Tag Archives: Christmas Reviews

A Vampire’s Christmas Carol by Karen McCullough-a review

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A Vampire’s Christmas Carol by Karen McCullough-a review

A Vampire’s Christmas Carol by Karen McCullough

Decatur, AL is where Carol Prescott WANTS to be on Christmas Eve; at mom and dad’s celebrating with family. Due to bad weather, forcing the freeway shut, Carol braves the unfamiliar roads and her car ends up in a ditch having slid across an ice patch. Trusting her survival skills, Carol walks toward a lighted house, a beacon to save her from freezing to death. Ironically, the home owner is a very hungry vampire. I never said she’d survive the night.

“Tomorrow I’ll die for good. At sunrise.”

“For good. You mean, like, finally? But how do you know?”

“My hundred years of grace are up tonight. If I don’t drink human blood by tomorrow morning, I’ll die at dawn. And I don’t plan on drinking any, which is why your presence is so dangerous.”

“I don’t – Oh. Temptation?”

He nodded.

A bit of self-preservation is healthy at this point. Instead, Carol abides by her inner voice and considers her odds of surviving the inclement conditions outside or remain alongside the ravenous bloodlust that Michael assures her will consume him and threaten her very life. SHE STAYS.

Michael tries, more than once, to try to get Carol to leave. He warns her of the agony he will face by denying the monster inside, but he is resigned to end his life. She can stay and watch (a little on the morbid side), but Carol reminds him of his previous life, his former love, and it brings him comfort to have her there; something he’s denied himself for too long. How very charming, if not romantic. What ensues is an all-nighter of history and camaraderie. HA – you thought I was going to say SEX, didn’t you? Not one bit, but the story wasn’t lacking in any way. Michael recruits Carol to draft his story in the hopes that it could help another vampire in the future. Am I not supposed to swoon?

To pass the time, Michael tells Carol how he became one of the “Risen”. At the age of 29, on his way to propose to his lady love on Christmas Eve, Michael was the victim of the Good Samaritan rule gone bad. After defending a woman from an attack in an alley, the assailant turned on him, perturbed by the interruption, and proceeded to drain Michael. The former lawyer, used to being inquisitive and even ambitious enough to try politics, was now in self-exile; hating the day his life was stolen.

How in the world is this remotely a Christmas story? Is December 24th its only identifier? For a few chapters, I pondered the same myself. Karen McCullough, the author, pummels Michael with exhaustive levels of pain while staving off his body’s instincts to succumb. Convulsions, prey-predator moments and sheer fear for Michael’s last minutes have Carol contemplating just staking the poor dude herself! But just as Carol closes the door behind her…leaving Michael to fry in the sun…**his choice, not hers**…Michael’s wishes for her future usurp her promise…

“I wish…You did say there might be a way—“

He shook his head. “No. Too dangerous. You’ve already risked…too much just staying here. Wouldn’t want that on my…conscience.”

“Michael, I—“”

“No. Make me happy, if you go. Have a good life. Find that hero. He’s out there somewhere for you.”

A Vampire’s Christmas was a sweet, short story full of perseverance and heart. I know I believe in Christmas miracles…will Michael?
I’d LOVE a Vampire for Christmas!

ORDER LINKS: Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Amazon

Reviewed by Carmen

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The Christmas Knight by Michele Sinclair-a review

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The Christmas Knight by Michele Sinclair-a review

The Christmas Knight by Michele Sinclair


The Christmas Knight by Michele Sinclair


FROM GOODREADS: Her Only Hope For The Season

With their father gone this Christmastide, Bronwyn de Breton and her two younger sisters are utterly vulnerable at unprotected Hunswick Castle. And their troubles are compounded when a fearsome knight arrives on the king’s orders to take Hunswick as his own—and the youngest de Breton daughter as his wife.

Is A Man She’s Never Met

Bronwyn would never let her little sister be forced to marry a man as rough and wild as the new lord is whispered to be. Yet someone must form an alliance with him, or all of Hunswick will be at risk. So she steps forward, pretending to be her own sister.

And A Love She Never Expected

But the new lord is not so easily fooled. He knows Bronwyn is not the woman he has promised to marry. And yet, no matter how duty-bound he may be, there is no resisting the golden-haired beauty who so fearlessly gives herself to him…and awakens a passion unlike any he’s ever known

REVIEW

This book was an outstanding read. I absolutely loved it! Not only did I feel at home reading a historical romance book, but this book just had everything I could ever want in a book. There are little historical tidbits you learn in the beginning of each chapter about the festivities before, after, and during Christmas; and how it came to be and the customs for each event. I thought these little tidbits were very interesting so I found it fun that not only am I enjoying a great story but I am learning about interesting things about Christmas during the medieval times. And a little secret, I love reading historical books because you get to learn little bits about that time period I mean the historical lure to me is just too great.

There so much to love about the couple which is Ranulf De Gunnar who becomes the new lord of Anscombe and Bronwyn Le Breton of the story because not only were they totally perfect for each other but they both had such strong personalities that made a perfect match to lead the village together. None of them had any tendencies that annoyed me or anything like that which was an unexpected plus to me. What I really liked was that the romance didn’t move too fast as compared to some stories though I don’t have any issues with that but I just really loved how the chemistry grew slowly and really built between the couple as starting with Bronwyn taking care of Ranulf’s injuries from an accident to a growing friendship to a full fledge love though both of them sometimes had too much pride to admit their feelings readily. And the first time they made love, I just melted; the scene was really passionate yet at the same time innocent.

Even though both Ranulf and Bronwyn are very strong characters, they both have their insecurities about how they appeal to the opposite sex; what with Ranulf’s burn scars and missing eye while Bronwyn lives in the shadow of her two beautiful younger sisters. Something that is very relatable to me. Despite that Ranulf makes Bronwyn feel desirable, loved and beautiful while Bronwyn makes Ranulf feel accepted, loved and the sense of home and belonging he never knew that he longed for. Of all things in the book, this was the one that really killed it for me and I meant that in a good way.

You get learning tidbits about Christmas, a heartwarming love story, a tangled web of lies and truths, adventure, and festivities!!! The total package!!! I promise you that!!! I even read somewhere this book won some award and now I see why, this book was bomb-diggity awesome!! Merry early Christmas to me for getting read this book.

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository / KOBO

Reviewed By
Xtina X

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Snowy Night with a Highlander by Julie London-a review

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Snowy Night with a Highlander by Julie London-a review

 

Snowy Night with a Highlander is the November 27, 2012 release from Julie London.

This is an excellent story of young heartbreak, life-changing tragedy, love and renewal of life. A great read for a snowy cold night!

I don’t like to do spoilers… so let me just recap some of the highlights that make this worth the reading.

Lady Fiona Haines of Scotland has been living in London in an attempt to find a suitable marriage partner. Her debutante event, in Scotland, was spoiled years ago by a friend of her brothers that she admired when he likened her to a “woodchuck”. Embarrassed and broken hearted, she moved to London with her brother James (himself a noted rogue and womanizer). While she found many friends at court in London, there were still no real suitors for her hand as yet.

Her brother gets in trouble with the Prince of Wales (sleeping with the Princess of Wales was what the Prince accused him of) and even though he is visiting friends in Scotland the Prince sends men to find him. Fiona finds she must go to Scotland to find her brother and warn him to hide deep in the highlands of Scotland until the matter is settled.

To reach her brother, she must contact Laird Duncan Buchanan, the same friend of her brothers who broke her heart all those years ago. She is reluctant to do this, but must save her brother who has no idea he is being pursued.

