*31 Days of Christmas* The Spirit of Christmas

Thanksgiving is over and the countdown to Christmas has officially begun (at least in my house). I don't limit myself to just reading cheesy Christmas romances during this time of year. Oh no. I also find myself binge watching Christmas movies on Netflix and the Hallmark Channel. And I thought, why not incorporate that into my blog as well. So I give you the 31 Days of Christmas (which will be much easier to accomplish with movies than books like I've tried to do in past years).

Next up is The Spirit of Christmas.

Watched on: Netflix

Duration: 1 hour, 31 minutes

Originally aired: 19 December 2015

Directed by: David Jackson

Starring: Thomas Beaudoin, Kati Salowsky, and Steven A. Miller

Please see IMDb for full cast and crew info.

Synopsis

Attorney Kate Jordan is sent to broker the sale of Hollygrove Inn, but she is told that her appraiser has left because of a ghost. Sure enough, it s not long before she meets Daniel Forsythe...a man who mysteriously died 95 years ago. The two strike a deal if she can help him discover the truth behind his death and why he is cursed to return to the inn for Christmas each year, he will leave and allow Kate to finish her job. As they work together, Kate can t help but fall for this dashing Christmas spirit, and a romance develops that will alter the course of both their lives.

Review

I started to watch this movie last year, and for some reason didn't see the end (I'm guessing I had to go do something, and since I was watching it on Hallmark last year, I couldn't just pause it and pick it back up). This second, full viewing makes me kind of sad that I didn't catch the end last year. 

This movie utilizes the classic hard-working woman who never celebrates Christmas trope. Unlike most cheesy Christmas movies, her love interest isn't exactly alive (although he's not exactly not alive when she's interacting with him either. You'd really have to watch the movie to understand what I'm trying to say here I think.) The movie still had the standard tension between the leads that you just know is going to lead to romance at some point, but it had a refreshing spin on it considering the fact that said romance would clearly be short-lived with some serious limitations. 

There were a few other unexpected twists that cropped up in the course of Kate and Daniel's quest to discover the truth about his death. They really just served to add a little more flavor to the story. 

I don't know if I'd want to watch this movie yearly, because the cheesy romance aspect is rather understated, but I'd probably still watch if I caught it on tv. 

My Rating

Buy the Movie

Amazon

Check Out My Other Christmas Movie Reviews

Review

Review

Cancel Christmas starring Judd Nelson, Justin Landry, & Natalie Brown

Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe starring Lacey Chabert, Brendan Penny, & Genevieve Kang

The Princess Switch starring Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, & Nick Sagar
The Holiday Calendar starring Kat Graham, Quincy Brown, and Ethan Peck
The Spirit of Christmas starring Thomas Beaudoin, Kati Salowsky, and Steven A. Miller
A Shoe Addict's Christmas starring Candace Cameron Bure, Luke Macfarlane, and Jean Smart
Mingle All the Way starring Jen Lilley, Brant Daugherty, and Lindsay Wagner
A Majestic Christmas starring Jerrika Hinton, Christian Vincent, and Adaya Ariana
Finding Santa starring Eric Winter, Jodie Sweetin, and Jay Brazeau
It's Christmas, Eve starring LeAnn Rimes, Tyler Hynes, and Gwynyth Walsh

For more info or to sign up, click here.

*Book Blogger Hop* 30 November 2018

We are on to a new week for the Book Blogger Hop hosted by the lovely folks over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. This weeks questions is:

If you could travel back in time to purchase the first printing of a specific novel, what book would that be? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

The Jewish-Japanese Sex and Cook Book and How To Raise Wolves by Jack Douglas. See, I'm super intrigued by this book title, but even now copies available on Amazon are over $100, and I just can't quite justify spending that kind of money on one book. But if I could have bought it when it was first released back in 1972, it would have been much cheaper (and I could sell it for a pretty penny on Amazon now!)

So what book would you want to go back in time to buy a first edition print of? - Katie

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to drop a link to your post below so I can stop by and see your answer.*

For more info or to sign up, click here.

*31 Days of Christmas* 48 Christmas Wishes

Thanksgiving is over and the countdown to Christmas has officially begun (at least in my house). I don't limit myself to just reading cheesy Christmas romances during this time of year. Oh no. I also find myself binge watching Christmas movies on Netflix and the Hallmark Channel. And I thought, why not incorporate that into my blog as well. So I give you the 31 Days of Christmas (which will be much easier to accomplish with movies than books like I've tried to do in past years).

