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Romancing America
A Door County Christmas
Peer behind the closed doors of a Wisconsin tourist town gone dormant for the winter season. Watch as the drama and romance start to heat up—just as Lola the innkeeper promised her four single friends a year ago when she gifted them with her prayers and a Christmas cactus. Will each woman find love—along with cactus blooms—as promised?
345 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
36 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Key
16 books12 followersEileen Key, freelance writer and editor, resides in San Antonio, Texas, near her grown children and three wonderful grandchildren. She’s published ten anthology stories and numerous devotionals and articles. Her first mystery novel Dog Gone from Barbour publishing released in 2008. Her second book, Door County Christmas released in 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 2, 2019
The first story ( by Cynthia Ruchti) was the best at 3 1/2 ** the 2nd at 3 **, the third 2 1/2** and the 4th I couldn’t finish. The first author seemed to know the area; the last 3 felt false as if they were just given the names of establishments and locations to sprinkle in.
The third author seemed to be from Texas and had everyone talking with dropped “g”. As in cookin’ and runnnin’ and fallin’ Also an overuse of the “endearment” of punkin’ by multiple people.
The third author seemed to be from Texas and had everyone talking with dropped “g”. As in cookin’ and runnnin’ and fallin’ Also an overuse of the “endearment” of punkin’ by multiple people.
September 28, 2018
The Heart's Harbor: 4 stars
Ride With Me Into Christmas:3 stars
My Heart Still Beats: 4 stars
Christmas Crazy: 2 stars
Each story was a Christmas romance set in Wisconsin. Most of the stories were sweet, and all of them have a happy ending. I liked that the stories were connected by more than location.
Ride With Me Into Christmas:3 stars
My Heart Still Beats: 4 stars
Christmas Crazy: 2 stars
Each story was a Christmas romance set in Wisconsin. Most of the stories were sweet, and all of them have a happy ending. I liked that the stories were connected by more than location.
December 22, 2010
The first two novellas, by Cynthia Ruchti and Rachael Phillips, defied every syrupy stereotype I had about Christmas novellas. Eccentric characters, sparkling humor, vivid writing - and some deep and complex characters made these two novellas sing. The last two were less to my taste, but this book was worth it for the first two novellas alone!
November 3, 2017
Delightful romances with interesting characters and settings. Each story is sweet and heartwarming. Very enjoyable!
November 7, 2010
A Door County Christmas is a delightfully entertaining and inspiring collection of four novellas written by four very gifted writers. The book opens with The Heart's Harbor by Cynthia Ruchti. Amanda Brooks simply wants to escape a cold, lonely, Chicago Christmas and flees to Door County, Wisconsin, and the famous Heart's Harbor Victorian Inn. She gets much more than she bargained for when the owner, Lola Peterson, announces that she has been called for jury duty and is leaving Amanda in charge of preparations for the annual Christmas Tea. Cynthia creates exceptionally interesting and realistic characters, including Harland, Lola's quirky and hilarious husband. Harland is so lovable that I found myself wishing that Cynthia would write an entire book about him. Since I abhor reviews that reveal too much of the plot, I will say no more about this story other than the fact that it is delightful from beginning to end and paints a truly wonderful picture of how God has a plan for each of us if we will heed His calling and follow His leading.
Next, we move along to Ride With Me Into Christmas by Rachael Phillips. Rachael adroitly shows us that, just because a person is retired and has already raised a family, it doesn't mean that life is over for them. God still cares about them and understands their needs and desires. He understands their loneliness and hunger for love and companionship. Best of all, He will supply and provide for those needs, often in spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. You will fall in love with Joanna and Paul as they tiptoe around each other. You will laugh at the antics of their adult children who try to nip this growing romance in the bud. You will rejoice with them as love, coupled with faith, prevails.
Eileen Key introduces us to the enchanting Vestal and Hilde Grissom, who are still very much in love after many decades of marriage. In My Heart Still Beats, we follow the story of these two elderly lovebirds as they come to the realization that they must reluctantly sell their cottage. They hire Madison Tanner to drive and assist them as they go about making the necessary arrangements. It is up to Maddy to deal with the realtor and his precocious daughter when the Grissoms change their mind about selling. Through it all, the hand of God is at work to bring peace and fulfillment to those who are willing to follow His leading.
