Kissing Father Christmas

When you read a book by a new to you author and really like the book and then discover the author has written a lot of books then it’s like getting a Christmas present. And since the book I’m talking about is Kissing Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn, that’s doubling good.

This was a great read over a couple of very hot Summer days. It takes the reader to a magical time in England for all the characters. I especially enjoyed getting to know Anna. It does seem that there is a back story to the folks at Whitcombe Manor so I will look for a previous book featuring Anna.

Ms. Gunn has a wonderful way of describing a room, a town, a bridge, even a clock. You can almost smell the evergreens, the cookies and all the other foods. You can see the snow falling. But at the same time, she doesn’t go on and on with descriptions just to get word count as so many authors do. She gets you there and lets you enjoy it. There are family dynamics present that were dealt with in a most gracious manner. Anna’s time at Whitcombe Manor leaves the reader wanting more.

I look forward to exploring other of her books and highly recommend Kissing Father Christmas.

I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley in exchanged for my honest review. Thank you.

Published By Faithwords/Centerstreet October 04, 2016

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Publisher's Description

Bestselling and award-winning author Robin Jones Gunn returns to the cozy English village of Carlton Heath, with a winter romance to melt your heart.

A year-and-a-half ago, Anna flew from Minnesota to Carlton Heath to attend the wedding of her cousin, Ian, to an American woman named Miranda. The beautiful event ended with Anna receiving an unexpected, unforgettable kiss from groomsman Peter. Now Anna is delighted to be invited back for Christmas with her family, dreams of romance dancing in her head. But when she finally sees him again, Peter insists his only interest in Anna is as a friend. Anna is hurt, and becomes even more confused when Peter takes her on a romantic tour of London. Is Anna's heart misleading her, or is there a reason Peter is denying what he feels?

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Story Notes

Robin Jones Gunn's third return to the village of Carlton Heath brings a wonderful Christmas story of love, grace and forgiveness to life in a beautiful way.

Having read the first two books in this wonderfully idyllic series I was eager to return to the MacGregor/Whitcombe families of Carlton Heath. Ms. Gunn did not fail to draw me back in immediately with a pleasantly paced plot that exploded with over-the-top Christmas celebrations and family gatherings. Given that I have a large family that celebrates all holidays with as much food and fun as we can pack in, I had such fun reading about another family who did the same. The love and joy that flowed out of each person was almost tangible and I began to dread the end of the story. I could almost taste the sweet goodies and delicious "nibbles" that were being made. I am also now going to go in search of a "Lion Bar" to find out if the taste is a magical as everyone in this story says. But even with all this fun I think the best element I found in this story was in the lives of Peter and Anna who were central to the plot. Anna and Peter had made a romantic connection on her previous trip to Carlton Heath and Anna is thrilled to be back near Peter. His reception of her is less than she hoped and when he asks to simply remain friends, Anna's heart takes a hurtful blow. She is positive he likes her but cannot see why he holds back. Anna determines to honor Peter's request but cannot still the piece of her heart that cries out for his love. When Peter finally reveals the reasons for his reluctance, Anna will have chance to show him he is worth the grace and love that God offers to those who will ask. I truly enjoyed reading this story of Peter and Anna and loved how Ms Gunn intentionally intertwined the concepts of truth, grace and peace. Ms. Gunn allowed Anna to first realize and accept that God offers peace if we allow Him to work things out so that she could in turn share that with Peter. And Peter would further learn that secrets are the enemy of peace - they must be shared in truth and accepted so that one can be at peace with the happenings of one's life. I was so glad to see that Ms. Gunn gave her characters full voice in their struggles and solutions. By showing each step of their redemption process I was able to empathize fully with all that was taking place in the pages of this book. I hope there will be many more stories that Ms Gunn will be writing about Carlton Heath. I am absolutely recommending these books to others and will be purchasing copies of all this series for my personal library in the very new future. What a happy beginning to my Christmas Season reads!

This E-book was provided to me at no cost by Faithwords/Centerstreet via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.

loved and enjoyed reading the fabulous and fantastic Christian romance story written by the talented Robin Jones Gunn. I received an ARC from the publisher Faith Words through NetGalley for an honest review.
Anna is visiting Carlton Heath in England during Christmas. When she was last in Carlton Heath was for her cousin's wedding, she danced and shared a kiss with Peter, one of the groomsmen. Anna is looking forward to seeing Peter again, but Peter comes to visit to tell her that he didn't mean anything by the kiss and had meant to kiss her on the cheek. Anna's fairy tale and romantic thoughts leave her with childish dreams and wishes.
Read the highly recommended, beautifully written, and a must read love story of Peter and Anna.

A wonderful holiday trip with Anna to Carlton Heath. I fell in love with this town in the first two books Finding Father Christmas and Engaging Father Christmas. I fell in love with the characters too and was expecting another story about Miranda.
I was surprised to find a lovely little story about Anna and how she has gotten mixed in with all the people in this town I've fallen in love with. This is certainly a stand alone book but reading the other two certainly won't hurt you any.
Another quick read in the best way. Time with this story just flew by for me and I was finished before I realized it. A lovely little twist at the end really wrapped this story up nicely and I truly hope that there will be more to come about these characters!
Such a wonderful little Christmas story. I think it would be just the thing to quickly put anyone in the Holiday spirit.

