Showing posts with label mistletoe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mistletoe. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
No Ordinary Christmas by Belle Calhoune **** Mistletoe, Maine 1
The quaint New England town of Mistletoe is thrilled to welcome back one of their own, Dante West. Now a famous Hollywood action star, Dante is filming a movie in town to help the local economy, as well as make amends with the people he hurt when he abruptly left Mistletoe all those years ago.
Librarian Lucy Marshall isn't thrilled to see Dante. He was once her best friend and first love until he left her behind without a word of goodbye. When Dante makes her an offer she can't refuse -- use of the library as a filming venue in exchange for a lucrative donation, Lucy finds herself spending a lot of time in Dante's company. With the magic of Christmas in the air, Dante and Lucy begin to forge a new bond. But can two people leading such different lives find lasting love the second time around?
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Belle Calhoune's No Ordinary Christmas takes place in Mistletoe, Maine during the holiday season. It’s the BEST second chance romance that I have read all year! I loved the small town setting, the storyline and characters.
Head librarian Lucy Marshall is drawn to the scene taking place on the town square in front of the library. Everyone in Mistletoe has gathered to see Dante West, the hometown hero who is a movie star. Everyone but Lucy. Dante broke Lucy’s heart when he left town without saying a word. She’s held onto her anger and can’t seem to move forward.
Love the author’s voice and that she is able to describe each one of the characters so vividly. She is able to portray Lucy’s feelings so the reader feels compassion, not pity for her. Dante wants to make things right with his brother Troy and Lucy. Dante was not perfect and his actions hurt his family and Lucy. Dante’s determination to make things right won me over.
Loved the secondary characters. Lucy’s sisters Stella and Tess (she’s a hoot!) are an integral part of the story as they offer emotional support to her. I liked that the sisters were close and that they wanted to protect Lucy. Tess’s scene stealing added lots of laughter to the storyline. Dante’s best friend Nick and his son Miles tugged at my heartstrings and I am hoping to read their story very soon.
The chemistry between Lucy and Dante still sizzles after eight years. Belle Calhoune writes an exceptional story for this couple – their journey is not easy and it’s filled with a mix of emotion, heartache and passion. No Ordinary Christmas has it all- a determined hero, a stubborn heroine, great secondary characters and the perfect blend of romance and conflict.
I highly recommend No Ordinary Christmas-- it is an engaging story of compassion and the capacity to forgive--hallmarks of the holiday season.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Christmas In The Dukes Arms by Grace Burrowes, Shana Galen,MirandaNeville and Carolyn Jewel
Tis the season for holiday-themed stories!
Christmas in the Duke's Arms is a anthology written by best selling authors Grace Burrowes, Shana Galen, Miranda Neville and Carolyn Jewel. The book is set in the English countryside during the holiday season.
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I loved that the four stories in this anthology are connected. Characters travel from one story to another providing continuity to the book. Each author features individual characters and crafts a specific story for these characters in her short story while keeping to a common story line and holiday theme.
The novel begins with A Knight Before Christmas by Grace Burrowes. Readers may remember the character of Penelope Carrington from Ms. Burrowes' novel Lady Lousia's Christmas Knight. Penelope meets with her man of business Sir Leviticus Sparrow to discuss her finances. Penelope needs to marry quickly to inherit a larger portion of her late husband's estate to support her family. Will Penelope's rabbit Franklin help her choose her white knight? And will Levi approve?
Christmas in The Duke's Arms is written by Carolyn Jewel. I loved this story about the Duke of Oxthorpe and Miss Edith Clay. Earlier in the year, the Duke had courted Edith's cousin. Edith had chaperoned the visits and had was not too impressed by him. I enjoyed reading this story. It's charming, has great characters and it is great fun to see what lengths the Duke will go to to win Edith's affections. Will the Duke arrive home in time to dance with Edith under the mistletoe at the local holiday assembly?
Miranda Neville is a new to me author. I loved Wyatt Carbury, the list making Duke and the strong -willed heroine, Robina, in Licensed to Wed. Carbury begins each day by writing a to do list; the list indicates how he prioritizes his day. Proposing marriage to his neighbor and friend Robina usually appears last on the daily task sheet. Robina declines Wyatt's less than heartfelt proposal and chooses to become a paid companion to an elderly woman. Carbury is insulted and confused. After all, the proposal was on his list and he was prepared with a special marriage license. Robina and Wyatt meet at the Dukes Arms Inn after her coach has been robbed and she has been left without funds. The couple is stranded together during a holiday snowstorm....will they be able to work through their differences in time to attend the holiday assembly?
Eliza Qwillen and Pierce Moneypence are two of my favorite characters from Shana Galen's spies series. Shana Galen's A Spy Beneath the Mistletoe is the final story in the anthology. Eliza and Pierce are tasked by different members of the Barbican group to track down and apprehend the mysterious New Sheriff of Nottingham who is robbing the coaches as they travel through the countryside. Pierce suggests to Eliza that they work together. Will Pierce use this assignment as an opportunity to win back Eliza's heart? And will the New Sheriff of Nottingham be brought to justice?
Reading Christmas In The Duke's Arms definitely got me in the holiday spirit. The cover is gorgeous with it's holiday colors, snowflakes and mistletoe. And each story is heartwarming and full of holiday cheer! I highly recommend Christmas In The Duke's Arms to everyone!!
Reviewed By Susan Gorman
A book with a six pack rating is a must read!!!
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