The book concludes with Christmas Crazy by Becky Melby. Jillian Galloway just thinks she is going on a Christmas vacation to Door County territory. Instead, it is up to her to rescue and salvage her uncle's dinner theater in time for the annual Christmas production. In one hilarious catastrophe and disaster after another, Jillian and the enigmatic, young, and extremely handsome Ricky rise to the occasion and overcome all obstacles so that the show can go on. Once again, we see the hand of God at work, drawing together those who are faithful in His service.
Four stories, each entirely different and unique, are bound together with the common threads of Lola Peterson's Christmas Tea and the legend of the Christmas cactus that Lola shares with the main character in each of these novellas. I enjoyed this collection so much that I read it in its entirety in one day. I recommend that you add this book to your Christmas list, both for your own pleasure and for gifts for those you love.
A copy of this book for review purposes was provided to me by the authors. I received no compensation for this review nor was I under any obligation to provide a favorable review.
Next, we move along to Ride With Me Into Christmas by Rachael Phillips. Rachael adroitly shows us that, just because a person is retired and has already raised a family, it doesn't mean that life is over for them. God still cares about them and understands their needs and desires. He understands their loneliness and hunger for love and companionship. Best of all, He will supply and provide for those needs, often in spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. You will fall in love with Joanna and Paul as they tiptoe around each other. You will laugh at the antics of their adult children who try to nip this growing romance in the bud. You will rejoice with them as love, coupled with faith, prevails.
Eileen Key introduces us to the enchanting Vestal and Hilde Grissom, who are still very much in love after many decades of marriage. In My Heart Still Beats, we follow the story of these two elderly lovebirds as they come to the realization that they must reluctantly sell their cottage. They hire Madison Tanner to drive and assist them as they go about making the necessary arrangements. It is up to Maddy to deal with the realtor and his precocious daughter when the Grissoms change their mind about selling. Through it all, the hand of God is at work to bring peace and fulfillment to those who are willing to follow His leading.
The book concludes with Christmas Crazy by Becky Melby. Jillian Galloway just thinks she is going on a Christmas vacation to Door County territory. Instead, it is up to her to rescue and salvage her uncle's dinner theater in time for the annual Christmas production. In one hilarious catastrophe and disaster after another, Jillian and the enigmatic, young, and extremely handsome Ricky rise to the occasion and overcome all obstacles so that the show can go on. Once again, we see the hand of God at work, drawing together those who are faithful in His service.
Four stories, each entirely different and unique, are bound together with the common threads of Lola Peterson's Christmas Tea and the legend of the Christmas cactus that Lola shares with the main character in each of these novellas. I enjoyed this collection so much that I read it in its entirety in one day. I recommend that you add this book to your Christmas list, both for your own pleasure and for gifts for those you love.
A copy of this book for review purposes was provided to me by the authors. I received no compensation for this review nor was I under any obligation to provide a favorable review.
November 17, 2017
On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, A Door County Christmas is a cookie table. Molasses crinkles highlight the brightly decorated sugar cookies while chocolate dipped pretzels tantalize the tongue with salt and sugar. This sweet arrangement is beautiful to the eye and delicious too!
Since A Door Country Christmas consists of four different novellas written by four different authors, I want to take a bit longer on this review. Each story needs its own section because I enjoyed it so. Grab your hot chocolate and read on.
THE HEART'S HARBOR by Cynthia Ruchti: This snickerdoodle-cookie read is full of moments of snickering as Amanda finds herself suddenly in charge of an inn and the town's legendary Christmas tea. When the innkeeper's handsome son arrives on the scene, Amanda is pushed to her limits. This story is adorable, but I often had a hard time following the story. It felt jerky, as though it was meant to be longer but had to be chopped to novella-size. But, I still enjoyed the situations that Amanda and Jordan found themselves.
RIDE WITH ME INTO CHRISTMAS by Rachael O. Phillips: Crunchy, Christmas trail mix, good for all year around, whisks readers into the sweet and salty exchanges between widow Joanna and her neighbor Paul. Despite having grown children and knee-high grandchildren, Paul challenges Joanna to a bicycle race. From that moment on, the romance between them flies forward, even with the bumps and ruts of life. This romance was so sweet, hilarious, and realistic. The story and characters developed so seamlessly that I felt like I'd live a full few years with them.
MY HEART STILL BEATS by Eileen Key: Sugar-cookie sweet with red-hot sprinkles, this read introduces Madison, chauffeur to octogenarians, and their realtor, Grant. Madison isn't interested in love after her heartbreak, but she can't help but notice Grant. But, you know, I think the octogenarians and Grant's sweet daughter stole the story. My heart was certainly warmed with this Christmas novella.
CHRISTMAS CRAZY by Becky Melby: Creme puffs hide a delicious surprise in the center just like this Christmas read. Jillian arrives to her uncle's theater to run advertising only to realize that the theater needs a whole lot more TLC than she thought. With the help of a gorgeous Brazilian, she gets to work but discovers some surprises along the way. This one put me in the mind of I Love Lucy, but I sometimes struggled to keep secondary characters straight. But I so loved this story.
Overall, I think you need to grab A Door County Christmas for your Holiday reading time. It's sweet and clean.
Since A Door Country Christmas consists of four different novellas written by four different authors, I want to take a bit longer on this review. Each story needs its own section because I enjoyed it so. Grab your hot chocolate and read on.
THE HEART'S HARBOR by Cynthia Ruchti: This snickerdoodle-cookie read is full of moments of snickering as Amanda finds herself suddenly in charge of an inn and the town's legendary Christmas tea. When the innkeeper's handsome son arrives on the scene, Amanda is pushed to her limits. This story is adorable, but I often had a hard time following the story. It felt jerky, as though it was meant to be longer but had to be chopped to novella-size. But, I still enjoyed the situations that Amanda and Jordan found themselves.
RIDE WITH ME INTO CHRISTMAS by Rachael O. Phillips: Crunchy, Christmas trail mix, good for all year around, whisks readers into the sweet and salty exchanges between widow Joanna and her neighbor Paul. Despite having grown children and knee-high grandchildren, Paul challenges Joanna to a bicycle race. From that moment on, the romance between them flies forward, even with the bumps and ruts of life. This romance was so sweet, hilarious, and realistic. The story and characters developed so seamlessly that I felt like I'd live a full few years with them.
MY HEART STILL BEATS by Eileen Key: Sugar-cookie sweet with red-hot sprinkles, this read introduces Madison, chauffeur to octogenarians, and their realtor, Grant. Madison isn't interested in love after her heartbreak, but she can't help but notice Grant. But, you know, I think the octogenarians and Grant's sweet daughter stole the story. My heart was certainly warmed with this Christmas novella.
CHRISTMAS CRAZY by Becky Melby: Creme puffs hide a delicious surprise in the center just like this Christmas read. Jillian arrives to her uncle's theater to run advertising only to realize that the theater needs a whole lot more TLC than she thought. With the help of a gorgeous Brazilian, she gets to work but discovers some surprises along the way. This one put me in the mind of I Love Lucy, but I sometimes struggled to keep secondary characters straight. But I so loved this story.
Overall, I think you need to grab A Door County Christmas for your Holiday reading time. It's sweet and clean.
January 4, 2014
Picked this book up after I saw it at my mother-in-laws house. Wasn't really sure what it was about but I was intrigued because Door County, WI was one of our favorite places to visit when we lived in Wisconsin. The book is composed of 4 stories written by individual authors. All stories have several things in common including at least one character visiting Door County, a Christmas tea, and a Christmas cactus that won't bloom until love is found. The book is in the category of Christian romance and there are frequent references to scripture, prayer, and faith. I was very impressed by how the stories fit together even though they were written by separate authors. The only story I wasn't particularly fond of was the last story about a local theatre. I'm not sure if I was tired when I started the book or if the book was written to give a sense of confusion, but I could not get the characters straight. The last story was overly descriptive and the characters were not well developed. One of the stories was about a widow and widower falling in love. It was sweet and refreshing.
