Can mysterious matchmaking booksellers bring two lonely hearts together in time for Christmas?
In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket … surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.
Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.
This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?
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This was my very 1st book review-I have learned a LOT since then. I truly enjoyed the story, too!
Being unfamiliar with the name Donita K. Paul, I did a quick internet check which showed she had published other books under the pen name Kathleen Paul, several of which I had read.
So when I received my book, Two Tickets to a Christmas Ball, a few days ago, with great excitement I curled up in my chair in front of the fireplace and began to read.
The story starts with Cora Crowder, a young Christian lady from a dysfunctional, non-Christian family who feels Christmas is too commercialized but also feels the obligation to get family presents.
Cora finds a charming bookstore in an old part of town almost no one remembers or goes to anymore and upon recommendation from the owner, buys a book for her uncle.
Her first encounter with the owner and the son of Warner, Werner and Wizbotterdad’s bookstore, leaves her feeling slightly off kilter as if something is a bit askew but there is no real explanation for the feeling.
The story introduces Simon Derrick, Cora’s fellow employee, at the bookstore, where she quickly recognizes him having worked with him for five years. He’s practically clueless as to who she is when she says hello and repeatedly throughout the book calls her by the wrong name.
As the story progresses from her chance meeting of her boss’ boss, the book she buys with a ticket to the Christmas Ball tucked inside, on through to the end of the story there is a fanciful mix of fantasy, magic and reality. All is tied up loosely with a beautiful bow at the Christmas Ball.
Danita K. Paul does a good job of mixing the worlds of magic and Christianity along with a tolerable explanation of things normally not considered acceptable in the Christian world, such as fairies, wizards and magic.
The character development seems to suffer from the story being so short-there are many things begging to be more fully developed and people you would love to get to know better.
Technically a novella, Two Tickets to a Christmas Ball provides a quick, light read on a pre-Christmas night.
This book was provided to me free. However, I was under no obligation to review.
I loved this book. I wish there had been more to the story, but it ends nice and neat. I highly recommend to anyone. I can’t think of a reason why someone wouldn’t want to read this book.
Cute fast reading, enjoyable holiday book.
Absolutely enchanting- a sweet, clean read.
Great concept but poorly written. More character development would be nice.
I really enjoy this author’s writing style. I normally don’t read seasonal books (i.e. Christmas books), but I ended up loving this super cute and imaginative way to bring two people together. It was the kind of world that brought a fantasy and real life together in a balanced way. If you’re looking for a feel good without too much sweetness, this is your read!
This book was Ike climbing into a Hallmark Christmas movie. I enjoyed it and loved spending time with this story.
It was a fun read.
I always enjoy her writing and this story was enchanting.
A lovely escape.
This book lives up to the wonderful story-telling of Donita K Paul. I was so excited to see a book written for me after buying all of her dragon books for my kids! I read them as well and knew that this would be a fine story also. Well done!
I loved the faith filled family story that challenges the characters to see beyond the surface. Each situation was well crafted and thoughtfully prestented with a eye towards whimsy and firmly grounded in faith. Surprises and delights are plentiful, as well as disappointment and confusion. Everyday life plays with it’s usually messy ups and downs including flat tires, bad weather, heavy traffic and all! This is a delightful story I will enjoy revisiting and happily recommend.
This is a very sweet story that I thoroughly enjoyed! While the ending might be a bit predictable, getting there is half the fun! There are some twists, especially when a creepy sister shows up out of the blue! Great love story!
This was an interesting book, not ordinary or predictable… it kept me turning the pages!