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An Amish Christmas Kitchen
An Amish Christmas Kitchen
Leslie Gould, Kate Lloyd, Jan Drexler | 2019 | Contemporary, Romance
9
5.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Wunderbaar Christmas Collection!
I love Christmas, I love novellas (they’re fast and easy to read!), and I love Amish, so what better combination than all three wrapped up into one amazing collection? There isn’t anything better, if you ask me. And, I have to say, this collection was worth the anticipation, worth the wait. All these authors did a fabulous job!

But, one specific story I want to focus on is Kate Lloyd’s An Unexpected Christmas Gift. After reading all of Lloyd’s other novels, I knew I needed to read this story. And, I will tell you, I was not disappointed! It was a quick read, I read it in just an hour, but it was packed full of amazing characters, and one heart warming, soul moving message of truth and forgiveness.

Following Maria Romano and her story was moving. I loved every minute of this holiday novella. I fell in love with Naomi, Nancy, Anna and Silas, the Amish family that invited her in, I fell in love with Maria herself and Naomi’s sister Linda, I loved Troy Bennett and despite my food allergies and not able to eat a lot of delicious amazing food, I fell in love with the recipe that Lloyd included in the story. I will definitely be making the Christmas Caramel Cake for my guys!

If you’re a fan of Christmas, Amish, and working in the kitchen, then I will tell you right now. This is a collection of stories you don’t want to miss. All the stories are worthy of 4 stars and have a touch of romance woven in. Don’t miss it! You’ll be sharing this collection of holiday stories with all your book loving, Amish loving friends.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher, Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
The Sun in Her Eyes
The Sun in Her Eyes
Paige Toon | 2015
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is my fourth or fifth book by the author and I have to admit my least favourite. I even liked [b:Thirteen Weddings|18280725|Thirteen Weddings|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1394992094s/18280725.jpg|25752669] better and that didn't even have the ending I wanted but the story and characters got to me more.

I can't say I felt anything for Amber, maybe the fact that she was already married from the start and in a somewhat good marriage with Ned made me a little uncomfortable with what was going on with Ethan. If Ned hadn't been in the picture I would have been all over the Ethan and Amber storyline. Revisiting first-loves is fine by me, but not necessarily when you're quite happily married. If she'd been unhappy, sure.

As for the letter that Doris sent her asking to meet so she could hear the message her mum wanted to give her, I was a <s>little</s>, make that a lot disappointed by that. I was expecting some big secret or something...

Despite not enjoying this as much as the others it has made me want to go on a Paige Toon book binge so I've hunted out all the ones I have but not read yet and will be reading [b:Pictures of Lily|7134057|Pictures of Lily|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1269790608s/7134057.jpg|7396938] first before moving onto [b:Lucy in the Sky|1032295|Lucy in the Sky|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328707137s/1032295.jpg|1018573],[b:One Perfect Summer|12064651|One Perfect Summer (One Perfect #1)|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330897612s/12064651.jpg|17032024],[b:The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson|18114638|The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson (Jessie Jefferson #1)|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1383081247s/18114638.jpg|25441913] and [b:The Longest Holiday|16000770|The Longest Holiday|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1363007994s/16000770.jpg|21762175]
  
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Merissa (11953 KP) rated Bear Creek Christmas (Holiday Mates #1) in Books

Dec 3, 2021 (Updated Jul 9, 2023)  
Bear Creek Christmas (Holiday Mates #1)
Bear Creek Christmas (Holiday Mates #1)
Alexander Elliott | 2021 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
BEAR CREEK CHRISTMAS is the first book in a new series, Holiday Mates. If you are looking for a slightly humorous, warm and fuzzy, low-angst bear shifter book, then you've come to the right place.

Levi has left his ex-boyfriend and family behind as he moves to Bear Creek to start again. His boyfriend was only interested in Levi's looks, and Levi wants to be more than just eye candy on someone's arm. Knox is the local bear shifter handyman who has just about given up on meeting his mate. When Knox first scents Levi, his bear roars to the front, determined to claim his mate. This scares Levi back and he has to seek the advice of a good friend before he decides what to do next.

If you like books where the main characters fall for each other, instead of insta-lust, then this is just the thing. Levi wants to take it slow, and Knox will fight his bear to give Levi that time. Knox worships Levi and will do all he can to give him what he needs, even if it's not what Knox wants.

The ex turning up wasn't a surprise, him dropping out of the story the way he did, was. I kept expecting him to return and cause more trouble, but then, that may be against the warm and fuzzy Christmas story we've got going on.

One thing to be warned about - there are comments about a lot of exclamation marks! 😉 Personally, I didn't notice that many and so didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. If you read this book with the expectation of a gentle, holiday-themed, slow-burn love story then you won't be disappointed. Definitely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 2, 2021
  
The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
1985 | Action, Adventure, Comedy
To find the Jewel
Joan Wilder (turner) is on holiday with her boy friend Jack Colton (Douglas) when Omar comes along and wants Joan to write a piece all about him and she refuses so he kidnaps her and brings her back to his country and try's and force her to write how great of a guy he and his country is. Jack and his pal Ralph (Devito) go the country to rescue her to find out the country has a long lost "jewel" to be found. Jack is interested in finding Joan where as Ralph eyes become to big for his stomach wants to find this fabled jewel. During their adventure to find this "jewel" they come to realize they are now in a country that has two sides. The side that Omar wants it to be and the side it's beloved people want. Will Jack rescue Joan or will Ralph find this Jewel first.

Remember a Jewel doesn't always mean fame and fortune.
  
A collection of three Christmas novellas set in Maine and starring the series sleuths by the authors. We get two murder by eggnog, and one missing moving truck and winds up with a dead body. Will these mysteries be solved by Christmas?

All three of these stories will get you in the Christmas spirit with a dead body along the way. We do get some time enjoying holiday traditions (recipes included with all three stories), some of them unique to Maine, which is a lot of fun. The mysteries are all good, although the first seems to wander quite a bit before it gets fully engaging. If you are a fan of one of these authors, here is a good way or sample some others while catching up with your favorite sleuth at Christmas time.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-eggnog-murder-by-leslie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.