Witch & Wombat by Ashley Belote

September 20, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Witch & Wombat by Ashley Belote
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Holiday, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Every witch will want a wombat after reading this humorous picture book perfect for little readers who want a new pet!

Wilma, a young witch, cannot wait to get her very first cat! But when the pet store is fresh out of kittens, Wilma brings home. . . a wombat?! What a CAT-astrophe! A wombat is nothing like a cat, but maybe if Wilma puts cat ears on the little critter, no one will notice. . . . (Spoiler alert: they do.)

This bright and fun picture book teaches young witches that our differences can be our strengths when we have an open mind!

Witches know exactly what they need…right?

This tale had a playful sense of humor that worked well for the surprises that sometimes come up during the spookiest time of year. I chuckled as I peered closer at certain funny illustrations and read other lines a second time for the sheer joy of it. Wilma was delightful, and her silly attempts to make her new pet act more like a cat couldn’t have been better. Halloween and humor aren’t mixed together very often, so it was heartwarming to see them included in the same storyline here.

I found myself wishing that the storekeeper had explained to Wilma why he thought a wombat was an acceptable substitute for the cat she had ordered. Did he make a mistake with the order form from his supplier? Were wombats a common pet to order from his store? Why didn’t he ask her in advance what she thought of this solution? The logic there never made sense to me, and it detracted from an otherwise enjoyable story.

With that being said, I did appreciate the messages about making the best of things, respecting differences, having a good sense of humor, and being flexible about your plans. These are lessons that many adults often need to learn just as much as kids do, so this is something that can appeal to readers of all ages. Life may not always turn out the way we like, but the plot twists in it might end up being even better than what we originally hoped for!

Witch & Wombat was a cute Halloween read.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

How to Make Friends With a Ghost by Rebecca Green

August 1, 2023 By Leave a Comment


How to Make Friends With a Ghost by Rebecca Green
Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Holiday, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favorite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren’t looking! If you follow these few simple steps and the rest of the essential tips in How to Make Friends with a Ghost, you’ll see how a ghost friend will lovingly grow up and grow old with you.

A whimsical story about ghost care, Rebecca Green’s debut picture book is a perfect combination of offbeat humor, quirky and sweet illustrations, and the timeless theme of friendship.

It’s never too early to celebrate Halloween!

The nice thing about this tale was that it felt like Halloween but had a more generic autumn setting. This meant that it could be read in other cool, chilly months – or even not so chilly months – without me feeling like I was a reading something too out of season. There are spooky things to be found all throughout the year, after all, and it encouraged me to see what might make me shudder no matter when I might reread it.

There were some portions that I thought were far too scary for this age group. For example, one scene warned the reader not to eat their pet ghost and showed illustrations of ghosts who had been fried, baked, grilled, and otherwise turned into food. That could have been funny for older kids, but many of the little ones I’ve known would find it terrifying. If only the tone of that scene had remained lighthearted and playful like the rest of it was!

The portions that read like a pet care manual made me grin. Yes, of course there are similarities between taking care of a ghost and a more traditional companion like a rabbit, cat, or dog. This was a clever way to explain how hauntings work in this universe, and it makes me want to see what else the author has written.

I also found myself wondering why anyone would want to lure a ghost into their home in the first place. Most stories are about trying to get rid of the spirits haunting a person or a place, after all! It would have been help for the author to clarify what they were thinking there.

The last few scenes were unusual for this genre. It involved the main character growing old and their ghost reacting to that change. I don’t want to say much else about that to avoid sharing spoilers, but it could be a good jumping off point for discussions about aging and how families take care of each other.

How to Make Friends With a Ghost was creative.

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33 Days ‘Til Christmas J. Paulette Forshey

July 20, 2023 By Leave a Comment


33 Days ‘Til Christmas J. Paulette Forshey
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Archangel Gabriel is sent to Earth in human form to keep a woman, Zippy, safe for the next thirty-three days. He’s not told why, only that he must protect her. He finds his job is more difficult than he imagined, Gabriel has to watch over Zippy without falling in love with her. But when Zippy ends up in his arms there’s only so much an angel can do.

A girl, a holiday and an archangel?

It could happen. In 33 Days ‘Til Christmas, it does.

I liked this story because it’s not long, but it’s packed with details and the story moved along nicely. The author has penned a cute story with a great ending that kept me turning pages and needing to know what would happen next. I loved it.

Zippy has what could be considered almost too positive an attitude. She just wants to be happy, in spite of everything. I liked her and her attitude. I also liked the way Gabriel showed up in her life. He’s a bit caveman at times, but the super alpha-ness of him was fun. He knew how to take care of her (okay, with a little help). It was good reading and they have great chemistry. Yes, this story happens fast – 33 Days – but it works.

If you’re looking for a cute little Christmas in July or Christmas at any time story, then you can’t go wrong with this one. Check it out! Recommended.

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Lights of Love by Morgan Malone

June 12, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Lights of Love by Morgan Malone
A Dickens Holiday Romance (Book 14)
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Romance, Holiday, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Saul Rosen has quite a reputation in Dickens. He has only recently become a full-time resident after decades of drifting into town for a skiing vacation, some summer cultural event, or to celebrate the Jewish Holidays at Congregation Etz Chaim. Saul is known as a supporter of local businesses, due largely to the years-long restoration of his vast country property. His frequent travels abroad have given him the world-weary air of international intrigue. His silver hair and bright blue eyes cause hearts to flutter. And he’s a bachelor.

Yehudit Eberhardt is also a recent full-time resident of Dickens. Mystery surrounds her, too. After decades living in New York City and Boston, her voice still carries the slightest trace of Europe. Her quiet elegance graces the halls and sanctuary of Etz Chaim, her laugh echoes in Morty’s Deli and her serene smile greets all she meets throughout the friendly town. Living high above the lights of Dickens in her exclusive condominium, Judy—as she is known to friends—seems to have a perfect life. But, as a recent widow, she lives alone, except for her beloved daughter’s frequent visits from Chicago.

Winter has come to Dickens and its famous Christmas spirit is on full display. Judy and Saul are thrown together as the Jewish community of Dickens prepares for Hanukkah. Judy is certain the spark she feels whenever she is near Saul is due to the static electricity of winter woolens. But Saul recognizes the currents of attraction and is drawn to her. Will these two solitary souls be able to ignore the shared losses that draw them together or will the gentle candles of the Hanukkah menorah light the love in their hearts?

A second chance at a forever love.

I love stories with older characters. Love doesn’t just happen for the under thirty crowd. This book was a great example of love after fifty and I loved it. I also loved that this story features Jewish characters and welcomed me into a world I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t know what rites took place during Hanukkah and this book let me in on those. The writing is fantastic and I felt like I was right there with the characters. I got emotionally involved with them, too. I wanted more from this story because I wasn’t ready to let Judy and Saul go. I love the sense of family in the story, too.

This book features love, loss and moving forward. It’s a delightful holiday read and features a cute romance with older characters. I recommend this for your holiday reading list. It’s fresh, it’s fun and it’s super cozy.

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Racing Through the Snow by Gracie Guy

May 17, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Racing Through the Snow by Gracie Guy
A Dickens Holiday Romance, Book 13
Publisher: Summer’s Gift Publishing
Genre: Holiday, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Dane Rutger, a life-time Manhattanite, spent summers as a teenager in Dickens. Memories of those idyllic days propelled him to return to that special town for a stress- free holiday. After a soul-sucking, COVID lockdown, induced divorce and overwhelming professional volatility, Dane desperately needs a break and decides to try something he hasn’t done in years, riding lessons at Creekside Riding Academy.

Mari Lincoln, a Dickens home-town girl, left at eighteen to ride showjumpers for a living. After the heart-breaking death of her husband and the slow destruction of her career, she returns to take over the floundering Creekside Riding Academy. When she walks into the barn for the first time in many years, the first person she sees is her summer crush, Dane Rutger. Little does she know Dane had always had a soft spot for her.

Fighting the signs of their rekindled attraction, Mari and Dane team up to plan the first ever Christmas Derby to raise money for the Dickens Community Center. Success could be three-fold; the community center gets funds needed for after school programs, it might just save her family’s stable and maybe, she’ll even get a second chance at love.

Racing, horses, Christmas and romance. What’s not to love about this book?

I picked this book up because I love the work of Gracie Guy. The writing plucks along at a great clip and the characters are inviting. I couldn’t put it down. Not a bit. I don’t know the first thing about horses or racing or riding, but I didn’t feel lost when reading this story. I felt like I was right there with the characters.

The romance is great, too. I liked the chemistry between Mari and Dane. They’ve always been a little in love with each other but coming home and coming clean is best. I liked the way the town rallied around them, too. This felt a lot like a Hallmark story, and it was so fulfilling. I’m glad I read it. In fact, I went looking for more Gracie Guy and more from this series.

If you like a sweet romance set at Christmas with horses and fun, then this is the book for you. Highly recommended.

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Miracles From the Heart by J Paulette Forshey

April 24, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Miracles From the Heart by J Paulette Forshey
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Holiday, Romance, Contemporary, Light Paranormal
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Two heartwarming stories for the price of one!

A little girl’s Christmas wish brings more than joyful holiday music to her family in ‘Magic of the Christmas Flute’.

It’ll take ‘The Christmas Gift’ to help a couple who married for convenience find love, happiness and the family they’ve always wanted.

Cute and fulfilling for the holidays.

I’m a sucker for holiday romances. Doesn’t have to be Christmas time. I’ll read them all year ’round. This one really fit the bill for me. These are two short stories, so there isn’t a lot there, but there didn’t have to be. The story was fleshed out just fine in both cases.

Magic of the Christmas Flute showed just what a little love, faith and belief can do. I liked that the little girl wasn’t just a prop in the story. She had a purpose, and it was cute. I enjoyed this story a lot.

The Christmas Gift is the shorter of the two stories, but again, there’s plenty there in such a small amount of pages. I knew what was going on and felt for both characters. I felt the pain and yearning, but also the healing.

If you’re looking for something sweet, cute and wonderful for the holidays or any day, then this is the story set for you.

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Sweater Weather by Alex Winters

March 30, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Sweater Weather by Alex Winters
Hotbloodeded Holidays, Book 1
Publisher: Luminosity Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

“Oh, the weather outside is… sexy!”

At the ripe old age of thirty-seven, Colton Masters has given up on romance, especially during the holidays. A confirmed bachelor whose job staging high-priced homes for a successful local realtor has him rolling in dough but lacking in social graces. Colton is perfectly content spending another Christmas home alone, watching, well… Home Alone! That is, until he sees his sexy young neighbor, Memphis Nash, streaking across the back porch wearing nothing but an ugly Christmas sweater — literally!

A millionaire entrepreneur who’s staggeringly rich and online famous for knitting ugly Christmas sweaters on camera wearing only… ugly Christmas sweaters, Memphis is mortified that he’s been spotted in the wild — and in the buff — by his silver fox of a neighbor. Or is he? Memphis immediately pretends to “borrow sugar” from sexy Colton, if only to make sure he hasn’t called the cops on him for indecent exposure! Thus begins a playful back and forth of introductions, flirtations and, ultimately, an invitation over for a holiday sleepover-slash-pajama party, with only the two horny neighbors in attendance. Suddenly, Colton and Memphis can’t wait to unwrap one another… one ugly Christmas sweater at a time!

Cute holiday read!

I’ve read others by Alex Winters, and I knew what to expect from this story and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s quick, the writing moves along pretty well, and I wanted to see what would happen for the characters. It was a cute holiday read.

Memphis is famous for Christmas sweaters and uses an original way to market them. I liked the originality. Colton is perfectly happy to be on his own. Then he sees Memphis and things change. I liked the organic way they got together. It was cute.

I wasn’t so much a fan of the age gap in that it wasn’t much of a gap. Yes, there’s a 14-year difference, but Colton being 37 wasn’t really that old. I liked that they were from two different perspectives in life, but bringing up the age difference was a bit much. It didn’t feel authentic at times.

Still, the romance between them sizzles and even though this is a short story, it was satisfying. The author found the right balance of getting the characters together and the rest of the story. I liked it.

If you’re looking for something hot this spring to warm up a cold evening, then this is the short story for you.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Courting Christmas by J Hali Steele

January 27, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Courting Christmas by J Hali Steele
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Paranormal, Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Tomasina Parks is responsible for making sure her boss’s first holiday event goes off smoothly. Chasing a gate crasher who swipes the party’s money tree is not in her plan. Neither does she expect a guest to follow her home and discover her most guarded secret.

Court Germaine shares DNA with a cunning creature, and it craves freedom as he stands in an apartment lobby eyeing a dog — who turns into a woman. Christmas lights from a miniature tree flash multicolor ribbons on a beautiful, petite body — the body of another genetic anomaly — one smelling like heaven!

Two shifters, one holiday and a lot of heat.

I love the books of J Hali Steele and this one was no exception. It’s funny, the writing flows well and it’s hot. That’s a plus. I wanted a hot, short holiday read and this one ticked all the boxes.

Tomi and Court are both at the same holiday party and not as attendees, but to work. I liked their interactions. I also liked that in this animal world, the women run things. That’s a great change. At least it was for me. I liked how these two had to work out their issues and the way the holiday spirit played into it. Tomi is a good foil for Court and he’s just as good of one for her.

If you’re looking for something hot, short and fun for a holiday read or to heat up a snowy evening, then this is the one for you. Check it out. I recommend it.

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*Second Chance Christmas by Alison Packard

January 2, 2023 By 1 Comment


*Second Chance Christmas by Alison Packard
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Holiday
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Struggling actress Maddie Hart is home for the holidays in her small town and comes face-to-face with the last man she wants to see—the one she abandoned four years ago when she ran off to chase her dreams.

Police Sergeant Ben Ashford had an engagement ring in his pocket the night Maddie blindsided him. He doesn’t expect the gut punch of seeing her again or that she’d reignite feelings he’d thought long buried.

Ben’s not about to get tangled up with a woman who’ll just run again, but Maddie has never stopped thinking about him. Can she trade the bright lights of Hollywood for the twinkling Christmas lights of her hometown and a second chance at love?

I loved everything about Second Chance Christmas. It’s a wonderfully written Christmas story set in the small town of Summerwood, Oregon. The characters are likable and easy to connect with and I loved the small town feel of this story.

Maddie, a struggling actress trying to make it in L. A. returns home to Oregon to spend Thanksgiving with her family. She hasn’t seen Ben in four years, since she broke up with him to pursue her dreams. Ben, a Sergeant with the Summerwood police now has never forgotten Maddie and is surprised to see her again.

I loved reading this enchanting story. The characters are believable and easy to connect with and they share a lot of chemistry. This perfect Christmas story is full of wonderful surprises.

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The Surprise by Treva Harte

December 22, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Surprise by Treva Harte
Soliciting a Lady, Book 4
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Holiday, Historical, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The present Earl of Northernly and his wife are waiting for Christmas and their new baby. But then the previous Earl’s wife returns with a child who may be the real heir. Can Cousin Sarah and William be in time to unravel this mystery?

Christmas time should be joyous for Kit Aldean, the new Earl of Northernly, and his wife, Emily. They will have a new child arriving for the new year. But to their surprise, they first get a Yuletide visitor — the previous Earl’s wife, who had vanished years ago. She presents them with a child who may be the real heir. Fortunately, their next visitors are Cousin Sarah and her husband, William. They’ve solved mysteries before, but can they manage this one in time?

Christmas time is the time for coming together and surprises?

This is a quick read, but if you’re a fan of Treva Harte – who isn’t? – then you need to read it. If you haven’t read it, then what are you waiting for? This short story packs a wallop. There’s mystery, romance and holiday festivities. I loved it.

Kit and Emily are ready to be the heads of the household and can’t wait to welcome their first child. I love this kind of Christmas story because it’s full of hope. Then there’s the mystery of the wife of the former head. She’s thought to have disappeared.

I loved how this story had twists and turns which kept me on my feet. The writing plugged along well, and I couldn’t put this down. This isn’t a complicated story, but it’s one where you must pay attention. Those are my favorites. There’s heat, heart and holiday magic.

How can you go wrong? Give this story a try and check out the others in the series. I know I will be.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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