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Life in Icicle Falls #8
Christmas on Candy Cane Lane
Icicle Falls is the place to be at Christmas…
Everyone's getting ready for Christmas in Icicle Falls, especially on Candy Cane Lane, where holiday decorating is taken very seriously. Tilda Morrison, town cop, is looking forward to celebrating Christmas in her first house… until she discovers that she's expected to "keep up" with the neighbors, including Maddy Donaldson, the inspiration behind the whole extravaganza. But this year, someone's destroying Maddie's precious candy canes! Thank goodness for the cop in their neighborhood.
Tilda already has her hands full trying to sort out her love life and fix up her fixer-upper. Oh, and won't it be fun to have the family over for Christmas dinner? Not really… Then there's her neighbor, Ivy Bohn. As a newly single mom, Ivy can sum up the holiday in two words: Bah, humbug. But she's determined to give her kids a perfect Christmas.
Despite family disasters, irritating ex-husbands and kitchen catastrophes, these three women are going to find out that Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year!
Everyone's getting ready for Christmas in Icicle Falls, especially on Candy Cane Lane, where holiday decorating is taken very seriously. Tilda Morrison, town cop, is looking forward to celebrating Christmas in her first house… until she discovers that she's expected to "keep up" with the neighbors, including Maddy Donaldson, the inspiration behind the whole extravaganza. But this year, someone's destroying Maddie's precious candy canes! Thank goodness for the cop in their neighborhood.
Tilda already has her hands full trying to sort out her love life and fix up her fixer-upper. Oh, and won't it be fun to have the family over for Christmas dinner? Not really… Then there's her neighbor, Ivy Bohn. As a newly single mom, Ivy can sum up the holiday in two words: Bah, humbug. But she's determined to give her kids a perfect Christmas.
Despite family disasters, irritating ex-husbands and kitchen catastrophes, these three women are going to find out that Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year!
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2015
395 people are currently reading
1585 people want to read
About the author
Sheila Roberts
108 books1,982 followersWith fifty books to her credit, both fiction and non-fiction, Sheila Roberts is a frequent USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller - and a fan favorite. Her books have sold over three million copies and have been turned into movies for the Hallmark, Lifetime and Great American Family channels. Before settling into her writing career, Sheila owned a singing telegram company and played in band. When she's not traveling, Sheila can be found hanging out with friends, playing tennis, and, of course, writing and reading. Sometimes she even remembers to post books she's read!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
January 22, 2024
CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE by Sheila Roberts is the eighth book in the Life in Icicle Falls series and it also happens to be the oldest book on my Netgalley pile. It was published in 2015 and after reading it, I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to read it. I have loved this series and the wonderful characters in Icicle Falls. I craved chocolate the whole time I was reading this book! CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE is a sweet read that I devoured in just two days. Sheila has a way of just pulling you into the story and getting you all involved in everyone’s business. I love how romance was found along the way with their troubles but it did not overpower the story. I hope you will be like I was, cheering for these heart warming characters as you keep flipping the pages until you reach the very last one.
Tilda has just bought her first house, a fixer up, on you guessed it, Candy Cane Lane. She is single and a police officer for Icicle Falls. She loves her job, can’t cook even though she purchases a brand new stove, wears Victoria’s Secret lingerie under her uniforms and has a thing for a local bad boy! Oh, one more thing. She’s not a Christmas person! CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE had me reaching for the tissues over and over again. Each chapter of the book starts with pearls of wisdom from Muriel Sterling’s book, Making the Holidays Bright: How to Have a Perfect Christmas. Someone is vandalizing Candy Cane Lane. Can these people stop bickering long enough to solve the mystery?
CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE is filled to the brim with family, new beginnings, love, and hope. It is a wonderful Christmas story. There are a lot of wishes and prayers fulfilled this Christmas season at CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE. This is such a charming place any time of the year, but especially at Christmas. Sheila Roberts brings this picturesque Bavarian town to life with her description of the countryside as well as the quaint shops in town. Her characters are genuine, sincere and original, if not a little eccentric. There are several subplots woven throughout the storyline that lend depth to the novel. You’ll fall in love with both the town and the characters. Put this one on your reading list for good Christmas-themed novels this year. Sit back with some hot chocolate brimming with whipped cream and another wonderful story from Sheila Roberts! This tale is also a delightful Christmas movie I had the pleasure of seeing this past Christmas!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Mira through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Tilda has just bought her first house, a fixer up, on you guessed it, Candy Cane Lane. She is single and a police officer for Icicle Falls. She loves her job, can’t cook even though she purchases a brand new stove, wears Victoria’s Secret lingerie under her uniforms and has a thing for a local bad boy! Oh, one more thing. She’s not a Christmas person! CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE had me reaching for the tissues over and over again. Each chapter of the book starts with pearls of wisdom from Muriel Sterling’s book, Making the Holidays Bright: How to Have a Perfect Christmas. Someone is vandalizing Candy Cane Lane. Can these people stop bickering long enough to solve the mystery?
CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE is filled to the brim with family, new beginnings, love, and hope. It is a wonderful Christmas story. There are a lot of wishes and prayers fulfilled this Christmas season at CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE. This is such a charming place any time of the year, but especially at Christmas. Sheila Roberts brings this picturesque Bavarian town to life with her description of the countryside as well as the quaint shops in town. Her characters are genuine, sincere and original, if not a little eccentric. There are several subplots woven throughout the storyline that lend depth to the novel. You’ll fall in love with both the town and the characters. Put this one on your reading list for good Christmas-themed novels this year. Sit back with some hot chocolate brimming with whipped cream and another wonderful story from Sheila Roberts! This tale is also a delightful Christmas movie I had the pleasure of seeing this past Christmas!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Mira through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 20, 2015
Welcome back to Icicle Falls at Christmas time. I just love this town and all of it's residents. Every time I read one of the stories I feel like I am right there in Icicle Falls. Tilda, the cop buys a fixer upper on Candy Cane Lane. Since she is a cop all the residents on the street come to her with their cop related problems. She is also attracted to the bad boy or is he? Devon Black. Maddy was driving me crazy with those candy canes. That lady needs to get a life and spend more time with her family. I wanted to strangle her and knock some sense in her. Ivy whose husband left her alone with two little kids last Christmas is trying to win her back but Ivy can't trust him and just wants to get on with her life. I loved every minute of the story and hated to see it end. This book will help get you in the Christmas Spirit.
