I loved this novella which has an awesome Christmas message. This is the sixth book in a series I have been enjoying. Frannie’s plan for a family Christmas goes awry when her children decide to spend Christmas elsewhere. Her and Larry decide to join Larry’s sister and brother in law in a trip to see other family members. They are camping along the way when snow hits.
I was first drawn to this series by the main character sharing my name and being retired. The idea of a camping group of retired family and friends appealed to me in a big way. It’s been a long time dream of mine to have an RV and do just this. Well, minus the dead bodies that are a frequent occurrence. I was hooked on this series from the first book I read, (which I believe was out of order so you can read them that way). The mysteries are good. I find it more plausible to keep finding bodies when you are moving from campsites as opposed to a small town. Realistically, bodies are often found in national parks. There’s a lot of space to hide in. If I was in a small town where dead bodies kept showing up, I’d start looking for a new small town, just saying, ( though I adore many series set in them).
I really like the characters in this series. I feel like the author does a good job with giving everyone their own personalities and has them blending in realistic ways. In this story, we see how, even with differences, we can love each other and work together. I love the message I took from this story: even when your plans change, and then change again, you can still have a wonderful Christmas. Christmas, to me, has always been about who I was with, rather than what everyone got and what special food we had. I really enjoyed seeing that in a book. I’m not going into the mysterious part because you need something to discover on your own. There is a dog, though. My heart was happy.
I totally recommend this book if you need something with the Christmas Spirit. Otherwise, I would say, if you haven’t read this series, start now. It is an entertaining and interesting series. There are several goodies at the end of the book. Things like recipes and helpful camp hints. I loved the RV hints in this book. ( )

Christmas is coming, and Frannie and Larry Shoemaker are not happy. Their children and grandchildren won't be coming.Their son is taking his wife and kids to Disneyland instead. Their daughter is headed to skiing in Switzerland with the current guy in her life, and promises, in lieu of the usual week at Christmas, a weekend near the end of January.

The Ferraros are similarly bereft of visiting offspring, and they all decide that, instead of sitting at home without their offspring, they'll hook up the campers and go visit Larry and Jane Anne's other brother and his family in Texas.

To get there, though, they have to travel through Missouri, where they get snowed in at a campground by a rogue storm.

There are no dead bodies or kidnappings this time, but Frannie and friends still find a mystery to solve: a homeless man who tells them to call him JC, and the dog he's been hanging out with.

This is just an enjoyable visit with old friends, a holiday trip that turns into a lot of fun in ways they never expected.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this audiobook and am reviewing it voluntarily. ( )

A campy Christmas, A Frannie Shoemaker Campground Adventure by Karen Musser Nortman
Frannie's kids and grandkids will not be at the Christmas this year. They all have other plans.
She had spent so much time decorating the house and getting tickets to the plays for them all...
On an impulse they get together their camper and go with their friends to TX and other places. Love how she organizes all the food and clothes they will need.
Road and nature hazards and they end up in a cmapground deserted for a night and witness strange happenings....
Men banter to no end...They find a man in the snow....love how this plays out.
Especially love the tips for when traveling in the winter and in the RV. Recipes and more tips at the end of the book.
Can't wait to read more of the books by this author. Many are summarized at the end. ( )

Frannie begins the holiday season in a funk, but when her sister-in-law/friend invites Frannie and husband (brother) to bring their trailer and go south to visit husband's brother for the holidays, she agrees that it is a good idea. The weather disagrees, and they wind up snowed in in a deserted but open state park. Their holiday mystery is a man who nearly freezes to death, and all are reminded of the true spirit of Christmas. Heartwarming.
Michelle Babb interprets the people and emotions very clearly and doubles the impact of this novella. ( )