Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

The Christmas Heirloom






In Kristi Ann Hunter's "Legacy of Love," Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman's grandson, a man far above her station.

In Karen Witemeyer's "Gift of the Heart," widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love.

In Sarah Loudin Thomas's "A Shot at Love," Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her family's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance.

In Becky Wade's "Because of You," Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?



My Review


This is the perfect novella collection to get you in the holiday spirit. The stories range from 1827 to present day, and each story revolves around an amethyst brooch handed down through the generations. 

Each story was wonderful in its own way, starting with Kristi Ann Hunter’s “Legacy of Love,” set in England and full of witty and lovable characters. Karen Witemeyer’s “Gift of the Heart” is warm and charming with a Texas Christmas as homey as the southern settings in her other books. “A Shot at Love” (a Sound of Rain novella) by Sarah Loudin Thomas takes readers to West Virginia for the holidays. The setting and inviting cast of characters made me feel like I had gone home after being away. It was great to visit this family again. Finally, Becky Wade’s “Because if You” (a Bradford Sisters novella) brought all the stories together in a precious romance worthy of a Hallmark Christmas movie. 


My rating is based on the stories together as a whole. I highly recommend this book. 

Monday, December 1, 2014

Silver White Winters Giveaway!

Today's the official release date for Silver White Winters! To celebrate, I'm hosting a giveaway. Lots of great prizes. See picture and restrictions below. Ends 12/20/14.
**After following the directions to place an entry, you MUST click the blue button in the bottom right hand corner to complete your entry. Otherwise, it will not be counted.

A winner will be announced on this blog and my Facebook page. Share with your friends!

Click here to enter!


*Yankee Candle, Bath & Body Works, Google, and Facebook are not affiliated with this giveaway.

Silver White Winters is available for download at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Pelican Book Group, and Christianbook.com

Monday, November 24, 2014

Silver White Winters--Early Release!

Silver White Winters released on Amazon today! I'm so excited to share this story with you. Stay tuned...I've got some great giveaways planned!



Raelynn Rivers dreams of reviving her floundering career. The “Country Music Queen” hasn’t had a number one hit in six years, and her song-writing ability has vanished. But Raelynn’s hopes are derailed when tragedy strikes. Returning to her home town forces her to confront her past—Lane Ryan, the childhood best friend and former fiancĂ© she abandoned in order to pursue her music career. 

In the snow-covered mountains of Appalachia, Raelynn reconnects with family and rediscovers her musical abilities—and her faith. And no one inspires her more than Lane. She’s finally ready for a relationship, but the secret Lane carries is as big as Coal Mountain and threatens any future they may have together. 

Second chances don't come around every day. Will Raelynn sacrifice her career this time or say goodbye to Lane forever?
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*Silver White Winters is available now on Amazon!

*Pre-order Silver White Winters at Pelican Book Group and Christianbook.com. (Barnes & Noble coming soon)



Friday, November 21, 2014

The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson

He felt his face flushing as Cara opened the door. Wearing a garnet-colored knit dress and with her dark hair pinned up, she looked even prettier than he remembered. Suddenly he wished he'd thought to bring a hostess gift. Like a cat. 



After years abroad, Garrison Brown returns home to Vancouver to build a new life. When his beloved grandmother passes away a few weeks before Christmas, Garrison goes to her house to sort out her belongings, including six cats who need new homes. While Garrison hopes to dispense with the task quickly, his grandmother's instructions don't allow for speed. She has left Garrison with some challenging requirements for the future homes of her furry friends--plus a sizeable monetary gift for the new owners. Garrison's job is to match the cats with the right owners without disclosing the surprise gift. Along the way, he may just meet someone who can make him stay. 


Author: Melody Carlson
Publisher: Revell, 2014
Cover Jacket Design: Smartt Guys Design


My Review
As a cat lover, the cover art and title immediately caught my attention. The story begins with Garrison Brown receiving tragic news about his grandmother's death, followed by a strange request--to find homes for all six of her cats per a list of requirements she left behind. Garrison, despite his feline allergies and phobia, is determined to carry out his grandmother's last wishes and sets out to find her furry children the perfect families.

I enjoyed Garrison's adventure and how each cat had its own distinct personality. I recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a clean, light-hearted Christmas story and, of course, to cat lovers everywhere! I give this book 3.5 stars!
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Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, including Christmas at
Harrington's, The Christmas Pony, and A Simple Christmas Wish. Melody recently received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books. She and her husband live in central Oregon. For more information about Melody, visit her website at www.melodycarlson.com

Friday, May 16, 2014

Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg




Blake Hunziker has played nomad for five years and landed in his fair share of trouble too. But now he's finally returning to his hometown--the Lake Michigan tourist town of Whisper Shore. Counting on a not-so-warm welcome, he's surprised at not only a positive reception but also a job offer. Determined to settle down and prove himself responsible, he agrees to the catch that comes with the job offer--coordinating the annual Christmas festival--even though he has no idea how he'll pull it off. 

Autumn Kingsley, inn owner and experienced organizer of the Christmas festival, has always dreamed of traveling the world. Now she has a job opportunity in Paris and a surprise potential investor coming to town who just might take on her family's inn and finally leave her free to go. The only problem is that she has just two weeks to whip the inn into shape.

Their families have a long history of not getting along, but when Blake comes to Autumn for help with the festival, she actually agrees...in exchange for his help with the repairs to her inn. They may have struck a simple deal, but complications are quick to pile on when the guy who's had enough of running away and the woman who can't wait to leave join forces.


Author: Melissa Tagg
Publisher: Bethany House, 2014
Cover Design: Jennifer Parker


My Review
Have you ever sat in a movie theater after watching a great love story and stared at the credits as they rolled up the big screen, sighing, unable to move because even though the ending was satisfying, you didn't want the story to end--it was just that good? That's what this book was for me. 

Here to Stay is Blake Hunziker's story, a hilarious character from Melissa's debut novel Made to Last. He returns home to Whisper Shore for a fresh start but can't shake the guilt of his brother's death from five years earlier. The townsfolk can't forget his recent marriage ruse to a big-name celebrity. And Autumn Kingsley has never forgotten Blake. 

Witty dialogue, haphazard events, and the charming setting on Michigan's shoreline propel the story. The romance has a pure, classic movie-feel that will have you smiling as you close the back cover. 

I look forward to reading more from Melissa. I gave this book 5 stars!


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Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com.