COMFORT AND JOY, by Fern Michaels et al.

"Comfort and Joy" by Fern Michaels. Angie and Josh disagree on everything until they face the truth, encouraged by the loving relationship between his father and her mother who have found each other; that they need to look deeper inside each other's heart.
"A High-Kicking Christmas" by Marie Bostwick. Because she broke her foot, Rockettes dancer Kendra agrees to direct a Yuletides play in Maple Grove, Vermont; she never expected to co-star in a personal production with Pastor Andy and his daughter Thea.
"Suzanna's Stockings" by Cathy Lamb. As she lies in a coma, Suzanna's spirit overhears learning things about her family and friends that make her understand what caring truly is.
"Family Blessings" by Deborah J. Wolf. With her mother's mental state rapidly deteriorating from Alzheimer's, Kacey and her family struggle with celebrating Christmas.
Although not entirely upbeat (especially Ms. Wolf's insightful tale) these are four very different yet well written refreshing and inspiring novellas that will have readers thinking what the holiday season means.

CHRISTMAS WISHES, by Debbie Macomber

Katherine O'Connor (known as K.O.) adores her five-year-old twin nieces and strongly objects to her sister's plans to dispense with Christmas. Zelda is following the theories of child psychologist Wynn Jeffries, author of The Free Child (and, as it happens, K.O.'s neighbor). K.O. is particularly horrified by his edict to "bury Santa under the sleigh," and she's out to prove that Wynn and his ideas are full of…snow. He's not going to ruin her nieces' Christmas! Too bad the guy's so darned attractive….
RAINY DAY KISSES is a delightful romantic comedy at Christmasor any other time of year!
Seventeen years ago Susannah Simmons was a career girl who knew nothing about babies. But after babysitting her infant niece, Michelle, Susannah learned that one determined and screamingbaby can make the corporate world look like…child's play. Thank goodness for her charming neighbor Nate Townsend. Now he's her charming husband, and Susannah's a mother as well as an aunt. And every Christmas Eve, Michelle tells her cousins how their mom met their dad a story in which she plays a starring role!

CHRISTMAS WITH PAULA DEEN, by Paula Deen

This is Paula Deen at her best - the perfect mix of great recipes and the personality-filled anecdotes that we fans of hers have come to love. I've only made one recipe so far, but I'll tell you that The Best Damn Bluebery Muffin You'll Ever Eat was indeed the best damn blueberry muffin I've ever eaten. I'll be buying more copies to give to my girlfriends who all love preparing for the holidays as much as Paula and I do.

CREATION IN DEATH, by J. D. Robb.

Everyone hoped he had disappeared for good or better yet was dead. No such luck! The Groom was back. Not only does he return to where it all started but The Groom came back for a reason.
Eve didn't think her evening could get any better. She stretched out on a large chair, had popcorn drowned in butter and salt, had the company of her husband and was not on call this evening. At least that is what she thought. She received a call from the Commander telling her to report to East River Park. She knew for the Commander to call it had to be something very hot. Her husband went with her.
Once Eve arrived at the crime scene, she knew things looked too familiar. The victim was a young brunette. Her body was posed in a specific position and showed signs of torture. Carved into her torso was the exact time it took for her to die. In addition, a silver ring was placed on the third finger of the victim's left hand.
Eve was very familiar with the work of The Groom who terrified the city nine years ago with several killings. Eve and her partner could not stop this madman. Now it is getting a little personal. Eve's husband employed this latest victim. There was also other evidence that showed the killer used products on the victim that were sold by a store Eve's husband owns.
Eve now has only one goal in mind. She must find this killer and stop him once and for all. Is Eve able to accomplish this before she becomes the Groom's next victim?
J.D. Robb has written an exciting thriller that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. One of the best things about this novel is the way the two main characters, Eve and her husband Roarke, complement each other throughout the story. The author does an excellent job of portraying the serial killer and making him seem so real to the reader. If you like cat and mouse type thrillers, this is the book for you. It is well worth the read.

THE CHASE, by Clive Cussler.

