Holiday Romance – Page 8

December 20, 2016December 18, 2016

Kimberly reviews Christmas At Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin

TITLE: Christmas At Lilac Cottage
SERIES #: White Cliff Bay #1
CHARACTERS: Penny & Henry
AUTHOR: Holly Martin
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/20/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to the charming seaside town of White Cliff Bay, where Christmas is magical and love is in the air…

Penny Meadows loves her home – a cozy cottage decorated with pretty twinkling fairy lights and stunning views over the town of White Cliff Bay. She also loves her job as an ice-carver, creating breathtaking sculptures. Yet her personal life seems frozen.

When Henry and daughter Daisy arrive at the cottage to rent the annex, Penny is determined to make them feel welcome. But while Daisy is friendly, Henry seems guarded.

As Penny gets to know Henry, she realizes there is more to him than meets the eye. And the connection between them is too strong to ignore…

While the spirit of the season sprinkles its magic over the seaside town and preparations for the ice sculpting competition and Christmas eve ball are in full swing, can Penny melt the ice and allow love in her heart? And will this finally be the perfect Christmas she’s been dreaming of?

Like a creamy hot chocolate with marshmallows, you won’t want to put this deliciously heartwarming novel down.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I think I read these stories out of order and while mostly that was not a problem I think it put me at a small disadvantage. However that being said the story is very sweet and certainly has the Christmas feel. I didn’t realize it was brit-lit which is not one of my favorites.

What I did enjoy was the humor of the story. The ice sculpting is just too funny in some scenes.

This is a great holiday book to curl under a warm blanket, by a fire with a warm beverage and it will put you into the Christmas spirit.

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

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December 19, 2016December 18, 2016

Kimberly reviews The Christmas Cake Cafe by Sue Watson

TITLE: The Christmas Cake Cafe
CHARACTERS: Jen & Jon
AUTHOR: Sue Watson
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/14/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Heart-warming and hilarious, a story that will make you laugh, cry and bring a smile to your face. Get ready for another deliciously amazing Christmas treat from Sue Watson….

As the Prosecco chills and Bing Crosby croons, Jen Barker just knows that her long-term boyfriend is about to propose. But instead of a diamond ring nestled in her champagne flute, Jen finds cold flat rejection. Her once perfect life and dreams of a husband and family seem even further from reach.

A working holiday to the Swiss Alps with her younger sister Jody might not be the Christmas Jen had it mind, but it offers her the chance to recharge her batteries and recover from heartbreak.

When Jen meets handsome ski instructor Jon Zutter her hopes for a happy-ever-after seem within her grasp again. Jon is kind and gorgeous and as they bond over Sachetorte at the picturesque Cake Café, Jen thinks he might just be her perfect man. But a relationship with him comes with a catch – and there are some things even cake can’t fix.

As the snow falls and Christmas approaches, could this be the place that restores Jen Barker’s faith in love?

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts So the good part. I enjoyed this was an older couple. Jen is in her 40’s and it gave hope for us old folks’.

Not the not so good. I just didn’t feel it with the characters. The sisters are drastically different and Jen is a bit whiney to me. I also thought the romance was too quick and in a snap they were head of heels. Jen also spent a lot of time obsessing over her ex which seemed like a jerk to me so when she finds the new love it almost seemed desperate.

Now with that being said the story is an ok holiday romance.

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

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December 14, 2016December 10, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews The Trouble With Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: The Trouble with Mistletoe
SERIES #: Heartbreaker Bay #2
CHARACTERS: Keane Winters & Willa Davis
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: September 27, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
If she has her way …
Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her …
He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.
Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him …
Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice …
Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work

REVIEW:
Ms. Shalvis is one of my favorite authors and I always love picking up one of her stories. The Trouble with Mistletoe, book two in her new Heartbreaker Bay series, is another really good read. I love that Ms. Shalvis is able to create a world that makes me want to move to that town and create characters that make me wish were my group of friends.
Willa and Keane’s story is so much fun. I really enjoyed reading their story. I also love Ms. Shalvis ability to make us fall in love with the secondary characters. I really can’t wait to see what is next in this series!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Edelweiss & Avon in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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December 7, 2016December 5, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Miracle On 5th Avenue by Sarah Morgan

TITLE: Miracle On 5th Avenue
SERIES #: From Manhattan With Love #3
CHARACTERS: Eva & Lucas
AUTHOR: Sarah Morgan
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/29/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It will take a Christmas miracle for two very different souls to find each other in this perfectly festive fairytale of New York!

