November 2018 Goals

Who here can truly believe that October is over? I know I can’t. It seems like yesterday that it had started.

BUT, I got a ton done this October and I’m super excited to see what November brings.

• Get LHAR ready for publication including a cover reveal and small blog tour (Done! Except I didn’t do the cover reveal with a tour, just by myself)
• Finish Christmas story edits and send to proofreaders (DONE!)
• ROA edits #3 and send to content editor (Done! Now to go through said edits)
• Get upstairs bedroom ready to paint (Not done)
• Work on Un Sospiro (I have totally neglected this song for far too long and now it’s time to get the Christmas music out. Oh well.)
• Exercise at least 3 times per week (DONE! At least mostly, I think.)
• Outline Soldiers of the West #1 (DONE!!!!!!! And I get to write it now!)

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Book Review: The Christmas Heirloom

Title: The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love through the Generations
Written By: Kristi Ann Hunter, Karen Witemeyer, Sarah Loudin Thomas, and Becky Wade
Genre: Christian Romance
Recommended Ages: 13 & up

Introduction:

When I had the opportunity to receive a review copy of this book, I knew I wanted to. Mainly because one of my favorite authors wrote one of these novellas. I wasn’t disappointed by her book. The others… Well, one was rather disappointing and the other two were only fairly good. I loved how the brooch fit in to every story.

Christmas in July, part two

Good morning, blog readers! I’m excited to talk to you again today. I know I’ve posted quite a bit this month. It’s unusual, but it’s been fun. Today, though, I have some exciting news! Not only do I have a mega-sale going on specially for the Christmas in July event, but I also have a book announcement to make! First, the sale.

Christmas in July!!

I neglected to tell my faithful blog followers something. But I’m rectifying that now. Not only that, but I have a fun event to share with you as well. Various authors have banded together for a massive Christmas in July Blog Party. To see the giveaways and sales from each author and enter the main giveaway, check the end of this post.

A belated announcement

How Great our Joy, part three

Part three of my Christmas story. If you haven’t read part one and part two, please do so before reading this section.

The Halberg’s spent the next few hours in prayer as other people drifted in and out waiting for their own family members and then leaving to visit their injured.

Three hours after arriving, a doctor came in. “Are you Virginia Halberg’s family?”

Mr. Halberg stood. “Yes, we are.” He looked around the room. No one else was there.

“Won’t you please sit back down?” the doctor asked. “I’m Doctor Rodgers.” When they were all seated, he spoke again, “We did everything we could, but the bullet must have ricocheted. When it entered her body, it went in multiply places, including a piece that lodged an eighth of an inch from her heart. I left that one for last, but by then, she was gone. I’m sorry. The only consolation I can give you is that she died with a smile on her face. I’m not sure why…”

Margaret beamed. “That would be because she saw Jesus.”

Doctor Rodgers jerked his head her direction. “What?”

How Great our Joy, part two

Part two of my Christmas story. If you haven’t read part one, please do so before reading this section.

“Margaret, where is your sister?”

Margaret’s eyes grew wide as she looked around her, then back at her father. “I thought she went to find you.”

Margaret’s parents exchanged a frightened glance. “Let’s stay together to find her.”

They pushed their way through the crowded street. The Christmas Bazaar was especially crowded this year because of the unusually warm weather and the decision to move it outside.

How Great our Joy, part one

Today, Wednesday, and Friday, I am posting three parts of a short story I wrote for Christmas. It’s a very different type of Christmas story, but I hope you enjoy it.

How Great our Joy!

Christmas. A time for family, food, and fun. But what happens when tragedy strikes?

Ginny ran as fast as her small legs could carry her. Why had she left her parents and sister to look at the silver ornaments? She scraped her hands and knees on the ground as the man chasing her landed on top of her with a thud. She tried to scream, but nothing came out.

The Christmas Calamity

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Introduction:

Do you like phantasmagorical books? What about ones about teachers? Or perhaps you like bankers? Oh, and did I mention big words? You’ve come to the right place, Ladies and Gentlemen! Step right up and prepare to be amazed.

Characters: 1/1

Alexandra is a colorful character with insecurities and creativity. Arlan was introduced in the previous two books and the quiet, sometimes uptight banker stole my heart in this book. As they work out their differences and fall in love, they each grow as a person.

The Christmas Token

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Introduction:

Ginny and Blake have been in love since they were teenagers. Then Ginny moved away and has never been back. Until now. And she brings danger with her. Will Ginny and Blake be able to move past their differences in time to save Ginny from a desperate man?

Characters: 1/1

To put it plainly, Ginny is a spoiled brat and Blake is the consummate gentleman. At first. Then Ginny starts to really grow up into an accomplished young woman with ambitions.

Blake was hurt deeply when Ginny left and didn’t write a single letter back to him so many years back. When she returns and the feelings he buried so deep start to work to the surface, he is faced with decisions and sometimes they aren’t the right ones.

Dialogue: .75/1

The dialogue fit the characters. Although, when it was first mentioned that Blake’s parents are from England and that Blake has a slight accent, I would have never guessed it. A few Briticisms may have helped that some. As with The Christmas Bargain, there was a little more heat than I cared for.

Plot/Storyline: .75/1

Overall, the plot and storyline were good. There was more heat than I found comfortable, but it never progressed further (on screen) than some heated kisses.

Overall writing quality: .75/1

The editing appeared better in The Christmas Token than it was in The Christmas Bargain, but there were still a few typos. Overall, though, the quality was very good.

Un-put-down-ability: 1/1

Shanna has a talent for writing books you can’t put down. This one didn’t disappoint.

Conclusion: 4.25/5

Again, the heat level was more than I cared for, but still what would usually be considered clean. If you like suspenseful Christmas romance, you’ll enjoy this book.

 

Note: I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas Bargain

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Introduction:

A confirmed bachelor from a messed up family. A woman kept hidden by her father for 13 years. A bargain that would last a lifetime. The best Christmas bargain ever made.

Characters: 1/1

Philamena starts out super shy and afraid of men. She has good reason to be that way, but when her father bargains with the banker, Luke Granger, to take Philamena instead of money for the debt he owes, she blossoms quickly. Luke is skeptical of the woman in the dowdy dress and kerchief on her head. Philamena soon earns the nickname Luke calls her, Filly, as she learns that the people around her are good people who won’t get mad at her for being herself. The way Filly and Luke develop from being a shy, scared woman and confirmed bachelor with no good opinions of marriage into a confident, loving woman and happily married man is portrayed realistically and with humor.

Dialogue: .75/1

At times the dialogue is funny and other times it is very serious. Regardless, the dialogue is realistic to the time period as well as the characters and situations. There were a couple times when I thought the heat level in the dialogue was a little too much even if they were married. That’s something they can talk about behind closed doors.

Plot/Storyline: .75/1

The main reason I didn’t give this a full star rating was because there were a few times when the heat level was a little uncomfortable for me, nothing graphic, just a little more detail than I would prefer. There were also a few historical details I thought were a little off.

Overall writing quality: .75/1

Besides the slight historically incorrect detail, I the book was well-written. There were a few typos that I noticed, but none that took me out of the story.

Un-put-down-ability: 1/1

I had read this book before and knew (roughly) what happened. And I still couldn’t put it down.

Conclusion: 4.25/5

If you like a good romance, especially one set around Christmas and don’t mind a lot of kissing and slight innuendos, you will like this book.

 

Note: I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.