Monday, December 5, 2011

BINGLE BELLS BOOKS: THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

  RING IN DECEMBER!
It's BINGLE BELLS Time Again!
BINGLE BELLS BOOKS are books I recommend for reading during the holiday season and/or giving as gifts. If a book is on this list, you can expect the warmth of the season in the story, or a book that anyone would love to receive as a gift.
THIS YEAR'S NEXT
BINGLE BELLS BOOK IS:
  
GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING
BY JAMES PATTERSON
with RICHARD DILALLO

ABOUT THE BOOK:
The tree is decorated, the cookies are baked, and the packages are wrapped, but the biggest celebration this Christmas is Gaby Summerhill's wedding. Since her husband died three years ago, Gaby's four children have drifted apart, each consumed by the turbulence of their own lives. They haven't celebrated Christmas together since their father's death, but when Gaby announces that she's getting married--and that the groom will remain a secret until the wedding day--she may finally be able to bring them home for the holidays.

But the wedding isn't Gaby's only surprise--she has one more gift for her children, and it could change all their lives forever. With deeply affecting characters and the emotional twists of a James Patterson thriller, The Christmas Wedding is a fresh look at family and the magic of the season.

AN EXCERPT FROM THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING:
GABY'S FIRST VIDEO

ONLY TWENTY-FOUR DAYS until Christmas, and this Christmas is going to be one you won't forget.

Need proof? I think I can give you proof.

I want all four of you to take a good, long look at the screen and your mom.

Everybody watching? Emily? Claire? Seth? Lizzie? Emily? You see anything unusual or, well, kind of stunning?

Okay. Let me turn around for you...Turning...Turning again.

Yes. Your eyes tell the truth. I have lost twelve pounds and several ounces. 

Stop, stop! No worries, no frets or fears. No neurotic theories about my health.

I'm not sick or anything like that. Maybe a little sick in the head. As always. Part of my charm.

I just gave up Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and the occasional beer before bedtime. And I banished mayonnaise—low-fat or otherwise—from the house. And white bread. Dunkin' Donuts for sure. It made me somewhat miserable...and hungry. But it also made me thinner. And, I must admit, happier. Yes, I'm happier than I've been in a long time.

I needed a big change. Everybody needs a change. If you don't change, you're stuck in a rut. 
To finish reading this excerpt, visit James Patterson's website HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
James Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1977, James Patterson's books have sold more than 230 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Mr. Patterson also writes the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels, set in San Francisco, and the top-selling New York detective series of all time, featuring Detective Michael Bennett. He writes fulltime and lives in Florida with his family.

MY THOUGHTS/REVIEW:
James Patterson and Richard DiLallo have written a sweet story for this time of year. I personally like to take a break with short, easy to read, holiday themed books during this hectic time of year and THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING fit the bill. While I am a big fan of James Patterson’s mysteries, his other genre is something I enjoy and take for what it is. THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING is a book you can read in one sitting and come away with a contented feeling and a bit of holiday spirit as well.

As for the story itself, I thought it was a pretty improbable plot. Gaby Summerhill is a young widow having lost her husband three years ago. She lives on a country farm in western Massachusetts and decides to make this Christmas a really big family reunion. Hopefully it will be something her children will be happy about. That is, she is planning on getting remarried on Christmas Day. She actually sends short videos to all her children letting them know and inviting them for Christmas and the wedding. Also, since their father’s death, the family hasn’t been together since the funeral. Gaby hopes this will bring all her family together again to renew their closeness and enjoy the holiday and wedding.

