First Chapter Review: Angel Be Good by Kathy Carmichael

I can't resist a modern-day Scrooge story. Why? Because I think the character Dickens created in A Christmas Carol is fascinating and his redemption inspiring, so I enjoy seeing how others bring this type of character to life.

TITLE:  Angel Be Good

AUTHOR:  Kathy Carmichael

BLURB:  Miracles still happen in modern day New York when "Scrooge" (Nathaniel Danvers) meets Heaven Can Wait (Daphne), who has been sent to give him one last chance at redemption. Angel Be Good captures the essence of the classic Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and offers a touch of humor and romance. This sexy romantic comedy is the perfect holiday feel-good read.

COVER:  Fabulous! The deep red silky dress against the green cover truly captures your eye. The ornament hanging off the author's name is a nice touch and lets the reader know this is a seasonal tale without turning the book over to read the back cover blurb. The genre is clear from the words, "Heartwarming, Sexy & Fun."
 
FIRST CHAPTER:  Nathaniel Danvers wakes from a dream where his deceased parents have implored him to mend his ways. Dismissing it as an effect of the rum punch from the office Christmas party, he begins making out the pink slips for employees that will be let go after the holidays. Have to keep those employees on their toes.
 
A crash in his outer office draws his attention, but he knows he's alone, since everyone else has gone home to celebrate Christmas Eve. When a sexy, beautiful woman marches through the door without even knocking and says, "Hiya, Nat ol' boy," he's not sure what the heck is going on. Suddenly trapped in his office by this woman, she informs him that his dream was very real and she's here to make sure he changes his ways.
 
KEEP READING:  Yes, but if I hadn't read the prologue first, I wouldn't really know what was going on in the first chapter. We discover Daphne is given a second chance to live a full life by helping Nathaniel's guardian angel, Leonard, convince Nat to change his ways--which isn't going to be easy. The conversations between Leonard and Daphne make the book worth reading, and it's pretty funny to watch Nathaniel's confusion over who Daphne is while thinking she's off her rocker because she's talking to some guy named Leonard who he can't see. What I thought was unique is how helping Nathaniel connects Daphne to part of her past.
 
Paperback: 218 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (November 4, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1466482109
ISBN-13: 978-1466482104
Kindle edition: ASIN: B002YK45IW


This post first appeared at The Book Connection. I picked up a free copy of this book for my Kindle, but looks like only available in paperback now. I was not compensated in any way for this review. 

Novella Review: A Vision of Sugarplums by Jennifer Blake

Meghan Castle doesn't like Christmas at all. It's Christmas Eve and she wants to close up and go home to hide from the holiday and the bad memories it brings.

As she goes off to shoo away the last lingering customer from the Silver Bells Christmas Shop, she discovers an abandoned baby under a tree. The handsome hunk she had hoped to kick out of the store, convinces her to take the baby home and offers to help her take care of it.

Though they are both attracted to each other, secrets might tear apart this couple before they get too far.

A Vision of Sugarplums by Jennifer Blake is a romantic novella that goes against Mark Twain's adage that "truth is stranger than fiction," because fiction has to stick to possibilities (make sense). While Blake is very talented when it comes to painting a picture for the reader and she can write a moving love scene, I can't remember when a story has made me so furious. It requires one to stretch the imagination so far that you can't truly enjoy it.

I can't go into all the details without giving away the story, but what I can say is if a man treated me the way Rick Wallman did Meghan, there is no way I would want a future with him--no matter his motivation. This is one time I wish the boy didn't get the girl.


Title:  A Vision of Sugarplums
Author:  Jennifer Blake
Publisher: Steel Magnolia Press
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
ASIN: B006A1Z06W


This review first appeared at The Book Connection. I downloaded a free copy of this book from the Kindle Store. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

First Chapter Review: The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne

This is one of the first e-books I sampled after Santa brought my first Kindle. I happen to be a sucker for cowboy stories. I enjoyed the sample and purchased the book a few months later. I've tried to make room in my schedule to read it, but it seems I always have other requests ahead of it. Now that I've read the first chapter, I really want to make time to continue this story.

