Sugar Pine Trail by ReaAnne Thayne

Librarian Julia Winston is ready to ditch the quiet existence she's been living. She's made a list of new things to experience, but falling for Jamie Caine, her sexy military pilot neighbor, isn't one of them. Julia's looking to conquer life, not become the heartbreaker's latest conquest. But when two young brothers wind up in Julia's care for the holidays, she'll take any help she can get—even Jamie's.

 

Happy to step in, Jamie reveals a side of himself that's much harder to resist. Not only is he fantastic with kids, he provides the strength Julia needs to tackle her list. She knows their temporary family can't last beyond the holidays, but the closer she gets to Jamie, the more she wonders if things could be this merry and bright forever…

 

Series: Haven Point #7 | Publisher: HQN| Genre: Contemporary Romance | Source: Publisher | Rating: 4 Cups

This one was one the sweetest Christmas books I’ve read in a long time.

 

When Julia takes two young boys into her care, she knows she’s going to need help and she’s ready and willing to take it from Jamie, the sexy pilot who moved into her upstairs apartment. While Jamie’s eager to lend a hand with the boys and secretly help Julia check the items of her list, he’s not ready to fall for Julia. He wanted a distraction, something to help him to enjoy the holidays, he’s not ready to give his heart away and Julia knows this is just a temporary arrangement…or is it?

 

There was so much going on in both Julia’s and Jamie’s heads it was nice seeing them finally enjoying their selves. So, they both need a bit of healing from things in their pasts and they both need to figure out how to open up and let loose and having the boys their helped them both do that.

 

The romance was definitely slow burn but it was worth it. I really enjoyed watching them figure out what they wanted and go for it. The complimented each other and brought out the best in each other.

 

The two little boys Julie takes in were so sweet and precious my heart truly went out to them. I was slightly disappointed that there wasn’t an update at the end letting me know how they were doing.

 

Overall, this one had all the charm, heart, and spirit of a Christmas romance.

 

 

Haven Point Series

Snow Angel Cove

Redemption Bay

Evergreen Springs

Riverbend Road

Snowfall on Haven Point

Serenity Harbor

Sugar Pine Trail

 

A Very Gothic Christmas: Two Novellas

After the Music by Christine Feehan

 

Jessica Fitzpatrick is terrified by mysterious threats. Determined to keep her twin wards safe, she flees to the remote island mansion of their reclusive, widowed father. With Christmas approaching, the spark between him and Jessica might light the future, but there are those whose evil machinations may plunge the family into darkness—unless a Christmas miracle occurs.

 

Lady of the Locket by Melanie George

 

The echoes of history and romance lure Rachel Hudson to Glengarren, the Scottish castle where her parents met many Christmases ago. But it is the portrait of fierce Highlander Duncan MacGregor that sparks a deep desire inside her. On a storm-tossed night, as lightning cracks across the castle’s turrets, Rachel finds herself face-to-face with MacGregor himself, astride a mighty stallion. Now, stepping into Rachel’s time—and her heart—the warrior from the past is pursued by an ancient, evil enemy.

Publisher: Pocket Books |Genre: Gothic Romance | Source: Publisher

After the Music by Christine Feehan Rating: 4 Cups

 

I’m always up for a gothic romance, so when A Very Gothic Christmas showed up for review, I dropped what I was reading and delved in.

 

After the Music had all the gothic romance elements: Fire, ghosts, mysterious happenings, remote island mansion, broody hero, touches of the occult, and a heroine determined to save the hero.

 

This one was the first gothics I’ve read that involved a musician so on top of the gothic atmosphere there’s also that soul of the artist vibe going on adding another layer to the story.

 

The romance between Jessica and Dillion was amazing. There was attraction, chemistry, and this amazing connection yet they both took their time acting on. They’ve both been through some things that’s making them cautious but they know they’re meant to be together.

 

I did figure out the mystery element rather early on and I was okay with that. It was still interesting watching events unfold and watching the characters figure it out.

 

While I absolutely loved this one (seriously, it’s going on my must read Christmas book list), the ghostly encounter at the end was a bit out there. I understand what the author was going for but it could have been handled a bit differently.

 

 

Lady of the Locket by Melanie George Rating: 1.5 Cups

 

 

The echoes of history and romance lure Rachel Hudson to Glengarren, the Scottish castle where her parents met many Christmases ago. But it is the portrait of fierce Highlander Duncan MacGregor that sparks a deep desire inside her. On a storm-tossed night, as lightning cracks across the castle’s turrets, Rachel finds herself face-to-face with MacGregor himself, astride a mighty stallion. Now, stepping into Rachel’s time—and her heart—the warrior from the past is pursued by an ancient, evil enemy.

