Review & Giveaway - - Christmas in Blue Dog Valley

Christmas in Blue Dog Valley: A Novel

by Annie England Noblin

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: September 20, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Welcome to Blue Dog Valley. Home of the Fighting Elk. Population 3,411. 

When Goldie McKenzie, DVM, vet to the L.A. pet stars, arrives from Los Angeles to Blue Dog Valley she realizes three things.

1. Never agree to upend your life when you’re hungover
2. Pot-belly pigs are not true farm animals
3. She’s going to need a warmer coat

At first Goldie is nothing more than a fish out of water, with few clients and few friends. But after a less than pleasant encounter with a man whose dog is suffering from a possibly fatal case of bloat, she’s finally earning the trust and goodwill from her fellow Blue Dog Valley citizens. Her clientele grows to include the many farm animals in the town, including a horse named Large Marge, a cape-wearing therapy alpaca, and a yardful of sweater-wearing goats. Add in Kevin, the “worst sheepdog in Blue Dog Valley,” and a Sphinx cat named Airport, and Goldie is having the best time a vet can have. . . aside from the annoying attractive town grump, Cohen, who seems intent on making sure she always feels like an outsider.

With her newfound goodwill, Goldie comes up with an idea to reinvigorate the once flourishing Blue Dog Valley: a Christmas carnival. A petting zoo, pictures with Santa, a baking contest, what more could they want? After only some brief resistance from Cohen and his father, they begin the great plan to reinvigorate Blue Dog Valley.

Will Christmas be enough to salvage this dying town—and be enough to bring Goldie closer to a certain grumpy man?

PJ's Thoughts:

I love a good fish out of water story and, boy howdy, does this one fit the bill. First off, Goldie is so far outside her comfort zone that, like some Blue Dog Valley residents, I wasn't sure she'd last two weeks. Especially after she stepped out of the airport into frigid temperatures, endured a two-hour, silent ride in a pickup truck with her less than enthusiastic (though very good looking) driver, met her terse, unwelcoming co-worker who informed Goldie that nobody trusted her and all appointments had been cancelled, saw the tiny cabin where she'd be living, and after falling asleep in a kitchen chair awoke to a cat on her head and a huge dog in front of her fireplace. And that was only the first day! But then she discovered Ruby's diner and the best cinnamon rolls in Wisconsin and that outweighed many, many negatives. Like Goldie, I slowly fell in love with the small, Christmas-loving town of Blue Dog Valley and her quirky citizens. And like those citizens, I came to love Goldie as well. Who says you can't start over at forty? 

Noblin is a wonderful storyteller, bringing this tale to life with humor, poignant emotion, sassy banter, and well-developed characters. She captures the vibe of the upper Midwest and the flow of a small town on the brink of collapse impeccably. By the time I reached the final page, I felt as if I knew each of the characters, no matter how small a part they played in the overall story. And that goes for both two-legged and four-legged ones! I was cheering for Blue Dog Valley to succeed. I was ready to decorate my house to the max. I was rooting for Cohen to wake up and realize the happiness that was within his grasp. I wanted to spend the day with Kevin, Airport, Alice and the rest of the Blue Dog Valley animals. And I was craving cinnamon rolls. Hot, sweet, chewy cinnamon rolls. 

I would classify this as women's fiction, or perhaps contemporary fiction (think Hallmark Christmas movie), though there is a romantic element and a happy ending. The primary focus though is on Goldie, her interactions with everyone in town, her growth, her second chapter, finding herself, finding her happiness and, quite possibly, her future. 

Christmas in Blue Dog Valley is a fun, feel-good story that's sure to brighten your holiday reading pleasure. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Blue Dog Valley goes all out with Christmas decorations and activities. What does your town do to celebrate?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, December 16 will receive a print copy of Christmas in Blue Dog Valley.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Tour Review & Giveaway - - The Sweetheart Fix

The Sweetheart Fix

by Miranda Liasson

Blossom Glen - Book 2

Publisher: Entangled Amara

Release Date: November 29, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Juliet Montgomery absolutely loves her small town of Blossom Glen, Indiana, and everyone loves her. Except for the fact that she’s a couples counselor who suffered a very public breakup that no one can forget. And now her boss asks her to take a step back…which is exactly when the town’s good-lookin’ and unusually gruff mayor offers her an unexpected job.

