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Violent night (2022)
7.0
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Movie
An elite group of mercenaries break into a family compound on Christmas eve taking everyone hostage....
I’ve not actually read Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe, but I was happy when I realised that this could easily be read as a standalone novel – there were only a small amount of moments when I felt like I was missing some information that came from the main novel.
It’s only a very short book, but that made it all the better for me because I prefer reading short stories over Christmas than trying to dig into a really big novel, just because I struggle for time over Christmas.
The characters were all brilliant. I loved Becca because I know people with the same attitude over Christmas as her, so it made me laugh a bit seeing people I know as Characters in a book.
It was a cheesy festive romance, and there were a few parts where I wasn’t too sure on how far the novel was going to go, but thankfully it balanced out the romance with the plot really well.
It’s only a very short book, but that made it all the better for me because I prefer reading short stories over Christmas than trying to dig into a really big novel, just because I struggle for time over Christmas.
The characters were all brilliant. I loved Becca because I know people with the same attitude over Christmas as her, so it made me laugh a bit seeing people I know as Characters in a book.
It was a cheesy festive romance, and there were a few parts where I wasn’t too sure on how far the novel was going to go, but thankfully it balanced out the romance with the plot really well.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2518 KP) rated I Am Half-Sick of Shadows (Flavia de Luce, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It’s the week before Christmas, and a movie crew is coming to film at Flavia’s family home. While excited, Flavia is plotting how to trap Father Christmas when he shows up on Christmas morning. However, that takes a back seat when the lead actress is film is murdered. Fortunately for Flavia, the suspects are trapped in her home due to a massive snow storm. Can she figure out who the killer is?
While I do like the characters and didn’t find Flavia nearly as annoying in this book as I did the previous one, I found the plot way too slow. The murder happened half way through the book, and the tension and set up to justify that just wasn’t present. Once the murder took place, the book definitely picked up, however.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-i-am-half-sick-of-shadows.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While I do like the characters and didn’t find Flavia nearly as annoying in this book as I did the previous one, I found the plot way too slow. The murder happened half way through the book, and the tension and set up to justify that just wasn’t present. Once the murder took place, the book definitely picked up, however.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-i-am-half-sick-of-shadows.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2518 KP) rated Silent Knife (Celebration Bay, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Liv wants her first Christmas as the event coordinator in Celebration Bay to go well, but she’s hit some unexpected snags. First, Trim a Tree has opened with their tacky gifts. Then the store hires a second Santa, a violation of town policy. However, when that Santa is found murdered, Liv really has her work cut out for her.
After enjoying the first, I was looking forward to revisiting this festive town for Christmas. The plot got bogged down a bit in the first half, and I could not stand one character. However, those were minor issues. I did mostly enjoy the book, and things picked up by the end. I couldn’t wait to figure out who had done it. There were lots of references and things to help get us in the Christmas spirit as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/12/book-review-silent-knife-by-shelley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
After enjoying the first, I was looking forward to revisiting this festive town for Christmas. The plot got bogged down a bit in the first half, and I could not stand one character. However, those were minor issues. I did mostly enjoy the book, and things picked up by the end. I couldn’t wait to figure out who had done it. There were lots of references and things to help get us in the Christmas spirit as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/12/book-review-silent-knife-by-shelley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Santa Text
Entertainment, Social Networking and Stickers
App
Welcome to Santa Text Yes you can now Text Santa. aka. Father Christmas or Saint Nick Have a good...
Merissa (13905 KP) rated A Daddy For Christmas 3: Rowan in Books
Dec 17, 2025
A DADDY FOR CHRISTMAS: ROWAN is part of the multi-author series of almost the same name. I'll let you figure that part out!
Damon is co-owner of a sex-toy business, usually run by his brother, Nigel. Damon took the week before Christmas off from work to avoid the stress, but Nigel had other ideas, so Damon got called in just before Christmas, and to top things off, also had to attend a charity fancy-dress ball in the middle of nowhere on Nigel's behalf. Not only did he not want to go, but that also meant he would spend time with Rowan, Nigel's driver, whom he was attracted to but was off-limits as an employee. Rowan, on the other hand, is prepared to use anything and everything to help him gain time with Damon, even a freak snowstorm.
This is a fast-paced novella, where most of the longing has already happened. Rowan was a little too bratty, too forceful/manipulative, for my liking, but it ticked Damon's boxes, so that's the main thing. There is plenty of heat, even in a snowstorm, that continues afterwards.
If you've read any of Ms Davison's Kinky Housemates series (highly recommended!), then you may recognise some of the names that pop up here. It was great to see them again!
Overall, this is a forced proximity, Scrooge-Christmas story with plenty of heat to keep you warm. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 17, 2025
Damon is co-owner of a sex-toy business, usually run by his brother, Nigel. Damon took the week before Christmas off from work to avoid the stress, but Nigel had other ideas, so Damon got called in just before Christmas, and to top things off, also had to attend a charity fancy-dress ball in the middle of nowhere on Nigel's behalf. Not only did he not want to go, but that also meant he would spend time with Rowan, Nigel's driver, whom he was attracted to but was off-limits as an employee. Rowan, on the other hand, is prepared to use anything and everything to help him gain time with Damon, even a freak snowstorm.
This is a fast-paced novella, where most of the longing has already happened. Rowan was a little too bratty, too forceful/manipulative, for my liking, but it ticked Damon's boxes, so that's the main thing. There is plenty of heat, even in a snowstorm, that continues afterwards.
If you've read any of Ms Davison's Kinky Housemates series (highly recommended!), then you may recognise some of the names that pop up here. It was great to see them again!
Overall, this is a forced proximity, Scrooge-Christmas story with plenty of heat to keep you warm. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 17, 2025
Deck the Halls (Darling, VT)
8.0
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Book
With shades of It’s a Wonderful Life, one man must face his past to find his future this...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2518 KP) rated Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas in Books
Sep 28, 2023
Deadly Christmas Play
Merry Wilkinson’s mother, opera singer Aline Steiner, has agreed to come out of retirement to be part of the musical version of A Christmas Carol that the local theater company is doing this December. However, things aren’t going well at rehearsals, as Merry witnesses first hand. Then someone associated with the play is killed in Merry’s shop, and Merry’s assistant is a suspect. Can she figure out what is going on?
It's been three years since we last visited these characters, but I slipped back into their world again in no time. It was fabulous to be back, and I remembered just how much I loved the setting of Rudolph, New York, and the characters. I enjoyed getting to see them grow here, and the I’ll be interested to see how some relationships go forward. The plot was a little uneven, but we still get plenty of suspects and some surprises along the way to a fantastic climax. If you enjoy a Christmas cozy, you owe it to yourself to check out this series. Fans will be thrilled with the latest book.
It's been three years since we last visited these characters, but I slipped back into their world again in no time. It was fabulous to be back, and I remembered just how much I loved the setting of Rudolph, New York, and the characters. I enjoyed getting to see them grow here, and the I’ll be interested to see how some relationships go forward. The plot was a little uneven, but we still get plenty of suspects and some surprises along the way to a fantastic climax. If you enjoy a Christmas cozy, you owe it to yourself to check out this series. Fans will be thrilled with the latest book.
Kimmic (814 KP) rated Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas in Books
Feb 2, 2020
What an absolute flop!!!
After loving "this is going to hurt" I was so excited to get this when it came out. And then it arrived. For the price of a standard hardback I got a pocket notebook! Oh well it still has potential.... nope! This feels like an absolute stretch to make money on another release around christmas using the back of the last book (which was actually really good) to sell to previous fans. I feel this flop will actually do the opposite and put people off buying the next one (if there is another) because they were tricked into buying this rubbish with an expectation that it would be as good as the first. This one went straight into the charity shop bag!
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated An Amish Christmas Wedding: Four Stories in Books
Feb 24, 2021
<a href="https://travelingwife4life.wordpress.com/2020/11/21/an-amish-christmas-celebrate-lit/">Travelers Wife 4 Life</a>
This was such a good collection of stories to get me in the Christmas spirit! I had the privilege of reading last Christmas’s book (<a href="https://travelingwife4life.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/amish-christmas-bakery-celebration-lit/">An Amish Christmas Bakery</a>) by this collection of authors (Vanetta Chapman is new though) and truly fell in love with each author’s unique writing style. While not interconnected each story brings hope and warmth into my mind and I hope you will like them too!
<b>Evergreen Love</b> by Amy Clipston – I so enjoyed this story filled with mishaps, love, and second chances. Ryan and Lorene both show growth as characters and a sweet desire to learn from their previous experiences. They were fun to get to know and they showed a great look at forgiveness and the importance of communication!
<b>Holiday of Hope</b> by Kelly Irvin – This story was adorably sweet and heartfelt. I loved Henry’s journey, his special patience with his nephew (especially how he took it all in seamless stride not trying to force things), and his dedication to his first wife and subsequent openness to second chances. Leesa was also a very interesting character whom I rooted for from the beginning. I loved her courage, strength, and willingness to help others; even when it was outside her comfort zone. Overall, I loved the sweet romance in this book and enjoyed Kelly Irvin’s descriptions of deep snow Montana life.
<b>Wreathed in Joy</b> by Kathleen Fuller – I loved this friends to more gone awry story! Definitely one of my favorite sub-genres and Kathleen Fuller nails it. Mary and Jakob are sweet and the best of friends until a sad misunderstanding changes everything. But I enjoyed watching them banter and rekindle their friendship. It was full of sweet moments, memories, and the courage to try again. A great reminder to always give people second chances. Such a sweet story and I loved the ending.
<b>A Christmas Prayer </b> by Vannetta Chapman – Ever had the feeling that life is not going where you planned? Well, Rachel and Micah’s story is definitely one you will like. It was like ‘watching Rachel bloom’ as Micah so eloquently put it. I loved Micah’s caring nature, his use of Cloe (a Beautiful lab
This was such a good collection of stories to get me in the Christmas spirit! I had the privilege of reading last Christmas’s book (<a href="https://travelingwife4life.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/amish-christmas-bakery-celebration-lit/">An Amish Christmas Bakery</a>) by this collection of authors (Vanetta Chapman is new though) and truly fell in love with each author’s unique writing style. While not interconnected each story brings hope and warmth into my mind and I hope you will like them too!
<b>Evergreen Love</b> by Amy Clipston – I so enjoyed this story filled with mishaps, love, and second chances. Ryan and Lorene both show growth as characters and a sweet desire to learn from their previous experiences. They were fun to get to know and they showed a great look at forgiveness and the importance of communication!
<b>Holiday of Hope</b> by Kelly Irvin – This story was adorably sweet and heartfelt. I loved Henry’s journey, his special patience with his nephew (especially how he took it all in seamless stride not trying to force things), and his dedication to his first wife and subsequent openness to second chances. Leesa was also a very interesting character whom I rooted for from the beginning. I loved her courage, strength, and willingness to help others; even when it was outside her comfort zone. Overall, I loved the sweet romance in this book and enjoyed Kelly Irvin’s descriptions of deep snow Montana life.
<b>Wreathed in Joy</b> by Kathleen Fuller – I loved this friends to more gone awry story! Definitely one of my favorite sub-genres and Kathleen Fuller nails it. Mary and Jakob are sweet and the best of friends until a sad misunderstanding changes everything. But I enjoyed watching them banter and rekindle their friendship. It was full of sweet moments, memories, and the courage to try again. A great reminder to always give people second chances. Such a sweet story and I loved the ending.
<b>A Christmas Prayer </b> by Vannetta Chapman – Ever had the feeling that life is not going where you planned? Well, Rachel and Micah’s story is definitely one you will like. It was like ‘watching Rachel bloom’ as Micah so eloquently put it. I loved Micah’s caring nature, his use of Cloe (a Beautiful lab