The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank

 

Yes, I realize it's a bit early for a Christmas themed read when Halloween hasn't even passed yet.

I was looking for a short and quick read and The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank fit the bill perfectly. I listened to the audio version of this novel, which was delightfully narrated by Celia Weston. You may recall that Celia Weston is the actress who played Jolene Hunnicutt on the television series, 'Alice'.

I enjoyed the storyline, pacing, and plot for this novella. It's a nice, lightweight read for the Christmas holidays. My only major complaint regarding The Christmas Pearl is that it could have had a bit more depth/development to it. But I think that would have required it to be a full length novel vs novella.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank from Chirp's website:

Theodora is the matriarch of a family that has grown into a bunch of truculent knuckleheads. While she’s finally gotten them all together in South Carolina to celebrate, this Christmas looks nothing like the extravagant, homey holidays of her childhood.

What happened to the days when Christmas meant tables groaning with home-cooked goodies, over-the-top decorations, and long chats in front of the fire with Pearl, her grandmother’s beloved housekeeper and closest confidante?

Luckily for Theodora, a special someone who heard her plea for help arrives, with pockets full of enough Gullah magic and common sense to make Theodora’s Christmas the love-filled miracle it’s meant to be.

I am giving The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril

 

I love reading cozy mystery novels! With it being the month of December and so close to the Christmas holiday, I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril, which was well narrated by Bernadette Dunne.

A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril is the first cozy mystery in the 'A Killer Chocolate Mystery' series. I have the second novel in the series, A Nutcracker Nightmare, downloaded and ready to listen to and enjoy next! Cozy mysteries are great for fun, relatively quick, and lightweight reads this time of the year when we're all so busy with everyday life and preparing for the holiday season.

I enjoyed listening to A Christmas Candy Killing. It's a cozy mystery, features chocolate, a mystery bookstore, is tied to Christmas, and is a fun read. What's not to like?

I liked the storyline, plot twists, pacing, and the characters for A Christmas Candy Killing. There seemed to be quite a few characters to initially remember and keep straight, but nothing too burdensome to handle. I did figure out who the killer was long before the identity was revealed to readers due to the clues mentioned throughout the novel. 

I did like A Christmas Candy Killing. And as I already mentioned, I look forward to listening to the second novel.

Below is the publisher's summary for A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril from the Goodreads website:

Identical twin sisters Alex and Hannah are the owners of Murder and Mayhem, a mystery bookshop that sells their famous poison-themed Killer Chocolates. But now, there’s a real killer in their midst. Shortly before Christmas, their septuagenarian neighbor, Jane, confides to Alex that a murderer from a true-crime show has taken up residence in the village. Unfortunately, she’s also shared her suspicions with town gossip Netta. The next morning, Alex shows up at Jane’s house to watch the show, but instead she discovers Jane's body, with a box of Killer Chocolates nearby. The sheriff quickly zeroes in on two Alex, a beneficiary in Jane’s will, and Zack, a handyman who was seen leaving the crime scene. But Alex maintains her innocence and sets out to draft a list of other potential suspects―townsfolk who’d recently been seen arguing with Jane. When Alex gets hold of Jane’s journal, she begins to understand the truth. But a bearer of ill tidings is arriving early this year―and Alex just might not make it to Christmas.

I am giving A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!