Booked for Christmas by Melissa F. Miller

Booked for Christmas by Melissa F. Miller is second in the A Mistletoe Mountain series.   Holly Jolly, Esquire, is really not about Christmas.  She is assigned to keep an eye on her new client over the Christmas season.  Jack Bell is passing through, but is now stuck in Mistletoe Mountain with a cranky Holly Jolly and the entire Jolly family.  So, the question is can Holly be jolly? 

This had all the Christmas charm for me.  An over-the-top Christmas celebrating small town, engaging characters, and several sweet and funny moments.  Holly and Jack had great chemistry, banter and a sweet transformation.  I appreciate this closed-door romance that sparkled with Christmas cheer.  The story made me smile and want to embrace the holidays.  There is a bit of a mystery that involves a little free library, unknown identities and the town library. 

The story is filled with small town fun, romance, and a Christmas love.  I highly recommend Booked for Christmas! 

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review. 

I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My family lived in a house overlooking the Pittsburgh Zoo. On quiet nights you could hear the lions roar from our backyard. My parents supported my love of reading, until I crashed my bike because I was trying, unsuccessfully, to read and cycle at the same time.

I studied Medieval English Literature in college. You’re not going to believe this, but there was not an enormous job market for Medieval English Literature majors when I graduated college. I worked as an editor for several years before heading back to Pittsburgh and law school.

After law school I took a job in Pittsburgh. I would meet and marry my husband David there before we moved to Washington, D.C., and then to central Pennsylvania, where we started a small law firm together.

Confined to hospitalized bed rest with complications during my third pregnancy, I started writing Irreparable Harm to fill the time, and the rest, as they say, is history. In 2015, I retired from the practice of law to focus on my writing. I’ve now written more than three dozen novels!

When I’m not writing, I enjoy gardening, yoga, and, always, coffee.

Little Golden Books for Christmas

 

Thank you Getunderlined for the #gifted copy. #getunderlinedpartner

Did you read @littlegoldenbooks as a kid? OR What are your reading? I absolutely loved Little Golden Books as a child and was thrilled to receive some. ➡ To see individually.

I love that they are such a nice size for kids, are easy to read, and realistically illustrated. I am enjoying the biographies. Let me tell you why!

Rita Morena--I remember seeing her in West Side Story and her Oscar.

Audrey Hepburn is one my my favorite actresses. I loved her in Sabrina and Roman Holiday.

Julia Child--I remember growing up and watching her show with my mom. Her enthusiasm for cooking was amazing.

Elvis Presley --He is one of my dad's favorite singers. We listed to Elvis growing up.

Dwayne Johnson-- He is the Rock. My son is a fan.

There are so many great biographies in this series. They would make a great stocking stuffer or last minute gift for any 4-8 year old. Or to someone as a sweet reminder of someone they admire like me.

I highly recommend!

I was given copies and all thoughts are my own.

#littlegoldenbooks #audreyhepburn #juliachild #ritamoreno #elvispresley #dwaynejohnson #giftbooksforkids

Bluebird Day by Megan Tady

Bluebird Day by Megan Tady was a great story that I really enjoyed. Alpine skiing legend Claudine Potts has been estranged from her daughter Wylie for a couple of years. She is thrilled when her daughter invites her to compete in a fitness competition in Germany. Claudine’s only condition is she must stop in Switzerland first. All is well until an avalanche keeps them in Switzerland.

This was such an interesting and thoughtful story. I appreciated the relationship between Claudine and Wylie and how they both were making strides to work on their relationship. I loved the theme of second chances and that people can change when they choose to. The cast of secondary characters added humor and made the story sparkle. The ending was hopeful and realistic which I appreciated.

I highly recommend Bluebird Day by Megan Tady.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Megan Tady is the author of BLUEBIRD DAY, forthcoming from Zibby Books, and SUPER BLOOM, published May 2023, also via Zibby Books. SUPER BLOOM was awarded an IPPY Gold medal for Best Regional Fiction in the Northeast. She runs the freelance writing and editing company Word-Lift. Her writing has appeared in Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, The Huffington Post and Ms. Magazine, among others. Megan lives in Western Massachusetts with her family.

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen

 

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen is book number three in the Devonshire Shores collection. It can be a stand-alone novel, but it is a part of a series that has been building. Claire Summers has been living in Scotland away from her family. She is the sister that no one mentions and her past is whispered about. When Claire has to leave Scotland, she finds an advertisement for a co-owner of a boarding house in Seaside where her family resides. Will she be able to make amends and find love?

This was a wonderful story I was lost on. The author’s writing is so charming, descriptive and she immerses you in the story. She writes to eloquently that you can feel the sea breeze. It was a pleasure to step into the Regency period at the seashore and learn more about the time period. This was a beautiful redemptive story. I felt so connected to Claire and was rooting for her to have a happily ever after. It was great to visit with the other Summer sisters and catch up with the family. I enjoyed wondering how it would all work out in the end.

It was a delight to lost in the time period, meet and catch-up with engaging characters, and be a part of the Summer family. I highly recommend The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen. This will be a favorite of 2024 for me.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

I love all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, I worked in publishing for sixteen years and now write full time. Three of my books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park won the Minnesota Book Award, and The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA awards. I have also been honored with the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. I enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Murder in Season: A Lady of Letters Mystery by Mary Winters

Join Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury as she tries to juggle a new Season and a new murder in this charmingly deadly historical mystery.

