Book Review: A Family for Christmas by Mona Ingram

Title: A Family for Christmas

Author: Mona Ingram

Published September 19th 2012

Unlucky in love, Maddie LaRocque moves to Calgary at the urging of her former college roommate. Maddie's luck goes from bad to worse when she's laid off from her job two months before Christmas. Undeterred, she sets up a gift wrapping business in the lobby of the Drummond Building in downtown Calgary where she meets Annie, a ten-year-old who has recently lost her parents.

When Maddie falls into the arms of the building's maintenance man it looks as though her luck is changing, but she soon learns that Brent isn't who she thought he was.

Maddie's roommate Lily hasn't fared too well in the romance department either, having been used for her beauty and Asian heritage by a man in Calgary.

The moment Chase Drummond spots Lily, he's stunned by her beauty, but Lily resists his advances, unwilling to have her heart broken by the most eligible bachelor in town.

Will a young orphan girl be able to convince the two women that love is the best gift of all this Christmas?

A Family for Christmas has two romances in one. Maddie was fired but she's happy with the decision and starts a gift wrapping business, where she met Chase Drummond and his niece Annie. They turn into friends and when Chase spots Lily, Maddie's roommate, it's love at first sight. I was kind of confused, but it wasn't long until Maddie is also falling in love but with Chase's brother, Brent. There was lots of confusions and no-communication issues, a mean fiance, and ice skating; but after all they managed to have their HEA ending. Annie, the ten-year-old, was a cute addition to this story and the main piece for all of them to meet. It was a enjoyable read, but I think each couple needed their own book to explore more the characters and their issues.

BTW, ice skating sounds fun!!

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: Unexpected Gifts by Elena Aitken

Title: Unexpected Gifts

Series: Castle Mountain Lodge #1

Author: Elena Aitken

Published November 11th 2011 by Ink Blot Communications

Christmas represents everything Andi Williams is supposed to have, and doesn't. Running away to a remote mountain lodge in the Canadian Rockies, sounds like the perfect way to escape, until a mix-up finds her sharing a villa with sexy, rough around the edges, Colin Hartford.

Colin's determination to enjoy the holiday he’s missed for the last five years, sweeps Andi into a season of joy that she’s not sure she’s ready for. Can Andi open herself up to everything the holidays have to offer...including love?

Unexpected Gifts is the short story of Andi, who is trying to run away from Christmas and her past, and Colin, who wants the typical Christmas. By chance they end up sharing a room at the Castle Mountain Lodge, and it was a matter of time until they were together enjoying the holidays.

It was a cute story, but I wasn't expecting Andi's past with her ex to be so sad. I thought it was going to be just a fun and sweet romance, but it was a bit more serious. Also, I got exasperated when her ex showed up and Andi's reaction, but after all Andi and Colin, who was a great guy, had their happy ending.

More about this book at Goodeads, Amazon.

Book Review: Naughty or Nice by Kari Lee Harmon

Title: Naughty or Nice

Author: Kari Lee Harmon

Published October 31st 2012 by The Story Vault

Age: Adult

Being nice is safe, and being naughty is overrated, but getting McScroogy to find the joy in Christmas is beginning to sound oh so merry.

Samantha Darling, Boston advertising executive, has spent her life making a list and checking it twice, but she’s through being nice. All being nice got her was a broken heart when her fiancé cheated on her last Christmas Eve, ruining her favorite holiday, and then ran off with the small town boutique owner. After one too many All Powerful Peppermintinis, Samantha decides to give naughty a try. She breaks into the shop in Redemption Massachusetts and puts her spin on the Christmas display in the front window.

Only, the window doesn’t belong to Stowe’s Boutiques, it belongs to Snow’s Antiques, and Nathan Snow is none too pleased. This was his year to win the Best Christmas Window display contest against his rival, but Samantha ruined it. While he might not like Christmas, he knows winning this contest will bring in business. He makes Samantha a deal. Create a winning display by Christmas Eve, and he won’t press charges.

Samantha has no choice but to agree and has learned her lesson, but finds a bonus in her punishment. The challenge of getting the scrooge to find the joy in Christmas. Except losing her heart wasn’t part of the deal.

I laughed a lot with this book. Samantha is a good girl, but after to many drinks she decides to by a little naughty and do something bad to her ex fiance. Of course, nothing goods happens from that and she ends up spending Christmas with Nathan Snow, a very famous millionaire who seems to hate the holidays and is going to make her pay.

