Life on Christmas Eve by Nathan Nipper December 21, 2022

About:

After watching It’s a Wonderful Life for the first time, thirty-one-year-old Julie Shelly’s predictable small-town life turns anything but as she begins experiencing uncanny parallels between her life and the fictional George Bailey’s.

Initially intrigued by the way her life seems to imitate the classic movie, Julie secretly hopes the strange similarities bear some kind of deeper existential significance.  But real life soon brings her back down to earth and she dismisses the episodes as mere coincidence and the wishful thinking of her restless spirt.

Julie decides to put the Wonderful Life foolishness behind her… until a tragedy puts her faith to the test and forces her to view the odd movie coincidences in a completely different light.  Her epiphany ultimately spurs her toward an extraordinary, life-changing encounter with a vulnerable stranger on Christmas Eve.

My thoughts:

I purchased this book last year but just got around to reading it this year. I will say I don’t think that writing itself was great and I wasn’t highly engaged at first but the more I read the more I enjoyed this story and was curious how this would all relate to It’s a Wonderful Life.

By the end I was hooked and my jaw literally dropped open when I made the connection about what was going on. The ending is beautiful and heart-warming.

This is a quick Christmas read.

Visit Nathan here.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your favorite retailer.

The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen December 14, 2022

About:

Some guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own . . .

When their father’s death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family.

Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between helping in her family’s new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of Sidmouth’s many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars–both visible and those hidden deep within–and her cloistered heart will never be the same.

Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.

My thoughts:

I wasn’t sure if I would like this at first, even though I usually do enjoy Julie Klassen books. But the more I read the more I came to care about these characters and the stories they were going through. I am excited to read more and see what happens in their lives. Just enough was resolved in this book to feel satisfied but also enough was left unresolved to keep me wanting to read more.

Each sister has her own story and then there is the mystery surrounding the sister who is no longer there. I anticipate learning more about her in future books.

If you are looking for a new historical series to dive into you might want to give this one a try.

Visit Julie here.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Review and Giveaway: Christmas Crime Cover-Up by Dana Mentink December 5, 2022

About the Book

Book: Christmas Crime Cover-Up

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre:Inspy Suspense

Release date: November 29, 2022

From USA TODAY bestselling author Dana Mentink…

A violent attack

Isn’t the homecoming she expected.

When an ATV tries to run her down in Death Valley, animal rescuer Nora Duke knows it’s a sign she never should have returned. Now she’s stuck on Seth Castillo’s ranch until Christmas with a pregnant donkey—and a criminal desperate to silence her. Facing her past is as terrifying as uncovering a killer’s twisted plan. But can Seth convince her to stay…if they live through the holidays?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Desert Justice

Book 1: Framed in Death Valley
Book 2: Missing in the Desert
Book 3: Death Valley Double Cross
Book 4: Death Valley Hideout
Book 5: Christmas Crime Cover-Up
Book 6: Targeted in the Desert

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion. She’s written over fifty titles in the suspense, lighthearted romance and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Poisoned Pen Press. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.) Her monthly newsletter features plenty of goodies, gab and giveaways. https://www.subscribepage.com/b8q0y5

More from Dana

Well here we go! Book five in the Desert Justice series features Nora (Chief Jude’s estranged sister), a wild donkey who needs rescuing, and a crime from the past that intrudes into the present. Twisty, right? I was inspired to write this story after visiting Death Valley and learning about the feral donkeys which inhabit the region. They’re cute, visitors love them, but the burros can encounter health problems and cause environmental damage if they aren’t settled into a safe area. It’s amazing to me that wild donkeys are adept at detecting underground water sources. They dig “wells” which can benefit many thirsty animals. Fascinating, right? Hope you’ll enjoy meeting Bubbles the donkey and the helpful humans who rescue her in this novel. God bless and thanks for reading!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 3

deb’s Book Review, December 3

Through the Fire Blogs, December 3

Texas Book-aholic, December 4

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, December 4

Betti Mace, December 5

Genesis 5020, December 5

Bizwings Blog, December 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 6

Bigreadersite, December 7

Inklings and notions, December 7

Daysong Reflections, December 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 9

Empowermoms, December 9

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 10

Pause for Tales, December 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 11

For Him and My Family, December 11

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 12

Holly’s Book Corner, December 12

Blogging With Carol, December 13

Vicky Sluiter, December 13

For the Love of Literature, December 14

Lily’s Book Reviews, December 14

Cover Lover Book Review, December 15

Simple Harvest Reads, December 15 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Blossoms and Blessings, December 16

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, December 16

Labor Not in Vain, December 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

(If the winner is outside the U.S., then he or she will receive an eBook.)

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/22ec8/christmas-crime-cover-up-celebration-tour-giveaway

My thoughts:

I have read a lot of Dana’s books and I really enjoy them. She develops interesting characters and plot lines. This one was no exceptions but I will say I didn’t get into as much as I have other books until the end.

Wow, I never saw that end coming. It was a great twist and surprise. I knew something was up with this person but what it was was something I didn’t have a clue of.

As always not only are the main characters great but the surrounding characters lend a warmth to the story that will make you smile.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me by Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.