Book Review: A Nanny For Christmas: A Harper's Corner Series Novella by Christina George

This a nice, light, easy read.

A Nanny For Christmas: A Harper's Corner Series Novella
by Christina George

File Size: 1134 KB
Print Length: 143 pages
Publication Date: August 20, 2018
ASIN: B07FB6WNDQ
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holidays, Small Town
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Willa O’Rourke knows the true story, the story that doesn’t sell magazines.
In less than 8 hours Willa went from being a behind-the-scenes nanny for one of the hottest A-list celebrity couples, to having her picture splashed all over every magazine in the country.
Caught in the arms of her sexy employer, Johnny Blaze.
No one cares that Johnny hit on her, and she repeatedly told him no.
The world thinks Willa O’Rourke is more interesting as the slutty, home-wrecking, opportunistic nanny. She even has a hashtag trending on Twitter. #dirtynanny
Humiliated and desperate to get away from the harsh eyes of Hollywood, she decides to take a short break from her suddenly not so glamorous life and head home for the holidays.
But a quiet Christmas to recoup before heading back to LA wasn’t in the cards.
She immediately runs into Jack, her seriously hot, fireman ex-boyfriend.
Despite Willa’s attempts to keep a low profile, she and Jack are thrown together for a Christmas charity project -- making her wonder if she’s meant for a simpler life in Harper’s Corner after all.

Review:
Willa left behind her high school and college boyfriend to follow her dream of becoming an actress. She ended up working as a nanny for a celebrity couple, having to fend off advances by her sexy boss. After being caught in a picture that looks bad, she has returned home in disgrace with the scandal of the #dirtynanny.

Willa can barely hold her head up but fortunately her brother and friends are willing to welcome her home. She doesn’t expect any warm welcome from her ex-boyfriend, Jack, a handsome firefighter.

Jack was devastated when Willa left although he loved her enough to let her go pursue her dream. He’s never really gotten over her but he doesn’t plan to get hurt again. Still, the attraction between them picks up immediately and he’ll have to decide if its worth sharing passion on a short basis even if she might leave again.

The characters are likeable and the chemistry is strong. I liked the Christmas elements that had Willa and Jack helping to put together Christmas decorations and activities, including a presentation of The Christmas Carol, for an orphanage. The other town characters are fun and add to the story. The second chance isn’t a slam dunk but is fraught with tension which is engaging. 

I enjoyed another book (The Publicist) by Ms. George which was a bit more intense. This is an easy read that sets the stage for a nice series. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy second chance romance and Christmas settings.

Source: Author Marketing Experts for review. This adds to my 2018 Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Nation by Terry Pratchett

I found this unusual and interesting.
Nation
By: Terry Pratchett
Narrated by: Stephen Briggs


Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-30-08
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Coming of Age, Fantasy, Sci Fi
My Rating: Story 4.0 of 5.0
Audio: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The sea has taken everything.
Thirteen-year-old Mau is the only one left after a giant wave sweeps his island village away. But when much is taken, something is returned, and somewhere in the jungle, Daphne - a girl from the other side of the globe - is the sole survivor of a ship destroyed by the same wave.
Together, the two confront the aftermath of catastrophe. And slowly, other refugees arrive - children without parents, mothers without babies, husbands without wives - all of them hungry and all of them frightened. As Mau and Daphne struggle to keep the small band safe and fed, they defy ancestral spirits, challenge death himself, and uncover a long-hidden secret that literally turns the world upside down....
Internationally revered storyteller Terry Pratchett presents a breathtaking adventure of survival and discovery, and of the courage required to forge new beliefs.
©2008 Terry and Lyn Pratchett (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Review:
Mau is a young boy of The Nation, a tribe on a distant, island which rarely sees the white people from the main continents. Mau has just completed the canoe test which will move him into manhood when he returns to the main island. However, the island has just been stripped by a mighty tidal wave. When Mau returns he finds no other survivors and is faced with the terrible task of moving all of the dead to the waves for a proper burial.

Mau discovers a young white girl, a “ghost”, who is the sole survivor of a British ship wreck. The two are from totally different societies and initially cannot understand each other’s language. They begin with hand signals and drawings. After a few days more survivors drift ashore and one of the Nation has been exposed to the English so he helps breach the language difficulties.

Mau hears the voices of “the Grandfathers” in his head as he goes from questioning the Nation’s Gods to raging and fighting them. As the survivors slowly rebuild they must grapple with the concepts of nation, religion, culture, personal responsibilities and, of course, good and evil.

Daphne, the young girl, shows Mau attributes of bravery and kindness. She helps other survivors and is willing to learn ways of the Nation quickly. A surviving elder/priest objects to Mau challenging the Gods and tries to keep hidden old secrets of the anchor stones which represent the Gods. Mau and Daphne won’t let him stop them from searching and learning the history of the stones.

This is a fantasy which appears to be aimed at a younger audience. It deals with social and religious issues which I think would be difficult for young people to understand unless they read this with an adult. I believe it would be appropriate for education value to young adults.

There are many raving reviews for this book but I just didn’t have that strong response. Perhaps I was seeking simple entertainment and not a philosophical fantasy. I enjoyed the story as it develops although I found it slow moving at times. I did like how Mau and Daphne grew in their understandings of the worlds nearby and far away. I found it interesting how the author deftly handled their sweet friendship in light of the divides of their worlds.

I have had this on my Audible shelf for a long time and it is the first book by Prachett that I have read/listened to. The writing was strikingly beautiful and rich which added to my enjoyment. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy a philosophical discussion in a coming of age story.

Audio Notes: Stephen Briggs provides excellent narration for the story. He gives personality and fitting voices to each of the characters. His melodious voice enhanced the reading for me.

Source: Audible 2012 January Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR, and Audiobook Challenges.

Sunday Post September 23, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 24, 2018

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress).

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 have done some work on and off but am trying to keep it to a minimum so I can enjoy family time. I am playing with the 2 year old twins, reading with all three children and we are playing Uno with the 5 year old. I get to take them for walks (or me walking and them riding their little bikes) after dinner.
The weather here was very hot last week until Friday when rain preceded a cold front. So we went from 90 degrees to 56 degrees.
We will head home later this week but that means I will be without internet again unless I purchase a plan or work through my phone service.

My reading was good with more listening than blogging. I finished one ebook and three audible titles. I posted one review with Giveaway, as well as all of my usual memes.

I visited only 20 blogs again last week.
Shout Out this week to Words I Write Crazy, who has cute dogs and plenty of reviews.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 16, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 17, 2018.

• PTBRLBC - Book Review and Giveaway: Mother of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert; Christian, Contemporary Fiction, Women's Fiction; my rating: 4.5 of 5.0. Open US and Canada. Ending 9/29/2018.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 21, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/27/2018.

• eTour - Book Review: The Memory Tree by John A. Heldt; Adventure, Historical Fiction, Time Travel; my rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #353 Comment Giveaway September 22, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/6/2018.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 23, 2018.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Review)

A Nanny For Christmas: A Harper's Corner Series Novella
by Christina George
This a nice, light, easy read.
Source: Author Marketing Experts for review.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (A2018)

The Watchmaker's Daughter
Glass and Steele, Book 1
By: C. J. Archer
Narrated by: Emma Powell
Series: Glass and Steele, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
I really liked this and want to get more in the series.
Source: Audible Sale Purchase February 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Genesis: Arisen, Book 0.5
By: Michael Stephen Fuchs
Narrated by: R. C. Bray
Series: Arisen, Book 0.5
Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
This has strong characters and good action in the zombie genre.
Source: Audible 2017 December Sale Purchase.
Publisher's Summary
Tucked away in a high-tech Tactical Operations Center, inside an isolated safehouse in the Horn of Africa, sits Agency analyst Zack Altringham. He is Kenyan-born, Princeton-educated, badly burnt-out - and condemned by his language and cultural skills to a lifetime of fighting America's shadow counter-terror wars. But when another mystery epidemic breaks out, terrifyingly quickly it reaches a tipping point and chaos descends - and Zack and his team (including two former Team Six SEALs) are trapped between the millstones of the sick and the dying on one side, and heavily armed militias on the other. Soon their "safe" house is in flames, and their only remaining option is to get in their up-armored SUV and try to escape the imploding gravity well of the city, to the safety of the American military base in Djibouti. But by then, will there be anywhere safe left on Earth to escape to?
©2012 Michael Stephen Fuchs (P)2014 Podium Publishing

4. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Gallagher's Pride
By: MK McClintock
Narrated by: Alan Philip Ormond
Series: Gallagher, Book 1
Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
This historical romance was a nice change of pace after the zombie apocalypse listen.
Source: Audible 2017 April $1.99 Purchase.
Publisher's Summary
She was a on a quest of discovery. He was on a quest for revenge. Together they would discover a second chance.
Brenna Cameron travels from Scotland after losing someone she loves in search of family she didn't know existed. Alone now in the world, Brenna makes an arduous journey, following the trail of discovery to Briarwood, Montana. Here she meets Ethan Gallagher, and the rest of the Gallagher clan. Only with their help is she able to discover lost family, heal old wounds and embark on a treacherous confrontation with a man who destroyed her family.
As head of the Gallagher clan, Ethan has more than enough to occupy his thoughts and time-he didn't need the complication of Brenna Cameron and he certainly didn't need the trouble that came with her. Ethan takes on the unwanted duty of self-appointed protector to the headstrong Scot, only to discover there is such a thing as second chances and more to life than revenge.
The Historical Western Romance Montana Gallagher Series:
Book One - Gallagher's Pride
Book Two - Gallagher's Hope
Book Three - Gallagher's Choice
©2012 MK McClintock (P)2014 MK McClintock

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG2018)

Shelved Under Murder: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery
by Victoria Gilbert
60% in I'm enjoying this cozy mystery.
Source: NetGalley 2018.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (A2018)

The Lilac Bouquet
By: Carolyn Brown
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins
I selected this as an "L" title and
I am enjoying the story at 25% in.
Source: Audible January 2018 Daily Deal $2.95.
Publisher's Summary
Come hell or high water, Emmy Jo Massey will have a wedding. After three generations of Massey women with children out of wedlock, she wants the whole town of Hickory, Texas, to witness the legitimacy of her union with Logan Grady. But dream weddings aren't cheap. So she accepts a highly lucrative stint as a home health assistant to retired realtor, and town recluse, Seth Thomas - a decision her great-grandmother Tandy is dead-set against.
Seth isn't happy about it, either. The eighty-two-year-old doesn't want a "babysitter" - much less a Massey - something he makes clear when Emmy arrives at his house, an empty mansion built for the woman who broke his heart. But as Emmy stays and the two eventually open up to each other, she learns the reason behind a feud between Seth, Tandy, and Logan's grandfather Jesse Grady that goes back six decades. She also uncovers a secret that forever changes how she sees her past and her future...
©2017 Carolyn Brown (P)2017 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

3. Audiobooks.com Smartphone (A2018)

The Quest for Cosmic Justice
Written By: Thomas Sowell
Narrated By: Robertson Dean
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
Duration: 5 hours 52 minutes
This is a "Q" title which I think I will find very interesting.
Source: Audiobooks July 2018 credit purchase.
Summary:
This book is about the great moral issues underlying many of the headline-making political controversies of our times. It is not a comforting book but a book about disturbing and dangerous trends.
The Quest for Cosmic Justice shows how confused conceptions of justice end up promoting injustice, how confused conceptions of equality end up promoting inequality, and how the tyranny of social visions prevents many people from confronting the actual consequences of their own beliefs and policies. Those consequences include the steady and dangerous erosion of fundamental principles of freedom-amounting to a quiet repeal of the American revolution.
The Quest for Cosmic Justice is the summation of a lifetime of study and thought about where we as a society are headed-and why we need to change course before we do irretrievable damage.

4. eBook/Kindle (Tour)

Operation Earth
by Maria Hammarblad
I am looking forward to reading this
sci fi Alien Invasion story.
Source: Review book from Bewitching Book Tours:
Tour date 10/3/18.
Seven billion people on Earth go about their daily lives, and no one is prepared when a global EMP slows the world to a crawl. Within days alien soldiers line the streets, and life will never be the same. In the midst of chaos, Rachael Hill struggles to adapt to the new order, doing her best to keep herself and her cat alive.
On a ship far above the planet surface, Peter just got his new Earth name, and can’t even remember his identity from the last world he visited. It’s another day on the job, one more planet on a never-ending list. That is, until Rachael bumps into him, dropping exotic objects all around his feet. His culture taught him females should be obeyed and protected, but he never had an urge to leave himself at a woman’s mercy until now.

September 23, 2018 - I enjoy my You Version App where I get to highlight passages and create Biblical images. I am on track with my morning reading the One Year Bible plan on my smartphone. You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.

I completed 4 books and posted two reviews. That puts me at six reviews to post.
I'm doing pretty good adding current reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I still have  older ones to catch up on.
My NetGalley shelf is still at 13. I still have one author title in queue . Still many through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied 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 (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I have no new review titles.
I picked up two Audible Credits, one Daily Deal and five Audible titles at discounted prices. 
I also picked up two for one audios at Audiobooks.com.
Plus two free Audibles.
I didn't pick up any Kindle paid titles.
I picked up 19 free kindle titles this week. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

9/21/18 Audible Daily Deal $1.95
Noble Beginnings
By: L. T. Ryan
Narrated by: Dennis Holland
Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins
Release date: 10-13-15

9/18/18 AUDIBLE PURCHASES
Two August Credits:

Catalyst Downward Cycle
by J K Franks
Narrated by: Steven Varnum
Series: Catalyst, Book 1
Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins
(Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian.)


Wolves
by D. J. Molles
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
Length: 18 hrs and 19 mins
(I liked this author's Remaining Series.)

Purchased at Discounted Prices as I already have the ebook:
$2.95
First Death
A Seventeen Series Short Story #1
By: AD Starrling
Narrated by: Michael Bower
Series: Seventeen, Book 1.1
Length: 44 mins
(**Thriller- A title for FraterFest in October.)

Four at $1.99
Defiance
by William H. Weber
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Series: Defending Home, Book 1
Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
(Post-apocalyptic, Prepper.)


Where Wolves Run
A Novella of Horror
By: Jason Parent
Narrated by: Jonathan Ip
Length: 1 hr and 55 mins
(**Horror- A title for FraterFest in October.)


The Ghost and the Graveyard
Knight Games, Book 1
By: Genevieve Jack
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Series: Knight Games, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins
(** A possible title for FraterFest in October.)


Malevolent
Shaye Archer Series, Book 1
By: Jana DeLeon
Narrated by: Julie McKay
Series: Shaye Archer Series, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
(Psychological Mystery Suspense.)

9/22/18
Audiobooks.com Two for One credit:
Warbreaker
By: Brandon Sanderson


and
The Judging Eye
By: R. Scott Bakker

Free

Don't Mainstream the Alt-Right
by Ben Shapiro
Release date: 11-22-16
I have recently been watching debates with Ben Shapiro and am impressed with how brilliant this guy is.

Free Audible Original
I'm From the Sun
The Gustafer Yellowgold Story
By: Morgan Taylor
Length: 4 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 10-05-18


I added 19 free titles to my Kindle library this week. Another week of no time even to download free titles. 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 September 23, 2018

We enjoyed the church service this morning. The songs were all new to me.
The pastor’s service was titled: Join the Fight. He encouraged the congregation to join him in the fight to reach the next generation.

The fall in the Garden resulted in enmity between man and woman and their offspring. Genesis 3:15.

God wants us to always be growing. Children and grandchildren are important.
We are admonished to “fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes”. Nehemiah 4:14.

Remember that sin is crouching at the door seeking to attack your children. Satan is also the author of confusion; he encourages busy lives that won’t focus on God.

God wants followers of Christ, as Christian parents should. We are to share the message of Christ. Be aware of the friendships your children make as some friends can last a lifetime.

Pastor presented four points for his message:
1. Right Relationships.
Proverbs 13:20 -- Show me your friends, I'll show you the future.
Psalm 92:12 -- Those who are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish.

2. God-given Design.
Knowing God's purpose will silence voices of confusion or disruption.
Acts 19:26 -- Don't worship unknown God

3. Others First.
Philippians 2:4 -- Look to the interests of Others. Only a life for others is a life with living.

If Satan can't get us to sin, then he wants us busy and not necessarily caring for each other.

God wants us to be productive in God's purpose. Parents are not perfect, but we need to be like “Those who stumbled and went on”.

4. Authentic faith.
Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.
Without Christians who prepared the way before, our current churches wouldn't be.
We all should be seeking to come together to reach the community. First we need to follow Him.
And we need to be down on your knees. Ephesians 3:14.

This is one of the worship songs we sang this morning: You Reign by Citipointe.

A Verse for Today:
Nehemiah 4:14 (NIV)
14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

Sharing Beyond Books #353 Comment Giveaway September 22, 2018

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
14 mixed, two mostly witin genre and one not deliberately mixed but reads what likes.


The Winner from SBB #352 comments is: #2 ASHFA who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #353

(One Question.)

Becky asks: What do you like best from your favorite genre or author??

Since we've been asking about genres I thought this was another good follow-up question.
I have been reading a lot of space military and post-apocalyptic lately. I like the escapism and creativity of the space military which sometimes includes realistic situations in alien settings and with alien creatures.
I like the possible realism in the post-apocalyptic, especially the prepper stories rather than the zombie stories.
Historical Romance is always a favorite genre too and I think I like those for the romance and passion that is there but mostly behind doors. :-)

Image found at Quote Fancy.

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.
CarolL and Becky get 1/2 book credit each for questions used in the month of September.

Your turn to share. Becky asks: What do you like best from your favorite genre or author??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

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 October 6, 2018 at 5 PM central.