Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... HOLLY JOLLY KITTY-CORN by Shannon Hale, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham - REVIEW!

It's TIIIIIIMMMMMMEEEEEE!

That's right!

The calendar may say AUTUMN, the temp where I'm at may say SUMMER, but the READING we're taking in today SCREAMS HOLIDAY... and there's no better series to kick it off with! Ladies and gents, prepare to don your cat ear, unicorn horn headbands in celebration of today's newest arrival via Abrams Books for Young Readers...

HOLLY JOLLY KITTY-CORN

by

Shannon Hale

Illustrated by

LeUyen Pham

9781419768798

Abrams Books for Young Readers

This dynamic friend duo is back and ready to celebrate the holidays together. I mean there are SO MANY THINGS to do, and experiences to share, and since they always agree, it'll be like gliding on a smooth frozen lake... right? Umm, about that. So just because you're friendship seems written in the twinkle lights, it doesn't mean you necessarily have the same favorite things on your must do holiday list... which they quickly discover. What they also find out is that simply bending to the other's interests won't actually keep the peace on earth alive.

Unicorn may love the music, and Kitty may enjoy the gingerbread houses, but it doesn’t mean they can't still have the merriest of holiday seasons! The best way to celebrate TOGETHER is to actually take both your worlds and share them. It's hard to feed that holiday spirit when you're constantly worried about the other person being happy, and neglecting yourself. You talk. You share. You experience each other's traditions, and make new ones TOGETHER.

A great addition to the series, and a wonderful treat this holiday season. Filled with the gorgeous stylings we've come to love, and the heartfelt messages the world needs, readers of all ages will reach for this one time and again...perhaps making it a new tradition of their own!

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About the authors...

LeUyen Pham and Shannon Hale are the team behind the bestselling picture book Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn, the bestselling graphic novels Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever, and, with Dean Hale, the early chapter book series The Princess in Black. They’ve made a bunch of other books, too. They are both: moms of kids who aren’t afraid to get messy, wives to husbands who make art, Honor award winners (Caldecott and Newbery), caretakers of cats, and believers in unicorns. LeUyen lives in Los Angeles, Shannon lives in Utah, and with each other, they know they can be—and make—anything.

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Special thanks to Mitch at Abrams for the copy for review. (THANKS.. and yes, that's my pupper getting in on the Kitty-Corn fun!) For more information on this title, the authors, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is newly available TODAY, so click on over to your favorite online retailer or visit your local brick and mortar to get YOUR kitty-corn on!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Crack Goes the Cascarón: An Eggcellent Not-Just-for-Easter Shellebration! by Sara Andrea Fajardo, Illustrated by Rocío Arreola Mendoza - REVIEW!

Tis the season for spring filled holidays, and today we're stepping into the traditions of the Latine community as we explore an EGG-cellent celebration that's definitely all it's CRACKED up to be!  Let's step between the pages of a new Storybook title that shares the story of Tori and his familia as they make preparations to see just who should claim the crown as cascarone king/queen!

Crack Goes the Cascarón

An Eggcellent Not-Just-for-Easter Shellebration!

by

Sara Andrea Fajardo

Illustrated by

Rocío Arreola Mendoza

9780593805671

Knopf Books for Young Readers

This fun filled and colorful tale shares with us a tradition that I hadn't heard of before, but found rather EGG-citing!  Colored eggs (or this year potatoes considering the prices 🤣) were always something that brought to mind Easter.  We would hard boil them, let them cool and dry, then die them, or draw on them, or use those little shrinky sleeves to make them MORE than what they were.  We'd use the plastic ones to fill with little treasures or candies and place them in baskets for giving, or outside for egg hunts.  THIS tradition, uses the eggs themselves, emptied, dried, and FILLED with all kinds of things...but most commonly, confetti...and Toni has his eye set on being crowned king of the celebration!  He has it all planned out, and ready to go...but his family isn't EGG-actly taking it lying down.  They may have some plans of their own that are going to shove an EGG shaped obstacle in his path to being ruler!  

