Christmas Review: O'Brien Family Christmas

Susie and Mack are having their honeymoon - with the entire family over Christmas in Ireland. Most of the family's concerned about Laila and Matthew and their dating habits.

The O'Brien family can't help but meddle in relationships. They aren't going to give up now. Laila's trying to figure her life in the aftermath of her fight with her father. Her father's cut her off because of her relationship. But Laila still cares for Matthew.

Matthew makes his feelings clear. Can Laila and Matthew work out their differences while dealing with the holiday festivities in Ireland.

My Thoughts: I LOVE LOVE LOVE this series! I loved the trip to Ireland with Gran sharing stories from her past. I loved the relationship progressing between Laila and Matthew. A sweet romantic tale.

One side note - this isn't a stand alone read - it's in the middle of a wonderful series. Those picking it up without reading the prior books might be a bit lost.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Challenge: a personal goal to read 10 Christmas Books this year

Christmas Review: Franklin and Winston

Two powerful men of the 20th century come together to discuss the strategies of World War II. Their time together would help win the war and aid in the aftermath of the destruction and devastation.

My Thoughts: A cute short, nonfiction picture book that discusses the Christmas after Pearl Harbor. I enjoyed learning about Winston Churchill and FDR and their time together. I didn't know anything about this visit. It's a different side of Christmas, but fascinating.

Cover Thoughts: I really like it!


Challenge: a personal goal to read 10 Christmas Books this year

Christmas Review: Christmas at Harrington's

***Now that Halloween is over, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It's Christmas week at YABookNerd***

Lena hasn't had an easy life. Just released from prison, she sets out to a new town in search of a new life. She meets a kind woman on the bus. They share a meal and a little bit about their lives.

As the bus pulls into New Haven, they go their separate ways after an invitation for Lena to join Moira at church. Lena heads towards her new home - a rough looking boarding house. There Lena meets a single mother and her child. Immediately, she befriends them.

She helps the mother find a job and watches the little girl. She meets Moira for church, bringing the little girl. As Jemima blossoms, Lena's heart begins to thaw.

Moira invites them over for Sunday lunch. At her home, Lena spills the secrets about her past. Moira believes in her. Before Lena and Jemima leave, Moira gives Lena some new clothes. In one bag, Moira stuffed the coat she wore on the bus. The coat makes Lena look like Mrs. Claus. It helps her find a job at Harrington's - as Mrs. Claus.

Lena loves her job and really gets into character. When her past comes back to haunt her, she's not sure she will survive this set-up. Could there be magic in the air that will ease her sorrows?

My Thoughts: It took me a chapter or two to get into the story - and then I was hooked. I loved the idea of Mrs. Claus. I loved Jemima, and Sally, Moira, Beth, Cassidy, and Lena. A heartwarming read that made me sigh with happiness.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect!

Challenge: a personal goal to read 10 Christmas Books this year

November is NaNoWriMo month

National Write a Novel Month starts today - and for the 4th year, I'll be writing. This year I'm not writing a YA novel, but a cozy mystery. It's a big difference for me, but I'm really excited about it!

Although I'll be crazy busy writing in all my free time, I'll still be posting reviews and whatnot.

Who else is writing?

I'm also YABookNerd at the site - feel free to friend me there. and GOOD LUCK to everyone writing

Cover Reveal: Underworld

Here's the second book in the Abandon trilogy. Underworld comes out in May. I LOVE how this cover ties into the first book. I love the dark blue. I love the girl fighting against the hand that want to bring her down. I love the swirls and designs.


Thoughts?

Halloween Post

Last weekend, my husband and I attended the Jack O'Lantern Spooktacular at the Roger Williams Zoo. It's an impressive site with 5000 pumpkins carved and sculpted. There's tons of people, but it's a fun night.

This year, the pumpkins were darker and as a result, most of our pictures came out poorly.

Here's a few good ones:

a pirate

A howling wolf

The North Pole - where they had fake snow falling and a awesome Santa pumpkin
(that didn't come out right in our photos)

Harry Potter (using flash which we were not supposed to do)

A clock tower with rotating pumpkins - also with flash

A Castle

The Cat in the Fiddle

Celtic Pumpkin

Face

Lots of Faces

Pumpkin Face Finale

Pumpkin Face Finale

Mysterious Saturday Review: Death By the Dozen

Melanie and Angie compete in a Challenge to the Chef contest. They have to fight down Olivia to return their contest entry form. Mel and Angie hope their potential win will boost the publicity for their bakery: Fairy Tale Cupcakes.

Mel's mentor from culinary school turns out to be one of the judges. She's happy to see him again, but she can't help be disappointed in his recent life choices.

When he turns up dead - in a freezer, Mel's immediately suspicious of his death. It turns out he was murdered. Mel tries to piece together his last moments, worry about the other judges, and try to win the contest.


My Thoughts: I LOVED the baking contest - I enjoyed reading about various recipes, ingredients, and trails and errors of the team. I loved the relationships between Mel and the judges. I love the new intern - Oz. he has some very interesting ideas for the bakery. I love the banter between Mel, Angie, and Tate. All in all, a tasty and thoroughly entertaining read.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: my Library