Always Alex: Cinderella and Her Best Friend’s Brother (3.5 Stars)

Always Alex by Becki Lee comes out on November 25th. While it technically happens at Christmastime, it’s not necessarily a Christmas book. Nikki McAllister and Alexander St. Claire grew up together. When she shows up to a masquerade ball dressed as Cinderella, he doesn’t recognize her, but he’s still drawn to the woman in the…… Continue reading Always Alex: Cinderella and Her Best Friend’s Brother (3.5 Stars)

Her Cowboy for Christmas: Secrets and New Directions (4.5 Stars)

I recently had the opportunity to be on the ARC team for Carolyn Twede Frank’s book, Her Cowboy for Christmas, which comes out tomorrow. Yes, this is another Christmas novella. It’s a quick read, and it is getting closer to Christmas, so I just want to give you some Christmas reading options. This is my…… Continue reading Her Cowboy for Christmas: Secrets and New Directions (4.5 Stars)

Christmastide in Emerald Falls: Inspired by “It’s a Wonderful Life (4.5 Stars)

If It’s a Wonderful Life is one of your favorite Christmas classics, you may want to check out the book Christmastide in Emerald Falls by Angela E. Johnson. It’s newly published, having come out yesterday. Unlike most stories that take inspiration from older stories, this book goes back in time to the Regency Era, rather…… Continue reading Christmastide in Emerald Falls: Inspired by “It’s a Wonderful Life (4.5 Stars)

Cabin Fever With My First Flame (5 Stars)

If you like Christmas books mixed with a bit of a second-chance romance, Cabin Fever With My First Flame by Madison Love might be just the right book for you. This novella will be published on Nov. 6th. Intro to This Cabin Story Bailey, who is recently divorced, decides to return to her hometown; Lake…… Continue reading Cabin Fever With My First Flame (5 Stars)

Moonlight Over Mistletoe: Can Santa Fall in Love? (4 Stars)

I know it’s not even Halloween yet, but I recently finished reading Moonlight Over Mistletoe by Janet Koops. This Christmas novella, which will be published on November 1, is the third in the series. All three books take place in Mistletoe, Alaska. While you can read each novella on its own, I would recommend reading…… Continue reading Moonlight Over Mistletoe: Can Santa Fall in Love? (4 Stars)

A Leprechaun Surprise: First Sentence Writing Prompt

Recently, as part of my first-sentence prompts class, we did a holiday story. As has been the case with every class we’ve done together, I ended up with a completely different story than my student. While hers was about Christmas, mine involved a leprechaun. Our first sentence was “Shawn snuck quietly down the hallway, hoping…… Continue reading A Leprechaun Surprise: First Sentence Writing Prompt

What 2023 Book Do You Need to Read?

I’ve really been looking forward to writing this post about books from 2023, and I hope that other people enjoy this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. I, of course, haven’t read every book written last year, but I have compiled a list of 22 books that I read that were written in…… Continue reading What 2023 Book Do You Need to Read?

Three-in-One: Three Weird Christmas Short Stories

In late October, I encountered a strange short story writing contest. The company, Weird Christmas, wanted weird Christmas stories. There were three categories. The first, Stocking Stuffers, was any weird Christmas story. The second, Weird Christmas Specials, was about taking a well-known Christmas story and messing it up a little. The final one, Weird Cards,…… Continue reading Three-in-One: Three Weird Christmas Short Stories

This is No Magic Trick: Another Writing Contest Loser

It’s time for another writing contest loser. This entry came from “The Chilling Pen Award.” The criteria were that the story needed to be under 1,000 words, it should have a bit of a scary element, and it should involve betrayal. The contest results were announced on Halloween. I decided to write a story about…… Continue reading This is No Magic Trick: Another Writing Contest Loser

Rescuing You for Christmas: An Unexpected Leavenworth Romance (3 Stars)

Rescuing You for Christmas by Judy Leslie, was published on September 2nd. I finished reading it earlier today. I’ve seen it labeled as a “novella,” but at 150 pages, it feels more like a short novel. The story takes place in and around Leavenworth, Washington. Quick Plot Introduction Paige is a single mom from Seattle.…… Continue reading Rescuing You for Christmas: An Unexpected Leavenworth Romance (3 Stars)