I love how the family gets in on the fun, and I ADORE who actually becomes the champion...or rather protects their title.  😃  It sounds like a great way to be playful with family and friends, challenge each other to friendly competition, and carry on a celebration that started somewhere back in the 1800's.  The story along with the EGG-cellent illustrations really bring this party from page to life...as does the HOW-TO on how to make your own!  So, this year when Easter rolls around, maybe you'll start a new tradition in your family...or perhaps surprise them with all you've learned about this one!  😉

And now, for a peek behind the INSPIRATION FOR THE STORY from the author herself....

I wanted to write a book that was a celebration of my latinidad without it being centered on identity. Something that felt like both a celebration and invitation to join in on the fun. 

 

I was inspired by my prankster family. As a kid my brothers loved playing jokes on my sister and me, swapping out our cereal for Legos or tying all the spoons together so that when we pulled one out, we'd get 20 clattering ones instead. 

 

And then, there was my grandmother who on Día de los inocentes (Peruvian April Fools Day) would spare no one. Everyone was a target for one of her pranks. She was tiny, barely grazing five feet, and looked so unassuming, she was the last person anyone would ever suspect. That's where the Abuela character came from. In fact the characters are also named after my family members, Toti is my uncle who is the non-stop entertainer, and Carlita, is my cousin who is whip smart, nothing gets past her.

 

In a nutshell, this book is my homage to fun loving Latine families and one of my all-time favorite traditions, cascarones. It's impossible not to have fun when you have a cascarón in your hand.

About the author...

Sara Andrea Fajardo has been on a life-long path of telling stories: first as a photojournalist, then as a multimedia storyteller for humanitarian aid organizations, and now as a children’s writer. She has lived in Peru, Finland, Japan, Kenya and currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, with her husband and two children.

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About the illustrator...

Rocío Arreola Mendoza is a freelance illustrator and co-founder of Cúrcumas Creative Studio. She has worked with Matamoros City’s Government in Mexico, making commercial illustrations for social media and printed campaigns. She lives in Mexico with her husband, child, and cats.

Special thanks to the Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the illustrator, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now wherever books are sold.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Do YOU feel lucky?: 🍀 SHAMROCK KISSES 💋 by Serena Pier - REVIEW!

Happy 2025 to you and yours!

Here's hoping that you had a wonderful night, said adieu to 2024, and are ready to blast into this next set of 365 days.  If not, no worries...one day at a time is perfectly fine.  Anywho, I'm kicking my site's new year off with a bang in the literary sense of the word...as in I'm featuring a review of a Spicy Romance novella from a holiday themed series that's a perfect indulgence for an afternoon quickie.  *ahem*  Ladies and gents, let's get between the epages of today's featured title COMING SOON to a retailer of your choosing...

☘️ Shamrock Kisses 💋

High Five Novella series, Book 3

by

Serena Pier

Releasing January 9, 2025

About the book...

Am I going to get lucky? Maybe if the hunky nerd I met yesterday takes me up on my invite to attend High Five's St. Paddy's Day party ...

Rachel Wagner, who's sworn off dating apps, is the last single one in her friend group. Focused on running her thriving cleaning business in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, the thirty-one-year-old is caught off guard when she stumbles upon a bearded nerd while cleaning her biggest client's lake house.

Patrick Nowak, a reclusive cat-loving hacker, prefers code to conversation and planned to spend the St. Patrick's Day weekend out of Chicago enjoying a digital detox at his friend's lake house. But when Rachel, a confident brunette who seems way out of his league, invites him to a local bar's St. Paddy's party, his anxiety just might prevent him from taking her up on the offer.

In a game of attraction and vulnerability, neither of them is prepared for just how much their lives can change in a day.

(This is Book #3 in an interconnected series. It is encouraged, but not essential, to read Santa's Coming and Cupid's Shot before reading Shamrock Kisses.) Romance Tropes: Instant Connection, Strangers to Lovers, Small Town, Holiday Romance, Younger Man, Nerdy MMC

Preorder your copy today!

Amazon US | Goodreads

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It's short, it's sweet (at times), it's sassy, it's spicy (whew!).

It starts with a great circle of friends looking out for each other, and open to love, and stumbles into an unexpected (even if predicted by the story series!) instant connection with someone that is truly amazing.  Am I talking about him or her?  Great question because honestly, it's BOTH of them.  I love how Rachel was her own person without apology.  She loved her friends, was proud of her accomplishments but not boastful, clear about where she came from and what she was looking for, and ready to take life by the horns. Grant it, she didn't expect Patrick to pop up out of nowhere, but she didn't run from the opportunity, but towards it with her eyes wide open.  Patrick was that perfect package of nerdy yet cool, sweet and shy yet ready for anything, easily took instruction, but just as easily could handle the reins.  He had a past, but was open about it.  He had brains, but wasn't showy.  He planned, but not to the extent that something new would throw everything into disarray.  They both knew how to treat friends, as well as potential significant others...and their connection was JUST RIGHT!

Despite not having read the prior releases, I loved the holiday angle, and the supposed magic of the High Five locale.  The town sounded great, but the people even more so, especially how they have each other's backs, and want the best for each other.  The sparkage after their first meeting was just right, and while things certainly heat up, it keeps a good pace for the story.  I'm not usually one for novellas simply because they leave me wanting more...story...but this one was a great fit for someone looking for an afternoon escape, or other someone's having a hard time quieting their mind for longer expeditions between the pages.

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Meet the author...

Writing under the pen name, Serena Pier is a wine lover, coffee snob & wife. With Midwestern roots, her stories are primarily set in and around Chicago. Serena is deeply fascinated by power dynamics; her stories always explore unequal social status.

Website

Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Facebook Group

Instagram | Bookbub | Pinterest | Newsletter

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Special thanks to Grey's Promotions and author Serena Pier for the chance to bring this title to you, as well as the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this series or her other works, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is set to release January 9th, 2025, so mark your calendar or preorder your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Tis the season for STORYBOOKS!: Eight Sweet Nights, A Festival of Lights by Charlotte Offsay, Illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt - REVIEW!

Tis the season for STORYBOOKS!

You know, those short tales filled with WONDER, illustrations, memories in the making, and morals to take away.  They are an integral part of childhood, and a great way to step back to those days as an adult reader.  They're beautiful to add to your own collection, and a great gifting idea for little readers in the making.  

Today's featured title comes to us via Random House Children's Books and focuses on a story that's just as beautiful as the season.  It takes us through a modern day celebration that has its roots deeply in the past, and adds in a bit of edutainment to broaden our knowledge horizons.  So whether you already take part in this seasonal affair, or are simply curious to know more, take a closer look between the pages of today's ebook of choice...

Eight Sweet Nights, A Festival of Lights

by

Charlotte Offsay

Illustrated by

Menahem Halberstadt

9780593808726

Doubleday Books for Young Readers

About the book...

A warm and yummy Hanukkah-themed picture book about the joys of coming together to celebrate with family and food.

It’s time to start counting sleeps—Hanukkah is coming! Shimmering, shining, sparkling. Eight sweet nights, a festival of lights.

Set in a cozy house full of latkes, applesauce, sufganiyot, and other Hanukkah holiday treats, this warm and emotional story highlights the importance and joy of passing along traditions from one generation to the next, and making new traditions too.

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Hanukkah.

Feast of the Maccabees.

Festival of Lights.

All names for the same celebration that takes place over the course of eight nights some time between November and the beginning of January (this year happens to fall on December 25th through January 2nd). In Hebrew, Hanukkah means “dedication,” and the holiday marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces.  What most on the outside see is the lighting of the candles in the menorah, eight days of gifts, and foods being cooked in celebration of the season.  On the inside of the celebration, there are connections to the past to remember, traditions to be carried out, and new memories to be added to carry it all forward to the next generation.  

The story between these pages let's us share in the festivities of the first night. It shares the traditional names, foods, and histories that go along with eight nights of celebration.  It shares a bit of the why behind the practices, as does the add in at story's end, while respecting the who both between the pages and the individual reading the pages so that no one feels left out, nor disrespected.  There's a joy, and a peacefulness to the tale that stays with you through the turn of the final page, while the beauty of the togetherness illustrated warms your heart.

A great story to add to your holiday reading this season and a great gift idea for those you hold dear!

🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎  ✡  🕎

Special thanks to Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now wherever books are sold.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: Big Shark, Little Shark and the Christmas Tree by Anna Membrino, Illustrated by Tim Budgen - REVIEW!

Hi again!

