Book

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

The Hot Zone (Rainshadow #3) By: Jayne Castle

Hot zone

The Hot Zone (Rainshadow #3) By: Jayne Castle

Plot:

The world of Harmony has its wonders, one of them being Rainshadow Island. Just beneath its surface, a maze of catacombs hides a dangerous secret…… Halloween—with its tricks and treats—is a dust bunny’s dream come true. Just ask Lyle, Sedona Snow’s faithful sidekick. But for Sedona, it’s a nightmare. Though her new job managing a small hotel and tavern on Rainshadow is helping her move on from her tragic past, a bizarre disaster down in the catacombs has brought a pack of rowdy ghost hunters to her inn. And now, Sedona’s ex has arrived on the island, claiming he wants to get back together, just as a newcomer appears to have a strong interest in her. Cyrus Jones is the new Guild boss in town. He has his own agenda when it comes to Sedona, but even the best-laid plans are no match for the passion that springs up on Rainshadow….
Review:

Reading the series out of order had no negative impact so if that ends up happening with you, don’t worry.

I really don’t know what it is about a scorned family member, but I really love those plots. It’s like, oh you thought it was okay to disown this person for something they had no control over? Well screw you they’re amazing and you missed out on so much because of it! Hahahahahahaha

Anyway, loved that bit of the story, I also enjoyed getting to see another Jones on Harmony. I really like when authors take families and write about them for multiple generations. Jude Deveraux and Nora Roberts do that a lot and I love it.

Sedona was a nice strong woman with a powerful talent and Cyrus was a strong, but not overbearing man, with an equally strong talent. They were made for each other and were a great partnership. I also liked the fact that Sedona worked for the guild and wasn’t in a non-combatant/girly role. She wasn’t a secretary or shopkeeper or scientists. She, at one point, welded a flame thrower. Awesome.

Love the series, can’t wait for more, write faster.

5/5