Review Christmas in Snowflake Canyon by: RaeAnne Thayne

Title: Christmas In Snowflake Canyon
Author: RaeAnne Thayne
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Pages: 368
Format: ebook ARC
Source: NetGalley
Purchase: Barnes&Noble | Amazon

Description:

Holiday gifts don't always come in expected packages... especially in the town of Hope's Crossing.

No one has ever felt sorry for Genevieve Beaumont. After all, she has everything money can buy. That is, until she discovers her fiancé has been two-timing her and she's left with two choices: marry the philanderer to please her controlling father or be disinherited and find a means to support herself.

Genevieve's salvation appears in the most unlikely of prospects: Dylan Caine, a sexy, wounded war vet whose life is as messy as hers. Dylan's struggling to adjust after his time in Afghanistan, and the last thing he needs is a spoiled socialite learning about the real world for the first time. True, she may have unexpected depths and beauty to match. But he knows he could never be the man she needs…and she knows he could never be the man she thinks she wants. So why are they each hoping that a Christmas miracle willl prove them both wrong?

My Thoughts: 

This book was from NetGalley for a honest and fair review.  The book starts out with Dylan Caine waiting for his brother to show up for a drink at the local bar while he is waiting he's getting sick of listening to various variations of The Little Drummer Boy when he notices Genevieve Beaumont who is sick of the Christmas music as well and gets into a fight with the local District Attorney over the musical choices.  Genevieve gets into a nasty fight with the local DA and winds up getting herself and Dylan Caine arrested.

Their punishment for the fighting is community service at a local military project to help wounded soliders get some rest and recuperation along with some fun activities to help soliders overcome their ailments.

Quickly into the book you can see the electricity flow between Gen and Dylan.  Gen is suppose to be flipping her Grandmother Pearl's house in hopes of earning her inheritance back so she can return to Paris.  She left alot of damage in her wake of her failed wedding.  Since her return she is trying to figure out what she wants, to move on from the disaster she was last time she was in town.  Unfortunately alot of people in town have their opinion of who Gen is.  It takes the miracle of love and weddings to fix the situation.

I loved this story and the way the author included a book about a group of wounded soliders and gave a great prospective on the military and things they endure.  It was a great book full of romance, and friendships beginning.  I really loved it and can't wait to read more by this author.

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Title: Under The Mistletoe by: Jill Shalvis

Title: Under The Mistletoe
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Forever Yours
Pages: 86
Format: ebook
Source: Purchase Barnes & Noble

Description:

Mia Hutchinson, Tara and Ford's daughter from THE SWEETEST THING , has asked her college boyfriend , Nick, to travel to Lucky Harbor for her aunt Maddie's Christmas Eve wedding.

Despondent when Nick refuses her invitation, Mia returns home alone and faces her high school sweetheart Carlos Rodriguez for the first time since refusing his marriage proposal. Only to find that he is happily dating someone else.

With love and holiday spirit everywhere, Mia wonders who will kiss her this Christmas under the mistletoe?

My Thoughts:

Mia thought she had a good thing going with Nick when she tries to ask him to go to Lucky Harbor for a wedding, Nick fails her expectations.  Mia heads to Lucky Harbor alone while Nick is trying to process where he went wrong.  Nick had never had a family or known what love was.  Nick also knew somewhere deep down that Mia was what he wanted.  Risking it all Nick heads to Lucky Harbor to find Mia.

Mia is trying to come to grips with the failed relationship that she thinks is over when Nick shows up, Mia isn't sure what Nick wants anymore.  Nick is also not leaving Lucky Harbor without Mia.

This was a great Christmas novella to the Lucky Harbor series.  We meet Lucky Harbor residents and get a treat at a romance in the making.  I love Mrs. Shalvis ability to weave such incredible romantic stories.  I love her characters and the sass they have!!

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Review Athena's Holiday by Laina Turner

Title: Athena's Holiday
Author: Laina Turner
Format: ebook
Source: Book Tour

Description:

Meet Athena Parks, thirty something law professor who on a whim invites a guy she just met, Tristan West, home with her for the holidays. As crazy as it might seem she was willing to risk him being an ax murder in order to have a buffer between her and her mom. They had that kind of relationship.

Things were going well and she couldn’t deny there was chemistry between them. Maybe this was a sign she had finally found a good guy. Until her uncle Peter recognized Tristan. Who wasn’t Tristan at all. Who was he?

My Thoughts: 

This was a great start to a story, unfortunatly the book ended before it really began.  We meet Athena who is a law professor and about to celebrate the holidays when she dumps her boyfriend after finding him with another girl.

Then she meets Tristan West who seems to good to be true.  He enjoys the ballet just like she does.  After finding out he has nowhere to go for Christmas she invites him home to be with her family over the holiday.

As the night progresses and everything seems to be moving in a good way Athena's Uncle ends up on the computer investigating Tristan to find out who he really is.  So who is Tristan West.

This was a good book although it just ended, I want to learn more about Tristan and what he tells Athena.  It is the making of a great story to say the least.

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Review Books Aren't Just For Reading by: Laina Turner

Title: Books Aren't Just For Reading
Author: Laina Turner
Publisher: Five Sea Ink
Series: Trixie Pristine Series #2
Format: ebook
Pages: 382
Source: Book Tour

Description:

Trixie and her friends, Berklie and Sophie, are excited about the opening of Read/Wine, tbeir new business venture, of a bookstore/wine bar. All is going well, until they happen to find a dead body in the shop and that wasn't part of the business plan. All signs point to Berklie since it was her ex-husband's lover who was murdered. Trixie knew Berklie hadn't murdered Sylvia so who did?

My Thoughts:

Early in this book Trixie, Berklie, and Sophie find a dead woman in their shop prior to it's opening.   With their shop the scene of a crime the girls are determined to figure out what happened.  Especially when it looks like Berklie is on the line for the murder due to a relationship with the murdered victim when her cheating husband had an affair with the victim.

It doesn't take long for their shop to reopen but the big question being who killed Sylvia?  Slowly they begin to peice Sylvia's life together.

This book was a great journey that we get to see Trixies, Berklie, and Sohpie and what they are up to and how they handle this latest mystery. It's great connecting with a series that isn't laden with sex or heavy gore that seems to be with lots of books lately.  Can't wait to see what is next with this series!

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Review: Murderous Matrimony by: Joyce Lavene & Jim Lavene

Title: Murderous Matrimony
Author: Joyce Lavene & Jim Lavene
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Pages: 206
Series:Renaissance Faire Mystery #6
Format: ebook
Source: Cozy Book Tour

Description:

In less than two short weeks, Jessie Morton will marry Chase Manhattan at Renaissance Faire Village and Marketplace. But so much can go wrong in that short time. A man is murdered in Jessie’s new Arts and Crafts Museum and her assistant is being scrutinized for the deed. Chase’s brother and parents have arrived and are still against their marriage. Wanda’s ghost is busy making Jessie’s life miserable. The Ren Faire wedding of her dreams may never take place. Can Jessie talk Chase into eloping before it’s too late?

My Thoughts:

This is the 6th book in the series and this one starts out with Jessie and Chase getting ready for their wedding in two weeks, but unlike most weddings this one will be held in the village with all their friends and family.  That is of course if Jessie can get a ghost off her case and solve a murder.  Jessie can't seem to get Wanda off her case a woman who died and is now spending eternity harassing Jessie.  Jessie is determined to find a way that Wanda can't haunt anyone else, including Jessie herself.

Not far into the book a murder is committed. David a madman to the village is found dead and Jessie's new worker is their prime suspect add to that Jessie's museum is off limits until the murder is solved.  Is this a case of a hatred between the two men and one of them killing the other or is something more sinister going on?  Will Chase and Jessie have a happily ever after or will there even be a wedding?

I love reading this series it's unlike any other cozy mystery.  You have the mystery but then you have the whole Renaissance Faire thing going on that I love people in costumes and the way they talk it's incredible how the authors have added that to the story.  I also love how Jessie is able to investigate without to much negativity with Chase.  He doesn't warn her against it.  And of course going back to read about various characters and what they are up to now is always a great treat in itself.

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Editorial: Death of Barbara Parks the creator of Junie B. Jones

The Beloved Author of Junie B. Jones died on Friday from Cancer.

