Book Review: 'Tis The Season: Under the Christmas Tree\Midnight Confessions\Backward Glance by Robyn Carr

These are three quick, delightful and adorable romances!
'Tis The Season: Under the Christmas Tree\Midnight Confessions\Backward Glance
by Robyn Carr

• File Size: 444 KB
• Print Length: 328 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0778316645
• Publisher: MIRA (October 28, 2014)
• ASIN: B00OP85WQU

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

'Tis The Season: Under the Christmas Tree\Midnight Confessions\Backward Glance
by Robyn Carr
Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2014
Revisit Virgin River with two beloved holiday stories from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr. Included is the bonus novella Backward Glance—available digitally for the first time.
'Tis the season for family, friendship and the thrill of a holiday romance…
Under the Christmas Tree
With snow falling over the redwood forests, secluded Virgin River is the ideal place to spend the holidays. Each year, the close-knit community gathers in the town square to decorate and light a massive tree. Carols are sung, hot chocolate is shared—and a surprise left under the Christmas tree is about to bring two special people together!

Midnight Confessions
Holiday kisses don't end with Christmas—there's still the New Year's Eve party at Jack's Bar to attend. Locals and newcomers alike find themselves eager for that special countdown…and that midnight kiss.
So join us in Virgin River this year, where Robyn Carr's trademark humor, warmth and sincerity will have you celebrating the festive season in your favorite mountain town.

Review:
This is a collection of three delightful romances. They may be set at holiday time but they'd make a nice read anytime.

Under the Christmas Tree puts two locals together caring for abandoned puppies. Annie begins to take care of the nearly frozen puppies until Doc Jensen can arrive. She is expecting the old doc but instead his son, Nate, appears. Annie knew Nate from high school years when he was a friend of her older brothers. She is wary of any romantic involvements after discovering that her fiance of several years had two other girlfriends. Nate has been accustomed to a foot loose life style especially after the fiance he brought home left because the small town life wasn’t good enough for her. He is interested in Annie but realizes that she isn’t the right type to be “loose” with. I enjoyed how this couple make a nice arrangement caring for the pups and soon became friends. Things might lead into a serious relationship if they are willing to take a chance.

Midnight Confessions is set on New Year’s Eve and finds Sunny not so sunny. She is struggling with the memories of being jilted at her wedding the year before. Drew is a young doctor who is visiting his nearby family while taking a break from work before starting his residency. Drew is immediately entranced by Sunny but she quickly shoots down his attempts at flirtation. An accident ends up putting them together long enough to share their heartbreaks. Can they learn to move beyond past hurts to the possibility of true love?

Backward Glance gives a former romance a second chance. John is a man who has taken a handy-man approach and grown it into a successful maintenance and landscape business. John and Leigh had a summer affair five years before. Leigh is a brilliant scientist, with stunted social experience, who was going through a divorce when they met. John is surprised to hear that Leigh has returned to town with twin four year old boys.  John didn’t think he could ever live up to Leigh's standards and he let her go in the heat of an argument. But he has never forgotten her and she, apparently, had reason to always remember him. Could two opposites balance their strengths and weaknesses to make a stable future together?

These three stories have lovely, vulnerable characters. I enjoyed each of the stories which had nice positive messages on life and love. Two were fairly mild in the romance with one being a bit more sensual. The writing has an easy, direct flow that reads nicely and quickly. This reminds me why I always enjoyed Ms. Carr even though I haven't read her books for a few years. It is time to start enjoying this series. The overall read was sweet and “adorable”!

I am pleased to have received this title through NetGalley for an honest review. This will go for NetGalley Challenge and TBR Dare.

Audiobook Review: Time and Again: Book 1 in the History Mystery Series by Deborah Heal

There are wonderful history and faith lessons woven into this interesting story.

Time and Again: Book 1 in the History Mystery Series
Written by: Deborah Heal
Narrated by: Michelle Babb

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins
Series: History Mystery, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-17-14
Publisher: Write Brain Books
Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian, Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
An old house + A new computer program = The travel opportunity of a lifetime...to another century.
Abby Thomas is spending the summer in a run-down old house with a bratty pre-teen named Merrideth she is supposed to tutor. Not a dream job. But it does come with perks.
There's John Roberts, a devastatingly attractive neighbor who is almost too wonderful to be real.
And there's the new computer program Beautiful Houses--also too amazing to be real. No one knows how it works, but with it she can rewind and fast-forward the lives of all the people who ever lived in the house, including Charlotte Miles.
In 1858, the house is a train stop on the Alton & Chicago Line. And Charlotte is stuck there serving meals to the passengers, wondering if she'll ever get to have any fun. And then she meets two travelers who change her life forever.
There's James McGuire with whom she falls in love. And there's his boss, a young Springfield lawyer named Abraham Lincoln. His debate with political opponent Stephen Douglas catapults him onto the national stage. And it inspires Charlotte to take up the cause of abolition.
The House
A stop on the Alton & Chicago Line. A stop on the Underground Railroad.
Watching the house's history unfold, Abby and Merrideth gain a new perspective on their own lives as time and again they see God's loving hand in the lives of its inhabitants.
©2013 Deborah Heal (P)2014 Deborah Heal

Review:
Abby Thomas is a college student using her summer to earn funds and credits towards her degree. She is tutoring an 11 year-old resentful girl, Merrideth. Merrideth is upset by her parents’ divorce especially since her mother has moved them away from her home, friends and father in Chicago. Now they live six hours away in a small town in an old house which seems dull and isolated -- at first..

Merrideth’s expensive computer keeps turning on a program called Beautiful Houses, which Merrrideth is surprised to discover includes their house when it was in new condition. As Merrideth and Abby explore the remarkable program they are immersed in the life of Charlotte Miles, whose father was the original founder of the whole community. They are fascinated by Charlotte’s life in the years leading up to the civil war. Charlotte is also resentful of her father for not allowing her to go on the train to the Alton Fair with a local boy. Instead she must stay home and serve the meal as her home is the Station Way-Stop. But one of the guests is a nice young man, James McGuire, who works for a Springfield attorney, Abraham Lincoln. There are other interesting guests too that add to the charm and history of the house.

Abby and Merrideth are able to develop a friendship while learning that God has His hand on those who seek and trust Him. There is a charming young boy as an added character as well as a local fellow, John Roberts, who is smitten by Abby. The author does a smooth transition of scenes from present to past with the interesting twist of technology. She skillfully uses difficulties and problems from Charlotte's life, with wonderful depth of historical elements, to show Abby and Merrideth lessons that apply to their emotional struggles in the current day.

I really enjoyed the history and the way the author weaves in God’s care and love in both time lines. I was sorry the story ended rather abruptly, but I recognize it leaves room for more historical adventures. This is a good book for teens, adults and history lovers. I do recommend it in text however, as I was disappointed by the narration.

Audio Notes: Sad to say, I was not impressed by Michelle Babb’s narration. There was little variation of character voice and only a few attempts to add emotional impact. I felt this was more a reading than a narration and it detracted from my enjoyment. This is an occasion when I recommend the text rather than the audiobook. However, other listener's enjoyed the narration so test a sample and decide what you think.

I received this audio through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review. This qualifies for Audio challenge and T in Alphabet Soup. 

It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 19, 2015

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.

More than half-way through January and the time keeps moving. Hopefully our cold spell is behind us. I for sure would not want to live up north.  
I have still been traveling for court and we had a couple of closings so work is good.

Reading went well with three books completed and two more moving along.  I posted three reviews, leaving two again for this week so far. I also posted my usual memes plus a Book Blitz and a Giveaway Hop. 

I enjoyed visiting again last week and will continue to try to visit other blogs.
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 January 12, 2015.

• Book Review and Giveaway: Amish White Christmas Pie by Wanda E. Brunstetter; Amish, Christian Fiction; my rating 3.75.

• Audio Book Review: The Eighth Day by Michael O'Neal; Thriller, Action Adventure, YA; my rating 4.0. 

• Book Blitz: Deviation by Heather Hildenbrand.

• Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop 2015! Open Worldwide. Ends 1/26/14.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 16, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 1/22/14.

• Book Review: Exodus 2022 by Kenneth G. Bennett; Sci Fi Thriller;  my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #186 Comment Giveaway 1/17/15. Open Worldwide. Ends 1/24/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 18, 2015.
  