January 2, 2018
Really fun
I live just a couple hours or less from Door County. It was fun to read about a place I am somewhat familiar with. I enjoyed all the stories in this bundle. And no typos!
I live just a couple hours or less from Door County. It was fun to read about a place I am somewhat familiar with. I enjoyed all the stories in this bundle. And no typos!
November 13, 2017
A Door County Christmas is a wonderful collection of four Christian Christmas tales. All are unique but linked by Christmas cacti, common themes, locations, characters and events. The reader is in for a real treat. So grab yourself a copy, sit back and enjoy.
The Heart's Harbor by Cynthia Ruchti is a delightful, warm tale with wonderful characters that will lodge in your heart. The action revolves around festive fare and an inn at Christmas. Taste buds are tempted. Romance bubbles. Meddling is guaranteed. With warmth and humour make this a fabulous opening story.
Ride With Me Into Christmas by Rachael Phillips is delightful, showing no matter how old we are, God still has plans for us. Romance is not just for the young. Romance in the twilight years is a gentle affair. Grief, forgiveness and prayer are also themes. Love and kindness when coupled with prayer can change hearts. A wonderful tale.
My Heart Still Beats by Eileen Key is a warm tale about young love, mature love, Christmas traditions and the faithfulness of God. The memories open up, enveloping the reader who feels cocooned in the story. Perfectly delightful.
Christmas Crazy by Becky Melby focuses on God, community and traditions. The wonderful warm atmosphere helps the reader to 'feel' included in the frantic preparations. True treasure is not found in riches or fame but in people and God.
A wonderful collection that imparts the true meaning of Christmas.
The Heart's Harbor by Cynthia Ruchti is a delightful, warm tale with wonderful characters that will lodge in your heart. The action revolves around festive fare and an inn at Christmas. Taste buds are tempted. Romance bubbles. Meddling is guaranteed. With warmth and humour make this a fabulous opening story.
Ride With Me Into Christmas by Rachael Phillips is delightful, showing no matter how old we are, God still has plans for us. Romance is not just for the young. Romance in the twilight years is a gentle affair. Grief, forgiveness and prayer are also themes. Love and kindness when coupled with prayer can change hearts. A wonderful tale.
My Heart Still Beats by Eileen Key is a warm tale about young love, mature love, Christmas traditions and the faithfulness of God. The memories open up, enveloping the reader who feels cocooned in the story. Perfectly delightful.
Christmas Crazy by Becky Melby focuses on God, community and traditions. The wonderful warm atmosphere helps the reader to 'feel' included in the frantic preparations. True treasure is not found in riches or fame but in people and God.
A wonderful collection that imparts the true meaning of Christmas.
December 14, 2021
I always make time each winter for a few Christmas novellas, and A DOOR COUNTY CHRISTMAS delivers four light-hearted romantic tales in one book by four talented Christian writers. The stories while predicable are creatively tied together by one special inn keeper, a Christmas tea, and four Christmas cacti. Door County is a special spot, and while I've visited in spring, summer, and autumn, I've yet to add a winter trip. Like other books I've read set there as the county settles down into winter's slow season, these four stories made me want to pack up the car to head for the lakeshore or the bay. (I've never decided which side of the county I like best), sip hot chocolate, and settle in front of a fire. Much better than a Hallmark movie.
March 7, 2021
Just got caught up on my Christmas reading today (haha). This book contains 4 love stories set in Door County. An event called the Christmas Tea is one thing that apparently was required to be at least mentioned in all four stories. The other "thread" is Christmas cacti that appear in each story. This kind of collaboration between writers (who are writing separate stories) always intrigues me. The stories are sweet and you know the endings. As the reader, you are interested by what obstacles will be presented to each couple. Bottom line: reading about the charms of Door County makes me eager to return there for some R & R when the pandemic is well and truly over!
November 13, 2017
There might be a Christmas cactus in your future...
