Tag Archives: Christmas

A Very Dragon Christmas (Darkness 8.5) by Katie Reus-a review

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A VERY DRAGON CHRISTMAS (Darkness # 8.5) by Katie Reus

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 6, 2018

It will take a miracle to survive Christmas…

Victoria is about to have a baby. But not just any baby, a wolf-dragon hybrid, and her overprotective mother-in-law isn’t giving her any peace. She means well, but by the time Victoria finds herself climbing out a bathroom window to escape her overly-vigilant family, she realizes something’s got to give. And if they don’t back off, more than just the holiday will be ruined.

Join the crazy, fun Petronilla dragon clan for A Very Dragon Christmas and find out if their holiday season—and their unique family bond—can be saved!

••••••••••

REVIEW: A VERY DRAGON CHRISTMAS is a holiday novella in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult DARKNESS paranormal, romance series.

Told from several third person perspectives A VERY DRAGON CHRISTMAS follows numerous paths including the impending birth of Victoria (wolf shifter) and Drake (dragon shifter) Petronilla’s (Taste of Darkness #2) first child. Nearing the end of her fifteen month pregnancy Victoria’s in-laws hover too closely pushing a frustrated Drake to ban his family from upsetting his mate. As the days grow closer to Christmas Victoria’s hormones taking over as she expects another billion months on her back before giving birth. As the supernatural community prepare for the holidays, Victoria and Drake face an uphill battle with the birth of their child.

Katie Reus brings a bit of holiday magic to the Dragons of the Petronilla Clan. We get a quick glimpse into the lives of the couples were have previously met, and the potential for a few more relationships on the horizon. A gathering for Christmas, as they await the birth of Victoria and Drake’s child, the shifter, vampires, demi-gods and demons celebrate the holidays, one relationship at a time. A sweet and endearing story line Katie Reus adds another entertaining instalment in the world of the Darkness.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Darkness Awakened
Taste of Darkness
Beyond the Darkness
Hunted by Darkness
Into The Darkness
Saved by Darkness
Guardian of Darkness

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Corner of Holly and Ivy (Harmony Harbor #7) by Debbie Mason-Review and Giveaway

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The Corner of Holly and Ivy (Harmony Harbor #7) by Debbie Mason-Review and Giveaway


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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 30, 2018

Sometimes love is just around the corner . . .

With her dreams of being a wedding dress designer suddenly over, Arianna Bell isn’t expecting a holly jolly Christmas. Instead, her heart feels about three sizes too small. That is until her high school sweetheart Connor Gallagher returns to town and she finds his mere presence still makes her pulse race. But just when she starts dreaming of kissing under the mistletoe, he announces that he will be her opponent in the upcoming mayoral race….

Hot-shot attorney Connor Gallagher has something to prove. He’s tired of playing runner-up to his high-achieving brothers. So when the opportunity to enter the campaign comes up, he takes it. Even if it means running against the only woman he’s ever loved. But with a little help from Harmony Harbor’s local matchmakers and a lot of holiday cheer, Connor and Arianna may just get the happy ever after they both deserve.

•••••••••••

REVIEW. Arianna is at her grandmothers house, recovering from a near fatal accident that has left her permanently scarred and unable to work in the job that she loved. All she wants to do is hide away, feel sorry for herself and be left alone. Conner was Arianna’s high school sweetheart and he realizes that she is the woman he has always loved and is ready to jump at the chance to rekindle their relationship. Toss in a meddling Grandmother and a “ghostly” great-Grandmother and you have a romantically funny Christmas love story.

This was a delightful Christmas read. The characters were intriguing with just the right blend of serious and funny to keep me interested. This is my very first Debbie Mason book and she’s a very talented writer. The Corner of Holly and Ivy was written with the right mix of loveable characters, family drama and suspense to lead up to the happy ending we all want in a feel good Christmas novel.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Tricia F.

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Debbie Mason is the USA Today bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series and Harmony Harbor series. Her books have been praised for their “likable characters, clever dialogue, and juicy plots” (RT Book Reviews). She also writes historical paranormals as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series has received several nominations for best paranormal as well as a Holt Medallion Award of Merit. When she isn’t writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, three wonderful children and son-in-law, two adorable grandbabies, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.