Hopeless romantic Eva Jordan loves everything about Christmas. She might be spending the holidays alone this year, but when she’s given an opportunity to house-sit a spectacular penthouse on Fifth Avenue, she leaps at the chance. What better place to celebrate than in snow-kissed Manhattan? What she didn’t expect was to find the penthouse still occupied by its gorgeous—and mysterious—owner.

Bestselling crime writer Lucas Blade is having the nightmare before Christmas. With a deadline and the anniversary of his wife’s death looming, he’s isolated himself in his penthouse with only his grief for company. He wants no interruptions, no decorations and he certainly doesn’t appreciate being distracted by his beautiful, bubbly new housekeeper. But when the blizzard of the century leaves Eva snowbound in his apartment, Lucas starts to open up to the magic she brings…This Christmas, is Lucas finally ready to trust that happily-ever-afters do exist?

REVIEW:
I enjoyed this story a lot. I believe a woman in a book can be 1) Someone you want to be 2) Someone you want to be friends with or 3) Someone you can’t stand. Eva is certainly one that falls into the second category. Eva would be a great friend. Always happy and there for her friends but she is sad on the inside. Always there for someone else but they do not see into her sad soul.

Lucas is a bit of a nightmare at first. I am not a fan of one of the main characters spending their time mourning for a lost love and then bam! they are in love with someone new. And that is a bit of what Lucas does. But once he has fallen the couple really do fit together.

I enjoyed the background characters as well. This is a sweet holiday romance that any fan will enjoy.

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

November 30, 2016November 27, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Three Christmas Wishes by Sheila Roberts

TITLE: Three Christmas Wishes
CHARACTERS: Riley, Jo & Noel
AUTHOR: Sheila Roberts
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/18/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Three friends, three wishes—one Christmas!

Riley Erickson, her pregnant sister, Jo, and their friend Noel are all wishing for the same thing: the perfect man. Or at least men who are perfect for them. Riley’s hasn’t turned out to be too impressive, dumping her for her bridesmaid three weeks before the wedding. Jo’s husband is being perfectly stubborn. And Noel has given up completely.

When the three women visit a shopping-mall Santa on a lark, the guy is full of predictions. Riley’s going to meet her perfect man in a memorable way. Noel is going to get a good man to go with that house she’s trying desperately to buy. And Jo, well, a new man is about to come into her life. What on earth does that mean? She already has her hands full with the one she’s got. As for Riley and Noel, they have some holiday challenges to meet…

But Christmas wishes can come true, as these three women are about to discover. Because in spite of romantic setbacks and derailed dreams, this truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts I can’t ever remember reading a Sheila Roberts book (but I read a lot) but this will not be my last. This story had a little of everything. Happiness, heartbreak, sisterly love (biological and nonbiological), angst and Christmas spirit.

This story pulls you in from the beginning and it was hard to put down. The sisters each have their own issues going on. Riley is heartbroken from her finance’ duping her, Jo has angst about her Navy man re-enlisting and Noel just wants to keep her home.

Can their wishes come true? Well of course…. It’s Christmas time after all. This is a perfect story to curl up in front of the fire with hot cocoa and a warm blanket and enjoy.

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

November 23, 2016November 20, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Christmas Under A Starlit Sky by Holly Martin

TITLE: Christmas Under a Starlit Sky
SERIES #: A Town Called Christmas #2
CHARACTERS: Neve and Oakley
AUTHOR: Holly Martin
PUBLICATION DATE: 1019/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Step inside a beautiful winter wonderland where love, laughter and cosy nights by the fire will make this Christmas one to remember.

Neve Whitaker loves managing the Stardust Lake hotel. She gets to work alongside her wonderful family and she’s spending Christmas on the most enchanting, snow-covered island in Scotland. So why is her heart so heavy this festive season?

It might have something to do with the gorgeous actor Oakley Rey, the man she finished with before he left for California and the man she loves more than anything. With Oakley’s career in Hollywood soaring, Neve is convinced she’d only hold him back. She had to end it with him – at least that’s what she keeps telling herself.

But now she has a secret she’s struggling to keep, and when Oakley arrives on Juniper Island determined to win her back, Neve is thrown off balance. Will Neve’s fear of having her heart broken again push Oakley away for good, or is it time for her to take a leap of faith?

Get swept away by this deliciously sweet and heartwarming tale, and spend an unforgettable Christmas on Juniper Island.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is the second in the Town Called Christmas series. I read the first one and enjoyed it so I requested this one as soon as it came to NetGalley. And again I enjoyed the story very much.

There is a lot of drama in this story and I am glad they didn’t do the love triangle with Neve, Oakley and Adam as I thought they might. Neve and Oakley needed to be together.

This is a nice holiday romance.

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

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November 16, 2016November 13, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews All I Want For Christmas by Jenny Hale

TITLE: All I Want For Christmas
CHARACTERS: Leah & David
AUTHOR: Jenny Hale
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/06/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
All I Want for Christmas is a big, cozy Christmas story about the importance of family, the strength of childhood friendships, and learning to trust your heart.

Fans of Carole Matthews, Susan Wiggs and Susan Mallery – and anyone who likes the glow of Christmas lights and the rustle of wrapping paper – will fall in love with this feel-good Christmas treat.

Christmas comes once a year . . . But true love comes once in a lifetime.

Snowflakes are falling, there’s carol singing on every corner, and Leah Evans is preparing for a family Christmas at her grandmother’s majestic plantation house in Virginia. It won’t be the same now that her beloved Nan is gone, but when Leah discovers she has inherited the mansion, she knows she can give her daughter Sadie the childhood of her dreams.

But there’s a catch. Leah must split the house with a man called David Forester. Leah hasn’t heard that name in a long time. Not since they were kids, when Davey was always there to catch her.

Now David is all grown up. He’s gorgeous, successful, and certain of one thing: Leah should sell him her half of the house.

They can’t agree, but as they share memories over wine by the log fire, Leah notices a fluttering in her stomach. And by the look in his eyes, he’s starting to feel it too.

Will it be Leah or David who must give up their dreams? Or, with a little bit of Christmas magic, will they finally understand Nan’s advice to them both about living life without regrets … and take a chance on true love?

REVIEW:

I don’t know. I just wasn’t overly impressed with this story. Leah is a bit whiney for me and David is a bit stiff. It is slow with a bit too many words if you ask me.

There is not too much romance in this romance novel. I really don’t get this story. I mean I realize that Nan was trying to get Leah and David together but David is so determined to get the plantation but I don’t even understand why he thinks he is entitled to it.

All in all not bad just not great.

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

November 9, 2016November 6, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: One Snowy Night
SERIES #: Heartbreaker Bay #2.5
CHARACTERS: Max Stranton & Rory Andrews
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: November 8, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Heartbreaker Bay with a fun and festive holiday novella!

It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to the family she hasn’t seen in years. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, and his big, goofy, lovable dog Carl.

Hours stuck in a truck with the dead sexy Max sounds like a fate worse than death (not), but Rory’s out of options. She’s had a crush on Max since high school and she knows he’s attracted to her, too. But they have history… and Max is the only one who knows why it went south.

They’ve done a good job of ignoring their chemistry so far, but a long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past… and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.

REVIEW:
QUICK!!!! This was a super quick read. I really wanted more to happen. But the tension between Max and Rory has been building over the last two books. I don’t think that you have to read this series in order, but I would. It will give you a better insight into Max and Rory’s relationship. I don’t want to give away any details, but we finally learn in One Snowy Night why Max has been so stand offish to Rory over the years.
Really enjoying this new series my Ms. Shalvis and I can’t wait for the next installment.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Edelweiss & Avon Impulse in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

November 2, 2016October 31, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Snowfall On Haven Point by RaeAnne Thayne

TITLE: Snowfall On Haven Point
SERIES #: Haven Point #5
CHARACTERS: Andrea & Marshall
AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/27/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There’s no place like Haven Point for the holidays, where the snow conspires to bring two wary hearts together for a Christmas to remember

It’s been two rough years since Andrea Montgomery lost her husband, and all she wants is for her children to enjoy their first Christmas in Haven Point. But then Andie’s friend asks a favor—to keep an eye on her brother, Sheriff Marshall Bailey, who’s recovering from a hit and run. Andie will do anything for Wyn, even park her own misgivings to check on her grouchy, wounded bear of a brother.

Marshall hates feeling defenseless and resents the protective impulses that Andie brings out in him. But when a blizzard forces them together for the holidays, something in Marshall begins to thaw. Andie’s gentle nature is a salve, and her kids’ excitement for the holidays makes him forget why he never wanted a family. If only he and Andie can admit what they really want—each other—their Christmas wishes might come true after all.

REVIEW:
This is a very sweet holiday story with a bit of mystery thrown in. Marshall is a good guy with a heart of gold for his town but not to any women and for sure not for any children. Andie is a lovely widowed mom of two young children so of course they are a match made in heaven. The kids are a perfect addition to the story as well.

The story did drag a little with the whole “I can’t be in love with him but I am” and “I shouldn’t be in love with her but I am” kind of attitude. Marshall gets a bit testy sometimes and has to apologize and Andie accepts but then he does something and you realize why she lets him be a grouchy guy.

This is a perfect by the fire story to get the reader in the mood for Christmas and romance.

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

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October 26, 2016October 24, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Mistletoe Cottage by Debbie Mason

TITLE: Mistletoe Cottage
SERIES #: Harmony Harbor #1
CHARACTERS: Sophie & Liam
AUTHOR: Debbie Mason
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/25/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
‘Tis the season for love . . .
Sophie DiRossi loved growing up in Harmony Harbor. But after fleeing in disgrace many years ago, it is the last place she wants to be. Left homeless by a fire, she’s forced to go back to the small coastal town that harbors a million secrets, including her own. Sophie sees this secret reflected every day in her daughter’s blue eyes-and she must keep it hidden from the only man she has ever loved.

Sophie’s return is a shock for everyone . . . especially Liam Gallagher. The firefighter had some serious feelings for Sophie-and seeing her again sparks a desire so fierce it takes his breath away. Now Liam will do whatever it takes to show Sophie that they deserve a second chance at love, even if everything they’ve concealed threatens to keep them apart. In this special town at this special time of the year, Sophie and Liam can only hope for a little holiday magic…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I don’t recall reading a Debbie Mason novel before but this will not be my last one. I can totally understand why Ms Mason has a reputation for writing wonderful holiday stories. I decided to read this one since it was the first in a new series. I look forward to reading the next one.

There is a lot happening in this story. A lot of emotion that is palpable as the reader gets further into the story. This is a story of a second chance at love when the first chance never really had a chance to get started.

As a couple others have said the part I had a hard time with was all the characters. Sophie and Liam’s story is great but there is a lot of background characters that can get a bit confusing. But no matter this holiday story is well worth the read.

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

October 19, 2016October 17, 2016

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews Mistletoe Games by Jaci Burton

TITLE: Mistletoe Games
SERIES #: Play by Play, #6.5, #8.5 #10.5
AUTHOR: Jaci Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: October 18, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
No one brings the sexy out in sports like Jaci Burton, the author of the New York Times bestselling Play-by-Play novels. Now, she puts together a holiday hat trick with three novellas featuring the hottest sports around: baseball, hockey, and surfing—because hard bodies are always in season…
Holiday Games
For the high-achieving Elizabeth and her husband, baseball player Gavin Riley, failure is not an option. So when it comes to making a baby, they’re not about to let any holiday distractions get in the way of their necessary pleasures…
Holiday on Ice
It’s the season for giving and superstar hockey player Patrick “Trick” Niemeyer is ready to give dancer Stella Slovinski his heart wrapped up in bow. But he’ll have to melt the ice surrounding her heart to keep her from walking away…
Hot Holiday Nights
Christmas in Hawaii brings sports agent Tori Baldwin two presents: a young surfer at the top of his game and his business manager. But this hot threesome has to decide if the romantic wave they’ve caught is nothing more than a vacation fling, or the kind of love that could change their lives forever.

REVIEWS:
Holiday Games: (4 1/2 hearts)
Liz has baby on the brain. Which means she needs to convince her husband that they need to have more sex. But with the holiday’s and a wedding there is not much time. But that is not going stop Liz.

Oh, how I love Jaci Burton’s Play-by-Play series!!!! Since Holiday Games is a novella and don’t want to give too much away just know that it will not disappoint. It was so much fun to read about Gavin & Liz again. I so can’t wait for the next installment in this series.

Holiday on Ice: (4 1/2 hearts)
Loved.
Simple as that.
I loved this book.
Trick & Stella we have met before. I think we all know then that something was going on with them. But we just didn’t know what or how deep it ran. That being said since this was a novella I am not going to give you more. 😉 Except that I loved Trick and Stella and you should read this novella.

If you are a fan of the Play-by-Play series you will love this novella. If you have not started this series never fear you can pick up Holiday on Ice and read without being lost.

Hot Holiday Nights: (4 hearts)
In Hot Holiday Nights we get to follow sports agent Victoria Baldwin on her holiday trip to Hawaii. And it just happens to be the same time as a huge Surfing contest. Which brings some hottie surfers. Alex is a surfing super start and a very sweet guy who is looking for a good time will he is in Hawaii. Ben is Alex’s agent, best friend and was once a competitive surfer until he was hurt.
This was a very quick read and boy howdy it was spicy. Victoria is a woman who knows what she wants and when she wants it. Alex, Victoria and Ben make a great team!!! I don’t want to give you too much but if you like the Play by Play series you will love this novella.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

October 12, 2016October 7, 2016

#TBT Winter Romance Review! Kimberly reviews Kentucky Christmas by Sarah Title ~ Catch Up From The Beginning

TITLE: Kentucky Christmas
CHARACTERS: Billie & Andrew
AUTHOR: Sarah Title
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/05/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome back to Hollow Bend, Kentucky, where love (and laughter) are just around the corner.
When Andrew Bateman rolls into town in the midst of a snow storm, his first thought is that the place is hardly big enough for a dog crate, let alone the vet practice he’s looking for. Next thing he knows, his life is flashing in front of him—a depressingly short flash—as he skids right into the side of the local bar.

Things start looking up when the vision he wakes to is not the Angel of Death, but a doctor. Well, actually a vet. Make that a vet tech, wearing red mittens. Who invites him home, where every inch is covered in holiday sparkles, cookies to be decorated, and an odd assortment of stray dogs, cats and puppies…

There’s nothing merrier than a white Christmas in Kentucky!

REVIEW:
2.5 Hearts This was a very short story. Only about 40 pages so I will keep this short. This is just an ok story. First there is way too many people named in this story and it gets confusing. Second the characters just really didn’t connect and finally it is written as if the characters are only teenagers and don’t have a mature bone in their body. Just not as good as I hoped.

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

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