An Endless Christmas Book Review

SUMMARY:  Both in their eighties, Dodie and Wilson Binder celebrate every Christmas as if it were their last.  This year, their only grandson, Micah, asks his girlfriend, Katie to marry him - in front of the whole family.  But things go terribly wrong when she says no.  Now Katie is stuck.  Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster.  But, sometimes too much is just enough.  Especially, when it's Christmas.
     Will Katie let herself love and be loved before it is too late?

REVIEW:  Thinking about this book while waiting for it to arrive, I started getting anxious.  How would the story work out?  If this were me, I would feel like the walls were closing in on me and like I was under a spotlight.  Would Katie feel the same way?  My fears were for naught.  This story was awesome and so sweet!!  The Binders have everything down to organized chaos.  Everyone has a comfortable place to sleep, even if it is in a window seat, plenty to eat and lots of wonderful memories to be made.  They open their doors to anyone in need of family and no one is a stranger.  When Wilson has some health issues, everyone pitches in to make sure Christmas Eve dinner is taken care of, the younger kids are taken care of and that Grandpa gets the help he needs.  I love the surprises towards the end of the story.  This is a family everyone longs to have.  They've learned the hard way that tomorrow is not guaranteed so live for now, with no regrets.
     This is an awesome book that should be read every year.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Worthy Inspired Books 

for review without compensation.

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of "Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark" through her novels and novellas, speaking for women's events and retreats, writers' events and retreats, and nonfiction books and devotionals, drawing from 33 years of on-air radio ministry.  Her books have been recognized by the RT Reviewers' Choice Award, Selah Awards, Gayle Wilson Award of excellence, Christian Retailing's BEST Awards, Family Fiction Readers' Choice Award and Carol Award nominations, among other honors.  She and her plot-tweaking husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren.

All My Belongings Book Review

SUMMARY:  A new identity can't protect Becca from a past that refuses to go away.
     Where do you turn to when changing your name doesn't give you the anonymity you want?  When running hundreds of miles away isn't far enough?  When your search for a place to belong lands you right back where you began?
     One phone call destroys all the hope Becca Morrow has for a life beyond the shame of her past.  Further discredited by the death of her elderly, ailing patient - the mother of the influential businessman, Isaac Hughes - Becca's new life is shattered and her longing for love slips away.  Working to clear her name, Becca must learn to see the beauty in the ugliness of dying, to accept the tenderness in forgiveness, and - at last - discover that where she belongs isn't as much about her family history as it is about her faith in the One to whom she'll always belong.

REVIEW:  The idea behind this story - trying to live your life anonymously after a family member becomes known across the nation for being a serial killer - is interesting.  My heart went out to Becca as she tried to move past her past and start a new life.  When her father's actions come back to haunt her, I LOVED how Isaac, Geneva, and Becca's new friends stand behind her and fight to clear her name.  While I found the idea to be interesting and loved the characters and their interactions, the story was missing something.  The author had some great ideas but I missed the edge that would have kept me sitting on the edge of my seat and turning the page. 

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Cynthia Ruchti is an acclaimed author and speaker with more than 30 years of broadcast experience.  The Professional Relations Liaison for American Christians Fiction Writers, Cynthia has also written articles for numerous magazines and industry publications.  Visit her online at cynthiaruchti.com.