All Jingled Out: Done with the Dashing / My True Love Gave to Me

by Pamela Dowd, Christine Lynxwiler

Authors Christine Lynxwiler and Pamela Dowd deliver two witty, contemporary tales of motherhood and the trappings of "the perfect holiday." Penny Lassiter’s comfortable Christmas traditions are upset by her husband’s off-the-wall plan to reconnect with his family through a cross-country RV trip. Will Christmas on the road lead to peace and goodwill—or mere holiday mayhem? In the second story, Maggie Mackenzie confronts her own people-pleasing tendencies as she tries and fails and tries again to simplify her Christmas preparations. Can these two mothers survive the season without the pomp and circumstance?

Genres: Christmas

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Pamela Dowd enjoys ceating strong stories with characters who display candid, growing relationships with God. She has published one novella, short stories, devotionals, magazine articles, and greeting cards, including her own line, Cookie Jar Greetings, published by Warner Press."

Reviews

[April Suter · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Done with the Dashing: Maggie is living the Martha life--doing it all to serve her family for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She has her husband, kids, her parents, a brother and siter-in-law, and now her sister and kids living her house. During this holiday season she needs to find her Mary spirit and not be such a martyr. She starts taking some time for herself and read women's magazines for peace.

My True Love Gave to Me: Penny's husband announces the family is taking a month long trip instead of doing the tradtional holiday activities this year. She is s little resentful but is trying the way of being a good wife even though it is Christmas. Phillip's intent is to help his family find the true spirit of Christmas and family. This is a cute short story to make you think -- are all the holiday traditions important in celebrating our Christ's birth?
232 pages

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pair of novellas about women who are forced to refocus on what really matters during the the holidays when circumstances (and their husbands) change their long-standing Christmas traditions. The writers' skill levels weren't evenly matched, I'm sorry to say -- I really enjoyed one of the stories, and was distracted during the other. But they were both quick reads, and the book served its purpose -- it ushered me into the Christmas spirit.

[Kymberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book of two short stories in 2 days. The first one was very cute and enjoyable but, I really liked the second one best. I think that it reminded me and Aaron and our dream to travel across country in RV.

[Karol · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute, light, easy read and a good one for the holiday. There are two novellas; overall, I'd give it 2.5 stars.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun 2-story book. Both of women learning to celebrate Christmas in a new way.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stories in one. A quick and light read for the holiday season.

[Mary Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a light read but just not my kind of book. However, it is a good reminder to slow down and enjoy the holidays instead of letting them overwhelm you.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read!!

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about women changing holidays so they felt good too. I really enjoyed it.