Review: Christmas Cake
Margaret, Jessie, Beatrice and Louise have been great friends forever. As members of the Women’s Guild of Hope Springs (North Carolina) Community Church, their current project is a Christmas Cake Cookbook and recipe contest. Beatrice has promised a big prize, but so far, hasn’t been able to deliver.
When Margaret discovers that her cancer has come back, her friends rally around her and vow to help her realize her final dream. They’re joined by their good friend and former pastor Charlotte, who has moved away. The quest to fulfill Margaret’s dream turns out to be an adventure for all of them that is sure to be a cherished memory in the future. It all serves as a gentle reminder to the women of what they value in life.
Christmas Cake by Lynne Hinton is a sweet story of friendship, love and community. I enjoyed my visit with the ladies of Hope Springs because their friendship is so real. They love each other and aggravate each other all at the same time, but when the chips are down, they’re there for each other. I found myself smiling at parts of the story and sobbing at others. Be prepared with tissues when you read this book!
Lynne Hinton is the pastor of a church in New Mexico. She has written several books about the ladies from Hope Springs, but this is the first one I’ve read. I had no problems catching up with and enjoying their friendship. Since Christmas Cake is about a cake cookbook and recipe contest, Lynne features a cake recipe at the beginning of each chapter and some of them sound really yummy. Make sure to tune into Blog Talk Radio on December 15 at 7PM to hear Book Club Girl interview Lynne Hinton.
This is my third book for the Holiday Reading Challenge.
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This sounds like a great book. I will be putting it on my goodreads list!
Sounds like a cozy Christmasy story! Books about women, friendships are always something I love to read.
I am reading this one right now and really liking it! I love books about women and friendships. I don’t seem to get tired of these types of books, especially this time of year.
This is the kind of book I would want to read as of now when I am feeling gloomy . Great review Kathy
This is a new title for me Kathy. I think I have read something by this author in the past–she sounds familiar, must check out her books.
I could see me sobbing at the end of this one!
This sounds like a lovley holliday book. I love the cover.
Does it focus more on the friendship or does the food in the book have equal focus?
Oh dear. It sounds powerful, but I truly cannot handle tears at the moment. I wouldn’t mind some Christmas cake though 🙂
Great story AND delicious cake recipes. Hard to pass that up!
Helen
Straight From Hel
I scanned your review as I’m reading this book right now and it’s the perfect book to read at this time of year. I enjoy reading books about women’s friendships and the foodie focus with the cakes and recipes are nice too. I read Friendship Cake by this author several years ago and it’s nice to revisit the same ladies.
I’m going to look for this author as the books sound like something I’d like to read. I like the connection between the author’s job as a minister and the characters.
I love it when books include recipes so I think I will have to check this one out. Thanks for the review Kathy.
This sounds like a heartwarming story to read just before or during the holidays!
It sounds very Christmassy. A love book to read at this time of year. I like books with recipes too.
Sounds like a wonderful book and I love Christmas stories, but I think I’ll have to pass on this one. I’m not big into books that I know are going to have me crying.
You’re finding all the right books to read at this time of the year! Christmas Cake sounds like a touching book.
Looks like a good Christmas read. 🙂
It sounds like the perfect book for the holidays, I’ll be putting it on my list to buy next year.
If nothing else, the cover alone makes it worth picking up.
That cover is making me hungry!! Great review. I avoid books that have characters with cancer, but the cover makes it almost unbearably tempting.
Cute! Sounds adorable and perfect for Christmas.
I am waiting for this one to arrive on my doorstep – I won it in the November batch from Library Thing. Glad to hear you liked it – I’ll let you know what I think, but I am betting I will like it too!
I just wanted to come and comment on your blog because I see you everywhere on blogs and on Twitter and thought I should finally introduce myself as I’ve kind of been book-stalking you for a few months now 🙂
books with recipes are my favorites! i recently read two books that included recipes (cream puff murder and confections of a master baker) and i made goodies from both! i’ll have to check this one out–thanks for the review!
I like books with recipes in them. This sounds great for the season.
This sounds like a lovely book especially this time of year. I love the fact that there’s a cake recipe in the beginning of every chapter!
I am reading this book currently-however I had to take a break to make my own Christmas cake.
This sounds like a fun Christmas read. I am glad you enjoyed it, Kathy!
I’m very interested in the premise of this story…sounds like one that I will be reading in the future!!!
Sounds like a good read. Thanks for the review, Kathy. My mom would definitely appreciate the recipe.
Thanks for the review Kathy. This book sounds wonderful!
I am trying to choose a Christmas read and I think it’s between this one and the Christmas Cookie Club book. Which one did you like better?
I just read the Christmas Cookie Club and really liked it. Sounds very similar!
I think all books should come with recipes. 😉 Can you tell I’m still hungry from reading your pioneer cookbook review?
Aw, this one definitely sounds like a tearjerker!
This sounds like a delightful read: friendships and cooking, nothing sounds better. I find myself always feeling lonely when I read books like these though. I have yet to really form that strong bond of friendship with anyone just yet in my life.