Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts

Thursday, November 30, 2023

My Thoughts and More on Santa's Magical Reindeer Becoming Pen Pals by Michele Monaco Illustrated by Prabir Sarkar

Book Details:

Book Title:  Santa's Magical Reindeer: Becoming Pen Pals by Michele Monaco
Category: Children's Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 38 pages
Genre:  Children's Book
Publisher:  Mascot Kids
Release date:   Nov 7, 2023
Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.

Book Description:

Right after Thanksgiving is the busiest time of year for Santa and his crew of eight famous reindeer! Every year, the Famous Eight sleigh team from the North Pole eagerly helps Santa by going on a quest to find kids who believe in Christmas magic. In Santa’s Magical Reindeer: Becoming Pen Pals, Prancer, Vixen, and Dasher go on an adventure in search of eager pen pals. On their journey, they find three rambunctious girls who eagerly exchange letters with them and become lifelong friends.

Buy the Book:
Mascot Books
Amazon ~ B&N
add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Michele Monaco has a great love for the Christmas season. She embraces the Christmas spirit all year round by remembering to look at life through the eyes of a child. As a mother of three beautiful and exuberant daughters, she believes in the magic that the holiday brings. Michele lives in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and enjoys traveling, reading, running, and enjoying the outdoors.

connect with author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram

My Thoughts:

This was a very cute and unique story that focuses on the eight reindeer that pull Santa's sleigh. This is their story and how they like to be pen pals to the children who still believe in Santa. They check up on the kids throughout the year with magical snowflake dust so the children will not see them.

In this story Prancer, Vixen, and Dasher meet three sisters who become their very special pen pal friends. Especially when the sisters eagerly write the reindeer back. I like that we get to see the letters that were passed between them and at the end of the book there is a list of questions that kids can ask their own pen pals.

Filled with beautiful, colorful pictures, this is a storybook that will capture children's imaginations and make the season all the more special. I especially liked the contrast between the North Pole and Sugar Hill Circle where the sisters lived.

I was provided a copy of this story book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Enter the Giveaway:

Friday, December 17, 2021

Review and Giveaway: Her Christmastime Family by Tara Randel

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Her Christmastime Family

(The Golden Matchmakers Club #2)

By Tara Randel

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 271 Pages

November 30, 2021 by Harlequin Heartwarming

A holiday match…
For a lifetime of love!

Creating new Christmas traditions is a priority for single mom Faith Harper. But the handsome widower next door, police officer Roan Donovan, is struggling to make the season merry for his two girls. Sunny Faith could brighten the holiday for Roan. And the way he protects his daughters touches her heart. Will facing their challenges together unite their families…and build a love to weather all seasons?

(Affiliate links included.)

My Thoughts:

Faith has just moved into a rental with just herself and her little son and daughter. She is happy to be in her own home for Christmas and after a terrible divorce, plans to make Christmas magical for her two kids. Next door is police officer Roan who is a widower and is raising his two little girls. He is trying to keep the holidays as low key as possible, so his girls do not get disillusioned and disappointed. I found it interesting how both Faith and Roan love their children very much but go about the holidays quite differently.

But the matchmakers are at it again. And after being successful the first time, they think Faith and Roan would make a great match. But with cautious hope they proceed with their plans knowing how different Faith and Roan are from each other.

With or without the help of the matchmakers, there is a spark of attraction between these two and that spark does grow whether they want it to or not. The more time they spend together with their kids help, and they are a necessary help to one another. But both are nursing wounded hearts from their previous relationships and have much trepidation. While they navigate this holiday season together trials do come, and they must see the best way to wade through them.

