Day #1 – It’s Never Too Early for Christmas Books!
Don’t Miss All 5 Days of this Fun Book Series, Just Click on Each Day:
Day #1 – Day #2 – Day #3 – Day #4 – Day #5
I have always enjoyed pleasure reading, especially clean women’s fiction. As busy as we all are these days, taking a short period of time out of your day to read a quick book is calming and satisfying. I enjoy reading Christmas books all year round when I need a heartwarming pick-me-up! I recently discovered “Novellas” which are shorter books around 125 – 200 pages. It is nice to complete a book in a short period of time and still enjoy it just as much as a bigger novel of 300+ pages. I have challenged myself to a “binge” on Christmas novellas that will give me exposure to newer authors as well as some of the bigger established names many of us are familiar with.
I hope you will join me and discover some new stories and authors over this 5-day series of Christmas themed books – plus, books make great gifts. Below each book description, I have included my personal rating along with a beverage pairing to make this even more fun!
The Christmas Club: by Barbara Hinske
Brief Summary from the Back Cover of “The Christmas Club”: “From Barbara Hinske, best-selling author of the Rosemont series, comes this heartwarming Christmas tale celebrating the generosity of the human spirit and the irresistible pull of love — an instant holiday classic for admirers of It’s a Wonderful Life and The Gift of the Magi.” (continued below)
(continued) “Verna Lind expects Christmas of 1952 to be the best holiday she’s had since the war ended. But as she’s leaving the bank, a frigid wind off Lake Erie catches her hard-earned Christmas club savings, whisking the bills into the busy streets of downtown Cleveland and devastating her plans. Strangers come to her aid, though no one anticipates the power of their chance encounter or the seeds of happiness Verna’s lost money will sow.”
Category: Contemporary Women’s Fiction/Romance
Release Date: October, 2016
Length: 127 pages
Average Rating (Amazon, Goodreads, etc.): 5 stars
Location and Appeal: This delightful Christmas story takes place in 1952 in downtown Cleveland. I am especially drawn to books and movies from this era as well as earlier eras. The nostalgia from this time is so endearing and there are plenty of reminders about those “days gone by” in this story that are such a pleasure to drift into for a cozy, heartwarming reading experience if only for a little while. To purchase the “The Christmas Club”, click here: AMAZON
To purchase the “The Christmas Club”, click here: AMAZON
To view and purchase Barbara’s “Rosemont” book, click one of these: AMAZON -or- BARNES & NOBLE
Learn more about this author and her books by clicking HERE
How I discovered this author: I have been reading Barbara Hinske’s books for a few years now. The feel of Downton Abbey and Mitford is what caught my attention, as well as the appealing cover art on each book. I have actually connected with Barbara and am enjoying getting to know her. It amazes me that she is still a full-time attorney as well as an accomplished author who is best known for her “Coming to Rosemont” book series of five books with more coming soon. I joined her stress-free “Rosemont Book Club” group on Facebook. It is a low-key, one book per month experience. We read and discuss a variety of authors and genres after having a chance to vote on the books that are selected. If you are looking for a no-pressure women’s book group, please give this one a try! Visit this Facebook book group HERE.
Note: I purchased this book with my own funds and was under no obligation and received no compensation to write this honest, unbiased review which is completely my own thoughts and opinions.
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24 Comments
Sounds like a wonderful book! I love reading stories with a Christmas theme and I too love that time period. 🙂
It is truly such a feel-good book! You would also enjoy Barbara Hinske’s other books as well, she is currently working on a suspenseful story. Stay tuned for the other Christmas novella posts in this series coming this week!
Lori Jo
Hi Lori Jo, I agree that it is always a good time to read a feel-good book especially about Christmas. I’ll be putting this one on my list and look forward to your next review. x
Hey, Sue! Reading is also so good for the brain as we age. Reading online is good, but to use our imaginations when reading a book, whether it is fiction or non-fiction, provides variety and keeps the processing juices flowing in our brains. I hope you will read Barbara’s book, it is a big sweet hug <3 Thank you as always for your comments and support!
Lori Jo
It sounds like a lovely feel-good novel – always a nice thing to read and even more so in the wind down time over Christmas/New Year. A refreshing change of blogging pace for you (less photos to have to take!) and lovely to see you back writing again with your new plan to add variety.
