Christmas

Review: Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

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20140417-215356.jpg The edition I read was comprised of two separate stories: Call Me Mrs. Miracle, and The Christmas Basket.

What I love about Debbie Macomber’s books (similar to Deborah Smith and Melody Carleson novels) is the magic. I don’t mean wizardry or sorcery. I mean a spiritual, magical change of heart that the characters undergo. It fills my own heart and reminds me of the beauty of my fellow man.

These stories are Christmassy, and I enjoyed reading them as much now as I would have in December. In Call Me Mrs. Miracle, Holly meets Jake Finley, heir to the successful Finley’s department store. With a little help from Mrs. Miracle, Holly and Jake develop a friendship, Holly’s nephew gets a Christmas surprise, and old Mr. Finley gets the best Christmas present anyone could wish for: peace.

The Christmas Basket illustrates how a petty grudge between two families turns into an embarrassing feud, one that undermines the romance of two beautiful people. One loving person arranges for two disputing women to work on a project together: filling a Christmas basket for charity. Aggression, blame, and making a scene at the discount store ensue. I cried and laughed with these poor women, knowing that at times I too have been too proud to change my tune.

These are feel-good family stories with distinct romantic subplots. I liked them for their sweetness, their love, their faith in humanity. And for their magic.

-Calliope

Buy CALL ME MRS. MIRACLE

Review: Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Bella Andre

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20140325-221756.jpg This 10th installment of The Sullivans is a look back into the history of Mary and Jack Sullivan, the parents of the Sullivans who star in the other books in the series.

Bella Andre takes us on a charming, sweet trip down memory lane. A box of Christmas ornaments is the catalyst for Mary to recall milestones in her life. Then she gets lost in thoughts of her romance with her husband so many years ago.

I breezed through this book, enjoying Mary’s strong will and gentle spirit, and Jack’s patience and persistence. Mary and Jack’s story is original and well-thought-out. There were chaste kisses, steamy scenes, arguments, giddiness, fun dates, a proposal, and all the trimmings of a good romance.

Now that I’ve read their history, I’m totally ready for the next present-day Sullivan romances! Soon I will review If You Were Mine (book 5, Zach Sullivan), published in 2012; and Always on My Mind (book 11, Lori Sullivan), to be published this April.

–Calliope

Buy KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE

Review: Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams

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20131211-235749.jpg Married for Christmas is Christmassy and sweet … The characters are young and quirky … I enjoyed it as a cute, unique novella. But the dialogue is uneven – natural in some places, out of place in others. And as sweet and charming as the story was, the whole time I was reading, I felt like I was watching an awkward, nerdy first date.

Jessica and Daniel marry out of convenience – or so they tell each other. They have quite a few misunderstandings and silent sulks because of their insecurities. Any feelings they have for each other are slowly and painfully revealed until they are finally honest with themselves and each other. A happily-ever-after on Christmas Day endeared me to the book, and yes I did sigh dreamily. 🙂

I enjoyed the Christmas aspect of the story, which was emotional and uplifting. I also thought the secret fears of a young couple were written very realistically. My favorite part of the book was the honesty Jessica persisted with, no matter the potential rejection or hurt. Her honesty was the catalyst for her marriage to move forward – what a gift!

This is a good read for someone in a new relationship.

-Calliope

Buy it now (99¢!!!) Married for Christmas

Review: Kentucky Christmas by Sarah Title

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20131206-230315.jpg New Release!

Kentucky Christmas is an upbeat, festive, romantic novella with pretty cool characters. Billie works in her dad’s vet office, and Andrew is a traveling salesman selling… yes, vet supplies. Only he’s a horrible salesperson. And he’s completely smitten with Billie. She returns the sentiments, and boom, romance ensues.

What I love about Kentucky Christmas is Billie’s insouciance and Andrew’s seriousness. Billie is up for anything, likes to party a little bit, and amps up Christmas with more kitsch than you can shake a leg at. Andrew appreciates Billie’s fun-loving attitude, just as she appreciates his way with electronics, his Clark Kent glasses and the way his trousers fit. 🙂

This isn’t a serious book. Sometimes you need a pick-me-up, and Kentucky Christmas did that for me, with tinsel.

-Calliope

Buy it now Kentucky Christmas

Review: Miracle Road by Emily March

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20131115-092008.jpg
Spanning autumn and ending at Christmas (into the New Year if you count the epilogue), Miracle Road is traveled by Hope and Lucca, each trying to overcome grief and depression. They lift each other up with family and community help. In the end they find a way to love themselves and each other.

I’ll be honest, my favorite part of this book was tall, dark, hot, hunky, lean, brawny Lucca Romano. Somehow his broody self was so very appealing (i.e. sexy). Lucca’s brothers were just as awesome, though they took a back seat in the plot.

Hope is just as appealing a heroine. She’s a kindergarten teacher, a stand-in hoops coach, and a volunteer in the community. She’s headstrong and maybe somewhat of an introvert. I totally related to her and loved her character.

Lucca aside, my other favorite part of Miracle Road was a full-on cry fest at the single most romantic thing Lucca could have done for Hope. I read happily-ever-after romances all the time, and I didn’t even see this coming. Grab some tissues, and prepare to be impressed. It’s brilliant, in more ways than one. 😉

Miracle Road illustrates how a strong sense of family can help someone overcome a personal life challenge. The book has other romantic subplots, as well as friendships and mentor-ships that bring people together and uplift them. Emily March’s writing is good, her character development strong, and her ability to create a strong, sensitive, swoon-worthy hero… beyond excellent!

Miracle Road is #7 in the Eternity Springs series, but it can definitely be read standing alone.

–Calliope

Buy it now Miracle Road

Review: The Mountain Between Us by Cindy Meyers

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20131108-161406.jpgA snowy Christmas romance! The Mountain Between Us is set in Colorado, in a tiny town where everyone leans on each other. The dynamics among the residents of Eureka remind me of those in Robyn Carr’s Virgin River — a focus on family, with woodsy, macho men who protect strong and emotional women.

Cindy Meyers gives us DJ and Olivia, a former couple who may or may not get back together; and Maggie and Jameso, a newish couple who have some real obstacles to overcome. Throw in a few spinsters, a con artist, a teenager and a local diner, and you have yourself a town.

I liked how Meyers gave the characters strength and integrity. They were likable and sweet. They held each other up during snowstorms and swindles. They lent each other an ear and a shoulder to cry on. I also liked the dual romance… and the inclusion of extended family. I felt like I could depend on these people. I trusted them.

The only thing that disappointed me about this book was the rambling writing. Some chapters took way too long to say what they needed to say. A good 10% of the verbiage should have been cut to tighten up the writing. Because of the long-windedness (especially in the first half), I found myself skipping over entire paragraphs, itching to get to the action! Nevertheless, the writing is excellent and the dialogue flowed naturally.

The Mountain Between Us is a warm Christmas romance, replete with snowstorms, love, and a strong sense of family. Read it beside your Christmas tree with a cup of hot cocoa, and you might even hear the jingle bells.

–Calliope

Buy it now The Mountain Between Us

Review: The Christmas Wish by Katy Regnery

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20131026-223743.jpg Just Released!

In a dive-y diner in a small Montana town, Katy Regnery serves up a Christmastime romance full of hope. Tess is the townie with a bad reputation – and it’s all true. Lucas is an ex-con whose only crime was protecting the ones he loved. They work together, befriend each other, and learn to trust one another. Tess and Lucas dream bigger than their small town, and together they know they can make their Christmas wishes – and their dreams – come true.

The Christmas Wish is a clever, sadness-to-gladness romance told in about 40 pages. The brevity works because Katy Regnery keeps the focus on just the two main characters. By the end, my heart was full and my faith in humanity restored. And she’s got me thinking about what my own Christmas wish will be. 🙂

–Calliope

Buy it now The Christmas Wish

Review: Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs

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20131022-173802.jpg Release date October 29. 4 stars!

Want to feel the magic of Christmas? Complete with snowy mountains, a house full of loved ones, peppermint hot chocolate, and walks in a winter wonderland? Susan Wiggs delivers all that and more in Candlelight Christmas.

Darcy meets her best friend India’s brother Logan and it’s Like At First Sight. When she sees him again at Thanksgiving, sparks are flying. By Christmastime, they know they have to decide whether or not to pursue a relationship.

Between Darcy’s ex and her demanding family, and Logan’s hard-to-please dad and beautiful son Charlie, the pair have many outside influences. Together they figure out how to overcome the family challenges so their relationship can grow. As Darcy and Logan find out, the spirit of Santa Claus doesn’t only touch children at Christmas. The magic is alive and well in romance too.

I love this book for the Christmas romance, but I appreciate it even more for the family dynamics. Wiggs achieves realistic holiday scenes, positive and negative. We see arguments, hugs, dumb moves, apologies, honesty, bluntness and forgiveness.

I bawled my eyes out during the scenes with Logan’s son Charlie, and sighed with a bursting heart more than a dozen times. Candlelight Christmas is joyous, real, and touching. I’d read another Susan Wiggs novel in a New York minute.

-Calliope

Pre-order and it will appear on your kindle October 29.
Buy it now Candlelight Christmas