November 11, 2016
Who wouldn't want to live on a street named Candy Cane Lane in a town called Icicle Falls?
This was a fun read with likable characters and a storyline that had quirky little twists and turns. A candy cane massacre, a mother-in-law from hell and a bar brawl are just a few of the crazy moments captured in the lives of three women preparing for the holidays.
Tilda has just bought her first house, a fixer up, on you guessed it, Candy Cane Lane. She is single and a police officer for Icicle Falls. She loves her job, can't cook even though she purchases a brand new stove, wears Victoria's Secret lingerie under her uniforms and has a thing for a local bad boy! Oh, one more thing. She's not a Christmas person!
Maddie is the creator of the spectacular event that takes place each year on Candy Cane Lane. She owns a spice shop, is uber organized, lives for Christmas on Candy Cane Lane and tries single handed to make sure all goes smoothly while ignoring her husband and teenage daughter through the holidays. She has a specially made Mrs. Claus dress!
Ivy is a single mom to two young children. She is involved in her family's business ... The Christmas Haus. Ivy is overwhelmed preparing for her first Christmas alone, her dog should be named Houdini, and her ex has decided the single life isn't for him and wants a second chance! Her one night out with her sisters turns into a disaster.
As the holidays approach, Christmas books are like oxygen to me. I love them!
This was a fun read with likable characters and a storyline that had quirky little twists and turns. A candy cane massacre, a mother-in-law from hell and a bar brawl are just a few of the crazy moments captured in the lives of three women preparing for the holidays.
Tilda has just bought her first house, a fixer up, on you guessed it, Candy Cane Lane. She is single and a police officer for Icicle Falls. She loves her job, can't cook even though she purchases a brand new stove, wears Victoria's Secret lingerie under her uniforms and has a thing for a local bad boy! Oh, one more thing. She's not a Christmas person!
Maddie is the creator of the spectacular event that takes place each year on Candy Cane Lane. She owns a spice shop, is uber organized, lives for Christmas on Candy Cane Lane and tries single handed to make sure all goes smoothly while ignoring her husband and teenage daughter through the holidays. She has a specially made Mrs. Claus dress!
Ivy is a single mom to two young children. She is involved in her family's business ... The Christmas Haus. Ivy is overwhelmed preparing for her first Christmas alone, her dog should be named Houdini, and her ex has decided the single life isn't for him and wants a second chance! Her one night out with her sisters turns into a disaster.
As the holidays approach, Christmas books are like oxygen to me. I love them!
February 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It is the first book I have read in the Icicle Falls series. I will be reading all seven of the earlier books. Sheila Roberts makes all her characters relatable. I loved the character of Tilda Morrison and her new house. Her dealings with all of her neighbors such as Ivy and Maddy actually made me laugh as I was reading. It was a feel good book that I would recommend to anyone who wants a lighthearted story to relax with!! Can't wait to give it to my 91 year old mother. She will thoroughly enjoy it.
January 4, 2018
Christmas on Candy Cane Lane (Life in Icicle Falls)
This is a Christmas love story of three women who live on Candy Can Lane. Candy Cane Lane goes all out for Christmas, every house has candy cane and Christmas light in the front yard, but someone is breaking up the candy cane. The newest home owner is a cop can she find the person who is do it.? Great neighborhood story with love and Christmas thrown in.
This is a Christmas love story of three women who live on Candy Can Lane. Candy Cane Lane goes all out for Christmas, every house has candy cane and Christmas light in the front yard, but someone is breaking up the candy cane. The newest home owner is a cop can she find the person who is do it.? Great neighborhood story with love and Christmas thrown in.
October 10, 2019
Wonderful, feel-good holiday romance. I truly enjoyed this. Candy Cane Lane is such a special place in Icicle Falls. This book should be on your must-read list if you haven't read it yet.
October 18, 2015
CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE
Sheila Roberts
Mira
November 2015
Tilda Morrison is a police woman in the small town of Icicle Falls, Idaho and like most women she wants a husband, a home and children, but she hasn’t been able to find a man who isn’t in awe of her abilities. Devon Black keeps flirting with her, but she considers him a trouble maker. Tilda has broken up too many barroom brawls that seem to attract him. She buys a total make over, repossessed house in a very nice neighborhood on Candy Cane Lane and is immediately told she the covenants decree that she has to decorate her front yard during Christmas season. Tilda thinks this is stupid but agrees to put up some lights when she has time. Devon surprises her by putting up her Christmas lights, and offers to help her do some work in her new home. One day Tilda is going to notice that Devon has really cleaned up his act.
Ivy Bohn lives next door to Tilda; she is recently divorced and has two small children. Ivy owns a Christmas shop in town. Ivy and Tilda knew each other in high school, but didn’t have much in common. Their neighborhood relationship is about the same, but the incidents they are involved in provide a lot of humor to this story.
Maddy Donaldson is the self-appointed welcome wagon lady and chairman of the neighborhood Christmas extravaganza. Each year all the residents put up lights and lighted candy canes (that can be purchased at her husband’s hardware store). When the rest of Icicle Falls come to view the decorations they are met at the entrance by “Mrs. Claus” and a real candy cane. Maddy owns a unique spice shop, and is the mother of two children; her teenage daughter is playing the guilt card over her mother’s working full time and helping others the rest of the time.
Someone is destroying yard decorations and Maddy feels that it is Tilda’s job to find the culprits. The lady cop is not going to get any peace until she does. In the meantime Devon Black is always there to help her out when she needs -- but won’t admit she needs -- help.
CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE is another entertaining visit to Icicle Falls, Idaho, home of some of the most interesting people you will ever meet. Love, humor, laughter, and the holiday spirit spill from the pages of this clever story by the talented Sheila Roberts.
Betty Cox for ReaderToReader.com
Sheila Roberts
Mira
November 2015
Tilda Morrison is a police woman in the small town of Icicle Falls, Idaho and like most women she wants a husband, a home and children, but she hasn’t been able to find a man who isn’t in awe of her abilities. Devon Black keeps flirting with her, but she considers him a trouble maker. Tilda has broken up too many barroom brawls that seem to attract him. She buys a total make over, repossessed house in a very nice neighborhood on Candy Cane Lane and is immediately told she the covenants decree that she has to decorate her front yard during Christmas season. Tilda thinks this is stupid but agrees to put up some lights when she has time. Devon surprises her by putting up her Christmas lights, and offers to help her do some work in her new home. One day Tilda is going to notice that Devon has really cleaned up his act.
Ivy Bohn lives next door to Tilda; she is recently divorced and has two small children. Ivy owns a Christmas shop in town. Ivy and Tilda knew each other in high school, but didn’t have much in common. Their neighborhood relationship is about the same, but the incidents they are involved in provide a lot of humor to this story.
Maddy Donaldson is the self-appointed welcome wagon lady and chairman of the neighborhood Christmas extravaganza. Each year all the residents put up lights and lighted candy canes (that can be purchased at her husband’s hardware store). When the rest of Icicle Falls come to view the decorations they are met at the entrance by “Mrs. Claus” and a real candy cane. Maddy owns a unique spice shop, and is the mother of two children; her teenage daughter is playing the guilt card over her mother’s working full time and helping others the rest of the time.
Someone is destroying yard decorations and Maddy feels that it is Tilda’s job to find the culprits. The lady cop is not going to get any peace until she does. In the meantime Devon Black is always there to help her out when she needs -- but won’t admit she needs -- help.
CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE is another entertaining visit to Icicle Falls, Idaho, home of some of the most interesting people you will ever meet. Love, humor, laughter, and the holiday spirit spill from the pages of this clever story by the talented Sheila Roberts.
Betty Cox for ReaderToReader.com
October 21, 2015
I always enjoy my visits to Icicle Falls and Christmas on Candy Cane Lane is no exception. The characters are always real with relationship issues, time crunches, and mishaps that befall a small tourist town. The neighborhood of Candy Cane Lane has a reputation of elaborate Christmas decorations and that of course includes large candy canes lining everyone's sidewalk. Cars begins touring right after Thanksgiving and there's always a neighbor dressed as Mrs. Claus handing out candy canes to the children. It's expected and looked forward to by those driving by. It doesn't matter what's going on inside the homes, the children must not be disappointed or so thinks Maddy, the neighbor that organized the whole idea years ago. Then there's Tilda, the cop, that purchases a fixer-upper in the neighborhood. Everyone expects her to keep the area safe in spite of vandals showing up at night destroying the decorations. But Tilda has her own set of problems. And then there's Ivy whose husband left her the year before for "greener" pastures. She's determined to make this the best Christmas ever for her and her two children. Take a trip with author Sheila Roberts to Icicle Falls to visit and see what happens and whether everyone's Christmas is a wonderful as residents hope.
Sheila has such a wonderful sense of humor and such cute expressions she gives to her characters that you're bound to pick up a few and try them for yourselves.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.
Sheila has such a wonderful sense of humor and such cute expressions she gives to her characters that you're bound to pick up a few and try them for yourselves.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.
June 25, 2017
Tilda Morrison is a single cop in the town of Icicle Falls, Washington where they get into the Christmas season especially on her street. She is excited to be moving into her first home just before Thanksgiving but does encounter some problems with smelly carpet and an oven issue, especially when cooking a Thanksgiving turkey for her family. Everyone on her street is expected to decorate their yard with candy canes and decorations in a big way for the Christmas season.
Maddy Donaldson is the brain behind all the decorations and festivities. After all, their street is called Candy Cane Lane. It is a popular street for people to drive through and look at the decorated homes and yards. She signs up different women each night to dress as Mrs. Claus and stand at the street handing out candy canes during the season.
Ivy Bohn is newly divorced and has two young children. Sometimes, it is tough to balance taking care of the children and working at the family Christmas shop. She wants her children to have a happy time and works hard to provide a normal home situation. Her ex pops in to see the kids occasionally.
Problems happen on the seemingly perfect street. Vandals hit the yards knocking down and destroying candy canes. Tilda gets tired of being called by her neighbors when off duty about the destruction just because she is a cop. The mystery of the vandals, problems with teenagers an exes and a little romance keep this a lively and fun read.
Maddy Donaldson is the brain behind all the decorations and festivities. After all, their street is called Candy Cane Lane. It is a popular street for people to drive through and look at the decorated homes and yards. She signs up different women each night to dress as Mrs. Claus and stand at the street handing out candy canes during the season.
Ivy Bohn is newly divorced and has two young children. Sometimes, it is tough to balance taking care of the children and working at the family Christmas shop. She wants her children to have a happy time and works hard to provide a normal home situation. Her ex pops in to see the kids occasionally.
Problems happen on the seemingly perfect street. Vandals hit the yards knocking down and destroying candy canes. Tilda gets tired of being called by her neighbors when off duty about the destruction just because she is a cop. The mystery of the vandals, problems with teenagers an exes and a little romance keep this a lively and fun read.
October 20, 2015
Welcome back to Icicle Falls! It's the holiday season and everyone is buzzing and especially on Candy Cane Lane. Tilda has finally bought her self a fixer upper and of course it's on Candy Cane Lane. Can she keep up with her neighbors and find a perfect man along with holiday, work and everything that comes her way. Trust in Tilda to make the right choices.