 

So, this one had a strong and steady start but then things just got weird to the point that I spent weeks trying to get through this bloody novella.

 

I liked the start of this one. It had a bit of an Outlander feel—the hunky Highlander was a Jacobite fighting for Prince Charles Stuart and there’s were magical standing stones—and I needed something to fill the void now that I’m going through Droughlander, but it wasn’t this novella.

 

Both Rachel and Duncan were likable but I felt she sort of weakened toward the middle and never really found her footing. Duncan—aye, he was definitely a hunky Highlander—but for someone from the 1740’s he knew an awful lot about the present, including setting up a Christmas tree, decorating it, and the library. Oh, and he also knew what blue jeans and zippers were. There was also that pesky problem about him calling Prince Charles the ‘young pretender’, no Jacobite would ever refer to him as that.

 

While they had some hot moments and chemistry, the chemistry seemed to dwindle as the book progressed and then it just felt odd.

 

And the end, well…let’s just say it would have been so much better if there had been more to the story. It felt like it ended on a plot twist and rather than a ‘to be continued’, it was just ‘the end’.

 

Overall, read this one for After the Music. Seriously, if you like quick Gothic romances, you’ll enjoy this one. And reminded me that I need to get back to reading more from Christine Feehan.

 

 

Are you a fan of Gothic romance?

 

 

   

2018 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge Goal Post

Okay, so I wasn’t going to join anymore reading challenges then…I found this historical fiction challenge. It’s exactly what I need to get back into reading historical fiction. And the best part is, any sub-genre of historical fiction counts. I’m aiming for 10 books but hoping I can manage a few more.

 

Challenge: 2018 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Host: Passages to the Past
Goal: Renaissance Reader - 10 books

Progress:

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2018 Literary Pickers Challenge Goal Post

I finally decided to give this challenge a go. I can’t wait to dig in and see what I can discover. I’m going to aim for 25 but if I can do 50, that will be grand!

 

Challenge: 2018 Literary Pickers Challenge

Host: Delighted Reader

Goal: Level Two – Garage Sale Guru- 25 items/ 25 places

 

Items Found

1-Patio Furniture

2-Candle

3-Bathroom Mirror

4-Motorcycle

5-Shuttle/Small Space Ship

6-Classic Car

7-RV/Caravan/Camper

8-Campfire Cooking

9-Speacialty Tea/Coffee

10-Toolbox

11-Oven

12-Costume

13-High Heels

14-Engagement Ring

15-Boots

16-Skirt

17-Dust/Cobwebs

18-Quilt
19-Pots and Pans

20-Keys

21-Toy Chest/bin

22-Barn

23-Riding Horse

24-Ale

25-Saute it
26-Waffles
27-Fresh Catch
28-Tortilla/Flatbread
29-Hammer
30-Laptop
31-Belt
32-Mixing Bowl
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34-
35-
36-
37-
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2018 Literary Pickers Challenge- Scavenger List

 

Around the House

1 Patio Furniture--Wanderlust by Lauren Blakley

2 Walk-In Closet

3 Dust or Cobwebs--Playing House by Amy Andrews

4 Gaming System

5 Grandmother’s China/any dishes past down

6 Porch light

7 Quilt--Christmas on Mistletoe Lane by Annie Rains

8 Area Rug

9 Candle-- His Best Mistake by Lucy King

10 Pots and Pans--Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale

11 Fruit Trees/Orchard

12 Keys--Joy Ride by Lauren Blakely

13 Rocking Chair

14 Bathroom Mirror--Dirty by Kylie Scott

15 Attic

16 Toy Chest/bin--The Roommate DisAgreement

17 Mixing bowl--Cowboy Honor

18 Barn--Do or Die Cowboy

19 Curtain/Drapes

20 Napkin/serviette

 

Around the World

1 Japan

2 Italy

3 Africa

4 Caribbean

5 New Zealand

 

It Goes Zoom Zoom

1 Motorcycle--Lone Wolf by Jennifer Ashley

2 Navy Ship

3 Raft

4 Roller blades/skateboard

5 Carriage

6 Riding Horse--Royal Runaway

7 Shuttle/small space ship--Time Was by Nora Roberts

8 Classic Car--Must Love Babies by Lynette Austin

9 Surfboard

10 RV/Caravan/Camper--Death & The Viking's Daughter by Lorettta Ross

 

Elements to Factor

1 Friends to lovers/Bestfriend

2 Love at First Sight

3 Commitophobe

4 Arranged Marriage/Marriage of Convenience

5 Miscommunication

6 Threesome/Love Triangle

7 Gender bender/Role Reversal

8 Office Romance

9 Enemies to Lovers

10 Small Town

11 Rocker Romance

12 A Murder

13 Secret baby/accidental baby

14 Another dimension/fantasy world

15 Kink/BDSM

16 Post-apocalyptic/Dystopian/Futuristic

17 Historical

18 Humor/Comedy

19 First time author/narrator

20 On your TBR stack for more than a Year

 

All Terrain

1 Lake

2 Volcano/Hot Spring

3 Blizzard or Polar Region

4 City streets

5 Castle/Fortress

 

Bon Appetit

1 Pudding/Mousse

2 Vegetarian/Vegan fare

3 Ale--Arm Candy by Jessica Lemmon

4 Campfire Cooking:Reed by R.C. Ryan

5 Saute it (veggie or meat)--The Sexy One by Lauren Blakely

6 Fresh Catch (fish/seafood)--Save a Truck Ride a Redneck

7 Waffles--The House Mate by Kendall Ryan

8 Tortilla/flat bread--Memoirs of a Dragon Hunter by Katie MacAlister

9 Tropical Fruit

10 Specialty Tea or Coffee--How to Date Your Dragon by Molly Harper

 

Tools of the Trade

1 Fire hose

2 Hammer--Love and Other Wild Things by Molly Haper

3 Gas can/pump

4 Rifle

5 Scuba gear

6 Handcuffs

7 Toolbox--Twist by Kylie Scott

8 Shovel

9 Oven--In Bed With a Beast by Tara Sivec

10 Laptop Computer--Starstruck

 

Clothes                                                                                                            

1 Space suit

2 Uniform  

3 Costume/Disguise: Almost Jamie by Gina Robinson

4 High Heels: Wardrobe Malfunction by Samantha Towle

5 Engagement Ring: Sandpiper Shore by Debbie Mason

6 Belt--Eye Candy by Jessica Lemmon

7 Boots: Saving the Sheriff by Kadie Scott

8 Skirt: Truly, Madly, Whiskey by

9 Overalls

10 Trousers

 

Cover Clues

1 A number in the title

2 Mostly Yellow

3 No people

4 A season in the title

5 No face/hidden features

6 Holiday theme

7 A hat

8 Just a guy

9 Just a gal

10 A paranormal or sci-fi element

2018 Bad Boys of Romance Reading Challenge (Delighted Reader) Goal Post

So, I really need to keep better track of this one this year.

 

Challenge: Bad Boys of Romance Reading Challenge

Host: Delighted Reader
Goal: Level Two 10-15 books – Engaged to the Bad Boy
 

Progress:

 

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2018 Blogger Shame Challenge Goal Post

Yeah, blogger shame, I still have it—hangs head. My goal is to get through the books left on my NetGalley account. At the moment, I don’t have an exact number, but I’m aiming somewhere between 15-20 books.

Challenge: Blogger Shame

Host: Anna @ Herding Cats & Burning Soup

Goal: Clean up my NetGalley account (15-20 books)

 

 

Progress:

1. Reed by R.C. Ryan (audio)

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Blog All About It Challenge (Herding Cats & Burning Soup)

This sounds like such a fun and creative challenge. The just of it is each month there’s a prompt and you blog about it whatever way you want to.

 

 Examples: If the prompt is BLUE you could...

--make a blueberry cobbler

--review a book with a blue cover

--interview an author who's name has blue in it

--discuss how you break out of a 'blue' mood

--share blue photos you've taken

 

Challenge: Blog All About It Challenge

Host: Anna @ Herding Cats & Burning Soup

 

Prompts:

 

January-- Winter

February-- Red

March-- Favorite Scent

April-- Art

May-- Organize

June-- Growl

July-- Spirit

August-- Beginning

September-- Escape

October-- Trees

November-- Truth

December-- Shine/Sparkle

 

Top Ten Books of 2017

So, 2017 was a weird year for me and, sadly, my reading time suffered a bit because of it. While the number of books I read was rather low compared to my norm, I did read a variety of books so my Top Ten Books of 2017 has a bit of everything. 

 

Dare to Stay by Jen McLaughlin

Escape to You by Jennifer Ryan

Finding Kyle Sawyer Bennet

The Right Kind of Rogue by Valerie Bowman

Tru Blue by Melissa Foster

To The Duke, With Love by Amelia Grey

The Knocked Up Plan by Lauren Blakely

The Fire Child by S.K. Tremayne

A Fatal Collection by Mary Ellen Hughes

Nearest Thing to Heaven by Lynnette Austin—my only 5 CupRead of 2017