Ginger by Lucy McConnell

Synopsis:

Christmas Magic is changing and the Kringle Family scrambles to keep up in this fun and romantic, sweet Christmas romance from Author Lucy McConnell.

When Ginger Kringle is branded to wear the magic red suit, she has to fall in love and get married before Christmas Eve to save the family business. After being given a list (Santas love lists!) of potential Mr. Kringles, Ginger heads off to Clearview, Alaska, where she embarks on a mission to save her family, their home, the elves, the reindeer, and Christmas for children across the globe. In her quest, Ginger finds that checking a list has much more to do with her heart than it does her head.

My Review: 3.5 Stars

Ginger's life has just been turned upside down. Who would have thought that Santa's middle daughter would be the one chosen to wear the magical red suit? It should have been her oldest sister, Robyn. After all, she is the one that's been looking forward to carrying on the family legacy her whole life. But for reasons no one understands, Ginger has been chosen over Robyn. But that's not the only thing she has to deal with. Ginger has less than a month to find, fall in love and marry a Mr. Claus or else Christmas will be ruined forever. Thank goodness for Santa and his list. It should make Ginger's life easier, right? Right?!

Joseph's life has also just been turned upside down. His flighty sister has just dropped his niece, Layla, on his doorstep for him to take care of while she goes off in search of a fresh start to life. She'll be back for her daughter once she's back on her feet. But Joseph knows better. She's never been able to stay in once place for very long. It'll be years before he sees his sister again. But he can't think about that right now. He's got to put Layla first and help give her a better life than he or his sister ever had. The only problem? Christmas is around the corner and he absolutely hates Christmas. Layla on on the other hand absolutely loves Christmas! Can he put his hatred for the season aside in order to make happy memories for Layla? 

From the moment Ginger and Joseph meet, there's an instant connection, a zap that can't be ignored. But he's not on her list of "Santa approved grooms" and she's got too much Christmas joy going on. Will they continue to let their heads guide them through life? Or will they be able to open their hearts and accept what Christmas magic has in store for them? 

The premises of this book was definitely cute and I was hoping that I would love it. But alas... I just ended up liking it. I wish that we would've seen Ginger and Joseph interact more than they did. The story kind of dragged for me and I knew the ending would be rushed. However, with all that being said, it was a good start to what I think will be a fun series. I will definitely give the next book in the series a try. :)

This one was fun to cast. I have to say I saw our heroine pretty early on. Our hero on the other hand was harder to nail down. I was torn between two guys and finally decided on this one. What do you think?!

First Line Friday's #12

Ok party people! It's that time again! First Line Friday's hosted by my amazing friend Kathy over at Bookworm Nation! Are you ready?! 

This week's First Line Friday is:

Ginger by Lucy McConnell

Christmas Magic is changing and the Kringle Family scrambles to keep up in this fun and romantic, sweet Christmas romance from Author Lucy McConnell.

When Ginger Kringle is branded to wear the magic red suit, she has to fall in love and get married before Christmas Eve to save the family business. After being given a list (Santas love lists!) of potential Mr. Kringles, Ginger heads off to Clearview, Alaska, where she embarks on a mission to save her family, their home, the elves, the reindeer, and Christmas for children across the globe. In her quest, Ginger finds that checking a list has much more to do with her heart than it does her head.

FIRST LINE

"Santa rushed down the Hall of Santa's Past. His heavy black boots thumped the carpet with the force of a thousand reindeer hooves, shaking the portraits."

Lucy McConnell is one of my favorite authors! So when I saw that she had released a new Christmas romance, you better believe that I grabbed it! I think this will be a perfect book to help get me in the Christmas book spirit! I absolutely LOVE Christmas books! They make me SO happy! <3

Do you want to participate in First Line? Yes?! Then tell us what your First Line is! Are you going to do a blog post? Then don't forget to link your post back to Bookworm Nation! Post your link in the comments. Don't have a blog? No worries! Just leave a comment with the title, author name and first line.

Ready?! And GO!

