A Betty Neels Christmas is a 2002 Harlequin Publication.
The first book in this holiday collection is “A Christmas Proposal”-
This is a short story thaA Betty Neels Christmas is a 2002 Harlequin Publication.
The first book in this holiday collection is “A Christmas Proposal”-
This is a short story that has been bundled or partnered with other books by Neels several times- This combo was released in 2002- but I believe the original copyright for this story is 1996.
This story is sort of a holiday Cinderella story…
Oliver, a doctor, meets Bertha at a party and immediately recognizes that she is not allowed to live up to her full potential thanks to her stepmother and stepsister. He takes her under his wing, finding her a job, and watching over her situation at home, which is a prickly, delicate situation because Bertha’s stepsister has designs on Oliver…
A very short romance, very charming and sweet!
The second story is a full-length novel entitled – “A Winter Wedding”. If I have my facts straight this story was originally published in 1979.
This is a story about Emily, a nurse, who is caring for her younger sister- who is supposed be helping- but is more of pain than anything else- and her infant niece and nephew after her sister and brother-in-law are detained in another country. She is assigned a medical case working with a doctor who is rude and arrogant, but who eventually manages to have a few encounters with Emily outside of work, and meets her younger, more attractive sister. It would seem plain Emily is left to shoulder all the family responsibilities while her sister and the doctor paint the town….
Oh, my goodness- Betty Neels was certainly a treasure. Her books were always very clean and very old-fashioned- safe for any teenager reading them back in the late sixties and seventies.
Unfortunately, the beginning of this story is just plain ridiculous, with Emily’s spoiled sister doing things that would land her in all kinds of legal or criminal hot water- but getting off scot-free- not to mention treating Emily like her personal doormat.
But, thankfully, that part of the book morphed into something else entirely in the second half of the book, where we find Emily on a grand adventure enjoying herself, but feeling the necessity to return to London and focus on her career- all this despite or because of her feelings for the handsome, but often preoccupied doctor who sponsored her trip.
This second half the story was much more pleasant, and I loved the various characters introduced at this stage, too. The formula is familiar, of course, with Emily believing she was too plain for the doctor who had his choice of pretty women, but perhaps she is more attractive than she knows- with her inner beauty leading the way.
Another spin on the Cinderella story- a trope that never seems to go out of style – and there are many modern versions of it. I must say that despite the age of the story and how unrealistic most of it was, I enjoyed it. It was a pleasant story, and it was great fun to reacquaint myself with Neels. I may have to add some of her titles into my rotation more often.
Overall, the two books in this collection compliment one another with similar holiday/winter themes. Quite enjoyable despite the age of the stories!
Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter is a 2020 Thomas Nelson publication.
The plan was to get the Bluebell Inn in shape to sell it. Now the Bennett siblings Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter is a 2020 Thomas Nelson publication.
The plan was to get the Bluebell Inn in shape to sell it. Now the Bennett siblings feel that time has come. With Levi and Molly all set to move forward with their lives, Grace is the one who will be staying in Bluebell, North Carolina. She still has a few moves to make before the inn sells so she needs to get busy getting her business in shape before her siblings leave. But her plans are diverted when Wyatt Jennings shows up for an extended stay at the inn.
When Grace realizes Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she readily volunteers despite some reservations and her sister’s concern. But once they are alone together, they find it easy to discuss their pasts, and get to know each other a little bit, yet they each hold back information about themselves not knowing that key events in their past are about to have a huge impact on their future.
This story has a little bit of suspense mixed in the family drama and romance, which I loved. Grace is the youngest and her siblings still treat her like a child, though she is twenty-one, and is a business owner in her own right- but even Wyatt believes she’s too innocent to get involved with him. But Grace is determined to prove herself, while also finally facing a nightmare from her childhood that resurfaces in her nightmares and occasionally causes full blown panic attacks.
Wyatt works in security, specialized security- but is still haunted by his mother’s death. So, when circumstances arise that put him on leave, he decides to return to Bluebell, hoping to somehow come to terms with what happened all those years ago.
Survivor’s guilt is a big theme in this story with our two MCs suffering from this syndrome. I liked the way the past merged with the present and offered them both a bit of long overdue redemption. The situation presented in the story is definitely an unusual one- but the way it brought two people together who needed to find closure, despite the oddity of the circumstances, could only have come from divine intervention.
Overall, a lovely story all around. I’m so glad I found this author- I get the romance and family dramas, with a sweet Christian message- without the language and explicit content I have grown so weary of. I’m looking forward to going back and reading Molly and Levi’s story someday.
4 stars
*Note: This is the last book in a trilogy- but I think these can be read as stand-alone novels- I just wanted to read a book set in the fall season. Other than knowing the two other siblings get a HEA- the details of their journey are sparse– so no real spoilers if you happen to read them out of order....more
Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand is a 2016 Little, Brown and Company publication.
The blurb for this book says this is the last book in a trilogy- anWinter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand is a 2016 Little, Brown and Company publication.
The blurb for this book says this is the last book in a trilogy- and it was meant to be- but this there is one more book after this one- FYI.
This book starts with a summer wedding and a feeling of hope. But there are still many dark clouds hovering over the Quinn Family…
Patrick is released, but discovers his strong wife is human after all when her secret drug use comes to his attention. Ava is still undecided about her love life; Kevin realizes he and Isabelle can’t put their lives on hold any longer and Kelley receives a serious health diagnosis. Meanwhile, the family still sits on pins and needles waiting for news about Bart…
This series is a little bit addictive. As per usual the story features high drama- with a bit more somberness in places, but there are a lot of fresh starts and promising futures, too!
Overall, this was another addicting installment in this holiday themed series!
Perfectly Nice Neighbors by Kia Abdullah is a 2023 HQ publication.
Salma and her family make the move to Blenheim with hopes of a fresh start amid somPerfectly Nice Neighbors by Kia Abdullah is a 2023 HQ publication.
Salma and her family make the move to Blenheim with hopes of a fresh start amid some setbacks. But trouble begins right from the start when Salma catches their neighbor, Tom, knocking over an anti-racist banner in her yard. She takes the banner and puts it in her window instead, only to discover the next morning that her window has been smeared with paint. This prompts her to confront Tom, which immediately becomes tense and ugly and only escalates further from there, ultimately ending in tragedy.
This is another super taut novel of suspense by Kia Abdullah, that starts off with a feeling of foreboding that builds to an almost unbearable point as the story progresses. and just keeps getting worse and worse as the story progresses.
I love this author- but this was the first book that gave me a few niggles. The adults in this book made me uncomfortable- the way they spoke to each other- yelling ugly obscenities – etc., and some of the language was outside my comfort zone. Some situations were also highly improbable, but that didn’t seem to lessen the suspense elements- at least not for me.
Overall, this is a thought-provoking tragedy, rooted in racism, that tears away the ‘respectable’ veneer many people hide behind, exposing the dark ugliness beneath the surface…
While I had some mixed feelings about some of the content, the story itself was very effective, suspenseful, and a riveting page turner.
Sweet Tea Sunrise by Rachel Hanna is a 2020 publication.
This second installment in the "Sweet Tea B&B” series picks up exactly where the first instalSweet Tea Sunrise by Rachel Hanna is a 2020 publication.
This second installment in the "Sweet Tea B&B” series picks up exactly where the first installment left off. Mia discovers another ‘hit’ on the DNA site that brought her together with a sister she didn’t know she had. This time, though, it looks as though she might, at long last, have a chance to meet her father. She contacts him- but now she must wait on pins and needles to see if he’ll reach out…
Meanwhile, Kate and Cooper’s relationship deepens, and Evie is both excited and nervous about getting a fresh start in a new place, and a person from Mia’s past shows up out of the blue asking to stay at the B&B, as do an older couple who seem to be at odds with one another…
This is a cute series- it’s mostly clean, very light, though there are some heavier adult issues addressed. It’s a sweet story, mingled with humor and some irony along the way. I’m looking forward to the next installment to see how these relationships will progress from here.
Overall, a quick easy read- and a wonderful companion for a lovely fall day!
Night of the Phantom by Anne Stuart is a 1991 publication.
When a terrible crime comes back to haunt her father, Megan is asked to speak to the man whNight of the Phantom by Anne Stuart is a 1991 publication.
When a terrible crime comes back to haunt her father, Megan is asked to speak to the man who has threatened to ruin him- to go to his home in her father's stead. She agrees, despite the reputation of the reclusive Ethan Winslowe. Upon her arrival at Ethan's unusual estate, she soon realizes he plans to hold her captive- refusing to allow her to leave in return for his backing off his threat against her father.
Meg never gets a look at the elusive Ethan, only communicating with his loyal assistant. But as time passes Meg finds herself living in a dual complexity. By day she longs for escape from her gilded cage, but by night she is seduced by a phantom- falling under his spell...
This story is obviously inspired by “The Phantom of the Opera”- a book I’ve have yet to read- but get the gist of, nonetheless.
The story has a tortured hero, is creepy and atmospheric, with ghosts and scary townsfolk who view anyone who is different as evil. The story also has strong fantasy and sensual elements- with a tame erotic feel to it.
This would be a good Halloween pick for romance readers. Keep in mind that the book was originally published back in 1991 and this is a digitized version released in 2016. The romantic elements were popular fantasies during that time and this book actually helped to spawn an entire line of books by Harlequin called ‘Harlequin Shadows’- perhaps a precursor to the super popular paranormal romance/ Urban Fantasy trend to come.
Overall, this is a good solid paranormal/fantasy romance for its time. Anne Stuart is a seasoned author writing across several genres. I’m so happy to see that she took the initiative to digitize her out of print books. Many fans would like to read old favorites or ones they might have missed out on- and can introduce these books to new audiences as well, which is a good thing. But it is also very important to preserve the work- and I hope other authors who have rights to their books will follow Stuart’s lead.
3.5 stars
*Steamy- more than I prefer- but in line with other books of this time and genre.
*Note: I don’t know if I have a copy of this book- but I do have a collection of the ‘Shadows’ novels in paperback. They are stored in a box somewhere. I mainly keep them because they are out of print and somewhat of a novelty. I'm glad I decided to collect these! I’ll have to see if I can find more of them in digital format- which is easier for me to read. I’m not sure the quality will match Anne’s work- It would still be fun to check them out, though....more
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape by Peter Hedges is a 1991 Simon & Schuster publication.
Not the best way to start off the new year!
This is one of those bWhat’s Eating Gilbert Grape by Peter Hedges is a 1991 Simon & Schuster publication.
Not the best way to start off the new year!
This is one of those books that has now made it into the ‘classics’ category- but I’ve heard more about the movie adaptation than the novel. When I saw the book in the KU program, I decided to check it out on a whim and then, after I read it, I planned on watching the movie -which I found on one of my streaming services.
Well, I must tell you, I didn’t get what everyone else saw in this book. By the time I got to that ghastly conclusion, I knew I’d never watch the movie. I couldn’t get this one in the rearview mirror fast enough- and I’d rather just keep Gilbert Grape as a distant memory instead of tormenting myself with the visual saga of this dysfunctional family on steroids- great acting or no.
Overall, I can’t say the book was a disappointment or letdown because I only read it out of curiosity. That said, I struggled with it from the get-go and was tempted to throw in the towel on numerous occasions. I finished it- but was left scratching my head- wondering what on earth it was about this book that captivated so many people.
I could go into the cons of the story- but I don’t think I’ll spend that much of my time on a book I didn't like. You know it’s bad when I’m willing to take the abuse for my one star review.
A Little Christmas Faith by Kathyn Freeman is a 2017 Choc-lit publication.
Faith’s dream of owning and operating a hotel has come true. It’s ChristmasA Little Christmas Faith by Kathyn Freeman is a 2017 Choc-lit publication.
Faith’s dream of owning and operating a hotel has come true. It’s Christmas and the hotel is now open for business decorated to maximize the holiday spirit… and she’s gotten her first guests- never mind that they are her own parents.
Enter Adam- her first authentic guest- a big lumberjack of a man who wants nothing more than to ignore Christmas…
Unfortunately, he’s come to the wrong place to escape the holidays….
I don’t mind a bit of the sunshine/grumpy trope, just so long as either side is not too heavy handed- and in this case it was mostly balanced, with Adam coming on a bit too strong on occasion, but nothing too over the top.
I had a bit of a wrong impression going into this one, though. I was expecting something a little lighter and cleaner- like Hallmark Movie clean- but there was some heaviness here I wasn’t anticipating, with a smattering of language and sexual content. (My presumption- so my bad on that front)
I also struggled with the messaging concerning Faith’s teenage niece, Chloe. Having a boyfriend is not a measure of one’s self-worth, and a great teaching moment here was missed. I know this is not a story one should over analyze, but it was a niggle that wouldn't stop worrying me.
The subject matter that comes later in the book is quite emotional and because the details came so deep into the story the heaviness overshadowed the sudden reverse back to lighthearted holiday events and perhaps put a damper on the warm and fuzzies I was longing for.
Overall, I wanted to love this one. I think I’ve read this author before, some time back, and enjoyed her work, but this one didn’t work for me as well, unfortunately.
Decoy Training by Caridad Piñeiro is a 2022 Harlequin Intrigue publication.
When Shane is injured in Afghanistan effectively ending his military careeDecoy Training by Caridad Piñeiro is a 2022 Harlequin Intrigue publication.
When Shane is injured in Afghanistan effectively ending his military career, he decides to leave California with his canine buddy- Decoy, and head to Idaho, where he hopes to enter Decoy into the K-9 training program.
As he begins the training program, he acquaints himself with the other trainers, taking special notice of the attractive Piper Lambert. But Piper is still getting over the loss of her husband, who was killed in Iraq.
Piper is attracted to Shane but tries to keep him at arm’s length. Meanwhile, Piper begins to suspect someone has been hanging around her home when she’s not around. Is it just her imagination- or something more sinister?
This is a basic -traditional-romantic suspense novel- nothing especially unique- if I’m being honest- but it is still a solid novel, especially if you like stories that feature dogs and military heroes.
The suspense elements aren’t super intense, as we know the motive early on- we just don’t know specifically who Piper's stalker is. The chemistry between Shane and Piper is a bit thin, as it seems that while there is a physical attraction, Piper still seems emotionally attached to her deceased husband. That said, the pacing is even, as is the flow of the story, and it did hold my interest. I also appreciated the lack of strong language, graphic violence, and explcit sex- which made this a much more enjoyable experience.
I was very pleased to see a few Harlequin Intrigue offerings in the Kindle Unlimited program and was also happy to run across Caridad Piñeiro again- an author I read occasionally back in the day. I liked the mature characters, and a hero who is intelligent and has a broad vocabulary within this genre- and of course the dogs!! Overall, though it was bit predictable, it’s a quick, easy enjoyable story, and was it nice to read a nice romantic suspense novel again.
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs is a 2023 William Morrow publication.
Brenda is not a ‘Christmas’ person. Too many bad memories attached –The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs is a 2023 William Morrow publication.
Brenda is not a ‘Christmas’ person. Too many bad memories attached – not to mention the recent Christmas eve discovery of her husband’s infidelity-which makes her even more determined to escape the holiday this year- which is how she finds herself traveling thousands of miles from Houston to New York to deliver a slew of dogs to their forever homes. But a series of events leaves Brenda stranded, sorely testing her ability to avoid Christmas...
Well, who can pass up a tail wagging Christmas tale? That cover is just too precious to pass up. This is a lovely romantic story with plenty of holiday cheer. There’s a nice balance between the romantic elements and the heartwarming holiday magic- nothing too sweet or too heavy.
The story is not entirely ‘clean’- the intimacy is closed-door-and though the language is infrequent- and pretty mild- there should be a ‘no-cursing’ clause in all holiday- themed novels- it just doesn’t feel right to me.
But besides that one complaint- I enjoyed this story. It was fun, whimsical, and super romantic… and of course… there were dogs!! Enough said!
Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke is a 2021 Kensington publication.
This second installment in this long-running series has Hannah determineStrawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke is a 2021 Kensington publication.
This second installment in this long-running series has Hannah determined to involve herself in a murder investigation when her friend Danielle becomes the prime suspect in her abusive husband’s murder.
The mystery, as with the first installment, is quite good. It was a fun guessing game, and I was engaged in the story from beginning to end.
There were a few small quibbles- Hannah is a character I’m still adjusting to. I did like her initially- but not without a few reservations. In this follow-up novel, those conerns only deepened, as her lack of a filter isn’t really an endearing quirk- though I’m sure it’s meant to be. The recipes, which appear at the beginning of the chapters were a small distraction. I think I like it better when the recipes are grouped together at the end of the book- and are easier to refer to that way, as well.
Other than that, the story is well written, evenly paced, and well-plotted- but beware if you have a sweet tooth! Unfortunately, cookies are one of my weaknesses! ...more
Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller is a 2021 Thomas Nelson publication.
This is a pleasant enough contemporary fiction/ romance novel. It’s a great choiHooked on You by Kathleen Fuller is a 2021 Thomas Nelson publication.
This is a pleasant enough contemporary fiction/ romance novel. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a clean story without a lot of super heavy or dark drama. That said, it’s not a story that will stick in my memory for very long.
Though this book is labeled as Christian fiction, those elements are very weak. In fact, ‘clean’ or ‘sweet’ romance would be more accurate. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if some Christian fiction readers were critical of some the verbiage used in the book.
Overall, though, it was a nice way to pass an afternoon…
House of Ruin by Pamela Craine is a 2022 Tabella House publication.
This novella length story centers around the murder of an entire family back in thHouse of Ruin by Pamela Craine is a 2022 Tabella House publication.
This novella length story centers around the murder of an entire family back in the 1980s, and is a companion piece for "A Slow Ruin", which makes mention on this crime.
If you were curious about these murders and wished for more details- here's your chance.
But- If you haven’t read “A Slow Ruin” yet- though I do recommend it- this book can definitely be read as a stand-alone.
The Eyler family is murdered in their home in 1982 and the case has remained unsolved for forty years now. But, the estate manager, has agreed to be interviewed. He reveals the most likely suspects- the wife’s lover, the butler, the gardener, etc., each of whom had a strong motive for exacting revenge on the entire family- but which one of them did it?
An Agatha Christie style murder mystery- a quick, absorbing read, and a fun whodunit!!
What’s Left Unsaid by Emily Bleeker is a 2021 Lake Union publication.
This is an absorbing novel that proves that the truth will find you out- one wayWhat’s Left Unsaid by Emily Bleeker is a 2021 Lake Union publication.
This is an absorbing novel that proves that the truth will find you out- one way or another...
Hannah, after a series of setbacks, moves back in with her elderly grandmother who is recovering from a few health problems. Working for a newspaper she overqualified for, is demoralizing, but when Hannah is given the even more demeaning task of cleaning out archives stored in the basement, she discovers a series of articles written decades ago by a teenager named Evelyn. Evelyn is wheelchair bound after having been shot and her articles layout the background leading up to the shooting. The articles were never published- but why??
Soon Hannah is as obsessed with finding out what happened to Evelyn as she is with spying on her ex- fiancé on social media. Yet, for some reason, Hannah’s boss and a powerful local family of politicians seems determined to thwart her investigation…
This story is interesting and could be quite absorbing at times. I liked the mystery, and the tasteful romance, as well as the personal growth Hannah experienced. I love family dramas and old buried secrets, so I was quite satisfied with those elements- but I’m so weary of books stuffed with an over abundance of social issues. This book was a bit heavy-handed at times, with mental illness, drug addiction, racial commentary, and crimes against women all crammed together in one place.
That said, I did like the way the story came together. One could feel Evelyn’s presence as old, buried crimes and scandals were revealed. The outcome was pleasant considering the seriousness and solemnity of the situation. Hannah’s courage to take charge of her life is also inspirational and it was good see her finally put her past, and her obsessions, behind her and look forward to a future where she’ll have true love and make a difference in the lives of many people through her work.
Overall, a solid enough story. I had a few niggles and did think the book was a bit too long, but all in all an enjoyable enough read.
I wanted to like this one- but at 20% I'm throwing in the towel. I don't read many sports bios- and I'd never, I hate to admit, heard of Althea... ButI wanted to like this one- but at 20% I'm throwing in the towel. I don't read many sports bios- and I'd never, I hate to admit, heard of Althea... But her story intrigued me. Evidently, Althea wrote a memoir, and the author quotes heavily from it here- which makes me think I might do just as well to hear all this from Althea. The history, while interesting to a point, goes on too long, is very dry reading, and made it hard for me to stay focused. With a monumental TBR list to conquer, I need to put this one aside for now. No rating. ...more
The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin is a 2023 Bantam publication.
This book was categorized as a horror/mystery/ Gothic/ Suspense novel. NaturallyThe Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin is a 2023 Bantam publication.
This book was categorized as a horror/mystery/ Gothic/ Suspense novel. Naturally, the ‘Gothic’ part caught my eye. The reviews were a bit mixed, but I thought it might be a good “Halloween” read. (I’m running a bit behind on that holiday- LOL)
As it turns out, the book really isn’t ‘Gothic’ at all, in my opinion, which is something I encounter on a regular basis. There’s a big old mansion- but that’s the only thing that falls into the Gothic category. Because this happens to me every time, I think I might get a Gothic Suspense/Horror novel, I'm hopeful- but skeptical- so this doesn't disappoint me anymore.
Well so much for that...
The premise is a modern one- a social media influencer buys a rundown ‘murder house’ hoping to capitalize on its reputation. The plan is to renovate the house, then sell it for a tidy profit. Unfortunately for the buyers- a married couple with a dark past- things start to go awry immediately. There’s trouble with neighbors, problems in the marriage, but most of all, the house itself is rebelling against the new occupants…
This one was a slow burn for me. I was instantly put off by the language- not one sentence without a colorful metaphor- but before long I found myself becoming more involved in the story and put my reservations to the side- though I still think the story would have been just as effective- if not more so- without the gratuitous language.
But, enough of my sermonizing-
The story does eventually pick up speed and there were times when I was fully invested in it. It has some great twists, and it does have a heavy atmosphere that puts one’s nerves on edge. Unfortunately, it’s a kind of a sloppy- all over the place-that made it a bit too chaotic for my taste, which watered down its full impact.
All that said, this is a quick, nerve wracking read- and would indeed make a great ‘Halloween’ read- or a good book to spend a dark winter night with.
Overall, a bit unbalanced- in pacing and execution- but still effective. I’d probably label this book differently- I thought it was more of a thriller with strong psychological elements- but you can be the judge of that.
3 stars
*I always read the author notes at the end of a book- but if you are one that normally skips over those comments- I would urge you to make an exception in this case. It’s an important statement and I appreciate the author’s courage in sharing her personal struggles while writing this book....more
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