Deck The Halls By: Donna Alward

Book Description....

"A Darling, VT Christmas Romance Novella With shades of It’s a Wonderful Life, one man must face his past to find his future this Christmas. In the last year, George's life has drastically changed. The formerly homeless veteran now has a job he likes, a family in the residents of Darling, VT, and for the first time in years, a home. But while his present is good, he's still haunted by the past, a past that appears shortly before Christmas when the older sister of his brother-in-arms hunts him down and finds him in Darling, working at the Ladybug Garden Center. Amy’s looking for closure for her family after her brother's death in the Middle East, but the serious man she finds working in Vermont doesn’t resemble the soldier she remembers from years before. This man is hardened and yet somehow fragile, too, and in her desire to find out what really happened to her brother, she learns more about George than she ever expected. With a little Christmas magic and the whole town supporting them, can these two bruised hearts make a future together?"

Title:  Deck The Halls
Author:  Donna Alward
Publisher:  Swerve
Series Darling, VT
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:  Five
Review:

"Deck The Halls" by Donna Alward

My Thoughts.....  

A well thought out contemporary romantic novella that is part of 'The Darling, VT series with some undercurrent of personal struggles. What a story this was as it presented 'the tough subject of veterans and what could happen when they return home only to have to live with the horrors what had happened will they were away serving our country.' This is definitely one of those stories that will touch ones heart. I liked how this author was able to get George who was a 'wonderful, gentle, proud man who had fought for his country, lost everything suffering from PTSD had finally been given a second chance.  What will happen as the twin sister of his best friend [Ian] Amy Merck arrives and reawakens old bad feelings that had been so close to him? For George had blamed himself for years over Ian's death. Will these two [George & Amy] be able to finds some degree of closures and be able to help one another?  With each other needing so much healing you will have to pick up "Deck The Halls' to see how this heartwarming emotional novella that will put you in a holiday seasonal mood.

With This Christmas Ring By: Manda Collins

Book Description...

"A wallflower determined to fulfill a dying promise, the rogue she jilted years ago, and an orphaned baby are all brought together amidst the magic of Christmas in this new novella from Manda Collins. Miss Merry Parks makes a deathbed promise to a school friend that her infant daughter will be taken to her absent father. There’s only one problem—to find the baby’s father, she’ll have to consult his cousin, Viscount Wrotham, the man she jilted five years ago. The man she couldn’t forget. Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham, is stunned to find Merry Parks—looking more lovely than ever--on his doorstep with an infant in her arms. His shock soon turns to dismay when he learns his own cousin William is the man who abandoned his wife and child. As head of the family he’s duty bound to see right is done. But he can't let this opportunity pass. He’ll take Merry and the baby to his cousin, but he’ll woo her back in the process. Merry agrees to travel with Alex and the baby to Wrotham Castle, where the entire Ponsonby family has gathered for Christmas, but her plans to see the baby settled then leave are ruined by a snowstorm. After five years apart, Alex and Merry will spend the week getting reacquainted. Perhaps it’s the spirit of the holiday, or the magic of the season, but there could be something else in the air this Yuletide…A Christmas Reunion."

Title:  With This Christmas Ring
Author:  Manda Collins
Publisher:  Swerve
Reviewed By:  
Rating:  Five
Review:

"With This Christmas Ring" by Manda Collins

My Thoughts....

What a good holiday romance read of just what can happen when a love lost will be found once again that will definite capture the wonderful feeling of the true spirit of this holiday season.  I found this short novella story to be well written from the start to the finish that will definite keep your attention.  This was one of those read that will have you shaking your head as this story unfolds that tells 'the tale of a pair of lovers that were truly torn apart by the conspiracies of a particular family member.'  What will happen when all of the story comes out from traveling to Wrotham Castle?  Will these two [Merry & Alex] that had been torn apart be able to work toward their HEA?  Well, to find out you will have to pick up "With This Christmas Ring" to find out.

The Christmas Room By: Catherine Anderson

Book Description...

"The beloved author of the Mystic Creek series gifts readers with a novel of homespun holiday cheer, as two families discover the joy of hope and redemption....   Widow Maddie McLendon has uprooted her life to move to Rustlers Gulch with her son and grandson. But as a brutal Montana winter looms on the horizon, contractors have yet to break ground on their new house, leaving them to live in a makeshift camp of trailers, tents, and sheds.... Since his wife died six years ago, millionaire rancher Sam Conacher has been content to wallow in his grief alone while keeping a tight rein on his twenty-six-year-old daughter. But now the girl has gone and fallen in love with his foolish new neighbor’s no-good son.... Maddie and Sam will never see eye to eye on anything, until a near-tragedy gives them a true glimpse into each other’s souls. And as the first snowflakes begin to fall, they’ll discover that an open heart is the biggest gift of all...."

Title:  The Christmas Room
Author:  Catherine Anderson
Publisher:  Berkley
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:Five
Review:

"The Christmas Room" by Catherine Anderson

My Thoughts....

I found this a good novella Christmas story that touches on a little bit of it all....from 'grief, trials and tribulations of a single parent, finding a love connection, moving to a new state, with secrets, physical violence,  name calling, lack of understanding, healing, redemption' and it did have some heart warming moments. This author gives the reader a wonderful story that was even humorous at times, with touching moments with interesting characters from [Maddie, Cameron (Cam}, Caleb McLendon, Sam and  Kristin Conacher to name a few that will definitely keep your attention all the way through this beautiful description of Christmas Montana story.   Be ready for a long story of this well blended family where the reader will be able to read about this 'dual love story of two different generations' with the best of it all ... it all happens around the Christmas holiday.  All that is left to say is that this was really a fantastic story of families and their relationships in how this author brings it all together so well after all is said and done. 

A Season of You By: Emma Douglas

Book Description...

"It's Christmastime in the quaint island town of Cloud Bay, where love is always in season... Will Fraser has believed in love at first sight since the day he first laid eyes on Mina Harper five years ago. There was only one problem: She was happily married. Then, when Mina's husband was killed by a drunk driver, Will figured she'd want nothing to do with a guy who owns a whiskey distillery. So he's kept his feelings locked away, knowing that not even a Christmas miracle would be enough to melt Mina's heart. . . Mina believes her days of true love are behind her. Since losing her husband she's kept to herself, content to do her own painting and stay out of the limelight that comes with her famous family. But when, after a freak accident, Will comes to her rescue, Mina can't quite get him out of her mind. As curiosity turns into a fling during Cloud Bay's first Christmas Festival, she finds it harder to convince herself that her feelings for Will are just mistletoe-inspired. Could Mina be ready to lay the past to rest and finally admit that what she really wants for Christmas--and forever--is Will?"

Title:  A Season of You
Author:   Emma Douglas
Publisher:   St. Martin's Press
Series:  Cloud Bay #2
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"A Season Of You" by Emma Douglas

My Thoughts....

This author gives the ready quite a interesting story in "A Season of You" [the second in this series] who dealt with Mina Harper who had lot her father and her husband. How will Will Fraser play in all of this?  Well, he had be very fond of Mina from afar for five years, however, she was married so that was that.  Now, that things were different would Mina ever be interested in Will who owned a whiskey distillery and bar with his brother and since the death of Mina's father and husband had been due to alcohol related causes. Would Mina [the widow] be able to get pass that?  However, after a accident would Mina be able to see things different and overcome this apprehension that she had regarded of Will's career?  Be ready for a little of  'drama, humor, second chances, love, spice and holiday hope.'  Will Will be able to win Mina's heart during this holiday season in this good story of 'overcoming ones fear and allowing one to love once again?'  To find out all of the answers to these questions you will have to pick up "A Season of You" to see how well this author brings it out so well to the readers in this Christmas novel. 

Cheddar Off Dead By: Julia Buckley

Book Description....

"Caterer and cook Lilah Drake is up to her elbows in deadly trouble in the latest mystery from the author of The Big Chili...
 
The Christmas holidays are one of Lilah’s favorite times of the year, filled with friends, family, and, of course, tons of food orders for her Covered Dish clients. But Lilah’s Yuletide cheer ends when she sees a most Grinch-like crime: the murder of a Santa in a school parking lot.

It turns out the deceased Kris Kringle was a complicated tangle of naughty and nice, with a long list of people who might have wanted him dead. And whoever did the deed wants to make sure that Lilah keeps quiet. Now, Lilah will have to team up with her former fling, Detective Jay Parker, to unwrap the mysteries of a deadly Christmas killer and stay alive long enough to ring in the New Year..."

Title:  Cheddar Off Dead

Author:  Julia Buckley

Publisher:  Berkley

Series:  An Undercover Dish Mystery #2

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Cheddar Off Dead" by Julia Buckley

My Thoughts....

What a cozy mystery Christmas read that not only gives the reader a good story but some good food too!  I liked the plot that was presented that simmered around the death of a part time Santa Claus [Brad Whitefield] and a 'Undercover Chef' [Lilah Drake] in Pine Haven. This 'Under Chef' was Lilah Drake who was quite something else in that she had such a intriguing job ...an 'Undercover Dish business where she cooked for people who then took the credit for the food that didn't have the time or the talent to make.'  After delivering food to a third grade teacher at the school for a school party [macaroni and cheese] Lilah happens to see Santa in the parking lot. After speaking with him Lilah just minutes later happens to see something bad happens to Santa [hears a gunshot...she calls 911] and the story takes off from here.  Needless to say Lilah life will be put in jeopardy due to the fact she has witness a murder and someone wants to keep her quiet.  Now, how will this all turn out after putting Lilah under police protection? What will happen after she will have to team up with her former fling, Detective Jay Parker as they try to find out who this Santa really was and who was trying to kill her?  This is where I say you must pick up this good mystery to see how well this author brings it all out to her readers.  I found all of the characters very engaging, well portrayed, spirited and fun giving the reader a very interesting suspenseful mystery read.  Oh, I don't want to leave out Lilah's dog Mick [Chocolate lab]who was just charming pet and the detective Jay Parker whom Lilah was trying to avoid after that disastrous earlier date[from Book 1..The Big Chill] who added to this good read. I really liked how this author was able to give us a read where after you read the novel you can see that the clues were there all the time ...well hidden and very well done.  Be ready for 'yummy plot twist, deception, humor and some wonderful writing.'

  

This novel will definitely put the reader in the mood for the Christmas holiday...especially with all of that good recipes that will indeed make your mouth water.  If you are looking for a good mystery read especially during the holidays I would definitely recommend this one "Cheddar Off Dead."  The reader will get a little bit of it all from a well written holiday cozy captivating mystery that has a good flow of the storyline, the ending... wow and oh my the food that was talked about was off the chart good!

I received this book from NOR for an honest review.

Seasons of Love By: Andrea Boeshaar

Book Description...

"An Apple a Day

Dr. Brian Coridan needs a break. He vacations in quiet Blossom Lake, Wisconsin where he plans to ponder his future as a physician. He never expects to be distracted by Talia Fountain, the town’s “health food nut.” She’s both charming and annoying and their philosophies about medicine are worlds apart. Then why can’t Brian keep his distance? Could it be she holds the key to what’s been missing in his medical practice?


September Sonata

Krissy and Blaine’s marriage is in its autumn season…or is just over? Life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has grown dull. Boring. But there’s a handsome, sophisticated new principal at the Christian school where Krissy teaches. Their attraction to each other is undeniable—but is it strong enough for Krissy to call it quits with her frumpy fireman husband?


Let It Snow

Everyone in the small Door County, Wisconsin town thought Shari Kretlow and Brenan Sheppard would marry someday—until Shari ran off with another guy. Decades later, Shari is a widow and finds herself stranded in a Wisconsin blizzard on Christmas Eve. The Sheppards open their doors and invite her to stay. But there’s a problem. Dr. Brenan Sheppard, now a missionary in Brazil, is home for the holidays and he’s about to propose marriage to a woman on his missions’ team. But when he sees Shari, long-lost feelings come to light. Can a past romance be resurrected? What’s more, can it survive?"

Title:  Season of Love

Author:  Andrea Boeshaar

Publisher:  Prism Book Group [Diamond]

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Seasons of Love" by Andrea Boeshaar

My Thoughts....


This author gave the readers three well written interesting Christian short stories of real life.
These are three anthologies...with the first being:  An Apple a Day...How will a health food store owner Talia Fountain deal with Dr. Brian Coridan as he vacations in Blossom Lake, Wisconsin? In the next story...September Sonata.... What will happen as Krissy and Blaine's marriage is put to the test after he is recovering from a fire accident, the twins have left for college in another state and then Krissy is having to deal with a new 'Christian school principal that is showing interest in her?'  Then last we have the last one...Let It Snow...can Shari Kretlow and Dr. Brenan Sheppard be brought back together  after a past romance and be resurrected in a second chance?  All of these questions and more will be answered as you read through 'Season's of Love.'  I think my favorite one was 'September Sonata' because I felt that a lots of women have dealt with similar situations as this.

I did  found all three short stories were a good reads presenting 'love and faith.'  Would I recommend? If you are into a good Christian read...these would be definitely recommended. .

I received a copy through NOR  in exchange for an honest review.