To Warm a Wintered Heart by Deborah M. Hathaway

Synopsis:

After an uneventful season in Bath, Miss Charlotte Rosebury returns home to Warwickshire, looking forward to a visit from her mother’s friend. Their expected guest, Mrs. Worthington, has promised that her son will be accompanying her, and as Charlotte has only ever heard stories of the gentleman who rarely leaves his Yorkshire estate, she is most pleased to meet him. But when her warm welcome is returned with a fierce frown from the handsome man, she cannot help but long to be free of him and his blue-eyed glare.
​
Despite his mother’s protests, Mr. Gabriel Worthington had made the decision long ago to remain unmarried, but when he meets Charlotte, doubts about his decision creep into his fearful mind, and he wishes for nothing more than to flee from the woman and never return.

For weeks, the two are forced to live within the same home, and though they provoke one another with teasing and stolen glances, an unlikely friendship blossoms between them, a friendship that grows stronger than either of them had expected. Will Gabriel concede to the choices binding his heart, or can Charlotte’s warmth be just the thing to strengthen their love and, at last, end their fears?

My Review 5 Stars

Charlotte is happy to be home from their season in Bath. She is even happier when she discovers that her mother's long time friend, Mrs. Worthington, is coming for a visit. But what's even better? Mrs. Worthington has somehow convinced her son, Gabriel, to accompany her. Charlotte has only ever heard stories of Gabriel and is definitely looking forward to meeting him. But when they finally arrive and Gabriel is far from agreeable, Charlotte finds herself trying to work extra hard to be his friend. How could someone as sweet as Mrs. Worthington have such a horrible son?!

Gabriel had only agreed to accompany his mother to Brightwood when he thought that the Roseburys had no daughters out in society yet. But when he discovers the truth he is beyond frustrated. He can't believe his mother is at it again. How many times does he have to tell her that he has sworn off marriage? He thought she understood his reasons for never getting married. Surely the Roseburys have something to do with his mother's latest scheme. Why else would they be so insistent on him coming for a visit. Well, he will set them all straight. He has no intentions of marrying anyone, especially Charlotte. 

Charlotte and Gabriel definitely did not get off to a good start. While Charlotte does her best to befriend Gabriel, Gabriel does his best to discourage any contact with Charlotte. He cannot allow his heart to soften. He must stay strong in his resolve to never be married. But there is just something about Charlotte that Gabriel can't ignore. The more time they spend together, the better they get to know one another, the softer Gabriel's heart becomes. Between all their banter, misunderstandings, chess games, time in the stables, walks in the gardens, Gabriel can't get Charlotte out of his mind or his heart. Can he remain just friends with Charlotte? Or will he finally listen to his heart, take a chance on love and reach for his happily ever after with her?  

I absolutely LOVED Charlotte and Gabriel! Their story is just what I needed! I found myself laughing out loud, growling in frustration, getting teary eyed, sitting on the edge of my seat, letting out little dreamy sighs and smiling throughout the book. The feels were definitely real and I enjoyed every single moment I spent reading this book. :) 

As some of you may know, I burned myself out on historical and regency era books a couple of years ago and I am slowly trying to get myself back into them. And I have to say that To Warm a Wintered Heart did NOT disappoint! You know a book has completely sucked me in when I am contemplating calling in sick to work. But alas, I chose to be an adult and go. But I did squeeze in as much reading as I could on my breaks... ;) 

This is my second book by Ms. Hathaway and just like the first book, I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to see what other adventures she has in store for us!

And of course my review just wouldn't be complete without my casting! I absolutely LOVE these two and were able to picture them throughout the entire book! What do you think?!

Content: Mild Violence

*I received a copy of this book from the author to voluntarily review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

First Line Friday's #11

Ok party people! It's that time again! First Line Friday's hosted by my amazing friend Kathy over at Bookworm Nation! Are you ready?! 

This week's First Line Friday is:

To Warm a Wintered Heart by Deborah M. Hathaway

After an uneventful season in Bath, Miss Charlotte Rosebury returns home to Warwickshire, looking forward to a visit from her mother’s friend. Their expected guest, Mrs. Worthington, has promised that her son will be accompanying her, and as Charlotte has only ever heard stories of the gentleman who rarely leaves his Yorkshire estate, she is most pleased to meet him. But when her warm welcome is returned with a fierce frown from the handsome man, she cannot help but long to be free of him and his blue-eyed glare.
​
Despite his mother’s protests, Mr. Gabriel Worthington had made the decision long ago to remain unmarried, but when he meets Charlotte, doubts about his decision creep into his fearful mind, and he wishes for nothing more than to flee from the woman and never return.

For weeks, the two are forced to live within the same home, and though they provoke one another with teasing and stolen glances, an unlikely friendship blossoms between them, a friendship that grows stronger than either of them had expected. Will Gabriel concede to the choices binding his heart, or can Charlotte’s warmth be just the thing to strengthen their love and, at last, end their fears?

FIRST LINE

"Below a beaming sun and vivid blue sky, the town of Stratford-upon-Avon hummed with pleasant chatter as the market day crowds brimmed." 

I have only ever read one book by Ms. Hathaway but I remember absolutely loving it! From the synopsis, this one seems to have a Beauty and the Beast kind of feel to it. Or maybe a Pride and Prejudice kind of feel? Either way, I am definitely looking forward to Charlotte and Gabriel's story! Keep your eyes open for my review! ;) 

Do you want to participate in First Line? Yes?! Then tell us what your First Line is! Are you going to do a blog post? Then don't forget to link your post back to Bookworm Nation! Post your link in the comments. Don't have a blog? No worries! Just leave a comment with the title, author name and first line.

Ready?! And GO!

Wrong Brother, Right Match by Jennifer Shirk

Synopsis:

Matchmaking guru Kennedy Pepperdine’s life is perfect. Perfect job. Perfect friends. Perfect boyfriend. Except...when she gets trapped in an elevator with a handsome stranger, she accidentally confesses a secret: maybe her perfect boyfriend, Justin, isn’t so perfect for her after all. But a matchmaker should be able to successfully match herself, right? Thankfully, she’ll never see the handsome stranger again. Until she heads home with Justin for the holidays and learns that the sexy stranger is none other than Justin’s older brother, Matt.

Matt Ellis is trying to be on his best behavior for his mother—it is Christmas, after all. But when he recognizes the beautiful woman from the elevator—the one he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about for months—his best behavior is being held by a thread. Matt’s always sacrificed for his family, and nothing is more important than their happiness, but the more time he spends around Kennedy, the more he wonders if her supposed "right match" might just be the wrong brother.

My Review: 5 Stars

Kennedy + Matt + A bottle of champagne + A stuck elevator = A kiss that neither one of them will ever forget. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Right?!

Fast forward six months. 

Kennedy has everything she has worked her entire life for within reach. Loving friends, a growing business and a perfect fiance. She couldn't be happier! So why is she still thinking about that kiss with the handsome stranger, Matt? She loves Justin! And according to her matchmaking software, they are perfect for each other. So why is she second guessing herself?! She'll never see Matt again. She just needs to stay focused and move forward with Justin. If only he can make time for her in his "busy" schedule. *sigh*

It's been six months! Six months and Matt still cannot get the kiss with Kennedy out of his mind. He'll never see her again. Even if he did, he's been burned before and will never go down that road ever again. He needs a distraction. And it comes in the form of his brother, Justin, coming home for the holidays for the first time in years! But surprise! He's bringing his fiance with him! What?! When did he get engaged?!

They lied! What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas! If it did then Kennedy would definitely not be standing in the same room with Matt... her future brother-in-law! How can this be?! He cannot be here! She just needs to focus on her and Justin and stay far away from Matt! But that's just not possible when Justin heads back to the city for a work emergency and leaves her on the island with his family. This will be the perfect opportunity for them to get to know her! They all will love it! 

But the more time Kennedy and Matt spend together, the more their feelings for each other grow. They both fight it because neither one of them want to hurt Justin, even though the moron does NOT deserve Kennedy. 

But eventually the truth will need to be revealed and different paths will need to be chosen. It's definitely a journey but in the end the wrong bother will be the right match! *dreamy sigh*

Oh my gosh! I absolutely LOVED this book! I devoured it in one sitting! The feels were definitely real my friends! I laughed out loud, growled in frustration, got sad when things weren't going the way I wanted them to, and let out little dreamy sighs throughout the entire book.  I seriously loved Kennedy and Matt! They were absolutely perfect for each other! 

Ms. Shirk has done it again! This was such a fun series! I really need to start reading more books by her! She is quickly climbing my favorite authors list! 

And of course I can't forget my casting! This one was SO much fun to find! I LOVE them! What do you think?!

Content: Mild language.

*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.*

Cozumel Escape by Cami Checketts

Synopsis:

Brooks Hoffman, billionaire, loves women, expensive toys and fighting—in that order. A week romancing a beautiful woman on his private island is a great way to pass the time. When Sydnee Lee Swenson isn’t impressed with his money, or charmed by his…well, charm, Brooks takes it as a personal challenge to change her mind.

Sydnee Lee moved to Cozumel to volunteer at the local orphanage. She’s fallen in love with the children and doesn’t need a good-looking, over-confident, guy complicating things. Sending Brooks on his way, with just the right amount of sass, was the only option. But when Brooks puts his own life on the line for her and some of the orphaned children, she may have to take another look at the guy behind the muscles and money.

My Rating 4 Stars

Brooks had a pretty rough start in life. Between being abandoned by his mother at the age of 5, being bounced around from foster home to foster him, running away at the age of 8 and living on the streets until his adoptive father saved him and took him in at the age of 10, is it any wonder that the poor guy has a hard time with commitment? He's enjoyed his playboy life and has no plans of giving it up any time soon. Until he meets Sydnee. There is just something about her that has Brooks thinking long term and he doesn't quite know how to deal with it. 

Sydnee has moved from her home in Alabama to work at an orphanage in Cozumel. She loves what she does. The children mean everything to her and she can't see her life without them. Yes, she misses her home and family but this is where she is meant to be. When she first meets Brooks she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. His over confidence and charm has her walking out the door and far away from him. But when she finds out that he is the wealthy benefactor who is single handedly funding the orphanage she works at, she's afraid he'll pull his support if she doesn't agree to go on a date with him. 

It's definitely not an easy going relationship with these two. Sydnee is too busy jumping to all the wrong conclusions when it comes to Brooks that she misses seeing the real him. It isn't until they are visiting Zack and Maddie and their cute little family for Thanksgiving that she lets go of all pretenses and just enjoys getting to know him better. 

But will Brooks ever be able to overcome his past enough to let go and move forward with Sydnee? Or will Sydnee's constant pushing to change him and make him fit into what she wants in her life have him running in he opposite direction? Compromise, love and understanding will be key to their happily ever after. 

This is such a fun series! I am always on the look out for the next book, wondering which author will take us where and what adventures they have in store for us. It's a fun escape that's for sure! I can't seem to get enough of these clean billionaire books! 

And of course I can't forget my casting! Trust me... this guy definitely has muscles... I promise! ;) Hehe. 

Content: Mild violence. Mild religious aspects.

The Promise of Rayne by Nicole Deese

Synopsis:

Rayne Shelby has spent her entire life trying to earn the approval of her high-powered family, with the hope of one day managing her late grandfather’s prestigious Idaho lodge. But when she makes a mistake that puts her future in jeopardy, she faces an impossible choice: defy her family or deny her dream. The only way to fix the mess she’s created is to enlist the help of her neighbor, Levi, the apprentice of her family’s greatest enemy. And if Rayne gets caught crossing the divided property lines, the consequences will be irreparable.

Levi Harding has never forgotten the August night he shared with Rayne when they were teens—or the way she later rejected him. Despite his warring instincts, he can’t ignore her plea for help or the spark that’s ignited between them. But now, as wildfires bear down on their town and family secrets are revealed, their newfound alliance might just go up in smoke.

My Review: 5 Stars

Rayne has been groomed her entire life to be the perfect politicians daughter. She has done everything she has ever been told to do. But no matter what she does, she can never measure up to what her father and uncle want her to be. She always seems to disappoint them. 

But that never stops her. She continues to make sacrifice after sacrifice in hopes to prove to her father and uncle that she can carry on the legacy of the Shelby Lodge. She has big dreams of turning it into exactly what her grandfather wanted it to be. A place where the community can gather together to celebrate good times as well as come together in bad times and in times of need. 

One mistake. Just one. That's all it takes to put her future at the lodge in jeopardy. But with so much on the line, she can't afford to disappoint her uncle again. So, she does the unthinkable. She seeks help from Levi, who is the apprentice to her family's biggest enemy, Ford Winslow. 

Levi knows all about the feud between the Shelbys and Ford. He knows the lies that have been told and all the damage that has been done to his employer. But there is just something about Rayne Shelby that he just can't say no to. He agrees to help... for a price. 

But once the arrangement has been completed, he has a hard time staying away from Rayne. He feels drawn to her, protective of her. He's determined to get her to open her eyes and see all the lies and damage her family has done over the years. Only then will they be able to move forward to the future. 

But with no real answers from her uncle, Rayne is forced to set out on the path of discovery. Discovery of who she is, discovery of what her grandfather's legacy truly is, discovery of love, discovery of truth, discovery of forgiveness. 

In the end, Rayne will discover the truth. She will discover that she's enough. She will discover where she's meant to be and who she's meant to be with. She will discover The Promise of Rayne. 

Wow! Just wow! Those were my thoughts the moment I finished this book. Nicole Deese has a way of kidnapping you from real life, placing you in her books and taking you on an adventure with her characters. You feel like you are right there with them, experiencing everything they are, feeling everything they do. She has you rooting for the good guys, wanting to crush the bad guys and of course swooning over all the sweet, romantic moments. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors and I look forward to reading more by her! 

And of course no review would be complete without a casting. These two are definitely swoon worthy, am I right?! *dreamy sigh*

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.*

Bayside Wishes by Stacy Claflin

Synopsis:
She’s guarding a family secret. He’s investigating a murder. Will a second homecoming lead to true love?

Freya Hunter is living the fabulous life. The west-coast girl rakes it in as a fashion model in New York City, but everything changes after she returns home for a quick visit.

The reunion with friends and family in Enchantment Bay is sweet, especially when she hits it off with Nico Valentin, a ruggedly handsome police sergeant. As Nico investigates the death, Freya learns a family secret big enough to turn her world upside down.

Freya is torn between her new life and her hometown — the life she loves vs. the brother who needs her and the sergeant who wants her. When her decision doesn’t go nearly as well as she planned, she wonders if she can help her brother and keep her growing feelings for Nico at bay before they consume her.

My Review: 4 Stars

Freya has been doing what she loves most... modeling. She has worked hard to get where she is and she loves it. Or at least she thought she did. But an unexpected trip home, a chance encounter with a gorgeous stranger and an incident at a photo shoot has her second guessing what she wants to do with her life and where she wants to be. How long will she last in the Big Apple when her heart is back in Enchantment Bay with Nico?

Nico has moved from the Big Apple to Enchantment Bay to take a Sergeant's position. He is one of the youngest police officers to be promoted to this position so he definitely has a lot to prove. When he loses one of his guys in a drug bust gone bad, he will do anything and everything he can to catch the killer. But the more he gets to know Freya, the more he has himself questioning just how much he's willing to sacrifice for his job. 

Freya and Nico definitely had an instant and strong connection. They didn't let the long distance bother them. Instead they chose to get to know one another better. When Freya finally moves back to Enchantment Bay, they have a few hiccups in their relationship but are able to overcome them to grow stronger and closer together. I loved that their relationship started out as friends and grew into more. There were definitely some swoony moments between those two. *dreamy sigh*

While I enjoyed this book, there were some things that had me rolling my eyes and just were not believable. I do not know anyone who would let a psycho chick into their home, assult the guests, destroy valuable property and NOT be arrested on the spot.. especially when there are 2 police officers and 1 lawyer present. It just wouldn't happen. Other than that the story was a cute, quick, fun read. I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.

And for my casting... this one was fun to find. What do you think?

Content: Scenes with drinking, drugs, mild violence and eating disorders. No language that I remember but there are some strong name calling by the psycho ex-girlfriend.