Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Twelve Days of Christmas


Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber
Published by Ballentine Books
Release date: October 4th, 2016


I really enjoyed this book. I was a little disappointed because from the title I was expecting more of a Christmas feel to it. There was too much about Christmas besides the children's choir. Other than that it was a very well written love story, as expected, from a wonderful author. 

I enjoyed the conflict at first and then how Julia and Cain grew on each other. I loved the idea of an experiment and showing Julia's blog posts in the book. I wish her blog post would have been a little more descriptive or contained more details. The posts were very broad bit overall I enjoyed the book format. 

I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed the book but wished there could have been a lot more elements of Christmas. I would recommend this book to a reader who wants a page turner during the Christmas season but does not want a slap you in the face with Christmas read.

Maybe if you have an Ebenezer-like person in your life who needs a nice little shot of Christmasy spirit and love then buy this book, march across the hall or drive or whatever and give this book to them. It might just brighten their mood. 

Thank you to Debbie Macomber, Ballentine Publishing and Netgalley for a nice love story

Monday, September 26, 2016

Across The Wide And Lonesome Prairie



Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell (Dear America)
By: Kristina Gregory
Published by: Scholastic Inc.


Now that we're in the North Platte River Valley the air feels dry and thin. My lips are so chapped they bleed when I talk. The only thing to do is dip our fingers in to the bucket of axle grease and rub our lips every hour or so. It smells bad, it tastes bad, and the blowing dust sticks.
It feels like we must be halfway to Oregon, but Tall Joe says, no, we've only gone five hundred miles. He also says the worst part of the trail is to come.
Does he mean more rivers to cross...? I'm afraid to ask what he's talking about.

When I was in elementary school we had a club for girls who liked to read. We would meet after school in the library and talk about the book. This was one that was featured. We had 'skeeter cakes' which looked funny (at least ours didn't have real mosquitoes in them). Our tables were decorated with girly antique things like you could find along the Oregon trail. It was very enjoyable as a young lady.

I cannot tell you how many times I have read this book. Even the blue ribbon is frayed to the top so I can no longer use it as a book mark. I have had many books come and go but this one will never leave my shelf and it's been almost 20 years.

This diary of the Oregon trail is full of adventure, love, loss and growing up. I would highly recommend this book to young ladies even grown ladies. It is an adorable read and just talking about it I have a hankering to reread it...

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Claude's Christmas Adventure


Will the McCawley's make it home in time for Christmas?
Will Claude ever have a full tummy again (especially of gingerbread)?

This Christmas a little dog is in for a big adventure...and so are you as the reader! I give this book 5 stars.
Even though it's Fall get the hot chocolate and Christmas crafts ready and prepare to have your heart strings pulled.

Poor Claude accidentally gets left behind from the family excursion across the channel just a few days before Christmas with no warm comfy basket or full food bowl. So what is a sensible dog to do? Belly flop through a cat door flap, of course, and into an amazing adventure with new friends and old adversaries.

This is a fun story about community, friendship and love. I was happy with the ending but sad that the story ended. I would recommend it to anyone whether they need to get in the Christmas mood or not. Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books UK and of course Sophie Pembroke for a wonderful Christmas read!

Sophie Pembroke

Sunday, September 18, 2016

So Long Lollipops



Will Peter EVER find his way back to Bits???

I actually found this as a free Novella on Audible. The description said it was an in between in a series but once I started listening I never would have known. It reads so well on it's own and I really didn't feel like I just jumped in the middle of something and just be lost. 
I am really curious about the rest of the series because So Long Lollipops almost feels like a teaser trailer that gets you needing to know more!
I enjoyed Peter's character in this story and want to learn about the other characters mentioned as well. In another review I read that it was nice to hear from Peter's point of view since I guess he's a secondary character in the Until the End of the World book which is kind of disappointing know that I know Peter.
I could feel Peter's frustrations when obstacle after obstacle kept popping up and keeping him from his peoples he's been desperately trying to get back to.
AND I really want to know what happens to Peter's new friends...
All in all great book for a car ride! 

Friday, September 16, 2016

I am so excited for Christmas this year. It'll be our first Christmas in our new home. It's only September and I'm already in a Christmas mood.

I'm even more excited to be reading Claude's Christmas Adventure by Sophie Pembroke (Avon Books UK).



I cannot wait to tell you how the book is...