[I64]≡ Read Gratis The Christmas Shoppe Melody Carlson 9780800719265 Books

The Christmas Shoppe Melody Carlson 9780800719265 Books

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The Christmas Shoppe Melody Carlson 9780800719265 Books

I’ve enjoyed several of Melody Carlson’s Christmas books and this one is no exception. The Christmas Shoppe reminded me of two things, one the movie with Johnny Depp called Chocolate, where a mother and daughter set up a chocolate shop in a small town in France and also a book called The Legend of the Candy Cane, where a man comes to town and opens a mysterious shop that turns out to be a candy shop. In each of these stories the whole town watches in anticipation to see what the shop owner will sell.

Melody’s story starts out in a similar way, the whole town is intrigued at what kind of store will open in their small town of Parrish Springs. Matilda Honeycutt is setting up shop and doesn't want to tell just yet what type of shop she has in mind. “Matilda has a little something for each one of them (towns people) sitting on her cluttered shelves, just waiting to be discovered.”

Everyone speculates and wonders what is behind the papered-up windows and locked doors! The town counsel is watching and wants to make sure Matilda follows the rules. She has to follow strict guidelines. When she is cornered about these rules and would she comply with them, she asks the board her own questions and confronts Rose “The secret value of this treasure is impossible to measure-what do you think peace is worth Rose? Impossible to measure?”

Rose ponders that idea and leaves Matilda alone. She talks to another, “Please don’t turn down a gift, George. You might not get another chance. Today is here. It’s yours for the taking! Please, just take it?”

It’s an easy read that helps you see the gifts only God can provide! Definitely a warm, fuzzy, feel good novel with a few twists and subtle messages for the characters and you to ponder. This was a sweet tale that helps the reader catch the spirit of Christmas.

I’m thankful for the review copy of a book that answers the question, “What does it mean when someone says; God has healed me from the inside out? How can I let God touch the hurts in my heart and be healed?”

Denise says, “You can only live with your heart shut down for so long. Eventually you will fight for your healing or you will die… Some even find God when their lives fall apart!....Sometimes a person has to die in order to really live. ..Hungry for something real?.. (tired of just going through the motions of life and feeling numb inside?) Want to feel alive? Seek whatever helps you rediscover that carefree childlike heart I know is in there somewhere – that is what you should be doing to Feel Alive!”

This is a walk Denise’s characters have gone on and/or just started down the path. I enjoyed this cast so much, they are fun, bold and each have been knocked around by life. Each has a different result and story to tell.

Scarlett Jo is a Pastor’s wife that’s fun and doesn’t care what people think about her. Denise writes, “Scarlett Jo hadn’t simply survived her life. She had learned how to live in spite of it- and not to worry too much about the perceptions of others.”

Scarlett Jo is fun loving, free spirited and an inspirational person! I loved her voice and her outlook on life she says, “Oh, child do you not know about couponing?...I’m feeding a pack of wolves at my house. If I didn’t know how to coupon, my children would have had to eat me by now. But if you ever want to learn how to do it, you just let me know. It is crazy girl! I can go to a store and leave and they’ve paid me money.” (I want to learn – teach me! Teach Me! Grin!)

The characters in this novel welcome you in as family. They’re situations will tug at your heart. What I love about Denise’s books are this, you’ll be having a good time reading then all of a sudden she cleverly interweaves spiritual truths that pierce your heart, make you stop and think. Denise will help you “See lies you believe.” You’ll laugh out loud and get teary eyed in parts of this story, a winning combination.

I really liked Scarlett Jo’s husband too he says, “I watch people. I take in people. And to be honest, I learn a great deal about them by what they don’t say.”

I highly recommend this novel and the non-fiction companion book called Reclaiming your Heart! It’s a win win combination. A book you’ll want to put on your summer reading list. Did I mention I just love the cover of this book too! It’s a keeper!

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com


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The Christmas Shoppe Melody Carlson 9780800719265 Books Reviews

Matilda Honeycutt may have the means to purchase prime real estate in the small, struggling town of Parrish Springs...but she certainly doesn't dress to prove it! With her untidy grey hair and gypsy-like clothes, Matilda has the townsfolk baffled. And when her shop windows are finally opened, displaying an eclectic collection of secondhand junk, it becomes quite clear that Matilda is NOT the sort of shopkeeper that they want in their town! She has got to go! Despite their initial desire to help the woman, even the new city manager and old newspaperman can't do much to protect her. Before Matilda's doors are forced to close, however, several residents enter the incongruously named Christmas Shoppe and miraculously find the very gifts they've needed in their lives - and hearts - for a long time. Each discovers magic hidden in the clutter of the shoppe. Healing, forgiveness, hope, peace and love...somehow, Matilda's store imparts these invaluable treasures to the people brave enough to enter its doors and be changed forever.

I almost didn't read this book because of several negative reviews but wanted something short, sweet and "Christmassy", so I decided to give it a try anyway. I'm glad I did! Though some criticism is deserved (the characters are a tad flat and the plot is not that intricate), the book is still one that deserves to be read. Like the classic Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life, it is full of that pure, joyful magic that reminds us of all that the Christmas season means. Don't look to it for great literature...look to it for a story that will wrap you in its warmth and maybe teach you something about your heart in the process!
Whimsical is not quite the right word for Melody Carlson's book The Christmas Shoppe. Perhaps some of you will understand it this way Nanny McPhee opens a shop in a small town.

What I Thought
As I learned more about Matilda Honeycutt through the story, thoughts of Mary Poppins and Nanny McPhee came to mind. This odd but sweet woman was unconcerned with what others thought. She was in town for a purpose.

The back stories of the people became important, but Melody Carlson did a great job of not telling us more than we needed to know for the story in progress. I loved the variety of pain she shared and the profound emotional healings that resulted after encounters with Matilda.

I also liked that the interactions between Matilda and the people of the town were spread out, and that not everything was instantly fixed once key characters realized what they were doing and why.

The Bottom Line - 4 stars
I enjoyed this light-hearted story and appreciated the healing Matilda brought to those who bothered to give her time. It's a good story for those who want to ease into the Christmas spirit without the full-blown scenic paraphernalia that typically goes with Christmas. And at just 177 pages, it's a good weekend read.
I downloaded this book to my kindle way back in 2012. I just got around to reading it. I really like general Christmas stories, but the second I saw this was going to become a preaching book, I stopped. I mean I stopped right there, on that page. I though it would change or go in another direction, so I looked ahead a few chapters and it was still doing it (or maybe doing it again, I don't know). I am so disappointed because up to that point I thought it had potential. As a bohemian myself I was really interested in the character who is a stranger in the town, but the story just did not go the way I wished it would have. When I downloaded it in the way-back-when there was no notations indicating the type of book this was, otherwise I would not have bothered. If you are a Christian, this probably will be really enjoyable, don't let my personal opinion dissuade you.
I’ve enjoyed several of Melody Carlson’s Christmas books and this one is no exception. The Christmas Shoppe reminded me of two things, one the movie with Johnny Depp called Chocolate, where a mother and daughter set up a chocolate shop in a small town in France and also a book called The Legend of the Candy Cane, where a man comes to town and opens a mysterious shop that turns out to be a candy shop. In each of these stories the whole town watches in anticipation to see what the shop owner will sell.

Melody’s story starts out in a similar way, the whole town is intrigued at what kind of store will open in their small town of Parrish Springs. Matilda Honeycutt is setting up shop and doesn't want to tell just yet what type of shop she has in mind. “Matilda has a little something for each one of them (towns people) sitting on her cluttered shelves, just waiting to be discovered.”

Everyone speculates and wonders what is behind the papered-up windows and locked doors! The town counsel is watching and wants to make sure Matilda follows the rules. She has to follow strict guidelines. When she is cornered about these rules and would she comply with them, she asks the board her own questions and confronts Rose “The secret value of this treasure is impossible to measure-what do you think peace is worth Rose? Impossible to measure?”

Rose ponders that idea and leaves Matilda alone. She talks to another, “Please don’t turn down a gift, George. You might not get another chance. Today is here. It’s yours for the taking! Please, just take it?”

It’s an easy read that helps you see the gifts only God can provide! Definitely a warm, fuzzy, feel good novel with a few twists and subtle messages for the characters and you to ponder. This was a sweet tale that helps the reader catch the spirit of Christmas.

I’m thankful for the review copy of a book that answers the question, “What does it mean when someone says; God has healed me from the inside out? How can I let God touch the hurts in my heart and be healed?”

Denise says, “You can only live with your heart shut down for so long. Eventually you will fight for your healing or you will die… Some even find God when their lives fall apart!....Sometimes a person has to die in order to really live. ..Hungry for something real?.. (tired of just going through the motions of life and feeling numb inside?) Want to feel alive? Seek whatever helps you rediscover that carefree childlike heart I know is in there somewhere – that is what you should be doing to Feel Alive!”

This is a walk Denise’s characters have gone on and/or just started down the path. I enjoyed this cast so much, they are fun, bold and each have been knocked around by life. Each has a different result and story to tell.

Scarlett Jo is a Pastor’s wife that’s fun and doesn’t care what people think about her. Denise writes, “Scarlett Jo hadn’t simply survived her life. She had learned how to live in spite of it- and not to worry too much about the perceptions of others.”

Scarlett Jo is fun loving, free spirited and an inspirational person! I loved her voice and her outlook on life she says, “Oh, child do you not know about couponing?...I’m feeding a pack of wolves at my house. If I didn’t know how to coupon, my children would have had to eat me by now. But if you ever want to learn how to do it, you just let me know. It is crazy girl! I can go to a store and leave and they’ve paid me money.” (I want to learn – teach me! Teach Me! Grin!)

The characters in this novel welcome you in as family. They’re situations will tug at your heart. What I love about Denise’s books are this, you’ll be having a good time reading then all of a sudden she cleverly interweaves spiritual truths that pierce your heart, make you stop and think. Denise will help you “See lies you believe.” You’ll laugh out loud and get teary eyed in parts of this story, a winning combination.

I really liked Scarlett Jo’s husband too he says, “I watch people. I take in people. And to be honest, I learn a great deal about them by what they don’t say.”

I highly recommend this novel and the non-fiction companion book called Reclaiming your Heart! It’s a win win combination. A book you’ll want to put on your summer reading list. Did I mention I just love the cover of this book too! It’s a keeper!

Disclosure of Material Connection
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com