I’m trying to get through a few print books that I bought but didn’t read. Right now I’m reading IF YOU GIVE A GIRL A VISCOUNT by Kieran Kramer. I adore this book. I’m almost to the end and have found myself reading slower so that I can savor the ending. Next I’ll be reading THE ACCIDENTAL COURTESAN by Cheryl Ann Smith.
What are you reading this week?
 Three heartwarming holiday stories to prove that love is the greatest gift of all Kissing Santa Claus I’ll Be Home for Christmas O Little Town of Bramble If you are a fan of the small town romances by Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsay, or Katie Lane you will love this Christmas anthology. The Jill Shalvis story – Kissing Santa Clause – is set in her Lucky Harbor world. Logan, the ex-husband of Tara, and Sandy, the town clerk, are the main characters. It is a quick and steamy read. Logan and Sandy have great chemistry and the things Logan does to win her back are romantic and sweet. I give this story a 5/5. I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Hope Ramsay is a very sweet read. Matt Jasper is a man with a terrible childhood and no happy memories of Christmas. Annie Roberts is experiencing Christmas her way for the first time. These two both need each other and come to realize quickly how perfect Christmas can be with the one you love. I loved the glimpses of the other Last Chance residents and really liked the emotion in the short story. I give this story a 4/5. O Little Town of Bramble by Katie Lane was my least favorite of the three stories. It felt too short and unfinished. The main characters have a past connection, but the story still didn’t feel complete. The whole thing takes place in one night and I felt that there wasn’t any read resolution. It was a pleasant read, but not satisfying. I give this story a 3/5. the book girl gives SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS a 4/5 |
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I’m so close to my 300 book goal for 2011. Here’s what I read in November…
My favorites for the month are: ONCE UPON A WINTER’S EVER and HOLIDAY KISSES.
The winner of a copy of HEAD OVER HEELS by Jill Shalvis is…
Shelley Bagby
Please email me at carrie@thebookgirl.net with your information.
Congrats!!
About the book:
Shannon’s Christmas Wish List
1. A gorgeous billionaire to buy her store enter Rory Wallace—swoon!
2. The magic of Christmas Rory and his little girl need to know that it still exists.
3. Willpower because kissing Rory under the mistletoe would be a Very Bad Idea.
Shannon Raleigh can’t believe that both Rory Wallace and his little girl dislike Christmas so much and she’s determined to make her favorite season as magical as possible! But working with handsome Rory every day proves challenging, because Shannon finds herself longing for Christmas kisses with the man she can never have .
KISSES ON HER CHRISTMAS LIST is a sweet, romantic, and emotional holiday romance that will warm the readers heart. I really enjoyed this story. Shannon and Rory have both been unlucky in love. Shannon’s husband left her in a cruel way and Rory’s wife left him and his young daughter on Christmas Day. Neither was sure that love was something they would feel again. I loved the way Shannon and Rory get to celebrate Christmas through his daughters eyes. The little girl hates the holidays at the beginning of the book, but learns with Shannon’s help to embrace the magic of Christmas. There were parts in the book that had me tearing up and a few places that had me giggling. KISSES ON HER CHRISTMAS LIST is a fantastic holiday romance.
the book girl gives KISSES ON HER CHRISTMAS LIST a 5/5
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About the book:
The Thanksgiving Fix by Vicki Lewis ThompsonFinding Mr. Right is the furthest thing from Beth Davis’s mind when the Reno professor takes Thanksgiving break at a colleague’s Lake Tahoe cabin. Until Coinneach McFarland arrives to fix a suspicious leak. It looks like somebody’s playing matchmaker for two people sworn to stay single. But as things heat up, Beth is astonished to find she has discovered her soul mate just as she’d given up looking.
The Christmas Set-Up by Jill Shalvis
Competing architects Zoe and Jason have two weeks to come up with the design to win a coveted new project. But when a snowstorm strands them together at a secluded cabin, Zoe sees her chance to show Jason how she really feels. With romance blooming under the mistletoe, can she get the gorgeous Scrooge into the true Christmas spirit?
