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Ornamental Match Maker #4
Angel Cookie Christmas
(Alternate cover edition of ASIN B07KY7J4QV.)
Willa Murray receives a gift of an angel cookie ornament with a note signed by Mrs. Claus. It bears a cryptic message about watching for an angel in disguise who will soon cross her path. With her job as a lead actress in jeopardy (since the theater owner's niece wants the position for herself), she shrugs off the strange gift and heads home to Pinetop, Arizona for a long overdue visit with her folks.
One of the first people in town she encounters is the annoying and cocky blast from her past, Angel Castellano, who's been bragging since age eight that he plans to marry her some day. He's grown into a much taller and handsomer man than he had any right to. He's also the owner and head chef of a dinner theater in desperate need of a new entertainment director for the upcoming Christmas pageant, a position he is quick to offer her. Plus he makes the world's most amazing gingerbread cookies shaped liked angels, which he clearly is not despite his name — cookies that bear a startling resemblance to the ornament she was gifted before leaving the city.
For the first time in months, Willa begins to hope there might be something more for her to look forward to than life as a has-been actress in full-blown spinsterhood. Perhaps the elusive Mrs. Claus was right and Willa's very own Angel has been hiding in plain sight all these years.
Willa Murray receives a gift of an angel cookie ornament with a note signed by Mrs. Claus. It bears a cryptic message about watching for an angel in disguise who will soon cross her path. With her job as a lead actress in jeopardy (since the theater owner's niece wants the position for herself), she shrugs off the strange gift and heads home to Pinetop, Arizona for a long overdue visit with her folks.
One of the first people in town she encounters is the annoying and cocky blast from her past, Angel Castellano, who's been bragging since age eight that he plans to marry her some day. He's grown into a much taller and handsomer man than he had any right to. He's also the owner and head chef of a dinner theater in desperate need of a new entertainment director for the upcoming Christmas pageant, a position he is quick to offer her. Plus he makes the world's most amazing gingerbread cookies shaped liked angels, which he clearly is not despite his name — cookies that bear a startling resemblance to the ornament she was gifted before leaving the city.
For the first time in months, Willa begins to hope there might be something more for her to look forward to than life as a has-been actress in full-blown spinsterhood. Perhaps the elusive Mrs. Claus was right and Willa's very own Angel has been hiding in plain sight all these years.
128 pages, ebook
Published November 28, 2018
About the author
Jo Grafford
172 books678 followersJo is an Amazon bestselling author of heartwarming cowboy romantic suspense stories, with a few Texas-sized detours into humor.
Join Cuppa Jo Readers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cuppa.... Join her newsletter at https://www.JoGrafford.com.
Jo also writes clean western historical romance and cozy mysteries as Jovie Grace.
Join Cuppa Jo Readers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cuppa.... Join her newsletter at https://www.JoGrafford.com.
Jo also writes clean western historical romance and cozy mysteries as Jovie Grace.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 31, 2020
What a charming holiday read! I enjoyed reading Angel and Willa's story. They had been childhood nemeses but both had moved away from their hometown. Angel had been the child of a migrant farmer and had been poor, therefore bullied but had always said he was going to marry Willa when he grew up! Willa was horrified at the notion! Willa is a famous actress but that's now in jeopardy so she goes back to her hometown to see her parents for Christmas and what does she find? Angel has made something of himself and is quite successful now! He even owns a dinner theater! He just happens to need a director for the Christmas pageant.... Can they put aside their differences and put on a wonderful Christmas pageant for the town, plus find Christmas magic for themselves? It all starts with Willa getting an angel Christmas cookie....
December 16, 2020
I loved it! Sweet and heartwarming with a dash of drama.
There were one or two places where I feared it would go off the rails, but no... the bumps had their purposes, and the journey continued on its track.
My only quibble is a handful of typos that had me rereading a few sentences (see the highlights).
Technical rating 4.5
There were one or two places where I feared it would go off the rails, but no... the bumps had their purposes, and the journey continued on its track.
My only quibble is a handful of typos that had me rereading a few sentences (see the highlights).
Technical rating 4.5
August 30, 2020
Another great storyline!!!
