by Debbie Macomber

Harlequin, $24.95, 240 pages

You may know Debbie Macomber as a bestselling author. Her Cedar Cove series is a hit around the world. In addition to being a great writer, Macomber is a successful cook. To help readers prepare for and celebrate the coming holiday season, she has combined her love of writing, cooking, and hosting parties in her new book Christmas Cookbook: Favorite Recipes and Holiday Traditions from My Home to Yours.

This beautifully designed coffee table book will be a welcomed addition to any home. Macomber includes over 100 recipes. She organizes them in helpful chapters that include Merry Morning Breakfast, Christmas Tea, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner, Christmas Desserts, and Cooking with Grandma. Parents will love the Easy Family Dinners chapter which gives suggestions for quick meals that are perfect for busy days. The Crock Pot Chicken Chili looks great!

Interspersed among the recipes are Macomber’s tips for setting a festive table and decorating a home. She gives instructions for making paper greeting cards, and tasty treats like Ice Krispie Snowmen. Macomber’s love of tradition is evident as she shares her memories. She calls them Macomber Family Traditions and encourages readers to use them and create their own.

Elizabeth Franklin