This is a Christmas treat. I was tickled, tantalized, enchanting, and exuberant. I was pleasantly surprised. I love Christmas books and movies but this book took it a step further. How could a book not, named Kissing Father Christmas? This books flows easily there is no choppiness that you can get in a book especially Christmas one - they like to go back in time - etc - this is about Anna - she wants to get back to Heath for Christmas, and Peter - who gave her a kiss - s he was hoping for some more - but when she got there - well - things turned out to be the opposite - Anna took it in stride - she accepted it and moved on not happily - but moved on - well Peter - didn't know if he truly wanted to let her go - so he had to think if he wanted to kiss her again or not. Anna knows Peter is a complex person - and she starts praying for him. The author does a wonderful job describing Anna - a lovely and sweet, gentle way of describing her - you want to go in and join her - be her best friend - help her through all this. There are others to the cast of characters, and the author weaves them in fantastically so as not to overshadow the story, it adds to it. This is an amazing book - it is worth the read.

Kissing Father Christmas is the most charming, heartwarming Christmas book I've read this year.

From the first chapter, I was entranced by the exquisite lyrical flow of Gunn's writing style. As I settled in to read page after page I felt as if Christmas was unfolding before my eyes. Gunn's words so richly describe the home decorations, The Christmas Carol play, Big Ben in London, the choirs singing and the family gatherings, I had the distinct feeling I had been transported to England, experiencing the holiday right along with Anna. The setting is as enticing as the appealing characters.

Anna's return to Carlton Heath to spend Christmas with her cousin Ian and his family, has her hoping for a renewed relationship with Peter. Peter's kiss has been all she's thought about for months, but the holiday visit has him apologizing for the kiss and trying to convince her he only wants to be friends. What?!

Anna's acceptance of his wishes and her positive attitude, has her believing it will be a good Christmas, just not the one she had hoped for. I love the way Gunn portrayed the beautiful Anna, with her gentle and quiet spirit.

Handsome Peter is a complex character, he can be funny and the life of the party at times, serious and somber at others. He has issues to work through if he's going to have the peace he longs for. Anna, regardless of her own disappointment, is praying for him to find that peace and accept the grace and love he deserves, whether his future includes her or not. What a great heart she has!

The secondary characters, especially the adorable wise beyond her years Julia, the heart stealing Molly, Ian, Miranda, Father Christmas Andrew, Katherine and others, all contribute to a well-rounded cast of entertaining delightful family members.

The Christmas carol, O Holy Night, and its lyrics have taken on extra special meaning and I find myself singing, He appeared and the soul felt its worth, and thinking about "the thrill of hope".

At one point, Gunn references a stroll with Father Christmas as "poetically enchanting". Her own words are the perfect description of Kissing Father Christmas, poetically enchanting. It's an inspirational love story that pulled at my heartstrings. I was so captivated, I was longing for Christmas and all the joy, love and happiness that comes with it!

I'm super excited Hallmark is making a movie about Finding Father Christmas!

I want to applaud the illustrator and design team at FaithWords who have done an outstanding job on this gorgeous cover and the reissuing of the Finding Father Christmas/Engaging Father Christmas set too.

I greatly appreciate Robin Jones Gunn sharing this book. I feel as if I've been given a wonderful gift, one I truly enjoyed unwrapping. Many thanks also to FaithWords for making a copy available for review.

A Christmas story at its best! Loved the engaging writing and unforgettable characters.

Having attended her cousin Ian's wedding the year before, Anna returns to England for a Christmas visit. Because her first visit ended with a magical kiss from Ian's best friend Peter, Anna is hopeful that there might be a future for the two of them.

It was so fun to revisit Carlton Heath and favorite characters from the Father Christmas series. The Whitcombe and MacGregor families are just as charming here as they are in the first two books. Anna is sweet and Peter's behavior is confusing until he finally shares his secret with her. The story is a quick, easy read and, like the ones before it, a pleasant way to spend an afternoon in front of the fireplace.

A sequel to Engaging Father Christmas, the story does stand alone just fine.

A perfectly uplifting Christmas read! I enjoyed going back to Carlton Heath for the holidays with Anna, Ian's cousin. Told from her viewpoint, the story begins where the last one left off, with a bit of a recap to fill in the months between. It was easy to follow along, but best to read the first two books to get the full story.

Anna is a sweet-natured character, creative, sensitive and caring. She is so full of hope at the beginning, but as things don't turn out as she planned, it was inspiring to witness her shift to trusting God for her future instead. Hope and grace still are present at Whitcombe Manor as the extended family and friends embrace her, and love her through her bumpy relationship with Peter. Anna learns to extend grace to others, showing the healing power of love in action. It was fun reading more about the returning cast of characters, and revisiting the annual Christmas Carol play. The author skillfully uses it to illustrate a spiritual truth, along with the lyrics of O Holy Night, creating a special moment for Anna that resonated in my heart as well.
Recommend to anyone who enjoys an inspiring Christmas read with a tender romance.