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Exodus 2022
by Kenneth G. Bennett
This was interesting with lots of danger/suspense.
The review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP4

Time and Again: Book 1 in the History Mystery Series
Written by: Deborah Heal
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
Nice mystery with history. I'll post a review this week
I received this audio through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

'Tis The Season: Under the Christmas Tree\Midnight Confessions\Backward Glance
Three delightful second chance romances.
I received this through NetGalley 
and will post my review this week.
by Robyn Carr
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Starship Blackbeard
by Michael Wallace
I enjoyed several books from the Righteous Series by this author and was glad to try this Sci Fi thriller when he offered it. I am really enjoying the action and the characters. (Nearly done.)
Publication Date: December 22, 2014
In the aftermath of an interstellar war with an alien race, Captain James Drake is unjustly court martialed and sentenced to hard labor. Now Drake is on the run from Lord Admiral Malthorne, while another pursuer, Drake's old friend, believes the accusations are true, and promises to bring him to justice.
But Drake won't go down without a fight. Rather than surrender, he'll lead his loyal crew into the lawless frontier worlds, infested with pirates and smugglers, to repair and rearm his ship. Then he'll return to attack Malthorne's estates and seize the evidence he needs to clear his name.
But more than just Malthorne's estate is at stake. If Drake is captured, he and his crew are doomed--and the kingdom will be plunged into another war.
Book #1 of the Starship Blackbeard Series, by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Michael Wallace.

2. Audible/MP4

Immortality
Written by: Kevin Bohacz
Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins
I am 7 hours into this 261/2 hour long audiobook.
It is interesting and different.
I am eager to know where it goes!
I received this audio through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
Without warning, something has gone terribly awry. In the remote and unnoticed places of the world, small pockets of death begin occurring. As the initially isolated extinctions spread, the world's eyes focus on this unimaginable horror and chaos. Out of the ecological imbalance, something new and extraordinary is evolving and surviving to fill the voids left by these extinctions. Evolution is operating in ways no one could have expected, and environmental damage may be the catalyst. Once discovered, this knowledge changes everything...
©2003, 2007, 2011 Kevin Bohacz (P)2014 Audible Inc.

3. eBook/Kindle

The Founders' Plot
by Frank Victoria
I had intended to get to this two months ago.
I am looking forward to the read.
I received this from New Shelves Distribution.
Book Description
Publication Date: June 1, 2012
When California Governor Michael J. DiGrasso pushes through a tough immigration law, the Supreme Court declares it unconstitutional, but the decorated Vietnam veteran refuses to accept the ruling. This ignites a clash between federal, state, and judicial power that threatens to jar the country’s political and justice systems. And it leaves the governor’s long-time friend, President of the United States, Martin W. Ballard, with the decision of whether to federalize the California National Guard to enforce the Court’s order.Tension increases when Elizabeth Stern, a savvy member of the opposition party tries to ram through a new immigration law that will pass judicial review. An expert in back room legislative machinations, she’ll go to any length to force the governor to obey the Court decision, and her devious maneuvers throw DiGrasso’s personal and professional life into turmoil.One sub-plot involves DiGrasso’s close personal friend, Congressman Manuel Mendoza, who is indicted for taking bribes. Another concerns two Mexican families in the country illegally and the tragedies that befall them because of the new immigration law.The unfolding of these interwoven events creates a tense, fast-paced thriller that parallels the current tumult over illegal immigration and the on-going debate on Constitutional interpretation that will leave readers craving for the eventual outcome.

4. eBook/Kindle

Just in Time for a Highlander (Sirens of the Scottish Borderlands)
Gwyn Cready
I picked this up through Sourcebooks at NetGalley.
Release is early Februay.
Book Description
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
From RITA winner Gwyn Cready comes a Scottish borderlands time travel romance perfect for fans of Outlander

For Duncan MacHarg, things just got real...
Battle reenactor and financier Duncan MacHarg thinks he has it made-until he lands in the middle of a real Clan Kerr battle and comes face to face with their beautiful, spirited leader. Out of time and out of place, Duncan must use every skill he can muster to earn his position among the clansmen and in the heart of the devastatingly intriguing woman to whom he must pledge his oath.

Abby needs a hero and she needs him now
When Abigail Ailich Kerr sees a handsome, mysterious stranger materialize in the midst of her clan's skirmish with the English, she's stunned to discover he's the strong arm she's been praying for. Instead of a tested fighter, the fierce young chieftess has been given a man with no measurable battle skills and a damnably distracting smile. And the only way to get rid of him is to turn him into a Scots warrior herself-one demanding and intimate lesson at a time.

