Oct 31 books read

Undaunted by William Manchee
I had read the second book in the author's other series and loved it so much I did go out and buy the other two books and they were just as good.
This book is mainly about Stan Turner and his life, growing up, in high school, college and then married and then his military life.
I recall the draft lottery as my brother had #134 as we sat huddled near the radio that day as the #'s were being announced.
Liked following the military career and found it to be similar to what my son told us about when he was in the army boot camp.
Hard at times to hear of the abuse and dying senselessly. Court trial was a bit different than the regular ones in the public sector.
Liked how the action was there all the time and you had to pay attention to the clues as they came out later in the trial..
Not a typical book I would've picked to read but I really did enjoy the story line and characters, and a bit of travel and learning about the Marines.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

 Possums Harvest Moon by Anne Hunter
Story about a possum that is having a harvest moon party. The other animals tell him why they are not able to attend:
gathering nuts for the long winter, eatting so they will be fat for the winter, some must burrow underground already.
He can hear things - the animals doing their chores, and never imagines they will come to his party...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Oct 30 books read

Pelican Point by Donna Kauffman
Change is coming to the island so keep an open mind about it. How true this is in my life with the ferry and others who want to take it over.
Love the island life but I mostly live on the mainland and treasure my time there. Small community where everybody helps one another out.
Logan McCrae is the police chief and makes his rounds and attempts to keep things running smoothly. The town's anniversary date is in a few years and some want money to fix up the lighthouse at Pelican Point.
Some from the island contacted Alex MacFarland to join them in coming up with an esitmate. She doesn't know what she was thinking...
He rescues her when she arrives in town but she's not eatten for hours and she's so tired she passes out. The EMT hands her over to Logan and he takes her to his house and when he puts her into the guest bed she kisses him, several times.
He's highly aroused from the kissing lady who's asleep again and it's after midnight so he goes to bed.
He doesn't hire her to restore the lighthouse for many reasons but his uncle has her stay around to do other jobs and to give a report on what would be needed. She is also staying in his guest room.
She first starts with the light keep house and it's many additions-love the architecture discussed about the building.
They each have had tragic accidents to loved ones in the past. She skethes the rooms and falls asleep on his bed til he walks in... hot steamy sex scenes but they do get to talk about their past losses...
They do find a way to heal one another's hurts... Book also includes an excerpt of the next book in the series-about Brodie.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

Sleds on Boston Common by Louise Bordon
The name of the book attracted me first as we would drive by the hills.
1774 Dec. 24, Civil war times and a 9 year old boy wants to sled down the common's hill.
The soldiers were camped on the Boston Commons hills. The children still had
to go to school and they attempted to sled down the commons...
Harbor is closed and the townsfolk didn't like the interruptions in their town.
The soldiers would cut down fences and trees for their fires in the camps.
Love that the children learn not only math and English but navigation skills!
Love the facts I learn about this place: a wishing stone. Loved learning about the architecture
there and will look for the red brick Provence house-weather vane on the cupola golden Indian archer next time I'm there.
The troops had also cut into the pond so they couldn't even skate.
Henry Price talked to General Gage. He told him the commons were for the public
and how they can't use the sled runs. The general listens and directs the troops what to do.
It's Henry's birthday also...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Lassie A Christmas story by Earl Hammer
I recall Earl Hammer is the one who wrote the Walton's series and thought I'd listen to this one and knew I'd enjoy it.
Vermont, a day before Christmas: Timmy and his dog Lassie watch the snow fall.  Their grandfather showed up and they leave to go cut down the Christmas tree for that year.
In the snow they find many animals footprints, even the mountain lion.
When they find the tree Timmy and Lassie had picked while picking berries one spring day they do come up to the lion and Lassie with his barking sends the lion on his way.
A blue spruce! Ruth, Timmy's mother goes out to get a free things before the blizzard is to hit. She gets bails of hay for the deer herd as they won't go able to get much with all the heavy snow in Hudson Falls.
Lassie and Timmy set out for their grandfather's house and Lassie runs to find Ruth.  Andrew from the store helps them to go find Ruth.
Lassie is close to where Ruth's truck went off the road and he gets wet in the river. Lassie scares the lion away from the deer and goes to find the boys where he drags Timmy in the direction of where the truck was.
The tree has been finished and the nativity set up and Ruth looks at the bright star in the sky and thanks God they are safe.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Union Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini
1860's Elizabeth stays behind as her husband leaves to fight in the war. She must stay strong.
She hides that she's pregnant and gives Thomas, her husband one of her quilts to take with him because she won't be able to keep him warm.
Racial tensions, politics and war are the focus of this book and the quilting and the part it represents during the war.
When the men write to tell the women they've not even had potatoes nor fresh vegetables the local circle of quilting women go into action.
When they are requested to make 60 quilts they make plans to get a building that is large enough for everybody to sew them.
Dorothea comes up with a great idea to get the quilts done and a contest for the quilters...
Love how the sampler came about and what is in it, what a treasure!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Special Delivery by Danielle Steel
This book follows the story of a few couples. Paul is a movie producer and his wife Jan is trying desperately to get pregnant and has been through testings and it's not her fault.
Her mother has just lost her husband-her second marriage but Amanada and Jack get together and he is able to talk Paul into going to a doctor.
The older couple find out she's expecting a baby and it takes him a while to warm up to that fact. They had a hard time just telling their kids that they were a couple, there's no way
they can tell them about the baby...tragic delivery...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Possums Harvest Moon by Anne Hunter
Story about a possum that is having a harvest moon party. The other animals tell him why they are not able to attend:
gathering nuts for the long winter, eatting so they will be fat for the winter, some must burrow underground already.
He can hear things - the animals doing their chores, and never imagines they will come to his party...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Oct 29 Book Release The Christmas Cookie Collection by Lori Wilde Vol 1-4

October 29, 2013 There’s a legend in Twilight, Texas. It says that if on Christmas you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your one true love, he will be your destiny.