"A beautiful debutante, a wealthy widow, and a dead would-be baron. What could be more exciting?"

Countess by day, secret advice columnist by night, Amelia Amesbury has life happily balanced on a quill's edge . . . until her sister Margaret shows up in London under a blanket of scandal and Amelia is catapulted out of mourning and into the ton's unforgiving Season.

However Madge's Season debut is marred by a rather inconvenient death at the dining table as the infamous Mr Radcliffe takes ill and is later confirmed dead by poisoning. With Madge being the last person to have cross words with the soon-to-be baron, the ton's gossip mill - and the police - are looking to pin the murder on her.

Adding to the ton's troubles is a jewellery thief targeting the most lavish of Society's houses. Is the murderer and the thief one in the same? It falls to Amelia once again to uncover the secrets buried deep within the pages before her sister goes down for the crimes.

Perfect for fans of witty historical mystery and Regency romances with a similar feel to Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey

Review:  Murder in Season: A Lady of Letters Mystery by Mary Winters is a delightful Regency Mystery with a sweet love story. The book is the third in the series, but a stand alone novel. Countess Amelia Amesbury has finally settled into her life as a secret advice columnist, a countess, and is now out of mourning. But then her Mother and Sister show up and her life is turned upside down! What follows is adventure, missing jewelry, a murder and sister who needs to watched over.

I adore this series. The mysteries kept me on my toes, and guessing to the end.  Amelia is the heroine who you want to be your best friend. She is smart, witty, and helps to take care of those around her as she navigates life as a countess. Amelia’s role as advice columnist, ,Miss Agony, adds a layer to this story that keeps things interesting. The supporting cast of characters added to the story and I kept feeling like they wanted me to come and visit. (I told them I was busy, but hoped to be there next season.)

The story had it all for me, and I consider it the perfect book! I loved the sweet romance, setting in Regency London, and the engaging characters who drew me in and insisted that I come and visit. I highly recommend, Murder in Season by Mary Winters. 

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review. 

Mary Winters is the author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series, two cozy mystery series, and several short stories. A longtime reader of historical fiction, Mary set her latest work in Victorian England after being inspired by a trip to London. Since then, she's been busily planning her next mystery - and another trip!

Substitute Sweetheart by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Substitute Sweetheart by Shannon Sue Dunlap is the sweetest rom-com and second in the Sweetheart Series. I believe it is stand-alone novel, but characters from the first book are mentioned in the story.

Victoria Park loves her life in New York and hopes to be promoted soon to assistant Dean at her college. She visits Sweetheart, Texas for her brother’s wedding, and is thankful she is only visiting. Andrew Zimmerman is Sweetheart elementary' s music teacher, and is thrilled to meet Victoria at the wedding and wonders if she will stay.. Victoria thinks she will never see him again until she is fired, becomes the temporary principal of the elementary school, and begins planning her escape from Sweetheart, Texas. But, how does a NY girl make it in Texas?

I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic comedy with a touch of mystery. Andrew and Victoria had great chemistry, banter, and I loved watching them become better friends and fall in love. Watching Victoria become a member of the Sweetheart community was funny, sweet, and simply entertaining. As a former elementary teacher I loved the school setting and watching everything play out. The secondary characters added sparkle to the story and I found myself am enchanted by the town of Sweetheart, Texas. I hope I am able to visit again. The faith elements were integrated seamlessly and I enjoyed reading.

Substitute Sweetheart by Shannon Sue Dunlap is a fantastic read with great chemistry, faith elements, and humor. I highly recommend!

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Shannon Sue Dunlap writes books with a dose of laughter and a spoonful of love. One of the greatest compliments you can give her is saying her stories made you laugh-out-loud. She loves traveling around the world, singing tunes from classic musicals, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Shannon is a die-hard fan of happy endings and believes God has designed one for each of us.

Is She Really Going Out With Him by Sophie Cousens read by Kelly Gilbert

 

Thank you to PRH Audio for the #gifted audiobook #prhaudio .

Do you have a favorite column, blog, or regular feature? OR What are you reading? I receive a few email newsletters and I remember columns in the newspaper growing up.

Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousen read by Kelly Gilbert is wonderful. Anna Appleby is trying to keep her job, her life going, and still recovering from her divorce. She agrees to a dating column where her children choose seven dates of people she knows in person. Her office rival is going to go with people he meets online. He really is annoying.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The seven dates were so interesting and many of the dates had me laughing out loud. I enjoyed getting to know Anna and her dates. The author has a way of peeling back the layers on characters and helping you to see them in a new light. The humor, romance, and banter with Anna’s office mate kept me wondering. I enjoyed the setting of Bath, England and getting to know everyone in Anna’s circle of friends. So many great life lessons throughout the story.

Listening to the story read by Kerry Gilbert made for a wonderful experience! I was enchanted form the beginning and highly recommend that you consider the audio.

This will be a favorite of 2024 for me! I highly recommend Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens.

I was given an ALC by the publisher, but not required to write a positive review.

Sophie Cousens is an author and screenwriter of romantic comedies. Before becoming a full time writer, she worked as a TV producer in London for more than twelve years, working on shows such as The Graham Norton Show, Russell Howard's Good News and Big Brother.  

She now lives on the island of Jersey (one of the Channel Islands) where she balances her writing career with taking care of two children. Sophie yearns for a time when she can add a miniature dachshund to her brood, and wishes for the ability to read books faster than she keeps buying them.