Review/Giveaway: The Christmas Kitchen

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: The Christmas Kitchen: The Gathering Place for Making Memories

Author: Tammy Maltby

Genre: Christmas nonfiction

How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: December 10, 2009
Restrictions: Open internationally

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway. Please note: we are giving away our review copy, so it has been gently read.

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It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Tammy Maltby

and the book:

The Christmas Kitchen

Howard Books (October 6, 2009)

***Special thanks to Jennifer Willingham of Simon and Schuster for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tammy Maltby is a writer, speaker, and media personality. For eight years, she was the co-host of the Emmy Award-winning television talk show, Aspiring Women. She serves on the board of the National Women’s Ministry Association, Christian Women in Media and Arts, and Women of Courage International. She and her family live in Colorado Springs, CO.


Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Hardcover: 132 pages
Publisher: Howard Books (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416587659
ISBN-13: 978-1416587651

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Press this picture to browse inside the entire book:

My Review

If you're into all things Christmasy, you'll love this book. It is full of ideas for merrymaking, from preparing ahead of time, cooking together, decking halls, kid creations, and hospitality to Christmas Day menu ideas and post-holiday tips.

I love the layout and design, which incorporates full-page photos with the narrative, recipes, hints, lists, tips, and family snapshots.

In the Christmas Kitchen Prep chapter, this struck me: "We just stack Christmas on top of our busy everyday lives. And that's what makes us tired! ...I love the Christmas hymn that urges, 'Let every heart prepare Him room.' Because that's where the most meaningful Christmases begin: with preparing our hearts and our lives (kitchens included!) for a season that is full of joy and, yes, peace."

Talk about relevant advice! The season has barely started and I'm in a whirlwind.

Of course, with a two-year-old, I love the Kids in the Kitchen chapter. And I'm brainstorming ideas to make the kitchen more user-friendly for her.

There are so many yummy recipes I want to try, like the Christmas Morning Cinnamon Wreath, and the Lost-and-Found Rice Pudding. There are lots super-easy ones, like the Festive Cream Cheese Tree, perfect for entertaining.

Overall, this is an inspiring and practical book filled with ideas to sweeten the celebration of the One who is the greatest gift of all. I'll have a hard time parting with it!