Maddy wants everything to be perfect on Candy Cane Lane. Can everything really be perfect when your juggling home, family, work, your neighborhood and the holiday season? Maddy tries to be the one with many obstacles in her way.
Ivy just wants to get her life on track. She is going to have to reach down deep and realize what went wrong with her life. Can she fix it for her and her kids? Can she forgive? Will she believe in second chances?
Come back to Icicle Falls at the most wonderful time of the year. Enjoy the excitement and mayhem. Revisit some old friends and really get to know Tilda, she's quiet a lady!
Once again Sheila Roberts gave us another wonderful story and characters that you wish could be your friends. Come and visit Candy Cane Lane you'll be glad you did. Happy Holidays!!
Maddy wants everything to be perfect on Candy Cane Lane. Can everything really be perfect when your juggling home, family, work, your neighborhood and the holiday season? Maddy tries to be the one with many obstacles in her way.
Ivy just wants to get her life on track. She is going to have to reach down deep and realize what went wrong with her life. Can she fix it for her and her kids? Can she forgive? Will she believe in second chances?
Come back to Icicle Falls at the most wonderful time of the year. Enjoy the excitement and mayhem. Revisit some old friends and really get to know Tilda, she's quiet a lady!
Once again Sheila Roberts gave us another wonderful story and characters that you wish could be your friends. Come and visit Candy Cane Lane you'll be glad you did. Happy Holidays!!
September 18, 2015
Tilda has just bought her dream house on Candy cane lane and even though it's Thanksgiving, the neighbors are asking her about what Christmas decorations she's planning. As a police officer she and her partner are busy enough without the whole town watching her yard and her home improvements. This is three love stories about 3 very different women who have to hold their families and lives together. This is book 8 set in Icicle Falls and it's great to return to town. Well written, the three stories are carefully interwoven that proves Christmas can be both a wonderful and stressful time of the year.
October 20, 2015
There is mischief afoot on Candy Cane Lane. The holiday has made it's way to this magical town again. Sheila Roberts put her best foot forward with Christmas on Candy Cane Lane. The characters are charming and the setting is picturesque. There is something for every lover of books. Tilda is thrust into a world of family and traditions while working to sort out her love life. There is romance, drama and amusement in every chapter. I received an ARC of Christmas on Candy Cane Lane in exchange for an honest review. This story embodies the wonder of the holiday season.
October 27, 2015
This book takes us back to Icicle Falls at Christmas. Tilda just bought her dream home and all the neighbors are interested in her and what she does there for a living. She's a cop and falling for bad boy Deveon Black. Is he really the bad boy or a good man as Tilda thinks he is? Lots of great characters and another fun journey. Read this wonderful book by Sheila Roberts .... it will put you in the Christmas spirit for the holidays.
October 16, 2015
Every book Sheila writes gets better and better!! I'd been waiting for her to write Tilda's story, and I'm glad she chose a Christmas story to showcase Tilda in. This tough gal police officer has a big heart, but she's a lot like me. I want to do for myself and it's tough to change that. This was such a great story to make Tilda shine!! Thanks Sheila!!!
October 14, 2015
Christmas on Candy Cane Lane is book 8 in the Icicle Falls series. It was my first visit to Icicle Falls. This book has interesting characters and a good story line. I enjoyed it. I hope to visit again soon.
October 25, 2015
I've always enjoyed books by Sheila Roberts. Christmas On Candy Lane has brought me back to Icicle Falls once again. i like how it makes me feel like I'm really in Icicle Falls amongst the characters in the book. This is a definite must read for the holidays.
December 31, 2015
This is not the book I am looking for...
November 17, 2015
Originally published at Reading Reality
This is a story about what happens when you live next to the Griswold family from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Or at least you feel like you do. When the plastic trappings of Christmas become way more important than any spirit of Christmas whatsoever, you have a recipe for disaster. And comedy.
This entry in the Life in Icicle Falls series is set on Candy Cane Lane, and one of the story threads follows the woman who makes it all happen. Literally. Maddy Donaldson is the person who petitioned the village to change the name of the street to Candy Cane Lane in the first place, and she’s the person responsible for making sure that every resident has their holiday lighting display dialed up to 11. She’s also the cheerleader and organizer who schedules every single woman on the street to serve as Mrs. Claus, standing out in the cold and snow and giving away free candy canes to the carloads of mostly local tourists who come to see Candy Cane Lane in all its electric glory.
(There are plenty of real places that do Christmas to the nth degree the way that Candy Cane Lane does, The Sauganash neighborhood in Chicago is fairly famous, or infamous, in the Chicagoland area.)
But Mandy is so busy organizing the neighborhood, whether they like it or not, that she doesn’t see how often she breaks promises to her husband and daughter in order to play Mrs. Claus or chivvy the neighbors into more holiday spirit. If some of those neighbors are turning to other types of holiday spirits in order to avoid her, she misses that, too.
Mandy isn’t the only woman on Candy Cane Lane having a little difficulty seeing the Christmas around her. Ivy Boch is spending her first Christmas alone. Last December 26, her husband said he’d had enough of being tied down, and left. Now they are sharing custody of their two little kids, and sharing a rather separate misery. Their daughter has written to Santa that all she wants for Christmas is her Daddy back home. Ex-husband Rob has finally figured out that he was a jerk and an idiot, and wants to come home. But Ivy isn’t sure she can trust him again, and who can blame her?
Icicle Falls Police Office Tilda Morrison has just bought a fixer-upper house on Candy Cane Lane. Her love life is non-existent, and she’s decided to quit waiting and just get on with her life. One problem is that her fixer-upper needs way more fixing up than she thought. Her second problem is that one of the local bad boys, Devon Black, would love for Tilda to take him on as her very own personal handyman and fixer upper. And if that wasn’t enough, her new neighbors expect her to solve the sudden rash of Christmas decoration vandals that is ruining everyone’s Christmas displays, right along with Mandy’s and Tilda’s Christmases.
