What books did I love to love this month?
A Very Special Holiday Gift
Barbara Hannay's 'A Very Special Holiday Gift' is an absolute melting moment, wringing the heartstrings.
Zac flies to London with his lovely PA, Chloe, when he learns of his sister's sudden accidental death...and that her tiny baby girl was saved. You can imagine what a poignant journey this becomes at Christmas. There’s a certain red dress that also takes on a life of its own. Sigh.
Her Christmas Earl
'Her Christmas Earl' by Anna Campbell is a lovely novella to enjoy among the rush and bustle. It's the old whoops-I-have-been-compromised theme done brilliantly well by Anna.
In this instance, shy, quiet Philippa accidentally gets caught in the Earl of Erskine's dressing room, and it all goes on from there. I wouldn’t mind this verra handsome Scottish earl in my Christmas stocking!
High Country Holiday
Try 'High Country Holiday' by Glynna Kaye if you like a little faith with your romance.
Bad boy Cody Hawk returns to his childhood town when his father has a stroke, but he’s still wearing the chip on his shoulder from years ago. To his shock the girl he loved years ago, Paris Perslow, is still there... and still unmarried. Lots of issues in this book, so hold on.
What did I love to laugh at...an oldie but a goodie:
'Twelve Days of Christmas' by Trisha Ashley. A widow goes to house-sit a family home, deserted for Christmas, but one by one people keep arriving - and staying! As her husband died at Christmas she really wants to be left alone, but slowly she realizes how lovely Christmas can be as the house fills. She whips up amazing meals (she is a chef, and I swear I put on weight just reading this), and she unexpectedly falls in love. Sweetly comic.
What did I love to learn...that there are more festive books coming my way!
It’s a wonderful time of year! May your Christmas be full of good cheer and lots of books. Do let me know what festive books you’re reading? And see you again in 2015!
Zac flies to London with his lovely PA, Chloe, when he learns of his sister's sudden accidental death...and that her tiny baby girl was saved. You can imagine what a poignant journey this becomes at Christmas. There’s a certain red dress that also takes on a life of its own. Sigh.
Her Christmas Earl
'Her Christmas Earl' by Anna Campbell is a lovely novella to enjoy among the rush and bustle. It's the old whoops-I-have-been-compromised theme done brilliantly well by Anna.
In this instance, shy, quiet Philippa accidentally gets caught in the Earl of Erskine's dressing room, and it all goes on from there. I wouldn’t mind this verra handsome Scottish earl in my Christmas stocking!High Country Holiday
Try 'High Country Holiday' by Glynna Kaye if you like a little faith with your romance.
Bad boy Cody Hawk returns to his childhood town when his father has a stroke, but he’s still wearing the chip on his shoulder from years ago. To his shock the girl he loved years ago, Paris Perslow, is still there... and still unmarried. Lots of issues in this book, so hold on. What did I love to laugh at...an oldie but a goodie:
'Twelve Days of Christmas' by Trisha Ashley. A widow goes to house-sit a family home, deserted for Christmas, but one by one people keep arriving - and staying! As her husband died at Christmas she really wants to be left alone, but slowly she realizes how lovely Christmas can be as the house fills. She whips up amazing meals (she is a chef, and I swear I put on weight just reading this), and she unexpectedly falls in love. Sweetly comic.What did I love to learn...that there are more festive books coming my way!
It’s a wonderful time of year! May your Christmas be full of good cheer and lots of books. Do let me know what festive books you’re reading? And see you again in 2015!
Hi, Miranda! What great Christmas romances! I'm so looking forward to reading all of them. (Now...to find the time...)
ReplyDeleteDee, sneak in a couple of hours to de-stress and enjoy one of the shorter Christmas romances... It will help you get into that festive mood and make you go aah...
DeleteHave fun reading!
Miranda
Excellent idea!!! Thank you.
DeleteMerry Christmas!
And then, Dee... there is the lovely and delicious summer holidays. What you don't get read in the rush and bustle can be savoured after Christmas. Mmm...
DeleteMiranda
Hey, Miranda!
DeleteJust wanted to let you know that I took your advice and downloaded a few Chrissy novellas and you're right...they are a nice break between the hustle and bustle of the season! THANK YOU!!
Great to hear! I'm reading Fiona Greene's 'Home For Christmas' right now, and sighing all the way through....
DeleteMiranda
At the moment I'm reading Fiona Greene's 'Home for Christmas' but I'm not sure who to go with next. Thanks for making the choosing just that little bit easier with your great reviews, Miranda.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, there are so many festive romances to choose from, it really is such fun! And we deserve a little bit of time-out to read in the middle of our hectic preparations, don't we? If you're pressed for time, another oldie but goodie is WISH LIST - an anthology by Lisa Kleypas, Lisa Cach, Claudia Dain and Lynsay Sands. It's been on my keeper shelf for longer than I care to admit, but the shorter stories are perfect for sitting down with a cup of tea (brandy?! wine?!) and relaxing. We need this time to read!
DeleteHave fun!
Miranda
Christmas for me is a time to reflect and spend time with family and friends so stories both set during this period and showing the importance of it to the characters are the ones I gravitate to. You've given a great selection, Miranda. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Enisa! I think the festive romances are all about peace and goodwill, as well as being lovely romances. The world can always do with more love, can't it?
DeleteMiranda
Love is always welcome. Especially at Christmas.
Delete100% agree, Enisa! So keep reading those romances!
DeleteMiranda
These all look fabulous Miranda. Thank you for reviewing them for us. More books to read over the Christmas break. Happy sigh.
ReplyDeleteOh my word, Cassandra. Just fill my stocking with romance (and chocolate) and I'll be happy for quite a while! What ones have you enjoyed reading?
DeleteMiranda
One I remember enjoying was The Present by Johanna Lindsey. It was all the Mallory children together for Christmas with a mystery thrown in. An oldie but a goodie. Last year I read A Grosvenor Christmas (Anthology) that had a particularly good Anna Campbell story in it. I am also looking forward to reading a fun story by Juliet Maddison called The 12 Daves of Christmas. Sounds like a hoot!
DeleteThe Twelve Daves of Christmas...I might have to check that one out too!
DeleteI confess those '12 Daves' sound very interesting, Cassandra! Quick, everyone, surely got to be better than a partridge in a pear tree. ???
DeleteMiranda
Hi Miranda, there are too many good books out there and not enough time to read them all. I'm reading - or have just started reading - Wild Lavender by Belinda Alexandra. Once I finish this I would like to get my hands on some of the ones you have suggested. Love everything Christmas...
ReplyDeleteOh, the beautiful Belinda Alexandra - I can imagine you're really enjoying Wild Lavender! I love reading Australian authors, at Christmas and any time... So the Aussie festive romances are hot and often beachy, but I feel right at home. On the other hand, it's also nice to read about snow and the cold... a bit of that ice might cool us down when we have our scorchers (like today). Still, pour that nice icy drink and find time to settle down. Michelle Douglas has a wonderful new Christmas romance out called 'Snowbound Surprise for the Millionaire', oh bliss... So many to choose from, so little time!
DeleteEnjoy!
Miranda
Barbara Hannay's book sounds like it would get my waterworks going. Great reviews, thanks Miranda.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Georgia! And yes, Barbara Hannay is a wonderful Australian author. her books are guaranteed to get my little heart going pitter pat. And start the waterworks. Happy sigh. Have you read anything festive lately?
DeleteMiranda
Hi Miranda, thought I'd let you know I just bought Anna Campbell's 'Her Christmas Earl' (only 99c at Amazon atm). Looking forward to getting into the Christmas groove by reading it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I can guarantee you'll enjoy it. What a treat ahead. Enjoy!
DeleteMiranda