Review: Unexpected Gifts by Elena Aitken

Let it snow! Cozy up to the Castle Mountain Lodge in the middle of the remote Canadian Rockies for Unexpected Gifts.

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?

Kindle Edition, 136 pages

Published November 11th 2011 by Ink Blot Communications

Terri's review

I downloaded this story off of Amazon in my quest for Christmas reads to profile during the month of December.

Let me start by explaining what I was looking for in a Christmas read.  I wanted a story that what centralized around the season and not just a story that put Christmas in the title just because it occurred during the month of December.  This story delivered just that.

I was swept away in the story from the beginning through the beautiful scenery of the Canadian Rockies, the mountain lodge with all of the Christmas festivities and the undeniable chemistry between Andi and Colin.  Seriously what red blooded female hasn't fantasized about being stuck in a beautiful mountain cabin with a hot and sexy guy who is determined to show you the magic of the season?  The perfect set up to take you away from reality.

I particularly liked the character of Colin who has easily become one of my favorite book boyfriends.  The banter between him and Andi was a joy to read.  I can't help but wish that the story was a little longer just so that I could spend more time with him.

Overall I really enjoyed this book.  It delivered exactly as promised and was a true Christmas story.  As a Canadian I couldn't help but giggle at some of the references to Canada in particular the comments about the typical Canadian stereotype.  I may miss quote this but I had to read out loud to anyone who would listen the part that mentioned "All Canadians should be able to skate, know the names of every hockey team, eat poutine and know how to build an igloo".

Aitken is a new author to me and this will not be the last of her work that I read.  I look forward to discovering what else she has to offer.  A four star Christmas read.

About the Author

Living in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in the foothills of Alberta, Elena spends her days chauffeuring her twins and writing stories - basically, living what she loves!

Elena escapes to the mountains as often as possible and can often be found sitting by the water, plotting her next book.


Website:  http://www.elenaaitken.com  
Twitter:  elenaaitken
 

Feature and Follow Friday #9

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme that allows book bloggers to interact with each other and find new blogs! It has two hosts, Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The rules are... 

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog.
•  

This week's question is...

Bookselling Time: Go to your biggest bookcases. Go to the second shelf from the top and pick out the sixth book from the left. Handsell that book to us - even if you haven’t read it or if you hated it. (if you don’t have bookcases, done have six books on one shelf, etc, pick a book at random) 

 

The book I grabbed was...

 

Synopsis

 

After losing her parents, fifteen-year-old Ivy Hart is left to care for her grandmother, older sister and nephew as tenants on a small tobacco farm.  As she struggles with her grandmother’s aging, her sister’s mental illness and her own epilepsy, she realizes they might need more than she can give.

When Jane Forrester takes a position as Grace County’s newest social worker, she doesn’t realize just how much her help is needed.  She quickly becomes emotionally invested in her clients' lives, causing tension with her boss and her new husband.  But as Jane is drawn in by the Hart women, she begins to discover the secrets of the small farm—secrets much darker than she would have guessed.  Soon, she must decide whether to take drastic action to help them, or risk losing the battle against everything she believes is wrong.

Set in rural Grace County, North Carolina in a time of state-mandated sterilizations and racial tension, Necessary Lies tells the story of these two young women, seemingly worlds apart, but both haunted by tragedy.  Jane and Ivy are thrown together and must ask themselves: how can you know what you believe is right, when everyone is telling you it’s wrong?

I absolutely loved this book. It is told from the perspective of both Jane and Ivy during a time of state mandated sterilizations determined by a Eugenics Board. The sterilizations were performed at times without the knowledge or consent of the person involved and usually involved people of low class, intellect, mental capacity and health issues. Although this is a fictional story, the sterilizations and eugenics programs were real and happened during this time frame. I work in the Developmental Services field and was aware of these programs in my country from my schooling so I already had an understanding of what went on before reading this book. Perhaps that is why I enjoyed it so much but I think for people who were not aware of what happened it is a real eye opener.

I don't want to say too much about the story for fear of giving too much away but I will say that it is a great read. As with all of Diane Chamberlain's books it is a very easy book to read and get lost in. It is probably my favourite of her books and I have read them all.

What do you think? Have I sold you on the book?

 

That is my Feature and Follow Friday for this week! Comment down below if you're a new follower of mine with a link to your blog and I will make sure to follow you back. You can follow us via gfc, bloglovin, facebook and twitter.

Review: All For You (Boys of the South) The 12 NA's of Christmas by Marquita Valentine

*All For You is proud to be a part of The 12 NA's of Christmas*
12 New Adult Novellas. 12 Best Selling Authors. November 2013.

Bully. Tormentor. Lover.
West Diaz has been all of these things to me.
After being gone for two years, he's back, begging for my forgiveness. And not just my forgiveness... He wants more.
He wants... Me.

ebook 94 pages

Published November 1st 2013

Genre: New Adult

Kristine's Thoughts:

At only 94 pages Valentine creates a powerful, sexy novella about a subject that I think millions of teens will relate to.