Something needs to change on Candy Cane Lane, or no one is going to have a very merry Christmas.
Escape Rating B: Just like the previous entry in this series, A Wedding on Primrose Street, Christmas on Candy Cane Lane reads more as women’s fiction than it does a romance. The emphasis in this story is on women’s friendships and women’s relationships, including the fractured relationship between Maddy and her daughter, the tenuous friendship that grows up between Ivy and Tilda, and Tilda’s loving but sometimes contentious relationship with her mother Dot.
Also like a previous holiday entry in the series, Merry Ex-Mas (my personal favorite in Icicle Falls), the women are dealing with the men in their lives at very different stages in those relationships. Maddy and Alan are harried but generally happy with each other; Ivy and Rob are divorced but nothing has been resolved, and Tilda and Devon are still dancing around whether they will have a relationship or not.
Each of the women is in the middle of a crisis. Maddy’s daughter Jordan has become a teenager with a vengeance, and their formerly good relationship is strained by Jordan’s mood swings and increasingly bad attitudes. Ivy is having a meltdown between managing her shop, taking care of her kids, and feeling lonely and stressed to the max. Tilda is worried about her mother, who ends up in the hospital, and has a never-ending series of house-related messes.
Seemingly no one is perfectly happy. But they all get through, often by helping each other. And in the end, they each find out what is really important at Christmas. And the rest of the year.
This is a story about what happens when you live next to the Griswold family from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Or at least you feel like you do. When the plastic trappings of Christmas become way more important than any spirit of Christmas whatsoever, you have a recipe for disaster. And comedy.
This entry in the Life in Icicle Falls series is set on Candy Cane Lane, and one of the story threads follows the woman who makes it all happen. Literally. Maddy Donaldson is the person who petitioned the village to change the name of the street to Candy Cane Lane in the first place, and she’s the person responsible for making sure that every resident has their holiday lighting display dialed up to 11. She’s also the cheerleader and organizer who schedules every single woman on the street to serve as Mrs. Claus, standing out in the cold and snow and giving away free candy canes to the carloads of mostly local tourists who come to see Candy Cane Lane in all its electric glory.
(There are plenty of real places that do Christmas to the nth degree the way that Candy Cane Lane does, The Sauganash neighborhood in Chicago is fairly famous, or infamous, in the Chicagoland area.)
But Mandy is so busy organizing the neighborhood, whether they like it or not, that she doesn’t see how often she breaks promises to her husband and daughter in order to play Mrs. Claus or chivvy the neighbors into more holiday spirit. If some of those neighbors are turning to other types of holiday spirits in order to avoid her, she misses that, too.
Mandy isn’t the only woman on Candy Cane Lane having a little difficulty seeing the Christmas around her. Ivy Boch is spending her first Christmas alone. Last December 26, her husband said he’d had enough of being tied down, and left. Now they are sharing custody of their two little kids, and sharing a rather separate misery. Their daughter has written to Santa that all she wants for Christmas is her Daddy back home. Ex-husband Rob has finally figured out that he was a jerk and an idiot, and wants to come home. But Ivy isn’t sure she can trust him again, and who can blame her?
Icicle Falls Police Office Tilda Morrison has just bought a fixer-upper house on Candy Cane Lane. Her love life is non-existent, and she’s decided to quit waiting and just get on with her life. One problem is that her fixer-upper needs way more fixing up than she thought. Her second problem is that one of the local bad boys, Devon Black, would love for Tilda to take him on as her very own personal handyman and fixer upper. And if that wasn’t enough, her new neighbors expect her to solve the sudden rash of Christmas decoration vandals that is ruining everyone’s Christmas displays, right along with Mandy’s and Tilda’s Christmases.
Something needs to change on Candy Cane Lane, or no one is going to have a very merry Christmas.
Escape Rating B: Just like the previous entry in this series, A Wedding on Primrose Street, Christmas on Candy Cane Lane reads more as women’s fiction than it does a romance. The emphasis in this story is on women’s friendships and women’s relationships, including the fractured relationship between Maddy and her daughter, the tenuous friendship that grows up between Ivy and Tilda, and Tilda’s loving but sometimes contentious relationship with her mother Dot.
Also like a previous holiday entry in the series, Merry Ex-Mas (my personal favorite in Icicle Falls), the women are dealing with the men in their lives at very different stages in those relationships. Maddy and Alan are harried but generally happy with each other; Ivy and Rob are divorced but nothing has been resolved, and Tilda and Devon are still dancing around whether they will have a relationship or not.
Each of the women is in the middle of a crisis. Maddy’s daughter Jordan has become a teenager with a vengeance, and their formerly good relationship is strained by Jordan’s mood swings and increasingly bad attitudes. Ivy is having a meltdown between managing her shop, taking care of her kids, and feeling lonely and stressed to the max. Tilda is worried about her mother, who ends up in the hospital, and has a never-ending series of house-related messes.
Seemingly no one is perfectly happy. But they all get through, often by helping each other. And in the end, they each find out what is really important at Christmas. And the rest of the year.
Read
January 22, 2025Probably not going to finish.
Slow and not very engaging
returned to library early
Slow and not very engaging
returned to library early
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2019
I recently finished reading Christmas on Candy Cane Lane by Sheila Roberts. This is the latest installment in the Life in Icicle Falls series. I have been a HUGE fan of Ms. Roberts for more than five years now.
There are three central characters of the novel; Tilda (previously appeared in The Cottage on Juniper Ridge) the town cop, who moves next door to single mom and nemesis, Ivy. And both of them live on the same street as perfect mom Maddy. Maddy has had the street renamed Candy Cane Lane and has personally launched a campaign to make the street perfect (following Thanksgiving) for Christmas. The women volunteer to dress up as Mrs. Claus every evening and hand out candy canes to visitors gazing at the decorations. Every neighbor is expected to do their part by decorating, even Tilda who moved in right at Thanksgiving.
To complicate matters, Tilda is being pursued by bad boy, Devon Black. Hormones are happy dancing all around, but he’s clearly all wrong for her, because he’s not a cop or fireman. At the previous holiday season, Ivy’s husband told her that he wanted his freedom and now, he’s decided he was a fool and wants her back. But he’s broken her heart and she is not willing to forgive. In the meantime, Tilda seemingly has a vendetta against her, pulling her over for speeding and the like. Ho, ho, ho! Maddy is also having difficulties juggling her family/neighborhood/work responsibilities, and her in laws have announced that they are coming to stay for the holiday, which is just great; her mother in law could teach Scrooge *and* the Grinch a thing or two. To top it all off, someone is vandalizing the Christmas decorations. Who would do that? And the street’s residents expect Tilda to single-handedly catch the vandal(s) with little or no clues, even if it is her day off.
Each chapter of the book starts with pearls of wisdom from Muriel Sterling’s book, Making the Holidays Bright: How to Have a Perfect Christmas. I’m still waiting for a publication of her books to be released! Of course I always enjoy visiting Icicle Falls, meeting all the new characters and catching up with some of the ones from previous books. You will too. And of course, I am looking forward to the next installment, Home on Apple Blossom Road, which is due out on 3/29/2016!
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm part of Ms. Roberts's street team and have been so for several years. I got this book for free from the author in exchange for my honest review.
http://www.sheilasplace.com/christmas...
There are three central characters of the novel; Tilda (previously appeared in The Cottage on Juniper Ridge) the town cop, who moves next door to single mom and nemesis, Ivy. And both of them live on the same street as perfect mom Maddy. Maddy has had the street renamed Candy Cane Lane and has personally launched a campaign to make the street perfect (following Thanksgiving) for Christmas. The women volunteer to dress up as Mrs. Claus every evening and hand out candy canes to visitors gazing at the decorations. Every neighbor is expected to do their part by decorating, even Tilda who moved in right at Thanksgiving.
To complicate matters, Tilda is being pursued by bad boy, Devon Black. Hormones are happy dancing all around, but he’s clearly all wrong for her, because he’s not a cop or fireman. At the previous holiday season, Ivy’s husband told her that he wanted his freedom and now, he’s decided he was a fool and wants her back. But he’s broken her heart and she is not willing to forgive. In the meantime, Tilda seemingly has a vendetta against her, pulling her over for speeding and the like. Ho, ho, ho! Maddy is also having difficulties juggling her family/neighborhood/work responsibilities, and her in laws have announced that they are coming to stay for the holiday, which is just great; her mother in law could teach Scrooge *and* the Grinch a thing or two. To top it all off, someone is vandalizing the Christmas decorations. Who would do that? And the street’s residents expect Tilda to single-handedly catch the vandal(s) with little or no clues, even if it is her day off.
Each chapter of the book starts with pearls of wisdom from Muriel Sterling’s book, Making the Holidays Bright: How to Have a Perfect Christmas. I’m still waiting for a publication of her books to be released! Of course I always enjoy visiting Icicle Falls, meeting all the new characters and catching up with some of the ones from previous books. You will too. And of course, I am looking forward to the next installment, Home on Apple Blossom Road, which is due out on 3/29/2016!
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm part of Ms. Roberts's street team and have been so for several years. I got this book for free from the author in exchange for my honest review.
http://www.sheilasplace.com/christmas...
October 27, 2015
Tilda is a police officer in Icicle Falls. She sold her condo and has bought a house that needs a lot of work on Candy Cane Lane. What would complete her life is to find "the one". But the only one who is interested in her is bad boy, Devon Black, and she won't give him the time of day.
Maddy is one of Tildy's neighbours. It's important to her that the street live up to its name during the Christmas season and ensures that everyone decorates and that someone plays Mrs. Santa and gives out candy canes when people drive up and the down the street to see the decorations.
Ivy is another neighbour and is newly divorced. Her ex-husband, Rob, wanted his freedom last year and left her ... which left her very bitter. He is a good dad but Ivy is left with the majority of raising their two young children while trying to run the family business.
This is the ninth I've read by this author (and the eighth in the Icicle Falls series) and I liked it. Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking. I liked the writing style and found it was easy to read. As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.
I liked Tilda, though I found her to be very biased. She doesn't even know Devon yet she makes assumptions about him. She's gotten more than she bargained for by moving to Candy Cane Lane. Her neighbours think it's great having a cop on the street, even when she's off duty. Ivy would give anything to have her family back together but is constantly wishing ill on Rob. She definitely is having a hard time moving on. Maddy was my least favourite. She was obsessed with making sure Candy Cane Lane was decorated for the holidays and that someone was always out giving away candy canes ... even to the point of putting it above her obligations to her family. Her 13-year-old daughter, Jordan, was an annoying brat but no wonder ... she felt that Maddy put Candy Cane Lane ahead of her and she's wasn't wrong.
I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2015/10...
Maddy is one of Tildy's neighbours. It's important to her that the street live up to its name during the Christmas season and ensures that everyone decorates and that someone plays Mrs. Santa and gives out candy canes when people drive up and the down the street to see the decorations.
Ivy is another neighbour and is newly divorced. Her ex-husband, Rob, wanted his freedom last year and left her ... which left her very bitter. He is a good dad but Ivy is left with the majority of raising their two young children while trying to run the family business.
This is the ninth I've read by this author (and the eighth in the Icicle Falls series) and I liked it. Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking. I liked the writing style and found it was easy to read. As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.
I liked Tilda, though I found her to be very biased. She doesn't even know Devon yet she makes assumptions about him. She's gotten more than she bargained for by moving to Candy Cane Lane. Her neighbours think it's great having a cop on the street, even when she's off duty. Ivy would give anything to have her family back together but is constantly wishing ill on Rob. She definitely is having a hard time moving on. Maddy was my least favourite. She was obsessed with making sure Candy Cane Lane was decorated for the holidays and that someone was always out giving away candy canes ... even to the point of putting it above her obligations to her family. Her 13-year-old daughter, Jordan, was an annoying brat but no wonder ... she felt that Maddy put Candy Cane Lane ahead of her and she's wasn't wrong.
