Barbara Briggs Ward

A charming little book that has been on my to-read list for a couple of years. Somehow I was never able to work it into my holiday reading schedule, but I recently read it anyway (in May). I found it quite enjoyable. I enjoyed that the protagonist are a happily married older couple, with some interesting history behind them. As others have noted, though, and avoiding spoilers, this book has a distinctly sad edge to it, even though its themes are all about family and forgiveness.

I understand that the author has a couple of sequels, forming a kind of trilogy. I've not read the other two books, but their titles are The Snowman Maker and The Candle Giver.… (mehr)

The Reindeer Keeper is a short novel about love, life, family and loss with a dash of magical realism on the side. It is by turns both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Abbey and Steve, the main protagonists are a more mature couple (around 60-ish), but their love and passion for one another hasn't dimmed one bit in the 30+ years they've been married. Their love was a palpable thing throughout the entire story. Their life together hasn't always been easy, but they've been each other's rock through the bad times, and taken great joy in the good times.

Abbey and Steve begin the book preparing to spend Christmas with their two sons, a daughter-in-law and the other son's girlfriend in a new house that was bequeathed to Abbey's father by a mysterious, reclusive stranger and then passed to her when her father died. It is the first time they've all been together in a while and it turns out to be a beautiful and joyous occasion. The magic of Christmas works through Abbey to finally help her make peace with her mother's death when she was a teenager. She in turn is able to see and understand the same feelings of loss in her daughter-in-law, who up to this point, has been rather difficult to like. Abbey is also able to help rekindle her son's dream/talent for cooking, and assist both him and his wife in understanding that they do have choices in life. It's just sometimes hard to make them when it means changing everything to which you've become accustomed. After the holidays and throughout the coming year, Abbey and Steve face the biggest challenge of their lives, as everyone deals with a devastating loss, but the spirit of Christmas continues to sustain them.

I liked how the author used a bit of magical realism in the form of Santa Claus. In the midst of an incredibly serious story, there were moments of surreal escape, but it wasn't just for fun and games. Santa became a universal, non-religious illustration of faith and how it sometimes takes going back to that pure faith of childhood in order to believe in something greater than ourselves. I liked how Santa took the characters back to that place in the past to help them understand the present and future. There is also a lovely message about how each person can touch other people's lives and even after death, they live on in the small things. Life still goes on for the living, and we just have to open our hearts to look for our loved ones who have passed on in the spirit they left behind.

The Reindeer Keeper was a much sadder book than I was expecting, so readers should definitely keep a box of tissues handy for this one. I'm tearing up just writing this review. It's difficult to use the word enjoy to describe a book that is this melancholy, but I did like it very much. This is one of those books that has a lovely message to impart rather than a feel-good story to tell. It has no objectionable elements which should make it appropriate for readers of all ages from teen and up, although the older protagonists and the mature subject matter may not resonate as well with younger people. The only thing that kept me from giving it a perfect five stars is that I thought the writing itself could have used a bit more polish. It was just little things like the dialog not flowing as naturally as it could have in places or needing a few more details here and there. Overall though, The Reindeer Keeper was a book filled with heart and soul from beginning to end that has found a spot on my keeper shelf. I definitely recommend that readers who liked The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere, or similar books, give this one a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the author via the publicist, Bostick Communications, in exchange for my review.… (mehr)

Once again, Ward has told a heartwarming story surrounding family, love and traditions. She gives us a peek into the lives of the Amish, and shows us how it's possible for people from different worlds to become good friends. The story has a visual, and even olfactory, impact, as baking and making Christmas cookies takes center stage. The idea of cookie making being an art, and also an inspiring task, made an impact with me, as I simply love to bake. The tradition of baking also works to bring the characters together.

In all, The Tin Cookie Cutter shares the importance of family...reconnecting and preserving those bonds which make a family. Also, the importance of love and friendship, at Christmas time, and all through the year. If you love reading heartwarming stories at Christmas, this is definitely the book for you.… (mehr)

This review is from the 2015 Christmas season.

As she did with The Reindeer Keeper and The Snowman Maker, Barbara has once again brought the true meaning of Christmas in her newest novel, The Candle Giver, which completes her Christmas trilogy. In this book, we are brought full circle back to Abbey's farmhouse and all the characters from the prior books are brought together at Christmas.

The messages in this book are profound. Being able to believe, no matter your age. The ability to love again. The importance of endings, and new beginnings. The magic and whimsy of Christmas. It's all here.

This was the only book I read this season, as I had a lot going on personally (and why it took me so long to read it). I'm so glad it was this one. Barbara really knows Christmas and writes it so everyone can experience the joy of it. I highly recommend this and her the previous books in the trilogy to anyone who loves Christmas and loves a great story.… (mehr)