Kissing Until Christmas: A Mail Order Bride by Livia J. Washburn

Ohhh! Talk about an intriguing mix of sweet and mysterious and heart-warming and heart-pounding all wrapped up in a pretty Christmas story!

Abby heads off to Texas to meet her groom... only she gets quite the surprise once arriving there. I adored her strength, her stubbornness, and the way she worked through opening up her heart to Shawn and Wes. The secrets she had hounding her -- whew, they sure catch you off guard and make her all the more desirable and worthy of a woman, wife(to-be), and mother(to-be).

Shawn -- he's definitely a mystery as well and manages to keep himself pretty closed off. You just want to dig in like Abby does and find out what's hidden in his head and chaining up his heart so you can give him the love and healing he so desperately shows he needs, and wants, but is scared to accept. Same as Abby - when those secrets are revealed - whoa baby - they're a shocker.

Wes, Shawn's boy, is just absolutely sweet and has so much love to give. Even to cantankerous geese.... haha!

If you're wanting a charmin' sweet Christmas story with just a bit of suspenseful intrigue, grab Kissing Until Christmas. It'll keep you warm and smilin' from beginning to end!

Mr. Christmas Elf by Stephanie Burkhart

EEK! I just felt like I lived out a Hallmark Christmas movie - with all the sweet, heart-warming cuteness you expect!

Jules is where we all have been -- things are weighing heavy on her and she just can't seem to catch a break. But then finally, with just a bit of faith in Christmas magic and the help of Elvis and his elf friends, more than her Christmas wishes gets answered.

This is the best kind of story that if you're in a mood for a feel-good Christmas movie but don't really want to have the tv on. Mr Christmas Elf is an easy and sweet read, and even includes the token life-lesson. Definitely a cute and fun story to dive into.

One Yuletide Knight anthology

A Marriage Made in Hell by Deborah Macgillivray

Omgoodness!! This novella just BLEW ME AWAY! After I got into the swing of how Deborah uses her words to build the atmosphere of her story, I was totally immersed into Grantham and Lesslyn's story and didn't want to leave. Add in the fact that it was a short story, but yet I was able to connect to the characters, that just made this story all the better!

What started seemingly as a innocent "swap places" decision turned into something meant-to-be but figuring out the who and what to get to their HEA was quite the trip!

Grantham swept me away with just how manly he was and how he claimed and settled into his new role. Lesslyn was endearing in how she approached her new life and sweetly fell for her man. They were the perfect compliment for the other.

This was the first book I've read from Deborah Macgillivray, and it won't be my last! I definitely need more of her stories in my life!

The Protector by Patti Sherry-Crews
A surprising amount of intrigue and twists are packed into this cute story where everyone has secrets and their own agendas. Tempers flare and stubbornness digs in amidst a swiftly growing admiration that turns into a sweet love.

Juliana finds herself frustrated with having to deal with Sir William, especially when he verbally manhandles her into something she thinks is ridiculous. Will is just following orders trying to protect her, but he can't seem to keep his attention off more fun things to do with her - even when she's stashed away safe.... maybe....

I loved watching their banter and how they connect even though they're often at odds with each other. This is a fun story if you enjoy a heroine who's determined and spunky and gives just as good as she gets.

Counting Down To Christmas by Patti Sherry-Crews

A Christmas Cowboy to Keep: A Contemporary Western Romance Collection

Counting Down To Christmas by Patti Sherry-Crews

With heartwarming sweetness and cute giggles, Melody and Leland's story is just that, sweet and warm! Well... There's some sassy sparks and growly attitudes that needs to be worked through first (of course!), but after that, I loved watching them figure out their hea together. I also enjoyed the feeling of home and warmth and family that flowed from the story.

Some other stories are on my tbr pile still.

Renaissance Man by Tessa Bailey

Loved it!! Super adorable. Just the right amount of anticipation and heat. And such a fun story overall!

Also -- loved the narrators! :)

Her Christmas Wish by Tracy Garrett

Her Christmas Wish is the sweet 2nd chance love story for Will and his Katie.

Life throws challenge and heartbreak Katie's way over and over again until she finally finds herself digging deep in her inner strength to make it on her own. Then when she allows a past memory of a lost love to slip in, to her shock, wishes seem to come true.

Will has his own set of challenges and pain he's struggled with for years, and when he finds his Katie, he doesn't back down from claiming his woman and showing her he still loves her - and always did.

I loved watching these two work through things and find their way to their Christmas happily ever after, where wishes are granted, just not always on our time table. This is a sweet, easy read with lots of warm feel goods mixed in.

Legend of Spiralling Cedars by Natasza Waters

 

With just the right amount of creepy-scary, Legend of Spiralling Cedars had me literally jumping at noises in the dark while I was immersed into the story! And I may be kinda cautious after dark the next few nights.... lol

Rachel was awe-inspiring in facing the mystical danger head on and going on faith and gut-beliefs even when others around her weren't quite as bought into the legend.... yet. Her respect for nature and the native people and their beliefs stood out beautifully - along with her heart for everyone around her.

Garrett and his JTF2 team were just looking for a weekend get-away, and instead found themselves teaming up with Rachel to fight a special kind of threat. I loved seeing the instant connection Garrett had with Rachel and how he went all out to protect her and have her back any way he could (she wasn't a wiltin' flower by any means).

With a little bit of thrill, little bit of ghostbumps, little bit of steam, and a lot of bit of phenomenal story-telling, Natasza Waters delivers a story that shouldn't be missed!

One Winter Knight - an anthology

My Forever Love by Cheryl Pierson
Logan and Noelle's story warmed me up on a cold winter's night! They were selected for each other in an arranged marriage that both initially faught against. But then after meeting, Logan fell in love with her, while Noelle wasn't aware of everything going on around her. Sweetness and excitement carry through to their happily ever after.


To Play with Cats by Patti Sherry-Crews
Giggle and swoons!! I was needing something different to knock me out of a book funk and PSC's To Play with Cats story did the trick perfectly!

First, we have a sweet and adorable heroine who reminds me alot of me... Especially in her mobility skills. Lol

Then we have the big, strong, manly hero who needed some time to get his head straightened out (what good hero doesn't have some flaw... Lol), but who still could make me swoon.

Wrap them up snug in a castle with a little bit of drama and excitement and you have a sweet Christmas happily-ever-after for a knight and his lady love.


*rest of stories on my tbr list

His Perfect Imperfection by Natasza Waters

From the moment I first heard about Natasza Waters writing and sharing a book about this particular subject…. I knew something special was going to be given to me. However, I didn’t realize just how special it was till one moment near the end, where something I knew in my head sunk deeper into my heart…. it’s kinda the opposite of the golden rule: If I accept others for who they are beyond skin deep, why can’t I believe and trust others to accept me?

His Perfect Imperfection is a beautiful, profound story that captured my heart from the first words in the dedication to the last words of the epilogue. I was enthralled by Mika (love that name btw!) and Cain’s journey from meeting to falling in love, from enjoying each other’s presence to digging deep and discovering the depths of each other’s souls. Cain’s determination to not give up on Mika and show her the woman she really is and Mika’s love, bravery, acceptance, and affection towards others endeared them both close to my heart.

Natasza wrote a novel that touches on things not usually seen in romance books and just that alone is refreshing and challenging. This story just continues to make a reader realize that they aren’t alone in whatever they’re struggling with, and that they are loved and beautiful, no matter what the outside world may choose to think. This is a book you do not want to miss!

Thank you, Natasza, for being brave and sharing this touching and beautiful story. It is on my favorites shelf and will be revisited often!

Code Name: War of Stones by Natasza Waters

(A Warrior's Challenge series Book 7)

It's been a day and a half since I read the last page of one of my most highly anticipated books from one of my most favorite authors ever, and the book hangover is still gripping me with a SEAL-like determination. I am struggling to find the right words to express just how PERFECT this book is with all the emotions, the story, the adventure, the people (aka characters who I'm convinced are real), everything.

Sloan is the daughter of a SEAL legend and has embodied the best of both of her parents. She's tough, stubborn, hilarious, and brave, all wrapped around a soft spot.

Damon owns and breathes the heart of a warrior and everything that encompasses. I definitely would want him to have my six and my 12 and any other direction every and any time.

I loved everything in this story from catching up with Alpha team, seeing how the families have grown up, experiencing the intense terrifying roller-coaster of a ride of Operation Skirt's Down (truly a sadistic and heinous mission). And then getting to feel all the good, sweet moments wrap all around it, making the heart-wrenching moments all the more worth it for the treasure you get at the end.

I'm thinking this book has become my favorite of the series, but then when I look at any of the previous 6 books, they all are worthy of that title as well. You cannot go wrong by reading and experiencing the adventure and happily-ever-afters Natasza Waters share in her stories.

Code Name: Redemption by Natasza Waters

(A Warrior's Challenge, #6)

The Warrior's Challenge series is still going strong with Code Name: Redemption, and I still never feel like I get enough! Knowing this is the 2nd to last book helps a little, but knowing I can revisit the Alpha Squad and Greg (Canada's JTF) anytime I want to helps the most. I'm not ready to say goodbye but I'm also super looking forward to the next book.

Anyways!

Greg and Mattie. Their story -- wow. I read the blurb. I watched the book trailer video -- and I still wasn't fully prepared for the awesomeness that was given to me. There's just enough creepy suspense and puzzles to keep you on your toes. There's enough spicy heat simmering to keep you fanning your face. There's enough banter between all the characters to keep you laughing, groaning, and feeling anxious for them. And there's just enough heartache to make the healing acceptance satisfying.

I loved watching Greg's relationship with Mattie grow and bloom, and how he got his own version of Kayla (gotta read books 1 & 2 to get the full understanding of that) that was perfect for him - stubborn frustration and tempting smiles and all! Mattie is one strong, determined woman, and that's exactly what Greg needed to help fight back his demons. Then, when you add Thane and Kayla to the mix -- oh my! The unique relationship between Greg and Kayla causes history to be exposed and dealt with by all 4 people (characters? heck, they're real people to me!) which while it was heart shattering, the healing and acceptance and growth was preciously beautiful. I loved the convos between Greg and Thane and seeing them deal with each other. So many sweet moments abound throughout the story with all the characters.

If you loved the previous books, you're gonna want to experience this book. If you're just diving in, it could work as a stand alone, but you'll definitely appreciate the dynamics and history among everyone more by reading the first two books and getting Thane and Kayla's hea story.

I loved this installment in the Warrior's Challenge series and have it sitting on my favorites shelf, next to the first 5 books.