Advent Reads Day 7: A Walk One Winter Night by Al Andrews

Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Read for: Recently Added

Synopsis: "What started as a simple, late night stroll for a man who needed to clear his head from the hassles of the season turned into a life-changing moment. This enchanting and endearing Christmas tale invites you to take a closer look at the wise men, Mary and Joseph, and even the Christ child himself. Freshly repackaged with updated art throughout, A Walk One Winter Night will open your eyes to the joy and wonder you can experience this holiday season."

My Review: I loved the cover of this book and decided to pick it up for Advent Reads. It is a short picture book, geared more towards adults (it would be a great little coffee table book). The illustration style of the cover that originally drew me in continued throughout the book in the beautiful minimal sketch style. It is a great story that reminds us that Christmas doesn't have to be perfect. It is a bit religious but not in a pushy sort of way, it was just the perfect touch, about how we have made the Nativity story to be so flawless where as it most likely was not perfect. It was a nice reminder and a nice short read, perfect to pick up on a busy holiday prep day, to remind us that we don't have to have a magazine perfect Christmas, we just need to be surrounded by our friends and family.

My Rating: This is one of those books that I managed to pick up at the perfect time, it is so simple yet so beautiful! I love the message contained in this story and will definitely be picking it up each year. I give it a rating of Four Paws!

Advent Reads Day 6: Bedtime Story: 'Twas the Night by Marin (Virtual Book Tour)

Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Read for: Requested Review/ Pump Up Your Book

Synopsis: ‘TWAS THE NIGHT is a wordless book that “tells” a heartwarming and inspirational Christmas story. The illustrations gift each reader, young and young at heart, the opportunity to reimagine the Season’s wonder, and the freedom “to script” (if they choose to) their own lines to go with the images. Keep dreaming big!"

My Review: This is such a lovely book that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.  You can make up your own story about what is happening in the story based on the images in the story.  The pictures have a really unique style that lend to a dream like quality of the story. It is a beautiful story about a young boy facing his own difficulties but who takes the time to help another who is injured.  I really appreciate how it is inclusive and how the story is up to you to interpret to get out of it what you want or need.

My Rating: I really enjoyed this one and while Munchkin struggled with it a bit the first time, not understanding that you get to create your own story from the images, he did really like what happened in the pictures.  We give it a rating of Four Paws.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Pump Up Your Book promotions.  

About the Author:

My name is Marin and I was a child a very long time ago. My father passed away when I was one year old. My mother remarried and I was raised by my loving (but strict!) grandparents. After losing their son, they were terrified by the thought of losing their grandson. For this reason, they didn’t let me play on the street, swim in the nearby pond or explore the forest with the rest of the kids. This was also the reason I learned to read and write long before I went to school. My grandparents surrounded me with books. Books became my imaginary parents and my fictional friends. Apart from my genetic building blocks, books also came to be the main component in my development as a creative, compassionate and competitive individual.

I studied nuclear physics, art, and literature, but I enjoyed art the most. As a young artist, I was eager to succeed, winning prizes from various countries. I later became a partner in an advertising agency and switched my attention to serving clients. My last award was somewhere in the early nineties – The Best in the West by Corel Draw Corporation.

Oh, a few more boring things about me: I do not drive, I do not drink carbonated beverages, I have never consumed food from McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC or any other fast food restaurant, I do not have a mobile phone, I have never used legal or illegal drugs (except Gravol when I fly), and I have never visited my GP (much to the disapproval of my wife).

I read. I read every day. I am what I am today because of books. This publishing house is my little “thank you” to all of them.

To find out more about this books and others by Marin, and also to purchase 'Twas the Night please visit the Publisher's, Fontreal, Website and Social Media Pages

Website  → http://www.fontreal.com

Twitter  → http://www.twitter.com/fontralbooks

Facebook  → http://www.facebook.com/fontreal/

You can also check out the other sites that are apart of this tour to find interviews with the author and sneak peeks of the book.

Advent Reads Day 5: Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock

Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Read for: Borrowed Books/ Audio Book Challenge

Synopsis: "This Year, Christmas Comes Just in Time

As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current court case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.

