Month: December 2018

Item: Sleigh Bells in the Snow
Rating: 4
Author: Jana

Christmas Books I Loved As a Child

Posted December 14, 2018 by Jana in About Me / 4 Comments

I absolutely loved Christmas books when I was a child. It was a tradition to buy a brand new hardback every year, plus a few fun paperbacks to add to our collection. Now, there are so many of them and I love pulling out the big box of books every year, sitting by the Christmas tree, and flipping through the Christmas books of my childhood. They told of Santa, his reindeer, good little boys and girls, snow storms, and presents. I thought I’d share with you a small part of my childhood Christmases with a list of my all-time favorite books!

Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

It’s almost time to look for Santa Claus, and it’s always time to look for fun with Amelia Bedelia. Amelia is busy getting ready for Christmas – stuffing the stockings, trimming the tree, and popping corn – all in her usual mixed-up way.

I love this book! I giggled as Amelia messed up everything she possibly could.

The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat by Brigid Clark and Chris Noel

Your family will enjoy this endearing story about two Christmas presents—a dog and a cat—who fall out of Santa’s sleigh. By working together—something that doesn’t always come naturally—they find their way to their new home. And, through their example of love for one another, they bring harmony to an entire household.

The illustrations are gorgeous, and the story itself is adorable. This book made me want to have a calico cat, and I kind of drove my parents nuts asking for one.

A Letter to Santa by Janet Craig

Letters to Santa result in three children getting exactly what they want for Christmas.

I’m not sure whether I liked this book because the illustrations look very childlike, or if I just thought the story was awesome because everyone got what they asked for, but I read this to myself almost every day in December.

The Mouse’s Christmas by Kit Schorsch

The baby mice really want a Christmas tree, so their mother goes out to find them one. She looked at branches, twigs, and leaves. None of them looked like a Christmas tree, though. The farmer’s Christmas tree ended up being too tall for his house, she he chopped it up and threw it outside. It ended up providing Christmas trees for many of the woodland creatures, and a perfect one for the mouse family.

This book is adorable. The mice are so cute, and their little house is priceless. They use match boxes for beds and empty thread spools for chairs! Darling! And what a sweet message. :)

The Littlest Christmas Tree by Cass Hollander

When a little fir tree is taken to be sold in the city along with other tall trees, plants, and shrubs, it becomes sad. But a young couple has special plans for choosing a Christmas tree that their family will treasure for years and years. Find out how the littlest fir tree becomes a Christmas tree forever in this heartwarming story about family, love, and Christmas tradition.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful, and it’s my absolute favorite rendition of such a popular story.

Did you ever read any of these? I think Amelia Bedelia is the only one still in print, but it’d be fun if some of you have read them too! I want fun recommendations as well! What are some of your favorite Christmas books from your childhood? I’m still collecting children’s books, and would love to find some new ones this year!

Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan | Book Review (+The Christmas Sisters Giveaway)

Posted December 12, 2018 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review, Giveaway / 10 Comments

Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan
Series: O'Neil Brothers #1
Also in this series: Suddenly Last Summer, Maybe This Christmas
Published by Harlequin on October 29, 2013
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Holiday - Christmas, Romance
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Add to Goodreads
Buy on Amazon

Once upon a time, Christmas was Kayla Green's favorite time of year. Now all the workaholic wants for Christmas is for it to be over—as fast as possible! So when duty calls her to snowy Vermont to close a deal with a new client, Kayla is grateful for an excuse to avoid the holidays for another year.

Jackson O'Neil left a thriving business behind to return home and salvage his family's resort—it's in his blood, and he can't let it fail. Now that he's got marketing whiz Kayla Green working with him to put Snow Crystal on the map, success is on the horizon. The fact they strike enough sparks off each other to power all the Christmas lights in Vermont is just an added bonus.

Kayla might be an expert at her job, but she's out of her depth with Jackson—he makes her crave the happy-ever-after she once dreamed of, and it's terrifying. As the snowflakes continue to swirl, will the woman who doesn't believe in the magic of Christmas finally fall under its spell?

