REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Christmas Cafe Complications

 Good morning, friends!

One last Christmas story for July. Where has this month gone? I've already chosen our end-of-summer reads for August. 

AMAZON

BLURB:

This small-town Christmas romance is full of festive surprises and unexpected moments of joy! When Amanda, the determined owner of a cafe in the struggling town of Snow Falls, discovers her long-time rival Eric is closing down his bookstore, she is determined to revive the town’s charm with a big Christmas festival fundraiser.

Despite their initial reluctance, Amanda and Eric are forced to co-organize the event. As Amanda and Eric clash over festival plans, their walls come down, and they realize they share a common goal. 

In a world that can be tough and unpredictable, this sweet romance will remind you of the power of love and leave you with a heart full of hope.

There was a lead-in to the blurb throwing in extra keywords and if you read similar authors then you will love this book.

The cover really set the scene and I loved the small town feel.

First off, when I read a blurb I don't want to know anything except what about this particular story makes me want to keep reading.  What I've shared above is what I want to know. Who the characters are, their conflicts and a hint at how they might make their story work.

While the author does create a beautiful, wintery Christmas setting, there are a couple of problems. The point of view mixes and mingles in very little fashion, often times even throwing in an omniscent point of view. For a story to flow smoothly, a reader doesn't want to be jarred around. You can have multiple points of view (though I don't recommend omniscent being one of them) but the transition from one character to the next should not leave me wondering what character I'm supposed to be in. The author started out fine but the further I got into the story, the more I had the feeling of being told a story, not pulled in to be a part of it. 

The mayor's character really irritated me. While I'm sure she is under great pressure to save the flailing town of Snowfall, that did not give her the right to be nasty to Amanda. I got the impression she was modeled after the mayor in The Good Witch, though that character was hauty, not mean.  Couple that with Eric throwing Amanda to the wolf to take the heat for weather none of them had any control over just rubbed me the wrong way.

Christmas Cafe Complications is Book 2 of a 17-book collaboration. 

I'm giving Christmas Cafe Complilcations...

.8

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Cassidy Berg

 Good morning, friends!

Popping in a bit late this morning as I'm traveling. I finally had a room I could get cold enough to sleep well so I slept in. Do you like a cold room when you sleep, or do you prefer a more 'normal' temperature? I'd love to know. 

This week we are getting to know Cassidy Berg.

No, you aren't seeing things nor did I input the wrong picture. While I did find one thumbnail of Cassidy, the photo was too small to post. Instead, she uses one of her book covers as her 'headshot'. Great marketing, if you ask me. We'll get to Book 2 in a 17-book series tomorrow. In the mean time, here's a bit about Cassidy Berg.

BIO:

Cassidy Berg is a captivating, sweet romance author who weaves heartwarming tales of love, Christmas magic, and the sweetness of life. Her passion for all things Christmas and candy is evident in every page of her enchanting novels, making her a beloved figure in the world of wholesome romance fiction.

Cassidy's writing is infused with the enchantment of Christmas. She believes in the power of the holiday season to mend hearts, rekindle lost love, and create new beginnings. Whether it's a cozy small-town Christmas setting or a bustling cityscape adorned with twinkling lights, Cassidy's stories transport readers to worlds where the magic of the season reigns supreme.

I'm already loving her style. You'll find more about this week's author by clicking any of the links below.

GOODREADS   AUDIO

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE   

I'll be back tomorrow with a review of Christmas Cafe Complications.

All my  best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning!

I was really out of touch last week. I spent over four hours trying to get into my email that I've not had full access to for over a month. That whole fiasco kind of took over my scheduling time on Sunday. I'm back on track. I hope things are going well for you.

All my best!

~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning, friends!

After two grueling weeks back to back, I'm taking a little breather this week. You can put in the hours for this business, but breaks to breathe and regroup are also necessary. Maybe with someone you love.

courtesy of summerstock-par-1694334_640 - pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - The Mistletoe Puppy

 Good morning!

