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Dec 18, 2024

Recent Reads: Witching You a Charmed Christmas by Jenna Collett

Witching You a Charmed Christmas by Jenna Collett

Series: Witching You #1
Publisher: Independently Published
Publication Date: December 9, 2023

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true

https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20

Format: Ebook
Source: From a Stuff Your Kindle day. Also available on Kindle Unlimited at the time of this posting.

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis:

A witchy matchmaker faces off against a grumpy Christmas tree farmer with a heart encased in ice.

Delia Frost wants only one thing for Christmas: to earn a promotion at her mystical agency known for granting holiday miracles. She wouldn't mind a stocking stuffer with the attention of her longtime office crush either, but neither of those gifts are under her tree unless she completes the case file that just landed on her desk.

Her mission? Travel to the quaint, snow-dusted town of Wood Pine and work her magic on Jack Bradley, a rugged, Christmas tree farmer with a heart as cold as winter itself. All she has to do is make Jack fall in love with the shy, yet talented, local pastry chef by midnight on Christmas Eve, and the promotion is hers.

The problem? As Delia weaves her spells, she finds herself drawn to Jack, igniting feelings she never planned for.

But Jack’s heart won’t melt without a fight.

Known for his Scrooge Complex, Jack's world is more about pine needles than tinsel and joy until Delia Frost blows into his life like a bad winter storm. The last thing he needs is the meddlesome woman playing matchmaker. But when unexpected sparks fly, he’s torn between driving the woman out of town and hoping she’s his Christmas miracle.

Review:

This was my favorite read during the HoHoHo Readathon this year. At only 130 pages this was super cute and had my love for the holidays, witches, and a great grumpy/ sunshine dynamic all rolled into one book.

Delia works as a witch at an agency that grant miracles, and when her friend gets snowed in and she can't take a case, Delia steps in in hopes of gaing a big promotion. Her goal, matchmaking, get this grumpy, grinch-like man to fall for a women in town. Jack, her target, is not going to make it easy.

Delia is so stubborn and can't wait to accomplish her goal that she doesn't even realize that she is falling for her target. Jack is stubborn as well and really a menace to the Christmas season and spirit. Their witty banter and pranks on each other had me laughing and loving this book so much. It was honestly sad that it is only novella length.

With novella, there is a lot more insta-love especially if noted as romance; but this one was sweet and written in such a fun manner that it really didn't matter all that mich to me. I liked Delia and how the author incorporated her being a witch into a holiday miracle setting, such a fun idea... it doesnt alway have to be elves with Christmas magic. I thought that Jack was a good male lead as well, he was a pain, but his determination to get Delia away from him only made it better when he figured out he had fallen.

Overall, so wickedly cute. This was such a fun and funny read and I will certainly be looking for more from this author soon.

Dec 17, 2024

Recent Reads: Meltdown in Christmas River by Meg Muldoon

Meltdown in Christmas River by Meg Muldoon

Series: Christmas River #10
Publisher: Vacant Lot Publishing
Publication Date: December 17, 2017

Format: Ebook
Source: From a Stuff your Kindle Day. Also included on Kindle Unlimited at the time of this posting.

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis:

How do you find a killer when everyone in town has a motive?

That’s the question pie-baker extraordinaire Cinnamon Peters and the rest of the cozy little mountain town of Christmas River are asking this December.

After Moira Stewart — the town’s worst gossip — is found dead of unnatural causes one snowy morning, rumors begin swirling like snowflakes in a blizzard about her unexpected demise.

But not everything is as it seems in Christmas River this holiday season. And in a town where everyone stands to gain from Moira’s death, Cinnamon and her husband Sheriff Brightman find themselves stumbling into dangerous and deadly territory.

Because this December, the weather outside is frightful…And so is the murder.

Review:

I picked this book up during a Stuff Your Kindle freebie day, and did not know that it was #10 in a series. That said, it was fine to read on its own, but you could tell that there were some things that happened in previous books that might have made it easier to understand. Especially around the relationships and town dynamics overall.

The story itself followed Cinnamon, a baker in Christmas River. While the town is cozy, there has been a murder and Cinnamon found the body, and now she is a suspect. The body was of the town gossip, Moira. So anyone could have done it.

I liked the story overall, but at times it really felt over done. There were full sections that I am not sure were really needed. For example, there was a lot of talk about weight from the baker... it is the holiday season, she is a baker - there are pies. I understand that we all need to be more understanding about our bodies, but it was just too much.

The mystery itself is kinda a modern take on Agatha Christie's style where it all just kind of comes together in the end. While I like that style it was also not done as well as those classics. I did like the clue drops and surprises throughout the book though, they were well placed and kept the pacing moving steadily. It was just a steady pace though, nothing I wanted to fly through, just enough to keep me chugging along.

In all honesty I had to put this book down for a day and pick something else up. While cozy and holiday themed, it was taking longer than I had hoped to get into it. The characters seemed a bit one-dimentional, but that could have been because book 10... not 1...

So overall it was good/ok. I don't think I will pick up more in this series, and maybe I might have liked it better if this was book 1 and not 10 (and I was more invested in the town, sorry I keep noting it, I was shoked to learn this was #10!). If you are looking for a cozy, Christmas themed mystery, this one might be for you. It is a slower pace and so if you need a leasure read, you should pick it up.

Dec 10, 2024

Recent Reads: Slay Bells Ring by Mona Marple

Slay Bells Ring by Mona Marple

Series: A Christmas Cozy Mystery Series Book 2
Publisher: Aspen Park Publishing
Publication Date: May 21, 2024

Format: Ebook
Source: Freebie during a stuff your Kindle day. Also available on Kindle Unlimited as of the time of this posting.

Rating:

Synopsis:

Welcome to Candy Cane Hollow, where every day feels like Christmas!
It's New Year's Eve in Candy Cane Hollow.

This winter wonderland may look festive and be home to the Claus Family, but all is not as it seems. The festivities take a turn for the bizarre when the giant glitter ball comes crashing down on cantankerous elf chef, Greasy. Chief Superintendent Wiggles is sure the death is just a tragic accident, but Holly isn't so sure. Greasy was lots of things, but it appears that popular wasn't one of them.

Holly begins her own investigation with the eager help of Mrs Claus, while dimpled Nick Claus warns them both to be careful.
Was the death an accident? Or is that a false ho-ho-hope?

Slay Bells Ring is a festive cozy mystery and second in an exciting new series by popular author Mona Marple.

Review:

We are still in Candy Cane Hollow with Holly in the second installment of these holiday cozy mysteries. With Holly's appearance in town, things are really getting riled up. She got there and there was a murder, which she helped to solve. It is now coming up on New Years Eve and there is a huge town ball... sadly in a crazy turn of events the disco ball falls from the ceiling on top of an elf. Holly is convinced that it is also a murder, decor like that doesn't often fall and hit anyone.

Holly is trying to find out if it was a murder or just a very unlikely coincidence. She is still her determined self but is less lonely with the Claus familty and in the Candy Cane Hollow setting.

This book had the same flow and vibes as the last one - cozy mystery, clean romance, and lots of holiday themes. And like the last one, I only really had an issue with the timeline... in a week there have been 2 murders.... what the heck! I guess the holidays just make people crazy.

What I like about these books is just how simple they really are - they are full of festive feels and while murder mysteries, they are pretty light and just fun to read. This book also has a bit more romance, but I won't spoil it for new readers. If you liked the first one, this is a good follow up, but very similar overall.

Dec 9, 2024

Recent Reads: Christmas Corpse by Mona Marple

Christmas Corpse by Mona Marple
Series: A Christmas Cozy Mystery #1
Publisher: Aspen Park Publishing
Publication Date: May 21, 2024

Format: Ebook
Source: Stuff your Kindle day Freebie, also on Kindle Unlimited.

Rating:

Synopsis:

Welcome to Candy Cane Hollow, where every day feels like Christmas!

Holly Wood (yes, that's her real name) is driving home for Christmas and not feeling too happy about the empty house waiting for her.

When her car skids into a snow bank, she's rescued by a sweet old lady who promises her name is Mrs Claus.

Holly is taken to Candy Cane Hollow to recover, and finds herself in a genuine winter wonderland.

As Christmas Day approaches, the grouchy medical receptionist appears to have been poisoned by a mince pie.

And to Holly's surprise, Mrs Claus is the prime suspect.

With Mrs Claus under suspicion, Holly vows to return the woman's generosity by clearing her name.

Maybe it will impress Mrs Claus' dimpled dish of a son, too?

Review:

Holly Wood crashes in the snow on her way home from work and is saved by an older woman going by Mrs. Claus. Holly is rescued at just the right time - for her health but also for her life outlook, she is in need of a change.

On their way to town they head to urgent care to ensure Holly is ok and upon returning to Mrs. Claus' house they learn that the receptionist was murdered and the Mrs. Claus is the prime suspect.

This was a short holiday murder mystery, set in a Christmas themed town with the Claus family. Holly, with time on her hands, stays around to ensure she is better but also help out Mrs. Claus since she saved her. It probably doesn't hurt that she has a very good looking son as well and Holly might be interested.

Holly seems a bit lost to start and this is just the distraction that she needs. She is lonely and alone and it is the holidays. She is a determined and self-sufficient main character trying to help in this hidden town.

I livked the overall story, but the timeline seemed a bit lost for me - was she driving home on Christmas eve... was she in town for Chritmas Eve... and christmas comes and goes in there but seems like a few days. That was my biggest hang up with this read. I just had trouble figureing out how many days Holly was in town.

Overall, this was a cute, short holiday novella. So if you like a murder mystery and a very holiday themed world, this might be a good one to pick up.

Oct 23, 2024

2024 HO-HO-HO Readathon!

Here are some of the Read-a-thon Details

Borrowed from Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Visit her site for more information

Link-up! It is unnecessary to link to goal post but of course we love them. You can link to the social media platform you will use to track your reading. This can be your blog, or a special Goodreads Shelf you create. Be sure to label the shelf hohohorat2024. You can use a social media account, but you’ll need to tag me and use hashtag #2024HoHoHoRAT. (I must be able to see it. So friend me there)

Declare your intentions on your blog or through social media. Be sure and link back to this HoHoHo Readathon Sign-up page. Linky will close November 29th, so be sure to link up, even if you will only take part for a few days.

Grab the image and share! Tell your friends, post the image and link on social media using X (Twitter), Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, Threads, and others. Be sure to include a link to this page, so others may join.

Take part in at least one challenge and complete two books to be eligible for grand prize.

Read or listen to as many Holiday or Winter themed books as you can from any genre. If you are unsure, contact me. Goodreads is an excellent source for finding Winter & Holiday reads. Ask your librarian.

Read-a-thon starts on Thursday, November 21st 12:01 am (your time zone) and ends on Monday, December 2nd, at 11:59 pm (your time zone)

I have all of these books on my Kindle and this is a great time to get to them.

I do not have this one yet but it is a Xmas/Halloween mash-up that I might need to grab.

Challenges completed:

✅Added a lovely Mulled wine recipe to this Challenge:

Carla @ Carla Loves to Read “Share A Holiday Recipe"
https://www.wellplated.com/spiced-wine/ - here is the link to a yummy one.

✅Loved participating in Ruth's puzzle challenge:

Ruth @ Ruth A. Casie “Ruth’s Holiday Puzzles"

✅Got a Bingo!:

Marlene @ Reading Reality “Holiday Book Bingo"

Winter Mystery: Meltdown in Christmas River, a who-done it mystery set in a holiday town
Xmas Romance: All I want for Christmas is Them, a MMF romance/ naughty Christmas romance
Other Winter Romance: Witching you a Charmed Christmas - set leading up to Christmas, winter themes, cute Cozy romance

✅Completed the Scavenger Hunt:

Lisa @ Lisa Loves Literature “Holiday Book Cover Scavenger Hunt Mini-Challenge"

Candy Cane: All I Want for Christmas is Them by Adora Crooks
Kinara: The Night Before Kwanzaa by Natasha Wing
Ornament: The Little Christmas Tree by Thomas Meyer
Santa Hat: Dear Monster Claus by Maeve Black
Menorah: My First Menorah by Salina Yoon
Wreath: Little Blue Truck's Christmas by Alice Schertle
Holly: The Nightmare before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
Stocking: All by My Elf by Olivia Dade
Mitten: The Mitten by Jan Brett
Dredel: Little Dreidel Learns to Spin by Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Scarf: A Very Merry Mistake by Lyra Parish
Sweater: My Frosty Fake Christmas Date by Cassie Bowen

Books read:

Jul 19, 2019

#24in48 Readathon

I'm doin' a thing... what thing you ask?

THIS THING!

And what is this thing? Well it is a readathon... that I very much need right now. Below I have quoted the rules from their site and sign ups are still open if you need a reason to sequester yourself inside (or outside) and read for a very long period of time.

"Beginning at 12:01am (official timezone is EDT) on Saturday morning and running through 11:59pm on Sunday night, participants read for 24 hours out of that 48-hour period.

You can split that up however you’d like: 20 hours on Saturday, four hours on Sunday; 12 hours each day; six four-hour sessions with four hour breaks in between. You can pause as much as you need, enjoy regularly scheduled weekend activities, nap, stop for dance breaks with your kids or pets or neighbors. Whatever works for you.

And that’s it. The format never changes but it’s always an adventure."

Language borrowed from #24in28.com

Here are some of the books I hope to read during the readathon. 24 hours is a lot of reading time and I need to get to so many books that this doesn't even cover it :) Hopefully I will get through these and more.

I will be tracking my progress on Twitter mostly, but will also try to pop into this blog post as well. I am not sure how I am going to track quite yet but I think analog is the way to go - start and stop times written down. I will have to find a cute notebook :)

Check In 1

1st check in here on the blog - I am at 3 hours and 28 minutes done and I have finished When Summer Ends by Jessica Pennington.

Check In 2

2nd check in - I am at 5 hours and 17 minutes and finished an audiobook that I had started this past week Mr Lemoncello's All-Star Breakout Game by Chris Grabenstein

Check In 3

3rd blog check in, I have been posting more updates on Twitter if you want to follow along real time. As of bedtime Saturday night I was at 11 hours and 28 minutes and have finished more books: Beekeeping for Beginners by Amber Bradshaw, The Starlight Claim by Tim Wynne-Jones and The Camelot Code by Mari Mancusi.

And a Bonus book:

Nov 8, 2017

Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon Goals and Progress 2017

Here are some of the Read-a-thon Details

Borrowed from Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Link-up (it is not necessary to link to goal post, just link to the account/blog you will be using)

Before or on November 8th post a goals post to your blog. If you do not have a blog, declare your intentions on social media and link to this page, then create a shelf on Goodreads with intended books) Be sure and link back to Caffeinated Reviewer. If you do not have a blog or Goodreads account and wish to participate you could use Instagram or Facebook. Contact me if unsure.

It might be a good idea to a friend, like or follow me on whatever social media site you use so we can see your progress. Just mention Ho-Ho-Ho so I can follow you back.

Grab the image and share! Tell your friends, post the image and link on social media using Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google + or Instagram Be sure to include a link to this page, so others may join.

Participate in at least one challenge to be eligible for grand prize

Read/listen to as many Holiday or Winter themed books as you can. (Winter can be new years setting, snowstorm etc. If you are unsure contact me)

Tweet your progress using #hohohorat

Twitter Party! Tuesday, November 15, 2017, at 8:30 pm (EST) #hohohorat Come chat about the books you have read. There will be prizes.

Challenge schedule and Grand Prize widget will post on November 8th at/by 8 am (EST)

Read-a-thon starts on November 8th 12:o1 am (your time zone) and ends on November 15 at 11:59 pm (your time zone)

Challenges will be open from 8 am (EST) on the 8th and stay open until Nov 15th at 11:59 pm (EST)

Grand Prize Raffle will be open until November 16th at 11:59 pm (EST) to allow you to submit entries.

All winners of challenges and the grand prize will be notified by November 20th.

I am planning on reading...

Hubble Bubble: The Wacky Winter Wonderland (Hubble Bubble Series)

It's Time!

Challenges Completed/Progress:

November 8th

Completed the Addicted to Happily Ever After Word Scramble
Instagram Challenge from The Book Nympho

Day 1: TBR Pile for #hohohorat

Completed Lampshade Reader Holiday Story Prompt:

The Grinch sat on his mountain eating broken ornaments, used tinsel, and burnt out lights thrown away by the Whos. What he really wanted to be doing was building Gingerbread houses and visiting Santa. But NOOOOOO daddy Krampus wouldn’t allow any Christmas cheer.