 Barbara Park was the daughter of a merchant and a secretary, Doris and Brooke Tidswell. She grew up in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey. From 1965 to 1967, she attended Rider College, later finishing her B.S. in 1969 at the University of Alabama. She married Richard A. Park in 1969. She lived in Phoenix, Arizona for almost 30 years and had two sons, Steven and David. She was the author of the popular Junie B. Jones children's series. She won seven Children's Choice Awards, and four Parents' Choice Awards. She also wrote many middle grade novels, such as The Kid in the Red Jacket. Park died on November 15, 2013 at the age of 66 after a long battle with ovarian cancer.

Link to Article
Link  to Article of Her Passing

 List of Her Books:
Almost Starring Skinnybones
Beanpole Buddies
Dear God, Help!!!
Love, Earl Don't Make Me Smile
The Graduation of Jake Moon
The Kid in the Red Jacket
Maxie, Rosie, and Earl - Partners in Grime
Mick Harte Was Here
 My Mother Got Married (And Other Disasters)
Operation: Dump the Chump
Rosie Swanson: Fourth-Grade Geek for President
Skinnybones

 Junie B. Jones Series:
 Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business
Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth
Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying
Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake
Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday
Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren
Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed
Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook
 Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal
Junie B. Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy
 Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy
Junie B. Jones Is (Almost) a Flower Girl
Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine
 Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in Her Pocket
 Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day
Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl
Junie B., First Grader (at last!)
Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch
Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder
Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants
Junie B., First Grader: One-Man Band
Junie B., First Grader: Shipwrecked
Junie B., First Grader: BOO...and I MEAN It!
Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May.)
 Junie B., First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha!
 Junie B., First Grader: Dumb Bunny
Junie B., First Grader: Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten!(And Other Thankful Stuff)

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Review: Granny Hooks A Crook by: Julie Seedorf

Title: Granny Hooks A Crook
Author: Julie Seedorf
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press
Pages: 200
Series: A Fuschia Minnesota Mystery
Format: ebook
Source: Cozy Mystery Book Tours

Description:

Granny leads a secret life in the small, unique community of Fuschia, Minnesota. It's not just her all junk food diet, multiplying pets, or her shocking bedtime attire that makes Granny one in a million. No, Granny is an undercover cop, charged by "the Big Guy" (the town's police chief) of preventing theft in local stores. Granny takes her job seriously and daily foils many shoplifters using her trusty spiked umbrella and amazing acting skills. When some startlingly brazen burglaries begin to occur that Granny can't solve, along with mysteriously appearing bad guys, disappearing clerks, and misplaced Corvettes, Granny begins to wonder if she isn't ready for the wrinkle farm. Maybe, it's fortuitous when she accidentally-on-purpose falls in the lap of an attractive older gentleman who is soon roped into her wild adventures, as they try to figure out what's happening in their little town.

My Thoughts: 

First off I want to extended my deepest sympathy's to Mrs. Seedorf and her family, on Monday Nov. 6th.  We hope they find peace during this sad time!

This book was such a different from most cozy mysteries it was so full of humor and other things.  When we meet Granny whose real name is Hermony, she is waking up in the morning getting ready to perform her normal routine of checking her neighbors with binoculars. After all is well with them she heads off to her other job a secret job.

The secret job is shop security working with the Big Guy in helping nap crooks and put them where they belong.  But there is a heist running loose and Granny is beginning to wonder if she has lost her touch or is she ready for the wrinkle farm.

Then she meets Franklin Gatsby who is an ex-cop and something about him excites Granny and she wonders if he is part of the heist or just someone she could enjoy her time with?  Then of course there is Gram a new old lady in town who Granny could swear she recognizes but can't place it.  Gram seems to be set on driving Granny nuts to say the least.

Will Granny nab her crook?  Or will she admit defeat to her children and go to the wrinkle farm without a fight?  Is Franklin Gatsby a good buy or a bad crook?

I loved this book, the humor, adventure and mystery.  It really made a great read.  I can't wait to see what Granny hooks next!!

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Review Freezer I'll Shoot by: Victoria Hamilton

Title: Freezer I'll Shoot
Author: Victoria Hamilton
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 304
Series: A Vintage Kitchen Mystery #3
Format: ebook
Source: Cozy Book Tour

Description:

ICE COLD

Trying to escape her overbearing mother, vintage kitchenware enthusiast and soon-to-be columnist Jaymie Leighton retreats to her family’s cottage on Heartbreak Island. While there she hopes to write an article about the Ice House restaurant, owned by good friends and neighbors, siblings Ruby and Garnet Redmond. Once an actual icehouse, the restaurant is charmingly decorated with antique tools of the trade, including a collection of ice picks.

One night, while working on her article, Jaymie overhears an argument and, ever the sleuth, sets out to explore. But when she stumbles upon a dead body her blood runs cold. It’s Urban Dobrinskie, whose feud with the Redmonds is no secret, and he’s got an ice pick through his heart. Now Jaymie’s got to sharpen her sleuthing skills to chip away at the mystery and prove her neighbors’ innocence—before someone else gets picked off….

My Thoughts: 

This was a great mystery to read.  In it we are brought to Heartbreak Island where Jaymie Leighton is trying to fix the cottage so people can rent it again.  While there she writes an article for a local paper called the Howler.  She ends up at the Ice House Restaurant to learn about ice picking back in the day and how they kept things cool when it was hot out!

Not long there is a body that turns up Urban Dobrinkskie whose time has run out.  Was it Garnet or Ruby Redmond mysterious siblings who have been here for 7 years and past that no one knows a thing about them.  Or is it his business partner Will Lindsay who seems to be a mystery in himself.  Or is it someone closer to home.  As Jaymie having the unfortunate issue of Urban being killed on her property really wants to know what happened to him.  As she investigates Jaymie finds more and more questions and less answers.

All the while Jaymie is dealing with a battle of the mother's between Jaymie's and Daniel's mothers they seem to butt heads over the dinner party at Rose Cottage as Jaymie's mom wants it at Rose Cottage it's always been there in her eyes it's case closed.  Mrs. Collins Daniel's mom wants it at Stowe House which is a non started for Jaymie and her mom.  Finally a decision is made that appeases everyone!

I really enjoyed meeting these characters and learning about vintage kitchen's.  I loved reading about Hoppy the cute little three legged dog.  Who definitely saved the day!!  Three cheers for Hoppy!!  Can't wait to see what Ms. Hamilton comes up with next!!

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Review: Cupcakes Aren't Just For Eating by: Laina Turner

Title: Cupcakes Aren't Just For Eating
Author: Laina Turner
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 153
Series: Trixie Pristine Series #3
Format: ebook
Source: Virtual Book Tour

Description:

Trixie, Berklie, and Sophie are enjoying the success of their bookstore/coffee shop/wine bar, Read-Wine, and planning for Sophie’s upcoming wedding when they start receiving hang up calls. At first they chalk it up to a wrong number but soon the caller reveals himself. It’s Stephen making good on his threat. He wants his money back. The fact that the police confiscated it doesn’t matter to him. He wants it back and has given them a deadline. A deadline they need to meet before anyone else ends up dead.

Finding out Sophie’s fiancé isn’t who he says he is a shock but his alter ego might come in handy getting Stephen to leave them alone. But with this much money at stake will he? Or are they in danger?

My Thoughts: 

This book is about Trixie, Berklie, and Sophie who are getting ready for Sophie's wedding to Jonathan a classmate of Trixie and Berklie's.  When a customer comes into the shop and has a cupcake and winds up dead from poisioning.  Was it his evil soon to be ex-wife who did him in?  Or his barmaid girlfriend?  Or some other seedy person from his past?

Add to this the mysterious evil with a capital E Stephen who the girls dealt with in the past who's looking for the money the police confiscated.  Steven is on the lamb from the mob in California plus he's hiding from the Police who want to question him with a recent bombing.  Will anyone ever catch Stephen or will the girls payout?

This book was great and full of quirky characters.  For anyone just picking up the series I believe they would make good stand alone books as they aren't so much of a continuation as you read them you will get back stories to previous things the girls have been up too.  So it solves any questions about previous crimes in the series.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it in one sitting and loved the relationship these three women have with each other.  Definitely a great mystery writer and someone I will seek out more mysteries by.  Keep up the great work Ms. Turner!

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Saturday Fun Day #1

We did something new in this house today and packed up the monsters aka kids and headed to Northwest Park which is near our house.  And it's not just a park incase you were wondering they have a maple syrup making house, animal barns with roosters, donkeys, pigs, turkeys, goats, horses etc.  The kids had a blast.  From there we headed on a hiking trail I'm including a photos of the family minus me someone has to take the photos of various parts of the hike.  What did you do this Saturday?

This is my little gang of crazy monsters Alexis Tristan Daddy Caitlyn ( in pink) Natalie.

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