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We are now entering the Christmas season.  It’s hard to tell down here in Florida as the weather really doesn’t change much.  It may get a few degrees cooler, but not anything substantial.

So to help myself get into the Christmas spirit, I start pulling out the Christmas music and start reading all the wonderful books.

This year, I found a great book challenge for reading Christmas themed books. 

If you already plan on reading Christmas books, you should head on over and sign up.  Then check out the other blogs to see what books they are reading.  You never know what book you might hear about that will peak your interest.

Last night I read my first book for the challenge.  I had entirely thought I would only read a few pages before bed.   Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down.  The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin is one of those books that you will want to read every Christmas time.  It makes you remember that no matter how hard things are, there is always a way out.  It reminds you that the truth is the only thing that matters and that no matter how much you think a lie will save someone’s feelings, it makes things worse.

This book definitely requires having a box of tissues next to you.  Even though it is a very short story, I cried in several different places. 

This author is great.  She was able to evoke a great range of feelings in such a short story. 

There were actually 3 plots going on in the story.  The first and foremost was about little Teddy and his grandma Lottie.  It is tough dealing with Alzheimer’s.  Its even worse trying to deal with it and take care of a child.  Thankfully, there were those around them that cared enough to help out. 

Then we have the plot about Syl and her deception to Joe.  She meant well when she left him.  She did the best she could at the time.  Hindsight is 20/20 as they say.   I know this from experience.  I am sure we all have that one person in our life that we walked away from and regretted every minute that we had.  Mine would be Wayne E.  I was so in love with him.  However, I had to walk away.  I did the same thing that Syl did.  I told him that I didn’t love him.  It was hard to do.  And I feel rotten for it ever since.  I wish I had told him the truth and would have let him make his own decisions.  Instead I gave him no choice and made the decision for him, just as Syl did in the story.  This may be the reason why this story hit home so much.  I could put myself so easily into Syl’s shoes. 

The final plot that threads its way through this wonderful story is of Doris and her husband Floyd.  They had been married many years.  Unfortunately, they have done the same thing as most married couples.  They have started doing their own things in life and completely grew apart.  They stopped making couple time.

This is a must read book for everyone!