Anna flew to her cousins wedding and is back for Christmas. She is also back with Fairy Tales in her mind and in her heart. She is there to find out more about her family and more about Peter. While Peter has other plans she knows friendship is important and is ready to leave after Christmas with knowing her family a little more and making some friends who she will hold near and dear to her heart. Will she be able to leave with her heart still intact or will her fairy tale wishes get in the way?
I truly loved this book. I flew right through it and I was so sad to see it end, only because I have love these fun stories and characters. I loved how the focus in the book was about grace and forgiveness. I really enjoyed that even though in some cases Anna may have felt knocked down she still showed faith and grace to those around her. I can't say anything bad about this book if you are looking for a book that ties whats most important in life and at Christmas then this is the book for you. This book will not disappoint at all and I am so glad to have found it. This book is in a first person format which I do not usually like, however Robin had a way of allowing the reader not to miss or feel like your missing anything.

It was wonderful to return to Carlton Heath and catch up with characters from the previous two books and to meet new characters. Robin Jones Gunn writes incredible stories that make you feel like you are a part of the book and leave you wishing they could go on forever. There is something magical about this Father Christmas series and this was a perfect addition. I highly recommend this book along with the previous two titles.

Kissing Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn is the final book in the Father Christmas trilogy and is absolutely delightful. As with the previous books, I felt totally cocooned within the story.
Kissing Father Christmas is a magical, fairytale that also reveals the heart of God. God is love, grace and peace and the novel explores these themes. Grace is there for us all. We do not deserve it and we cannot earn it. God's grace is a gift to be received not just at Christmas but every day.
The novel continues the themes of belonging and family, as seen in the earlier stories. Family is more than just bloodlines. Family is those who welcome you and love you unconditionally. God loves us for who we are and welcomes each and every one of us.
The truth is of vital importance. Secrets can easily become burdens when the truth is suppressed. Grace and love extend to us all, and peace is felt when the truth is revealed and the burden lifted.
The novel explores the difference between religion and relationship. Religion presents rules. Relationship extends grace, peace and love. God desires a relationship with each and every one of us and longs to welcome us 'home' to Him.
This Father Christmas series has been delightful. I have loved each and every one of the stories. The warmth exuded has wrapped itself around me. These stories are more than 'nice' fairytale reads, they reveal the heart and love of God for His children.
Absolutely wonderful trilogy and highly recommended.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

"Kissing Father Christmas" is the third book in the Father Christmas Series by Robin Jones Gunn. I enjoyed this story, but not as much as the first two. Perhaps it is because the main characters were not really part of the previous books. Anna, Ian's cousin from Minnesota, has returned to the village of Carlton Heath a year after Miranda and Ian's wedding. At the wedding she connected with Ian's friend Peter and is hoping that this visit will solidify a relationship. She can't forget the good-night kiss they shared after their last dance of the evening. After he last visit to Whitcombe Manor, she was invited back to spend Christmas with her British side of the family.

Once again we enter the magical world of Carlton Heath, with romance, family and Christmas traditions, love, and most importantly faith. Although Anna is disappointed when Peter explains that he hoped she did not misinterpret his kiss and that he just wants to be friends, she decides that she will not run away, but spend the holidays as planned and not return in the Spring as Ellie had suggested. Peter has some secrets that he is afraid to share with anyone, but finally breaks down and shares them with Anna. She is determined not to give up, and she convinces Peter that he needs to allow hope and grace into his life.

This book sets the mood for a joyous season and brings alive the true meaning of Christmas. Love, Joy, Hope and Grace once again lead the way in Carlton Heath.

Kissing Father Christmas is the third and final novella in the Father Christmas series by Robin Jones Gunn. I loved the first book, Finding Father Christmas, and I thoroughly enjoyed the second book, Engaging Father Christmas. I also enjoyed this novella.

The first and second books focused primarily on Miranda and then Miranda and Ian. This book shifts to Ian's American cousin Anna and Ian's friend and colleague Peter. The two met during Ian and Miranda's wedding which took place between the books. Now Anna has returned to Carlton Heath for a visit with the hopes that the friendship that began may develop into more.

While I was excited to return to Carlton Heath and catch up with what the characters had been doing, I just didn't click with Anna and Peter's story until almost the very end. I wish we knew earlier what is revealed later and then we could spend some time seeing the two's relationship deepen.

Even though I say that I am still a big fan of this book and series. Robin Jones Gunn has a way of developing characters that make them seem to dance off of the page and into the realm of reality. This particular series has a top story that is about a wonderful holiday romance. It's charming and inviting. But what separates her stories from the many others is the underlying story. If you look past the sweet romance you see a spiritual journey that convicts and entices you to look to your own walk with God.

These books will most definitely go on my shelf to be revisited in years to come. I recommend them to anyone that is a fan of Christmas novellas. I would say that the books could probably read as stand-alone titles but they go so nicely together that you should scoop them all up.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

I always enjoy reading Christmas stories during the Christmas season...this one was a wonderful story.