Next up is 48 Christmas Wishes.

Watched on: Netflix

Duration: 1 hour, 24 minutes

Originally aired: 2 November 2017

Directed by: Marco Deufemia and Justin G. Dyck

Starring: Khiyla Aynne, Elizabeth Ellsworth, and Maya Franzoi

Please see IMDb for full cast and crew info.

Synopsis

For the first time in the history of the North Pole, two junior Elves have to leave home, after losing an entire town's letters to Santa. While attempting to blend into small town life, they set out to retrieve every missing wish before Santa's sleigh departs on Christmas Eve.

Review

I actually watched this movie last year, although I wasn't sure about that until about halfway through the movie this time around. How I could have forgotten the stilted, cheesy acting, I don't know, but I did it. 

I think a big part of the problem with the acting is that it was a low budget film (probably) that was very kid centric, so they were dealing with a whole lot of rookies, and just didn't have the time or money to really coach them into looking more natural. At least I hope that's why the acting seemed so stilted and cheesy. 

The story itself was definitely cute, and this would be a great movie to watch with your children. They will probably not notice the mediocre acting, and will almost certainly find the elves hilarious. And I might have even shed a tear or two near the end, so the movie somewhat redeemed itself there. 

I don't think this is a movie I'll be dying to watch every year, but I wouldn't complain if my kids put it on either. 

My Rating

Buy the Movie

Amazon

Check Out My Other Christmas Movie Reviews

Review

Review

Cancel Christmas starring Judd Nelson, Justin Landry, & Natalie Brown

Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe starring Lacey Chabert, Brendan Penny, & Genevieve Kang

The Princess Switch starring Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, & Nick Sagar
48 Christmas Wishes starring Khiyla Aynne, Elizabeth Ellsworth, and Maya Franzoi
The Spirit of Christmas starring Thomas Beaudoin, Kati Salowsky, and Steven A. Miller
A Shoe Addict's Christmas starring Candace Cameron Bure, Luke Macfarlane, and Jean Smart
Mingle All the Way starring Jen Lilley, Brant Daugherty, and Lindsay Wagner
A Majestic Christmas starring Jerrika Hinton, Christian Vincent, and Adaya Ariana
Finding Santa starring Eric Winter, Jodie Sweetin, and Jay Brazeau

It's Christmas, Eve starring LeAnn Rimes, Tyler Hynes, and Gwynyth Walsh

For more info or to sign up, click here.

*31 Days of Christmas* The Christmas Switch

Thanksgiving is over and the countdown to Christmas has officially begun (at least in my house). I don't limit myself to just reading cheesy Christmas romances during this time of year. Oh no. I also find myself binge watching Christmas movies on Netflix and the Hallmark Channel. And I thought, why not incorporate that into my blog as well. So I give you the 31 Days of Christmas (which will be much easier to accomplish with movies than books like I've tried to do in past years).

Next up is The Christmas Switch. 

Watched on: Amazon Prime

Duration: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Originally aired: 9 November 2014

Directed by: Paul Lynch

Starring: Natasha Henstridge, Brian Kraus, and Cedric Smith

Please see IMDb for full cast and crew info.

Synopsis

Eddie is a fast-talking, Three-card Monte dealer who has hustled the streets of New York City for the last 15 years. One day he’s visited by a mysterious man who offers him an unusual proposition. He must transfer his spirit to a different body for three weeks in exchange for redemption. This way an old and ailing man named Sam can use Eddie’s body to play Santa Claus for one more Christmas.

Review

This is a classic Freaky Friday body switch, but don't let this cover fool you, there is not a whole lot of romance in this movie, although the attempts to get there are somewhat humorous due to the nature of the body switch made. 

I feel it should be noted that the body switch in this movie works pretty well, even though Eddie and Sam are strangers. See, Eddie only has one close friend, and he even keeps him at a bit of a distance. And Sam is getting old and somewhat forgetful, so his daughter just thinks his memory's getting worse. 

This is a pretty classic Christmas redemption story, featuring a man who uses the spirit of Christmas to scam people and enrich himself, but a change in perspective helps him realize the error of his ways. The only question is, will he change his ways before it's too late? 

