Advent Reads Day 18: *Date Night with a Book* Santa Claus is going to Town on Me by M. L. Eliza (aka Marie Lipcomb)

 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!

Date Night with a book is the new After Dark series of posts on my blog, books posted for Date Nights contain Adult  Romance themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for Date Night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

Synopsis: "I've always hated Christmas, but this year will be different, because this year, Santa Claus is jingling me all the way.

♥♥♥

When Holly wakes up on Christmas Eve to find an intruder in her home, she does what anyone else would; grabs her replica medieval broadsword and sneaks downstairs to deal with him.

But he isn't a burglar. He wears a big red coat, big brown boots, and his big round belly shakes like a bowl full of jelly. He's Santa Claus. He's thick. And he's HOT.

What begins as a simple misunderstanding, develops into a passion Holly never knew she needed, with a man who knows her every want and desire. But Holly has a secret, one she can't ever let Claus discover; the true reason she hates Christmas.

---

Content Warning: Loss of a parent, mentions of a car accident.

♥

M.L. Eliza is the pen name for Marie Lipscomb, under which she writes her erotic romance books. Marie is the author of the Lady's Champion and the Hearts of Blackmere series, as well as the Vixens Rock series, whose books include Rhythm, Strings and Amped.

She is passionate about writing romance with plus-sized heroes and heroines."

My Review: I received this book in a gift box as a bit of a gag from a girl friend, but it ended up being a super fun story to read. *Be forewarned that this is definitely not a book for the faint of heart, it is definitely a graphic erotic romance.* So the book did start off a bit rocky and felt a bit rushed at first, but once you got used to the pacing it was fine. There are definitely some super steamy scenes, so don't read at work or around the kids! With that said and knowing what I was getting into with it, there were also some really unique and creative ideas about Santa and Christmas, I really enjoyed those moments of world building scattered throughout the story. While definitely cranking the heat in the room, it also managed to get a bit emotional and gave some really nice Christmas romance feelings.

My Rating: So I definitely got a lot more than I expected from this book, it was fun and easy to read, had a ton of steam, some unique ideas and world building and a whole lot of holiday feels. I give it a rating of Four Paws!

Advent Reads Day 17: The Littlest Christmas Elf by Nancy Buss

 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!

Synopsis: "The newly-arrived and littlest elf at the North Pole feels lonely, fearful, and too small to do anything, until he is befriended by a kind old elf named Nicholas."

My Review: Who can resist a cute little vintage children's book at Christmas time? This one had such cute illustrations that I just had to pick it up. The story is very cute about a little elf who has trouble completing any of the tasks he is given because he is shorter than other elves. I think this will definitely be a great book to read with littles that might have bigger siblings that can do things they can't, like hanging ornaments higher on the tree, etc. It has a sweet twist in the story that the kids will enjoy. It is also nice and soothing to read so it might help to calm down before bed as the big night approaches.

My Rating: I love looking at these old Golden Book stories, you can always tell they have been well loved, and this one certainly had reason to be.  It was super cute and will be a nice little bedtime story for the littles. I give it a rating of Four Paws.

Advent Reads Day 16: The Merriest Magnolia by Michelle Major

 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!

Synopsis: "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."

My Review: This was definitely a cover and title buy for me, turns out maybe I should have done a bit of research as this is the second book in the series. You don't necessarily need to read the first book to enjoy the holiday story but it certainly would help with keeping the large cast of characters straight and catch up on the rather heavy backstory. I kind of missed the close family feel with this book, there is some family love involved but there is a lot of family strife as well. I did enjoy following Dylan's story more in this book, he seemed to have a lot more character growth and development throughout and that is where the warm fuzzy holiday feelings finally came it, but it took a while to get there. I think if I had been more familiar with this series, I may have enjoyed the book more.

My Rating: Like I said above, there is a lot going on with this book, a lot of character and setting history that is a bit difficult to jump into; if you can just ignore it you can still get that second chance romance holiday story.  I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag but I really think if I had already read the previous book it would have been better.

Advent Reads Day 15: The First Christmas: A Story of New Beginnings by Stephen Mitchell

 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!

Synopsis: "In The First Christmas, Stephen Mitchell brings the Nativity story to vivid life as never before. A narrative that is only sketched out in two Gospels becomes fully realized here with nuanced characters and a setting that reflects the culture of the time. Mitchell has suffused the birth of Jesus with a sense of beauty that will delight and astonish readers.

In this version, we see the world through the eyes of a Whitmanesque ox and a visionary donkey, starry-eyed shepherds and Zen-like wise men, each of them providing a unique perspective on a scene that is, in Western culture, the central symbol for good tidings of great joy. Rather than superimposing later Christian concepts onto the Annunciation and Nativity scenes, he imagines Mary and Joseph experiencing the angelic message as a young Jewish woman and man living in the year 4 bce might have experienced it, with terror, dismay, and ultimate acceptance. In this context, their yes becomes an act of great moral courage.

Readers of every background will be enchanted by this startlingly beautiful reimagining of the Christmas tale."

My Review:  Like usual, I have been on a hunt for new Christmas stories, this one had me really intrigued. I have to say this was the most unique, yet familiar Christmas book I have come across to date! While this does tell the traditional Christmas story of Jesus' birth, it is a completely new take on it, and honestly may not be the best choice for hardcore Christians, but I found it a very interesting read. It tells the story of the birth of Jesus, from various perspectives not the usual way you hear the story told. It also really gives some food for thought as Mitchell examines what the characters of the Nativity could have possibly been thinking and processing at the time about without the long held beliefs and knowledge of the full Bible story. This was truly a unique book and one I plan on revisiting with a pen and a pad of paper to jot down my own thoughts. It may not be for everyone as I said before but at least give it a try, if for nothing else then just for the ox and donkey's perspectives.

My Rating: I really enjoyed this one, the old familiar story with a new perspective and view, it was rather refreshing to me.  As I said before, it may not appeal to everyone, especially those who cherish the Christian Christmas Nativity story but I hope some of you are open minded enough to give it a try, 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 Stephen Mitchell and his books on his Goodreads page or Website. 

The First Christmas was just released on November 9th so you can pick up your own copy now in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or check at with your local library or bookstore, they will be happy to track down a copy for you.

Advent Reads Day 14: The Christmas Keeper by Jenn McKinlay

 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!

Synopsis: "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.."

My Review: Jenn McKinlay has quickly become an auto-buy author for me but I have been holding out on this book until it was Christmas, so I was finally able to pick it up. Unfortunately, that didn't work out so much in my favor, I forgot a lot of the characters from the first book and had a bit of a struggle getting back into it and familiar with everyone again. With that said, I absolutely fell in love with Joaquin, he is fun, he is sweet but still can banter with the best and is so darn handsome, and he has horses! Honestly, Savannah didn't stand a chance. I adored the back and forth between them and the way they work together even when they didn't want to. The little side stories also add a lot to it and makes me really hope for more books in this series!

My Rating: If you are a lover of romance books in particular, not only does this have a romance in it but it is also set in a romance bookstore and it has some great little tidbits for us fans.  I really enjoyed this one, it is a little longer and more filled out than the usual Christmas book and I highly recommend reading the first book right before jumping into this one.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

Advent Reads Day 13: Dear Santa 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!

Synopsis: "A special holiday wish list brings about hope, love, and second chances in this nostalgic novel from the queen of Christmas stories, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Lindy Carmichael isn't feeling particularly joyful when she returns home to Wenatchee, Washington, for Christmas. The man she thought was "the one" has cheated on her with her best friend, and she feels completely devoid of creativity in her graphic-design job. Not even carolers or Christmas cookies can cheer her up--but Lindy's mother, Ellen, remembers an old tradition that might lift her daughter's spirits.

Reading through a box of childhood letters to Santa and reminiscing about what she'd wished for as a young girl may be just the inspiration Lindy needs. With Ellen's encouragement, she decides to write a new letter to Santa, one that will encourage her to have faith and believe just as she'd done all those years ago. Little does Lindy know that this exercise in gratitude will cause her wishes to unfold before her in miraculous ways. And, thanks to some fateful twists of Christmas magic--especially an unexpected connection with a handsome former classmate--Lindy ultimately realizes that there is truly no place like home for the holidays.

In Dear Santa, Debbie Macomber celebrates the joys of Christmas blessings, old and new."

My Review:  I was a little behind in getting this book read, so I picked up the audio book for myself, I will always be re-reading it anyway. If you have been following me for any amount of time, Christmas is not Christmas without Macomber's annual holiday book. Last year was a bit of an eh book for everyone, but Dear Santa has Christmas in spades! I absolutely adore the idea behind this book, revisiting old Santa letters and writing new ones as an adult. Who wouldn't love to have some grown up Christmas wishes answered?! I love how this story comes around and not all is as it seems from Lindy's perspective, at least at first. It was a shorter story, so it is easy to fit into your holiday schedule and oh so sweet! It has a touch of nostalgia with old letters and memories, some old friends and even an enemy, reminds us all of our trips home.

My Rating: This was such a great book, it gave me the warm fuzzies and had me wanting a trip down memory lane. It wasn't quite to the level of Starry Night, my favorite of her holiday romances, but it comes pretty darn close. 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 Debbie Macomber and her books on her Goodreads Page or Website.

Dear Santa was just released on October 19th so you can pick it up now for your holiday reading in print or digital format from Barnes & Noble or Amazon or request it at your local library or bookstore.

Advent Reads Day 12: A California Christmas by Brenda Novak

 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!

Synopsis: "Up-and-coming TV anchor Emery Bliss can’t imagine anything more humiliating than the sex tape her ex revenge-posted online. That is, until it causes her to lose her job on top of her self-esteem. Seeking solace—and anonymity—in Silver Springs, Emery isn’t looking to get involved with another man anytime soon. But when she’s thrown back into contact with Dallas Turner, she sees something that his many detractors have missed.

Being home for the holidays and his adoptive mother’s wedding isn’t where mountain climber Dallas feels most comfortable. Thanks to his troubled childhood, he’d rather be on a rock face alone than trying to connect with people. Emery, however, makes him want to overcome his past…somehow.

Both Emery and Dallas had been planning on a quiet, solitary Christmas, but the sparks between them are lighting a fire strong enough to last—possibly forever."

My Review: My sweet little Peanut knew I liked Christmas books so picked this one out as a present, so I have been waiting all year to read it. I have not read the rest of this series and maybe I should have before picking this one up. While it isn't super necessary, it would have been easier to keep all the character straight, because this involves a pretty big family with what seems like a lot of backstory. This one also has a lot more of a heavy undertone than I was expecting, it handled some pretty tough subjects and a lot of the emotions that go with them. I did enjoy Emery as a character, she seemed a little soft at the beginning but I enjoyed watching her get a bit of backbone. Dallas was a difficult character for me to like, most of the time he was just too perfect and other times it was like a switch was flipped and he was completely different. I also didn't get a lot of Christmas vibes in this one, the focus more on other events in the characters lives and Christmas only made an appearance here and there as a background thing for the characters to do and a reason for things to be pushed along.

My Rating: This one was a bit difficult for me, I was struggling to get to know characters and with the heavy subjects involved I didn't get the warm fuzzies that I prefer in my holiday books.  I think a lot of the issues were just me, and would definitely be great for fans of the series or of Novak's writing but for me it was a Two Paw read.