Saturday, December 21, 2019

Advent Reads Day 21: Esther's Gift: A Mitford Christmas Story by Jan Karon

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

Synopsis: "In Esther's Gift, Esther Bolick is filled with the holiday spirit as she prepares to bake the annual batch of her famous-and utterly scrumptious-orange marmalade cakes. Right after Christmas Eve service at Lord's Chapel, she and Gene will deliver a two-layer marmalade to each of seven friends and neighbors, all of them favorite Mitford characters. Then Gene calculates what it costs to bake this legendary cake, and Esther is stunned. Is it worth it to spend so much money on people who haven't always measured up to her expectations? The answer is clear. She'll cut her list back-way back.


This decision makes perfect sense until the lyrics of a Christmas carol steal into her heart, and help remind her what a gift really means."



My Review: As with the Mitford Snowmen which I read right before this one, I haven't read other book by Karon and wasn't really familiar with the characters or setting of the town of Mitford, but the story is still a great book to read. Sometimes we get so caught up in the cost of things that we forget the feeling of giving and this book is a perfect little reminder. Even all those cookies and goodies have a cost associated with them (I had actually been thinking about this with my annual chex mix which takes an hour for each batch, with the 10-12 batches to make each Christmas, that time really adds up), but the act of giving those goodies and how much it means to the recipient that you thought of them makes all the effort worth it. A great story that gets you thinking and forgetting the trouble of the season and reminds you of the joy of the season instead.

My Rating: This was really a great little story, it is short enough to fit in during the busy season but it was really a great reminder why we are so busy.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!




Friday, December 20, 2019

Advent Reads Day 20: Bedtime Story: Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker & Illustrated by A.G. Ford

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: Children's Book Challenge

Synopsis: "Construction toys and construction joys: The trucks are gearing up for Christmas by building a special gift! But, there's a surprise waiting for each of them, too! Presents await for Excavator, Bulldozer, Crane, Dump Truck, and Cement Mixer as each finishes their part of this big, important job and rolls off to a sweet and sleepy goodnight.

A gift that will delight: Playful rhyming text from the bestselling author of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and vibrant illustrations from the acclaimed artist AG Ford make this a perfect gift for young construction fans everywhere."


My Review: Even though Munchkin has moved on from picture books, we still return to the Construction Site books a lot. This one was a great addition to the series with some favorite characters. I love the rhyming and the illustrations in these books. As an older reader Munchkin did note that each individual job couldn't all be done on a single day but that is coming from a 7 year old who has been raised in the world of construction. For younger readers, they will still find the fun magic in the story.

My Rating: While this story may have lost some of it's magic for Munchkin, we still enjoy the characters and the wonderful rhyming and rhythm in this story.  We give it a rating of Four Paws!



Thursday, December 19, 2019

Advent Reads Day 19: A Royal Christmas Wish by Lizzie Shane

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: "Jenny knows she isn’t the princess type. Sure, she’s friendly and caring, but with her clumsiness and lack of self-confidence, glass slippers would only make her trip. When Dom, the cute guy she runs into in the park, turns out to be the prince of San Noelle, she figures he must not be her happy ever after.

But a mysterious countess grants Jenny’s one wish, and she finds herself married to this handsome prince! Unfortunately, at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, her life will go back to normal.

In funny and touching ways, Jenny navigates royal traditions the best she can. But even as she grows closer to Dom, the clock is ticking. With love and a little holiday magic, could she somehow make the enchantment last forever?"

My Review: I received this book in the Once Upon a Book Club Box Mini Christmas box and am so glad that I did! I dove right into this book as soon as I opened the box and I really couldn't stop reading it! While the story is familiar with all the tropes and Hallmark movie style story, but just like those movies, I can't get enough of this style of Christmas books. I absolutely adored the characters, Jenny, Prince Henry and Dom all captured my heart. The writing draws you in and the story keeps the pages turning (I even hid the book under my desk at work to read the last 25 pages because I couldn't wait).

My Rating: This was just the right style of book for me this year, heart warming, sweet, a quick holiday romance with a touch of magic.  I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!



Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Advent Reads Day 18 with the Harlequin 12 Books of Christmas: Cowboy Christmas Redemption by Maisey Yates

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!



I have the pleasure of bringing you the next book in our Advent Reads in connection with the Harlequin 12 Books of Christmas Winter 2019 Virtual Tour! Thank you to both Harlequin and Pump Up Your Book for allowing me to participate and bring you our book for today!



Synopsis: "He didn’t want to come home for the holidays—but can an unexpected reunion with a woman from his past make this cowboy’s Christmas merry and bright in this sweet and sizzling novella? When Cooper Mason left Gold Valley, Oregon behind him eight years ago, he told himself he wouldn’t be back. But when a Christmas promise sends him home to face his demons, he’ll find that not everything is as he remembers—especially family friend Annabelle Preston, who’s somehow morphed from childhood pest to full-grown, hot-blooded and oh-so-tempting woman. Growing up, Annabelle had built a lot of dreams around the ruggedly gorgeous Cooper—dreams she’s long ago learned to put behind her. Until a chance encounter with Cooper leads to a night neither can forget, and all the old feelings come blazing back to life. Now, Annabelle has a week to prove there’s more between them than a no-strings holiday fling…and with a little Christmas luck, she just might convince Gold Valley’s favorite cowboy to come home for good."

My Review: I have a clear soft spot when it comes to cowboy romances, and I really love holiday romance, so I was really excited to pick this book up. I honestly can't remember the last time I read an unrequited romance, and honestly, after reading this one, they may not be for me. I really enjoyed the characters, Caleb and Ellie; there is clearly a lot of history and backstory there. We do get filled in with a lot of that, even being the 8th book in a series, which as someone who hasn't read the rest of the series, I really appreciated that added information. I did feel like Amelia was more of a plot device to force contact than an actual character in the story, which made me a bit uncomfortable. I also found the constant internal turmoil each of the characters had to be a bit heavy for a holiday romance. I generally look for something a bit lighter during the season. With that said, if you are following the series, this feels like it could play big role in the series as a whole.

My Rating: I really struggled a bit with this one, during the holidays I reach more for light, quick and easy romances.  This one clearly had a lot of baggage with the characters.  While it didn't work for my current reading mood, it will certainly appeal to those who are looking for a good series with some problematic characters who grow and develop throughout the story.  I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.


Here is a little excerpt of the story to see if it is something you would enjoy as well . . .
“Caleb!” Amelia flung herself off his parents’ front porch and into his arms. He picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around him, clinging tightly to him. And then she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. She smacked her hand against his jaw. “Prickly,” she complained.
Something in his chest tugged. “Well, you caught me at the end of the day, squirt. I need to shave.”
She looked at him and wrinkled her nose. “Am I going to need to shave someday?”
He laughed. And he was surprised how genuinely light he felt in that moment. “Not likely. Your mom doesn’t have a beard, does she?”
“No,” she said, frowning. “My mom says that you have Christmas trees.”
“I do,” he said. “At least, they’re about to be mine. It’s going to be a whole farm of them.”
“I didn’t know you had Christmas trees on a farm,” she said.
“Well, you can. It’s where most of the Christmas trees from the lots come from.”
“I want to see them.”
He hesitated because he knew that if he took Amelia to see the trees, in all likelihood he would have to take Ellie with him. And really, spending time with Ellie and Amelia in the same space right now was strange and loaded.
“All right,” he said. “But only if your mom’s okay with that.”
“She will be,” Amelia said, full of confidence.
He set her down, and she scampered into the house.
“What am I going to be okay with?”
He turned around and saw Ellie. The sight of her just about set him back on his heels. She looked the same as she always did.
But that was the problem.
“Amelia wants to go out and see the Christmas trees,” he said. “I didn’t figure you would mind. I don’t mind taking her by myself, if you need to go home.”
She lifted her shoulder. “No. I don’t mind going up.”
She started to take a step toward him, and his gut tightened. Then the door opened again, and Amelia reappeared with her backpack from preschool, and another stack of old printer paper that his mother had given her to scribble on.
“Can we ride in Caleb’s truck?”
“Yes,” Ellie said.
“I’m sitting in the middle.”
A smile tugged at the corner of Ellie’s lips, and she narrowed her eyes slightly. The impish expression making his gut feel hollow, and effortlessly conveying that she had been hoping for the middle seat.
She was flirting with him.
Now, that, he hadn’t expected.
So maybe this whole making her wait thing was really going to work in his favor.




About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book. Since then it's been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn't have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard. She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.



Coming Home for Christmas is available now and you can obtain your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Harlequin's site.  You can also the other 12 Books of Christmas and many more recommendations on Harelquin's Website.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Advent Reads Day 17: The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere

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 & Final Book in the Series

Previous Books:

Synopsis: "Thirty-two-year-old Amy Denison volunteers at Glory's Place, an after school program where she meets seven-year-old Maddie, a precocious young girl who has spent her childhood in foster care. Unbeknownst to Amy, Maddie is a mini-matchmaker, with her eye on just the right man for Amy at Grandon Elementary School, where she is a student. Amy is hesitant - she's been hurt before, and isn't sure she's ready to lose her heart again - but an unexpected surprise makes her reconsider her lonely lifestyle.


As Christmas nears and the town is blanketed in snow and beautiful decorations, Maddie and the charming staff at Glory's Place help Amy to see that romance can be more than heartache and broken promises.



In The Christmas Star, Donna VanLiere delivers yet another sweet, joyous story that is sure to capture readers' hearts."



My Review: I am so happy I was able to pick this book up right after the previous book, The Christmas Town, because it features several of the same characters, just a year later. I really loved this one, next to Christmas Shoes it might be a favorite. I adore Gabe, even though a lot of his development takes place off the page, it is clear that he went through some pretty drastic changes. Of course you knew where the story was going for Maddie but it was a great journey for such a sweet little girl. I am a little sad that I have caught up on this series and I haven't seen any news of more books in this series. I absolutely love spending time with Glory and Miriam and their friendly banter. This series always puts me in the Christmas spirit.


My Rating: I am kind of sad to see the end of this series (at least so far) after enjoying a couple of books each Christmas season.  I have come to love the two constant characters of Gloria and Miriam and am going to miss them.  I give this one a rating of Four Paws!


Monday, December 16, 2019

Advent Reads Day 16: Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle

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/ Netgalley

Synopsis: "Growing up, Liz Westmoreland dreamed of taking over her grandparents inn located in the small mountain town of Angels Creek only for it to be sold before she ever got the chance. While browsing the internet, she stumbles upon a listing for what looks to be the picturesque inn and it’s set to go to auction. Liz places a bid, and by a miracle, wins the auction. But when she gets there she finds the property in significant disrepair.

When Matt Hardy narrowly lost the inn and property that butted his land, he just hoped it wasn't another city slicker coming to make matters worse after the previous owners gutted the place for an art gallery. But the minute he recognized the sweet, freckle-faced girl from his childhood and heard her plans to reopen the inn, he jumps at the chance to help his childhood crush restore a place where he made so many fond memories.

While working on repairs, Liz and Matt discover her grandmother’s collection of angels in one of the cabins. When the angels start mysteriously showing up all over the inn, she begins to look at them as reassurance—that restoring the inn is what she's meant to do. But when an accident leaves Liz feeling like she made a mistake, will Matt—and the residents of Angels Creek—be able to show Liz that she's found a home? And possibly true love as well?"

My Review: I have really grown to love Naigle's Christmas books, they always have that Hallmark movie, cozy, happy feeling. This might end up being my favorite holiday read of this year. I loved the slight twist to the classic tropes, instead of inheriting the family property she purchased after it had left family hands. I adored Matt, though I don't feel like I got the full story of his background, I kind of hope that we get another story involving him and his family. Of course, the small town community tops it all, there is nothing like a small community coming together to support one another or just for holiday celebrations! Definitely the warm, cozy, feel good story for the holiday season.

My Rating: This is a perfect little Hallmark movie style Christmas story.  I enjoyed the slight twists on the classic romance and holiday story tropes.  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 Nancy Naigle and her books (especially her Christmas books) on her Goodreads Page or Website.

Christmas Angels was released early this fall so you can obtain your own copy in digital or print format now from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or check with your local library or local bookstore.




Monday Reading List


It is Monday again, and time to update with what I read last week, what I am currently reading and what to look forward to next week.


Reviews Posted Last Week:
Links will take you to my review

Christmas Town by Donna VanLiere
Special Gifts by Cynthia Rylant
Coming Home for Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne
The Mitford Snowmen by Jan Karon
Dasher: How the Brave Little Doe Change Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares (Bedtime Story)
Klaus: The New Adventures of Santa Claus by Grant Morrison (Graphic Novel)
The Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward (After Dark)

 Books Finished Last Week:
Reviews will be posted at a later date

The Christmas Pact
Special Gifts
Cowboy Christmas Redemption
Mitford Snowmen
Esther's Gift
A Royal Christmas Wish
One Wild Christmas


Currently Reading:
Molly and the Cat Cafe by Melissa Daley - Print - on page 26 of 320



Pages Read/ Time Listened
571:19 Hours Listened (2:54 listened this week)
33,419 Pages Read (832 this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently: TBR
WarDance
Warsong
Year One
Girl Who Drank the Moon
King of Scars
Dactyl Hill Squad
The Darkdeep - UNHAUL
Lord of the Fading Lands
Shadow of Doubt
Gates of Stone
A Conspiracy of Truths
Viper
Vortex Visions - UNHAUL
Through the White Wood
Descendant of the Crane
Dark Harmony
The Sea Queen
The Mountain of Kept Memory
Metamorphica
Misfits of Avalon Vol. 1
Misfits of Avalon Vol. 2
The Sea King
Ride Hard
Ride Rough
Ride Wild
Force of Attraction
Primal Force
Rival Forces
A Rogue by Any Other Name
A Scot in the Dark
The Day of the Duchess
The Pirate Bride
Man Made Boy
Dear Santa
An Endless Christmas
Christmas Magic
Falling Softly
Christmas Town
The Christmas Star
We Hunt the Flame
Romanov - UNHAUL
Dreaming the Bear
Monsters
Ghostly Tales from the Lost Summer of 1816
Storm and Fury
Honeybees and Frenemies
Master & Apprentice
The Chosen
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
Mortal Engines
Evvie Drake Starts Over
Merciful Crow
The Bridge Kingdom
Darkdawn
A Crash of Fate
Black Spire
The Testaments - UNHAUL
The Warrior Moon
Ink
Molly and the Cat Cafe
Plum Crazy Vol. 2
Plum Crazy Vol. 3
Plum Crazy Vol. 4
The White Christmas Inn
There Will Come a Darkness
Shadow Frost
How to Love a Duke in 10 Days
How to Catch a Wicked Viscount
Faker
Three Days on a Train
Destiny of the Wolf
Leave the Lights On
Marshmallows and Mistletoe
Cocoa & Carols
The Prince's Son
At Last
The Last Huntsman
Forgotten Love
Mae's Cafe
Within the Captain's Hold
Elusive Dreams
Christmas & Cannolis
Fated Mates
Take My Breath Away
Stolen by the Viking
Destroyed by Magic
Abducted by Magic
Rise Like a Goddess
Out Like a Goddess
Finding Her Dragons
Freeing Her Dragons
When the Lady Lies
The Bromance Book Club
Christmas Camp
Cowboy, It's Cold Outside
His Cowboy Heart
Pride and Prometheus
Stone Cold Cowboy
Sugar
The Belgariad Vol. 2
The Mad Scientists Daughter
The Season of Us
The Way Home
The Good Ones
The Christmas Keeper
Royal Holiday
A Royal Christmas Wish
A Piece of the World

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


I can't believe Christmas is almost here, and that means that so is the new year! I might have gone into minor panic mode this last week.  And boy was it a busy week filled with a constant whirlwind of activity. We had basketball practice and a game, Cookies and Crafts with Santa, a frantic day of baking, decorating and wrapping and then of course the Polar Express trip. I can feel the end of our Santa days coming (I really hope I get another year of magic), so we have been packing as much fun as we can into the holiday season. 

How do you keep the Christmas magic alive in your house?




Sunday, December 15, 2019

Advent Reads Day 15: After Dark Review of the Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

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

Synopsis: "Heat up the holidays with this sizzling new novella from New York Times best-selling authors Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward!


Riley Kennedy’s emails keep getting crossed with her colleague, Kennedy Riley.



The infuriating man forwards them along with his annoying commentary and unsolicited advice. At least she never has to see him in person since they work in different locations…until they come face to face at the office holiday party. As luck would have it, Kennedy turns out to be gorgeous…though still a jerk. Yet somehow he’s able to charm her out on the dance floor—and convince her to participate in his crazy scheme: He’ll go home with Riley for a Christmas party and pretend to be her boyfriend if Riley agrees to be his date to a wedding.



It sounds easy enough. But little by little, the act they’re putting on starts to feel like so much more than a Christmas pact—and Riley’s about to learn there’s more to Kennedy than she ever imagined."



My Review: I picked this up as part of the Audible Original freebie for the month, I am always on the look out for fun holiday stories and this one seemed fun. I am familiar with the authors, though I haven't read anything in a while. This turned out to be the perfect quick pick me up after a weekend of holiday stress. I was laughing out loud right from the beginning, the quirky names and situations were so entertaining. It does get a bit serious for a bit with backstory but for the most part it is kept super fun and light. It is only a few hours long, so I suggest grabbing a glass of wine, setting up your gift wrapping and listen while you work; I promise it will go so much quicker and be a lot more entertaining this way!


My Rating: This was such a perfect, fun Christmas read. It was about 3 hours long in audio, just enough time for a night of gift wrapping. I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag.