Audible Book Review: Silent Night, Holy Night: A Colleen Coble Christmas Collection by Colleen Coble

These are nice, quick Christmas novellas from series by a good romance author.

Silent Night, Holy Night:

A Colleen Coble Christmas Collection

Written by: Colleen Coble

Narrated by: Devon O'Day

Length: 4 hrs and 6 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:10-07-14

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers

Genre: Romance Novella, Holiday

My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

Tis the season for mystery and romance featuring characters from two of Colleen Coble’s most popular series!

As Christmas day nears, Bree Matthews and her faithful search-and-rescue dog Samson follow the trail of a troubling mystery into the snowy forests of Rock Harbor.Newlywed Bree Matthews and her husband Kade are preparing for Christmas guests when word arrives that a parachuter has disappeared in the North Woods, along Lake Superior's icy shore. Bree and Samson plunge into the search.

Will this snowy, silent night search lead Bree and Samson to the missing girl?

Holy Night

One sinister phone call has derailed their Christmas wedding. Will it keep them apart forever? Leia and Bane are looking forward to their long-awaited Christmas wedding on the beach. Everything is going as planned - until Leia's phone rings and her world skids out of control. A muffled voice informs Leia that her sister has been kidnapped and will be killed unless Leia calls off the wedding without explanation - and no police. If she disobeys instructions and tells Bane, she'll risk her beloved sister's life. But can she handle this trauma without his help? And will he ever trust her again if she lies to him now?

Irresistible romance meets thrilling suspense in this holiday update to USA Today best-selling author Colleen Coble's Aloha Reef series.

©2014 Thomas Nelson Publishers (P)2014 Thomas Nelson Publishers

Review:
Silent Night (Part of Rock Harbor (Michigan) Series):
Bree is recovering emotionally from a miscarriage but is looking forward to sharing Christmas with her new husband, Kade. The guests will include Kade’s twenty-one year old sister, Lauri, who arrives early before Bree has finished painting her room. Although Bree is working overtime trying to get ready, she steps out quickly to take her search and rescue dog, Samson, (Cry in the Night, Rock Harbor Book 5) on the hunt for a missing parachutist. Bree and another rescue friend don’t find the young man but instead find Lauri curled up in the snow. Lauri’s mysterious connection with the parachutist and concern about a missing back pack raises suspicions with Bree.

I always like search dog teams although that was a small element of this story. I liked the characters of Bree and Kade and might enjoy their full story. This novella had a little mystery, a touch of emotional issues regarding infertility and adoption, and of course, some Christmas spirit.

Holy Night (Part of the Aloha Reef (Hawaii) series):
Leia is committed to caring for her sweet, twenty-one-year-old sister, Eva, who has Down syndrome. Leia has issues of abandonment stemming from her childhood and had previously left her love, Bane, behind (Dangerous Depths, Aloha Reef Book 3). It has taken a long courtship for Bane to get Leia to the altar and even Eva is excited to help prepare for the Christmas wedding.

Bane is former military and his brother is a police officer. They have enemies from the past who will do anything to take away Bane’s future happiness. A kidnapping has Leia pulling away again and Bane isn’t sure their relationship can survive without trusting each other.

Again, I liked these characters and the quick plot development. There was good danger and tie-in to the issues that impacted Leia and Bane’s past relationships. They clearly have to work things out before they tie the knot. This novella has danger, emotional issues, and a very sweet, if brief, attitude from Eva about Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Each story is nice, if not stellar. There is good evidence of Colleen’s lovely, straightforward and easy writing style. Readers familiar with the series might enjoy the quick novella offerings. And, the romances with real life issues might pull new romance readers into searching out more about the series.

Audio Notes: I think I was not overly impressed with the narration and maybe that is why the reading experience was just “nice”. I felt this was more of a reading than an effort to enhance the characters with different voices. It didn’t pull me in and this is a book that might be better in print or digital.

This was on my TBR Audible shelf and adds to my Audio Challenge.

Sunday Post December 6, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 7, 2015

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

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 started the week celebrating our 30th Wedding Anniversary Monday night! Just a sweet night at home for Dear Hubby (DH) and me. 
The rest of the week was rather pushy with work and evening publishing tasks.
I really enjoyed my reading and listening even though I only completed two books, one audio and one eBook.  I posted four reviews, one with a giveaway. And I posted the usual memes.

I was tied up working on projects and didn't realize until the end of the week that I never got to visit. :-( I missed it.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post November 29, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 30, 2015.

• Book Review: Joy to the Worlds: Mysterious Speculative Fiction for the Holidays by Four Authors; Speculative Fiction; my rating 4.25.

• Audible Review: Omega Rising: Omega Force, Book 1 by Joshua Dalzelle; Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review: Sheltering Hearts (Virgin River Book 11) by Robyn Carr; Contemporary Romance, Novella; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 4, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 12/10/2015.

• Book Review and Giveaway (print): A Change of Fortune (Ladies of Distinction Book #1) by Jen Turano; Historical Romance; my rating 5.0. Ends 12/12/15

• Sharing Beyond Books #230 Comment Giveaway December 5, 2015; Open Worldwide. Ends 12/12/15.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 6, 2015.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3

Suspect
Written by: Robert Crais
Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
This is GREAT entertainment! 
I loved it and will post a review this coming week.
This is from my Audible TBR shelf.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (Ladies Book Club- Print)

A Change of Fortune (Ladies of Distinction Book #1)
by Jen Turano
 I purchased this book in print for Ladies Book Club.
(I purchased it at Amazon for my reading.)
This is our November read discussed on 12/5/15.
I loved this read too!
My 5 star review is linked above.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

The 12 Brides of Christmas Collection: 12 Heartwarming
Historical Romances for the Season of Love
by Mary Connealy (Author), Diana Lesire Brandmeyer (Author), Margaret Brownley (Author), & 9 more
I am enjoying this. I am just at 50%.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible

Leviathan
Written by: Scott Westerfeld
Narrated by: Alan Cumming
I think I selected this for the SteamPunk cover.
It has been in my Audible Library since August 2012.
Publisher's Summary
It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. The Leviathan is a living airship, the most formidable airbeast in the skies of Europe.
Aleksandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men.
Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.
With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way - taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.
©2009 Scott Westerfeld; (P)2009 Simon & Schuster

3. eBook/Kindle

Unclutter Your Life! How to Tame Your Mess, Calm Your Mind, Lighten your Load
by Jen Williams
This book qualifies for "U" in my Alphabet Soup Challenge. It is a free Kindle book I downloaded in 2013 so it is a TBR book too.

Escape the evil grip of clutter!
Unclutter Your Life: How to Tame Your Mess, Calm Your Mind, and Lighten Your Load reveals exactly how to gain control of your stuff and your life. It’s 40 pages of no-nonsense, simple, straightforward and meaningful information.
Come along on a journey of life assessment, self-discovery and goal setting that brings you closer to living a clutter-free life than ever before. Along the way you’ll learn the health, emotional and time-wasting impacts of clutter in your life and your surroundings. You’ll understand the behavioral and psychological reasons why you clutter. And you’ll know exactly what it takes to break free of clutter’s grip – once and for all!
So scroll up, click "buy" and start to unclutter your life today!

October 1, 2015- I am still up to date on Bible reading and greatly enjoying the readings-- It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning. 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.

I posted four reviews last week which keeps me up to date and gives me a chance to include two books I didn't list this year in Monday Reading. I am reading my last NetGalley selection for the year. 
I have read 9 of my 12 TBR Pile books.  The last three are full novels so I will have to read one a week after the Netgalley reading is complete.
I have the last of my Alphabet Soup Challenge to finish: "U", "X", "Y" and "Z".

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 picked up four books on sale at Audible and three ebooks at Amazon. (OK - an early Christmas for me-- Total expense for the week $24.99.) I am still picking up titles so that
And of course I added more free kindle titles to my library.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up four Audibles at the $4.95 sale (total $19.80):

The Cold, Cold Ground

Written by: Adrian McKinty

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

This is an author I have been wanting to try.

Dead Ever After: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel, Book 13

Written by: Charlaine Harris

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

This is the last of the series for me to finish

Terms of Enlistment: Frontlines, Book 1

Written by: Marko Kloos

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

I wanted to try this Sci Fi Series

The Twelve Clues of Christmas: A Royal Spyness Mystery

Written by: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

I have to pick up 3-5 in this series but I thought it a good time to get the Christmas book, even if it is 6.

I picked up these three titles at Kindle.


I'll Stand By You (Blessings, Georgia)
Sharon Sala
I like this author and decided to pick this up for $.99




Mistletoe Memories: Four Generations Transform a House Into a Home for Christmas (Romancing America)
Jennifer AlLee, Carla Olson Gade, Lisa Karon Richardson, Gina Welborn
I picked this up in print from the Ladies Book Club but I bought it in eBook for me to read. $1.99


The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry: A Novel
Gabrielle Zevin
I saw this for sale and figured if I bought the Kindle version ($1.99), I could get the Audible for discount if I want to.

Free

Over the past week I added 60 free Kindle titles to my library - I stumbled upon an author (Ruth Ann Nordin) that looked interesting and found about 12 titles for free following her links. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 6, 2015

Last week I was away and focused on Thanksgiving. However it was the first Sunday of Advent when we need to be ALERT and PREPARING for the Coming of the Christ Child. I recently learned why the meaning of the four Sundays in Advent changes from year to year in a liturgical rotation. This year is “C” which would be: Hope, Joy, Love and Peace.

I don’t believe it is really important which order you give them as long as you take time to acknowledge the season and reason for Advent. We start with a time of waiting - not always patiently - but always with the Hope of the promise given in God’s Word. Although there is 400 years of silence between the prophets and the birth of Christ, those who stayed in God’s Word, (even before it was available in text), would pass the promises along to their children reminding them to be alert for the Promise of delivery through the miraculous birth of a son (Isaiah 42:1-9) because of His great love for us (Job 19:25-27 and John 3:16).

These are the verses for Hope and Love from:
A hymn for the lighting of the Advent candles
The Candle of Hope
LYONS 10.10.11.11 ("O Worship the King, All Glorious Above!")
Copyright © 2015 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

The candle of hope we light in this hour
Proclaims that the Lord is coming in power.
We wait for a future, now hidden from view,
When Christ in his glory will make all things new.

The candle of love tells what we are worth:
God loves us so much, God came to the earth!
An angel brought news of a child who would be
The one who would save us and set us all free.

I did not find this hymn in video but I found two items I decided to share.

First is a lovely song of Christmas Hope:


The second is a moving story of the importance of HOPE – it brought tears to my eyes.

Verses for Today
Jeremiah 33:14-16 (NIV)
14  ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.
15“ ‘In those days and at that time
I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
he will do what is just and right in the land.
16In those days Judah will be saved
and Jerusalem will live in safety.
This is the name by which itc will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’


I love the Advent season as it helps me bring focus on the most important aspects of my life and purpose: share hope, joy, peace and love …. Because of the sacrifice of a child whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.

Sharing Beyond Books #230 December 5, 2015

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
I've had a good week - though a bit pressed on time. I am glad to be remembering the true reason for the season each day.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
I was a little surprised at last week's answers. Most of us (12!) would select a book from a series we are currently reading. Two commenters would pick a new series, two can't answer because it's a toss up (miki) or it depends on the moment (Fredamans). One person, Linda, would buy the more expensive title.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #229 comments is: #11 Fredamans  who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices - maybe the beginning of next year, lol. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #230 (One Question.)

Natalija asks: 1) Do you read category romances? If yes, who are some of your favorite authors??

I have read category romances in the past - but it has been a couple of years. I used to read quite a number of Harlequin in their Super Romance, Intrigue and Love Inspired lines but I didn't care for the Blaze line. I checked online for Category Romance and found the Goodreads Category Romance list.The list includes Jill Shalvis and Susan Elizabeth Phillips whose books I always enjoy. Also, Shannon Stacey and Robyn Carr. I have several Kristan Higgins but have not read her yet - I will include her in my 2016 TBR list.

Image found at BookRiot

A chart for GMC (Goal, Motivation and Conflict)
Image found at Amalie Berlin blog

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! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:
Natalija asks: 1) Do you read category romances? If yes, who are some of your favorite authors??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 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. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question 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 12, 2015 at 5 PM central.

Book Review and Giveaway: A Change of Fortune (Ladies of Distinction Book #1) by Jen Turano

This was our ladies book club for November and we all agreed that it was a delightful and satisfying read.

A Change of Fortune (Ladies of Distinction Book #1)
by Jen Turano

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (November 1, 2012)
ISBN-13: 978-0764210181
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. After losing her family, her fiance, and her faith, the disappearance of her fortune is the last straw. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner, governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.
Much to Mr. Hamilton Beckett's chagrin, all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. Unfortunately for all the matchmaking mothers and eligible daughters, he has no plans to marry again, especially with his hands full keeping his business afloat and raising his two children alone.
When Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune put her right in Hamilton's path, sparks instantly begin to fly. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces, but with all their plans falling by the wayside and their enemies getting the better of them, it will take a riot of complications for Hamilton and Eliza to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.
"Set in New York City circa 1880, Turano's historical romance has witty dialogue, a spunky heroine, a bounty of humor, and a fast-paced plot. There are wonderful secondary characters, too, including an ankle-biting boy, a relentlessly matchmaking mother, and a full cast of despicable villains. A Change of Fortune will make a delightful addition to any library." --Booklist (starred review)
"Turano's charming story of losing and gaining both wealth and love in 1880s New York City will certainly please fans of witty and classic romance stories."--RT Book Review
"[A] delightfully lighthearted debut novel."--Desert News

Review:
Eliza is no milk-toast English Miss. She has come to America and taken a job as a governess so she can track down those who took her fortune and ruined her family’s reputation. She inadvertently discovers the assumed name and whereabouts of her father’s steward who embezzled the family fortune. Agatha, the elder daughter of the family that employs her, insists on tagging along when Eliza attempts to sneak into the home of the thief. They run into the Beckett brothers who are already there sneaking around. The Becketts believe the thief has a connection to a man who has been continually underbidding their company bids.

The misadventure gets Eliza and Agatha in trouble and Eliza fired from her position. Hamilton Beckett offers her refuge at his home until they can find proof of the theft and the connections.

Hamilton is a widower with two children – a precocious five-year-old daughter, Piper, and a three-year-old son, Ben, who has a bad habit. Eliza is soon charmed by the children, not to mention the tingles she feels when their father is in the room. Hamilton’s match-making momma is quick to notice the attraction between the two and eager to scheme ways to put them together.

One stumbling event leads to another with Eliza finally having to risk facing the villains. Hamilton and his mother, plus friends, are there to give her support even as she faces serious danger. Along the way Eliza realizes she needs to stop being angry with God. She needs to learn to “Trust” again. After all, her misfortune has saved her from marriage to a money hungry fiancé and, just maybe, it has brought her to a new family where she can love and be loved.

This is a totally delightful read! It is a bit madcap at times but that is part of the lighthearted fun. I enjoyed the undertones of romance and Hamilton’s bumbling attempts to secure Eliza’s hand… and heart. There is danger, kidnapping and a last minute stand-off. Even then, the gentle humor, and God’s protective touch, shine through in the story. I like how Ms. Turano gently portrays God’s hand at work in Eliza’s life.

I will definitely be reading more books by Ms. Turano, starting with the next book in the series. I highly recommend this to readers who love historical and inspirational romance.

I purchased this book in print for Ladies Book Club (and purchased the ebook for my reading.) This was our November book discussed on 12/5/15.

TWO (gently read) PRINT COPY GIVEAWAY

US Only

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

(a) comment on the review, OR

(b) Visit the AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you learned or like there.

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) December 12, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after December 12, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.