It was a fun short story, in a few days the characters fell in love and tried not to hurt each other, failed, but got their happy ending. The ending felt a little bit rushed, but it fulfilled my expectations. I couldn't stop laughing when Samantha was drunk and re-decorating Nathan's shop, so I recommend Naughty or Nice if you want to read a fun holiday romance!

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: Perfect by Autumn Jordon

Title: Perfect

Author: Autumn Jordon

Published November 7th 2012 by Nobal Oak Publications

Dylan Kincaid totally screwed up Thanksgiving and now he’s faced with Christmas. Thrown into the frightening role of both mother and father while his brother and sister-in-law are off serving their country, all Dylan wants is to make Christmas perfect for his two nieces. But time is running out.

Down on her luck Charleston, S.C. restaurateur, Darcy Witherspoon is licking a wounded ego when she arrives in Black Moose, VT and meets the handsome Maple tree farmer. Wanting a happy holiday herself, she teams up with Dylan to make a perfect Christmas.

Neither is interested in a holiday affair, but the magic of Christmas has something more everlasting in store for the couple. An absolutely perfect love!

Charleston lost her restaurant but getting to know Dylan might change the holidays for her. Her restaurant was her baby, and now her future is unsure and it really isn't the time to fall in love. Dylan is taking care of his nieces while their parents are off serving their country, but he has no idea of what he is doing and is perfectly aware a distraction like Charleston isn't welcome right now, but their attraction was immediate and after all, he wants the perfect Christmas for his nieces.

Although the romance started very quick, I thought Dylan and Charleston were credible characters and I liked their chemistry. I wanted a little bit more about Charleston's past and her friendship with Tom, but it wasn't a long story. The 'girls' were cute and the book got the feeling of Christmas! Lights, tree, gifts and even the family hehe. It's heart warming and I think it's great to read for the holidays!

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: Home for Christmas by Patricia Kay

Title: Home for Christmas

Author: Patricia Kay

Published December 12th 2012 by Patricia Kay

Age: Adult

Quinn Riordan hasn't been home for Christmas in more than ten years -- ten long years since she's seen her family and Chagrin Falls, the town where she grew up. It's been that long since the sister she once adored had stolen the man Quinn loved. But when Quinn's beloved Aunt Fiona has a bad fall and breaks her leg, Quinn can't stay away any longer. In order to help her aunt, she has to go home and face her past. But along with her past, the trip home brings her an even more difficult challenge in the form of her aunt's boarder, Peter Kimball.

Peter has been curious about Fiona's niece ever since he first saw her framed photo in Fiona's living room. He hasn't been able to understand how someone Fiona speaks of so glowingly could so selfishly stay away for so long. He's prepared to dislike Quinn and is stunned to very quickly realize he doesn't. On the contrary, he's attracted to Quinn and wants nothing more than to get to know her better. But Quinn isn't the only one who has been running from her past. Peter has avoided confronting his demons by staying away from the place where he lost everything he held most dear.

Can these two troubled people overcome the problems that have haunted them for so long? Will they be brave enough to forget and forgive and move forward into a future that promises to be filled with more happiness and love than they ever imagined? In the capable hands of best-selling author Patricia Kay, this heartwarming story will be the perfect accompaniment to your own holiday season.

Quinn is returning home after being more than ten years away. She isn't prepared to confront her sister, but her aunt broke her leg and she is going to take care of her. I'd say by the cover that it's a cute and a fun book, but it's actually very charged with family issues. Quinn can't forgive her sister, her sister isn't nice to be around, and Peter is always judging her. Peter also have a dark and sad past, so they had to forgive and move on before loving each other. There was a moment it turned too slow for me, and then I felt the ending was a bit rushed but at last they got their happily ever after. If you are looking for a serious holiday romance, Home for Christmas is for you.

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: The Legend of Ranger: The Reindeer Who Couldn't Fly by Alan Salisbury

Title: The Legend of Ranger: The Reindeer Who Couldn't Fly

Author: Alan Salisbury

Published November 1st 2013 by Jabberwocky Books

In "The Legend of Ranger," Alan Salisbury's words and Roberta Baird's whimsical artwork create the magic of the Christmas season with the tale of a young reindeer named Ranger who has a big dream--to be part of the reindeer team that pulls Santa's big sleigh. Ranger searches all over Santaland for someone who can teach him the secret of flying, but everyone he asks, including the oldest and wisest elves, Mrs. Claus, and even his brother Rudolph, gives him the same advice: "The secret lies within." Determined to fulfill his dream, Ranger must figure out the secret for himself. An emergency trip to Krystalwite to help the sick reindeer at the North Pole offers Ranger the opportunity to play a part in saving Christmas and, along the way, learn what it is that lies within. "The Legend of Ranger" contains a heartening and inspirational message about the power of believing in yourself no matter what challenges lie ahead.

