The Holiday Gift by RaeAnne Thayne ~ Review

Title: The Holiday Gift (Cowboys of Cold Creek #15)
Author: RaeAnne Thayne
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: November 22, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS

With two kids and an active life, widow Faith Dustin only wants peace and quiet for Christmas. But her snowy Pine Gulch ranch is nothing but chaotic. All that keeps Faith going is her helpful neighbor, cowboy Chase Brannon. He's always been "good ol' Chase," her faithful friend. Until he kisses her under the mistletoe…

Years ago Chase blew his chance with the woman he's loved since childhood. Now he's determined to step out of the friend zone…and into the role of husband. But the scared and stubborn Faith won't let herself fall. With Christmas just days away, Chase will need all the magic of the season—and the help of her two matchmaking children—to unwrap a second chance at love.

The Holiday Gift was a sweet second chance, friends to lovers style romance. There wasn't anything overly dramatic or exciting, it was just a really solid and down to earth story. Faith is determined to prove that she can make it on her own after her husband's death a couple years ago. She's raising her kids and running the ranch, and things seem to be perfect.

Then, her best friend has to go and ruin everything by asking her out on a date. Like a real date. She's not sure if she's ready for that, and she's definitely not ready to risk her friendship with Chase if things don't work out. But Chase has other ideas, he doesn't want to miss this second chance to be with the girl he's loved since they were young.

A fun and beautiful romance. I loved the connection that Chase and Faith had already built through the years and the community that surrounded them. I just had a hard time finding something that stood out and make this one something special.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**

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Christmas with an Angel by Debbie Mason ~ Review

Title: Christmas with an Angel (Harmony Harbor #1.5)

Author: Debbie Mason
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: Short story
Publisher: Forever Yours
Release Date: December 6, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

It's been eight long years since Michael Gallagher has laid eyes on Shay Angel, back when he was a boy from the most prominent family in town and she was a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. But he hadn't cared about their differences - until one bad decision landed her in jail.

That was years ago and now he's back in Harmony Harbor for the holidays. So when Shay goes missing, Michael is intent on finding her - and finding out if their sizzling attraction is still there. But he's now a district attorney, and it looks like Shay is once again on the wrong side of the law.

A cute and very suspenseful Christmas story. I would recommend reading book one first, while the story stands alone, there was obviously some back story that I had missed going into it that I missed out on.

Michael's long lost love, Shay, is back in town and seems to be in trouble. So, like any good romance hero, he sets off to save the day. But none of it goes as planned. He ends up in trouble himself and there are some really good secrets that come out at the end of the story. Debbie Mason drops just enough hints that I wasn't completely surprised, but it was still a great reveal when it happened.

Almost too short to get a lot of romance in, but the characters already have a history, so the connection was in place. They just needed to reconnect. They don't quite do that (just warning you), but I think it might be something that happens in a future book at some point.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of the book**

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Christmas with an Angel by Debbie Mason ~ Release Blitz and Giveaway

Title: CHRISTMAS WITH AN ANGEL: A Short Story

Author: Debbie Mason

Series: Harmony Harbor, #1.5

On Sale: December 6, 2016

Publisher: Forever Yours

eBook: $.99 USD

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It's been eight long years since Michael Gallagher has laid eyes on Shay Angel, back when he was a boy from the most prominent family in town and she was a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. But he hadn't cared about their differences—until one bad decision landed her in jail.

That was years ago and now he's back in Harmony Harbor for the holidays. So when Shay goes missing, Michael is intent on finding her—and finding out if their sizzling attraction is still there. But he's now a district attorney, and it looks like Shay is once again on the wrong side of the law.

BUY THE BOOK HERE

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THE SERIES

Mistletoe Cottage, #1

Christmas With An Angel, #1.5

Starlight Bride, #2

Primrose Lane, #3

Series Page on Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbie Mason is the bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado and Harmony Harbor series. Her books have been praised for their "likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots" (RT Book Reviews). When she isn't writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, three wonderful children, two adorable grandbabies, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella in Ontario, Canada.

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Candy Cane Christmas by Laura Trentham

Title: Candy Cane Christmas (Cottonbloom #3.5)

Author: Laura Trentham
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: 90 pages
Publisher: Swerve
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Jeremy Whitehurst has tried to leave his bad-boy behavior and tarnished image behind in Alabama for a fresh start in Cottonbloom, Louisiana. Unfortunately, trouble has dogged him across state lines. Stepping up and protecting a young woman from her abusive boyfriend earned him a beat-down and got him fired. Although the thanks in the girl’s dark eyes made it all worth it, he recognizes she’s just a different kind of trouble. A trouble he’s not sure he can stay away from.

One rebellious summer dented Kayla Redmond’s carefree innocence. Now her focus is on completing her associate’s degree for bookkeeping, and no one is going to derail her plans. Unfortunately, her job at Fournette Brothers Designs puts her in the path of the one man who has seen her at her worst, yet his blue eyes don’t judge her. He sees beyond the brokenness inside of her and rouses her wild side once more. But, that’s what got her in trouble in the first place.

Christmas is coming and Kayla’s ready to forgive herself and take a chance. But the holiday has only ever brought heartache to Jeremy. No Christmas miracle kept his mother clean or out of jail. Will one reckless night and some time spent in the back of a cop car be the best present Jeremy’s ever been given?

I really enjoyed this book while I was reading it. But for some reason, the story didn't really stick with me. I can't put my finger on why exactly. The storyline was one that I had seen before, but it did have a few twists with the characters to make it a little different. Both Jeremey and Kayla were more of a rough around the edges type - which I thought was unusual to see in both characters.

It just wasn't memorable enough to stand out from the field of Christmas romances out there this time of year.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**

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When Snowflakes Fall by Tara Wyatt

Title: When Snowflakes Fall (The Grayson’s #1)

Author: Tara Wyatt
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: 92 pages
Publisher: Swerve
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Sometimes the heart needs a little Christmas magic.

When Dr. Christie Harmon up and moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming to escape a vicious scandal, she expected a quiet, lonely Christmas on-call as a pediatrician at the local hospital. But when she’s treating a little boy with a bump on the head, she doesn’t expect his dad to be so distractingly handsome…or single.

In the wake of his ex-wife’s abandonment five years ago, Luke Grayson has been focused on raising his son Ethan. The scars from the split run deep, and Luke hasn’t trusted another woman to come into their lives. But there’s something about the sweet—and sexy—Christie that has him wondering if something’s been missing.

Can new love help lonely hearts find a way? After all, Christmas is a time for magic…

This was a super sweet romance. Two broken souls coming together over the holidays to find love and happiness. It might have been just a tad too sweet for me to really fall in love with the story.

Christie has a "thing" in her past that is horrible and she's basically run away to start over again - and I think that was the right thing to do. This "thing" is mentioned many times but we don't know what it is until near the end. I had a hard time relating to her feelings on this without knowing what it was.

Luke was in a crappy marriage and he's afraid to be hurt, and he's afraid to have his son hurt again. His protective instincts are amazing. I like the back and forth he has mentally over this - with his son firmly in the "go for it" camp. This was a very real struggle for him, and I imagine many readers would understand his hesitation and doubts.

In the end, there was a huge misunderstanding and a  huge reconciliation. It was sweet and sappy, but a little much at times. I still enjoyed the story, just from the side of Luke more than Christie.

*I voluntarily read a review copy of this book*

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Do You Hear What I Hear? by Margaret Brownley

Title: Do You Hear What I Hear (Second Chance at Star Inn)
Author: Margaret Brownley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: Novella
Publisher: Swerve
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Two bad things happened to Sally Cartwright that week. Three if she counted the pink slip received at the Home and Familymagazine's annual Christmas party. But nothing was worse than plowing into a snowbank and being stuck in a town she swore never to see again. A town she once called home. Now she must spend the long cold night in the car or follow the bright shining star through the woods to the old Star Inn. She chooses the inn and that's where her troubles really begin...

Lumber mill owner, Rick Talbot, is in no mood for Christmas cheer. Having recently buried his father, he's still trying to sort out the financial mess left behind. Unless Rick comes up with a miracle, the mill run by the family for generations is about to shut down for good. That would put a lot of men out of work and impact the future of the town. If things weren't bad enough he's now stuck at the old Star Inn waiting for the road back to his cabin to reopen. His luck takes another turn for the worse when he suddenly comes face to face with the past he'd sooner forget. For unless he's seeing things, the only woman he's ever loved is standing in front of the inn's blazing fire trying to get warm. How is it possible that one chance meeting could stir up so many old memories?

Both Rick and Sally regret what happened between them, but his family lumberyard clashes with her tree-hugging ways and neither is willing to try again. It will take the storm of the century, one stage-struck young boy, a certain meddling "angel"--and even a cranky cat--to convince them that in matters of the heart, sometimes the second time around is best.

The best in this little collection so far! I loved Sally, and the one that got away theme is always a favorite of mine. Sally is spunky and has a mission in her life. Life just may not agree with it. I loved her go-get-em attitude and would love to be bestfriends with her.

Rick was a tad cliche. But I've come to expect a little bit of that in a Christmas romance. He's always regretted letting Sally walk out of his life, but he still doesn't see any other choice. Their life goals were just too far apart. But what if all that changed? What if they could align their views and goals and find a way to make it stick this time?

A great second change romance with some really fun characters.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Second Chance at Star Inn

Room at the Inn for Christmas
Silent Night, Star-Lit Night

Silent Night, Star-Lit Night by Ruthe Logan Herne

Title: Silent Night, Star-Lit Night (Second Chance at Star Inn)
Author: Ruth Logan Herne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella
Publisher: Swerve
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Jed Taylor knows how to cowboy up on the range, and on the sales’ floor of his family’s rapidly growing western and ranch store in Central Washington, which is exactly where he would normally be a week before Christmas… but when he heard Mia O’Loughlin was planning a trip north, pregnant and alone, Jed’s promise to her late husband kicked in. More Grinch than grace, he boarded a plane and headed to the coast, determined that his best friend’s widow wouldn’t make the long trek alone. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, widowed, pregnant and all alone on the West Coast.

E.R. nurse and Red Cross emergency responder Mia O’Loughlin had always taken life in full stride, but losing her deployed husband the week before she realized they were expecting their first child knocked her off-kilter. With Christmas and her due date approaching, all she can see is getting back home to Kittitas County for the birth of her child… their child… and seeing her failing Grandpa Joe one last time. Determined to do it on her own, she reluctantly allows Jed to accompany her, mostly because the gruff cowboy showed up and won’t take no for an answer.

But when a blizzard grinds their progress to a stop in Northern Oregon, the light from an old inn beckons them into a town hunkered down to ride out the unexpected storm. With the help of the inn’s wise and wonderful “angel,” Mia realizes the old white church has been turned into a shelter. She insists on leaving the inn to help those forced out of their homes and off the highway. As she and Jed improvise to provide comfort to others, they begin to see that facing this once-dreaded Christmas together could be the very best way of all.

 Another sweet glimpse into the Star Inn and Christmastime. Once again, plans go wrong and a very pregnant Mia finds herself stranded at the Star Inn with her friend, Jed. The set up for this was cute, but a bit cliche. With Mia's husband having died, Jed seems to swoop in to rescue her from all of the things. Yes, all of them. It was a bit much.

But Mia does her own fair share of saving while stranded in the little town. When a blizzard keeping the electricity out, her Red Cross training comes in handy in a very unusual way - and two little kids will never forget this Christmas.

I enjoyed the story, but it justs didn't stick to me. It wasn't as memorable or sigh-inducing as I had hoped it would be.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Second Chance at Star Inn

Room at the Inn for Christmas

Room at the Inn for Christmas by Mary Connealy

Title: Room at the Inn for Christmas (Second Chance at Star Inn)
Author: Mary Connealy
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: Novella
Publisher: Swerve
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Welcome to Heywood, Oregon where three lost women find healing, hope and love under the bright light of the town's old Star Inn this Christmas season.

Amanda Star’s father always wanted her to come into the family business, and run the majestic old Star Inn with him but she had bigger plans. She’s a high-powered executive in the multi-national Halston hotel chain. One more promotion—which she expects to get by Christmas—will make her the youngest vice president in Halston history and she’s got her sights set on the CEO job.

Then she inherits the Star Inn. With no time to be away from her job, she impatiently rushes home to list the beautiful old bed and breakfast for sale. Now that she’s here she’s swamped with sweet memories and keen regret. Her father has made the inn a safe haven where weary travelers can get away from their hectic lives, and Amanda, working 10-hour days and living on coffee and antacids, desperately needs that safe haven.

As Amanda struggles against the lure of home, she also is reunited with an old classmate: Anthony Carter, a handyman with a guarded heart. Hurt before by a woman who saw his contentment and pleasure in building and living on his own land as a lack of ambition, Cart reluctantly finds himself drawn to a woman who wants so much more than a man with callused hands and sawdust in his hair. A woman who came home for Christmas and badly needs to stay. With the help of Angel Rafferty, the front desk clerk and a lifelong friend of Amanda’s parents, can Cart help Amanda realize the hospitality industry is far more than spreadsheets and bottom lines in time for Christmas?

This is one book in a series that are all centered around the Star Inn. This one seemed like the perfect place to start with an introduction to the Inn, it's family, and the town of Heywood. And it was a great place to kick off.

This story starts off on a roll with Amanda returning to clear up her father's estate after his death. She's a big city girl that's always on the go. When she runs into her old crush, Anthony, she's in for quite a surprise. Not just because he's hot as all get out and seems genuinely happy to see her (at least at first), but his appearance is the first in a string of lies that begin to unfold.

Now, I won't be giving too much away when I say that Amanda is about to find out that pretty much everything she heard after she moved to the city about her hometown and family was all lies. Really big lies. She is perfectly devastated and confused, her reaction was everything it should have been. But Anthony doesn't really buy it. Why didn't she come see for herself, or call, or something.

Eventually the two find their way through the sea of lies and come up with a reason for why they were told to her. I really really really didn't buy the reason. None of it felt right, and they even admitted that they were just guessing. But it threw a hole into the story that I had a hard time getting out of. I kept going back to "why?" And I never got an answer that seemed even remotely believable to me.

I've already dove in to the next books in the collection. I'm excited to see what happens at the Star Inn this holiday season.

**This book was received in exchange for an honest review**

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Hometown Holiday Reunion (Oaks Crossing #3) by Mia Ross ~ Review

Title: Hometown Holiday Reunion (Oaks Crossing #3)

Author: Mia Ross
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Inspirational
Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Falling for the Girl Next Door

Returning home to take care of his ailing mother, Cam Stewart reunites with his best friend's little sister. And while Erin Kinley is still a firecracker, she's grown from an annoying tagalong to a beautiful woman and devoted foster mom. She and Cam still drive each other crazy…until Erin turns to Cam for comfort during a stressful adoption process. Cam's fractured family had him convinced he'd never be a dad, but suddenly he's considering two things he never thought he would: having a family and staying in Oaks Crossing. Could Erin and her son be everything he's longed for?

Another great story from Mia Ross - she is the ultimate queen of Contemporary Inspirational Romance. Returning to Oaks Crossing to visit the girl of the Kinley family, Erin is setting off on her own to set up a new pet shot in town. When she goes to see the space she might be buying she's surprised to find out it's owned by Cam (he's equally surprised). They haven't really seen much of each other since they tormented each other in school.

But life has changed both of them, although it does take them a little bit of time to realize this, but old impressions can be hard to change. Gradually, their lives begin to intertwine more and more. The best thing about Mia Ross's romances, is that I could see them happening to anyone, anywhere. The couples come together so naturally that that you just sit back and enjoy a very pleasurable ride.

Now, things aren't all sun and roses. Every relationship will have its bumps, misunderstandings, and differences. Those are all present as Cam and Erin discover their new feelings for each other and learn their way with each other.

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Oaks Crossing

Her Small Town Cowboy #1

Rescued by the Farmer #2

Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton

Title: Vampire for Christmas

Author: Felicity Heaton
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Christmas
Length: 91 pages
Publisher: Dark Rose Publishing
Release Date: November 2, 2010
Source: Freebie
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

It was one last mission. Shannon, a demon hunter with the agency, is looking forward to leaving behind the small town and the vampire she’s been stuck with for the past two years. Things are getting complicated fast and she wants out. A fresh start, free of her vampire partner, awaits her if she can survive their final mission and the lonely Christmas holidays.

It was one last mission. Rafe, a vampire doing time with the agency, watches it approach with dread weighing heavily in his stomach. Two years of working with Shannon has been difficult, especially since he started falling for her, but he doesn’t want their partnership to end. He has barely a few days to make her face her feelings and stop her from leaving, and he intends to do just that.

When a slimy demon threatens the season of peace and goodwill, it’s the chance Rafe has been waiting for and the moment Shannon secretly fears. Rafe’s determination to prise open her heart and her own resolve to keep it closed clash as violently as they do with the demon, and threatens to end as messily.

Can Rafe make Shannon see that his love for her is real and that she feels something for him too? Can Shannon face her fears and her past, and stop herself from running away from both? Will a wish on a star bring her what her heart truly desires—a vampire for Christmas?

Demons, vampires, and hunters are collide in Vampire for Christmas. This was an interesting combination of light-hearted with a bit of humor mixed with a darker paranormal element. Rafe and Shannon have been partners, hunting down random baddies - usually demons - for several years together, but now Shannon is being transferred and Rafe may never see her again. He's determined to show her his true feelings before she leaves - hoping he can convince her to stay with him.

Enter demon. And not just any demon. This one reminded of Slimer from Ghostbusters - only with a much worse attitude. While dangerous, the demon was a bit comical with his ooze and overall grossness. Heaton was able to use this to set up some really great scenes for Rafe and Shannon to interact and give them a chance to really open up to each other.

The biggest thing standing in their way is Shannon's past and her prejudice against vampires in general. She has a good reason, but she still isn't sure about bringing her guard down around Rafe even though they have been partners for years.

I enjoyed this story a lot - especially the demon, he's going to stick with me for awhile. I had a hard time really getting into Shannon's mind though. She ws closed off to the point that even as a reader it was hard to see into her, and I wanted a little more of that.

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A Present for Christmas by Shihoh Walker

Title: A Present for Christmas
Author: Shiloh Walker
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 20 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: October 30, 2010
Source: Freebie
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Faced with a choice, David has to decide what matters the most. Home…or the heart.

After completing an assignment in Alaska, he’s about to head home, but he realizes he might be leaving behind his heart—Cris, the woman he fell in love with. Now he has to make a choice. Return home to everything he knows, or take a chance on love.

For a super short story, the book delivers a great HEA moment. It's really the only moment, but I was given little bits and pieces of back story to fill in some of the blanks, which really helped me enjoy the characters more. I still wanted more though. Even a couple pages leading up to where it actually starts would have been nice.

However, there was no separation between scenes, which made it very hard to tell the POV-change, which it did fairly often for a short story. But the author had a good way with words and characters.

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If Santa Were a Cowboy by Melissa Cutler

Title: If Santa Were a Cowboy (One and Only Texas #2.5)
Author: Melissa Cutler
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: Novella
Publisher: Swerve
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

This Christmas, Santa wears a Stetson.

Paul Savage loves Christmas at Briscoe Ranch Resort, when he gets to take a break from being a back country guide to play Santa in the resort’s lobby and talk to kids about toys. The last thing he expects is his high school crush to come waltzing in as his new assistant photographer, wheeling a suitcase that's more naughty than nice.

