Review: Flirting with Alaska

Flirting with Alaska by Belle Calhoune
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1.5 Stars rounded up.

If you like super sweet romances, this book will knock your socks off. But when I say super sweet, I really mean saccharin sweet. Perhaps even cloyingly sweet. Everyone was just so perfect; the relationships were perfect, and even the Grandmother's dying was done perfectly and sweetly! Except for one scene at the beginning of the book, the rest of the book was filled with stilted characters, unreal interactions, forced dialogue, and pure perfection.

The author was very vague about many parts that were important and would have contributed a great deal to the story.

I don't mind telling you that I only made it to the 70% mark before I gave up on this.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Forever/Hachette Book Group, the author, and NetGalley

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SYNOPSIS: "Can a notorious flirt prove to a small-town single mom that he’s more than his bad-boy reputation?

Caleb Stone isn’t ready to give up his Hollywood dreams. But after a disastrous run on a reality dating show paints him as an unapologetic player, Caleb needs a little time and space to regroup. Luckily, his hometown of Moose Falls, Alaska has both, plus a job helping his brothers run Yukon Cider. Even dialed down, Caleb’s flirtatious vibes are a hit at work, except for one woman who seems completely, totally, frustratingly immune to his charms—the gorgeous new photographer for Yukon Cider’s upcoming ad campaign.

Single mom Sophia Brand isn’t made of ice—resisting Caleb’s devilishly sexy grin is hard, especially when it’s so often directed her way. It’s just that she’s been burned by handsome smiles before. Now, she’s focused on setting a good example for her daughter, and that means not getting sidetracked by Caleb’s dazzling charisma . . . or his Hollywood abs. But as they work together on the campaign, Caleb and Sophia begin to let their guard down. Can he prove that beneath his playboy persona, Caleb is a leading man worthy of a starring role in Sophia’s heart?"

Review: Christmas with the Queen: A Novel

Christmas with the Queen: A Novel by Hazel Gaynor; Heather Webb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a review of the Kindle version of this book.

This was a lovely novel set in the days of Queen Elizabeth II's first years on the throne. This book is really about how two people who met many years ago (on VE day) then lose touch with each other and meet up again when both of their jobs take them to Sandringham. Jack is one of the chefs, and Olive as a minor reporter for the BBC. The Queen and Prince Phillip really play secondary characters in this novel of love found, lost, and found again.

Olive, a single mother, has a secret, and we fret with her as she wonders if she should let the cat out of the bag. Jack is dealing with the unexpected loss of his wife yet finds that when he meets Olive again and spends time with her, he may have feelings for her.

It is a lovely, warm novel that is a tad slow in parts - especially in the first quarter of the book, but then grabs you and won't let you go until you've read every word.

*ARC was provided for review by the publisher Blackstone Publishing, Inc., the author's Hazel Gaynor; Heather Webb, and NetGalley.


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SYNOPSIS: "’Tis the season! The Crown meets When Harry Met Sally in the latest heartwarming historical novel from Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, bestselling authors of Last Christmas in Paris, Meet Me in Monaco, and Three Words for Goodbye.

December 1952. While the young Queen Elizabeth II finds her feet as the new monarch, she must also find the right words to continue the tradition of her late father’s Christmas Day radio broadcast. But even traditions must evolve with the times, and the queen faces a postwar Britain hungry for change. 

As preparations begin for the royal Christmas at Sandringham House in Norfolk, old friends—Jack Devereux and Olive Carter—are unexpectedly reunited by the occasion. Olive, a single mother and aspiring reporter at the BBC, leaps at the opportunity to cover the holiday celebration, but even a chance encounter with the queen doesn’t go as planned and Olive wonders if she will ever be taken seriously. 

Jack, a recently widowed chef, reluctantly takes up a new role in the royal kitchens at Sandringham. Lacking in purpose and direction, Jack has abandoned his dream to have his own restaurant, but his talents are soon noticed and while he might not believe in himself, others do, and a chance encounter with an old friend helps to reignite the spark of his passion and ambition. 

As Jack and Olive’s paths continue to cross over the following five Christmases, they grow ever closer. Yet Olive carries the burden of a heavy secret that threatens to destroy everything. 

Christmas Day, December 1957. As the nation eagerly awaits the Queen’s first televised Christmas speech, there is one final gift for the Christmas season to deliver… 

Review: To Die For

To Die For by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, did I ever get lucky with this book! It was the most excitement I've had in ages. This was a fun read, and it may be the last in this series of books. I'm not sure, but the reason I say so is becuase things may be finished with the storyline of Travis Devine and The Girl On The Train!  I hope Mr. Baldacci will give us a book with Travis and Pru working together throughout the entire book. Or even make it a tiny little romance.

The only issue I had with this book, which may only be an issue with the ARC, is that we didn't have 50 states in the 1920s. That happened in the '50s. What can I say? I'm a stickler for details!

Other than that little thing-this was an excellent action-packed novel with a fabulous and intricate mystery, wonderful characters, and excellent dialogue. 

If this is not a trilogy but a series, you can better believe that I will be the first in line eagerly awaiting its release!

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Grand Central Publishing, the author, and NetGalley

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SYNOPSIS: "From #1 New York Times bestselling author, David Baldacci, the 6:20 Man returns, this time sent to the Pacific Northwest to aid the FBI in a case that gets more complicated with the more questions Devine asks—and he’s about to come face-to-face with his nemesis, the girl on the train.

Travis Devine has become a pro at adapting to any situation to accomplish the mission set in front of him. Whether it’s a high-powered corporate setting or small-town community, Devine will become the man for the job. His time as an Army Ranger and on the financial battlefields of Wall Street gave him the skills he needed, and he’s put them to good use. But this time it’s not his skills that send him to Seattle to aid the FBI in escorting orphaned, twelve-year-old Betsy Odom to a meeting with her uncle, who’s under investigation for RICO charges. Instead, he’s hoping to lie low and keep off the radar of an enemy that he evaded on a train in Switzerland and who has been after him ever since—the girl on the train.

But as Devine gets to know Betsy, questions begin to arise around the death of her parents. Betsy is adamant that they had never used drugs, but the police in the small rural town where they died insist the Odoms died of an overdose. Devine starts digging for answers, and what he finds points to a conspiracy bigger than he could’ve ever imagined. The question is, how do Betsy, her uncle, and various government agencies all fit into it.

It might finally be time for Devine and the girl on the train to come face-to-face, and when that happens, Devine is going to find himself unsure of who are his allies and who are his enemies. And in some cases, they might well be both."

Review: One Big Happy Family

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holey Moley! I loved, loved, loved this book!

This author sure knows her way around creating a family story that combines everything. It has lies, secrets, past issues, snark, and, eventually, a ton of love.

Julia is set to have a quiet Christmas with her much younger boyfriend at home in Seattle until her kids (they are adult kids!) let her know that they miss their dad and want to keep up with tradition and have their annual Christmas at their mountain cabin. Chaos seems to reign when unexpected guests need to be included (one due to a nasty break-up and the other a gunshot, LoL!) in this event. But boy, it sure all works out for the best. There is huge happily ever afters in this book.

The only issue I had with this book was when Blair (Julie's daughter-in-law) was thrown together with her mother. They have not gotten along for years, but the Mother is trying...in her own way, to make amends. Blair sometimes comes off as a whiney teenager instead of a sensible adult. It became annoying after a while.

I adored this book, and it was just what I needed to start the holiday season off the right way. It was not too ultra-sweet, but it was also not too snarky—just the perfect amount of sass.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves good women's fiction, romance, family stories, and happily ever afters!

I was supplied an ARC for this book by the publisher Canary Street Press/HarperCollins/Harlequin, the author, and ATTL-Edelweiss. However, I loved this book so much that I also bought my own copy!



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SYNOPSIS: "Please don’t come home for Christmas…

Julie Parker’s kids are her greatest gift. Still, she’s not exactly heartbroken when they ask to skip a big Christmas. Her son, Nick, is taking a belated honeymoon with his bride, Blair, while her daughter, Dana, will purge every reminder of the guy who dumped her. Again. Julie feels practically giddy for one-on-one holiday time with Heath, the (much) younger man she’s secretly dating.

But her plans go from cozy to chaotic when Nick and Dana plead for Christmas at the family cabin in memory of their late father, Julie’s ex. She can’t refuse, even though she dreads their reactions to her new man when they realize she’s been hiding him for months.

As the guest list grows in surprising ways, from Blair’s estranged mom to Heath’s precocious children, Julie’s secret is one of many to be unwrapped. Over this delightfully complicated and very funny Christmas, she’ll discover that more really is merrier, and that a big, happy family can become bigger and happier, if they let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love.

Review: The Mirror

The Mirror by Nora Roberts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 STARS

As other reviewers noted, this book starts at the same place that Inheritance ended - on the cliffhanger.

I am sorry to say that I expected this book to move the story forward, but I'm afraid that wasn't the case. Don't get me wrong; it was a good book, but it added little to the main plotline. We are still dealing with the seven brides, but we have done nothing about trying to find their rings if that is what actually needs to happen. Hester Dobbs, the evil witch, makes several appearances, which are the book's highlight. There is a lot of repetition and discussions about food and plenty of talk about the new cat ( and it just has to be something more than a cat to be trained that fast and easily!LOL!) and the dogs.

We hear mainly about Sonya and Cleo's mundane everyday activities, though we do find out if Sonya got the big job. They did have their "event," which was mundane with no surprises, which surprised me!

In my opinion, this book almost fell into the boring category, but enough exciting things happened to prevent that. I must say that I am thoroughly intrigued by the 'good' ghosts!

I AM looking forward to book three. I need to find out if/how the curse breaks and if Cleo will become one of the cursed!

*ARC was supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Press/Macmillan Publishing, the author, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS:"#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts continues the hauntingly spectacular Lost Bride Trilogy with book two, The Mirror.

When Sonya MacTavish inherits the huge Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine, she has no idea that the house is haunted. The footsteps she hears at night, the doors slamming, the music playing, are not figments of her imagination. In her dreams she sees glimpses of the past. In the present she finds portraits of brides. And when she has visions of an antique mirror, she is drawn to it, sensing it holds dark family secrets.

Then one night the mirror appears and Sonya glides through this looking glass, into the past—and sees a bride murdered on her wedding day, the circle of gold torn from her finger. It is a scene that will play out again and again—a centuries-old curse that must be broken—and a puzzle she must solve if there is any hope of breaking the curse."

Review: The Amish Quiltmaker's Unattached Neighbor

The Amish Quiltmaker's Unattached Neighbor by Jennifer Beckstrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is part of a series but can be read without reading the preceding books.

If you love feisty female characters, strong yet flawed male characters, enemies to, well, not lovers, but you know what I mean, stories, then this one is going to be a perfect book for you. It had it all: stubborn main characters, an evil mother, a fight about property rights, and a learning experience where both learn, grow, and accept. There were also a lot of surprises, as well as a few laugh-out-loud episodes.

It's a fantastic read that will have you frustrated at times but thinking hard about life and your place in it at other times.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Zebra/Kensington Publishing, the author, and NetGalley.


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SYNOPSIS: "Irrepressible Colorado Amish quiltmaker Esther Kiem is delighted to help the four Yoder sisters stitch together their beloved great-grandmother’s birthday quilt…especially when it means putting her matchmaking talents to use! Infused with her signature humor and heart, award-winning, USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Beckstrand blends quilting, mischief, and matchmaking for the sixth Amish Quiltmaker romance – perfect for fans of Amy Clipston, Wanda Brunstetter, and Linda Byler.

At thirty-two, Ada Yoder is resigned to caring for her three sisters, her ever-impractical father, and their prosperous, but demanding, farm. The last kind of trouble she needs is Enos Hoover claiming that six acres of their land actually belongs to him—and taking steps to prove it. But Ada soon finds that battling Enos' clever strategies is delightfully intriguing—and lighting an impossible spark . . . Enos is determined to make his mater proud by turning difficult acreage into a successful farm. Legally, he is in the right to reclaim the land from the Yoders. But Ada's hard-working stubbornness and refreshing honesty are proving to be more of an irresistible challenge than an obstacle. Now, can Enos and Ada find enough faith and understanding to reconcile family, duty, and love—and stake their claim on a forever happiness together? Sometimes the greatest blessings come in disguise . . ."

Review: The Starlets

The Starlets by Lee Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars

This was a light, fast read, but it was written large - if you know what I mean. Prominent characters, a large and interesting plot line—everything just screams old-time Hollywood Epic of the inexpensive kind!

I loved the enemies to best friends/sisters trope, and added in the fact that I was busy trying to figure out which Hollywood star of that generation the authors were describing; well, that just added the cherry to the top of my ice cream sundae!

At times, this book just screamed slap-stick comedy, and at other times, it shouted that it was an old-time Mafia movie. Murder mystery one minute, then slap-stick the next.

I really loved this book.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Harper Muse/Harper Collins, the authors Lee Kelly, Jennifer Thorne, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "One perfect island. Two rivals. A star-studded cast.

But underneath the glitter, disaster is brewing.

Summer, 1958. Vivienne Rhodes thinks she’s finally landed her break playing Helen of Troy in Apex Pictures’ big-budget epic, A Thousand Ships, an anticipated blockbuster meant to resurrect the failing studio. Naturally, she’s devastated when she arrives on the remote Italian island of Tavalli and finds herself cast as the secondary character, Cassandra—while her nemesis, the fiancé-stealing Lottie Lawrence, America’s supposed “sweetheart,” is playing the lead role instead.

The tension on set, though, turns deadly when the ladies discover that members of the crew are using the production as a front for something decidedly illegal—and that they are willing to kill to keep their dealings under wraps. When the two women find themselves on the run and holding key evidence, Vivienne and Lottie frantically agree to work together to deliver the proof to Interpol, hoping to protect both their lives and their careers.

Staying one step ahead of corrupt cops and looming mobsters, the archrivals flee across the seas. Their journey leads them into Monaco’s casinos, Grace Kelly’s palace, on a road trip through the Alps—even onto another film set, before a final showdown back on Tavalli, where the lives of the entire cast and crew hang in the balance. Vivienne and Lottie finally have the chance to be real heroines—to save the day, the film, maybe even each other—but only if they can first figure out how to share the spotlight."