It Was Merry

 You all know we were not very Merry this Christmas but leave it to a little bundle of fur to make our day/

 

She brought a little joy on Christmas morning

Happy Holidays from my house to yours

This has been a challenging year for us all and an especially somber one for mine having just lost our oldest daughter to cancer on December 9th. She was an bright spirit and would want us to keep the spirit of the season alive. I'm trying.

I hope you all have a
Merry Christmas  Happy Kwanzaa  Happy Chanukah

Be happy, be safe, be kind, keep the faith and take comfort in knowing that we will get through this. 

Just around the corner is a blank slate and a new start in 2021

Happy New  Year

I'll be taking a break this year from now until The New Year

See you all in 2021!!!

#GIVEAWAY Showcase The Museum of Forgotten Memories by Anstey Harris a Simon&Schuster release

Today I'm so excited to bring you this showcase of The Museum of Forgotten Memories, my apologies that my review isn't ready yet but those who know me know that I just lost my oldest daughter to cancer so my life was turned upside down. But let me assure you all that from what I've read so far this needs to be on every literary fiction lovers list. Simon & Schuster is also sponsoring a #Giveaway, details below.
Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 978198216896
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: 11-3-2020 
Length: 336 pp
Buy It: Amazon/ B&N/IndieBound

ADD TO: GOODREADS

Overview:

“Moving.” —Booklist (starred review)

At Hatters Museum of the Wide Wide World, where the animals never age but time takes its toll, one woman must find the courage to overcome the greatest loss of her life.

Four years after her husband Richard’s death, Cate Morris is let go from her teaching job and unable to pay rent on the London flat she shares with her son, Leo. With nowhere else to turn, they pack up and venture to Richard’s ancestral Victorian museum in the small town of Crouch-on-Sea.

Despite growing pains and a grouchy caretaker, Cate begins to fall in love with the quirky taxidermy exhibits and sprawling grounds, and she makes it her mission to revive them. But threats from both inside and outside the museum derail her plans and send her spiraling into self-doubt.

As Cate becomes more invested in Hatters, she must finally confront the reality of Richard’s death—and the role she played in it—in order to reimagine her future. Perfect for fans of Katherine Center and Evvie Drake Starts Over.

Giveaway is for one print copy of
The Museum of Forgotten Memories
US ONLY
Please use Rafflecopter to enter
Good Luck!

Showcase Secret Nights with a Cowboy Interview with Caitlin Crews

 Today I'm so happy to be featuring my old pal Caitlin Crews with an interview about her new novel, debut in a new series Secret Nights With a Cowboy.
Enjoy!

ISBN-13:  9781250625496
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: 12-01-2020
Length: 400pp
Kittredge Ranch #1
Buy It: Amazon/ B&N/ IndieBound

ADD TO: GOODREADS

Overview:

USA Today bestseller Caitlin Crews returns to Cold River, CO, and cowboys, with an emotional second chance romance in Secret Nights with a Cowboy, the stunning first installment in her new Kittredge Ranch series.

A man holding on...

Riley Kittredge has always known exactly what he wanted. His land, his horses. His woman. He met and married Rae Trujillo far too young, and their young love combusted right after they said their vows. But their passion has never managed to burn itself out. Yet when Rae shows this time, it's not a night of pleasure she demands, but a divorce.

A woman letting go...

Rae should have moved on a long time ago. She knows she and Riley just don't work. They might make great lovers, but that doesn't make a marriage. And now Rae wants a new life, complete with a baby. But when her husband offers to be a father, to give her the family she's always secretly desired, she and Riley will both have to face demons from their past—and choose love over fear at last.

