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Cactus for Christmas
Lucy loves her familiar Christmas traditions. But this year, they' re all thrown out the window when she drops everything to drive across the country to care for her sister in Phoenix, Arizona. So much for a white Christmas!
Between her anxious dog, her sister' s thieving kitten, and a way too attractive ice cream truck driver, will she learn that trying something new might just be what God has planned?
Between her anxious dog, her sister' s thieving kitten, and a way too attractive ice cream truck driver, will she learn that trying something new might just be what God has planned?
114 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2023
1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Karen Malley
15 books114 followersFaith, Encouragement, and Happily-Ever-Afters.
Karen Malley writes Christian fiction with heart, humor, and just enough plot twists to keep you guessing. But don’t worry—she promises a happy ending. By day, she’s a scientist solving real-world problems; on weekends she writes about fictional ones. When she’s not dreaming up new ways to make her characters’ lives interesting, Karen enjoys hiking, reading, and baking things that miraculously don’t turn into science experiments.
A proud left-hander, Karen lives in Pennsylvania with her amazing husband and two sons, all of whom tolerate her habit of narrating life as if it were a novel. A lover of Jesus, peanut butter, and board game nights, Karen believes the best stories are the ones full of hope, faith, and happily-ever-afters.
Karen loves to hear from her readers. You can connect with her on her website: www.KarenMalley.com, where you can sign up for her free weekly short stories! If you'd like to give her writing a try, she has two free books available on her website.
Be sure to follow her on Bookbub!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/karen...
Karen Malley writes Christian fiction with heart, humor, and just enough plot twists to keep you guessing. But don’t worry—she promises a happy ending. By day, she’s a scientist solving real-world problems; on weekends she writes about fictional ones. When she’s not dreaming up new ways to make her characters’ lives interesting, Karen enjoys hiking, reading, and baking things that miraculously don’t turn into science experiments.
A proud left-hander, Karen lives in Pennsylvania with her amazing husband and two sons, all of whom tolerate her habit of narrating life as if it were a novel. A lover of Jesus, peanut butter, and board game nights, Karen believes the best stories are the ones full of hope, faith, and happily-ever-afters.
Karen loves to hear from her readers. You can connect with her on her website: www.KarenMalley.com, where you can sign up for her free weekly short stories! If you'd like to give her writing a try, she has two free books available on her website.
Be sure to follow her on Bookbub!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/karen...
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 6, 2023
You had me at “anxious dog, thieving kitten, and a way too attractive ice cream truck driver.” When the “stowaway” appeared later in the story, I laughed out loud.
Cactus for Christmas is a delight from start to finish. A few pages in, I realized it was also a “silver” romance—both characters over 60—which I have never been particularly drawn to. But I’m sold now.
In a little over a hundred pages, the author has explored family issues on multiple levels, provided a sweet romance, and most importantly, woven beautiful scriptural truths throughout. As a culture, it seems we fight to stay in our comfort zone with our Christmas traditions—certain foods and events—and experience intense disappointment if anything fails to fulfill those expectations. Malley has poignantly illustrated that it’s OK to get out of our comfort zone, and that the joy of Christmas requires just two ingredients, a focus on Jesus, and people.
Five+ stars for this lovely Christmas story.
Cactus for Christmas is a delight from start to finish. A few pages in, I realized it was also a “silver” romance—both characters over 60—which I have never been particularly drawn to. But I’m sold now.
In a little over a hundred pages, the author has explored family issues on multiple levels, provided a sweet romance, and most importantly, woven beautiful scriptural truths throughout. As a culture, it seems we fight to stay in our comfort zone with our Christmas traditions—certain foods and events—and experience intense disappointment if anything fails to fulfill those expectations. Malley has poignantly illustrated that it’s OK to get out of our comfort zone, and that the joy of Christmas requires just two ingredients, a focus on Jesus, and people.
Five+ stars for this lovely Christmas story.
November 29, 2023
Cactus for Christmas
I liked this book about Noah and Lucy who are both single and meet each other when Lucy leaves her home in Pennsylvania to drive cross country to stay with her single sister in Arizona after she fell and broke her hip. Since Lucy's dog, Roscoe, has separation anxiety issues and wouldn't like flying Lucy chooses to drive. Her sister, Isabella, survives her surgery and is happy to have Lucy and Roscoe visiting and plays matchmaker to get her neighbor, Noah, and Lucy together. Isabella has a cat who Roscoe enjoys playing with. I loved the antics of the cat especially with the Christmas tree ornaments. All the characters are people I would enjoy being around. I recommend this book to those who enjoy a clean Christian romance between a late in life couple. I bought this book through a newsletter suggestion and this is my voluntary and honest review.
