Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Movie Reviews: Christmas Break-In and The Christmas Apron

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Well, it is finally official, Christmas is here! With this in mind, I want to share a couple of film reviews with you. I absolutely love watching movies at Christmas time. There is nothing quite like getting cozy on the couch with a roaring fire burning while you flick through the cable channels to find a festive movie! Which reminds me, what are some of your favorite cable channels to watch during the holidays? Recently, I have been spending a lot of time tuning in to the Hallmark Channel.

You see, we recently upgraded our cable package so we have a lot more channels than we used to so I have been busy trying out as many new TV shows and films as possible. We actually decided to switch to a better cable package after discovering how many channels we were missing out on. Accordingly, if you would like to learn more about some of the extra channels that you can discover by upgrading your cable package, you can click here.

So, without any further ado, here are my two Christmas themed movie reviews!

Thoughts by Rachelle

This was such a delight to be able to watch some new Christmas movies this holiday season. I loved hearing my kids laugh so hard during the Christmas Break-In. Great actors–who can resist Danny Glover? Fun storyline and a keeper for years to come!

The Christmas Apron is based on a little book that has a wonderful story. This is a short video at just 26 minutes and made a perfect Sunday evening celebration of the Christmas spirit. I cried at the sweet love that the sisters have for each other in this movie. It was quite touching and it’s a video that I’d like to watch again soon with my family as a reminder of our Savior’s love for us.

Merry Christmas!!

Here’s more about the movie:

Today was supposed to be one of the best days ever for nine-year-old Izzy Rush. But now, on the last day of class before Christmas break, she has been left alone at school. To make matters worse, the biggest blizzard this town has ever seen is hitting full force. Which is why three bumbling crooks on the lam decide to take shelter in the seemingly empty school. When Izzy discovers that the criminals are holding her friend and school custodian, Ray, hostage, she decides it’s up to her to save the day. But what can a nine-year-old girl do? You’d be surprised!

Starring Danny Glove, Denise Richards, and Cameron Seely.

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Here’s more about the movie:

It’s nearly Christmas, and the seven children in Millie’s family can’t wait for Grandma to arrive with her special Christmas apron, newly pressed and filled with generations of holiday memories. According to tradition, each grandchild will carefully write down the gift he or she wants most in the world, and then slip that wish into the apron’s frilled pocket. Then, on Christmas morning, will those wished-for gifts will be waiting under the tree–like magic?

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Monday Musings #17

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Monday Musings with Rachelle

I love this song! Amy Grant’s Home for Christmas CD is one of my favorite holiday collections.
My friend featured this on her blog and I wanted to share it with you. I’m going to play it for my family tonight during our Christmas Eve celebration.

I’m so grateful to my Savior, Jesus Christ, for His example, light, and love. I’m thankful to celebrate His birth at this beautiful time of year and remember His humble beginnings and the life He led. I know He loves me and each of you.
I hope you have a magical Christmas!

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I Feel Like Writing

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Writing Tips by Rachelle

I walked a long road paved with rejections, self-doubt, and hard work before my first novel was published in 2010.  I was excited and in wonder when that novel won a special award. Did they just call my name?

Yes!

I was able to attend the League of Utah Writers Awards banquet and I won this beautiful award for my book WRONG NUMBER.

It is the Olive Woolley Burt Award for Outstanding Book of the Year. WRONG NUMBER was also awarded a first prize Golden Quill award in adult fiction.

Successes like that help me feel like writing today and I’m going to sweep away the worry and self-doubt and type as fast as I can on my new novel. And when the next rejection comes in or I’m not sure how my character will overcome her latest problem, I’m going to stare at that award and then keep writing!

I want you to do the same–get rid of those negative worries that are keeping you from reaching for your dream and go for it!

Visit Rachelle’s For Writers Page to find more resources HERE

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Book Review: A Rare Nativity by Sam Beeson

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Today I’d like to share one of the most unusual Christmas books I’ve seen. A Rare Nativity is a collection of photographs accompanying a poem on the unexpected twist of the 12 Days of Christmas.

At first read, I’ll be honest, I thought the book was a little strange with its pictures of garbage and short prose but then the twist and beautiful display at the end of the book offered a unique look at how we might forgive our enemies and serve each other this Christmas.

Here’s more about the book:

We have all heard the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, and we have all seen the traditional Christmas crèche. Now, author Sam Beeson and photographers Nina and Terral Cochran combine these two classic Christmas icons to create A Rare Nativity.

Upon reading the first lines of the book, it is clear the narrator holds a bitter grudge as he sends his enemy crude and discarded gifts: On the first night of Christmas I gave my enemy a briar from a tanglewood tree. On the second night of Christmas I gave my enemy two rotten eggs.

Night after night the gifts pile up shards of glass, rusty nails, gnarled twigs, and more. What the narrator s enemy decides to do with each of these odious gifts is nothing less than a Christmas miracle. The photographic creation of the rare nativity at the end of the book is both a work of art and a wonder to behold.

Other books you may enjoy:

Laughing all the Way   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

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*Affiliate links used in post. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.*

Monday Musings #16

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Monday Musings with Rachelle

Here’s the recipe for one of our family’s favorite Christmas treats. Honestly, I could eat this all year it’s so delicious. Maybe it’s a good thing I only make it for Christmas.

Tempting Toffee Crisps

12 whole graham crackers

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup butter (do not use margarine)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels

1/2 cup almonds or pecans chopped

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange graham crackers side by side in a single layer in a large cookie sheet or bar pan/jelly roll pan.

2.In small saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until mixture comes to a full boil across the surface. Continue boiling 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove saucepan from heat and immediately pour mixture evenly over crackers.

3. Bake 10-12 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned. Remove pan from oven. Sprinkle with chocolate morsels. Allow chocolate to soften, then spread evenly over baked crackers with a spatula.

4. Sprinkle chopped nuts over chocolate. Cool completely. When chocolate is firm, break or cut into pieces. This is a toffee, so pieces will break into all different shapes and sizes and that’s okay!

Yield: About 2 dozen pieces

A variation is to drizzle with melted white chocolate for a fancy look. Or if you used milk chocolate chips, you could drizzle with dark chocolate chips.

This picture is actually from a couple years ago. It was touch keeping this candy away from my baby’s reaching fingers!

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$100 Giveaway

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$100 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash Giveaway

Just think how many books you could buy with $100! Or maybe you need a new Kindle! Or maybe you want to try Kindle Unlimited! Or maybe you want to buy a gift for someone! Or maybe you just need an extra $100!

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