Tag: holidays

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Catching up, a few Christmas book reviews for you: Winter Fires at Mill Grange and Single all the Way

416 pages Aria publisher November 11, 2021 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Mill Grange is putting on a show this holiday season!

When young Dylan Harris‘s former babysitter (and soon to be step-sister), Harriet, needs a last-minute venue for her acting troupe’s outdoor production of Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale, the staff at Mill Grange throw open its doors, keen to fill their halls with guests over the holiday season… but they may get more drama than they’d bargained for!

With pageants and plays to arrange, a much-anticipated book launch, an unexpected arrival, a heart-warming offer, and a little bit of the manor’s magic, this Christmas is one that Thea, Tina, Sam, Shaun, Helen and Tom – along with retirees Bert and Mabel Hastings – won’t soon forget…

MY THOUGHTS

This is the last book in the Mill Grange series as we’ve read through the seasons with the book titles. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the generations of the family over the series and have seen so much character development.


Will Mill Grange be up for all that’s asked of it? Harriet, Dylan Harris’s former babysitter (and soon to be stepsister) is out of options and is in desperate need of a venue for her acting troupe’s outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale.

With staff more than eager to please they offer their help in any way. Let’s just say, if it can go wrong, it’ll go wrong.

The characters have highs and lows. A welcoming return of characters we’ve met in the other books in the series had me excitedly flipping pages and feeling right at home. Small town charm, sweet romance and community togetherness. This is a fun book not to miss.

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

264 pages Boldwood books August 18,2022 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Dani’s boyfriend (and boss!) dumps her for a younger model, the only silver lining she can see is to be able to spend Christmas at home with her family after years away.

Determined to surprise them, Dani turns up unannounced in her hometown, excited to see that the festive season in Marram Bay is in full swing with Christmas lights twinkling on every corner. But disaster strikes when she finds her parents’ house is empty and they appear to have gone away on holiday!

Christmas alone and single is not ideal, and when Dani starts bumping into old friends, neighbours and potential love interests, she can’t face telling them the truth. So in a panic she claims to be home to throw a Christmas party for the whole town – easier said than done with 12 days to go before Christmas…

As the fake party approaches, little does Dani know that there may be someone there under the mistletoe for her, if she can just let her guard down and see them…

MY THOUGHTS

I haven’t read many books by Portia MacIntosh but the ones I’ve read have made me chuckle at the predicaments the characters get themselves into.
In this one Dani’s boss/boyfriend dumps her right before Christmas. Haven’t these women learned anything, why they keep continuing to date their boss in these books is beyond me. That’s one thing that’ll never turn out well.

With no dates for the holiday, she’s got it all planned, with her extra time she’ll go visit her parents for the holiday and just show up as a lovely surprise. The surprise is on her though when she finds out her surprise visit is a bust as her parents are not home but on holiday themselves without telling her. Deciding to stay there while they holiday, she runs into old friends and acquaintances.

She’s hopeful a romance may just come knocking this Christmas season for a little kissing under the fairy lights. Cute, romantic seasonal read packed with humor.

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

Have a super day and I’m always so happy to see you here. Thank you!

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Irish Knit Murder (A Knit & Nibble Mystery)

304 pages Kensington Books Pub Date 21 Feb 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

St. Patrick’s Day takes an unexpected turn for crafting magazine editor Pamela Paterson and the members of her knitting club when a member of a prominent New Jersey family is found dead…

The Listers have been part of Arborville society for generations—though seventy-something Isobel Lister doesn’t fit the role of upper-crust heiress. She’s always been a colorful character, and her fun-loving spirit is on display at the senior center celebration as she performs some beloved Irish songs. But just minutes later, her body is found backstage.

It’s hard to imagine who’d target such a harmless eccentric, but Pamela finds herself suspecting everyone. There’s the Wiccan who thought St. Patrick wasn’t so saintly; the woman upset about cultural appropriation who feels the commercialization of shamrocks is a sham; the two men Isobel was seeing, who could have been green with jealousy—and old friends and family who may have feared Isobel would spill their secrets. But Pamela’s on the case, and that means for the killer, the jig will soon be up . . .

MY THOUGHTS

This is my first read by this author and I like her writing style. Some authors of cozy mysteries give too many clues early on and expose the killer right away. Not so with this one. Through well placed clues this St. Patrick’s Day cozy mystery is right up my alley. I do enjoy holiday themed books as long as it’s not overdone.


Community centers are always such an entertaining place for the elderly to go. St. Patrick’s Day was no different with an outgoing eccentric woman from a well-known about town family singing Irish tunes. She must not be everyone’s cup of tea though as she’s found dead right off stage shortly after her singing is over.

In cozy mysteries there always seems to be a take charge woman investigating these murders and she seems to always have more clues and the inside scoop before the police do. In this case it’s crafting magazine editor Pamela Paterson.

The knitting club tie in was fun and of course the addition of animals is always a bonus for me. So many suspects in this case all seeming to have a valid reason of why they could have done it. With delicious sounding Irish meals and drinks this one will go down as an easy read.

Pub Date 21 Feb 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peggy Ehrhart is a former English professor who writes mysteries and plays blues guitar. She holds a doctorate in Medieval Literature, and her publications include a prize-winning book dealing with classical mythology in the Middle Ages. Her Maxx Maxwell mysteries, Sweet Man Is Gone (2008) and Got No Friend Anyhow (2011), feature a blues-singer sleuth.

Peggy is currently writing the Knit & Nibble mystery series for Kensington Books. Set in the charming (fictional) town of Arborville, New Jersey, it features amateur sleuth Pamela Paterson, founder and mainstay of the town’s knitting club.

Peggy is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

Visit Peggy online at http://www.PeggyEhrhart.com

Enjoy your Tuesday and thanks for stopping in.

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Four Leaf Cleaver (A Country Store Mystery Book 11)

322 pages Kensington Books January 24,2023 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

The eleventh installment in Maddie Day’s deliciously popular Country Store cozy mysteries . . . It’s Saint Patrick’s Day in  South Lick, Indiana, but a holiday cooking competition at Robbie Jordan’s country store and restaurant Pans ’N Pancakes is put on the back-burner when a killer strikes.
 
There’s no mistaking Saint Patrick’s Day at Pans ’N Pancakes. Robbie may only be Irish by marriage to Abe O’Neill, but the shelves of vintage cookware in her southern Indiana store are draped with glittery shamrocks and Kelly-green garlands and her restaurant is serving shepherd’s pie and Guinness Beer brownies. The big event, however, is a televised cooking competition to be filmed on site.
 
Unfortunately, someone’s luck has run out. Before the cameras start rolling, tough-as-nails producer Tara O’Hara Moore is found upstairs in her B&B room, bludgeoned apparently by the heavy hilt of a cleaver left by her side. Now, not only does Robbie have a store full of festive decorations, she’s got a store full of suspects . . .
 
Includes Recipes for You to Try!

MY THOUGHTS

Four Leaf Cleaver is another cozy mystery by Maddie Day in her Country Store mystery series. I’ve read a few in this series and was eager to continue on with it.
Pans ’N Pancakes is the restaurant/country store owned by Robbie in South Lick, Indiana. Now this little country store selling vintage cookware and serving delicious home cooked meals does well with the locals, but Robbie jumps at the chance to have a film crew at her little store filming a cooking contest.

With the festive shamrocks in place and delicious St. Patrick’s Day foods on the menu including Guinness Beer brownies the contestants can’t wait to get started as they’re all convinced; they’ll make the winning meal. Tragedy strikes when the producer is found bludgeoned before filming can even start.

I did enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day theme of the cozy. You don’t see a lot of books with this theme. There were a lot of red herrings thrown in there, clues that you thought took you somewhere but actually didn’t.

Robbie has a lot going on, she’s fairly newly married, runs a restaurant and has family issues she’s dealing with. Despite all this she still finds time to be an amateur sleuth though she’s told many times not to by the police department. Will this stop her, not quite.

I enjoyed the mystery, the characters were great, the elements were all there to make this a cozy that kept my attention and kept me guessing. I could feel the tension building up as the story got closer to its conclusion. Will be on the lookout for more books in this series.

Pub Date: 24 Jan 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
💚☘️

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maddie Day is a talented amateur chef and holds a PhD in linguistics from Indiana University. An Agatha Award-winning author, Maddie writes the Country Store Mysteries, the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, the Cece Barton Mysteries, and the Dot and Amelia Mysteries featuring Amelia Earhart as a sleuthing sidekick.

As Edith Maxwell, she write the Local Foods Mysteries and the Quaker Midwife Mysteries, as well as award-winning short crime fiction.

Maddie/Edith has two grown sons and lives in an antique house north of Boston with her beau, a small organic garden, and a gentle cat. She blogs every weekday with the Wicked Authors and on the second and fourth Fridays at Mystery Lovers Kitchen. Look for her under both names on social media and on her web site.

Thank you for stopping in today and reading my post. Have a wonderful day.

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2 Bookish Valentine’s Day reviews: A Valentine’s Day Return and Snowed in on Valentine’s Day

226 pages Love Inspired January 23,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

They thought love was in their past…

But could it be their future?

After completing rehab, Mark Rivers returns to his hometown to make amends with his ex-wife, Kylie, and their daughter. But he doesn’t expect to stick around beyond seeking her forgiveness. So when helping Kylie run her coffee shop after a health crisis draws them closer together, Mark is forced to decide—a career in Nashville or a second chance with the family he thought he’d lost forever…

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Sunset Ridge

Book 1: Reunited by the Baby
Book 2: A Valentine’s Day Return

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoy reading the Love Inspired romance. Clean reads that are a short story, but each read is a full story.


Our two main characters Mark Rivers and his ex-wife Kylie. The couple also has a young daughter.
Mark is a singer who devoted his time to his career with the time it took building it up. In the process he lost his wife and daughter to divorce because he devoted his time to what was important to him at the time. It wasn’t his family.

After getting counseling and rehab he knows what he needs to do, apologize to his family and make it right. While there it seems to be a little too easy for this family to fall back into the routine they had while married without Mark running off to his musical obligations.

When Kylie has a medical emergency Mark steps right up and Kylie is enjoying his strength. The couple is starting to have feelings for each other again, but they are both afraid and they have a daughter to think about her feelings too. Mark has made his intentions clear he’ll be leaving in a few weeks when Kylie no longer needs him.

Kylie doesn’t want to need Mark and fall for him if he’ll put his career first again. Mark is afraid to develop feelings for Kylie and his daughter again because he knows he messed up once and feels he isn’t deserving of a second chance at this happy family life. A beautiful story of redemption, forgiveness and second chances.

Pub Date 23 Jan 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

191 pages  Shipsvold Press publisher February 6,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

From Alana Highbury, Amazon bestselling author, comes a slow burn Valentine’s romance in a snowy small town.

It was hate at first sight.

After a run-in with the rude best man, Peter, at her best friend’s wedding and a subsequent meltdown on New Year’s Eve, Hazel is ready to make major changes. Realizing she’s a serial dater, she vows to take a break from dating and focus on reinventing herself in her career—and putting down roots for once in her life.

But when the jerk from the wedding moves in next door, Hazel can’t believe her bad luck. She does her best to avoid Peter, until a massive blizzard forces her to take shelter at his house. The icy tension between them starts to thaw as they get to know each other, but when they’re still snowed in four days later—on Valentine’s Day—tempers flare as passions rise.

Confused and unsettled, Hazel has no idea what to do with her conflicting feelings, and avoiding him doesn’t seem to be an option.

Can she find love with this enigmatic man amid the winter storm brewing within and between them?
This is a sweet romance without explicit scenes, but it contains some profanity and adult themes.

MY THOUGHTS

Light and easy read. I read it quickly and it put a smile on my face because who doesn’t need a good relaxation read once in a while.


Hazel really doesn’t like Peter, she met him at her best friend’s wedding, and he’s been a bad memory ever since. Swearing off men for now she knows she’ll be new and improved focusing on her career and personal issues.

