Christmas Book Review: Winter Wedding

* Book 9 in the Whiskey Creek series *

Lourdes Bennett needs some time away from her life, after her last album tanked. She's going back to her country music roots, but needs a place to write. So she rents a cabin in Whiskey Creek, hoping to stay hidden. Lourdes hopes that her manager boyfriend will accompany her, but at the last moment, he backs out. When the heater dies at the cabin, Lourdes moves in her with landlord for the night.

Kyle hasn't loved anyone since his last girlfriend married his stepbrother. He certainly never loved his ex-wife. She's making trouble for him all the time and he's at the end of his rope. The more time he spends with Lourdes, the more he realizes he's attracted to her.

But Kyle's not looking to leave Whiskey Creek and Lourdes isn't looking to settle down in a small town. Is there something between them worth exploring anyways?

My Thoughts: I really loved this addition to the Whiskey Creek series.

I loved learning more about the musical business in Nashville. I loved watching the process of Lourdes writing songs.I like how she trusted Kyle right off the bat and how they became friends. I like the slow building romance and this was fantastic.

And not without road bumps. Lourdes needed to figure out her life in Nashville, including her relationship with her manager. Kyle had an ex-wife, Noelle who did her best to make his life horrible. I felt bad for him for having to deal with her and her insecurities and crazy plans. 

I liked the Christmas scenes of getting a Christmas tree and decorating houses, seeing the town decorations, and family dinners.

As always, I liked seeing characters from former books and checking in with them. 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: If you're a contemporary romance fan, you better be reading this series.

On My Hold List (108)

My Librarian friend Jess from I Read to Relax came up with a great idea.  It's to highlight the books on hold at the library. I usually have 20-40 items checked out at the library and another 20 items on hold. 

Since coming back from BEA, I've decided that I need to change my reading habits. I need to start reading the ARCs and worry less about the library books for right now, except of course for the hot books coming out that I need immediately. It's not really working...but I am trying.

Here are a few Christmas books I'm looking forward to reading when they come in at the library.

Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery
I love Fool's Gold. I'm always happy to read more of these books, especially set at Christmas.

Christmas on Candy Cane Lane by Sheila Roberts 
Three women have very different ideas of Christmas but this year, will be different in Icicle falls. I adore this series!

Winter Wedding by Brenda Novak
This book just came out yesterday - I love this series and I'm happy to see Kyle finding love.

And a picture book:

How to Catch Santa by Jean Reagan
What happens if you catch Santa?

Blog Tour: This Heart of Mine

Welcome to my tour stop for This Heart of Mine by Brenda Novak.  The tour will consist of reviews and spotlights and runs March 16- April 7th. 
Check out the tour page for more information.

* Book 8 in the Whiskey Creek series *

Phoenix spent seventeen years in jail fro a crime she swears she didn't commit. Now that she's out, the only thing she cares about is creating a bond with her son Jake - which means dealing with his father Riley. She'll do almost anything to have a chance to get to know her son.

Riley's never trusted Phoenix's story and there's no way to prove her innocence. Still, he's not about to keep their son from his mother. After they meet and become reacquainted, Riley's opinion starts to change. Phoenix isn't bitter or full or hatred - in fact the simplest things make her happy. Now that his son has a mother in his life, Riley will protect her from the harden hearts in town.

My Thoughts: I really enjoy this small town series full of favorite characters. I really liked Phoenix - she was smart, sweet, independent, proud, stubborn, and full of heart. She made lemonade out of lemons.

I loved the moments between her and Jacob; they were sweet and caring. Jacob is smart, strong, innocent, and good a meddling. The moments where he tries to get his parents together alternate between amusing and sweet.

I'm glad that Riley's now older and can acknowledge his feelings. I'm glad that he's standing up for the mother of his child and eventually the woman he grows to love. The moments aren't always easy but doing the right thing isn't always easy.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable and charming
Source: ARC sent for Review

Final Thoughts: A fantastic addition to this series full of romance, friendship, and real problems. If you've haven't read this series - get started!

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Sounds good right? Then enter the giveaway:

Giveaway:

5 paperback copies of This Heart of Mine by Brenda Novak

US/CA only

Ends April 16, 2015

Rafflecopter Code:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Goodreads  |  Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes and Noble

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Brenda Novak has penned over 45 novels. A two-time Rita nominee, she’s won The National Reader’s Choice, The Bookseller’s Best, The Bookbuyer’s Best and many other awards. She runs an annual online auction for diabetes research every May at www.brendanovak.com. To date, she’s raised over $2 million. Brenda considers herself lucky to be a mother of five and married to the love of her life.

Find Brenda Novak Online:

Website| Twitter (@Brenda_Novak) | Facebook | Goodreads 

Adult Review: Matter of Grave Concern

Abigail doesn't want her father's school - Aldersgate School of Medicine to close because they have no understanding of anatomy. She takes matters into her own hands. Abigail sets up a meeting with a group of grave robbers to secure a body. She's done it before, but this time it goes terrible wrong.

Max's working with Jack Hurstill - digging up bodies and selling them, but he has a secret. He's not about to let anyone ruin his plan, least of all a young girl.  When he helps Jack double cross Abigail, he think he's doing the girl a favor. Of course it backfires on him. Now Max must keep her same from Jack as all costs; he's not having another death on his hands.

My Thoughts: A great historical fiction novel - perfect for the fall.  I liked Abigail - she was sassy, feisty, and determined. She's willing to get her hands dirty for the people she loves. Her quick thinking gets her out of trouble often. I love how she wants to be a surgeon, even though her own father isn't sure this is the best course for her.  I liked Max - he's protective and gentle, but he can be scary when he wants to be.  He's a great flawed hero. It's a fascinating look at history and societal norms that isn't often talked about in books or in history.  

Cover Thoughts: Nice
Source: Sent for Review

Holiday Review Thursday: Heart of Christmas

* Book 7 in the Whiskey Creek series * 

Eve had her heart broken and recently all her friends have found their happily ever afters. Now as she's turning 35, Eve's starting to feel depressed.

On her birthday, her friends are busy, so she decides to go to a bar for her own celebration. There she meets a stranger. When she wakes up the next morning, she discovers that she's not alone.

He's just traveling through the area and isn't interested in sharing details. The more Eve sees him, the more curious she gets.  Can she find her own happy evening or will she end up looking outside Whiskey Creek?

My Thoughts: I love this series and I'm happy to be reading about Eve - she's had a hard couple of years. I liked learning more about the B and B and especially more about the ghost who haunts it. I liked the moments between Ted and Eve and how they're working on their friendship after what happened. I liked Rex and how Eve learns more about this past. I like how she attempts to take care of him. I love how this town supports each other and leans on each other. I think Baxter needs a book soon. A great addition to the series and a book that shows the true meaning of Christmas. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it - but it doesn't exactly match the book

Source: ARC sent for review 

Adult Review: Come Home to Me

* Book 6 in the Whiskey Creek series *

Presley returns home after two years - sober and with a toddler. She's opening a yoga and massage retreat center. More than anything, she hopes to put her past behind her.

The one person from her past she can't seem to escape is Aaron. He's still in town, although he's supposed to be moving soon. Unfortunately for Presley, he's still interested in her. Luckily, he's also still in the dark about their son.

Can Presley really start over with him still in her life?

My Thoughts: I love this series. I really like how Presley turned her life around. I loved the moments between her and her son - they were so cute and full of love. I liked her relationship with Arron - even though they had some tense moments. I didn't really like Cheyenne's storyline - it was sad and I wasn't a fan of her choice. Because Presley wasn't part of the main group, there were snippets, but I missed hearing more about the others. So looking forward Eve's story.

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: ARC for review

Holiday Review Thursday: Take Me Home for Christmas

* Whiskey Creek series #5 *

Sophia hasn't had an easy life. She's made some mistakes in her past - mistakes that people in town still hold against her. She wakes up on what's supposed to be a romantic weekend trip, getting her marriage back on track, to discover her husband's missing.

Then the news comes that he's dead. At first she simply feels relief. Skip was a terrible, abusive husband. She feels sad for her daughter. Then all the details come out - how he got most of the town to invest in one of his projects and they lost all their money.

Sophia thought the townspeople only tolerated her before because of her money, but now they openly despise her. She's trying desperately to hold on to her life for the sake of her daughter. She knows thinks will change drastically, but she has know idea how much. 

My Thoughts: Wow, Brenda Novak has an amazing ability to create horrible situations for her characters making you care deeply about their happiness. I wasn't a huge fan of Sophia's before this book, but my heart aches for all she went though. I thought some of the Whiskey Creek people were simply horrid, unfeeling, and greedy. I love how Sophia struggled and wanted to make it on her own. I loved her determination to make her life and her daughter's life better. I liked watching Ted struggle, even though he wanted to help, he was conflicted about becoming emotionally involved. I thought most of the moments with Alexa and Ted added humor. I loved their Christmas celebration; it was heartfelt and sweet. I can't wait to read more of this series.