Debbie’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of THE CORNER OF HOLLY AND IVY to two (2) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.

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10. Giveaway runs from November 2-7, 2018

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Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis – a Review

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Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis – a Review

 

Holiday WishesAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
It’s Christmastime again in Heartbreaker Bay!

When Sean O’Riley shows up at the Hartford Bed & Breakfast for his older brother’s bachelor weekend, he’s just hoping to make it through the weekend. What he’s not expecting is to come face to face with the woman he lost his virginity to a decade ago—a woman he’s never really forgotten.

The last time Lotti Hartford saw Sean, she told him she loved him while he said nothing. Now, ten years later, she’s just looking for a good time. For once, she wants to be the wild and free one, and Sean – the good time guy – is the perfect candidate.

But as the weekend continues, Sean realizes that after a lifetime of being the hook-up king, he’s ready to find happily-ever-after, and he wants it with Lotti. But will she open her heart to him again? As Christmas sweeps through the little B&B, he can only hope love and magic are in the air

 

 

Review:

Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis is a Chrismas novella in her wonderful Heartbreaker Bay series.  Sean O’Reilly, our hero, is travelling with a group of family and friends to a Bed and Breakfast to spend the weekend with Bachelor/Bachlorette parties.  Sean’s brother is getting married and he wants to make sure everything for the wedding party goes as planned., before they head to the venue for the wedding.

When they arrive at the Inn, Sean goes to the desk and is shocked to see an old school flame running the Inn.  Lotti Hartford, our heroine, is also shocked to see Sean again.  It’s been 10 years since he walked out on her, after she had told him she loved him.  Needless to say, Lotti isn’t thrilled to see Sean, and totally ignores him.  But fate has its own plans: a terrible storm suddenly arrives, causing road blockage and forcing them to have to stay longer then the weekend, and delaying the wedding at the venue.

Sean is determined to prove himself to Lotti, as he feels he has changed, especially watching his older brother falling in love and getting married.  He has always been known as “the hook-up King”, something he no longer wants.  His feelings for Lottie are rekindled, but now he has to win her over again.  Lotti is not interested in any relationship, as her fiancée just dumped her.

What follows is a second chance romance, and with the extra time, and convincing Lotti to have the wedding at the B&B, their romance will heat up.  They both succumb to their lust for each other, but know that it is only for the couple of days they are there.  Lotti is going on vacation (planned trip for honeymoon that fell through), and she accepts that Sean will leave again.  Holiday Wishes was a short story, but a sweet fun heartwarming romance, that not only had a Christmas theme, but lots of adventure with the storm, makeshift wedding, and a hot sexy couple.  Anything by Jill Shalvis is always going to be good, and even in a novella, it was a perfect taste of what will come in the next novel in Heartbreaker Bay series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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A Regency Yuletide by Becky Lower – a Review

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A Regency Yuletide by Becky Lower – a Review

 

A Regency YuletideAmazon

DESCRIPTION
After a disappointing season in London, Sophie Davenport returns home without a marriage proposal. No sooner does she settle back into her country life than she learns her uncle has arranged for her to marry the local vicar’s son, a respectable and utterly forgettable man. He’s returning home immediately after the Christmas holiday and they will wed. She sets about making this last Christmas with just she and her mother memorable. 

Jeremy Wyatt hatches a plan to help his friend Thomas and his love, Emma, escape to Gretna Green and marry before her father comes after them. What he’s really doing is avoiding heading to his parents’ home, where he is the son who is always making the wrong choices. But their carriage becomes hopelessly mired in the mud from the incessant rains so Jeremy sets off to find shelter for them at the first house he comes to. 

Sophie welcomes the wet and weary travelers, and her mother agrees to house them temporarily until they can free the carriage. Sophie forms a bond not only with Emma, but with Jeremy. However despite the sparks they ignite in each other, they have to maintain their separate paths. 

But love and mistletoe have a way of upsetting even the best-laid plans. 