Duncan agrees to let Fiona and her maid ride with a cargo wagon to Blackwood, his ancestral home where her brother is staying. She doesn’t actually see Duncan as he stays hidden behind a drapery watching. She and her maid must go with the wagon driver and another man covered with dark clothing and an eye-patch.
Just outside of Edinburgh her maid decides she doesn’t want to go and secretly runs away, back to Edinburgh, leaving Fiona to travel with just the tall dark stranger (the wagon driver must go find the maid and see she gets safely back to Edinburgh).
During the cold and hard trip to Blackwood Fiona grows to trust the dark stranger who is named Duncan…she believes him to be Mr. Duncan a tenant of Buchanan’s. Through mishaps with the wagon and her being saved from a wolf she becomes very attracted to Mr. Duncan. She begins to dream of a life of being his wife and having his children, only to find out (as they near Blackwood) that he is not Mr. Duncan, but Duncan Buchanan of Blackwood himself. Will she forgive him; can she forgive him, should she forgive him? Hmmmmm…

You need to read the circumstances and how this all comes about as well as the ending for yourself, it’s a very good story of life and personal growth and love all wrapped up for Christmas!

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

ORDER LINKS: Barnes and Noble / Amazon / KOBO 

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

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A Christmas Proposal by Karen Hall-a review

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A Christmas Proposal by Karen Hall-a review

A Christmas Proposal by Karen Hall is a short story, all of 28 pages, set in the late Victorian England.

The herione is Cassandra Barnwell, weathy and not without wit. She was a suffragette and did not rank high on the “hotness” scale. She was, of course, also unwed. The hero is Brandon Russell, the younger brother of a duke and the next in line to the dukedom. He was also an archaeologist and spent most of his time “playing in the world’s biggest sandbox” in Egypt.

The beginning of the story sets the background for both Cassandra and Brandon. Cassandra had just turned down yet another marriage proposal from an eligible bachelor. She wanted to marry for love and the eligible bachelors loved her money. Brandon was back in old blighty because he was out of funds for his expedition, and to attend his sister’s wedding. Upon his arrival, he learned that his great benefactor was going to marry a showgirl, who did not want the said great benefactor to donate to Brandon’s expedition anymore. Brandon’s father left him an inheritance but he could not touch the funds until he turned thirty-two or got hitched. Brandon could not approach his duke brother as the duke wanted him to stay in London to take his rightful place.

Anyway, a story like that requires a meddling relative. This comes in the form of Cassandra’s great aunt Tilda, who was always throwing eligible bachelors in Cassandra’s way. Aunt Tilda wanted Cassandra engaged by Christmas because it would be so romantic. After a chance meeting at the British Museum, Cassandra came up with the idea of getting Brandon to pretend to court her to get auntie off her back. In return, she would fund Brandon’s expedition. Cassandra was also going to take part in a suffragett demonstration and Brandon was to ditch her because taking part in a demonstration was unseemly. That way Brandon did not really have to marry her. However, they fell secretly in love with each other in the pretend courtship.

Along with meddling relative, a story like that would need a big misunderstanding. This comes in the form of Brandon’s stupid ‘friends’. They made a bet, when Brandon first arrived in England, that Brandon would be proposing to Cassandra for her money. Incidentally, many of these friends happened to be the eligible bachelors Cassandra had turned down. Anyway, just as Brandon was about to declare himself to Casssandra (having found out that his duke brother had managed to produce a couple of male heirs and now the duke was in a good mood and willing to fund Brandon’s expedition), his ‘friends’ made the bet known to Cassandra. Cassandra was not pleased with that and left before Brandon could explain.

Then the suffragett demonstration took place and there was some suggestion that chaos had ensued. A concerned Brandon went looking for Cassandra and found her to be well, having just ‘rescued’ a little boy who was separated from his mother. Brandon made his explanation and all was forgiven. And they lived happily forever after playing in the world’s biggest sandbox!

ORDER NOW: Amazon / Barnes and Noble /

Reviewed by 3 Dots…

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The Navy Seal’s Promise by Soraya Lane-a review

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From now until Christmas, The Reading Cafe will daily post one or two Christmas themed novels and storyline reviews for everyone to enjoy.

The Navy Seal’s Promise by Soraya Lane-a review

THE NAVY SEAL’S PROMISE by Soraya Lane

THE NAVY SEAL’S PROMISE is a short story (September 2012 release) from Soraya Lane’s contemporary romance line of novels. Like many novellas, the storyline is quick paced, to the point and the romance is heartwarming.

