Tag Archives: Christmas

A Vampire’s Christmas Carol by Cynthia Eden

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: A Vampire’s Christmas Carol
Author: Cynthia Eden
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2013

Thoughts

I finally read Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol within the last few years. It was definitely one of those classics that I absolutely loved. So, I was honestly a little leery about reading this and how Eden’s reimagination of this beloved classic would go. And, honestly, it was brilliant. I loved it and look forward to adding this to my reread pile!

As anyone who knows the original story knows, the Scrooge is visited by three angels to show him the Christmases of his past, present and future. I love that all three of these angels are actually characters from the life of the vampire. And, that each of these Christmases visited are actually based around the love of his life. It gives a more romantic / love story slant to the classic. Which, admittedly had pretty much no love story, just hints of a past one. But I digress…

Ultimately towards the end of this story, you find out that there is a whole lot of hope for the vampire. And that the tragic love story that he has built up in his mind might not be quite as true as he believes. I love that there are sacrifices and tragedies throughout, but it is the ultimate sacrifice made in love that will melt your heart. And also that keeps this story within that same vein of redemption as the original Christmas Carol.

I absolutely adored this novella. It was a fun and slightly dark Christmas story. One that was a wonderful reimagining of one of my favourite Christmas classics. Definitely a testament to the enjoyment I get out of reading Eden’s work.

<- Until DeathWaiting for Christmas ->

Image source: Goodreads

Single and Ready to Jingle by Piper Rayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Single and Ready to Jingle
Author: Piper Rayne
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

There is always something about grumpy/sunshine romances that I love. That goes extra for when those romances are grinch/sunshine romances. I mean, who wouldn’t love a romance that is based on someone who hates Christmas falling for someone who loves Christmas? The fact that it starts with a blind date that goes epically wrong in a very short amount of time just made it so much better and more entertaining. I mean, who rocks up to a blind date in an elf costume?!?!

Single and Ready to Jingle is an incredibly sweet and easy to read romance. It’s one of those happy reads that makes it nice to have a bit of a break from reality and a cuppa. It also had the unexpected benefit of the best friend’s sister / brother’s best friend trope. I didn’t quite expect it, because it was approached in a slightly different way. But, it was still a light hearted and sweet read. One that I will probably dive into again next Christmas.

One of the reasons I’m particularly a fan of the grinch/sunshine trope is because I married a man who is a bit of a grinch. I absolutely adored that for the entirety of this story, it was about trying to get the grinch-man to fall back in love with Christmas. It’s definitely a battle that I’ve fought over the years and it made me incredibly happy to know that it is probably some other peoples’ experience as well. Plus, it was a really nice way for Piper Rayne to highlight all of the things that they love about Christmas.

It was kind of surprising how late into the story the conflict hit. I was expecting, with the personality differences, the tragic first date and all of the other challenges this couple faces for the conflict to occur much, much earlier. As a result, I spent a lot of the time reading this book in a feeling of unrelenting suspense. Which worked really well, I would have enjoyed this writing regardless, but keeping me in suspense for the point of conflict ended up making me read this a whole lot quicker. In fact, I barely put this down from the moment I cracked it. Because suspense.

I absolutely adored Single and Ready to Jingle, not only is it one of the catchiest titles in my collection, but it was also a really sweet story. This was one of those tales that just works well at Christmas. But, it also had the conflict and the character development that I always crave in a really good read.

<- Claus and EffectMore Piper Rayne ->

Image source: Amazon

In Rover My Head by Sylvie Stewart

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: In Rover My Head
Author: Sylvie Stewart
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I love the voices of both Mindy and Hugo – they were great characters and flicking between their points of view was a nice way to dive into this short story. Both Mindy and Hugo are completely relatable, and I love how they both have some serious misconceptions about one another on their first meeting. But, when you get to know each of their points of view, you can actually understand their reactions.

I love that both of the lead characters are single parents. Although you don’t get to know all of their children, it is still fun to read about their experiences of being a parent. The fact that this story also involves a missing child just highlights their parental roles and identities. I mean, having one of my children go missing is literally my worst nightmare, and something that I can’t even fathom.

This was a fun short story with a great couple and a very sweet storyline, missing child and all. I had a lot of fun reading it and enjoyed being taken away by such a simple tail.

<- Mutts About YouChasing Holiday Tail ->

Image source: Goodreads

Making Her Melt by Skye Warren

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Making Her Melt
Author: Skye Warren
In: Wrap Me Up (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

It admittedly took me a little while to get into this short story. I liked some of the idea, but I always feel a little cringy about any story with someone crushing on their best friend’s partner. I mean, honestly, if my best friend crushed on my SO and then acted on it? Yeah… I don’t even have words for the feelings there. Yet, somehow these kind of starts generally turn into pretty decent stories. As did this one.

Making Her Melt isn’t a romance for the ages, nor is it one that I’m chomping at the bit to read again. But, it was a nice balanced story. One that I did end up really enjoying. Particularly since I almost DNF’d it after one of the scenes. In particular, the threesome moment. I mean, it was kind of seriously uncomfortable and gave you the major discomforts reading it. Then, the bit that made me not necessarily fall head over heels for this story – they never dealt with the fall out from this. I mean, seriously.

One of my favourite (and one of the most redeeming things) about this story was the way in which Lia realised that she needed to figure herself out first. Instead of diving head first into the relationship that she obviously wanted to pursue, she took a step back and tried to figure out what was best for her first. I love when there are stories which feature a female lead who just tries to short her own shit out independent of the relationship. This definitely ticked all of those boxes.

<- Neanderthal Seeks IllusionistMy Present This Year ->

Image source: Amazon

The Howliday Contract by MK Meredith

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Howliday Contract
Author: MK Meredith
In: Chasing Holiday Tail (miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2023

Thoughts

There’s always been that whole idea that you shouldn’t mix business with pleasure, and I love that Niko and Sybil kind of show just why that shouldn’t happen in this short story. I mean, ultimately it does work out. Because it’s a cute contemporary romance, but it’s still nice to have that whole don’t miss business with pleasure challenges highlighted.

This wasn’t exactly my favourite romance, but it was still very cute. I enjoyed the story though. I just didn’t find the characters to be the kind that I tend to connect to. Sybil was fairly independent and driven, which I normally love in a lead female, but I think I’ve just been reading characters of a totally different calibre, and this just didn’t quite compete.

All in all, I seriously enjoyed reading this short story. But, I must admit, that it’s really Marley the husky who is my favourite character. There is just something about a fun and energetic dog that always steals the show.

<- Decidedly with PawsDoggy Style ->

Image source: Goodreads

Wrap Me Up by Miscellaneous

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Overview

Title: Wrap Me Up
Author: L.H. Cosway, Penny Reid, Skye Warren, Sierra Simone, Julia Kent, Catherine Cowles, Carly Phillips, K.A. Linde & Debra Anastasia
In: Wrap Me Up (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 was a really sweet and fun collection. Not as Christmas-themed as I was anticipating, but a nice trend towards the holiday season. About half of the authors are authors I’ve read before. The other half were new to me. Both of which made me incredibly happy – it’s fun discovering the old and new. Plus, some of these short stories introduced me to series that I haven’t yet dived into… something that, again, I always enjoy.

I do wish that a lot of these stories were more themed around Christmas. They were enjoyable, but I really read this at the festive season… because Christmas. So it was a little disappointing when it didn’t adhere to that. However, it was a fun collection, just one I would read at any point of the year.

This might not have felt very Christmassy, and I didn’t necessarily love every single story in the collection, but it was one that I will definitely read again in the future. Mostly because there are some pretty awesome authors scattered throughout.

<- Skating on the StarsSongbird ->

Image source: Amazon

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

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

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

Blending In by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Blending In
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #10
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I knew that there would be a shapeshifting chameleon in this book – because the cover features a chameleon. The fact that Miriah is cursed to be a chameleon every time she gets near the man she crushes on – completely unexpected. And kind of hilarious. I mean, what an absolute drag, but I also love that it involves a whole lot of sass from Miriah, regardless of what form she is in.

Although at the beginning, I was determined to hate on Gavin because he’s the one who cursed Miriah, I couldn’t quite figure him out. For starters, I really want to know just which / what divine he actually is! But, there’s also the fact that although he originally curses Miriah because she refuses him, there is also the hints of some kind of kindness there. Totally misplaced and cruel in a lot of ways – but, still a need to watch out for the woman and his son. I’m hoping that there will be answers to this later in the series. I’m definitely finding that little moments sneak up on me throughout this series that answer questions I didn’t even know I had.

Reading this when you are pregnant is an interesting idea. Towards the end of the story Miriah and Chase decide to rescue a ridiculous amount of dogs and puppies. It made me cry. Partly because, well, pregnancy, but also because I have a beagle. And there were a lot of beagle puppies to rescue. And just, in general, rescuing poor puppies that have been experimented on! It was a little bit sweet, even if it also involved violence. Which, tends to be something I enjoy a little too much when reading…

Although I enjoyed this story, I didn’t really find that there was much “romance” per se. I mean, Chase and Miriah getting to know each other was great, and it kind of set up a slow burn. But it didn’t really get there. Suddenly, they’re just engaged, and apparently a couple. I kind of missed the moment when they flicked that switch. It was still a fun journey, and one that I will go on again. But I did struggle to understand just when that happened. Having said that, when Chase and Miriah are obviously a couple, Chase’s parents get heavily involved. And I absolutely loved Chase’s parents! They are hilarious and a whole lot of fun. Worth rereading this just for their presence…

<- Fowl PlayCheetahs Never Win ->

Image source: The Sneaky Kitty Critic