Category: Christmas Romance

TITLE: Wagging Through The Snow
SERIES #: Melanie Travis Mystery #21
CHARACTERS: Melanie Travis
AUTHOR: Laurien Berenson
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/26/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Melanie Travis needs a little peace from her busy life this Christmas. But the usual holiday hubbub is a joy compared to the killer surprise she finds tucked underneath the tree . . .

With a demanding teaching job at Connecticut’s elite Howard Academy and five poodles scampering around the house, Melanie barely has energy for the upcoming Christmas rush. But she unwraps an unexpected challenge when her brother and ex-husband, elated by the recent success of their country café, make a spontaneous bid on a dilapidated pine tree farm. Although the ten-acre lot had been a popular seasonal destination while the original owner was still alive, it’ll take some sprucing up—and a small miracle or two—before the neglected place is in shape for December.

Unfortunately, the impromptu business venture goes cold when the group discovers a purebred Maltese whimpering in the snow-covered grove—right beside a dead body. Pete, a squatter who camped out on the land, apparently met his end after a fallen fir tree branch knocked him on the head. But as Melanie and Aunt Peg investigate Pete’s history and the terrible habit that cost him everything, it’s clear his death was no accident. Now, Melanie must run through a flurry of likely suspects and muzzle a dogged murderer in time—or she’ll be next on someone’s deadly list.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts So this story is really cute. It is a short read of only about 100 pages so I wouldn’t say it will put you in a holiday mood because about the time you get into it it’s over.

I think one of the problems was I have never read one from this author or series before. I didn’t know this was #21 in the series and I think it would have been a bit better if I knew the characters from before. Now that being said the mystery is good and the story is very well written.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: Christmas In Icicle Falls
SERIES #: Life In Icicle Falls #11
CHARACTERS: Muriel/Sienna/Olivia
AUTHOR: Sheila Roberts
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/24/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Join USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts this Christmas as she returns for the final installment in her treasured Icicle Falls series When Muriel Sterling released her new book, A Guide to Happy Holidays, she felt like the queen of Christmas. She’s thrilled when the new tree she ordered online arrives and is eager to show it off–until she gets it out of the box and realizes it’s a mangy dud. But rather than give up on the ugly tree, Muriel decides to make a project out of it. As she pretties up her tree, she realizes there’s a lesson to be learned: everything and everyone has potential. Maybe even her old friend Arnie, who’s loved her for years. Except, she’s not the only one seeing Arnie’s potential… Meanwhile, Muriel’s ugly-tree project has also inspired her friends. Sienna Moreno is trying to bring out the best in the grouchy man next door, who hates noise, hates kids and hates his new neighbors. And while Olivia Claussen would love to send her obnoxious new daughter-in-law packing, she’s adjusting her attitude and trying to discover what her son sees in the girl. If these women can learn to see the beauty in the “ugly trees” in their lives, perhaps this might turn out to be the happiest holiday yet.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Sheila Roberts is well known for her romance novels but even more so for her Christmas romances. And this book is why. The emotions in this book are just all over the place. And the Christmas spirit is on every page.

The “Ugly Tree” project is really a different spin and makes a person think. The characters are well written and the town is a great fictional location.

This is a don’t miss for the Christmas season. It will get you in the spirit but will also bring some perspective to what the season is all about.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: The Christmas Room
CHARACTERS: Maddie & Sam
AUTHOR: Catherine Anderson
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/26/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The beloved author of the Mystic Creek series gifts readers with a novel of homespun holiday cheer, as two families discover the joy of hope and redemption….

Widow Maddie McLendon has uprooted her life to move to Rustlers Gulch with her son and grandson. But as a brutal Montana winter looms on the horizon, contractors have yet to break ground on their new house, leaving them to live in a makeshift camp of trailers, tents, and sheds….

Since his wife died six years earlier, millionaire rancher Sam Conacher has been content to wallow in his grief alone, while keeping a tight rein on his twenty-six-year-old daughter. But now the girl has gone and fallen in love with his foolish new neighbor’s no-good son….

Maddie and Sam will never see eye to eye on anything, until a near-tragedy gives them a true glimpse into each other’s souls. And as the first snowflakes begin to fall, they’ll discover that an open heart is the biggest gift of all….

REVIEW:
If you are looking for a feel good holiday romance this is not the story for you. Not that the story is good but it is missing a lot of the holiday cheer that readers (or at least me) want to read in a holiday romance.

One of the things I did like was the romance of an older couple, once it began. I didn’t enjoy all the negative talk. So many mean spirited words are said that it takes the joy out of the noel.

Don’t get me wrong some of the story was humorous and enjoyable. The concept is really interesting and different and maybe if I wasn’t expecting a feel good holiday romance novel.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: Christmas At Mistletoe Cove
CHARACTERS: Eden & Dougie
AUTHOR: Holly Martin
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/22/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Growing up on Hope Island, Eden Lancaster always believed that if you wished hard enough for something, dreams really could come true. But Eden’s greatest wish is also her biggest secret: she has been completely in love with her childhood friend, the charming and attractive Dougie Harrison, for as long as she can remember. And he has no idea.

When Dougie leaves his successful life in New York to return home to Hope Island for good, Eden can’t escape her feelings. Her heart is full of hope that her romantic dreams are finally, at long last, going to come true…

This Christmas could change everything. But can a lifelong friendship really turn into the perfect romance? And will Eden get the happily ever after she’s always wished for?

REVIEW:
What a sweet holiday story. I loved that even though Eden has loved Dougie for as long as she can remember when he comes back to the island she makes him work for it. The scene is set perfectly for a Christmas story and while it is not really a second chance at love story it is a friend to lovers story.

This will put you in the holiday mood so grab a hot tea, start a fire and wrap up in a warm blanket…. And enjoy.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: A Chance This Christmas
SERIES #: Road To Romance #3
CHARACTERS: Rachel & Gavin
AUTHOR: Joanne Rock
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/05/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Growing up in the Christmas-crazed theme town of Yuletide was fun for fashion designer Rachel Chambers until a family scandal made her unwelcome. Eight years later, she’s home for a friend’s wedding and trying to go incognito… until her old flame spots her.

Snowboarder Gavin Blake wants to make things right with Rachel, and smoothing her way back in Yuletide seems like the best way to do just that. Making Rachel his date for a week of pre-wedding parties is sure to bring them closer. Except he underestimated how long a small town can carry a grudge–or how much the memory of a long-ago kiss could tempt him all over again.

As the wedding approaches, Rachel remembers all she loved about her close-knit, Christmas-loving neighbors. But even if she can win over the town again, will she be able to convince her footloose, mogul-shredding wedding date that they can find happiness beyond the holidays?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is a cute holiday second chance at love romance. Gavin and Rachel knew each other has teens but a town scandal sent the friends scurrying away. Now they are both back for a wedding and sparks fly.

I thought Gavin was a sweet character and Rachel was very real. Her reactions and her emotions seemed to be honest. The background characters were nice as well. I thought it needed a bit more on the scandal of Rachel’s father and less on the infamous kiss.

This is a short read of a bit over 100 pages so alot gets added quickly. But it certainly has a holiday feel. This isn’t just set in a time of Christmas, this town IS Christmas.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: Just A Little Christmas
CHARACTERS: Ellie & Jubal
AUTHOR: Janet Dailey
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/26/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Believe in second chances this Christmas . . .

Ellie Marsden couldn’t wait to shake the dust of Branding Iron, Texas, off her heels and chase after bright lights, big city, and a wealthy husband. Now she’s come home, divorced, a little disillusioned, and a whole lot pregnant. Leave it to her one-time high school sweetheart, cattle rancher Jubal McFarland, to point out that citified Ellie is as out of place in small-town Texas as her teacup poodle. So why is there something about being back—and being with Jubal—that feels surprisingly right?

Jubal’s eight-year-old daughter, Gracie, needs a mother, but he hasn’t found the perfect woman. Or maybe the problem is that he did find her, and had his heart broken when she left town. Gracie’s already falling hard for Ellie and that ball of fluff she calls a dog. And no matter how hard the rugged cowboy tries to resist, there’s no denying the appeal of first love and sweet new beginnings—especially when there’s a little Christmas magic in the air . . .

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is a sweet holiday story about second chances. Ellie and Jubal were serious in high school but she wanted more than being a farm wife. He wanted to improve on his family’s land. But now it is ten years later and things are different. Can they make a go of it this time?

I enjoyed most of this book. There were a few things I didn’t like but to be honest they are not huge deals but they just didn’t sit right. Like how often Jubal leaves his 8 year old daughter alone while he runs into town. I get that she is used to being alone if he has to take care of the cows but he is still on the property. And speaking of his daughter, no eight year old speaks like Gracie does. She is a cutie though so it is ok.

While set at Christmas time there is isn’t a lot of Christmas in the story. But there is a holiday feel. I liked Ellie a lot. She is the type of woman I like to be friends with. She has grown into a good person. Jubal is sweet but not one that I would fall head over heels for.

This is a relatively short read, about 185 pages, so a good book to enjoy one snowy weekend this winter.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: Sugar Pine Trail
SERIES #: Haven Point #7
CHARACTERS: Julia & Jamie
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/26/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
An unlikely attraction brings comfort, joy and unforgettable romance this holiday season!

Librarian Julia Winston is ready to ditch the quiet existence she’s been living. She’s made a list of new things to experience, but falling for Jamie Caine, her sexy military pilot neighbor, isn’t one of them. Julia’s looking to conquer life, not become the heartbreaker’s latest conquest. But when two young brothers wind up in Julia’s care for the holidays, she’ll take any help she can get—even Jamie’s.

Happy to step in, Jamie reveals a side of himself that’s much harder to resist. Not only is he fantastic with kids, he provides the strength Julia needs to tackle her list. She knows their temporary family can’t last beyond the holidays, but the closer she gets to Jamie, the more she wonders if things could be this merry and bright forever…

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts This might be one of the best stories I have read from this author and from a lot of other authors too. I say this for a couple of reasons but one in particular. Towards the end I was holding back tears. And that means a lot if you ask me. Other reasons are simple, I couldn’t stop reading it. I thought about the characters when I wasn’t reading it and I didn’t want the story to end. All in all I could leave the review like that because those are the things a reader wants in a good book. However….

Julia is such a sweet person. She gives with her whole heart and asks for nothing in return. She just wants to do what is right. Jamie has dealt with loss and guilt. Because of that he has learned it is better to stay a step away than get too close but this woman just keeps him tip-toeing closer and closer. And the two boys that come into their lives are sweet and loving and just pull at your heartstrings.

There are a couple of minor things that I wish had been different but this story is almost perfect.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

TITLE: The Holiday Gift
SERIES #: Cowboys Of Cold Creek #15
CHARACTERS: Faith & Chase
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/22/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With two kids and an active life, widow Faith Dustin only wants peace and quiet for Christmas. But her snowy Pine Gulch ranch is nothing but chaotic. All that keeps Faith going is her helpful neighbor, cowboy Chase Brannon. He’s always been “good ol’ Chase,” her faithful friend. Until he kisses her under the mistletoe…

Years ago Chase blew his chance with the woman he’s loved since childhood. Now he’s determined to step out of the friend zone…and into the role of husband. But the scared and stubborn Faith won’t let herself fall. With Christmas just days away, Chase will need all the magic of the season—and the help of her two matchmaking children—to unwrap a second chance at love.

REVIEW:
Thayne is becoming one of my favorite authors. I have enjoyed her books and while I have not read this entire series I am slowly catching up. Thayne has a way of pulling the romance out of every character and the reader falls in love with this sweet and simple romance.

This is a story of second chances. Faith and Chase have known each other since they were teens. While they went off and had separate lives they now have a second chance. Faith is a widowed mom and just doesn’t think she can let her heart go again.

Give this book (or series) a chance. You will not regret it.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.