This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general". It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered. This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Big Shark, Little Shark and the Christmas Tree

by

Anna Membrino

 Illustrated by

Tim Budgen

9780593807828

Okay, I gotta say, I'm really feeling a FIN-ship with Little Shark and Big Shark.  I mean, hello...they LOVE TO READ!  Friends from the word go!  Anywho, they start out enjoying a day of reading until a mysterious shadow lands something in their midst.  But wait, is that...a Christmas tree?  Seems to be, but things aren't exactly as they should be, bringing fishy frowns instead of smiles.  Good thing our sharky duo has a plan to make it merry and bright once again...and the end result is SEA-tacular!

The coral-filled and colorful illustrations are brilliantly done to entice little readers' eyes.  The easy read story style makes it less intimidating and therefore the perfect holiday pick for early readers just getting their feet wet...so to speak.  It allows kiddos to take center stage during story time not only to share their skills, but a tale of Christmas time fun to be enjoyed by all!

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Special thanks to Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the illustrator, feel free to click through the links provided above. This story is available now, wherever books are sold.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree by Freddy Wexler, Illustrated by Fanny Berthiaume - REVIEW!

Hello friends!

This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general".  It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered.  This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Today, we're getting our holiday on with a spirit filled palm tree that's reaching for his dreams.  Hey, the only one that can hold you back is yourself, and he brings this to life in evergreen-living color.  Ladies and gents, don your jolliest apparel and set your sights on today's title in the spotlight...

Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree

by

Freddy Wexler

Illustrated by

Fanny Berthiaume

9780593567944

Random House Books for Young Readers 

About the book...

The tiki torch is lit, the hula dancers are ready, the stage is set. It's...Christmastime in Hawaii!

Everett Green is a singing, dancing palm tree waiting for his big break. He dreams of being a star, yet has no idea how to make it happen--until he sees the Rockefeller Tree on TV. Determined to become the most famous Christmas tree ever, Everett is ready to hightail it out of Hawaii and make his big debut in the Big Apple.

But it's not all clear skies for Everett when a New York snowstorm grounds his flight.

Stuck in the airport with hundreds of disgruntled travelers, Everett must dig deep for holiday spirit if he wants to become a real Christmas tree!

From grammy-nominated songwriter Freddy Wexler comes a modern Christmas classic: the story of a would-be Christmas tree who comes to see that Christmas is not what or where you are, but who you're with.

🌴  🎄  🌴  🎄  🌴  🎄  🌴  🎄  🌴

Everett dreamed of his name in lights, and practiced his routine until it sparkled like so many glorious lights...until one day, his dream took on a new meaning.  It wasn't his name in lights, but seeing himself in lights, and all dolled up just like the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.  He would be THE Christmas tree that everyone could see, love, and admire.  The only thing was...he had to get to NYC!  What?  You thought I'd bring up that fact that he's a PALM tree, or made of plastic?  Pfft!  Those are easy obstacles to overcome when you're talking about geography!  He packed his bags and prepped to take his show on the road, but he had no way to secure a ticket (back to that whole plastic thing) and the weather was playing anything but nice, putting more than a monkey wrench in his plans, as well as those of the other passengers trying to traverse the skies to their holiday destinations.  He feared he wouldn't reach his dreams...at least until a little girl with an open mind and a powerful imagination recognized him for who he truly was, unlocking a truly brilliant idea for Everett Green to become not only what he dreamed of (in a fashion), but truly make the Christmases of those around him as well.

A wonderful story that brings to life the magic of the season, while reminding us that we can be anything we wish to be.  There is no time or place that is perfect for a dream to come true, but any situation, any circumstance can be what we make of it, and if we never give up, never stop trying, that desired happily-ever-after remains in reach.  A great addition to your holiday reading list, and a fun read for all ages.

About the author...

Freddy Wexler is a Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum award-winning hit songwriter and film producer with an expansive film, TV, and animation slate. As a songwriter, Wexler has contributed to ten Billboard #1s; his songs have been recorded by Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Post Malone, BlackPink, Selena Gomez, John Legend, Pink, Diana Ross, Shakira, and many others. He lives in Los Angeles. To learn more, visit freddywexler.com.

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About the illustrator...

Fanny Berthiaume is a French Canadian visual artist who has been working in the entertainment industry for close to fifteen years. From miniature set builder to visual effects artist, she has worked on a variety of exciting projects. She offers services in visual development and illustration to animation studios, publishers, and other creative businesses. She lives in Montreal.