I love Christmas romances, especially if they are set in a picturesque place and have wonderful characters. As soon as I read that Sleigh Bells in the Snow takes place in Vermont, I was very excited! As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. The Snow Crystal is a cozy ski resort nestled in the mountains of Vermont. The O’Neil family has run it for years, and it is a bit of a hidden gem with lots to offer. It has cabins with hot tubs on the porch, amazing views, and a homey lodge with a sitting room and kitchen that just screams holidays. I would LOVE to pack up and move there right now. If any guest wants a Christmas tree for their cabin, one of the O’Neil brothers goes out and chops one and delivers it at their front step. How fun is that?! I really want to visit. The setting was definitely my favorite part of the book.

2. I liked Kayla, but I felt she was a bit too cynical and cold at times. I just wanted to shake her! She has a sad past of abandonment, and does not like Christmas at all. Honestly, though, I’m pretty sure she does not like any kind of family holiday. She arrives at the resort in her designer pumps and pencil skirt, bent on being a complete stick in the mud as she hides in her cabin in the hopes of letting Christmas painlessly pass her by. The longer she stay there, though, the more comfortable she gets. I liked the transformation she went through as she got to know the O’Neil family. She bought some snow boots, let her hair down, and allowed herself to get close to them even though it scared her. I liked this side of her much more than the hardened, emotionless side we see at the beginning of the book.

3. I adore the O’Neil family, and how close they are. Jackson has come back to Snow Crystal after making it big in Europe. He wants to help get the resort on the map and show the world what it has to offer, before it goes under and the family loses it. That’s why he hires Kayla to come out. As he updates and elevates the resort, he is met with a lot of resistance from his family. They are not keen on change, and are scared that a snooty New Yorker will ruin their image. As they soften Kayla, though, she softens them. I loved the conversations between family members, as they all open up and grow closer together. This family ends up being extremely loving despite their high maintenance demands.

4. I really liked the non-family staff members at the Snow Crystal. I particularly liked the spitfire of a French chef and the ski instructor. Each character in this story is unique and loveable.

5. Jackson is so wonderful. He is tender and persistent, and boy can he chop wood. I love his devotion to his family, even though they are fighting him the whole way. I love that he gave up his big life to come home and save his family lodge. I love how sweet he is to Kayla.

6. The romance is slow burning. It begins as a simple professional relationship, with that initial attraction on both sides. It then slides into this love-hate friendship kind of thing before turning into something really special. I really liked that it was not just lust, which seems to happen a lot in the Christmas romances I’ve read before. There are real feelings at play.

Sleigh Bells in the Snow is a fun, cheery Christmas romance with a wonderful family dynamic, a cozy setting, and a swoonworthy male lead. I definitely recommend you read it it you’re in the mood for some Christmas cheer! I can’t wait to read about the other O’Neil brothers, which will happen as the series continues.

(This review was originally posted on 12/6/13 and was re-posted for some extra love.)

Sarah is sponsoring a giveaway for my readers this Christmas, with a signed copy of her newest Christmas release, The Christmas Sisters!

The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan
Published by HQN Books on September 25, 2018
Genres: Adult Fiction — Contemporary, Holiday, Women’s Fiction
Add to Goodreads

In the snowy Highlands of Scotland, Suzanne McBride is dreaming of the perfect cozy Christmas. Her three adopted daughters are coming home for the holidays and she can’t wait to see them. But tensions are running high…

Workaholic Hannah knows she can’t avoid spending the holidays with her family two years in a row. But it’s not the weight of their expectations that’s panicking her—it’s the life-changing secret she’s hiding. Stay-at-home mom Beth is having a personal crisis. All she wants for Christmas is time to decide if she’s ready to return to work—seeing everyone was supposed to help her stress levels, not increase them! Posy isn’t sure she’s living her best life, but with her parents depending on her, making a change seems risky. But not as risky as falling for gorgeous new neighbor Luke…

As Suzanne’s dreams of the perfect McBride Christmas unravel, she must rely on the magic of the season to bring her daughters together. But will this new togetherness teach the sisters that their close-knit bond is strong enough to withstand anything—including a family Christmas?

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My Top Ten Favorite Christmas Movies

Posted December 10, 2018 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 28 Comments

Today is freebie day, and to go along with my A Bookish Little Christmas event this month I decided to make it Christmassy. I love all things Christmas, but I’ve been focusing a lot on Christmas books on the blog lately, so I’m taking a break from books and focusing on my very favorite Christmas movies this week! I’m a Hallmark Christmas movie junkie, so that’s what most of these are!

Finding Father Christmas

Christmas for Miranda is a painful reminder of the family she never had. Her mother died when she was young, never revealing the identity of her father. But, three days before Christmas, she unexpectedly receives a clue as to the whereabouts that takes her to a beautiful New England town where she meets Ian, a young man who helps with her search. As the clues lead to her father’s identity and Miranda discovers the possibility of love in Ian, and she learns that her father lived in the small town and now she knows his family (her brother and her biological father’s wife). She faces a terrible decision… Should she share the truth and risk losing the family she has just found, or leave and keep the secret forever? This Christmas promises to be life-changing for Miranda with a new chance at life and love.” Starring Wendy Malick, Erin Krakow and Niall Matter.

One Starry Christmas

Aspiring astronomy professor and Christmas enthusiast Holly (Sarah Carter) is crushed when her longtime boyfriend Adam (Paul Popowich) schedules a business trip and leaves her alone over the holidays. When she decides to surprise both Adam and her parents with a Christmas visit, however, fate, or perhaps the Christmas spirit, intervenes. Holly’s bumpy holiday travel makes a turn onto the road to romance when she and her bus companion, Luke (Damon Runyan), forge an instant connection over their love of constellations and Christmas. In the spirit of the season, Holly invites Luke and his brother Bull (George Canyon) to join her family and Adam for Christmas, which instantly creates a competition between Luke and Adam for Holly’s attention. As sparks fly like shooting stars between Holly and Luke, will Holly decide to play it safe and stay with Adam or to thank her lucky stars for the Christmas gift of romance with Luke?

Window Wonderland

It’s no holds barred when two Manhattan department store employees vie for the same job during the busy Christmas season. Sloan Van Doren (Chyler Leigh) is a driven young woman determined to become the next window dresser at McGuire’s department store and to uphold a 95-year-old artistic holiday tradition. Serious and professional, she’s the polar opposite of the happy-go-lucky Jake Dooley (Paul Campbell), who also wants the job. When Mr. Fitch (Matty Finochio), the head of advertising and promotion, gives them a challenge, the competition is on: each will create a series of seasonal storefront windows twice a week until Christmas. The creator of whichever window display gets the most attention from passersby will get the job.

As they go through their paces, with Jake’s obvious talent grabbing the public’s attention, a silent but mutual attraction develops between the pair, hampered by the contest and the presence of Kenneth (Cameron Mathison), Sloan’s blueblood boyfriend, who can’t understand the importance Sloan is placing on this job. Supporting the efforts of the window dressers are McGuire’s veteran window washer Mac (Terence Kelly) and brassy bathroom attendant Rita (Naomi Judd) who have eyes for each other but haven’t done anything about it yet. Love is in the air at McGuire’s, but things aren’t exactly what they seem. Who will win in this love triangle?

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Jennifer Cullen (Brooke Burns) is a single, working mom who has become somewhat of a Scrooge when it comes to the Holiday season. Even her six-year-old son Brian is having trouble believing in Santa Claus. When Jen’s Uncle Ralph (Henry Winkler), a retired police officer, comes to visit for Christmas, he brings along a new friend, a nomad and Jack-of-all-trades named Morgan Derby (Warren Christie). The two met on a flight, and Morgan’s plans to continue on to Denver are cancelled when he finds out the city is completely snowed in. Jen is wary of the stranger, but at Ralph’s request, agrees to let him stay the night. She warms up to Morgan, especially when she sees how he interacts with Brian. Uncle Ralph approves of Morgan, too, but Jen’s boyfriend Richard isn’t nearly as receptive. Meanwhile, Morgan has started to really like Jen, but if she can’t manage to make Christmas about anything more than business, Morgan will be on his way to Denver, and she’ll have missed the opportunity that was right in front of her. Uncle Ralph has done what he can to keep Morgan around, but it’s going to take something more than that to get him penciled into Jen’s long-term plans. Jen just needs to learn “how to do Christmas,” and it turns out Morgan is the perfect one to teach her.

Christmas Getaway

Hoping to spend the holiday relaxing, a travel writer takes a traditional Christmas vacation for the first time. Through a mix up on the rental site, she finds herself double-booked for the holidays with a widower, his young daughter and mom. What begins as an inconvenience blossoms into much more. Stars Bridget Regan and Travis Van Winkle.

Miss Christmas

Nicknamed “Miss Christmas,” the official tree finder for Chicago’s renowned Radcliffe Tree lighting is left desperate to find the perfect tree. A letter from a young boy promising his tree is perfect sends her to a small town where she learns the young boy’s dad isn’t willing to part with his tree. While sparks fly, she’ll be forced to confront what she’s really been missing for Christmas. Starring Brooke D’Orsay and Marc Blucas.

The Santa Clause

When a man inadvertently kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.

The Holiday

Two women trade homes only to find that a change of address can change their lives. Iris (Winslet) is in love with a man who is about to marry another woman. Across the globe, Amanda (Diaz), realizes the man she lives with has been unfaithful. Two women who have never met and live 6000 miles apart, find themselves in the exact same place. They meet online at a home exchange website and impulsively switch homes for the holiday. Iris moves into Amanda’s L.A. house in sunny California as Amanda arrives in the snow covered English countryside. Shortly after arriving at their destinations, both women find the last thing either wants or expects: a new romance. Amanda is charmed by Iris’ handsome brother Graham (Law) and Iris, with inspiration provided by legendary screenwriter Arthur (Wallach), mends her heart when she meets film composer Miles (Black).

The Nine Lives of Christmas

Fireman Zachary Stone (Routh) is a confirmed bachelor who doesn’t believe in love or commitment. When a stray tabby cat named Ambrose shows up at his door, Zachary takes him in and slowly starts to see that a little companionship might not be so bad after all. Zachary’s commitment to solitude is further challenged when he meets Marilee (Sustad), an animal lover and veterinary student who teaches Zachary how to care for his new feline roommate. Chemistry immediately develops between the two, but will they find a way together despite themselves?

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Christmastime is here. Happiness and cheer. And for Peanuts fans everywhere, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without this classic holiday delight. Christmas lights may be twinkling red and green, but Charlie Brown has the Yuletide blues. To get in the holiday spirit, he takes Lucy’s advice and directs the Christmas play. And what’s a Christmas play without a Christmas tree? But everyone makes fun of the short, spindly nevergreen Charlie Brown brings back – until the real meaning of Christmas works its magic once again.

What are some of your favorite Christmas movies?
What topic did you choose for freebie week?

Christmas Songs Book Tag 2018

Posted December 8, 2018 by Jana in Book Tag / 4 Comments

Celebrate the Christmas season with That Artsy Reader Girl and her bookish friends!

Celebrate #ChristmasWithJana: Instagram ✦ Twitter ✦ Event Schedule

A few years ago I created the Christmas Songs Book Tag, and I’ve had a couple requests to host it again this year, so here it is! The goal is to pick a book you’ve read this year that fits the theme of the Christmas song titles.

If you’d like to join the fun, leave a link to your post in the Linky below and I’ll come visit! Since I’ve already done this I’m going to limit my answers to the books I read this year, but you can feel free to choose whichever books you’d like!

1. “All I Want for Christmas Is You”: Favorite bookish couple.
Zorrie and Lennon from Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett.

2. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”: Name a book where a character is away from home (school, vacation, etc.).
Addie from Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch is on vacation in Ireland for her aunt’s wedding.

3. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”: Name your favorite “little” book (children’s book, short story, novella, etc.).
Beauty and the Blacksmith by Tessa Dare was lovely, and is a novella in the Spindle Cove series.

4. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town“: What book(s) do you hope Santa brings you this year?
Hmm… How about an ARC of King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo? Santa can do anything, right?

5. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”: Which book turned your nose red (made you cry)?
I’m proud to say that nothing made me sad cry this year. Everless by Sara Holland made me cry tears of boredom, though!

6. “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”: Your favorite book/kind of book to read during the holidays.
I looove reading Christmas books right now, and my favorite one so far has been One Enchanted Moment by Sarah Morgan!

7. “We Three Kings”: Your favorite trilogy.
I really stuck to duologies and stand alones this year, so I don’t have an answer this time!

8. “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow”: A character you would love to be snowed in with.
Beckett from I Temporarily Do by Ellie Cahill.

9. “Last Christmas”: A book that seriously let you down.
I had high hopes for The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, and I really hated it…

10. “White Christmas”: An upcoming release you’re dreaming about.
Umm… I already mentioned King of Scars… So what else? Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett and 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne!

Christmas vector created, in part, by freepik – www.freepik.com

Five Unique Ways to Gift Wrap Books by Jenny Hale | Author Guest Post

Posted December 7, 2018 by Jana in Guest Post / 5 Comments

If you’re a book person like I am, then you might side with me on this. Wouldn’t it be awesome if Christmas were just a giant book-giving holiday? Wouldn’t it be amazing if all the gifts under the tree were book-shaped? I’m ready to start the revolution and give all my friends books this year! If you’re with me on this, here are five unique ways to wrap a book for every kind of friend:

1. The Reader Friend: The USA Today newspaper puts out the bestseller list every Thursday. Why not wrap a book in it? Then you and your friend can chat over which bestsellers you’ve read over coffee before she runs off with the new book you just got her.

2. The Nature Lover: Sometimes, less is more, right? For those who love the simple things in life, keep it calm and tranquil with a nature theme.

3. The Glam Friend: We all have that one friend who we wish would spend more time reading than she does on her nails. While I’m definitely a fan of nice nails, maybe you two could meet up for a manicure and then entice her to read what’s inside this fabulous parcel of Christmas goodness.

4. The Candy Guru: Isn’t it the best when you get to nibble on chocolates while reading? Perhaps wrap up a few of her faves with her new book to show her just how much you care. If she’s a true friend, maybe she’ll share…

5. The Best Friend: You know that friend that you just love so much that you have to draw the little arrow at the bottom on her Christmas card so you can keep writing on the back? This book is for her! Write your message on brown paper, using a permanent marker. She’ll have to unwrap her gift to read your message—like two gifts in one!

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale
Published by Forever on October 30, 2018
Genres: Adult Fiction — Contemporary, Christmas, Romance
Add to Goodreads • Amazon • B&N

A feel-good story about the magic of Christmas… and the rush of falling in love under the mistletoe.

Single mother Abbey Fuller loves her family more than anything, and she doesn’t regret for a moment having had to put her dreams of being an interior designer on hold. But with her son, Max, growing up, she jumps at the chance when a friend recommends her for a small design job. How hard can it be?

Nick Sinclair needs his house decorated in time for his family’s festive visit-and money is no object. What he doesn’t need is to be distracted from his multimillion-dollar business-even if it is Christmas.

When Abbey pulls up to the huge Sinclair mansion, she has a feeling she might be out of her depth. And when she meets the gorgeous, brooding Nicholas Sinclair, she knows that she’s in real trouble . . .

With the snow falling all around them, can Abbey make her dreams of being a designer come true? And can she help Nick to finally enjoy the magic of Christmas?

About Jenny Hale

When I graduated college, one of my friends said, “Look out for this one; she’s going to be an author one day.” Despite being an avid reader and a natural storyteller, it wasn’t until that very moment that the idea of writing novels occurred to me.

Sometimes our friends can see the things that we can’t.

While I didn’t start straight away, that comment sowed a seed and several years, two children, and hundreds of thousands of words later, I completed a novel that I felt was worthy of publication. The result was Coming Home for Christmas, a heart-warming story about friends, family, and the magic of love at Christmas.

The rest is history.

When I’m not writing, I’m a mother of two boys and a wife to a very supportive husband.