Tag: cHRISTMAS

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O, Deadly Night: A Year-Round Christmas Mystery

320 pages Publisher Crooked Lane Books Publication date

October 14, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

’Tis the season for mischief and murder in the eighth Year-Round Christmas mystery from national bestselling author Vicki Delany.

It’s Christmastime in Rudolph, New York, which means it’s time for the December Santa Claus parade. This year, shop owner Merry Wilkinson has decided to decorate her float as Santa’s elves’ workshop and invites her landlady, Mabel D’Angelo, to help supervise the excited children playing the elves. But when Mrs. D’Angelo doesn’t show up, Merry begins to worry.

Worry quickly turns into frustration when Mrs. D’Angelo reveals she was delayed by new neighbors moving in. As the center for all things gossip, Mrs. D’Angelo is determined to introduce the new arrivals to the neighborhood. As the days pass, Mrs. D’Angelo notices strange things about the newcomers, but Merry, busier than an elf in Santa’s workshop, has little time for matters that really don’t concern her. But things turn from jolly to downright concerning when Mrs. D’Angelo disappears and Merry is forced to admit that something might be terribly wrong.

With family and friends counting on her during this stressful holiday season, it is up to Merry to make sure this Christmas doesn’t end up wrapped in blood red.

MY THOUGHTS

Rudolph, New York is all about Christmas and goes all out for it. Shops are fully decorated in anticipation of the shopping season.
Every town has their busybody though and when amateur sleuth and shop owner Merry invites her landlady to help with some supervision and she’s not there she knows something is up.
Merry is busier than ever with her workshop duties but busybody landlady, Mrs. D’Angelo who also has appointed herself the welcome committee notices the new neighbor has some strange going On’s in her home. When Mrs. D’Angelo disappears and then things get even worse Merry knows it’s time to investigate.
Cute holiday cozy mystery and the perfect time to read it with all the snow we have out there from the storm.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the books I have by this author.

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

About the author

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than fifty books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. She is currently writing four cozy mystery series: the Year Round Christmas books for Crooked Lane, the Tea by the Sea mysteries for Kensington, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series for Crooked Lane Books, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates) for Crooked Lane.

Vicki is a past president of the Crime Writers of Canada and co-founder and organizer of the Women Killing It Crime Writing Festival. Her work has been nominated for the Derringer, the Bony Blithe, the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak, and the Arthur Ellis Awards.

Vicki is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

Thank you for stopping in. Stay safe and stay warm.

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The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts 

336 pages publisher Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA Publication date October 1, 2024

ABOUT THE BOOK

“Sparkles with warmth, wit, and a sweet helping of holiday charm! The perfect stocking stuffer for readers who crave all the holiday feels and a happy ending!” —Rachel Linden, bestselling author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie

Inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma, this joyful Christmas romp tells the story of a woman who can’t stop trying to help everyone around her find their happily-ever-after—even when her help leads to disaster.

Frankie Lane knows what’s best for just about everyone but herself. Her divorced sister, Stef, who is too young to give up on love; her shy employee, Elinor; and her daughter, Natalie, who works in Frankie’s shop, Holiday Happiness, and really needs to start her own business selling the delectable chocolates she makes at home; even her best friend, Viola, who is trying to renovate her old Victorian. Frankie knows she could help all of them, if they’d just let her—and if all of her help didn’t end in utter disaster.

Then there’s Mitch Howard, the owner of the local hardware store. They’ve been friends ever since Frankie opened her store, nine years earlier. He got her through the nightmare when she lost her husband in a freak accident, and he’s her favorite shoulder to cry on. He’s been divorced for years, and it’s such a waste of man! Mitch is the fittest, finest man Frankie knows. He’s easygoing, wise and kindhearted. Mitch needs someone. And she’s determined to help him find that someone—whether he likes it or not.

MY THOUGHTS

The author has so many books out but this is actually my first read by her. Hard to believe I know.
Lots of charming family moments. We explore family relationships, friendships and that meddling family member that’s “just helping.”
Small town charming holiday romance which is just what I needed right now.

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

With more than fifty books to her name, Sheila Roberts is a frequent USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller – and a fan favorite. Her Christmas perennial “On Strike for Christmas” was made into a movie for the Lifetime Channel and her novel “The Nine Lives of Christmas” was made into a movie for Hallmark. Hallmark also made a sequel, titled “The Nine Kittens of Christmas.” Her most recent novel to hit the small screen was “Christmas on Candy Cane Lane,” which aired on the Great American Family Channel in 2022. Before settling into her writing career, Sheila owned a singing telegram company and played in band. When she’s not traveling, she splits her time between the Pacific Northwest and Southern California.

Happy almost weekend. Hope you’ve had a great day.

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All I Want Is You

256 pages Publisher G.P. Putnam’s Sons Publication date September 24, 2024

ABOUT THE BOOK

Exes. Professional rivals. Just one bed. What could go wrong?

All Jessica has ever wanted is her own happily ever after. But until that happens, she spends her days as a small-time romance writer, penning satisfying Happily Ever Afters to soothe the heartache left by her ex-boyfriend Nick—also a romance writer and now her biggest rival—who has found success writing love stories without happy endings. It’s what he’s good at, after all . . .

So when their professional obligations bring them to a remote inn a few days before Christmas, they’re a little more than peeved, especially when they get trapped sharing a room in a snowstorm. But what’s more fitting for two romantic writers in a slump? Realizing the friction between them might be the only cure for their writer’s block, they decide to turn their frustration into fiction . . . and the pages start flying. But will Jess’s heart soar, too? Nick is the last guy on earth she should love . . . but what if he is really all she wants for Christmas?

MY THOUGHTS

This is my first time reading this author and it won’t be my last.
Romance author ex’s are at a romance convention to promote their books and after one mix up after another she hasn’t been booked a room mistakenly during this promotional convention.
Fighting romantic feelings these ex’s trying to keep their cool but when their agents suggest they do a romantic collaboration all bets go out the window.
A second chance romance involving being snowed in and in close proximity these two romance authors have just the romantic words on paper and in real life.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

alon Ballard loves to write about love! She also has an undying affection for exclamation points and isn’t ashamed to admit it! When she’s not writing fictional love stories, she’s helping real-life couples celebrate, working as a wedding planner in Southern California. She has a deep appreciation for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is a Disneyland devotee, and is a reality TV aficionado. In addition, she’s the cohost of the romance novel podcast, Happy to Meet Cute. If she’s not busy wrangling her kiddo, you can probably find her drinking wine and posting a picture on Instagram while simultaneously snarking on Twitter, because multitasking!

Have a lovely day. Thank you for stopping in.

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Christmas People

304 pages Publisher St. Martin’s Griffin Publication date September 30, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Seven Year Slip meets Hallmark with a dash of sass and a sprinkle of sexiness in this sparkling Christmas rom com…with a speculative twist!

Some people are Christmas people, but Jill Jacobs is most certainly not. She hasn’t been ever since her hometown love broke her heart on Christmas Eve three years ago. After that, Jill moved to L.A. to pursue her dream of becoming a screenwriter. She hasn’t been home in years to avoid her ex, but this winter she finds herself back in drab, suburban Illinois for the holidays.

After one very hazy night, Jill wakes up to a hometown that’s filled with jolly neighbors, covered in pristine white snow, and seasoned with the smell of peppermint. She realizes that this is more than just a bad hangover… she’s stuck in a Heartfelt movie. One set in her town, starring real people from her life, including her family, her high school crush (uber perfect, owns a bakery, and definitely a Christmas Person), and of course, her ex ―handsome as ever and now exclusively clad in plaid flannel.

The only way out of this bizarro world is to complete the plot of the movie, including a holiday bake off and a cookie-sweet love story. To get home in time for Christmas, Jill must act out a picture-perfect holiday romance with the one that got away, all while her ex watches on. Fa la la la freaking la….

MY THOUGHTS

Some people love Christmas; you can’t say that about Jill Jacobs though. Three years ago, she and her ex had a fight right before Christmas and it led to their breakup.
Visiting her parents isn’t something that has happened in the past few years because she doesn’t want to accidently run into her ex.
Taking a leap, she decides to visit and sure enough they run into each other.
When this screenwriter somehow ends up in an alternative reality cozy winter wonderland Christmas Hallmark movie, she’s grumpier than ever.
It’s all to perfect, too Christmassy and it even has a Christmas cookie baking competition.
This second chance romance had me laughing out loud at a lot of the parts even though I didn’t overly like the main character.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Despite being born on the first day of summer long before too much sun was considered bad for you, Iva-Marie Palmer possesses no capacity to achieve a decent tan (or its cousin, the sun-kissed glow). Still, she relocated from her native Chicago to sunny southern California nearly ten years ago and only regrets the choice on the rare occasions when she forgets to apply sunscreen. A former journalist who oversubscribes to periodicals, she loves books, running, cooking and eating elaborate meals, classic screwball comedies, food sold off carts and trucks, old movie palaces, word games and crossword puzzles, adventures large and small, indulging her curiosity and overextending herself. She lives with her husband, two sons and a seeming inability to take her sunglasses off her head when indoors. You can find her online on Facebook, Twitter (follow @ivamarie), and Instagram (ivamarie), as well as seldom updating her site, http://ivamariepalmer.com.

Have a super day. Thank you for stopping in.

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One December Morning: An utterly uplifting and tear-jerking novel of second chances in the most unexpected of places 

304 pages Publication date October 8, 2025 Bookouture publisher

ABOUT THE BOOK

One chance meeting. Two strangers. And a sprinkling of Christmas magic…

Fifty-five-year-old Peg has been lonely for as long as she can remember. As she battles through traffic while the snow softly falls around her, the best she can hope for is to get home for Christmas safely, and to spend it wrapped in a blanket by a roaring open fire in her tumbledown cottage in the Cotswolds. Little does she know that everything is about to change…

Because Henry is also stuck on the road, and when their cars come to a complete standstill, he and Peg strike up a conversation over a homemade mince pie and a flask of hot tea. Towering over Peg, his navy waffle-knit jumper charmingly threadbare at the elbows, he chats effortlessly. With his tortoiseshell glasses pushed back into his mass of curly dark hair, Henry makes Peg laugh, and the two click. As something shifts, Peg realises that it’s been a long time since she smiled like this.

Peg discovers that Henry is single too, but he’s off to grit his teeth through the forced jollity of another family Christmas with his insufferably perfect daughter-in-law in the next village. Before they get a chance to exchange numbers, the traffic starts to move and Peg and Henry are wrenched apart…

She doesn’t expect to see him again. But then, days later, there’s a knock on Peg’s door: Henry needs her help. In an instant, she knows this will be a Christmas she’ll never forget, in ways she could never have imagined. Can she let herself get involved and risk being vulnerable, or will she shy away?

MY THOUGHTS

Oh, my heart! What an incredible book. One I meant to read last year but ran out of time to do so.
Such an emotional story.
The best parts weren’t about Peg and Henry alone but rather relationships, many different types. Mended relationships and how we think others see us. It’s about letting down our guard, being ourselves and taking off the mask that we think others want to see us presented in a certain way. Talking and really listening to what someone is saying, making changes for the better in relationships. Compassion found and healed relationships. I absolutely loved this book. This is a powerful book, and it has zipped right up there on my favorites list.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: ‘I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.’ Well the job in the design studio didn’t work out but she’s now a forty something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time, and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband, three children, and two guinea pigs in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life. It’s a county she adores, her love of its beautiful people and landscapes providing endless inspiration for her books, and in fact the only thing that would make Shropshire more idyllic is if it were by the sea.

Pop over to her website http://www.emmadaviesauthor.com where, amongst other things, you can read about her passion for Pringles and singing loudly in the car. You can also wave to her on twitter @EmDaviesAuthor or find her on Facebook (a little too often than is good for her).

Have a lovely day. Thank you for stopping in.

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A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss

416 pages Publisher G.P. Putnam’s Sons Publication date September 26, 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

Three bickering half sisters.

One unique antiques shop.

The coziest holiday season of their lives.

Wildly different half sisters Maggie, Simone, and Star have hardly seen one another since their sprightly summers at Rowan Thorp, their eccentric father Augustus’s home. Known for his bustling approach to the knick-knack shop he ran, Augustus was loved by all and known by none, not even his daughters.

Now, years later, the three estranged women are called upon for the reading of Augustus’s will and quickly realize he’s orchestrated a series of hoops through which they must jump to unlock their inheritance—the last thing any of them want to do. But Maggie and Star desperately need the money. And who would Simone be to resist?

Through hilarious goose chases, small-town mishaps, and one heart-warming winter solstice celebration, love, hope, and reconcilation is in the air, if only the three sisters can let themselves grasp it.

MY THOUGHTS

I haven’t read a book by the author I haven’t enjoyed.
Charming and with all the feels in this Christmas story.
Three half-sisters honor their father’s last wishes and in doing so discover so much about their father and about themselves they hadn’t known. Harmonious relationships, found family, strong women and forgiveness, this author does it right.
Emotional depth, self-discovery and Christmas vibes in this small-town charmer were just what I needed.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

A former professional cake baker, Jenny Bayliss lives in a small seaside town in the UK with her husband, their children having left home for big adventures. She is also the author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas, A Season for Second Chances, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, and A December to Remember, Kiss Me At Christmas, and I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

Have a wonderful day. Thank you for stopping in.

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Christmas Sweater Weather by Jaqueline Snowe

ABOUT THE BOOK

Charlotte Calhoun has avoided Hayden Porter, her older brother’s sexy-as-sin best friend, ever since that mortifying night when he flat-out rejected her. Fine. Except this Christmas season, they’re thrown together at a snowy ski resort for her brother’s bachelor party, complete with mistletoe, cozy fireplaces, and adjoining rooms. She can tell herself to get over Hayden, but holiday cheer is turning to holiday lust every time he is within ten feet of her. 

Between being a full-time single father and his high-pressure college coaching job, a romantic relationship is off the table for Hayden. But he’s fought his attraction to Charlotte for as long as he can. A one-night stand is starting to sound like a good idea—as long as her brother never finds out. But with two long weeks until the wedding, hiding their growing feelings is going to take a Christmas miracle.  

MY THOUGHTS

I would call this a holiday delight.
A second chance romance between Charlotte and her older brother’s best friend, Hayden. She’s been able to mostly avoid him after totally embarrassing herself around him but not this time. Thrown together when her brother is set to marry there’s no avoiding him this time.
After the initial awkwardness wears off things get hot quickly. The chemistry sizzles between these two. We also find out he’s a father of a little girl; she is the sweetest. He is a single dad as the mother isn’t ready to commit to much of anything. Sad!
The characters are charming, and you can see the encouragement given when needed. Another win for the author, her books are so much fun!

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

About the author

Jaqueline Snowe lives in Arizona where the “dry heat” really isn’t that bad. She prefers drinking coffee all hours of the day and snacking on anything that has peanut butter or chocolate. She is the mother to two dogs who don’t realize they aren’t humans and a mom. She is an avid reader and writer of romances and tends to write about athletes. Her husband works for an MLB team (not a player, lol) so she knows more about baseball than any human ever should.

For more information on her upcoming books, please visit her website.

Hope you’ve had a pleasant day. Thank you for stopping in.

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While It Was Snowing 

320 pages Publisher Berkley Publication date October 28, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

Under the mistletoe, a single mom and a professional athlete realize they have more in common than the lake house they unexpectedly have to share for the holidays, in this heartwarming romance from New York Times bestselling author Julia London.

All Amy Casey wants for Christmas is to paint. She needs five new paintings for the holiday show at her local art gallery, but between her two teenage sons, her needy ex-husband, and her overbearing parents, she hardly has any time for herself. Luckily, her best friend has the perfect solution: a vacant family lake house in North Texas, all hers for two weeks of distraction-free painting. Or so she thought.

Turns out professional golfer Harrison Neely also rented the lake house so he can spend the holidays rehabbing the injury that has put his career—and life—on hold. Despite the booking snafu, both Amy and Harrison (along with Amy’s old blind dog and the army of child-sized nutcrackers residing in the living room) agree to share the festive lodging.

When an impending snowstorm has the two cozying up by the fire, sparks fly in more ways than one, and they open up to each other, unwrapping secrets and stories they’ve never shared before. But Harrison is expected back on the tournament circuit after the holidays, and Amy’s family needs her. As their departure date looms and her family and his manager press them for answers, they’ll have to decide if this December to remember has been a fun holiday fling, or if they’ve found a Christmas miracle: true love.

MY THOUGHTS

While It Was Snowing is a delicious snowy romp of a story.
The hilarity ensues when an accidental overbooking happens at a lake house over the holidays.
Two strangers have to share a house; he’s a professional golfer and just needs a little time away to rehab his golf injury. She’s a divorced mom of teenaged sons who just wants some time to concentrate on her painting.
Amy Casey and Harrison Neely are absolutely looking forward to a relaxing holiday at the lake house, alone, or so they thought.
The book had me laughing throughout as I read it, from their first startling meeting to saying awww as they snuggled by the fire.
The flakes are flying; a snowstorm will leave them stranded so they better start getting cozy.
This holiday vacation didn’t quite turn out like they had thought it would but sometimes the unexpected can turn out a lot better.
Fun and charming holiday read.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

ulia London is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the popular Secrets of Hadley Green series, the Cabot Sisters series and The Highland Grooms historical romance series. She also wrote the Pine River and the Lake Haven contemporary romance series. She is a six time finalist for the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction, and RT Bookclub award recipient for Best Historical Romance for Dangerous Gentleman. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Visit Julia on the web:

http://www.julialondon.com/newsletter

http://www.facebook.com/julialondon

http://www.twitter.com/juliaflondon

http://www.instagram.com/julia_f_london

I hope you’ve had a great day.

Thank you for stopping in.

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The Sugar Plum Rebellion: An Enemies to Lovers Nutcracker Christmas Romance

288 pages Publication date December 3, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

Clara Winters has one rule: never let anyone see the ADHD-fueled chaos underneath her ballet perfection.

As the adopted daughter of a ballet legend, she’s spent her entire life proving she belongs by forcing her neurodivergent brain into the Porcelain Princess mold everyone expects. This Christmas Eve Nutcracker is her final audition. One flawless Sugar Plum Fairy performance will land her a prestigious contract and prove she deserves her legacy.

Then, her dance partner snaps his ankle. His only replacement? Trevor Williams, a tattooed, recovering addict from the county arts program next door.

Their partnership should fail. But between heated arguments and hotter stolen glances, their forced proximity turns into late-night rehearsals and vulnerable confessions. Trevor sees the scattered, brilliant woman she’s been hiding. Clara reawakens the joy he shut down to stay sober.

Now, with the curtain about to rise on Christmas Eve, Clara must decide: perform the flawless lie that will secure her future, or risk everything for the messy, beautiful truth she found hiding beneath the porcelain.

The Sugar Plum Rebellion is a witty & heartwarming Christmas dance romance with a touch of angst and a happily ever after. Take the explosive banter of The Hating Game with the dance floor chemistry of Step Up, all wrapped up in a cozy, festive bow. This is an open-door romance with medium heat and tons of simmering tension.

MY THOUGHTS

I would have never known this was a debut author. I enjoyed the subject matter and the characters.
In this enemies to lover’s book Trevor is absolutely my favorite character.
Clara is the daughter of a famous renowned dancer, and she’s been dancing a long time.
She feels the pressure to measure up, to achieve perfection and dance despite an injury to her foot.
Trevor gets mad at her when he sees her pushing herself despite her injury, but he only has her best interest at heart. There were some pretty deep conversations that you may not expect just by looking at the books cover. Trevor is a recovered addict, and his love language is trying to keep her safe, so she won’t follow the same road he has.
I enjoyed the author’s writing style and will look for more in the future she writes.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

I write messy people and messier kisses.

The Sugar Plum Rebellion is my debut contemporary Christmas romance featuring a perfectionist ballerina, a tattooed dancer in recovery, and one very chaotic Nutcracker rehearsal. Expect found family, second chances, and guaranteed happily ever afters.

Hope you’ve enjoyed a pleasant day.

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Blog Blitz for A Merry Little Christmas: (Little Duck Pond Café

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Merry Little Christmas

Festive excitement is in the air, the tree is sparkling on the village green and Christmas music is making even the most hardened cynic feel a little sentimental – but one Little Duck Pond Café favourite is feeling anything but romantic! Is this destined to be a festive season best forgotten? Or could Katja’s dream of a merry little Christmas possibly end up coming true?

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Merry-Little-Christmas-Duck-Pond-ebook/dp/B0DSGPTPRBhttps://www.amazon.com/Merry-Little-Christmas-Duck-Pond-ebook/dp/B0DSGPTPRB

MY THOUGHTS

I’m loving seeing this series continue, we’re on book 43 now.
At this point the characters all feel like family, and I love meeting the new ones we’re introduced to in each book too.
Festive, warm, wonderful Christmas story.
Katja, unusual name and I love it and her newish boyfriend, Caleb are spending their first Christmas together.
I loved Katja’s character and related to her right away. Couldn’t quite figure out what Caleb’s deal was at first. Katja tried so hard, she really did, but things just seemed off to her after a bit, not what she wanted at all especially during the holiday season.
The author throws a bit of mystery into the story, and I absolutely loved how it evolved, it really had me fooled.
Things aren’t always how they seem to be and this story proved it. The more I read it the more I loved it.
Eagerly looking forward to the next book by the author.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Author Bio – Rosie Green is the author of the popular Little Duck Pond Café series, set in the fictional village of Sunnybrook. Watch out for lots more café drama and romance in 2026, including ‘The Other Lizzie Bennet’, which will be published in January!

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

https://www.instagram.com/rosiegreen_author/

Thank you for stopping in. Keep warm!