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Special thanks to the dream team at Blue Slip Media for the chance to bring this title to you and to the publisher for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, illustrator, or publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Celebrate DECK THE EVERYTHING DAY with... THE WONDERFUL ONCE: A CHRISTMAS STORY by J.R. Buchta, Illustrated by Erin O'Leary Brown - REVIEW!

Hello again!

Today is DECK THE EVERYTHING DAY, which seems rather appropriate because stores seem to flip from Halloween to Christmas in a hurry despite it ACTUALLY being November, and while it conjures up sugar plum dreams, and cookie baking marathons, our story today focuses on something MORE.  It's a storybook that came to my attention via Emily at Warbucks, and, in my humble opinion, makes a great transition story between the holidays currently cycling through.  Remember Thanksgiving?  Yeah, at this point, mostly the grocery stores celebrate it, but this book gives us those wonderful feelings of thanks, and sharing, while taking us that last step towards the season of giving.  Ladies and gents, grab a cozy chair and blanket as we settle in for today's book of choice...

The Wonderful Once:  A Christmas Story

by

J.R. Buchta

Illustrations by

Erin O'Leary Brown

9798986989501

Warbucks

About the book...

A little boy goes on a fantastic Christmas adventure in this story of a kind gesture that results in a magical journey.

It’s an all-around feel-good story with a surprise ending and a powerful message.

❄   🎄   ❄   🛷   ❄   🎁   ❄   🛷   ❄   🎄   ❄

 

This is a story about the spirit of the season, and how much more it brings to us when we share with others.  This is a story that reminds us to count our blessings for there are always those that are worse off than we, and cherish the moments of happiness we experience to their fullest, and, whenever possible, with others.  This is a story that shows the far reaching effects of kindness, and the good it does for one's heart and soul.  The magic of the tale is brought to life through the actions of one small child, and how through following his heart, he was able to spread joy to another when all looked lost.  He brought a smile to the face of someone who felt alone, a moment of lightness when all seemed dark, and in doing so, his own heart shone brighter and more vibrant for it.  He was then given the chance to continue doing that in an even bigger way...but that's part of the tale I'll have to let you experience on your own.  😉

In the end, it was a surprising tale that will give young readers another way to see the merriment of the season, and just what it means to give for the sake of giving without expecting something in return.  It reminds us that the true joy of the holidays isn't the number of gifts under the tree, but the love we surround ourselves with, and hold within our hearts.  A great addition to your holiday reading selections, and perhaps a new tradition for your family reading time.

❄   🎄   ❄   🛷   ❄   🎁   ❄   🛷   ❄   🎄   ❄

About the author...

John Buchta was born and raised in Philadelphia PA.

His interest in writing took a turn towards children's books when his grandchildren were born and he recognized the power of their imaginations and their enjoyment of reading.

Memories of his childhood and the spirit of his father’s character and penchant for a good story or poem inspire his writing.

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About the illustrator...

Erin O’Leary Brown is an illustrator based in upstate NY, specializing in children’s illustration as well as botanical and nature themes. She works traditionally in ink and watercolor, and often utilizes digital media to make adjustments and minor changes or additions to the final illustrations. Her style combines delicate line and rich layers of color with careful details and a sense of whimsy with the goal of sharing engaging stories as well as beautiful images. More of her work can be seen on her website at eobrownart.com.

❄   🎄   ❄   🛷   ❄   🎁   ❄   🛷   ❄   🎄   ❄

Special thanks to Emily at Warbucks for the chance to bring this title to you and the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, illustrator, or publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now wherever books are sold.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

RRR presents... This Is Not A Holiday Romance by Camilla Isley - REVIEW!

Tis the season to be reading...

Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la....la?

I know, I know.  The brisk taste of Autumn has barely graced our weather reports, and, in some cases, hasn't even made an appearance yet.  Pumpkin spice lover or not, you'll want to trust me on this one.  You won't want to wait until the holidays truly roll around to escape into this holiday steeped romcom from beloved author Camilla Isley.  Ladies and gents, it's time to deck the halls with whatever decorations you're feeling as we holly jolly our way between the epages of today's Rachel's Random Resources tour and ebook of choice...

