Wishing for Mistletoe by Robin Lee Hatcher

 

...from the publisher...

On Sanctuary Island, Ariel Highbridge seeks refuge from crippling writer's block and a disillusioned heart. As a writer of Regency romances who's been betrayed by love herself, Ariel struggles to weave tales of romance when her own faith in it has frayed.

Tom Fuller is a devoted schoolteacher and a widower, whose life orbits around his daughter Shauna. He has sworn off the possibility of new love. Yet, the arrival of their enchanting neighbor stirs an unexpected warmth in both father and daughter's lives.

As the island's Yuletide enchantments weave their spell, Tom and Ariel find themselves drawn to each other. Ariel's burgeoning belief in love and Tom's tentative steps towards healing suggest that perhaps, this Christmas, they could write a love story of their own.

But their fledgling romance will soon face its ultimate test, and it will take the magic of the season and the island's charm for their love story to prove the most enchanting tales don't end—they simply transform into new beginnings.

...my thoughts...

Sanctuary Island, with all its crisp icy weather, sounds like just the place to kick back and let the quiet respond like a muse, escaping to inspire a bestselling book for a weary writer. It is remote, with little of the noisy, everyday intrusions that Ariel faced at home. It was with pleasure, then, that this woman who sought solace found just the opposite. Sanctuary Island, after all, is not the place for the fainthearted. Once the ice hits, you are simply there for the duration of winter. Cabin fever, a very real thing, can creep up on the least suspecting person. 

 Ariel was not that person. She couldn't hope to get so lost and bored on that island because her life was anything but dull, quiet or lonely.  Living right next door was a dog who loved to dig under the fence, belonging to an adorable little girl who happened to have a very handsome dad, who was also a widower. Wow, a lot to take in for a Regency romance author who was very short on romance.

Tom and Shauna quickly entered Ariel's daily life as she began to navigate this small community. He was a school teacher, busy raising his daughter alone. As neighbors go, they had a lot to offer Ariel as she balanced writers block,  providing inspiration to Shauna with a school writing project all while working to overcome the betrayal of her former love. It takes courage to put oneself in a new location that is as different as night and day from home,  not only move on, but pick up your career where your life left off. 

Robin Lee Hatcher is a masterful writer who adds just the right touch of magic while making a story believable. Often, we see movies or read books where there are a lot of cookie cutter stories where one piece is cut off the dough, so to speak and added someplace else to cobble together what may look like a plausible story. She has written many books, as I know, since I have read most of them. All exceptionally good. This book, coming at this special time of year, is very special. It is a time of hope and faith that life can change for the better. New beginnings are often so difficult, even for the very young. This story is about three people, all looking forward to life with both faith and hope. I could share a lot more, but why give it all away and spoil the story. The characters are wonderful in their own right, but they come together just right for this story.

Reviewing: The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne

...from the publisher... Amanda Taylor isn’t a fan of Christmas, but as the owner of a local soap shop, ignoring the holiday season isn’t an option. To forget the pain of Christmases past, Amanda focuses on making the season bright for her customers at the Shelter Springs Holiday Giving Market. But when her beloved grandmother, Birdie, starts dating the dashing new resident of the Shelter Inn retirement community, Amanda smells trouble. Fortunately, Rafe Arredondo, the grandson of Birdie’s charming suitor, is equally dubious of the match. Unfortunately, he's just as fiery as his grandfather—and Amanda has zero interest in getting burned.

As a single father, paramedic and assistant fire chief, Rafe has more than enough on his plate. Sure, he and Amanda share a common goal in keeping their grandparents apart. Still, that doesn’t mean he should allow himself to feel as drawn to her as he does. Even if she is great with his young son. Even if she does help the burden of his own painful past feel a little lighter… But when their paths keep crossing at the holiday market, it starts to feel like fate, prompting them both to wonder if taking a chance on love might gift them everything they’ve been wishing for.

...my thoughts... I was hooked from the moment Amanda met young Isaac after a mishap with a radio controlled sports car and five bags of groceries.  After working all day, shopping for grocieries for Thanksgiving, the last thing she needed was to find herself reaching for the hand of Isaac's father, one handsome Rafe Arrendondo. She was just walking down the halls to her grandmother Birdie's apartment at the Shelter Inn retirement community minding her own business, after all! 

In the coming days she finds herself faced with the handsome assistant fire chief as if that one encounter was meant to keep them in mind of each other.  Both Amanda and Rafe have had past hurts and are definitely ready for nothing more than a passing friendship, at the very least. Fate, however, had other ideas. 

Amanda has dealt with her painful past by pouring herself into every civic volunteer role possible.  This year, once again, she is managing the Giving Market and pulling together a large community event in addition to running her own successful business. Rafe, after an on the job injury, is manning the first aid booth and observing the beautiful Amanda.  Isaac has his own designs on Amanda and isn't the least bit shy about wanting to spend time with her.  He seeks as many ways for his father to spend time with them.  As Amanda warms up to Issac and Rafe, she is alarmed that her grandmother has found romance with Rafe's grandfather.  The conflicting emotions she has for Rafe and his son, and observing the budidng relationship with the grandparents, she struggles to deal with the situations.  It is only when something happens to threaten Birdie's new happiness that Amanda realizes the true meaning of love.

I was touched by this story of love, forgiveness and second chances.  Set in the Christmas season makes it all the more magical. After all, how many times have wee heard that miracles do come true at Christmas?  I recommend this book for those who enjoy snuggling with a good book, warm afghan and cup of hot tea.   

Reviewing: Under the Starry Skies by Tracie Peterson Love on the Santa Fe

from the publisher:Sensible and independent, Cassie Barton never anticipated being on her own at thirty-two. But after the death of her father and the marriage of her sister, she's found joy in her work as a seamstress. When a minor accident leaves her unable to sew, she decides to use her time to compile a book of stories about the men working on the Santa Fe Railroad. But worry begins to grow in San Marcial as Mexican revolutionaries set out to destroy the railroad--and put many lives in danger.

With Europe at war and his longtime friend Cassie injured, railroad worker Brandon DuBarko is burdened by his troubles. He promised Cassie's father he would watch over her, but as their comfortable friendship slowly transforms into something deeper, he feels trapped by a secret from his youth. When a vengeful man reappears in Brandon's life, intent on causing conflict, Brandon must face his past before he can move forward.

As the danger intensifies, Cassie and Brandon must rely on God to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of a brighter future.

 my thoughts:  In true Tracie Peterson fashion, our heroine, Cassie  overcomes great trials when she is injured and can't perform her job as a seamstress.  In this heartbreaking story, she overcomes her struggles compiling stories of the men working on the Santa Fe Railroad.  Compelling and once again, Ms. Peterson has researched her work with results to entertain, enrich and give the reader a front row seat into the shaping of our country.  

Cassie's friend, Brandon Dubarko has also found troubles along the way in a vengeful man who re-enters his life.  Strong faith give Cassie and Brandon the strenghth and courage to face their trials.  Truly a wonderfully inspirational book.

Reviewing: The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley

 from the publisher:

Explore this delightfully cozy and joyful novel of second chances at the most wonderful time of the year, from USA Today bestselling author Pamela Kelley.

A feel-good novel as delightful and comforting as a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night, The Christmas Inn is bestselling author Pamela Kelley’s most heartwarming and magical book yet.

Riley Sanders didn’t plan on losing her job as a content marketing manager right before Christmas. When she calls her sister Amy to vent, she learns that their mother has broken her leg and could really use some help at the inn. Riley decides to head home to the inn, nestled along the shores of Cape Cod, in time for the Christmas rush. She is happy to help and needs something to distract her as mistletoe is hung and snowflakes begin to fall.

When she gets there, she not only finds delicious cookies and a crackling fire to lift her spirits, but also the sense of family she’s been missing all along. There’s Franny, a woman who has just lost her sister and has four unopened letters from her that she plans to use to open her up to new experiences on the Cape. And there’s Aidan, her high school sweetheart, now a widower, who is staying at the inn with his nine year-old son, Luke. What begins as a quick stay over the holidays to help her mom turns into something that means much more—a second chance at romance, a deeper sense of found family, and all the joy and wonder that comes with Christmas time on Cape Cod.

my thoughts:

The Christmas Inn is my first foray into Christmas reading this season.  I enjoyed the story from the beginning.  I felt the cold chill of winter when Riley's position as a contente editor is  replaced by artificial intelligence just before Christmas as makes her way alone to her apartment.  Her boyfriend, who is on track to make partner at his law firm, cancels their date, making the day that much colder. 

 If this were a made for television Christmas movie, I could almost cast the characters with todays favorite actors.  It is not, however, because it is a book and a book is always better. Pamela Kelley has developed likable characters that come alive on the Cape at Christmas.  

Life doesn't just happen in the big city.  After losing her job, Riley returns ho
me to help her mother recover from a broken leg. As she sends out resumes for a new job, she learns more about herself than she could possibly dream of.  Her life is in New York, her boyfriend is in New York.  As the story grows, so does Riley. Just as others before her, she has some decisions to make and soon.

The story is a little predictable, it is a Christmas romance story after all but there is always one little thing that keeps you interested because the story twists are just enough to keep you reaching for this heartwarming story.  So, grab that hot chocolate, or pretend you are visiting the local wine and cheese shop for that glass of Cabernet. It is time to start reading your Christmas to-be-read pile and The Christmas Inn is just the book begin. It has all the charm and elements to make you smile.