Hey, Leanne! Glad you enjoyed this! I am still so new, I have to keep making adjustments that “fit” me and feel like things we would have in common that also provide good information. My creative heart and design eye crave the fun in graphics and words, which come easily in describing books that speak to me. Yes, there is more time and energy involved with fashion since I am my own photographer, posing at home all by myself, LOL! Balance is key, I am getting there slowly but surely 😀 I do hope you will read Barbara’s book, it is easy and relaxing — Thank you for visiting and being supportive!
Lori Jo
It sounds like a lovely Christmas story, Lori Jo. It’s nice that you shared the review early, so we have time to get the book, to enjoy during the season. The book club you are in sounds like a lot of fun, too.
Hi, Christina! It is a cozy, relaxed story. I look forward to reading other things by this author. I hope you will try the book club, it is a nice group of ladies that interact well together, and the author who started it, Barbara Hinske, is wonderful. Her virtual assistant, Lisa, moderates the group and Barbara jumps in there as well. Every other week Barbara does a Facebook live stream to share her personal life with us as well. Hope to see you there! Thanks for visiting today 🙂
Lori Jo
Thanks for sharing these. I’m always looking for good books to read. Have a great day! ~ Angie
You will enjoy these! Stay tuned, book reviews will be regular weekly posts now, variety is fun! Thanks for visiting 🙂
Lori Jo
Hey, what a great find for me. I was looking for a book and I’m going to check it out.
Maria
So glad, Maria! I will incorporate more book reviews in the blog, keep watching, good clean reading. Thanks for visiting 🙂
Lori Jo
I can’t wait to see all the books on your reading list. The Christmas Club sounds like a great read!
Hey, Michelle! “The Christmas Club” is so good! That is the same author who wrote the “Rosemont” series, equally good. There will be 2 more books this week, then I may do another group next week. Books bring us together, love it! Thank you for visiting 🙂
Lori Jo
Thanks, Lori Jo! You have so many lovely choices. I do crave some good, clean reading. It’s fun to take a break from the Christmas hustle and take time to read.
Thanks, again.
Hey, Meegan! These are fairly quick to read, so that is why I put out an assortment of 5 as a “binge”, you could comfortably read all 5 within a couple of weeks. Keep watching for the rest of this series and also more book reviews on a regular basis, reading is so good for our mind, heart and soul! Thanks for visiting 🙂
Lori Jo
What a good idea, Lori Jo! I do read ALL THE TIME. 😉 Just picked up a teacup mystery by Laura Childs for my next mystery. Usually I reread Jan Karon’s A Mitford Christmas as I love her Christmas stories with Father Tim and the crew. Happily pinning!
So glad you enjoy reading, Barbara! These Christmas books are wonderful. I adore Jan Karon and the Mitford series, my “book family”, I met her 4 years ago at a book event at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC, she is delightful! I have heard of the teacup mysteries and that author, sounds fun. Thanks so much for visiting and pinning, watch for more book reviews on a regular basis! 🙂
Lori Jo
Thanks for introducing me to a new author! Can’t wait to see what else she has to offer. Love a good ready on a cold winter day
So glad the book posts are helpful, Regan! I am also part of Barbara Hinske’s reading group, it is delightful. She is an amazing person and I am so glad that she is welcoming and connected with me, we have done a video chat and stay in touch via email. I will be writing in the near future and she will be giving me advice when the “big moment” is due to happen – Thanks so much for visiting! 🙂
Lori Jo
Lori I really look forward to our free time during Christmas when I can kick back and relax. Reading is a great way to unwind and that is when I do it best. I know that your selections are great and I look forward to reading a few.
Hey, Mary! Yes, reading time is therapeutic and so needed. These are nice quick stories, so it is fun to read a few in a row. Thanks for visiting 🙂
Lori Jo
Hi Lori,
I’ve been following Your posts since you first announced on Claire`s reinvention list. I love the Christmas novella idea and have read the fist one. I’m on the path to read the rest¡ thanks for your inspiration!
Hey, Karen! So glad you are enjoying the novellas. I am settling into blogging and want to offer a blend and variety of content to provide good information and helpful ideas that connect with my readers. I will have more new things this week! Thanks so much for commenting, I truly appreciate it, let’s talk again soon 🙂
Lori Jo