Book Review: Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul

Book Description from WaterBrook Multnomah

Can mysterious matchmaking booksellers bring two lonely hearts together in time for Christmas? 
In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.
 
Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together. 
 
This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?


Download chapter one of Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball now!


My Thoughts


From the very first sentences, this book caught my attention! It's a really fun, magical, Christmas-y book! The whole time I was reading it, the word sparkly came to mind. I had never heard of Donita K. Paul prior to receiving this book to review. She has a new fan!


I knew there was a mystical, magical element to this novella prior to reading the book. I don't typically read books with that element. But it was totally believable even though I know the things that occurred in the book would never happen in the real world. I actually found myself wishing the real life were more like the magical world found on Sage Street. I want to walk down an old-fashioned, yet modern street where life seems to slow down and what you are thinking about appears right before your eyes. I would love to go into quaint bookstores and fun costume shops with sweet old ladies that already know what you need and visit colorful candy shops. Seems like the perfect way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon.


If you are one of those people who automatically cringes because of the words "mystical" and "magical", I suggest you venture outside the box a bit and read this book. I think Donita has a very interesting perspective on the magical element.


Overall, a fun, Christmas read that is quick and "sparkly." Pick up your copy here: Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball: A Novella


Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Christmas Ornaments...

Years ago, I went into a Christmas store and saw all these themed Christmas trees....all Santa ornaments or all Snowmen ornaments. At that moment, I decided i wanted an all Snowman and Snowflake Christmas tree when I grew up. I bought my first ornament for my dreamed-about tree.

Once my Aunt Lori heard about what I dreamed about, she started buying me Snowman and Snowflake ornaments and decorations. I have enough to decorate my entire place now! Here are some of my favorites...

A Currier and Ives Christmas

A few days ago, I was hunting around my mother's house looking for a book to read. I was in a specific reading mood and nothing I found satisfied my "taste buds." I made my way out into the garage where my mother had a plastic bin of books she had taken off her bookshelf when they moved into the house.

Digging through the books, I came across A Currier and Ives Christmas: Four Stories of Love Come to Life from the Canvas of Classic Christmas Art. Since its the Christmas season, I thought I would go ahead and read it.

The compilation of short stories are written by Lynn A Coleman, JoAnn A Grote, DiAnn Mills, and Deborah Raney.

Later that night, I got in bed and opened the book to the first page of the first story. I discovered it was autographed by the author, Lynn A Coleman and addressed to my grandmother, Carolyn. Before beginning to read, I lay in bed remembering my grandmother. She passed away last summer unexpectedly. I was unable to see her before she died. Christmas just won't ever be the same without her. For as long as I can remember, she has spent a few weeks with us every Christmas. She and I baked Christmas cookies, went shopping and had lots of laughs. The memories painted themselves in my mind just like the lithographic prints produced by Currier and Ives in the 1800s.

Here's my Grandmom...
Carolyn Cornelia-Cole Evans Stebbins

Shirley, Goodness and Mercy...

I am getting ready to start reading Debbie Macomber's Shirley, Goodness and Mercy since it is a Christmasy book. My mom checked it out of the library a few weeks ago and read it in one sitting. She really seemed to enjoy the book and recommended it to me. Debbie Macomber is a nationally best-selling author so it should be a good read. I'll let you know what I think...

Movie Review: The Christmas Card

Ok, I know I am supposed to be writing about books and sushi on this blog...but I decided to write a little recap on a movie I just finished watching...The Christmas Card, a Hallmark Original Movie.

The story is about a lonely soldier serving in Afghanistan who receives an "any soldier" Christmas card from a woman in a small town out west. She comes from a very loving, close-knit family and that is reflected in the personal card she sends to this "any soldier."

What is written in the card is what carries the lonely soldier through some difficult times and when he is sent home on leave, he ends up in her small town hoping for a glimpse of the life and family he wishes he had.

Not only does he get a glimpse but he is welcomed into the family with open arms, but not without some obstacles. Ed Asner plays the woman's father and along with Peter Jason as Uncle Richard, the two old men add wit and humor to the cast.

Watch the movie and find out if the lonely soldier finds what he was looking for in small town USA.
The Christmas Card