I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2015/10...
October 21, 2015
Sheila Roberts has taken me back to Icicle Falls for another wonderful, fun and romantic read. Christmas on Candy Cane Lane is the eighth book in the Icicle Falls series. This Christmas is taking place on Candy Cane Lane, where EVERYBODY goes to see the Christmas lights and visits with Mrs. Claus.
As the newest homeowner, Tilda Morrison, the local policewoman, realizes that keeping up with the neighbors is not going to be an easy task. But as long as Devon Black is around, she just might wind up in the Christmas spirit after all. Even though Tilda knows not to fall for the local bad boy. But Is Devon really the bad boy jerk everyone has thought him to be? Or maybe there is a good guy in there. Tilda will just have to find out for herself.
And right next door is Maddy, the mom who does it all. With her husband Alan, and daughter Jordan, she seems to have it all. But keeping Candy Cane Lane all lit up for the holidays seems to be a bigger task then even she can handle.
And while neighbor Ivy, is bah humbugging this Christmas, she is trying to keep it together for her two kids at Christmas. Being a single mom for the first Christmas since her divorce is no easy task. And when her ex just keeps interrupting her Christmas plans, how can she ever have a happy and fun Christmas.
And to top it all off, Someone is vandalizing Candy Cane Lane. Can these women keep it together long enough to solve the mystery? Can they get along long enough to remember what Christmas is all about?
When you read this book, you will wind up smiling, then grinding your teeth, and maybe even wanting to knock a little sense into these women from time to time, but I promise you will come out grinning from ear to ear, and ready for the Christmas Caroling to begin.
As the newest homeowner, Tilda Morrison, the local policewoman, realizes that keeping up with the neighbors is not going to be an easy task. But as long as Devon Black is around, she just might wind up in the Christmas spirit after all. Even though Tilda knows not to fall for the local bad boy. But Is Devon really the bad boy jerk everyone has thought him to be? Or maybe there is a good guy in there. Tilda will just have to find out for herself.
And right next door is Maddy, the mom who does it all. With her husband Alan, and daughter Jordan, she seems to have it all. But keeping Candy Cane Lane all lit up for the holidays seems to be a bigger task then even she can handle.
And while neighbor Ivy, is bah humbugging this Christmas, she is trying to keep it together for her two kids at Christmas. Being a single mom for the first Christmas since her divorce is no easy task. And when her ex just keeps interrupting her Christmas plans, how can she ever have a happy and fun Christmas.
And to top it all off, Someone is vandalizing Candy Cane Lane. Can these women keep it together long enough to solve the mystery? Can they get along long enough to remember what Christmas is all about?
When you read this book, you will wind up smiling, then grinding your teeth, and maybe even wanting to knock a little sense into these women from time to time, but I promise you will come out grinning from ear to ear, and ready for the Christmas Caroling to begin.
November 7, 2015
Christmas in Candy Cane Lane showcases the lives of three women that live on one festive street. Candy Cane Lane is a special street in Icicle Falls. All the homes on the street go all out for Christmas, even though it is a headache to many of the residents.
Newcomer Tilda is local police officer and she's not a pleasant lady. She's bought a fixer upper. She's not as festive as some. Then there's Ivy, a divorcee trying to keep things perfect for her young kids. Lastly there's Maddy who is just way too into the holiday.
Each woman has issues to deal with, Tilda's feeling for a local bad boy, Ivy's ex, who wants a reconciliation and Maddy who should spent more time with her family than worrying about Candy Cane Lane. Toss into the mix someone who is messing up the decorations on the block and you get a very unique holiday story.
I really liked getting to know each of the women here. Tilda was the toughest one to like at first, but she grows on you and she becomes such fun. Ivy is the one you really love the whole way through. She's got it tough, even though she doesn't, if that makes sense. It is Maddy that I had a hard time dealing with. For a person that wanted to do good for everyone, she was sure blind to the stuff going on in her family.
What I love about these types of novels are that they aren't romance, though there is some there, but its more about life and relationships.
If you love stories by Debbie Macomber or Robyn Carr, you'll love Sheila Roberts and Icicle Falls.
Newcomer Tilda is local police officer and she's not a pleasant lady. She's bought a fixer upper. She's not as festive as some. Then there's Ivy, a divorcee trying to keep things perfect for her young kids. Lastly there's Maddy who is just way too into the holiday.
Each woman has issues to deal with, Tilda's feeling for a local bad boy, Ivy's ex, who wants a reconciliation and Maddy who should spent more time with her family than worrying about Candy Cane Lane. Toss into the mix someone who is messing up the decorations on the block and you get a very unique holiday story.
I really liked getting to know each of the women here. Tilda was the toughest one to like at first, but she grows on you and she becomes such fun. Ivy is the one you really love the whole way through. She's got it tough, even though she doesn't, if that makes sense. It is Maddy that I had a hard time dealing with. For a person that wanted to do good for everyone, she was sure blind to the stuff going on in her family.
What I love about these types of novels are that they aren't romance, though there is some there, but its more about life and relationships.
If you love stories by Debbie Macomber or Robyn Carr, you'll love Sheila Roberts and Icicle Falls.
October 17, 2015
Christmas On Candy Cane Lane by Sheila Roberts
Excited about the Christmas season or not, it was bound to happen - especially on Candy Cane Lane in Icicle Falls! Come join the neighborhood as did Tilda Morrison when she bought her first home right in the middle of Christmas madville, I mean Candy Cane Lane!
The neighbors will meet and greet you with plates of goodies and gentle (or maybe not so gentle) suggestions of how to decorate with candy canes and lights galore. Throughout the days after Thanksgiving, you would watch the families as they live, work and cope with Christmas overload.
