Review: Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, & Lauren Myracle

Title: Let It Snow
Authors: John Green, Maureen Johnson, & Lauren Myracle
Format: Paperback, 352 pages
Pub. Date: October 2nd 2008
Source: Goodwill


Book Description:

An ill-timed storm on Christmas Eve buries the residents of Gracetown under multiple feet of snow and causes quite a bit of chaos. One brave soul ventures out into the storm from her stranded train and sets off a chain of events that will change quite a few lives. Over the next three days one girl takes a risky shortcut with an adorable stranger, three friends set out to win a race to the Waffle House (and the hash brown spoils), and the fate of a teacup pig falls into the hands of a lovesick barista.

A trio of today's bestselling authors - John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle- brings all the magic of the holidays to life in three hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and kisses that will steal your breath away.

Review:

★★

This book has been on my to-read list for such a long time. When it snowed shortly after Halloween in my neck of the woods, I figured it was the perfect time to get in the jingle bell spirit. I wish I hadn't.

This book is divided into three different short stories, so I'll give three tiny reviews of each one.


Starting this anthology off is Maureen Johnson's story titled "The Jubilee Express". This was easily my favorite of the three. It involves a girl named Jubilee who has to head to Florida for the holidays when her parents are arrested, only to find that her train is snowed in too.

It's definitely not a realistic story, but it's Christmas so I can ignore that. The romance plot is super cute and warm and fuzzy inside. I adored that the main character stands up for herself when she realizes she is being treated badly. We could all use that type of confidence, even if it takes awhile.

I think her name is super cute, and the way it relates to both the plot of the story and the spirit of Christmas is well done.

Some things that were a little irritating was the whole "not like other girls" thing, and the fact that she's anti-cheerleader for no real reason and even has the gall to make fun of them for all being named things like Madison..... When her name is Jubilee, which she also hates for being unique? It's weird.
Maureen Johnson's story

The middle story is that of John Green, entitled "A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle". I think I was most disappointed by this story. It wasn't the worst one, but because I have read (and loved) other John Green books and had higher expectations.

The main character is awful. He keeps describing his female friend as "not a girl" and not like other girls, is one of the boys. When he finds out she's seeing another boy, he makes fun of them. Even when she asks him to stop because enough is enough, he doesn't stop. He has the type of vocabulary of "that's gay". He and his best friend are endangering all their lives for the chance to bang a cheerleader because they're so easy, coupled with slut jokes. He crashes his car and tells his parents he was carjacked because his parents have insurance, so it's all fine. He also realizes he has feelings out of seemingly nowhere. Just I see the light we are meant to be!

She's not innocent here though. She is anti-cheerleader (seriously, am I the only person on the planet whose school cheerleaders were just normal albeit pretty people?) yet she agrees to go with them (because she wants hashbrowns) and complains the whole time about going and that they're just after cheerleaders. Even though she knew that from the beginning. She clearly has feelings for the MC (lord knows why) but instead of using words, decides to be judgy and passive aggressive the whole time. She's also the type of girl who calls her friends "retarded misogynists."

Yikes. They deserve each other, but not for the way Green intended.


And last, there is Lauren Myracle's "The Patron Saint of Pigs". I didn't care for this one, but it least it (sort of?) had some personality growth.

The main character is awful. She's so self absorbed. Five people in 100 pages tell her this, and tell her she's terrible and selfish. She then supposedly has her "Christmas angel epiphany" of how she needs to change and stop being so selfish. And she sort of does? The whole story she is bossing around her boss like she's not a teenager at a Starbucks. She tells her boss (not asks) what she's doing and when she's leaving. Ha, no. And even after this "epiphany" when she comes back, she still treats her boss poorly, even though she has brought a pig (yes, literal pig!) into a CAFE. I get it, you're a teenager and all authority is bad but it's a pig in a coffee shop that is upsetting.

Speaking of Starbucks, it's mentioned so much that it sort of just started to sound like this story was sponsored. There's also a lot of pop culture references here that make the story seem really outdated. Like American Idol being all the rage, the fact that her iPod has the click wheel thing, and I would have been her age roughly in 2008 when this was first published and even I had to google what the hell an iPenguin is.

I couldn't help to be disappointed when her friends forgave her and she got the boy, to be honest.

But, at the end of this story there's a nice little wrap up that features all of the couples from the other stories too. It's a little rushed and muddled, but that's the issue with short story collections. You don't get to know anyone well enough in so few pages, and the pacing is quick.

I didn't care much for this book, and I was glad it was over. It does make me want to read more by Maureen Johnson, but that's about it.

Mini Review: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies by Michael P. Spradlin

Title: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies: A Book of Zombie Christmas Carols
Author: Michael P. Spradlin
Format: Paperback, 96 pages
Pub. Date: October 27th 2009
Source: Gift


Book Description:

The snow is falling, the holidays are approaching and…It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies! This delightfully depraved book of classic Zombie Christmas carols by Michael P. Spradlin is guaranteed to spread Yuletide cheer to all those good boys and ghouls who devoured the monster New York Times bestsellers Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and World War Z, as well as fans of 28 Days Later and Shaun of the Dead. With an introduction by the inimitable Christopher Moore—bestselling author of Bloodsucking Fiends, You Suck, and the classic “heartwarming tale of Christmas terror” The Stupidest Angel—It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies is a great gift for stuffing into a Christmas stocking…provided you remove the bloody severed foot first!

Review:

★★

This is an okay little read. As the title suggests, this is a caroling book in which classic Christmas carols that we all know and love are given a twist so that they're about zombies instead.

They're super gory, full of images of rotting flesh and extremities ripping off and words like "ooze" and "goo".

They're not particularly well done- there's a few individual lines of lyrics that are pretty funny or clever. But there's a lot of shoving extra syllables into places where they don't fit, so it's kind of hard to sing along with the lyrics even if you wanted to.

This seems to me like a book fair book, or maybe a bargain book that you see on those last-minute shelves as you are in line to check out at Barnes and Noble.

If you're a 12 year old boys who thinks that blood is cool and farts and boogers are hilarious, then godspeed. This book is for you. It's cute to read through once, but it's not something I'll remember next year, nor will I have an urge to flip through it again.

Mini Review: A Touch of Christmas Magic by Scarlet Wilson

Title: A Touch of Christmas Magic
Series: Midwives On-Call at Christmas #1
Author: Scarlet Wilson
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: November 1st 2015
Source: Harlequin


Book Description:

A family to heal him?

After a rocky beginning, midwife Bonnie Reid is surprised when the head obstetrician Jacob Layton offers her and her little daughter, Freya, a place to stay. Bonnie's looking for a fresh start, but she didn't expect it to be with brooding—and totally gorgeous—Jacob…

Family life has never been an option for Jacob—especially after his recent cancer diagnosis. Yet the Christmas magic Bonnie and Freya bring into his home makes Jacob feel more alive than ever! It's supposed to be temporary, but can Jacob really let Bonnie go?

Review:

★★★★

I'm a sucker for Harlequin publications in general, but my love for them intensifies during the holiday season, when they release all of their Christmas romances. A Touch of Christmas Magic was exactly what I wanted to read during the holidays.

I really liked the English setting. The book did well to sweep you up into the, well, magic.

This book is what you've come to expect from Harlequin at Christmas. It's a really sweet read. It's full of romance and love. There's an adorable little girl. You become attached to all of the characters, and you want them to resolve all their problems and just live happily ever after already. It's just the right amount of drama and the sweet, feel-good fluff of the Christmas season.

The book is pretty well written. The characters are a bit cliche at times, but they show some dimension which is good. The writing and plot are well-paced, so you don't get bored at any one section.

If you love medical romances, Christmas romances, or romances involving adorable families, then this book is just what the doctor ordered. (Ha). I'd definitely check out the next book in this series, based on my enjoyment of this book.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat by Jen Mann

Title: Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Yuletide Yahoos, Ho-Ho-Humblebraggers, and Other Seasonal Scourges
Author: Jen Mann
Format: eARC
Pub. Date: October 13th 2015
Source: Ballantine Books


Book Description:

For fans of Laurie Notaro and Jenny Lawson comes an uproarious and oddly endearing essay collection for anyone trying to survive the holidays in one piece.

When it comes to time-honored holiday traditions, Jen Mann pulls no punches

In this hilariously irreverent collection of essays, Jen Mann, nationally bestselling author of People I Want to Punch in the Throat, turns her mordant wit on the holidays. On Mann’s naughty list: mothers who go way overboard with their Elf on the Shelf, overzealous carolers who can’t take a hint, and people who write their Christmas cards in the third person (“Joyce is enjoying Bunko. Yeah, Joyce, we know you wrote this letter.”). And on her nice list . . . well, she’s working on that one. Here, no celebration is off-limits. The essays include:

• You Can Keep Your Cookies, I’m Just Here for the Booze
• Nice Halloween Costume. Was Skank Sold Out?
• Why You Won’t Be Invited to Our Chinese New Year Party

From hosting an ill-fated Chinese New Year party, to receiving horrible gifts from her husband on Mother’s Day, to reluctantly telling her son the truth about the Easter Bunny, Mann knows the challenge of navigating the holidays while keeping her sanity intact. And even if she can’t get out of attending another Christmas cookie exchange, at least she can try again next year.