The Legend of Ranger is the story of Ranger, Rudolph's brother. He wants to fly and be part of the Santa's Christmas Team, but he doesn't know how to. He looks everywhere for the secret of flying but can't find it until his help is needed to save Christmas and he decides he is going to prove he's a good reindeer.

I loved Ranger, he was sweet and cute, worked hard and never gave up. He is an inspiration for anyone to never give up and believe in yourself! The illustrations were pretty (although I read it on my b&w kindle), the elves and reindeer looked so cute. It's a 50 pages book with chapter and a few pictures, great for kids who are starting to read chapter books, and also perfect to be read as a bed time story for Christmas!

Please consider The Legend of Ranger when buying presents for the little ones. The author, Alan Salisbury, has partnered up with The Antonia J. Giallourakis Endowed Fund in Art Therapy for Children with Cancer and is donating all proceeds to this charity.

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon, B&N.

Book Review: Pastels and Jingle Bells by Christine S. Feldman

Title: Pastels and Jingle Bells

Series: Heavenly Bites #1

Author: Christine S. Feldman

Published November 1st 2013

Trish Ackerly never expected to cross paths with Ian Rafferty again, but when she spots the former bully of her childhood years through her bakery window, she thinks she may just have been given the best Christmas gift ever: the opportunity to finally give Ian the comeuppance he deserves.

But clearly she does not have a knack for this whole revenge thing, because before she can make good on her plans, Trish gets inadvertently drawn into Ian’s life in an unexpected way that lets her see just how different the man is from the boy he used to be. In fact, much to her astonishment, she actually starts to like the guy.

A lot.

Trouble is, Ian doesn’t know who she really is, and explaining it to him is going to be a little difficult now—which is bad news, because Trish is starting to realize that all she really wants for Christmas this year…is Ian.

I loved this short novel! It's the story of Trish and Ian. Ian used to bully her in school but suddenly disappeared and now he's back. She is ready for revenge but wasn't expecting to find him as a sweet father who is dealing with his daughter's bullying. So by mistake she ends up hiding her identity and painting his windows for Christmas.

I liked Trish and Ian. Trish is a fun girl who was all about revenge until saw him with his daughter, it warms her heart and really she's not a bad person. Ian is actually a sweet guy and I liked his caring personality. It's a short novel so I wasn't expecting a slow romance, but I was surprised to get hooked so fast and being satisfied with the writing, realistic characters and their attraction. I totally recommend Pastels and Jingle Bells for a quick holiday reading, and I definitely want to read more of the Heavenly Bites series. It has a fun and happy feeling perfect for this season!

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: Christmas on 4th Street by Susan Mallery

Title: Christmas on 4th Street

Author: Susan Mallery

Series: Fool's Gold #12.5

Published September 24th 2013 by Harlequin HQN

There's nowhere better to spend the holidays than with New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery in the town of Fool's Gold, where love is always waiting to be unwrapped... Noelle Perkins just got a second chance at life, and she intends to make the most of every minute. That's why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool's Gold, California. The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that's magical about her favorite season. Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.

Gabriel's memories of Christmas past contain more sour grapes than sugar plums, thanks to a drill sergeant father who ran his home like a boot camp. Spending the holidays with his family while he recuperates from injury sounds as appetizing as last year's eggnog. Still, there are some enjoyable distractions in town, including sunny, sexy Noelle...and the red-hot mistletoe kisses they can't stop sharing.

Gabriel didn't think he was made for happily-ever-afters. But when fate hands you a love as sweet and surprising as this, only a fool could refuse....

Christmas on 4th Street is a very sweet romance filled with realistic characters with dark pasts but a bright future! Gabriel doesn't have good memories from his past Christmas and he isn't a family guy, but he needs to recover from an injury and that means spending the holidays with his parents and brother's family. It's not going to be a fun time except for Noelle, the pretty and happy owner of a Christmas shop in town.

