Tag Archives: Holidays

The Merriest Magnolia by Michelle Major – a Review

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The Merriest Magnolia by Michelle Major – a Review

 

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Description:
Home for the holidays has always meant cozy small-town traditions…but this year all that may change…

Carrie Reed has always been known as her hometown Good Girl, yet she still loves Magnolia, North Carolina—after all, this is where her newly discovered sisters, Avery and Meredith, live. But Christmas is on its way and with it, her first love. Dylan Scott is back in town and planning on changing everything she’s ever loved about Magnolia with his real estate development project…but not without a fight.

Returning to Magnolia was never in Dylan’s plans—it holds too many reminders that he would never be good enough, and memories of the girl he left behind. But when a tragedy leaves him guardian of a grieving teenager, Dylan returns, ready to remake the town into something only money can buy, small-town traditions be damned. But with Carrie determined to stop him, he finds himself wondering if redeeming his teenage reputation is worth losing out on his second chance at love.

 

 

Review:

The Merriest Magnolia by Michelle Major is the 2nd book in her Magnolia Sisters series. This series focuses on the town of Magnolia, North Carolina and three young women who discover that they are half sisters (the same father). Carrie and Meredith lived all their lives in Magnolia, and Avery arrived after learning about her inheritance. After a short time, the three of them became friends, dealing with the betrayal of their father, with each willing to help each other.  I loved the first book in this series, and after completing The Merriest Magnolia, I am happy to say this was equally as good.  Avery (first book heroine) was a great heroine, but I have to say I loved Carrie, our heroine in this book.

Carrie, who stayed with her father, to help and has always put the town first, even when he made a mess of things.  She was determined to rebuild Magnolia, and with her sisters help, they worked together to bring the town back to its original glory.   But soon all will change, as her ex-boyfriend from high school moves back to Magnolia, with his nephew and has his own plans for the town. 

Dylan was Carrie’s love, until her father gave him a check to leave Carrie and Magnolia, leaving her broken hearted.  Dylan has not seen Carrie since then, and returns a successful and wealthy entrepreneur, with plans to tear down and rebuild the town to be luxury townhomes and resort for the wealthy.  Carrie isn’t happy to see Dylan, especially after she discovers that he has already bought some property to start making his changes.  They both have different ideas what is best for Magnolia, with Carrie, Avery and Meredith working to make the local businesses better; and Dylan to change it all.

Dylan and Carrie are forced to work together to help prepare the town’s Christmas festival, which develops into a temporary friendship, with each slowly rekindling their feelings from the past.  However, both are just as determined to prove their way works better.  Carrie begins to help Dylan with his 15-year-old nephew, who with the death of his cousin, is now his responsibility.  Carrie begins to resume her love of painting, and pushes Sam, who is a good artist, to work on his artwork.  This brings Sam out of his snarky attitude, and happier with Carrie, her sisters, family and townsfolk.  

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story with both Carrie and Dylan falling in love again, but will they be able to get past their different views of what is best for Magnolia?  I loved seeing Carrie, with Meredith and Avery, and how they had each other’s backs. The bond between the sisters was great. 

The Merriest Magnolia was written so very well by Michelle Major, with a great couple, and so many wonderful characters, including Avery, Meredith, Gray, and many of the townsfolks.  I look forward to the next book in this series, which I expect to be about Meredith.  Cannot wait, as I loved everyone in Magnolia. I suggest you start with series by reading the first book, The Magnolia Sisters.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere – a Review

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The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere – a Review

 

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Description:
In June 1972, John Creighton determines to build his wife Joan a kitchen table. His largest project to date had been picture frames but he promises to have the table ready for Thanksgiving dinner. Inspired to put something delicious on the table, Joan turns to her mother’s recipes she had given to Joan when she and John married.