“Loaded with charming characters [and] wit….will win the heart of any romance fan.”—

#GIVEAWAY Meet Isabel Puddles Interview with author M.V. Byrne Kensington Publishing

 Today I'm so excited to be featuring M.V. Byrne today on the blog, this talented tv writer decided to try his hand at fiction and he shared some inside info about the book, the series and himself. And I'm happy to say that his publisher Kensington is sponsoring a #Giveaway Details below. I can't wait to read this and I know after you read all about it you'll want it too!
Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 9781496728326
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: 11-24-2020
Length: 336pp
Mitten State Mystery #1
Buy It: Kensington

ADD TO: GOODREADS

Overview:

The only thing widow Isabel Puddles loves as much as her hometown of Gull Harbor on the shores of Lake Michigan is cozying up to a good mystery—but she never expected to be caught in the middle of one . . .

To the tourists and summer residents, Kentwater County is a picturesque community of small-town charm, fruitful farmland, and gorgeous freshwater beaches. To middle-aged widow Isabel Puddles, it’s where she enjoys breakfast every morning at a local café with her childhood best friend and spends her evenings cozying up with a good book and her devoted Jack Terrier, Jackpot. In between, Isabel makes ends meet through a variety of trades—preserving pickles, baking pies, working the counter at her cousin’s hardware shop, and occasionally helping “fix-up” the hair of corpses at the local funeral parlor.

When Isabel discovers a two-inch nail embedded in the skull of Earl Jonasson, it seems the octogenarian may not have died of a stroke. His son is quickly arrested when his alibi doesn’t check out. But Isabel has known Earl Jr. since they were kids and can’t believe he’d murder his own father, regardless of his financial difficulties. As gossip about Earl Sr.’s land and insurance policy money starts to spread around the county, Isabel finds herself conducting her own investigation to clear her friend’s name. But real detective work isn’t like what she sees on TV, and she’s meeting dangerous suspects who don’t like Isabel poking around in their business . . .

Giveaway is for one print copy of

Meet Isabel Puddles

US ONLY

Please Use Rafflecopter form to enter

Good Luck!

#GIVEAWAY #HoHoHoHarlequinHolidayExtravaganza Until Next Year

 

Well another successful Harlequin Holiday bash is in the books and I want to send out a HUGE Thank You to Harlequin for literally pulling this year's fest out of the ditch. Thank you to all the HQN authors who have contributed every year with guest posts, holiday traditions that are special to them and personal messages they shared, rest assured this will happen again next year. And to my readers and blogger friends thank you for stopping by and I hope you've enjoyed the offerings.

This has been a stressful year for all and my heart goes out to everyone who lost a loved one, friend or an acquaintance to this dastardly virus. Just remember that it's darkest just before the dawn and there is hope and help on the horizon. 

You've got until Sunday December 13th to enter the #Giveaway

Merry Christmas Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

Here's hoping 2021 is the best year yet!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Showcasing the Christmas #Giveaways #HoHoHoHarlequinHolidayExtravagansa

Today I'm showcasing all the wonderful titles that Harlequin is offering in the #Giveaway

Enjoy!

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts

 To all of my friends in the blogosphere thank you for all of your thoughts and your prayers for my stepdaughter who was battling cancer. She passed away today peacefully surrounded by her husband and her two sons. It's been such a fight for her and she fought long and hard but she's with the angels now and no longer in pain.

#GIVEAWAY Review: Something About the Season by Allison Leigh #HoHoHoHarlequinHolidayExtravaganza

 

Today's Ho Ho Ho features Allison Leigh's Christmas Story, Something About the Season part of her Return to the Double C series. I'm also including her Christmas Storybook cookie recipe from her 2019 post.
Don't forget to enter the #Giveaway!
Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 978-1335894892
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: 10-27-2020
Length: 288pp
Source: Publisher for review
Buy It: Harlequin

Overview:

New York Times Bestselling Author

She’ll give him the benefit of the doubt—in the spirit of Christmas.

Her Christmas guest is too good to be true!

When wealthy investor Gage Stanton arrives at Rory McAdams’s struggling guest ranch, she’s suspicious. Is he just there to learn the ranching ropes or to get her to give up the property? One thing she quickly gives up is her heart… Until Gage’s jealous brother—and Gage’s own shocking secret—threaten to derail a holiday fling that was beginning to feel like anything but.

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Return to the Double C

#GIVEAWAY Review: His Christmas Cinderella by Christy Jeffries #HoHoHoHarlequinHolidayExtravaganza

Today I'm reviewing His Christmas Cinderella, by Christy Jeffries a second generation Harlequin Special Edition romance royalty who I had the pleasure of reviewing along with her mom, Judy Duarte for Romantic Times Magazine. If you get a chance to read this amazing story be sure to pay attention to Christy's touching dedication to her aunt. I'm also including Christy's Christmas Tree Tradition from 2018. 
Don't forget to enter the #Giveaway.
Enjoy!

ISBN-13:  978-1335894885
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: 10-27-2020
Length: 288 pp
Source: Publisher for review
Buy It: Harlequin

Overview:

An enchanted evening with a stranger leaves him wanting more…

A gift money can’t buy…

Super-rich rancher Jordan Taylor has it all—except someone to share his life with. What he really wants for Christmas is to win the heart of Camilla Sanchez, the hardworking waitress he met at a charity ball. Camilla thinks they are too different to make it work, but Jordan is determined to prove her wrong. She grants him his wish: three weeks to convince her he is worthy of her love. Perhaps this will be the holiday that changes everything…

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

#GIVEAWAY Review: A Temporary Christmas Arrangement by Christine Rimmer #HoHoHoHarlequinHolidayExtravaganza

 

Today's Ho Ho Ho offering is Christine Rimmer's A Temporary Christmas Arrangement her latest a Christmas story in her Bravo's of Valentines Bay series. And we all know it's not Christmas without the Bravos. ;-)  Christine has been a part of every one of my Ho Ho Ho blog fests and as a treat I'm including her post from 2019.

Don't forget to enter the #Giveaway

Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 978-1335894953
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: 12-01-2020
Length: 288 pp
Source: Publisher for review
Buy It: Harlequin

Overview:

It’s just supposed to be business in New York Times bestselling author Christine Rimmer’s lastest romance!

They’re about to go their separate ways come the New Year…

Neither Harper Bravo nor Lincoln Stryker are planning to stay in Valentine Bay. She’s got big-city career plans, and he’s trying to figure out how to balance work and caring for his orphaned niece and nephew. But when Lincoln moves in next door and needs a hand, a cash-strapped Harper can’t help but step in. They make a deal: just during the holiday season, she’ll nanny the kids while he works, and then they’ll each leave town. But when they can’t deny the spark between them, will love be enough to have them both changing their plans?

#GIVEAWAY Showcase A Warm Heart in Winter: A Caldwell Christmas by JR Ward blog tour #Simon&Schuster

Today I'm taking a break from my Ho Ho Ho holiday fest to spotlight the Warden's latest in her BDB world, A Warm Heart in Winter: A Caldwell Christmas. Read all about it and then enter to win a copy for yourself. Details below. This is at the very top of my shelf and I know when you're a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood it will be high on your list too.
Enjoy!

ASIN:  B085P31H2Y
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release Date: 12-01-2020
Length: 495pp
Buy It: Amazon

Overview:

#1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward is heating things up this winter with a holiday novel featuring some of her most iconic Black Dagger Brothers.

Featuring one of the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s most iconic couples, Blay and Qhuinn find themselves looking forward to their official mating ceremony. When tragedy strikes just before the happy event, all hope seems lost—and everyone in the Black Dagger Brotherhood rallies around the two of them. Will a freak winter storm bring the unthinkable, or will a warm heart in winter ensure that true love is not lost?

 

Giveaway is for

One print copy of

A Warm Heart in Winter

US ONLY

Please Use Rafflecopter Form to Enter

Good Luck!

#GIVEAWAY Review For This Christmas Only by Caro Carson #Harlequin #hohohoharlequinholidayextravaganza

 

For today's Ho Ho Ho post I'm reviewing Caro Carson's Special Edition holiday novel, For This Christmas Only and I'm including a recipe from her from my very first holiday blog blast from 2014.
And I want to say a special thank you to Caro for her service and share a picture of her in her West Pointe Cadet uniform.

Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 9781335894977
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: 12-01-2020
Length: 288pp
Source: Publisher for review
Buy It: Harlequin

Overview:

He was successful in business but not in love in this great romance by USA TODAY bestselling author Caro Carson

His book inspired her to return to school

But he no longer believes his own advice.

After nearly dying in a plane crash, financial guru Eli Taylor wants to find meaning in his life. A chance encounter at a small town’s Yule log lighting leads to an evening spent as the fake boyfriend of his superfan Mallory Ames. When she finds herself homeless for the holidays, he invites her to stay with him as his fake girlfriend so he can show his siblings what a loving partnership should look like. The arrangement will end when the new year begins…or will it?

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

#GIVEAWAY Review His Last Chance Christmas Family Michelle Major #hohohoharlequinholidayextravaganza #Harlequin

Today's Ho Ho Ho post features Michelle Major's latest Special Edition holiday tale, His Last Chance Christmas Family and I've included her guest post from 2018 about her favorite kind of tradition. Don't forget to enter the Harlequin #Giveaway too.
Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 9781488070273
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: 12-01-2020
Length: 288 pp
Source: Publisher for review
Buy It: Harlequin

Overview:

A perfect Starlight Christmas

Is this Christmas the perfect time for their last chance?

Widowed after an unhappy marriage, single mom Brynn Hale has finally returned home to Starlight. She’s ready for a fresh start for her son, and what better time for it than Christmas? Still, Nick Dunlap is the one connection to her past she can’t let go of. Nick let his status-conscious parents talk him out of pursuing Brynn in high school and he’s not sure he deserves a chance with her now. But the magic of the season might make forgiveness—and love—a little bit easier for them both…

#GIVEAWAY Review A Cowboy's Christmas Carol by Brenda Harlen #hohohoharlequinholidayextravaganza

Today on the blog I'm reviewing another very favorite author who writes for HQN's Special Edition line, Brenda Harlen's Christmas novel, A Cowboy's Christmas Carol. I've also included a little something special from Christmas past from Brenda. Don't forget to enter the #Giveaway.
Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 978-1335894946
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: 12-1-2020
Length: 288pp
Source: Publisher for review
Buy It: Harlequin/Amazon

Overview:

It’s the holiday season in Bronco, but for tour operator Evan Cruise, Ôtis only the season for making money. Haunted by his past, he refuses to celebrate the festivities around him—until he meets Daphne Taylor. As the owner of the local animal sanctuary challenges Evan’s resistance to yuletide spirit, their attraction grows into something deeper. But when Daphne uncovers Evan’s shocking family secret, it threatens to tear them apart. Will a little Christmas magic change everything?

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Montana Mavericks: What Happened to Beatrix?

#GIVEAWAY Review One More For Christmas by Sarah Morgan #HoHoHoHarlequinHolidayExtravaganza

 

I've been loving Sarah Morgan's writing for a long time and her Christmas stories are always exceptional and this year's is no different. One More for Christmas is fabulous. Sit back read my review enjoy a personal note from one of Sarah's past guest posts and don't forget to enter the #Giveaway, which includes Sarah's new book.
Enjoy!

ISBN-13: 9781335013804
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: 10-06-2020
Length: 416pp
Source: Publisher/Netgalley for review
Buy It: Amazon/B&N/IndieBound

Overview:

For sisters Samantha and Ella Mitchell, Christmas is their most precious time of the year. But this year, they’ll be buying presents for the most unexpected guest of all—their mother. It’s been five years since they last saw each other. But when their mom calls out of the blue, Samantha and Ella cautiously agree to spend Christmas all together in the beautiful Scottish Highlands…

Gayle Mitchell is at the top of her career, but her success has come at a price—her relationship with her daughters. Her tough-love approach to parenting was designed to make them stronger, but instead managed to push them away…until a brush with her own mortality forces Gayle to make amends.

As the snowflakes fall on their first family celebration in years, the Mitchell women must learn that sometimes facing up to the past is all you need to heal your heart…