Jack Monroe absolutely loves being the mayor of his small town. Except when he actually has to talk to people. Can’t he just fix the community problems in peace? Like right now, he’s mediating the silliest dispute two neighbors could possibly have. When the town sweetheart steps up and solves everyone’s problems in five minutes flat, Jack realizes what this town really needs…is a therapist.

Juliet is able to soothe anyone—other than the surly mayor, it seems. But there’s a reason they say opposites attract, because all of their verbal sparring leads to some serious attraction. Only, just like with fireworks, the view might appear beautiful—but she’s already had one public explosion that’s nearly ruined everything…how can she risk her heart again? 

PJ's Thoughts:

When I pick up a book by Miranda Liasson, I always feel like I'm about to make new friends, in a place I'd be happy to visit. Her fictional communities are warm and welcoming but also realistic. I grew up in a small town. There are pros and cons to everyone knowing your business and Liasson explores both. But it's her characters that shine. Whether it's the lead couple, their friends and families, two neighbors feuding over a tree on their property line, or a lonely old man who has forgotten what it feels like to be a part of the community, Liasson give each of them the care and attention they deserve. And, in doing so, she makes me care about all of them. 

I wouldn't call Jack and Juliet enemies but they certainly start out as adversaries. I love how they challenge each other. The banter between them is terrific. Each of them has reasons for being wary of relationships but that doesn't stop the attraction between them from growing, especially as they spend time together at City Hall and start peeling back those layers that hide the hurts and vulnerabilities acquired over the years. I enjoy how their friendship evolves and solidifies before they take that next step into romantic feelings, though the zing of attraction is there from the start. I also appreciate that the author takes her time with them, leading them to fully confront the emotional baggage they carry before allowing them to claim their happy ending. They're so good together. I laughed, cried, and sighed with happiness with them every step of the way.

It was fun to see all the characters from book one again in this book as well as meet a few new ones. There are no secrets in Blossom Glen as Jack and Juliet are quick to discover. Everyone has a stake in their relationship and isn't above offering advice...in the most loving and helpful way, of course. I enjoyed watching Leo and Tessa (The Sweetheart Deal) preparing for parenthood, as well as catching up with other members of their families. And I am already eager to discover what the future will hold for youngest sister, Viv. Will she head overseas again or will love, family, and a new purpose in life hold her closer to Blossom Glen? Only time will tell.

If you enjoy small-town romance with fully-developed, relatable characters, low steam but deep passion, humor, and heartwarming happy endings, give The Sweetheart Fix (and book one, The Sweetheart Deal) a try. They both have my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Have you read Miranda Liasson yet?

What do you enjoy about small-town romance?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, December 8 will receive a print copy of The Sweetheart Fix and The Sweetheart Deal.

U.S. only

Must be 18

Void where prohibited

Review - - Faking it With the Green Beret

Faking it With the Green Beret

by Tracy Brody

A Sweet Faking it Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Tracy Brody

Release Date: November 21, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

  

His Life is like a Country Song

Green Beret Captain “Big John” Bryson returns from deployment to learn his girlfriend cheated and his dog died. Turns out, his ex lied and dumped his beloved mutt, Boss, at the shelter. Forget the ex, John just wants his dog back.

An abuse survivor, Elizabeth Carroll is singing a happier tune without a man in her life. She has her work as a counselor and The Oasis, a trio of tiny homes on her property where abused women can get a fresh start. She also has her rescue dog—or did—until his former owner wants him back. After John intervenes to protect one of her residents, Elizabeth offers him and Boss housing at The Oasis. But who will protect Elizabeth’s heart from the charms of the off-key singing, 6’5” teddy bear of a soldier?

Fighting for the love John desperately wanted all his life has given him more battle scars than his dangerous missions. He and Elizabeth could be an opposites-attract love story, if only John can break through the guarded beauty’s defenses. If he can’t earn her trust and heal her invisible wounds, their unlikely duet will end on a bad note. With Boss’s help, can they create the perfect harmony to give them the future they’ve both dreamed of?

PJ's Thoughts:

Tracy Brody blends laugh-out-loud humor and sweet romance with the emotional depth of heartache, past abuse, and hopeful healing in this new contemporary romcom that had me laughing, shedding a few tears, and sighing with satisfaction when the final page was turned. 

John can sing off-key to me any old time. I adored him. In this character, Brody has created a battle-tested warrior with a marshmallow center. He's tough when needed - a protector - but also gentle and kind when the occasion calls for it. The care he exhibits with the women at The Oasis, his patience with Elizabeth, his devotion to duty and honor, and his love for his dog would have sealed the deal for me...even before he started serenading me off-key. And speaking of his dog, Boss not only stole the hearts of all the characters in the book, and mine, he also stole every scene in which he appeared. 

Elizabeth is a complex character with a traumatic past (see below for the author's note) who devotes herself to helping other women who have experienced similar situations. I admired her courage to break away from those who had hurt her and embark upon a healing path. She and John are so good together. The author leads them on a gradual journey to friendship, trust, and eventually a deeper, emotional relationship. I loved the humor between them while appreciating the fine line they walked when feelings began to deepen. The sensitivity given to her fear was commendable and, again, in those situations, John's actions and attitude were all I could have hoped for. 

Kudos to Brody for crafting a story that, although it deals with difficult subject matter and is heart-wrenching at times, addresses those issues head-on while also maintaining it's central focus of humor, heart, healing, and hope. I give this one my enthusiastic recommendation. 

One additional note. Each chapter in this book begins with a song title (and artist) that sets the tone for what's to come. I have no idea how long it took for the author to research and choose these titles but they are brilliant...and kept me humming throughout the book. 

Trigger Warning

Note from author in front of book

"This is a romantic comedy book; however, it also deals with the sensitive subjects of physical and sexual abuse. Elizabeth is an abuse survivor and works with other women who've left abusive situations. While the abuse is not shown on the page, it is discussed in the book and is part of what Elizabeth has to overcome through counseling, EMDR therapy, and with encouragement from John.

The intent is to show women supporting one another and that there is help and hope for healing. Should the idea of a character sharing abuse in their past be a trigger for you, this may not be the book for you - at least not at this time. I do hope you will get to a place of happiness, joy, and strength."

Blessings,

Tracy

Review, Q&A, Giveaway - - Beyond Fear

Beyond Fear

by Connie Mann

Publisher: Connie Mann

Release Date: November 29, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Sometimes, wild animals aren’t the biggest danger in the forest…

After her mother’s murder two years ago, sharpshooter Lisa Bass returned to Florida to start over – and try to earn her grandmother’s forgiveness. She loves her job as a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission officer, and teaching a weekly self-defense class helps keep the guilt at bay. So when the husband of one of her students is murdered, Lisa is absolutely determined the woman won’t get railroaded for a crime she didn’t commit.

Newly promoted Sheriff’s Detective Pete “Bulldog” Tanner believes spouses are always the prime suspect, but when the clues point to blackmail and illegal game hunting, he’s not sure what to think. Especially when their prime suspect vanishes.

Neither Lisa nor Pete relish working a joint investigation, not with the unexpected and unwelcome attraction crackling between them. But when Lisa is targeted and more people disappear, they will have to trust each other to stop the killers that are closing in fast.

PJ's Thoughts:

Mann kept me on the edge of my seat with this one! With an intricately woven mystery, breath-stealing suspense, unwelcome desire, and twists and turns around every corner, I was kept eagerly flipping pages from the beginning all the way to the explosive conclusion. I could not put it down. 

Reading a book in this series is always an immersive experience. The author has the ability to describe the location in such a way that places me right in the middle of the action. Even if I had never visited this area of Florida, reading Beyond Fear would have brought it to vivid life on the page. It's almost a character in itself. 

I enjoyed the friction between Pete and Lisa, how they gradually evolved from adversaries to working partners to a romantic couple. The main focus of this book is definitely on the action and suspense (do not underestimate Lisa!) but romance fans won't be left wanting.

Lisa's strained relationship with her grandmother is another key element of the book that gives readers insight into Lisa's background and personality. My feelings were fully engaged in this thread and my heart was firmly with Lisa. I was happy with the way that played out. 

If you enjoy romantic suspense thrillers with plenty of action, lead characters you can root for, dastardly villains, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the big reveal, pick up a copy of Beyond Fear. I highly recommend it. 

Q&A with Connie Mann

Hi Connie! Thank you for answering a few questions for us today. Beyond Fear, the newest book in your Florida Wildlife Warriors series released yesterday, November 29. Congratulations! What should readers expect from this book? 

Thanks so much for having me and helping me celebrate this new story. Beyond Fear is another Florida-set romantic suspense, centered around the Tanner family. Here are some of the things I love – and think readers will love - about Pete Tanner and Lisa Bass’ story:

-Their inconvenient attraction – and the sparks that fly between them

-Two strong leading characters learning to trust each other

-The building suspense and mystery

-Lisa’s Harley-riding grandma

-Small-town southern charm and quirky characters

-Florida’s nature and untamed wilderness

-Forgiveness and complicated family dynamics

The back cover puts it like this:

Sometimes, wild animals aren’t the biggest danger in the forest…

After her mother’s murder two years ago, sharpshooter Lisa Bass returned to Florida to start over – and try to earn her grandmother’s forgiveness. She loves her job as a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission officer, and teaching a weekly self-defense class helps keep the guilt at bay. So when the husband of one of her students is murdered, Lisa is absolutely determined the woman won’t get railroaded for a crime she didn’t commit.

Newly promoted Sheriff’s Detective Pete “Bulldog” Tanner believes spouses are always the prime suspect, but when the clues point to blackmail and illegal game hunting, he’s not sure what to think. Especially when their prime suspect vanishes.

Neither Lisa nor Pete relish working a joint investigation, not with the unexpected and unwelcome attraction crackling between them. But when Lisa is targeted and more people disappear, they will have to trust each other to stop the killers that are closing in fast.

Will there be any more books in this series? Should the existing books be read in order? 

I’ve had lots of fun writing about the three Tanner siblings, but this is the third and final book in the series. Each book focuses on one of the siblings, and introduces other people who live in the community, but the books can most definitely be read as stand-alone stories. 

You bring this section of Florida to vivid life in these books. What is your personal experience with this region? What about it calls to you as an author? 

I love Central Florida, especially the Ocala area, where the series is set. Hubby and I lived there for 24 years before moving to Florida’s east coast last year. I worked on the Silver River as a boat captain for 15 years, and loved teaching guests about the area. I also worked for the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center and got to introduce boatloads of local schoolchildren to this fabulous area via boat rides. 

As an author, I realized that when people think of Florida, they usually think three things: beaches, Miami and Disney. They don’t realize we have places like the Ocala National Forest, which encompasses over 600,000 acres. They don’t know about alligators and bears and even the feral monkeys that live in the forest. Shining a spotlight on all the cool things that make up Florida’s wilderness appealed to me. 

What would readers be surprised to discover about you? 

Besides being surprised that I’ve been a boat captain for 16 years, people are also surprised to learn that despite my deep love of nature and passion for conservation and wildlife, I have a major aversion to snakes. I don’t like them, at all. I’ve trained myself not to yelp whenever I see one, but I can’t avoid the instinctive shiver and need to get as far away from them as possible, immediately. If one got into my house and couldn’t be found, I’d have to move. 

Winter holidays are on the horizon. What are you most looking forward to (food, music, books, traditions)? What makes your holidays jingle?  

I love everything about Christmas! The tree, the lights that hubby hangs by the thousands, baking spritz cookies, listening to Christmas music 24/7, watching Christmas movies and most of all, spending time with friends and family. We also make time to read the biblical Christmas story and reflect on the hope that is the reason we celebrate, so it doesn’t get lost amidst the busyness and noise. Oh, and I love eggnog. Lots of eggnog.

What’s next for Connie Mann, author? 

Right now, my agent is shopping my brand-new series. It’s about a small team of women who travel the world helping other women in trouble, especially those who are trying to make the world a better place. They’re part of a secret society that dates back to the middle ages and the stories will be filled with exciting adventure and suspense, with a touch of romance, of course. 

Would you like to ask my readers a question? 

What is your absolute favorite thing about the holiday season? Leave a comment and I’ll send the e-book of Beyond Fear to one lucky commenter. 

Thanks so much, Connie! 

Thank you so much for having me! I had a wonderful time.

Readers, one randomly chosen person leaving a comment before 11:00 PM, December 2 will receive an e-copy of Beyond Fear.

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Review - - One Last Chance

One Last Chance

by Kat Martin

Blood Ties, the Logans - Book 3

Publisher: Kensington

Release Date: November 29, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Former Green Beret Edge Logan has made a new life for himself at Nighthawk Security in Denver, using his finely honed skills to neutralize threats of all kinds. When he overhears friend and fellow agent Skye Delaney discussing a new case involving her missing sister and a mysterious cult, he offers himself as backup. With her own military background, Skye is gutsy and more than capable, but a cult like Children of the Sun is too risky for anyone to investigate alone.
 
Skye is grateful for Edge’s experience, even though she is aware of the attraction simmering between them. Her battle scars make her reluctant to get involved with anyone, much less a coworker—even a warrior like Edge. But infiltrating the cult’s compound is more complicated than expected—and something much more sinister than worship is clearly going on behind its walls. As the pair works against the clock to unearth high-stakes secrets, the personal barriers between them begin to crumble. Together, can they unmask the face of evil before their time runs out?

PJ's Thoughts:

This third book in Martin's Blood Ties, The Logans series is a fast-paced, non-stop, edge-of-the-seat thriller filled with murder, mystery, forced cult imprisonment, betrayal, dysfunctional family dynamics, and more than a few surprises. Each time I thought I had figured out what was happening in Skye's and Edge's mission to rescue her sister, a new twist sent them in a different direction. I love when an author keeps me on my toes, trying to tie up all the threads of a story before the big reveal. In One Last Chance, Martin carefully wove in unexpected layers that would eventually reveal connections that would have wide-spread consequences...and would keep me guessing until the end. There was much more to this than a clear-cut religious cult. 

The action and suspense of this story took center stage but romance was not left behind. I enjoyed the chemistry between Edge and Skye, the partnership formed while they stood side by side as equals, and the growth both experienced as they sorted through emotional baggage. I was firmly in their couple corner the entire way.

While this is the third book of this series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone. Actually, all three books - while connected by the three brothers - stand well on their own. If you choose to begin with One Last Chance, rest assured you'll be able to jump right in without missing a beat. 

If you're a fan of action-packed, high-intensity romantic suspense, give this one a try. I couldn't put it down.

Click the title to read my reviews of book one, The Last Goodnight and book two, The Last Mile. 

Review - - Sugar and Spice

Sugar and Spice: An Opposites Attract Romance

by Kimberly Kincaid

Pine Mountain - Book 1

Publisher: Kimberly Kincaid

Release Date: November 15, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Ingredients:

One by-the-book cake caterer
One rule-breaking hotshot pastry chef
One prize in a Christmas cookie competition that will skyrocket both of their careers

Mix well and add a whole lot of heat that doesn't stay in the kitchen.

Serve with a side of opposites attract, holiday cheer, and a hard-fought happily ever after.
*****
Sugar and Spice is a sexy and sweet opposites attract/adversaries to lovers holiday romance. It kicks off the Pine Mountain series, and is an updated, spicy-sweet version of a novella that was originally published as part of The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap anthology in 2013.

PJ's Thoughts:

Kimberly Kincaid brings the sweet, the spicy, and the steamy to this fun uplifting holiday novella. As is the norm for Kincaid, she's created intriguing, multi-layered characters who fill the pages with sassy banter, crackling chemistry, and heart-tugging emotion. And then, if that isn't enough, she makes them both bakers competing against one another in a holiday competition. Yes! When I wasn't laughing, or sighing, or tearing up, I was drooling all over the yummy cookies and desserts these two were whipping up. As soon as I turned the final page, all I wanted to do was start hauling ingredients out of my pantry and baking up a storm. November 15th isn't too early to kick off my holiday baking, right? 

If you're looking for a quick holiday romance that will tempt your tastebuds, tickle your funny bone, and fill your heart with joy, pick up a copy of Sugar and Spice. It's sure to get your holiday reading - and baking - off to a rousing start. 

Tour Review & Giveaway - - Never Rescue a Rogue

Never Rescue a Rogue

by Virginia Heath

The Merriwell Sisters - Book 2

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: November 8, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair only tolerate one another for the sake of their nearest and dearest. Everyone believes that the two of them are meant to be together, but Diana and Giles know that their constant pithy barbs come from a shared disdain―not a hidden attraction. Diana loves the freedom of working at the newspaper too much to give it up for marriage, and Giles is happily married to his bachelor lifestyle. But they do have one thing in common―the secrets they can’t risk escaping. 

When Giles’ father, the curmudgeonly Duke of Harpenden unexpectedly turns up his toes, it’s only a matter of time before someone comes crawling out of the woodwork who knows the true circumstances of his only son's birth. As the threat of blackmail becomes real, Giles must uncover the truth of his parentage first, or else he and all those who depend upon him will be ruined―and dogged bloodhound Diana is his best hope at sniffing out the truth. As Giles and Diana dive into his family’s past, the attraction that the two of them insisted wasn’t there proves impossible to ignore. Soon, the future of the Sinclair estate isn’t the only thing on the line…

PJ's Thoughts:

This book was an absolute delight. I adored both Giles and Diana, staunch frenemies with their pithy comments, charmingly insulting nicknames, and witty banter. They challenge one another at every turn while below the surface, unwanted feelings swirl. Everyone around them knows they're a perfect match. The question is when - or if - the two of them will ever clue into that fact.

Giles and Diana are one of my favorite types of pairings. He's the best friend of her new brother-in-law, an unrepentant, flirtatious, mischievous ducal heir giving the appearance of having not a care in the world while protecting hidden depths behind the persona that he presents to the outside world. She's the witty, sarcastic, ferociously independent daughter of a Clerkenwell forger, forced to make her own way in the world and rightly suspicious of most men. Both characters are well developed and layered, engaging my emotions, and my support. They made me laugh out loud while also tugging at my heart. Neither is interested in marriage. Both find themselves reluctantly falling for the other. But there are obstacles - big obstacles - blocking the path to a happy ending. They'll have to work together first to solve a potentially life-altering mystery while circumventing meddling family, a cheeky butler, and thwarting a devious threat from the past. It's a blend of mystery, adventure, and romance wrapped in a fun, heartfelt, satisfying journey that kept me grinning, sighing, gasping, and snickering all the way to the end, cheering them on to vanquish the villain and embrace their love without losing themselves in the process. These two are great on their own...even better together. 

This is the second book in Virginia Heath's The Merriwell Sisters trilogy. You could begin with this one and not be confused but because of the continuing cast of characters and their evolution over the course of the two books, I'm glad I began with book one, Never Fall for Your Fiancée. Click to read my review. 

Next up will be youngest sister, Vee's book. She really shines as a secondary character in Never Rescue a Rogue. After witnessing her growth in this second book, I'm even more eager to discover what Heath has in store for her. I'm hoping that a new character introduced in this book will have a role in her story. I felt a frisson. 

Tour Giveaway: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio – When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty-five books and three Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginiaheathwrites

Review & Giveaway - - Alaska for Christmas

Alaska for Christmas

by Jennifer Snow

A Wild Coast Novel - Book 2

Publisher: HQN

Release Date: October 25, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Can a hometown Christmas bring together these two polar opposites?

