Book Review: Holiday Hearts: Volume Five by Josie Riviera

  

 

Holiday Hearts: Volume Five by Josie Riviera

Trio of books by the same author.

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Josie Riviera1-800-NEW YEAR (Flipping For You #5) by Josie Riviera

Starts with an introduction where author talks about her news and signing up for her newsletter.

Praise for the authors works from readers.

Shannice is crushing the dating apps... She hadn't felt her old boyfriend even listened to her.

Her first boyfriend left an impression on her, Lincoln Reid. He is a divorcee.

She needs to move forward....

story also follows Lincoln and he's returned to the town. He has plans to relocate the toy store he and his sister run to that little town.

He even looks at Shay's farm house. He tells her a bit about his plans...

Love small things like thrift store and fire pit. So many secrets come to light and he tells her his new plans..

She's devastated that he's not paying for her farmhouse, she really needed the money... 

She's hurt and didn't wait to hear what else he had to say....You wonder if they will ever get together...

Love learning about the holiday, Kwanza and all it stands for.

Like hearing more about their careers, using their hands, priceless!

Love the charity work everybody is involved in.

Recipe included.  Note from the author about the book and series. 

1800 cupid excerpt is included at the ned. Other works by the author are listed.

Dedication page and about the author are  listed at the end.

I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

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Christmas in the Air (Flipping For You Book 6) by Josie Riviera 

Praise for the authors works, Prologue Penelope on a plane. She has to keep your fears low 

She's on a plane to Hilton Head and discussing the job with Jacob. SHe's done the job since a teen.  They also discuss relationships.

Anxiety takes over when the plane jolts and he tries to get her mind of herself.  He is divorced, likes his job, doesn't want to date. He gets her to talk about flying and her fears.

Her teen son is heading to FL to visit his father over the holidays. Penelope doesn't like the holidays, it's time spouse had cheated on her and she feels lonely.

She's feeling guilty for ignoring her son, Evan  but working many hours at the toy company. She hopes Lincoln her brother will help out with him.

Love natural wooden toys her and her brothers company operate. 

They are able to sit down and talk about the past and how things effected them.  Love hearing of hard talks and the severity of the events.

Just when things are going well for them, then they are not. misunderstandings and more patience they might make it.

Love holiday themed book on the boat, that's different! 

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Recipe note from the author and other works by the author are listed at the end. Excerpt from 1800 cupid is attached also.

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Cocoa's Christmas Love by Josie Riviera

Cute Christmas read.

Story starts out with Ivy and she and another run the local florist shop in town.

They are struggling as the promotional piece was not very flattering at all. She's a bit concerned especially when hearing another chain floral shop will be coming to town.

Story also follows Blake who is a photographer, mostly environmental items but his  grandfather had taken the promotional pictures for the piece in the magazine of Ivy's shop.

He does run into her as she's rescuing a little puppy in a dark alley and he takes a liking to the puppy also. She is so caring and even taking them to the vet.

Love the turmoil and how things have solutions.

Like decorative and very festive settings throughout this book.

Great story.

Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

 

Book Review:

  

 

101 Puberty Questions for Christian Girls: A Playful, Faith-Inspired Guide for the Journey Through Her First Period, Moods, Hygiene & Body Changes to Help Her Navigate Puberty with Peace & Courage by Nurtis Publishing

Just from the chapter listings I wish I had this book when we went to view the movie at school at night when I was a young girl. So many things were not even covered back then.

Educational, informative, easy to understand book for girls.

Love backup plans for when the unexpected occurs and what you can do about it.

Love sketches on the pages and how the girls are portrayed, so real.

Book also includes sections on God's part in all the changes to the young body.

Easy to follow and straight forward for the young girls to understand.

Love that the pages can be colored as they are sketches.

How to take the hits when others know you are having a bad day and how to conquer those. Couldn't believe it also talks about estrogen and the part it plays in all the changes. I never recall even hearing some words when I went through the changes some 60 years ago.

Great book for any young Christian girl.

 

Oct 27 The Cowboy's Long Lost Christmas Bride by Megan Crane

  

 

The Cowboy's Long Lost Christmas Bride by Megan Crane

This story follows Dallas. His mom and his father's other wife Peyton and Jenny. The women have formed a bond and want their children to know one another as they share the same father.

Dallas is back to prove to himself and others that he can make a go of things. He's done with the military and has skills now and works to renovate the lighthouse into a B&B.  His mothers send a postcard for market research to his wife in Georgia.  

Dallas had met Ruth in Georgia at boot camp: Fort Benning, where our son also had his boot camp. They met, fell in love and got married. He went overseas and she got small jobs and also tended to her grandmother who had raised her. She watched her parents  die but she was lucky to live. Ruth had been in a car crash with her grandmother and she  succumbed to her injuries. The rest of her family just wanted everything they could get their hands on. Ruth wasn't even sure who anybody was. She went through items and found post card and knew she just had to go but she wasn't sure hy.

