Ships from: Racine, WI
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ships from: Richmond, TX
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ships from: Martinez, CA
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ships from: acton, MA
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Peer behind the closed doors of a Wisconsin tourist town gone dormant for the winter season. Watch as the drama and romance start to heat up—just as Lola the innkeeper promised her four single friends a year ago when she gifted them with her prayers and a Christmas cactus. Will each woman find love—along with cactus blooms—as promised?
In speaking with one of the authors, Becky Melby, I learned that these women collaborated as they wrote, comparing ideas and entwining the stories. The stories truly mesh – each with its own freshness yet similar enough in style to keep the book connected as a whole. Door County at Christmas is a magical wonderland and the spirit of this quaint and sleepy tourist area is well captured by each author. The cohesive way the authors portray Door County is a result of time spent together on location preparing to write this collection. That time certainly paid off as the book truly reads as four, yet one.
— Emily Mullens
Four Christian novelists take a turn in this collection of Christmas-themed stories set in idyllic Door County,WI. Ranging from a city single who gets roped into hosting the annual Christmas tea at a local B&B; two widowed seniors getting a second chance at love; a frustrated realtor helping octogenarian residents decide to sell or not to sell their bayside cottage; and a devoted niece helping her uncle save his dinner theater in time for Christmas; a quick and easy read, these cozy novellas will have you grabbing a cup of tea and a spot on the couch by the Christmas tree in order to while away a few winter hours.
ChandraLynn
Posted November 24, 2010
During the month of December I always like to have a few books to read that are all about Christmas. They may be romances, suspense, or mysteries, but I love the Christmas theme. The week between Christmas and New Year's when our family slows down a bit, I love good Christmas romances. A Door County Christmas fits into the read between the holidays book. The book contains four short romances. They tie together with one very simple thread and one lovely location. Each romance is a sweet story that will leave you smiling and heartwarmed. The characters are an eclectic group and somewhere in the pages, you may even see bits of yourself. Grab a mug of hot chocolate, pull up and cozy seat and enjoy a little getaway. I recommend this four-in-one for everyone who like sweet little romances.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.HisChild
Posted November 6, 2010
A Door County Christmas is a delightfully entertaining and inspiring collection of four novellas written by four very gifted writers. The book opens with The Heart's Harbor by Cynthia Ruchti. Amanda Brooks simply wants to escape a cold, lonely, Chicago Christmas and flees to Door County, Wisconsin, and the famous Heart's Harbor Victorian Inn. She gets much more than she bargained for when the owner, Lola Peterson, announces that she has been called for jury duty and is leaving Amanda in charge of preparations for the annual Christmas Tea. Cynthia creates exceptionally interesting and realistic characters, including Harland, Lola's quirky and hilarious husband. Harland is so lovable that I found myself wishing that Cynthia would write an entire book about him. Since I abhor reviews that reveal too much of the plot, I will say no more about this story other than the fact that it is delightful from beginning to end and paints a truly wonderful picture of how God has a plan for each of us if we will heed His calling and follow His leading. Next, we move along to Ride With Me Into Christmas by Rachael Phillips. Rachael adroitly shows us that, just because a person is retired and has already raised a family, it doesn't mean that life is over for them. God still cares about them and understands their needs and desires. He understands their loneliness and hunger for love and companionship. Best of all, He will supply and provide for those needs, often in spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. You will fall in love with Joanna and Paul as they tiptoe around each other. You will laugh at the antics of their adult children who try to nip this growing romance in the bud. You will rejoice with them as love, coupled with faith, prevails. Eileen Key introduces us to the enchanting Vestal and Hilde Grissom, who are still very much in love after many decades of marriage. In My Heart Still Beats, we follow the story of these two elderly lovebirds as they come to the realization that they must reluctantly sell their cottage. They hire Madison Tanner to drive and assist them as they go about making the necessary arrangements. It is up to Maddy to deal with the realtor and his precocious daughter when the Grissoms change their mind about selling. Through it all, the hand of God is at work to bring peace and fulfillment to those who are willing to follow His leading. The book concludes with Christmas Crazy by Becky Melby. Jillian Galloway just thinks she is going on a Christmas vacation to Door County territory. Instead, it is up to her to rescue and salvage her uncle's dinner theater in time for the annual Christmas production. In one hilarious catastrophe and disaster after another, Jillian and the enigmatic, young, and extremely handsome Ricky rise to the occasion and overcome all obstacles so that the show can go on. Once again, we see the hand of God at work, drawing together those who are faithful in His service. Four stories, each entirely different and unique, are bound together with the common threads of Lola Peterson's Christmas Tea and the legend of the Christmas cactus that Lola shares with the main character in each of these novellas. I highly recommend that you add this book to your Christmas list, both for your own pleasure and for gifts for those you love. A copy of this book for review purposes was provided to me by the authors. I received no compensation nor was I obligated to give a favorable review.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Liz_Tolsma
Posted October 14, 2010
"A Door County Christmas" is a four-in-one novella collection by Barbour Publishing featuring Eileen Key, Becky Melby, Rachael Phillips, and Cynthia Ruchti. From the back of the book:
"Door County innkeeper Lola Peterson's gift of a Christmas cactus to four single women comes with a guarantee that the plants - and romance - will bloom by Christmas. But the barren plants don't appear interested and love isn't flowering either."
Door County at Christmas time is one of my favorite places. It's so beautiful. And these four ladies capture that spirit so perfectly. This book is a ton of fun. Each story is smart and well-paced and will keep you giggling until the end. Becky Melby told me that they had such a wonderful time in Door County researching the book, and it shines through. Combining real and fictional places, the "Cape Cod of the Midwest" comes alive through their writing. I highly recommend the book for great, light-hearted holiday reading.
**I was provided a complimentary copy of the book for review, but only post reviews of books I truly enjoy.
DLiesner
Posted September 21, 2010
The Heart's Harbor by Cynthia Ruchti
Mayhem and humor set the stage through a matchmaking inn owner abandoning a legendary community tea to her handsome bachelor son and an unsuspecting guest. Fast-paced, page-turning and fun.
Ride with Me into Christmas by Rachel Phillips
Offbeat widowed neighbors wrangle with fear of heights, competitive spirits, unexpected feelings of romance and resistance of grown children. Bicycles, and a flowerless plant draw them out - and up.
My Heart Still Beats by Eileen Key
Obvious sabotage creates tension between the aged property owners' chauffer and their greedy niece's handsome realtor. Each setback produces new humor stirring up romance and a surprising culprit.
Christmas Crazy - by Becky Melby
A young ad writer called to rescue her uncle's disaster-prone theater falls for a handyman-disguised playwright despite suspicions. Writing together results in disarmed disaster, rescue and romance.
Detailed descriptions of Door County brought familiarity to the stories that all link with an aged but romance-minded innkeeper. Fun to imagine how one life can touch many others in different ways.
Anonymous
Posted January 9, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Peer behind the closed doors of a Wisconsin tourist town gone dormant for the winter season. Watch as the drama and romance start to heat up—just as Lola the innkeeper promised her four single friends a year ago when she gifted them with her prayers and a Christmas cactus. Will each woman find love—along with cactus blooms—as promised?