Cover Reveal.....Darkly, Deeply, Beautifully by Megan Tayte

DARKNESS HAS FALLEN, AND SHE ALONE WILL SEE THE LIGHT

With her mother’s life hanging in the balance, Scarlett is devastated – and done with being in the dark. She wants answers, all of them.

But when was her pursuit of the truth ever straightforward?

Pulling a single thread triggers a great unravelling. And each revelation will force Scarlett to rethink what she thought she knew about the Ceruleans, the Fallen, her family – herself.

All that came before was a mere prelude to this, the last journey. From London to Twycombe to Hollythwaite to Cerulea, Scarlett will be stalked by the ghosts of what has been, what may have been and what may come to pass. Until she reaches the place where it all began, and it all must end.

But in the final reckoning, none will survive unscathed. And some will not survive at all.

In this explosive conclusion to The Ceruleans series, all must be defined by their actions: sinner, saint… or something more beautiful entirely?

 

Pre-order links

http://www.amazon.com/Darkly-Deeply-Beautifully-Ceruleans-Book-ebook/dp/B0183XAE2O

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Darkly-Deeply-Beautifully-Ceruleans-Book-ebook/dp/B0183XAE2O

(Publication date: 16 February 2016)

I can not wait for this final installation in the Cerulean series!!!

Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber....Review

SYNOPSIS:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Savor the magic of the season with Debbie Macomber’s newest Christmas novel, filled with warmth, humor, the promise of love, and a dash of unexpected adventure.

Ashley Davison, a graduate student in California, desperately wants to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle. Dashiell Sutherland, a former army intelligence officer, has a job interview in Seattle and must arrive by December 23. Though frantic to book a last-minute flight out of San Francisco, both are out of luck: Every flight is full, and there’s only one rental car available. Ashley and Dash reluctantly decide to share the car, but neither anticipates the wild ride ahead.

At first they drive in silence, but forced into close quarters Ashley and Dash can’t help but open up. Not only do they find they have a lot in common, but there’s even a spark of romance in the air. Their feelings catch them off guard—never before has either been so excited about a first meeting. But the two are in for more twists and turns along the way as they rescue a lost puppy, run into petty thieves, and even get caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Though Ashley and Dash may never reach Seattle in time for Christmas, the season is still full of surprises—and their greatest wishes may yet come true.

FROM MY MIND'S EYE:

I do enjoy Debbie Macomber's Christmas stories.   I laughed my way through Dashing Through the Snow as the characters encountered one challenge after another in a merry little unsuspecting trip from California to Seattle Washington.

Debbie created some very realistic characters that enticed the reader to continue following their journey toward Christmas in Seattle.   The story was peppered with laugh out loud moments as the storyline twisted and turned and the travellers encountered more and more bizarre characters along the route.

If I could recommend one Christmas read to tickle your funny bone this holiday season, it would be Dashing Through the Snow.  

I rated this a fun  Winks!

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.    I purchased this book for my own personal collection.

Yours For Christmas by Susan Mallery--a Review

SYNOPSIS:

Step out of the winter chill and into the warmth of Fool's Gold, California, the charming small-town setting for a new holiday novella from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery

Famous former NFL stars don't date single working moms like Bailey Voss. She'll allow herself to daydream about Kenny Scott's muscles and killer smile, but wanting more would lead to post-holiday regret. Then Kenny volunteers to run a toy drive with Bailey, and she learns that he's not just hot…he's also generous, funny, nice. The whole package—tantalizingly out of reach.

The ache of past loss reminds Kenny why he needs to avoid getting too close to anyone. Especially to a gorgeous redhead and her adorable little girl. Mess it up, and he'd lose them both. Yet Kenny can only resist Bailey for so long. And as festive spirit spreads throughout the town, he's all wrapped up in Bailey's sweet, sexy kisses and determined to make this the first of many Christmases together… 

FROM MY MIND'S EYE:

During the holiday season is my favorite time of year to read the novellas, shorter stories than a full fledged novel.   Mallery's Yours For Christmas was a fast paced story that was simply told, short at 98 pages, and heart warming.   The heroine was strong and believable, the hero was complete with past baggage and a definite need for self preservation and the cutest seven year old girl, rounded out the potential future family.    The characters were surrounded by so many loving friends and neighbors.

I enjoyed the rounding out of the characters and the history built for them.   I also enjoyed the sweet storyline with it's conflict resolved by the people of Fool's Gold and the brave heart of our heroine, Bailey Voss.     This was definitely a warm and fuzzy read and I am happy to have included it in my 25 days of Christmas.

I rated this a 4 wink read.

 Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.    I purchased this book for my own personal collection.

Jingle Bell Harbor by Tracy Brogan--A Review

SYNOPSIS:

As assistant buyer for the world’s second-largest Christmas store, Kelsey Parker feels like a holiday harlot. She’s contractually obligated to promote the yuletide season. All. Year. Long. And it’s taking a toll on her spirit. But when her clueless, self-absorbed boyfriend goes on their long-anticipated romantic vacation—without her!—Kelsey is beyond disappointed to find herself tromping through the Bell Harbor snow instead of lounging on a tropical beach.

Drew Hampton is considered quite a catch among the Bell Harbor bachelorettes, but when his high school dream girl, Kelsey Parker, shows up at his grandfather’s Christmas tree lot complaining about her love life, he decides it’s long past time to get her under the mistletoe himself.

As things heat up between the two, a surprise visitor arrives, making Kelsey an offer she can’t quite believe. Now she must decide what matters most, and she just may discover the key to her happiness.

FROM MY MIND'S EYE:

What a cute story!    It's only 111 pages, but it is so sweet!   So if you need a fast read, grab a copy and read and enjoy this one.

I've not read this author before, but I look forward to delving into her past and future books.   This novella, was how I would write a story.    It felt like the main character, Kelsey Parker, was talking to me...sharing her thoughts as well as her speech.  

Characters were very well developed and through the story we see Kelsey get a glimmer of what life could be if things were a tad different.   The chance meeting of a former classmate  in a Christmas tree lot opens a whole new realm of possibilities to Kelsey and she is faced with making more than one life altering decision.   Quite an enjoyable read.

I rated this five wink read.

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.    I purchased this book for my own personal collection.

The Thursday Night Club by Steven Manchester--A Review

SYNOPSIS:

Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off.

As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.

A story of Christmas spirit that will strike a chord in your heart any time of year, The Thursday Night Club will make you look at the holiday season in new ways.

FROM MY MIND'S EYE:

Have you ever loved someone,admired them , but sort of took them for granted.   Then when they unexpectedly pass away from life's grasp, you know you should have celebrated them every single day you knew them?   It often happens that way and Steven Manchester wrote a story of five friends who experience a great loss....one of their little group.    But it turns out this one individual had learned the true meaning of value and worth and had a giving heart.

Manchester produced viable and lovable characters in this short story about giving of oneself.  What these friends learned from the passing of their friend and determining what kind of life they would choose to "live" without him was heartwarming, and charming.   Each of the remaining four friends paid tribute to their friend in seriously kind and generous deeds to their man.  The story seemed realistic, flowed smoothly and took the college aged characters from the depths of despair to the heights of exhilaration.

As I have found many of Manchester's stories to be, The Thursday Night Club is inspirational and a true blessing to read.   May we all be fortunate to find our true purpose in life and give unto others as we would have done unto ourselves.

I rated this read 5 winks!

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.    I purchased this book for my own personal collection.

Mr Miracle by Debbie Macomber--A Review

Truer words were never printed, well except for the Bible of course.    I usually refuse to see a movie until after I have read the book, but last year, I really wanted to watch the Hallmark movie Mr. Miracle based on Debbie Macomber's book.  I wished I hadn't afterward because I really disliked the portrayal of Harry Mills.....can you say obnoxious?  But the book...sweet.






SYNOPSIS:

Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber celebrates the most wonderful time of the year in this heartwarming Christmas novel of romance, hope, and the comforts of home—coming soon as a Hallmark Channel original movie!

Harry Mills is a guardian angel on a mission: help twenty-four-year-old Addie Folsom get her life back on track—and, if the right moment strikes, help her find love. Posing as a teacher at a local college in Tacoma, Washington, Harry is up to the task, but not even he can predict the surprises that lay in store.

After trying to make it on her own, Addie has returned home to Tacoma for the holidays, but this time she plans to stay for good, enrolling in the local community college to earn her degree. What she doesn’t plan to do is run into Erich Simmons.

Addie and her next-door neighbor, Erich, are like night and day. Growing up, he was popular and outgoing while she was rebellious and headstrong, and he never missed an opportunity to tease her. Now she intends to avoid him entirely, yet when they’re suddenly forced to spend Christmas together, Addie braces for trouble.

Perhaps it’s the spirit of the season or the magic of mistletoe, but Addie and Erich soon find they have more in common than they thought—and that two people who seem so wrong for each other may actually be just right. With a little prompting from a certain angelic teacher, the two are in for a holiday miracle they’ll never forget.

FROM MY MIND'S EYE:

I like Macomber's Christmas stories and Mr Miracle was no exception.  It was sweet and winsome.  I do have to admit that with this book, I watched the movie before I read the book.   The book is of course much better than the movie, although I will forever see Harry Mills as he was portrayed in the movie....argh. C'est la vie! 

Do you believe in angels who may walk among us?    Well, that is the crux of the story.   Harry Mill's first angelic assignment is to help Addie Folsom find love.  As a novice angel, he makes plenty of assumptions that lead him into the path of human angst as he also struggles with human emotions he has never had to deal with.   It is a light hearted read and very enjoyable.  It reads quickly and leaves the heart warm.   So if you are looking for a light quick read, meeting Mr Miracle could fit the bill this holiday season!

I rated this a 4 wink read.

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.  I purchased this book for my personal collection.

Firefly by Jen Minkman--A Review

Welcome to my annual Twenty-five days of Christmas blog.  I will post 25 Christmas reads I have read throughout the year for your viewing pleasure.   Hopefully you might something you would like to read from these postings.   And I truly hope you enjoy these reviews as much as I have enjoyed reading these Christmas stories.

SYNOPSIS:

As decreed by the State, the Citizens of Ebrus are not allowed to:

Visit the ocean surrounding the Walled City. 
Ignore curfew and stay out after seven.
Call in sick more than three times a year.
Sing.

A short, dystopian story about the spirit of Christmas.


FROM MY MINDS EYE:

A dystopian Christmas tale....a very unique concept in my humble opinion. The story was only 30 pages long, but it was a refreshing tale and full of hope; just like Christmas. Dystopians are bleak reads where people have been over governed and basic freedoms are a thing of the past. However, as in every historical event of atrocity, there remains a flicker of hope and the rumor of a better tomorrow.

I enjoy Minkman's stories as she has a very thought provoking way of telling them. I find them refreshing and enjoyable. Firefly was no exception.

For a quick and satisfying story, Firefly may be just right for you.  I rated this read  four (4) Winks!

Thanks for stopping by!

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.