This is a nice collection of stories that just might leave you wanting a Christmas cactus. In the first novella, we meet Lola, and her prolific cactus. Each novella contains progeny of Lola's Christmas cactus, and a prophetic message to it's recipient. Place these in yuletide settings and you have fun, faith-filled stories that will surely put you in a holiday mood. I enjoyed this collection, and look forward to other such offerings.
This is a nice collection of stories that just might leave you wanting a Christmas cactus. In the first novella, we meet Lola, and her prolific cactus. Each novella contains progeny of Lola's Christmas cactus, and a prophetic message to it's recipient. Place these in yuletide settings and you have fun, faith-filled stories that will surely put you in a holiday mood. I enjoyed this collection, and look forward to other such offerings.
December 17, 2025
Enjoyed the settings of Door County. Almost liked the Hearts Harbor to have been a whole book. Really made me feel like I was revisiting all the places of the area. The characters also rang true with a good amount of humor. Ride with me was also good as it recalled many bike trips through the park and stopping for ice cream. Grown Children trying to stop elderly romances. In My heart still beats it was endearing how the young girl just wants family/grandparents to love her. Christmas Crazy was a nice story but almost could have been written about any place.
November 8, 2017
A Door County Christmas weaves the magic of four stories together into a charming Christmas read. Highly recommend for those who enjoy Christmas romance. Cynthia Ruchti's story of the jilted Amanda escaping to Door County kept me smiling throughout like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold night. Each of the other stories had their own charms, sprinkling in familiar romance conventions with hefty helping of Door County charm. Grab a warm beverage and enjoy.
December 24, 2018
Four inspiring humorous Door County, Wisconsin Christmas stories with an unique Christmas Tea at Lola Peterson's Inn and gift of a Christmas cactus. Four different women find love: Amanda Brooks from Chicago, Joanna Flick a widow and retired teacher, chauffeur Madison Tanner and Jillian Galloway. As a Midwesterner with a mother, who had a Christmas cactus I related to these delightful stories. The authors are new to this avid reader.
December 20, 2017
I don't read many romance novels, but for some reason, I like them at Christmastime. Some people watch Hallmark Christmas movies. I read them I guess :) These are short sweet predictable love stories, but they are perfect for reading with a coffee by the Christmas tree and getting the warm fuzzy feeling inside.
April 8, 2022
This book of 4 short stories tied together by Christmas cactus plants, lots of praying, and 4 budding romances sound like Hallmark movie scripts. Mostly fluff with obvious plot lines, it made good light reading. All the references to the settings in Door County, Wisconsin, were fun to recall- having lived there briefly and working there for 10 years in the early 2000’s.
December 9, 2017
What does Door County, prayers and a Christmas cactus have in common? Lola! A delightful lady that wishes happiness and romance for four of her friends. Each story has it's own romance during the Christmas season. Good Christian, clean stories I really enjoyed!
November 21, 2017
What a wonderful Christmas compilation of hope, peace and joy. This book encompasses each of the true meanings of Christmas through characters that all come together in a Christmas town. Stories focus on young love, family, work and a lifelong love story. Excellent!
January 17, 2023
Recommended by a friend. Four short stories that take place in Door county. I wish we could give half stars. I enjoyed each story, however I felt one was not on the same level. Each one has a reference to Lola, who gifts Christmas cactus to special friends.
December 29, 2023
Perfect accent to my Christmas holiday season. I love how the stories fit together!
I like that the stories each pointed the reader to God's will and provision. They were all refreshing!
Thank you to each of the authors.
I like that the stories each pointed the reader to God's will and provision. They were all refreshing!
Thank you to each of the authors.
November 30, 2017
There were 4 novellas in this compilation. I enjoyed the first novella the most. I like to read clean romance novels.
December 19, 2017
I liked all 4 stories. Each one was so different, yet the connections between them was really, really fun.
July 12, 2021
"Heart's Harbor" was my favorite of the four novellas--clever and captivating. The last one was too slap-stick. I enjoyed the Christmas cactus motif throughout.
