Holiday

Christmas Prince (The Christmas Angel Book 7) by RJ Scott: Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

December 21, 2018 by Denise

Prince Raphael, the youngest son of the Montaunoit royal family, is the custodian of his country’s history. At a Sotheby’s auction, he outbids Marc on an item he doesn’t even want. Just because he can.

Meeting the museum curator turns Raphael’s world upside down, and when lust turns to love he knows he has to change.

Can Marc be the one to show Raphael that he doesn’t have to stay the lonely prince forever, and that love is always an option?

* * * * *

This story is one of seven stories which can all be read and enjoyed in any order.

* * * * *

In 1750, a master woodcarver poured all his unrequited love, passion, and longing into his masterpiece—a gorgeous Christmas angel for his beloved’s tree. When the man he loved tossed the angel away without a second thought, a miracle happened. The angel was found by another who brought the woodcarver True Love.

Since then, the angel has been passed down, sold, lost and found, but its magic remains. Read the romances inspired by (and perhaps nudged along by) the Christmas Angel through the years. Whether it’s the 1880’s New York (Kim Fielding), the turn-of-the-century (Jordan L. Hawk), post World War II (L.A. Witt), Vietnam-era (N.R. Walker), the 1990’s (Anyta Sunday), 2018 Europe (RJ Scott), the Christmas Angel has a way of landing on the trees of lonely men who need its blessing for a very Merry Christmas and forever HEA.

Amazon

Christmas Angel – Eli Easton – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Summerfield’s Angel – Kim Fielding – Amazon US | Amazon UK

The Magician’s Angel – Jordan L. Hawk – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Christmas Homecoming – L.A. Witt – Amazon US | Amazon UK

A Soldier’s Wish – N.R. Walker – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Shrewd Angel – Anyta Sunday – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Ahhh, Christmas!

I love Christmas reads so close to Christmas, and with the first snowfall of the season this weekend, it just seemed like the perfect time to tuck into this series, different author novella’s to get a tiny dose of the holiday spirit.

I started with this one, maybe because I’m not a fan of the royalty trope, or millionaires, or billionaires, or famous people… I like regular ol’ joe’s, blue collar, everyday people, the ones that make love stories realistic. In saying that… I’m so glad I read this one! It was sweet and romantic, and that Prince, he was really charming…

So, Prince Raphael, is the youngest son of the Montaunoit royal family. He meets Marc at n auction where he bids against him, just because he thought it fun, and was intrigued by Marc and his gray eyes… Nevermind that it meant everything to Marc, maybe even his job… especially because his boss seemed to have it out for him. He was a real jerk. Thankfully, he has little page time and he’s never mentioned again, once Marc is hired to be head curator to a museum that the prince wants to throw together… either to really teach the history of his country, or to spend more time with Marc….each is a win/win, right?

Unfortunately, Marc is wary… excited at the opportunity, for sure, but wary as well. He doesn’t trust the charming prince at first, and rightly so. Used to getting his way with nothing standing in his way… he wants to get to know Marc better….

I loved Raphael because even though he had money to buy anything his big ol heart desired, what he really wanted was love…

Sigh… it was an interesting read for something so short, we get to know both men, find a long lost, covered up love story from centuries ago, and a sweet, get to know the real you, love story…

It was a perfect start to a bundle of Christmas reads that I can’t wait to jump into… even if I do read them all out of order. Very cute!

Dec 2 – Megan’s Media Melange, Lelyana’s Reviews, Dec 6 – Cupcakes & Bookshelves, Dec 8 – Mainely Stories, Dec 10 – Bookaholic & Kindle, Dec 12 – Mirrigold, My Fiction Nook, The Secret Ko, MM Good Book Reviews, Dec 14 – Valerie Ullmer, Xtreme Delusions, Sexy Erotic Xciting, Open Skye, Rainbow Book Reviews, Amy’s MM Romance Reviews, Dec 19 – Bonkers About Books, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Dec 21 – Momma Says: To Read Or Not To Read, Making It Happen, Lillian Francis, Bayou Book Junkie, Wicked Reads, Two Chicks Obsessed

USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott writes stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, a happily ever after.

RJ Scott is the author of over one hundred romance books, writing emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the links below:

Email RJ rj@rjscott.co.uk
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Tutus and Tinsel by Rhys Ford: Release Day Review

December 21, 2018 by Denise

Zig Reid-Harris has everything an eleven-year-old girl could ever want: a great home, two fantastic fathers named Deacon Reid and Lang Harris, and all the books she could possibly read.

When a school assignment about holiday traditions unexpectedly broadsides her, she discovers burying the past isn’t as easy as it looks, and the stark reality of her life before her adoption sinks in. Ashamed of the bleakness and poverty she came from, Zig struggles with the assignment until an epiphany strikes the whole family—it’s time to start their own traditions.

Zig and her fathers plunge into the insanity of holiday joy, exploring everything the season has to offer and learning how precious family truly is along the way.

Title: Tutus and Tinsel
Series: Half Moon Bay
Author: Rhys Ford
Release Date: December 21, 2018
Category: Holiday
Pages: 79

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

This book was AH-DORABLE! What’s more is that I didn’t even read the first book where these guys met and fell in love. But it was written in such a way that you didn’t have to read the first one. Spoiler alert- I am definitely going back to read book 1.

Zig’s mother died of a drug overdose and she never knew her father. She was then adopted by her uncle and her uncle’s husband (maybe boyfriend then? Like I said, I haven’t read book 1). Until she got her two new dads, her life was pretty awful. So when she gets an assignment about family holiday traditions she doesn’t know what to do.

Make new ones!

So we got a really cute story of 2 dads wanting to make new happy memories and traditions for their daughter. By blending some old and some new and making them their own.

Zig is amazing really. Potty mouth, combat boots and tutus who loves her dads fiercely while still dealing with past traumas.

This was a lovely palate cleanser book just right for Christmas.

4 pieces of eye candy

Shrewd Angel (The Christmas Angel Series Book 5) by Anyta Sunday: Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

December 19, 2018 by Denise

Pax Polo is the swashbuckling guitarist for Serenity Free.

Correction: Was the swashbuckling guitarist for Serenity Free.

Now he sports a black eye and his bros have kicked him out of their band—three weeks before Christmas. It’s an unfamiliar kick to his over-inflated ego, but . . . whatever.

No problem.

Thanks to some stellar eavesdropping, an unexpected angel ornament, and a bribe to open for his favorite band ever, Pax will weasel his way back into his mates’ good graces.

All he has to do is friend Clifford, the neighborhood man-shrew, for the summer. Distract him a bit so Clifford’s younger sister can sneak around.

It sounds like a piece of beginners Beethoven. Jolly good fun.

Easy.

Because, Pax totally knows how to friend people. He has heaps of friends. This shrew’s no match for his shrewd ways. Or is he?

Length: 70,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

The Christmas Angel Series

Since then, the angel has been passed down, sold, lost and found, but its magic remains. Read the romances inspired by (and perhaps nudged along by) the Christmas angel through the years. Whether it’s 1700s England (Eli Easton’s Christmas Angel), the 1880’s New York (Kim Fielding’s Summerfield’s Angel), the turn-of-the-century (Jordan L. Hawk’s Magician’s Angel), World War II (L.A. Witt’s Christmas Homecoming), Vietnam-era (N.R. Walker’s Soldier’s Wish), the 1990’s (Anyta Sunday’s Shrewd Angel), or 2018 (RJ Scott’s Christmas Prince), the Christmas angel has a way of landing on the trees of lonely men who need its blessing for a very Merry Christmas and forever HEA.

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Christmas Angel – Eli Easton – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Summerfield’s Angel – Kim Fielding – Amazon US | Amazon UK

The Magician’s Angel – Jordan L. Hawk – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Christmas Homecoming – L.A. Witt – Amazon US | Amazon UK

A Soldier’s Wish – N.R. Walker – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Christmas Prince – RJ Scott- Amazon US | Amazon UK

Perfect cover! Hey, hot guy!

Mmmmkay, so, first thing’s first… I know nothing of this Shakespeare – Taming of the Shrew. I wish I did because then I might not have been so annoyed with Pax in the beginning. He was conceited and entitled and once his band had given him the boot, he was all about scheming to get himself back in, even though he kind of deserved the swift kick out . So, maybe he didn’t do what they thought he did, he didn’t do anything to disabuse them of the idea that he did. Just a snarky, smug, smile… I’d have knocked him in the mouth too! However, my heart did break for him when I learned the real reason. What terrible people they all were.

So, since the band decided they’d figure out what to do with him after Christmas, he moved in with a nice Italian boy looking for a roommate. Luca was cute, and half in love with the girl next door. The problem with that was, she had a “shrew” brother who wouldn’t let her so much as look at a boy, and the neighbor on the other side had a crush on her too. Bonus for Pax… the neighbor on the other side, who seemed like almost a big of douche as Pax, had Rockstar family who Pax could sure use in getting his band back. All he had to do was keep the neighbor shrew busy so the girl next door could take her pick of which boy she liked and maybe spend time with them. Very cute idea…. Very 10-things-I-hate-about-you, 90’s era, teenage movie.

Pax and the Shrew, his name is Cliff… their banter was cute, in a Cliff hates any and everything other than studying law-enforcement books and making sure his sister has zero fun in her life, and Pax takes nothing serious ever and thinks he can charm the pants off anyone he so much as blinks at. I was glad to see Cliff give him a little run for his money. It put him in place a bit.

However, the more we get to know them both, the deeper we get into who they both are and why they are the way they are. It was a hard go… They’re both so incredibly stubborn and watching them together, the push and pull was so worth everything.

I loved Lucca, Binaca and I even learned to love Henry. What I didn’t love and wish I could’ve had more karmic justice, was Pax’s band. I wish they would’ve gotten more of a middle finger and the angel to do her juju and ruin all of them for the way they treated Pax, especially Blake. I was glad that Pax finally came to his senses, but I wish he’d have gotten back at them more… I’m super petty that way. I’d blame it on my age, but I can’t.

In saying all of that…. The bickering, the back and forth, the hurt feelings and stubbornness was so worth it in the end. I absolutely adored this story… I’m not usually one for billionaires, or rock stars, or huge CEO’s who have more money in sense…. So I was reluctant when I started this one. I just can’t help it, I like my boys, blue-collar every day folks….I shouldn’t have been though, because I’ve read several by this author and adored every single one of them…. This one was no different. 5 very easy stars from me!! What a perfect ending! <3

Dec 2 – Boulevard des Passions, OMGReads, Urban Smoothie Read, Dec 4 – Cupcakes & Bookshelves, Megan’s Media Melange, Dec 8 – The Book Corps, Dec 10 – My Fiction Nook, Xtreme Delusions, Lelyana’s Reviews, Dec 12 – Mirrigold, Open Skye, Sexy Erotic Xciting, Rainbow Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Dec 14 – Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Dec 17 – Bonkers About Books, Dec 19 – Lillian Francis, Making It Happen, Momma Says: To Read Or Not To Read, The Secret Ko, The Written Voice of Is, Two Chicks Obsessed, Wicked Reads, Dec 21 – Bayou Book Junkie, Book Corner Reviews, Amy’s MM Romance Reviews

A bit about me: I’m a big, BIG fan of slow-burn romances. I love to read and write stories with characters who slowly fall in love.

Some of my favorite tropes to read and write are: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Clueless Guys, Bisexual, Pansexual, Demisexual, Oblivious MCs, Everyone (Else) Can See It, Slow Burn, Love Has No Boundaries.

I write a variety of stories, Contemporary MM Romances with a good dollop of angst, Contemporary lighthearted MM Romances, and even a splash of fantasy.

My books have been translated into German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Thai.

Contact: http://www.anytasunday.com/about-anyta/

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A Soldier’s Wish (The Christmas Angel Series) by N.R. Walker: Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway

December 17, 2018 by Denise

The year is 1969…

Gary Fairchild is proud to be a hippie college student, and he protests the Vietnam War because he believes in love and peace. To him, it isn’t just a counterculture movement—it’s a way of life. When tickets to the Aquarium Exposition—3 Days of Peace & Music, or Woodstock, as it was better known, go on sale, there’s no way he isn’t going.

Richard Ronsman is a sheltered farm boy who lives in the shadow of his overbearing father. He’s hidden his darkest secret to earn his father’s love, but nothing is ever good enough—not even volunteering for the Vietnam War. And with just a few days left before he’s deployed, he’s invited by a striking hippie to join him at a music festival.

Three days of music, drugs, rain, mud, and love forged a bond between these two very different men that would shape the rest of their lives. They share dreams and fears, and when Richard is shipped off to war, they share letters and love. For Richard’s first Christmas home, he is gifted a special angel ornament that just might make a soldier’s wish come true.

This story is one of seven stories which can all be read and enjoyed in any order.

The Christmas Angel Series

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Christmas Angel – Eli Easton – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Summerfield’s Angel – Kim Fielding – Amazon US | Amazon UK

The Magician’s Angel – Jordan L. Hawk – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Christmas Homecoming – L.A. Witt – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Shrewd Angel – Anyta Sunday – Amazon US | Amazon UK

Christmas Prince – RJ Scott- Amazon US | Amazon UK

Gary and his friends are on a break from school and on their way to Woodstock, cuz… heck yeah, they are!
Classified as a “hippie” and don’t judge me because I was born in the ’80s, but neither Gary or his friends really felt like the classic “good-for-nothing, earth-hugging, vegan-types-of-the-new-millennium we have these days lol He was amazing. The wisdom he had, and his compassion and patience. You can’t help but fall in love with him immediately.

Anyway, on the road an entire hour, Gary and his friends decide to stop at a little diner on the way. That’s where Gary sees a sad looking solider, sitting alone at a table looking like he might cry. Now, maybe it’s the day I’m having or maybe it’s the other’s I’ve read in this awesome, Christmas-time series, or maybe it’s a tiny reminder of what seems like everyone has forgotten….Vietnam. Either way… I was crying from the beginning. Happy Monday!

Richard has just visited his family before being shipped out, and having enlisted for the wrong reasons and being confused about who he was, and why… I was so glad that he found Gary. Like I mentioned, Gary was so compassionate and so full of wisdom. He helped Richard acknowledge who he was when he offered him the lifeline of 3 days at Woodstock.

I adored their time together, dancing, singing, experimenting… and just being. It hurt so bad when those days were up and Richard had to go. No stranger to ugly crying, I didn’t even try to hold it back. Deciding to write to each other while Richard was away, it broke my heart to see him go.

Those letters though… those letters were everything. Getting to know each other and keeping each other sane in a time when everyone overseas needed a little bit of sanity. They fell in love through those letters and made plans for their future, and I believe it was probably the only thing that kept Richard going. And that Gary was going on with his life, making plans for them to be together when Richard finally returned. It was sweet and hopeful, and I was dying for them to finally get their happily ever after.

Unfortunately, there were so many obstacles in their way. War and destruction, of course, but also it’s hard to imagine, in today’s world, but it wasn’t long ago, and it still is in so many places, illegal for two people of the same sex to be together. Doesn’t that just seem insane? Like, literally, inconceivable. Who’s business is that? How would you prove it, if you suspected it? People were really arrested for it? What a sick and sad time to be a minority. It’s getting better all the time, but I look forward to a day when there is no distinction at all. No gay marriage, just marriage. No, same-sex relationships, just relationships. Here’s to hoping!

But, together, again with Gary being so amazing, patient, persistent and reassuring, they got through it all together. I know I said it last book, but this one might just be my favorite. Not only because I love this author, but because once I started it, I couldn’t even go to the bathroom, I didn’t want to put it down.

I loved all of it. Gary’s best friend Kat and his amazingly accepting and wonderful parents…. So sweet. And the quotes. I highlighted more in this short story than I ever have, any book, ever. It was all so profound. Just… if you haven’t, you really should read this one, and of course, we get the Christmas Angel. I can’t wait to see who she blesses next.

What a great Christmas read. Loved it!

5 pieces of eye candy

Dec 2 – Boulevard des Passions, Gay Book Reviews, Dec 4 – Lelyana’s Reviews, Dec 6 – Cupcakes & Bookshelves, Megan’s Media Melange, Dec 8 – Xtreme Delusions, My Fiction Nook, Dec 10 – Mirrigold, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Sexy Erotic Xciting, Open Skye, The Secret Of Ko, Rainbow Book Reviews, Dec 12 – Bookaholic & Kindle, Dec 14 – Making It Happen, MM Good Book Reviews, Dec 17 – Momma Says: To Read Or Not To Read, Lillian Francis, Wicked Reads, Two Chicks Obsessed, Dec 19 – Drops Of Ink, Kimmers Erotic Book Banter, Bayou Book Junkie, Amy’s MM Romance Reviews, Dec 21 – Bonkers About Books, Book Corner Reviews

N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things…but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…

Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Website

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Guess Who’s Coming to Karamu by Cy Blanca: Release Day Review

December 12, 2018 by Denise

Grant Cary, a twenty-eight-year-old grad student, has let his Kwanzaa shopping go to the very last minute. In his rush to get home, he quite literally bumps into Will Sheritan, a fortysomething software developer, in the elevator. But luck favors (or curses) the adventurous, because their elevator shuts down due to a blackout. Grant and Will learn about each other’s pasts and find more than just a casual interest.

Will has never celebrated Kwanzaa, and he’s reluctant to enter into a relationship, but exploring a new tradition—with a new friend—might brighten his lonely holiday. And if Will accepts Grant’s invitation to join his family for the Karamu feast, Grant might get his Imani gift early.

Title: Guess Who’s Coming to Karamu
Author: Cy Blanca
Category: Holiday, Advent
Pages: 25

Amazon

Dreamspinner Press

I loved that this short holiday story had diverse main characters, which seldom happens. In addition, Grant’s inner dialogue was hilarious. He made me laugh. Meanwhile, it was hard to know quite where Will stood. And with such a short story, it wasn’t necessary to have an HEA, or even really an HFN. It was just a quick holiday date, and that was ok.

Also, learning about a holiday that I don’t know much about, even through the eyes of a short story was fun.

3 pieces of eye candy

The Christmas Lights Battle by Skylar M. Cates: New Release Review and Giveaway

December 10, 2018 by Denise

For a single dad and his neighbor, the Christmas competition is on!

Julian Moss wants to give his children a happy Christmas. Since his divorce, Julian has no time for a social life; he’s been doing the tiring work of two parents while his cheating ex-husband dodges his responsibilities. If that isn’t stressful enough, he has to deal with his new—and ridiculously good-looking—neighbor and his noisy dogs. Christmas used to be Julian’s favorite holiday, but lately all he sees is the cost. Then Julian’s young son tells him about a Christmas lights competition with a much-needed prize.

Leo Adams is going to be alone for Christmas…again. All he’s ever wanted is to be accepted by his family, but he knows that will never happen. Deciding to focus on his career as a personal trainer, Leo develops a boot camp program on the beach, but he needs publicity. The lights competition offers Leo a way to get some free press, and if it annoys his snooty neighbor Julian—all the better.

The battle is on, and both Julian and Leo want to win. The stakes are high, the reward is great, and the neighbors are in it to win it. There’s nothing like a little competition to make Christmas at Shelby Beach extra merry and bright.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

Too much? Sorry …. This one really put me in the Christmas spirit. First, we meet Julian and his two adorable kids, Charlie and Sadie. I don’t need to tell anyone how much I adore a hot single dad and his babies. They’re my favorite!

After his divorce, (and y’all, you will hate the cheating, verbally and emotionally abusive ex-husband, here’s your warning)…. Julian is doing everything he can to just make life easy for their children, who both suffer from emotional issues, like anxiety and aggression. Julian is so patient and easy with them, he loves them more than anything….so seeing them hurt time and again by the ex, hurts him too. Never one to stand up for himself, especially with the ex, I was so glad to see him finally do it….

Now, Leo is house/dog sitting for a close friend who just happens to be Julian’s nextdoor neighbor. They don’t get along at first, but it’s short-lived and kind of entertaining… I hated that it hurt Leo, even a little bit, because he’s been hurt so much, I just didn’t want anymore for him… Leo is charming and gorgeous and generous and sweet… it’s easy to become smitten with him… and he’s good with the kids. As a single parent, you can’t ask for anything better than that.

When the small town of Shelby Beach, holds a Christmas Lights competition, both of the men are intent on winning. Julian, so he can give the kids a good Christmas, and maybe do something fun with them, and Leo, because he’s still trying to make a name for himself in Shelby Beach, and getting the exposure and his name out there could go a long way in his want to start his own business. But, as the competition gets on and the guys call a truce, an unfortunate, tiny little accident has Julian needing Leo’s help, and Leo being all in to help out, and even to merge the competition.

I don’t want to give everything away, but I just adored this story. It’s sweet and light and fun, and I loved these two together. I loved Julian’s family and what they could give Leo, because he so desperately needed the love that his own family failed to give him. I loved how accepting they all were, if even a little nutty, Julian’s family and Leo’s best friends… I loved how the ex- seemed to just go away and we never saw him again… and I loved the little happy for now we get, that could promise so much more for these two in coming books. Which I’m very much hoping for. Overall though, it was just the perfect little Christmas read on this cold and rainy day for me, and I loved it.

FAVORITE LINE: “If Falling in love is insane, I want to be crazy every day of my life.”

4 Pieces of Candy

Skylar M. Cates loves a good romance, especially ones that are steamy and emotionally satisfying. She is quite happy to drink coffee, curl up with a good book, and not move all day. Her bestselling novels feature strong, passionate men. Skylar loves to craft stories where realistic men are challenged with emotional situations. Skylar’s character-driven series will often feature close-knit familes, animals, and loyal friendships being tested.

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Twitter: @SkylarMCates

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Skylar M. Cates has offered a copy of her other holiday story, The Holiday Hoax. Simply leave a comment on this blog post.