The New Year’s Deal by Julie Kenner
Five years ago, Cleo Daire and Josh Goodson said goodbye and went their separate ways. But first they made a promise to reunite. Now the ex-lovers are spending New Year’s Eve in a romantic cabin, where passion takes them by surprise and long-wished-for dreams can sometimes come true.
I enjoyed this anthology. The first story – The Thanksgiving Fix – was my favorite of the three. I loved the idea of a “magical cabin” that helps lovers find each other or find their way back to each other. It is well executed in all three stories. If you are looking for short reads that are full of steamy romance this anthology is the book for you.
the book girl gives HOLIDAY HIDEOUT a 4/5
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I’m sick with what I think is the flu (even though I did get a flu shot!), so I haven’t read much today. In between naps I started THE DUKE IS MINE by Eloisa James. I’m only 5% in and I’m already intrigued by the premise. The novel is Ms. James’ version of The Princess and the Pea. I’ve loved the previous fairy tale books and am really looking forward to reading this one.
What are you reading this week?
About the book:
Taylor McCabe likes equations. They make sense. But one buttoned-up computer whiz plus an injured army pilot simply does not add up. It’s time to get over her childish crush on Alex Worth, her brother’s best friend, and find a husband. Enter The List—Taylor’s ten must-have traits for a viable suitor.But her plan goes awry when Alex insists on vetting each contender. The way he dismisses them feels like the actions of a protective boyfriend. Strangely, his attitude makes her even more attracted to him. Too bad he doesn’t meet even one of her requirements….
I really enjoyed this book. Taylor is a different kind of heroine. She is socially awkward and alone. She has no remaining family and no real friends. She is determined to find somebody to love and who will love her. Alex, her late brother’s best friend, is back in town recovering from the accident that killed his best friend and injured him. He is dealing with survivors guilt and plans to help Taylor around the house in an effort to fill in for her brother. But soon the feelings he is having for Taylor aren’t brotherly at all. I liked the relationship that evolves between Alex and Taylor. She is instantly attracted to him (and he thinks she is hot too), but it takes a while for both of them to feel worthy of the other. There is a lot of emotion in BECAUSE OF THE LIST as both characters come to terms with the past and work toward a future.
the book girl gives BECAUSE OF THE LIST a 4/5
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About the book:
Breaking rules and breaking hearts
Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge. Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn’t ready to settle into a quiet life running their family’s newly renovated inn. But soon her love of trouble–and trouble with love-draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who’d like nothing better than to tame her wild ways.
Suddenly Chloe can’t take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels. His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed. For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender. Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff? Or will Chloe’s colorful past keep her from a love that lasts . . . and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor?
The first thing I want to say about HEAD OVER HEELS is I LOVE SAWYER. Sawyer is my new book boyfriend. He is a perfect romance hero – quiet, strong, and sexy. Chloe is fantastic too. I really liked how she was trying to be good, but had trouble settling down. While Sawyer is straight-laced and by-the-book. These two are opposites, but can’t stay away from each other. She isn’t a typical heroine. There were so many steamy scenes that I couldn’t pick a favorite. The whole book is filled with fantastic sexual tension. Chloe and Sawyer are so perfectly written and their relationship is one of the best that I’ve read in a long time. A wonderful story with the other members of the Lucky Harbor community playing their parts. I especially loved the relationship between Chloe and her best friend, Lance. This book is the third in a series, but can be read as a stand alone (but you should read the first two if you haven’t already).
the book girl gives HEAD OVER HEELS a 5/5
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TO ENTER:
Leave a comment telling me who you think is the hottest hero in romance. US addresses only, please. Make sure to check to see if your name is chosen.
Additional entries can be gained through the following:
Contest runs through 12/11/11 at 5pm cst.
About the book:
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like…Love!
A man gives the gift of trust and receives a second chance at love in return. A woman helps to heal the wounded heart of a soldier. A couple finds that true love knows no distance. And a young widow learns that there can be two great loves in a lifetime. Love, romance and passion come together in this collection of four seasonal shorts.
Anthology includes:
This Time Next Year by Alison Kent
Brenna Keating is on her way to spend Christmas with her grandmother when treacherous roads and a skittish deer put her car in a ditch. Riding to the rescue-literally-is Dillon Craig, a reclusive doctor who insists she weather the storm in his cabin.