December 28, 2021
I agree with many other reviews that the first two short stories were by far the best out of the four. If you’re looking to get more into the “Christmas Spirit” then this is the book for you.
April 14, 2024
Easy reading cozies with a HEA ending.
June 22, 2024
I know it’s not the holiday season but still enjoyed these four short stories set in my happy place.
December 26, 2014
The adjective "heartwarming" has been a bit overused, but it happens to be the best one to describe this wonderful Christmas-themed collection of novellas. Each story is guaranteed to give the reader those "feel good" vibes typical of this joyous, magical, holy season.
All of the stories in this beautiful collection take place in an equally beautiful area of the United States -- Door County, in the state of Wisconsin. They are all subtly interrelated, as well, for they all have to do with a Christmas cactus that's supposed to bloom right around the time that love blooms for each of the four main female characters.
The first story, "The Heart's Harbor", by Cynthia Ruchti, introduces the reader to the quirky and lovable Lola and Harland Peterson, owners of the Heart Harbor Victorian Inn. Lola is also the organizer of a well-known annual event -- The Christmas Tea. This year, however, she is unable to host it, so she volunteers her niece, Amanda Brooks, for the job, much to the latter's dismay. Surprisingly, Jordan Peterson, who has just arrived, offers to help....and Amanda is the first one to receive a Christmas cactus from Lola. This is a sweet tale totally laced with romance and the holiday spirit!
In "Ride with Me into Christmas", by Rachael Phillips, recently-widowed Joanna Flick is the second woman to receive a cactus. Joanna doesn't have a green thumb, but her neighbor, Paul Sorensen, sure does. He has been curious about her ever since she moved in next door, but Joanna has simply been too depressed to want to do much socializing. Fortunately, a spider in her kitchen sends her screaming outside, and Paul kindly offers to get rid of it for her....This is a tender tale of two lonely people who have lost their spouses, and are tentatively reaching out for love again.
The third story, "My Heart Still Beats", by Eileen Key, is my favorite one in the collection, in spite of the cheesy-sounding title and somewhat predictable plot. That's because I'm a totally unabashed, sentimental, and hopeless romantic.... So I love sweet, mushy stories, and this is definitely one of them!
The plot deals with a pair of delightful octogenarians, Vestal and Hilde Grissom, who have hired a young woman named Madison Tanner to be their chauffeur. Madison drives them back to their beloved house in the town of Ephraim, located in Door County, which their niece is determined to make them sell. There, Madison meets handsome, widowed realtor Grant Sterling and his sprightly ten-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. Maddy is the third cactus recipient, and the stage is well set for love....If you are a sentimental romantic like me, this one will definitely tug at your heart!
"Christmas Crazy", by Becky Melby, is a totally unique as well as funny story, concerning the unusual little disasters that befall a group of comedy actors in the town of Sister Bay. Here's another niece -- Jillian Galloway, whose uncle, Buster, is the proprietor of Doorbuster's Comedy Theater. Jillian is a copywriter for an advertising agency, but she's not happy at her job, and her uncle definitely needs her help at the theater.
Enter handsome, Brazilian-born Enrique Jimenez (nicknamed "Ricky Jimmy" by one of the actors), a rather mysterious handyman who will collaborate with her at the theater....
Jillian, nicknamed "Jilly", has also received one of Lola's Christmas cacti, which she has promptly named "Jolly".
I really should read more Christian romance, especially at this time of year. Such stories are obviously tailor-made for this very special time of the year. They are sweet, tender, and full of the true meaning of Christmas. The ones in this book also weave some very appropriate Biblical verses into the plots, and that's a refreshing change of pace for me, since I have read far too many romance novels in which God, if mentioned at all, might very well be part of an expletive.
Those who relish Christian romance will surely love these gentle stories! They're cozy, beautiful, contain humorous moments, and focus on the celebration of the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago.... These are stories of true love -- not just the love between romantic partners, but also between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and even between neighbors. Most importantly, they clearly portray the love and care of God for each of the characters. They are also festive, and the setting is perfect for a "White Christmas"!
