Holding Out for Christmas by Janet Dailey

Conner Branch is an ex-rodeo bullrider who is now a partner in a Christmas Tree Ranch in Branding Iron, TX. This follows some other stories I’ve read about Conner’s partners Travis and Rush in the Ranch but it is not listed as part of a series. Conner was fascinated with Lacy Leatherwood who he saw at the Cowboy Christmas Ball the previous year but he never got to make her acquaintance. He’s hoping to actually meet her this year. A few days prior to the ball he rescues Megan, a cute kindergarten teacher from Nashville, when her car runs off the road in a snowstorm. He is entranced with Megan but still plans to seek out Lacy.



This is a fun story and the characters are likable and interesting. I recommend this to anyone who just wants to read a happy Christmas romance.



I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Morning Star (Maidels of Morning Star #1) by Charlotte Hubbard

This is the first book in a new series by Charlotte Hubbard! I love Charlotte’s books and this series looks to be an enjoyable one. This books is about 5 friends who are around 30 and not yet married. They concoct an idea about starting a marketplace in an old stable and their congregation votes to get involved.


Regina Miller works for Gabe Flaud in his family’s furniture factory putting stain on newly made furniture. She puts her secret artwork in her own stall in the marketplace and it is a smashing success! But Regina can’t tell anyone she is the artist because the Old Order Amish do not allow members to do art. And her uncle is just looking for an excuse to make her move out of her house and under his roof so he can keep an eye on her. Gabe comes to her defense and reveals a secret of his own.


I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

An Amish Christmas Wedding by Amy Clipston; Kelly Irvin; Kathleen Fuller; Vannetta Chapman

This is a collection of 4 short stories about Amish couples around Christmas time. One is about a Ryan and Lorene that had planned to get married but never did. Now her younger sister is marrying his brother and they are attending all sorts of family get-togethers prior to the wedding. Both are still attracted to each other but wonder if they can forget the past and go forward. The next is about Henry who ends up being the guardian of a young boy whose father was a good friend of Henry’s. The little boy is having a hard time adjusting and Henry is relying on the boy’s teacher Leesa to help him figure it all out. The next story is about Mary and Jakob who have been best friends since childhood but when family and friends pushed them into courting they both felt awkward about the relationship and broke it off. Now they are both attracted to each other but wonder if there is anyway to renew their relationship. And the last story is about two older folks, Micah who was a widower living with his children and grandchildren runs the Amish Tour Company just to get himself out of the house. He partners with Rachel King, an old maid whose parents have died and left her alone. She offers tea to his tour clients in her home.


I enjoyed all these stories and it was great having a short story I could read in one evening and then another the next evening until I had read them all.


I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I'm Going to Give You a Polar Bear Hug by Caroline B. Cooney

This is a cute book for toddlers. My g-g-daughter loves hugs and she loves books about hugs The pictures are cute and this is a perfect bedtime (or anytime) story.


I recommend this to grandmas and mamas who want to add some books to their collection for their smallest ones.


I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Truth and Justice (Sisterhood book 31) by Fern Michaels

The Sisterhood is a vigilante group who goes all over righting wrongs. They are a group of women who are mostly rich and well educated and like to help the law along a little and make sure justice is served. I’ve been reading these books just for entertainment for several years. I don’t agree with their methods but I find the whole thing amusing.


This story deals with a soldier who had a whirlwind impromptu wedding and honeymoon days before he had to deploy. Soon after he leaves his wife stops getting contacted by him and none of her military benefits kick in. She is very discouraged and thinks she made a mistake with this man. She discovers, too late, that her husband had left the paperwork with a friend to pass on to his sister to take care of. And then other things come up missing too and the Sisterhood has to track everyone down and get it all straightened out for this wife.


It’s an involved story, but fascinating and fun to read. I’m not sure I’m happy with the conclusion but it is interesting, all the same.


I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Minutes to Die (Homeland Heroes #2) by Susan Sleeman

This is a fast paced suspense novel about an FBI agent and an ICE agent who with other members of their special team are tasked with finding out before it’s too late where to find terrorists that were smuggled into this country and tasked with an attack that would kill thousands of people. Kiley is the FBI agent in charge and this is the first time she has been team leader. Evan, the ICE agent, is new to the team, but has worked with Kiley before. Each member of the team has an area of expertise and Kiley and Evan work closely together because of Evan’s experience with terrorists of all sorts.


I really enjoyed this book. Even though some of the terrorist plots were scary for our country if they come to fruition at some point, it was an interesting peek into some of the intrigue being played out in today’s culture. I am recommending this to anyone who wants a good read that will totally involve them and keep them glued to the story until the very last page.


I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Net Galley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes

Lucy and Dashel grew up together. Dashel was raised by his aunt who was seldom there so he gravitated to Lucy’s family. Lucy’s father loved to tell stories of the past shrouded in mystery. Both children grew up with these stories. Years later Lucy is doing research and applying for a grant about one mystery – a seaman who allegedly turned traitor. Dashel has read about Lucy’s quest and comes to offer his services. He is now a famous astronomer. Together they go to a farm near an old fishing village that is tied into the tale of this seaman. They discover many interesting things here and local lore plays into the research. Dashel and Lucy discover that all their years apart they were both remembering their childhood and each other with fondness.

This is a wonderful mystery story and has many elements – all fun to explore. I highly recommend this book.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Net Galley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.