I enjoyed this heartfelt romance of second chances and risking love for another time.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Other Books in the Series

Stealing Her Best Friend's Heart

(The Golden Matchmakers Club #1)

By Tara Randel

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages

July 27, 2021 by Harlequin Heartwarming

A home renovation…
Could change this friendship forever

Heidi Welch has her eye on the perfect home…until Reid Masterson buys it! Now Heidi has one last chance to get back the home of her dreams from her childhood friend and longtime crush. If she helps Reid with the renovations, he'll sell her the house. But “just friends” seems just about impossible…especially when friendship keeps getting in the way of falling in love.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target | Book Depository

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn't come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. Family values, mystery and, of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery.

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

Prize #1: Signed print copy of His Honor, Her Family and Stealing Her Best Friend’s Heart, a Christmas ornament and a $25 Amazon Gift Card. (Open to US only)

Prize #2: $10 Amazon e-Gift Card (Open Internationally)

Ends December 22, 2021

ENTER HERE

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Review and Giveaway: The Living Christmas Tree by Kristin Sponaugle and Illustrated by Agus Prajogo

Join Us for This Tour from November 26 to December 17

Book Details:

Book Title: The Living Christmas Tree by Kristin Sponaugle

Category: Children's Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 38 pages

Genre: Children's Book

Publisher: Mascot

Release date: September 2021

Formats Available for Review: print-hardback USA, e-book (PDF)

Tour dates: November 26 to December 17

Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.

***** 2021 Family Choice Award Winner *****

Book Description:

During the day, the Miller family’s Christmas tree stands tall in their living room, sparkling with lights and ornaments. Little does the family know that their Christmas tree is anything but ordinary. Each evening, the magic of Christmas brings their tree to life—much to the delight of Hannah and William Miller. Follow along as Hannah and William experience the magic of Christmas in a whole new way.

My Thoughts:

The Living Christmas Tree was a story that was both magical and delightful and brought me back to my childhood. The story is about the ornaments and how after being packed away all year long, on the nights leading up to Christmas and even beyond till they are packed away again, they come to life. They come to life at night only and have all sorts of fun and catching up to do. Till one night one of the children gets a glimpse of something truly magical. Will this be the end of their fun, or will they have new friends to celebrate with?

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday and as a mother I try to make Christmas as special for my kids as possible. This story brought back my own memories of sweet Christmas's when I was a child. I always loved playing with special ornaments and if I thought that they could come to life, well even better.

The illustrations are bright and beautiful. They showcase a happy home and family and just the sweet and simple joy Christmas brings. This is a story that could fuel a child's imagination.

I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Buy the Book:
Mascot
Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Target

Meet the Author:

Kristin Sponaugle was born in Butler, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Duquesne University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in health sciences and her master’s degree in physician assistant studies. Kristin had always dreamed of becoming an author, and made that dream a reality with her two published children’s books, The Princess Puppy and The Living Christmas Tree. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cross-stitching, and playing with her Maltese dog, Rosie. Kristin lives with her husband, daughter, and Rosie, and resides wherever the Air Force sends them.

Connect with the Author: website ~ f ac ebook ~ instagram

Tour Schedule:

Nov 26 – Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – book review / author interview / giveaway
Nov 26 - The Momma Spot – book review / giveaway
Nov 29 - Westveil Publishing – book review / guest post / giveaway
Nov 29 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Nov 29 - Sefina Hawke's Books – book spotlight
Nov 29 - My Bookish Bliss - book review / giveaway
Nov 30 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Nov 30 - Triquetra Reviews – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 1 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / author interview / spotlight
Dec 1 - Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Dec 2 – @twilight_reader – book review
Dec 2 - The Phantom Paragrapher – book review / giveaway
Dec 3 - Rockin' Book Reviews - book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 3 – Books for Books – book review
Dec 6 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 6 – Kam's Place – book review
Dec 7 - icefairy's Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
Dec 8 – Reading is My Passion – book review
Dec 8 – fundinmental – book review / giveaway
Dec 9 – All Booked Up Reviews – Instagram – book review
Dec 9 - Older & Smarter? – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 10 – Sandra's Book Club – book review / giveaway
Dec 13 – Bigreadersite – book review / giveaway
Dec 14 – Captive Dreams Window – book review
Dec 14 - She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
Dec 15 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Dec 15 - The Adventures of a Travelers Wife – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 16 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Dec 16 - I'm Into Books – book review / giveaway
Dec 17 – Cover To Cover Café – book review

Enter the Giveaway:

THE LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE Book Tour Giveaway

Review and Giveaway: Gingersnap Snatcher by Vicky Weber and Illustrated by Svitlana Liuta

Join Us for This Tour: December 7th to December 17th

Book Details:

Book Title: Gingersnap Snatcher by Vicky Weber
Category: Children's Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 32 pages
Genre:  Children's
Publisher:  Trunk Up Books
Release date:   December 2021
Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.

Book Description:

Abuela made cookies to eat after school. The gingersnap kind, just the thought made us drool! We rushed home excited. We opened the door…The cookies were missing - just CRUMBS on the floor! Can you help the kids crack the case of the GINGERSNAP SNATCHER?

My Thoughts:

Gingersnap Snatcher is an adorable rhyming holiday book about three siblings who are hungry for their Abuela's cookies. And these are not just any cookies but her special gingersnap ones. So off to home from school they go only to find ...crumbs. Who ate all the cookies? These three little detectives get to searching and ruling out the suspects and what they find certainly surprises them and may just surprise the reader as well.

This is a really cute little book with lively and colorful illustrations that brought the story to life. My attention was captured from the start, and I thought it was a clever and cute idea to have a mystery with a Christmas background with a cute twist in the end. It was just a joyous and happy feeling read and a great book to add to any child's holiday reads.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Buy the Book:
Amazon

Meet the Author:

Vicky Weber is a musician and an elementary educator with a love for children’s literature. As a Puerto Rican author of Taíno descent, she strives to create picture books that are fun, engaging, and educational. All her current titles are based on her background in music education or her heritage. While she has taught a variety of grade levels, primary level education is where her passion lies. It has long been a dream of hers to teach children through the magic of books and she hopes you love reading her works as much as she loved writing them.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ goodreads ~ instagram

Tour Schedule:

Dec 7 – Rockin Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 7 - Kam's Place – book review / author interview
Dec 7 - Cover Lover Book Review – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 7 - Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 8 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Dec 8 - A Mama's Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
Dec 8 - @booking.with.janelle – book review / author interview
Dec 8 - The Momma Spot – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 9 – icefairy's Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
Dec 9 - @jayme_reads – book review / author interview
Dec 9 - Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 10 – Hall Ways Blog – book review / giveaway
Dec 10 - @twilight_reader – book review / guest post
Dec 10 - Triquetra Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 13 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 13 - Older & Smarter? – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 13 - Sefina Hawke's Books – book review
Dec 14 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 14 - Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Dec 14 - The Page Ladies – book review / giveaway
Dec 14 - Westveil Publishing – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 15 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Dec 15 - Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Dec 15 - Sandra's Book Club – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 15 - Lisa's Reading – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 16 – Captive Dreams Window – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 16 - Reading is My Passion – book review / author interview
Dec 16 - She Just Loves Books – book review / author interview / giveaway
Dec 17 – Bigreadersite – book review / giveaway
Dec 17 - Chit Chat with Charity – book review / guest post / giveaway
Dec 17 - Books for Books – book review / guest post

Enter the Giveaway:

GINGERNAP SNATCHER Book Tour Giveaway

Monday, December 14, 2020

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Ghosted at the Altar by Chautona Havig

About the Book

Book: Ghosted at the Altar

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian fiction, Christmas romance

Release Date: September, 2020

He’s goin’ to the chapel and he’s gonna get… ghosted?

Guys don’t always “get into” the whole wedding thing, but there’s one thing Mitchell Bogaert has been anticipating for the last two years–that first glimpse of Brenna coming to meet him at the altar. So, when the back doors open to reveal a missing bride, he’s shocked, disappointed, hurt, angry–pick your negative emotion. It probably fits.

Brenna Kinsey didn’t know she’d bolt at the last minute, but now she’s trying to figure out what happened and how to prevent it happening again before Mitchell decides she’s not worth the emotional trauma–or the town drama!

Lauren Kinsey, on the other hand, is more than just the kid-sister bridesmaid. She’s a self-proclaimed sleuth and determined to ferret out the problem, arrive at a solution, and get things back on track before broken hearts shatter into more pieces than Humpty Dumpty.

Time’s running out, only the bride and groom don’t realize it. How will Lauren fix this mess before the “clock strikes midnight” and there isn’t a ghost of a chance to save the marriage that never got a chance to be?

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

What would make a bride run away on her wedding day? That is what both Mitchell and his future sister-in-law Lauren are attempting to find out. Especially since the love of Mitchell's life, Brenna, did just that. Where do they go from there?

Brenna is certainly dealing with some issues I am not even sure she thought would be an issue. She can't even believe she ran away from Mitchell on her wedding day.

What I liked about this story was the kindness and mercy that Mitchell showed to Brenna. He did not take the path of lashing out, he only sought to understand and help Brenna. In those choices, even though deep down he was mighty frustrated (understandably so), made him quite a romantic hero.

Throw in the help of Lauren a 14 year old lover of books and wanna be sleuth, and you have a team that is going to get to the bottom of Brenna's doubts and woo her back to the altar. A fun novella for this Christmas season.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

How Did One Silly Story Become a Favorite Series?

Dickens and his revival of the “ghost story” at Christmas inspired the kick-off book in a series I’d planned almost twenty years ago. The little village of New Cheltenham first appeared in None So Blind and Thirty Days Hath…. However, the touristy village with its obsession with all things English was actually conceived almost twenty years ago!

That first book… still isn’t in print. I’ve reimagined it, and it will be coming out soon. However, Dickens… well, that guy has a way of getting under your skin, and what better place for a Dickens Ghost Storytelling Contest than in a village that looks ripped from England’s countryside?

The Ghosts of New Cheltenham was born. I actually thought it would be a great way for me to force myself to finish that book I’d started so long ago. But then Amanda Tru sent me a message that said, “We’re going to do one about wedding dresses,” and Something Borrowed, Someone Blue became the second book instead. I wanted more of Mitchell, Brenna, and the loveable Lauren, so I concocted a story that would give me just that.

Is it any wonder, then, when Amanda messaged again with our next collection theme of jilted brides or grooms, I immediately thought, “Oh, dear! What if Mitchell got ghosted at the altar?” That is the fastest title I’ve ever come up with!

Because one more Christmas story in New Cheltenham wasn’t quite enough, I set a third one there this year! The Bells of New Cheltenham. In that one, Mitchell is done with this ghost storytelling stuff and starts a contest of his own!

While you can read these books as stand alones (both mine and the ones within the collections), mine will be a richer reading experience if they are read in the following order

The Ghosts of New Cheltenham (read the companion short story free on Kindle Unlimited HERE)

Something Borrowed, Someone Blue (in The Wedding Dress Yes CrossRoads Collection)

Ghosted at the Altar (in the Five Gold Rings CrossRoads Collection)

The Bells of New Cheltenham. (in the Melodies of Christmas Love Collection)

(note, the last two really can be read in any order.)

How did my silly idea for a plasmaphobic guy who had to tell a ghost story to inherit spark one of my favorite series? All things considered, how could he not?

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, December 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 8

CarpeDiem, December 8

Inklings and notions, December 9

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 10

For Him and My Family, December 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 11

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, December 12

deb’s Book Review, December 12

Artistic Nobody, December 13 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Holly Jo Morris, December 13

Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 14

Pause for Tales, December 14

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 15

Blogging With Carol, December 15

Lots of Helpers, December 16

Captive Dreams Window, December 16

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 17

Vicky Sluiter, December 17

lakesidelivingsite, December 18

Rachael’s Inkwell, December 18

She Lives To Read, December 19

Mary Hake, December 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1045d/ghosted-at-the-altar-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Review: The Christmas Remedy by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall

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About:

When an Old Order Amish woman takes a job at a small-town pharmacy struggling to survive in a world of "big box" stores, her motive is to help her Plain community. But the advent of the holiday season brings an unusual mystery to the surface--and possibly love.

Twenty-four-year-old Holly Zook lives a unique life for a young Amish woman. Years ago, her bishop allowed her to continue her education and become the lead technician for Greene's Pharmacy, an old-timey drugstore that looks out for the Amish community--a group largely without secure healthcare plans. She knows she can't marry and hold onto her professional job. She's Amish, and she can only have one or the other, so she spurns love and works toward addressing treatable diseases--like the one that claimed her father's life.

As long as Holly continues to avoid Joshua Smucker, the one man who draws her like a warm hearth in winter, she should be fine. When something unexpected threatens Greene's Pharmacy, Holly and Joshua must work together to unravel what's happened and find the "missing" patient before the Board of Pharmacy shuts them down. As the snows of December arrive, with Christmas in the air, will Holly succumb to the generous spirit of the season?

My Thoughts:

Holly is an Amish girl who has dreams and goals that are quite out of the ordinary for one in her shoes. She is not a typical Amish girl who cannot wait to be married and begin her household, no she works for the pharmacy and is working quite hard to get her LPN. This story really opens up some interesting tidbits about the Amish and their healthcare. How much do they let modern medicine into their lifestyle is a balancing act that Holly is dealing with. And this dilemma is especially close to her heart after losing her beloved father to a treatable sickness.

There are a few characters lives that this story delves into. Holly and her mission and Josh the guy that would like to be her beau even though she does not want marriage and children. There is Lyle the pharmacist and his estranged son Brandon.

I will say that I was a little stressed reading this book. There are a lot of stressful circumstances these characters must circumvent to get to a better resolution. All in all this was an interesting little Christmas read with romantic and familial relationships front and center.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Monday, December 24, 2018

Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway: Catching Christmas by Terri Backstock

About the Book

Book: Catching Christmas
Author: Terri Blackstock
Genre: Christian Fiction, Romance, Christmas
Release Date: October 9, 2018

This Year, Christmas Comes Just in Time As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current court case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.

The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is making his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.

When Finn meets Sydney, he’s quite sure that she’s never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He’s willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Thoughts:

Catching Christmas was just the right little Christmas story to read at this time of year when trying to manage the busyness of the season and to still feel the holiday cheer. Author Blackstock takes a situation that is sad and can ultimately be depressing and turns it around to a story filled with hope, love, and a reason to live. This was also a story of second chances, but not quite in the way you might think.

Filled with subtle humor, bittersweet moments, and the frenzied rush of life and just trying to make a living we get the two alternate viewpoints of Finn the cab driver and Sydney the granddaughter of a woman wheel chair bound and suffering dementia by the name of Miss Callie. Finn unsuspectingly gets drawn in to Miss Callie’s strange requests as he drives her around town to her Dr.’s appointments, social calls that includes matchmaking for her granddaughter, and her Christmas shopping. Finn, so many times wants to walk away from her seemingly craziness but he is in Callie’s words, “a sweet boy” and finds himself unable to leave her on her own.

Sydney, a lawyer trying to keep her job, her bosses happy, and to win a case that is so ridiculous that even she herself is against her defendant, is really juggling too much, especially when her grandmother needs her care so much more now.

I really enjoyed this little witty Christmas story of life and love and joy and look forward to a reading it again and again.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Catching Christmas is her first Christmas romance. Visit her website at www.terriblackstock.com Facebook: tblackstock Twitter: @terriblackstock