She was an only child, cherished as only a baby can be when parents thought they would never have children. He was a kid born of hard laborers, never enough money to buy food, never mind soap and decent clothes. The shared having names each detested, given by adoring parents. Teased mercilessly by school mates, Angel vowed that he would one day be worthy of her love. She scorned him and stood by while her friends taunted and teased him. Willa went on to become a famous singer and actress. Angel disappeared from her life. It wasn't until she paid a much delayed trip home to see her aging parents that she discovered that Angel had returned to their hometown and opened a showplace dinner theatre. And when he asked her to be the director of the annual Christmas play, her first inclination was to decline. He managed, with the help of Willa's mother, to convince her to use her talents to help him pull it off by replacing his director who had left him in a bind just weeks before the play premiered. And during those first few weeks of organizing and practicing lines, Willa began seeing a completely different Angel.
This book was well-written, with cute quirks and turns. I really loved reading it. Thanks for an excellent goodread, Ms Grafford!
She was an only child, cherished as only a baby can be when parents thought they would never have children. He was a kid born of hard laborers, never enough money to buy food, never mind soap and decent clothes. The shared having names each detested, given by adoring parents. Teased mercilessly by school mates, Angel vowed that he would one day be worthy of her love. She scorned him and stood by while her friends taunted and teased him. Willa went on to become a famous singer and actress. Angel disappeared from her life. It wasn't until she paid a much delayed trip home to see her aging parents that she discovered that Angel had returned to their hometown and opened a showplace dinner theatre. And when he asked her to be the director of the annual Christmas play, her first inclination was to decline. He managed, with the help of Willa's mother, to convince her to use her talents to help him pull it off by replacing his director who had left him in a bind just weeks before the play premiered. And during those first few weeks of organizing and practicing lines, Willa began seeing a completely different Angel.
This book was well-written, with cute quirks and turns. I really loved reading it. Thanks for an excellent goodread, Ms Grafford!
December 6, 2020
Magic? Or mayhem?
A delightful step back in time for a historical Christmas with just s touch of meddling from Mrs Claus!
I really enjoyed the competitive, feisty relationship between Willa and Angel, they easily slip back into their childhood rivalry, but is that all they will ever have? Or will Christmas magic strike and hidden wishes be granted?
Angel has been waiting years for his fairy princess to return home, now she has he is determined to finally win her heart. He has big plans, can he convince her to risk her heart or will she only ever see the scruffy migrant workers son rather than the successful man he has become?
A historical romance with plenty of fireworks, a large helping of Christmas magic, gingerbread cookies you want to pluck from the page and all available on Kindle Unlimited...the perfect Christmas treat.
A delightful step back in time for a historical Christmas with just s touch of meddling from Mrs Claus!
I really enjoyed the competitive, feisty relationship between Willa and Angel, they easily slip back into their childhood rivalry, but is that all they will ever have? Or will Christmas magic strike and hidden wishes be granted?
Angel has been waiting years for his fairy princess to return home, now she has he is determined to finally win her heart. He has big plans, can he convince her to risk her heart or will she only ever see the scruffy migrant workers son rather than the successful man he has become?
A historical romance with plenty of fireworks, a large helping of Christmas magic, gingerbread cookies you want to pluck from the page and all available on Kindle Unlimited...the perfect Christmas treat.
November 20, 2020
Willa Murray receives a gift - an angel cookie ornament with a note signed by Mrs. Claus. An angel in disguise who will soon cross her path. She goes home to Pinetop, Arizona and there, encounter annoying and cocky, Angel Castellano, who's been bragging since age eight that he plans to marry her someday. He's the owner and head chef of a dinner theater in desperate need of a new entertainment director for the upcoming Christmas pageant, a position he is quick to offer her.
I enjoyed this story. Warm, getting me into the Christmas spirit. The characters sparked each other, moving toward love. (Hopefully, it wasn't her theatrical imagination.) The plot, interesting, sprinkled with a few twists.
I enjoyed this story. Warm, getting me into the Christmas spirit. The characters sparked each other, moving toward love. (Hopefully, it wasn't her theatrical imagination.) The plot, interesting, sprinkled with a few twists.
November 30, 2020
Angel Cookie Christmas by Jo Grafford is book 4 of Ornamental Match Maker series. This Angel and Willa's story. It is an interesting story. I like the fact that Angel and Willa were nemesis as children but they both have grown and love their hometown. Jo Grafford creates a detail story with characters that feel like your neighbors or people you grew up knowing. The way the Angel cookie ornament is related is interesting and it takes a while for Willa to figure it out. An enjoyable Christmas read .
January 20, 2021
Angel Cookie Christmas
A nice read on a love affair from childhood till twenty years later. Angel was a young boy who was picked on and called many names as a child in Pinetop. Willa was a young girl who was shy but whose friends used to call Angel names and gang up on him all the time. Willa left Pinetop to become a very popular actress having travelled across the world only to end up coming home six weeks before Christmas and taking a job with Angel as the director for his theatre to put on the Christmas pageant. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
A nice read on a love affair from childhood till twenty years later. Angel was a young boy who was picked on and called many names as a child in Pinetop. Willa was a young girl who was shy but whose friends used to call Angel names and gang up on him all the time. Willa left Pinetop to become a very popular actress having travelled across the world only to end up coming home six weeks before Christmas and taking a job with Angel as the director for his theatre to put on the Christmas pageant. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
July 5, 2020
What a wonderful read! I enjoyed the characters so much, fun and witty with so much warmth. This is my favorite Ornamental Match Maker book, I loved everything about this story. I was so excited to read about the stage acting in this time period. I was so engrossed in the pages and could feel the emotions to my very core that the characters felt. Beautifully written, would make an amazing Hallmark movie!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
January 22, 2019
A match made in childhood despite social differences
Angel Cookie Christmas is a beautifully written love story about two people from different social classes. Jo Gafford’s characters are fully developed and relatable. Willa and Angel are a perfect match. This a heartwarming HAE story. I fully recommend Angel Cookie Christmas to anyone who is looking for a sweet romance.
Angel Cookie Christmas is a beautifully written love story about two people from different social classes. Jo Gafford’s characters are fully developed and relatable. Willa and Angel are a perfect match. This a heartwarming HAE story. I fully recommend Angel Cookie Christmas to anyone who is looking for a sweet romance.
December 24, 2019
A lovely story
Angel- son of a migrant worker grew up to be a wealthy dinner theater owner.
Willa- town princess grew up to be a well known actress.
I enjoyed reading this intriguing historical romance that is fantastically written with charismatic witty characters. Their story has a wonderfully sweet HEA!
Angel- son of a migrant worker grew up to be a wealthy dinner theater owner.
Willa- town princess grew up to be a well known actress.
I enjoyed reading this intriguing historical romance that is fantastically written with charismatic witty characters. Their story has a wonderfully sweet HEA!
December 27, 2019
Willa and Angel
When Willa's best friend and the owner and director of the play house where she was the leading lady, died in an accident, she had no idea what she was going to do. Then Willa got a small box from Mrs. Claus, suggesting she should watch for her "angel in disguise."
What a great way to start a Christmas story! Very sweet and we'll written.
When Willa's best friend and the owner and director of the play house where she was the leading lady, died in an accident, she had no idea what she was going to do. Then Willa got a small box from Mrs. Claus, suggesting she should watch for her "angel in disguise."
What a great way to start a Christmas story! Very sweet and we'll written.
July 6, 2020
The Ornamental Match Maker is a intriguing series with a unique Christmas twist. Part romance, part mystery. Somebody keeps sending handcrafted Christmas ornaments with personalizes messages. This story can be read as a stand alone. Book 4 is a historical romance involving a small town dinner theater owner and home town actress. Angelic voices and cookies.
July 14, 2020
This is one of those stories that had to grow on me. I was set out to give it a three star rating but as I kept reading, it kept growing and growing. Angel resonated with me because I was that kid growing up. I was happy to see how he pursued his dream in spite of the odds. The end made me want to read the rest of the series. I think Willa got it together to make the right choice.
September 9, 2020
A very nice quick read
If you need a Christmas fix in September? Then I recommend Angel Cookie Christmas! Angel has loved Willa since they were eight years old. He knew he was out of here class but 20 years later they found each other again and all was right with their world. Jo Grafford writes the sweetest little romances. I love them!
If you need a Christmas fix in September? Then I recommend Angel Cookie Christmas! Angel has loved Willa since they were eight years old. He knew he was out of here class but 20 years later they found each other again and all was right with their world. Jo Grafford writes the sweetest little romances. I love them!
August 26, 2024
What a delightful story! Two competitive children of different "social classes" grow up and the "poor little boy" offers the "princess" the job of a lifetime when she was feeling at her lowest. It is difficult to remember and realize how she and her friends treated him as a child, but Angel knew all his life that Willa was the love of his life. A swoon-worthy story!
February 15, 2019
This is a great book!!! I highly recommend this book to everyone!! I loved the setting, and especially that it brought in how they first met without wasting time! And, how it brought everything up to date, and got them together!
November 23, 2019
This is marvelous story about a love from childhood dispute the differences between the two. Angel has worked his entire life to prove his worth to Will a. The outcome was marvelous and a real blessing.
December 26, 2019
Angel Cookie Christmas 4.5 stars.
Lovely sentiment and a very happy ending. This leading lady sounds beautiful and talented and a pleasure to read of her successes. The angel cookie definitely follows through with
her wish being granted. Very sweet!
Lovely sentiment and a very happy ending. This leading lady sounds beautiful and talented and a pleasure to read of her successes. The angel cookie definitely follows through with
her wish being granted. Very sweet!
July 4, 2020
Enjoyed it
I enjoy rags to riches stories; even more, ones where the characters grow to become better, more honourable, more caring and giving 'people'. This story has all that and more. Nicely done.
I enjoy rags to riches stories; even more, ones where the characters grow to become better, more honourable, more caring and giving 'people'. This story has all that and more. Nicely done.
July 6, 2020
This is a sweet story about Angel (a man) & Willa. Interesting that Angel told Willa at age 8 that he would marry her but it takes her coming back into her hometown for that to happen. I very nice, sweet, clean story to read.
August 8, 2020
Guaranteed delicious
Willa is mysteriously told to watch for an angel in disguise. But when she arrives in her hometown and sees a childhood nemesis, it can't possibly be him! Or can it? The story will make you smile from beginning to end.
Willa is mysteriously told to watch for an angel in disguise. But when she arrives in her hometown and sees a childhood nemesis, it can't possibly be him! Or can it? The story will make you smile from beginning to end.
November 15, 2020
Beautiful Christmas love story
This whole series has been enchanting and fun, but I really loved this clever, old fashioned tale. The theater setting was creative and fun and the love story was realistic but also very sweet.
This whole series has been enchanting and fun, but I really loved this clever, old fashioned tale. The theater setting was creative and fun and the love story was realistic but also very sweet.
November 29, 2020
Great Christmas Series
I'm really enjoying this series. Mrs Claus is playing match maker to unsuspecting people. It all makes for interesting stories. I loved Angel and Willa's story. I look forward to more books in the series.
I'm really enjoying this series. Mrs Claus is playing match maker to unsuspecting people. It all makes for interesting stories. I loved Angel and Willa's story. I look forward to more books in the series.
August 9, 2023
Willa and Angel's story is a fun read. Mrs. Claus sends an Ornament to Willa which starts her thinking of home. The author does a good job with the story and the characters. This is another great story in this series.
December 3, 2018
Oh, nice story!!!
This has been a great collection so far . Cute story with characters that are warm and full of personality! Can't wait for the next book.
This has been a great collection so far . Cute story with characters that are warm and full of personality! Can't wait for the next book.
January 5, 2019
A past gets a second chance.
This is the first story by Jo Grafford that I have read. I look forward to reading her next book in this series! I and reading her other books also!
This is the first story by Jo Grafford that I have read. I look forward to reading her next book in this series! I and reading her other books also!
September 19, 2019
Loved this book!!
July 6, 2020
Precious!
I love this sweet romance. Sometimes a child knows what his goal is and that goal makes him work to achieve what is in his heart.
I love this sweet romance. Sometimes a child knows what his goal is and that goal makes him work to achieve what is in his heart.
August 14, 2020
A poorly written story, in dire need of a proofreader. A reasonable story although fairly formulaic, but not the worst I've read.
October 6, 2020
Cute story
Love these stories of the old West. Having visited Tombstone and seeing the saloons and theaters there I could almost picture Willa living there.
Love these stories of the old West. Having visited Tombstone and seeing the saloons and theaters there I could almost picture Willa living there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews