More Reviews With Christmas In Mind

 
With Christmas three weeks away, I keep turning to books with holiday themes and find audio books a wonderful benefit when you’re busy and don't have time to sit and read.

A book never gets too old and revisiting them from time to time can be fun. One of the books I’m reviewing today has been our awhile, while the other was released this year. Both, however, make great additions to anyone’s holiday library.

THE NINE LIVES OF CHRISTMAS by Sheila Roberts

Down on his luck and on his final life, Ambrose the cat makes a desperate plea to his Creator and offers a bargain in return.

When Ambrose is saved from the clutches of an angry dog, he sees it as a sign to help the nice stranger. Not knowing how, Ambrose follows the stranger home in an effort to fulfill his bargain.

The stranger is Zach Stone, a firefighter who doesn’t believe in lasting-love thanks to his troubled childhood. He’s happy working, renovating his Victorian house, and spending time with his latest no-strings flame. But when the stray orange, tabby cat invades his life, Zach begins to look at things differently.

Merilee White loves animals and helping people, but when it comes to self-esteem she has very little. Despite her weight loss and maturing, Merilee still feels like the school girl everyone made fun of. She longs for a loving relationship like her parent’s have.

A chance encounter between Zach and Merilee cause both to have visions of the other. When Ambrose (now called Tom by Zach) sees the two together, he makes it his mission to bring them together permanently.

Author Sheila Roberts does a wonderful job of carrying the point of view form Zach to Merilee to Ambrose and back again. This is a light-hearted, warm and funny story that will tug on your heart strings as well as make you laugh.

Kathleen McInerney does a wonderful job narrating the story. Her timid vocals of Merilee are great, while she gives Zach’s voice the hint of shyness while being macho. Her interruptions of Ambrose/Tom is delightful and will bring smiles to your face throughout the story.

Seeing things through the eyes of a cat can be quite enlightening.

Author Sheila Roberts’ website is http://www.sheilasplace.com/

The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts, Read by Kathleen McInerney, McMillan Audio, @2011, ISBN: 978-1427214188, Unabridged, 6 Discs, Listening Time: 7 Hours

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

DASHING THOUGHT THE SNOW by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark

The tranquil town of Branscombe, NH, is busy preparing for the Festival of Joy to celebrate the Christmas season.

The local market is working in overdrive to have all the food ready in time. A group of dedicated employees are anticipating their annual Christmas bonus, but the new wife of their boss changes the checks to framed photos. They are hurt, disappointed, and upset. But later that evening the tables turn when the group wins $160 million in the lottery and quits their jobs.

However, one of the group, Duncan, didn’t pool his $1 with them this time due to advice from two crooks masquerading as financial advisers. Since they used Duncan’s power ball number, the group decides to share the win with him. But Duncan goes missing and some wonder if he bought the other winning ticket by myself.

Meanwhile, Duncan, upset over not getting his bonus and not knowing about the lottery win, goes to see his financial advisers. But once there discovers they are crooks scamming the town. They’ve even took the group’s numbers and played the lottery making them the other winners. Duncan is injured in a fall and remains hidden from the crooks until they leave the next morning. Duncan then takes the crooks’ winning ticket and makes his way home.

A madhouse atmosphere is going on in town. With Duncan’s disappearance and the group’s lottery win, little attention is being given to the Festival of Joy. The search for Duncan, the discovery of con men in town, and the events at the market make for a delightful story. Add in the arrival of Duncan’s girlfriend, Flower, and the crooks’ partners no one ever expected and the suspense really gets underway.

This is a fast-pace drive story. The narration by Carol Higgins Clark, one of the co-authors, is an added bonus. She brings the characters to life with her entertaining mannerisms and various vocals. She brings out the depth of each character even having you feel sympathy for the crooks when the table turns on them.

Looking for a fun, entertaining Christmas story of hope and friendship, DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW is perfect. Plus the added humor will have you laughing out loud.

Author Mary Higgins Clark’s website is www.maryhigginsclark.com

Dashing Thought The Snow by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark, Read by Carol Higgins Clark, Simon and Schuster Audio, @2008, ISBN: 978-1442345829, Unabridged, 5 Discs, Listening Time: 5 Hours

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

What books are your reading or audios are you listening to in order to get into the holiday spirit? Thanks so much for stopping by.