Tag Archives: books

The Christmas Tree Farm By Melody Carlson

Posted on by
Reply

look forward to Ms. Carlson’s new Christmas book every year. I jumped the gun and read it before December though, I could not wait!

All her books are so different in every way, plot, characters, settings! No cookie cutter stories here!

Imagine being away years working overseas away from family and the excitement of finally coming home to all that is comforting and familiar. Yet those things and people have changed drastically.

This is what happened to Madison McDowell. Two anchors in her life, her father and beloved grandmother have passed away. Her place of refuge growing up, the family Christmas tree farm had been devastated by a wildfire.

Thankfully, the house, barn and some trees survived. She overcome with sadness not only at the land they lost but also the complete ruin of neighbors and friends. Yet she is grateful her little sister Addie continued the farm after their grandmother’s death. Or has she?

A bit taken back at her sister’s lack of enthusiasm at her return she focuses on enjoying the nostalgia and memories in the home. What is Addie’s problem she wonders. No matter she is ready to join hands with her sister and rebuild the farm no matter what it takes. Addie shows no desire, only coldness and indifference, even a secrecy.

I love that Madison overcame her sister’s negativity and focused on what she could do. Her heart was 100% in it! Her can-do spirit was inspiring. 

I found myself aggravated with Addie’s attitude and constant rejection of Madison. Throughout the book Madison found herself excluded by those she loved most.

I applaud the way she refused to let them influence her emotions or plans Gavin her old high school flame and his daughter precocious, feisty daughter, Lily, at first appeared to be an annoyance but as she got to know them, they became key to her future. I enjoyed her interaction with Lily and the young girl’s spirited mindset.

A beautiful Christmas story about making your dreams go true no matter what the obstacles!

I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.

Appalachian Song By Michelle Shocklee

Posted on by
Reply

The story transpired in 1943 but is being told in 1973.  A
 slip of paper with his birthday and the name of a midwife was all he had to connect him to his past.  Just a short time ago, famed country and western performer, Walker Wylie, had everything a person could want.  That is until his father died and his mother had revealed he had been adopted 30 years ago.  He is angry, bitter, broken and driven to locate his birth parents. 
Why did the reject him?  He has questions. 

He has to have help. He reaches out to Reese Chandler, a midwife that works in the mountains.  She is adopted and was told as soon as she could understand.  Unlike Walker she has no desire to look into her past.

Very quickly they find Bertie Jenkins the midwife on the piece of paper.  The story that unfolds is captivating and beautiful.  Nothing like Walker had imagined.  I loved the Jenkins sisters Bertie and Rubie!  Bertie’s no nonsense take charger personality and the way she ordered her thoughts with wisdom and simplicity was delightful!  Rubie though slow in mind shocked me with her insight and sweet compassion. 

The 5 spinster sister’s story of living alone in the hills even after their father died was incredible.   Reading about their interaction and family dynamics let me get to know them personally.   I especially liked hearing how they managed without much money or no modern convinces. They had a strong family unit even with such varied personalities.   Their love and compassion for Walkers young mother who came to them in desperate need was inspiring!  

I enjoyed learning about, Songbird, Walkers mom and who she was compared to who he thought she was. Even more so the true reason she gave him up for adoption.  It just showed how we can assume so much on how we feel without knowing the facts. 

I got so emotionally involved with the sister’s and Songbird’s stories that I couldn’t put the book down! There were two highlights in the book for me. One was Bertie and Rubie being reunited with Walker, whom they loved dearly and thought they would never see again.  Second was the change in Walker’s attitude once he learned the truth.  Oh and of course the surprise ending but that I will never tell!  You have to read the book.  I thoroughly enjoyed all of it!

I received this book from Library Thing Early Reviewers Program in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions stated are my own.