In June 2012, Lauren Mabrey discovers she’s pregnant. Gloria, Miriam, and the rest of her friends at Glory’s Place begin to pitch in, helping Lauren prepare their home for the baby. On a visit to the local furniture builder, Lauren finds a table that he bought at a garage sale but has recently refinished. Once home, a drawer is discovered under the table which contains a stack of recipe cards. Growing up in one foster home after another, Lauren never learned to cook and is fascinated as she reads through the cards. Personal notes have been written on each one from the mother to her daughter and time and again Lauren wonders where they lived, when they lived, and in a strange way, she feels connected to this mother and her daughter and wants to make the mother proud.

The story continues to from 1972 to 2012 as Joan battles breast cancer and Lauren learns to cook, preparing for the baby’s arrival. As Christmas nears, can Lauren unlock the mystery of the table, and find the peace she’s always longed for?

 

 

Review:

The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere is part of her Christmas Hope series. This was a story of two women, with POV’s for the time periods of 1972 & 2012; revolving around family, friends, hope and some wonderful recipes found in this special table. 

In 1972, John (who loved working in carpentry) decided to build a table for his wife, Joan and their two children. Joan would cook each night for the family, and would teach her daughter, Gigi, how to cook to perfection; as she followed a recipe she created for her daughter. 

In 2012, Lauren is newly married to Travis, and works at her job, and helps part time with her newfound friends to train girls.  When she tells her friends she is pregnant, they decide to help her fix up her house, and go to the local carpenter to find her a table for her dining area; which with help from the carpenter, they buy an old but good table.  When Lauren, who cannot really cook, finds a stack of recipes deep in the draw of the table, she beings to follow the recipes to create wonderful dinners and desserts.

Back in 1972, John continues to work hard building that special table, and when Joan becomes sick, he falls behind.  Joan continues to push herself making wonderful dinners and recipes, until she cannot do too much more.  She undergoes chemo, with her family helping her, but it is John who tells her to have faith, as God will help heal her. He constantly tells her “Today is the Day”  That becomes the family motto.

Lauren is happy with her friends, learning how to cook, but she wants to learn more about the mother and daughter whose recipes belong to them.  She does research, determined to possibly find more information on the daughter. 

What follows is a heartwarming Christmas themed story that pulled on our hearts.  John and Joan’s story was heartbreaking at times, but the family continue to have faith, and pulled together to get through these difficult times.  I loved Lauren, as she learned to become a good cook, and was determined to try to find the rightful owners of those recipes.  The ending was so well done, very sweet and emotional.  If you enjoy a sweet heartwarming story of two people in different time periods that are built around hope and faith, I suggest you read The Christmas Table, written so very well by Donna VanLiere.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Christmas at Holiday House by RaeAnne Thayne – a Review

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Christmas at Holiday House by RaeAnne Thayne – a Review

 

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Description:
This New Year will bring widowed nurse Abigail Powell a fresh start in a different city. Excited about the chance to create an unforgettable Christmas for her young son in picturesque Silver Bells, Colorado, Abby has been hired to take care of her dear friend’s recuperating grandmother. But sprightly senior Winnie insists she doesn’t need looking after. What she does need is help decorating her historic mansion, Holiday House, for a seasonal town fundraiser. Abby warms to the festive task, but she’ll have to contend with her own personal Grinch: Winnie’s prickly grandson, Ethan Lancaster.

Ethan Lancaster is good at a lot of things. Relationships surely aren’t one of them. His ex-fiancée convinced Ethan he was incapable of love, and he believes her…up until the moment he impulsively kisses Abby. What is it about this vibrant woman and her sweet son that knocks his world off-kilter? He knows they’re leaving town after Christmas. He just didn’t expect they’d be taking a little of his heart with them. But as he and Abby work together on the magical Holiday House through the record cold weather, visions of a different future dance in his head…one filled with warmth, love and a new beginning for them both.

