Christmas Book Review: Coming Home for Christmas

* Book 10 in the Haven Point series *

Luke's known Elizabeth's location for the past few months, but he hasn't been ready to track her down. When rumor comes that the new DA is going to file murder charges against him right before Christmas, he doesn't have a choice.

He travels to Oregon to bring her back with him to clear up the charges. He's not interested in hearing her explanation as to the past seven years or why she looks so different or why she has physical limitations now.

But once he hears her story, his heart thaws. She's been through hell too. Only she didn't have their two kids to help her along. Part of the plan involves the kids. As they come to know their mother, not everything is sunshine and roses. There's still hurt feelings and lots of anger.

But the more time she spends with her family, the more they all become attached. Could they have a second chance at happiness?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this Christmas romance. I liked learning about the past and how one moment in time changed everything. I loved seeing the kids at Christmas time. I enjoyed reading about this family coming back together, their holiday traditions, and all the fun they had together. A great addition to this charming series. So looking forward to the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Dreamy

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: This is a great series for your romance collection - perfect for those who love Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series. 

Blog Tour: Legacy

I am super excited to be hosting a stop on the blog tour for LEGACY by Shannon Messenger! I love this series and if you haven't read it yet, you're in luck. Check out the giveaway below.

About the Book:

Title: LEGACY (Keeper of the Lost Cities #8)

Author: Shannon Messenger

Pub. Date: November 5, 2019

Publisher: Aladdin

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 816

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B and N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Illusions shatter—and Sophie and her friends face impossible choices—in this astonishing eighth book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series.

Only this first edition includes an exclusive extra scene from Tam’s point of view as well as beautiful illustrated endpapers from Shannon Messenger.

Sophie Foster wants answers. But after a lifetime of lies, sometimes the truth is the most dangerous discovery. Even the smallest secret comes with terrifying new responsibilities.

And Sophie’s not the only one with blank spots in her past, or mysteries surrounding her family. She and her friends are part of something much bigger than they imagined—and their roles have already been chosen for them.

Every clue drags them deeper into the conspiracy. Every memory forces them to question everything—especially one another. And the harder they fight, the more the lines blur between friend and enemy. 

The series:

My Thoughts:

I've loved this series since reading an ARC of the first book, Keeper of the Lost Cities. Check out my previous reviews. It's a series that I love recommending to middle grade readers. And I love it when they come back and ask for the next book in the series. It's addictive!

I was lucky enough to meet Shannon during her last book tour. She's super sweet.

About Shannon:

SHANNON MESSENGER graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts where she learned—among other things—that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She’s studied art, screenwriting, and film production, but realized her real passion was writing stories for children. She’s the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall series for young adults. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many different languages. She lives in Southern California with an embarrassing number of cats. Visit her online at shannonmessenger.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @sw_messenger and on Facebook @KepperOfTheLostCities.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

 Follow the Tour:

11/11/2019	The Book Tower	Spotlight
11/12/2019	Lisa-Queen of Random	Spotlight
11/13/2019	Character Madness and Musings	Spotlight
11/14/2019	Sometimes Leelynn Reads	Spotlight
11/15/2019	YA Book Nerd	Spotlight

Giveaway Details:

4 winners will receive FULL hardcover sets of THE KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES Series, US only.

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Holiday Book Review: Season of Wonder

* Book 9 in the Haven Point series *

Dani and her two daughters moved to Haven Point to start over. Dani has a job in the local veterinary clinic and an opportunity of a lifetime. But because of her past, she's closed herself off from friendships and most importantly love.

When her daughter commits an act of vandalism, everything changes. The deputy sheriff helps her older daughter  make things right. The more time he spends with the family, the more everyone warms up to him.

Could he be the key to her heart?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book, I adore this series. I love the small town charm and seeing old favorite characters.  I loved Silver and Mia. I felt badly for Silver and her friendship troubles. I admired her strength.  I loved Dani and how she held everything together for her girls. I loved her determination and her strength too. Ruben was sweet. And his family was so welcoming. I loved the shared Christmas moments. Another great addition to the series.

Cover  Thoughts: Amazing, I'd love to live there
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this series for your library if you don't have it already.

Review: Cottages on Silver Beach

* Book 8 in the Haven Point series *

Megan can't believe that Elliot Bailey showed up at her cottages. She despises the man after the way he treated her brother. She wishes she could refuse his rental - but he booked online. She can't believe that she'll be living next door to him for two weeks.

Elliot just needs to get his mind off the work drama, finish his manuscript before the deadline, and hang out with his family. He doesn't need Megan living next door - the one woman who has the power to turn his world upside down.

He can't get her off his mind. Could now finally be the time to start a relationship with her?

My Thoughts: I adore this series, I'm always happy to read a new novel set in Haven Point. I loved the tense relationship between Elliot and Megan - especially their history. I love how Megan was protective of her brother and always there for her niece and nephew. I liked Megan's second job and how she lost herself taking pictures. I enjoyed the cross-over into Hope's Crossing. I loved the moments in the gallery and how Megan found her footing again. Of course I'm dying to know what happens next with Luke...

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommend this series for all public libraries and their romance section.

Top Ten Tueday: Sensory Reads

This week's topic is sensory reading memories - books you read that have very specific memories attached. This one might be hard for me, I read so many books and I often don't remember details about reading them. We'll see how it goes...

- meme from That Artsy Reader Girl

My dad told me about this series after reading an article in the newspaper about the third book coming out. I grabbed the first one from the library. I started it - I remember thinking in the first chapter that it was good but nothing special - until I reached the last bit of the first chapter. I got goosebumps. I was hooked.

I read this book during my study halls senior year of high school. I would sit in the stacks on the hard floor and pull books off the shelf to read. I loved this book. It's the longest book I've ever read but it was full of action.

Tears every time I read this book - you know at what part.

I remember wanting to read this book because Sarah wrote a YA historical romance that I adored. I hadn't read to many romance books until this point, but I loved this book. It was funny, sweet, and charming. I'm happy to read anything Sarah writes.

This book make me want to write my own "hot chocolate book" - and I wrote one about a girl in Vermont who lives on a Christmas tree farm and has trouble with her boyfriend. Hot chocolate books make me feel warm and fuzzy inside - just like hot chocolate. 

This book (and the rest of the series) made me crave donuts like there's no tomorrow.

This cozy series made me want to get my palm read - still haven't done that yet.

Laughter. Lots of Laughter for this series

Made me want to take ice skating lessons

Made me want to go horse back riding!

Review: Sugar Pine Trail

* Book 7 in the Haven Point series *

Julia Winston’s been putting her life on hold for everyone else around her. With her parents both deceased, her life has become empty. She must start living again. At a book club, she writes down a bucket list for the year. Julia know she’s not really going to achieve her goals, but she can’t be the only person without a goal. Plus she needs to come out of her comfort zone.

She’s renting out the upstairs of her house to her friend’s devastatingly handsome brother. She knows that a librarian isn’t his type, but a girl can dream. Julia can barely hold a conversation with him without blushing, but she can’t go back on her decision now. Hopefully all their encounters won’t be so awkward.

When she notices brothers in the library day after day, she starts to worry about them. Julia gives them a ride home one night when she spies them walking alone at night after the library closed. She discovers that their mother left them three days ago and hasn’t returned. The older boy, who’s eight, has been doing his best, but there’s no heat in their place. Julia calls Child Services. When she realizes that the boys will have to move towns and will likely be split up, she offers up her home.

Jamie finds Julia at her wits end and stays to help out. From that moment, things take a turn. They make a plan for Thanksgiving, which involves Jamie’s family. Their holiday isn’t the same, but they forget about their family troubles for just a bit.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book in the series. Haven Point crossed with Hope's Crossing in this book. I haven't read Hope's Crossing, but clearly it's on my list on books to read. I think knowing those characters would enhance the story for readers, but it's not necessary to enjoy this one. Of course, I loved seeing favorite characters again and meeting with Caine family. I enjoyed reading more about them. I loved the two boys. Clint and Davy stole the book for me with their antics. I felt terrible for them, but loved how they made a home with Julia. I really liked the interactions between Jamie and Julia - how they both thought they were stereotypes, but how they helped each other break out of their rules. They both had sad pasts, but helped each other move past them. Another great book in this series, I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

Cover Thoughts: Charming, but this and the title do not really fit with the story
Source: My Library
Reviewed: Also for Fresh Fiction

Library Recommendation: Grab this series for your public library!

Review: Serenity Harbor

 * Book 6 in the Haven Point series *

Katrina is home for her sister's wedding and then she's headed back to Columbia to figure out the adoption process. Her family and friends haven't adjusted to her maturing since they saw her last. They're having a hard time with the new her. But Katrina isn't giving up.

While witnessing an epic meltdown of a child, she steps in to help calm him down. Milo's newly found relative (half brother) begs her to take a temporary job helping out with Milo until permanent help can arrive. At first Katrina isn't interested, but the money is too good to pass up.

The more time she spends with Milo and his brother, the more she falls for both of them. But being home is just temporary and she's not sure she wants to risk her heart.

My Thoughts: I love this series and seeing how favorite characters. I really enjoyed Katrina's story. I too fell for Milo. I loved the moments between Milo and Katrina - they were very sweet. I loved watching Milo progress once he felt comfortable in his new life. I enjoyed the romance and I'm eagerly looking forward to returning to Haven Point soon.

Cover Thoughts: Gorgeous
Source: Book sent for Review
Review will go up on Fresh Fiction

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your romance section at your public library! And if you don't have this series, be sure to get the others too! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Hallmark Movies

This week is another freebie. I'm a sucker for Hallmark channel movies, especially the Christmas ones. But also I love it when they turn a favorite book into a show or series. Would you watch these? Let's try to make this happen!

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

Bluff Point series or just for their wedding movies in June

Large family - lots of laughs. Could be one movie or a movie on each of the books

Lucky Harbor - a series

A series for sure!

A movie with series potential

A movie with series potential 

Could be a series or just a Christmas movie

Could be a series or just a Thanksgiving movie

Another good wedding ones

A fun movie with series potential 

Bonus:

It's YA but gymnastics and would appeal 

Top Ten Tuesday: Covers

This week's topic is cover - anything with covers. So I've chosen books coming out that I want to read based on the covers alone. I'm going to attempt to limit it to just 10 (but you know me).

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

I love the hot beverage and mittens. It screams hot chocolate romance

I love this series and the cover seems cold, but intriguing at the same time.I can't wait to uncover what happens next. 

I love gazebos. 

Holiday romance!

Love the red shoes!

You had me at carousel

Pool side romance!

Supergirl as a spy

Magic Potion brewing - beware!

Summer romance!  

Any of these interest you based on the covers?

Christmas Book Review: Snowfall on Haven Point

* Book 5 in the Haven Point series *

Andrea's had a couple of terrible years after her husband died and his partner wouldn't take no for an answer. Now, she's looking forward to making sure her two adorable children have a great Christmas in Haven Point.

When her friends asks her to look in on her brother since she's out of town, Andrea can't say no. Marshall is recovering from a sinister car accident that left him with a broken leg. He's not happy about being laid up or about Andrea looking in on him.

But her kindness gets to him as do her two children. They're appalled that he has no Christmas decor up, so they make decorations for them. When a blizzard forces the tow families together, sparks fly.

My Thoughts: I adore this series and I love that Andrea gets her own book. I felt terrible for her previously for all that she'd been through. Her kids are adorable. I love that they opened up to Marshall, especially Chloe. I loved that Marshall didn't want help and was grumpy about it from the beginning. I loved the banter between the two of them. As they spend more time together, I loved how they shared pieces of their lives and gave each other advice. I really liked Christopher. I liked the struggle each of them had, but I'm glad that everything worked out. Another winner for this series!

Cover Thoughts: Perfection
Source: Purchased
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended purchase for public libraries.

Review: Riverbend Road

 * Book 4 in the Haven Point series *

Wyn Bailey likes being a police officer, but lately life has been a little boring. She's looking for something more and she's not sure that she'll find it in Haven Point. Plus she's in love with her boss, who treats her like his little sister. Maybe leaving Haven Point will help bring her some perspective.

Cade feels attraction for Wyn, but she works for him and he doesn't want to lose her. He's also been keeping a secret from her, that's bound to come out once she starts asking questions. When Whyn finds herself in trouble, Cade must decide the depth of his feelings.

My Thoughts: I loved Wyn and her protective nature. I love her moments on the job from the mundane tasks to the dangerous situation she found herself in. I liked her conversations with her new neighbor and how she helped them ease into a new town. I liked her family and how she came from a long line of police officers. I love the brother's best friend romance trope, so this one was fantastic. I like how Cade struggled with his feelings. I liked learning more about his terrible childhood. I'm a huge fan of this small town series and I'm so looking forward to the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Beautiful
Source: My Library
Recommendation: Highly recommended for all library romances sections.

Adult Review: Redemption Bay

 * Haven Point Book 2*

McKenzie Shaw loves her town, she's desperately trying to make the economy. Especially after Ben Kilpatrick left years ago and destroyed the once booming town.

Now he's back. And living next door to her.

McKenzie vows to be polite (after she yells at him for his past crimes) and then she learns that he's in a position to make the town soar to new heights. Sworn to secrecy, she has the town hopping to show him a welcoming community.

The more time she spends with him, the more she understands about his past and his reasons for escaping town the first time. Can she change his mind against the town without falling into her old crush. 

My Thoughts: I loved the first book in this series and of course gravitated towards this one. After a brief disappointment (I thought this was another Christmas story because of the lights on the boats), I fell quickly for this read.

I loved learning more about the town and it's history. I liked seeing characters from the previous books. I loved learning more about Ben (especially after so many comments in the first book, I wondered how he was going to become a likable character -but he really is!)

I love that McKenzie is the town mayor. I admire her patience with everyone giving her comments. I loved watching her in action from pulling together the festivals to dealing with the crisis. 

I loved the two dogs that formed an attachment. 

Haven Point sounds like a magical place: filled with great people, a sense of community, good friends, and of course romance. I just wonder how their library is :)

I can't  wait to read more in this series.

Cover Thoughts: A little misleading, but gorgeous!
Source: BEA 2015 - signed copy!

Final Thoughts: Read this series for the small town charm, the friendships, and of course the romance.