Chasing Holiday Tail by miscellaneous

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Overview

Title: Chasing Holiday Tail
Author: Amy Award, Serena Bell, Kilby Blades, Kameron Claire, Dylann Crush, Hope Ellis, Christina Hovland, Melonie Johnson, Tawdra Kandle, Stina Lindenblatt, MK Meredith, Tracey Pedersen, Arell Rivers, Brenda St John Brown & Sylvie Stewart
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This might not have been my absolute favourite anthology, but it was still one that I enjoyed. I think most of my lack of serious love came from the fact that I loved the idea of a Christmas, animal anthology. But it wasn’t all that Christmassy. One of those moments, that expectations destroyed some of the enjoyment, because I just didn’t get the Christmas feel from these stories. But, they were still enjoyable.

The main theme that threads through every single one of these short stories is the idea of adoption and charity drives. Which makes sense since this is a charity anthology. All of the fifteen stories take place at Christmas, but they are heavily focused around the animal charities that are talked about. And, often, the animal adoption drives that are being organised. They are actually a lot of fun and reminded me to look at adopting when I next add a fur baby to the family.

I enjoyed all of the stories in this collection, although I did find some just a little bit forgettable. My favourite aspect of this anthology though was all of the very many dogs. I mean, they completely steal the show and are just too damn cute throughout. It still might not be an anthology that I will read again in the future, but it was one that was well worth the money I spent.

<- In Rover My HeadBear Naked with the Bearded Baller ->

Image source: Goodreads

Reading Update as of February 2024

List, , ,

After having my beautiful boy (who will be a few months old when this is finally published), I got a LOT of reading done. So here is the list of all of the many stories that I had the privilege of reading in that time. ❤

Poems

Series

Short story collections

Standalones – Novels

Standalones – Novellas

Standalones – Short stories

Code of Matrimony by April White

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Code of Matrimony
Author: April White, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Cipher Security #2.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

It’s been a long time since I read Code of Honor, and I kept meaning to pick up this novella. I mean, it’s a wedding between Anna and Darius (giving them the ultimate happily ever after). But it’s also about her twin finding her own partner and fairy tale ending. It might have taken me a little while to get to this, but now that I’ve dived back into the SmartyPants Romance world, and Cipher Security, I’m trying to remember why I left in the first place.

So far in my readings of April White and the Cipher Security series, I’ve liked that the point of view is from between the two main leads. Yet, since this novella deals with two couples, it has three different points of view. It was fun to read the same storyline and flicker between the different perspectives. It was also nice to see that each of the characters have ulterior motives for throwing a party. Yet, all three (Darius, Anna and Colette) are motives which are inspired by their love for one another.

Although I loved finding out that Colette gets her own happily ever after moment, my favourite aspect of this was the wedding of Anna and Darius. Namely, the gift that they are given from all of their loved ones. It literally bought a tear to my eye, the idea of everyone sharing something from their lives and themselves. And then sharing these stories. It has got to be the single coolest gift and idea that I’ve read in a long while.

<- Code of HonorCode of Ethics ->

Image source: Amazon

Kiss of a Duke by Erica Ridley

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Kiss of a Duke
Author: Erica Ridley
Series: 12 Dukes of Christmas #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Historical romance, Regency romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I read the first book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series last year for Christmas and absolutely loved the premise and story. But, as always, I ended up somewhat distracted and didn’t get much further into the series. Reading Kiss of a Duke reminded me what it was I enjoyed so much about the first book. And why it is such a nice and calm diversion.

I love that there are a number of allusions to turtle doves (2 turtle doves from the carol) throughout this story. It ties in great with the partridge in a pear tree from the first book. And it is just one of many hints to Christmas stories and carols.

Nicholas is also a wonderful character. He’s a rake who doesn’t believe in love and gets reformed. I mean, it’s a pretty classic bit of character development. But it’s classic for a reason, and something I thoroughly enjoy. As is the fact that Penelope is ‘logical’ and doesn’t believe in love. Watching these two bumble into each other in my mind’s eye was a fantastically funny adventure.

Lastly, the fact that Nicholas has a lot in common with Saint Nick or Father Christmas was really cute. I loved picking up on all of these hints and allusions. Now I can’t wait to see what else Ridley weaves into her romances with Wish Upon a Duke.

<- Once Upon a DukeWish Upon a Duke ->

Image source: Amazon

Kilt to Order by Susannah Nix

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Kilt to Order
Author: Susannah Nix
Series: Kilt Trip #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I loved, loved, loved this book! Which is no surprise because I have thus far loved all of the Susannah Nix books that I’ve read. This was a great, fun friends to lovers romance. The fact that the catalyst is Casey trying to lose her virginity and the pair of them making a somewhat unconventional pact made it all that much more enjoyable.

There was something kind of simple about this story while also being a little bit complicated. It’s a pretty easy read. But it still has such great character development that I wouldn’t call it a bland storyline. I mean, there’s a reason I’ve been loving Nix, and the very sweetness and predictableness of this storyline is EXACTLY why.

Normally I find stories that feature a virgin and discussions about virginity to be a little bit painful. But, again, Nix touches upon this wonderfully. Casey’s obsession with the concept is kind for frustrating. But in the way that it’s sucky that there is such a focus on the concept within society as a general rule. It was also nice that although their relationship started put with Casey being the vulnerable one, she manages to find her own confidence. And then she ends up being the one who is protective towards Gareth.

Quite often I find the male in a contemporary romance to be a bit of a bone head. Because, well, men can sometimes be incredibly dumb. But, where I would normally find Gareth’s ‘good guy’ hangups to be frustrating, I actually found myself liking him even more. Yeah, there’s still some wilful ignorance, but it’s kind of endearing.

I loved that this was a start to a new series. And I can’t wait to see who else of the amazing Highland Games cast will fall next. Now I just have to wait until Nix actually writes the next book!

<- More Susannah NixTBC ->

Image source: Amazon

All This Time by Annabelle McCormack

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: All This Time
Author: Annabelle McCormack
Series: Brandywood #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’m a bit of the fence about how much I liked this story. I actually almost DNF’d it about a third of the way through. I liked the characters and could kind of see where this was going. But it was taking a bit too long to get to any action and drama… at about the halfway point there was FINALLY enough drama to actually hook me. So it was definitely worth reading, I just wish that there was less lead up.

I have to admit, Garrett and Sam’s interconnectivness was a little bit cringe factor for me. I mean, they’ve each been HEAVILY involved with each other’s best friends. Alright, it turns out that both of those ‘friends’ are kind of knobs. But still, I can’t even imagine doing that to someone I care deeply about. Because both Eli and Katie turn out to be kind of knob-like, you eventually lose the cringe factor. But honestly, that was another reason why I almost DNF’d this.

Katie turns out to be my favourite character in this. Not in the I like her way, but that love to hate you should always have with a good villain. She’s obviously a manipulative, self-centred creature from the very get go. And I like that Sam is immediately uncomfortable with a lot of her actions. Honestly, until that halfway point when I really got invested, I was mostly reading this, waiting for Katie to get her poetic justice…

All in all, though I’ve probably highlighted the flaws of this book more than what I liked about it, I did really enjoy this read. It was a nice little Christmas story. And by the end, I was completely rooting for Sam and Garrett. There was also the added bonus of Christmas cookies, which is always a lovely bonus in my books…

<- More Annabelle McCormackI’ll Carry You ->

Image source: Amazon

Love Hurts by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Love Hurts
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely #5.1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel, Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

After the revelations in Cold Iron Heart, I did kind of need to know what was going to happen next. I mean, there was a lot of important things in the past that were revealed. And it changed a whole lot of my thoughts on the series as a whole. This short story pretty much helped to put a lot of those realisations and revelations to rest. Thank goodness. Like I said, I really needed it.

Irial, Niall and Leslie together, although not quite the outcome I expected, works really well. I’m not normally into a triad of lovers, and it is definitely not traditional, but somehow these three make it really sweet. Still not what I’d like, but I do love them as a “couple”. The fact that both Leslie and Niall are able to help Irial get through the revelations in this just helped to cement them as a great couple in my mind.

I got a taste of it in Cold Iron Heart that Irial loves completely and truly. This helped to drive home just how much he cares and loves. How he will literally destroy the world for his love. But, also how this is a weakness and how easily he can be hurt by this. I really hope that that love is rewarded after the closing of this short story, his tale throughout this was a little bit tragic if I’m being honest.

Love Hurts is a pretty true title, but it is also a great and engaging short story. It almost operates as an epilogue for Cold Iron Heart, and opens the Wicked Lovely world up to so much more turmoil in the future…

<- Darkest MercySummer Bound ->

Image source: Amazon

Cold Iron Heart by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Cold Iron Heart
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I have two of the main books left in the Wicked Lovely series, but I decided that I wanted to read this ‘prequel’ just for a bit of a change of pace. And it was pretty damn good. Set a few generations before the activities in Wicked Lovely, this was a pretty great and intense book. I’d actually thought that it would give a bit more insight into the Niall and Irial relationship, but instead, there were numerous connections to Aislynn and the Summer King’s curse. A whole heap of surprises that I honestly wasn’t expecting. And ones that I, of course, loved.

Thelma is such a brilliant lead. She’s driven to find her own life and happily ever after, in a time and city that really isn’t ready to permit her to have that. In fact, her need to prove herself and drive herself to find a better reality is something that made me fall in love with her immediately. That, and when she discovers that her future is at a crossroads, she chooses what will make her happy and completely goes against convention. It kind of makes me sad that she only gets this one book and one story.

Irial has been a bit of a different character to feel connected to throughout this series. On the one hand, he is incredibly loving and caring. And you really like him. But, as with all morally grey characters, he has a whole side that is seriously dark. Plus, the selfishness with which he acts is sometimes a little difficult to stomach. There was still a lot of that unsurety (for me) throughout this story. But, understanding how strongly he loves helped to break through some of that barrier. I wonder how I’ll view him in the next Wicked Lovely books that I read…

A great story set in 1800s New Orleans – probably one of the only American places that sounds even remotely interesting to visit to me… it’s got this great feeling of history and power, with all of the modern trappings of independence and free will. I absolutely adored this story, and not only did it help to set up the rest of the series really well, it’s given me a whole heap of other hints and clues I’ll love looking for in the next reread.

<- More Melissa MarrWicked Lovely ->

Image source: Amazon

Champagne & Commitments by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Champagne & Commitments
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #2.6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I’ve been wondering how Gen and Eli were going to get married for a little while now. I mean, they are ‘married’ in the paranormal sense at this point in the series. But, how was all the pomp and circumstance going to happen? Plus, because this is a wonderful series, there was going to have to be some kind of drama and action that accompanied the nuptials. Marr didn’t disappoint on either front for this novella.

I love that one of the big character challenges throughout this story was Gen trying to come to terms with and deal with her new celebrity. I can’t imagining having that many people intruding on my life. And I don’t have secrets and paranormal abilities to hide! She does such a fantastic job of patience throughout this though, which just made me love her all that much more.

Gen’s dealings with the tourists are kind of… familiar to me. Alright, I don’t have anywhere near the same issues and such. But, I do live in a tourist region, and some days I have unbelievable frustration at their intrusion and idiocy. It was nice to see that this seems to be a bit of a universal thing in tourist regions – appreciation for their visiting and such. But also sheer scream into a pillow level of frustration at how logic seems to go out the window when people are on vacation.

Champagne and Commitments is setting up the next book in this series wonderfully. Particularly as Allie finally finds out about her unwitting, unknowing courtship. And, since Allie is kind of a spitfire, albeit a ditsy one, I can’t wait to see what hell she brings down on the presumptuous fool’s head.

<- Daiquiris & DaggersThe Hexed & the Hunted ->

Image source: Amazon

The Kiss & The Killer by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Kiss & The Killer
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Faery Bargains #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I absolutely loved this novel – I mean, I knew that Eli and Gen would end up married in this (because I read Daiquiris & Daggers before reading this). But it was still fun getting there – and finding out just how they were “tricked” into being accidentally married. Plus, the rest of the story line and battles (literally) that Gen faced were completely unexpected. I love the shenanigans the pair get themselves into, and how throughout it all, Gen is just trying to come into hare own powers and understanding of self.

Grandmother Beatrice is the truly terrifying, but somehow nurturing grandmother that I kind of want. Alright, maybe not an undead who likes to kill people. But the protective instincts? Love it. Gen getting to know her grandmother throughout this was brilliant. Plus, it hints at a whole new set of reveals to come. I can’t wait to learn more about Gen’s weird genetic makeup, and the different ways that her grandmother’s history and current existence are going to influence her.

I’m always a big fan of relationships in which both characters are equal partnerships – and Eli and Gen are definitely this. I love that Eli is quite content to act as Gen’s backup. Quite happy to leave Gen to do her thing, which, in the case of this story is Gen trying to figure out how to navigate her new role with the police. And try to figure out who is attempting to kill her. All of which lead to page turning action that I couldn’t put aside.

Amongst all of the other drama that Gen faces is the fact that she accidentally raises a whole bunch of the dead. One of whom is… not quite what you want – a power of some kind who just doesn’t want to go back to the grave. It’s kind of hard to see how Izzy is going to fit into the storyline. But, he definitely gives me some incredibly creepy vibes. Ones that make me think he’s going to be a whole lot more dangerous than he seems to begin with…

<- Blood Martinis & MistletoeDaiquiris & Daggers ->

Image source: Amazon