Susan’s Review of Baking it Merry by Samantha Chase

For two months out of the year, Daphne Noelle got to live her dream of owning a bakery. Her little pop-up bake shop—one that looked just like a gingerbread house—brought joy to every customer who stopped by to enjoy her sweet treats. She loved meeting people and making them smile, and being in such a festive setting every day was just the icing on the cake! For the last three years, everything had gone smoothly, but this year, there was one guy who was determined to ruin it all.


One of the things Tristan appreciated most about the office complex where his architecture firm was located is how upscale and elegant it was. Unfortunately, every year for eight long weeks, a holiday shop set up in the lobby, turning it into the equivalent of a traveling circus, and the bake shop booth was the worst offender. The giant gingerbread house was an eyesore and the woman running it was too cheery for his liking. This year, he was determined to do everything he could to have her and her booth removed.

Samantha Chase is one of my favorite authors and I look forward to her holiday stories each year. Baking it Merry is a slow burn romance with great characters, a bit of drama and lots of sweet treats.

I loved that instead of a swoony, romantic hero Baking it Merry has a grumpy hero who has no holiday spirit!! Think Cindy Lou Who meets the Grinch on top of Mt. Crumpet!

Daphne Noel sets up her pop up bakery in the lobby of an upscale office building in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her storefront is a life size gingerbread house decorated with large candy canes, ornaments and colored twinkling lights.

Daphne has no idea that architect Tristan Knight cringes each year when the lobby is filled to capacity with the small Christmas shops. Tristan is a Grinch. He is not a fan of the holidays, decorations or the people who crowd the bake shop. He complains to the landlord about the bake shop and about Daphne’s cherry holiday spirit!

I loved Daphne and Tristan’s story. Samantha Chase has created two complex yet; relatable characters. Daphne is a graphic designer and her goal to save money from the holiday shop to open a bakery. Tristan loves order and structure. The holiday season and its chaos interferes with his work goals.

Loved the slow burn opposites attract romance. Tristan’s snarky attitude towards Daphne when she presents her ideas for his holiday parties is perfectly written—I imagined Tristan rolling his eyes and shaking his head.Tristan’s was speechless when his family and friends were wowed by the décor, food and cocktails and Daphne!

Baking it Merry is feel good story about celebrating the holidays and with family and friends. Daphne genuinely loves to spread the joy of Christmas. Tristin learns the true meaning of the season as he and Daphne work together on his holiday parties. Loved that Samantha Chase added several plot twists in this story – it made me root for the couple’s HEA!

With its holiday baking theme, charming characters and opposites attract romance—Baking it Merry would be the perfect Hallmark movie!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Purchased via Amazon kindle

A Baxter Family Christmas by Karen Kingsbury - Audio Version

A Baxter Family Christmas

by Karen Kingsbury

Audio Version

 ★★★★★

I happened across this audio book while scrolling

through my library selections. Such a pretty cover.

And I love family stories. So it was an easy choice.

I had seen the authors name before, but I had

never read anything from Karen Kingsbury.

A Baxter Family Christmas. Turns out it is part of a 

long running series. I will be looking for the earlier

stories! This one is the last in the Baxter Family series.

 The Baxters are a large family. A family like most, 

making mistakes and learning hard lessons. 

They are supportive of each other. While this 

Christmas season is an especially hard one, they come

around and make peace for everyone.

It is a lovely story. Full of love and forgiveness. 

The narration is calm and well done. Befitting the

characters and situations.

I hope you and your family are enjoying the holiday

season. And that you are having time to read

or listen to plenty of stories. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

Christmas in Silver Bell Falls by Samantha Chase - Audio Version

Christmas in Silver Bell Falls

by Samantha Chase

Audio Version

☆☆☆☆☆

 

Not only do you get a lovely story with

Christmas in Silver Bell Falls but it is a long one.

Long for a novella. Lots of story.

A tender sweet story of Melanie making peace

with Christmas. Starting when she was a child,

Christmas represents tragedy. In one way or another.

She has a wonderful relationship with her dad.

Yet another special lovely story in this story.

Then Josiah, he is the other side of that coin.

Christmas season for him has always been love and

fun and happiness and sharing and tradition. Josiah

comes from a large family. He is now determined to

share the wonder of Christmas time with Melanie.

 

The way they meet is hilarious. Their relationship is

a dazzling fun roller coaster ride. You can't even think

how it's going to wind around. Samantha Chase

wrote such a fun place. I can see it all in my head.

I am so glad this one was on the Audible Escape list

on Audible.com. I might have missed it other wise.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season.

Finding some time for reading and listening. 

 

I got my copy from Audible.com

Review by Lisa Hutson 



His Mistletoe Wager by Virginia Heath

His Mistletoe Wager

by Virginia Heath

☆☆☆☆☆

I know the time for Christmas romance reading is

past for this season. Well, for most people, I guess.

I love reading Christmas romance. But sadly, I

usually don't have the time to enjoy it during the

season. So I have to sit them aside until after

the new year hoopla. When its often easy to fall

into a sad little depression phase.

Hence, the Christmas romance.

Always with a happy ending!!

My first Virginia Heath read! Loved the cover.

He looks like nothing but trouble. The back cover

sounded like a good story. And it is!!

Hal is trouble with a capital T! But come to find

out, he is not only trouble. I love that!!

Lady Elizabeth is tough. She only wants to be

left alone. But no one will listen! Her father insists

that she must marry. Anyone!!

Hal is in the same boat. So they join forces.

Hatch a plan. To help each other.

His Mistletoe Wager is a sweet romantic story.

The old saying about how every person comes

into your life for a reason. Either you need

something from them. Or they need

something from you.

Turns out that is the theme of the entire story.

Will they get what they need from each other?

Or will they give what the other needs?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was an

easy read. And I recommend it to anyone looking

for some smiles and a little help getting past

a sad little depression.

Happy 2019 reading everyone!!

I got my copy from a wonderful friend!

Review by Lisa Hutson

An Heiress for All Seasons ~~ A Debutante Files Christmas Novella--Sophie Jordan

Reading holiday novellas helps me get into the holiday spirit!  I love a well written novella with interesting characters and a fun plot! Sophie Jordan's 100 - page Christmas novella  An Heiress for All Seasons is all of that and more!

The novella features Violet Howard, an American heiress who does not not want to marry a nobleman. Her heart belongs to her Father's man of business. Her Mother has arranged for them to spend the Christmas holidays with the Earl of Merlton and his family. The Earl needs to marry an heiress for her dowry. He is land rich but, short on funds.

The heiress he'd been avoiding intrigued him. This was his sole thought as he surveyed her. She was young. pretty. Prettier than she realized. He recognized that at once. She did not possess an inch of self-awareness and that was a refreshing change. Most heiresses he has met floated around around with inflated egos, confident that their positions and dowries would win them anything. The pretty ones were the most insufferable.

Ms. Jordan's hero and heroine are well-written and their conflict and romance is believable. Violet appealed to me. She was headstrong, direct and wanted to marry for love. Will, the Earl of Merlton, was instantly attracted to Violet and thought a marriage to an heiress would benefit him. He thought of marriage as a business arrangement. Violet had other ideas. Although he tried, Will could not charm Violet . Their witty dialogue and the many misunderstandings between the couple made me laugh. 

The novella held my interest as I read it straight through in one sitting.  The story was well-paced and the romance was well -written and quite steamy! Enjoyed how the story concluded...there were several unexpected twists and turns along the way.

If you are looking for a lovely holiday story filed with memorable characters and lots of romance, read An Heiress for All Seasons.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman