A Christmas Gift By: Kathi Macias

Title:  A Christmas Gift
Author:   Kathi Macias
Publisher:  New Hope Publishers
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:  5
Review:

"A Christmas Gift"  by Kathi Macias

Book Description:
"Chiapas, Mexico, had proven to be the distraction and escape Julie needed. As a teacher, she had longed to travel and instruct abroad. Now, she was teaching and falling in love with her students. But what she didn't expect happened in the short days leading up to Christmas. She didn’t know that her freedom would depend on Ramon, the local pastor. She didn’t anticipate the emotions this man of God would stir deep in her spirit. This Christmas Eve service would be unlike any other she had ever experienced. Would this simple man and his faith be enough to cause her to stay when she had every reason to leave?"

What I liked from this novel...

This was indeed a heartwarming Christian story that will capture your attention and keep you reading not wanting to put it down till the very end.  Now, don't get me wrong this author brings out the dark side too in the novel...an example would be like telling the scary things that can and do go on in Mexico. I am sure you are now wondering what I am referring to and all I will say is you will have to read "A Christmas Gift" to see for yourself.  I will say at this point this is not a read for the faint hearted or for children.  However,  this author really does a good job giving the reader some very interesting characters who were all for the most part well developed, captivating and believable.  You will find from the read that the heroine Julie who was deeply depressed after the death of her husband  and decides to do a long buried dream of hers and that was  to take a job teaching abroad...in Chiapas,  Mexico (the rain forest of southern Mexico) for a year.  It was there she meets a local pastor and this story will take off from there where you will see it was there in Mexico that Julie had her life changing experience that turns off to be quite a spiritual as well as a physical journey  for her too.   I was caught with that surprised ending!

"A Christmas Gift" was a good Christian read that I would gladly recommend to you rather if it's Christmas or not. 

The Importance of Being Alice By: Katie MacAlister

Title:  The Importance of Being Alice
Author:  Katie MacAlister
Publisher:  Penguin Group Berkley NAL/Signet Romance, DAW
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"The Importance of Being Alice" by Katie MacAlister

Book Description...

First in a new series!

"From New York Times bestselling author Katie MacAlister comes a series about finding your own wonderland through one roadblock at a time.... Nothing about Alice Wood’s life is normal right now. Her fiancé, Patrick, called off their wedding and relationship only days before their nonrefundable wedding trip. And though a luxurious European river cruise for one is just what she needs, it’s not what she gets....

Due to a horrible misunderstanding, Alice is now cramped in her romantic” suite with one of Patrick’s friends. Instead of cruising along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers sipping champagne with the love of her life, she’s navigating the waters with a strange yet mysteriously handsome British aristocrat.

A baron of dubious wealth and not-so-dubious debt Elliot Ainslie is just looking for some alone time to write the books that keep his large family afloat. But his stodgy, serious self is about to be sidetracked by a woman who seems to have jumped out of the pages of a fairy tale, one who is determined to shake up his life...and include him in her own happily ever after."


What I liked about this novel...

This was a interesting novel where we find a wedding has been called off however, Alice decides to still go on the nonrefundable wedding trip.  What will she find there... or is it who will she find on this trip but a strange man who was a 'British aristocrat' named Elliott Ainslie and a friend of her ex.  The story will have some real twist and even some humorous parts.  What even gets more interesting his when this ex appears  and trying to make amends. Will there be a wedding?  Wow, this will be a novel to pick up by this author and one I would recommend to you so read to get  the outcome of it all. 

Playing Santa By: H.Y. Hanna

Title:  Playing Santa
Author:  H.Y. Hanna
Publisher:  Wisheart Press
Series:  Summer Beach Vets
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Playing Santa" by H.Y. Hanna

Book Description....

"escape Down Under this Christmas...and find love in Summer Beach, where cold noses touch warm hearts! Holly stopped believing in Santa Claus long ago... until a house-sitting vacation in Australia rekindles the magic of Christmas. When she rescues a litter of abandoned puppies and meets a handsome veterinarian who captures her heart, she finds herself tempted to give up everything for a chance at love.

The last thing billionaire Dr Nick Forrester expected when helping out at the animal hospital was to meet this pretty American. He knows that they belong together - but with malicious gossip and culture clash coming between them, can he convince Holly that all he wants for Christmas is her?

* EACH NOVELLA CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE, or read them in order for more fun! Characters you loved from past books often return to delight again in this sweet romance series set in Summer Beach, Australia.

- Playing for Love (Summer Beach Vets #1) ~ Sara & Craig
- Playing to Win (Summer Beach Vets #2) ~ Ellie & Dan
- Playing by Heart (Summer Beach Vets #3) ~ Pippa & Matt
- Playing the Fool (Summer Beach Vets #4) ~ Charlie & Todd
- Playing Santa (Summer Beach Vets Christmas Special) ~ Holly & Nick"

What I liked about the novel....

This was a real sweet romantic holiday read.  I liked both of the two main  characters Holly and Nick.
The thought that puppies brought these two  together was just perfect in this story line.  In the end seeing Holly finally getting a great life at  new place, a new friend and oh yes a new puppy presented a very good read.  Would I recommend "Summer Beach Vets Christmas Special" for a holiday read?....YES!

Rocky Mountain Miracle By: Christine Feehan

Title:  Rocky Mountain Miracle
Author:  Christine Feehan
Publisher:  Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Rocky Mountain Miracle" by Christine Feehan

Book Description....

"No Christmas will ever be the same after Cole and Maia meet on a snowy western ranch… Find out why in #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan’s romantic holiday e-novella!

When Cole Steele, a womanizer rumored to have killed his father, meets Maia Armstrong, a veterinarian rumored to practice magic, the sizzling romance could melt all the snow on his Wyoming ranch. And when an injured horse brings them together, Cole can’t help but believe that Maia casts spells on animals—and men. What else could explain the burning passion he feels for her and the thawing of his heart just in time for Christmas?"

What I liked about the novel....

This was one of those stories that once you start reading you will find it hard to put down.  I found the story one that was rather a sad one but I will say it did have some lightness that would put a smile on your face as  you are reading through the read.  Yes, it was a romance but there was a lots more to this storyline.  The author did a amazing job as she brings to life this story of Cole, his brother Jase and then there will be a healer in the form of a traveling veterinarian  named Maia.  We find from the read that the Steele brothers were in the need of  much healing for these two guys.  Why was that?  Then here comes a lady with some very special gifts that will greatly help the two Steele brothers.  In the end ... well this is where I will say I don't want to spoil it because I want you to pick up this good read to see for yourself how well this author brings it all out to the reader.

This was definitely one of those reads that wasn't all a happy read.  I did find it rough at times but as the read flows the reader will be ale to see just what all this author had in mind for the reader to be able to  understand about life bringing out their lows, strengths as well as there support for each other.  This read will include a paranormal (pet psychic) that was brought into the read that I found  quite interesting  and it was done so well in the flow of  the read. Now, I want the reader to be aware that there will be child abuse issues  that will be a very sensitive subject addressed.  Also, there will be  mysteries going on at this ranch  that will have you guessing or trying to guess who was doing this?   Yes, there is some hot steamy sex between....well I will let you read  it for yourself to find out in the end all of the mysteries and seeing if there will be a happy ever after.  Be ready for a little of it all...abuse, sorrow, hate,  mysteries, twists, emotions, paranormal,  humor, romance, and yes....in the end a new life for all.  Would I recommend "Rocky Mountain Miracle?"  YES!

Baby, It's Cold Outside (Tangled #4.5) By: Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kate Meader, Kristen Proby & Melody Anne

Title:  Baby, It's Cold Outside
Authors:  Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kate Meader, Kristen Proby & Melody Anne
Publisher:  Pocket Balls
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Baby It's Cold Outside (Tangled #4.5)

Book Description....

"New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling indie authors Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kristen Proby, Melody Anne, and debut author Kate Meader come together to write a sizzling romance anthology.

Outside it may be frosty, so turn the heat way up with these stories of desire!

Can a determined woman executive and a playboy billionaire survive being stranded together in a snowstorm? Jennifer Probst depicts an encounter almost too hot to handle...

Drew and Kate play an encore to Tangled in this sexy take on a "Christmas Carol" by Emma Chase. When a Christmas Eve argument condemns Drew to a troubled night, three dream women teach him that no gift could be more tantalizing than Kate...

With Kristen Proby, ski slopes are quite delightful. Grace Douglas is sure she'll never learn to ski, but instructor Jacob Baxter could teach her lessons of a different kind...

Can a southern California transplant survive Montana's deep snows? Melody Anne, author of the bestselling Andersons series, melts the icy drifts completely away with the heat between sexy Hawk Winchester and brand-new teacher Natalie Duncan...

What could be hotter than a firefighter? Kate Meader shows how, as Beck Rivera and heiress-turned-tattoo-artist Lucy Cochrane discover, nothing ignites holiday flames like rekindling a lost love..."

What I liked about this novel..... 


These are truly five good sexy short anthologies  stories that will keep your attention  reading one story after the other till the end.  Now which one will be your favorite read?  Mine was the one by author Jennifer Probst featuring Riley Fox  and  Ryan Dylan McCray in "Searching For You."  I loved its presentation! 

I really did enjoy reading all  these novellas where there were some I wished some could have been a little longer.  I felt a few of the reads were rushed a bit.   Most of these stores were about or around the Christmas time filled  with lots  snow(where you are possibly stranded in a snowstorm) and  lots of sexy hot scenes that was well presented.  All of the characters for the most part were developed, well portrayed, likable, believable,  romantic and sexy and I found that all of these author's gave the reader good descriptions of the various scenes that even made you feel as if you were there. 

Be ready for  a novel of fun cute  romantic stories with some being a little predictable but yet by the end you get to the last story the reader will have  a  good read and even a smile of your face.

If you are looking for a novel to bundle up with during the Christmas holiday, I would recommend "Baby, It's Cold Outside" collection where you will get holiday read with romance  passion and some  heart warming unforgettable moments.     

Rough Rider (Hot Cowboy Nights # 2) By: Victoria Vane

Title:  Rough Rider
Author:  Victoria Vane
Publisher:  Sourcebooks Casablanca
Series:  Hot Cowboy Nights # 2
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Rough Rider" by Victoria Vane

Book Description....

"Two wary hearts ...
Janice Combes has two loves, bucking bulls and Dirk Knowlton. But Dirk only has eyes for a dazzling rodeo queen. How can Janice ever compete while mired ankle-deep in manure? Exchanging playful banter with Dirk is all Janice can expect-until the stormy night he knocks on her door dripping wet and needing a place to crash.

Different Dreams...
Dirk Knowlton is living the cowboy dream. Life should be good-roping, branding, backing broncs, riding bulls, but there's a void he can't seem to fill. After getting hung up by a bull, he wonders if this is really the life he wants. Restless and rebellious, he bolts...but there's a certain cowgirl he can't forget.

When a battle-scarred Dirk returns to his Montana ranch he's determined to hang on at any cost. Janice has come back home to lick her own wounds. When old dreams turn to dust, can two wary hearts take another chance on love?"

What I enjoyed about this novel....


This was one beautiful told story of a cowboy romance that involved a  girl(Janice) who will  finally gets the one guy she has always wanted. But be really for a long  story that will present many twist and turns...life changes, one night stands....etc.  before all of this will all happen.  For it will not be a easy ride but a rough one....especially for these two....Janice and Dirk. 

This author really works it with the reader in giving us some cute saying that will definitely keep you turning the pages to see what all is going on with Janice, Dirk and lets not forget Grady.  I did enjoy how this author described all that goes into the rodeo circuit riding(bull riding for eight sections).  I was in awe of it all! 

The characters form "Rough Rider" were all so well developed, well portrayed, colorful, richly developed and believable that seemed to come alive on the pages as you read. Let's not forget the hot steamy sex scenes that his author knows how to give us so well. 

If you are into a good cowboy romance then you are at the right place for "Rough Rider" will give it to you with a ending that will put a smile on your face.

For Better and Worse By: Stephanie Nicole Norris

Title:  For Better and Worse
Author:  Stephanie Nicole Norris
Publisher:  Love Is A Drug
Series:  Trouble in Paradise Book 3
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"For Better and Worse" by Stephanie Nicole Norris

"Coming out of hibernation, Danielle Shumaker has put behind her the pain and misery she’s caused Victoria and Joshua. Blinded by her selfishness her ultimate goal is still her main one. As far as Danielle’s concerned Joshua belongs to her, always has and always will. No amount of therapy can cure her love addiction and no matter what anyone says she will fight for him, even if she has to kill someone AGAIN.

Wedding bells are in Victoria and Joshua’s future, Victoria is excited to be Mrs. Eubanks. However, when she closes her eyes at night, Greg invades her dreams, the passion and love leaves her wanting more and waking with doubt about her upcoming marriage. How will she get over this man or does she even want to?"

What I liked about this novel....

All I can say is this was another one of this author's  well written novels that I enjoyed reading from cover to cover.  "For Better and Worse" will definitely keep your attention from start to finish with all of its drama.  Be prepared to start with a dream and a ending that you will find yourself asking yourself if you are in a nightmare at the hand of....well you will have to pick up this intriguing read to see for yourself!  I found most of the characters simply off the chart being well developed, well portrayed, engaging, and so well depicted that gives the reader a rather interesting story.  Now, I will say this isn't a  happy story so be ready for all the drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat and even leave you wanting to know what will happen in the next novel from that ending.  Well done to the author for another good read.  I will add to truly understand what all has happened earlier in this novel the reader needs to read the other two novels...'Trouble In Paradise and  Vengeful Intentions' by this author first before reading 'For Better and Worse."  With that being said I would definitely recommend "For Better and Worse" as a good read.