Tag Archives: Christmas

Naughty & Nice by Kevin J. Anderson

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for naughty and nice kevin j. anderson book cover

Title: Naughty & Nice
Author: Kevin J. Anderson
Series: Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. #3.5
In: A Fantastic Holiday Season (Kevin J. Anderson & Keith J. Olexa)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Comedy, Cops, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: World Fire Press
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: In order to brainstorm, I invited Sheyenne to lunch.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. finds himself tackling a bizarre Christmas case when Santa Claus himself becomes a client, hiring Dan to recover some very precious stolen North Pole property. If you like werewolves, vampires, evil elves, zombies, as well as a lot of belly laughs, curl up with this story and some eggnog.

Thoughts

I’m struggling to get into the Christmas spirit this year. So I thought that I would try and read some Christmas themed stories to get the festive feelings going… and it’s kind of working, but mostly it’s giving me that nice,happy, buzzy feeling that a good story gives me. And this was an amazing story to start the collection off with. It was funny, sassy and reminded me of the joy that Christmas time used to bring as a child (and I’m not talking about the presents).

For me, Christmas has always been about the joys of family,friends and community. Although, as with any other kid, I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed present receiving (and giving), it’s been about the people that I’m around. So it’s always been a little annoying to be thrust into a world full of the commercialisation of Christmas. And how many people have bitched about that? Luckily, Anderson feels the same – this story is all about how bad the commercialisation really is. The comedic and entertaining way in which this was done worked nicely.

This story by itself would have made me quite happy and entertained.But the fact that a zombie was the P.I. and his poltergeist girlfriend helped him out… that just made everything ten times better. It introduced a level of dark and urban fantasy to a Christmas tale that worked incredibly well for my happily crazy and convoluted brain.

 <- A Fantastic Holiday Season ReviewClose Knit Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Christmas Curse by Ruby Moone

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Christmas CurseTitle: The Christmas Curse
Author: Ruby Moone
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, LGBTQI, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Kindle
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: In his line of work, a man had to take care, very great care.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

It’s almost Christmas 1806, and government agent Jared Templeton finds himself adopted by a beautiful stray dog as he walks his customary route each night to his Mayfair home. Having never owned a dog before, Jared is surprised to find himself talking to the beast. It’s wonderfully easy and lifts some of the heavy burdens he carries.

Eventually Jared confides in the dog, not only secrets about his work as an agent, but also the biggest secret about himself. About his innermost desires and needs, safe in the knowledge his companion will never betray him.

But at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, Jared discovers things are not quite what they seem …

Thoughts

I got this little novella to complete a reading challenge – an author with the name of a jewel. I had no idea what it was like. What it was about. Really any idea about anything. I got it because it was one of the few that I could actually find in Australia. And I didn’t regret it in the least. It is the first truly LGBTQ (I think that’s the right acronym) story that I have read. And I loved it.

This is based at Christmas time, which I normally find beautiful and mystical. But I really didn’t take that away from this tale. I took away the LGBTQ storyline. And it was this sweet little romance that I enjoyed. I found the writing a little lacking in moments, but the ability of the author to write such a great plot.

This wasn’t one of those earthshattering tales that I am desperate to pick up again. Not even one that has made me desperate to find out more about the author. But it was a tale that was sweet, and interesting. And just an easy way to spend half an hour. Simple is the best word to describe this. And I mean that in the absolute best sense.

 <- More Christmas reviews More LGBTQI reviews ->
Image source: Smashwords

The Patron Saint of Pigs by Lauren Myracle

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Let It SnowTitle: The Patron Saint of Pigs
Author: Lauren Myracle
In: Let it Snow (John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Easy reading, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Penguin UK
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: What would you like a sample of?

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

The third story follows a girl named Addie, who is depressed because she broke up with her boyfriend Jeb. The backstory of her relationship with Jeb is told, about how the two had instantly fallen for each other, but that Addie had kept trying to change Jeb. This resulted in Jeb feeling inferior and the two fighting. After one fight Addie had gotten drunk and made out with someone else, telling Jeb it was over. Upset, Jeb had taken a train to meet his family on an Indian reservation, unaware that Addie has sent him an email apologizing and hoping to work things out. When he didn’t call or respond, Addie assumed that the relationship was over and cut her hair short and dyed it pink as a way to show that she wanted a change.

Thoughts

I think that every teenager is a little self-centred. Something about puberty, and angst and just generally growing older. We grow out of it pretty quickly. We realise that sometimes it’s just not about us. And in the case of Addie, it takes a pretty big kick up the bum for her to realise this. And, although this is still a Christmas romance, it’s more about her friendships and the girls who love her (and are willing to kick her).

Addie’s history with Jeb (who is met in both The Jubilee Express and A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle), but it’s Addie’s tale and her side of the story that makes it more understandable. Not exactly allowing her past acts to be excusable, but to be less vilifiable. Her morose reminiscing are only the beginning of the story though. Like her spunky pink hair, Addie finds a way to rally and, in finding her own Christmas angel, finds a way to become a better person.

 <- A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle Review Let it Snow Review ->
Image source: Better Reading

The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Let It SnowTitle: The Jubilee Express
Author: Maureen Johnson
In: Let it Snow (John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Easy reading, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Penguin UK
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Rachel!

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

The story follows teenager Jubilee Dougal living in Richmond, Virginia. She has been forced to spend Christmas Eve away from her boyfriend Noah, and with her grandparents after her parents are arrested for participating in a riot over a cult-like set of miniature decorative houses – the Flobie Santa Village – with one of the pieces being her namesake, Jubilee Hall.