After traveling to all corners of the globe, Isla Wakefield has returned home to celebrate Christmas with her adoptive family. The gorgeous Alaskan wilderness is the perfect place to recharge before moving on to her next adventure—whatever that may be. Too bad that being home means once more butting heads with Chief Petty Officer Aaron Segura, Port Serenity's resident buzzkill.

Isla’s fearless spirit has always infuriated Aaron—but fascinated him, too. Having lost his sister years ago, he’s never understood how some people can live so recklessly. But after a terrifying ice-climbing accident leaves Isla with amnesia, she and Aaron both see each other in a brand-new light. Forgetting the pain of her past makes Isla fearless in a completely different way. She’s not afraid to show Aaron exactly how she feels, yet he can’t help but wonder…will this temporary change of mind lead to a permanent change of heart?

PJ's Thoughts:

I'm fascinated by amnesia, not that I'd want to experience it in reality or have it happen to someone I love. But in fiction I find it compelling and difficult to resist. That alone would have led me to this book but combine it with the ruggedness of Alaska (my new favorite romance setting) plus an enemies-to-lovers trope, and I'm in. 

Jennifer Snow is a relatively recent discovery for me but I've been enjoying the books of hers that I've read. Her characters are well developed, the stories flow smoothly, and her sense of place fully immerses me in the majesty - and danger - to be found in Alaska. I'm also enjoying the nod to a local legend (possibly true?) in this new series. 

One of my favorite aspects of Alaska for Christmas is how it explores the positive effects of Isla's amnesia and the impact on her life when she's in essence presented with a clean life slate. Not that it doesn't also focus on the emotional trauma - it does - but it's a much more hopeful, positive overall focus. Without the knowledge of her life history or recognition of anyone in her life, Isla is forced to slow down enough to take a closer look at her life goals, her motivation, herself. And when that new vision turns her in the direction of Aaron, something that never would have happened before, it affords the opportunity to both of them to discard their preconceived notions about the other and open their hearts to new possibilities.

Aaron is so endearing. My heart ached for what his family endured when he was in high school and the continuing disconnect between him and his parents. I love how he chooses to commemorate his sister through his Coast Guard rescue work and how that work results in leading him onto a new path with Isla. They have sizzling chemistry but they also have a sweetness between them that develops into a solid friendship with new parameters. Maybe all that pre-amnesia animosity between them was hiding something deeper that fear kept them from acknowledging all those years? Needless to say, I was in their corner cheering them on the entire way to their HEA, which came about in a grand-gesture way that was the perfect ending for a woman who, before her amnesia, had risked her life on a daily basis and a man who had embraced safety with all that he was. 

The surrounding cast of characters is solid and also well developed, giving readers insight into both main characters, both past and present. Isla's brother, Dex and his fiancée, Skylar (Sweet Home Alaska) feature prominently in this story as well as other family members, local Coast Guard teammates, and townspeople. Even with continuing characters, this book is written in such a way that readers new to Port Serenity should have no difficulty beginning the series with Alaska for Christmas. Though I recommend book one as well.

Bonus Novella

In Love in the Forecast, meteorologist Monica Mallard signs up for Port Serenity’s annual navigation contest as a distraction from recent heartbreak. But when she’s paired with silver fox Captain Keith Beaumont, Monica finds the second chance she never could have predicted.

PJ's Thoughts:

For fans of seasoned characters, this romance between Monica and Keith (Skylar's widowed father - Sweet Home Alaska) is an absolute delight, proving that there may be snow on the roof but there's still fire in the soul and you're never too old to embrace new adventures...or new love. 

Have you read Jennifer Snow yet?

Do you enjoy books set in Alaska?

What do you think about amnesia as a plot device? 

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 30 will receive a print copy of Alaska for Christmas.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Review - - Archangel's Resurrection

Archangel's Resurrection 

by Nalini Singh

A Guild Hunter Novel - Book 15

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: October 25, 2022

Reviewed by Nancy

 

For thousands of years, the passion between Alexander, Archangel of Persia, and Zanaya, Queen of the Nile, burned furious and bright, seemingly without end. But to be an archangel is to be bound to power violent and demanding. Driven by its primal energy, Alexander and Zanaya fought as fiercely as they loved, locked in an endless cycle of devotion and heartbreak. It is only Zanaya’s decision to Sleep that ends their love story.
 
Eons later, the Cascade of Death wakens them both. The passion between them a flame that yet burns, Alexander and Zanaya stand together in one last battle against the ultimate darkness. But even a warrior archangel cannot win every war. Alexander’s scream shatters the world as Zanaya falls, broken and silent . . . only to rise again in a miracle that may be a devastating curse. For is it truly the Queen of the Nile who has been resurrected?
 
Only one thing is clear: This is the last beat of their passionate, angry dance. The final song for Alexander and his Zani . . .

Nancy Says:

Three books ago, with Archangel’s War, Singh brought the arc of the power-maddened archangel Lijuan to its cataclysmic conclusion. The two books after that showed some of the effects of that cataclysm on the characters and the world. Archangel’s Resurrection continues that thread. It focuses on archangels Alexander ( sometimes Xander) and Zanaya (Zani). The story opens in New York during the battle against Lijuan. Lijuan attacks Zani, who falls from the sky nearly dead. Zani goes into Sleep, the restorative state of angels, and the story jumps back to Alexander’s childhood, including his loving parents and older brother, Osiris. 

His family were scholars and expected him to be one too. Alexander, however, chose the way of the warrior instead. With his family’s support, he set about building that life. 

We also learn some of Zani’s backstory and her development into a warrior angel. When she and Alexander meet, intense attraction immediately burns between them, but both walk away. Alexander is several thousand years older than Zani, and he thinks he would do her a disservice if he pursued her while she’s still finding her path. Zani was raised by her mother only because her father abandoned them, yet her mother remains obsessed with him. The last thing Zani wants is an obsessive love. 

They do eventually come together about twenty percent of the way through the story. Their relationship is as intense as they both expected but fraught with conflict. He wants commitment, and she’s determined to maintain her independence. They enter a cycle of passionate reunions eventually ending in quarrels and followed by long periods apart. The story explores the ways they both grow and change during those separations. While Singh often explores a couple’s separate lives, most romances don’t. There’s a further separation while one of the couple Sleeps, over the vehement protest of the other. The sleeper awakens just before the Cascade that presaged the war against Lijuan. 

Alexander and Zanaya’s relationship has become famed among angelkind even though they’ve never been able to make it work. When Zani sleeps after Lijuan’s attack, Alexander is afraid he’s lost his last chance to resolve their conflicts. When she awakens, they’ve both changed and matured and try in a different way to make their relationship work. They face problems, though, that are not of their making. Zani still bears the effects of Lijuan’s attacks, and the evil Lijuan loosed on the world is taking a new and unexpected direction. 

Singh gradually shows us how Zani and Alexander have gained perspective through their experiences and have looked back at their relationship with new eyes.  The moments she chooses to illustrate their growth are poignant and had me cheering them on. 

Some of the most emotional relationships in the book involve family and friends. As a child, Alexander was close to his older brother, Osiris, and admired him a great deal. Osiris gradually withdraws from his brother, and Alexander eventually discovers changes in his brother that force him to make a painful choice. 

Alexander is also very close to his grandson and namesake, Xander, whose father and mother were killed by Lijuan. Zanaya is not Alexander’s mother. He was conceived when she and Alexander were not together. 

Zani isn’t close to her mother, but she’s very close to her mentor and to her two closest friends. Alexander’s closest friend in his youth is archangel Raphael’s mother, Caliane, and we see how her period of madness grieved him. He and Raphael have an interesting dynamic. 

Singh does a great job of showing the horrible effects of Lijuan’s madness in different books featuring different characters without being repetitive. The title of Archangel’s Resurrection is very clever because another archangel injured by Lijuan’s evil has an unsuspected part to play. 

My one problem with this book is that the romance feels a little disjointed. The cycle of intense passion followed by separation is handled well, but every separation interrupts the arc of the romance. The forward progression stops and then starts again. Otherwise, I thought it moved at a good pace, and I was rooting for the characters. It’s an excellent installment in the series. 

Highly recommended.

4.5 Stars

~Nancy