The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson (2024)

As a longtime reader of Melody Carlson’s Christmas novels and YA works like her Secrets series, I approached The Christmas Tree Farm with high hopes. While Carlson’s signature storytelling charm shines in moments, this 2024 release ultimately left me wanting more.

What Didn’t Click

Character Development: The sisters’ constant bickering felt more juvenile than sibling-rivalry authentic, making their 30-something ages hard to reconcile.

Plot Pacing: The story’s abrupt shifts between the tree farm’s challenges and the neighboring dirt bike park subplot created a disjointed rhythm.

Relatability: Though the noisy neighbor premise holds potential for cozy conflict, the execution leaned heavily on situational tension over heartfelt connection.

Silver Linings

Carlson’s knack for creating festive small-town atmospheres remains intact, and the Christmas tree farm setting itself brims with untapped hygge potential. Longtime fans of her quick-read holiday style may still find moments to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

While this novella didn’t resonate with me personally—I’ll be passing my copy to a local Christian bookstore for others to discover—it reinforces how even beloved authors occasionally miss the mark. Here’s hoping Carlson’s next Christmas tale recaptures the warmth of her earlier works!

Here's my page of Christmas Reads reviews.

Read More

Anxiety is a major player in Halloween Baking Championship Season 11

We wait all year for the new season of Halloween Baking Championship, mostly to see what new theme they come up with and how John Henson plays into the story as the "killer." We also love watching these incredibly gifted bakers work their craft and create magic!

Part of what makes the show work is the continuity. The placement of the set is the same, the baking stations are the same, the judging location is the same, how the judges enter is the same . . . you get what I'm saying. Yes, the set changes with the theme, but the "skeleton" of the show is always the same, so it feels warm and cozy and familiar, like you walked into Grandma's house, albeit a creepy version that's been given a makeover as a hotel, or a carnival, or a laboratory, or (my personal favorite) a summer camp.

Oh my goodness, gracious, the 11th season is going to be a fail. I can tell because it is already filmed and Food Network cannot fix what has been done after the fact.

Food Network, here's where you went wrong:

• You chose mediocre bakers who don't know how to save a warm cake or bake a pie crust that won't melt, for I'm assuming dramatic purposes.
• You chose to downsize the set so it feels like we're in a cracker box.
• You chose to set up the baking stations in one long uniform line where literally nobody has any elbow room or personal baking space to speak of.
• You chose to bring in bakers with major Main Character energy.
• You chose, for whatever reason, to not have an actual story for the Haunted House, one that would bring out John Henson's magnificent talent for the macabre and creepy by casting him as the "villain."
• You chose to shop at Spirit Halloween for the judge's costumes.
• You chose to have all the bakers present in their little balcony for the judging of one another so we can hear their whispering and conversation about how the judging went.
• And above all, you chose to have only 13 bakes, 6 of which were baked by the 3 worst bakers of the episode, so no more The Thriller and The Killer challenges.

I'm sorry, what?

Here are some positives that haven't changed:

• John Henson is still John Henson, albeit with nothing to do, but at least he's there.
• It's still the same 3 judges, so that's also something because I'm super used to them.
• The set dressing is cool as a Haunted House.
• I do think there are a few talented bakers like Camille and Nina, but I can't say for sure because we weren't allowed to focus on the good bakes.

I'm sad to say, that's it for the positives.

Everything was fine until Melanie laid down by her oven to "take a moment" clutching her "emotional support stirring spoon." Girl, you forgot the sugar in your cake! You have literally 90 minutes left! Bake it again and throw it in the blast chiller! Don't lay down with a panic attack!

I say everything was fine, but several of these contestants were literally unnerved by John Henson in ways I haven't seen before and that was prior to Melanie's little meltdown. John's fun and hilarious and a prankster! He's not actually scary, and being too nervous to even talk to him about what you're making is just absolutely ridiculous.

One other major issue is the judges are being swayed by the presence of all the contestants and by the "personal" stories of the bakers, i.e. Melanie. She should not be there. She is not a competent baker in a competition setting. She was saved solely on account of her personal story. If she'd had to bake in the bottom 3, she would have been gone.

I'm sorry, no. I get that you care, judges. But please, Zac, Carla, and Stephanie, do your jobs properly and judge based on the quality of the bakes, not on the personal trauma of the bakers.

And let's not even talk about Justin "saving" whoever was going to be eliminated by "volunteering as tribute." That's not how this works, bro. People have chosen to leave in previous seasons and they will still have an elimination in that episode. Justin choosing to die on his sword and leave should not have actually saved one of the 3 worst bakers. And, wait, did you actually interrupt John Henson!? I say again, I'm sorry, what?

This is, by far, the worst batch of bakers I have seen in the now 11 seasons of the show that I have watched. This includes the pre-Henson seasons! I'm disappointed because I love Halloween Baking Championship. I love the format, the judges, the host, just everything. And in previous years, I have really loved the bakers. But I did not sign on for a season of high-level anxiety and tears and drama and meltdowns. Guys, it's a baking show! It's not that serious! I cannot believe HBC has devolved to this extent.

Welcome to the 11th season of Halloween Baking Championship!

Read More

Why I’m Backing Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind — A Spiceless Romantasy Delight

 

If you love romantasy but prefer your stories spiceless, I’ve found a gem you won’t want to miss: Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind by Elisabeth Aimee Brown. I just backed the Kickstarter, and I’m genuinely thrilled about this project.

This story promises all the charm of a fairy tale with the wit and whimsy of the Ella Enchanted movie adaptation—one of my all-time favorites. It sounds clean, clever, and full of heart. I had the chance to read the sample chapter, and I was laughing out loud. Lady Agatha is a heroine with a voice, and I can’t wait to hear more of it.

The campaign runs until September 18, so there’s not much time left to join in. If you’ve been longing for a romantasy that’s rich in story and light on spice, this might be the one to support. Plus, there’s something special about helping bring a story like this into the world.

You can check out the Kickstarter here: Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind

Let’s help Lady Agatha speak her mind—and maybe laugh a little along the way.

Read More

Why I Backed Turnabout Is Fair Cosplay — And Why You Might Want To, Too

 

If you love Shakespeare, sweet romantic comedies, and stories that sparkle without the spice, Turnabout Is Fair Cosplay might be your next favorite read — and it needs your help to come to life!

Amy Trent’s upcoming novel is a no-spice, enemies-to-lovers rom-com inspired by Much Ado About Nothing, set in sunny La Jolla, California. It features cosplay, witty banter, and a heroine who’s prickly but lovable — think Beatrice with a cactus collection. The story promises all the swoon-worthy tension and clever repartee of Shakespeare’s original, but with a modern twist and zero steam.

As a fan of clean romance and classic literature, I was instantly drawn to this project. It’s refreshing to see a contemporary love story that celebrates emotional depth, humor, and character growth without relying on explicit content. Plus, the cosplay angle adds a fun, nerdy layer that makes it stand out.

I read the first chapter, which is available for free right here, and I absolutely loved it! The voice is sharp, funny, and full of heart — exactly what I hoped for.

⚠️ The campaign ends September 18, 2025 — just two days from now! If this sounds like your kind of story, don’t wait — hop on it while you can!

👉 Check out the campaign here

Read More

Sidney Poitier: A Patch of Blue in a Clouded World

How do you describe a man who stood beside Martin Luther King Jr. during the “I Have a Dream” speech? Who was often the only Black person on set, carrying the weight of representation for millions? Sidney Poitier wasn’t just an actor—he was a quiet revolution.

Hollywood has long dazzled audiences, but when A Patch of Blue was released in 1965, Southern theaters cut the interracial kiss between Poitier and Elizabeth Hartman. The world was shifting, but not fast enough.

If Poitier is new to you, let me introduce him through the film that won my heart. I first saw A Patch of Blue in my early twenties, and it never left me.

Selina, a blind young woman raised by a violent, racist mother and grandfather, lives in poverty and isolation. Her days are spent stringing beads in the park—her only job, her only escape. One day, she spills her bead box into the grass. As she scrambles to collect them, her hands meet those of a stranger: Gordon, played by Poitier. He helps her, speaks kindly, and sees her—not as a burden, but as a person.

Gordon teaches Selina that she can learn to dial a phone, walk to the park on her own, even read. He tells her she’s beautiful. Desirable. Capable. For the first time, someone cracks open a window in her dark world and lets in a patch of blue sky.

That’s why I love this film. It’s a story of hope. Selina’s life is bleak, but one act of compassion changes everything. And it’s Poitier at his finest—dignified, empathetic, quietly powerful. Gordon is a middle-class professional who sees past race and class to offer kindness. Even his own brother questions the relationship, but Gordon remains steadfast.

Race is central to the story, and Poitier’s performance handles it with grace. Though he didn’t win an award for this role, he deserved one. His Oscar for Lilies of the Field was historic, but A Patch of Blue is just as moving.

Poitier once said:

“I never had an occasion to question color, therefore, I only saw myself as what I was... a human being.”

That’s the heart of his legacy. A pebble tossed into a lake creates ripples that stretch far beyond the point of impact. Sidney Poitier was one of those pebbles—his presence, his performances, his dignity—sending waves of change through generations.

Note: This article was originally published on Femnista, a webzine that no longer exists, under the title To Sidney, with Love. For other articles that I wrote and published, please visit the Femnista Writings section of my blog. I have edited the article for clarity, but the heart of my original article shines through.

Read More