Blog Tour/Review: Candy Canes and Christmastime, Compiled and Illustrated by Linda Hoffman Kimball

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Candy Canes and Christmastime: Enhancing the Holidays in the Real World, Compiled and Illustrated by Linda Hoffman Kimball
2014, 178p, Non-Fiction
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review



If the holiday rush has you feeling like you’ve been run over by a reindeer, this is the book for you! Linda Hoffman Kimball presents a compilation of heartfelt and humorous stories and ideas that help families refocus on the sacredness of the season. Discover unique traditions, fresh ideas, practical tips, and spiritual insights so that your family can get back on track.

It's October, so yes, it's time to start thinking about Christmas! This is a compilation of short stories centered around the Christmas holidays. I can relate to the women who always want to make this Christmas the best one yet! ("A Good Enough Christmas," pp. 16-18.) I've tried all kinds of things to bring the Christmas spirit into our home and sometimes feel frustrated when all the kids care about are the presents. Sigh! They are getting older now, so I feel like more of the spiritual side is getting through.

There's more to this book than just stories. There are some recipes included and ideas for new traditions to create. Some of them will take time and sound wonderful for those who are ambitious. Others are low key and those are the ones I am currently interested in. So, there is something for everyone in this book! I'm the most interested in "The Twelve Days After Christmas" (pp. 153-154) and that is something that you can go all out on or keep it simple. 

This is a book I enjoyed reading and has me thinking now so I will be prepared for December when it quickly arrives. If you're looking for new ideas and traditions, this is an excellent resource!

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About the author: 

Linda Hoffman Kimball is an author and illustrator based in Illinois and Utah. Candy Canes & Christmastime: Enhancing the Holidays in the Real World is the 5th compilation for Cedar Fort in the “In the Real World” series. This series on topics compelling to Mormon women, features the voices and experiences of a wide array of women “in the trenches” who candidly share what they have learned from the highlights – and even the lowlights – in their efforts to build Zion. She is a blogger with Segullah.org and writes a column for the quarterly journal Exponent II with which she has been affiliated since 1975. Her other books include humorous novels for LDS adults Home to Roost (Hatrack River Press) and The Marketing of Sister B. (Signature Books), an essay compilation Saints Well-Seasoned: Musings on how food nourishes us – body, heart and soul (Deseret Book) and the children’s picture book Come with Me on Halloween (Albert Whitman Co.). Learn more at LindaHoffmanKimball.com.

Linda Hoffman Kimball earned a BA from Wellesley College and an MFA from Boston University. She and her husband Christian have three grown children with marvelous spouses and three delightful grandchildren. She loves to travel, make creative messes, and consume dark chocolate.