Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts

Review: Season's Meetings by Amy Dunne

Season's Meetings by Amy Dunne

Genres: LGBT, Holiday, Romance

Could the festive road trip from hell actually lead
to love?

Catherine Birch is a lonely workaholic who hates Christmas. This year, she is being forced to celebrate with her best friend’s family in the Highlands of Scotland. Having missed her flight, Catherine reluctantly ventures on a road trip with beautiful stranger Holly Daniels.

Although polar opposites, the intense attraction between them is unmistakable. Just as Catherine begins to think spending Christmas with Holly might not be so bad, a raging snowstorm leaves them stranded in the middle of nowhere. Huddled together, with little chance of rescue, they forge a pact: if they escape, they’ll make this a Christmas to remember. But will it be remembered for the right reasons?
   I didn't get to read this until a few days after Christmas, and it immediately made me miss the holidays! It's so perfectly festive. There is enough charm to go around, and I easily fell in love with this book!

  The characters were all so great. I really enjoyed them individually and how they interacted. Even through the nail biting suspense, I loved following Catherine's story. The romance in this book is sweet and charming.

  Season's Meetings is a heartwarming read. I only wish that more books like it were available. The descriptions in this book paint a beautiful picture, and I can't wait to reread this around the holidays this year!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Christmas Recap

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  Hey, y'all! Things have been slow and quit around here lately, so I thought I'd fill everyone in! I took two weeks away from the blog and all social media just to spend time with Chris and our families. It was just what I needed. But so much has happened in those two weeks, so time to dish!

Obligatory cat picture.
Abi climbing wrapping paper mountain.


  Here are most of the books I got for Christmas! I'm still waiting on some books to arrive that I ordered with gift card I received!

Matched by Ally Condie, Jackaby by William Ritter, Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston, The Luxe by Anna Godbersen, The List by Siobhan Vivian, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse, The Giver Quartet Boxset by Lois Lowry, The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith, Hate List by Jennifer Brown, Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard, and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith.

  The books I'm waiting on are Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard, They All Fall Down by Roxanne St. Clair, and Get Even by Gretchen McNeil.

  Notice the adorable bookish cat bookends? Chris picks out the best gifts, y'all! He even got me a pair of Hobbit House Slippers from ThinkGeek. SQUEE! (I haven't taken them off since Christmas Morning. No judgement.)

I joined in SO many swaps for Christmas! But it was so much fun. I'm so glad I got to meet the bloggers and make new friends!

 I was paired up with Stephanie from Once Upon A Chapter, and she spoiled me! It was so exciting to know that each morning I had a new gift waiting on me! There were so many great things in my package; Harry Potter candles, books, and TEA! There was even a present for Abi. Thank you so much, Stephanie! You rocked my socks!

The Broke and  the Bookish Secret Santa
Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
So. I squealed with glee when I got this box and immediately began reading the books included! Only one of them was on my wishlist, but I think Jennifer has some spidey sense because she sent book that are all AMAZING for me! I've read 3 of the 5 now, and I've loved them all! I didn't even snap a picture before I started reading. :/ Shame on me, I know! But I'm so thankful to have met Jennifer from Inner Workings of the Female Mind through these swaps! We were paired up for 3 or 4 different swaps, and I have enjoyed making a new friend!

Becoming Books Secret Santa Book Exchange
Hosted by Becoming Books
This book is so pretty in person. A picture simply does not do it justice! Thank you, Sarah!

The Belles Book Exchange
Hosted by The Book Belles and Beauty and the Bookshelf
Sarah from Simply Reading absolutely spoiled me! And her wrapping paper was SO pretty!
Thanks, Sarah!

Shew! I feel out of breath after recapping all of that! 
Did everyone have a wonderful holiday season?!

Month9Books Holiday Gift Blitz & Giveaway


Welcome to Month9Books’ gift blitz for our amazing winter titles: CROWN OF ICE by Vicki L. Weavil, PRAEFATIO by Georgia McBride, ENDLESS by Amanda Gray, A MURDER OF MAGPIES by Sarah Bromley, DEAD JED (1 & 2) by Scott Craven, and TRACY TAM by Krystalyn Drown! Are you looking for the perfect winter/holiday read? Then these are the titles for you! Oh and as a thank you to our readers we have an amazing giveaway for you!


Crown of Ice by Vicki L. Weavil
Summary:

Thyra Winther's seventeen, the Snow Queen, and immortal, but if she can't reassemble a shattered enchanted mirror by her eighteenth birthday she's doomed to spend eternity as a wraith.
Armed with magic granted by a ruthless wizard, Thyra schemes to survive with her mind and body intact. Unencumbered by kindness, she kidnaps local boy Kai Thorsen, whose mathematical skills rival her own. Two logical minds, Thyra calculates, are better than one. With time rapidly melting away she needs all the help she can steal.

A cruel lie ensnares Kai in her plan, but three missing mirror shards and Kai's childhood friend, Gerda, present more formidable obstacles. Thyra's willing to do anything – venture into uncharted lands, outwit sorcerers, or battle enchanted beasts -- to reconstruct the mirror, yet her most dangerous adversary lies within her breast. Touched by the warmth of a wolf pup's devotion and the fire of a young man's desire, the thawing of Thyra's frozen heart could be her ultimate undoing.
CROWN OF ICE is a YA Fantasy that reinvents Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" from the perspective of a young woman who discovers that the greatest threat to her survival may be her own humanity.

Purchase Links


Praefatio by Georgia McBride

Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Grace Ann Miller is no ordinary runaway. After having been missing for weeks, Grace is found on the estate of international rock star Gavin Vault, half-dressed and yelling for help. Over the course of twenty-four hours Grace holds an entire police force captive with incredulous tales of angels, demons, and war; intent on saving Gavin from lockup and her family from worry over her safety. Authorities believe that Grace is ill, suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, the victim of assault and a severely fractured mind. Undeterred, Grace reveals the secret existence of dark angels on earth, an ancient prophecy and a wretched curse steeped in Biblical myth. Grace’s claims set into motion an ages-old war, resulting in blood, death and the loss of everything that matters. But are these the delusions of an immensely sick girl, or could Grace’s story actually be true? Praefatio is Grace’s account of weeks on the run, falling in love and losing everything but her faith. When it’s sister against brother, light versus darkness, corrupt police officers, eager doctors and accusing journalists, against one girl with nothing but her word as proof: who do you believe?

Purchase Links



Endless by Amanda Gray

Summary:

Jenny Kramer knows she isn’t normal. After all, not everybody can see the past lives of people around them. When she befriends Ben Daulton, resident new boy, the pair stumble onto an old music box with instructions for "mesmerization" and discover they may have more in common than they thought—like a past life! Using the instructions in the music box, Ben and Jenny share a dream that transports them to Romanov Russia and leads them to believe they have been there together before. But Nikolai, the mysterious young man Jenny has been seeing in her dreams who has now appeared next door, was there, too. Jenny is forced to acknowledge that Nikolai has traveled through time and space to find her. Doing so means he has defied the laws of time, and the Order, an ominous organization tasked with keeping people in the correct time, is determined to send him back. While Ben, Jenny, and Nikolai race against the clock—and the Order—Jenny and Nikolai discover a link that joins them in life and beyond death.

Purchase Links


A Murder of Magpies by Sarah Bromley

Summary:

Winter in Black Orchard, Wisconsin, is long and dark, and sixteen-year-old Vayda Silver prays the snow will keep the truth and secrecy of the last two years buried. Hiding from the past with her father and twin brother, Vayda knows the rules: never return to the town of her mother’s murder, and never work a Mind Game where someone might see.

No one can know the toll emotions take on Vayda, how emotion becomes energy in her hands, or how she can’t control the destruction she causes. But it's not long before her powers can no longer be contained. The truth is dangerously close to being exposed, placing Vadya and her family at risk.

Until someone quiets the chaos inside her.

Unwanted. That's all Ward Ravenscroft has ever been. To cope, he numbs the pain of rejection by denying himself emotions of any kind. Yet Vayda stirs something in him. He can't explain the hold she has on him--inspiring him with both hope and fear. He claims not to scare easily, except he doesn't know what her powers can do. Yet.

Just as Vadya and Ward draw closer, she finds the past isn't so easily buried. And when it follows the Silvers to Black Orchard, it has murder in mind.

Purchase Links


Dead Jed: Adventures of a Middle School Zombie by Scott Craven

Summary:

The first part of seventh grade was rough on Jed, but things are looking up now that Christmas is almost here. As with past Christmases, Jed asks for the one thing he's always wanted--a dog--and again, his parents tell him they're not ready. But fate has a different plan when Jed sees a dog get run over by a car. Then, it happens. Jed suddenly has a pet, Tread, a zombie dog bearing his namesake--a tire tread down his back. Jed may have gained a dog, but he loses his best friend Luke, who fears the way Jed created his undead pet. When Jed returns to school, he finds a mysterious group called the No Zombies Now Network spreading rumors of the dangers the undead pose to normal people. Forced to disprove Hollywood stereotypes, Jed has his work cut out for him as stories of a zombie dog begin to circulate. Jed could be expelled if he can't expose the NZN Network as a fraud. Jed needs help from his kind of girlfriend Anna, especially after he discovers Luke has joined the shadowy group. Once again navigating the treacherous waters of middle school, Jed does his best to stay in one piece. Only this time he'll need even more duct tape and staples than usual.

Purchase Links


Dawn of the Jed (Dead Jed #2) by Scott Craven

Summary:

As the fall semester ends and kids head home for winter break, Jed and his parents gather for the annual exchanging of gift lists. Once again, Jed asks for a dog, leading to a heated argument and a firm "no." But when Jed spots a stray, he chases it until the dog darts into the street where it is struck and killed by a car. Grief stricken by what he's done, Jed cradles the dead dog in his arms. Soon, ooze from the dog mixes with teardrops from Jed, creating Tread the zombie dog. Finally getting his wish, Jed must convince his parents to let him keep the undead dog. But a zombie dog turns out to be the least of Jed's issues. It seems some parents don't want Jed attending school with their kids. Enter the mysterious NZN Network. They've been distributing anti-zombie propaganda in an effort to get Jed expelled. But Jed wonders if the creation of Tread has caused his relationship with Luke to sour. And why, just as he seems to need them the most, have his best friends abandoned him? Could they have bought in to the anti-zombie way of thinking? Was creating Tread a mistake Jed will live to regret? 

When Tread goes missing, and with his very existence at stake, Jed must rely on his instincts, team up with an old nemesis, and fight for his right to have just as miserable a middle school existence as any other student—undead or alive.

Purchase Links


Tracy Tam: Santa Command by Krystalyn Drown

Summary:

Tracy Tam doesn't really believe in Santa Claus, at least not like the rest of us do. She also doesn't believe that Santa can possibly deliver all of those presents in one night, to children around the world, without a little help from science. A flying sleigh can only be powered by jet engines, after all, and Santa's magical abilities can only be the result of altered DNA. How else could he know what every little girl and boy wants for Christmas and who has been naughty or nice? In order to test her theories, Tracy sneaks onto Santa's sleigh then ends up at Santa Command, where a team of (gasp!) humans monitor Santa's big night. When Tracy attempts to hack into their computers, she accidentally introduces a virus into the system. As a result, three states get knocked out of sync with the rest of the world (oops!). Santa won't be able to deliver all the presents in time! Now, Tracy must fix time and help Santa, but she has no idea how. How can a girl who doesn't believe help Santa and save Christmas before it's too late? With a little Christmas magic, of course!

Purchase Links


Giveaway Details:

1 Winner will receive A Taste of Christmas Gift Basket US Only.
3 Winners will receive eBook bundles of 5 Month9Books. International.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Favorite Christmas Book


  We're less than two weeks away from Christmas. The excitement in my house is palpable. This time of year is just my thing, you know? As soon as November rolls around, I'm already starting my holiday plans. One of my favorite holiday traditions? Reading Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien. It's my absolutely favorite Christmas book, and I cannot wait to share it with my future children one day.

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  Tolkien did something wonderful for his children. Each year, he would send them letters from Father Christmas. They weren't just your run of the mill letter from Santa, though. These were full of stories and drawings that you'd only expect from the creator of Middle Earth. To see his handwriting and drawings are such a sweet treat. I can't help but cry as I make my way through the book each year.

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  Everything about Letters from Father Christmas sums up Christmas for me. The childish wonder, the awe-inspiring love of a parent for their child, the reminder that family and memories shared are the greatest gift; all of it. I wouldn't trade this book and the joy it has given me for the world.

What is your favorite Christmas book? Do you have a holiday reading tradition of your own?

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Bookish Holiday Gift Guide: Splurge Edition


Happy Holidays, y'all!

Who doesn't want to splurge on their favorite bookish things? Today I'm pretending we've all won the lottery and can have all the things!

Visiting the Middle Earth movie set is my life's dream, y'all. The tour itself isn't too bad; $75. But flying all the way to New Zealand? Time to save up! Check out Hobbiton Tours here! There are tons of tours like this, though! There's a tour of the The Hunger Games set near my house. Last time I checked it was only a couple hundred. If you're ever in Tunisia, don't forget to stop by part of the Star Wars set!

There are only twelve known copies of Tamerlane, Edgar Allan Poe's first work. One recently sold for over $600,000. If I were to wake up and win the lottery one day, I'd gladly hunt down one of the twelve and splurge!

The ultimate way to spoil the bookworm in your life? Build them a library like the one that George Lucas has. I instantly crave coffee and a good book whenever I look at that library!

Got an extra $30,000 laying around? Then you can have your own life size replica of the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones! How insane is that?! Purchase here! (If any of you actually buy it, you have to invite me over.)

Who am I kidding... If you really want to know what to get your favorite bookish person, get them books. They'll love you for it. Pinky promise!

Happy holidays, loves! I hope all of you get a million, trillion, zillion books this season!

Bookish Holiday Gift Guide: Romance Edition


Happy Holidays, y'all!

Am I the only one who turns into a romance-a-holic during the holidays?! If you're just like me, this list will be perfect for you!

This past weekend I saw this pillow and Books A Million and melted in a puddle. It's so perfect. Purchase here!

For all of you fans of the half naked heroine being groped on the cover. You know who you are! Purchase here!

What's better than a bouquet of flowers? A bouquet of book page flowers! And they won't die on you. Purchase here!

This quote is one of my favorites. It's even going in my wedding vows. Purchase this gorgeous print here.

Yes, yes, and YES. I could never say no to this Lord of the Rings proposal!

Are you guys drowning in the love yet? I absolutely adore all of these gifts! Share your ideas in the comments!

Check back on Friday for the last gift guide featuring all the things you'll want to splurge on!

Bookish Holiday Gift Guide: SciFi & Fantasy Edition


Happy Holidays, y'all!

This one goes all out to all of my SciFi and Fantasy brethren! 

How else are you supposed to blend in, in The Shire? Purchase here!

Combine your love of words and Star Wars with this epic print! Purchase here!

Possibly the best literary mug I've seen! Purchase here!

I just cannot handle this Spock pillow. I need it more than air right now. Purchase here!

Holy crap, y'all! This etsy shop is full of amazingly painted shoes just like this Doctor Who pair! Purchase here!

At this point, I'm going to have to lock away my debit card before I buy everything! Share what you're wanting for Christmas in the comments!

Check back on Wednesday for the romance fan edition!

Bookish Holiday Gift Guide: Young Adult Edition


Happy Holidays, y'all!

I'm going to give you some of my favorite gifts for young adult fans today! Hope you enjoy!

I absolutely LOVE all of the totes that Becca from Pivot Book Reviews does for her etsy shop, Pivot Book Totes. Any self respecting YA fan would LOVE one of these for their favorite fandom! Purchase here!

So this one isn't exactly Young Adult themed, but I think the mineral makeup that Beth from Printcess & Living a Goddess Life makes will be appreciated by the bookish. Her eyeshadows have a literary theme, and the fairytale collection is my favorite! Purchase here!

I absolutely adore this book charm bracelet of The Mortal Instruments. This etsy shop, Charma Llama, has SO many different book charm accessories from tons of YA series and books. I could get lost looking through this shop! Purchase here!

If you've never heard of Appraising Pages, you're doing it all wrong! They have an amazing shop filled to the brim with AMAZING literature inspired clothing and accessories. This The Hunger Games shirt is just one of many amazing pieces that they offer. Purchase here!

These YA inspired magnets would make such a great stocking stuffer! Purchase here!

You guys, I want ALL the things! Do you have any bookish things on your wishlist that I missed? Share with me in the comments!

Check back on Monday for the Sci-Fi/Fantasy gift guide!
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