SPOTLIGHT: Cozy Christmas Capers, A Cozy Mystery Anthology

Christmas AND cozy mysteries? Oh yeah, works for me. I'm not familiar with most of these authors but for $1.99, it's hard to pass up.

Bea Reviews All I Want for Christmas Is You by Jessica Scott

Publisher: Jessica Scott
Series:Coming Home #5.5
Format Read: Kindle ARC
Source: the author in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: October 22, 2014
Buying Links:  Amazon* | Kobo | Google Play | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

All Major Patrick MacLean wanted was Christmas with the woman and child who were his family in everything but name. But Captain Samantha Egan has come back from the war a different woman than the one who left - and she doesn't know if she can love him anymore.

But neither of them counted on the determination of a little girl they both call daughter and if Natalie has her wish, her parents may have no idea what's coming for them. It's going to take Christmas miracle to bring these two wounded warriors back from the edge of a broken heart.

Bea Reviews Christmas with a SEAL by Tawny Weber

Publisher: Harlequin 
Format Read: eGalley
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: October 21, 2014 
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | ARe* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Subject: Navy SEAL Lieutenant Phillip Banks

Mission: Resist one saucy redhead's attempts to de-Scrooge him …and seduce him!

Silversmith Frankie Silvera has lost her creative mojo. And she knows how to get it back—by getting her sexy on with a certain hot sailor. Just the thought of Phillip's hard, Navy-trained body against her, and everything goes molten. He's the "inspiration" Frankie needs for the holidays!

Navy SEAL Phillip Banks is the prince of protocol. But after his last mission went horribly off-course, all of that control has dissipated. Now he's at the mercy of one very determined female who is pulling out all the stops on Operation Christmas—including red-hot lingerie and the promise of oh-so-wicked delights… But does giving in mean giving up everything he's worked for?

SPOTLIGHT: Home for Christmas by Jessica Scott and JoAnn Ross

WOO HOO! It's party time! Today is the release day for a new duet, "Home for Christmas" containing stories by Jessica Scott and JoAnn Ross. They each contributed a novella. Jessica is one of my very favorite authors and possibly the best contemporary romance writer on the market. I'm not familiar with Ms Ross's works but if Jessica likes her, I'll give her a try. :)

Jessica Scott is a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she's a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

Christmas Trees - Live or Fake? A Guest Post by Jessica Scott & An iPad Mini Giveaway

The party continues! I have a guest post from Jessica on Christmas rituals. We all have them; well, we all have rituals for holidays that we celebrate whichever holiday that may be. I could relate to this one as my father and mother's Christmas tree rituals were different from later Christmas tree rituals of my father and stepmother.

Jessica Scott is a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she's a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

All I Want for Christmas Is You by Jessica Scott- EXCERPT & Mini iPad GIVEAWAY

Today I'm delighted to share a brief excerpt, a snippet really, from Jessica Scott's latest story, "All I Want for Christmas Is You". It's a heartfelt story about two lovers who've lost their way and need help. It's full of drama, angst, hope, and humor. Jessica wrote the story as part of a duet, "Home for Christmas", with Joann Ross.

This is actually the first of three posts today celebrating either the release of this story or the release of the duet that contains this story. The other posts include a guest post by Jessica and a spotlight on the duet, "Home for Christmas". So, grab your drink of choice, make yourself comfortable, and join the party!

Bea Reviews The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Series: Whiskey Creek #7
Format Read: eGalley
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | ARe* | Barnes & Noble | 
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Just call her Christmas Eve… 
Eve Harmon has always enjoyed Christmas, but this year it reminds her of everything she doesn't have. Almost all her friends are married now, and that's what Eve wants, too. Love. A husband and kids of her own. But the B and B she manages, and even Whiskey Creek, the small Gold Country town where she was born and raised, suddenly seem…confining. 

Eve's worried that her future will simply be a reflection of her past. There's no one in the area she could even imagine as a husband until a handsome stranger comes to town. Eve's definitely attracted to him, and he seems to have the same reaction to her. But his darkly mysterious past could ruin Eve's happily ever after just when it finally seems within reach. And just when she's counting on the best Christmas of her life!

Harlequin Christmas Bundle Giveaway

 

I know it's early November, but I have Christmas on the brain. Today is the beginning of the Ho Ho Ho Read-A-Thon, hosted by the Caffeinated Reviewer and The Book Shelfery so I'll be neck deep in Christmas stories for the next five days. So since I'm in the holiday mood, I thought presents might be nice. Though, the presents are not from me, but from Harlequin Romance. Three of the books in the prize pack are in my pile for the read-a-thon and you can expect to see reviews of them over the next month and a half. 

EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak

 
I have this book in my review pile and I'll be reading it next week as part of the Ho-Ho-Ho Read-A-Thon November 6th - November 11th. When the opportunity to be part of the book blast came up, it seemed a good fit. So, curl up and enjoy the excerpt and come back on November 10th for my review (date subject to change).

It's Almost Time for the Ho Ho Ho Read-A-Thon!

 

I know,  I know it's only the first day of October, but once again the Caffeinated Reviewer is holding her Ho-Ho-Ho Holiday Read-a-Thon from November 6th-11th. I'm participating and I'll be holding a challenge.

The idea is to read holiday themed or winter setting reads. I have a pile of Christmas romances that I've been saving just for this. I probably won't get all seven read but I'll do as many as I can. There are prizes to win and a Twitter chat; it's going to be fun.

 

Interested? Go here to read the rules and to sign up. Then get the warm beverage of your choice, find your books, and get ready to read!

The Books I'm Planning To Read:

1. Her Holiday Man by Shannon Stacey
2. A Little Christmas Jingle by Michele Dunaway
3. On the Naughty List by Lori Foster, et al
4. Christmas with a SEAL by Tawny Weber
5. Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan
6. The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak
7. 'Tis the Season by Robyn Carr

ETA: Nov. 13th - The Books I Actually Read:

1. Her Holiday Man by Shannon Stacey- review to come
2. I'm Dreaming of an Undead Christmas by Molly Harper- review to come
3. On the Naughty List by Lori Foster, et al - review to come
4. Christmas with a SEAL by Tawny Weber - Review here
5. Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan  - review to come
6. The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak - review here
7. Christmas Gift That Keeps Wagging - review to come

There were two titles that I didn't get read and two titles that I added in. I did achieve my goal of reading seven so, yay! Now I have two more to read some time between now and Christmas. :)

Most of these are authors I haven't read before so I hope I like the books. :) - eh, it's been a mixed bag so far. But now I know. :)

Merry Christmas!

"Warm Your Heart" Christmas Blog Hop from Astraea Press

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Astraea Press! We love this time of year and our catalog reflects it. We have lots of Christmas/holiday/winter books we'd love for you guys to check out.

Is it the cooler weather? The fires in the fireplace? Family gatherings? Or our sweethearts under the mistletoe (yeah, I'm guessing mistletoe too ;) ) Whatever the cause, we want to celebrate Christmas and this holiday season with you. This is the third stop on a two week tour. Check out the rafflecopter for a chance to win a free Astraea Press Christmas book of YOUR choice (eep!). There is also a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

I want to thank Bea and all the other blogs who have offered to help. All of their facebook pages and/or twitter are on the rafflecopter. I hope you get a chance to visit them all.

So... MERRY CHRISTMAS from Astraea Press and our authors. We love our readers! Thanks for a great year.

~Kelly from AP

Disclaimer:  I am an employee of Astraea Press. I am not being compensated for putting up this post or participating in the blog hop. ~ Bea

Ho Ho Ho Read-A-Thon

Merry Christmas! Okay, okay, it's not Christmas yet, thank goodness, as I'm nowhere near ready. But holiday themed books have been showing up in book stores and newsletters for a while now. Jennifer @ Bawdy Book Blog and Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer have teamed up to host a holiday themed read-a-thon from Nov. 7th through Nov. 11th. There will be daily challenges and a grand prize.

For all the details and to sign up, go here. 

The following are the books I'm aiming to read (several are novellas and short stories); some are new, some are not:

 Kissing Under the Mistletoe: A Sullivan Christmas by Bella Andre Read 11/10 review soon
 All I Want for Christmas Is A Duke byDelilah Marvelle & Maire Claremont Read 11/9 Goodreads review
 One Foot In the Grave by Steven J. York  Read 11/7 goodreads review
 Cajun Werewolf Christmas by Selena Blake Read 11/8 goodreads review
The Lola Cruz Christmas Story by Melissa Bourbon Ramirez - Read 11/8 goodreads review

ETA 11/10: I added 2 short holiday romance freebies to my Kindle and I'm aiming to read them before the end of the  read-a-thon. 

Worth Waiting For by Ann Corbett Read 11/10 Goodreads review
A Steamy Holiday Romance by M.L. Young Read 11/11 Goodreads review

Merry Christmas!

May you have a peaceful day filled with the people and things that you love. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

   

      To all of our readers, friends, followers, and acquaintances around the world, may you have a peaceful, joyful day, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whether you celebrate Christmas or you don't. You are in our thoughts and we are grateful for your presence in our lives. Thank you all.

     May you receive those gifts you most treasure, including, of course, books. :)

 

    

  Merry Christmas   Feliz Navidad   Buon Natale  Joyeux Noel


                                          Bea and Jax