Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Krista Galloway is not a fan of Christmas. After her rough childhood in multiple foster homes, the holiday season just brings too many bad memories to the surface. But when she accepts a job as a city manager in the mountain town of Winter Hill, Washington, Christmas is part of the deal. The small town is famous for its Christmasville celebration, something that the city manager . . . well, manages.

As she tries to make her tiny new apartment feel like home for her and her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, Krista begins to wonder if this move was a mistake. She doesn't always feel welcomed in the close-knit town, and Emily continually wonders, "Where's the snow?" Can a friendly stranger and his family help restore Krista's Christmas spirit before the big day?

My thoughts- 

If I were ever to write a book (hopefully someday I will work up the courage to get my ideas from brain to paper!), it would be something very similar to this. I love books set in small, close knit towns that feel magical and story book like. Bonus points if it reminds me of my favorite story book like tv shows Gilmore Girls and Hart of Dixie. There is just something I love about these small town stories. I also am a total sucker for a great Christmas time romance so Christmas in Winter Hill hit me in the feels. I loved the writing style of Melody Carslon and that I was invested in the story and Krista's life from the beginning. I would have loved more time during the Christmasville festivities, but I absolutely loved hearing about the Christmas House and the contest to win it. It was an interesting take on a holiday book and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet (and very innocent) romance or loves books set during Christmas. 

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About the book-

’Tis the season for change and Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is embracing it, returning from the States to live in the charming village of Letherby and working with her best friend, Suze, in the gift shop of Suze’s stately home. Life is good, especially now that Becky takes time every day for mindfulness . . . which actually means listening to a meditation tape while hunting down online bargains.

But Becky still adores the traditions of Christmas: Her parents host, carols play on repeat, her mother pretends she made the Christmas pudding, and the neighbors come ’round for sherry in their terrible holiday sweaters. Things are looking cheerier than ever, until Becky’s parents announce they’re moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch—unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocados—and ask Becky if she’ll host this year. What could possibly go wrong?

Her sister demands a vegan turkey, her husband  insists that he just wants aftershave—again, and little Minnie demands a very specific picnic hamper: Surely Becky can manage all this, as well as the surprise appearance of an old-boyfriend-turned-rock-star and his pushy new girlfriend, whose motives are far from clear. But as the countdown to Christmas begins and her big-hearted plans take an unexpected turn toward disaster, Becky starts to wonder if chaos will ensue, or if she’ll manage to bring comfort and joy to Christmas after all.

My thoughts-

You know how some retail stores start putting out Christmas decorations the second the 4th of July is over, even though we still have Thanksgiving and Halloween to get through? That's me with books set during Christmas time, I am itching to read them mid-July every year and I am always excited to read the first one to kick things off. Christmas Shopaholic was a great novel to kick off my Christmas reading because it's a familiar character so I can easily dive into Becky's world. This book was hilarious. The whole book was laugh out loud funny and although I am not one to re-read books usually (there are just too many good ones out there that I will never get around to if I do that) this is definitely one I could see myself re-reading in the future. I love all of the shenanigans that Becky gets into in this book, and I am hoping that we get more of her adventures from Sophie Kinsella in the future!

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane by Annie Rains

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Welcome to the Sweetwater Springs -- where a B&B is getting a major makeover, traditions take centerstage, and everyone gets a fresh start.
Christmas is coming to the North Carolina mountains, and the air is fresh and crisp and filled with promise. After the devastating loss of her job in the big city, the small town of Sweetwater Springs feels like heaven to Kaitlyn Russo. She's inherited her grandparents' charming (if a little rundown) bed and breakfast, and it's just the new lease on life she needs. Only "heaven" comes with a catch-and a handsome and completely infuriating one at that. 

After what he hopes will be a quick trip, Mitch Hargrove wants nothing more than to put his hometown in the rearview mirror. But his plans get derailed when he learns he's now half-owner of the Sweetwater B&B. The fact that he's given only two months to make the inn a success is a huge problem, but it's his pretty-and incredibly headstrong-partner who's the real challenge. With the holiday fast approaching and a grand re-opening looming, will Mitch keep running from the ghosts of Christmas past . . . or will he realize the true gift he's been 

My thoughts-

Around the beginning of September I get an uncontrollable itch to start reading Christmas novels. I have several on deck waiting to be read after Christmas on Mistletoe Lane already! This was an excellent book to kick of my Christmas reading extravaganza. It had the quintessential love story, but it was also set in a small town AND in a Bed and Breakfast, both of which always add to the romantic aspect of a novel for me. I found myself rooting for Kaitlyn and Mitch, and shaking my head at Mitch plenty too. I recommend this book to anyone who just can't wait for the Hallmark Channel's Christmas movies to start playing! This will hold you over until then!

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Christmas is the season of the heart, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber is here to warm yours with a delightful holiday novel of first impressions and second chances.
Merry Smith is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her—minus her photo—and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects—or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.

