The Book Connection...

Sunday, December 22, 2024

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Dec 23

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Welcome back to Monday! How are your holiday preparations coming along? Mine are slower than I would like, but today is my final closing of the year. Two more trees will go up today, and then I need to wrap gifts.

Here are some photos from the last couple of weeks.

The Lil' Princess and I awaiting the Lil' Diva's dance performance at the Festival of Trees.

The Lil' Diva dancing with her classmates (front in gray).

Hubby and I getting ready for my company's annual holiday gala.

Just some of the items collected for this year's Adopt A Family. We adopted 72 families this year.

Dwight told me it was high time I decorated for Christmas.

Theo scolding Travis for interfering with decorating.

Travis under the snowman tree in the bonus room.

This was a busy December, but I've managed to get some reading in. I am three-quarters of the way through the last book in the Love Comes Softly series.

Posted my First Chapter Review of this women's novel last week. Check it out here. There is still time to enter the gift card giveaway.

I am 22 days into this Advent devotional as of Sunday.

I am listening to this audiobook on Chirp.

I reviewed this collection of Anne and other holiday stories by Lucy Maud Montgomery last week. You can read my thoughts here.

I also finished this Christmas short story collection. You can read my review here.

My review of this rhyming Christmas countdown book appeared at my children's book blog. You can read it here.

I also reviewed this fun and unique holiday picture book. You can read the review here.

I have finished the next two, but my reviews are not posted yet. Great seasonal fun for the kiddos.

The following are the books I am looking to read as we head into the new year.

Upcoming events:

Review of Ghosting Academy by LS Delorme - Feb 3 (Review)

You can read the latest Christmas news at the Christmas Year Round blog. This week we are talking about snow in New York City, California's Christmas Tree Lane, and the childhood tradition that Susan Matthews, Executive Editor of SLATE, shares with her family. Read it all here.

I am posting early because Monday morning is an early closing followed by bridesmaid dress shopping and getting my nails done. Plan to check in with all of you Monday afternoon.

Wishing all our readers a blessed holiday season filled with love, peace, and joy.

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Chirp Book Review: Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories by L. M. Montgomery from Dreamscape Media

Lovers of Anne of Green Gables will be enchanted with this delightful collection of holiday stories from Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Based upon story excerpts from Montgomery's most famous book series and other short stories published in magazines and newspapers, Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories features 16 holiday stories that will warm your heart and remind you of Christmases from a simpler time.

Readers of the Anne of Green Gables series will blissfully relive the story of Anne receiving a dress with puffed sleeves from Matthew. They will learn how three sisters inadvertently end a family feud by arriving at the wrong uncle's house for Christmas dinner. They will witness how Lucy Rose comes to love her Aunt Cyrilla's quirky old basket while they travel out of town. They will remember the surprising results when Anne invited sour Katherine Brooke to Green Gables for Christmas. They will rejoice as Bertie's invitation to New Year's dinner turns into something much more meaningful. Every story will remind you why Montgomery's books still attract new readers.

I own a paperback copy of Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories, and thanks to Dreamscapes Media, I can enjoy these stories anytime I want while I am driving around on appointments.

If you're looking to spend time with some of Montgomery's characters at the holidays, then Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories is the perfect choice.

Release Date: October 1, 2013

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Unabridged Audiobook

Highlights: Christmas

I purchased a copy of this audio book from Chirp. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Chirp Book Review: Classic Christmas Stories from Dreamscape Media

Do you enjoy classic Christmas stories from days gone by? Do you appreciate the works of Mark Twain, O Henry, Willa Cather, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Hans Christian Andersen, and more? Then Classic Christmas Stories by Dreamscape Media is a book to which you should listen.

While looking for affordable and quick Christmas reads, I found Classic Christmas Stories published by Dreamscape Media, which features numerous holiday tales from well-known authors. With classical piano music playing before and after these delightful stories, various narrators read:

"A Christmas Inspiration" by L. M. Montgomery,
"The Gift of the Magi" by O Henry,
"The Burglar's Christmas" by Willa Cather,
"The Fir Tree" by Hans Christian Andersen,
"The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
"Susie's Letter from Santa" by Mark Twain,
"Christmas in Poganuc" by Harriet Beecher Stowe,
"How Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar" by Brett Harte,
and "Christmas at Thompson Hall" by Anthony Trollope.

The narrators did a fine job recording these stories, and many were just as charming as I remember them. Montgomery's, O Henry's, and Twain's were some of my favorites. Though I had never read/heard "Christmas at Thompson Hall" before, I had the plot figured out by the middle of the story. Mrs. Brown was especially annoying, but she is made a great character because of it.

The reader should keep in mind the times in which these Classic Christmas Stories were written, as gender roles were specifically noted in a story or two and some words or phrases may not hold up well with our more enlightened generations. It's still nice to appreciate the storytelling abilities of these authors in their seasonal short stories.

Authors: Anthony Trollope, Arthur Conan Doyle, Bret Harte, Hans Christian Andersen, Harriet Beecher Stowe, L. M. Montgomery, Mark Twain, O. Henry, Willa Cather

Release Date: November 20, 2012

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Unabridged Audiobook

Highlights: Christmas

I purchased a copy of this audio book from Chirp. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

My #Goodreads Year in Books 2024

I am still reading, but here is what my stats look like as of yesterday. To see more of my Goodreads stats click here.

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

First Chapter Review & Giveaway: Scandalous in Huntington Beach by Melody DeBlois

I am reviewing this first chapter of the women's novel, Scandalous in Huntington Beach, by Melody DeBlois.

BLURB: Politician and senate hopeful Bennett Browning knows nothing about babies. When his former girlfriend dies and leaves him with a daughter he knew nothing about, he’s left scrambling until he meets Emma Kuan, his daughter’s aunt, who volunteers to be the nanny. Emma is used to keeping secrets. She and her sister have always hidden their tragic past, but she’s stunned her sister hid the baby even from her. Meeting her niece captures her heart, and she would do anything to be with her, even living with a stranger. Worried about potential scandal, Bennett and Emma juggle jobs, living arrangements, and parenting until a doctor gives them bad news about their baby girl. Then their priorities change drastically.

COVER: Love this vibrant cover that shares the setting perfectly! The subtitle gives you a hint of what the book might entail, and the script writing is a nice touch.

FIRST CHAPTER: Bennett Browning meets Emma Kuan at the funeral for his former girlfriend, Rachel, who is also Emma's half-sister. Having recently learned that he is the father of Rachel's daughter, Madelynn Grace, he has been awarded custody. Since he is totally clueless about babies, Emma offers to help him out until he hires a nanny, but it's clear from the beginning that they are attracted to each other.

KEEP READING: DeBlois drops the reader right into the thick of things with a tense meeting between Rachel's former lover and her half-sister, both of whom knew nothing about the baby. There is a hint of an attraction between them, but this opening chapter deals with the sadness of loss while introducing the hope of the future when Madelynn Grace is dropped off by the social worker. Definitely worth continuing with this story to learn more about all the main characters and see how far the author pushes them.

EXCERPT:

Bennett was having a hard time believing any of this was real. But it was, and his baby girl would depend on him for everything. He leaned against the chair and did what Emma told him. “Better?”

She nodded and handed over the wiggly Madelynn Grace. Bennett tried his hardest to hold on, afraid he’d drop her. With that in mind, he let Emma readjust his position with a nudge of his arms that had been too far apart and a lift of his right elbow to tilt her head a little. He intuitively lowered his face and sweet-talked the baby. In turn, she blew bubbles at him.

“I think she likes me.” He allowed her to poke him in the nose.

“Looks that way.”

His heart swelled. “I promise to give you the best life I can.”