I had some personal issues with seeing Krause playing a con-artist (the only thing I've ever seen him in before this is Charmed, and white lighter Leo would not act that way!) He played the part well, it just hurt my heart to see him doing it because obviously it means he's going to lose his wings. Ultimately, this was a fun, heartwarming movie, and I would definitely watch it again next year. 

My Rating

Buy the Movie

*Or watch it for free if you have Amazon Prime.*

Amazon

Check Out My Other Christmas Movie Reviews

Review

Review

Cancel Christmas starring Judd Nelson, Justin Landry, & Natalie Brown

Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe starring Lacey Chabert, Brendan Penny, & Genevieve Kang

The Christmas Switch starring Natasha Henstridge, Brian Kraus, and Cedric Smith

48 Christmas Wishes starring Khiyla Aynne, Elizabeth Ellsworth, and Maya Franzoi

The Spirit of Christmas starring Thomas Beaudoin, Kati Salowsky, and Steven A. Miller

A Shoe Addict's Christmas starring Candace Cameron Bure, Luke Macfarlane, and Jean Smart

Mingle All the Way starring Jen Lilley, Brant Daugherty, and Lindsay Wagner

A Majestic Christmas starring Jerrika Hinton, Christian Vincent, and Adaya Ariana
Finding Santa starring Eric Winter, Jodie Sweetin, and Jay Brazeau

It's Christmas, Eve starring LeAnn Rimes, Tyler Hynes, and Gwynyth Walsh

For more info or to sign up, click here.

*31 Days of Christmas* The Holiday Calendar

Thanksgiving is over and the countdown to Christmas has officially begun (at least in my house). I don't limit myself to just reading cheesy Christmas romances during this time of year. Oh no. I also find myself binge watching Christmas movies on Netflix and the Hallmark Channel. And I thought, why not incorporate that into my blog as well. So I give you the 31 Days of Christmas (which will be much easier to accomplish with movies than books like I've tried to do in past years).

Next up is The Holiday Calendar. 

Watched on: Netflix

Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes

Originally aired: 2 November 2018

Directed by: Bradley Walsh

Starring: Kat Graham, Quincy Brown, and Ethan Peck

Please see IMDb for full cast and crew info.

Synopsis

A struggling but talented photographer inherits an antique holiday advent calendar, the contents of which seem to predict the future. Will this magical calendar lead her to love this holiday season?

Review

I'm just going to warn y'all now, that I'm going to get a bit nit-picky in this review. You see, at the beginning of this movie, Abby gets an "antique advent calendar like they USED to make in Europe" from her grandpa. I'm not going to argue about the calendar she gets being antique, I'm in no position to make a judgement call on that. However, I take great issue with the claim that they used to make them in Europe because I bought one that is similar just last year at the Kathe Wolfahrt store on base in Germany (and they sold them off base as well). I bought a second one that is remarkably different, but still made of wood and designed to be used year after year at a Christmas market in Germany last year as well (because I have two kids. That's my story and I'm sticking to it). I get that this is a small thing, but the statement would've been 100% accurate without the words "used to" in it. And this concludes the nit-picky portion of this review. 

This movie seemed like a pretty obvious friends to lovers story in the beginning. I mean, Josh had decided to stop traveling to be home for good just in time for the holidays, the set-up was clear. But then the magic of the advent calendar started working and Josh got sidelined. I honestly felt bad for the guy because it was clear that he was into Abby, but more importantly, he didn't act like he felt entitled to more than friendship from her when she met a new man. He was still there for her as the friend he had always been. But their chemistry. Seriously, as charming as New Guy was, I still wanted Abby with Josh. 

Even though this movie got off to a bad start with me, and took a turn I wasn't expecting, I was ultimately satisfied with the ending and think most cheesy Christmas movie addicts would be as well. 

My Rating

Check Out My Other Christmas Movie Reviews

Review

Review

Cancel Christmas starring Judd Nelson, Justin Landry, & Natalie Brown

The Holiday Calendar starring Kat Graham, Quincy Brown, and Ethan Peck
The Christmas Switch starring Natasha Henstridge, Brian Kraus, and Cedric Smith
48 Christmas Wishes starring Khiyla Aynne, Elizabeth Ellsworth, and Maya Franzoi
The Spirit of Christmas starring Thomas Beaudoin, Kati Salowsky, and Steven A. Miller
A Shoe Addict's Christmas starring Candace Cameron Bure, Luke Macfarlane, and Jean Smart
Mingle All the Way starring Jen Lilley, Brant Daugherty, and Lindsay Wagner
A Majestic Christmas starring Jerrika Hinton, Christian Vincent, and Adaya Ariana
Finding Santa starring Eric Winter, Jodie Sweetin, and Jay Brazeau

It's Christmas, Eve starring LeAnn Rimes, Tyler Hynes, and Gwynyth Walsh

For more info or to sign up, click here.

*31 Days of Christmas* The Princess Switch

Thanksgiving is over and the countdown to Christmas has officially begun (at least in my house). I don't limit myself to just reading cheesy Christmas romances during this time of year. Oh no. I also find myself binge watching Christmas movies on Netflix and the Hallmark Channel. And I thought, why not incorporate that into my blog as well. So I give you the 31 Days of Christmas (which will be much easier to accomplish with movies than books like I've tried to do in past years).

Next up us The Princess Switch. 

Watched on: Netflix

Duration: 1 hour, 41 minutes

Originally aired: 16 November 2018

Directed by: Mike Rohl

Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, & Nick Sagar

Please see IMDb for full cast and crew info.

Synopsis

One week before Christmas, Margaret, the gorgeous Duchess of Montenaro, switches places with Stacy, a "commoner" from Chicago, who looks exactly like her. With the assistance of a magical Santa's helper, Margaret falls in love with Stacy's handsome co-worker, while Stacy falls in love with Margaret's fiance, the dashing Prince.

Review

I have always enjoyed the prince and the pauper trope, and rarely miss an opportunity to watch a movie or show that is based on it. So when I saw this on Netflix, it was a shoe in for today's Christmas movie. 

Like any good prince/pauper duo, Margaret and Stacy couldn't be more different while looking exactly alike. Type-A baker Stacy never does anything that's not pre-scheduled while Duchess Margaret wants to be free, but feels bound by duty. It's really quite easy to see why each of them might fit better in the other's life, at least on a personal level. This doesn't translate into the ability to seamlessly make the switch, however. But each of them ends up getting a little bit of help keeping up the ruse, which frankly makes a lot more sense than the idea that two strangers could switch lives and NO ONE that they know would really notice. At least this way when they inevitably goof, there's someone in the know to help them out. And while it was plausible that the royal family wouldn't pick up on the switch, as they're not as intimately familiar with Duchess Margaret, I'm was really disappointed in Kevin, Stacy's best friend and sous chef, for not noticing how out of character "Stacy" was acting. 

This movie comes complete with not one, but two budding romances, an almost run-in between the main players, a changed prince, and a royal mother who just wants her son to be happy. And there's an added brief plug for another popular Netflix original movie featuring royalty. 

Ultimately, this movie hit all the right notes for both cheesy Christmas romance and the classic prince and the pauper trope while making both feel realistic and potentially attainable. I would definitely recommend spending a couple hours enjoying this movie at least once this holiday season. 

My Rating

Check Out My Other Christmas Movie Reviews

Review

Review

The Princess Switch starring Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, & Nick Sagar

The Holiday Calendar starring Kat Graham, Quincy Brown, and Ethan Peck
The Christmas Switch starring Natasha Henstridge, Brian Kraus, and Cedric Smith
48 Christmas Wishes starring Khiyla Aynne, Elizabeth Ellsworth, and Maya Franzoi
The Spirit of Christmas starring Thomas Beaudoin, Kati Salowsky, and Steven A. Miller
A Shoe Addict's Christmas starring Candace Cameron Bure, Luke Macfarlane, and Jean Smart
Mingle All the Way starring Jen Lilley, Brant Daugherty, and Lindsay Wagner
A Majestic Christmas starring Jerrika Hinton, Christian Vincent, and Adaya Ariana
Finding Santa starring Eric Winter, Jodie Sweetin, and Jay Brazeau

It's Christmas, Eve starring LeAnn Rimes, Tyler Hynes, and Gwynyth Walsh

For more info or to sign up, click here.

*Deja Revu* 26 November 2018

Déjà Revu is a weekly review round-up that is open to all book review blogs.

