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A Cold Christmas and the Darkest of Winters
A Cold Christmas and the Darkest of Winters
Rasta Musick | 2021 | Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
not bedtime reading but very good!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

A collection of 23 different authors come together to bring you short stories set around the winter season or Christmas.

Not a single one of these authors have I read before, and there is a varied bunch of tales here. Some are just sad but some are downright scary!

Loosely, they are "holiday" stories, but more are winter ones, rather than Christmas.

An eclectic bunch of tales that can be read at any time, but I'd recommend NOT at bedtime! You might stop on one of the scary ones, and get some weird dreams as a consequence, like I did!

I didn't read them all, I will be honest, but the ones I read were very good, or excellent. Just on the short side. but 23 stories across 360 odd pages is never going to produce novel length books.

4 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge
Death of a Neighborhood Scrooge
Laura Levine | 2018 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Bah Humbug Murder
Thanks to her neighbor Lance, freelance writer Jaine Austen is spending Christmas at a Bel Air mansion. It's not all luxury, however, when Jaine gets roped into helping her temporary neighbor polish his script. Scotty Parker is a former child actor best known for playing Tiny Tim in a movie version of A Christmas Carol, but now he'd be a shoe in to play Scrooge, complete with penny pinching ways and fights with neighbors. Someone has had enough, and Jaine finds Scotty's body on Christmas morning. With the police focusing on her, Jaine begins her own investigation. But which of the many suspects actually killed Scotty?

Those familiar with the series know exactly what to expect here, and they won't be disappointed. The murder may take place a little later in the book than in some series I read, but we are busy meeting suspects and getting motives, so when Scotty does die, we can jump right in. Jaine once again brings the case to a satisfactory conclusion. We also have a couple of fun sub-plots involving Jaine's on-line dating misadventures and a cruise her parents are taking with their neighbors. There are plenty of laughs, chuckles, and grins. The characters lean toward caricature, but it works for this series. The pages fly by all too quickly as always.
  
A Little Christmas: Rivi (A Little Christmas Season Four)
A Little Christmas: Rivi (A Little Christmas Season Four)
Wendy Rathbone | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A LITTLE CHRISTMAS: RIVI is part of A Little Christmas, Season Four. I love it when these books start to come out. It is one of my yearly treats, and none more so than Wendy Rathbone's addition.

Everyone has a favourite trope in the Daddy / little stories; my top one is caretaking. You can keep your brats who need firm discipline. Give me a caretaker with all the warm fuzzies, and I'm there every single time!!! And this book delivers that in spades.

Rivi is only twenty-one, is a virgin, doesn't have a boyfriend (or Daddy), but is in no doubt about himself and what he wants. I loved him so much! Just because you are shy and innocent (in some situations), doesn't mean you are stupid or don't know your own mind!

When Rivi meets Briar at a private Christmas party, he knows Briar is just who Rivi wants. There is a little fly in the ointment who goes by the name of Trent! His heart was in the right place, so maybe I'll let him off, but he hurt Rivi in the process, which was NOT good!

Briar is a marshmallow who wants nothing more than to have Rivi as his boy. He loves everything about Rivi, and is proud from the beginning that Rivi is with him (in a good way). There is no miscommunication in here or unnecessary complications. Instead, everything is discussed and sorted out in a way that suits everyone, showing trust in each other.

This was a fantastic book that enveloped me in a hug from the very first page. A great read and 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!
Nov 5, 2025
  
A Fool's Gold Christmas (Fool's Gold, #9.5)
A Fool's Gold Christmas (Fool's Gold, #9.5)
Susan Mallery | 2012 | Contemporary, Romance
10
9.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fun Christmas Read
This is a great book for anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit. The plot is much like that for your typically Hallmark movie, and I for one love it.
Evie is a dancer who finds herself in the small town of Fools Gold after she is injured. The story follows her as she reconnects with her family, and fights against her attraction for the boy next door.
This is technically part of a series, but you do not need to be familer with the other books to enjoy it. I do want to read the other books as soon as possible now. Mostly in hopes of my favorite characters making an appearance.
  
    Cats

    Cats

    Pat Jacobs

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    Book

    Whether they already own one, or beg for one each Christmas and birthday, children love pets, and...

    Guinea Pig

    Guinea Pig

    Pat Jacobs

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    Whether they already own one, or beg for one each Christmas and birthday, children love pets, and...

    Rabbit

    Rabbit

    Pat Jacobs

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    Book

    Whether they already own one, or beg for one each Christmas and birthday, children love pets, and...