Author: deanne01

I am an avid reader and reviewer. I am open for review requests please contact me at Cnnamongirl at aol dot com. I work with big name publishers and indie publishers alike. I am on launch and street teams and have MANY NetGalley and GoodReads reviews up. I love all animals and I am a vegetarian. Thank you for joining me here.

Categories
holidays

Love You a Latke 

368 pages Berkley publisher October 8, 2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Love comes home for the challah-days in this sparkling romance.

Snow is falling, holiday lights are twinkling, and Abby Cohen is pissed. For one thing, her most annoying customer, Seth, has been coming into her café every morning with his sunshiny attitude, determined to break down her carefully constructed emotional walls. And, as the only Jew on the tourism board of her Vermont town, Abby’s been charged with planning their fledgling Hanukkah festival. Unfortunately, the local vendors don’t understand that the story of Hanukkah cannot be told with light-up plastic figures from the Nativity scene, even if the Three Wise Men wear yarmulkes.

MY THOUGHTS

This is my first read by the author and I enjoyed the book so much that it won’t be my last.
So many books are about Christmas and all it entails including the faith representation. While this is fine, I think this book was marvelous in its representation of Hannukah and the Jewish faith.

When a character tries to make a Hannukah festival more generalized towards Christmas and the general public it is not allowed to happen, and they stand up for themselves and their beliefs. Bravo!

A grumpy sunshine romance and a fake dating trope that naturally turns into the real thing kept me interested and laughing out loud.
Really enjoyed this one.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Amanda Elliot lives with her husband in New York City, where she collects way too many cookbooks for her tiny kitchen, runs in Central Park, and writes for teens and kids under the name Amanda Panitch.

Share a smile today!

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Uncategorized

First Line Friday

Happy Friday & welcome to First Line Friday! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today I’m delighted to feature Gingerbread Danger by Amanda Flower.

Another Christmas cozy mystery I’m looking forward to reading.

If you have never had to clean taffy off a pig, consider yourself lucky. I wasn’t one of the lucky ones.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For fans of Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mysteries and Ellery Adams’  Culinary Cozy Mysteries, the Ohio-set Amish Candy Shop series combines a fascinating look at Amish life with the fun of candy making, plus the romance between chocolatier Bailey King and her county sheriff fiancé.

Amish Candy shop owner and star of TV’s Bailey’s Amish Sweets, Bailey King has a lot to be excited about.  She’s happily engaged to Aiden Brody, newly appointed county sheriff, and her candy factory is finally having its grand opening in Harvest, Ohio—just before Christmas! Bailey is ready to let the sweet celebrations
begin . . .

With the help of local community organizer Margot Rawlings, Harvest will have a Candy Land themed Christmas on the village square—featuring Bailey’s recently perfected recipe for gingerbread men. When the big day comes, everything is going well—until bitter news arrives. One of Bailey’s Amish friends has been killed in an apparent accident just outside the candy factory. Aiden is promptly on the case—with more than a little input from Bailey . . .

Together, they soon learn that the victim was working for some powerful men in the county, and in doing so was spying on his own Amish community. Still, Bailey is determined to find the perpetrator. If she can’t cut out the killer from the rest of the suspects, her gingerbread men won’t be the only ones in danger of disappearing . . .

292 pages Publisher Kensington Cozies Publication date October 22, 2024

Hosted at Reading is my Super Power.

Categories
holidays

Christmas at Red Robin Cottage: An absolutely gorgeous and unputdownable holiday romance

252 pages Bookouture publisher September 30, 2022

ABOUT THE BOOK

Snow is falling on Little Newdale. Decorations are being hung and joy is in the air. But at Red Robin Cottage, single mother Sarah is feeling far from merry and bright…

Since her marriage went up in flames, all Sarah Dunne wants is a cozy festive season. Just her and her teenage daughter Ellie in their little cottage, watching all the classic Christmas films under piles of blankets in front of a crackling fire. On-screen romances only. Sarah will not be falling in love again.

But Ellie is feeling the blues, facing the holiday without her father. Following the trail of fairy lights into the snowy village, Sarah is determined to find baubles, mince pies and stocking fillers galore to make this an extra-special family celebration. The last thing she expects is to find herself gazing into the soft brown eyes of her childhood sweetheart, Luke.

After so long apart, Sarah refuses to be swept off her feet by Luke’s easy laugh and kind smile, especially after her messy divorce. Even though her heart races every time they bump into each other at carol concerts, seasonal markets, and Christmas parties. And when Luke shows just how much he cares by picking out a gift guaranteed to put a smile on her daughter’s face, Sarah wonders if letting him into her life would make her wish for a perfect family Christmas come true…

But then Sarah discovers a shattering secret about Luke’s past that makes her question everything. Devastated, with her daughter in lower spirits than ever and Luke begging for a second chance, Sarah wonders if she was wrong to open her heart again? And will she ever be able to make this a Christmas to remember?

Grab a blanket and a mug of cocoa and curl up by the fire with this completely addictive festive romance. Fans of Cathy Bramley, Phillipa Ashley and Heidi Swain will love this charming, feel-good holiday read that proves you don’t need the perfect family to have a perfect Christmas!

MY THOUGHTS

Divorce doesn’t just affect the spouses it affects the children as well.
Sarah Dunne knows Christmas will be different this year without her ex-husband, but she tries to keep it merry and bright for her teenaged daughter Ellie. With twinkling lights, warm blankets and hot cocoa, snow softly falling and winter activities they try to make the best of the holiday season.


Ellie is going for it, a little but really misses her dad and seems to harbor the secret thought they can become a family again.
While out enjoying the festivities Sarah sees someone she hasn’t seen in a while, can it be, possibly? When it turns out to be a former flame, she is so surprised, and they seem to hit it off again.

With Ellie keeping a big secret is there a possibility this romance can have a little Christmas magic happen or will a big misunderstand melt it away like the sun during a spring thaw? Once again, another lovely and fun holiday book by a great author. I was laughing out loud reading and loved the characters.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Sue was born in Liverpool and moved to Lancashire as a teenager where she has lived ever since. Her twelfth book ‘Theres something about Greece.’ will be published on June 15th 2023, with another sunshine book scheduled for August!

When not busy writing, Sue spends her time with her husband Derek, and ever growing brood of grandchildren! In her spare time, she enjoys walking, watching films and travelling. Her first book ‘My Big Greek Summer.’ was inspired by frequent visits to the Island of Rhodes in Greece. All Sue’s books are available from Amazon in kindle and paperback format.

Have a beautiful day and thanks for stopping in.

Categories
holidays

A White Christmas on Winter Street: a fun, heartwarming new Christmas romance to curl up with this winter 

374 pages Avon publisher Publication date October 27, 2022

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Sky Terran returns to the village of Middledip after losing the job she loves, she anticipates a quiet Christmas getting used to her new life. However, the annual street decoration competition is coming up and this year, the residents of Winter Street are determined to win.

As she is pulled into the preparations, Sky quickly grows to love the quirky, tight-knit community she is now part of. Including the extremely handsome Daz, who soon becomes more than just a friendly neighbour.

But when Daz’s ex turns up determined to win him back and it seems he might not be the man Sky thought he was, she remembers how much allowing people into her life – and heart – can hurt. As the snow falls, will she and Daz find a way through – and help win a Christmas victory for Winter Street?

MY THOUGHTS

A wonderful curl up in the evening winter read.
Having read other books by the author I was sure I’d enjoy this book published several years ago and I did.


How aptly named is Winter Street, the street Sky Terran moves to when she returns to Middledip in this winter themed book?
Ready for some relaxation and quiet time, it doesn’t seem to be happening as her street is in the midst of a competition preparation.

All on the street try to outdo each other with the most festively lit and holiday decorated house. Not feeling like joining in she does anyway, after all how would it look if the street’s newest member was the grinch who didn’t participate. A little help from handsome Daz may just be the motivation Sky needs.


With his former girlfriend making a play for him again will Sky just stand by and let it happen? More importantly will Daz find the grass greener in past pastures or will he see what he truly has.


Heartwarming, great characters that I enjoyed reading about. Uplifting and festive.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

NEVER MISS AN UPDATE ON SUE’S BOOKS! Follow her on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sue-Moorcroft/e/B0034Q9O4U/

Website: suemoorcroft.com Twitter: @suemoorcroft Instagram: @SueMoorcroftAuthor

Facebook: SueMoorcroftAuthor and sue.moorcroft.3

Sue Moorcroft is an award-winning Sunday Times and internationally published author of emotionally compelling, feel-good, page-turning fiction who has reached #1 on Amazon Kindle UK and Top 100 Amazon Kindle US, Canada and Italy. Her novels, short stories, serials, courses and columns have appeared around the world. An army child, Sue was born in Germany and then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK.

Enjoy your weekend. Thanks for stopping in.

Categories
Uncategorized

How do you feel about performing on stage or giving speeches?

Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?

I’ve done the necessary stage performances in school but as far as seeking out performances or publicly speaking, no way. I am not interested in drawing attention to myself.

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Uncategorized

Do you enjoy exercising?

What are your favorite physical activities or exercises?

My current favorite is walking especially when it involves scenic hiking in the woods. We really have some beautiful woods in Pennsylvania and the views looking down into the spectacular valleys are remarkable.

Categories
holidays

The Christmas Tree Farm: (Dream Harbor, Book 3)

369 pages October 2024 publication

ABOUT THE BOOK

Every book in the Dream Harbor series can be read as a standalone.

Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that’s too cute for its own good.

Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor trying to take a break from both his life and his constant desire to fix things.

But somehow fate finds Ben trapped by a blanket of snow at Kira’s farm, and, despite her Grinchiest first impressions, with the glow of the fairy lights twinkling in the trees, and the promise of a warming hot chocolate, maybe, just maybe, these two lost souls will have a Christmas they’ll remember forever…

The Christmas Tree Farm is a spicy romantic mystery with a HEA guaranteed!

Tropes:

Second Chance

Grumpy x Sunshine

Small Town

Forced Proximity

One Bed

MY THOUGHTS

After reading The Pumpkin Spice Café a few years ago I knew I just had to read another book by the same author.
This is the third book in the Dream Harbor series, each book is connected some with the same characters, but you don’t have to read them in order, and each has a standalone story.


This one is as Christmassy as it gets. I mean who doesn’t love the thought of a classic cut your own Christmas tree farm with dogs running around?
Throw in a grumpy Christmas tree farm owner, Kira who really doesn’t know how to promote her business.


When Ben takes his dogs for a run in the woods and meets Kira for the first time it’s not that flowery meet cute, we all dream about. She accuses him of trespassing, and he can’t wait to get away from her.

The book had me laughing out loud so many times. He’s fun and sunshiny, she’s the grump and despite him trying she’s really not interested in changing.
She’s a dog lover and I think his dogs may have swayed her to start coming around. He seems to just pop up everywhere she is and things just take off from there.


Loved seeing the Christmas tree farm coming to life and the towns people so happy and spirited and the Christmas spirit of the season hits them.
A spicy Christmas story full of warmth and charm.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Laurie Gilmore is a No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller and a USA Today bestseller who writes steamy small-town romance. Her Dream Harbor series is filled with quirky townsfolk, cozy settings, and swoon-worthy romance. The first book in the series, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, was featured on Good Morning America and was named the TikTok Shop Book of the Year 2024.

She loves finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strives for that in her own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then her books are definitely for you.

Categories
Blog Blitz

Blog Blitz for Maddy’s Christmas Wedding by Rosie Green

ABOUT THE BOOK

Maddy’s Christmas Wedding

With the wedding of the year approaching, excitement is running high at the café! But there’s just one problem. Maddy is grappling with a secret. Could it derail all of hers and Jack’s glorious plans for their big day? Will there actually be a wedding?

MY THOUGHTS

Another book in the Little Duck Pond Cafe? Well then that’s cause for a celebration. These novella length books are like a party in a book, and I love that I can read them in an afternoon especially this busy time of year.
The characters……….. I love them and being back for another visit to them is such a fun thing.


At the end of the last book, we had Maddy’s father unsure about a health issue that had come up and we get an answer to it in this book.
Maddy is engaged to be married on Christmas eve, but a monkey wrench seems to be thrown in not just that plan but a few other things with Maddy as well.


Once again, the community rallies around Maddy, and also the Little Duck Pond Cafe has others picking up the slack when needed.
Charming, small town, friendly, generous and helpful folks, what’s not to love.


Maddy’s story is so realistic but she’s hiding something and it’s causing her a lot of stress. This is where her friend’s step in and reassure her. There’s a whole lotta romance and a whole lotta Christmas spirit and goodness in here. I love these books and am so glad the author will continue writing these because I consider these a smile in a book and these books are just my kind of thing.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own. +

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CR8BYQ1V

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR8BYQ1V

Author Bio – Rosie Green’s Little Duck Pond Cafe series of novellas is centred around life in a village cafe and most can be read as stand-alone stories. (‘The Sunshine Sisters’ is a trilogy within the Little Duck Pond Café series and it would benefit from being read in order: Aurora, Skye and Blossom.) Look out for ‘Cosy Nights & Snowball Fights’, and ‘Maddy’s Christmas Wedding’, both out later this year in time for the festive season!

Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88

Have a super day. Thanks for stopping in.

Categories
Uncategorized

Admiration?

What is something others do that sparks your admiration?

Kindness towards other people and animals is something I’ll always admire.

Categories
Cozy Mystery

Public Anchovy #1: A Deep Dish Mystery (Deep Dish Mysteries Book 3) 

316 pages St. Martin’s Paperbacks December 26, 2023 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Public Anchovy #1 is the third book in Mindy Quigley’s delectable Deep Dish Mystery series, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria.

While Geneva Bay’s upper crust gets ready to party down at a Prohibition-themed fundraiser, pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is focused on seeing her struggling restaurant through the winter slow season. The temperature outside is plummeting, but Delilah’s love life might finally be heating up, as hunky police detective Calvin Capone seems poised to (finally) make a move.

But Delilah’s hopes of perfecting a new “free-from” pizza recipe for a charity bash are dashed when a dead body crashes the party. Soon, Capone, Delilah, and her entire staff are trapped in an isolated mansion and embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

To catch an increasingly-desperate killer, Delilah will have to top all of her previous crime-solving accomplishments, and a few pizzas, too.

MY THOUGHTS

Though this is book three in the series it is my first read of the Deep-Dish mystery series. I will be going back and reading the others in the series very soon.


Geneva Bay’s pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is doing a fundraiser at a swanky mansion the upper crust is attending. All is going well until a distraction is caused by a need to change the pizza recipe to accommodate dietary restrictions.


Chef O’Leary’s cat stows away in a mixer box and so we’re treated to its presence the whole story through. With cat like accuracy, we don’t get much out of the cat as far as listening but when it’s time to eat and shenanigans are to be found you know that cat is involved.


With a heavy storm happening and the generator not kicking on the lights not working lead to the atmosphere of suspense with a body found at the mansion where all the staff are trapped because it’s unsafe to leave. A cat and mouse game as the suspense mounts and then another body is found. Kept me guessing right til the end as I wouldn’t have suspected the suspect or the reason for it either.


I’m excited to try the gluten free pizza crust recipe for my daughter who has this food restriction. There are many recipes included, and I am going to try a few others as well. The descriptions of the foods sound so yummy. Looking forward to reading more in this series soon.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

Mindy Quigley is the author of two cozy mystery series. Her most recent, the Deep Dish Mysteries (St. Martin’s Press), has been featured in Parade, Woman’s World, and Kirkus Reviews.

Mindy’s non-writing career has been stranger than fiction, taking her from the US to the UK, where she worked as the personal assistant to the scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep, and as project manager for a neurology research clinic founded by the author J.K. Rowling.

She lives in Virginia, with her Civil War history professor husband and their children.

Enjoy your day and have a slice of pizza. 🙂