Kelly Walker is a disaster. All she’d wanted was spice up her life by saying ‘yes’ to every opportunity, which is when the universe started pelting her with ‘no’s. So when she comes across a job listing for a holiday photographer working with the sweet, scrawny boy whose advances she’d laughed off in high school, she jumps on the chance to turn her bad Karma around by giving Paul a second chance.

Trouble is, Paul’s anything but scrawny anymore, and his cowboy swagger throws her grand plans for a loop—especially when he tempts her with a red hot proposition of his own. Kelly’s in way over her head, but as she gets swept up in the magic of Briscoe Ranch’s holiday charms—and Paul’s—could Kelly’s year of ‘no’s be leading up to the ‘yes’ of a lifetime?

If Santa Were a Cowboy got off to a bit of a slow start - but by the end I was in love. Paul and Kelly have a history, and it's one full of hurt and rejection - this gets mentioned a bit too much sometimes. I knew what happened and it just kept being said over and over. Both characters are running in their own way - running from their past. Paul just did it a lot sooner than Kelly.

But now Kelly is hoping that Paul will consider taking a bit of his past back - specifically her. She doesn't go about this in the best way, and Paul isn't afraid to let her know. There's some really great dialog and I love how into being Santa Paul gets - you can tell he really loved the tradition.

The character that stole the show though - the dog. I want her. She's just too adorable and is eventually the reason for the HEa - but I won't say too much on that. Overall, a cute Christmas story.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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The Most Wonderful Time by Ferm Michaels, Stacy Finz, Sarah Title, Shirlee McCoy

Title: The Most Wonderful Time
Author: Fern Michaels, Stacy Finz, Sarah Title, Shirlee McCoy
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
Length: 384 Pages
Publisher: Zebra
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 2
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

What goes better with mistletoe and merriment than the sweet beginnings of romance?

“Christmas Passed” by Fern Michaels
Three years after her husband’s death, Brandy Heyers still finds that celebrating the holidays without him is anything but jolly. Then handsome widower Ryan Rogers shows her that moving on is possible, and her frozen heart begins to melt…

“A Glory Junction Christmas” by Stacy Finz
When Hannah Baldwin hears her ex is getting remarried, she’s ready to give up on Christmas, not to mention love. But the best gifts come in unexpected packages, and old friend Josh Garner is just the man to convince her that the coming New Year is going to be the happiest yet…

“Moonshine and Mistletoe” by Sarah Title
A holiday fling is all Emma Fallader expects when she meets gorgeous fiddler Abe Tate at her friend’s wedding—but after just days together, it isn’t all she wants. Can the spirit of the season work its special magic for two people separated by more than miles?

“An Apple Valley Christmas” by Shirlee McCoy
Now that her beloved dad is gone, Emma Baily is facing the holidays alone—until her ex, Jack McAllister, shows up to help her close her father’s estate. After four years apart, only the magic of Christmas will show Emma that joy is a gift meant to be shared…

As with any anthology, some were better than others, but overall this set really hit the holiday spot.

Christmas Passed is a sad story that finds a twisty way to turn happy. Brandy is severely depressed after her husband dies and her children are paying the price. It's almost as if they've lost both parents instead of one. But Ryan sneaks into her life and helps her find the bright spots, one at a time. A very touching romance that just might make your cry.

A Glory Junction Christmas is a fun read. Hannah's ex is getting re-married and it seems like she's the only one in town not invited to the wedding. Christmas just isn't as much fun when you feel like you're being left behind and left out. Josh is determined to see her happy and smile again. A sweet romance, but it didn't stand out as much as some of the others in this collection.

Moonshine and Mistletoe is my favorite of the collection, by far. The whole situation that Emma and Abe find themselves in was perfect. It doesn't hurt that she's a librarian and he's a musician. The perfect pair in my mind. I can't even pick a favorite part, because I loved all of them so much! Great mix of humor, a little excitement, and the sweetest couple ever.