Noelle is all about Christmas, and she is a sweet girl. I was surprised when I found out about her rough past, but she definitely is optimistic and falls easily in love with Gabriel even when knowing he wasn't the right guy. Gabriel doesn't believe in marriage and still have the same problems with his father. But between kisses everything starts to change and soon it's difficult for him to stay away from Noelle.

I thought Gabriel and Noelle were a cute couple. I liked their chemistry, and as always with Susan Mallery books, it was a well written romance and enjoyed the addition of family issues. Gabriel was a little too difficult to convince, and he ending was a too fast and cheesy for me, but still liked the HEA and enjoyed their story.

Overall, Christmas on 4th Street is totally recommended for this season when you need to read about cute couple with lots of snow and love. It can be read as a stand alone, actually I've only read another holiday novella from this series called Only Us.

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: All I'm Asking For #ChristmasAnthology

Book Title: All I'm Asking For: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology

Authors: Brighton Walsh, Kat Latham, Christi Barth.

Publication date: December 2013

Age: Adult

Put love on your wish list with the romance anthology "All I'm Asking For." Included in this holiday anthology are three romantic holiday novellas: Tinsel My Heart, Season of Second Chances and Mine Under the Mistletoe.

Tinsel My Heart by Christi Barth: This Christmas, the producer of a small town holiday spectacular is swept away by a handsome Hollywood director.

Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh: Being stranded in a snowstorm offers a couple a second chance at a future together.

Mine Under the Mistletoe by Kat Latham: An American in London helps a brooding Brit put the ghosts of Christmas past behind him.

Wherever you are, however you celebrate, this collection of three festive novellas will bring warmth to your holiday season.

I LOVED this anthology!! I'm usually very easy to please when it comes to Holiday novellas, but All I'm Asking For has three very well written novellas that will warm your heart and feel like it's already Christmas!

Tinsel My Heart is a story about two kids who liked each other but never saw again. Now one of them is famous and comes back to their little town, to find he still likes the girl of his dreams and maybe he can have her now. I liked this couple, they were fun and loved their HEA.

Season of Second Chances was a story about a couple who break up two years ago but now will have to spend a night together again, and it's impossible to turn off their attraction and love for each other. But if nothing have change, they can't have a future. I liked it because it was not only about second chances, but also about changing and understanding the importance of family.

Mine Under the Mistletoe is a story of a couple who is supposed to do a house swap but the weather leave them both stuck at London. Christmas is a difficult time for them, the plan was to spend it alone, but getting to know each other and enjoying the holidays together is the recipe to fall in love.... I really liked this story because the characters miss someone and it's really difficult to enjoy Christmas when you miss someone you were close too. :(

Overall, All I'm Asking For is one of my favorite holiday anthologies. The stories are so cute, but with the right sexy spark. They are short novellas, but I promise they will keep you reading until the end and satisfied with the characters and their development.

More about this book at Amazon, Goodreads, Book Tour.

Book Review: A Very Scandalous Holiday

Book Title: A Very Scandalous Holiday

Authors: Nancy Fraser, Sophia Garrett, Amber Lin, Crista McHugh.

Published October 14th 2013 by Entangled: Scandalous

Age: Adult

Entangled Publishing presents…A Very Scandalous Holiday Anthology. Four very spirited vignettes of holidays past.

Erin’s Gift by Nancy Fraser

Chicago 1920

Widower, Seth Harrison, has no intention of falling in love again but will he be able to resist the sweetness of his son’s nanny, Erin O’Mara—his sister’s best friend?

An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett

England 1833

The Duke of Sharrington left Rebecca with more than a broken heart six years ago—he left her with a son. His return rekindles their passion, but only a Christmas miracle will convince the town surgeon to believe in his promises of eternity again.

Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin

England, late Regency

After three years at sea, Captain Hale Prescott has the means to marry the love of his life and his best friend’s sister, Sidony Harbeck. However, she might never speak to him again. Despite their whispered adolescent promises, he never wrote her a single letter…at least, none he ever sent.

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh

1944 Ardennes, WWII

Lt. Ruth Mencher has always secretly admired Capt. Joseph Klein, but it takes the lighting of a Hanukkah candle to uncover the spark of mutual attraction. Each night awakens a new facet of their relationship, but as the Battle of the Bulge begins, the approaching Nazi forces threaten to tear them apart.

I like to read holidays anthologies, for me it's the perfect way to get in the holiday mood. So when I saw A Very Scandalous Holiday at NetGalley I didn't wait to request it.

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh was a surprise for me because I thought I wasn't going to enjoy it, but did. Lt. Ruth Mencher is proud of her religion and wants to share Hanukkah with Capt. Joseph Klein, who she secretly admires. Their attraction was strong but their romance is very sweet, mixed with the horrible WWII. I was also surprised to discover some things from this story really happened. I think it got the real meaning of the holidays, you can find and share hope and love even in the most awful situations.

Letters at Christmas by Amber Lin is about promises. Captain Hale Prescott has been three years at sea and finally can return to marry Sidony Harbeck, but she doesn't want him anymore....he promised to write but never got one letter. In just a few days, he will make Sidony trust in him again, not only with her body but her heart too. Their romance is very passionate and it would have loved to know more about these characters.

An Eternity of You by Sophia Garrett is about forgiveness. Rebecca, the poor town surgeon and mother of a bastard, can believe when The Duke of Sharrington, the father of her son, returns to his home with his new family. She doesn't want anything to do with him, but they soon discover he never knew about his son, and still have feeling for her. A little bit predictable but very cute.

Erin’s Gift by Nancy Fraser is about finding love. Widower Seth Harrison is attracted to his son's nanny, Erin O’Mara, his sister’s best friend. She's poor and alone, so he offers her the job, but he isn't sure he can handle their attraction. It's a very sweet romance, definitely felt the Holiday spirit, and is has a little bit of passion...the perfect combination!

Overall, I enjoyed A Very Scandalous Holiday. It was a great read to start the season and I'm definitely checking for  more books from the authors.

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: His for Christmas by Jennifer Haymore

Title: His for Christmas

Series: House of Trent #0.5

Author: Jennifer Haymore

Published October 1st 2013 by Forever Yours

Jennifer Haymore introduced sweet, but shy Lady Esme in The Duchess Hunt, the first novel in her House of Trent Series. But what readers may not know is that proper young Lady Esme has a secret: the youngest sister of the Duke of Trent privately pens erotic stories!

Society would never allow Lady Esme to share her own work, so her friend Jennifer Haymore is here to help—and just in time for Christmas!

His for Christmas is the steamy story of two travelers who find themselves stranded in an inn when an unexpected snowstorm blankets the English countryside. As the temperature drops, desire rises and the two strangers share a night of passion unlike anything either has ever experienced. When dawn breaks and the storm clears, will they continue on their seperate journeys, or will they begin a new path together?

Christmas is here! LOL I know some of you are still celebrating Halloween or preparing for Thanksgiving, but over here it's already Christmas!. I love Christmas so I don't mind, my family and I are already decorating our home and preparing for our vacations :P

Anyway, I love holidays stories and this year I started the season reading His for Christmas. It's a sweet story about two childhood friends who fell in love a long time ago but moved on with their lives. Amelia is young but already a widow, and while traveling to meet with her family has an accident in the road. It's Evan, her childhood friend-crush and neighbor, who found her and help her even against her wishes...

Their story had the perfect balance between sweet and steamy. Amelia and Evan are definitely still attracted to each other but Amelia still carries the scar of what Evan did to her when they were teenagers... and Evan still thinks he isn't good enough for her. Stranded in an inn waiting for the snowstorm to stop, they found passion and leave their past behind, to finally have their happily ever after (after some scandal of course hehe).

His for Christmas is a sweet short historical romance, perfect to start the season. It was a little bit predictable and too short to really explore the characters, but I still liked it.

More about this book at Goodreads.

Book Review: One Night with the Laird by Nicola Cornick

Title: One Night with the Laird

Series: Scottish Brides #2

Author: Nicola Cornick

October 29th 2013 by Harlequin HQN

Age: Adult

A wicked attraction!

Fashionable society widow Lady Mairi MacLeod cannot understand the dark passion that binds her to Jack Rutherford. He is everything she dislikes in a man, rakish, arrogant and charming, and she would prefer to forget the night of wicked passion that she spent in his arms.

But when Mairi is threatened by a blackmailer, Jack is the only man who can protect her. As they work together to uncover where the danger lies, their passion reignites. Little by little, the masks they wear burn away, and their most private secrets come to light...

The second book from the Scottish Brides, One Night with the Laird, follows the story of Lady Mairi MacLeod and Jack Rutherford. Mairi is beautiful and a widow, and Jack is a charming rake. They don't get along at first, but after a wicked and very passionate night they spent together (without knowing they were each other), it's difficult to ignore their desire.

But Mairi has other problems beside her desire. She's being threatened by a blackmailer, who is going to divulge secrets of her husband to get what he wants. Jack is protecting her, and if that means having a fake engagement and spending more time together in the bedroom, better! But of course nothing is so easy when desire turns into love and both of them have to make peace with their troubled pasts before giving their hearts.

I enjoyed One Night with the Laird. It surprised me a little because it was much more wicked and sensual than the first book, The Lady and The Laird. But I still devoured it in one night. Sometimes it turned a little bit slow, with Mairi and Jack trying to overcome their pasts and hurting each other in the process, but I'm happy the characters got their happy ending.

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: Love Overdue by Pamela Morsi

Title: Love Overdue

Author: Pamela Morsi

Published September 1st 2013 by Harlequin MIRA

Age: Adult

Meet Dorothy Jarrow: devotedly unsexy librarian

Buttoned-up book lover DJ is all sensible shoes, drab skirts and studious glasses. After an ill-advised spring-break-fueled fling left her mortified, she's committed to her prim and proper look. When she's hired by a rural library in middle-of-nowhere Kansas, she finally has the lifestyle to match-and she can't wait to get her admin on.

But it's clear from day one that the small-town library is more interested in circulating rumors than books. DJ has to organize her unloved library, win over oddball employees and avoid her flamboyant landlady's attempts to set her up with the town pharmacist. Especially that last part-because it turns out handsome Scott Sanderson is her old vacation fling! She is not sure whether to be relieved or offended when he doesn't seem to recognize her. But with every meeting, DJ finds herself secretly wondering what it would be like to take off her glasses, unpin her bun and reveal the inner vixen she's been hiding from everyone-including herself.

Isn't that cover cute!? I requested this book at NetGalley after falling in love with the cover, but also because I couldn't resist a romance with a book lover :)

I loved this book! Dorothy Jarrow, or DJ as her friends call her, is hired to run a library in a little town in Kansas. She loves books and she's ready to settle down in this quiet and sensible life, the type of life she's expected to live. But of course finding Scott Sanderson, her old fling and the guy who may have changed his life, is a problem. It would be easy to just ignore him, after all he doesn't remember her. But his mother is her landlady, and she's decided to make them fall in love with each other.

DJ was great. Not only she's a fellow book lover, but also intelligent and nice. It was easy to like her and relate to her, and I specially liked her bad temper hehe. Scott was also a great guy to fall in love, he's a good guy but with an unlucky past, which was a nice change over the usual bad boy. They worked great together, they have that spark that makes you continue reading about them. They shared some hot kisses, and in their past they shared a very passionate night, but I wanted more!.

I loved that the story also shared bits of information from other characters. Viv, Scott's mother, was an interesting character and I wanted someone to help her, but luckily she had the company of cute little Dewey, who is actually DJ's dog but somehow knew Viv needed him.

Overall, I absolutely loved Love Overdue. It was the perfect sweet contemporary romance, a little town, good people, family and a cute couple made for each other.

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

Book Review + Giveaways: Kinetic by S.K. Anthony

Title: Kinetic

Series: The Luminaries #1

Author: S.K. Anthony

Age: Adult

Being strong is one thing. Being an unlimited source of power is quite another.

Genetically altered by the Organization, Annie Fox takes down criminals CIA-style with her luminary strength. With nothing to mend but her broken heart, she is relentlessly pursued by her boss Derek Lake. Just when Annie is about to give him a chance, her ex-husband unexpectedly comes out of hiding.

A wanted man, Nick Logan is a cold-hearted murderer who is considered enemy number one, and orders are clear: kill on contact. He is more powerful than ever and threatens the lives of those she holds most dear. His plan? Get his hands on Annie and use her Kinetic energy to destroy them all. When Annie finds herself with an opportunity to end him, she pauses, horrified by the scars covering the face she once loved. A split second that will cost her everything…

** Kinetic is a stand-alone novel. All books in series are part of the same world with the characters intertwined. **

Welcome to my stop for the Kinetic blog tour, organized by Grapevine Book Tours.

Isn't the cover beautiful? I'll admit I saw it and immediately wanted to know more about this book! :) I was invited to write a review as part of the tour, so here it is:

Annie Fox is genetically altered. That means she is super strong, but still got hurt from her ex husband, Nick. He just left her and turned to be a murderer, who is now after her to use her Kinetic energy. Annie is being protected by the Organization, her friends who all have been genetically altered too and have different powers. Derek, her boss, is specially worried about her since he likes her. When she finally give him an opportunity to date, her ex husband Nick shows up full of scars.

The story was great. Annie is actually younger than me, just 24, but after the divorce she have been healing her heart. She isn't ready to start a new relationship, she's still in the hate zone. When she sees Nick again, all hurt but acting mean, she still can't kill him. Her friends are not helping, since they think Nick may not be the bad guy. But Annie doesn't want to believe that, because then what other reason he had to leave her?

This book is full of twists. Not only Annie is confused and hurt, but she's also trying to find out who is the real bad guy. Maybe Nick is not bad, only misunderstood. Maybe he just want to protect her. But that doesn't stop her from dating Derek, as a disguised of course, until she knows who she can trust.

I liked their powers. Each character have special abilities but they discover that with training they can learn to use each other abilities. Annie is extra special because her energy doesn't seem to end, and that's why someone wants her, to use her unlimited energy. Between learning to use her new powers and discovering who is really after her, she most decide if Nick is guilty or if he's really telling the truth and still loves her.

It's a fast book to read. It's original and has lots of action and twists, but it's mostly conversations and I like more descriptions when I read. I want to know more about the characters, I don't even know how some of them look. Also, I didn't really enjoyed the love triangle because I didn't fall in love Nick or Derek. I think Nick did things without any reason and didn't think twice before hurting Annie, but later said if was for her protection...And Derek is too intense, he didn't take no for an answer. I also think the ending was too abrupt....I don't want to give you spoilers but there is a fight and suddenly everyone is having their HEA. Wait, how did they get there?

Overall, Kinetic is an enjoyable read, fast paced, interesting, full of action and with a very strong protagonist. If you enjoy that in your urban fantasy / paranormal books, then Kinetic is for you!

PS: Don't forget to enter the giveaways below!

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, iTunes.

About the Author

S.K. Anthony is a writer, a reader and a make-stuff-up-er who lives in New York with her husband and toddler twins. She is a wine connoisseur, which just really means she knows she loves it, and a caffeine addict. When she isn’t busy with her family she finds herself being transported into the world of imagination. Well, either that or running away from spiders…she is convinced they are out to get her!

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Picture Book Review: Angels by Alexis York Lumbard

Title: Angels

Author: Alexis York Lumbard

Did you know that angels of all kinds are everywhere? “Some are big, some are tiny. They're all so bright and very shiny.” This lyrical, breezy, and nondenominational picture book introduces children and adults to a magical place which radiates warmth, love, and caring throughout its colorful and delicate pages. With its rich paintings, readers are transported through many colorful scenes, places and seasons to see how angels work behind the scenes, weaving their graces.

I really liked this book. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is about the different types of angels and how they watch over children. I'd have loved this book when I was a little girl, I'm sure all children would love it at feel more safe after reading it. Perfect bed time story!

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon.

Book Review: Incarnate (Newsoul #1) by Jodi Meadows

Title: Incarnate

Author: Jodi Meadows

Series: Newsoul #1

Release Date: January 31st 2012

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Age: Young Adult

New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

I don't know why it took me so much time to finally pick this book from my TBR shelf, but I loved it! It's a really an original story. Anna is a new soul, and in a world where everyone has lived several lives, it's not a good thing. People is scared of her, she is a no soul for them. It doesn't help that when she was born, another soul vanished.

She decides to leave her mean mother and founds Sam, who is not only curious about her but he thinks she is a new soul who needs protection. Sam was so sweet, I loved him. He surprised me, he is so old but at the same time still young and vulnerable.

I also liked Ana. It was so different to read her young and unknowing but also brave and ready to live her life, it's probably her only one...no one knows. Ana and Sam fell in love and I really liked how their relationship evolved. It was at their own time....their soul ages are so different but they are definitely connected.

But not only I enjoyed the characters, but the story behind. The souls, their pasts, their way of living, the dragons! Yes, dragons! It was really different from any other book I've read, and I think you will love it...or hate it. You really have to read it with an open mind.

Overall, I really recommend Incarnate if you want to read something totally different. It still has enough romance to satisfy romance addicts, but it's also about the importance of life, and about how love should be about souls connecting, no matter sex or age.

More about this book at www.jodimeadows.com, Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.