Holiday – Page 2 – Avonna Loves Genres

Feature Post and Book Review: Christmas Wishes by Sue Moorcroft

Book Description

Hannah and Nico are meant to be together.

But fate is keeping them apart…

As soon as Hannah bumps into her brother Rob’s best friend Nico in Stockholm, the two rekindle a fast friendship. But Hannah has a boyfriend – and Nico has two children to look after.

When Hannah loses her beloved shop in Stockholm, though, she is forced to move back to the little village of Middledip – only to find Nico has just moved in too. Under the same snowy sky, can the childhood friends make a romance work – or are there too many obstacles standing in their way?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55134429-christmas-wishes?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=giqLJev18E&rank=1

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My Book Review

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

CHRISTMAS WISHES by Sue Moorcroft is a cozy holiday romance set in Ms. Moorcroft’s familiar small-town setting of Middledip, England with the unique inclusion of Stockholm, Sweden and its holiday festivals. This is a book in a series that is mainly tied together by the town of Middledip and all the books are easily read as a standalone story.

Hannah is living in Stockholm running her own shop, when her relationship blows up, she loses everything and then moves back home to Middledip to help her grandmother after a fall that breaks her arm. Nico is a single divorced father dealing with a high-pressure job, childcare issues and then the added responsibility of caring for his daughter’s half-sister. Nico ends up moving to Middledip with the girls to slow down and decide on new career options. Nico is one of Hannah’s brother’s best friends and they are reunited at her brother’s wedding. Can these childhood friends have a romance with so many life changes and obstacles in their way?

This was a holiday themed romance that really dove into some serious topics. Nico was not only seriously stressed, but he had an eating disorder from his teens that is resurfacing. He also has the baby that broke up his marriage handed to him to care for while his ex is in rehab, or she will end up in care, and his daughter will be devastated. Even with all this, I truly loved Nico and his heart that wanted to do what was best for everyone. Hannah is the character I had problems with because she was immature and ran rather than communicate even though she was a successful entrepreneur? This was my only problem with this romance because I really do not like miscommunication or no communication at all as the only thing keeping a couple apart.

Both families of the main characters were fully developed and believable with everyday family problems. Hannah’s grandmother was wonderful, and Nico’s daughters were enchanting. I love the things I learned about a Stockholm holiday season and Ms. Moorcroft’s descriptions made me feel as though I was right there.

Nico and Hannah are a couple that must really work for their HEA, but the resolution makes this a heartwarming holiday read.

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About the Author

Sue Moorcroft is an award-winning Sunday Times and internationally published author of emotionally compelling, feel-good, page-turning fiction who has reached #1 on Amazon Kindle UK and Top 100 Amazon Kindle US, Canada and Italy. Her novels, short stories, serials, courses and columns have appeared around the world. An army child, Sue was born in Germany and then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK.

Social Media Links

Website: suemoorcroft.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sue.moorcroft.3

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suemoorcroftauthor/?hl=en

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/suemoorcroftauthor.bsky.social

Feature Post and Mini Book Review: Stalking Around the Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost

Book Description

For inn keeper Holly White, Christmas time in Mistletoe, Maine, is the ultimate holiday gift. Business at the Reindeer Games Inn is booming, her wedding to Sheriff Evan Gray is nearly here, and the annual parade is about to begin. The town is lucky to have another gift this year, with the state’s ballet company staying for several performances of The Nutcracker. But disaster strikes when Tiffany, the lead ballerina, shows up dead on a float during the parade, the Rat King’s mask nearby. Holly will have to spruce up her sleuthing skills if she wants to catch the killer before Christmas—and her wedding day.

Immediately, Holly discovers that Tiffany had more than a few secrets. She finds out that the star of the show had a super fan that no one knows anything about. And the show’s understudy slips some other intriguing information Holly’s way: not only was Tiffany secretly seeing someone romantically, but there seems to be more than one rat in this company. When Holly discovers a secret passage leading to Tiffany’s dressing room, with footprints leading out; she wonders if this is evidence of a secret lover—or a stalking killer.

With an impending snowstorm and the ballet company on the way out of town, Holly must act quickly if she wants to find the person responsible for this terrible murder. Will she be able to save Christmas—or will her investigation turn cold like the weather?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101567402-stalking-around-the-christmas-tree

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My Mini Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

STALKING AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE (A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Book #4) by Jacqueline Frost is another entertaining and wonderful addition to the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. Mistletoe, Maine is once again having the holiday season interrupted by murder and Holly White jumps right in to solve the case because she does not want anything delaying her Christmas Eve wedding to Sheriff Evan Grey. The cast of characters in this series continue to develop and others are added to this small group of friends, so I recommend reading this series in order of publication.

The cozy mystery plot develops into two mysteries, with Holly trying to find the person who poisoned the star ballerina in the Nutcracker which has come to town and helping her finance’s sister discover if she is being stalked or is she imagining it. Both plots have plenty of red herrings and twists that kept me guessing and both have satisfying resolutions.

I highly recommend this latest Christmas Tree mystery, and the entire series is well worth the read. This cast of characters keeps me coming back and the mysteries are seamlessly intertwined throughout.

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About the Author

Jacqueline Frost is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three spunky children. Jacqueline is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime (SinC).

Social Media Links

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/stalking-around-the-christmas-tree-by-jacqueline-frost

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stalking-Around-Christmas-Tree-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0BSKZ1YNV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YML1GS3TJBY5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yED4Yav2jl7

Blog Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Home This Christmas by Sue Roberts

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for HOME THIS CHRISTMAS by Sue Roberts on this Bookouture blog tour.

Below you will find a book description, my book review, the author’s bio, and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Description

Ruby hasn’t been back home since she made the heart-wrenching decision to leave her childhood sweetheart, Nathan, for a career in London. But when she’s invited to judge the charity gingerbread competition, she decides it’s time. And it seems there’s Christmas mischief at work. Because Nathan is joining her as a gingerbread judge.

But it’s clear he would rather she’d stayed away, from his icy silence when they are alone, to the snarky comments and his accusing glare as they prepare for the event with other members of the community. And all Ruby wants to do is get back to London.

Then bad weather leaves her snowed in the village until after Christmas, with nowhere to stay. And things go from bad to worse when she slips on the ice… And falls straight into the arms of Nathan.

The pain of her injured ankle is nothing when, her heart aflutter, Nathan surprises her. As he scoops her up and sweeps her off to the hospital, it seems like the frost between them is finally thawing. But could the magic of Christmas mean a second chance is possible? Or is it too little too late?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239677219-home-this-christmas?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ev1mmkDGhJ&rank=1

Purchase Link: Amazon- https://geni.us/B0FKNDG8V3social

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My Book Review

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

HOME THIS CHRISTMAS by Sue Roberts is a heartwarming Christmas women’s fiction/second chance romance mash-up featuring a young woman named Ruby who left her small village and first love behind to chase her dreams of success in London. Now she has attained many of her dreams, a beautiful flat in London and successful career as a food and restaurant critic and another Christmas is just around the corner.

Ruby is happy with her London life, but she is just out of a relationship and at loose ends. She has made plans with her girlfriend for Christmas but then receives a note from her hometown to be a judge for the charity gingerbread competition. She decides to accept and be in and out of the village in one day. When she shows up at the competition, she is surprised to discover her first love, Nathan, is the other judge.

Nathan is even more handsome than Ruby remembered, and she is surprised that their attraction is still strong. As Ruby gets involved in village affairs and makes new friends, she ends up staying longer and the attraction between them only grows. Ruby is afraid that she will have to leave Nathan behind again or can this second chance at romance be strong enough to keep her in the village?

This is an enchanting holiday read. The first half of the story is more focused on Ruby and her career and life in London, while the second half has her in her old hometown and the second chance romance begins to bloom with Nathan. The romance plot is sweet, charming, and believable. We get to see the village through Ruby’s eyes from her memories of her youth and how things have changed in the present. Ms. Roberts does a wonderful job of making the village and all its Christmas activities come to life on the page. This is a wonderful story to escape into over the holidays.

I recommend this delightful holiday HEA genre mash-up.

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Author Bio

Sue Roberts lives in Lancashire with her long term partner Derek and has had a lifelong love of writing, encouraged by winning a school writing competition at the age of 11.

She always assumed that ‘one day’ she would write a book, always having a busy household and a job, the idea remained firmly on the back burner but never forgotten.

The inspiration for her first novel came to her on a holiday to a Greek village. Her daughters had left home and suddenly the time had come to write that book!

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobertsauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suerobertsauthor/

Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: Cowboy Santa by Melinda Curtis

Book Description

Can they help each other…

Make the season bright?

A small-town Oklahoma Christmas would be charming if single dad Chandler Cochran wasn’t being called into the principal’s office to deal with his son’s antics. The instigator behind young Sam’s misbehavior? Little Della-Mae, Izzy Adams’s daughter. The same Izzy who has just taken a job decorating Chandler’s family ranch for the holidays! And even though she and Chandler are pulled together to deal with their children’s misadventures, the bubbly mom and her sweet daughter are adding light and warmth to the stoic cowboy’s world.

Will trouble turn into an unexpected gift this Christmas?

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Elise’s Thoughts

Cowboy Santa by Melinda Curtis, set in an Oklahoma small town around Christmas, is a good holiday read. The male lead is single dad Chandler Cochran who is basically raising his second-grade son, Sam on his own. It seems Sam is prodded to do certain things by the female lead, Izzy’s daughter, Little Della-Mae. Izzy and Chandler are pulled together to deal with their children’s misadventures. Chandler Cochran is a no-nonsense single father who is the manager at the Done Roamin’ Ranch, and his little boy Sam is a precocious and mischievous. When Chandler meets single mom, Izzy Adams, in the principal’s office at the school, he isn’t surprised that her daughter Mae is in trouble, too, and Chandler blames Mae, because after all, Sam wouldn’t get into trouble without encouragement. Chandler wants everything to stay just as it always has while Izzy wants him to be willing to try new things.

As with all the author’s cowboy books readers will enjoy the journey of Izzy and Chandler on how they realize there is a definite attraction. Of course, they are pushed along by their two children who decide to play cupid. People will enjoy the interactions between the children as well as the input of strong-hearted and loving Mary, Chandler’s mom who is recovering from cancer.

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Author Interview

Elise Cooper: The idea for the story?

Melinda Curtis: I wanted to do an enemy to lovers’ book. Then it evolved that the children were in league with each other.

EC: How would you describe the female character, Izzy?

MC: Bubbly, a rule follower, resilient, reliable, courageous, and in somewhat of a shell. This was her coming of age book where she came into her own.

EC: How would you describe Chandler?

MC: Grounded, pragmatic, obstinate, stoic, someone who likes predictability and the word ‘always.’ The past seems to be holding him back and at times he is vulnerable. He was the older brother type to his foster brother cowboys. I enjoyed going into his character in more depth.

EC: What about Chandler’s son Sam?

MC: He is a charmer, a talker, spunky, and can be sassy.

EC: What about Izzy’s daughter Mae?

MC: Delicate, she can be the mastermind in her and Sam’s endeavors. Together they work in cahoots. Both she and Sam come from divorce parents. They get into mischievous at times. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with and are smarter than the average 2^nd grader.

EC: What was the role of divorce in the story?

MC: One the divorcees wanted to put their career over raising a child, while the other tried to buy his child’s love and had all his priorities wrong. The original marriages were not the right person for Chandler and Izzy. Neither was helpful in the raising of the children.

EC: What about the relationship between Izzy and Chandler?

MC: They both try to ignore their feelings. They change the conversation when they do not like where it is going. They appear confused and in a funk. She takes him outside his comfort zone. They thought they were fine without romance until they realized that finding the right person is special.

EC: What about getting a dog?

MC: I wanted to have something a little bit playful. As a parent and grandma, I know there are times that the children trap someone into getting them things. I wanted this to be a sweet piece that is true to life. Every child should have a dog.

EC: Mary, the beloved foster mom, has cancer. Please explain

MC: It has been an ongoing thread. Even though I was asked not to write any dreaded diseases, but it is realistic. I understand how grief can get in the way of romance, but it does happen in life and does affect someone’s everyday life. Everyone tends to rally around the person and remember how important life is, something we tend to forget when our noses are in our phones all the time. I wanted to write a healthy powerful way that the characters must deal with the experience.

EC: Next books?

MC: There are six more cowboy books in this series. In spring The Cowboy Wedding Proposal will be published. And another one out in the summer.

There will be another round in the Kentucky Blackwell series.

THANK YOU!!

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BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.

Feature Post and Book Review: Evergreen Christmas by Janet Dailey

Book Description

The first in a new cozy Christmas series where the 12 annual Competitions of Christmas in the, close-knit town of Noel, North Carolina are underway! This year horse breeder, and newcomer, Jordyn Banks decides to take on the resident Christmas tree decorating champion, who happens to be her handsome next door neighbor.

Barrel racer Jordyn Banks is thrilled to discover affordable land for sale in charming Noel, perfect for breeding her horses. But that’s not all. A nomad with no family—other than her beloved Quarter Horse, Star—she also hopes to find a home within the close-knit Appalachian Mountain community. Yet Jordyn didn’t bargain on inheriting a controversial Fraser Fir—or falling for a handsome single dad whose adorable little girl tempts her to dream of being far more than a property owner . . .

Since losing his wife in childbirth six years ago, Nate Reed has devoted himself to their daughter, Roxanna, and built up their thriving Frosted Firs Ranch. For nine years straight he’s won Noel’s contest for the most perfect Christmas tree for the Town Square. It’s a tradition he began with his late wife. But this year, Jordyn Banks is determined to harvest her Fraser Fir and compete—meaning Nate will finally be challenged—in more ways than one . . .

Throughout the event, Nate can’t help noticing that Roxanna is dazzled by Jordyn’s strength, beauty, and quirky sense of humor. Soon enough, Nate is falling for her, too. But can a feisty wanderer ever really settle down? Is Nate ready to open his heart to someone new? And is it possible that sometimes love does grow on (Christmas) trees? . .

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204294898-evergreen-christmas?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=InDckQHRUO&rank=1

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My Book Review

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

EVERGREEN CHRISTMAS (Frosted Firs Ranch Book #1) by Janet Daily is a heartwarming cozy holiday contemporary romance that features a young women looking for a place to call home. It also introduces us to the town folks of Noel, North Carolina and their traditional Christmas Challenge headed up by the four Noel Nanas. This is the first book in a new series, and I am looking forward to more to come.

Jordyn Banks has retired from barrel racing and with her quarter horse, Star, she wants to start a horse breeding and training farm. She found the perfect small ranch in Noel, North Carolina. What she does not expect is to immediately become a part of the Noel Nanas’s plans for winning the annual Christmas Challenge.

Nate Reed is a widower and father of six-year-old, Roxanna “Roxie”, who owns the Frosted Firs Ranch next door to Jordyn. He has devoted his life to raising his daughter and winning the Christmas Challenge in memory of his late wife. No one tempted him in his personal life until this red-headed beauty moved in next door. Roxie is taken with her new neighbor also and is determined to help and include her in every activity in the challenge, but Nate is afraid to let someone else into his and Roxie’s lives.

Who will win the Christmas Challenge this year?

I enjoyed this charming holiday romance that leaves you feeling warm and satisfied inside. Jordyn is a wonderful protagonist full of love for everyone she meets, which is surprising considering her upbringing. Nate is bullheaded and had me wanting to knock him on that head a time or two but is still a good man in the way he has built up his business and taken care of and raised his daughter. The Nanas were funny and wonderful even with all their meddling. This is a cozy romance with no sex scenes, but plenty of romance and romantic angst. I also liked that Jordyn and Nate were honest and discussed their feelings and did not play games.

I recommend this enjoyable cozy holiday contemporary romance with memorable small-town characters to curl up with on your favorite chair on a cold winter day.

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About the Author

Janet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.

Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they “retired” to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.

She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.

Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.

Social Media Link

Website: https://janetdailey.com/

Book Review: The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

THE CHRISTMAS DRESS by Courtney Cole is an enchanting contemporary holiday romance that is perfect to curl up with on the couch and get lost in the magic of the season. Can a magical Christmas dress, a crumbling apartment building of seniors, and a handsome handyman turn a young woman’s holiday season from despair to happily ever after?

Meg Julliard has been trying to work her way up in the NYC fashion industry when she must return home to Chicago after the death of her father. Not only does she believe her future in fashion is over, but the Parkview West apartment building in which she grew up holds many sad family memories she has been avoiding. On day one, she discovers the apartment building has been limping along and needs major renovations that there is no money for and has become dangerous for the elderly tenants.

Ellie Wade befriends Meg, even as she prepares to move because her daughter no longer feels Ellie is safe at the Parkview West. As she packs, she shares a beautiful green Christmas dress with Meg that represents the worst and the best Christmas night of her life. Meg falls in love with the dress and as Ellie and her share their personal stories a friendship grows.

With Ellie’s dress as inspiration, some help from the seniors in the building, and a certain handyman, Meg begins to believe in herself and love once again. Can she find a way to continue to follow her dream in fashion and bring the crumbling Parkview West back to its past glory?

This is a perfect holiday romance read with everything I am looking for to warm my heart with just that little touch of magic. This is a sweet story that delivers all the warm fuzzy feelings, wonderful characters, and second chance at love subplots. Meg is a memorable protagonist who wants to do what is best and learns throughout the story that it is alright to accept help from friends. The romance plotline is sweet and quite frankly, I do not know how anyone could not fall for Logan. I loved all the seniors who not only helped Meg find her way to her HEA, but their personal stories brought even more emotion and realism to the story. I fell right into this story and could not put the book down until the end.

I highly recommend this beautiful holiday contemporary romance!

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About the Author

Courtney Cole is a New York Times Bestselling author who loves eating your emotions for breakfast. She also loves witty banter, cashmere socks, and walking the beach at midnight.

Speaking of midnight, she also loves decorating for Christmas at 12:01 a.m. on November 1st. Christmas is a time for love and magic- two of Courtney’s favorite things.

Courtney is a native Kansan who now lives in Florida and writes beneath palm trees, but she retains her farm girl heart, and her midwestern kindness. She believes that blonde hair dye and red lipstick can change your life, and a well-timed smile can change the world.

Social Media Links

Website: https://www.courtneycolecreates.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneycolewrites/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneycolewrites/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/courtney-cole