Review: Christmas with You (Four Irish Brothers Winery #3) by Nan Reinhardt

She’s loved him all her life… but will he be there when she needs him the most?

Disheartened and adrift after being written out of a hit TV show, actor Aidan Flaherty returns to his family’s historic winery, where he’s invested some of the fortune he’s made. As the holidays approach, Aidan becomes intrigued with the old showboat that’s dry-docked just east of town… and even more intrigued with the daughter of his former mentor, who now owns it. He decides to buy the boat and restore it to its former glory.

Single mom Holly Santos is back in River’s Edge after her divorce and she is over men in general and actors in particular. If she could only get rid of her father’s old showboat, a source of fascination for her son, Mateo. She never expects her old crush to walk into her tea shop or the fireworks that happen every time they’re in the same room.

Can Aidan convince her that he is determined to restore their shared heritage on the showboat and that he’s home to stay?

My Review:

The man of her dreams has just walked back into her life, but now she is afraid to love him.

Single mother Holly Santos and her teenager crush, Aiden Flaherty, are thrown together again when Aiden moves back home after his tv show gets canceled.  Aiden sets his sight on Holly’s father’s old showboat, the River Queen, where they both worked when they were younger.  But Holly doesn’t want to sell the boat to Aiden.  Her son, Mateo, is obsessed with it and when he is hurt on the boat and Aiden comes to his rescue, Mateo starts to idolize Aiden.  Holly doesn’t trust actors after her ex left her for acting.  Will Aiden be able to convince Holly that not all actors are alike and some of them are serious about a relationship?

The Four Irish Brothers Winery series is based on the Flaherty brothers in River’s Edge, Indiana.  This book is a fantastic addition to the series.  I enjoyed Holly and Aiden’s story and catching up with the other characters from previous books.  I also enjoyed the family dynamics and small town charm.  Mateo is a great part of this story too and steals quite a few scenes. 

 

Review: Bittersweet (Bitter Root Mysteries #4) by C.J. Carmichael

Murder in a small town is always personal.

Local longtime librarian, Sybil Tombe, is missing, abducted from her home on the outskirts of the isolated ranching town of Lost Trail, Montana. An elderly neighbor reports seeing a gray-haired, bearded man driving up to Sybil’s house the night she disappeared. Newly-minted Sheriff Zak Waller can’t think of a less likely target for a crime. When an older man is reported lurking around a young girl at the local grade school, Zak wonders if this man could also be Sybil’s abductor? The descriptions of the men are similar—but what could be the possible link between a young girl and 60-year-old Sybil?

Peeling back the layers of Sybil's life, Zak discovers Sybil is a master at keeping secrets, especially her own, and these secrets may now be threatening her life as well as the life of an innocent child. As Zak and his team work to uncover the truth, he also has to deal with issues in his romantic relationship with deputy Nadine Black, and mete justice to a respected town citizen who has been sheltering his criminal past for too long.

My Review:

Just the right amount of mystery and romance makes this a memorable book.

If you have read any of the Bitter Root mystery series, you definitely don’t want to miss this book.  In this story, Sybil Tombe, Lost Trail’s beloved librarian, and a little girl, Darby Larkin, turn up missing.  Zak Waller, who has recently been promoted to sheriff and his team need to work fast to solve these crimes before it’s too late.  Meanwhile, Zak and his girlfriend/deputy Nadine Black’s relationship advances to a whole new level.     

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and when I heard another book was coming out, I couldn’t wait to read it.  It was definitely a page turner and I had a hard time finding a stopping place when it came to taking a break.  If you are new to this series, I would recommend reading the books in order.  I don’t know if this is the last book in the series, but it felt like it the way some of the characters loose ends were wrapped up in the end of the book.   But I am secretly hoping more books will follow.  I am not ready to say goodbye to the residents of Lost Trail, Montana. 

 

Review: Boyfriends of Christmas Past by Edie Grace

A magical, modern-day Christmas Carol

Digital designer Emma Wallace is finally poised for her big break: kitchenware giant Johnson Cookware is looking to rebrand – and with Christmas around the corner, Emma’s long-held philosophy of work-before-play may just give her the edge she needs to win the account.

The only peppermint twist in her Scrooge-worthy plan? She’s promised her ever-patient, architect boyfriend Sam Cole that after spending the last three Christmases in her office instead of in his arms, she’ll make this holiday just about the two of them. But as Christmas Eve draws near and the deadline crunch threatens her promise to Sam, Emma finds herself visited by three boyfriend “ghosts” of Christmases past, who come bearing the gift of hindsight.

Will showing Emma her past romantic failures, as well as her early courtship with Sam, help her to see the path to true happiness in time to save her future?

My Review:

A fun twist on the classic Christmas tale, A Christmas Carol.

Emma Wallace had been dating Sam Cole for three years.  But during those years, Emma always put her job first leaving Sam waiting and wondering when she would show up for their dates.  When Sam finally had enough, he broke up with Emma.  He wanted a woman who would be there when he needed her and would put more effort into their relationship.

Emma gets a serious wake-up call when several of her ex-boyfriends come to her in her dreams trying to convince her to change her workaholic ways before she loses Sam.  But is it already too late?

This was a fun quick read.  But even though it's short, the story didn't miss a beat.  It was sweet and fun and magical all rolled into one.  If you're looking for an inspirational holiday book, I would recommend this one.