Top Ten Books On My Winter 2018/2019 To-Read List

Posted December 17, 2018 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 24 Comments

It’s time for another seasonal TBR TTT! I love these topics, and I know you do too. I’m fully immersed in Christmas novels right now, but I know I’ll be itching for a change of pace by the middle of next week. There’s so much I want to read! I’m excited to see what’s on your list as well. I’m limiting my list to books that are either out already or will be coming out this winter. I’ve got a TON of ARCs that come out in the spring and summer, but that’s no fun to talk about right now when they’re not easily accessible soon!

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
A contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast! So excited!

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
I love books about fae, and I never stop hearing about this one.

The Beholder by Anna Bright
An Odyssey retelling sounds cool, even though I’ve never read The Odyssey. lol. But I love fantasies on the high seas and look at that cover!

99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
SO EXCITED to read more from the author of The Hating Game, which I adored!

Once Upon a River by Dianne Setterfield
“Replete with folklore, suspense and romance, as well as with the urgent scientific curiosity of the Darwinian age, Once Upon a River is as richly atmospheric”

Come Find Me by Megan Miranda
“…a captivating thriller about two teens who connect when each discovers a mysterious radio frequency, which suggests their family tragedies are mysteriously connected.”

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren
Because why not?? I love this author duo!

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton
I’ve always wanted to read a book by Kate Morton, and this one sounds great! I’m starting to really love historical mysteries.

The Governess Game by Tessa Dare
I’m excited for her newest book! She’s one of my favorite authors.

An Age of License: A Travelogue by Lucy Kinsley
A graphic novel travelogue!! I just got this from my secret sister and cannot WAIT to read it!

Which books are you excited to read this winter?

A Found Family for Christmas by Katie Ruggle | Author Guest Post

Posted December 16, 2018 by Jana in Guest Post / 0 Comments

In Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas, I combine two of my favorite themes: found families and gift giving. Growing up, Camille’s tiny family never celebrated holidays, and she continued this tradition—or lack of traditions—as a solitary adult. When she’s drawn into Steve’s life, however, she’s dropped right in the middle of celebration central—after all, Steve and his family own a Christmas tree ranch. There’s no avoiding the holiday spirit, and Camille quickly finds that she doesn’t want to.

I love writing about found families, lonely people finding each other, fitting together perfectly without having to change who they are. Borderline hermit Camille only had her grandma, who died years ago. Steve’s affectionate, rambunctious family is overwhelming to her at first, but they also represent everything she didn’t realize she longed for. As they welcome her into the fold and introduce her to their holiday traditions, she finds—to her surprise—that she fits right in like the missing puzzle piece.

Camille’s not the only one benefiting, however. As she grows closer to Steve and his children, all of their lives become richer. They start new traditions that include Camille. Not only do Steve and his children fill the hole in her life, but she fills the empty spot in their hearts, as well.

Gift-giving is one of those traditions that Camille never fully experienced before being included in the Springfield family’s Christmas, and the present exchange was one of my favorite scenes to write. The gifts people give each other are such a wonderful physical expression of their connections. Camille and everyone in her new family paid attention to each other, so they knew exactly what to make or buy. The thought behind each present was a gift in itself, making the receiver feel seen, understood, and loved.

Christmas isn’t the only time of year when people are lonely and family issues cause stress, of course, but the holidays seem to intensify these things. In the same way, finding a new family during this time of year makes everything extra sweet.

New families, new homes, new loves…these are the best Christmas gifts.

Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas by Katie Ruggle
Series: Rocky Mountain Cowboys #1
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on September 25, 2018
Genres: Adult Fiction — Christmas, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Add to Goodreads • Amazon • B&N • Book Depository

In the heart of the Rockies
In the arms of a cowboy
One white Christmas can change everything.

When firefighter and single dad Steve Springfield moved his four kids to a Colorado Christmas tree ranch, he intended for it to be a safe haven. But he never expected danger to follow them to his childhood home…

Or that he would come face-to-face with the one girl he could never forget.

Folk artist Camille Brandt lives a quiet life. As the town’s resident eccentric, she’s used to being lonely–until Steve freaking Springfield changes everything. Brave and kind, he’s always had a piece of her heart, and it doesn’t take long before she’s in danger of falling for him and his rambunctious kids. But as mysterious fires break out across the sleepy Colorado town, Steve and Camille will have to fight if they want their happy family to survive until Christmas…

About Katie Ruggle

A fan of the old adage “write what you know”, Katie Ruggle lived in an off-grid, solar- and wind-powered house in the Rocky Mountains until her family lured her back to Minnesota. When she’s not writing, Katie rides horses, shoots guns (not while riding, although that would be awesome), cross-country skis (badly) and travels to warm places where she can scuba dive. A graduate of the Police Academy, Katie received her ice-rescue certification and can attest that the reservoirs in the Colorado mountains really are that cold. A fan of anything that makes her feel like a bad-ass, she has trained in Krav Maga, boxing and gymnastics.

You can connect with Katie at KatieRuggle.com, www.facebook.com/katierugglebooks, or on Twitter @KatieRuggle.

A Kiss In the Snow by Susan Mallery | Book Review

Posted December 15, 2018 by Jana in Adult Fiction, Book Review / 2 Comments

A Kiss In the Snow by Susan Mallery | Book ReviewA Kiss In the Snow by Susan Mallery
Series: Fool's Gold #20.5
Published by HQN Books on October 1, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Holiday - Christmas, Romance
Pages: 57
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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A Christmas gift straight from the heart of Susan Mallery, one of today's most beloved writers—a brand new Fool's Gold romance!

Cupcake baker Nancee Smith is stunned when search-and-rescue pilot Jesse “Shep” Sheppard strides into her kitchen. The last time she saw the Ghost of Heartbreaks Past was the night before he left her at the altar. He said he loved her, then didn't even say goodbye.

Now Shep claims he's done dashing away at the first sign of forever. The romance of Fool's Gold at Christmas tempts her to have faith—snow glistening on rooftops like great swirls of frosting, twinkle lights in every window—but this time around,she's the one with cold feet. If promises alone aren't enough to sway her, Shep will have to show her the love in his heart.

I enjoy reading novellas when I’m considering a new-to-me author because it’s not much of a commitment, and I have time to judge the author’s style and character development to see if the full-length novels are worth my time. I see promise in Susan Mallery, even though this book was too short for me to really get a good idea about her style.

A Kiss In the Snow is not a second chance romance. It’s not a third chance romance. It’s actually a fourth chance romance. Yeah… pretty sure I’d never have the patience or trust to give a guy a fourth chance (especially after leaving me at the altar), but to each her own! Chances are I would have appreciated these characters more if I had read the 20 previous Fool’s Gold books, but I did like them! Shep has dealt with the demons of his past and is ready to commit to the only woman he’s ever truly loved. He didn’t take no for an answer, which I thought was sweet. He definitely owed it to Nancee to pursue her relentlessly! I love Christmas romances, and I loved how festive this one was. It was a nice little story without much substance but, at just under 60 pages, you can’t expect too much from it! It did whet my appetite, though, and I’m excited to read more of the Fool’s Gold series so I can get to know the town and the characters better.

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 | Book Review (+The Christmas Sisters Giveaway)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
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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
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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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