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

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Christmas at Newport Beach

 Good morning, friends!

I have a bit of a twist for you today, as well as a confession. 

When I go searching for books I put in key words such as Christmas Novella KU romance.

What I failed to do this week was ask for romance. The first one that came up turned out to be a cozy mystery. I also seldom look at the blurb until after I've copied it to my file. I search the page count and that's pretty much it. 

AMAZON

BLURB:

When the Harding sisters return to Newport Beach for the holidays, they expect cozy traditions by the sea — twinkling lights along the boardwalk, carols drifting from the chapel, and stockings hung in their beloved family home. What they don’t expect is a sealed letter hidden in the attic…a letter that whispers of betrayal, a missing heir, and the shocking possibility that the beach house they love may not belong to them at all. 

From the career-driven eldest sister to the free-spirited youngest, from the cousin no one trusts to the aunt who raised them all, each woman must face the past she’s been running from. And when old flames reappear under the glow of Christmas lights, second chances stir hearts already weighed down by secrets.

As snow falls over the sandy shores of Newport Beach, the Harding family is pulled into a web of twists and turns that will test their bonds, rekindle lost loves, and challenge everything they thought they knew about loyalty, forgiveness, and home.

While this wasn't a romance, the story was about love and family and how the love sometimes isn't what you think.

Coral Harper writes beautiful description. I could smell the salty air as the waves crashed against the shore and feel Claire's angst as she struggles figure out who is following her as she and Jake move from clue to clue trying to find answers to a twenty-year mystery and who was responsible for everything leading to her father's death. If I want to read another cozy, I'd turn to Coral Harper books in a heart beat.  Christmas at Newport Beach is Book 3 in a 6-book series. She is a very prolific writer with great titles. I encourage you to check out her Amazon Author Page link below.

I'm giving Christmas at Newport Beach...

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Coral Harper

 Good morning, friends!

Trying to get back on track between events. The writer's conference was full of great information; lots to think about. The Hearties Virtual Retreat is this weekend giving me an opportunity to apply some of what I learned. 

One thing was BIC HOK... if you know what that means, tell me in the comments. In able to treat this like a business, I have to be writing, prolifically.

Coral Harper does this well. Check out her author page in the link below to see just how she treats her writing as a business. Another thing we talked about was what image to use in place of your headshot for privacy reasons. Coral uses her logo image.

Let's learn a bit about Coral Harper

BIO:

Coral Harper is an author of feel good beach reads along with other clean and wholesome fiction. When not publishing books, Coral enjoys soaking up the sun with family and traveling the world. Be sure to check out The Seahorse Cottage, Trip of a Lifetime, Stargaze Island, and The Nantucket Estate.

You can find out more about Coral Harper by clicking any of the links below. 

FACEBOOK   GOODREADS   AUDIBLE   

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning!

I had a great time at the RSJ Convention last weekend. So much great information for both indie and traditional published/ and new folks to the romance genre. Our next conference will be in 2028, However, there are mini events planned throughout the year. I'll keep you updated.

All my best!

~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning, friends!

Day two of the RSJ conference. Great session yesterday on copyright and free-use given by attorney Desarie Green. Also, great tips on self-publishing from a woman who's well-versed on the subject and has won multiple awards; Saharra Sandu. When I purchased the early bird package last July, I opted in for the recordings. I can go back and listen as long as RSJ lives.

This week is all about Summer!

Courtesy of  jade0626-beach-420173_640 on Pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

RSJ ROMANCE WRITERS'S CONFERENCE

Good morning, friends.

I had the realization yesterday I'd not chosen Spotlight Authors or books for this week; the whole month actually.

CONFERENCE LINK

I will be in the RSJ Romance Writers' conference all this week. In preparation for the event, everything else just fell by the way. I will get the Friday Photos scheduled for your inspiration as well as the rest of the Thoughtful Monday posts. Spotlight Authors and Reviews will resume next week. 

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning, friends!

As we celebrate our Nation's 250th birthday, please be safe.

All my best!

~Angela

RETURNING TO HISTORY - Part 5

Good morning, friends.

I'm taking a step away from the Korean War history to bring you a special 4th of July Tribute.

The video below posted to YouTube nine years ago. After learning the process of bringing  Pfc. Chance Russell Phelps home was properly done, the details precise (not a Hollywood make believe), I knew things I needed to look for and include in An Ozarks Homecoming.

The story of Pfc. Phelps' return home is documented in the film, 'Taking Chance' staring Kevin Bacon. The emotional thread runs through the movie like a trip-wire. Strong, powerful, tugging at every conceivable emotion regarding the loss of life but more importantly the sacrifice our men and women are ready to make to insure our freedom. 

You can rent or purchase a copy of the full movie HERE.

All my best

~Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Alanna

 Good morning, everyone!

Can you believe we just stepped in to July? Crazy!

I'm choosing the books for this month. Here's a tip - they're going to be Christmas related. Hallmark is releasing new movies this month as well. I'll be showcasing them each week.

AMAZON

BLURB:

Overall of the three-book series premise.

An unforgettable collection of Sweet Historical Western Romances set against the rugged backdrop of the Old West. Each story is a unique journey of faith, love, and the power of hope in the face of adversity.

Alanna

She has nowhere to go, but he doesn’t trust her. Can love bloom amid suspicion?

Donald Dill has heard every excuse in the book from would-be brides. Now jaded and skeptical, he’s ready to send his new mail-order bride back. Alanna Foley, however, is determined to stay. With her niece in tow after her sister’s death, Alanna has no other options. She’s strong and resilient, but Donald’s lack of trust stings deeply.

Amid the perils of land grabbers, dangerous wildlife, and another woman’s shocking claim to Alanna’s niece, love quietly takes root. But can they overcome their fears and listen to their hearts before it’s too late?

My first thought was, how many men and women, went through the lack of trust from a mail order companion only to find they weren't the right fit? How many stuck it out anyway and found their happy ever after in the end?

After more than one unhappy potential alliance, Donald is very wary and is determined to send her back because he doesn't trust her reasoning for having a child in her arms. But Alanna sees something in him he doesn't recognize on his own. His life may have been all about order and preciseness prior to her arrival but she soon helps him understand that things need to shift when a child is involved. Baby Winnie sees something in Donald as only a child can. When she first grasps his finger, he is lost, even if he won't admit it. He'll do anything for that infant and he proves it when she develops milk poisoning. 

I wanted to smack the traveling preacher who was supposed to join Donald and Alanna in marriage, or as Donald intended initially, send her back with him. When the preacher sets his mind on marrying Alanna himself, things don't sit right. The the man of the cloth brings an uppity potential bride for Donald in Alanna's place. I didn't know trading brides was an option. Apparently the Padre thought so.

You'll find the boxed set by clicking on the link below the picture.

AMAZON

I loved this story. Kathleen Ball has a way with taking you on a smooth ride, then throw in a curve to beat all curves. I hope to feature her again soon.

In the mean time, Alanna is the first story in the three-book novella series, Brides of Pine Crossing. I'll be reading the remaining two before sending this book back to KU.

I'm giving ALANNA - Bride of Pine Crossing...

All my best!

~ Angela