The Christmas Cookie House: A Sweet Holiday Romance (Christmas House Romances Book 1), book #43

 

See how fast and fun these books are?!?  I love them, it's like visiting a Christmas Town with fun characters like the ones in Hope Harbor.

Former bookshop keeper Leela Miller is back in Massey Falls. Her mom passed away last spring, and she's home taking care of her ailing father. Now, Leela is desperate to fill Mom’s shoes in the Ladies’ Auxiliary by chairing the Cookie House fundraiser. The hitch: mean-eyed Mrs. Coldicott refuses to host the event at her Society Row home as planned.  Leela must find a new venue big enough and fancy enough to draw in customers, or Mom's event might get canceled. There's only one perfect place: the Layton Mansion.  New vet school graduate Jay Wilson has been remodeling the Layton Mansion since he inherited it this summer. It’s almost Christmas, and the house is nearly ready to flip!  If he can get a good price for it, he can buy a partnership at a veterinary clinic out of town. However, by stipulation of the will, Jay can't sell the house until he cleans out the attic.  Jay needs help completing the enormous task before his deadline. The beautiful Leela will eagerly help—if he agrees to allow her to use the house for her event. But, when Jay learns that the Cookie House event is the same day as his sale deadline, will he sell the house out from under the girl he might just be falling in love with?  (picture and description from Amazon)

Today I have a lot of work to do around the house (it IS Saturday, after all!) and some presents to wrap!  But I still can't wait to get started on the next one ...

Happy Christmas Reading!

Melissa

Yuletide Manor: A Small-Town Bakery Romance (Christmas House Romances Book 10), book #42

 

This adorable series of books was on my Amazon Book Wish List but one day I noticed them at my Mother-in-Law's house and I was like, "Hey!  I was wanting to read those!"  She had borrowed them from her sister (who, oddly enough, is my mom's best friend from Indy, but that is another story) and told me to take them and just give them back when I was done.  So just like that I got several free books to read!

Artisan baker Natalie Tanner is the last person who should plan a wedding. She can’t even plan a dinner party for three. But when her little sister’s Christmas wedding preparations fall apart back in Massey Falls, it’s up to Natalie to return to her hometown and give it her best.  To her shock, the wedding venue is Yuletide Manor. Yes, it's her childhood dream mansion, but it belongs to Hunter Hawthorn, who humiliated her and broke her teen-aged heart.  Hunter Hawthorn has agonized for years over his cruel mistake. Little does he know, he’s going to finally get his chance to apologize. But will Natalie accept?  With gorgeous snow festivals, Christmastime family traditions, and a beautiful wedding at moonrise, Yuletide Manor is the perfect place to spend a cozy afternoon of reading.  (picture and description from Amazon)

Of course, I didn't realize I started with the last one in the series, but they don't really go in order.  I'm almost done with the next one I started, and it is the first one, so maybe I can get on track now.  

I just love Christmas books!!

Happy Reading!

Melissa

Amazing Grace (Hymns of the West #3), book #41

 

As you may or may not notice, this is actually the third book in the series  we read last month for Book Club.  I didn't really care for the other book, but the other girls absolutely loved it and really wanted to read another one.  So we agreed to this one, because it sounded a little better than the second once.  I must admit it wasn't quite as bad as the first, or maybe I just got used to it.  

Amid the chaos of his own soul, Caleb finds solace in the secret letters from a widow and her young daughter. Their unabashed faith in God convicts him and increases his inner struggles, but he keeps writing anyway.  Maggie, driven by a fierce desire to provide for her daughter, Rachel, steps into the world of mail-order brides. With every tick of the clock, their future becomes more uncertain. If Maggie fails to secure a future, Rachel may not survive through the next year.  Can Caleb learn to trust God despite his past? Can Maggie and Rachel hold onto their faith despite all their trials? What will happen when they meet in person? (picture and description at Amazon)

So for our FHS Book Club, they decided to go ahead and pick one book to read over Thanksgiving and another to read over Christmas.  I am supposed to be reading these books to expand my horizons, but I also love to read Christmas books in November and December.  And neither of the books are Christmas books.  I thought maybe I would read one of them, but the one I would be interested in reading is the one for November.  So I guess those are out for this go around.

I have a large stack of Christmas books calling my name and I can't wait to get started on them TONIGHT!!!

Tis the season for reading!

Melissa

Starfish Pier (Hope Harbor #6), book #40

 

I can't believe I only have one book left in this series now!  However, I understand that there will be a new one out next Spring.  But I have thoroughly loved hanging out with all these folks!

A year ago, ex-Delta Force operator Steven Roark left the rigors of combat behind to run fishing charters in Hope Harbor, decompress, and talk some sense into his kid brother. Business is good--but making peace with his past is more challenging than he expected.  First-grade teacher Holly Miller leads a quiet, low-profile existence--until she's recruited to advocate for a cause that's dear to her heart. When she solicits Steven's assistance, sparks fly--especially after they find themselves on opposite sides of an issue that disrupts their placid seaside community.  As these two seemingly incompatible souls search for common ground, might they discover a deeper connection--and find that love can banish darkness and light the way to a future filled with promise?  (picture and description at Amazon)

It's really time to start reading Christmas books next week, but I still have a few "regular" books to finish before I can start with those.

Keep Reading!

O:)

Melissa

A Mighty Fortress (Hymns of the West #1), book #39

 

What sounded to be a good book ended up being a bust.  Or maybe, since I hadn't read this author before, I didn't know what I was getting into. Although this book was published in 2013, it read more like a Grace Livingston Hill book (written in the early 1900s).  She has written several books in this series, as well as various other series.  Probably not reading any more of hers.  

Joshua and Ruth Brookings travel by stagecoach to finally join their parents in Montana. Attacked by murderous outlaws, the teens barely escape with their lives and must survive in the rugged wilderness of Wyoming and Montana all while escaping the man who's hunting them.  Seven years ago, Jed Stuart ran away from home and joined Tom's gang. Jed is tired of the lawlessness and wants out. The only problem? He is the boss's right-hand man and will never be able to leave. And what's one more stagecoach robbery, anyway?  Can Joshua lean on God's strength to keep himself and his sister alive until they find a town? Will Jed be able to face his anger or will it consume him completely? All three are running—the hunter and hunted. What will happen when they meet again?  Dive into a thrilling tale of suspense, resilience, and redemption. (picture and description at Amazon)

Just because you get a bum book, though, doesn't mean you should stop reading! :)

Melissa

Sandpiper Beach (Hope Harbor #3), book #38

 

Another sweet unexpected couple from Hope Harbor :)

Hope Harbor police chief Lexie Graham has plenty on her plate raising her son alone and dealing with a sudden rash of petty theft and vandalism in her coastal Oregon hometown. As a result, she has zero time for extracurricular activities--including romance. Ex-con Adam Stone isn't looking for love either--but how ironic is it that the first woman to catch his eye is a police chief? Yet wishing for things that can never be is foolish.  Nevertheless, when Lexie enlists Adam's help to keep a young man from falling into a life of crime, sparks begin to fly. And as they work together, it soon becomes apparent that God may have a different--and better--future planned for them than either could imagine.

On Tuesday we meet for the Faculty Book Club and Thursday will be regular Book Club!  I'm so excited!!

Keep Reading!

Melissa

Blackberry Beach (Hope Harbor #7), book #37

 

It never gets old in Hope Harbor ...

Katherine Parker is on the cusp of having everything she ever wanted--fame, money, and acclaim. So why isn't she happy? In search of answers, she comes incognito to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast for some R&R. Maybe in her secluded rental house overlooking the serene Pacific she'll be able to calm the storm inside.  Coffee shop owner Zach Garrett has found his niche after a traumatic loss--and he has no plans to change the life he's created. Nor does he want to get involved with his reticent new neighbor, whose past is shrouded in mystery. He's had enough drama to last a lifetime. But when Katherine and Zach are recruited to help rehab a home for foster children, sparks fly. And as their lives begin to intersect, might they find more common ground than they expected . . . and discover that, with love, all things are possible?  (Picture and description at Amazon)

Gonna squeeze in another one before I start on our Book Club book!

Keep Reading!

Melissa