Book Review: The Ghost of Christmas Past by Michael Hebler

The Ghost of Christmas Past

by Michael Hebler

Paperback: 152 pages
Publisher: Michael Hebler (September 30, 2016)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 4200 KB
Print Length: 154 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 069267408X
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Night After Night Publications, LLC (October 4, 2016)
Publication Date: October 4, 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Michael Hebler. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

My thoughts:

The Ghost of Christmas Past is my first Christmas read and certainly gave me lovely feeling about the holidays. This is a light, quick and enjoyable read which will make readers' Christmas extra special! 

Purchase your copy

About the book:

Based on Charles Dickens’ famous character of the same name, the radiant ghost shines again when embarking on a spiritual adventure into its own past in search of its missing flame.

The Ghost of Christmas Past has had its flame extinguished. Lost souls cannot find their way to redemption without the Spirit's fire illuminating their shadowed memories. Guided by the Christmas Angel, the Ghost of Christmas Past must search for its missing flame within the visions of a mortal life it had long forgotten and brave witness to the troubled child it once had been.

Merry Christmas to the blogging world!!

It's already December 24 here in the Philippines and I can feel the excitement everywhere! Malls are the busiest places right now. People are on panic mode, buying gifts and foodies for the Christmas eve. Me and my family are staying home, avoiding traffic!! The last time we went out, it took us six looong hours going home when it should be a two-hour drive only! 

Soooo, Merry Christmas to you all!!! Hope you are having fun, stay safe!!

** Used Digital Scrapbooking Software by Mymemories.com

Use this special code to save $10:

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Recommended (Christmas) Read : Amish Second Christmas by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Ruth Reid, and Tricia Goyer

Amish Second Christmas
by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Ruth Reid, and Tricia Goyer

Amazon Ratings: 5-star 77%

Book Review (originally posted on January 2015)

Amish Second Christmas is a collection of four Christmas Amish romances. It has been a while since the last time I read an Amish book. As always, the stories are sweet, light and at times funny. Reading this kind of book makes me want to visit one of their communities and experience the simplicity of their life. 

Second Christmas

The Christmas church service may or may not be held on December 25th, but both Christmas and the following day, sometimes called "second Christmas," are holidays for the Amish. This second day is usually one of relaxation or visiting others. (http://www.amishnews.com/amisharticles/amishchristmas.htm)

Out of all the four stories, WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES AGAIN is my favorite. 

“When Christmas Comes Again” by Beth Wiseman
Katherine knows the first Christmas without Elias will be hard for her and the children. But when a mysterious Englischer appears with photographs of her late husband, Katherine  begins to wonder what other blessings Christmas could have in store. 

The story is like an ordinary one but the appearance of the Englischer (non-Amish person) made it an extraordinary story. The twist made my heart ache for Elias, Katherine's husband I never "met" (died in an accident). I am giving the story five stars.

“Her Christmas Pen Pal” by Ruth Reid
Joy was expecting a wedding proposal from Henry; what she got instead was news of another woman. But when her heartfelt letter to a cousin ends up in the hands of a young cabinetmaker, an unexpected correspondence between two strangers gets interesting fast.

I can't imagine Amish people having penpals. From what I understand, they live in a small area, and most Amish are shy and rarely go outside their community. This one was unexpectedly a nice story.

“A Gift for Anne Marie” by Kathleen Fuller
Anne Marie and Nathaniel have been best friends since they were kids. Now things are evolving . . . in ways everyone else predicted long ago. But when her mother suddenly decides to remarry in another state, Anne Marie’s new chapter with Nathaniel looks doomed to end before it begins. 

Best friends. . . .  sweet story for teens.... 

“The Christmas Aprons” by Tricia Goyer
Vanilla crumb pie has been Esther’s mem’s calling card for decades. But when Esther finally gets her hands on the secret recipe, she discovers that vanilla crumb pie is more than just dessert . . . it’s bachelor bait.

I don't like stories with a character that has low self-esteem especially if the character is no longer a 'teen'. 

All in all, it was a good read! Looking forward to reading more Amish stories in the future!

Purchase your copy

Hardcover / Paperback /Audible / Kindle

Other recommended titles:
Pride's Run by Cat Kalen
Gabby, God's Little Angel (Picture Book)
The Man In The Rockefeller Suit: The Astonishing Rise and Spectacular Fall of a Serial Imposter by Mark Seal (Non-Fiction)

Christmas Is Almost Here!

In the Philippines, the Christmas 'feel' starts in September. Yep, September folks! It's when the Christmas countdown begins, first Christmas songs played in radios and malls, and my kids are already thinking of presents from Santa and from mom and dad. I used to put up our tree mid September, but due to my illness, I waited until November, that's after my last chemo therapy session.

Mall hopping is our favorite thing to do during this time of the year looking for Christmas decors and trees. And sharing these...

A tree with sweets!

cupcakes, candies, icecream, chocolates, etc. Sorry, mommy cannot afford to buy anything expensive this Christmas...

Hard to pick ornaments for these trees... 

Teddies!!

Star wars-themed tree (Changi airport)

Thank you bff Jo-Anne for sharing these pictures with us!

And this is our tree for the last seven years, and for the next 25 years! LOL

How about you? 

Recommended Read (Picture Book) : Gabby, God's Little Angel by Sheila Walsh

Gabby, God's Little Angel

by Sheila Walsh

Amazon Ratings: 5-star 45%

About the book:

This first book in a delightful new series offers a comforting message for young readers-God loves you very much and is always watching over you!

What little girl wouldn't love her very own guardian angel? Parents and children alike will be won over by this humorous tale of Gabby, a guardian angel in training who has much to learn about taking care of God's little ones. Her new assignment is to protect a young girl named Sophie, but Gabby soon realizes that watching after Sophie is a bigger challenge than she had expected! After a close call while riding her pony, Sophie learns what the Bible says about guardian angels: "He will put his angels in charge of you. They will watch over you wherever you go" (Psalm 91:11 ICB).

Book Review (originally posted on April 2012) 

Gabby, God's Little Angel is the first angel book I've read to my kids, 6 and 3 years old, and they loved this book so much! The illustrations of angels and matching colors are cute and very nice to look at. The story is simple, can be easily understood by young readers. I liked that there are bible verses in the book and a picture of mom and daughter praying at night. I  felt that my kids are now ready for more bible stories after reading this to them. A book I highly recommend to mommies looking for a great book to read to her children.  

Purchase your copy

Hardcover / Kindle

Other recommended title:
Pride's Run by Cat Kalen

Merry Christmas to the Blogging World!!!!

**pictures taken from Google

** Christmas all over the world (whychristmas.com)