She shows up on a snowy day at the lighthouse and he knows exactly who she is but doesn't let on that he knows her, at all. She has no clue who he is.

She is still able to knit and crochet and works wonders with yarns and the colors at the local yarn store. He had introduced her to his family years ago but she doesn't remember so he shows her around again.

We find what happened to make him leave... Adult situations.

He brings it up to her when she realizes he knows her and they get into deep discussions. He's not sure it will work because of the past and what she wanted...

Interested take on the whole family. It feels so out of place to me growing with with both parents. Can't fathom what they've had to go through to know their father had two families, sometimes having kids from both women at the same week.

Love the descriptions of the town and festivities. Great holiday read.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via Booksprout and this is my honest opinion. 

Oct 29 A Yuletide Bride for the Highlander by Gerri Russell

  

A Yuletide Bride for the Highlander by Gerri Russell

This story starts with Sorcha and her and her friend are separating so the thieves don't catch the both of them. They do find her and snatch her mothers necklace from her body, along with the knife she was given. Her friend takes care of her and her laird are seeing that she pays her families debt. She is being sent to another castle where Gavin lives. He will never forget what her family did to his family. She had actually shot him, not knowing who he was. She is treated as a servant there and she soon has bleeding hands from the harsh chemicals and so much cleaning that she does. One night she hears him trying to tend to his wound but with only one arm as she shot the other she offers her help to him and she's gentle. He notices her hands and now she will be doing light chores. He fancies her and they have a chat about her brother. He will see to it he has his fair day at court. She is able to attend along with Gavin and he's so protective.  Love the gift he offers her, never saw it happening and hapy for the ending. Love this series. A bit of everything for anybody. Such a fresh look at life back then. Can't wait for the next in the series.

Especially LOVE how she decorates for the holiday with just such simple things.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via Booksprout and this is my honest opinion.

 

Book Review: Pink Coral Island by Josie Riviera

  

 

Pink Coral Island by Josie Riviera

In this story we find Jenny and she's returned to the island she grew up on with her friend Maria.  

Jenny can't believe that her long lost boyfriend is there, 10 years later. He's running the hotel that is being renovated and where she and Maria will be working.

Misunderstandings have kept them apart for ten years. Love how they are able to catch up along with his son.

Like how things go but then problems at the hotel go so far wrong, fires, arson, etc and they can't figure out who's doing it.

They get help from Christopher's military buddies and they take control over the hotel renovations to get it up and running.

Love all the animal life and sea life and flowers around the island. So laid back but still active.

Love time Jenny and Christopher get to talk to one another about things in the past. She can't figure out why he even had children when he never wanted them. Love how smart the boy is.

Love learning about the Gulliah community and how much a part they play on the island the ancestry, traditions, spirituality, cusine and so much more.

Such a beatufiul story and so happy to learn how to make a towel animal. This will be priceless to have my grandson make one.

Instructions are included at the end of the book along with an excerpt from Aloha  from the author. super love finding out more about the tribe from the author and she's visited the island off the coast of SC. Love learning new things!

 

Book Review: American Mahjong for Beginners by Nora Whitwell

  

American Mahjong for Beginners by Nora Whitwell

Love this book and the layout as it tells you how to play the game of American Majjong and how to do better with things they teach you.

I never knew about the sets and what they really mean and how important some are over others. There are also question and answers during the chapters to make sure you are still learning.

Some apps I play online do not offer all the ones listed. 

I find game soothing and calming so I play it before bed every night. Didn't realize Craks are called Characters using Arabic numberals. Think I'd love the game playing in person rather than in an app as it has to much more strategy involved. 

Great reference book to keep handy til you 'get it'.

 

Book Review: RV Camping Across the USA for First-Time RVers: The State-by-State Guide with

 

 

RV Camping Across the USA for First-Time RVers: The State-by-State Guide with Handpicked Campgrounds, Scenic Route Plans and Must-Know Tips for a Smooth Season on the Road by Ryan and Claire Hudson

We have often thought of renting or buying an RV and driving the country, especially the places we've yet to visit.

Love layout of this book and how it's so resourceful. Everything you need to know is in this one book. It explains how to change plans due to one circumstance or another and still keep on track.

Love that it's based on each state in the US, yes even Alaska and Hawaii.

Focus on places I've been in the car and didn't realize there were so many campsites for RV's.

I did chose RI as we used to live there and found the information very current and up to date. Love maps that show the campsites as to where you are heading to, so you can pick the closer one. Yellowstone has always been a favorite for me to visit. The Wyoming map shows the Yellowstone and also the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and so many other interesting locations to visit. There is an app for this also, more in the book.

Like sections at the end where you can track your progress and a journal of sorts when planning a trip.

Super Keeper!  Keep this book handy, take it with you.