Without question, the best thing about any novel by Clive Cussler is that the reader is hooked by the end of the first chapter. Another given is that you will be introduced to many forms of transportation, most of them unique, historic and classic. THE CHASE, a stand-alone historical thriller, is no exception. Back in the Old West in 1906, there were stagecoaches, gold mines and, of course, the occasional holdup. It was also the year that all hell breaks loose in San Francisco. The real action starts when a bank is robbed by a man who the townsfolk think is a derelict. Actually he is a bank robber in disguise. A ruthless, intelligent and crafty individual, he has quite a history of successful bank robberies. The hunt is on as the Van Dorn Detective Agency is engaged to find and bring the culprit to justice.As detectives try to follow the clues, a beautiful and deceptive woman appears. Will she have a bearing on the case? Which side is she on, and what will her role be in this adventure? Eliah Ruskin, the notorious Butcher Bandit, is an amazing criminal. He is adept, creative and ruthless, qualities you don’t necessarily want to see in an expert bank robber. His plans are very detailed, well orchestrated and foolproof --- that is, unless you are being hunted by the great detective, Isaac Bell, of the Van Dorn Detective Agency, an equally adept and creative individual. “Yes, indeed, he thought, as he dressed in his evening clothes, it had been a productive week. One more success to add to his growing sense of invincibility.” Working his way westward, from Utah to Arizona to Colorado to San Francisco, where he owned a bank, Ruskin returns home. “Nothing was ever left to chance. Every move was carefully thought out, and then rehearsed again and again. All possible contingencies were considered and dealt with. Nothing escaped Cromwell’s attention, down to the last detail. No bandit in the history of the United States, including Jesse James and Butch Cassidy put together, came close to matching him in the number of successful robberies he pulled off and the amount of loot he collected. Or the number of people killed.” Not only is the Butcher Bandit crafty and elusive, he is also wealthy and clever regarding his role in society. I have read everything that Clive Cussler has written, and I’ve been a big fan through the years. THE CHASE is by far the most enchanting of his works. It is so creative and fun to read about Ruskin eluding Bell and Bell trying to outwit Ruskin. It is a very quick read, but also detailed and precise. We are even treated to outstanding motor cars, the Mercedes Simplex, a Rolls-Royce limousine and a Locomobile! Romance proves to be an interesting and unexpected theme here, as Bell uses his creative wile in a more enchanting way. He certainly provides a very resourceful and multi-faceted hero to date, one of Cussler’s most ingenious. This is truly a book that will take you back in time.

CLAPTON, by Eric Clapton

I found a pattern in my behavior that had been repeating itself for years, decades even. Bad choices were my specialty, and if something honest and decent came along, I would shun it or run the other way.”With striking intimacy and candor, Eric Clapton tells the story of his eventful and inspiring life in this poignant and honest autobiography. More than a rock star, he is an icon, a living embodiment of the history of rock music. Well known for his reserve in a profession marked by self-promotion, flamboyance, and spin, he now chronicles, for the first time, his remarkable personal and professional journeys. Born illegitimate in 1945 and raised by his grandparents, Eric never knew his father and, until the age of nine, believed his actual mother to be his sister. In his early teens his solace was the guitar, and his incredible talent would make him a cult hero in the clubs of Britain and inspire devoted fans to scrawl “Clapton is God” on the walls of London’s Underground. With the formation of Cream, the world's first supergroup, he became a worldwide superstar, but conflicting personalities tore the band apart within two years. His stints in Blind Faith, in Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, and in Derek and the Dominos were also short-lived but yielded some of the most enduring songs in history, including the classic “Layla.” During the late sixties he played as a guest with Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan, as well as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and longtime friend George Harrison. It was while working with the latter that he fell for George’s wife, Pattie Boyd, a seemingly unrequited love that led him to the depths of despair, self-imposed seclusion, and drug addiction. By the early seventies he had overcome his addiction and released the bestselling album 461 Ocean Boulevard, with its massive hit “I Shot the Sheriff.” He followed that with the platinum album Slowhand, which included “Wonderful Tonight,” the touching love song to Pattie, whom he finally married at the end of 1979. A short time later, however, Eric had replaced heroin with alcohol as his preferred vice, following a pattern of behavior that not only was detrimental to his music but contributed to the eventual breakup of his marriage. In the eighties he would battle and begin his recovery from alcoholism and become a father. But just as his life was coming together, he was struck by a terrible blow: His beloved four-year-old son, Conor, died in a freak accident. At an earlier time Eric might have coped with this tragedy by fleeing into a world of addiction. But now a much stronger man, he took refuge in music, responding with the achingly beautiful “Tears in Heaven.”Clapton is the powerfully written story of a survivor, a man who has achieved the pinnacle of success despite extraordinary demons. It is one of the most compelling memoirs of our time.

