#Review: The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans #Christmas #romancenovels

Summary:
At thirty-two Kimberly Rossi, a finance officer at a Lexus car dealership, has had her heart broken more times than she wants to remember. With two failed engagements, a divorce and again alone with no prospects, she hardly seems the type to dream of being a published romance author.

The theme of The Mistletoe Inn is that like literature, relationships must be lived with passion and vulnerability to succeed.

My review:
When I picked up this book I was sure it would be somewhat romantic in nature as that who the writer is. I also figured it to be placed at Christmas. All of this was true. It is also true that the book is essentially about romance writers who write romance books.

I enjoyed that Kimberly, the aspiring romance author,goes to a conference at the Mistletoe Inn which is described as a beautiful place but not much more. A mysterious man by the name of Zeke enters the conference and wins over Kimberly but her hesitations and constant crying made me cringe. Get a grip! It annoyed me such a  whiny character could not see her own strengths.

Most of the book talked about the conference itself and took awhile to get to the romance side of the book, of which Kimberly nearly ruined due to trust issues. Ugh!

Overall, things turned out just right with a few interesting twist and turns.  Little jokes the author writes to himself were also present too. It just took me awhile to get there as the book took awhile to develop.

I still give the book three stars as I did like it. I need to pick up some of the authors previous books to read.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~MM Hudson aka Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Amazon

#Review: The Reindeer Keeper: Believe Again...by Barbara Briggs Ward #Christmas #ChristmasSpirit #AdultBooks

Summary:

Abbey senses something special about the little man tending to the reindeer who, along with a century-old farmhouse, a barn full of animals, and fields abounding in woods and pasture, was a gift to Abbey from a stranger. Abbey and her husband, Steve, move in just before the holidays. They have been together since the '60s, eloping when Steve returned from Vietnam. Now with Abbey's cancer in remission, they're looking forward to their boys coming home for Christmas. Turns out this Christmas proves to be more magical than anticipated as Abbey realizes an understanding never thought possible through the rekindling of a belief rooted in childhood. Of course it's who delivers this gift on Christmas Eve that gives Abbey and Steve the strength to face their greatest challenge.

My review:

I truly loved this twist on the Santa Claus story. It was a beautifully written and sentimental story about believing in what was lost as you get older. It was also about hoping, dreaming, and loving. This book had everything you would want in a sweet tale.

Abbey's cancer and her fight was in there, yes, but it also should how the love of one's family is important and needed when challenges are faced. Sometimes it even means making changes that are unexpected but well worth the change.

I loved also that this book did not end in a downer but one of hope and the idea to carry on and keep moving forward, to be child like, and keep believing even when the world tells you not too.

Awesome book and I highly recommend. 5 stars!

Disclosure: I won a paperback book from the author in a contest. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.

Where to find the author:

Goodreads

Amazon

Facebook

#Review: The Thursday Night Club: Tale of Christmas Spirit #Christmas #ChristmasSpirit #AdultBooks

Summary:
Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off.

As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.

My review:
I have read several of the authors novels and enjoyed each and everyone.  I am very happy I have also had the chance to read his first novella. This book has everything in it, a diverse group of long time friendships, familiarity, tragedy, heroism, and kindness.

At first I was saddened by the death of one of their friends but that death was not in vain. They learned to take the lessons of their friend and put those lessons into practical use that would last a life time. Their motivations were not always known to each other but their growth and kindness goes along way. The twist of it was their motivation to begin with.

I love how the author can find just the right words to suck me in to his stories. The human factor is so apparent and you can never help feeling like you have know his characters all your life. I loved getting to know each of the characters and what made them tick.

The story has Christmas elements to it but it is not based solely on a Christmas backdrop. What it does have, as the title suggest, is what the idea behind Christmas is...preparing, giving, and loving one another.

This story is a hands down winner that you can read in one sitting. I give it 5 stars.

Disclosure: I received a Kindle copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100 % my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Facebook       Amazon   Goodreads