An Apple Valley Christmas is another sad starting one, and it takes awhile to turn around. I loved the history of Emma's house. The house is almost a character in the story on its own. A little different than some of the stories I've read. I really enjoyed the way it turned both of our characters around and slid them together.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Mistletoe Cottage by Debby Mason ~ Top 5 List and Giveaway

MISTLETOE COTTAGE Blitz Top 5 List

Top 5 songs that inspire you to write

1)The Tenors’ “Who Wants to Live Forever” with Lindsey Stirling is one of the songs I listened to every morning before sitting down to write Mistletoe Cottage. It fits the book perfectly, and not only because Liam and Sophie’s story opens on Halloween.

2)It doesn’t matter which book I’m writing; I listen to “Fight Song” by Rachel Patten. It’s like the anthem for all my heroines and Sophie’s no exception.

3)Gerard Butler singing “Galway Girl” in P.S. I Love You inspired the win-the-girl scene at the Salty Dog in which Liam performs for Sophie.

4)Sophie sang and Mia mimed “Let it Go” from Frozen in one of my favorite scenes in Mistletoe Cottage. Letting it go was also something Sophie had to do if she and Liam were going to get their second chance.

5)I don’t want to give anything away, but one of the songs I listened to while writing the end of Mistletoe Cottage was “Marry Me” by Train.Title: MISTLETOE COTTAGE

**********

Author: Debbie Mason

Series: Harmony Harbor, #1

On Sale: October 25, 2016

Publisher: Forever

Mass Market: $5.99 USD

eBook: $5.99 USD

The first novel in a brand new series from USA Today bestselling author Debbie Mason! The series will appeal to fans of feel-good romances by New York Times bestselling authors Brenda Novak, Robyn Carr, and RaeAnne Thayne.

'Tis the season for love…

Sophie DiRossi loved growing up in Harmony Harbor. But after fleeing in disgrace many years ago, it is the last place she wants to be. Left homeless by a fire, she's forced to go back to the small coastal town that harbors a million secrets, including her own. Sophie sees this secret reflected every day in her daughter's blue eyes—and she must keep it hidden from the only man she has ever loved.

Sophie's return is a shock for everyone…especially Liam Gallagher. The firefighter had some serious feelings for Sophie-and seeing her again sparks a desire so fierce it takes his breath away. Now Liam will do whatever it takes to show Sophie that they deserve a second chance at love, even if everything they've concealed threatens to keep them apart. In this special town at this special time of the year, Sophie and Liam can only hope for a little holiday magic...

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THE HARMONY HARBOR SERIES

MISTLETOE COTTAGE, #1

CHRISTMAS WITH AN ANGEL, #1.5

STARLIGHT BRIDGE, #2

PRIMROSE LANE, #3

Series Page on Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbie Mason is the USA Today bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their "likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots" (RT Book Reviews). When she isn't writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children, an adorable grandbaby, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.

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Big Package by Opal Carew

Title: Big Package
Author: Opal Carel
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas. Erotic Romance
Length: novella
Publisher: Swerve
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 4
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Baby it’s cold outside…but things are about to heat up.

I missed the last bus to my sister’s for Christmas, and now I'm stranded in a bus station—in the middle of a blizzard—with a giant package covered in naughty wrapping paper.

Then he shows up: Kalen Welles, the football star from my high school fantasies—and offers me a ride.

Just when the car is getting cozy, the roads get shut down due to snow.

Luckily there’s a nearby cabin where we can hole up for the night.

A warm fireplace, cozy blankets, pent-up longing we both spent years ignoring… maybe I’ll be able to unwrap Kalen's big package before Christmas morning.

But when the snow clears and the ice melts, will the former football star and the shy nerd finally get a happy ending?

Unwrap this sexy holiday story from Opal Carew!

This was just downright sexy and hilarious, in all the most perfect ways. It starts with a bang - with a "big package" that is dropped off by the ex-boyfriend. This package is just the best thing ever - in all the wrong ways. I was cracking up every time it was brought back into the story.

Full of great opportunities for our characters to re-connect, a snowstorm and a cabin are the perfect place to get it (and I mean all of it) done. There's some fun toys and lots of great one-liners. But in the end, it's still a really great romance. Just enough comflict to make it a worthwhile read, but lots of hot smexiness to make it all better.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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