Meme

• TTT: Bookish Merchandise I Want to Own - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books
• Book Blogger Hop: 16 November 2018 - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books
• Stacking the Shelves: 17 November 2018 - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books
• Stacking the Shelves -- November 17th, 2018 - Lenoreo @Celebrity Readers
• Stacking the Shelves: 24 November 2018 - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books
• Book Blogger Hop: 23 November 2018 - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books

 

Contemporary

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books

Paranormal

• Coveted by Ginna Moran - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books

 

Romance

• The Christmas Gift? by Jordan Ford - Lenoreo @Celebrity Readers

 

Contemporary

• From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata - Lenoreo @Celebrity Readers

Historical

• Precious Bones by Irina Shapiro - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books
• The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books

Romance

• Fireworks by Sarina Bowen - Lenoreo @Celebrity Readers
• Hockey Holidays by Various Authors - Lenoreo @Celebrity Readers
• Buried by Brenda Rothert - Lenoreo @Celebrity Readers
• All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy by Jessica Clare - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books

For more info or to sign up, click here.

*31 Days of Christmas* Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe

Thanksgiving is over and the countdown to Christmas has officially begun (at least in my house). I don't limit myself to just reading cheesy Christmas romances during this time of year. Oh no. I also find myself binge watching Christmas movies on Netflix and the Hallmark Channel. And I thought, why not incorporate that into my blog as well. So I give you the 31 Days of Christmas (which will be much easier to accomplish with movies than books like I've tried to do in past years).

Next up is Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe. 

Watched on: Hallmark

Duration: 2 hours (with commercials)

Originally aired: 23 November 2018

Directed by: Don McBrearty

Starring: Lacey Chabert, Brendan Penny, & Genevieve Kang

Please see IMDb for full cast and crew info. 

Synopsis

Darcy (Chabert) has always worked hard to prove herself and be successful on her own terms, even choosing to start her own company, rather than work with her father. Returning to her hometown for Christmas, Darcy reconnects with an old rival, restaurant owner Luke (Penny), and they are forced to plan a charity event together. As Darcy spends time with her family and Luke, she starts to realize what matters most in life and sets out to mend her relationship with her father, and possibly fall in love. Based on the book of the same title by Melissa de la Cruz.

Review

This was exactly the type of movie I was looking for this holiday season. Predictable cheesy romance in the enemies to lovers trope (which if you know anything about Pride and Prejudice, that's exactly what you would expect). 

This movie hit most of the typical cheesy Christmas romance highlights. Successful, but way-too-busy single businesswoman who's heading home for the holidays for the first time in years; home where they have several very festive holiday traditions that she's been missing. A community that comes together to put on some sort of traditional party that is in danger of not happening this year. And of course, said party is being put on by the businesswoman just in town for the holidays and a man whom she just can't stand...or can she? 

If you've watched any cheesy Christmas movies, like ever, I'm sure you know how this movie is going to play out, but for me, I feel like that knowing is part of the lure. And boy was the bait on this hook juicy. Seriously, the second I saw Darcy's mom first talking to Luke about catering the party, I got excited and may have squealed just a tiny bit. My kids thought I'd gone crazy when Darcy's Mom introduced her to the caterer, Luke. And it was pretty much all random sighs and squeals from there, well except for one pivotal heart-dropping moment, of course. 

If you're looking for a fun, cheesy twist on a classic story, I definitely recommend Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe. And I will definitely be looking into the book that it's based on. 

My Rating

Buy the Book

Amazon

*The video is not yet available outside of the Hallmark Channel.*

Check Out My Other Christmas Movie Reviews

Review

Review

Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe starring Lacey Chabert, Brendan Penny, & Genevieve Kang
The Princess Switch starring Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, & Nick Sagar
The Holiday Calendar starring Kat Graham, Quincy Brown, and Ethan Peck
The Christmas Switch starring Natasha Henstridge, Brian Kraus, and Cedric Smith
48 Christmas Wishes starring Khiyla Aynne, Elizabeth Ellsworth, and Maya Franzoi
The Spirit of Christmas starring Thomas Beaudoin, Kati Salowsky, and Steven A. Miller
A Shoe Addict's Christmas starring Candace Cameron Bure, Luke Macfarlane, and Jean Smart
A Majestic Christmas starring Jerrika Hinton, Christian Vincent, and Adaya Ariana
Finding Santa starring Eric Winter, Jodie Sweetin, and Jay Brazeau

It's Christmas, Eve starring LeAnn Rimes, Tyler Hynes, and Gwynyth Walsh

For more info or to sign up, click here.