I’m blogging over at InspyRomance today! Come check it out! I’m talking about Loving Luke, my Christmas novella. I’m also talking about Christmas cookies!
Christmas Cookies!
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Merry and Bright
Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber
Do you like lighthearted Christmas romance stories?
Well, if your answer is yes, then this book will not disappoint! Merry (aka Mary) Knight is working on a temp assignment at Jayson (aka Jay) Bright’s company. When her mother and brother sign her up for an online dating service, she’s hesitant. She’s so busy working that she has no time for romance. Meanwhile, Jayson Bright is a curmudgeon workaholic from a dysfunctional family.
He’s also Merry’s boss. When they meet online, they don’t realize that they are already connected to one another.
I really liked Merry. She’s a hard worker and she likes the simple things in life. I liked Jay, but, felt he had some growing up to do. However, his bad-temper was partially due to his sad childhood, and it was understandable why he was so grumpy.
The way the story plays out is funny and romantic. I also loved how Merry dealt with the issues in her own life (outside of dating). Her mom is sick with MS and her brother has special needs. In spite of all this, she mostly remains happy and carefree with an optimistic look on life, for the most part.
I also loved reading about Christmas! The holiday scenery and decorations, the way they were described, was so much fun to read about!
So, do you like lighthearted Christmas stories? If so, what are some of your favorites?
Inspy Romance Blog Post
I’m now occasionally blogging over at the Inspy Romance blog! Come join me today!
Me Before You
Saturday Matinee
Me Before You
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you became a paraplegic?
This movie is about Will, a cantankerous and bitter young man who has recently become a paraplegic. Louisa is hired to be Will’s assistant. Will objects to Louisa’s presence in his home. But, Louisa is tough, and she refuses to take Will’s objections seriously. She sticks it out because she needs the job.
I loved seeing how both of these characters grew and matured. Will and Louisa come to an understanding and and their lives drastically change.
Louisa is determined to make this work and she’s not a quitter. She also questions her relationship with her boyfriend. Is he the right man for her?
I think Will is surprised when he actually opens up and starts to trust Louisa.
I hated the ending. Seriously. But, I guess it’s difficult to judge how someone deals with a situation when one has not been in that situation him/herself.
So, have you ever wondered what life would be like if you became a paraplegic? I can’t even begin to imagine that….
Cinnamon Kisses – A Christmas Novella – Coming Soon!
Cinnamon Kisses will be included in the Christmas box set entitle Snowflakes and Snuggles. The boxed set will be available in November!
New In Town
Saturday Matinee
New In Town
Have you ever relocated to a new town and felt like an alien among your new neighbors?
When Lucy’s job sends her from Miami to a cold Minnesota town to restructure a manufacturing plant, she’s stunned when she meets the town’s inhabitants. She’s from a warm city and these are gossipy, nosy, country folk. She doesn’t care for the union representative for the plant employees (Ted).
The town doesn’t know if they can trust Lucy, after all, their livelihoods are in her hands. The plant provides lots of jobs and they don’t want Lucy to cut any of their jobs.
I really loved seeing this small town. It was so realistic and sweet. I especially loved how Blanche took Lucy under her wing and became her friend (as well as her secretary). I loved seeing the townsfolk socialize and look out for one another. I also loved seeing the budding feelings between Lucy and Ted. Such a sweet story.
I really loved seeing how Blanche’s secret tapioca pudding became central to the plot. I love tapioca! I wanted to taste her secret recipe!
So, have you ever relocated to a new town and felt like an alien among your new neighbors?
The Choice
Saturday Matinee
The Choice
Have you ever fallen in love, even though your love interest seems to be the wrong choice for a mate?
The Choice is a love story that is based on a Nicolas Sparks novel (no, I’ve never read the book). When Gabby meets Travis, her new neighbor, she’s irritated because he appears to be a jerk, playing his music too loud. When Gabby’s medical doctor boyfriend goes out of town, this story takes an interesting turn.
The attraction between Gabby (a medical student) and Travis (a vet) is a classic example of opposites attract. When I first started watching this movie, I was bored. But, the movie got better as the attraction between Travis and Gabby deepens and then there was someone who objected to their relationship.
I loved seeing the scenes on the water. Seeing folks hanging out with friends, having a good time, made for some pleasurable viewing.
Travis falls HARD for Gabby. He even takes her for a boat ride to show her his secret island. Gabby struggles to accept Travis’s love. Is it right for them to continue dating, in spite of her circumstances?
I loved seeing the animals in this movie. It’s so cute to see how animals can play a part in bringing two people together.
Overall, a good movie. I was NOT expecting that traumatic event near the end. I don’t want to say what happens because it’ll spoil the film for you.
So, have you ever fallen in love, even though your love interest seems to be the wrong choice for a mate?
Any Dream Will Do
Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber
Have you ever been forced to make a fresh start in a new environment? How did you handle it? Did you fit in?
When Shay is released from prison, she’s alone with no place to go. When she shows up at a church, she encounters Drew, a widower/pastor/single father. He’s still grieving over his wife’s untimely death and when he spots Shay, it’s during a dark moment in his life. He kindly offers Shay his help.
Shay is a bit suspicious of Drew, but, she accepts his help. After all, she has no choice. She has a chip on her shoulder since she’d been imprisoned for embezzlement. She’d only stolen the money to help her younger brother, Caden. After all, his life would be in danger if she didn’t give him the money.
Her mistake cost her years in prison, and now she’s ready to make a fresh start.
This book showed how judgmental and superficial Christians can be. Although a congregation should follow Jesus’s example, that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, you just have to ask a congregation, What would Jesus do?
I loved to see Shay change and grow within this story. She got along with Drew’s children and they loved her. Drew finds he enjoys spending time with Shay, but, her past proves to be problematic for several in the congregation.
I thought this was a refreshing book and it was a bit different than Macomber’s other books. I guess it was different because it was about an ex-con, trying to make a fresh start. Shay gives it her best, leaning on Jesus for guidance.
So, have you ever been forced to make a fresh start in a new environment? How did you handle it? Did you fit in?
The Dressmaker
Saturday Matinee
The Dressmaker
Have you ever had a childhood experience that haunted your life?
When Tilly returns to her childhood home in the secluded Australian outback, she’s changed…a lot. She’s now a successful dressmaker and the ladies in town are clamoring for her to make them a new dress. The town has little access to fashionable clothes and Tilly is their ticket to looking beautiful for their beaus.
But, Tilly is not in town to make dresses. She approaches her mom, desperate to recall the details to a murder which she’s forgotten. Perhaps being back in this God-forsaken town will jog her memory.
Tilly also connects with Teddy, a sympathetic childhood friend who develops a soft spot for her.
I really enjoyed this movie. The movie showed how rotten and unforgiving people can be, but, also you saw people jump to Tilly’s defense to help solve the details of the murder mystery. There were so many emotions packed in this movie: love, hate, fear. A tragic event happens that I was NOT expecting. It’s difficult to talk more about the emotions without giving spoilers.
This movie had me mesmerized from the beginning and the acting and the scenery was AMAZING! Such a treat to watch this film and I highly recommend it.
Kate Winslet is one of my favorite actresses – due in part to her acting in Titanic (my all-time favorite movie). Kate and the rest of the cast did great in this movie.
So, have you ever had a childhood experience that haunted your life?
Above All Things
Above All Things by Deborah Raney
Have you ever discovered a big secret about your spouse? Was the secret so big that it affected your marriage?
Judd and Evette are happily married, expecting their first child. Judd receives a phone call: his former fiancée is hospitalized and for the first day time, he’s become aware that he has a six-year-old bi-racial daughter. He needs to come and get his child (Jolie) since the child’s mother cannot care for her.
Evette is stunned to hear this news. She has mixed feelings about bringing a biracial daughter into their home. Judd is just as stunned as he wonders why his ex never shared that he’d fathered a child.
This novel touches upon a lot of deep subjects. The main themes are race relations and forgiveness. Overall a good read. The author did a great job with research regarding African-Americans. I especially liked how she addressed the issue of Jolie’s hair – extremely realistic.
So, have you ever discovered a big secret about your spouse? Was the secret so big that it affected your marriage?