The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is making his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.

When Finn meets Sydney, he’s quite sure that she’s never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He’s willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it."

My Review: This might end up being one of my favorite holiday reads this year! It was fairly short but had such a story packed into this book. I absolutely loved Finn, he is such a character and definitely has a lot of background to dig into while reading. Miss Callie is a sweet and meddling grandma that everyone could love. Finally, Syndey is the over stressed, hard working woman that just needs a little reminder of the important things in life. It is quite an emotional journey, one that will have you laughing and crying, but it is so worth it. Such a perfect holiday read.

My Rating: I had borrowed this book from my library but now I am wishing I had purchased it because I will definitely be wanting to re-read this one in the future. I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Advent Reads Day 4: A Mrs. Miracle Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Read for: Netgalley/ Requested Review

Synopsis: "Mrs. Miracle shows an ordinary family that they are blessed beyond belief in this uplifting holiday tale from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

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."

My Review: If you have been around my blog or Goodreads at all, you will know that I have a weakness for holiday romances, particularly those by Debbie Macomber, so of course I had to jump at the chance to read this new one. I haven't read all of Macomber's books and didn't realize that this was a part of a series, Angelic Intervention with particular emphasis on the 3 Mrs. Miracle books. With that said, you don't really need to read the previous books to enjoy this one. This book hit me a little harder than others with the difficult subject matter of infertility and the heartache it can bring to a couple and those closest to them. I really appreciate the way that Macomber approached the subject and brought to light not only the loss and grief it brings but also the length of the process and the cost of not only treatments but also that of adoption as well. Of course, going in we know there will be a Happily Ever After ending which while I am sensitive the the fact that not all experiences end this way, it was what I needed in a holiday story. It was all the things I wanted, emotional journey, heart warming ending and a bit of magic mixed in too.

My Rating: While this one was a bit difficult to read, for those who don't have such a close experience with infertility and adoption struggles it will be the perfect holiday read. It has the emotional struggles with the happily ever after ending you expect from this type of romances, but beware if you have had similar struggles in your life because in reality you don't always get that happy ending.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley.  The above is my honest review and opinion.

You can find out more about Debbie Macomber and her books on her Goodreads page or Website.

A Mrs. Miracle Christmas was released on October 1st so you can now obtain your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or check at your local bookstore or library.

November 2019 Challenge Update & December TBR

I am not ready for 2019 to end! There is so much more I wanted to accomplish this year! Do you feel the same way? I had so many books I wanted to read and blog about, so many adventures I wanted to have, but luckily just because it is the end of the year doesn't mean that it is the end of everything! We can always begin again next year.  So enough of all that sentimental stuff, how about we take a look at my challenge progress in November and figure out what I still need to read!

Children's Books

30-40 books
26. Construction Site on Christmas Night
27. The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need
28. A Christmas Advent Story
29. Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever

Early Reader Books

30-40 books
19. I am Thankful

Graphic Novel - COMPLETE

25 books
29. Lore of Olympus
30. Pumpkinheads
31. Klaus Vol. 2
32. A Walk One Winter Night

Audio Book Challenge - COMPLETE

50 books - (Caffinated Reader hosted)
60. Boots on the Ground
61. You Can Thank Me Later
62. Catching Christmas
63. Loving My Actual Christmas
64. Winterhouse
65. Christmas Town

Classic Books

5 books
None

Big Books
10 books over 500 pages
8. Valor

RI Authors

20 books
None

Borrowed Books - COMPLETE

30-40 books
32. Lore of Olympus
33. Catching Christmas
34. Winterhouse

Re-Reads 

15 books
None

Beat the Backlist - COMPLETE

75 books - (Novelknight hosted) - only using books I already own
70. Boots on the Ground
71. Nocturnal
72. Catching Christmas
73. Loving My Actual Christmas
74. Winterhouse
75. Valor
76. Christmas Town

The Never Ending Series

Warland Chronicles: Book1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4,

I seriously can't believe I still haven't finished this challenge.  I only have 2 more books to read but I for some reason I keep skipping over them.

Requested Reviews

No more than 25 new acceptances (& catch up on old requests)

35. The Scrooge of Loon Lake (Netgalley)

36. The Guinevere Deception (Netgalley)

37. 'Twas the Night (Pump Up Your Book)

38. Let it Snow (Netgalley)

Recently Added to Shelves

Limited purchases (must total less than 200) and read soon

1. Dragon of Ash & Stars - (Jan./ Jan.) DNF
2. The Snow Gypsy (Jan./ ) - UNHAUL
3. Book Nerds & Boyfriends (Jan./Feb. ) *
4. WarDance (Jan/ )
5. Warsong (Jan./ )

6. The Only Harmless Great Thing (Jan/Jan.)
7. Who in the World is Carmen Sandiego (Jan./ Jan.)
8. Lost Boy (Jan/July)
9. Year One (Jan/ )

10. Girl Who Drank the Moon (Jan/ )

11. King of Scars (Jan/ )

12. Dactyl Hill Squad (Feb./)

13. The Darkdeep  (Feb./)
14. Voices (Feb./Feb.) 
15. Wicked King (Feb./March) 
16. Lord of the Fading Lands (Feb./)

17. Crown of Feathers (Feb./)

18. Argos: The Story of Odysseus as told by his Loyal Dog (Feb./)

19. 100 Hugs (Feb./ Feb.) 

20. Binti 2: Home (Feb./March)

23. Binti 3: Night Masquerade (Feb./March) 

24. Artificial Condition (Feb./March)

25. Rogue Protocol (Feb./March)

26. Trial of Lightening  (Feb./ May) 

27. The Last (Endling) (Feb./March)

28. Aquicorn Cove (Feb./Feb.) 

29. Thick as Thieves (Feb./ Feb.)

30. Aru Shah and the End of Time (March/) - DNF

31. Foundryside (March/ April)
32. Wundersmith (March/) - UNHAUL 
33. City of Ghosts (March/March) 
34. Saga Vol. 8 (March/ April)
35. Saga Vol. 9 (March/April)
36. Warrior of the Wild (March/March)
37. Book Love (March/March)
38. Queen's Shadow (March/March) 
39. A Curse So Dark and Lonely (March/May) 
40. Shadow of Doubt (March/)
41. Gates of Stone (March/)
42. In Her Sights (March/April)
43. Nevermoor (March/May)  
44. A Conspiracy of Truths (March/)

45. The Wild Robot (March/March)  

46. The Resurrectionist (March/October) 

47. Viper (April/)

48. Vortex Visions (April/) 

49. Through the White Wood (April/)

50. Descendant of the Crane (April/)

51. The Princess and the Fangirl (April/April)

52. Holy Sister (April/September)

53. Rhapsodic (April/May) 

54. A Strange Hymn (April/May) 

55. The Emperor of Evening Stars (April/June)

56. Dark Harmony (April/)

57. The Black Bull of Norroway (April/May) 

58. We Rule the Night (April/) - UNHAUL

59. The Unbound Empire (April/)

60. The Opposite of Always (May/) - UNHAUL
61. The Sea Queen(May/)
62. The Mountain of Kept Memory(May/)
63. Metamorphica (May/)
64. Misfits of Avalon Vol. 1 (May/)
65. Misfits of Avalon Vol. 2 (May/)
66. The Sea King (May/)
67. Ride Hard (May/)
68. Ride Rough (May/)
69. Ride Wild (May/)
70. Irresistible Force (May/June)
71. Force of Attraction (May/)
72. Primal Force (May/)
73. Rival Forces (May/)
74. A Rogue by Any Other Name (May/)
75. A Scot in the Dark (May/)
76. The Day of the Duchess (May/)
77. The Pirate Bride (May/)
78. Pirate Stories (May/July) 
79. Man Made Boy (May/)
80. This Monstrous Thing (May/) DNF
81. The Case of the Missing Moonstone (May/June) 
82. Dear Santa (May/)
83. An Endless Christmas (May/)
84. Christmas Magic (May/)
85. Falling Softly (May/)
86. Christmas Town (May/November) *
87. The Christmas Star (May/) 
88. Crazy Rich Asians (May/June) 
89 Once and Future (May/June)
90. Highland Crown (May/) - DNF/UNHAUL
91. Her Royal Highness (May/May) 
92. Things My Son Needs to Know About the World (May/May) 
93. Seal's Honor (May/May) 
94. Gris Grimly's Frankenstein (June/October)
95. The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals (June/) - UNHAUL
96. The Case of the Perilous Palace (June/) - UNHAUL
97. The Strange Case of the Alchemists Daughter (June/) - DNF
98. The Beholder (June/) - UNHAUL
99. Lovestruck (June/) - UNHAUL
100. We Hunt the Flame (June/)
101. Romanov (June/)
102. Dark Shores (June/ June)
103. Dreaming the Bear (June/)
104. A New Hope (June/September)
105. The Trial of Joan of Arc (June/) - DNF
106. Midsummer's Mayhem (June/July)
107. Monsters (June/)
108. The Monsters We Deserve (June/October)
109. Strange Star (June/September)
110. Hephaistos: God of Fire (June/July)
111. Ghostly Tales from the Lost Summer of 1816 (June/)
112. Till There was You (June/July)
113. Sea Sirens (June/June)
114. The Bride Test (June/August)
115. The Kingdom (June/July)
116. Storm and Fury (July/)
117. Queen of Ruin (July/July)
118. Stepsister (July/August)
119. The Lost Vintage (July/) - UNHAUL
120. Becoming the Dark Prince (July/July)
121. Kingdom of Exiles (July/September)
122. The Beckoning Shadow (July/) - UNHAUL
123. The Thankful Unicorn (July/September)
124. Star Wars: Pirate Price (July/August)
125. Spin the Dawn (July/July)
126. Clue by Clue (August/August)
127. Honeybees and Frenemies (August/)
128 The Sticky Rice Caper (August/August)
129. Lando's Luck (August/August) 
130. Turning Darkness into Light (August/September)
131. A Monster Calls (August/September)
132. Master & Apprentice (August/) 
134. The Chosen (August/)
135. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend (August/)
136. Mortal Engines (August/)
137. Evvie Drake Starts Over (August/)
138. Merciful Crow (August/)
139. The Bridge Kingdom (August/)
140. Girl From the Other Side Vol. 2 (August/September)

141. The Girl from the Other Side Vol. 1 (September/September)

142. Darkdawn (September/)

143. The Girl the Sea Gave Back (September/ August)

144. A Crash of Fate (September/)

145. Black Spire (September/)

146. Capturing the Devil (September/October)

147. The Testaments (September/)

148. Quiet Girl in a Noisy World (September/September)

149. Plum Crazy Vol. 1 (September/September) 

150. The Missing Bookshop (September/October)

151. Tea Dragon Festival (September/September) 

152. The Warrior Moon (September/)

153. A Thousand Roads Home (September/October)

154. The Sasquatch Escape (September/ October)

155. The Lonely Lake Monster (September/October)
156. Ink (October/)
157. The Blacksmith Queen (October/October)
158. Klaus Vol. 2 (October/ November)
159. Molly and the Cat Cafe (October/)
160. Plum Crazy Vol. 2 (October/)
161. Plum Crazy Vol. 3 (October/)
162. Plum Crazy Vol. 4 (October/)
163. A Walk One Winter Night (October/November)
164. Loving My Actual Christmas (October/November)
165. A Family Under the Christmas Tree (October/) 
166. The White Christmas Inn (October/)
167. There Will Come a Darkness (October/)
168. Shadow Frost (October/)
169. How to Love a Duke in 10 Days (October/)
170. How to Catch a Wicked Viscount (October/)
171. Faker (October/)

172. Three Days on a Train (October/)

173. Destiny of the Wolf (October/)

174. Leave the Lights On (October/)

175. Marshmallows and Mistletoe (October/)

176. Cocoa & Carols (October/)

177. The Prince's Son (October/)

178. At Last (October/)

179. The Last Huntsman (October/)

180. Forgotten Love (October/)

181. Mae's Cafe (October/)

182. Within the Captain's Hold (October/)

183. Elusive Dreams (October/)

184. Christmas & Cannolis (October/)

185. Fated Mates (October/)

186. Take My Breath Away (October/)

187. Stolen by the Viking (October/)

188. Destroyed by Magic (October/)

189. Abducted by Magic (October/)

190. Rise Like a Goddess (October/)

191. Out Like a Goddess (October/)

192. Finding Her Dragons (October/)

193. Freeing Her Dragons (October/)

194. When the Lady Lies (November/)

195. Nocturnal (November/November) 
196. The Guinevere Deception (November/November)
197. You Can Thank Me Later (November/November)
198. The Bromance Book Club  (November/)

January Reading Stats:

I read a total of 19 books this month

2,405 pages read and 0 days, 22 hours and 3 minute of listening

Resolutions Check in:

1. Borrow More Books: Borrowed some more books this month, it was actually kind of fun browsing the library -  CHECK

2. Purchase Less Books: Last November I only purchased 8 books, and this year I just squeaked under that with only 5 books! - CHECK

3. Read Big Books: I did read a book that not only was over 500 but was also over 600 pages long. I had wanted to read another but just couldn't fit it in with Advent Reads prep - CHECK

4. Re-Read More:  I haven't been able to re-read any books recently but there are so many that are calling out to me to be revisited. - :(

5. Put Less Pressure and Stress on Myself: It was actually kind of refreshing to have been mostly pre-scheduled last month. I did end up posting a couple of times throughout the month but dropped the ball at the end. I was actually okay with that because normal day to day life had gotten so stressful. I will continue to try to pre-schedule posts and take a little bit of a less stressful approach to blogging (but of course that will be difficult this month when at least one post goes up every day) - CHECK

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I still have such a stack of books that I want to read this month and of course I still have a bunch to read for Advent Reads (which I hope you are enjoying so far). Once I get enough books read for the event and a few more requested reviews done, I will let my mood decide what to pick up next!


For fun
Dark Harmony

 Secret Need & Secret Gifts
Wardance
Faker

The Bromance Bookclub

The White Christmas Inn
Molly and the Cat Cafe
The Christmas Star
The Nutcracker
Through the White Wood
Dear Santa
Dreaming the Bear
Ruin
A Plague of Giants


and for requested reviews
Coming Home For Christmas
Fireborne

Christmas Cowboy Redemption
Risk It All
Heartsong's Missing Foal
Nameless Queen


What books will be finishing out your year?

Advent Reads Day 3: Loving My Actual Christmas by Alexandra Kuykendall

Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Read for: Recently Added/ Audio Books

Synopsis: "The Christmas season is a particularly difficult time for women to slow down and relish what's right in front of them. An annual marker for many, it is a holiday that can often remind us how life is not going as we'd planned. Our family relationships remain strained, our finances stretched, and our schedules stuffed with too much to do in too little time.

Following the formula of her successful Loving My Actual Life, Alexandra Kuykendall shares with readers her own personal experiment to be completely present in her life as it is during the holiday season. Addressing the themes of Advent and Christmas, she reflects on hope, love, joy, peace, and relishing the season, with practical pullouts on common Christmas stressors, such as finances, schedules, and extended family. Kuykendall's signature candor helps women go easy on themselves, remember what truly matters, and find joy in their imperfect Christmases."

My Review: I picked up this book on a whim because who doesn't need help and guidance to actually enjoying Christmas instead of feeding into the holiday pressure?! It turned out to be much more religion driven than I expected but it did give a lot of great tips and things to think about. I like how it was broken down into the weeks of Advent and each week was given a goal and a thought to focus on. There were also great prompts throughout the book and at the end to give you ways to make your Christmas less stressful and more enjoyable. I think if I had known it was going to be so Christian based going in I would have enjoyed it more. So just know that there are bible verses throughout and a strong basis in the Nativity and Christian beliefs.

My Rating: This book wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it was a great book about really enjoying your holiday season. I really wish they made it a little more clear when books are going to be so heavily religion based, if I was expecting that I may have enjoyed it more.   I give it a rating of Three Paws.

Review of The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White

Read for: Favorite Author/ Most Anticipated/ Requested Review/ Netgalley/ Recently Added

Synopsis: "From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a new fantasy series reimagining the Arthurian legend, set in the magical world of Camelot.

There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom's borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution--send in Guinevere to be Arthur's wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king's idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere's real name--and her true identity--is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old--including Arthur's own family--demand things continue as they have been, and the new--those drawn by the dream of Camelot--fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur's knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.

Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?"

My Review:  I absolutely loved White's And I Darken series, so when I found out she was releasing the first book in a new trilogy revolving around Arthurian legends, it quickly jumped to the top of my most anticipated books of the year. For some reason I found it a little difficult to stay focused on this book, I think that had a lot to do with the time of year I read it (in the midst of holiday prep). We did kick off the book with a couple of surprising twists right off the bat, something you can always count on from White. Having been at least pretty familiar with several different takes on the legends of King Arthur, I was surprised with how easily White was able to make me fall in love with a character that I knew would become a betrayer. I kept waiting for that other shoe to drop, but once I finally decided she would take things in a different direction, bam she hit me with it (and it hurt way more than expected). I loved all the crazy twists that were thrown at us, such unique takes on the legends we are familiar with. It was a bit slow with not as much action as you would expect but it was definitely worth it in the end and I cannot wait for the next book!

My Rating: I wish I had been able to focus on this story more because it was really interesting and the twists that just kept coming were amazing.  I definitely think I will try to re-read this again, maybe with an audio book. Either way I am highly anticipating the next book and give this one a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. The above is my honest review and opinion.

To find out more about Kiersten White and her books check out her Goodreads page or Website.

The Guinevere Deception was just released on November 5th so you can now pick up your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local bookstore or library!

Advent Reads Day 2: It's a Christmas Thing by Janet Dailey

Welcome to Advent Reads!

This is an event I have had on my blog for several years running now.  Each evening I feature a different holiday themed book. Think of it as your Book Advent Calendar! I post a variety of holiday books including romance, children's, middle-grade, mystery, paranormal, and I try to find some that are other holiday celebrations than Christmas too. I hope you will stop by each evening to see what new book I have for you!

Read for: Netgalley/ Requested Review/ Advent Reads

Synopsis: "The best gifts last a lifetime . . .

Veterinarian J.T. "Rush" Rushford isn't looking forward to Christmas. It'll be his first without his beloved four-year-old daughter, Claire. A year ago, Rush's wife divorced him for another man--then broke his heart further by revealing that Claire was her lover's child. The final blow was Rush losing all parental rights. Now he's in Branding Iron, Texas, with his mobile vet practice, just hoping to get through the season--until something like a Christmas miracle happens . . .

Turns out Claire's parents are going on an extended cruise, leaving Rush to take her for the holidays. It's bittersweet, knowing that he and Claire will have to part again, maybe forever. . . . Until a smart, not to mention beautiful, lady judge with a pregnant cat and an aging mutt takes a liking to the vet and his little girl and gets involved. With her on their side, and love in their hearts, this Christmas just might be the most joyous of all . . ."

My Review:  As you may know, I am a complete sucker for cowboy romances, and of course holiday books, so when I saw this one I knew I had to read it! I really enjoyed the characters in this story and the way the single parent trope was twisted in a slightly different way. While it still reads like a familiar story it is still fresh and intriguing. I do find that a bit of backstory was left out and I want to know more about how Rush and his partners decided to go into business with one another. It reads as if it is part of a series with other characters having open ended but promising story lines, but it doesn't appear (at least on Goodreads) that it is part of a series. With all that said, this is certainly that warm and cozy, feel good holiday romance I love to read!

My Rating: I really enjoyed this one, so many of my favorite tropes and of course some great twists on common tropes as well. I do wish there was more, maybe a series to continue with the other side characters that intrigued me so much.  I give it a rating of Four Paws!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. The above is my honest review and opinion.

You can find out more about Janet Dailey and her books on her Goodreads page or Website.

It's A Christmas Thing was just released on September 24th so you can get your copy in print or digital format now from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local bookstore or library!