Carrie, Raylene, Christine, and Flynn are all members of the Christmas Cookie Club. Each has a story to tell, and each discovers the miracles of the season and the power of love.
Carrie: Reconnects with her high school sweetheart . . .the only man she’s ever loved.
Raylene: Discovers that the daughter she gave away at birth is living right in Twilight . . .
Christine: Has given up on love . . . until the man of her dreams walks through her shop door.
Grace: It’s Christmas Eve and Flynn and Jesse Calloway are thrilled to be expecting a new baby. Then Flynn’s car hits a patch of ice, and Jesse must move earth . . . and heaven . . .to save her and their unborn child.

About this author

Lori Wilde can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to write. She even went to nursing school so she could have a schedule flexible enough to allow her to write on the side. She nursed for 20 years, working in a variety of settings from the newborn nursery to the recovery room, to dialysis. But she never lost her desire to write.

She sold her first book in 1994 to Silhouette Romance but later discovered she had a flair for comedy and branched out to Harlequin Duets and now, to Blaze.

Lori is an adventuresome soul who loves to travel. She’s taken flying lessons, completed two marathons, rode in a hot-air balloon, performed with a professional jazz band, traveled Europe as a teenager, hiked volcanoes in Hawaii, trod on glaciers in Alaska, shot white-water rapids, water-skied, snow-skied, raced all-terrain vehicles, body surfed in the Gulf of Mexico, and photographed grizzly bears in Yellowstone.

She lives in her native Texas, with her own real-life hero, Bill, her red heeler/Australian shepherd dog, Cinnamon, and four ducks, Quacker, Big Guy, Affleck, and Sheepidy

MY REVIEW;

 The Christmas Cookie Collection   by Lori Wilde Volume 1 - 4
Love this book-it's four stories in one to begin with and I have read many of the authors books about Twilight and love them all. Especially like Christmas themed ones.
I have read the other Club books and love the town and people for all the charity work they do for others.
This book starts out with Carrie, Carrie  MacGregor and she hates Christmas.
She runs the town yarn store after the original one in town burned down. She heads up the town knitting club also and it's just a week from Thanksgiving.
The knitters ambushed her into decorating the shop because they knew why she'd never do it herself and we learn as the story goes on the reasons why...
This story also follows Mark Leland who is returning to the town to host his 'Fact or Fiction' myth buster show...
He is torn between keeping his promise to Carrie about NOT mentioning their busted relationship or cashing in on that for the show...
Hot steamy sex scenes and he knows he lives on the west coast and she in Texas and there's no way they will ever be together and she knows she may have him one night but forever??
Loved the scenes with Christmas decorations, so very detailed!
.
Next section of this book is about Raylene and we know from previous books that she was once married to Earl (for 35 years)  but when he found out about something in her past that she neglected to tell him about he left on Christmas eve.
She works at the Horny Toad Bar in town... She wanted closure and agreed to let Nate, a returned from the war SEAL hang up Christmas decorations for her. She also put a 'help wanted' sign in the window of the bar.
Shannan Dugan had wandered into town and applied and got the job. She had been dealt a raw hand after her grandparents had died..
Lots of mysteries and secrets and I love the talk about the cookie swap!
Hot steamy sex scenes..
.
Last section is about christine who runs the local bakery and she's just created a new cookie from her own recipe. I love this as I love to experiment myself once a year.
Her cat had recently died, she'd never have kids and her parents were in Europe to spend Christmas with his brother, who is a GI.
Eli, who she had known from high school was back in town to get a cake for his 14 year old daughter's birthday. They have a lot of time to catch up on...
Love the idea of fantasy vacation, camping and hiking! They both know they have to take things slow but their physical attraction to one another says differently.
There is no way this is going to work, they each have businesses that are so far apart from one another...the birthday party does not go as planned and it could be the end of their relationship..
.
This section is about Grace. Flynn and Jesse celebrating a really good Christmas despite their past and the baby is about to be born..
They are delivering a Christmas Angel gift to the family less fortunate this year. The weather man advised of the ice storm about to hit the area.
Love little tips at beginning of each chapter for a perfect Christmas.  His past once again catches up with him...
Community comes together...
I received this book from Edelweiss by  HarperCollins in exchange for my honest review.

Author website: http://www.loriwilde.com/

Read an Excerpt  http://www.loriwilde.com/booklist/the-christmas-cookie-collection/

BUY FROM:

Oct 29 book releases and reviews

 The Christmas Cookie Collection   by Lori Wilde Vol 1-4Love this book-it's four stories in one to begin with and I have read many of the authors books about Twilight and love them all. Especially like Christmas themed ones.
I have read the other Club books and love the town and people for all the charity work they do for others.
This book starts out with Carrie, Carrie  MacGregor and she hates Christmas.
She runs the town yarn store after the original one in town burned down. She heads up the town knitting club also and it's just a week from Thanksgiving.
The knitters ambushed her into decorating the shop because they knew why she'd never do it herself and we learn as the story goes on the reasons why...
This story also follows Mark Leland who is returning to the town to host his 'Fact or Fiction' myth buster show...
He is torn between keeping his promise to Carrie about NOT mentioning their busted relationship or cashing in on that for the show...
Hot steamy sex scenes and he knows he lives on the west coast and she in Texas and there's no way they will ever be together and she knows she may have him one night but forever??
Loved the scenes with Christmas decorations, so very detailed!
.
Next section of this book is about Raylene and we know from previous books that she was once married to Earl (for 35 years)  but when he found out about something in her past that she neglected to tell him about he left on Christmas eve.
She works at the Horny Toad Bar in town... She wanted closure and agreed to let Nate, a returned from the war SEAL hang up Christmas decorations for her. She also put a 'help wanted' sign in the window of the bar.
Shannan Dugan had wandered into town and applied and got the job. She had been dealt a raw hand after her grandparents had died..
Lots of mysteries and secrets and I love the talk about the cookie swap!
Hot steamy sex scenes..
.
Last section is about Christine who runs the local bakery and she's just created a new cookie from her own recipe. I love this as I love to experiment myself once a year.
Her cat had recently died, she'd never have kids and her parents were in Europe to spend Christmas with his brother, who is a GI.
Eli, who she had known from high school was back in town to get a cake for his 14 year old daughter's birthday. They have a lot of time to catch up on...
Love the idea of fantasy vacation, camping and hiking! They both know they have to take things slow but their physical attraction to one another says differently.
There is no way this is going to work, they each have businesses that are so far apart from one another...the birthday party does not go as planned and it could be the end of their relationship..
.
This section is about Grace. Flynn and Jesse celebrating a really good Christmas despite their past and the baby is about to be born..
They are delivering a Christmas Angel gift to the family less fortunate this year. The weather man advised of the ice storm about to hit the area.
Love little tips at beginning of each chapter for a perfect Christmas.  His past once again catches up with him...
Community comes together...
I received this book from Edelweiss by  HarperCollins in exchange for my honest review.

Pub Date   Oct 29 2013 Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs
Loved hearing of the legend of the Christmas pickle and the recipe!
India's friend Darcy met Logan who was at the camp with Charlie. They start talking and Logan realizes Darcy does not like kids. They get interrupted and never make it back together for a drink later that night.
India and Darcy do talk on the way home and she kinda liked Logan but just wants to remain single.
Logan had moved to Avalon to be near his son Charlie but after the divorce and she married another and moved he's bored with selling insurance in town and only seeing Charlie a few times a year.
Logan agrees to take both of the kids if Mrs. Martin needs him to.
Logan wants to take over the ski lodge, he just needs backers.
This book also follows Darcy's story and she's in the city working but her ex will be going to the family Thanksgiving dinner and she's decided to head to FL to be with India's family in the nice warm sun.
Love the family feast and more what they do after, so caring, such good memories of teaching my grandson the hokey pokey.
One morning Logan and Darcy are able to share the sight of dolphins and much more.
Her job is setting up sports shoots for equipment she's promoting, names snowboarding and he invites her and the crew to his new job: Saddle Mountain. Because of her he had taken the risk of buying it..
The Christmas holiday plans might change....Darcy misunderstands why Mrs. Martin is at the resort...and Logan can't understand why Darcy wouldn't want kids...
They do learn more about one another...maybe all the Christmas cheer, decorations, food will bring them closer...
Loved all the recipes and can't wait to try a few and catching up with all the others in the family that I remember from earlier books.  Love that the book concentrates also on the kids problems, not just the adults. Priceless pickle prize at the end!
I received this book from Net Galley via Harlequin MIRA in exchange for my honest review.



 
 

  
Pub Date   Oct 29 2013 Christmas in Snowflake Canyon by Raeanne Thayne
Genevieve Beaumont has returned from Paris and she has a deal with ther father that she can have her trust fund after she's
cleaned up and flipped her grandmother's house. Gen is an interior designer but one night she's had enough and heads to the local
bar where she looses it and ends up punching the assistant DA. Her and Dylan Caine both end up in jail.
His brother gets them off the charge with 100 hours of community service at his sisters cabins-Warriors Hope and she needs the cabins
decorated for the holidays before the warriors come for a few weeks time to recuperate from their wounds. Dylan has been there done that and  just wants to put his time in but he's forced to do that with Gen and they are rather complete opposites.
As they spend more time together he can't help but love to hear her just talk and that gets him in trouble with her as he fantasizes about her. He thinks she's disgusted by his stump as he is an amputee...
Loved hearing the reception the warriors receive on their road to mending by learning how to ski, snowboard, etc.
Gen reaches out to a woman who got dumped and she plays matchmaker because she thinks Trey should not be alone for Christmas.
Love how the whole community comes together...
I received this book from Net Galley via Harlequin HQN in exchange for my honest review.

 

 

 
 

Pub Date   Oct 29 2013 The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins
This book in the series is dedicated to Honor with appearances from her sisters: Faith and Patience and Hope.
Her father is seeing Mrs. J and the girls think she's too young for him. She had gotten into a bar fight with Brogan's new girl and now she knows they are getting married and Dana is pregnant.
Her sisters set up an account online for her with the dating sites and she's met a few men, been out for drinks with them and they didn't click. When she's in a jam Tom helps her out with a kiss at the bar so Brogan thinks she's on a date.
It doesn't stop there though and the book describes a hot steamy sex scene.
The book also is following Charlie and others in town.  Tom also explains about how he has a stepson that isn't really a stepson at all.... He's very English and I like the translation of some words used.
Tom has now lost his teaching job at the college and the only way he could keep Charlie would be to get a green card by getting married. Honor needs to have a baby as her eggs are not going to be very futile soon because of her age.
Love the tour of the facilities and the process of how to make the wine and talk of the fruit.
Situations occur that lead to everybody doing a turn about...
More tragedy occurs bringing people together...
I received this book from Net Galley via Harlequin HQN in exchange for my honest review.

Pub Date   Oct 29 2013  Secret Santa by Fern Michaels, Marie Bostwick, Laura Levine, Cindy Myers
I wanted to read this book because of the many author's included about the same theme.
4 good books for the price of 1!!
.
Mister Christmas by Fern Michaels
Claire O'Brien was summoned to fly to Ireland from CA via NY because Donald Flynn was on his deathbed and she was in charge of his finances.
She would then travel to her brothers in CO and she had the girls gifts packed with her. That was the plan...and nothing went according to the plan...
Once she gets back to the US she does head for CO and many lifes becomes threatened...The only one who can save the day would be Mr. Christmas...
.
The Yellow Rose of Christmas by Marie Bostwick
Too Much, TX and Miss Velvet Tudrmore has had the honor of sharing how the town started and telling others of the history from years past and how women founded the town.
The new history teacher, Mr. Delacorte has an idea to help Velvet out by having his honor students conduct the senior interviews - thus saving her money from the budget and giving the students the experience...
Postal worker has found the yellow rose and $2 to have it delivered to Ms. Velvet at the historical society and nobody knows who the giver is...
It's just a few days before Thanksgiving and everybody in town is at the store to buy last minute items when Velvet is approached by many wanting to know who sent her a dozen roses. Things really escallate when the rumors start.
And to top that off nobody knows who the single rose is from....
Love all the talk about quilting and that career choice.
So much activity going on in town for the holidays...
Velvet thinks she knows who the admirer is and her sister knows for sure and doesn't want to disappoint her so she comes up with an idea so her sister won't be disappointed...
.
Nightmare on Elf Street by Laura Levine
Jaine Austen is an out of work freelance advertising writer and she went to apply for a copyedit job and got the elf wearing costume instead. Well she really needed the money anyways.
The santa, Scotty is a drunk but the other santa is Barney and they have chats about Shakespeare.
Loved hearing about the Tiny Tim project-so worthwhile.
Mishps at the mall with her cat lead to the santa being killed...
She's hot on the trial of who she thinks killed Scotty..
.
Room at the Inn by Cindy Myers
Barb  Stanowski and her husband Jim were headed to Eureka when the roads were closed due to the heavy snow fall. With the thread of avalanches they were in their car for the night.
Patrol came around the took them to the local summer cabins instead. She is not thrilled but Jim is making the best of the situation and she thought he'd be totally upset over the inconvenience.
She never thought Jim after 21 years married, would quit his job and go with the invention he and Michael had made-a golf ball recycler.
She forms a bond with the woman and her family in the next cabin over and she wants to help with the boys gifts as they will be stranded there. The mother is knitting hats and scarves and the husband is carving small animals.
Mae the owner of the cabins is happy to get extra state money for the use of the cabins and she's a loner. She quilts during the long winter months, others would be drinking.
Love how they all come together to make it special for the kids....
Didn't realize that this was part of a series from the author that I've read part of the series already. What a treat!
I received this book from The Kennsington Books and Net Galley in exchange for my honest review

Pub Date   Oct 29 2013 The Mountain Between Us by Cindy Myers
I was excited to be picked to read this book because I have read the other two related stories and love the locale and the characters.
This is the continuing story about Maggie and she was only going to stay a week to settle her father's possessions after he died but she ended up staying. Now she is in love with Jameco Clark who's back from the war and runs the local saloon/ski instructor in season and rides a motorcycle.
Maggie Stevens is terrified to tell him about the baby she is carrying, it is his but she's almost 40 and feels it's too late to start a family.
The story also follows Bob and Olivia both think the upcoming winter will be a bad one...
The book also follows Lucas, Olivia's son likes to do things with DJ and Olivia likes DJ but doesn't want him to know.
Another character is Cassie who runs the library and the annual Founder's Day pageant the telling of the town's history and she wants shelves for the library.
And a section also for Lucille the mayor who also runs the local antique shop says they may not even have money for snow plowing...
And Gerald is new in town and talks the town council into investing their money... All these things will make the story complete once things work out...
Love all the Halloween things going around in town.  Love hearing of the mine and all the other secrets that come out over time and how the community comes together...
Christmas events are just awesome, so caring and warm the feels leaves me with.  Love that this book is happening at the same time as The Room at the Inn by the same author.
I received this book from Net Galley via The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

Pub Date   Oct 29 2013  A Nantucket Christmas by Nancy Thayer
The island is decked out with Christmas attire and the day of the Stroll has begun. Santa and Mrs. Claus have arrived on the island via the Coast Guard and
the kids will climb onto Santa's lap and tell them of their wishes.
Nicole has married Sebastian and his married daughter Kennedy and her husband, James and child Maddox will spend the Christmas holiday on the island with them.
Nicole has helped the Stroll by baking cookies and her best friend Jilly has hot chocolate to accompany the cookies-at the library.
Snix is a lonely dog that the summer people left on the island when they left at the end of summer. The dog has wandered around trying to fit in and be able to feed himself.
Nicole strives to outdo Seb's first wife by decorating: tree, garland, ornaments, etc. His first wife Katya never liked to clean the pine needles, nor ever wants to gain weight.
Maddox this year wants a dog, but his mother is having a new baby boy and he won't be able to play with them right away as they will be too small.
Kennedy just wanted her mother and father to get back together and demanded they both be at the birth of the new child...
The unthinkable happens when a huge storm hits the island and Kayta shows up to spend the holidays with them...
I received this book from Net Galley via Random House Publishing Group  Ballantine Books in exchange for my honest review.

 

 Oct 29 2013 Holiday Kisses by Alison Kent, Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon, Shannon Stacey
4 stories in this one book.
This Time Next Year by Allison Kent
Brenna Keating is on her way to her grandmothers. She swerves to avoid and deer and finds her car nose deep into a snow pile.
Dillion is on his horse making the rounds when he finds her car and drags her out by a window and brings her back to his place and dresses her ankle and puts her to bed under quilts.
As they sit and talk in front of the first, he's told her they will be snowed in for days as this is the storm of the century.
She finds out he knows a bit about doctoring and makes rounds to the local people on the mountain to see how they are doing and to bring them food or whatever they need. Others on the mountain supply those in need with food if need be.
After they shared a kiss he went out to the barn to work and she decided to make a Christmas tree and decorate it. And she was baking cookies when he came back in. One of the bonds I have with the character here is I also keep my big 20 lb. bag of flour in the freezer.
After they have finished in the bedroom he tells her what the dates on the fan blades mean, very touching and real.
Lots of surprises when she finally gets up from bed. He brings her to her grandmother's on the back of the horse.
The present he gave her was one he made by hand. What a treasure! Later that day he took her back to his cabin and drove her home with plans that her car would be repaired.
They made plans 'this time next year'.
.
A Rare Gift by Jaci Burton
Wyatt is about to bid on his ex-wife's younger sister Calliope day care center.
When he saw her she did a number to his head. She wasn't like her sister at all and he kept losing track of what she was saying. He better pay attention and get the job, so other contractors didn't get it, and get the job over and done with and get out of there.
She still had a crush on him and when she noticed his clipboard she thought she'd just swing by and drop it off for him, in person. She finally finds him at the bar and gives it to him, gets a beer and proceeds to learn from Joey Johnson how to play pool.
It's late at night and she's still in the building. He goes to find her and walk her out to find a lot of snow on the ground. He puts her in his truck and they go to her house. After a meal and a light kissing it's decided he will spend the night.
He backs away from her, not wanting to start rumors and getting people to gossip about her.
She confronts him and tells him her sister will be in town for the holidays and that he should talk to her and get some closure so they can move on. She sets up the meeting and he is furious with her for doing so....
.
It's Not Christmas Without You by HelenKay Dimon
Carrie took the job in DC and left her hometown and boyfriend of Hollowoy, WV. This year she's going to stay in town and just work through the holiday, not go back home.
Austin decides they have not broken up at all and if she can't come home he will go to her. He gets a job selling Christmas trees outside her apartment in DC after paying the registering fees.
Lucky his brother Spence got him out of his drunken mode and that's why he was on the trail of Carrie.
They are able to talk and she tells him her mother gave up all her dreams to raise her and her brother.  She doesn't want her life to be the same cuz she can see how unhappy her mom is.
Spence is at the tree lot to also give him romantic advice for the month of December. She keeps coming back to the tree lot and still hasn't picked out a tree yet. By the time she did go back to the tree lot he had left the area to drive the first batch of trees back home. He was done, he knew her place was in DC.
.
Mistletoe and Margaritas by Shannon Stacey
Claire had lost her husband for over 2 years now and Justin was there
for her, always had been, late in getting to her first.
She does bookkeeping for a lot of small businesses in the area at her home.
He's a roofer and in the winter he plow roads in NH and she sometimes tags
along with him.
They end up at a party and she's had a few too many and they go back to her
house for the night.  He can't get over that Brandon was his best friend
and he's now having sex with his friends wife-sure he's dead but he still feels
like it's wrong.
Will they ever be able to move on or just break it off?
I received this book from Net Galley via Harlequin and Carina Press in exchange for my honest review.

Oct 28 Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes Review and Ebook Giveaway

Book Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio comes an enchanting novel about love, family, and the delicate power of snowflakes.

Reluctant to leave her cherished New England hometown after her sister's winter wedding, former journalist Vera Sterling makes a sudden decision. She takes what's left of her severance pay and invests it in real estate ... in one particular drafty colonial home and old timber barn set upon the pretty banks of Addison Cove. In that rough-hewn barn, she discovers a secret treasure left behind by the previous owner, the proprietor of the long-forgotten Christmas Barn gift shop.

While restoring her rundown, wood-sided home--its creaking floors, broken bannister, and neglected widow's walk--that secret slowly unfolds like a bit of snowflake wonder, crystallizing hopes and dreams for many in this small Connecticut town. But mostly for Derek Cooper whose own tragic story has headlined Addison's news. And whom Vera has come to love.

When the first snowstorm hits during Derek's annual Deck the Boats Festival at the cove, residents become stranded. It is then up to Vera to not only bring the town together, but to mend one man's heart she fears she may have lost.

Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes is a heartwarming story, one that reminds us to look to winter's stars. Because snowflakes can grant very special wishes ... if only we believe

About this author

   

   Joanne DeMaio is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. She enjoys writing about friendship, family, love and choices, while setting her stories in New England towns or by the sea. Her novels include the New York Times bestseller Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans, Whole Latte Life, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Critics' Pick, and most recently Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes. Joanne lives with her family in Connecticut and is currently at work on her next book.Joanne enjoys hearing from readers at Facebook.com/JoanneDeMaioAuthor.

 

My Review:

Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes by Joanne DeMaio
Love the author's other works and just by the name I know I am going to enjoy this book.
This book takes place in Addison, CT where the countryside is brought to life with the words from the author as the seasons go from one to another.
The perfect wedding plans in the most perfect snowy location for Brooke and Brett. Brooke's sister Vera Sterling has lost her journalism job in the city but has yet to tell anyone. 
As Vera heads back home to the city she is sidetracked from the house with the barn at the end of the historic district and before she knows it, she's the new owner.
The story also follows Derek Cooper whose father runs the local hardware store and he works there as the carpenter. She finds herself talking to him about what was once a nail hole and will be a major repair now of her old seafaring house.
Love hearing of all the local traditions from the apple festival, scarecrow voting, Christmas light parade of boats. At each of the festivals Brooke sets up her tent and sells baked goods where she usually sells out of her coffee cakes.
Love snow axioms and other trivia and technical facts of snowflakes. Vera is also able to find her old school mates at the fair and she learns more about Derek's past in the town where they grew up.
She lands a job with the local paper part time.  Not only does Derek grief for his daughter, the whole town does as Christmas draws near.
Vera with help from others restore the barn into The Christmas Barn with the items in the boxes for the tag sale. When the snowstorm is due to hit the night of the boat of parades Vera tries to talk Derek into postponing the event.  He misunderstood why
she was writing an article about the parade for a Providence paper. All money raised that night goes to charity in Abby's name.
Snow is magical with the wishes upon the winter stars. I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.




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Oct 27 books read

Easy Halloween Treats for Happy Ghouls and Ghosts by Monica Sawyer
Illustrated very colorful book about food for the holiday of Halloween.
11 different recipes that are easy to make. First it tells you about the ingredients you
will need, then how to assemble them.
A lot of the recipes start with refrigerated cookie dough=those are my favorite ones to try
because the hard work is already done.

Pike Place by Marilyn Howard Tschudi
We were able to go to Pikes' Place in Seattle a few years ago and it was an adventure.
Not only the vendors and all their wares but the fishmongers stole the show when we purchased some shrimp.
Can't wait to go back again and to see the quilt store. There was so much there we did not experience.
Book starts out with Bobbi and her life growing up near Seattle. 5 in the family and they play outside in the
very early 70's, just like my family. She and her younger brother Scottie play at being the Hardy boys and solve mysteries.
Love all the mysteries and treasures she finds along the way while babysitting or just riding their bikes. Her best friend,
Lizzie comes to stay for part of the summer and she's able to actually sleep through the night again.
One day her sister Angela didn't come home from cheer leading practice nor work.
Their lives were never the same again.  Lizzie went along with Scottie and Bobbi to try to find any signs of Angela in the woods.
Love their trips around town and the investigations of the underground city of Seattle. We had driven by them while in the city but never went for the tour.
Can't believe the kids and their inquisitive minds and actions help the cops find and follow the clues...
Loved all the history of the city and state. Scary what happened to the girls...
Loved all the music lyrics as it was the same time frame I grew up on the other side of the country.

Children Book Set for Girls & Boys (Empowerment & self esteem  series level 1 and 2 reading books)   by Ally Nathaniel
Illustrated very colorful book about how to priase a child in everyday life.
First book 'Sparkly Me'  is about a girl and how she uses a sparkle and carries it with her to keep her happy throughout the day.
'Who's Under The Bed' is next. This book is about a monster and it's bedtime and he feels scared that some children are under his bed.
He knows what he does NOT like about children. Good book for letting a child know that there is nothing under their bed to be scared of.
'Fabulous Me' is the next book.  This one is about the things a girl does during the day that make it an extra special day for her. I espcially liked the beach and the stars at night.
'Dancing With The Sun' this is about a girl who feels special when she dances. She explains why she feels special and what she imagines when she dances.
'Once Upon A Pencil' is about a girl that finds a pencil and she draws on her pants and the thing comes to life. then another pencil grows out of the ground. What an imagination she has!

The Lion And The Mouse - Children's Picture Book for age 4 to 8 (Folk Tales) by Emilia V.

Illustrated colorful children's book about a lion and how he rests after a meal. A mouse ran across the lions path and the lion prepares for a fight.
The lion is by far the bigger fiercer animal and he promises to let the mouse pass and the mouse will repay him one day.
A week later the lion is caught in a net and can't get out. The mouse sees what happened to the lion...
The lion recalls the deal he made with the mouse...

 

Oct 26 books read

A Wedding in Great Neck by Yona Zeldis McDonough
The Silverstein family is getting together for the youngest child wedding on Long Island, NY.
Problem is there are family situations that might spoil it all...
Confusing at the beginning as there are many names and spouses names thrown out. Not sure if the book comes with a family tree as I'm listening to this on a tape.
Justine wants to cause havoc and thinks the groom will go with her and then others will see that he's not meant for Angelica.
I feel each of the main children could have their own story=there is so much to each one of them.
Love the mystery of the ring as we find out others are cheating on their spouses...
A bit too much drama for me but was a fun read.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Oct 25 books read

The quilter's kitchen  an Elm Creek Quilts novel with recipes by  Jennifer Chiaverini
This book is mainly about the kitchen at Elm Creek Manor. It is being renovated and Ana got the job to be the chef.
Lots of food and recipes that are served at the quilter's camp. Lots of stories about newly found dishes that hold a
place in Sylvia's heart and family. Love all the stories about the holiday foods.
Love the history of the feedsacks in quilting and farm work. Love hearing about all the treasures they find!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Circle of Quilters by  Jennifer Chiaverini
This Elm Creek Manor story is about the quilters of the manor. A few of the founding members want to leave and
they are faced with getting replacements.
Maggie has bought a quilt at the garage sale for $5 and it's one that is over 133 years old.
She brings it to the circle quilters and they can identify many of the squares. Love all the research she does by traveling to Lowell, MA where the woman lived prior to her marrying the owner of the mill.
She travels to Elm Creek to apply for the job of teacher.
Karen is another applicant for the job opening.
Love that the founders are still involved in the camp process and I recall their stories from other Elm Creek books.
Love the idea of cookies decorated like quilt squares-I can't even imagine the time it takes!
And Anna is a chef that wants the new job at the manor-it'd be a step up for her. She is also a quilter. Her love interest is going sour...
Russel is another the book follows.  He and Elaine are runners and their goals turn to charities dealing with cancer. Elaine dies and he takes up quilting and also applies for the job at Elm Creek.
Gretchen is another applying fot the job. She's always wanted her own quilt shop.
Interesting to learn who they picked and why...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Oct 24 books read

25 Winter Craft Ideas: Easy Indoor Crafts for Kids by Monica Van Zandt
Illustrated colorful children's book showing how to make holiday crafts.
There are easy to follow: step by step instructions for each one and shows the end result.
My favorite is the snowman ornament and I can just picture my grandson
using the book to do the clay/paper machie recipes.

Lightening by Danielle Steel
Alex is a lawyer about to go to trial for several weeks if not months. She has her annual exams and it shows a lump in her breast which they talk her into having a biopsy.
She's now going under the knife and the only thing she wants is another child. Annabelle is the best girl ever and she dotes on her whenever she can.
She gives the doctor the go ahead to remove parts of her breast and/or lump nodes once he finds out about the mass that is in her body.
She is more upset that her husband hasn't been there for her through the different aspects of the disease.
Many from the support group stop by to visit with her and she does find Liz reassures her of her fears. They are able to talk about her husband and how he's reacting.
Sam's way of dealing with it is to get comfort from another woman in the office. Her support is the people at the office and the housekeeper..
Hot steamy passionate love scenes.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Oct 23 books read Baby, Be Mine by Ginny Baird

You can read the first chapter of BABY, BE MINE on my Goodreads blog:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5374955.Ginny_Baird/blog

Or enter contest to win an autographed copy of the paperback:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/68454-baby-be-mine

Also, be on the look-out for a free promotion of Kindle Book BABY, BE MINE within the coming week.

FYI, BABY, BE MINE will be available exclusively through Amazon the first three months and participate in its readers' lending library. It will be available in ebook at other outlets (iTunes, B&N, Kobo and Smashwords) in late January, with the print edition coming to both Amazon and Barnes & Noble soon.

Book Synopsis:

BABY, BE MINE (Holiday Brides Book 5)

A single woman gets a Christmas gift that sends her world into chaos, and has her tracking down a last-minute groom – with the help of her handsome best friend.

A sweet romantic comedy novella.

BABY, BE MINE
Nobody else will do…

Nikki Constantino has a big problem. Her Great-Aunt Mallory left her with a wad of cash, which she’ll inherit under two conditions. The first one is she’s got to marry within eight weeks. With family pressures mounting and her job on the line, Nikki’s just desperate enough to want to honor her late aunt’s wishes. Lucky for her she can enlist the help of her best friend. But as she sorts through the candidates, could it be that the guy for her is the one she least suspects?

Jack Hudson has secretly had a crush on Nikki forever. So when she asks his help in securing a last-minute groom, he’s conflicted. But where Nikki’s concerned, Jack would do almost anything to ensure her happiness. So Jack reluctantly goes along with her plan while trying to put thoughts of them being together out of his mind. With her Valentine’s Day deadline approaching, will Nikki settle for another man – or will she start seeing Jack in a new light?

My Review:

BABY, BE MINE By Ginny Baird
Christmas and Nikki and her bestest friend in the whole world Jack are at the funeral and reading of the will for her great aunt Mallory. She's left the whole estate to Nikki with stipulations.
She has to wed by Valentines day and get pregnant after that. Jack helps her locate all her old boyfriends over the years to see if she can get one of them to marry her-even bribe them if that is what it will take.
Many are married and as she finds the others and pays them a visit she knows they are off limits. There is Jack who he's loved her since they first met when they were growing up. Her mother gives her some advice as well.
She never felt like Jack as anything but her best friend....and she thinks she found the right man for the job.
Jack has started dating others because he knows Nikki would never ask him to get married....will she learn in time you can't buy love?
With the holidays over there is a chance she might also lose her job. What else could possibly go wrong.
Just a handful of characters to keep track of. Very easy going story to follow.
Love that you can skip a few books in the series, good stand alone books also.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

About this author

Romance writer Ginny Baird has published novels in print and online and received screenplay options from Hollywood for her family and romantic comedy scripts. She writes touching, often humorous, contemporary romance about single women facing everyday challenges. Known for featuring holidays and family themes in her work, Ginny frequently portrays the struggles of single parents or others who’ve given up on finding true love.

Ginny has two ongoing novella series, The Holiday Brides Series (holiday romance) and The Summer Grooms Series (summer romance), as well as additional single titles available. Ginny's thrilled to have a Halloween love story, The Ghost Next Door, slated for publication in August 2013 with Book 5 in her Holiday Brides Series, Baby, Be Mine, due in December.

Get a copy: Amazon

Oct 22 books read

The quilter's homecoming by Jennifer Chiaverini
1920's newlywed Henry and Elizabeth Nelson leave PA for CA where they had purchased land to work. When they realize they've been swindled they are forced to work on the land.
The story starts out with their meeting when Elizabeth's family was at Elm Creek, the family house during the summer and Henry's family lived in the farm next door.
All the years of writing letters to one another-she does go out in the city with other men and she really wants Henry to propose to her.
Love all the talk of the quilt squares and what the colors and block names mean.
Book also follows others life's as they cross Henry and Elizabeth. Safari world sounds like an oasis in the desert but she learns the truth as she attempts to make money.
Loved the travel involved and how they see the new areas of the US through their eyes. Hated to hear of the scheme but she finds work and is not afraid to work at all.
Love the orchard and how the fruit is processed.  She is able to trade from her wedding gifts for things they needed right away.
So much heartache and struggles to make a living at this time of the century but they persevere and drudge onward.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Oct 21 books read

Season of Passion by Danielle Steel
Kate while being a model was introduced to Tom and they hit it off and she fell in love with him. He was able to get her to travel to see him play football across the US.
They had the perfect life but he was too old to continue. He suffers a tragedy and ends up in a place where his brain injury is considered. With his football medical insurance he will be taken care of for years.
Her parents and his parents had written them both off. With his brain injury he is like a 7 year old boy. She was pregnant and his father would never realize he had a son.
She decided to write Tom's story and that's where she meets the TV produced Nick Waterman. He knows she is keeping a secret and he wants her to tell him herself.
Love all the travel and the places described along the way.  She is on tour but Nick and her son now her secret..
She loves her time in NY promoting the book and meets a man that has similar situations as she and they share a dinner.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Oct 19 books read

Noah's Good Night Dream Blanket by  L. K. Shila
Illustrated very colorful book about a little boy who has had a busy day and doesn't want to go to bed.
He's tired enough and his mother opens a box and his blanket is there. His mom tells him it is a special
blanket and it's a dream blanket and it will bring him good dreams. The book shows us what he sees and
the new things he learns about on his journey. Before he knows it his mother is waking him up and he knows
the special poem with the dream blanket will be there every night.




also read more books for the Oct 29 release

Oct 18 books read

Shenandoah Nights by Lisa Belcastro
Book starts out with Rebecca O'Neill a teacher and how she got roped into going on the Shenandoah with the school kids.
She fears the story of one time a teacher did not return and she will be staying in the same cabin on the ship.
Love the idea of the 5-6th graders learning how to sail for a full weeek during the summer months off the coast of Martha's Vineyard.
When she finds herself in the 1700's she is terrified but after it happens many more times she learns to love one in the past.
She finally figures out with the help of God what his intentions are for her and in which century.
Good Halloween type read with a bit of mystic and magic and romance. This is book #1 in the Winds of change series....
 I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.