The Twelve Days of Christmas by Rick Yuzzi

5 STARS

If it is possible to make everyone stop and read Rick Yuzzi’s The Twelve Days of Christmas, I would do it in a heartbeat.  This book is what Christmas is all about!

The Twelve Days of Christmas takes you from a man running from Christmas to a man transformed into the spirit of Christmas. Through Brett’s heartache he travels along with Grace, learning the true meaning of Christmas, and the spiritual gift of giving. And the best treat in this book is the ending! I can’t imagine a more perfect ending to a perfect book!

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Merrie Axemas by M.R. Sellars

5 STARS (even though it's a cliffhanger, I won't be forgetting this book anytime soon)

Merrie Axemas is a “killer holiday tale.”  If you are a Mary Higgins Clark fan, author M.R. Sellars may be your new favorite.

In Merrie Axemas readers are gripped to the end trying to solve this continuous murder mystery. The little town of Hulis is forced to relive the brutal attack against a young 10-year old girl, who mutilates her attacker and then institutionalized for life because of the horrific events that accrued. If it wasn’t bad enough for 7 years in a row the Sherriff in town is delivered a Christmas card, and a victim appears dead in the same spot 10-year old Merrie’s attacker was found. But who could possibly being doing the murders when Merrie is in a home, never mentally aging past 10. 

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Evergreen (A Christmas Tale) by Richard Taylor

My Rating: 4 STARS

Richard Taylor gives a wonderful explanation to the first Christmas tree. Through Evergreen you’re told a story of endless love, and the fight to survive—“for love is the greatest salve for healing wounds.”

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The Santa Shop (The Samaritans Conspiracy - book 1) by Tim Greaton

My Rating: 5 STARS

I’m not sure I’ve ever cried as much as I did reading The Santa Shop. Skip, shattered with the death of his wife and child, takes you through his journey to suicide. Consumed with grief Skip leaves his comfortable life and willingly becomes homeless, believing he deserves nothing but a horrible death.

The Santa Shop breaks your heart, makes you cry and wills every ounce you have to save Skip from the devastation that has become his life. Tim Greaton leaves nothing to assume—he leaves you broken and ashamed right alongside Skip. The title, The Santa Shop, becomes ever clearer at the end of the story and I couldn’t think of a better title.

Just when you think there couldn’t possibly be any good to come of Skip’s story, Santa has a gift up his sleeve. If you’re looking for a good tear-jerker than The Santa Shop is just the book.

I cannot conclude much, as I want you find out how Skip’s story ends, and what new life begins.

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The Christmas Angel by Nita Wick

5 STARS

For a short story, Nita Wick does an exquisite job creating beautiful characters in The Christmas Angel. This book is easy to jump into and you can feel the emotions of each character. This is sure to be one of my favorite Christmas Stories. 

Nita Wick

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Checking it Twice by Melissa L. Webb

3.0 STARS

Holy Christmas bells, Santa wasn’t joking when he sang “you better watch out”. Melissa L. Webb puts a crazy spin on what happens when you’re on the Naughty List. In this super short story you’ll be sure to remain on the Nice List, or fear the wrath of Santa. Yikes!

Melissa L. Webb

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Silver Bells by Sadie Hart

4.5 STARS

What a wonderful Christmas story Sadie Hart tells in Silver Bells. Hart gives a unique spin on Santa and his reindeer. Silver Bells is a feel good love story sure to put you in the mood for the holidays.

Follow Merry and Dash’s story of love and heartache, and the history that connects them together.

Sadie Hart

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A Cajun Werewolf Christmas (Stormy Weather) by Selena Blake

2 STARS

This is the first book by Selena Blake that I have read. I found A Cajun Werewolf Christmas rather difficult to follow in the beginning. Unfortunately there is no recap or character detail. Blake seems to leave off from her past books, and jumps right along into this book. It seemed to be a mess of characters, and I had to write down each name and what character they romantically belonged to. If you are a Selena Blake fan you should have no trouble reading this short story; if not a fan I suggest reading her previous books.

Being fair as a book reviewer I have to rate this book low, as there was too much left unsaid, or recapped.

I’m giving A Cajun Werewolf Christmas 2 Stars for memorable scenes and no grammar errors.

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A White Cougar Christmas by Eliza Gayle

3.5 STARS

Who wants to truly spend Christmas alone? Nikki, determined not to be alone on Christmas, ventures just outside of her home and finds she’s purring at the sight of hunky bar owner Dean. Will this pair of cougars find what they’re looking for this Christmas? Read Eliza Gayle’s A White Cougar Christmas to find out.

This is a sultry short story, perfect for the paranormal readers that want a quick sexy read.

I only found one grammar error, but Gayle’s extraordinary vocabulary makes up for the small flub. 

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Tidal Wave

I am the founder of a non-profit organization. We are having our Christmas giveaway this Saturday, helping over 70 families. I have not forgotten about my book reviews, as I'm still reading daily--just not as fast as I normally do. Sunday I will be back on track! See you soon! 

FREEBIE

Free Kindle download from Amazon. Click the link below.  This book will not be free for long. 

Watching Annabelle

BAH, HUMBUG! (A Romantic Comedy Christmas Novella) by Heather Horrocks

My Rating: 3 STARS

BAH, HUMBUG! (A romantic comedy Christmas novella) by Heather Horrocks

This is cute Christmas story, sure to get you in the mood for the holidays.  Heather Horrocks leaves a lot to imagine, as there are barely any character descriptions in this book.  

For Lexi “life was perfect, just the way it was. Safe, secure, single…and happy.” At least this is the way she tried to keep it until she unexpectedly meets Kyle, author of her and children’s favorite book series. While Kyle tries to stay away from anything related to Christmas, and both try to keep their distance from relationships, Parson Brown has other ideas.  Bah, Humbug is a short story about family, loss and love and ultimately finding happiness within the lives they’ve been given.

Heather Horrocks

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Blaze (Midnight Fire Series) by Kaitlyn Davis

My Rating: 4.3 STARS

I’m still on an emotional high as I do this review! Blaze has locked me in a glass case, and I’m not sure I can stand the wait until the final book in this series, Scorch, comes out in 2013. I may stay caged until then.

But let’s get down to business while we wait:

A few things I didn’t like about Blaze were the slowness in the first two chapters, and the amount of recaps from the first two books in the series. But on the flip side, anyone picking up this book without reading the previous books will gain enough knowledge to understand what is happening.  There also seemed to be less dialogue in this book, which at times  made the book seem wordy.

But the things I love about Blaze outweigh the dislikes 100 to 1.  I love that Kira still has Luke and Tristian in her life, but in Blaze events happen and you’ll have to read the book to find out if she loses them both, just one, or things remain the same. All I can say is it’s a shocker! “They would be perfectly happy, there in that rose garden forever, breathing in the sweet smell of vanilla petals and eternity.” And yes, I’m still saying shocker! Read the book! “But the darkness has started calling you. You are falling and you need to stop yourself before it is too late, before the evil consumes you.” What is Kira going to do? It’s amazing, again read the book! “Kira will be our reckoning.” “And when angels fall, there is no one on this earth who can stop them.”

Kaitlyn Davis, hats off to you, this book was fantastic! 

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAM STOKER

Bram Stoker

Click here to watch a 45 minute Bio of Bram Stoker

Simmer (Midnight Fire Series) Kaitlyn Davis

My Rating: 5 STARS

“Kira had willing stepped right into the destiny she never wanted.”

“In the past year, almost everything about [Kira’s] life had changed.”  Now living in both the normal and paranormal world, Kara has no choice but to live an almost double life.

Kaitlyn Davis starts Simmer out flowing beautifully from the first book in the series, Ignite.  Davis does an outstanding job at creating and describing scenes, especially a major fight scene early in the book.  On top of everything Kira has going on, Davis throws in twists—involving her best friend, and a physical change among a character.  

If you liked Ignite, Simmer will not disappoint. The battle rages on, relationships blossom and strengthen, and or course confusion by way of the heart is also present in this book.  

“Blue was the color of death; it was the pale grey that crept along the body as blood slowly stopped pumping, the color of frost as it covered a forest floor and stopped life in its tracks.”

Click here to purchase Simmer by Kaitlyn Davis, from Amazon.

Ignite (Midnight Fire Series) by Kaitlyn Davis

My Rating: 4.7 STARS

Ignite is a powerful Young Adult book! Kaitlyn Davis packs this book with just enough punch that, like Kira, “Screw Chocolate. She needed Vodka.”, is what the reader is thinking as well.

Davis ignites passion within her readers, through the journey of forbidden love. Kira, the main character of Ignite, “…wondered what horror story she had just become a part of.” Throughout this book you ride the journey with Kira and her forbidden love, alongside her best friend—who just happens to hate the man she loves. As Kira’s past catches up with her she has to believe that “love will prevail.” And that “perhaps, she had been born not for chaos but for life.” 

Kaitlyn Davis

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Midnight Moon (Rise of the Dark Angel) by Melody Anne

My Rating: 5 STARS

First, I want to make note of Melody Anne’s beautiful dedication of this book—Midnight Moon to her daughter’s best friend Sadie. This dedication truly touched my heart.

Secondly, I'm doing this review a bit different because of the amount of note-worthy things I tagged in this book.  So, instead I will jot down my favorites of this book to share with you.

Aspects of the book I like:

• The respect shown to elders and fellow members of their colony is phenomenal.
• Melody Anne makes you believe “Angels, demons, monsters, all of it is real.”
• The clear distinction between Josiah and Vyco; “where Josiah is purity and light, and Vyco is the darkest evil imaginable.”
• I was just as frantic as Phoenix throughout Midnight Moon, flying through words and flipping pages while willing the characters to survive. I may have even shouted once or twice at the book!
• This book made me ugly-cry…more than once.
• Midnight Fire flowed beautifully into Midnight Moon and the author didn’t skip a beat or spend an enormous time recapping Midnight Fire.

My Favorite Quotes from Midnight Moon:

• “I can’t forget, and I won’t, but I’m confused—I’m scared—I’m still in shock. It’s all too much to comprehend—I’m only seventeen.”  (This is exactly how I felt reading this story. Melody Anne did an incredible job!)
• “Sadie was waiting and curled up in bed with her.” (Who hasn’t dreamed of a best friend like Sadie?)
• “We’re a team, stronger than the bonds of blood,” (This is clear throughout the entire book)
• “She’d never forget those wings emerging from his back. The power, the majesty of them, even the horror.”
• “Sadie, I love you more than any other, but if I don’t laugh right now, I’m going to pass out.”

Midnight Moon gets a heart pounding rating of 5 stars! 

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Midnight Fire (Rise of the Dark Angel) by Melody Anne

My Rating: 5 STARS

“How is there order within the chaos?”

Have you ever imagined the world as you know it--gone, where you’re forced to live in hiding and survive on the bare minimum? Midnight Fire takes you there!

Midnight Fire takes you through an incredible journey of humans that will end at nothing to get their land back. Although they're willing to move heaven and earth to fight for what is theirs, they have no idea who the ultimate forces are that they are dealing with. As this story unfolds you see pain, passion, growth, unconditional love, and a community that is banned together. At times you’ll laugh and the next page you’ll be wiping away your tears of sorrow.  

Melody Anne has an exceptional talent for writing, and a beautiful imagination. This book is well rounded, and I honestly can’t pick out one negative thing about it.

“They’d take back their land. It wouldn’t be easy but it would happen.”

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