SO fun and enjoyable. teens 15 and up :) ( )

It's a cute book, but I felt like it took me a while to get into it.

I agree with other reviewers that it's not technically necessary to have read others in the series before you read this one--you can follow the story line without reading books 1 and 2--but there are so many times that the characters reference Candace's adventures from the first two books (that i hadn't read) that if possible, it might be better to read them in order.

I did like the advice Tamara and Candace gave Roger early on--if you're going to be miserable whether you ask the girl you like to go out and she says no OR don't ask her because you don't want to mess up the friendship when you're not satisfied to just be her friend in perpetuity, then it's better to get the asking out into the open and find out. At least then you know. ( )

Rating: B

A little while back I reviewed With This Ring, I'm Confused because I was looking to see how published authors did light-hearted stories that had characters with doses of morality; I did that book because I couldn't find any YA Christian literature. However, lucky for me, I was able to find this series (and another, The Carter House Girls series, that I'll review separately) that fits the YA Christian fiction bill.

These books were decent, I started to like the characters the further they went on--perhaps because this author is kind of new and maybe her writing is getting better each time. Whatever the cause, Candace (and her friends and boyfriend) became more likeable as time went on. What irritated me with this series though is the same issues I've had with Kristin Billerbeck (see the With this Ring... review linked above), Christian fiction is way too heavy-handed. If you want to make your message really clear, make it clear, but don't preach. I think the reason I find this so grating is because the target audience is very likely Christians, who could probably draw the conclusions themselves without having the author come right out and put in a little prayer. Call me crazy, but some times I like to actually have to think for myself when I'm reading.

That's not to say that when the final installment in the series, The Spring of Candy Apples, comes out in late February 2009, that I won't be picking it up. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, or I can't stand to not find out what school Candace ends up going to (although I'm pretty sure I could make a safe bet now), but I've got to close the loop on this series.

All in all, a decent series for young adult readers (I'd say maybe 14-17, any older than that and it might be too silly and saccharine). I gave it an B because, as I read the other YA series, I found that (even with its flaws), the Sweet Seasons series could have been worse. The B is probably relative. ( )

Another fabulous Sweet Season novel by Debbie! Candy finds herself yet again working at The Zone, only this time shes working as an elf! It turns out to be a pretty dangerous job though when she gets trampled by a bunch of excited kids. Will Candance be able to continue working as an elf? Or will she have to sell candy canes? Find out in the exciting "Sweet Season" novel, "The Winter of Candy Canes!"

Reading this yummy book is an enjoyably sweet treat. It's book three of the Sweet Seasons Novel series, but it can be easily read and appreciated on its own. The story grabs the heart of teens as two high school teenagers, Candice and Tamara--best friends solve problems as only teens can. The characters are slightly flawed and therefore, quite believable. The protagonist is the leader of a Bible study at her church. There's school, parents, part-time jobs, and shopping that fill their busy schedules. Boys play a prominent part in their lives, but it's clean--no sex is even hinted. The author has teen dialogue down pat.

Parents, teachers, and employers are respected; how refreshing! There's a bit of romance, a time of tension between two opposing viewpoints, a sad scene that causes the need for a tissue, and a delightful ending. The real meaning of Christmas is covered. If you have a teenager or know one, this teen fiction is a good idea for them! I'm passing my copy along to my granddaughter. ( )