Christmas

Review: Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale

Posted by

0

  
This book is EXACTLY WHY I put so much stock in endings. For example, I loved Outlander but hated the ending. In fact, the ending RUINED the whole book for me. 

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses, however, had such a lovely ending that it redeemed a book I almost gave 2 stars. That’s me being honest, not mean! 

Christmas Wishes started out slow, but I’m a sucker for a merry Christmas story, so I marched on. The middle was more interesting, but also contrived. I mean, how many “accidental” ways are we going to get Nick and Abbey in the same room? 

And then came the last third of the book. The third where I was so invested I could feel the scarf on Abbey’s neck, I could hear Nick’s mom’s crazy voice, I could see the excitement in Max’s eyes. I cried, people. Cried!!! 

So, ultimately, I’m glad I read Christmas Wishes. Hale wrote a wonderful hero in Nick, and gave him realistic charm. Abbey being a nurse / designer was a fresh take on the young-woman-figuring-out-life trope. Most importantly for me: a happily ever after in the best way possible. 

-calliope

Buy CHRISTMAS WISHES AND MISTLETOE KISSES

Review: Merry Mistletoe by Emma Davies

Posted by

0

  

Even through her grief, Freya has to carry on selling mistletoe from the family farm. Sam and Stephen, owners of nearby Henderson farm, don’t make it easy on her, as they want to buy her property in the middle of the Christmas season! 

Davies writes a magical story, where Freya lets the wonder of the season speak to her through a mystery visitor. When Freya opens up her heart, she finds her happily ever after – and so does one of the Hendersons. 

I liked that this novella was a light read but had a deep message. Davies reminds us that we can find happiness and love despite grieving a loved one. Tis the season. 

-calliope

Buy Merry Mistletoe

Coming Up… 

Posted by

0

I’m reading two more Christmas novels before settling in with some suspense… Check Random Book Muses this weekend for reviews of Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses and Merry Mistletoe. 

 Buy Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses

  Buy Merry Mistletoe

Next week I’ll have reviews for the newest in Debbie Viguie’s Psalm 23 Mysteries, as well as Robert Galbraith’s third Cormoran Strike novel… both mysteries! 

-calliope 

Review: Christmas at Evergreen Inn by Donna Alward

Posted by

0

   

What a well-written Christmas novella! I enjoyed this story even more than my last few Christmas reads, because the characters’ behaviors were consistent, the dialogue was realistic, and the tension was so real I felt my own shoulders tightening up. Alward impressed me with a tightly written plot and just the right balance of sweet versus strong. Most importantly, Evergreen Inn was Christmassy. The hot chocolate, tree ornaments, and snowstorms helped Todd heal Lainey’s broken heart, and certainly warmed mine. 

-calliope

Buy CHRISTMAS AT EVERGREEN INN

Review: Four Weddings and a White Christmas by Jenny Oliver

Posted by

0

  
This book perfectly combines fashion and cooking around weddings and Christmas! Hannah the dressmaker designs wedding dresses, party dresses and theme dresses for herself and her friends — so fun to read the fabric descriptions and “see” the final product in my mind. Jenny Oliver did an outstanding job using precise detail to paint the picture – or sketch the designs, as the case may be. 

Hannah thinks she’s happy, until she feels chemistry with brooding, work-obsessed, famous chef Harry. Harry brings a new set of challenges to Hannah’s life, and frankly she doesn’t want to deal. 

Until Harry gets real… and real serious. 

The dresses, the food, the weddings, the travel, the winter walks in Manhattan… I loved it all! 

-calliope

Buy FOUR WEDDINGS AND A WHITE CHRISTMAS

Review: Wish Upon a Christmas Cake by Darcie Boleyn

Posted by

0

  
Katie is a baker who uses work commitments to avoid personal relationship commitment. When Sam comes back into the picture, Katie doesn’t know whether to give in to the pull of heartstrings, or to run back to the bakery ASAP. 

This is a cute, story that lightly explores family relationships, friendships, career choices and love. I adored Sam and his kids, enjoyed the friend-getting-married thread, and thought Katie a fool for not putting her past behind her! 

And I wished for more cakes, more pastries, and more sugar sprinkles. This reader cannot get enough Christmas baking! 

-calliope

buy WISH UPON A CHRISTMAS CAKE

Musing: Christmas Novels 

Posted by

2

  
Is it too early to read Christmas-themed books? I don’t think so. They’re a sweet, uplifting gesture in a world sometimes full of heartbreak, heartache, and tragedy. 

I’ve read a few Christmas novels already, and you can look forward to a handful of reviews this week! 

Some titles include: 

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses: A feel good Christmas romance novel

Christmas at Evergreen Inn (A Jewell Cove Novel)

Merry Mistletoe (Kindle Single)

Four Weddings And A White Christmas

Wish Upon A Christmas Cake

Review: One Wish in Manhattan by Mandy Baggot

Posted by

0

  
I know it’s still October, but the cold New England weather has me thinking of snowflakes and hot cocoa. And Christmas stories! 

One Wish started out slow, which annoyed me. However, the author redeemed herself with lovable characters, a gala to die for, and a romance that ended the happily-est ever after, EVER!   

My favorite part of the book was watching Hayley plan the gala. She was in her element, she encouraged her daughter to help, and she showed such graciousness working with Cynthia. 

Mandy Baggot successfully wrote in characters that aren’t in most romances – and she gave them substantial roles: a brother, a daughter, a CEO who ISN’T a jerk, and the CEO’s mom who is just lovely. 

The story includes a heartwarming message about love and loss, and ways to move forward without leaving the memories behind. 

Uplifting for sure, and just Christmassy enough. 🙂

-calliope

Buy ONE WISH IN MANHATTAN – just 99¢!!!

Review: Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery 

Posted by

0

  
This is another fantastic installation in Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series. 

Madeleine Krug climbs outside her comfort zone to plan a wedding for the sister of famed Jonny Blaze. Jonny is happy to meet her – and spend time with someone who doesn’t glom onto him for his star status. 

As they work together, their relationship changes and deepens. Madeleine and Jonny together develop from platonic to romantic … in a nice, gradual, believable way.  

Besides the love story, Mallery shows us the overwhelming Christmas spirit Fool’s Gold offers. I celebrated right along with the sidewalk strollers and cocoa sippers, listening to carols and looking at the sparkling lights. 

From the sense of community and close friendships to the welcoming embrace given to newcomers, the people of Fool’s Gold are the perfect backdrop for Madeleine and Jonny to grow as individuals and a couple. And as usual, Mayor Marsha is the one to make things happen – for the good of the town, and for the good of romance! 

-calliope

Buy MARRY ME AT CHRISTMAS

Get a $20 credit PLUS trade-in value when you TRADE YOUR OLD KINDLE FOR NEW

A Knights Bridge Christmas by Carla Neggers

Posted by

0

  
Like most of the Carla Neggers Swift River Valley novels, A Knights Bridge Christmas has beautiful descriptions of setting and a range of characters Neggers magically makes real. Even Daisy, now deceased, enamored me. Neggers hugs the reader with ice rinks and hot cocoa, mittens and hats, decorating a historical home for the holidays, and falling in love. 

A bit of unnatural dialogue and a too-trusting heroine took me out of the magic here and there. Some conversations were stilted and felt thrown in as an afterthought. And Clare just blindly agreeing to Logan’s suggestions seemed totally unrealistic. 

I’m always willing to overlook a few things for a holiday love story. This one includes a little mystery, a little adventure, and a happily ever after. 

-Calliope

Buy A KNIGHTS BRIDGE CHRISTMAS