There's nothing like a good Christmas story to make a 101* day seem less miserable. We didn't stay that high very long and I spent most of the day watching storm trackers as tornado warnings were all around my daughter in Kentucky. Everyone is safe thanks to trackers like Chris Hall, Jordan Hall, and Ryan Hall (though not related, as far as I know)

AMAZON

BLURB:

Two wounded people, no longer able to risk love, plus one little girl and her puppy. Can she bring them together in time for Christmas?

Kate Larssen lives in Mistletoe Falls, a small, charming town in northern Minnesota, and runs a no-kill animal rescue, a cause dear to her warm and loving heart. After too many romantic disappointments, she has far more important things to focus on: The abandoned and abused animals she wants to save. And the return of an angry ex-con she helped send to prison.

Deputy Brad Bailey recently left big city life and moved to Mistletoe Falls with his six-year-old daughter. His wife died just before Christmas last year, and his only goal is to raise his grieving six-year-old daughter and help her heal. While on duty, he brings a stray dog and her puppies to the animal shelter, and meets Kate, the pretty manager. He hopes taking Janie to visit the puppies will lift her spirits, though soon realizes his mistake when she begs to adopt them all. Kate tries to help fill the void in Janie's life, though she's determined to keep things on a friendship-only basis.

When Kate's house is set on fire, Brad desperately tried to track down the arsonist before anything terrible happens to her. And suddenly, a friendship teeters on something more...

I found The Mistletoe Puppy to be a great read. Roxanne Rustand knows how to build the base of a sugar cookie, adding sprinkles of information when they are needed most. An example in this story is how we learn about Brad and Janie's story out when we need to know something specific about their pain and heartache. Kids may be resilient but nothing prepares them at any age for the loss of a parent. Even as adults we can't always comprehend why something had to happen. 

The setting for this family coming together is perfect. Bright colorful lights or the softer white lights all tell the story. Add fairytales from a little girl's perspective, a Princess puppy, and two people finding their way after relationship problems and you have the perfect sweet romance. But no romance is complete without stumbles along the way. A Hollywood actor once said "If the apple is on the table, there is a reason the apple is there." In this case, the 'apple' was represented in the carvings throughout Kate's home. Not only were they a sign of protection, but of the evil that lurks in her kingdom, and that a knight in shining armor (or badge) will protect her. 

Roxanne Rustand brought all the elements of a true fairytale together to form a heartwarming read in the confines of one hundred pages. That, my readers, is pure talent. 

The Mistletoe Puppy is Book 1 in a four-book series. I'm linking all of the books below, and when I take a break in December, I plan to curl up on the sofa enjoying the Christmas lights and reading every one. 

#1 The Mistletoe Puppy

#2 A Christmas in Montana

#3 An Irish ChristmasBlessing

#4 A London Christmas

#5 A Scottish Christmas

#6 Christmas in Paris

I'm giving, The Mistletoe Puppy...

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Roxanne Rustand

Good afternoon.

With storms the past couple of days, and again today, I've lost track of time. 

I've read Roxanne's books from her early publishing days. Here's a bit about her:

Roxanne is the USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author of forty romantic suspense, mystery, and heart-warming, emotional relationship novels in the clean & wholesome and inspirational romance genres. 

She got her first horse at the tender age of six, and grew up riding bareback with wild abandon throughout her small Minnesota town year around. It was like giving a child car keys! She has never been without a horse since. She showed horses for many years, and later, she and her husband raised quarter horses and thoroughbreds until their kids came along. 

She's living her childhood dream, living on an acreage in the country with her husband, three horses (all elderly pasture ornaments now), a golden retriever rescue, and six fluffy barn cats--a much smaller menagerie than when their three kids were still at home. Ranches, animals, and small-town life frequently find their way into her books.

While you're waiting for tomorrow's review of The Mistletoe Puppy, please check out the links below:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   IG   

GOODREADS   BOOKBUB  PINTEREST

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~Angela

 

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning, friends!

I'm deep in trying to finish the book this week as I take part in Sarra Cannon's Virtual Retreat.

I hope the photos I post inspire you to write something.

Courtesy of stux-beach-3369140_640 - pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela