REVIEW: Last Christmas by Lily Greene

Title: Last Christmas
Author: Lily Greene
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Publication Date: October, 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: Last Christmas Ella’s heart was broken.

She had been with sophisticated banker Robbie Newton for six years when they suddenly broke up on New Year’s Eve.

Robbie had left her heartbroken and hurt with nothing but a note explaining he had taken a job in Chicago.

This Christmas Ella is determined to bury her past and start afresh.

She focuses on her career as an artist and organizes her debut exhibition in a swanky London gallery.

While shopping for her best friend, Libby Crosley, who is hosting her infamous Christmas party that evening, Ella bumps into a mysterious man in the supermarket.

After a series of awkward run-ins and chance meetings with this stranger, Fergus Lamb, Ella feels the pangs of love again.

Fergus is nothing like any man Ella’s ever dated.

He’s a quirky, smart, bold, and spontaneous war photographer who looks like James Dean.

Just as Ella’s luck is changing, Robbie shows up unannounced at the opening night of her exhibition.

Ella is faced with a choice when Robbie finally offers her what she always wanted…

Who will Ella choose? Her suave and successful ex-boyfriend who she finds so irresistible? Or the exciting new stranger who has just waltzed into her life?

Will this Christmas be a fresh start? Or will she be dragged back to the memories of Last Christmas?

My Thoughts: Last Christmas by new to me author Lily Greene is a short Christmas novella about a woman who is determined to make this Christmas much better than the year before. Last Christmas, Ella was devastated when her long term boyfriend dumped her to take a job in Chicago. Ella focuses on her work and upcoming exhibition in an art gallery and spending time with her friends. She meets photo journalist, Fergus, at a Christmas party and begins to experience feelings again. Everything is going beautifully in her new relationship until her ex-boyfriend, Robbie, shows up unexpectedly looking for reconciliation. Now Ella is faced with making a decision that will affect the rest of her life and future happiness.

This was an OK story for me. I liked Ella and Fergus and thought some of his date ideas were very creative and intriguing. I thought Ella was a character I could easily relate to and empathized with her confusion and frustration when Robbie shows up at the art gallery. I did not like Robbie or his arrogant assumption that he could just waltz back into Ella’s life, thinking she will welcome him back without question and with open arms. I felt disappointed with the way she resolves her past with Robbie. I felt it lacked the emotion that should have been there considering the length of time they were together and the way he broke up with her. I was expecting to see more conflict. Robbie comes across as a very weak character and he proves it with how he behaves after telling Ella he wants her back. Everything ends well, but I think the story would have played out better for me if it had been a longer story with more time spent with the characters interacting more. I recommend this to fans of chick-lit romance looking for a fast Christmas story. Readers that enjoy a longer story and prefer their characters to be more complex should look for something else.

REVIEW: T Is For Trespass by Sue Grafton

Title: T Is For Trespass (Kinsey Millhone #20)
Author: Sue Grafton
Publisher: G.P. Putnams Sons
Publication Date: December, 2007
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: trespass \'trespes\ n: a transgression of law involving one's obligations to God or to one's neighbor; a violation of moral law; an offense; a sin
-Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition, Unabridged

In what may be her most unsettling novel to date, Sue Grafton's T is for Trespass is also her most direct confrontation with the forces of evil. Beginning slowly with the day-to-day life of a private eye, Grafton suddenly shifts from the voice of Kinsey Millhone to that of Solana Rojas, introducing readers to a chilling sociopath. Rojas is not her birth name. It is an identity she cunningly stole, an identity that gives her access to private caregiving jobs. The true horror of the novel builds with excruciating tension as the reader foresees the awfulness that lies ahead. The suspense lies in whether Millhone will realize what is happening in time to intervene.

Though set in the late eighties, T is for Trespass could not be more topical: identity theft; elder abuse; betrayal of trust; the breakdown in the institutions charged with caring for the weak and the dependent. It reveals a terrifying but all-too-real rip in the social fabric. Once again, Grafton opens up new territory with startling results.

My Thoughts: The more I get to know Kinsey Millhone, the more I like her. This character is so interesting on her own, she has great strength of character and integrity and though she is flawed and makes mistakes, she doesn’t let it stop her from doing the right thing, even if doing the right thing causes her problems. I also enjoy her observant outlook on the world around her. She’s very intuitive and that serves her well in her day to day activities. Without her high level of perception, the outcome would have been much more horrific for the victims because the predator in this story is someone you should be able to trust. Someone you hire to care for your elderly parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt. Someone you rely on to have the needs of your loved one as their number one priority. When Kinsey’s cranky neighbor, Gus Vronsky takes a fall, it doesn’t take long for Kinsey and her landlord, Henry, to realize that Gus needs help. Kinsey is able to track down Gus’s only living relative, a niece who lives on the other side of the country. She hires a nurse to care for Gus, but she does not realize the woman she hired is not who she thinks she is. This woman is a predator who has assumed numerous identities over the years to ingratiate herself into the homes of her elderly patients, where in addition to drugging and stealing from them, she ultimately murders them.

When Kinsey starts looking into the background of Gus’s nurse, she does not anticipate how shrewd this predator is and how she manages to stay just a few steps ahead of Kinsey. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game the author illustrates as Kinsey tries to figure out Solana’s plan only to have to backtrack and rethink it when Kinsey finds herself outwitted. I admired Kinsey’s vigilance and determination to protect Gus, in spite of his less than nice personality. Though she was certainly not required to step in and could have very easily ignored the matter as not any of her business, I liked that Kinsey’s instincts draw her into the matter so that she feels obligated to take action.

I enjoyed the whole book, but the last few chapters are what drew me in. The anxiety building suspense was a real nail-biter as Kinsey has to first rescue Gus and then deal with the retaliation from Solana. The ending was completely unexpected but well played out. I recommend this book to all fans of mystery, thriller or suspense novels, but don’t start in the middle of the alphabet with this series. In order to understand the all of the character’s backstory, I recommend this series be read in order.

REVIEW: Mistletoe And Wine by Faith Bleasdale

Title: Mistletoe And Wine
Author: Faith Bleasdale
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Publication Date: October, 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: One office party, three couples, lots of secrets. What could possibly go wrong?

Harry Augustus, the third generation boss of Augustus Estate Agents, is hosting the biggest and best Christmas party yet.

He is pulling out all the stops and has a big announcement to make.

Gabby, the glamorous office manager, is in charge of the festive bash.

But she’s also sleeping with the boss.

Their office romance has been anything but subtle and is made more scandalous by the fact that Harry is married with two kids.

But theirs is not the only secret relationship in the office…

Caroline, Harry’s dutiful PA, is dating her irresistible colleague, Rob Sharp, who wants to keep their relationship private so it won’t affect his chances of an upcoming promotion.

But Caroline is at her wits end; she’d rather face the inevitable gossip than the icy front Rob puts on in the office.

Why does she feel like she’s the one having the affair?

Gabby takes Caroline for a drink at the ‘Olive’ to plan the party and tells her she thinks Harry is going to leave his wife for her.

That’s what the announcement is going to be about.

While leaving the bar, Gabby sees Evie and Joseph, two juniors at the company, sharing a tender moment.

She thinks they’d make a cute couple but Evie has set her sights on Rob…

As Gabby, Caroline and Evie grow closer, their secret relationships threaten to catch up with them.

Trouble is brewing…

What is Harry’s speech going to be about? How will the couples cope when the truth is revealed during a not so secret ‘Secret Santa’ present swap?

Can mistletoe and wine save the day?

My Thoughts: With Mistletoe And Wine, new to me author, Faith Bleasdale, offers a story about the pitfalls of office romances and three women who navigate their lives around them. Gabby is the office manager and is sleeping with the boss, Harry. Caroline is Harry’s personal assistant and is dating Rob, a colleague, who wants to keep their relationship a secret to improve his chances of advancement. Evie, a junior employee is dating Joseph, but she is attracted to Rob, not knowing that he is dating Caroline.

I found the story to be OK. I enjoyed the blossoming friendships between the women and enjoyed the outcome, but I struggled with why Gabby and Caroline allowed themselves to remain in relationships they knew were bad for them. Though the story ends on a high note for all three women, I don’t like stories where the leading characters allow themselves to be treated as objects by men who claim to love them. The story does get interesting as we are drawn into the office Christmas festivities and what transpires. The result proves to be entertaining and enjoyable.

If you are looking for a fast read with a Christmas theme and do not mind toxic relationships, give this one a try.

REVIEW: Mistletoe In Manhattan by Talli Roland

Title: Mistletoe In Manhattan
Author: Talli Roland
Publisher: Notting Hill Press
Publication Date: November, 2012
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: As Little Missington's first Christmas baby in fifty years and the daughter of 'Christmas When You Like It' party-planners, Holly West has been surrounded by the holiday spirit since birth. Trouble is, she's not exactly filled with festive cheer. In fact, Holly can't wait to ditch the tinsel and Santa suits for champagne and celebs, and become a party-planner to the stars.

When British film star Dean Layton hires her parents' company to throw his holiday bash in Manhattan, Holly jumps at the chance to help, confident she can handle a little Christmas in exchange for access to Dean's exclusive world.

But New York and Dean's over-the-top demands are more than Holly bargained for. Can Holly deck the halls and make it a party to be proud of, or will this Christmas be one she'll never forget . . . even if she wants to?

My Thoughts: Mistletoe In Manhattan is the story of Holly West, a young woman has been surrounded by Christmas her entire life and is looking for a change. Born on Christmas Day to Christmas party-planner parents, Holly hoped for much more in her life than returning home and helping her parents with their party-planning business. She is ecstatic when an opportunity comes her way to plan a Christmas party for Dean Layton, a British celebrity living New York. Arriving in Manhattan, Holly discovers that party-planning for a celebrity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Dean’s assistant is less than helpful and appears to want Holly to fail miserably. Dean’s Christmas party soon turns into an after-party that Holly is also expected to organize and launch. The problem is if Holly stays to oversee the after-party, she will miss spending Christmas with her parents back in England. The one bright spot in Holly’s world is Alex, the cute bartender at the hotel Holly is staying at.

I liked this story, but it was too short for any closure on what happens to Holly, Alex, or Dean. There were too many loose ends that left me unsatisfied. If you are in the mood for a Christmas themed story, but don’t have a lot of free time to spend reading a full-length novel, this book may be the perfect choice. Though this book left me with more questions than answers, I enjoyed the author’s voice and will be looking for more of her work.

REVIEW: Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale

Title: Christmas Wises & Mistletoe Kisses
Author: Jenny Hale
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October, 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: An uplifting, beautiful story about never letting go of your dreams, the special magic of a family Christmas… and the rush of falling in love under the mistletoe.

Single mother Abbey Fuller loves her family more than anything, and doesn’t regret for a moment having had to put her dreams of being an interior designer on hold. But with her son, Max, growing up, when a friend recommends her for a small design job she jumps at the chance. How hard can it be?

Nick Sinclair needs his house decorated in time for his family’s festive visit – and money is no object. What he doesn’t need is to be distracted from his multi-million dollar business – even if it is Christmas.

When Abbey pulls up to the huge Sinclair mansion, she has a feeling she might be out of her depth. And when she meets the gorgeous, brooding Nicholas Sinclair, she knows that she’s in real trouble…

With the snow falling all around, can Abbey take the chance to make her dreams of being a designer come true? And can she help Nick to finally enjoy the magic of Christmas?

My Thoughts: As I read this book, it rang so familiar to me. I realized it is because I recognized a lot of the same themes in this book that were present in the author’s book, A Christmas To Remember, which I read last year. Rich single brooding man, who lacks the Christmas Spirit, hires single attractive woman to be his nanny and she sets out trying to change him. This time, the single parent is the female and this time she’s an in-home nurse who dreams of being an interior decorator. Abbey is hired by Nick to decorate his entire home because his family is descending upon him for the holiday and he’s going to pay her an obscene amount of money to do it. When Nick’s ex-wife left him, she took most of the furnishings with her, so Abbey has her work cut out for her if she hopes to make Nick’s house a home in less than a month. She also has her nursing duties to Nick’s grandmother as well as being a single parent to her son, Max, and helping her mother take care of her grandfather.

Even with the similarities of themes between the two books, I liked this story. Abbey and Nick were wonderful characters and I liked how Abbey was able to get under Nick’s skin and how powerless he was to resist her or her son, Max. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Nick and Max and loved how quickly they bonded. Nick is a workaholic but he showed willingness on many occasions to put work aside and spend time with Abbey and Max. I really enjoyed these scenes the best. I loved Max, Abbey’s precocious little boy. My heart ached quite a bit for him missing out on the father-son relationship his school mates enjoyed, but he didn’t act out or misbehave. Instead, he gravitated toward Nick and the next thing I knew, Nick was agreeing to go to Max’s school for father-son day. This book had several Kleenex moments as well as many heartwarming and fun scenes. The author does a wonderful job of capturing the perfect Christmas background that brings her characters together to celebrate the joy and beauty of the Season. As a reader, it gave me the feeling that I was standing in the kitchen with Nick and Abbey sipping hot chocolate or outside helping them build a snowman.

Overall, this is a warm-hearted story that reminds me how Christmas can make you believe in miracles and love if you just open your heart to the possibility. I recommend this book as a must-read for anyone who loves Christmas and the joy it can bring.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets (Harry Potter #2)
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: June, 1999
Genre: Young Adult
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: All Harry Potter wants is to get away from the Dursleys and go back to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby - who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.

But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone--or something--starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects... Harry Potter himself.

My Thoughts: The second book in the Harry Potter saga starts out with Harry back at the Dursley’s for summer vacation with a few changes. He has his own bedroom now instead of being relegated to the cupboard under the stairs. It’s actually Dudley’s second bedroom (don’t get me started on the degenerate waste of space this kid is) and out of the grace and goodness of their hearts, Harry is now using it. This entire attitude demonstrated by the Dursley’s resulted in major eye-rollage on my part and activated my gag reflex. These people are truly despicable. Not sure which is the lesser of the two evils for Harry…living with the Dursleys or being attacked by Voldemort.

After a very interesting and exciting first year at Hogwarts, we now find Harry very melancholy as he hasn’t heard from his friends all summer and is feeling very lonely. Harry meets Dobby, a mysterious house elf who comes to Privet Drive to warn Harry not to return to Hogwarts, which is not an option for Harry as he considers Hogwarts his true home. Dobby demonstrates very strange and self-loathing behavior by frequently assaulting himself with inanimate objects to punish himself for saying anything, which is a little bizarre because he doesn’t really tell Harry much of anything, other than to not return to Hogwarts.

Fortunately for the fans of this series, Harry does not listen to Dobby and through a series of misfortunate events manages to return to Hogwarts to discover an evil creature attacking students. Sadly, Harry is thought to be the one behind the attacks so he has to find out who is behind it before the next attack results in another death, like the one that occurred fifty years prior.

In this book, we get to meet a lot of interesting new characters in addition to Dobby. The new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher is best-selling author Gilderoy Lockhart who gives arrogance a whole new meaning. He was quite entertaining but very annoying, except the female students think he’s wonderful. Harry meets Draco Malfoy’s father, Lucius Malfoy who we quickly learn is quite evil and now see where Draco gets it from. Ron’s sister, Ginny is now a first year at Hogwarts and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and the rest of the Weasley family better. Many new magical creatures are introduced in this book such as Fawkes and Aragog, to name a few. A new ghost is introduced to Harry and his friends. Moaning Myrtle haunts one of the girls’ bathrooms and though she can be quite annoying proves to be a very interesting character.

I enjoyed learning more about Hagrid and Voldemort’s past in this story and getting a bird’s eye view, if you will, of major events at Hogwarts fifty years prior with the help of an enchanted diary. I loved the scenes with Harry and Ron in the enchanted car; there’s more than one and one of them is quite intense so be prepared.

Overall, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets proves to be entertaining on every level. There are a few intense scenes that may be too graphic for young readers and may cause nightmares but older age groups will be thoroughly pulled into this story as Harry navigates the perilous hallways and dark corridors of Hogwarts to stop the evil creature lurking within.

REVIEW: Kitty And The Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

Title: Kitty And The Midnight Hour (Kitty Norville #1)
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: November, 2005
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station - and a werewolf in the closet. Her new late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged is a raging success, but it's Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew?

My Thoughts: Once again, I come across a book that has been languishing on my to be read pile for a decade that I kick myself for taking so long to read. This is the first book in a series by new to me author Carrie Vaughn, about a young woman who is trying to find her place in the world while coming to terms with her life as a werewolf. Kitty is a DJ and her show, “The Midnight Hour,” has attracted the attention of many and displeases her Alpha. Playing by the rules doesn’t come easy for Kitty Norville and she has no problem stepping on a few toes, even those of her Alpha male and Alpha female, to achieve her goals. She also comes face to face with Cormac, a hired assassin, trained to kill lycanthropes. Kitty joins forces with Cormac to find a rogue werewolf attacking humans while trying to avoid becoming a target from those who feel she is a threat.

I really liked Kitty. She is a character I found easy to relate to and could empathize with on a grand scale. Learning how she became a werewolf was a little hard to read, but Kitty is a fighter and survivor. She doesn’t adjust well to pack politics and though she knows she needs the pack, she seems to prefer to do things on her own. I also liked Cormac. The chemistry he and Kitty share was very intriguing and I hope to see more of him in future books. He comes across as very cold-blooded when he is initially introduced, but he is a very complex character that will take time to get to know and understand. Kitty’s friend and pack-member, TJ, is also a great character. I love how he has her back with the rest of the pack and is always there for her to help and protect her.

Overall, this was a good start to the series and I am intrigued to see where the series takes Kitty next. I recommend this story to readers who like strong characters who are survivors and not afraid to stand up for what they believe in.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In November

A definite Christmas theme has dominated my new book additions in November. I am looking forward to my Christmas reading this year. How about you?

Title: Kitty And The Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Description: Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station?and a werewolf in the closet. Her new late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged is a raging success, but it?s Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew...

Title: Last Christmas by Lily Greene
Description: Last Christmas Ella’s heart was broken.

She had been with sophisticated banker Robbie Newton for six years when they suddenly broke up on New Year’s Eve.

Robbie had left her heartbroken and hurt with nothing but a note explaining he had taken a job in Chicago.

This Christmas Ella is determined to bury her past and start afresh.

She focuses on her career as an artist and organises her debut exhibition in a swanky London gallery.

While shopping for her best friend, Libby Crosley, who is hosting her infamous Christmas party that evening, Ella bumps into a mysterious man in the supermarket.

After a series of awkward run-ins and chance meetings with this stranger, Fergus Lamb, Ella feels the pangs of love again.

Fergus is nothing like any man Ella’s ever dated.

He’s a quirky, smart, bold, and spontaneous war photographer who looks like James Dean.

Just as Ella’s luck is changing, Robbie shows up unannounced at the opening night of her exhibition.

Ella is faced with a choice when Robbie finally offers her what she always wanted…

Who will Ella choose? Her suave and successful ex-boyfriend who she finds so irresistible? Or the exciting new stranger who has just waltzed into her life?

Will this Christmas be a fresh start? Or will she be dragged back to the memories of Last Christmas?

Title: Mistletoe And Wine by Faith Bleasdale
Description: One office party, three couples, lots of secrets. What could possibly go wrong?

Harry Augustus, the third generation boss of Augustus Estate Agents, is hosting the biggest and best Christmas party yet.

He is pulling out all the stops and has a big announcement to make.

Gabby, the glamorous office manager, is in charge of the festive bash.

But she’s also sleeping with the boss.

Their office romance has been anything but subtle and is made more scandalous by the fact that Harry is married with two kids.

But theirs is not the only secret relationship in the office…

Caroline, Harry’s dutiful PA, is dating her irresistible colleague, Rob Sharp, who wants to keep their relationship private so it won’t affect his chances of an upcoming promotion.

But Caroline is at her wits end; she’d rather face the inevitable gossip than the icy front Rob puts on in the office.

Why does she feel like she’s the one having the affair?

Gabby takes Caroline for a drink at the ‘Olive’ to plan the party and tells her she thinks Harry is going to leave his wife for her.

That’s what the announcement is going to be about.

While leaving the bar, Gabby sees Evie and Joseph, two juniors at the company, sharing a tender moment.

She thinks they’d make a cute couple but Evie has set her sights on Rob…

As Gabby, Caroline and Evie grow closer, their secret relationships threaten to catch up with them.

Trouble is brewing…

What is Harry’s speech going to be about? How will the couples cope when the truth is revealed during a not so secret ‘Secret Santa’ present swap?

Can mistletoe and wine save the day?

Title: Mistletoe In Manhattan by Talli Roland
Description: As Little Missington's first Christmas baby in fifty years and the daughter of 'Christmas When You Like It' party-planners, Holly West has been surrounded by the holiday spirit since birth. Trouble is, she's not exactly filled with festive cheer. In fact, Holly can't wait to ditch the tinsel and Santa suits for champagne and celebs, and become a party-planner to the stars.

When British film star Dean Layton hires her parents' company to throw his holiday bash in Manhattan, Holly jumps at the chance to help, confident she can handle a little Christmas in exchange for access to Dean's exclusive world.

But New York and Dean's over-the-top demands are more than Holly bargained for. Can Holly deck the halls and make it a party to be proud of, or will this Christmas be one she'll never forget . . . even if she wants to?

Title: Mistletoe Mansion by Samantha Tonge
Description: Kimmy Jones has three loves: cupcakes, gossip magazines and dreaming of getting fit just by owning celeb workouts.

When Kimmy's Sensible Boyfriend told her he didn't approve of her longing for the high life or her dream of starting a cupcake company Kimmy thought she could compromise – after all, she did return those five-inch Paris Hilton heels! But asking her to trade in cake-making for a job sorting potatoes is a step too far.

So, newly single - and newly homeless – Kimmy needs a dusting of Christmas luck. And, masquerading as a professional house sitter, her new temporary home is the stunning Mistletoe Mansion. Soon she’s best buds with glamorous next door golf WAG Melissa, and orders are pouring in for her fabulous Merry Berry cupcakes! The only thorn in her side is handsome handyman Luke, a distraction she definitely doesn't need. And talking of distractions, something very odd is going on at night…

Kimmy is finally living the life she’s always wanted. But will her glimpse into the glittering lifestyle of the rich and famous be as glamorous as she’s always imagined?