Review:

★★

Meh.

I was super excited when I heard about this book. I read and loved the first book, People I Want to Punch in the Throat. I have a hard time around the holidays thanks to my family's own dysfunction, so I couldn't wait to read her snarky take on the holiday season. I was left with a bit of a blue Christmas though, as this collection of essays fell flat for me.

I think the issue is in part: there's just not enough. I don't mean that the book is too short. What I do mean is that there's not enough actual holiday content. It feels like the author had maybe a few funny stories but tried to stretch them out a bit in order to fill a full book's worth. The end result isn't flattering. It makes the essays seem a bit forced in their humor. The writing was a bit boring, and while I did get a few laughs out of it, it wasn't nearly as laugh-out-loud-worthy as its predecessor. I like that Mann isn't PC. She's blunt and to the point and snarky, and I have a very similar personality type. But it's not enough to just throw around swears and sass; that does not a good essay make. I was whelmed.

I also feel like this book wasn't edited in the best way. It was choppy and just, didn't flow right. I wasn't able to get lost in the book at all, because it was so fragmented. I understand that this is a collection of essays and not a novel, but even so there was something just off about it.

I'm not sorry I read this. Like I said, it made me smile and I got a few laughs out of it. I think it's a book that's more of a coffee table book you bring out for the holidays and then pack up for the rest of the year, or perhaps a good gift for that one aunt on Facebook who posts nothing but memes featuring minions and wine. I'd definitely recommend the book before this one more, though, so if you haven't read it, add it to your to-read list before considering this one.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

Review: The Cowboy's Valentine by Donna Alward & Happy Valentine's Day!

Title: The Cowboy's Valentine
Series: Crooked Valley Ranch #2
Author: Donna Alward
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: February 1st 2015
Source: Netgalley & Harlequin American Romance


Book Description via Goodreads:

HEART OF A COWBOY

Coming home is hard enough without ranch manager Quinn Solomon making Lacey Duggan feel like an unwanted guest. She's only here until she figures out what to do with her one-third ownership of Crooked Valley. But Quinn's irresistible daughter is giving Lacey ideas about being part of a family. And though they don't even like each other, Lacey's having crazier notions about the widowed single dad.

Does Lacey think she can waltz in and turn Quinn's life upside down…only to leave again? The pretty accountant knows nothing about running a ranch, yet she's making the Montana homestead feel like a home. Quinn isn't looking for love again. Until a woman who's all heart and a determined little girl help one lovestruck cowboy see the light.

Review:

★★★★

I have still not kicked this addiction to cowboys. I have tried, but I keep going back to the books on my kindle that have "cowboy" in the title. It seemed only fitting that I got to this one before Valentine's Day passed me by!

I really liked the plot of this book. As if I don't find broody cowboys endearing enough, making him a single dad is a sure fire way to get my emotional attention. Quinn was my favorite character- he's loyal, strong, determined, and always puts the need of his little girl first. Which leads me to his daughter, Amber, who is possibly the most adorable child that I've ever read about in my life. I really appreciated the way Alward wrote her, because it seemed genuine. It didn't seem like an adult trying to find a child's voice, which is something I notice more than one would think. And then there's Lacey. I liked her well enough, and I ached for her and her back story. An illness that prevents kids, a messy divorce, no job. It's rough. But towards the end I was really frustrated with her stubbornness to a point where I no longer found it endearing.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Quinn and Lacey progress from two people who pretty much hate each other to something more than that. There was a nice flow to the story, so it was well-timed and easy to lose yourself in the story for a few chapters at a time. There was drama and humor and sweet romance, and really what more does a girl need from her cowboy Harlequin, hm?

And if I haven't persuaded you yet: this book features a cowboy holding a puppy.

This was a sweet romance that helped to scratch my cowboy itch, and I think fans of contemporary westerns, romance, cowboys, and Harlequin books will enjoy this one. Thanks to Harlequin for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

And I hope all of you have a lovely Valentine's Day. Whether you're going somewhere fancy or chilling out at home with cats and cheese pizza, enjoy yourself!

Jillyn

Holiday Novella Mini Review: Santa's Toy by Nichelle Gregory!

Title: Santa's Toy
Author: Nichelle Gregory
Format: Kindle Edition, 69 pages
Pub. Date: November 18th 2013
Source: Gifted via Amazon

Description via Goodreads:

A sexy, ruthless lawyer becomes Santa's toy in order to get off the Naughty List!

Danielle attends her firm's lavish holiday dinner party held every year in a museum in hopes of learning she's made partner. She's stepped on more than a few toes, but she isn't concerned about the decisions made to ensure her rise to the top. When Danielle stops to admire the museum's replica of the North Pole, she is caught off guard when Santa beckons to her. Lead by two of his elves, Danielle soon discovers this jolly old man is the real deal and there's a price to be paid for continually being on his Naughty List. He gives her two options for redemption, but Danielle refuses to jeopardize her burgeoning career and agrees instead to become Santa's toy. She will do whatever he and his two elves want to get what she wants, but all is not what it seems inside Santa's Workshop...

★★★★

I stumbled across this title while wandering around on Goodreads, and was happy to find it waiting for me in my email inbox from Santa. Santa's Toy is a quick and sexy holiday read that reexamines what it means to be on the big guy's naughty list at Christmastime.

If you're anything like me, you may be thinking, "Sexy Santa Claus? That's kinda weird Jill. I mean he's kinda fat and old to think about at night instead of sugar plums." But this ain't your mother's Santa Claus. He's a dreamy-looking, Dominant man willing to make a deal with the help of his two equally hot elf companions. I know it sounds weird.... But it works. From the use of minty massage oil to peppermint sticks to a secret hideaway in Santa's little visit workshop, this is an oddly steamy Christmas erotica novella that is the perfect stocking stuffer for your ereader this time of year.

This is an erotica novella, so obviously there's sexual content. I'd recommend it to those on the naughty list, or who prefer spice over sugar in their holiday reads. Thanks to "Santa", who gifted me a copy via Kindle.

Mini Holiday Review: I'm Dreaming of an Undead Christmas by Molly Harper!

Title: I'm Dreaming of an Undead Christmas
Series: Half Moon Hollow #2.7
Author: Molly Harper
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: November 17th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Pocket Star

Description via Goodreads:

Experience the vampire world for the holidays through the eyes of Gigi Scanlon in this e-novella prequel to The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire from beloved paranormal romance author Molly Harper!

College co-ed Gigi is headed home to Half-Moon Hollow for her first Christmas since her sister, Iris, was turned into a vampire by her beloved undead husband, Cal. Iris is working overtime to make this holiday as normal and special as possible. After all, it’s taken her months of working with Jane Jameson and the Hollow’s vampires to convince herself that she won’t bite her baby sister on sight.

Gigi has her own worries. She’s falling out of love with her high school sweetheart, Ben, and has no idea how to tell him. She’s got a secret job interview with terrifying teen Council official, Ophelia Lambert. And there’s a handsome but cagey vampire following her around town and then disappearing before Gigi can confirm that he’s not, in fact, a figment of her fertile imagination. Holidays with family are complicated. Christmas with an undead family can be downright dangerous.

★★★ ★

I'll be the first one to admit that this is my first reading experience from Molly Harper. I know that this is book 2.7 in a series, but when a book stumbles into your inbox about vampires and Christmas, you read it no matter what number in the series it is. I have to say that I really love Harper's writing style, and I'll definitely be reading the rest of the Half-Moon Hallow books.

It was a little bit harder for me to get a grasp on all of the characters (there's quite a cast of them) because I haven't read any of the other books, but I was still able to keep them fairly straight. I love the relationships they all had with each other, and even though this was only a novella it came across quite clearly the strength of their friendships. It gave the holiday theme that extra oomph of warm fuzzies.

Not to mention the fact that this book is hilarious. I wasn't expecting to get any laughs from this novella but I'll be damned if I didn't. Molly Harper and I apparently share a very similar sense of humor, because I was snickering every few pages.

Between the jokes, sisterly insults, the bonds of the families/relationships, and Iris trying so, so hard to just have a normal Christmas despite her newly acquired vampirism, this story is a great little feel-good read that all fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance should check out, especially if you're familiar with this book series already.

All the hints and peeks that Harper gives in this book to the various couples' futures and pasts, as well as into the main character of this novella, Gigi's, life- from a new job to a mysterious pretty man friend- have ensured that I will read this series to find out more about what the holly is going on. Ha. Christmas profanity. Anyway, well played, Harper, you win this round. I'll read your books, you've made a fan of me.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Pocket Star who provided me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Holiday Review, Interview, & Giveaway: Mistletoe in the City by Amber Daulton!

Title: Mistletoe in the City
Publisher: Books to Go Now
Release Date: November 7th, 2014
ASIN: B00PE54JEE
Genre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance
Length: 20k
Sexual Rating: Spicy

About the Book

Krista Hartley never expected the unrequited love of her life, the irresistible Derek Weston, to work as the groundskeeper at the apartment building she just moved into. They barely spoke in high school but now, three years after graduation, they tore at each other’s clothes and jumped into bed together at every opportunity. After all, how could a hot-blooded woman say no to a sexy man with an eyebrow ring, a dragon tattoo and a deadly swagger?

A Christmas miracle drew Krista back into Derek’s life. He kissed her for the first time under mistletoe, pampered her with romantic candlelight dinners and memorized every inch of her delectable body with his tongue. He refused to let his dream girl slip through his fingers again but then another woman threatened their whirlwind romance. Hurt once before, Krista broke off their relationship and then Derek made a drunken mistake that could destroy their love forever. With just days to Christmas, he vowed to win back her heart and trust, and prove his innocence once and for all.

Excerpt:

She scooted closer to him and rubbed her hand down his tense back. “Now I understand why you act so cocky. You’re afraid you’ll mess up and embarrass yourself.” Krista tugged on his shoulder until he lifted his head to look at her. Derek’s face flushed and she wanted to kiss away his shame. “Don’t hide behind this confident guard. I like you for you. You’re a sweet person, clumsy or not, and you have nothing to be ashamed of.” She stroked her hand through his tousled hair. “I want a simple, sexy, understanding man who cooks delicious, romantic meals and who goes out of his way to help me move. Is that too much to ask for?”

Derek kissed her and her heart skipped a beat. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he held her close to his side. Need throbbed in her loins and she wanted him inside her again. He pulled back first and she dragged a mouthful of air deep into her lungs to replace what he’d stolen with that delirious kiss.

He moistened his lips with his tongue. “It’s not too much, Krista.” Derek cupped her cheek in his palm. “Not at all.” And then he kissed her again.

Buy it here:
Amazon

Interview:

Thanks so much for joining me today, Amber! Let's get started. Krista, the main character in Mistletoe in the City, makes her holiday living in part by baking tempting treats and selling homemade jewelry. Does she share these crafty traits with you?

I’m definitely crafty but not with food. My husband, Greg, loves to cook and the fudge recipe in the back for the book is his recipe, not mine. Homemade jewelry is my cup of tea. I love beading necklaces, earrings and bracelets and I wear a lot of my own designs.

What's your favorite sweet treat to make for the Christmas season?

Greg’s fudge is to die for! He changes the recipe up every now and then but it’s always delicious.

The man who has always caught her eye, Derek, is deliciously pierced and tattooed. Who did you have in mind as a model/inspiration when you wrote this character? Did you have anyone in mind for Krista as well?

I really didn’t have anyone in mind for either of my characters but I do share a few similarities with Derek. Like that naughty bad boy, I’m tattooed and pierced with a bit of an attitude but I’m also overly responsible and I grew up faster than a lot of twenty-something year old friends due to family problems.

I know that feeling, and I truly sympathize with that. Family issues are a bitch. So let me ask you, are you more like Krista in that you go all out for Christmas decorations for the season, or more of a Derek who doesn't really care much about it?

Again, I’m more like Derek. I love Christmas and spending time with my family but decorating is too much trouble. I have five crazy cats and, in the past, they’ve played with the ornaments, climbed the tree and ripped garland off the tree to drag around the house. So, to keep a clean and organized home, I just don’t decorate anymore.

Oh god, that sounds like my girlfriend's house. They have three cats and no tree for similar reasons. Now, did you always know that you wanted to be a writer? What led you to this path?

I snuck my first romance novel out of my mom’s bedroom when I was 12 and I loved it. I’ve wanted to do nothing but write since then. I have a wild imagination and writing is the perfect outlet.

It's -12 and snowing out. You have a comfy cozy blanket, a big ole mug of hot cocoa, and a book- what book is it?

Not sure. Probably something so hot and toasty that I’ll need to cool off in a snow bank by the end of the book.

A girl after my own heart. Do you have any other writing projects in the works that you'd like to tell us about?

I’ve spent the last year and half writing a super hot romantic-suspense trilogy about drugs, the mob and the feds, parolees and computer hackers. I’m almost done with book 3 but all the books need more proofreading and editing before I submit them to a publisher.

I'll be sure to keep an eye out for those. Is there a specific place or room where you feel the most inspired to do your writings?

I have to change my writing environment every few months. I wish I could stay in my office year around but I get so bored staring at the same wall all the time. I usually alternate between my office, the bedroom and the living room.

Favorites

Candy: Snickers
Movie: Indiana Jones Trilogy
Place: Greece (my dream vacation)
Dressy/Casual: Dressy
Beach/Mountain: Beach
Website: Rejected Princesses

Thank you, Amber, for taking the time to answer a few of my questions and for letting me read Mistletoe in the City!

Thank You so much, Jill, for hosting me on your awesome blog and thank you to all the wonderful readers who came by today. You guys ROCK!

About the Author:

Writing is the fruit to happiness.
Amber Daulton lives her life by that one belief even though she normally isn't so Zen.

Author of four novellas—Forever Winter, A Hero's Heart, Lightning over Bennett Ranch and Mistletoe in the City—she published her first book in 2012 and hopes to publish countless more in the future.

She lives in the beautiful foothills of North Carolina with her punk-rocker husband and their five crazy kitties. Writing takes up most of her time, aside from her day job in the retail industry. As a fan of contemporary, paranormal and historical novels alike, she can't get enough of feisty heroines and alpha heroes. Her mind is a wonderland of romance and adventure, laughter and awesome ways of kicking a guy when he's down. She probably wouldn't be too sane without her computer and notebooks. After all, what's a girl to do when there are people jabbering away in her head and it's hard to shut them up? Write! Nothing else works.

Facebook | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon | LinkedIn | Google+ | Books to Go Now

Review:

★★★★

This short novella is a great little dash of hot holiday romance. It manages to squeeze in a whole buncha (professional term) emotions into its small bundle, and works perfectly in the short story format.

I really liked both of the main characters, Krista and Derek, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that Derek was largely the reason why I enjoyed this story. He is just how I like my men: tattooed, pierced, and a bit rough around the edges. I don't blame Krista for crushing on him in school, nor for wanting to move into an apartment building in his vicinity? Yum. Definite yum.

It's well written, with a good flow and a well-progressing story that has just the right amount of a Christmassy feel to it to make it great to read this holiday season.

Another thing I really liked this book is the little bonus treats after the story was over. This story is book three in the Handmade for Christmas series, which is well represented by the fact that Krista sells handmade jewelry and sweet treats at a craft show for the season. I was pleasantly surprised to find both a recipe for Easy Chocolate Fudge and instructions on how to make Snowflake Earrings. It was a nice touch to the "handmade" feel of the book.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys contemporary romances featuring deliciously inked and pierced men, or who wants just a little nibble of steamy holiday cheer. Thanks to the author who provided me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway:

Amber has been awesome enough to offer up two ebook copies to readers of this post! Anyone can enter, as long as you're over 18 and can accept ebooks. Here's more rule mumbo jumbo:

-This giveaway will run from December 8th to December 15th, 2014
-This giveaway is INTL AS LONG AS YOU CAN ACCEPT EBOOKS!
-This giveaway is open to those 18+
-It is open to anyone over that age who can legally enter, receive, and use their prize.
-Two (2) winners will win a copy.
-This giveaway is sponsored wholly by the author. I am not responsible.
-This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity.
-Winner will have 48 hours to reply, or a new winner will be chosen. Winner will be chosen using random.org.
-Invalid entries will be removed, so please don't cheat.
-Void where prohibited. Odds will vary. No purchase necessary.
-My opinions are my own. Information will not be stored or sold, and will be used only to contact the winners.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mini Holiday Review: Christmas at Historic Houses by Patricia Hart McMillan, Katharine Kaye McMillan

Title: Christmas at Historic Houses
Authors: Patricia Hart McMillan, Katharine Kaye McMillan
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: September 19th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Schiffer Publishing

Description via Goodreads:

History is brought to life in many historic houses, especially at Christmas time, when special decorations help to welcome the social season and visiting guests. In this revised second edition, learn history and local customs through engaging text and over 420 colour photographs. Costumed guides interpret Christmas traditions in some of the thirty specially decorated houses that are featured from across America. Both magnificent estates and simple residences offer a variety of styles, tastes, and ideas to inspire your own celebrations. See preserved buildings with illuminated gardens, inviting dining halls, and stunning interiors. Enjoy the many efforts on display here that help to make the Christmas season a magical time of sharing, caring, and gratitude.

★★★★

Christmas at Historic Houses is the kind of book that I imagine will adorn many coffee tables and bookshelves during the holiday house party season. Part history book, part photography book, and completely Christmassy, this book is stunning to flip through and really interesting to read.

As the title suggests, this is a book that features Christmas at historical houses. There's photographs included of these brilliant houses decorated so beautifully for Christmas. It put me properly in the holiday spirit- I wanted to somehow manage to decorate my tiny little dorm room with the panache and awe that these houses have.

I was pleasantly surprised when I found this book to be full of so much more than pictures. For each house, there are details about the history of the property as well as the architecture/design of the houses. There's also stories of the Christmas traditions that have taken place there or of the people who have made that house what it is. It gives off a warm and cozy, reading by the fireplace sort of story-telling that is easy to sink into and interesting to learn about, without it being too much like a text book.

Overall, this is a good book for those who need a little jumpstart into the holiday spirit, want to look at stunning houses, or want to learn a little more about Christmas traditions. Thanks to Schiffer Publishing for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Holiday Review: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

Title: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories
Authors: Stephanie Perkins, Holly Black, Ally Carter, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Matt de la Pena, Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor, Kiersten White
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: October 14th 2014
Source: Netgalley & St. Martin’s Press

Description via Goodreads:

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins.

★★★★

Technically speaking, I did the averaging of the stories' ratings and got a 3.7. So let's just call it a four, shall we?

I picked this book up for a few reasons. I am a sucker for anthologies and Christmas, for one, so the pairing of the two seemed like a no brainer. I also recognized almost all of the author names, although I hadn't read many of them before. I see authors like Stephanie Perkins, Rainbow Rowell, and Laini Taylor (to name a few) plastered all over the interwebs, and I thought this anthology would be a nice way to get a first taste of some of these bestsellers. Overall, I'll say I was pleased.

One thing I really liked about this collection of Christmassy stories is that there is a lot of diversity. Because you have twelve different voices offering their own twist on a holiday tale, there are so many character groups being addressed. There are black characters and Asian characters and gay characters and Hispanic characters and boys and girls and hell, even paranormal characters. I really, really give props to the editing on this one- there's a great amount of voices being penned here.

I'm not going to go down and review each and every story, namely because I hate making authors stick out in anthologies as the one I liked the least. However, I will highlight my top three favorite stories from My True Love Gave to Me, in no particular order.

The first story that stood out to me was What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman. In this story, a Jewish "big city" girl, Sophie Roth, comes to a university in the middle of nowhere on a scholarship. She thought she'd fit in but she doesn't, not the way she'd expect. She finds that she keeps saying or doing the wrong things here. That is, until she starts talking with one of the few black boys on campus, and she realizes that maybe she just needs one special person to get along with. This was such a cute story that blended together Hanukkah and Christmas, races, and big city vs. small town. It makes you feel good and honestly I wish I could have read more of it. It definitely put a smile on my face.

The second story that got my attention was Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White. The lead character hates her job and the holidays. Everything around her is Christmas themed, her family is getting more and more strange to her as the days pass, and she just wants to get out of Christmas as fast as she possibly can. The cafe where she works gets a new cook, Ben, who has a gift for making the perfect foods- not just the ones that taste the best, but that will make people feel better. Maria starts to see that maybe Christmas isn't quite as bad as she thought. This is another one I wish I could have read more of. This book has a really cool blend of realism and holiday magic. Ben almost seems like he should be a holiday elf or something, and that makes it all the more adorable to me.

The final of the three that I'll be highlighting is the last story in this anthology, The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. Holy ever-green holly. I have never read Laini Taylor's work before now, but I will definitely be reading her books in the near future. A short story was not nearly enough for the amazingness (is that a word? It is now.) of this plot. It was written with this dreamy, magical tone to it and I love the traditions and world-building that managed to be squeezed into such a small space. It was stellar, and I loved it. This story made the whole anthology end on a positive note.

As with all anthologies, there were stories that I really loved (like the three aforementioned) and ones that I didn't care for at all. Such is the way collections tend to work. Overall, I liked more stories than I disliked, and to me this is a book worth buying for that little dash of Christmas spirit.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Holiday Review: Glitterville's Handmade Christmas: A Glittered Guide for Whimsical Crafting!

Title: Glitterville's Handmade Christmas: A Glittered Guide for Whimsical Crafting!
Author: Stephen Brown
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: September 9th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Andrews McMeel Publishing

Description via Goodreads:

Have yourself a Glittery Little Christmas -- with twenty new whimsical, winter-wonderful projects from the Craft Elves at Glitterville!

Following the success of Glitterville's Handmade Halloween, Glitterville is back for the sparkliest holiday of all! Glitterville's Handmade Christmas is as bursting as a mantle-hung stocking with twenty new whimsical, winter-wonderful craft projects that will fill your home with sleighfuls of cheer. Hundreds of beautiful, easy-to-follow, step-by-step full-color photos and how-tos make the crafting fun and the results foolproof. From a Jolly Dolly Holly Wreath or a charming Glittery Village you can nestle into its own Sparkle Forest, to the frostiest Magic Snow and the jolliest pine-cone-bodied Glitter Gnome, "yule" find everything you need to make your home glisten and shine this holiday season!

★★★★

When I saw this book, I thought it would be a fun way for my girlfriend and I to do something Christmassy and fun together. This book is filled with adorable projects that I would love to have in my home. Sadly though, I think I'll leave it to her to make the designs from this book. I don't think I have the chops.

This book contains twenty crafts for the winter season that I absolutely love. There is so much glitter, y'all, and I love it. The instructions are step by step, and fully illustrated so that you can follow along with the pictures to ensure that your crafts are coming along nicely. There are also a lot of techniques used in this book. The author provides steps for these too, but as an un-crafty person, some of them, like using a sewing machine, just aren't in the cards. These designs are too cute but there are things like sculpting faces or painting them that, again as a non-crafty person, I don't think mine would come out quite the same as the author intended.

That all being said, my girlfriend is the artistic one between us and she didn't have a problem with any of the skills or techniques that the book called for.

The designs that I thought were the cutest (though it is super hard to pick) are the Glitzen the Reindeer Candy Box, Nutty as a Fruitcake Party Hat & Frosty Folly on a Swing.

This book gets four stars from me because the designs are glittery and adorable and fantastic, the steps are clear and fully illustrated, and the techniques are well explained, but it also comes with a warning: If you are non-artistic or new to crafting, proceed with caution. This seems more like an intermediate level book.

Thanks to Netgalley & Andrews McMeel Publishing for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Holiday Mini Review: The Viscount's Christmas Temptation by Erica Ridley

Title: The Viscount's Christmas Temptation
Series:: The Dukes of War 0.5
Author: Erica Ridley
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: November 1st 2014
Source: Netgalley Invitation & Intrepid Reads

Description via Goodreads:

Certain individuals might consider Lady Amelia Pembroke a managing sort of female, but truly, most people would be lost without her help. Why, the latest on-dit is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is canceling the fête of the year because he hasn't time for silly soirees. He doesn't need time—he needs her!

When a flash of lightning destroys the venue for his family's annual Christmas ball, Lord Benedict Sheffield intends to enjoy a relaxing holiday for once. But after twelve days of beguiling Lady Amelia's guerrilla tactics, he's up to his cravat with tinsel . . . and tumbling head over heels in love.

★★★ ★

Three and a half stars.

Before I even talk about the actual novella, can we just take a moment to admire the artwork? I love it. It manages to look Christmassy while also drumming up fairy tale imagery. It definitely puts me in mind of Snow White. I really like the coloring and I find this cover very appealing from a book buyer standpoint.

Now, the story. I really liked the main character, Lady Amelia Pembroke. She's a bit sassy and likes to be in control. She has back up plans for her back up plans and knows what people want before they even do themselves. She's always prepared for any kind of event, and can hold her own. I don't often read romances, let alone historical romances, that have such meticulously organized characters. It was a nice change of pace. I liked watching her romance blossom and seeing what would happen about her precious plans and the holiday party.

That being said, this is a novella, so every thing happens super quickly. It's nice in the sense that you can sit down and read it in one go, but not so nice in the way that it makes the romance seem very whirlwind and rushed. I do know that it's because the novella has only 100 pages to tell its story, but I did notice.

I think that overall this is a light, romantic read that nicely set the tone for the start of my holiday-themed reading season. Though it was a bit rushed and not just enough, I feel that it effectively serves its purpose. This short story is a prequel of sorts to the first full length, upcoming book in the Dukes of War series, The Earl's Defiant Wallflower. It introduces the time and the characters and the style of writing, acting like a nice little literary amuse-bouche. It worked, because I would definitely check out the next book to see what happens. Fans of regency romance/historical romance, especially with a holiday twist, this novella might be for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and Intrepid Reads for my copy in exchange for my honest review.