 


REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

EEEE, Becky has new reads and is one again knocking it out of the park.  Ok … so let me admit something here!  I am biased when it comes to Becky Lower.  I have been with her since her debut novel, have reviewed all she has released, and I absolutely have a soft spot for her.  HOWEVER, this is because she has earned it, and continues to deliver with every single story.  Now she has released a novella, and let me tell you, a novella is a very hard sell for an author because in order for it to not feel lacking, there has to be substance in the writing talent.  There has to be so much story crammed into a small amount of pages.  You need to have the intro, build up, character development, angst/antagonist, climax and conclusion.  Becky Lower has mastered this.  I literally curled up with this novella, and enjoyed it in one sitting, with a cup of tea, and I ended a couple hours later feeling completely satisfied (it wasn’t the tea that did it for me .. lol).  

A Regency Yuletide by Becky Lower is a novella about love found during Christmas time.  It’s a story about dreams coming true.  

Sophie Davenport and her mother are set to celebrate Christmas together before Sophie is to marry a man she has no wish to marry.  As her uncle has taken over the estate, she must do as he bids, and is resigned to being pawned off on another family.  Sophie has never experienced love before and comes to terms that she likely never will!  Until ….

Jeremy Wyatt is set on helping his best friend run away with on a romantic adventure with the love of his life.  When fate decides to step in, Jeremy and company are delayed due to a mishap with the coach.  Deciding to find shelter, Jeremy finds himself on the Sophie’s doorstep.

Cooped up in this small cottage with Christmas dreams in every corner, Sophie and Jeremy set the fire for a once in a lifetime love.  With friends and relatives either encouraging or interfering, these two navigate through personal issues and a realization that they are meant to be.  

So soft and beautiful, this story is a perfect “get into the Christmas mood” kind of read. There is angst in this story, but romance and love is so strong it makes every bit of it durable!  LOL

MERRY CHRISTMAS Becky Lower, thank you for writing another perfect story, that revolves around history, and all the things I love in a historical romance!

Snuggle up with a cup of happy, a blanket, and get ready to swoon in happiness while reading this novella!  You will be feeling the Christmas bliss once you are done! 🙂

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied for Review

 

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Unexpected Gifts by Elena Aitken-a review

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Unexpected Gifts by Elena Aitken-a review

Christmas Banner 2

Unexpected Gifts
Castle Mount Lodge #1
by Elena Aitken
Re-release:December 2014
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Unexpected Gifts

FREE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Follow Elena: Goodreads / Website / Facebook

ABOUT THE BOOK

Christmas represents everything Andi Williams is supposed to have, and doesn’t. Running away to a remote mountain lodge in the Canadian Rockies, sounds like the perfect way to escape, until a mix-up finds her sharing a villa with sexy, rough around the edges, Colin Hartford.

Colin’s determination to enjoy the holiday he’s missed for the last five years, sweeps Andi into a season of joy that she’s not sure she’s ready for. Can Andi open herself up to everything the holidays have to offer… including love?

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: With all the pain and loss she had dealt with lately, Andi was not in the mood for Christmas this year. She didn’t want to see all the holly jolly decorations, happy families and festive activities. All she wanted was to escape and hide until the holidays were over. So off to a mountain lodge getaway she went. But life has a funny way of turning things around when you least expect it. When she gets to the lodge, she discovers that she doesn’t have a reservation and of course the lodge is full and there are no vacancies. That is when her knight in shining armor comes to her rescue and saves the day. Although she doesn’t know he’s her knight…………Colin is standing in the background and overhears that Andi doesn’t have a room to stay in so he offers his. After meeting Colin, Andi realizes they have someone from her past in common, the one person who hurt her the most, Blaine. Andi accepts Colin’s offer for a place to stay but she isn’t happy about it at all, especially now that she knows Colin knows that dirtbag Blaine. Andi will be in for the experience of her life now that she has met Colin!

This was a very romantic, Christmas themed story. I enjoyed reading all about Andi and Colin. Even Blaine was enjoyable as your typical scumbag of the book It is always fun to read a romance where after the heartbreak and tragedy someone experiences, they find happiness that helps them overcome what was lost. The mountain lodge was the perfect backdrop for a romance to begin. If you want a quick Christmas story read that is enjoyable and will give you that warm and fuzzy feeling, this is the one!

Reviewed By Tricia

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Blame It on the Mistletoe by Nicole Michaels – a Review

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Blame It on the Mistletoe by Nicole Michaels – a Review

 

Blame it on the Mistletoe

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Description:
Sometimes all it takes is a leap of faith…’Tis the season for small-town Missouri boutique owner Brooke Abbott to get crafty. Much as she adores making art for art’s sake—decorating windows, designing ornaments, crafting the perfect present for under the tree—this Christmas she needs the gift of good customers. Lots of them. Sweet Opal Studios will go under if she can’t do some serious business before the New Year…and she has no time to lose. What Brooke needs is an honest-to-goodness miracle. Instead, she finds a burglar lurking in the back room of her shop. And here she thought the holidays couldn’t get any worse! For Christmas to work its own magic… Or maybe things just got a lot better. Turns out the burglar is none other than Alex Coleman—local bad boy slash legendary heartthrob, childhood best friend to Brooke’s older brother, and…future landlord? That is the question. He’s come home for the holidays to see his grandmother, make peace with his distant mother, and settle his grandfather’s estate, an estate that includes the building that houses Sweet Opal. What he never expected was to bump into a grown-up Brooke, whose spirit, charm, and irresistible good looks give him pause. Should he go back to Oregon as planned, or give small-town life a chance? The only thing Alex knows for sure is that before he walks out that door, he’s going to get Brooke beneath the mistletoe, where anything can happen…

 

 

Review:

Blame It on the Mistletoe by Nicole Michaels is a very sweet and charming romance that takes place close to Christmas time. This is the first book I have read by Michaels, and I enjoyed it very much. Brooke Abbott is our heroine, and she runs a small boutique in this small town of Preston, Missouri. Brooke rents her boutique called, Sweet Opal Studios, where she designs and makes her own jewelry, as other wonderful unique trinkets. She is having trouble making ends meet, especially with construction being done by her store, blocking people from noticing her. She meets some of her local store owners, who go out of their way to help spread word of mouth.

Brooke has been staying in the apartment upstairs from the store, to save money, and does not tell the landlord. One day while working, she hears noise upstairs and litteraly runs into Alex Coleman, our hero. Alex is the grandson of the woman who owns the store. He has just come back for a visit and was planning to stay in the apartment. Brooke is shaken, but Alex tells her to stay, and he will go to a hotel. They are friends from childhood, with Alex being Brooke’s brother’s best friend.

What follows is slow build relationship that has Brooke gun shy, as she came off an abusive relationship. Alex at first distances himself, having been threatened by Brooke’s brother to stay away from her. But he is determined to learn more about the now grown up and beautiful Brooke. Their romance was very well done, as I really enjoyed them together. Alex is faced with making a decision in life that will create hardship for Brooke, but make him a very rich man. What will he do, as he sees himself falling in love with Brooke? Will Brooke be able to trust that Alex is not her Ex, and allow herself to follow her heart?

Blame it on the Mistletoe was a very nice storyline, with some great secondary characters. A pure romance during the Christmas holiday, a great couple, and a happy ever after. What more could you want..

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Holiday Magic (Second Chance #1) by Susanne Matthews-a review

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Holiday Magic (Second Chance #1) by Susanne Matthews-a review

Holiday Magic

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 28, 2013

How would you react if you found your fiancé in bed with one of your bridesmaids?

Weeks before their Christmas Eve wedding, Georgia Baxter canceled everything and fled to New York, immersing herself in her jewelry design business. Three years later, unable to move on, she agrees to come home to help Eleni. What her twin fails to mention is that Georgia’s help will include working with the man who broke her heart.

Mark Anderson would do anything to undo the night of his bachelor party when he unwittingly destroyed his future with the woman he still loves. When he learns that Georgia is returning to manage Holiday Magic for the winter months, he is excited. This may be his chance to convince her that it was all a big mistake.

Will there be enough magic in the air this season to give their love a second chance?

•••••••••••••••••••••

Susanne Matthews has done it again, and just in time for Christmas!!

Ms. Matthews has creatively sculpted a wonderful story of star-crossed lovers that truly belong together but were pulled apart by jealous and devious friends. Fortunately, they were pulled back together by a loving sister and fate.

Georgia Baxter and Mark Anderson were engaged, three weeks before the wedding an awful prank or perhaps worse, a jealous plan; pulled them apart. Three years later, Eleni Baxter, Georgia’s sister (and Mark’s business partner) prevailed upon Georgia to return home to help her with her business while she began a very lucrative new contract.

To do this, Georgia would have to work with Mark a bit. Only for her sister would she do this…or so she told herself. While home, both she and Mark began to find answers to what happened three years ago that really caused the breakup. Old jokes, or plots come to the surface and love, still in both hearts, blooms anew.

That’s the set-up, and I won’t spoil this wonderful story by giving out all the juicy details. Let’s just say I found it heart poundingly romantic. Oh to find your one true love and have it go bad….oops…almost spilling more beans! LOL! It’s a wonderfully engaging story that you’ll love to curl up around with a glass of wine or eggnog. It’s just the HEA you’re looking for at this time of year! Enjoy it, I certainly did!

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

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A Vampire’s Christmas Carol by Cynthia Eden-Review, Blog Tour and Giveaway

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A Vampire’s Christmas Carol by Cynthia Eden-Review, Blog Tour and Giveaway

A Vampire's Christmas Carol - Blog Tour - Banner

A Vampire’s Christmas Carol
by Cynthia Eden
Release Date: November 17, 2013
Genre: paranormal, adult, romance

A vampire's Christmas Carol Nov 13

e-book ONLY .99cents at participating e-retailers:

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 11, 2013

This holiday season has bite.

Ben Prescott hates Christmas—he’s a vampire, and to him, there’s certainly nothing jolly about the holiday season. While the humans are running around being merry, he’s hunting in the shadows. Ben plans to spend the holidays his way…by stalking deadly prey.

But fate has other plans for Ben.

Three visitors are coming Ben’s way…A demon who will force Ben to face his past, a ghost who will show Ben the present he could have, and a shifter who will reveal the darkness that waits in Ben’s future. Unless Ben can change his ways, he may just turn into a real monster, one who can’t be saved by anyone or anything.

’Tis the season…to be undead.

Ben’s redemption rests in the hands of the one woman he loved and lost—Simone Laurent. If Ben is going to have a chance at being more than just the beast in the darkness, he has to prove himself to the lovely Simone. A very hard task, considering that, once upon a Christmas Eve, Simone died in Ben’s arms…

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: A VAMPIRE’S CHRISTMAS CAROL is a twist on the Dicken’s classic with a little bit of The Gift of the Magi thrown in for good measure.

The storyline focuses on vampire Ben Prescott and the three visitors who are about to open his eyes to the possibility of a future with the woman he lost ten years before.

Like the original Dickens’s classic, our ‘hero’ is on a destructive path and no one is safe when Ben needs to feed. Ben is a vampire who justifies his kills attacking the criminal element and those who have killed or attacked someone else. But Ben has made an error in judgment and his latest target is an innocent. What transpires is the ‘what if’ of one vampire’s actions on Christmas Eve. Three visits in three hours will put everything into perspective for a reluctant vampire who has lost the only woman he has ever loved.

Cynthia Eden’s re-telling of the Dickens’s Christmas Carol will tug at your heart when sacrifices are made to ensure our vampire heads down a different path.

A Vampire’s Christmas Carol is darker than normal holiday story but one that will end with a happily ever after.There is a little bit of romance, a little bit of heartbreak and a whole lot of Christmas spirit.

*whispering* and YES that is Francesco J. Cura on the cover 😉

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

About the author


Cynthia EdenNew York Times and USA Today best-selling author Cynthia Eden has written over thirty novels and novellas. She was named as a 2013 RITA® finalist for her paranormal romance, ANGEL IN CHAINS, and, in 2011, Cynthia Eden was a RITA finalist for her romantic suspense, DEADLY FEAR.

Cynthia is a southern girl who loves horror movies, chocolate, and happy endings. She has always wanted to write (don’t most authors say that?), and particularly enjoys creating stories about monsters-vampires, werewolves, and even the real-life monsters who populate her romantic suspense stories.

Cynthia’s foreign sales for her books include translations to Japan, Germany, Thailand, Greece, and Brazil.

(Back in the day…) Cynthia graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Alabama where she studied Sociology (because people interest her) and Communication (because she likes to write about said people). Cynthia has worked as a college admissions counselor, a teacher, and as an editor. But now, Cynthia is thrilled to be spending her days making up stories.

Author Links:

Website/Blog:  http://www.cynthiaeden.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cynthiaeden
FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/cynthiaedenfanpage?fref=ts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/153738.Cynthia_Eden

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