For more of my reviews, please visit my blog, A NIGHT’S DREAM OF BOOKS.
http://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com
All of the stories in this beautiful collection take place in an equally beautiful area of the United States -- Door County, in the state of Wisconsin. They are all subtly interrelated, as well, for they all have to do with a Christmas cactus that's supposed to bloom right around the time that love blooms for each of the four main female characters.
The first story, "The Heart's Harbor", by Cynthia Ruchti, introduces the reader to the quirky and lovable Lola and Harland Peterson, owners of the Heart Harbor Victorian Inn. Lola is also the organizer of a well-known annual event -- The Christmas Tea. This year, however, she is unable to host it, so she volunteers her niece, Amanda Brooks, for the job, much to the latter's dismay. Surprisingly, Jordan Peterson, who has just arrived, offers to help....and Amanda is the first one to receive a Christmas cactus from Lola. This is a sweet tale totally laced with romance and the holiday spirit!
In "Ride with Me into Christmas", by Rachael Phillips, recently-widowed Joanna Flick is the second woman to receive a cactus. Joanna doesn't have a green thumb, but her neighbor, Paul Sorensen, sure does. He has been curious about her ever since she moved in next door, but Joanna has simply been too depressed to want to do much socializing. Fortunately, a spider in her kitchen sends her screaming outside, and Paul kindly offers to get rid of it for her....This is a tender tale of two lonely people who have lost their spouses, and are tentatively reaching out for love again.
The third story, "My Heart Still Beats", by Eileen Key, is my favorite one in the collection, in spite of the cheesy-sounding title and somewhat predictable plot. That's because I'm a totally unabashed, sentimental, and hopeless romantic.... So I love sweet, mushy stories, and this is definitely one of them!
The plot deals with a pair of delightful octogenarians, Vestal and Hilde Grissom, who have hired a young woman named Madison Tanner to be their chauffeur. Madison drives them back to their beloved house in the town of Ephraim, located in Door County, which their niece is determined to make them sell. There, Madison meets handsome, widowed realtor Grant Sterling and his sprightly ten-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. Maddy is the third cactus recipient, and the stage is well set for love....If you are a sentimental romantic like me, this one will definitely tug at your heart!
"Christmas Crazy", by Becky Melby, is a totally unique as well as funny story, concerning the unusual little disasters that befall a group of comedy actors in the town of Sister Bay. Here's another niece -- Jillian Galloway, whose uncle, Buster, is the proprietor of Doorbuster's Comedy Theater. Jillian is a copywriter for an advertising agency, but she's not happy at her job, and her uncle definitely needs her help at the theater.
Enter handsome, Brazilian-born Enrique Jimenez (nicknamed "Ricky Jimmy" by one of the actors), a rather mysterious handyman who will collaborate with her at the theater....
Jillian, nicknamed "Jilly", has also received one of Lola's Christmas cacti, which she has promptly named "Jolly".
I really should read more Christian romance, especially at this time of year. Such stories are obviously tailor-made for this very special time of the year. They are sweet, tender, and full of the true meaning of Christmas. The ones in this book also weave some very appropriate Biblical verses into the plots, and that's a refreshing change of pace for me, since I have read far too many romance novels in which God, if mentioned at all, might very well be part of an expletive.
Those who relish Christian romance will surely love these gentle stories! They're cozy, beautiful, contain humorous moments, and focus on the celebration of the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago.... These are stories of true love -- not just the love between romantic partners, but also between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and even between neighbors. Most importantly, they clearly portray the love and care of God for each of the characters. They are also festive, and the setting is perfect for a "White Christmas"!
For more of my reviews, please visit my blog, A NIGHT’S DREAM OF BOOKS.
http://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com
November 19, 2019
Nice snippets of Door County locales. A Christmas tea and Christmas cactus is a common thread in all 4 novellas. Stories are a quick read,
December 8, 2017
A Door County Christmas, a combination of four novellas, brought the true meaning of Christmas to Door County, Wisconsin. I loved the quirky characters that brought humor and joy to the book. I highly recommend it. Maybe someday I’ll get to go there!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews