First Book of 2019

Last year I made a decision to pick my first book of the year in a meaningful way and I will do this again this year!

One of my unofficial reading goals is to increase my review rating on Netgalley.  I was able to get it up one percentage point in 2018, (I may have too many review books to read) so increasing it again is a goal for 2019.  I don't want to put a number on it, but I want it to go up!

So my first book is a book one of the many from Netgalley that I need to read and review.  And it hits close to my heart as it centers around dogs and I have quite the squad that I love!

The Secret Language of Dogs by Victoria Stilwell is my First Book of 2019.

December - giving and receiving

source

December started with quite a long to do list that kept my reading time at a minimum, but with a full week off work and very few plans, I was able to read a lot in the second half of the month!

1. Miracle on Chance Avenue by Jane Porter
2. Tony's Wife by Adriana Trigiani
3. True Places by Sonja Yoerg
4. The Best of Us by Robyn Carr
5. The Other Side of the Bridge by Camron Wright
6. The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
7. Pure Hollywood by Christine Schutt
8. In Dog We Trust by Beth Kendrick
9. The Vanishing Season by Joanna Schaffhausen
10. The Wartime Sisters by Lynda Cohen Logiman
11. Life Admin by Elizabeth Emens
12. The Gown by Jennifer Robson
13. An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
14. The Au Pair by Emma Rous
15. No Mercy by Joanna Schaffhausen
16. The Suspect by Fiona Barton
17. The Saturday Night Supper Club by Carla Laureano
18. Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe by Carla Laureano
19. Killer Punch by Amy Korman
20. Killer Holiday by Amy Korman
21. Lies, Love and Breakfast at Tiffany's by Julie Wright
22. Friend Request by Laura Marshall

Total pages read, clicked and flipped:  7,100

Where having I been Reading?:
Montana
Charlottesville, VA
Colorado (3)
San Francisco, CA
Austria
Delaware
Massachusetts (3)
New York City, NY 
London, UK
UK
Thailand
Pennsylvania (2)
Los Angeles, CA

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

I took off this week with no posts up here, but I spent my holiday week reading and reading and reading!  With no travel planned and my husband working a lot of hours, I curled up with quite a few books!

A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

No Mercy by Joanna Schaffhausen
The Suspect by Fiona Barton
The Saturday Night Supper Club by Carla Laureano
Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe by Carla Laureano
Killer Punch by Amy Korman
Killer Holiday by Amy Korman
Lies, Love and Breakfast at Tiffany's by Julie Wright

Currently Reading:

Friend Request by Laura Marshall

Next on the TBR pile:

The Secret Language of Dogs by Victoria Stilwell

Merry Christmas

source

Merry Christmas to you and yours!  May today be full of love and warmth.

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

Got the majority of the reading done this weekend, it was a crazy work week and sick week.  Next week with the week off, I am hoping to read like crazy!

A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

Life Admin by Elizabeth Emens
The Gown by Jennifer Robson
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
The Au Pair by Emma Rous

Currently Reading:

Confessions of a Boy Crazy Girl by Paula Hendricks

Next on the TBR pile:

No Mercy by Joanna Schaffhausen

Review: A Bella Flora Christmas by Wendy Wax

A Bella Flora Christmas

by Wendy Wax

Pages: 87

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Although their lives have changed since their first desperate renovation of Bella Flora, friends Madeline, Avery, and Nicole have always been there for each other. Now they're returning to Bella Flora for Christmas—where Maddie’s daughter Kyra isn’t feeling particularly celebratory. 
 
Kyra was hoping for a peaceful holiday at Bella Flora—a last gathering before a wealthy, mystery tenant moves into the home she’s been forced to rent out. Instead, she must make a life altering decision by New Year’s -- a decision that becomes even more difficult when unexpected guests arrive at Ten Beach Road on Christmas Eve. Now Kyra, Maddie, Avery and Nikki will need to pull together to secure Bella Flora’s future, as well as their own.

Kritters Thoughts:  A Bella Flora Christmas is a novella in the Ten Beach Road series and although I haven't read all of this series, I am invested and love the characters.  I was excited to see that there was a Christmas novella because I like seeing characters in a series get thrown into a holiday novella.  But this one didn't work for me.

First, the book started with almost a full recap of the whole series.  The first two chapters were a rehash and as novellas are extremely short, I didn't want a recap, I would have preferred her jump right into the story.  I also don't feel like people usually read novellas unless they are already full invested into the series, and especially since this is book 5.5 in the series.  Like me, readers must have read at least one or two books in the series to get to this point.  

On the complete opposite hand, I did love reading about these characters during the holidays.  Once you get past the recap of the first two chapters, the story begins and it is a great little addition to the series.  I wouldn't have minded if this book had not been a novella but a full book in the series and see these characters go through the holiday season and start a new year.  

If you have already read books in this series than maybe skip the first two chapters and enjoy this one, but if you haven't I would completely suggest going back to the beginning or close to the beginning and reading a book or two before diving into this one.  


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more
                (ready for a full novel, not a novella in this series)

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 12 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Christmas at the Beach by Wendy Wax

Christmas at the Beach

by Wendy Wax

Publisher: Penguin Group

Pages: 52

Format: ebook

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  When Madeline Singer, Avery Lawford, and Nicole Grant first gained ownership of Ten Beach Road, they didn’t realize that remodeling the house would not only bind their fates together but give them a second chance at rebuilding their lives.

Now, as Kyra, Madeline’s daughter, returns to the newly sold Bella Flora for one last Christmas, she’s hoping to get a brief respite from the paparazzi that constantly hounds her and the son she had with famous actor Daniel Deranian. But when a string of bad news threatens to disrupt her happy holidays, Bella Flora’s sanctuary may be threatened for all of the women who call it home…

Kritters Thoughts:  A novella in the Ten Beach Road series that is very short.  It is book 2.5 in the series and I would suggest reading it in order.  But keep reading to decide whether you think it is necessary to enjoy the series.

Like all of the books in this series there is an element of rewind and catching the reader up on previous book or books, but this being a novella I thought it would be less catch up than a full novel and more original content and that was not the case.  This book was mostly catch up and just not a lot of original content which was disappointing.

I think you could enjoy this series without the content that was in this book, but if you are enjoying this series, this could be an added value.  I read this one right after reading book one and two and maybe I was burnt out on the series, but I just wish there had been more.


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more (novellas in the series)

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 47 out of 100

Review: Miracle on Chance Avenue by Jane Porter

Miracle on Chance Avenue

by Jane Porter

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Pages: 222

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Rory Douglas is the oldest Douglas and McKenna’s adored big brother, but this big, quiet cowboy rarely returns to Marietta, choosing to exorcise his demons by a life on the road, riding bulls every night on the American Extreme Bull Riding Tour. 

Thirty-eight year old Rory needs a miracle, and he gets one when Sadie Mann, one of his sister’s childhood friends, appears on his motel doorstep, asking for a favor. 

Shocked by Sadie’s request, Rory brusquely refuses, but when an accident in the arena sidelines him, he begins to wonder if granting Sadie’s Christmas wish, might just turn his life around.

Kritters Thoughts:  I have been a fan of Jane Porter for a long time, so when I found out that there was blacklist books that I hadn't read I got so excited.  I was even more excited to find a holiday themed book that I could read for December.  I say all of this because I didn't love this book at all.

From the beginning I knew this was book two in a series, but with most romance series each book is self contained.  I felt as though throughout the whole book I was missing out on a storyline or something and I didn't love it.  

Rory and Sadie were interesting characters and not interesting in the way I like things.  Sadie's obsessive nature about becoming a mom felt weird and awkward.  I felt as though the author didn't do a great job of setting up how they had known each other from childhood which made things feel all a bit uncomfortable.  Because their history wasn't established that well, it felt as though Sadie was this weird rodeo stalker instead of what she probably was which was a long standing crush.  

I just couldn't get behind this couple or their journey.  I wanted to love this book so much that I went and devoured this series and instead I think I will drop this series and will not try anything else from this series.  


Rating: not such a good read

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 90 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle

Dear Santa

by Nancy Naigle

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Pages: 338

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Angela Carson wants nothing more than to be the third-generation to run her family’s holiday store, Heart of Christmas, successfully. They’ve weathered over sixty tourist seasons, major hurricanes, and urban sprawl, in their old decommissioned lighthouse. But the national chain that set up shop in their small North Carolina town of Pleasant Sands may be more than Heart of Christmas can survive.

Encouraged by her niece to ask Santa for help, Angela gives in and lets the words fly in a way that, if Santa were real, would no doubt land her on the naughty list. What’s the harm when it’s just a computer-generated response?

Geoff Paisley has been at his mother’s side running the mega-chain Christmas Galore for the last ten years. When his mother falls ill, Geoff promises to answer the town’s Dear Santa letters in her stead. Soon he realizes the woman he’s been corresponding with on Dear Santa is Angela. How could the woman that grates his every last nerve in person have intrigued him so deeply through those letters?

When Geoff reveals that he’s her Dear Santa, will Angela be able to set aside their very public feud to embrace the magic of the holiday and possibly find true love? 

Kritters Thoughts:  When reading this book it was very obvious that the author took a lot of inspiration from the movie You've Got Mail and I was quite ok with that!

Angela Carson owns her grandmother's store that is located in a lighthouse in North Carolina.  A Christmas store that is open all year round that specializes in hand made and unique Christmas things that are truly one of a kind.  A new store has opened up that is the complete opposite a big box store that carries Christmas things that are on the cheap  and is possibly going to put Angela's store out of business.  Angela asks Santa in an app for help and things get interesting.

I absolutely loved this holiday read.  It was sweet and cheesy and an easy read for a book you can quickly read in the middle of the holiday season.  I liked this one more than some of the others, it just seemed like it had a true plot and some great ups and downs.  

Angela and Geoff were great characters and felt like they were full and honestly written.  I like it that even in a holiday book there are solid characters that I wouldn't mind reading a sequel and seeing them outside of the holiday season!

Nancy Naigle has another holiday book - Hope at Christmas, I hope to read it for next year's holiday season.


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 89 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The 13th Day of Christmas by Jason F Wright

The 13th Day of Christmas

by Jason F Wright

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Pages: 236

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Marva Fergusen has a very personal Christmas tradition that happens every December 26th. As an aging widow, the tradition means more to her now than it ever has.

Her newest neighbor, nine-year-old Charlee Alexander, loves Christmas too. But her family has fallen on hard times and things get worse when Charlee becomes critically ill.

Then, on December 12th, Charlee makes a wonderful Discovery. A mysterious note is delivered that promises twelve days of gifts and stories that will reveal the truth behind the beloved Christmas song "The 12 Days of Christmas." As the days go by, the gifts hint to a possible lost lyric. WAs there once a thirteeth day of Christmas? And if so, could it's magic change - or save - a life?

Kritters Thoughts:  I have read a lot of Christmas books and they usually fall in two categories, super cheesy and cute or heartwarming and tear jerker.  This one completely fell in the tear jerker category and it was such a sweet and tender story.  

Charlee Alexander and her family move to a new neighborhood for her father's job and this move is not really a positive change for this family.  Thankfully for this family there is a woman who is living down the street and she will help this family through the transition and through some hard moments.  

This is a short and sweet little book, so I can't say much except you may not want to be reading it in a public place.  This is more of the perfect book to curl up with during a winter weekend on the couch at home!  You may predict the ending of this book, but you won't predict the feels that it causes.  


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

With a packed weekend, I am proud of what I read, hopefully there will be a few more days in December with some quiet reading!

A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
Pure Hollywood by Christine Schutt
In Dog We Trust by Beth Kendrick
The Vanishing Season by Joanna Schaffhausen
The Wartime Sisters by Lynda Cohen Logiman

Currently Reading:

The Gown by Jennifer Robson

Next on the TBR pile:

No Mercy by Joanna Schaffhausen

Review: The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson

The Christmas Angel Project

by Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Pages: 176

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Five women from different walks of life have become close friends through their book club--enjoying one another's company even more than they enjoy the books. So when the leader of the book club unexpectedly passes away on the cusp of the Christmas season, the four remaining friends are stunned. They relied on Abby for inspiration and motivation. She was the glue that held them together, and they're sure that without her the group can't continue.

When the group gathers "one last time" to open a bag Abby's husband gives them, they find Abby had made each of them an angel ornament for Christmas, crafted especially for each woman and accompanied by a sweet and personal note. Inspired by their beloved friend, together Cassidy, Louisa, Grace, and Belinda decide to commit themselves to becoming Christmas Angels to others in need. Each woman will use her life situation and talents to reach out and help others in her own unique way--little knowing that her own life and her relationships will be changed forever.

Kritters Thoughts:  When I think of a Christmas novella this is the book that comes to mind.  Short and super sweet and just a joy to curl up with for an afternoon.  The book opens up with a book group made up of 5 very different women and one of them unexpectedly dies.  The remaining 4 come together and realize that they will honor their friend during the Christmas season and make an effort to help others in their own unique ways.  

This book was the perfect thing to curl up with for an afternoon and distract me from the overwhelming to do list.  It was easy to get to know the four women and they were so different so it was easy to keep them separate from each other.  I loved how they each found their own way to help others that completely fit in their own personalities.  

I have read all of Melody Carlson's holiday novellas and could say that this one is my favorite!


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 65 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson

The Christmas Blessing

by Melody Carlson

Publisher: Fleming H Revell

Pages: 167

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  When she receives the news in late 1944 that her baby's father was shot down in the South Pacific, Amelia Richards loses hope. Jobless and broke, she has nowhere to turn for help but her infant's paternal grandparents. The only problem is, they don't know that she--or their grandson--exists. When Amelia discovers that the family is wealthy and influential, dare she disclose the truth of her relationship with their son? Or could the celebration of the arrival of another unexpected baby nearly two thousand years ago be the answer to her dilemma? 


Kritters Thoughts:  Let me first say that I am all for a cheesy Christmas hallmark movie, so I am glad to try out a few of these shorter stories that are a little too long to be novellas, but short and sweet for the holidays.

This one is historical as it takes place in 1944 and Amelia Richards met a man just as he is shipped off and after he is gone she realizes she is pregnant.  She ends up finding him on the deceased list from the war and she has almost nothing to her name.  She sets out on an adventure to find his family and hopefully find some emotional and physical help.

I loved Amelia and her pursuit for help and to find family.  I loved that I wondered how often these stories actually happened at this time and how many women found themselves on this same quest to find some family that may not know they exist and their connections.  

My big question that I still haven't answered is, did I enjoy the ending and I am not sure.  I can't say too much because I don't want to spoil a thing, but I am just not sure that it satisfied me.  

Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 58 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

The Christmas Joy Ride

by Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Pages: 176

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Miranda did not put adventure on her Christmas list, but thanks to her eighty-five-year-old neighbor Joy, that's exactly what she's getting this year. When Joy tells Miranda that she plans to drive an old RV decked out in Christmas decorations from their Chicago neighborhood to her new retirement digs in Phoenix--in the dead of winter, no less--the much younger Miranda insists that Joy cannot make such a trip by herself. Besides, a crazy trip with Joy would be more interesting than another Christmas home alone. Unemployed and facing foreclosure, Miranda feels she has nothing to lose by packing a bag and heading off to Route 66. But Joy has a hidden agenda for their Christmas joyride--and a hidden problem that could derail the whole venture.


Kritters Thoughts:  I read this book during last year's Christmas season because I was just drawn to more and more of short and sweet Christmas stories.  Miranda is at a point in her life where she is in recovery period from a break up, a job loss and just lots of junk.  Joy is packing up her things to go on an adventure and relocate her life.  Miranda joins Joy on her adventure to spread Christmas in a few spots on her way to a retirement home.  

What a fantastically sweet book.  I loved that Miranda is finding her new space in her life and trying to decide where her life will go next.  Joy is doing the same, she is in a transition and going to have to find a new life in a new city closer to her sons.  I loved reading how Joy prepared to show Christmas at each spot, but she personalized it so it was the Christmas that each stop needed.  

I don't always love Melody Carlson books, but this one was so sweet and perfect.  I think this is the perfect one to pick up during the busy holiday season because of its length and ease of reading.  It was also easy to pick up and put down when the holidays interrupt reading time!


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson

A Christmas by the Sea

by Melody Carlson

Publisher: Fleming Revell

Pages: 176

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  When Wendy Harper inherits her family's beachside cottage in Seaside, Maine, she sees it as a way to finally pay off the debts that have mounted since her husband died. But before it can be sold, the neglected property must be renovated. She and her 12-year-old son Jackson move in--temporarily, she reminds him--in order to do the work themselves, even though Christmas is coming. The charming town, along with local craftsman Caleb Colton, pulls on both Wendy and Jackson, who even registers himself for school in a bid to get his mom to move them there permanently. Wendy knows that the most responsible thing to do is to sell the cottage and return to Ohio, but the lure of the sea is hard to resist.


Kritters Thoughts:  Probably my favorite Melody Carlson holiday book that I have read and I think I have read them all!  Wendy Harper inherits a family beach cottage at just the right moment in her life when she and her son need it the most.  Right before the holidays they move to this cottage to reinvent it and sell it and go back to their lives, but plans don't always go as they may.  

Melody Carlson is a Christian fiction author and this book was the best combination of keeping the values of the faith in there, but also including a great plot that readers can enjoy.  Wendy Harper was the best character to follow as you saw her struggles, but you also saw her ready for a change.  With the recent loss of a spouse to cancer she knows that now is the time for a life change and this cottage could be the catalyst for all of it.  

I loved the setting.  I read this during the summer months and I wanted to crank up my AC and curl up under a blanket with this one.  The cold and the holiday season were just right for this book.  It even added to the plot of the story.  

At the novella length, this book would be perfect to curl up with during an afternoon break from the holidays.  Take a break from wrapping presents and all of the baking and cooking and slip into this story.  


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 67 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.