Letters to My Future Husband/Lisa McKendrick

Synopsis:

    "Sophie doesn't know what kind of man she's looking for, so her father suggests she write letters to her future husband-and come to know him in the process. But Sophie soon learns her letters aren't the most reliable key to her heart. This hilarious coming-of-age novel is a guaranteed laugh-out-loud read you'll want to share with all your friends."

Review: 

    This book definitely had some great comedy that brought loads of laughter. It starts off with Sophie as a young girl and devastated that she was not allowed to marry the man of her dreams. Skip to the age of 19 and a trip to Europe that changes her outlook on her teenage crush.We finally end up at the age of 30 and her journal she had written to her future husband was still sitting in her childhood home closet, mostly forgotten, gathering dust. Will she finally be able to transfer that journal to the man it was meant for?
    This book is something you need to read when your in the mood for a good laugh. I did have a problem with the whole future daughter thing, but I can look past that. That part just seemed a bit to annoying for my taste. But what is a few pages in a book? The Author did a great job at keeping my attention. Especially the parts with Peter. Fun read!

The Hunt for the Big Bad Wolf/E.M. Tippetts

Synopsis:

    "Chloe knew she was giving up the quiet life when she married Hollywood A-lister, Jason Vanderholt. She expected harassment from paparazzi but not from the writers of Blood Ritual, a television crime drama that brought national attention to a tough case she is trying to solve as a forensic scientist. While she and the rest of the Albuquerque Police Department once collaborated with the show, now relations have gone sour, and details that the police are trying to keep secret in the investigation are cropping up in episodes watched by millions.

If that weren’t enough, everyone in Chloe’s life seems to be going through a rough patch, from her best friend, Lori, who is trying to plan a wedding, to her niece Kyra who is upset about Jason’s choice of television roles, to Jason himself who is inexplicably moody and withdrawn. None of this drama is the type of thing Chloe knows how to resolve.

She is trained to do one thing: hunt down the big bad wolves of the world. But with her connections to fame compromising her work, she may not even be allowed to stay on the case. The clock is ticking as law enforcement agencies across the country try to find a serial killer before he strikes again. Chloe is faced with a choice, to help catch one of the most evil criminals in history, or provide support to the friends and family who have always been there for her. Either way, she feels she might make the mistake of a lifetime."

Review: 

    Satisfied in the catching of the Big Bad Wolf! I want to see what happens in the future, maybe a baby Vanderholt......? The world keeps turning and a well deserved closure comes in an unexpected way for Chloe while in her work life. 
    Chloe for me has a great outlook on life. She doesn't over react and seems to always be the voice of reason to those around her. When she sets her mind to it she gets things done, even when she is taken off a case.
   For someone who has had to deal with what she has for most of her life, she seems like a good role model to look up to. She does have her insecurities as everyone does, and that is what makes her human.
    I have read most of Emily's books and am a big fan of her writing and style. Such a great imagination and researcher. Every character is different and has a touch of something unique. If you are looking for a series of books with romance, drama, and comedy with a touch of fairytale happily ever after, then don't pass up this series.

Eve: In the Beginning/H.B. Moore

Summary:

    "In a world where everything is perfect, yet the same day after day, Eve must decide if she wants to live forever in the garden with Adam and never know what lies beyond the walls. When she makes a choice with terrible consequences, the pain of mortality is swift. As she and Adam explore their new world, and her body changes, Eve discovers the sweetness of first love with the man who has always been at her side."

Review:

    What a great perspective on the life of our Mother Eve! I couldn't imagine starting out with nothing, and experiencing things for the first time without having knowledge before hand of the obstacles outside of their Eden.
    The first half of the book has to do with Adam and Eve living in the garden. When things start changing with the now sudden appearance of Lucifer, they don't know what to make of it since living in pretty much the same routine day by day.
    The last half of the book deals with them out in the world. Experiencing their first snow, their first kill, all that comes with a life and surviving it.
    I love the relationship between Adam and Eve and the constant support they gave each other while trying to make sense of their new world.
    Although we really don't know how hard life really was for our first parents, Heather probably wasn't far off any of the struggles they most likely had to endure. I am even more grateful now then ever before for their sacrifice!

Silver Bells Collection/Various Author's

Synopsis:

    "Lucinda Brant’s delightful novella, FAIRY CHRISTMAS, Kitty Aldershot is orphaned and forced to live on others’ charity. Offered a home under the generous roof of her relatives, the Earl of Salt Hendon and his countess, Kitty wants for nothing, not even the affections of Mr. Tom Allenby. But when Kitty stumbles across a letter written by Lady Caroline that reveals how Mr. Allenby would be ruined should he marry the likes of Kitty, she realizes she has been fooling herself all along. Kitty’s world crumbles around her as she recognizes she will forever be alone with no prospects at all.

    Sarah M. Eden’s charming romance novella A CHRISTMAS PROMISE, Sean Kirkpatrick is trying to get to his new place of employment, Kilkenny Castle, in order to start as the new stablehand. His only requirement is to drive a team of high-spirited nags from Dublin to Kilkenny in a certain amount of time. Unfortunately he winds up in a muddy field, stuck, lost, and running out of time. He’s about to lose the job before he can prove himself capable of finishing his first assignment. When Maeve Butler arrives on the scene, Sean isn’t sure if she’s intent on rescuing him or bent on torturing him with her fiery wit and lovely dark eyes.

    In Heather B. Moore’s enchanting novella, TWELVE MONTHS, Lucien Baxter’s best and most incorrigible friend, Will, dies unexpectedly, leaving behind his new bride and unborn child the week before Christmas. Will’s last request is that Lucien watches over Cora, not just as a benefactor, but as a husband. When Lucien does his duty and proposes to Cora, he’s turned down flat. But over the course of the next few days, Lucien discovers that marrying Cora wouldn’t be any sort of duty after all, but a matter of following his heart.

    In Lu Ann Staheli’s sweet romance novella, A FEZZIWIG CHRISTMAS, Dick Wilkins and his best friend Ebenezer Scrooge have been looking forward to the annual Fezziwig Christmas dance for weeks. Ebenezer is practically engaged to Annabelle Fezziwig, and Dick hopes to start courting her younger sister, Pricilla. Once the dance starts, and Pricilla arrives, as pretty and charming as ever, Dick discovers that he’s not the only man vying for her attention. His best friend advises Dick that he has to win Pricilla’s heart, as well as her mother’s favor. Losing his heart has suddenly become very complicated.

    A TASTE OF HOME, a captivating romance by Annette Lyon, we meet Claire Jennings, who’s on her way to spend Christmas with her family. As she rides the train with William Rhodes, who grew up across the street, memories of Christmases past flood her mind. He may be twenty-one now, but she can’t forget his torturous teasing from their school years. At the rail station, Claire discovers that her home is under quarantine because her little brother has measles. She's stuck in town, away from her family, on her favorite holiday. William stays behind with her, and as Christmas Day approaches and her homesickness deepens, she discovers that perhaps he has changed in more ways than one.

    Becca Wilhite’s entrancing novella, MY MODERN GIRL, follows Margie, who lands her dream job as a clerk at Macy’s department store in New York City. Margie might be new in town, but she’s determined to succeed and prove to Henry that moving to the city was the right decision. As the Christmas season approaches, Margie realizes that being a “modern girl” might not be all she had dreamed of and Henry might have more to offer than she ever imagined."

Review:

    Another great collection of Anthologies. Each novella brings in the Christmas Spirit. If you are in the holiday frame of mind these short stories are well worth your time. Each story has Romance, and it takes place when most of the characters are not expecting it or looking for it.
    Take your time and spread out the stories during the week or month or read them all within one day or night. That is what is great about these collections. I cant say much else about the books since looking at the synopsis sums them up nicely. Each story was well written and thought out by the Author, and I don't have much complaint.
    If your in the holiday mood and need some romance, then this book is for you!

I want to be Baptized/Annalisa Hall/Corey Egbert

Synopsis:

    "Depicts what baptism really means for children's lives by comparing it to objects they remember and relate to. Turn to these heartwarming illustrations and meaningful analogies next time a child asks you about baptism."

Review:

    Need help explaining baptism to your children? Look no further. This book highlights the importance of being baptized. It helps the child understand the steps they need to take before, and the steps they need to take after baptism, to keep the Holy Ghost with them.
    I honestly wish I had this book a couple of years ago when my niece asked me to give a talk at her own baptism. Now that I have this book, it will definitely be available for the rest of my family when the time comes for them to be baptized.
    The book is well written and well illustrated. Towards the end of the book they have the different stepping stones with some additional information such as Scriptures and Hymn numbers. Check out the other book they have out called "The Holy Ghost is like a Blanket".
   

Softly Falling/Carla Kelly

Synopsis:

    "Fresh off the train from New York City, Lily Carteret arrives in picturesque Wyoming only to discover that her wayward father has lost his cattle ranch to a lowly cowboy in a card game!

    Determined not to let her father’s folly ruin her life, Lily becomes a teacher on the ranch. There she learns that the handsome cowboy, Jack Sinclair, has some wild predictions about the upcoming winter—that it will be unlike anything Wyoming has ever seen. Lily must either cast off her skepticism to work with Jack or risk losing everything she holds dear."

Review:

    I love the dynamic between Lily's world and Jacks world. Lily really takes the changes in her life in stride.  With this change I think she grows into the women she could see from a distance but was never before able to grasp. Enter Jack and his take charge attitude and things fall softly into place.
    This is a great sit on your couch in front of a roaring fire kind of read. Trust me when I say you will want to stay nice and warm.
    This book is a little over four hundred pages long, but I am sure it will grab a hold of you to where you don't even notice the page numbers and it will have ended before you know it, leaving you wanting more!
    I would love to find out what happens to some of the other characters. I can see them having their own stories. One can only hope! Carla nailed it again. Sit down and relax with some hot cocoa and enter a world with Romance, drama, comedy, and tragedy, this book has it all.

Christmas in Snow Valley/Various Author's

Synopsis:

    "An Unexpected Kiss by Cindy Roland Anderson
Lucy Phillips doesn’t want to spend her Christmas vacation dodging her ex-boyfriend, so when he turns up at the airport to give her a ride home, Lucy panics and asks a complete stranger to kiss her. Although the kiss is incredible, Lucy never expects to see the guy again. Is it bad luck or destiny when Lucy comes down with a sore throat and the new doctor in Snow Valley is none other than the guy she kissed at the airport?

    Feels Like Love by Jeanette Lewis
Christmas in Snow Valley is the perfect way for April Winston to introduce her city slicker fiancé, Scott Mecham, to life on a farm. If only Wade Hadley, hometown boy and high school sweetheart, will cooperate! But Wade has no intention of letting April go without a fight. This Christmas, Wade is determined to overcome their painful past and show April that she already has what she’s been seeking all along.

    Full Court Devotion by Cami Checketts
Kazlyn is too busy with her schooling and future plans to enjoy life, let alone fall in love with a man who has heartbreak written all over him. Tyrese Hamilton, a college basketball star and major heartthrob, is intrigued when Kazlyn doesn’t pursue him or even seem interested. Ty’s career is in jeopardy, and he needs a miracle and Kazlyn to save him.

​    The Christmas Eve Kiss by Taylor Hart
When Molly O’Hare gets a prediction that she will kiss her true love on Christmas Eve, she thinks it’s utterly ridiculous. But when she gets teamed up with Kevin Snow, aka her ex-boyfriend, to decorate a Christmas tree, things start to change. Too bad getting over the past is hard and seeing him kiss another girl is even harder. Now Molly is left with a choice—run away from home and heartbreak or let Christmas work out a miracle all of its own.

    Risking it all for Love by Kimberley Montpetit
Succumbing to family pressure, Jessica Mason reluctantly comes home for Christmas. Ever since her high school boyfriend’s death from a car accident three years earlier, Jessica and religion have not been compatible. So, when she visits Michael’s grave, she’s surprised to meet the handsome James Douglas, Pastor John’s nephew, who’s studying for the ministry. James can not only dish back Jessica’s finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica’s world upside down. Is she ready to take another risk on love?

    Blue Christmas by Lucy McConnell (Christina Dymock)​
As head of Snow Valley hospital’s fundraising effort, Paisley Hackett barely has time to organize the craft show, cookie decorating party, and the annual Christmas Ball. What she doesn’t have time for is falling in love with Clay Jett, the incredibly handsome bass player who sweeps into town. She’s been burned by a tourist romance before and, with everything going on, Paisley will have to work overtime to protect her heart from Clay and his swoon-worthy ballads." 

Review: 

    A well put together team of writers that get your imagination flowing. I loved how one common thread through out each book was Pastor John and the notorious "fire".
    Most of the stories deal with girls who left Snow Valley because they needed to get away or they were running from their past. But something, or someone pulled them back, sometimes against their wishes. Life catches up to them and they need to determine whether they should embrace what is handed to them, or move on, either with joy or pain.
    A few of them I was more enthralled with and captivated by, but they all have what every reader enjoys, and that happens to be a happily ever after. Romance, Drama, Comedy are just some of the genres you will cross in all six of these sweet and enduring novella's. 

Links to the Novella's: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Snow-Valley-Cindy-Anderson-ebook/dp/B00NRC5ZT4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1411597983&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=christmas+in+snow+valley">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id922636729">iTunes</a> * <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-in-snow-valley-cami-checketts/1120404057?ean=2940046248463&amp;itm=1&amp;usri=2940046248463">B&amp;N</a> *&nbsp;<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/480358">Smashwords</a> * <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/christmas-in-snow-valley">