The Desert Flowers - Mistletoe & Holly

Judith Keim

Nov 2022 · Wild Quail Publishing

About this ebook

A boy who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus and a woman eager to help him discover the joy of giving to others.

When Juanita Sanchez and the Desert Flowers—Willow Sanchez, Rose Bowers, and Lily Walden —open Juanita’s Kitchen, the food kitchen Alec Thurston and they formed as a charitable organization, a young woman named Ivy Barrett and her seven-year-old son, Benjy come into their lives. Ivy is appointed head of the kitchen staff and they all work together to open the kitchen before the holidays. But when Christmas decorations are hung and talk about Santa Claus begins, Ivy makes sure Benjy understands that Santa Claus has never been in their lives and he shouldn’t dare hope he ever would. Distressed, Juanita and her husband, Pedro, set out to show them the spirit of giving is still alive and well, even for those who don’t believe.

Readers of the Desert Flower Series will delight in meeting young Benjy and his mother. A sweet holiday story.

Ratings and reviews

The Desert Flowers - Mistletoe & Holly is a perfect Christmas story. As always, I was swept away by Ms. Keim's prodigious storytelling. I felt like I was a part of the story as Rose, Ivy, Willow, Juanita and Pedro manage to open Juanita's kitchen in time for the holidays. It was wonderful catching up with old friends and I really enjoyed meeting new characters - particularly Isaac, Ivy, Benjy, Jack and Maribelle. The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in this heartwarming tale about giving.

This is the perfect read for the holidays and I loved the title, so fitting. When the Flowers decide to start Juanita’s Kitchen, to help feed those in need, it’s a way to remember their dear departed friend, Alec. Ivy is a single mom to her adorable son, Benjy. When she gets a job at Juanita’s Kitchen, Ivy and Benjy’s lives change for the better. They’re not the only lives affected, Benjy has a way of working his way into everyone at the Kitchen’s hearts. I’m not going to leave any spoilers beca

Christmas with Desert Flowers This novel might just tie up the series. If not, it is a wonderful Christmas novel with the Desert Flowers and their families. It is filled with the warmth of the season and the fulfillment of the circle of life. It is sure to create the warmth of the season in your heart as you enjoy the book.

About the author

A hybrid author who both has a publisher and self-publishes, Ms. Keim writes best-selling, heart-warming novels about women who face unexpected challenges, meet them with strength, and find love and happiness along the way. Her best-selling books are based, in part, on many of the places she's lived or visited and on the interesting people she's met, creating believable characters and realistic settings her many loyal readers love. Ms. Keim loves to hear from her readers and appreciates their enthusiasm for her stories.

Ms. Keim enjoyed her childhood and young-adult years in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their two dachshunds, Winston and Wally, and other members of her family. 

While growing up, she was drawn to the idea of writing stories from a young age. Books were always present, being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. All in her family shared information from the books in general conversation, giving them a wealth of knowledge and vivid imaginations.