Thursday, December 31, 2020

GEORGANA'S SECRET by Arlem Hawks


GEORGANA'S SECRET by Arlem Hawks. Wow. What a different way to have a love story. It was so fun to get to see the view from a ship in that time. And to have a woman pose as a cabin boy would be crazy, not only today but especially then. I loved to see how the ship was run and the true kindness in most people's hearts. I loved Lieutenant Peyton taking the cabin boy under his wing and the budding romance that developed in disguise. In the end, it's a perfect match for so many reasons. This would be a great story to kick off the new year with.

:) :) :) :)

Georgana Woodall dreams of freedom—freedom from her past and freedom from her secret. She has been living on her father’s ship for years, disguised as a cabin boy named “George.” But hiding her true self is becoming more difficult, and she yearns to break free of her life on the sea. She’s already missed too many seasons in London, and her chances of being welcomed back into polite society and finding a suitable husband are slipping away.

Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty’s Royal Navy claiming his full attention. Determined to prove himself to his new captain, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When Lieutenant Peyton sees the captain’s cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he takes the boy under his wing.

Georgana quickly loses her heart to Dominic’s compassion and care, but needing to maintain her disguise as a cabin boy, she is convinced nothing can come of her affection.

Georgana’s Secret is about two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

CHRISTMAS AT ANGELS LANDING by Jennifer Griffith


CHRISTMAS AT ANGELS LANDING by Jennifer Griffith. This was my favorite book in the Sugarplum Series so far. I loved the bidding wars between Sam and Tabitha. I loved how the rare book was found and the meaning behind it. I loved the twist at the end. There was just so much to love about this book. It will be a Christmas season reread for sure. Or if I need a little Christmas in July, it'll be read then too.

:) :) :) :) :

A vintage Christmas novel lost. A romance found.


Personal shopper Tabitha must find a rare vintage Christmas novel for a wealthy client who demands secrecy. Sigh-worthy bookstore owner, Sam, could be key to her success.


An auction unearths a book with deep meaning for Sam, but Tabitha is desperate for it, too. Suddenly, they’re rivals—with incredible chemistry.


Things heat up even more when a matchmaking mayor pairs them at the town’s Hot Cocoa Festival.


Will their rivalry over the book pull them together or drive them apart in this holiday romance?


Christmas at Angels Landing is a bookstore romance in the tradition of Hollywood movies Notting Hill and You’ve Got Mail.


Read book 3 in the Sugarplum Falls Romance series by award-winning clean romance author Jennifer Griffith for an escape as sweet as hot cocoa by a cozy fireplace.

Thursday, December 10, 2020

CHRISTMAS AT TURTLEDOVE PLACE by Jennifer Griffith

CHRISTMAS AT TURTLEDOVE PLACE by Jennifer Griffith. I was right! The minor character in the last novel became a main character in this one. I enjoyed this installment much more than the first, CHRISTMAS AT HOLLY BERRY COTTAGE. The forbidden love felt more real this time around. Sophie is such a wonderful aunt that I wished she was mine. Beau is a perfect match for her in every way. Part of me wanted to smack him for making his stupid decision earlier in life. Turtledove Place is beautiful and I felt right at home. Again, I wished it was my Christmas getaway. I highly recommend this lovely Christmas story.

:) :) :) :)

Lights on a frozen waterfall. A cozy fireplace. A nanny carrying a torch for the single-dad.


Captain Beau Cabot can’t keep a nanny. It isn’t that his kids are bad, it’s that the helpers he hires can’t seem to believe him when he says the only needs they should take care of are the children’s. Forced to fire his lustful childcare worker at the worst moment, Beau can’t leave for his weekend military assignment. His aunt suggests finding a wife, but that won’t save this moment.

With just weeks to go until Christmas, Sophie Hawkins gets some terrible news. Her sister has up and abandoned her family—to become a rock star’s groupie. Worse, Beau is rumored to have lost a few nannies. Who will care for the two cutest kids in the world this holiday? Kids whose lives have been upended?

Despite Sophie’s unwise but unstoppable lifelong crush on her ex-brother-in-law, Beau, Sophie races to Sugarplum Falls. She plans to stay just for one weekend, especially considering the still-smoldering torch she carries for Beau, who is now divorced and finally fair game. Beau knows, however, you don’t fall for the nanny. Especially when she’s your ex-sister-in-law.


Come to Sugarplum Falls for love, Christmas traditions, home, family, and hearth. Nanny romance Christmas at Turtledove Place is book 2 in the Sugarplum Falls Romance series by award-winning clean romance author Jennifer Griffith. Other books in the series includeChristmas at Holly Berry Cottage, and Christmas at Angels Landing. Read all three for a sweet holiday romance treat.

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

CHRISTMAS AT HOLLY BERRY COTTAGE by Jennifer Griffith

CHRISTMAS AT HOLLY BERRY COTTAGE by Jennifer Griffith. What a fun Christmas romance. I had a hard time falling for Chelsea, but once I did the story flowed more smoothly for me. Wyatt was a fun character to get to know also. The forbidden romance really pulled everything together, and the unknown family animosity was the icing on the cake. This will be a delight to anyone who picks it up. And, there was a moment when I thought, "There's a story behind this other minor character." It will be fun to see if I'm correct. 

:) :) :) :

A dreaded holiday wedding, Christmas duets, and dating the off-limits crush.

Chelsea Sutherland is a wreck this Christmas. Not only is she reeling from the world’s cruelest breakup, now her ex-boyfriend is marrying her meanest cousin. At Chelsea’s childhood home. And there’s no way Chelsea can skip it. No matter how deep she buries herself into the number-crunching at work, this wedding will not go away.
Wyatt North has been handed a career-making opportunity. If he gets it right, he’ll be able to steer his banking firm toward its roots of helping the local community again. If not, he’s a blot on the family name—which he already jeopardizes by spending all his time with the Sutherland family, singing with Chelsea and her brother in Christmas Tree-O.
When Wyatt learns of Chelsea’s dreaded wedding problem, the solution is clear—take Wyatt as her significant other. Since the trio has become a duet, long-suppressed feelings between them are heating up. But a romance could endanger the friendship and their singing group’s dynamic—not to mention risk both families’ disapproval.

Friday, December 4, 2020

LADYBUG'S CHRISTMAS by Anabella Schofield and Sofia Schofield

LADYBUG'S CHRISTMAS by Anabella Schofield and Sofia Schofield. New Christmas stories are always fun. This cute ladybug reminds me that holidays don't always turn out the way we want them to, and that's okay. I could see myself in the ladybug and took it as a reminder of what I need to focus on this Christmas season. I would recommend this to everyone.

:) :) :) :)

It’s Christmastime in the garden, and Ladybug is excited to celebrate with her loved ones! When Ladybug invites her friends and family to a Christmas feast, she prepares to make sure everything runs smoothly. Despite Ladybug’s best efforts, the feast doesn’t go as planned. With the help of her friends, Ladybug learns that the sweetest part of the season is togetherness!




Thursday, December 3, 2020

MING'S CHRISTMAS WISHES by Susan L Gong

MING'S CHRISTMAS WISHES by Susan L Gong. This is a beautiful story that gives a very good insight as to what it would be like as a child of an immigrant. It talks about melting two cultures beautifully. I will admit that it is a story I had to think about because of the different culture. I didn't know the details of how the Chinese culture celebrates Christmas. It is a very heartwarming, informative read.

:) :) :) :)

Ming wishes for three things at Christmas. First, to sing in the school Christmas choir. Second, to have a Christmas tree like the one in the department store window. And third, to feel she belongs somewhere.

As a daughter of immigrants in 1930s California, Ming is often treated differently than other children at school. She's pointedly not invited to sing in the Christmas choir. At home, when Ming lobbies her parents for a Christmas tree, her mother scolds her for trying to be American. Ming doesn't seem to fit in anywhere: she's not quite American enough at school, not quite Chinese enough at home.

Seeing his daughter's unhappiness, Pop takes her into the mountains to visit a wise old friend. Always happy for an adventure with her kind father, Ming hopes to persuade Pop to bring home a mountain pine to be their Christmas tree. But he has something else in mind, something that will help Ming draw strength from nature, from their Chinese heritage, and from deep and enduring family ties.

Inspired by family stories.

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

JOINING HEARTS FOR CHRISTMAS by Rebecca Lange

JOINING HEARTS FOR CHRISTMAS by Rebecca Lange. This was a quick Christmas novella to read. I enjoyed Lady Charlotte's character and Hendrick and their banter back and forth. It did feel like Hendrick's character was a bit more developed than Charlotte's. All the minor characters were easy to love and the situation was a perfect set up for a Christmas love story. However, I had a hard time telling who's point of view the sections were in at times. It is a delightful story for anyone who loves a good romance at Christmas time.

:) :) :) :

“I give you until the end of this month to find love and accept a proposal. If you can’t find what you are looking for, I will announce your engagement to Lord Kenworthy.”“You can’t be serious, Father! A month? How am I supposed to find love in a month? It is December already.”Lady Charlotte Woodridge always had a mind of her own. Being the daughter of a duke comes with obligations and expectations, something she disapproves of wholeheartedly. She strongly detests how society works and that she is supposed to treat people differently because of their rank and standing. When a man over twenty years her senior asks for her hand in marriage and her father agrees to it, she fights back with all the stubbornness she can summon. She wants to marry for love, not because she is told to marry. When her father agrees to a compromise, it leaves her upset. Lady Charlotte has one month to find her true love and receive and accept a proposal. Was that even possible?