Loving My Actual Christmas: An Experiment In Relishing the Season by Alexandra Kuykendall

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• ISBN-10: 080107536X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801075360
• Publisher: Baker Books (September 5, 2017)

Synopsis

The Christmas season is a particularly difficult time for women to slow down and relish what's right in front of them. An annual marker for many, it is a holiday that can often remind us how life is not going as we'd planned. Our family relationships remain strained, our finances stretched, and our schedules stuffed with too much to do in too little time.

Following the formula of her successful Loving My Actual Life, Alexandra Kuykendall shares with readers her own personal experiment to be completely present in her life as it is during the holiday season. Addressing the themes of Advent and Christmas, she reflects on hope, love, joy, peace, and relishing the season, with practical pullouts on common Christmas stressors, such as finances, schedules, and extended family. Kuykendall's signature candor helps women go easy on themselves, remember what truly matters, and find joy in their imperfect Christmases.

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Loving My Actual Christmas by Alexandra Kuykendall is well written and a refreshing, practical guide on how to experience and find joy in the Holiday Season no matter where you are in your life and what is going on in your life. 

It's a call to remember the "reason for the season" and how to avoid sabotaging  yourself and those around you during the Christmas season. 

Ms. Kuykendall's advise and steps of her "experiment" are clearly defined, practical and at times a bit unnerving as she asks you to do a bit of soul searching and stepping out on Faith. 

Overall, a book I will be reading and applying not only to the Christmas holiday season but to other areas of my life as well. I highly recommend this book!

4 Stars!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms.  Kuykendall as well as Bakers Books and Netgalley  for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson

• ISBN-10: 0800722701
• ISBN-13: 978-0800722708
• Publisher: Revell (September 5, 2017)

From the Publisher

When she receives the news in late 1944 that her baby's father was shot down in the South Pacific, Amelia Richards loses hope. Jobless and broke, she has nowhere to turn for help but her infant's paternal grandparents. The only problem is, they don't know that she--or their grandson--exists. When Amelia discovers that the family is wealthy and influential, dare she disclose the truth of her relationship with their son? Or could the celebration of the arrival of another unexpected baby nearly two thousand years ago be the answer to her dilemma? 

Beloved author Melody Carlson pens a story of love, hardship, and reconciliation that will leave readers filled with Christmas joy.

The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson is a delightful romance read for the holiday season! This moving story is well written, engaging and full of emotions. It's an easy read that will relax as well as sweep you away for that well deserved break we all need during the enjoyable but sometimes chaotic holiday season! 

I fully enjoyed The Christmas Blessing and the only drawback was that the ending happened a bit too quickly. I would like to have had the ending detailed a bit more. Still, this book is a feel good Christmas story and as such - definitely worth the reading.

4 Stars!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms.  Carlson as well as Revell Publishers and Netgalley  for the opportunity to read and review this book.