Thursday, December 3, 2009

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:


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!

54 comments:

Andrea Schultz said...

As a Christmas fan, this sounds delicious!

Thanks - Andrea

andrealschultz at gmail dot com

Andrea Schultz said...

I'm a newer follower/friend!

Andrea

andrealschultz at gmail dot com

ann said...

Merry Christmas!

ann said...

i'm still trying to decide whether to put up my tree at home or in the office...

Anonymous said...

A fabulous book...please count me in...thanks.

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(Dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'm a subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks!!
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Milka said...

This sounds great, I love Christmas!

milkavainamo@lyseo.edu.ouka.fi

Milka said...

I am a follower!

milkavainamo@lyseo.edu.ouka.fi

Annette W. said...

This would be lots of fun to read!

wmmahaney said...

I would love this.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I follow in Google Reader.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Ticia said...

I'm a BIG fan of Christmas. Would love to win this.

Ticia said...

I follow you.

Jennifer said...

Looks like another interesting Christmas read.

Jennifer said...

I'm a subscriber too.

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Simply Stacie said...

I follow.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

plb8156 said...

This looks just wonderful Wow, I would love to win :)
plb8156@aol.com

plb8156 said...

I follow & subscribe & love all the great books you find :)
plb8156@aol.com

Melissa Taylor said...

The author is from Colorado just like me! Her recipes look delicious. Thanks!!

Melissa
www.imaginationsoup.net

mverno said...

any read is a good read if you don't have anything to read mverno@roadrunner.com

Sue said...

I think this looks lovely. Thanks for the giveaway.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Amber said...

This book sounds great!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

tattwo said...

This would be a great book to share with my daughter-in-law as we prepare for the holidays. Thanks.

Ľubaša said...

i am not good cook. but i am curious and i would like to compare christmas recipes from other side of atlantic with ours.:-) thanks
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

A said...

I would love to give this to my mom for christmas!


jkalstrup@unomaha.edu

cookiert said...

This sounds wonderful! I could use some new holiday recipes.

Melissa said...

This book sounds like me!

melissamcnicol at yahoo dot com

Renee G said...

I would love this.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

409cope said...

Tkis book sounds very nice and very timely. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I follow and subscribe. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

gsm57 said...

enter me please

Rhonda said...

Sounds like a great book. Please enter me

rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

Rhonda said...

I follow

rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

Anonymous said...

Would love this one!
shawnac68@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Happy December!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

This sounds fabulous and right up my alley- thanks for the chance to win.

Ahsun said...

Hit me!



Syed Ahsun Zafar
essogasstation@hotmail.com

Ahsun said...

I
Folllow
!
!
!



Syed Ahsun Zafar
essogasstation@hotmail.com

Terri Dell said...

I love Christmas, this would be a wonderful book to own.

Terri Dell said...

I follow

Maja said...

seems great

Nickolay said...

I am into All Things Christmasy This looks awesome

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Carol EL said...

I would love to give this to my daughter for christmas.
jelly15301@gmail.com

Carol EL said...

GFC follower. jelly15301@gmail.com

Tina said...

Love Christmas, and reading about how to make things brighter by cooking, decorating etc.

sweeps4us(at)gmail(dot)com

chromiumman said...

would love to put this to good use

Sandy S said...

Sounds like a great book! I would love to win. Thanks!

skstigger@hotmail.com

cstironkat said...

I would like this book so we could do some great crafts and baking together.

SeahorseLady said...

I would love to give this one to my Mother who I know would enjoy it.

SeahorseLady said...

I follow and subscribe.

Linda Kish said...

Please include me

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

cman said...

Please enter me :)