Tree is Up, Holiday Tunes on the Radio; Christmas Novel Reading has Begun: The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews

 I waited as long as I could, which was Wednesday night. Snuggled into bed with a Christmas book and was pretty darn happy. 

Of course, I started that novel, and had another non-holiday novel with me and I started that one, too. And then, of course, I started a third novel. This one I finished quickly. 

Thanksgiving was a chance for myself and my partner to hunker down and spend some quality time together. We made a feast for Thanksgiving and spent a few days just relaxing (as much as he can relax--he's always working on something!). We actually watched movies, although we had to start a few over because neither of us can stay awake past 9 PM anymore. Having a few cocktails may have sped that sleepy process along...

Anyway. I grew up in a big family, and my parents always had everyone to their house for Thanksgiving. It was always a lot of fun, with a lot of people. Now it's just Lee and I, and while I do miss those get togethers, I really enjoy it just being the two of us. Aside from a run to get the newspaper, we happily stayed home and puttered around the house. Friday I set up our tree and decorated his house, and now on Sunday I've finished putting out a few things at my house. Christmas has arrived. Tomorrow night we are going to a holiday concert (which we have to keep reminding ourselves is tomorrow night). Some baking in the next few weeks, some shopping, and I'm ready for December 25th. 

So, the first holiday book I read: The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews. It's a really fast read and only a few hundred pages. Perfect to ease into holiday reading. It was released in September, and I grabbed a copy from my library last week. 

Ivy Perkins is newly divorced and making a big fresh start by leaving Atlanta and moving to the small town of Tarburton, North Carolina. She's purchased a farmhouse known as The Four Roses. Only thing, is Ivy purchased it based on photos she saw on the internet, so when she arrives with her dog Punkin, it's a bit more dilapidated than she expects. It's also full of the previous owner's furniture and possessions. Great. 

Ivy has a lot more work ahead of her to make the farmhouse a home. As she's cleaning out a closet, she finds a santa suit obviously made with a lot of care and love. Inside a pocket, she finds a letter from a little girl asking Santa to bring her father home from the war. Ivy is immediately touched and intrigued. Who is Carlette, the little girl who wrote the letter? Did her father ever come home from the war? Ivy decides to try and track down Carlette and solve the mystery. 

As Ivy settles into her home, her realtor Ezra sparks some interest in her wounded heart. He's awful cute, and so darn helpful. Will Ivy be able to find love again? And will she find Carlette? 

I gobbled this story right up. I was mad at myself Saturday night because I couldn't stay awake to keep reading it. Delightful characters; Punkin is a lovable mutt, and the townspeople of Tarburton are all sweet and welcoming. Ivy found herself a safe place to land after her divorce, and the perfect place to reset and begin a new life. 

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors, and I've enjoyed all three of her holiday titles: Blue Christmas, Christmas Bliss, and now The Santa Suit. All are available in a variety of reading formats. 

Rating: 4/6 for a short and sweet novel about starting over and finding your place in the most magical time of the year. 

Available in hardcover, audio, and e-book. 

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Tree is Up, Holiday Tunes on the Radio; Christmas Novel Reading has Begun: The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

This was a book that I'd looked at a few times--purely due to the cover, which I just love.  I finally got it from the library and jumped into an English version of magical realism that was perfect for the Easter weekend.

Anthony Peardew is a elderly gentlemen of secure financial means who lives in a wonderful home called Padua with a glorious flower garden and a quiet housekeeper named Laura who keeps everything in tip top shape.  Laura has grown to love Padua as much as Anthony has, and finds refuge from a horrible marriage and divorce within its peaceful environment.  

Anthony has a study that is full of objects he's found on his daily walks.  He takes them home, labels them with the date and where he found them, and keeps them all locked up in his study.  He is the "keeper of lost things" and writes stories imagining the people and the stories behind the objects.  They range from a puzzle piece, to a single blue glove, to a child's umbrella.  Hundreds of objects, just waiting to be reunited with their owners. 

 But Anthony has a sorrowful past, and his time is drawing near to be reunited with his beloved Therese.  Once engaged and living happily in Padua, Therese was killed by a car just before they were to be married.  She continues to be a presence in the house, and Anthony is tired of living without her. On the day she died, Anthony lost the precious St. Therese medal Therese had given him, and he's never forgiven himself for it.  

Anthony passes away, and leaves his home and all his earthly possessions to Laura.  He also leaves her a letter, detailing his hope that she will be able to reunite people with their lost things.  He hopes she can heal even just one broken heart.  Laura's a bit overwhelmed, and with the help of Freddy the gardener (a someone who has Laura's interest), and Sunshine, a teenager across the street who has a few special gifts of her own, Laura begins to heal from her past and look forward to the future with hope and happiness.

Another story weaves itself through Laura's modern story.  It is the story of Bomber and Eunice, and it's a pretty grand love story.  It's an unusual one, too. You may wonder how the two stories are connected--I certainly did for a large part of the novel.  But it all makes sense in the end, and everything comes full circle.  Each of the love stories (Anthony and Therese, Bomber and Eunice, and Laura and Freddy) add so much to this novel.  It has a timeless feel to it, even though it is contemporary.  And it certainly has a magical feel to it.  

Fans of Sarah Addison Allen, Alice Hoffman, and Lisa Van Allen will enjoy reading this lovely, very sweet tale of love lost, love found, and the many shapes and guises love comes to us.  

Rating:  4/6 for a delightful story that examines the oftentimes big stories behind simple lost objects.  It will make you look at lost and founds a bit differently from now on. 

Available in hardcover and ebook.  

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The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan