The ideas for my Blogmas posts are from a post on the blog Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. You can see the list of ideas in my Day 1 Blogmas post here.
I haven’t put up my Christmas tree yet, so here’s an photo from Christmas morning a couple of years ago, featuring my neighbour’s dog, Codie, who stays with us when his family goes home for the holidays.
Have you put up your tree yet?
Title: A Second Christmas Wish
Author: Kathryn Freeman
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Choc Lit
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: November 7, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Do you believe in Father Christmas?
For Melissa, Christmas has always been overrated. From her cold, distant parents to her manipulative ex-husband, Lawrence, she’s never experienced the warmth and contentment of the festive season with a big, happy family sitting around the table.
And Melissa has learned to live with it, but it breaks her heart that her seven-year-old son, William, has had to live with it too. Whilst most little boys wait with excitement for the big day, William finds it difficult to believe that Father Christmas even exists.
But then Daniel McCormick comes into their lives. And with his help, Melissa and William might just be able to find their festive spirit, and finally have a Christmas where all of their wishes come true …
Review:
I really enjoyed this story.
It was more than just a Christmas story. There was a lot going on with the characters with the backdrop of Christmas.
I liked that Melissa had a history. She seemed like a real person. It gave her a valid reason for not wanting to let anyone in.
The romance between Melissa and Daniel seemed real too. They were set up by his sister, and they fell in love quickly but it was very sweet to read.
William also grew as a character through the story. His letter to Santa reminded me of Miracle on 34th St, and you’ll just have to read the book to find out why!
This was a great Christmas story!
The ideas for my Blogmas posts are from a post on the blog Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. You can see the list of ideas in my Day 1 Blogmas post here.
We haven’t decorated yet. There’s been way too much going on. Right now the house is covered in Christmas wrapping paper and gift decorations. Here’s a sample:
What are your favourite Christmas decorations?
Title: Love You Like Christmas
Author: Keri F. Sweet
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: October 30, 2017
Rating: ★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Treat yourself to ebooks inspired by Hallmark Christmas movies. Enjoy a heartwarming, feel-good story…and find out what happens after the movie ends.
Sometimes getting lost leads you back to what matters most…
Maddie, a marketing executive in New York, is on her way to attend the December wedding of one of her best clients. She’s afraid of flying, and taking her late aunt’s classic Mustang on a road trip seems like fun—until the car breaks down and leaves her stranded in the small town of Christmas Valley.
The first time Kevin meets Maddie, he’s dealing with an accident that left a whole shipment of his Christmas trees scattered across the highway. He hasn’t thought about romance since his wife died: he’s been busy raising a little girl and running a struggling tree farm. But even in the middle of this setback, he’s immediately drawn to Maddie.
As Maddie waits in Christmas Valley for her car to get repaired, she begins to realize that friends and family are at the heart of the holidays—and she can’t deny her growing feelings for Kevin. But sooner or later, she’s going back to her big-city life, and Kevin’s future is uncertain. How can either of them take a chance on love?
This novel includes a free original recipe for Christmas Biscuits with Sugar Plum Jam.
Review:
This is a great Christmas romance.
I liked the contrasting settings of Manhattan and the small town in Ohio. These two places were brought together in Maddie. Christmas Valley sounds like such a fun town! It’s always Christmas there.
The budding romance between Maddie and Kevin was predictable but cute. It was obvious that they would like each other, but there were many obstacles that threatened to keep them apart which kept up the excitement in the story.
The story was predictable but fun too. I really enjoyed this Christmas story. It’s a great light read for the season.
The ideas for my Blogmas posts are from a post on the blog Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. You can see the list of ideas in my Day 1 Blogmas post here.
My favourite childhood Christmas memory is from when I was about 7 or 8. I woke up in the night and heard footsteps on the roof above me. Then I heard some jingle bells. I shut my eyes right away and went back to sleep, since I knew Santa was here and I wanted him to leave the gifts.
What’s your favourite childhood Christmas memory?
Title: Harley Quinn, Vol. 2: Power Outage
Author: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti
Genre: Graphic Novel
Publisher: DC Comics
Source: Purchased
Release Date: April 14, 2015
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
The first rule of Skate Club is…you do not mess with the Mistress of Mayhem! Harley stumbles across an underground fight club where big money winds with a body count. She’s in…and she’s making Sy Borgman her agent for the fights. And wha would happen if the demented Clown Princess of Crime visited the most popular comic con out there? Find out when Harley Quinn invades Comic-Con!!
Review:
This is another fabulous graphic novel featuring Harley!
In this graphic novel, we learn more about Harley’s past, such as how she got her pet beaver.
There was so much that happened in this collection. I wish I had read this series before reading the current Rebirth series, because there is so much background given on Harley in these graphic novels that carry on to the current series.
I love it when Harley ventures into the real world. She wants to have her own comics published so she goes after DC artists and executives at Comic-Con. And as you can imagine, Harley causes chaos!
I loved this graphic novel! I have the next ones in the series, so I will be reviewing them soon.
The ideas for my Blogmas posts are from a post on the blog Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. You can see the list of ideas in my Day 1 Blogmas post here.
Well today is an easy one. I’m counting down to Christmas with Blogmas! I will also be posting my own 12 Days of Christmas Reading starting on December 14, where I will post a review of a Christmas themed book everyday until Christmas!
I’m really excited for Christmas this year. I’ve been listening to Christmas playlists on Spotify in my car. I have been busy with school and work so I haven’t had time to put up our Christmas tree yet, but hopefully I’ll be able to do that soon!
How are you counting down Christmas?
Title: Liar Liar
Author: Sarah Flint
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Aria
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: December 1, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis:
A faithful dog lies wounded beside the mutilated body of its owner.
A woman is discovered bound and gagged, dead in her own bed.
Both are police officers.
Both have a red rose at their side… worryingly more will follow…
Lies and accusations abound but who is behind the murders and why are the victims being targeted?Charlie, Hunter and the team must find the killer targeting their own before another body is found.
Review:
This is another great thriller!
I haven’t read any of the previous books in the series, but I still enjoyed the story. There were some references to things that had happened before, and some relationships weren’t detailed, like Charlie and Ben, but other than that, it was great.
Each of the murders were so creepy. I couldn’t figure out who did it. There were a few suspects but I couldn’t piece together who did it, which made the book all the more fun.
I really liked how the chapters were from different points of view. Some focused on the murderer and others were about the detectives. Even the beginning was clever, because the first few chapters showed a different assault happening, which hooked me right away.
I really enjoyed this thriller and I will look for more from Sarah Flint in the future!
About the Author:
With a Metropolitan Police career spanning 35 years Sarah has spent her adulthood surrounded by victims, criminals and police officers. She continues to work and lives in London with her partner and has three older daughters.
Facebook: @SarahFlintBooks
Twitter: @SarahFlint19
Buy the book:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2kKOf1S
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2lGWEkP
iBooks: http://apple.co/2koJKXp
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2lBuZFM
Follow Aria:
Website: www.ariafiction.com
Twitter: @aria_fiction
Facebook: @ariafiction
Instagram: @ariafiction
The ideas for my Blogmas posts are from a post on the blog Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. You can see the list of ideas in my Day 1 Blogmas post here.
We had some snow yesterday (and my car wouldn’t even start because of the cold). So I was able to take a picture of our Winter Wonderland! It’s our first snow of the year. I’m sure there will be lots more to come!
Here’s a picture of my backyard. Not too much snow, but I don’t like it, so any snow is too much for me.
What does your winter wonderland look like?
Title: The Trickster’s Lullaby
Author: Barbara Fradkin
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Dundurn
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: September 26, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
A winter camping trip turns deadly as two missing teenagers, a twisted love triangle, and the spectre of radicalism create turmoil in the remote Laurentian wilderness.
Amanda Doucette’s cross-Canada charity tour is in for a cold snap when she organizes a winter camping trip for inner-city young people in the stunning setting of the Laurentian Mountains. With a view to bridging cultural divides, she brings along a mixture of Canadian-born and immigrant youth.
Trouble begins when two of the teenagers disappear into the wilderness during the night: Luc, a French/English-Canadian with a history of drug use, and Yasmina, an adventurous young woman from Iraq who dreams of becoming a human rights lawyer. Although frantic, their parents are strangely secretive amid suspicions of drug use and forbidden romance. But when a local farmer turns up dead and terrorist material is found on Luc’s computer, the dangers turn deadly. Now in a battle against both the elements and police, Amanda and Corporal Chris Tymko discover a far greater web of secrets and deception.
As Amanda races to save the young people from danger, she finds herself fighting for stakes far higher than their own lives.
Review:
I loved this Canadian thriller.
Last fall, I went to Montreal and Mont Tremblant, so I could picture exactly where the story took place. I liked that it alternated between a city setting and the wilderness. It gave a full view of Quebec in the winter.
The mystery was so chilling. I really didn’t know what would happen. There were many possible explanations for disappearances, from drugs, to accidents, to escaping to terrorist groups, so I didn’t know what was the real answer.
I really liked that this was such a Canadian story. Even the way that the youth who go on the trip are immigrants from other countries demonstrates how the way that Canada is so multicultural.
I loved this story. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I’ll have to look for more books in this series!
Jill's Book Blog 