The story focuses on two members of the military home for the holidays when they find themselves stranded in a snowstorm, at the airport, on Christmas Eve. Saskia Cullen is a corporal in the army, on 48 hours leave, hoping to see her young son on Christmas Day before her return to duty, and Luke Gray, a Navy SEAL who is home for a few days before his next assignment.

Both Luke and Saskia are looking for something or someone but neither is aware that the someone is right in front of them. Luke lost his wife to cancer three years earlier and has not celebrated the holidays since the SEALs refused to give him leave to visit his dying wife. Saskia hides a painful past knowing her son’s father wants nothing to do with her military career or a child. Seeing the sorrow on Saskia’s face, Luke knows there is only one option, and he calls in a favor to get Saskia home for the holidays. Luke promises Saskia that he will get her home for Christmas dinner and in true Navy SEAL fashion, Luke keeps his word.

THE NAVY SEAL’S PROMISES is a sweet story of romance. There is no secret agenda, no covert operation and the adults know what they want. No one pushes the other away and both make another promise to see each other again. If you like a love story with a HEA this one is sure to please.

ORDER NOW: Amazon

Reviewed by Sandy

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Gift Wrapped for Christmas by Mona Ingram-a review

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GIFT WRAPPED FOR CHRISTMAS by Mona Ingram-a review

FROM THE AUTHOR’S WEBSITE: Maddie LaRocque loses her job two months before Christmas, but undeterred, she starts a gift wrapping business in the lobby of an historic building in downtown Calgary. When she falls into the arms of Brent, the building’s maintenance man, it looks as though Christmas might have come early. But it turns out that Brent isn’t the man she thought he was. Gift Wrapped for Christmas is a heartfelt romance about real people in real situations.

REVIEW:

GIFT WRAPPED FOR CHRISTMAS (September 2012 release) is the perfect romantic holiday storyline for everyone looking for a HEA. And as an added bonus, Mona offers up two love stories for the price of one. And in saying that, Mona does not come out and address the leading storyline couple in the beginning, in fact, you begin to wonder who the premise is about. But in all due time, you discover that the love of your life may be standing in the same room or sitting across from you at the same table.

Two months before Christmas and Maddie LaRoque has lost her position at a Calgary accounting firm in the Drummond building. With no potential prospects on the horizon, Maddie begins to outline a plan to set up her own business in the same building where she once worked. To lease the empty storefront, Maddie must engage Chase Drummond-billionaire owner of Drummond Enterprises. And to no one’s surprise Chase is as handsome as he is rich, but Maddie is more interested in the building’s maintenance man who does something to Maddie that she hasn’t felt in a long time.

When Chase’s 10 year old niece Annie desires to be a fashion designer, we are introduced to Maddie’s BFF and roommate Lily-a fashion designer who owns her own company and a woman who will play an integral role in Chase Drummond’s life. When Lily and Chase are finally introduced, Lily is quick to point out to Maddie that she is tired of playing the beautiful arm candy to rich men trying to make an impression in the world of business. Both Maddie and Lily have suffered some amazing heartbreaks at the hands of men with whom they were in love. And the pattern seems to continue when Chase’s attraction to Lily seems to be marred by the continuous photographs of him appearing with his ‘fiance ‘ at public events.

Maddie will soon discover that the man she is drawn to is not the man she thought. And it is no surprise to Maddie when she discovers that this man appears to have difficulty in the honesty department-betrayal and heartbreak greet Maddie with every waking day. Both Lily and Maddie find themselves devastated that old habits die hard when they fall in love with men who appear to be already committed to someone else

GIFT WRAPPED FOR CHRISTMAS is a heartwarming and romantic tale about two women who have suffered betrayal and heartbreak, and who finally believe they have found the right man. Add a couple of manipulative and greedy women looking to land a billionaire of their own, and you have the ingredients for a potential cat fight, but Lily and Maddie are beyond the games, and each will chose to handle their disappointment and heartbreak they only way they can. Gift Wrapped for Christmas is a great story to curl up under a blanket with the fireplace glowing.

e-book ORDER LINK: Amazon/

Reviewed by Sandy

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