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THREE STORIES. THREE COUPLES. ONE HOLIDAY.
Pretty Near Perfect
by Jolene Perry
The last thing Norah needs is to be attracted to anyone – especially in her deceased fiancé's parents' home. Collin’s starting a new career, and has no business getting involved – especially while staying with his roommate’s family, who very kindly offered to take him in for the holidays. Unfortunately, you just don’t always pick the most convenient time and place to fall for someone.
Six Days of Christmas
by Kaylee Baldwin
When Natalie goes home with her best friend for Christmas, she expects plenty of quiet time to work on a winning ad so she can turn her dream internship into her dream job. Instead, she gets time-consuming Christmas festivities, a house full of children, and Jimmy, her best friend’s brother - someone who makes her question everything she’s always thought she wanted.
Twist of Fate
by Rachael Anderson
When a postcard meant for Kenzie winds up in Ty's mailbox, Ty's faced with a decision. Should he tell her that her fiancé is breaking up with her and let it ruin her favorite holiday, or should he do what he’s wanted to do since he met her - make a move and hope that he can win her over before she discovers there won’t be a wedding after all.
All I Want by Rachael Renee Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
It is always so difficult to review short story collections because there is generally more than one author involved. All too often, I find myself preferring some of the stories to others, and this collection is no different in that respect. Though all Christmas romances, all three stories are written by different authors.
As to the positives, these are basically clean romances. No sex scenes and only one instance of mild profanity--nothing too bad, I promise. All are happy romances, and all celebrate love at Christmastime. And all three are very quick reads. If you love sweet romances, this may very well be the collection for you.
My issue was that these are sappy romances. I liked the first story in the collection best of all, but none of these were outstanding for me. Sure, they were nice and sweet, but I do often prefer a little more meat in my stories. This is so hard to accomplish in a short story, and very rarely do I read an author who can write a short story with real meat to it. Especially if it is a romance.
In spite of all this, what a great way to celebrate the season. Cozy up tonight with a hot drink, slippers, a blanket, and a warm fire. This book will be the perfect accessory.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
View all my reviews
Author Jolene Perry
Jolene Perry is an enigmatic figure. She is most often seen behind her laptop, staring at the words flying onto the screen with reckless abandon.
She survived growing up in rural Alaska, driving like a lunatic, and her husband’s careers in the military, as a perpetual student, and an Alaska State Prosecutor. She also survived as a middle school math teacher using her degree of Political Science and French.
One day Jolene was playing her guitar (probably some-thing juvenile for her kids) when she wondered what it would be like to write a song for a rockstar, and her first book was born. (that book is shelved)
She now lives a very glamorous life as a stay at home mom, elbow deep in dirty dishes and peanut butter sandwiches. She doesn’t even attempt to keep up with the laundry because non-writing time is precious, and her family is sorta awesome.
Author Rachael Anderson
Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
Author Kaylee Baldwin
I grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and graduated from Arizona State University
with a degree in English literature.
I currently live in southern Arizona with my husband, Jeremy, and our three children. When I am not writing, I enjoy reading, starting new craft projects, and spending time with my family.
Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Ends 12/24/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
When Natalie goes home with her best friend for Christmas, she expects plenty of quiet time to work on a winning ad so she can turn her dream internship into her dream job. Instead, she gets time-consuming Christmas festivities, a house full of children, and Jimmy, her best friend’s brother - someone who makes her question everything she’s always thought she wanted.
Twist of Fate
by Rachael Anderson
When a postcard meant for Kenzie winds up in Ty's mailbox, Ty's faced with a decision. Should he tell her that her fiancé is breaking up with her and let it ruin her favorite holiday, or should he do what he’s wanted to do since he met her - make a move and hope that he can win her over before she discovers there won’t be a wedding after all.
All I Want by Rachael Renee AndersonMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
It is always so difficult to review short story collections because there is generally more than one author involved. All too often, I find myself preferring some of the stories to others, and this collection is no different in that respect. Though all Christmas romances, all three stories are written by different authors.
As to the positives, these are basically clean romances. No sex scenes and only one instance of mild profanity--nothing too bad, I promise. All are happy romances, and all celebrate love at Christmastime. And all three are very quick reads. If you love sweet romances, this may very well be the collection for you.
My issue was that these are sappy romances. I liked the first story in the collection best of all, but none of these were outstanding for me. Sure, they were nice and sweet, but I do often prefer a little more meat in my stories. This is so hard to accomplish in a short story, and very rarely do I read an author who can write a short story with real meat to it. Especially if it is a romance.
In spite of all this, what a great way to celebrate the season. Cozy up tonight with a hot drink, slippers, a blanket, and a warm fire. This book will be the perfect accessory.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
View all my reviews
Jolene Perry is an enigmatic figure. She is most often seen behind her laptop, staring at the words flying onto the screen with reckless abandon.
She survived growing up in rural Alaska, driving like a lunatic, and her husband’s careers in the military, as a perpetual student, and an Alaska State Prosecutor. She also survived as a middle school math teacher using her degree of Political Science and French.
One day Jolene was playing her guitar (probably some-thing juvenile for her kids) when she wondered what it would be like to write a song for a rockstar, and her first book was born. (that book is shelved)
She now lives a very glamorous life as a stay at home mom, elbow deep in dirty dishes and peanut butter sandwiches. She doesn’t even attempt to keep up with the laundry because non-writing time is precious, and her family is sorta awesome.
Links:
Hooked on Reading and Writing (Guest Post by Jolene Perry)
When I was really young - still in elementary school - I remember reading all of the books my mom had bought for my sister to play catch up in her high school English class. I was hooked.
That summer I read Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Anne of Green Gables, Wuthering Heights, Great Expectations, and promptly ditched "age-appropriate" reading material.
All through high school I devoured the classics, and then VC Andrews, and then Judy Blume, and then I spent a lot of years reading in adult land - I went through a phase where I read everything Stephen King had ever written, and then started on Dean Koontz, and then Peter Mayle.
I will say that through all of that time, I marveled at people who could write a story that was HUNDREDS OF PAGES LONG!
My first book I wrote just for fun, not thinking that it would be a whole book when I was finished, if I ever finished. I planned on a short story, but then I hit 100 pages and there was more story to tell. It was and still is a terribly written book, but as soon as I realized that I'd written a whole story, I wanted to write another, and then another, and then another.
The most amazing thing when reading is being pulled and transported into another world, and the most amazing thing about writing is being able to create a place that people want to step into, read and be a part of.
Those are the things that make me know that I never want to stop writing.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog today!
~ Jolene Perry
Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
Links:
I grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and graduated from Arizona State University
with a degree in English literature.
I currently live in southern Arizona with my husband, Jeremy, and our three children. When I am not writing, I enjoy reading, starting new craft projects, and spending time with my family.
Links:
Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Ends 12/24/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Great giveaway
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