This Is Not A Holiday Romance

by

Camilla Isley

About the book...

Two sworn enemies, snowed in over Christmas with chemistry that will melt the ice!

Nina Thompson has one Christmas wish: to avoid her brother's obnoxiously handsome best friend, Tristan, like the plague. From the moment he humiliated her as a teenager to their escalating revenge schemes, Nina and Tristan's relationship can only be defined as an all-out prank war! And there is yet to be a winner.

But it just so happens the ghost of Christmas present has other ideas. When Tristan unexpectedly crashes her family's Christmas, Nina's dreams of a peaceful holiday vanish faster than Santa up a chimney. Determined to end their rivalry for good, she braces herself for one last prank-filled showdown.

But when they find themselves snowed in, with no way of avoiding each other amongst the holiday festivities, they discover their heated exchanges have been masking a different kind of sizzle. Caught in a snow globe of holiday romance, they decide to let their fiery chemistry burn bright—but this is absolutely and unequivocally nothing more than a secret fling destined to melt with the snow, this is not a forever romance...

This Is Not a Holiday Romance is an enemies to lovers, brother's best friend, forced proximity rom-com perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Abby Jimenez, and Lynn Painter.

---> SNAG YOUR COPY TODAY <---

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OH my word!

I've loved this author's previous works, but this one may be my most favorite of them thus far.  The characters are totally believable, their drama relatable, and the sizzle palpable from the start!  It may have started as a supposedly one sided crush with an ill timed teenage insult thrown in to stir up the works, but it's grown from pranks to ultimate high stakes with the winner taking all!  What's on the line?  The most important thing of all...their hearts...but it'll totally be worth it.  Gremlin and The Prince of Darkness were totally meant to be...but it's the getting there that'll definitely send readers into overdrive!  Learning their backstory made us able to connect with them even more.  Seeing them in human situations made you feel like they could be your best friends.  Watching the brother sister relationship play out (payback and all!) whilst dancing around the best friend and little sister attraction (though they both doth protest WAY too much!) was so good for my heart.  When THE dare was laid out, I had a feeling there was no backing down to be had, but the gumption Nina had to see it through...let's just say no one is going to call her a coward in any sense of the word (and Tristan will definitely never see her the same! *swoon*).

If you love enemies to lovers, brother's best friend, and forced proximity romcom goodness, this is one story not to be missed.  If you love holiday hi jinks and mutual attraction that crackles and sparks like the brightest of Christmas displays, this will keep you in stitches, while making your heart smile.  If you simply love a great way to escape between the pages, the chance to get lost in a story, and enjoy well written works, I highly recommend you check out this author's body of works.  They are always a treat, delivering more than promised, and leave you anticipating what she'll release next!

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About the author...

Camilla Isley is an engineer who left science behind to write bestselling contemporary rom-coms set all around the world. She lives in Italy.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

NEWSLETTER SIGN UP

Camilla Isley Books - BookBub

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Special thanks to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the publisher for the ebook for review. This title is available now, so snag your copy at your favorite online retailer. Be sure to catch the rest of the tour going on now for more bookish fun...

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

RRR presents... Santa's Early Christmas by Lily Lawson - REVIEW!

Ready for the influx of holiday reading? Need a few suggestions to kick things off? Today's Rachel's Random Resources tour features a storybook title with a dash of humor that's perfect for all ages. 🎄 So, if you've been naughty or nice, this is a family friendly read you won't have to think twice about! Ladies and gents, today's ebook of choice is...

Santa's Early Christmas

by

Lily Lawson

Last year Santa was hungry and thirsty by the time he delivered all the presents. But when he came home there was no food and drink left! This year Santa decides things are going to be different.

---> GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY <---

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A quick story time read that plays off the children's holiday classics of old by utilizing clever rhymes and meter to share the tale of just why Santa started his own holiday early! It's not what you think. He's not hijacking Christmas, but rather choosing to not miss out on all the tasty goodies made at this time of year! He indulges in many yuletide favorites, snags a nap, and is ready to ride with Rudolph guiding the way. It's a tale of responsible holiday indulging with a chuckle and a grin to spare. Speaking of which...