A little snow is so pretty to look at but what happens when a blizzard swoops down and you lose power? Well, that means, no heat, no cooking and gasp, no internet. Going next door to get a little help sounds reasonable but when it turns out Peter has moved next door this enemies to lover’s story takes an interesting turn.

With forced proximity for several days Hazel and Peter are actually able to talk things over. While they don’t agree on everything, things are looking a whole lot better relationship wise by the time this is over than when it started.

While they both have their own little quirks, tempers flare and passions rise. Valentine’s Day may just be something for these two to look forward to this year.
This is a sweet romance without explicit scenes, but it does contain some profanity and adult themes.

Pub Date 06 Feb 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks for stopping in. I hope you’re enjoying your weekend.

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Books From the Backlog

Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks. Hosted at Carole’s Random Life.

This book published in December of 2023

This is one of the many overdue books I have to read. I hope to get to it this month for St. Patrick’s Day.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Raise a glass for St. Paddy’s Day but keep a shamrock handy because some of these minty milkshakes are made with murder!

IRISH MILKSHAKE MURDER by CARLENE O’CONNOR
In advance of their St. Patrick’s Day wedding, Tara Meehan and Danny O’Donnell are off to the Aran Islands with their bridesmaids and groomsmen for a joint hen and stag party. The weekend kicks off with the ferry trip to Inis Mór, as the passengers enjoy boozy milkshakes on board and entertainment from a pair of famous Irish-dancing twin brothers. But faster than Tara can say “Oh, Danny Boy,” a murder shamrocks the boat as someone’s spiked shake turns out to be their final round. Stuck in a rural island cottage, while a storm rages outside, Tara must find the Celtic killer before her luck runs out . . .

MURDER MOST IRISH by PEGGY EHRHART
St. Patrick’s Day is drawing near in Arborville, New Jersey and the folks at Hyler’s Luncheonette are getting into the holiday spirit with a new, limited-time, Irish-themed menu item–a festive green milkshake appropriately named, “The Leprechaun.” It’s a hit, until a patron is felled by one of the frothy concoctions during a sheep parade through the town. Now, it’s up to Pamela Paterson and her Knit & Nibble knitting club pal, Bettina Fraser, to catch a murderer and put a stop to the sheer madness . . .

MRS. CLAUS AND THE LUCKLESS LEPRECHAUN by LIZ IRELAND
Spring in Santaland means two things: the elves have more leisure time and iceball season is in full swing! To celebrate, April Claus’s friend, Claire, whips up some minty milkshakes for her bustling ice cream shop, Santaland Scoop. But when the St. Paddy’s promotion makes one elf the target of a decidedly unlucky strike, Mrs. Claus and her friends must figure out if the attack was a failed hit job, a crime of passion, or an extremely unfortunate accident . . .

Does this look like a book you would read?

Have a super day. Thanks for stopping in.

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Murder Checks Out (A Blue Ridge Library Mystery) 

262 pages Crooked Lane Book November 13,2023 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

It’s not all snowflakes and sugarplums when murder crashes Taylorsford’s first Winterfest in the eighth installment of the Blue Ridge Library series, perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Ellery Adams.

Returning to her role as an amateur detective is the last thing library director Amy Muir wants. She’s already buried under an avalanche of responsibilities, including sharing the directorship of the local public library, parenting her holiday-obsessed five-year-old twins, and helping her choreographer husband, Richard, present The Nutcracker as part of the town’s festivities. With her frosty mother-in-law, Fiona, visiting for the holidays, Amy definitely has enough on her Christmas cookie plate.

But when the chair of the festival committee is found as dead as Dickens’s proverbial doornail at the town’s ice rink, Amy is determined to uncover the real perpetrator to protect her brother-in-law, Ethan Payne, who was placed at the scene. The clock is ticking down as Sheriff Brad Tucker is equally sure that Ethan is guilty.

Photo by Polina Kovaleva: https://www.pexels.com

MY THOUGHTS

I thought I had read more books by this author than I had but this is only my second read by the author. Despite that I fully enjoyed the book and don’t feel as though I wasn’t able to keep up with what is going on.


Amy Muir is the library director at the Blue Ridge Library in charming and beautiful North Carolina, mother of 5-year-old boy and girl twins, wife of a dance choreographer and her not so friendly mother-in-law is coming to stay for the holidays, and she’s tasked for entertaining her.

With the sugar cookie plate overflowing she now needs to return to her role as amateur detective when her brother-in-law is found to have been at the scene of a murder. She must avoid sliding down the slippery slope of exhaustion as she deals with the holidays, her extra responsibilities and helping to find the real perpetrator who did away with the chair of the festival committee which her twins are practicing for the festival. I enjoyed the twins characters a lot.

Children usually are always a bonus in books like this and they are here. The plot was entertaining and kept me guessing right til the end. The ballet aspect of the story was fun and entertaining and of course books about books, libraries and librarians are go to reads for me.

Pub Date 14 Nov 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian.

Her mysteries — the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, the Book Lover’s B&B series, and the Hunter and Clewe Mysteries — are published by Crooked Lane Books. They are available in hardback, eBook, and audio book, with some also available in paperback. Victoria has also written speculative fiction.

Victoria is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America. When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching TV and films, listening to music, gardening, or traveling. She lives in North Carolina.

Find out more at her website: victoriagilbertmysteries.com.

Enjoy your weekend. Thanks for stopping in.

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THE SUNDAY POST: CHRISTMAS EDITION

SUNDAY POST

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up.

Most Popular Christmas Candy By State

BOOKS I READ THE PAST WEEK

Quite the low number compared to my usual.

11 Unusual Christmas Traditions Around the World

Befana, the Christmas witch of Italy / corradobarattaphotos, iStock via Getty Images

MY NETGALLEY GRABS THIS WEEK

I didn’t get too many NetGalley books this week, did I? 🙂

A look at what Christmas was like during the Great Depression

61 Vintage Christmas Dishes Worth Trying Today

Candy Canes Are Everywhere During Christmas. Here’s Why

15 Candies You Can Only Get In The UK (That People Everywhere Else Crave)

How did the poinsettia and mistletoe become part of the holiday season?

Caring for the poinsettia after Christmas

The 76 Best Christmas Songs Of All Time to Add to your Holiday Music Playlist

Merry Christmas friends. Thanks for stopping in.

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Amish and the holidays-Book reviews, Amish Christmas Kinner and Thanksgiving Blessing

270 pages October 24,2023 publish date Berkley publisher buy link

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Promise Glen is struck by a vandalism spree around the Thanksgiving holiday, a community’s values—and two weathered hearts—are put to the test.

As a widow with two-year-old twins and a struggling orchard, Rebecca King’s dreams of expanding her business seem near impossible. To make matters worse, a troublesome string of destructive acts around Promise Glen threatens her roadside fruit and vegetable stand, forcing Rebecca to accept the help of her condescending new neighbor, Nathan Mueller.

Nathan didn’t intend to offend Rebecca with his offer to share the stand, especially since he’s a widower and single parent himself. He admires Rebecca’s strength and kindness in the face of adversity. If only they hadn’t started off on the wrong foot…

Despite their best efforts to shield their hearts, working side by side through the busy harvest plants the seeds of a budding friendship. But when the vandalism spreading through Promise Glen escalates to arson and rumors blaze through the town, they’ll have to learn to rely on each other more than ever. As Thanksgiving approaches, Rebecca and Nathan are forced to reconcile with their own grief, forgive what can’t be changed, and come to truly understand the core values of the holiday: love and gratitude.

MY THOUGHTS

This is the third and final book in the Amish Holiday series with the others being a holiday Easter and Christmas book.
I enjoyed reading this Thanksgiving book so close to Thanksgiving. Filled with pumpkins, harvests, apple cider and a farmers market stand the book is seasonally appropriate.


We are once again back in Promise Glen, a rural area with widowed Amish woman Rebecca King and her twin babies. The twins are rascals but utterly adorable as they babble In Pennsylvania Dutch. She dreams of expanding her orchard, but the babies take her time. Accepting help from her neighbor, who doesn’t always have the kindest things to say isn’t what she wants but she may have to take it.

I’m always pleased to see how the Amish come together to help each other. The community works as one, no matter what needs done they are there for each other.
The story has a bit of a mystery to it and an unexpected romance for one of our characters.


The romantic characters each have problems that they are experiencing but they work through it together and help each other heal.
The author writes a realistic Amish story, family, faith and love are strongly shown.

Publish date October 24, 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

I realized I wanted to be a writer at age eight, when I read my first Nancy Drew novel, The Secret of the Old Clock. Most little girl reach the end of that book wanting to be Nancy. I wanted to be the person who created the story!

The dream lay hidden for years while I became a teacher, married, had children…all the usual things. But eventually it re-surfaced, and I began to write, beginning with short children’s stories for Sunday school take-home papers. It seemed a long time until that first acceptance, but eventually I began to sell. After some three hundred published short stories, I finally found the courage to work on the novel I’d always wanted to write.

Sixty-some published novels later, I still feel the same excitement every time I begin a new book–a mix of not believing I can do it combined with an overwhelming urge to see the story on the page.

A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and my own Pennsylvania Dutch roots eventually led me to the books I’m writing now about the Amish. The Pleasant Valley Amish series from Berkley Books are longer, more complex emotional stories with Amish main characters, while my forthcoming HQN suspense novels are more adventure-filled books set in Pennsylvania Dutch country. I’m also writing a Love Inspired series about the Amish, The Brides of Lost Creek.

When I’m not writing, I’m busy with church activities, traveling, and spending time with my three children and six beautiful grandchildren.

274 pages September 26,2023 publication date Kensington publisher buy link

ABOUT THE BOOK

This trio of heartwarming, inspirational Amish holiday stories, each connected to its bestselling author’s Amish romance series, captures the blessings of family, faith, and the magic and childlike joy of Christmas.
 
CHRISTMAS EVE BABY * Lenora Worth
It’s a Christmas Eve to remember when a laboring mother-to-be shows up at the King sisters’ Shadow Lake Inn amid a snowstorm. Midwife Sarah King and her three daughters go into action, while the men of the family search for the woman’s husband. And with faithful hearts and helping hands, this magical night may unite a brand-new family just in time to share a Christmas blessing. 
 
BEST CHRISTMAS PROGRAM EVER * Rachel J. Good
On Emily Flaud’s second day of work at the Green Valley Farmer’s Market, two hungry children in tattered clothes snitch some cheese samples—and Emily’s heart. Her co-worker, Hosea King, is less beguiled. He is still grieving the loss of his wife and daughter two years before, especially as Christmas approaches. But when the children are in need of adoption, Emily longs to become their mother—in a prayer that includes Hosea . . .
 
LOVING LUKE * Kelly Long
Wanted: Amish Mail Order Groom. Must be excellent with kinner.Recently widowed,Grace Fisher must be practical. She has a general store to run and needs a gentle man to help raise her kinner. But when Luke King appears, Grace sees a scruffy man who looks far from husband material, while Luke sees a woman who deserves better than he. Yet with faith, each may gain the courage to see beneath the surface—and create a family for many Christmases to come . . .

MY THOUGHTS

The cover of this book is very appealing, and I was immediately drawn to it.
This book is by 3 popular authors of Amish fiction and each of the 3 stories are novella length.


The stories are full of faith and feel-good Christmas stories. These stories feature children and show the importance of family especially during the holiday season when many feel so alone. These are heartwarming and will touch your soul during this holiday season.

Pub Date: 26 Sep 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks for stopping in. Have you read any holiday books yet?

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BOOKS FROM THE BACKLOG

BOOKS FROM THE BACKLOG

Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks. Hosted by Carole’s Random Life.

THIS WEEK’S NEGLECTED BOOK

Pub Date 27 Sep 2022 

Description

It’s holiday season in the picturesque, coastal town of Sea Harbor, Massachusetts! But in USA Today bestselling author Sally Goldenbaum’s latest Seaside Knitters Society mystery, the knitting club sleuths will have to take a break from crafting cozy Christmas gifts to investigate a murder at the Mayor’s holiday party.

Winter in Sea Harbor is a feast for the senses—crackling bonfires, the scent of snow in the salty air, carols ringing out on the village green. This year, the Seaside Knitters have a sackful of obligations in addition to their usual Christmas preparations. Izzy is so overloaded with knitting classes that she hires an extra salesperson, but the new addition has trouble fitting into the yarn shop’s holiday spirit. Cass, juggling the stresses of running her lobster fishery, has finally found a nanny for her active toddler. Molly Flanigan seems practically perfect in every way—until she suddenly disappears, taking Cass’s beloved rescue mutt with her…

Meanwhile, the holidays are kicking off in style at Mayor Beatrice Scaglia’s holiday party, where a well-dressed crowd admires the mayor’s sumptuous new home and the celebrity chef catering the event.  An additional treat for Ben and Nell Endicott at the festive affair is reconnecting with a dear college friend, Oliver Bishop. But it’s not just reunions and the appetizers that are to-die-for. Before the party-goers can toast the beginning of Sea Harbor’s festive season, the chef—and young wife of the Endicott’s old Harvard friend—is found dead beneath the mistletoe.

Izzy, Birdie, Nell, and Cass must uncover the pattern to these mysteries to remove suspicion from those they love, bring a murderer to justice—and keep Sea Harbor’s holiday magic from vanishing into the chill winter air…

I am drawn to holiday cozies, what about you? I’m not sure why I haven’t read this one yet. Too many books, too little time as they say. I actually have a tattoo with that on it 🙂

Have you read this author yet? Will you be reading this one?

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Christmas in July Reads-Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle

365 pages publish date October 4, 2022 publisher G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Hello,

I hope you’re having a great day and that you’ve been enjoying my Christmas in July reads I’ve been sending. I am not sure how many more if any I’ll be able to read and review this month as I have other reading commitments not related to Christmas books. I have a few more blog tours and cover reveals and a few more I need to read and post in a timely manner before the end of the month.

About The Book

The holidays were never her thing, until she accidentally conjures the Holiday Spirit…before her very eyes.

Bettie Hughes once knew the comfort of luxury, flaunting a collection of designer purses and an enviable dream home in Hawaii. That was before she lost all her money. Long obsessed with her public image, Bettie boasts an extravagant lifestyle on social media. But the reality is Bettie is broke and squatting in Colorado, and her family has no idea.
 
Christmas, with its pressure to meet familial expectations, is looming when Bettie plays a vinyl record of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” backward and accidentally conjures up Hall, the Holiday Spirit, in the form of a charming and handsome (if offbeat) man. Once the shock wears off, Bettie knows she’s stumbled upon the greatest gift: a chance to make all her holiday wishes come true, plus a ready-made fiancé.
 
But as some of Bettie’s wishes lose their charm, she finds herself thrown off-kilter by Hall’s sweet nature. Suddenly, grumpy Bettie is finding her heart merry and light. But the happier she gets, the shorter Hall’s time on earth grows. Can Bettie channel the Christmas spirit and learn to live with goodwill toward all men? Or will her selfish ways return as soon as the holidays are over?

My Thoughts

This is different than the typical Christmas book I usually read which I didn’t realize until I started reading it. I don’t read or enjoy fantasy books which is what this felt like it was.
Our main character is a down on her luck social media influencer. She has a whiny feel sorry for me attitude and is jealous of her sister. She conjures up The Holiday Spirit, accidently.

I guess that’s one way to get in the holiday spirit when you’ve lost all your money you got from promotional products and can no longer afford expensive foreign vacations or designer threads, but your family doesn’t know yet. Named after her famous movie star grandmother she feels as though she must always measure up.

The book felt strange in a way to me because of the lack of realistic material. Whatever she thinks of or dreams up it happens in the way of holiday things. From creating a winter themed room to ice skating if she wants it, it’s there as long as it’s holiday themed. Meanwhile she knows he’ll be gone as soon as Christmas is over, but she can’t help but falling in love. This may be the perfect book for some, but it was not for me.

Pub Date 04 Oct 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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