Book Review: Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball

by Donita K. Paul

Copyright 2010
WaterBrook Press
240 pages
ISBN: 0307458997

Fiction

 

From the Publisher:

 

In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad's (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick and the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

 

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they've decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers' best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

 

My Review:

This book was a perfect holiday read with a light-hearted plot filled with family, romance and a little bit of magic.  Once I started this book, I was immediately transported into the magical setting and before I knew it, I had finished the book with a warm heart and a smile of my face.

 

The plot of this book is a mix of a Hallmark movie, Harry Potter and a Christian romance.  I loved the "magical" elements that kept happening through the story, such as the street appearing/disappearing, the ticket that was meant for Cora, the sisters and their dress shop and of course, the Wizard Ball.  The only downside was that issues within Cora's family were mentioned many times, but there was no resolution to them.  I guess that the reader is just supposed to be get wrapped up in the magic of the story and the fairy-tale-ending, but I felt like I was left hanging by not finding out that Cora's family resolved their problems.

 

I'm a complete sucker for a happy ending and this novella did not disappoint.  I'd recommend it to anyone who's looking for a sweet, feel-good book, especially when Christmas rolls around. 

 

Many thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book to review!  Sara's Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Hatteras Girl

Hatteras Girl

by Alice Wisler 
Copyright 2010 
Bethany House Publishers 
320 pages 
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0732-7
Fiction

From the Publisher:

Jackie Donovan prays for two things: an honest, wonderful man to marry and to own a bed-and-breakfast on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the meantime, she works for Lighthouse Views, writing articles about local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.

There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: The Bailey House, a fabulous old home located right next to the ocean, a place where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons. But the Bailey House has strange stories and secrets surrounding it—not to mention its outrageous price tag.

When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey property, she believes God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to wonder if her heart has lead her astray. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?

My Review:

This book was a cute and light read, but I found it to be rather average.  The author did a great job of creating the setting and describing the beachy community in North Carolina.  Also, I enjoyed following Jackie along on her dream to own a bed and breakfast, but I felt like there were a few random stops along the way.  The stops added to the quirkiness of the book and there were many aspects that made me smile such as: Jackie’s family always trying to set her up on dates, her colorful array of hats, her mom’s broken English, her dealings with Minnie’s son, Zane and Buck at the Sunnyside Grille.

I was a bit disappointed that Davis turned out to be such a “bad guy,” but I liked how everything turned out for the best in the end.  Overall, this was a “happy” read and your typical, clean chick lit. 

Many thanks to Bethany House Publishing for sending me this free book to review!  Sara’s rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Amy Inspired

 Amy Inspired 

by Bethany Pierce 
Copyright 2010 
Bethany House Publishers 
320 pages 
ISBN: 0764208500 
Fiction

From the Publisher:

With rejections piling up, she could use just a   little inspiration...

Amy Gallagher, aspiring writer, has an unabashed obsession with words. She gave up a steady, albeit unexciting, job to pursue a life of writing. However, two years and one master's degree later, she finds herself almost exactly right back where she started. Discouraged by the growing pile of rejections from publishers and afraid that she has settled, Amy knows something has to change.

Then she meets the mysterious, attractive, and unavailable Eli. Amy finds herself struggling to walk the fine line between friendship and something more with Eli, even as she tries to cope with the feeling that her friends and family are moving on without her. When the unexpected begins pouring in, Amy doubts the love and fulfillment she seeks will ever come her way. Forced to take a close look at who she has become, the state of her faith, and her aspirations for her life, she must make a choice: play it safe yet again or finally find the courage to follow her dreams.

My Review:

This book was interesting.  It was different in ways that I haven’t quite decided are good or a bad, and as with other reviewers, I’m slightly confused as how to review/rate it. 

There were parts of the book that were entertaining and even certain moments where I was laughing at loud at the situation or witty thoughts of the main character, Amy.  Yet, there were also moments of randomness (a student who has a crush on Amy, her mom’s makeup business, the Cheetos bag), which left me confused as to how it all fit into the story.  Also, though the description mentions a possible romantic interest in Eli (which does happen), I felt that the main relationship in the story was between Amy and her roommate, Zoe, as they deal with the struggles of their writing careers, men and their families.

The story seemed to drag bit, but the last few chapters saved this book for me.  Maybe I’m a sucker for a happy ending, but I really liked how Amy and Eli met up again and how the title of the book came into play within the story.  Overall, this was decent book. 

Many thanks to Bethany House Publishing for sending me this free book to review!  Sara’s rating: 3 out of 5 stars