Book Review and Giveaway: Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers

This is a quick, warm read with two loners who find unexpected love. 
Home for the Holidays
A Cavanaugh Island Novella
by Rochelle Alers

• File Size: 455 KB
• Print Length: 118 pages
• Publisher: Forever Yours (December 2, 2014)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00CO7GIKI

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Novella
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 2, 2014
This Christmas novella is set in charming, Sanctuary Cove featuring popular characters from Rochelle Alers' bestselling small-town, Cavanaugh Island contemporary romance series.

Love is always in season.
There's no place like home for the holidays, especially for divorced pastry chef Iris Nelson. After escaping an abusive marriage, she's found peace on charming Cavanaugh Island. As the holiday approaches, Iris looks forward to spending it with her newfound best friend's family . . . and their very handsome visitor.
On leave from Afghanistan, Army Master Sergeant Collier Ward is excited to be reunited with his family for Christmas. But the best gift of all may be this warm, beautiful stranger who joins them for the festivities. With his visit coming to an end, Collier can't deny the heat smoldering between them. Yet Iris can't help but wonder if it's just the glow of the season-and one night of passion-or a true miracle of love that will change their lives forever . . .

Review:
Iris suffered through an abusive marriage until her father helped her to escape. After attending cooking classes she moved to the unique community of Sanctuary Cove on Cavanaugh Island. She is helping at a pastry store until she can save enough money to buy a house and set up her own industrial kitchen. Meanwhile she has avoided men instead of risking more trauma.

Collier has come home from Afganistan to spend the holidays with his sister, Tracy, and his niece, Layla. He hasn’t made any plans to settle down as he feels he needs to finish his military service first.

Iris and Collier meet at a night out and he takes her home but leaves as a gentleman when she indicates she isn’t ready to move forward. They are surprised to meet each other again the next day when Collier walks Layla home and Iris is there to watch her after school.

Collier and Iris slowly begin to spend time togther with friends and family. They decide to date while he is home and their friendship grows. Iris realizes that Collier is a service man who will return to duty after the holidays but she doesn’t know that he is suffering from PSTD. Just as they begin to grow truly close, Collier suffers a nightmare, attacking and frightening Iris. Will Collier be willing to seek help and have the nerve to commit to a longer relationship with Iris? Will Iris be able to forgive and give Collier a second chance?

This is a sweet novella. I liked how Iris and Collier met with a good chemical flair. Ms. Alers presents strong characters who manage to fit in the special setting in South Carolina. The romance develops nicely with a little conflict to make it interesting and a lot of family to keep it warm. The sexual encounters are on the steamy side but based on love and respect. The ending seemed a little rushed and I would have enjoyed a bit more. There are yummy recipes shared at the beginning of each chapter which almost made me wish I could cook. This is entertaining as a quick, holiday read and I recommend it to readers who are looking for a quick Christmas romance.

I received this from Hachette through NetGalley for an honest review and to participate in Launch Day Blitz.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/15MAMwa 

B&N: http://bit.ly/10FJoBS 

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1xigdRZ 

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1xdGb8f 

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/10FJr0y 

About Rochelle Alers

Bestselling author, Rochelle Alers has nearly two million copies of her novels in print. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. 

Website

EXCERPT:

     When Collier walked into the apartment earlier that afternoon asking to date her, Iris had felt as if she’d been enveloped in a cocoon with a happiness expiration date stamped on the outside.  Collier would only be around for another couple of weeks and then he’d be gone.  And yet, here he was offering her a chance at… She didn’t want to say love, because falling in love with him wasn’t an option. But trust perhaps. If nothing else, maybe Collier could finally teach her to trust a man without looking for an ulterior motive in his interest.
     “Wait here,” she told him.
     Iris went into her bedroom and retrieved a second set of keys to the apartment, knowing her life was about to change.  She planned to give a man the keys to her sanctuary.
     Iris returned to the living room, reached for Collier’s hand, placed the keys on his palm and closed his fingers over them.  “Yes.”  Going on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek.  “Good night, and thanks for making this Thanksgiving one I’ll remember for a very long time.”
     Collier ran a finger down her nose.  “Good night, babe.  Sleep well.”

EBOOK GIVEAWAY

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review, OR

tell me how you feel about Christmas romances.

* This contest is open US/Canada Only.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) December 13, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after December 13, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Audio Book Review: Divided We Fall by Trent Reedy

I found this interesting for its political presentation through an engaging protagonist.