Thoughts

I loved this story. It was cute, sweet and just the right touch of corny to make me go ‘oooooooooooooh’. Jubilee is not only stranded in the middle of nowhere, but from the beginning you can tell that she has a very unappreciative boyfriend. Although it’s a little see through who she is going to end up with, and it’s a little obvious that Noah is going to get tossed from her life, it’s still a really fun and sweet journey.

I loved the quirky and unique voice of Jubilee throughout this story. It’s funny and entertaining, with just the right amount of pizazz to make you laugh. The sarcastic and witty sense of humour and the self-deprecation made me feel like I was talking to a little more put together version of me in my senior years of high school. Although her trust in Stuart is a little jeeby at the beginning, it works out beautifully and I enjoyed the eccentric family that she found herself in.

Starting of a chain of events, Jubilee’s adventure and Christmas romance is the beginning of something beautiful. And a great reminder that in this season, anything can happen.

 <- Let it Snow Review A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle Review ->
Image source: Better Reading

A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle by John Green

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Let It Snow

Title: A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle
Author: John Green
In: Let it Snow (John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Easy reading, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Penguin UK
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: We were just standing there, and her eyes were so interesting.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

The story begins with a boy, Tobin, and his friends, the Duke (a tomboyish girl whose real name is Angie), and JP, who are watching movies at Tobin’s home while his parents are out of town. They are lured to the local Waffle House by a phone call from their friend Keun, who tells them that a group of cheerleaders has entered the store and are practicing their routines, as well as requesting to play Twister. Thinking that traveling to the restaurant with the game would be a waste of time, Duke is initially reluctant to go but is persuaded by Tobin, who tells her that there will be hashbrowns. On the way to the Waffle House, the trio’s car crashes into a snow bank close to the restaurant, losing a tire.

Thoughts

Some boys will do anything to get with a cheerleader. Even if it means driving through the worst snow storm in years, and then realising that when you get to the door, you have no chance in hell. Not that I understand what the male obsession with cheerleaders is, but it’s used as a great and cheerful plot point in this fantastic short story. But, it’s not about the cheerleaders and one of them suddenly falling for the geeky boy (I don’t think this is ever realistic, do you?), but about two friends realising that they mean more to each other.

It’s obvious from pretty early on that the only girl in the trio likes one of the boys, and it’s sweet when they finally both acknowledge their feelings for one another. As my very first John Green story, I really enjoyed how he tackled a pretty big question that many of us face. Should we take being best friends to something more? Is it worth the risk?

<- The Jubilee ExpressThe Patron Saint of Pigs ->

Image source: Better Reading

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Let It Snow

Title: Let it Snow
Author: John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle
In: Let it Snow (John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Easy reading, Romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Penguin UK
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Rachel!

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

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 – bring 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.

Thoughts

I read this book because I needed a book to movie story for this year’s Popsugar challenge, and I was kind of struggling to get into the Christmas spirit. I’m at that weird age now that its’s not exactly exciting for me, and I don’t yet have children to be excited either. And, it didn’t make me run around singing Christmas carols, but this collection of three stories certainly got me more in the mood to celebrate the end of a year and family time.

One of the things that I loved about these three stories is that although they were written by different authors, they are all connected. Starting with Jubilee’s adventure, progressing to the tale of the Duke, and ending with a teacup pig, the three stories each have their own dose of Christmas miracles and romance. The subtle intertwining of fate and destiny throughout this collection was really fun, and although each story could, theoretically be read separately, I definitely would recommend reading them together – it just adds to the Christmas joy!

Although all of the characters in this book are still in high school, I still found it fun and enjoyable. Sometimes I get a little frustrated by the teenage-angst in a book, after all, I’m over that stage in my own life, so I don’t necessarily want to revisit it constantly. But, although there are the dramas of high school and puberty sprinkled throughout the tales, they are genuinely cute and adorable holiday romances. Something that left a sweet smile lingering across my lips.

<- The Patron Saint of PigsThe Jubilee Express ->

Image source: Better Reading

December 2017

List, , , ,

December 2017

Christmas is about working way too much, reading every moment I get and missing my family. This is the second Christmas that I haven’t been with them, and the first time that I’ve been in the same country as them… It’s been nice though, lots of money, lots of free time, which basically for me just means lots more books.

Image source: Wes Ayranto

Christmas

Blog

I know that I missed last week’s post, I was too busy running around doing the family things for Christmas time. And now, ironically, on Christmas Eve I have actually finished with Christmas. Not only have I seen all the family members and exchanged all of the gifts. It’s a weird feeling since normally, in our family, Christmas is a four day celebration starting at this time. But, my family has gone away and I am by myself.

Something about being by yourself for Christmas seems a little depressing (it’s family time after all). But I’m actually enjoying the relative peace. I don’t have to see extended family and converse with masses of people. I get to stay in the comfort of my own home and spend the time as I see fit. My partner will be around, but when I don’t feel like talking to people, I don’t have to make nice.

Plus, I get to spend it with my beautiful puppies (who are currently tearing around the house like maniacs). I also have my parents’ two dogs who are… difficult. The lab is mostly okay, except everytime I move so does she. It’s the spaniel that is problematic. He has already done damage to our brand new windows, and likes to ignore 90% of what I say to him. Needless to say, as much as I am enjoying the break from the rest of humanity, there is a level of frustration in being left with four crazy dogs….