Since returning from Afghanistan where he treated wounded soldiers on the front lines, Dillon’s made it a point to avoid any emotional involvement. But his unexpected guest has him dangerously close to breaking his own rules.
Brenna has a plan for her life-until she’s stranded for three days with Dillon. Soon, the chemistry sizzling between them forces her to reexamine her priorities. The man is gorgeous, if taciturn, and a true hero in every sense of the word. No woman in her right mind could resist him, and so Brenna doesn’t-even though she can’t stay…
27,000 words
A Rare Gift by Jaci Burton
With a disastrous marriage behind him, Wyatt Kent has no interest in getting involved with any woman, let alone his ex-wife’s younger sister. But when Calliope Andrews hires him to build an addition onto her day care center, Wyatt can’t help but notice she’s a desirable woman, as warm and funny as his ex was cold and aloof.
Calliope fell hard for Wyatt the first time he walked through the door of her family’s home, and can’t believe her sister let him get away. He’s still the star of all her fantasies, and she’s determined to prove to him she’s nothing like his manipulative ex. Wyatt may be all business, but Calliope sees the way he looks at her when he’s supposed to be working…
It’s not long before Wyatt and Calliope are keeping each other warm on cold December nights. But it’s going to take a Christmas miracle for Wyatt to put his trust in love a second time.
28,000 words
It’s Not Christmas Without You by HelenKay Dimon
Carrie Anders officially broke up with Austin Thomas when she accepted a dream job in the city. Unofficially, she misses him and is tempted to sneak back to her West Virginia hometown to see him. That’s why this year, she’s not going home for the holidays. Her heart can’t take any more mornings-after where nothing has changed-and Austin has made it clear he’s not interested in relocating.
Austin’s been waiting for Carrie to realize she can’t live without him. But when he hears she’s not coming home for Christmas, he decides to take action. If Carrie won’t come to the country, he’s going to bring a piece of the country to Carrie-in the form of a Christmas tree lot just minutes from her apartment. He’s certain daily meetings will entice her to come home with him, this time for good.
Their attraction is as hot as ever, but with such contrary Christmas wishes, can either of them get what they really want this year?
28,000 words
Mistletoe and Margaritas by Shannon Stacey
Claire Rutledge still believes in love, despite losing her husband. So, after two years, she’s not surprised by the steamy dreams telling her it might be time to start moving on. But she didn’t expect her friend Justin to have the starring role.
Justin McCormick has loved Claire since the moment he first saw her, but his best friend got there first. Now that Claire is ready to move on with her life, Justin is finding it harder than ever to hide his true feelings. And when they both get caught up in the holiday spirits at a party, their simmering mutual attraction boils over into a night neither of them can forget…
20,000 words
Stories also available for purchase separately.
I loved this whole anthology. There wasn’t a single story that I felt was rushed (although I did want more from all of them). Each story has just the right amount of romance and Christmas. My favorite was Mistletoe and Margaritas by Shannon Stacey.
Mini-review of each story:
This Time Next Year by Alison Kent – I loved the connection between Brenna and Dillon. The way their relationship developed even though they both feel that it can’t go anywhere was done fantastically and the end had me swooning.
A Rare Gift by Jaci Burton – I had been waiting for Wyatt’s story since last year’s holiday anthology. I wasn’t disappointed. Calliope was perfect for him. The sibling of an ex story line can come across creepy, but it didn’t in this novella. I loved how Calliope was able to un-Grinch Wyatt and make him truly happy.
It’s Not Christmas Without You by HelenKay Dimon – What’s not to love about a man who will do anything to win back the woman he loves? I really enjoyed Austin and Carrie. His commitment to her and her commitment to finding herself are at cross-purposes, but their love is strong.
Mistletoe and Margaritas by Shannon Stacey – Oh, how much I loved this story. It had me in tears and had me sighing. Justine and Claire are so fantastically written. I loved how realistic they felt. Shannon Stacey has become one of my favorite contemporary writers. I have adored everything I’ve read of hers. If you only read one of these stories (although you should read all four) this is the one to get!
the book girl gives HOLIDAY KISSES a 5/5
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