When he glanced up, all smiles, he noted Emma’s quivering lower lip. Was she thinking of Rachel? Something in the hunch of her shoulders and lowered chin made him realize he knew so little about her.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE!

IMPORTANT LINKS...

https://www.melodydeblois.com

https://twitter.com/Melody_DeBlois

https://www.facebook.com/melodydebloisbooks

https://www.instagram.com/melody.deblois

https://www.pinterest.com/deblois0181

The author will be awarding a
$25 Amazon/BN gift card to a
randomly drawn winner.

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I received a digital copy of this book from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Monday, December 16, 2024

Book Review: Love Takes Wing by Janette Oke

Belinda Davis struggles to find her way in the world in the seventh book in the Love Comes Softly series, Love Takes Wing.

As Belinda's nursing career evolves, she finds many she's grown up with are getting married and settling into their new lives. But for her, it's just one monotonous day after the other in her small prairie town. Until the unexpected happens: a passenger on the train has fallen ill and needs immediate medical assistance.

Belinda and her brother, Doctor Luke, care for the woman in the office at his house. When it is deemed Mrs. Stafford-Smythe will require long-term care, Belinda becomes her full-time nurse. Meanwhile, two former classmates return to town and renew their acquaintance with her.

While her day-to-day life keeps her busy, Belinda remains restless, so when Mrs. Stafford-Smythe asks her to join her on her return trip to Boston while she continues her recovery, Belinda jumps at the chance. She struggles to settle into this new life and is surprised when she finds herself equally as restless and lonely despite the exciting life she now lives. Can she discover what is missing to heal her troubled heart?

Loves Takes Wing is Belinda's coming of age story. The youngest of Marty and Clark's children, she watches while her peers and cousins of the same age marry and have children. But she remains unsettled, despite loving her nursing career. Then her life takes an unexpected turn with the introduction of Mrs. Stafford-Smythe.

Oke did a fine job with this novel. She sprinkled in romance, but that wasn't the focus. The author created a character ahead of her time; a young woman who decides to be true to herself and discover what she wants out of life versus settling for what others might want for her. Belinda goes on a journey of self-discovery, which takes her from her small town to Boston and then traveling through Europe. Meanwhile, the Davis clan experiences a rift, which affects everyone. Oke wraps up most of the story by book's end, but Belinda's adventures will continue into the next and final book in the Love Comes Softly series, Love Finds A Home.

New adventures, faith, family, forgiveness, and a hint of romance await you in Love Takes Wing.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bethany House Publishers; Repack edition (February 1, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764228544
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0764228544

I own a copy of this book. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Short Story Review: Jingles by D.F. Jones

"Jingles" by D. F. Jones is a delightful short story filled with romance, magic, and destiny.

The quaint town of HollyHaven holds a secret so mysterious and magical that most of its residents remain unaware. But Nick, the charming but reluctant heir to the Claus legacy knows the town's beloved Christmas shop, Jingles, which is owned by his family, is the heart of Christmas magic. As he approaches his destiny, Nick learns the magic is fading, and he must race against time before it is lost forever.

When Nick meets Clara, the owner of the local cafe, he sees the key to restoring Christmas. Clara, however, is still recovering from past betrayals. As sparks fly between them, Clara is forced to confront what she has tried to avoid: belief in magic, love, and herself. Can Nick convince her to trust in the magic they share before it fades forever?

I cannot tell you how much I loved "Jingles." You know what makes a romance story even better for me is to set it during Christmas. But "Jingles" has more than just the perfect setting. It is the story of a young man, facing a huge responsibility he feels unprepared for, who is thrown an unexpected snowy curveball: the key to saving the magic of Christmas rests not only with him, but with a young woman who is determined to distance herself from everything needed to fulfill that destiny.

Jones has a keen eye for detail and description, and considering the location of the story and the season, that makes for a charming read outside of the unfolding romance. Close ties to family and community also play a role.

If you love seasonal romance, Santa Claus stories, and stories surrounding the magic of Christmas, "Jingles" is a must read.