CONFESSOR, by Terry Goodkind

Richard Rahl is currently at the Ja'la games and is advised that he is a player by a cloaked figure in the Boxes of Orden. Both he and Ulicia are told that the time to open the Boxes has been reset one year from when Nicci put Richard into play. Six breaks into the Wizard's keep and steals the third box of Orden from Nicci and Zedd. Zedd discovers that The Wizards Keep is damaged and must be abandoned. Catacombs below the People's Palace are revealed by Jagang's excavations in making the ramp to the People's Palace. Three Sisters enter, killing Ann and capturing Nicci, who have been taking a walk, by combining their powers to overcome the Palace's spell-form. Soldiers are sent into the catacombs to prepare an attack and the hole is hidden. The Sisters of the Dark discover 'the original Book of Counted Shadows'.
Richard paints his team in symbols to hide his features so he is not recognized. His team meet and defeat Jagang's team BUT Jagang announces the win is invalid. This unfair decision causes a riot in the camp during which Richard and Nicci escape and Kahlan is 'rescued' by Samuel. Richard and Nicci (helped by Adie) go back to the Palace through the catacombs, helped by the fact that Nathan and Cara are suspicious and are investigating the missing Ann and Nicci.
Rachel is lured to Tamarang by Violet but is given a piece of chalk by someone looking like her mother (turns out to be Shota). She goes to the mystical caves and changes both drawings of her and Richard, killing Violet and reuniting Richard with his gift. Zedd is captured by Six - who is in league with Jagang and has helped attack D'Haran forces by riding a red dragon(so not all were destroyed by the Chimes). Richard is told by Nicci that he must not reveal his love for Kahlan otherwise Chainfire will not restore her love for him - but will do the rest.
Richard then goes through the Underworld with the help of Denna and retrieves everyone's memories (the memories of Kahlan don't exist inside the real world so therefore they do in the Underworld) - is attacked by the beast which Richard promptly destroys - and is rescued by the Mud People (Shota has sent Rachel on Gratch,Richard's Gar friend, to tell them to do so). At the Palace, Nathan thinks Richard is dead and is going to accept Jagang's terms (which include surrendering Nicci - who is imprisoned, and access to the Garden of Life to open the boxes).
Kahlan is attacked by Samuel but she touches the Sword of Truth and realizes that she is a Confessor. She touches Samuel, who reveals that he is an agent for Six and that Richard and Kahlan were once married. Richard on the way to Tamarang meets Kahlan and, although cannot reveal his love, carves another model of spirit.
Six has imprisoned Zedd and Chase and appears when Richard reaches the cell. Shota kills Six and Richard, Kahlan and Zedd fly back to the People's Palace on the red dragon (revealed as 'Gregory' son of Scarlet)
Back at the Palace, Richard helps Jillian, the priestess of the bones in Caska and dream caster, to make Jagang to become infatuated with Nicci through nightmares. Richard surrenders, Jagang and the Sisters enter the Garden of Life. Jagang goes to see Nicci - who puts a Rada-Han on him and eventually kills him.
Back in the Garden the Sisters complete the magic to find out which Box is correct and open it. It turns out that all the books were fakes - they refer to the word Confessor, which was not known at the time that the Boxes were created and so had been created later. The Sisters are sucked into the Underworld.
The key to the Magic of Orden is the Sword of Truth. Kahlan tells Richard she loves him - to Richard's dismay. Richard puts the Sword on each box - one box turns the Sword white. Richard stabs the box and uses the magic to send believers in the Order to a new world, devoid of magic, as well as repairing the damage caused by the Chimes. Richard's half sister Jensen and some of her people (Pillars of Creation) say that they wish to go to this new world too because they belong in a world of no magic since magic does not effect them. By staying in Richard's world magic may be bred out in the future. Richard agrees because he understands his sister's reasoning and sends her people to the new world, along with Tom, the man that loves Jensen. Before he closes the Gateway, Kahlan then says she was protected because her love for Richard was genuine (for the second time) i.e. She had not been told she loved him.
There is an inside look on how Tom, Jennson, and the rest of the ungifted are coping. Jennson is pregnant.
Everything is normal in D'Hara. Cara and General Meiffert get married and everyone is happy

CROSS, by James Patterson

know why James Patterson is such a success and so will you when you read Cross, the latest Alex Cross novel. I came late to the series and have struggled to get caught up and I will eventually read the entire backlist. However, whether you're a old Patterson fan or Cross is you're first Patterson book, you're in for a treat. Suspensful, fast paced, and well crafted with little or no fat between the pages, Cross grabs your attention and holds it for the entire story. While Cross may be a little graphic for some readers, certainly the violence isn't gratuitous but an integral and necessary part of the story. And if you're used to Patterson's stories theres nothing here that will surprise you. Alex Cross has decided to put down his career and retire to just being a Dad. This decision doesn't last long however when he's asked to help nab Michael Sullivan, one of the worst serial rapists and professional killers to come a long in a while. Playing a game of "red light green light" Sullivan manages to lull his victims into a false sense of security. After he's finished with them all he has to do is show them pictures of some of his victims, a scalpel and that's that; end of discussion. Cross quickly links his wife's murder 13 years ago to Sullivan. At 393 pages you should be able to handle this book in a weekend if you haven't any interuptions. A terrific and memorable read.

THE CHOICE, by Nicholas Sparks

Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life -- boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies -- he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the appealing redhead seems to have a chip on her shoulder about him...and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help. Despite himself, Travis can't stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heartwrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive?