Category: Winter Romance Wednesday

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Santa In A Kilt by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Santa In A Kilt
CHARACTERS: Kira & Shay
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/29/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
On the wild dunes of a Scottish Isle, mistletoe and mischief are the best way to heat up a holiday best shared by two . . .

The wind-whipped December sea air of the isle of Kinloch invigorates Kira MacLeod as she sets out to tame rugged Shay Callaghan. The Scottish bachelor may be as wary of a wedding ring as a snowman is of the hot sun, but it’s no secret how he looks at her—as if she were the only woman in the world. Now, with the encouragement of the canny islanders, and watching two of their best friends tie the knot in a romantic winter wedding, Kira will ignite Shay’s heart—and weave the perfect Celtic Christmas to say aye do . . .

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Originally in Unwrapped

This is a cute Christmas novella that is a fast read of romance. Shay doesn’t believe in love and but Kira does and he knows to be with her he needs to figure out what love really is.

I enjoyed the story and wish it has been a bit longer. I will say that as a fan of Kauffman I can see that she has grown in her writings over the last decade (originally published in 2011).

That being said still a cute highlander Christmas novella by Kauffman.

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

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The Matchmakers Mistletoe Mission by Jaci Burton

TITLE: The Matchmakers Mistletoe Mission
CHARACTERS: Alice & Clay
AUTHOR: Jaci Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/15/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton celebrates the gift of love and the holiday season with a snowy Christmas wedding at the Bellini family vineyard.

Stranded at the Red Moss Vineyard a week before her best friend’s wedding, LA native and professional matchmaker Alice Weatherford is not pleased with her first trip to Oklahoma, or the epic snowstorm forcing her to stay. So much for Christmas cheer. What she needs is a project, something to distract her…and, oh, has she found one in neighboring rancher Clay Henry. Gorgeous, charming, and unlike any other man she’s ever met, finding the right woman for Clay should be easy….

Having grown up with the Bellini sisters, it’s no hardship for Clay to ride out the storm at their cozy family vineyard, especially since that means spending time with their savvy and smart houseguest. But despite Alice’s best efforts, he’s not the least bit interested in her matchmaking….

Alice is the only woman Clay wants. Now he just has to convince the matchmaker herself to give love a chance.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Alice is a Los Angeles matchmaker but when her best friend’s wedding is in Oklahoma. Oklahoma is nothing like LA. It snows is Oklahoma and Alice is unexpectedly stuck for days. Clay is checking on the Bellini’s when the snowstorm hits and he is also stuck for days at the vineyard. So now we watch the season work…..

Alice connects with Clay but then she decides he needs to be matched up and she doesn’t date her clients. Clay doesn’t want to be matched. Right now the other one he is interested in is Alice. But both have pasts that they need to move beyond.

I thought this was a cute book. The characters are made for each other. I thought Clay was sweet and everything a girl wants. He actually listens!

Sweet book to curl up and read for the holidays!

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

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Lavender & Mistletoe by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Lavender & Mistletoe
SERIES #: Blue Hollow Falls #3.5
CHARACTERS: Avery & Ben
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
This Christmas, small-town Blue Hollow Falls will work big holiday magic for two people who have researched everything but love . . .

Avery Kent needs a project. The busy brain that earned her two PhDs before the age of eighteen is fascinated by the home she’s created with her three friends in Blue Hollow Falls, but the farm and the tearoom are running like clockwork now. As the holiday season approaches, it’s time for Avery to dive into one of her last uncharted research topics: love. Not for herself, of course; for her friend, Chey! But a closer look at the handsome young veterinarian Avery has chosen for this romantic equation has her wishing for gifts she never thought she wanted . . .

Another former child prodigy, Ben Chandler is more like Avery than she ever imagined. His intellect is a perfect match for hers—and everything else about him attracts her in ways that send delicious tingles down her spine. But a relationship? That’s something Avery will need to analyze—unless her friends can help Ben convince her that romance is more magic than science, and that a good old-fashioned kiss under the mistletoe is the perfect way to open her heart to the possibility of the greatest gift of all . . .

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts What a great novella. With only 140-ish pages this is a quick read that will easily put you in the Christmas spirit.

Avery and Ben are just adorable. And visiting Blue Hollow Falls is like coming home and perfectly in time for the holidays.

Grab a hot cocoa, start a fire and snug up under a comfy blanket…. That and this book is all you need to enjoy a night reading.

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

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Home For The Holidays by Terry Spear

TITLE: A Home For The Holidays
SERIES #: Silver Town Wolf #9
CHARACTERS: Meghan & Peter
AUTHOR: Terry Spear
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
“The best of holiday romances…a howling good time.”–Long and Short Reviews for A Silver Wolf Christmas

Silver Town is howling with Christmas cheer

Gray wolves Meghan MacTire and Sheriff Peter Jorgenson plan to spend the rest of their lives together, and what better time to start forever than Christmas? But they are both harboring dark secrets that are about to surface and threaten their future together. With holiday magic in the air and all Silver Town ready to celebrate, Meghan and Peter have to conquer the past if they’re to have any hope of celebrating this Christmas together.

Silver Town Wolf series:
Destiny of the Wolf (Book 1)
Wolf Fever (Book 2)
Dreaming of the Wolf (Book 3)
Silence of the Wolf (Book 4)
A Silver Wolf Christmas (Book 5)
Alpha Wolf Need Not Apply (Book 6)
Between a Wolf and a Hard Place (Book 7)
All’s Fair in Love and Wolf (Book 8)
Silver Town Wolf: Home for the Holidays (Book 9)

REVIEW:
Well this was a it different. Of course the whole wolf thing is there but this one had ghost. Interesting combination.

I liked the story. This has a nice holiday feel to it with a paranormal feel. I thought the couple was perfect for each other and liked with the holiday theme there was not a lot of couple drama. Mostly the couple stuck together to deal with the other issues.

Good holiday read.

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

4 Hearts

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews A Wedding In December by Sarah Morgan

a wedding in decemeberTITLE: A Wedding In December
CHARACTERS: The White Family
AUTHOR: Sarah Morgan
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/24/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
This funny, charming and heartwarming new Christmas novel is USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan at her festive best!

In the snowy perfection of Aspen, the White family gathers for youngest daughter Rosie’s whirlwind Christmas wedding. First to arrive are the bride’s parents, Maggie and Nick. Their daughter’s marriage is a milestone they are determined to celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are hiding a huge secret of their own: they are on the brink of divorce. After living apart for the last six months, the last thing they need is to be trapped together in an irresistibly romantic winter wonderland.

Rosie’s older sister, Katie, is also dreading the wedding. Worried that impulsive, sweet-hearted Rosie is making a mistake, Katie is determined to save her sister from herself! If only the irritatingly good-looking best man, Jordan, would stop interfering with her plans…

Bride-to-be Rosie loves her fiancé but is having serious second thoughts. Except everyone has arrived—how can she tell them she’s not sure? As the big day gets closer, and emotions run even higher, this is one White family Christmas none of them will ever forget!

REVIEW:
This story is about romance but I think it is more about the love of family. Rosie doesn’t always make the best decisions and is a bit impulsive so when she tells her family she is getting married to get boyfriend of only a few months the family worries.

Her older sister, Katie, is protective of Rosie since she has medical issues. Katie has even gone into medicine because of her baby sister. But the best man has her mind heading where it shouldn’t.

And then there is Maggie, the girls mom. She is separated from her husband but hasn’t told the girls yet and of course the happy occasion of a wedding doesn’t need to be spoiled by the news of divorce. But Maggie is finding she needs to figure out what her next chapter of life is. Her girls are grown and don’t need her the same way anymore, so what now?

I found myself wanting to attend the wedding and help the family out as if I was one of them. When you want to crawl into a book I think that says a lot about it. There is so much to this story about finding love but also finding yourself.

What a great book to put you into the Christmas spirit. Perfect to light a fire and enjoy a glass of egg nog.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The Bakeshop At Pumpkin And Spice by Kauffman, Angell & Charles

bakeshop at pumpkin and spiceTITLE: The Bakeshop At Pumpkin And Spice
CHARACTERS: Bree, Cassie & Lara
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman, Kate Angell & Allyson Charles
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/27/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Every autumn, Moonbright, Maine, is the picture of charm with its piles of crisp leaves, flickering jack-o’-lanterns … and a touch of the sweetest kind of enchantment.

Witches, goblins, the occasional ghost—they’re all sure to be spotted at the annual Halloween parade, where adults and children alike dress in costume to celebrate Moonbright’s favorite holiday. And no place has more seasonal spirit than Bellaluna’s Bakeshop, a family business steeped in traditional recipes, welcoming warmth—and, legend has it, truly spellbinding, heart-melting treats …

Between good-natured Halloween tricks, frothy pumpkin lattes, and some very special baked goods, for three Moonbright residents looking for love—whether they know it or not—the spookiest thing will be how magical romance can suddenly be …

REVIEW:
This is three novellas combined into one novel. As a fan of Donna Kauffman I requested the book from NetGalley and I am glad I did. The stories mesh so well. Having a bit of magic and romance.

The magic is in and around the bakeshop and the cookies that Nana bakes. In the first one Bree is learning her own way around the bakeshops magic as well when Caleb enters the bakery just as Nana knew he would.

The second and third are from authors I do not remember reading before. The second story is about Cassie trying to make one man interested in her when maybe it is a complete stranger she needs to be made aware of. And the third is about Lara who seems to be having a bad day until love walks in.

This is a great story to read around the Halloween season. A magical romance!

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

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells by Donna Kauffman

lock stock and jungle bellsTITLE: Lock, Stock & Jingle Bells
SERIES #: Hamilton Christmas #2
CHARACTERS: Holly & Sean
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/25/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The best holiday gifts aren’t always under the tree . . .

Holly hates the yuletide season more than ever since she received her very early inheritance: her mother’s Christmas novelty store. Now she has to put her life on hold to deal with the shop, while her parents settle into their busy sunny Florida retirement. But Holly’s childhood pal, Sean, is determined to warm her up—to Christmas and to him. When they uncover a diary concealing secrets involving both their families, this could be the Christmas that changes their lives forever . . .

Originally part of the Kissing Santa Claus anthology.

REVIEW:
This is the second in the Christmas novellas that Kauffman has put out this year. And was originally part of an anthology.

Another cute holiday story that will certainly get you in the Christmas mood. I read the first one and had hoped it was a bit of a continuation but it was not but that does not mean it is any less interesting.

Kauffman is always one of my go to authors. I have never been disappointed by her stories and this one is no exception. This is a very quick read with just about 100 pages.

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

4 Hearts
4 Hearts