My thoughts-

Every year by the beginning of October I am itching to read a good Christmas romance. Yesterday, on the 1st day of October, I started reading Merry & Bright and it was exactly the type of Christmas novel I love. It was so good I read it all in one sitting! I love the play on words title for the Christmas season with the two main character's names! It just makes this book even more cute. I found myself rooting for Merry and Jayson from the second he created his online dating profile. I loved the humor and romance, and that this could be read in a few short hours since I didn't want to put it down. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a lighthearted romance.

Restoring Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti (Book Review)

Disclosure of material of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Alexis Blake set out to restore a neglected building. What she didn't expect was to restore a life...
Alexis Blake has one chance to land her own show on the Heart and Home Network and nothing—not an uncooperative client, a job site without indoor plumbing, or a challenging videographer—is going to stand in her way. Elsie, at seventy-plus, is far from the ideal client, but she knows exactly what she wants her fieldstone house to look like, and no designer can tell her otherwise. Gabe Langley, the man with the camera, is caught in the middle and it is his wisdom and warmth that just may be the bridge that will bring these two women together. Can they restore more than just a house and save Christmas memories from being lost forever?

My thoughts-

Something about October always has me ready to start reading Christmas themed novels to get in the holiday. I love everything about the holiday season, including Halloween and Thanksgiving, the fall and winter weather, all of the carnivals and pumpkin patches and fun, but Christmas is the big celebration at the end that all of the rest lead up to. Restoring Christmas is the second Christmas themed novella I have read already this year and it was exactly the type of book I love to get me in the  holiday spirit. Right away I could tell I was going to be head over heels for Gabe. He is charming AND funny, two of my top criteria for an attractive and all around good guy, and for me a good romance is a essential part of a great Christmas feel good story. It's such a romantic time of year! I also liked the main element of the book being about fixing up a house for someone who doesn't even want it, it makes for some great tension and gives us a good story to want more from. Alexis is a likable character who you cheer for because you can tell she has a good heart and her intentions are good. I loved seeing her interact with Gabe as they got to know each other as designer and cameraman, and as people. I recommend Restoring Christmas to anyone who enjoys a good seasonal story about hope, love, and kindness. 

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Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher Blog Tour & Book Review + Enter to Win a Kindle

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via the Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Bess Riehl is preparing Rose Hill Farm for her Christmas wedding, but her groom isn't who she thought it would be. Billy Lapp is far away from his Amish roots working as a rose rustler for Penn State and wants nothing to do with Stoney Ridge, his family, or Bess. And that suits Bess just fine. Why should she think twice about a man who left without a word, without any explanation? It's time she moved on with her life, and that meant saying yes to Amos Lapp, Billy's cousin and best friend. But as Bess and Amos's wedding day draws near, her emotions tangle into a tight knot. She loves Amos. Yet she can't forget Billy.

When a "lost" rose is discovered at Rose Hill Farm, Billy is sent to track down its origins. Get in, identify the rose, and get out. That's his plan. The only catch is that he's having a hard time narrowing down the identity of the lost rose, and he can't get those tropical blue eyes of Bess Riehl out of his mind.

As the history of the lost rose is pieced together, it reminds Bess and Billy--and Amos, too--that Christmas truly is the season of miracles.

Join bestselling, award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher for an Amish
Christmas to remember. Filled with heart-twisting moments amid the sweet anticipation of love, this story will charm readers into the holiday spirit.

My thoughts-

I haven't read an Amish fiction novel in a while so it was nice to not only have a book to read in a great genre, but also a book set around Christmas time. Although most of the book isn't necessarily centered around Christmas, it is definitely good at making you feel the spirit of the season. The majority of the book is about Bess trying to work out her feelings on the brink of her wedding to someone who wasn't her first choice, while the man who has always had her heart but disappeared has suddenly made an appearance back in her life. I can appreciate her dilemma and feel almost kind of bad for Bess when Billy shows back up to examine the unique rose, he is almost kind of aloof with her as he tries to fight his own feelings. My very favorite thing about Christmas at Rose Hill Farm are the interactions between Billy and George. They have only just met, but George keeps Billy on his toes and tells him exactly what he needs to hear time and time again. He encourages Billy, nudges him to do the things he needs to do. I really loved that entire story line in this book and how it concluded at the end of the story. I was rooting for Bess the entire story and was impressed by how brave she was to lay her feelings out there on the line the way she did several times. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good holiday book, Amish fiction or nice love story. 

About the author-

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including “Amish Peace.” She is also the coauthor of an Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher. Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your mobile device! Download the Free App! http://bit.ly/10Tygyi

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********Enter to Win a Kindle!********

Don't miss Betsy St. Amant's latest fiction release, All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes. A "sweet" tale of two best friends and the choices they make between dreams and a possible "sure thing," St. Amant's novel is sure to satisfy your romantic-fiction craving.

Betsy is celebrating with a fun Kindle giveaway and a Love & Cupcakes Facebook party! One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle
• All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Love & Cupcakes" Author Chat Party on 9/18. Betsy will be hosting a "sweet" book chat, giving away prizes, and answering questions from readers. She will also share an exclusive sneak peek at her next book project!

So grab your copy of All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes and join Betsy on the evening of September 18th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!