Will it be worth the efforts taken? Will Tilda connect with her neighbors, will she find happiness so desired? So many questions, so many desires for perfection, not just for the Christmas season but also for relationships. Will their goal of making the perfect Christmas as described by Muriel Sterling in her book, Making the Holiday Bright: How to Have A Perfect Christmas, be attained? If so, at what cost? Will perfection take a back seat to family and friendship?
Read Sheila Roberts, Christmas On Candy Cane Lane to find the answers and have your own perfect Christmas!
Excited about the Christmas season or not, it was bound to happen - especially on Candy Cane Lane in Icicle Falls! Come join the neighborhood as did Tilda Morrison when she bought her first home right in the middle of Christmas madville, I mean Candy Cane Lane!
The neighbors will meet and greet you with plates of goodies and gentle (or maybe not so gentle) suggestions of how to decorate with candy canes and lights galore. Throughout the days after Thanksgiving, you would watch the families as they live, work and cope with Christmas overload.
Will it be worth the efforts taken? Will Tilda connect with her neighbors, will she find happiness so desired? So many questions, so many desires for perfection, not just for the Christmas season but also for relationships. Will their goal of making the perfect Christmas as described by Muriel Sterling in her book, Making the Holiday Bright: How to Have A Perfect Christmas, be attained? If so, at what cost? Will perfection take a back seat to family and friendship?
Read Sheila Roberts, Christmas On Candy Cane Lane to find the answers and have your own perfect Christmas!
October 26, 2015
This is the next book in the Life in Icicle Falls series. It can be read as a stand alone. This was a very enjoyable book centered around three of the residents of Candy Cane Lane in Icicle Falls. Tilda is new to the neighborhood and is really hoping to find a happily-ever-after but first she needs to stop looking for what she thinks she wants and see what is right in front of her. Maddy is the organizer of Candy Cane Lane but this Christmas she will discover that sometimes you have to pay attention to what is at home. And then there is Ivy who has to decide if she can forgive the man that broke her heart and give her little girl the one thing that she wants for Christmas.
I always enjoy my trips to Icicle Falls and catching up with old friends and finding new ones. The story is well written and left me feeling happy.
I definitely recommend this book. It is a heartwarming read and perfect for the holidays.
I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.
I always enjoy my trips to Icicle Falls and catching up with old friends and finding new ones. The story is well written and left me feeling happy.
I definitely recommend this book. It is a heartwarming read and perfect for the holidays.
I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.
December 13, 2015
I was just expecting a light, cute story going into this one, so I wasn't completely off base with my expectations. I just didn't enjoy the story that much.
The adults were kind but had inner dialect that was a bit irritating. One was literally thinking about her underwear half the time, another one had a habit of internally singing Christmas songs that she had changed the lyrics to.
The kids in the book were kind of bratty too.
It also seemed like the women in the book were blamed for anything that went wrong. One had an ex husband that left her and she felt guilty thinking she's pushed him away, when he wanted her back she felt bad because her daughter was constantly asking her to let her daddy come home.
I noticed after the fact that this book is the 8th in a series. I imagine this book would be more enjoyable to someone who knows the characters better.
I liked Devon Black and I thought their decorations sounded cute. But I just couldn't get into this one otherwise.
The adults were kind but had inner dialect that was a bit irritating. One was literally thinking about her underwear half the time, another one had a habit of internally singing Christmas songs that she had changed the lyrics to.
The kids in the book were kind of bratty too.
It also seemed like the women in the book were blamed for anything that went wrong. One had an ex husband that left her and she felt guilty thinking she's pushed him away, when he wanted her back she felt bad because her daughter was constantly asking her to let her daddy come home.
I noticed after the fact that this book is the 8th in a series. I imagine this book would be more enjoyable to someone who knows the characters better.
I liked Devon Black and I thought their decorations sounded cute. But I just couldn't get into this one otherwise.
October 17, 2015
This is one thing I love about series books. I love getting to know the characters living in the town and their little quirks and foibles. This is one of the best things Sheila Roberts does. When you start reading her books, you step into the town and feel like you know all of the residents pretty well. Tilda has always been one of my favorite residents and I was so happy to see her finally get her happy ending. You also see the problems Ivy, a divorced mom with 2 young kids and an ex who is always popping up when she least expects it and Maddy, a woman who sees herself with the perfect family and takes on way too many responsibilities. This was a wonderful, get some hot chocolate and wrap yourself in a warm blanket kind of book and, I loved it!
October 27, 2015
Sheila Roberts has done it again with Christmas on Candy Cane Lane. I absolutely loved this sweet Christmas story on Candy Cane Lane in Icicle Falls. The characters are written so well they feel like your neighbor or family. This book had what I look for in a Holiday book family, friends, Christmas traditions, love and romance. Everyone that loves Christmas books should put this book on their Santa wish list.
I have fallen in love with Sheila Roberts writing style, great characters and sweet stories. I always smile and feel good after reading her books.
I was given an ARC, for my honest review.
I have fallen in love with Sheila Roberts writing style, great characters and sweet stories. I always smile and feel good after reading her books.
I was given an ARC, for my honest review.
October 27, 2015
I loved it! It's the holiday season in Icicle Falls and the craziness is in full swing. There is no place in town that's as crazy as Candy Cane Lane. This is the story of three women, each trying to juggle the stresses of life, deal with crazy neighbors, and stay sane enough to still have a life!
I absolutely adored this book. It had me chuckling all the way through and really helped rev me up for the holiday season ahead. This one needs to go on everyone's must read list. I highly recommend it.
I absolutely adored this book. It had me chuckling all the way through and really helped rev me up for the holiday season ahead. This one needs to go on everyone's must read list. I highly recommend it.
December 13, 2016
A good holiday book with three different stories so plenty of action that moved right along. The plot overshadowed the romances and I wasn't real satisfied with their endings but the drama made up for it. I did liked how it incorporated all the seasonal activities. Local wild man pursues cop Tilda, divorced Ivy adjusts to being a single mom, married Maddy tries to run her streets decorations.
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