Christmas Surprises at the Door

by Ann Hazelwood

Christmas comes to rural Wisconsin for Claire and her crew, bringing adventures, quilts, romance, and more in this novel of love, friendship, and crafting.

Claire and the Quilters of the Door start the fall and Christmas season with apple picking at Marta’s farm in Baileys Harbor. Claire is enjoying having Grayson all to herself now that his daughter Kelly is away at college. As the Christmas season nears, Claire meets new acquaintances from Missouri and some other folks you’ll know. One surprise after another will keep you engaged as you celebrate a glorious Christmas season in Door County.

Praise for Ann Hazelwood

“When I want to curl up with a cozy book, one of my favorite authors is Ann Hazelwood. I know her personally and she remains true to herself as a writer. Her books are charming, filled with characters that I enjoy getting to know. I find myself getting lost in the picturesque surroundings and it feels as if I am there as the stories unfold. Each unique story is engaging from start to finish, and her stories build effortlessly from book to book with intriguing plots that are truly satisfying. As a quilter and an avid reader, I adore Ann Hazelwood.” —Jenny Doan

Genres: Christmas, Quilting

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2022

About the author

Ann Hazelwood was the owner of a quilt shop for 30 years. She has always adored quilting and is a certified quilt appraiser. In addition to her cozy quilt fiction, she has written travel guides and quilting non-fiction.

Reviews

[Nancy Klarich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last book of this series and it was way too sugar coated for me.

[TAMMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably should give this a lower review because the writing is really not that good. But, I do like the series so that has certainly played a role in my rating. This series is certainly NOT high quality literature or writing. I could hardly stand the "Clair Bear" "Cher Bear" references. It was all very predictable, but I still enjoyed reading the final book in the series. If anything, it offered a silly book to just relax with. I did enjoy the descriptions of the various restaurants and other business of Door County, and the book did make me want to plan a trip back to the wonderful area again. It does make me very sad when a series ends because I do become attached to the characters. I would definitely read another book in the series if it was ever written.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally resolved with a great ending with a lot of hopeful endings that were dashed to the ground by stubbornness and lack of communication earlier in early editions of books in this series. I tired of all of the shopping and commercialism involved in advertising tourist attractions in the “ Door”! I did like the love and concern that the characters showed each other and that some of the conflicts were not resolved so it was a realistic look at life - not all is peachy keen. A light read and a fun read.

[Kathy Siberz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the fifth and last of the Door County series. While it’s not great literature, the first 3(maybe 4) books were an enjoyable light read. Since Ive been to Door County many times, seeing actual locations and some local people used as characters it made me feel a part of the story.

But the 5th book. One new couple from
Missouri is introduced and now we’re having dinner with them. Then another woman (shop owner) from Missouri are introduced and all there people and more Missouri family members gather for dinner at local restaurant for Christmas. They don’t know each other and really have no part of the previous 4 1/2 books.!!
But author ends with the fact that they will be part of 2 next series she’s writing !!!!!

Characters who were with us for last 4 1/2 books just kind of disappeared. What about Foster, Cher, Brenda, Greta, etc.
Will there be another quilt show?

Clair will?? marry Grayson but none of the issues they had a year earlier have really resolved

I have no interest in moving to new series, but wish she hadn’t wasted my time throwing them in without really concluding everything else

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well I hate to sound so negative but I felt that this was a book written by a young girl. It was like reading someone's diary. I don't know that there was much about quilting and more about her day to day activities and love life. I was tired of hearing about what she ate and wore. For instance why did she have to report that Claire wore a robe when she saw Tom twice. And the list of old movies she watched. Why?

Don't get me started on a 50 something woman who is supposedly in a relationship. It was like watching a teenager's love life. She was all over the page probably intentionally but I would have expected her beau to give up on her.

This book had no real substance

I'm glad the series is over.

[Marilee Freshley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a quilter and dabbling in painting, I have enjoyed this relaxing series taking place in Door County Wisconsin. Because we spent several days in Fish Creek, WI last summer, I am familiar with the restaurants and places named in the book. So it's a relaxing fun read for me!

"Ann Hazelwood's books are charming, and filled with characters that I enjoy getting to know. I find myself getting lost in the picturesque surroundings and it feels as if I am there as the stories unfold." Sadly, this was the last book in the series. I have enjoyed all of them!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth and final book in the Quilts in Door County series. I have read all five and enjoyed each one. There are a lot of loose ends that are tied up, yet openings if a 6th book was to be written. Many of the places that are mentioned are real and would be fun to visit. A recipe from White Gull Inn is included, along with discussion questions. This series makes me want to vacation in Door County.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, no editing… Still I enjoy these books because they are about real people similar to my friends who live real lives. They aren’t perfect or exciting but kind and true. This was the last of the Door County series. I haven’t read Ann Hazelwood’s other series except for East Perry County but I assume the newly introduced people in this book are characters from her other series so the pulling many stories together was a nice touch. A great holiday read as it started and ended at Christmas.

[Peggy Scarth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a general review of three of her quilting series. My suggestion would be proof read, proof read and proof read your work. The characters are good and the story lines, entertaining but the time lines keep getting out of whack. It is rather disconcerting. Also I kept wondering how her characters could be constantly exhausted.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lite read about quilters and people they associate with as the holiday
Approaches. Clair Stewart meets new people from Missouri and others
Known before. Nothing exciting,but an easy read about warm hearted
People who care about each other. There are surprises this season in
Door County as they continue on with their realistic approach to life. Enjoy!

[Nancy L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the entire series now, and it wasn’t good. I’m surprised the ratings are so high. Clearly different readers are looking for different things. I would call this escapist fiction. It’s a magical land where women in their mid-fifties are being hit on constantly and eating pastries all day but don’t seem to put on a pound.

[Judy L Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series from Hazelwood

I love how the characters from her other series were incorporated into this book. I have enjoyed all of Ann's books and look forward to her next new series.

[Marilyn S Lundquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read although I hate to see the series end...

Once you start reading any of Ann Hazelwood's books, you will be hooked. I love everything I've read of hers, this is one is no exception.

[Sharon W. Cordray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Farewell Door County

It always makes me a bit sad when a favorite series ends. While I enjoy the relationships between the characters, I truly wish the silly nicknames of Claire -bear and Cher-bear would go away.

[Mimivandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished the series. It reminded me of the Bobbsey Twins-not great literature, no editing, but for some reason you keep reading them. My reason was the connection to Door County and quilting. It was a good read while recovering from foot surgery, I didn’t have to think too much.

[Rilla Schulte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely series. Sorry to see it end.

[kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good storyline. Don’t dissect the book. Enjoy the characters.

[Cathya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This final book in the series warms my heart. A fitting home style Christmas with a few surprises.

[Marybeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was ok....this was book 5 in the series and I only read this book because it was a Christmas story .....

[Mary Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This last one was better again. A bit less high school type romantic drama

[Jackie Gugel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Anm's books. They light easy & entertaing read about quilting which I love. And this set was in our beloved Door County and places I've been to.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE
I live in Missouri, have visited Door County twice;
I can follow her steps wherever she goes (and have notes to find a few new gems next time I go)!!

I love this series and am sad to see it end

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last book of the Door County series.