TITLE:  The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle

AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne

BLURB: Christmas was tough for widow Jenna Wheeler and her four children. But even though she'd sold part of her family's land to make ends meet, she was determined to spin the holiday into the stuff of magic--no matter what it took. Now if she could only find a job....

Maybe her new landlord could oblige--gorgeous, child-averse Carson McRaven. He needed a chef, and he knew the lovely Jenna could do a bang-up job--if only she could keep her brood out of his hair. But as he found himself catapulted into the cheerful chaos of her family...not to mention Jenna's arms... he learned more about the spirit of Christmas than he'd ever dreamed.

COVER:  Nice. Definitely a cover one would expect to see on a romance novel: man and woman in each other's arms, the background appropriate to the story. I'm not sure, however, which house this is supposed to be. I'm guessing Jenna's, since Carson is a bit of a Scrooge, but the first chapter led me to believe things are tight financially and that Jenna is overwhelmed. That house on the cover is rather elegant looking; not quite what one would expect from a struggling mom.

FIRST CHAPTER:  This story opens with Carson McRaven coming upon the widow Wheeler's "brats" who are up to no good again. One of the three boys is walking along the rail fence on his property. It seems after the death of her husband, Jenna sold the majority of the land to Carson, but kept a small corner of it for her family to live.

The boy falls off the fence and hits his head, so Carson drives the boys up to their house, where Jenna and Carson have a tense discussion over her ability to keep her children off his land. Neither, however, can deny their secret attraction to each other.

KEEPING READING:  Oh yes! This first chapter is the perfect set up for Carson and Jenna to get more involved in each other's lives. Her kids are thorns in Carson's side. Jenna is overwhelmed with caring for her family all alone and trying to start up her catering business, so she can support her brood. Her youngest child, the only girl, is still a toddler. You know by this chapter that Carson and Jenna have had this "keep your kids off my property" conversation more than once, and he's not too happy that her stupid kid got hurt and he got stuck bringing the boys home. You also get a glimpse into how one of her sons feels about Carson when he accuses him of stealing their land. Definitely a story you want to read well into the night.

Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Silhouette; Special edition (November 1, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0373249330
ISBN-13: 978-0373249336


This review first appeared at The Book Connection. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

First Chapter Review: A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman

TITLE:   A Simple Amish Christmas

AUTHOR: Vannetta Chapman

BLURB: Annie Weaver always planned to return home, but the 20-year old RN has lived in Philadelphia for three years now. As her time of rumschpringe is about to come to an abrupt end, bringing for Annie an overwhelming sense of loneliness. She returns home and finds herself face-to-face with a budding romance with an Amish farmer and Annie has several important choices to make.

COVER:  I love this cover! It's why I picked up a FREE copy of this book when it was available. The buggy, the snow covered grounds, and the red barn in the distance make me think of a simpler time. The touch of holly gives it a Christmas feel, and I like the fonts they used.

FIRST CHAPTER:  Now, I am someone who reads prologues, so I dove into that first. Annie Weaver is almost seventeen when she leaves home to live with her Englisch cousins. Chapter One opens three years later in December 2009. Christmas is coming and Annie is feeling homesick. Now an RN, she is making her early morning rounds when her supervisor tells her she has an emergency phone call.

KEEP READING:  Definitely! Since I enjoy exploring different cultures and faiths, I like Amish fiction. I don't read a lot of it, but I've read enough to be familiar with many of the terms used in these novels. I have to admit, I was a bit confused at the very beginning because it seemed like Annie and her best friend Jenny were at school, when actually, they are in the employee area of a hospital where there are lockers. This was further compounded by Jenny being an Amish schoolteacher. It wasn't until Jenny asked about Annie's nursing cap, scope and I.D. that I knew what was going on.

The introduction of a young cancer patient that Annie visits that morning adds a sentimental touch, but it's the superb cliffhanger ending of this chapter that makes me want to read on.


Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Press; Original edition (October 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1426710666
ISBN-13: 978-1426710667


This review first appeared at The Book Connection. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

Picture Book Review: Little Mole's Christmas Gift by Glenys Nellist

A sweet story from beginning to end is what you’ll find in Little Mole’s Christmas Gift by Glenys Nellist.

Little Mole is thrilled when he finds the perfect mushroom for Mama’s Christmas gift. As he is dragging it home, he comes upon some woodland friends in need, and proves kindness is one of the best gifts of the season.

This is one of those Christmas stories you and the kids will never tire of reading. A little one so excited about giving his mother the best gift he can find, suddenly has to make decisions about how he can best help his friends.

Sally Garland’s artwork on Little Mole’s Christmas Gift is adorable and so realistic you can almost feel the wind blowing the snow around. These two women collaborate so well together. I can’t wait for more Little Mole stories.

A charming story of the season awaits you and your little ones. Highly recommended.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beaming Books; Illustrated edition (October 6, 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1506448755
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1506448756
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6 years, from customers
• Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD520L
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 2

This review first appeared at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. I received a digital copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

First Chapter Review: One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson

TITLE:  One Imperfect Christmas

AUTHOR:  Myra Johnson

BLURB: Graphic designer Natalie Pearce faces the most difficult Christmas of her life. For almost a year, her mother has lain in a nursing home, the victim of a massive stroke, and Natalie blames herself for not being there when it happened. Worse, she’s allowed the monstrous load of guilt to drive a wedge between her and everyone she loves—most of all her husband Daniel. Her marriage is on the verge of dissolving, her prayer life is suffering, and she’s one Christmas away from hitting rock bottom.

Junior-high basketball coach Daniel Pearce is at his wit’s end. Nothing he’s done has been able to break through the wall Natalie has erected between them. And their daughter Lissa’s adolescent rebellion isn’t helping matters. As Daniel’s hope reaches its lowest ebb, he wonders if this Christmas will spell the end of his marriage and the loss of everything he holds dear.

COVER:  I'm a bit cool on the cover. The cream colored door is rather plain. I like the carrot that adds in the "im" to the title. The broken ornament is a nice touch. I would rather have seen a messy living room with a Christmas tree and some ornaments on the floor. If I were making a purchase based upon cover alone, I might have passed this one by.

FIRST CHAPTER: The story opens three weeks after Christmas. Natalie wishes her husband's schedule didn't take him away so much and hopes their daughter Lissa's adolescent rebellion can be kept under control. She's also dreading the arrival of her in-laws. Her mother-in-law is a total neat-nick. Natalie didn't inherit the cleaning gene from her mom, who also keeps everything tidy. When her mother calls and asks Natalie to help take down the Christmas decorations, Natalie explains how busy she is. It will be a decision she regrets.

KEEP READING?:  Yes. Though at first, I felt the story started off a bit slow: wife feeling sorry for herself as her husband is rushing off in a different direction, feeling neglected by her daughter, and dreading the impending in-law visit. The pace picked up as I moved through the story, and it ended so strong, that I continued reading all of Chapter 2. I definitely want to see how this turns out!


Paperback: 274 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Press (September 2009)
ISBN-10: 1426700709
ISBN-13: 978-1426700705



This review first appeared at The Book Connection. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

Short Story Review: Mistletoe and Miracles by Wendy Davy

Looking for a tender inspirational romance for this holiday season? Pick up this free short story from Wendy Davy.

Noelle Barkley is planning to catch the attention of a man at her upcoming Christmas party. When she lands in the arms of a stranger, she soon discovers that patiently waiting for God's plans to be revealed is much better than trying to rush things along.

Mistletoe and Miracles is the perfect short romance to snuggle up with in front of the fire. Filled with humor and tenderness, it will warm your heart as you watch Noelle learn a very important lesson about God's timing.

This is a story you won't get tired of reading over and again.

This review originally appeared at The Book Connection. I have not received compensation of any kind for this review.