I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I am also listening to the companion commentary online.
To go a step beyond the Bible reading I am also reading Jesus Daily 365 Interactive Devotions.

January Schedule:
I am still focusing on reading NetGalley titles and TBR titles this month.

I have two reviews to complete from this week so I am still up to date.
I still have five NetGalley review titles I need/would like to read in January/February.  
I also have two more ebooks from publicist to get to. 

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 am showing two NetGalley review titles that I failed to include in earlier posts.
I didn't purchase any ebooks but I did make my two Audible selections.
I also adding one free audible and more free kindle titles to my libraries.
(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests, old and new ones, to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

It looks like I failed to note two titles from NetGalley:

Just In Time for a Highlander 

is shown above in current reading. 

I picked this up in early November for review before February 3.

Hawk (The Quiet Professionals, Book 2)
Ronie Kendig
I liked book 1 and want to continue with this good series.
I had selected this in early December.

Won

None

Purchased

I continued to resist making any purchases.
I have an two title subscription at Audible so I picked these two fro my December picks.

Dog Tags
By David Rosenfelt
This is Book 8 in a series that I enjoy.
Dog lover and lawyer Andy Carpenter takes on representation of an accused police dog. This will be a light break when I want one.

Red Rising

By Pierce Brown

This is dystopian series with conflicts in a class tier society.
The ratings were good so I thought I'd give it a try.

Free

I found this free Audible title: 

This Is Audible, November 16, 2010
By Kim Alexander
54 min - Containing short stories by two authors I have not yet read:
Fragile by Lisa Unger
Bloody Crimes by James Swanson

Over the past week I added 56 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 18, 2015

We had a nice Sunday School lesson, finishing the study of the book of Revelations after two plus years!

Pastor’s sermon was a “Question regarding your life in Christ? Are You Following Jesus?
Believers have to be careful that they don’t become so familiar with the things of God that their life in God becomes “ho-hum” which means either dull or indifferent. Are we more excited about the ball game (SuperBowl coming up) or about the local gossip than we are about what God is doing around us and through us?

Take a look at your life through the eyes of others. What do people see about God when they look at you? Do you look just like all the other people around or is there something that reflects a difference in your life? So often we (Christians) dress just like everyone else so that doesn’t set us apart. Are we practicing Christianity and does the love of Christ shine through in our behaviors? What do nonbelievers see? Do they see a helping hand, a praying friend and a joyful spirit? Or do they just see another troubled person grumbling about the problems of work and family? We need to be careful not to be tolerant of complacency.
 
Two important areas to help keep your life from being “ho-hum”:
1> Do not neglect a good prayer life.
2> Do not grow weary in good works.
Believers need to incite each other to righteousness, living according to Hebrews 10:24-25 and not living like the world (2 Timothy 3:2-5).

I found this song to fit today’s message!

With Every Act of Love, Jason Gray

Verses for today:
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Lord, I pray that you help me to remain faithful in prayer, to listen to Your will, and in showing  your love so that others will see Jesus in me.

Sharing Beyond Books #186 Comment Giveaway 1/172015

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

How is everyone doing this week? Half way through January already. I had a busy week and nice today re-packing our new, used RV. :-) DH is getting anxious to take a test trip so we are organizing!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

It was very nice to have six new visitors to SBB! Hope to see you again. The group was split well: 10 of us ignore call interruptions, 6 answer and then get back to reading, and 8 check to see if it is a) husband or children, b) emergency or c) someone (else) important or worth answering!

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #185 comments is: #17 Rita who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #186 (One Question.)

Q1. Miki asks:  What kind of bookish things ( aside from book) would you suggest offering to a book lover??

A: Well- as much as books may be a favorite item for a book lover you could also consider book lights, nice book marks; sticky notes or note pad to take bookish notes. And there are also snacks (chips and/or chocolate!) to enjoy while reading and teas to drink while reading. I saw some more ideas when I pulled the image but I'll wait to see your suggestions!

Image found at Read Breathe Relax.

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.

Your turn to share:

Q1. Miki asks: What kind of bookish things ( aside from book) would you suggest offering to a book lover??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the June 2013 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. I have to go back and update that list with what is left and a few new titles to add.)

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 January 24, 2015 at 5 PM  central.