Cover Thoughts: Love It!
Source: Sent for Review

Adult Review: Through the Smoke

Rachel's trying desperately to make ends meet. Her father died leaving the book store in her hands. When her mother dies, Rachel can barely keep her head above water. It doesn't help matters that the Earl of Druridge comes asking her questions. She'll do anything she can to keep her younger brother happy and in good health.

He's desperate to find out who started the fire in his home that killed his wife and child. His marriage wasn't a happy one and many suspect that he set the fire himself. Lord Druridge needs to prove his innocence and he thinks that Rachel knows more that she's telling.

After a night of mistaken circumstances brings them together, their lives are forever changed. 

My Thoughts: I felt terrible for both characters as they struggled with their demons. I loved Rachel and admired her for the strength, her feisty spirit, her loyalty, her determination, and her willingness to put aside her happiness for those she loves. The horrors she went through deciding her fate made my heart ache; I just wanted her to be happy. I liked the Earl of Druridge. He had kindness in him, even after enduring all he did with his wife. There were men that made my skin crawl and moments where I was afraid for the characters. I liked reading about the plight of the workers in the coal mine - especially the outcome of it all. Very well done!  Novak has a knack for writing flawed characters that make me feel their heartache and make me root for their happiness.  

Cover Thoughts: I like it.
Source: Sent for Review

If You Like Pins (6)

At work, I made a few similar reads pins for our Pinterest page...

This week we're featuring Romance.

I love Regency Romance, even since reading Jane Austen. Julia Quinn is one of the masters, but these other books are awesome too!

Everyone knows I'm a huge Meg Cabot fan, check out these other epistolary novels. 

I'm also a fan of Sophie Kinsella, she always makes me laugh.

I also love small town romances!

Adult Review: Home to Whiskey Creek

 * 4th book in the Whiskey Creek series *

Addy broke the rules one time and snuck out to a party her sophomore year to celebrate with the graduating seniors at an abandoned mine. It cost her dearly.

Flirting with a group of guys turned deadly. That was the night the town mourned one of their golden boys. Addy knows how he died because she was there, but she never shared exactly what happened that night.

She's never been home since graduating high school - even to see her grandmother. Now her grandmother's health is failing her and for the first time, she's returned home. She's cautious about returning.

Turns out she's right to be cautious; she's abducted at night and throne into the mine.  Battered and bruised, Addy's warned not to mention what happened all those years ago. What the men don't know is that Addy has no desire to share her account of that terrible night. Now her new bruises have people asking all sorts of questions - especially from the man who rescued her. Addy doesn't want to talk, but maybe Noah is someone she can finally trust. 

My Thoughts: I adore this series - I love the small town charm and the group of high school friends that still meet for coffee. Each novel focuses on a different member of the group, but I love hearing about the whole group. Even though the subject matter was tough, I devoured this book.  My heart broke for Addy - for what she went through as a teen and for what she's going through now. I can't believe she didn't confide in anyone - choosing to hide her feelings and run from the town as soon as possible. I loved her relationship with her grandmother. I loved watching her relationship progress with Noah. 

I liked reading from Noah's perspective - both in terms of how he saw Addy and his friendship with Baxter. In following the series, it was nice to see Baxter share his true self with his best friend - even though it caused major tension in their relationship.  

This book had many heartbreaking moments, but always with moments of hope or joy. I can't wait to read more from the Whiskey Creek series.

Cover Thoughts: Cozy
Source: Sent  for review

Adult Review: When Summer Comes

*Book 3 in the Whiskey Creek series*

Callie's spending the summer taking time off. She's hiding devastating news from her friends and family. She needs a liver transplant by the end of the summer or she might no be long for this world.

One night, she hears a commotion outside the farm house. A man's been seriously injured by two dogs. He's wary of the police but needs medical attention. Callie helps him out as best she can. He's too weak to travel and his bike needs repairs.

She makes him an offer he can't refuse. He will help her fix up the farm house in exchange for a place to stay.  As the summer goes on, Callie's health starts to slightly fade. She's still not willing to tell her friends and family and give up her freedom. Her bargain with Levi allows her to live life on her own terms, plus she just might fall in love for the first time.

My Thoughts: The Whiskey Creek novels revolve around a group of friends from high school. They meet each week for coffee - which is nice tradition. Each novel focuses on a different member of the group, but I love hearing about the whole group. Callie's summer plans were bitterweet - as she planned to hide out on the farm where she spent happy days until she could no longer take care of herself. Medically there was nothing she could do to improve her situation; she simply planned on enjoying the time she had left. I liked the interactions between Levi and Callie - they were sweet with each other and teased each other. I enjoyed their blossoming romance. I laughed, I smile, and I cried. I'm looking forward to reading more about this group of friends.

Cover Thoughts: Sweet
Source: My Library