The twist, if you can call it that, is that Gaby isn’t telling them who she is marrying until the wedding itself on Christmas Day. The twist also was the most improbable and hard to believe for me because, you see, Gaby was proposed to by three men, all part of her close knit group of friends, and she isn’t going to let the men know whose proposal she accepts until the wedding. Can there really be three men who are that saintly and would agree to such a thing? Also, how deep could these relationships really be that would qualify this marriage if there are three men who are all that important in her life? Tom, Jacob, and Marty are all nice looking, good men. Marty is Gaby’s brother-in-law and a huge help to her since she lost her husband. Jacob is a Jewish rabbi who is kind and thoughtful but also ready for fun like anyone else. Tom was a hockey player and also has grown up with Gaby since they were kids. Not only do these three friends buy into this crazy idea but also agree to help plan and set up the wedding!

The part of the story I enjoyed the most was getting to know about Gaby’s children. Their interesting characters were the part of THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING that I thought should have been expanded on rather than only touch on so we got a feel for who they each are. With 3 daughters and a son, Gaby has a lovely family. Claire lives with her children and husband, Hank, in South Carolina. Her story is one of an abusive, pot smoking husband who finally drives Claire to leave him and the trip for the wedding is the perfect time. Does Claire’s trip become the perfect break or does she get sentimental and want to try again? And what of her rebellious pot-smoking teenage son? How will they both handle this family gathering when tensions between them are at an all time high?

Emily is a corporate lawyer who is waiting for a partnership in the fast paced work world of Manhattan. Her husband, Bart, is a doctor and they both live busy, much too busy, lives. Taking off time from work to make this trip is something neither thinks they can afford to do but does something in Emily’s life make the trip much more important after all? Her other sister, Lizzie, is dealing with the heart breaking illness of her husband who is fighting brain cancer. A trip away from their normal medical care might be awfully difficult to take but also might wind up be very beneficial to both their emotional psyches.

Finally, there is Gaby’s son, Seth, who is a struggling writer just living through rejections for his book that he put heart and soul into. His girlfriend is supportive and they are in love but with all that is going on in his career, Seth just can’t seem to commit. He is also not sure he can face his other wise successful siblings at this time in his life.

Although I wish the kids’ lives had been expanded on, I still liked the book enough for a fun and light read. The zany proposal that anyone would pull off what Gaby tries to do didn’t keep me from just enjoying the book over all. With co-author Richard DiLallo, and the trade mark short Patterson chapters that I love, Patterson has put out yet another best seller. However, this time the mystery from Patterson is just how does he ever do all this?
 



GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO ANNA AND MY GOOD FRIENDS
AT HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I HAVE ONE
COPY OF THIS DELIGHTFUL HOLIDAY
TALE BY BEST SELLING AUTHOR,
JAMES PATTERSON, FOR YOU TO WIN!
 
--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU READ ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING  AND REVIEW THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK

+1 OR MORE ENTRIES: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING AT JAMES PATTERSON'S WEBSITE HERE. YOU MAY WANT TO COMMENT ON A BOOK OF HIS YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ, OR HAVE ENJOYED ALREADY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU MAY COMMENT SEPARATELY TO RECEIVE EXTRA ENTRIES
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, DECEMBER 29
GOOD LUCK!

91 comments:

lag123 said...

I want to find out who Gabby will marry.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

debbie said...

I have always been a big fan of James Patterson,and this sounds just like the kind of light, holiday story I like to read at this time of the year.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

CMash said...

I just retweeted @CherylMash

CMash said...

Want to read another type of his writing.
CMash
Mash1195 at aol dot com

CMash said...

Have entered and want to read Kill Alex Cross.
CMash
Mash1195 at aol dot com

CMash said...

I follow GFC
CMash
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CMash said...

I am a email newletter subscriber
CMash
Mash1195 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine the groom not
knowing if he will be the groom or not!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Anonymous said...

FB friend.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Anonymous said...

GFC follower as Karen B - but account disabled yesterday???
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

rubynreba said...

I enjoy Christmas stories and the fact that James Patterson wrote it is enough to make me want to read this book!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

+5 December Facebook Entry #2
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

mamabunny13 said...

