set near the Christmas season they are cause for celebration.
November 5, 2013
I got a copy of this book from Lori, as part of her review team. I always love her books & this was no exception. 4 novellas of 2nd chances, each with a different scenario, but all taking place in the same time frame. Each of the heroines had their own brand of pain,but a heartwarming HEA.
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