The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan

 It was supposed to be Christy Sullivan’s perfect Christmas getaway—a trip to Lapland with her family and best friend, Alix. But facing a make-or-break marriage crisis, Christy desperately needs time alone with her husband. Her solution? Alix can take Christy’s little daughter to Lapland, and they will reunite there for Christmas Day. It’s a big ask, but what else are friends for?

There’s nothing Alix won’t do for Christy. But Christy’s request to save Christmas is giving Alix sleepless nights. She knows something is wrong, but for the first time ever, Christy isn’t talking. And even the Arctic temperatures in Lapland aren’t enough to dampen the seriously inconvenient sizzle Alix is developing for Zac, a fellow guest and nemesis from her past.

As secrets unravel and unexpected romance shines under the northern lights, can Christy and Alix’s Christmas escape give them the courage to fight for the relationships they really want, and save the precious gift of each other’s friendship?

Christy and Alix became friends as young girls and are now family.  A planned holiday trip to a magical place causes all sorts of unneeded suffering because of not communicating and assumptions.  A bit of drama ensues that is repetitive, but ends up an overall good holiday read.

Author Bio: 

USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes contemporary romance and women's fiction. Her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe and three RITA® Awards from the Romance Writers of America. Sarah lives with her family near London, England, where the rain frequently keeps her trapped in her office.

Social Links:

Author Website

Goodreads

Thanks to Harlequin/NetGalley for this review copy

A Little Christmas Spirit by Shelia Roberts

The best Christmas gifts—family, friendship, and second chances—are all waiting to be unwrapped in this sparkling new novel from USA Today bestselling author Sheila Roberts.

Single mom Lexie Bell hopes to make this first Christmas in their new home special for her six-year-old son, Brock. Festive lights and homemade fudge, check. Friendly neighbors? Uh, no. The reclusive widower next door is more grinchy than nice. But maybe he just needs a reminder of what matters most. At least sharing some holiday cheer with him will distract her from her own lack of romance…

Stanley Mann lost his Christmas spirit when he lost his wife and he sees no point in looking for it. Until she shows up in his dreams and informs him it’s time to ditch his Scroogey attitude. Stanley digs in his heels but she’s determined to haunt him until he wakes up and rediscovers the joys of the season. He can start by being a little more neighborly to the single mom next door. In spite of his protests he’s soon making snowmen and decorating Christmas trees. How will it all end?

Merrily, of course. A certain Christmas ghost is going to make sure of that!

Lexi and her son Brock are settling into their neighborhood despite Stanley the grumpy old guy next door.  Stanley has been grieving his wife by avoiding everyone.  He gets help to begin to live again in an unexpected way. Events happen where Lexi and her son need Stanley's help.  He beings to open up to new things. When his help goes a bit too far and causes Lexi some pain, will their tentative friendship end?  A new family in the neighborhood could also be a new beginning for Lexi, will she take a chance?  A fun, heartwarming holiday story.

Sheila Roberts lives on a lake in Washington State, where most of her novels are set. Her books have been published in several languages. On Strike for Christmas, was made into a movie for the Lifetime Movie Network and her novel, The Nine Lives of Christmas, was made into a movie for Hallmark.

Author Website

Goodreads

 Excerpt

*Thanks to Harlequin/NetGalley for this review copy*

The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery

 

The last thing Reggie Sommerville wants is to come back home for Christmas. It's only been a year and a half since her boyfriend, Jake, proposed and then broke up with her, all in one weekend, and the prospect of facing the entire town is humiliating. But when her parents reveal that they're renewing their vows in the lavish wedding they always wanted and her mother asks her to be a bridesmaid, Reggie knows she can't say no. No matter how much she wants to. She expected the town would be gossiping about her relationship with Jake, but she never expected to run into Toby, her first love that broke her heart all those years ago, living in town and raising his son. She always thought things between them were long over…but this Christmas is full of surprises.

Dena Sommerville has only ever wanted one thing: to have a child. But motherhood has been alluding her because she never met the right man…until she took the bull by the horns and decided to have a baby as a single mom. She knew it would be difficult and the morning sickness alone is knocking her down for the count, but she’s determined to do this on her own. So when a handsome musician checks into the inn where she works, Dena is surprised when a friendship develops. He has his own issues to work through—that much is clear. But she can’t deny there’s something between them.

A great small town holiday story. The Sommerville family has a lot going on this holiday season. Reggie reluctantly returned to town to help out with her parent's vow renewal ceremony. Last year she was engaged and dumped in a spectacular way over a weekend. Dena is juggling early pregnancy, teaching and running her B & B.  Both are not looking for romance and are surprised when things take that turn. Great characters with plenty of humor and a fantastic dog! Looking forward to visiting the town of Wishing Tree again.

Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations," and readers seem to agree—40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live.

Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She's passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the two ragdoll cats and adorable poodle who think of her as mom.

Social Links:

Author Website

Goodreads

Thanks to Harlequin/NetGalley for this review copy

This Is How I Lied by Heather Gudenkauf

THIS IS HOW I LIED by Heather Gudenkauf is a timely and gripping thriller about careless violence we can inflict on those we love, and the lengths we will go to make it right, even 25 years later.

Tough as nails and seven months pregnant, Detective Maggie Kennedy-O’Keefe of Grotto PD, is dreading going on desk duty before having the baby her and her husband so badly want. But when new evidence is found in the 25-year-old cold case of her best friend’s murder that requires the work of a desk jockey, Maggie jumps at the opportunity to be the one who finally puts Eve Knox’s case to rest.

Maggie has her work cut out for her. Everyone close to Eve is a suspect. There’s Nola, Eve’s little sister who’s always been a little... off; Nick, Eve’s ex-boyfriend with a vicious temper; a Schwinn riding drifter who blew in and out of Grotto; even Maggie’s husband Sean, who may have known more about Eve’s last day than he’s letting on. As Maggie continues to investigate, the case comes closer and closer to home, forcing her to confront her own demons before she can find justice for Eve.

Heather Gudenkauf is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many books, including The Weight of Silence and These Things Hidden. Heather graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in elementary education, has spent her career working with students of all ages. She lives in Iowa with her husband, three children, and a very spoiled German Shorthaired Pointer named Lolo. In her free time, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, reading, hiking, and running.

When Detective Maggie was 15 her best friend Eve was killed.  Her father was the investigating officer at the time and the case went cold.  Now 25 years later and  7 months pregnant a piece of evidence is found and the case is reopened.  Maggie is tasked with going over all the evidence and getting it ready to send to the state authorities.  Maggie has secrets from that time that she wants to keep, and someone is determined to bring them to light.  While someone else is just a motivated to keep the secrets buried.  Eve's younger sister Nola has always been a bit strange, and this new evidence seems to intensify that.  She has her own idea of who killed her sister and will do whatever it takes to bring them down. What happened to Eve is revealed in alternating chapters with teasers as to who the killer could be that kept me guessing.

*Thank you to Park Row Books/Netgalley for this review copy*

Excerpt link.
Author Website

Maid Under the Mistletoe + Recipe

‘Tis the season for a sexy holiday!

Single mom Joy Curran needs this temporary holiday housekeeping job working for a reclusive billionaire. But her sexy, aloof boss pulls at Joy's heartstrings—and her long-denied desires—in unexpected ways… Sam Henry never got over the loss of his wife and son, and he's shut himself off from happiness, love—and the holidays. But Joy and her sweet daughter bring laughter into his life. And living with his new maid ignites a passion he can't ignore. After one glorious night in Joy's arms, will this beauty be the Christmas miracle that changes the beast forever?

MAUREEN CHILD is the author of more than 130 romance novels and novellas that routinely appear on bestseller lists and have won numerous awards, including the National Reader's Choice Award. A seven-time nominee for the prestigious RITA award from Romance Writers of America, one of her books was made into a CBS-TV movie called The Soul Collector. Maureen recently moved from California to the mountains of Utah and is trying to get used to snow.

Loved how little Molly melts Sam's frozen heart. I found myself laughing out loud a few times while enjoying this book. If you are looking for a quick, sweet Christmas story, this fits the bill perfectly.  The recipe Maureen shares is one of my favorites for the holiday season. 

Bon Appétit and a Book:

A delicious recipe to enjoy alongside the book 

   

SNOWBALL COOKIES

·         1 cup butter

·         1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

·         1/4 teaspoon salt

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

·         1 cup chopped pecans

·         1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting, or as needed

·         1/4 cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes (optional)

·   

Directions

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2.      Cream the butter with 1/2 cup of the confectioners' sugar and the vanilla. Mix in the flour, pecans, and salt. Roll about 1 tablespoon or so of dough into balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

3.      Bake in preheated oven until bottoms are golden, about 15 minutes. Do not allow these cookies to get too brown: it's better to under cook them than to overcook them. While cookies are still hot, roll them in confectioners' sugar. Once they have cooled, roll them in confectioners' sugar once more.

MAID UNDER THE MISTLETOE

by Maureen Child

Harlequin Desire; December 6, 2016

$5.25 U.S.; 224 Pages

ISBN-978-0-373-73500-6

Do you have a favorite holiday recipe that you make year after year?








*Thanks to Tracy, Meryl Moss Media, Harlequin for this review copy*