Happy Turkey Day to all my US pals!

 

2-in-1 Short Story Reviews: Tree Love & Sweet Christmas

Author: Cassandra O'Leary

Title: Tree Love

Genre: Short story, Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 32

Published: February 13, 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

If your first love fell out of a tree. . . would you catch him?

Natalia Bianchi is a botanical artist, who finds herself accidentally working for the city's Parks Department in admin and also accidentally engaged to her boss. It's not what she had planned.

One day she checks on 'her' tree in the botanical gardens, and her first love, Dan "The Man" Mancini falls at her feet. Literally. Almost like it was meant to be. But that's what she thought ten years ago when they were friends at university.

Should Natalia shake up her entire safe, convenient life to climb Dan like a tree? Could this be her second chance at love that could last forever?

Review:

Gotta love Amazon freebies. 

Here we follow Natalia who is a botanical artist. She finds herself working for the city's Parks Department in admin and engaged to her boss. Not the job she wanted and not really the man she saw herself with. One day she checks on her tree and her first love, Dan, falls at her feet. Literally. Should Natalia follow her heart and take a risk on Dan?

Gotta love second chance stories done right. This was done right. I loved seeing Dan and Natalia find love all over again. 

The scene with Natalia telling her fiancé was cringy...mainly because it was too simple and easily resolved. 

I enjoyed this one even with the meh scene with Natalia and her old beau. This was super cute and a perfect short story for poolside reading. 4 stars.

Author: Reina M. Williams

Title: Sweet Christmas

Series: Montana Matchmakers

Genre: Short story, Contemporary Romance, Xmas

Format: ebook

Pages: 64

Published: December 5, 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

All Dean Manning wants for Christmas is a second chance with his first love...

For Maya Perry, Christmas Eve in Loving, Montana is just another lonely closing at the café where she works. Worse, her truck won’t start, and the only person there to help is Dean Manning, her childhood friend, and first kiss at thirteen. They’re both back in town forging new lives, but Maya has no time to rekindle a relationship. She has big plans to open her own bakery, and Dean’s adorable smile is already too much of a distraction.

Dean’s Christmas improves when he gets to spend it with Maya, but she doesn’t seem to feel the same. He wants her in his life, but not if she doesn’t want romance. Santa delivers Maya and Dean a chance at a sweet Christmas, if they can see the gifts right in front of them.

Spend Christmas in Loving, Montana, where the Matchmakers are always at work!

Review:

Another second chance short story! Plus some Xmas joy. Awwww I love Xmas. 

All Dean wants for Christmas is a second chance with his first love and he might get that chance when Maya is back in town. They are both in town forging new lives. Maya wants to open her own bakery and doesn't have time for Dean. 

Awww this was as sweet as sugar cookies. I thought about saving this for Xmas time, but I couldn't resist getting a taste of Xmas. 

I do think that this needed to be longer. I felt like they had some more issues to deal with.

But yes, a very nice Xmas second chance romance. 3 stars. 

Audiobook Review: The Best Worst Christmas by Kate Forster

Author: Kate Forster

Narrator: Amy Landon

Title: The Best Worst Christmas

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, holidays

Format: Audiobook

Published: December 1st 2021 

Where I got It: Audible 

Summary: 

Lily is back from Australia for the first time in seven years to spend Christmas at her mum’s house in a small, gossipy English village. To her surprise, she returns to find that her mother is dating the man next door, who also happens to be the father of her ex-boyfriend Tom. Tom, who broke Lily’s heart all those years ago. Tom, the real reason Lily fled to the other side of the world and stayed there. Tom, who is also home for Christmas and right there, next door.

In what is shaping up to be the worst Christmas ever, somehow Lily and Tom have to try to get along and play happy families, but living with the man who she is clearly not over is proving to be difficult, and tensions are high. Add in some drunken caroling, a reindeer bite, a potent Christmas pudding and some meddling parents and Lily’s trip home will turn her entire life upside down.

Review:

Jen was the one who got me to listen to this! Plus it's a freebie on Audible so why not ;) 

We follow Lily who is back from Australia for the first time in 7 years. She is going to spend the holidays with her mom in their small English village. To her surprise and horror....her mom is dating the man next door who happens to be the father of Tom....her ex. This ex had broken Lily's heart many years ago. Tom is the real reason why she fled to the other side of the world and tried to make a new life for herself. Now...she is stuck with him through the holidays. This is shaping up to be the worst Christmas ever. The two will try to get along and maybe there will be a miracle.

This was a lot of fun. Poor, poor Lily. I would be LIVID at my mom. HOW CAN YOU DO THAT!? UGH.

However, it was good for Lily and Tom to hash it out. It ended bad. Like super bad. The two really needed to talk even if it is just to move on. They have both been holding onto grudges and hatred. How can you live your life with that? So it was a good thing. But UGH darnit parents. 

I enjoyed watching Lily and Tom hash it out. It was fun watching them fall in love. It did take FOREVER, but it was worth the wait when they finally decided to give it a second chance. I do get nervous with second chance romances...but this was perfect. They talked it out. Vented their feelings and mended the hurts. Loved it!

Plus I love this little village. Small and everyone in everyone's business. So cute!

The scene with the reindeer had me in tears laughing. Yes, yes, there is a lot of humor here too. 

There was ONE reveal that had me seriously mad. Sure, I get it, but I was super annoyed. I didn't think it was needed. 

The narrator was good. Perfect voices. All different even the men had slight differences. 

In the end, this is a quick, fun Xmas romance. My only beef was the one reveal near the end. Not needed. I'll give this 4 stars though!

Challenge(s):
- #86 for Audiobook challenge

Movie Review: Christmas Inheritance (2017)

Film Title: Christmas Inheritance

Length:   1h 44m

Released: 2017

Genre:  Romance, Comedy, Drama, Holidays
Rating: N/R (I would say PG)
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:

To be the CEO, an heiress is challenged by her dad to deliver a Christmas letter in person to his ex-partner in their hometown - traveling by bus, incognito and with only $100. Will she learn something from the people there?

REVIEW:

Been meaning to watch this for a while. Just...didn't. So many Xmas movies...so little time. 

Eliza is an heiress to her father's company. She wants to be the CEO, but her father doesn't think she is ready. He decides to challenge her to deliver a Christmas letter in person to his ex-partner in their hometown. She has to travel incognito, by buy, and with only 100$ in her pocket. Will she be able to learn something from the people there? About herself? About life?

Rich girl. Little town. Pretending to be not rich. Arse fiance. Hawt and kind-hearted poor boy...................love it. Such a common story plot, but I adore it so much!

One thing that I really loved was that Eliza wasn't a heartless, cold, spoiled princess. Yes, she has had a comfy life, but at the heart of it, she was a sweetie. She really cares about the kids and the company. 

I was bummed her fiance was a poop though because I really adore the actor. Sighs, but he did do a good job of being a rich jerk. Not a too classical jerk where it was over-the-top, but it was the little things he said and did that made you dislike him. Great performance there. 

Loved Jake too. I recognize the actor too...but not sure where. 

The ending was good. You know they are going to end up together, but I loved how everything came together. It was for sure in the holiday spirit! Loved it. Very cheesy...of course....but holiday romances always are. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Book Review: Thankfully in Love: A Thanksgiving Anthology

Author: Anna J. Stewart, Kayla Perrin, Melinda Curtis, Cari Lynn Webb

Title: Thankfully in Love: A Thanksgiving Anthology

Genre: Anthology, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary

Format: ebook

Published: October 27th, 2020

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: Four USA Today bestselling romance authors come together for Thanksgiving, telling the stories of four woman who have not had the best experiences with the men they have dated in their pasts. With the help of family and loved ones this holiday season, can they learn to open their hearts one more time? If they can dare to make the leap, they could find themselves finally, thankfully in love…

There's no place like home, especially during Thanksgiving. After spending ten years as an officer and analyst with a special division in a federal cyber-investigation, Tripp Atsilla is on the brink of burnout. Then he meets Parker Rutledge. Two years ago she changed her name and moved to a small town, hoping to leave the damage her ex-husband caused behind. Someone's found her; someone who wants to make her pay for her ex-husband's crimes. But can she trust Tripp? Can she trust anyone?

Miranda Cox isn’t looking forward to heading home for Thanksgiving. She’d raved to everyone that Matthew was the one; now she has yet another failed relationship under her belt. Despite working as a translator in Ottawa, and loving travelling abroad, she’s thirty-four and still single. When Miranda arrives at Union Station in Toronto, she’s surprised to see Taz, her childhood friend. Years earlier, they’d drifted apart. Miranda was so hurt over the loss of their friendship. She’s also shocked to learn that he’s divorced. Miranda finds herself inviting him and his sick mother for Thanksgiving dinner at her parents’ place. It is finally their time?

Chef Drew Barnett has been hired to create the perfect Thanksgiving for a potential restaurant investor, but a power outage has him scrambling to find a working kitchen. Jilted bride and food critic Claire Rothchild is pet-sitting a friend’s St. Bernard named Snowflake. She wants to hibernate for the holidays, but it turns out the guest house she’s staying in has power when the main house does not. Feeling uncomfortable for invading the privacy of his potential investor's guest, Drew doesn’t know what to make of a food critic in his kitchen, just as Claire doesn’t know how to stop interfering with his dishes and passing tidbits to a mooching pooch. Is this a recipe for a Dog-Gone Holiday? Or for love?

Born with a degenerative eye disease, photographer Kelsey Thomas knows two things: she will be legally blind within five years and her family wants to see her married and settled first. Then Kelsey's boyfriend breaks up with her one week before she planned to introduce him to her family at her grandmother's island commitment ceremony. At the resort bar, she meets Dr. Noah Lawson. He spends his life inside his lab developing cutting-edge techniques to slow the progression of vision loss. When he’s offered funding with strings—save the eyesight of the granddaughter of a wealthy investor—he’s reluctant to agree. Noah is smitten by Kelsey—so much so that he agrees to be her fake wedding date for the Thanksgiving holidays. Too late, he realizes her connection to his potential investor. Is this a set-up? Or fate?

Review:

Seen this went on sale and couldn't help myself! T-Day books are a rare and I was super intrigued. I really should read more anthologies. 

Story 1 - No Place Like Home by Anna J Stewart

I struggled really bad with this one. I couldn't tell you why. It has everything I love. Good characters. Drama. Food. Small town. A bad ex. I just couldn't connect and I found myself skimming this one. Gah. Not a great way to start these stories.

Story 2 - Second Chance by Kayla Perrin

Love me some good second chances! These two really deserved love. I loved them and watching them fall in love. It took a min for the stars to align, but it was perfect. I loved it. I think this was my favorite. So yayy! 

Story 3 - Dog-Gone Holiday by Melinda Curtis

This one had me chuckling. Chef Drew is desperate to find a function kitchen so he can cook his butt off. His only hope is Claire....who is a former food critic. What a great TDay romance!! Nom!!! And that puppers was adorable. 

Story 4 - Love Guides the Way by Cari Lynn Webb

I really liked this one. I do think that this needed to be longer. Maybe a full book? The two have a lot to deal with it and it all happened SO quickly. Too quickly I feel. I get it's a shorter story, but there is a lot of baggage these two have. Especially when she realizes that he is a Doctor and she told her family NO MORE DOCTORS. She wants to just live her life and she has accepted her eye disease is rare and there is little to be done. This needed more, but I liked what I had. 

Overall

This was a pretty good TDay collection. Some good....some I was a little meh about, but I'm glad I bought this. Maybe I'll reread it for next year since TDay books are rare. I'll overall stamp this with 3 stars. 

Audiobook Review: The Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Author:  Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward

Narrator: Andi Arndt & Sebastian York

Title: The Christmas Pact

Genre: Romance, Novella, Chick Lit, & Holiday

Format: Audiobook

Published: December 5th 2019

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Riley Kennedy’s emails keep getting crossed with her colleague, Kennedy Riley.

The infuriating man forwards them along with his annoying commentary and unsolicited advice. At least she never has to see him in person since they work in different locations…until they come face to face at the office holiday party. As luck would have it, Kennedy turns out to be gorgeous…though still a jerk. Yet somehow he’s able to charm her out on the dance floor—and convince her to participate in his crazy scheme: He’ll go home with Riley for a Christmas party and pretend to be her boyfriend if Riley agrees to be his date to a wedding.

It sounds easy enough. But little by little, the act they’re putting on starts to feel like so much more than a Christmas pact—and Riley’s about to learn there’s more to Kennedy than she ever imagined.

Review:

Bring on the Xmas!!!

Here we follow Riley Kennedy and her colleague Kennedy Riley. Yes, you read that right. Emails always get sent to the wrong person because their work emails are so similar. Riley is a good co-worker and just forwards it to him, while Kennedy forward the email with his annoying commentary and unsolicited advice. When they actually meet at a office holiday party, he convinces her to participate in his crazy scheme....pretend to be BF/GF at each other's family events this year. He needs a date for his brother's wedding. Somehow, he convinces her to say yes. They hate each other, but little by little, they start developing real feelings. What are they to do? 

This needs to be made into a Hallmark Xmas movie. This was perfect for a holiday romance. There is humor. There is drama. There is witty dialogue. There are fun characters. There is Xmas and a HEA. Perfect Hallmark material. 

I like Riley and Kennedy even though Kennedy was an asshat. OMG - I would've walked away at the rehearsal dinner. What a jerk. Sure, sure, he was drunk and there is a reason why he is SO miserable. It break my heart.....but....ugh. I was so mad. Kuddos for Riley for sticking by his drunk butt and helping him out.

The ending had me all "AWWWWWWWWWWW"ing. It was very sweet and it made me happy. Kennedy finally got over his issues and really made a grand gesture. It had me laughing but awwing all at the same time. 

I will say this was predictable in some spots BUT there were some good twists that didn't make this boring. It was nice. 

I do not recall these narrators, so I think they are new to me. They were good. Perfect voices for the characters. Loved them. 

In the end, this was the perfect level of cheesy. Some predictable moments, but overall I enjoyed this. It would make for a great Xmas movie. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #78 for Audiobook challenge

Audiobook Review: The Christmas List by Chrissie Manby

Author: Chrissie Manby

Narrator: Rebecca Courtney

Title: The Christmas List (Kindle Single)

Genre: Chick Lit, Short story, Fantasy, Contemporary Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Published:  October 24th 2013

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

What if you got exactly what you wanted this Christmas? Find out why you should be careful what you wish for in best-seller Chrissie Manby's (Getting Over Mr Right, Seven Sunny Days) exclusive Christmas novella.

It’s the 1st of December and Milly Arnold is facing a miserable Noel. Newly single, the last thing she wants to do is join her settled sister and her young family

Review:

Awww randomly stumbled upon this looking at some Xmas short stories. 

What if you got everything you wanted for Christmas? That is what happens to Milly Arnold after she is dumped just about a month before the holidays. The problem is....she is about to learn that she needs to be careful what she wishes for. 

This was a quick listen but I really enjoyed it. Poor Milly. Being dumped RIGHT before the holidays is rough. Luckily she has her family looking out for her and Santa has a wicked sense of humor. 

I would've loved this to be longer. I want to see more of Milly and her family. They were a lot of fun. I adored Milly.

The narrator was good. Perfect for the characters. 

Overall, this was a perfect way to start of the holidays! My first Xmas of the season. 4 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):
- #75 for Audiobook challenge

Audiobook Review: What Happens at Christmas by Evonne Wareham

Author:  Evonne Wareham

Narrator:  David Thorpe

Title: What Happens at Christmas

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Holiday

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 255

Published: December 5th 2017

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Best-selling author Andrew Vitruvius knows that any publicity is good publicity. His agent tells him that often, so it must be true. In the run-up to Christmas, she excels herself - talking him into the craziest scheme yet: getting himself kidnapped, live on TV.

But when the plan goes ahead and Drew is unceremoniously thrown in the back of a van before being dragged to a hut in middle of the Brecon Beacons, it all starts to feel a little bit too real.

Meanwhile, not far away, Lori France and her four-year-old niece Misty are settling in to spend the holidays away after unexpected events leave them without a place to stay. Little do they know they’re about to make a shocking discovery and experience a Christmas they’re not likely to forget …

Review:

Been eyeballing this for a while and wanted to save it for Xmas time buuuuuuut I wanted to listen to it now ;)

The story follows best-selling author Andrew Vitruvius and wannabe author Lori France. Andrew has always been told any publicity is good publicity so he decides to join her crazy scheme of him being kidnapped on live TV. But things go off-script when he is for real kidnapped and wakes up in a hut chained to a wall. Meanwhile, not too far away, Lori and her four-year-old niece are settling in to spend the holidays after unexpected events leave them without a place to stay. Thank goodness for friends. Little do they know they will uncover a chained-up celebrity and have a Christmas no one will ever forget. 

This was for sure a different take on a romance, a xmas book, and a mystery. I couldn't resist this one!

I'll admit...I struggled to get into this at first. It took me a minute to really give a hoot about Andrew. I only care about Lori and Misty. I only started caring about Andrew when he was chained up. He had some really good character development then and then I cared about him and was interested in his POV. 

This was so unrealistic to the point it was believable. Idiot for agreeing to do the kidnapping, to begin with. SMH. But he trusted his agent's opinion. 

Now...I will say I do not buy that they fell in love so quickly. They were together for what....maybe like 5 days....a solid week? Sure I get the lust and the caring about each other....but I didn't buy that they would be angsty for each other when he had to leave. Maybe looking fondly back on the time they spent and wishing they had more time...sure....but angsty longing? Mmm....they had two kisses. I just didn't buy it for them. 

I am glad that the author made them deal with their life issues and personal issues first before they could have their HEA finally. Especially for Andrew. He had a lot of things to deal with before hunting down Lori and starting a relationship. Between his traumatic past and his traumatic experience and finding the kidnapper....boy is busy. 

The narrator did well. I swear I have heard his voice before...but I went through his list of works on Audible and I didn't recognize anything. Maybe he just sounds like someone? Who knows. Butt yes - he did well. His little girl voice made me cringe, but all the other voices were good and luckily Misty isn't around for long. 

Overall, I enjoyed this. It took me a minute to really get into the story, but I enjoyed the ride. Sure...it was unrealistic in a lot of ways, but it was fun and a different take on a HR xmas tale. I'm glad I didn't wait to listen to it. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #23 for Audiobook challenge

- #16 for Romance Bingo - Xmas setting

Happy Veterans' Day

 

Happy Holidays to All!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Halloween & Movie Review: Halloween (1978)

Film Title: Halloween (1978)

Length:    1h 31min 
Released:     27 October 1978
Genre:    Horror, Thriller 
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Friend's copy

SUMMARY:
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
In honor of Halloween we watched this classic horror film. 

This is the beginning of Michael's reign of horror. Michael would become immortalized in film history! Michael started his killing young. Years later, he has escaped and is ready to start killing again. 

This is such a good movie even though it was from the 70s. It had a small sprinkle of cheese but it didn't cloud the film or story (which...as you know...70s movies had that tendency to do). What I also love about this film is that it is not a gore fest. Sure, I love gorey films too, but this is scary without all the blood. Michael is just a scary dude and he stalks his prey like an animal. SO CREEPY. 

Michael is one of the scariest killers. He never runs. He doesn't have to. He'll catch up and you won't except when or where. Scary!

Now...our victims. I feel for them, but they were SO dumb. SOOOOOOOO dumb indeed. Laurie was the only decently smart one...kinda. She had her moments like believing she killed Michael. Pssshhh. Girl please. Don't drop the knife by his body. SIGHS. 

There were some things that confused me and made me laugh.

That ending was classic and it really left the story open to make sequels or even showcase there could be more killers out there. Who knows? Evil is everywhere and you won't expect it. Nioce. Love it. 

In the end, this is a classic film. Not too gory so it is good if you don't like gore fest movies. It will scare you. There are a couple of moments you will chuckle from the cheese-y moments, but this is a great horror film for sure. 4 stars from me. 

Get Your Shit Together Week 2

Hosted by: herding cats & burning soup

I joined a fun challenge for the month of October! It is a way to help us get our shit together. 4th quarter of the year and this checklist is bound to help us get there. I wanted to post this on Friday, but I totally blanked and then it was too late. 

Here is what I was able to do:

- Pampering myself. Did my nails and used my foot massager. 

- Start thinking about the holidays. Bought some Xmas gifts already! Look at me being ahead of the game ;) 

- Do a little good. Helped plan and host a wedding shower at work for one of our co-workers. She is actually getting married today I think. 

- Freebie Task. Finally figured out what to do with this craft I made. The bulbs are cheap so I can't hang it up like a garland. Soooo why not make it a centerpiece. :D

- Sort email/bookmarkers. I cleaned up my bookmarks on my personal computer and my work computer. I also have been keeping up with my emails. Gmail is pretty clean! Only 6 emails at the moment.

- Go Outside. BF, my friend Sarah, and I went and spent all day at 2 different Apple Cider Mills. So fun!

Here is the blank copy of the list:

Happy 4th of July!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Happy Thanksgiving...Be Thankful Always

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Yes, I love this day not only because of the food and having some days off (yayy for 4 days off *throws confetti*). I love hanging out with my family (and sometimes the occasional friend who joins us). I also love taking a moment to remember to be thankful for all I have and everything I have obtained. Everyone should be thankful always, but sometimes life gets in the way and makes us forget all the good things we have. 

The most recent thing is buying a house with my love. It took lots of hours at work and lots of penny-pinching, but it has been worth it.  Made you this is a picture before it become ours, so it looks WAY sunnier and warmer than it truly is today. LOL Too cold to go out and get a new photo ;)

WHAT are you thankful for?

Merry Holidays and Happy Christmas!

Merry Holidays everyone from here in Michigan! Rei, Toki, and Mamyia have had a long day of being spoiled! Bloody hard to get decent photos of them. But they finally submitted to my will. LOL! Also, scroll down for some excellent news in the life of Carole Rae! Yes, nothing crazy and I normally avoid personal posts, but its been an exciting month or so!

And yes! I do have exciting news as well. First, I have finally graduated from college!! It took 6 damn years to get this degree. I am besides myself with joy! My diploma for my bachelor's will be here sometime in January! Pictures will for sure pop up! I'm still waiting on details of me walking in a gap and gown. 

Also, my longtime boyfriend nearly popped the question...he gave me a promise ring. Yes, yes, not as exciting, but alas it is a promise that once things settle down for us and we are ready we will get engaged and then someday married. So exciting!!! Yes, yes I am hearing the eye-rolling about how lame Promise Rings are. However, it is a huge step for us! Especially for him since he was so anti-marriage for the longest time. Plus its jewelry and what girl doesn't love a physical reminder of their love with someone? hehe. Oh and yes, my nails are totally awesome. ;) Thanks in advance! #inthechristmasspiritthisyear It is hard to tell in the photo, but the ring is a lily (my second favorite flower) with a pearl on the inside. My mom helped boyfriend pick it out. LOL!

Happy Holidays everyone! Much love from here in the States. <3