 

 

Review:

Christmas at Holiday House by RaeAnne Thayne is another one of her wonderful romances, especially with a Christmas theme. We meet our heroine, Abigail (Abby) Powell at the start, driving to Silver Bells, Colorado with her young son, Christopher.  Abby is a nurse and widowed, and plans on moving to Austin, to get a fresh start; as its been two years since she lost her husband, who was killed by a deranged person in the hospital they worked at.  But her best friend, Lucy, who is away teaching, asks for her to help to go to Silver Bells, and help her grandmother, who fell and has a broken wrist among other injuries; Abby agrees, since they have time before moving on to Austin.  Winnie (the grandmother), welcomes Abby and Christopher to her home, the Holiday House, and is happy to have someone to help her, as well as the wonderful company. 

Ethan Lancaster, our hero, has a successful business running hotels, and is not thrilled to have Abby come stay with his grandmother, since he feels she should be in assistant living.  Abby senses his unhappiness and they both get off on the wrong foot, though Ethan knows he can’t win this battle with Winnie.  In a short time, Ethan begins to loosen up and slowly a friendship begins, especially with him (and everyone else) adoring sweet wonderful Christopher. Ethan has his own issues about his inability to find love, due to his ex-fiancée telling him he had no heart.

Besides watching over Winnie, Abby finds herself helping with Winnie’s plans to help decorate Holiday House, for a fundraiser, and learning how to cook with Winnie’s help.  I loved this part where Abby, Winnie, Christopher and Ethan do the decorating in each of the magical rooms in Holiday House, and learning about the history of the mansion, which for the first time will be opened to the public for the fundraiser. This was a lot of fun, which also brings Ethan and Abby closer to discovering they are falling for each other.  There is another romance in this story, focusing on Lucy (Ethan’s sister and Abby’s best friend), who also has issues about relationships, as she loves Jose (Ethan’s right hand), whom she has always considered him to be her close friend, but things fall apart when Jose wants a permanent relationship.  Lucy doesn’t understand why they can’t continue to be friends, but with benefits, as she can’t get past her parents’ volatile relationship.

What follows is a fun, wonderful holiday themed story, with wonderful characters you can’t help but fall in love with them.  Thayne does a great job giving us two great couples in Abby/Ethan, Lucy/Jose, the adorable children in Christopher and Rod, Winnie, and all the wonderful friends who help them.

Christmas at Holiday House was so very well written by RaeAnne Thayne, with so many touching and heartwarming moments, including humor, love, and just pure fun.  If you like sweet romances, great couple, a wonderful small town, holiday themed, look no further than Christmas at Holiday House. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Happily This Christmas by Susan Mallery – a Review

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Happily This Christmas by Susan Mallery – a Review

 

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Description:
There’s no place like Happily Inc for the holidays…

Wynn Beauchene has a thriving business, a great kid and a mildly embarrassing crush on the guy next door—local cop Garrick McCabe. She’s a strong, independent woman who can’t help dreaming what-if about a man she barely knows. Until he needs her help…

Garrick’s pregnant daughter will be home for Christmas, and his house needs a woman’s touch. Garrick and his little girl were tight once and he’s hoping a small-town Christmas will bring her back to him. But thawing his daughter’s frosty attitude will take more than a few twinkle lights. Maybe sharing the holiday with Wynn and her son will remind her of the joy of family.

As the season works its magic on these wounded souls, Wynn realizes it’s time to stop punishing herself for a painful secret, while Garrick remains haunted by the ghosts of past mistakes. Will he allow Wynn to open the only gift she truly wants—his heart?

Read more in the reader-favorite Happily Inc series:
Book 1: You Say It First
Book 2: Second Chance Girl
Book 3: Why Not Tonight
Book 4: Not Quite Over You
Book 5: Meant to Be Yours
Book 6: Happily This Christmas

 

 

 

Review:

Happily This Christmas by Susan Mallery is the 6th book in her Happily Inc series.  I have not read the previous books in this series, but this did read very well as a standalone. 

Wynn Beauchene, our heroine, is a workaholic, with a thriving business and a teenage son. She also has great friends, some from previous books, in this small town. Wynn had a bad experience with her ex-boyfriend when she got pregnant years ago, and has spent her time building her business and bringing up her sweet wonderful son.  Wynn though likes to look at her next-door neighbor, who is hot.

