Book Reviews

Rainy Day Kisses By: Debbie Macomber

Rainy Day Kisses

Rainy Day Kisses By: Debbie Macomber

Plot:

While Susannah Simmons struggles up the corporate ladder, her neighbor Nate Townsend stays home baking cookies and flying kites. She resents the way he questions her values and the way he messes up her five-year plan when she falls in love with him!

Review:

This was clearly not written recently, a quick check of the front matter shows that it was originally published in 1990 and boy was it obvious. Lots of dated views on women in the work place and at times it was infuriating to read.

Susannah was your typical career minded woman, she had to deal with a lot of issues at work being the only women that high up in her office. It wasn’t until Macomber started having everyone tell Susannah that she needed to be married with a child that things started to get uncomfortable. Then when Nate starts telling her that if she continues down that path she’ll be unsatisfied and alone that it started to irk me. Come on people, that’s not the message we’re supposed to be telling women. We can have it all and then some, right?!?

Anyway, the book was old and very cliché. The conflict could have been completely avoided if Susannah had asked a very easy and common question or if Nate had volunteered information very early on. Their reasoning for not doing so was weak.

The end has been done before and felt rushed. Christmas played no part in this book even though it was paired in a Christmas Wishes double book, it was set in September and at one point she sang a Christmas song. That was it.

Overall disappointed and would not recommend.

2/5

Christmas Letters (Blossom Street #3.5) By: Debbie Macomber

Christmas Letters

Christmas Letters (Blossom Street #3.5) By: Debbie Macomber

Plot:

Katherine O’Connor often spends her days at a cozy cafe; on Blossom Street in Seattle; where she writes Christmas letters for other people. She’s good at making their everyday lives sound more interesting. More humorous. More dramatic. But for Dr. Wynn Jeffries, who also frequents the cafe, Christmas means lies and deception. In fact, the renowned child psychologist recommends that parents “bury Santa under the sleigh.” Katherine, however, feels that his parenting philosophy is one big mistake; at least, based on her five-year-old twin nieces, who are being raised according to his “Free Child” methods. She argues with Wynn about his theories, while he argues that her letters are nothing but lies. They disagree about practically everything; and yet, somehow, they don’t really want to stop arguing. As the days and nights; move closer to Christmas, Katherine and Wynn both discover that love means accepting your differences. And Christmas is about the things you share

Review:

Every time I started to get into this book the characters would bring up Wynn’s child rearing theories and I would get pulled out. They were so stupid and anyone who had done any kind of research or held a doctorate should know that, and the character supposedly had both. It took me out of the story completely.

The romance was sweet, what you expect with a Debbie Macomber, the characters were fine, though a bit unrealistic and honestly stupid. Christmas played a large part of the story so if you’re looking for a holiday romance this certainly fits the bill, just not sure if I would recommend it.

3/5

Side Note: This book is in a series but you do not have to read it in order

Caribou’s Gift (Kodiak Point 3.5) By: Eve Langlais

caribous gift

Caribou’s Gift (Kodiak Point 3.5) By: Eve Langlais

Plot:

Damn it, a man had his pride and a caribou a certain majestic presence, all of which could wind up ruined if he abased himself to play a simple-minded reindeer in the town’s Christmas parade. No way was he wearing damned tinsel in his antlers. Like hell was he sporting a red nose and pulling a sleigh. But he changes his mind when he meets the woman in charge of the event. Single mom, Crystal, is doing her best to offer her daughter the best Christmas ever. It’s their first in Kodiak Point, and she’s not about to let some vain jerk ruin it for her little girl. If playing dirty is what it takes…then bring on the Christmas games. As Crystal and Kyle butt heads—and lips—they discover more than goodwill this holiday season. They’re gifted with a second chance at love.

Review:

This was such a cute, sweet story. It was just a novella so the story was fast paced and got right to the point. Kyle fell so fast and hard that I couldn’t help but love him. Crystal was a good single mom and she resisted because of past mistakes but she quickly realized that there was no need with Kyle.

I liked the pacing and that there wasn’t much heming and hawing they both fell quickly and didn’t fight it much.

Gigi was adorable.

There was also a nice little magical Christmas moment that brought the holiday cheer. Love this series.

5/5

Holiday Abduction (Alien Abduction #6) By: Eve Langlais

Holiday Abduction

Holiday Abduction (Alien Abduction #6) By: Eve Langlais

Plot:

Vhyl is determined to acquire a certain lost artifact, but when he lands on the forbidden barbarian planet known as Earth, he finds more than expected. An attractive human female is in possession of the priceless object, and she’s agreed to hand it over—for a price. Apparently she doesn’t know of his reputation…or doesn’t care. Intrigued by her fearless nature—and her luscious cocoa skin—this acquisition expert can’t resist stealing a kiss. But before he can take more, his enemy arrives to stake a claim. It seems Vhyl isn’t the only one interested in Jilly’s treasure—and Jilly herself. On the run not only from Earth forces but his enemies too, they must fight to survive and evade capture. However, he can’t escape the effect the human has on him. In the end, Vhyl has to make a choice—Jilly or the priceless treasure he came for?

Review:

I love how fast paced these books are, and I have no idea why, but purple aliens are somehow super hot.

I eagerly await every installment in this franchise and I have never been disappointed. The story always has a strong female lead, as well as a ridiculously hilarious, macho, male lead that never fails to entertain.

Have I mentioned I love these books?

The addition of the holiday setting did not diminish all the things I’ve come to expect, it just added a nice little festive note. There was also a little present at the end, a short story that was a peek into the first Christmas with the abducted women and their aliens.

Hopefully this isn’t the last installment in the series because I’m not sure if my desire for purple hunks will ever be satisfied.

5/5

Peter and Max (Fables Novel) By: Bill Willingham Illustrator: Steve Leialoha

peter-and-max-198x300

Peter and Max (Fables Novel) By: Bill Willingham Illustrator: Steve Leialoha

Plot:

This story stars Peter Piper and his incorrigible brother Max in a tale about jealousy, betrayal and revenge. Set in two distinct time periods, prepare to travel back to medieval times and learn the tragic back-story of the Piper family, a medieval-era family of traveling minstrels. Then, jump into the present to follow a tale of espionage as Peter Piper slowly hunts down his evil brother for a heinous crime, pitting Peter’s talents as a master thief against Max’s dark magical powers. Based on the long-running and award-winning comic book series FABLES, PETER AND MAX is its own tale. Readers don’t have to be familiar with the comics to fully enjoy and understand this book.

Review:

I’ve read several of the Fables graphic novels and I’ve had this book on my to read list for years, it’s crazy that it took me this long to read.

I found it fun to read this universe in novel form and I think it worked very well, however I don’t know if someone who’s never read the comics would appreciate it as much. There were several references to things that you wouldn’t fully understand if you hadn’t read the comics. I think someone who had never read them could understand what was going on, but I don’t think they’d fully appreciate it all.

It’s been a while since I’ve read the comics and I honestly don’t remember Peter and Bo, but after reading this I wouldn’t be adverse to finding out more. Peter was a master thief and Bo was an assassin, is that something you’d ever think Peter Piper and Little Bo Peep were capable of? That’s exactly what Fables is like though.

Some people call it an adult Once Upon a Time, but I don’t think that’s a good comparison. The writing in Fables is creative and entertaining and there are all kinds of twists. As much as I enjoy watching Once Upon a Time they just started another season with everyone losing their memories. Fables has taken the concept adult fairy tales and created an interesting and complicated world.

Anyways, back to the book. I did enjoy reading a novel in this world, but I thought there was a ton of build up with a couple paragraphs of payoff. It wasn’t enough for me. I understand why they couldn’t do a more detailed epilogue, but the ending was lacking and left me feeling unsatisfied, never a good feeling.

I would certainly read more novels written in this world and one day I will own all the graphic novels, but I’m a bit disappointed with Peter and Max and I bumped it down half a star.

3.5/5

Side note: Illustrations were great