I'm intrigued and can't wait to find out what the twist is!
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#2 +5 December Facebook
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mamabunny13 said...

#3 +5 December Facebook
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#5 +5 December Facebook
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mamabunny13 said...

I follow via gfc
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mamabunny13 said...

I want to read his book "Tick Tock" which I own but haven't started yet.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Carol N Wong said...

Thanks for your great review. Especially the part about keeping the men in the dark about the proposals. Besides being improbable, I think that is cruel!

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I still hoping to read "Kill Alex Cross".


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Suburban prep said...

Who will be at the altar for her to marry.
I have had this book on my wish list for a bit now.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

He has a contest for students to win money towards their education.

Suburban prep said...

I follow through Rss reader and gfc

Carol N Wong said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carol N Wong said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with a RSS feed on my IGoogle Page.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with
Facebook.

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I follow your blog with Networked Blogs.

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I follow your blog with Twitter.


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I follow your blog with Google Friends Connect.


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Carol N Wong said...

1st +5 Facebook Bonus Entry


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traveler said...

A unique story from this author. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I do enjoy the Alex Cross original series. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

Interesting premise and a good story for the holidays. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

James Patterson has written childrens novels as well. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Literary Chanteuse said...

I have never read anything from this author but this book looks like one that would interest me.

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

I like the offer of free chapters too read on the authors website.

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

I follow via email

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

I'm a GFC follower

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

I follow via RSS feed

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Connie said...

I want to see how Patterson writes a romantic holiday story. The storyline has me intrigued. Thank you so much for a wonderful giveaway! :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

I am a loyal GFC follower. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Sue Farrell said...

The story line sounds improbable and unbelievable and unrealistic at best---but Christmas magic can account for just about anything and it sounds like a nice light read.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

Looking at the author's website, I'm always amazed at how many books he has written.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I am an email subscriber.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Becky said...

I love the suspense of this novel. I was looking for a new Christmas story. Maybe, this will be the one.

Unknown said...

I love James Patterson books. This book sounds really good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I would like to find out who she will marry and how it all works out! James Patterson is an excellent writer too!

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks

faithspage said...

Had me at the cover

kyfaithw at aol dot com

faithspage said...

entered Sparks give-away too
kyfaithw at aol dot com

Pat L. said...

I love James P's books, especially his none suspense.
patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

am a gfc follower.
patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

I read Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas and really enjoyed it - surprise ending.
patoct@yahoo.com

JAF Gifts said...

This is an interesting story, I assume. Must be a good read so let's find out and get a copy!

Karen T said...

Always am up for a James Patterson novel.
lovesthemets@yahoo.com

Misusedinnocence said...

Oooh! I'm getting excited for my upcoming wedding and this sounds like a great read, and Patterson's awesome!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

Black Friday sounds like a great read!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Linda Kish said...

I want to find out how she gets three men to agree to this idea. And the fact that it is a James Patterson book makes it perfect for me.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I want to read Kill Alex Cross.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am an email subscriber

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 December facebook
1
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Linda Kish said...

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Anonymous said...

lrmegtom@gmail.com
+5 December swag
entered Alex Cross
Lynn Reilly

Anonymous said...

I always enjoy a Christmas story.
pattyb43@gmail.com
Patty B from NY

Reading said...

This sounds like an interesting premise. Looks cute. Thanks for the giveaway.

Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I love that James Patterson has his Read Kiddo Read website. I don't feel that our education system pushes reading enough. It's nice to see that Mr. Patterson gets it.

Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I follow on GFC
Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I am an email subscriber.

Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Nancye said...

I would like to win this book because I am HUGE James Patterson fan! This sounds like a sweet holiday book that I would enjoy.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I Tweeted!
@NancyeDavis

https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/152510391866503169

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I have read "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" which really touched my heart. I also want to read his book about Middle School. The title escapes me, but it sounds like a great read for a retired middle school teacher.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

GFC Follower

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Twitter Follower

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