Garrick McCabe, our hero, is a local cop who lives next door to Wynn.  Garrick is divorced, and lives alone; and has not seen his daughter in many years.  Garrick could never understand why his daughter wanted nothing to do with him.  Now she is pregnant, with her husband is deployed overseas; with her mother needing room, his daughter is coming to stay with him until the holidays.   Garrick is desperate to make things right, and asks Wynn to help him fix up his place to make it more female friendly.  Wynn accepts the challenge and their friendship builds, with her helping him buy things and set up before the daughter’s arrival.

What follows is a sweet heartwarming story of family and friends helping one another in this wonderful small town. I loved Wynn, as she was exactly what Garrick needed, inviting father and daughter for dinner, befriending Joylyn and helping her through her unhappiness, as well as opening her eyes to her father.  Wynn was a great heroine, smart, independent, a great mom, with a terrific group of friends.   I will say early on, I was not thrilled with Joylyn, though she was much better later on. She was nasty to her dad, who still did not know what he did wrong, as well as not wanting to do anything but be bitter.  It is Wynn who will help her, as well as finally open up to discovering the truth about why she ignored her dad.  I thought Garrick was great until later on when he hurt Wynn, but all ends well in this sweet holiday themed story.

Happily This Christmas was very well written by Mallery, as it was wonderful story and romance, with a great couple, family, and wonderful secondary characters.   Susan Mallery did a great job bringing all of this together. I suggest you read Happily This Christmas.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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The Christmas Keeper by Jenn McKinlay – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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The Christmas Keeper by Jenn McKinlay – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
All he wants for Christmas…

The second Joaquin Solis saw Savannah Wilson, he knew she was destined to be his wife. Unfortunately, Savannah’s sights are set on a happily-ever-after of another kind: skewering the boss who got her fired. Until then, she won’t act on the scorching sexual chemistry that is brewing between them, leaving Joaquin scrambling to find a way to capture her heart.

When the opportunity arises to use his ranch to boost Savannah’s publicity career, Joaquin doesn’t hesitate to invite her into his world at Shadow Pines and woo her with all of his Christmas loving mojo. It’s a gamble since the holidays aren’t really Savannah’s thing and helping her might also mean losing her as she plans to shake the dust off of their quaint town in North Carolina and head back to New York City the first chance she gets.

But Joaquin believes in the magic of Christmas and he knows with a little help from his friends at the Happily Ever After Bookstore, he can convince the woman of his dreams that he’s a keeper…

 

 

Review:

The Christmas Keeper by Jenn McKinlay is the 2nd book in her Happily Ever After series. This was a fun sweet Christmas spirited romance, with a great couple and wonderful secondary characters, many of whom we met in the previous book.

Savannah (Savy) Wilson, our heroine, is helping her best friend Maisy (previous book heroine) with her new bookstore.  Savy lost her publicity job in New York, and is pining to return to the city she loves. While enjoying her reading, working with her friends; Savy tries to avoid the looks given her by the handsome hunky cowboy, Joaquin.

Joaquin (Quino) Solis, our hero, is known by his friends as a womanizer, but the woman he desires the most, totally ignores him. He can’t understand why Savy isn’t attracted to him, and does every thing to try to win her over.  Though when both discover that Maisy might have issues with money, they begin to work together to find ways to help.  In a short time, Savy gives in to the sizzling chemistry between her and Quino, and a friendship with benefits begins, with both knowing that Savy will eventually return to New York

Savy was a wonderful heroine, who was fun, smart, and independent. Quino was also a great hero, who was not only loyal and caring to his younger sister, but was determined to win Savy.  I thought that McKinlay gives us a great group of recurring characters, especially the wonderful women such as Savy, Maisy, Jeri, Hannah.   

What follows is a sweet fun story, with some emotional moments, as Quino’s fear for his sister Desi caused him to realize that he needed to get beyond his own issues from losing his parents.  This was a nice element to the story.   I also enjoyed the story line with the famous well known author, who was a recluse, but with Savy and Quino working with her, she too came out of her rut.  Nicely done.  Will Savy return to New York and leave Quino?

The Christmas Keeper was a wonderful story, with a fabulous sexy couple, the backdrop of the romance bookstore and famous author, and great secondary characters.  If you enjoy a sweet fun pure romance, you need to read this book written so very well by Jenn McKinlay.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Savannah slipped into the elf costume and was surprised and delighted to find that the dress actually had pockets. So that was something. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. It was not good.
The striped stockings were not flattering, and the length of the dress on her tall frame made it a mini-dress. She cinched the wide black belt in a desperate attempt to show she had a waistline but the Peter Pan collar still made her look like a doofus. To top it all off, her pointy hat had a jingle bell on the end of it and it rang with every step she took. Ridiculous.
She stomped out of the bathroom and through the office. Whose idea was this Santa-and-elf thing? Shouldn’t they have run it by her?
She found Maisy and “Santa” on the front porch. He was leaning over the railing and waving at cars that drove by and calling, “Ho ho ho.”
Savannah glowered at Maisy.
“Oh, you look so cute,” Maisy cried. Joaquin turned around and took in the sight of Savannah. The grin beneath his bushy white beard was wide.
“Don’t!” She pointed at him. “If anyone is laughing at anyone, I’m laughing at you because you’re wearing a fake beard and a belly pillow.”
“Better than fake ears,” he said. He lifted a white-gloved finger and poked the pointy ear sewn into her hat. She smacked his hand away.
“Stop that,” she said. She turned to Maisy. “You owe me so huge for this.”
“No doubt,” Maisy said. “This is definitely above and beyond, especially for someone as ambivalent about the holidays as you. I really appreciate your digging deep and taking one for the team.”
“Come on,” Joaquin said. “Let’s go out to the street and see if we can wave people in.”
Maisy handed Savy a cloth sack full of candy canes. “Have fun!”
“What? No!” Savannah protested. It was bad enough people coming to the shop might see her but if they stood on the street everyone would see her in this ridiculous getup.
“What’s your elf name?” Joaquin asked as he walked
“I don’t have an elf name,” she snapped.
“Then let’s make one,” he said. “How about Snickerdoodle Jingle Bells?”
“No.”
“Ginger McSnowball.”
“No.” She gave him a grumpy look to mask the laugh that almost escaped.
“I know.” He snapped his gloved fingers but no sound came out. “Mistletoe Merrybottom.”
“Shut up.” This time a snort escaped and he grinned at her. She ignored him. “You can call me Elf. It’s a nice gender-neutral name that’s easy to remember.”
“Boring.” He rolled his eyes but he didn’t argue. He continued down the walkway then began to walk toward the center of town. Savy hurried to catch up to him.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Going where there’s more foot traffic,” he said. “We need to be on the corner to direct shoppers toward the bookstore.”
Savy was not having it. She stopped walking. It took Joaquin a couple of paces to realize she wasn’t behind him. He paused and looked back at her.
“Problem?”
“I am not going to stand in the center of town dressed like an elf,” she said. “Public humiliation was not a part of the bargain when I came to help Maisy out.”
He studied her for a moment. He looked as if he was undecided as to what to say. Savy almost told him not to bother since there was nothing he could say that would change her mind.
Finally, he just sighed and continued walking. “Suit yourself,” he said. “But since it’s going to take a Christmas miracle to save Maisy’s bookstore, I, for one, am willing to make an ass of myself if it helps her keep her shop.”


 

 


Jenn McKinlay’s publisher,  is offering a paper copy of THE CHRISTMAS KEEPER  to ONE (1) commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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8. Giveaway runs from October 28th to November 2, 2019

 

 

 

 

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A Family by Christmas by Viv Royce – a Review

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A Family by Christmas by Viv Royce – a Review

 

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Description:
Chocolatier Emma Miller has a new business selling bonbons to the residents of the quaint town of Wood Creek. When a tiny visitor stops by her shop with an interesting request, Emma is intrigued. The young girl needs chocolates that will help her widowed dad fall in love, preferably with her teacher. What Emma didn’t count on was Casey’s ever so charming and handsome dad, Grant, stepping into her life. She has to remind herself to be cautious because the one thing she learned in foster care is that people always leave.

Pilot Grant Galloway is touched by his daughter’s gift and is curious about the person who made the world-class chocolates. But when he steps into Emma’s shop full of delicious smells and tasty morsels, he forgets to breathe. And it has nothing to do with his favorite dessert. She’s pretty and kind, and when she has to deal with a difficult client, his protective instincts kick into high gear. But he risked his heart once. When his wife died, it left him broken. He’s just now beginning to pick up the pieces, and he and his daughter will be leaving town once the holidays are over.

Thanks to some Christmas wishes, though, these two might discover that their carefully laid plans are about to change.

 

 

Review;

I just loved A Family by Christmas.  Viv Royce writes a very sweet and charming story about giving love a chance and finding that sometimes you just have to let your heart lead you to where you are meant to be.  I absolutely love these fast paced Christmas reads set in a small town where boy meets girl and vice versa, they become friends and realize they’re falling in love.  Viv Royce hit’s all my high points with this one and kept me entertained from beginning to end.  Emma is the type of person you’d want to become friends with as she’s just so down to earth, kind, helpful and wants to make people happy with her chocolate creations.  Let me tell you the descriptions of her bonbons had my mouth watering, and I couldn’t help but get into some of my favourite chocolates paired with a glass of wine as I read this one.  As for Grant figuring out single parenthood to his adorable little girl Emma he had me swooning numerous times. He’s definitely the type of guy that any women would be lucky to have.

A Family by Christmas is the type of story that makes you just want to settle into you favourite chair, light the fireplace, pour a glass of wine and forget about the outside world for a few hours.  Emma, Grant and his daughter Casey are a cute trio and they keep you entertained throughout.  You just get caught up in their lives/adventure and there’s just something about adding in the Christmas season that always for me adds that magical touch to the story.  This one had all sorts of magical touches, from Casey’s chocolate request for daddy to fall in love, to Emma helping Casey overcome her fear of singing in front of a crowd, to Grant helping Emma make her bonbon deliveries, and the annual winter fair.  Toss in a fun secondary cast of characters in  Grant’s family and this story has all the ingredients to make you fall in love with a Family by Christmas.  If you love a sweet romance with the Christmas season as the backdrop then you can’t go wrong with this one by Viv Royce.   A Family by Christmas will have you thinking of the Christmas season and your favourite hallmark movie all at the same time. 

Until next time my little book loving elves, happy reading!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission by Jaci Burton – a Review

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The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission by Jaci Burton – a Review

 

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Description:
Stranded at the Red Moss Vineyard a week before her best friend’s wedding, LA native and professional matchmaker Alice Weatherford is not pleased with her first trip to Oklahoma, or the epic snowstorm forcing her to stay. So much for Christmas cheer. What she needs is a project, something to distract her…and, oh, has she found one in neighboring rancher Clay Henry. Gorgeous, charming, and unlike any other man she’s ever met, finding the right woman for Clay should be easy….

Having grown up with the Bellini sisters, it’s no hardship for Clay to ride out the storm at their cozy family vineyard, especially since that means spending time with their savvy and smart houseguest. But despite Alice’s best efforts, he’s not the least bit interested in her matchmaking….

Alice is the only woman Clay wants. Now he just has to convince the matchmaker herself to give love a chance

 

 

Review:

The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission by Jaci Burton is the first book in her new Boots and Bouquets series.  We meet our heroine, Alice Weatherford at the start when she arrives in Oklahoma, to help prepare for her best friend’s wedding that will happen in a week.  When Alice arrives at Red Moss Vineyard, the place for the wedding, she ends up stuck there when a major snowstorm hits. Alice is a successful matchmaker by trade, and works out of Los Angeles.

The Bellini family, who own Red Moss Vineyard, are very welcoming, offering Alice to stay there until the storm ends.  Clay Henry, our hero and a rancher, is a friend of the Bellini’s and ends up getting stuck at the vineyard during the storm.  Almost immediately, the attraction between Alice and Clay heats up, and in a short time a sizzling steamy relationship begins, with both knowing that there is only a week before Alice leaves. 

What follows was a fun and romantic story, with a bit of a Christmas themed background, as well as the wedding preparations and venue.  It was fun to watch Alice try to set up Clay with the perfect woman that meets her experience as a matchmaker; she doesn’t get very far, as the both cannot resist each other and their chemistry is off the wall scorching hot. I really did like Alice, as she was a wonderful heroine, and very likable.  Clay was awesome too.  I also loved the Bellini sisters, and I do expect to see more of them in future books of this series.  

The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission was a lighthearted romance about two people who live different lives, and in the short period (one week) they fall in love, but can they work it out?  Jaci Burton once again gives us a sweet fun romantic story and couple.  I suggest you find the time to read The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber – a Review

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A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber – a Review

 

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Description:
As the holiday season begins, Laurel McCullough could use some good news. She and her husband, Zach, have been praying for a baby that seems more and more like an impossible dream, and they’ve had to move in with her beloved grandmother, Helen, who’s having trouble taking care of herself. But when Laurel contacts a local home-care organization for help, there are no caregivers available.

Then Mrs. Miracle appears at her door. No stranger to lending a helping hand to a family in need, Mrs. Miracle reveals herself to be nothing short of a godsend. Helen’s even convinced she’s an angel! Still, Laurel has to admit that Helen has become noticeably happier and more engaged, decorating the family Christmas tree and setting up the nativity with Mrs. Miracle’s companionship. In the meantime, Laurel and Zach begin to encounter curious signs, all pointing toward the arrival of a special baby.

With Christmas approaching, there appears to be even more to Mrs. Miracle than meets the eye. In a classic turn of Debbie Macomber’s signature seasonal magic, Laurel, Zach, and Helen experience a holiday of heavenly proportions.

 

 

Review:

A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber is another one of her heartwarming, sweet Christmas stories. Those who read Macomber are aware of who Mrs. Miracle is, as there have been books on the wonderful Mrs. Miracle and well as Hallmark movies. 

We meet Laurel McCullough, who is an elementary school teacher, and her husband, Zach, who have been trying to adopt a child, and suffered a big loss, when they succeeded to foster and adopt a son, only to lose him when the father of the child claimed him in the final days of the adoption.  Being heartbroken, Laurel does not want to go through the pain again; but Zach still does not want to give up hope.

Laurel has lived with her grandmother, Helen, since she was 10 and when she married Zach, they had Helen move in with them.  Slowly, Helen begins to get confused or forgets things, as she is in the start of dementia, and when one day she gets lost, Laurel decides its time to get help from a caregiver, during the hours she is at work.  When no one is available until after the Christmas holidays, Laurel is shocked when Mrs. Miracle shows up at the door step saying she is a last-minute availability and would love to help.

Helen and Mrs. Miracle get along fabulously, and in a short time Mrs. Miracle is telling her stories about being an angel, her friends in heaven, and how she reports to Gabriel.  Mrs. Miracle also reveals to Helen that a baby will become part of their lives in the near future.  It doesn’t take long for Helen to believe everything, but knows she needs not tell too much to Laurel or Zach, as they would not believe a word of it.

What follows is a heartwarming & enjoyable story that pulls on your emotions, as we also get to see the grief and despair that Laurel and Zach suffer through;  but their love is strong enough to be willing give up trying to adopt, as long as they have each other.  Macomber touches base on emotional themes such as, infertily, adoption, foster care, as well as dementia.   A Mrs. Miracle Christmas was a wonderful read, with a Christmas background and a great cast of characters.  It certainly felt like Christmas and believing in miracles.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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