I liked this book about Noah and Lucy who are both single and meet each other when Lucy leaves her home in Pennsylvania to drive cross country to stay with her single sister in Arizona after she fell and broke her hip. Since Lucy's dog, Roscoe, has separation anxiety issues and wouldn't like flying Lucy chooses to drive. Her sister, Isabella, survives her surgery and is happy to have Lucy and Roscoe visiting and plays matchmaker to get her neighbor, Noah, and Lucy together. Isabella has a cat who Roscoe enjoys playing with. I loved the antics of the cat especially with the Christmas tree ornaments. All the characters are people I would enjoy being around. I recommend this book to those who enjoy a clean Christian romance between a late in life couple. I bought this book through a newsletter suggestion and this is my voluntary and honest review.
November 6, 2023
It's never too late for love.
The title was the first thing that drew me in to this book. And then the story of a second love later in life. When Lucy Esther receives a phone call from her sister’s neighbor, Noah Charles, telling her of her sister’s fall and broken hip, she and her dog Roscoe load up into her car and head across the country from Pennsylvania to Arizona to help her sister convalesce after her surgery. I enjoyed this story because it was a story about a romance between mature adults and about personal growth at any age. The story will appeal to the reader who enjoys books with a strong faith message.
The title was the first thing that drew me in to this book. And then the story of a second love later in life. When Lucy Esther receives a phone call from her sister’s neighbor, Noah Charles, telling her of her sister’s fall and broken hip, she and her dog Roscoe load up into her car and head across the country from Pennsylvania to Arizona to help her sister convalesce after her surgery. I enjoyed this story because it was a story about a romance between mature adults and about personal growth at any age. The story will appeal to the reader who enjoys books with a strong faith message.
December 2, 2023
I loved this later-in-life, second chance at love romance set at Christmastime. Malley writes well rounded characters that you will fall in love with.
When Lucy heads to Arizona to help her sister after surgery, she doesn't expect to find a handsome neighbor. Will Lucy's traditions have her dismissing Arizona and Noah as a future place to live and love?
Noah tries to show Lucy that Christmas in Arizona is where she needs to be. With snow and cacti and togetherness.
Don't miss Malley's latest Christmas love story.
When Lucy heads to Arizona to help her sister after surgery, she doesn't expect to find a handsome neighbor. Will Lucy's traditions have her dismissing Arizona and Noah as a future place to live and love?
Noah tries to show Lucy that Christmas in Arizona is where she needs to be. With snow and cacti and togetherness.
Don't miss Malley's latest Christmas love story.
November 2, 2023
Love at any age
Even seniors listen to their hearts. At 60, “Lucy panicked. She needed to stay away from this man. He was far too dangerous.” (love it!) And Noah. “Was it strange to think this mature woman was adorable?” He drives an ice cream truck. What new adventure is she meant to do, 2,000 miles from home? Good humor, for example, “You’re bringing a cat into a park full of dogs?” God-honoring with a satisfying ending.
Even seniors listen to their hearts. At 60, “Lucy panicked. She needed to stay away from this man. He was far too dangerous.” (love it!) And Noah. “Was it strange to think this mature woman was adorable?” He drives an ice cream truck. What new adventure is she meant to do, 2,000 miles from home? Good humor, for example, “You’re bringing a cat into a park full of dogs?” God-honoring with a satisfying ending.
December 3, 2023
How fun to read a Christmas story set in Arizona - especially since I live there! I enjoyed the characters being older, and how they worked through life's challenges. This is a wonderful story about overcoming obstacles, reconnecting with family and faith, and putting down new roots. A good read for all ages!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2023
a different kind of Christmas
Christmas can still be a amazing, even if we don’t have the traditional peiple and things that we love. When Jesus is in our hearts, we have the greatest gift of all. What a great reminder!
Christmas can still be a amazing, even if we don’t have the traditional peiple and things that we love. When Jesus is in our hearts, we have the greatest gift of all. What a great reminder!
January 2, 2024
I adored this one. A second chance romance, but way more than that. In Cactus for Christmas, Karen Malley proves that love isn't just for people in their 20s. Lucy and Cole have grown families, grandchildren, and still manage to fall in love.
January 26, 2024
Cactus for Christmas book by Karen Malley
This book was an excellent read.
I would highly recommend to anyone ( not just to read at Christmas time).
The story was written in a way to express the true meaning of Christmas and what really matters the most in life.
This book was an excellent read.
I would highly recommend to anyone ( not just to read at Christmas time).
The story was written in a way to express the true meaning of Christmas and what really matters the most in life.
November 17, 2023
A heartwarming story of faith, family, and love. Celebrate Christmas and the true meaning in an unconventional setting. Well worth the read.
December 26, 2023
I liked that this delightful, faith-filled, Christmas-themed romance contained lead characters who were older, proving that romance isn’t just for young people. Lucy is a widow who lives in Pennsylvania. Eventually, she ends up in Arizona for the holidays, where she meets Noah, an ice cream truck driver.
I received a digital ARC of this book with no expectation in return. The opinions and comments above are mine alone.
I received a digital ARC of this book with no expectation in return. The opinions and comments above are mine alone.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews