Review of Monkey Mystery by Brenda Scott Royce & Illustrated by Joseph Wilkins

 

Read for: Netgalley/Requested Review

Synopsis: "This weekend at Mountain Bluff Zoo, Katy and Micah are Junior Researchers. The friends are watching the capuchin monkey group. The keeper is worried about one of the monkeys, a male named Milo who has been steadily gaining weight. Perhaps the kids can figure it out by closely observing his behavior. At first, Katy and Micah are stumped. But as they spend more time with the monkeys, will they solve the mystery? And, can they come up with some creative ideas to help Milo?"

My Review:  I am all about the animals and often so are young readers, so this seemed like a really fun book to try out (and it is the first in a zoo series). This reads like a beginning reader book almost but the story itself needs a bit more of a young middle grade audience to grasp. It would be a nice bridge book to chapter books but for those looking for an easier story to read but a bit of a higher thought level. I love the way that the kids had to figure out the mystery but just observing the monkeys, it took time and patience to figure out the problem and come up with a solution. It also included some nice trial and error as well to show not every answer is an easy one. It was fun and thought invoking. This is a series that young animal enthusiasts will really be wanting to pick up and read.

My Rating: This is definitely a book I would have wanted to read as a kid, the mystery, the animals, the success of solving the problem, all things a young reader will enjoy.  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 Brenda Scott Royce's book on their Goodreads Page or Website.

Monkey Mystery is scheduled for release tomorrow but you can pre-order your copy now from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local library or bookstore.

Review of Frankie and Amelia by Cammie McGovern

 

Read for: Netgalley/Requested Review/Audio Book/ CATS!

Synopsis: "A heartfelt companion novel to the critically acclaimed Chester and Gus about inclusivity, autism, friendship, and family, perfect for fans of Sara Pennypacker and Kate DiCamillo.

After being separated from his family, Franklin becomes an independent cat, until he meets a goofy dog named Chester. Chester is a service dog to his person, a boy named Gus, and Chester knows just the girl to be Franklin’s person—Gus’s classmate Amelia.

Amelia loves cats, but has a harder time with people. Franklin understands her, though, and sees how much they have in common. When Amelia gets into some trouble at school, Franklin wants to help the girl who’s done so much to help him. He’s not sure how, yet, but he’s determined to try.

This sweet and moving novel demonstrates how powerful the bond between pets and people can be, while thoughtfully depicting a neurodivergent tween’s experience."

My Review: I was instantly drawn to the cover of this book with the big Maine Coon on the cover, and once I read the synopsis I was really intrigued. This book definitely did not disappoint! I loved the tone of the book, sweet, a bit emotional and difficult at times but also triumphant. I think it handled the subject of the way autism spectrum presents differently in different people pretty well, though I am no where near someone to really recommend it, I felt like it opened my eyes a bit more. My favorite part is that we get to read from the perspective of the cat, Frankie. He may not know or understand everything that happens with the humans around him but he does know what he can do and gives with his whole heart. It was an interesting way of approaching a difficult subject and I think it is one that will have young readers turning the pages when they may have put the book down when it got a bit heavy.

My Rating: This was really a great book, it was short for me but full of heart and I think there are many young readers that may identify with Amelia and Gus.  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 Cammie McGovern on her Goodreads Page or Website.

Frankie and Amelia was released earlier this year so you can pick up your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local library or bookstore.

Review of What the Cat Dragged In by Kate McMurray

 

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley/ Audio book/ Title & Cover/ CATS!

Synopsis: "Set in Brooklyn (with a small-town feel in the big city), this cat café romantic comedy has tropes readers will adore:

• Best friend’s brother romance

• Forbidden romance (can’t let his sister/my best friend find out!)

• Millennial angst (my love life is a hot mess)

• Adorable rescue cats in a cozy Brooklyn café

When Paige Danvers isn’t managing events for the Whitman Street Cat Café, she is busy navigating dating disasters as a single woman in Brooklyn. Urged by her boss and best friend Lauren to find a distraction from ineffectual dating apps, Paige volunteers with a cat rescue organization, where she actually meets a guy with some real relationship potential.

Recent law school grad Josh Harlow is putting in long hours at a Manhattan law firm as he gets over a messy breakup. When his boss requires him to do some volunteer work, Josh’s sister sets him up to help capture feral cats. Partnered with Paige, Josh is insistently drawn to the dynamic event planner and sparks between them fly.

One problem: after a steamy night together, Paige discovers Josh is Lauren’s brother and dating him would be a spectacularly awful idea. Particularly considering Paige’s track record. They’re both in too deep to walk away—but if they let the cat out of the bag, it’s going to wreak havoc with friends, family, and jobs alike."

My Review:  First off, how has no one been bringing this book up to me? It has cats and romance! Secondly, it is the second book in the series! How have none of you told me about a romance series set in a cat cafe? I am so disappointed in all my book friends right now! Anyway, on with the review, besides the adorable cover and title, the story inside was just as adorable. I really enjoyed the characters and how even though they are in two totally different industries of work, they both struggle to find a work/life balance, something many people can relate to in their own lives. The attraction and steam in this one is nearly instant, but the romance and relationship itself simmers nicely, building off conversations, rescue cats and city adventures. You don't need to have read the first book in the series to enjoy this one but the relationships introduced in the first book are continued in this one so it would be nice to be familiar with all of them. I, for one, will be going back and picking up the first book and will be following this series avidly as it continues!

My Rating: I really enjoyed this one, I like the neighborhood like setting, the close knit friend and family dynamics and, of course, the cats! I give this one 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 Kate McMurray and her books on her Goodreads Page or Website.

What the Cat Dragged In was just released on December 7th so you can pick up your own copy in print or digital formats from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local library or bookstore.

Review of Even and Odd by Sarah Beth Durst

 

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley/ Favorite Authors

Synopsis: "A half-magic girl learns about heroism and taking action when she and her sister confront a wizard who endangers others for her own gain. 

Even and Odd are sisters who share magic. Lately, though, it seems like that’s the only thing they have in common. Odd doesn’t like magic, and Even practices it every chance she gets, dreaming of the day she’ll be ready to be a hero.

 

When the hidden border between the mundane world the sisters live in and the magical land they were born in shuts abruptly, the girls are trapped, unable to return home. With the help of a unicorn named Jeremy, they discover a wizard is diverting magic from the border to bolster her own power. Families are cut off from each other on both sides of the border, and an ecological disaster is brewing. But the wizard cares nothing for the calamitous effects her appropriation of magic is having. Someone has to do something to stop her, and Even realizes she can no longer wait until she’s ready: she needs to be a hero now."

My Review: I was immediately drawn to this book, not only was it written by one of my favorite fantasy authors but it has a unicorn on the cover. To be honest, I did struggle quite a bit to get into this book, and it was on me, I think Middle Grade Fantasy just isn't for me at this point in my reading life. It was a unique set up with a magical world side by side with the read world and sisters who have to share their magic. It was rather silly with a lot of funny quirks that will have young readers laughing. Durst definitely hit her target audience for this one just right with a lot of characters starting to come into their own personalities, strengths and weaknesses; and learning to work with what they have and maybe not envying other for what they have. I like the way the characters had to work together to problem solve. This was quite the adventure and I do hope there might be more books after this one as I can see it being a world that would be fun for young readers to explore.

My Rating: I really floundered with getting into this one, it took several attempts to get beyond the first couple of chapters (sadly, this has become a struggle with me and middle grade fantasy, time to admit defeat and take a break) but it was more me than the book. I think the target audience will really love the adventures of Even and Odd.  I give it a rating of Three 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 Sarah Beth Durst and her books on her Goodreads Page or Website.

Even and Odd was released earlier this year so you can pick up your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local bookstore or library.

Review of The Excalibur Curse by Kiersten White

 

Read for: Requested Review, love the series & author, Anticipated Release

Synopsis: "The gripping conclusion to the acclaimed Arthurian fantasy trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White finds Guinevere questioning everything—friends and enemies, good and evil, and, most of all, herself.

While journeying north toward the Dark Queen, Guinevere falls into the hands of her enemies. Behind her are Lancelot, trapped on the other side of the magical barrier they created to protect Camelot, and Arthur, who has been led away from his kingdom, chasing after false promises. But the greatest danger isn’t what lies ahead of Guinevere—it’s what’s been buried inside her.

Vowing to unravel the truth of her past with or without Merlin’s help, Guinevere joins forces with the sorceress Morgana and her son, Mordred—and faces the confusing, forbidden feelings she still harbors for him. When Guinevere makes an agonizing discovery about who she is and how she came to be, she finds herself with an impossible choice: fix a terrible crime, or help prevent war.

Guinevere is determined to set things right, whatever the cost. To defeat a rising evil. To remake a kingdom. To undo the mistakes of the past...even if it means destroying herself.

Guinevere has been a changeling, a witch, a queen—but what does it mean to be just a girl?"

My Review: I have really been excited for this conclusion to the series, so far I have really enjoyed the twists White has added to the Arthurian legend. This book definitely continued the trend, I was a little worried about the whole betrayal bit and how it would be portrayed but I loved what she did with it. The Lancelot character she created will forever be the one that I picture in my mind when hearing the name. The same goes for Mordred, I like how he is so morally grey, he wants to do the right thing but his right just doesn't line up with Arthur's and his connection and feelings are simply used against him. I found Guinevere to be on really unsteady legs throughout this book, and while she does grow into her new self a bit, I still found her to be very unsure and so easily manipulated. I feel like we are just seeing the beginning of who she would become and I would have really loved to see her settle into the role she found for herself a bit more before we saying goodbye to this series. All in all it was a really good conclusion to a very unique take on the traditional legends.

My Rating: I absolutely love the way White is able to twist classic and long standing stories on their heads and give us a completely new take and perspective. This has been one of the most unique retellings of the Arthurian legends I have read. I give this conclusion to the series 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 Kiersten White and her books on her Goodreads page or Website.

The Excalibur Curse was just released on December 7th so you can pick it up and the rest of the series in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local library or bookstore.

Review of Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl

 

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley

Synopsis: "Brinkley Saunders has a secret.

To everyone in the academic world she left behind, she lost it all when she dropped out of grad school. Once a rising star following in her mother’s footsteps, she’s now an administrative assistant at an insurance agency—or so they think.

In reality, Brinkley works at Heartbreak for Hire, a secret service that specializes in revenge for jilted lovers, frenemies, and long-suffering coworkers with a little cash to spare and a man who needs to be taken down a notch. It might not be as prestigious as academia, but it helps Brinkley save for her dream of opening an art gallery and lets her exorcise a few demons, all while helping to empower women.

But when her boss announces she’s hiring male heartbreakers for the first time, Brinkley’s no longer so sure she’s doing the right thing—especially when her new coworker turns out to be a target she was paid to take down. Though Mark spends his days struggling up the academic ladder, he seems to be the opposite of a backstabbing adjunct: a nerd at heart in criminally sexy sweater vests who’s attentive both in and out of the bedroom. But as Brinkley finds it increasingly more difficult to focus on anything but Mark, she soon realizes that like herself, people aren’t always who they appear to be."

My Review:  I was intrigued by the synopsis, I can't recall ever reading a book with a similar idea. To be honest I did struggle a bit with the morality within the story but I think that in the end it was handled well. With that said, I fell head over heels for Mark, I don't know how you couldn't. Brinkley on the other hand was a bit of a struggle for me, again more about the morality than anything. I did love the back and forth banter between the characters and the steam was definitely high heat. I do wish we could have seen more of a supportive friend group, they were there but not fully there, just kind of background furniture to move the story along. But all in all an enjoyable story, it was light and fluffy with a bit of an edge.

My Rating: I definitely struggled getting into this one but eventually the characters drew me into the story. I kind of wish they had been in a different situation so I could have really enjoyed them.  I give this one a rating of Two 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 Sonia Hartl and her books on her Goodreads Page.

Heartbreak for Hire was released earlier this year so you can get your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local bookstore or library, they will be happy to track down a copy for you.

Advent Reads Day 24: Twenty Big Trucks in the Middle of Christmas by Mark Lee & Illustrated by Kurt Cyrus

 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: "Add a big dose of Christmas cheer to an array of trucks for counting and you have the components of read-aloud holiday magic.

One doughnut truck, on a cold winter day, drives into town and parks and stays.

The snowy town is filling up with a procession of trucks of all shapes and sizes, including a snowplow, a crane, a digger, a semitrailer transporting the town's majestic Christmas tree, and even a flatbed carrying Santa's sleigh. All in all, twenty trucks roll in full of sparkle and anticipation, ready to set up the holiday festivities. But when the star being hoisted to the top of the Christmas tree wobbles and crashes to the ground, what could possibly be used to replace it? Thankfully, a pair of siblings scan the scene and come up with the perfect solution. Author Mark Lee and illustrator Kurt Cyrus team up again for a buoyant story delivering satisfying rhymes, holiday spirit, and most importantly, twenty trucks for counting."

My Review: Munchkin was, and still is, a huge fan of trucks, so I am always ready to pick up a picture book involving them. This one was a fun book as a variety of trucks work together to bring a town Christmas celebration together. Not only is a great book for those little truck fans in your life but it also includes the counting element and the familiar scenes of winter and Christmas that young kids will enjoy. This would be a fun book to read with the little ones throughout the holiday season.

My Rating: This was exactly as expected, Munchkin would have loved this book when he was younger and we would have had to re-read it again and again.  I give it a rating of Four Paws.

With that, I hope you all had a great time with the Advent Reads series this year and maybe found a book or two to pick up for yourself or a loved one.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas!

Advent Reads Day 23: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

 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: "One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners..

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays."

My Review: I have had this book waiting on my shelf for a whole year and I finally got to pick it up. This was my first Christina Lauren and it did not disappoint. I loved the premise of a groundhog type day to perfect a Christmas holiday. I really appreciated how somethings that were kept alive for nostalgia and tradition reasons maybe need to be let go or allowed to grow into something new. So often we keep doing things because that is the way they have always been done and maybe that takes a bit of the magic away. While other traditions are what ties the family and the holiday feeling together and while this was done in a bit of a romance/chick flick manner, it does do a really good job of making you think about those things and the reasons we do them. I think this is one of those books I will be revisiting every few years to remind me it is not the way of doing things that matters but who we are with and our joy in being together.

My Rating: I may have read into this book a little too deep, but it was really what I needed to hear as we enter yet another Christmas that looks completely different from those before.  I give this one a rating of Four Paws!

Advent Reads Day 22: Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days by Jeanette Winterson

 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: "For years Jeanette Winterson has loved writing a new story at Christmastime, and here she brings together 12 of her brilliantly imaginative, funny, and bold tales. For the Twelve Days of Christmas - a time of celebration, sharing, and giving - she offers these 12 plus one: a personal story of her own Christmas memories.

These tales open a portal into the spirit of the season, when time slows down and magic starts to happen. From trees with mysterious powers to a tinsel baby that talks, philosophical fairies to flying dogs, a haunted house to a disappearing train, Winterson's innovative stories encompass the childlike and spooky wonder of Christmas, perfect for listening to by the fire with loved ones or while traveling home for the holidays.

Enjoy the season of peace and goodwill, mystery, and a little bit of magic courtesy of one of our most fearless and accomplished writers."

My Review: I was kind of looking for some short stories to read in between all the holiday chaos when I came across this book. It did have several short stories and in a really wide variety of styles that were really easy to listen to between projects. There were also several recipes included but I haven't looked at the download to try them yet, some did sound really tasty. The stories were each pretty unique, some were a bit scary with some ghosts and hauntings, others were super warm hearted. I think my favorite story was Snowmamma. Between each story is a break where the author shares some personal holiday stories, along with the recipes; that was a nice touch especially for the audio book where sometimes the stories flow together so much you can't tell one from another.

My Rating: While I really like the way this one read on audio book, I do kind of wish I had a print version so it would be easier to pull out the recipes to try. This was a great book for when you have very little time but want a holiday story. I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

Advent Reads Day 21: Cocoa & Carols by Marianne Rice

 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: "Finishing up his patrol as the sun sets on Thanksgiving Day, officer Patrick Johnson stumbles across a woman and her dog sleeping in her car. She refuses to go to a shelter and masks her dire condition, but the Johnson manners run deep and he finds himself inviting the stranger to his parents' Thanksgiving dinner. Before the meal is over his heart grows soft for her and her scruffy dog.

Trying to make ends meet as an understudy in the local play isn't enough to keep Jocelyn fed and a roof over her head. She doesn't like handouts but the police officer with shoulders that could compete with Captain America and the kindest eyes she'd ever seen leaves her no choice but to go with him to his family's home. She's instantly greeted with warmth from his parents, brother, and sisters, and before the meal is over, she believes in miracles. Their newfound friendship turns quickly to something more, only Jocelyn doesn't plan on staying in Maine for very long. Her lifelong dream is to star on Broadway and Patrick has no desire to leave his small town. Will her dreams and his stubbornness get in the way of their relationship? They'll need a Christmas miracle to help them find their happily ever after."

My Review: I read this book very early in the season but it still really stands out to me. It was a pretty short and easy to read holiday romance that gives you all the feels. I would recommend reading the first book in the series as there are a lot of side characters that pop up in it (big family, small town). I loved the premise of the story about a police officer just going above and beyond to care for those in his community. I, of course, loved the big family and they way they can be overwhelming but also so full of love. If you are looking for that clean, sweet hallmark movie feeling, definitely give this one a try.

My Rating: I admit that this book might seem a bit familiar, as does every Hallmark movie, but honestly sometimes that is what you need, something that doesn't take all the brain power to follow but that you can still sink into and feel cozy. This book gives you all of that, I give it a rating of Four Paws.

Advent Reads Day 20: Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost

 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: "When Holly White's fiance cancels their Christmas Eve wedding with less than two weeks to go, Holly heads home with a broken heart. Lucky for her, home in historic Mistletoe, Maine is magical during Christmastime--exactly what the doctor prescribed. Except her plan to drown her troubles in peppermints and snickerdoodles is upended when local grouch and president of the Mistletoe Historical Society Margaret Fenwick is bludgeoned and left in the sleigh display at Reindeer Games, Holly's family tree farm.

When the murder weapon is revealed as one of the wooden stakes used to identify trees on the farm, Sheriff Evan Grey turns to Holly's father, Bud, and the Reindeer Games staff. And it doesn't help that Bud and the reindeer keeper were each seen arguing with Margaret just before her death. But Holly knows her father, and is determined to exonerate him.The jingle bells are ringing, the clock is ticking, and if Holly doesn't watch out, she'll end up on Santa's naughty list in Twelve Slays of Christmas, Jacqueline Frost's jolly series debut."

My Review: I have been wanting to read this book for a while but have been holding out for the holiday season. I have definitely found a new favorite cozy mystery series and I can't wait to read more! I loved the setting of a small town Christmas tree farm with a bunch of super fun holiday events (I kind of want to take part in the Reindeer Games). Add in a bit of death and suspicious threats and you have a heart pounding holiday read. It was definitely a fun change from some of the overly sweet holiday romances I have been reading, don't get me wrong there is definitely a dash of heated and a bit of attraction in this one as well but it only adds to the story and doesn't take it over. I really enjoyed Holly, she seems to have passed the stage of wanting to make her own way in the world and is now seeking the comfort and love of family. I loved that nostalgia element to this story, it added to the cozy holiday feel to it.

My Rating: I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun break from a lot of the overly sweet holiday books and I loved the characters and setting. I give this one a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag and I will definitely be keeping up with this series.

Advent Reads Day 19: The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling

 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 heartwarming, page-turning adventure about one child's love for his most treasured thing, and how far he will go to find it. A tale for the whole family to fall in love with, from one of the world’s greatest storytellers.

One boy and his toy are about to change everything...

Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve something terrible happens — DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life... even toys. And Jack’s newest toy — the Christmas Pig (DP’s replacement) — has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost, and to save the best friend Jack has ever known..."

My Review: I understand much world hates Rowling (and understandably so) but in the somewhat abysmal search for a middle grade Christmas book for my son to read, I came across this one. It ended up being the perfect story for him to enjoy, it seems to be very heavily inspired by the Velveteen Rabbit and something else from my childhood that I can't quite remember. I love the idea of the Land of Lost things. My son has a particular stuffy that he has loved since day one, so he was really able to relate to a lot of Jack's feelings about DP. It was quite the adventure and perfect for young readers to pick up throughout the month of December.

My Rating: If you take out all the drama surrounding the author, this turns out to be a pretty fantastic story. Both Peanut and I give it a rating of Four Paws!

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.