This novella tackles the serious subject of bullying from both sides, the emotional consequences, and the power of forgiveness. Unfortunately this is a topic that way too many high school kids know all too well and will be able to identify with. Valentine does a spectacular job of portraying the emotions of the characters and keeping it real. 

McKenzie was teased and bullied in high school for being the new girl and the gardeners daughter. West was one of her biggest tormentors. They share one night together but even though he stops, he does nothing to stop his friends from bullying her. The story begins after high school as West looks for redemption for his unforgivable behaviour from the girl he can't get out of his head.

As with all novellas, this is where I stop so that I don't give anything away. I truly enjoyed this story and my only negative would be that there wasn't enough Christmas. 
  

About the Author

New York Times Bestselling Author, Marquita Valentine, writes sexy heroes that make you swoon and sassy heroines that make you laugh. She's the author of the bestselling contemporary romance series, Holland Springs, and the new adult romance series, Boys of the South.

Marquita met her husband aka Hot Builder at Sonic when they were in high school. She suggests this location to all of her single friends in search of a good man--and if that doesn't work, they can console themselves with cheesy tatertots. She lives in North Carolina in a very, very small town with Hot Builder and their two children. 

Website-http://www.marquitavalentine.com 

Twitter-marquitaval 

Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarquitaValentine  

Goodreads-https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6433264.Marquita_Valentine 

Review: Bud's Christmas Wish by Ashley Nemer

If a dream is a wish your heart makes, can it hear those things we want even if we don’t what they are? When sorrow brings young Lucy home to a land full of mystery, steeped in tradition and colored with unspoken magic, she finds herself re-evaluating her life and her own place in it. Things are never what they seem and people are seldom what you THINK them to be if all you base it on is what your eyes see and not what your soul knows. There’s a fine line between destiny and duty, but when both are blended with love, who knows what miracles can occur at Christmas.

Kindle Edition, 2, 32 pages

Published August 11th 2013 by Art of Safkhet (first published November 16th 2012)

Terri's Review

I found this novella on Amazon as I was searching for Christmas stories to read during the month of December.  I thought this would be a nice quick read in the spirit of the season based on the short length.

The story began with a promising start focusing on the tragic events surrounding Lucy's parents around the holidays.  I thought that the story would take a direction of some depth as it progressed however I was wrong.  The story went downhill at the same time Lucy landed in Ireland.

The story at it's core was about love and fate however I had a hard time believing the turn of events and the pace in which it happened.  Understanding that the story needed to fit in to such a short length I feel there could have been more character development.  I had a hard time visualizing the characters as there were either no or minimal descriptions of them both physically or with their personalities.  This made it difficult to identify with them in any way.  In fact I couldn't stop visualizing Bud as an old man.

I wanted to like this story better then I did however I just didn't get lost in it.  Based on all of the rave reviews I see on Goodreads I am apparently in the minority on this one.  I guess it is different strokes for different folks.  This was not the Christmas read I was looking for.

About the Author

Website:  http://www.ashleynemer.com    
Twitter:  ashleynemer

Review: Cross Country Christmas: A Woodfalls Girls Novella by Tiffany King (The 12 NA's of Christmas)

*Cross Country Christmas is proud to be a part of The 12 NA's of Christmas *
12 New Adult Novellas. 12 Best Selling Authors. November 2013.

With the holiday season upon her, Jamie Foster is once again stressed about making her yearly visit back home to Woodfalls, still single. Fate intervenes in the form of Grant Johnson, a boy she grew up with, who catches the same flight while returning home from a business trip.

When a malfunction sends their plane crashing down on the runway upon takeoff, Jamie and Grant decide to rent a car and make the nine-hundred-mile drive home together. Ironically for them, anything that can go wrong does as they face one hysterical hurdle after another.

Christmas may finally bring Jamie the gift of love she has always wanted if she and Grant can manage to overcome a few obstacles along the way.

Kindle Edition, 162 pages

Published November 1st 2013 by A.T. Publishing LLC 

Genre: New Adult

Kristine's Thoughts:

I am a sucker for a good Christmas story particularly ones that involve romance. This novella fits that bill perfectly.

You have Jamie and Grant who are both trying to make it home to Woodfalls for Christmas with their families.Grant was Jamie's childhood crush but years of relentless teasing and a romance with her friend left her with a bitter taste in her mouth. She fled her hometown when she finished high school, visiting only occasionally, and didn't look back. Four years later she finds herself on the same plane beside Grant as they begin their journey home.

Their journey home is a comedy of errors to say the least. If something bad could happen it did. It seemed that there was nothing but bad luck on their sides. I found it quite amusing the way they would bicker back and forth and the situations they found themselves in. Through all the bickering and teasing it is very obvious that there is a connection and attraction between the two. I enjoyed every step in their journey home through a snow filled, winter setting.