There's a follow-up poem or two that comes directly after our little tale, and I gotta say the 'You Better Watch Out' one definitely brought on a case of the giggles! Let's just say, this time it's not about Santa watching you, but rather you watching out for reindeer who might not be all that experienced in the flying bit, if you catch my drift. (DUCK!) 😆 

A fun addition to your holiday reading this upcoming season!

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About the author...

Lily Lawson is a poet and fiction writer living in the UK.

She has poetry, short stories, and creative non-fiction published in anthologies and online in addition to her poetry books My Fathers Daughter, A Taste of What’s to Come, and Rainbow’s Red Book of Poetry and her kids’ books Santa’s Early Christmas, The Palm Tree Swingers Island Band and If I Were Invisible…

You can find out more about Lily and read more of her work on her blog.

Subscribers to Life with Lily are the first to hear all her writing news.

You can sign up here.

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you and for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

WHAT'S THE BUZZ: A Very Complicated Christmas by Melissa Baldwin - REVIEW!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Alrighty guys, we're doing the WHAT'S THE BUZZ once again to get you EXCITED about a few upcoming releases you want to have on your radar! Okay, so we technically flip the calendars 📅 tomorrow, but today's featured title COMES OUT TOMORROW, so I didn't want you to miss a thing! Cue up the holiday tunes 🎶 and make room on your reading list for...

A VERY COMPLICATED CHRISTMAS 

by

Melissa Baldwin

About the book...

The holidays are supposed to be fun, right? Parties, shopping, hot cocoa, festive sweaters, and celebrations with family and friends—it all sounds like a dream. But this year feels different and complicated, at least for me, Lucy Ferguson.

My brother's spontaneous engagement has thrown my family into a tailspin, and to add to the chaos, the return of Chase Anderson, the local hockey star, has brought a whole new set of dilemmas into my life. I keep telling myself I'm not attracted to Chase, but my heart seems to disagree

.

As I navigate through the confusion and conflicting emotions, I can't deny there's something about him that draws me in, though I try to convince myself otherwise. However, fate has other plans—he's my brother’s best friend, and that unspoken rule of not dating him stands firmly in our way.

To make matters even more frustrating, life at the office continues to throw me into awkward situations I never anticipated.

Could this chaotic holiday season be the key to unlocking something even better than I've ever dared to dream of? Find out in this heartwarming romantic comedy, where the magic of the season might just overcome life's bewildering moments.

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This story was so sweet, so festive, so hearts and holiday infused, you simply can't miss it. Kevin and Hilary are in first Christmas together and wedding prep mode, meaning the whole of his family at least is involved... and while Hilary is a force, there are other sparks flying. Lucy is the little sister all grown up, and Chase is the long time BFF of her big brother just back in town... can we see where the potential couple might be? 😌 

Yeah, well that makes two of us because the family, as loving as they are, and Hilary, are totally invested...in Emily and Chase. Who is she? Exactly. No, no, I'm kidding...sort of. She's sweet to Hilary's not so much, and her BFF, but anyone with eyes 👀 can see what's brewing between Chase and Lucy. Alas, blinders are a choice to be worn, but when they come off, fireworks often follow!

I won't spoil the fun, but trust me, it's a closed door, sweet as a candy cane cocoa 😋 ♥️ holiday romance you HAVE to read! The characters are fabulous, even the ones you're not about to include on your Christmas card list, the scenes are fantastic, and the romance aww inducing.  Contemporary Romance fans...don't miss this book!

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About the author...

USA Today bestselling author Melissa Baldwin is a planner-obsessed Disney fan who still watches Beverly Hills 90210 reruns and General Hospital.

She’s a wife, mother, and journal keeper, who finally decided to write the book she talked about for years. She took her dream to the next level, and is now an award-winning, bestselling author of twenty-eight Romantic Comedy and Cozy Mystery novels and novellas. Melissa writes about charming, ambitious, and real women, and she considers these leading ladies to be part of her tribe.

When she isn't deep in the writing zone, this multitasking master organizer keeps busy by spending time with her family, chauffeuring her daughter, traveling, attempting yoga poses, and going on rides at Disney World.

Visit authormelissabaldwin.com to sign up for her newsletter.

Fans of Melissa's books, join her Reader Tribe.

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Special thanks to author Melissa Baldwin for the chance to read and share this release!  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, or the author, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY November 1st, 2023, so get your reading list ready for a holiday infusion!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!