Divided We Fall

Written by: Trent Reedy

Narrated by: Andrew Eiden

Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins 

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:05-13-14

Publisher: Scholastic Audio

Genre: Sci Fi, YA

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 

Publisher's Summary
From the author of Words in the Dust: an action packed YA novel set in a frighteningly plausible near future, about what happens when the States are no longer United.
Danny Wright never thought he'd be the man to bring down the United States of America. In fact, he enrolled in the National Guard because he wanted to serve his country the way his father did. When the Guard is called up on the governor's orders to police a protest in Boise, it seems like a routine crowd control mission... but then Danny's gun misfires, spooking the other soldiers and the already fractious crowd. By the time the smoke clears, 12 people are dead. The president wants the soldiers arrested. The governor swears to protect them. And as tensions build on both sides, the conflict slowly escalates toward the unthinkable: a second American civil war.
With political questions that are popular in American culture yet rare in YA fiction, and a plot that's both excitingly provocative and frighteningly plausible, Divided We Fall will be Trent Reedy's very timely YA debut.
©2014 Trent Reedy (P)2014 Scholastic Inc.

Review:
Danny Wright is a seventeen year old who joined the Idaho National Guard to serve his country as his father did. Danny lives with, and helps to calm, his mother who struggles with an anxiety disorder. Danny did his summer basic training and returned to school expecting to finish out his senior year with his long time girl friend and his school buddies.

The President institutes a mandated ID registration for all US citizens. Idaho’s governor disagrees with the plan and refuses to implement or enforce it. Danny never expected to get called up to real action but his unit is pulled in to assist in quieting a protest riot in Boise. The crowd doesn’t back off and when a rock hits Danny’s gas mask his gun accidentally goes off initiating unplanned gunfire and tragedy. The Governor seeks to protect the young men in the unit while the Federal authorities seek to arrest and punish those responsible. People split in their opinions with many calling the guardsmen murderers, others calling them soldiers doing there jobs and another group naming them heroes.

Danny’s name is leaked and he and his school friends end up in a dangerous car chase trying to outrun Federal Agents. The kids get help from a surprising source but now his friends and the world wonder about Danny’s involvement with the Boise incident. Danny especially has to face his own sweetheart who has been harping about ‘those murderers being brought to justice’.

The political standoff escalates to a point where the soldiers have to choose loyalties between the Federal government and Idaho authorities. Idaho is shut off from access, leaving Danny’s fragile mother in another state, causing even more worry for Danny who has been pulled into full time defensive duty.

This story presented a scenario that could be all too real. The story deals with young adult issues of family, school, responsibilities and young love. I enjoyed the action and the real, natural teenage characters - to a point. There is some (sadly true to life?) idiocy in the behavior of the teens and there is one young man that is obsessed with conquering every cute female, younger and older. That activity and the repeated underage drinking makes this book not such a good teen role model/read, in my opinion. The ending crashed a bit with some of that teen idiocy and then leaves the action at an unresolved state.

The story brings to the forefront the very real problem of young adults going into battle situations and having to make difficult decisions that will impact the rest of their lives. On a philosophical level the story also opens up debate on the interesting political/civil issues of state versus national rights which is a timely discussion. I’m curious where the author takes the political battle from here. I recommend this to those who like an entertaining young adult story involving interesting political issues.

Audio Notes: The story is told from Danny’s view and I think Andrew Eiden did a good job of narrating. There was enough diversity in the narration to keep the characters distinct and to keep the story pace engaging. I liked the author’s use of news feeds and this added interest to the audio.

I received this as a free download through SYNC 2014 Summer audios. This selection was paired with the classic The Red Badge of Courage.  

It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 1, 2014

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had a very relaxing week staying in bed until at least 9am for four mornings in a row!  Thanksgiving was lovely with family. This week has warmed up even though we still have a fire going.

Reading was enjoyable. I finished three books and posted three review, two with giveaways. I also posted a special Forever Giveaway post and a winner's post as well as all the usual memes. 

I did get to visit a good group of sites last week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 24, 2014.

• Book Review and Giveaways: Sugar's Twice as Sweet: Sugar, Georgia: Book 1 by Marina Adair; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25. Tour Giveaway ends 12/18/14; Book giveaway at MBS Open US/Canada only; ends 12/6/14.

• Happy Thanksgiving 11/27/14! 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 28, 2014. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/4/14.

• Audio Book Review: WARP Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin (W.A.R.P.) by Eoin Colfer; Sci Fi, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.

• Hope Ramsay Blog Tour: Top 5 Favorites, Excerpt and Giveaway! Tour Giveaway ends 12/1/14.

• Book Review: Last Chance Family by Hope Ramsay; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.5.

• Fun - #4EvrBookBoyfriend - and a Special Giveaway Pack From @ForeverRomance - #FaLaLaForever; Print Bundle! End 12/19/14.

• A Group of Winners from September through November! 

• Sharing Beyond Books #179 Comment Giveaway 11/29/14 Open Worldwide. Ends 12/6/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 30, 2014.
  