As with any novellas that I discuss, I am keeping my thoughts to a minimum. There is only so much book and I don't want to give anything away. If you are looking for a quick holiday read with some romance and a bit of comedy then I recommend Cross Country Christmas. This is the first book by Tiffany King that I have read and it won't be my last.

 

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask. 

Website-http://www.authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com/ 

Twitter-AuthorTiffany 

Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTiffanyKing  

Goodreads-https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4719619.Tiffany_King 

Review: Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams

After years of dreaming, Jessica is finally getting married, but the marriage isn't exactly what she thought.

Daniel is her best friend, and she's known him all her life, but he's never gotten over losing his wife two years ago. His dream is to become the pastor of the church in their hometown, but the small-town congregation keeps balking over calling an unmarried minister. Since Daniel needs a wife and Jessica wants a husband and family, she proposes an arrangement that benefits both of them.

They can get married. They can build a life together. They can celebrate Christmas as a couple. It's fine that he doesn't love her. And it's fine that she's not exactly suited to be a small-town pastor's wife. And it's fine that she's more attracted to her sexy, brooding husband every day.

Jessica can be practical about this marriage. She knows what she's getting into, after all...

Paperback

Expected publication: December 1st 2013

Terri's Review

I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was anticipating this read for two reason.  The first being that it is getting close to the holiday season and the book takes place over Christmas and the second being that I had previously read the Listed series by Adam's and had enjoyed them.

For those who have read the Listed series there are a lot of similarities in this read.  As the synopsis suggests it is about two friends who get married for reasons other than love and try to navigate their emotions within an unconventional arrangement.  The chemistry between Jessica and Daniel is evident throughout the story particularly the physical chemistry "between the sheets".  There is just the right amount of drama as each of them fight their emotions and feelings for each other.

As Adam's explains at the beginning of the book in a comment this is a book about a pastor.  This should not dissuade anyone who has a dislike of Christian fiction as this book is not that.  This is a contemporary romance read that just happens to be about a person whose job is a pastor.  There are some references to God however they are few and not written in any type of "preachy" way.  It is more referenced by Daniel in a spiritual sense when he is questioning the bad things that happen in the world.  There are plenty of steamy scenes to satisfy and even some curse words in this read.

Overall this was a nice quick read just in time for the holidays.  I will continue to see what else Adam's has to offer.

About the Author

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.


Website:  http://noelle-adams.com     Twitter:  NoelleAdams3    

Review: Wide Spaces (A Wide Awake Novella, Book 2) by Shelly Crane (The 12 NA's of Christmas)

Wide Spaces is proud to be a part of The 12 NA's Novellas of Christmas
12 NA Novellas.
12 Best Selling Authors.
 
A novella for Emma and Mason's first Christmas together after Wide Awake.

Emma knows better than most that life can change from one second to the next. Mason knows that guilt can make you change so much, that you don't even recognize yourself in the mirror. When they found each other, they knew that life had given them a second chance.
But can one night, one second, one misunderstanding change everything?

A life together that saved them will become a life they think is lost forever.

Kindle Edition, 194 pages

Published October 20th 2013
Genre: New Adult

Kristine's Thoughts:

I did not read Wide Awake before reading this novella and I think I probably should have to fully appreciate it and it may have affected my rating.

Although the story takes place over Christmas this book did not give me the warm cozies as much as I would have liked. It was a fairly cute story but I found there was a lot of talking and not a lot of doing. The love and devotion between Emma and Mason was oozing off the pages but I found it didn't reach me as much as it should have. Again, this is most likely due to the fact that I didn't read the first book. I will be making sure that I read it as it sounds like a great read and it may change my opinion of this novella.

I think my main issue with this story was the maturity. The characters come across as a lot younger and it was hard to visualise them as old enough for marriage. Mason saying "gah" on a few occassions would be the perfect example of that. It just isn't something that an adult male would say in my opinion.

I liked it but I didn't love it. I'm hopeful that I will eat my words after reading Wide Awake!. 

About the Author

Shelly is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author from a small town in Georgia and loves everything about the south. She is wife to a fantastical husband and stay at home mom to two boisterous and mischievous boys who keep her on her toes. They currently reside in scorching North Florida. She loves to spend time with her family, binge on candy corn, go out to eat at new restaurants, buy paperbacks at little bookstores, sight-see in the new areas they travel to, listen to music everywhere and also LOVES to read.
Her own books happen by accident and she revels in the writing and imagination process. She doesn't go anywhere without her notepad for fear of an idea creeping up and not being able to write it down immediately, even in the middle of the night, when her best ideas are born.

Website- http://shellycrane.blogspot.com/
Twitter-authshellycrane
Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/shellycranefanpage
Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4951964.Shelly_Crane