All Through the Night by Mary Higgins Clark

I have not read one of her books in a long time.  This was a wonderful story about a woman who thought she had left her new born baby with the church only to fine out years later she had been taken by a robber.  The story lines unfolded nicely and the slueth, Alvirah, had a way with tying things together.  Not your typical Christmas story, but made me feel all nice a fuzzy inside.  Kindness and forgiveness goes a long way.

Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber

What a fun little book.  Ashley wants to surprise her mom for Christmas, but can't get a flight.  Dash needs to gt to Seattle for an interview and can't get a flight.  They end up sharing a rental car, and what a trip that is.  The interesting little twist is with the FBI following them.  Lots of action and fun along with a bit of romance.  Very enjoyable Christmas read.

The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo

Patterson never disappoints!  Gaby is getting married on Christmas day but will not tell her family or friends who she is marrying.  She won't even tell the groom.  She does this in part to get her family all together for the holiday.  It was a wonderful story full of love, compassion and sweetness.

Christmas, Present by Jacquelyn Mitchard

I did not like this book.  It was short and a quick read, but did not put me a the Christmas mood.  Elliot takes his wife Laura to a Cirque du Soleil performance.  On the way home she gets a terrible headache and the car breaks down.  She says she has to go to the hospital and they find out a blood vessel burst in her brain and she has less than 24 hours to live.  This is all happening the day before Christmas.  It was not a story I would tell at Christmas time.  I know these things happen, but this did not grab me.  It was all quiet self absorbed and I can't get any life lesson from the way this was written.

Fleece Navidad by Maggie Sefton

It is Christmas time in Fort Conner.  Lots of knitting and cookies going on.  Of course there always need to be some mystery and death.  Claudia comes to town and gets involved in everything.  She seems to win everyones heart over until her deceased husbands daughter comes to town.  Then you don't know who is telling the truth.  And then someone is killed in a hit and run which divides everyone.  Kelly has a nose for figuring things out and wraps it up neatly.  It was a bit predictable, but very enjoyable.  Sefton always does a great job with her characters, it makes me want to jump into the fray with them.

The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson

This was a wonderful story about five women who were on a reading group.  They supported each other through good times and bad.  When Abby, the one who held it all together, died unexpectedly no one was sure what would happen with the group.  Abby had made each of them an angel ornament that her husband delivered after her death.   Because of these ornaments all the women had an amazing experience for the holidays by getting out and doing for others.  It really was a heart warming story about friends, faith and giving.

Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen

Another tweaked book by this guy.  It really makes you wonder how he pulls all these things together.  There is a girl who causes fake car accidents while shaving.  A guy called Blister because of a botched robbery.  An attorney supporting a huge drug claim who has now become a victim himself.  A guy who does not want to lose his sunset view and comes up with some interesting ways to scare the neighbors.  And last but not least a fake Cajun with a lousy accent who hates chickens.  Somehow Hiaasen ties all of this together.  There were a few too many story lines for me, but it was never boring!!