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Sugar's Twice as Sweet: Sugar, Georgia: Book 1
by Marina Adair 
I enjoyed this. The review and giveaways are linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Last Chance Family
by Hope Ramsay
Forever Romance
This was delightful!
The Author feature with giveaway
and review are linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible (and Kindle)

Free: I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas
Written by: Molly Harper
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
This is fun and sassy. I'll post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. Print

We Are The Destroyers (We Are***Are We Book 1) 
by D. K. Lindler
I am down to the last 10% and 
wondering how this sci fi will end.
I will post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio

Snowbeard the Pirate and the Naughty List
by Chip Huddleston
This sounds like fun and the beginning sound is great - reminiscent of The Night Before Christmas.
A funny, whimsical story for older children and adults, it is about Santa's younger brother who runs away to Florida and becomes a pirate.

3. eBook/Kindle

Home for the Holidays
A Cavanaugh Island Novella
by Rochelle Alers
I am reading this for Review and
Launch Day Blitz on 12/3/14.
Book Description
Publication Date: December 2, 2014
This Christmas novella is set in charming, Sanctuary Cove featuring popular characters from Rochelle Alers' bestselling small-town, Cavanaugh Island contemporary romance series.

Love is always in season.
There's no place like home for the holidays, especially for divorced pastry chef Iris Nelson. After escaping an abusive marriage, she's found peace on charming Cavanaugh Island. As the holiday approaches, Iris looks forward to spending it with her newfound best friend's family . . . and their very handsome visitor.
On leave from Afghanistan, Army Master Sergeant Collier Ward is excited to be reunited with his family for Christmas. But the best gift of all may be this warm, beautiful stranger who joins them for the festivities. With his visit coming to an end, Collier can't deny the heat smoldering between them. Yet Iris can't help but wonder if it's just the glow of the season-and one night of passion-or a true miracle of love that will change their lives forever . . .

4. eBook/Kindle

Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah
Handel (Author), Albert L. Blackwell (Foreword)
I have started this as a daily reading but I will review it in a week or so.
Westminster John Knox Press
Handel's Messiah is one of the most beloved musical works of the western world, playing an especially sentimental role in many people's Christmas traditions. The libretto of the work, taken directly from the King James text of fourteen books of the Bible, has turned many otherwise forgettable phrases into memorable, singable, cherished lines of Scripture.
This gift-worthy book will delight and inspire classical music fans and those for whom Messiah is a beloved Christmas tradition with essays exploring the theological, historical, and pastoral implications of the Scriptures that make up Handel's Messiah.
Forty reflections journey in order through the oratorio, taking the reader deeper into less-often studied texts like Malachi 3:3 and bringing new light to oft-recited passages like Luke 2:9-14. Each reflection offers the libretto from Messiah, the same passage in NRSV, and a brief commentary on the text, written by a respected scholar or pastor. Readers can peruse the book at leisure or examine one reflection per day throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons.

5. eBook/Kindle

Seducing the Ruthless Rogue
(The Rogue Agents Trilogy Book 2)
by Tammy Jo Burns
The premise on this caught my interest.
I will post tour review on December 10.
Book Description
As Director of The War Office, Stuart McKenzie, has proven himself capable of making difficult decisions in times of crisis and keeping government secrets safe. When he walks in on someone ransacking his study he quickly moves to apprehend them, only to be tossed on his back as the burglar escapes into the night.
Cassie’s father has become a pawn in the fight against Napoleon. When the enemy kidnaps him, she will do anything it takes to get him back – including stealing government secrets from Stuart McKenzie, the Director of the War Office.
When Cassie is caught, she reluctantly agrees to Mack’s assistance as there is something far more sinister going on. As Mack embarks on his mission, he will find that enemies are often closer than one would think and that sometimes your ally will come in the least likely form. When passion erupts between Mack and Cassie, they find their lives forever altered. But just as they believe their lives to be free of danger, a new threat is lurking about, promising to rip their happiness away from them. Will they be able to trust each other enough to defeat this new threat, or will they be torn apart for all eternity?

I expect I will pick-up an audio but not sure which yet.

I am up to date on my daily Bible reading.
I have disciplined myself each morning to read my Bible passage before I pick up print, Kindle or mp3. I am really enjoying the reading.

I still have Sci Fi titles I look forward to. I have two reviews pending so I am up to date.
I have many Christmas titles I would like to read but I am guessing I will not have time for all of them. 

Decenber Scheduled:
12/3 Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers; tour review and GW.
12/10 Seducing the Ruthless Rogue (The Rogue Agents Trilogy Book 2) by Tammy Jo Burns; tour review.
12/12 Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions Review

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday.
Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received/selected two review titles.
I purchased two Audible books and three $.99 kindle titles this week as well as getting many free kindle titles.

(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received an audio book from the author:


Snowbeard the Pirate and the Naughty List
by Chip Huddleston
This sounds like a fun spinoff from The Night Before Christmas.

I was interested in this YA Dystopian, sci fi Series.

The author was nice to send me the first book.

The Heir

by Lynne Stringer

Won

None

Purchased

I purchased two Audible titles with my November subscription (purchase four in November and you get a $10.00 credit):

Seventh Grave and No Body
Written by: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King
I have enjoyed this series so far!

The Empire's Corps
Written by: Christopher G. Nuttall
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

It was hard to pick from many Sci Fis but this is the one I got this time.

I purchased three kindle titles for $.99 -- just couldn't resist these bundles.

Romancing Christmas: 10 Love Stories To Spice Up The Holidays
Dale Mayer, H.D. Thomson, Chantel Rhondeau, Leslie Lynch, Sandy Loyd, Barbara Lohr, Marcia James, Carolyn Hughey, Tallulah Grace, Rachelle Ayala

Highland Heroes: Three Scottish Medieval Romances

Claire Delacroix, Deborah Cooke

Mistletoe Kisses: inspirational romance boxed set (Inspy Kisses Book 3)
Janet Tronstad, Lisa Mondello, Lenora Worth, Margaret Daley, Camille Elliot, Pamela Tracy, Lacy Williams, Cheryl Wyatt

Free

Over the past two weeks I downloaded another 52 free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement November 30, 2014

This is the First Sunday in Advent: which is the beginning of the new church year and the time when we prepare to celebrate the first coming of Christ and anticipate his second coming. The first Sunday reminds us of the promise of Light and Hope.

Our young, interim youth pastor is preparing to leave for the mission field in eleven days. He shared with us a bit of his preparations, duties and expectations. We will be praying for him as he ministers through a lifestyle showing compassion in a land that does not have freedom to openly share the word of God.

Our Pastor gave a nice sermon entitled: Jesus' Name Brings Hope. The message focused on Isaiah 8 and 9 and concluded with 1 John 1:1-5. These passages speak of people walking in darkness who have seen a great light and recognizing God as life and light.

I have begun reading Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah for review.  There are forty chapters that provide daily reading through the Twelfth day of Christmas. It is appropriate to run beyond Christmas since it the work covers Christ's Birth and its Foretelling, Christ's Passion and Resurrection and Christ's Eternal Reign. Many of us are familiar with certain hymns from Handel's Messiah but this is the first time I have studied its words. As the author notes, one of the things we recognize (sometimes without even realizing it) in Handel's powerful work is the "tonal painting".

The first chapter covers the beginning songs: Comfort Ye My People and Every Valley. There were several stirring tenor videos but I had thought to share a lovely video with the words but it did not permit embedding. If anyone would like to sit back and enjoy the moving music and words please visit this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlIThmTNg9w

Instead I will share a video of the song our choir sang this morning. We sang a cantata version as it is part of the program we will sing in two weeks. It is a perfect song to begin Advent:

Let There Be Light!

A Verse for Today:
Isaiah 40:5 (NIV)
5And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Lord, I pray that I will always look to You to light my path. Also, please let Your light shine through me so others may come to know You.

Sharing Beyond Books #179 Comment Giveaway 11/29/2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

We  had a lovely Thanksgiving lunch with my hubby cooking too much as always. A great turkey, two kinds of stuffing, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, baked brussel sprouts, cauliflower with cheese sauce, carrots and home baked honey oat bread. All that and there were only seven of us. :-)  The kids got to take home most of the left overs.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Only two out of fifteen are not guilty of cover 'snobbery'! Several mentioned that they almost missed good stories and series which had bad covers and others said they would still buy their fav author's titles even with bad covers.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #178 comments is: #1 MaryP who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #179 (One Question.)

Q1. My question to start December:  Do you watch Hallmark/Christmas/ Holiday movies?? Do you have a Favorite?

A: We watch and tape MANY Hallmark movies. They are some of our favorites even though it might seem like overkill. It's a good thing these movies suit my sensitive hubby. :-)  My DH says his favorite is the original Christmas Carol. I like several - hard to pick one but I do like The Very Merry Mix-Up, The Christmas Card and I really liked When Angels Come to Town which I saw for the first time last week. It really focuses on the true meaning of Christmas.

Image found at Lasso the Moon.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Comments for November were contributed by Marjorie, bn100, nrlymrtl and Jess1: Winner: #3 nrlymrtl

Your turn to share:

Q1. Do you watch Hallmark/Christmas/ Holiday movies?? Do you have a Favorite?

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books, the Christmas Giveaway Books (this is the new link), or the June 2013 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday December 6, 2014 at 5 PM  central.