Kissing Father Christmas

Christmas in London. Snow falling. Carolers in the air. A warm cup of tea. Something sweet. Just the idyllic setting for a wonderful Christmas romance from author, Robin Jones Gunn. This is the third novel in the Finding Father Christmas series around Carlton Heath in England and Anna is back for more. She arrived the first time and fell in love not only with the sights and sounds of Christmas in England but the family and friends she acquired there. However one thing has been lingering in her mind and that is a secret kiss shared between her and the groomsman from her cousin Miranda's wedding.

Anna believes that there is more there and it was only due to her leaving so soon that the romantic sparks she felt with Peter had to be put on hold. She dreams that they can rekindle those feelings once again, or at least she can hope it will be the one thing she wants this Christmas. However when she runs into Peter, he is quick to explain away their kiss as something all people in England do and he hopes she didn't read anything into it that would imply a romantic notion. Anna quickly passes off her feelings as those she didn't have those same desires and instead offers Peter an out, that they could begin again as friends. But those heartstrings simply won't let go and Peter begins making plans to show Anna around London at Christmas. She only hopes she can put her heart on hold until Peter reveals he wants more than simply being friends. Can that all happen in the short time she is visiting or will she return home to America with more than a broken heart?

I received Kissing Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion. This reminds me of my favorite movie The Holiday, without some of the comedy. Here two people are trying very hard to deny their feelings for one another and it seems it takes the threat of leaving again to cause them to confess to one another that love between them exists and always has. Now the question that will need to be answered is who will have to give up their home in order to make it more permanent. Grab a cup of something warm, snuggle up by the fire and enjoy this heartwarming romance. I give this one a 4 out of 5 and at just under 200 pages it is simple to finish in a day.

For more information about Kissing Father Christmas, Robin Jones Gunn or where you can preorder a copy of this book today due out in October, please click on the links below:

Kissing Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn

You can find Robin Jones Gunn on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on Kissing Father Christmas, please visit Faith Word's website. 

God Bless Us Every One

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than a wonderful Christmas romance! Combining some of the best quotes from the Charles Dicken's classic A Christmas Carol at the beginning of each chapter, we watch a contemporary version of this being played out in God Bless Us Every One from Eva Marie Everson.

Charlie Dixon believes that classics are a bit outdated and like the play, A Christmas Carol, it has been done over and over again that it has lost its charm and appeal. So when she attempts to put a new twist on a high school Christmas play, she finds herself laid off and without any future attempts at employment. So she hightails it to her grandmother's house in Testament, North Carolina,  where she hopes she can stay until she finds a new job and perhaps help around the house during the busy Christmas season. Her grandmother has been tasked to work with the local high school drama teacher in preparation for the Christmas play and hopes Charlie might just lend a hand.

What Charlie doesn't know is that the meeting is scheduled with her old flame from school, Dusty Kennedy. He is more than thrilled to get a chance to work with her. The only problem is that Dusty's idea for the play is Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, which just seems to be a sign from above that there is a deeper message within it, if Charlie is only willing to look at the details surrounding why Charles Dickens wrote the play in the first place. She only hopes she might convince him that a new contemporary spin might just be the ticket to make this successful, but Dusty believes in keeping things traditional and classic. Now all Charlie has to do is find a way to deal with the fact that her father is back in town, a man she has vowed doesn't deserve anything less than a Bah Humbug this Christmas.

I received God Bless Us Every One by Eva Marie Everson compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Abingdon Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from an eBook copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased and personal opinion. I really love the blend of both the traditional and contemporary that is scattered throughout this novel and it takes readers into the heart of what Christmas really means, a time for second chances and a time for new beginnings and forgiveness. There is a wonderful happily ever after tucked away but it might not be who you think it is for in the end. I'd rate this a 4.5 out of 5 stars and is perfect to get you in the mood for Christmas.

For more information about God Bless Us Every One, Eva Marie Everson or where you can pick up  a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

God Bless Us Every One by Eva Marie Everson

You can find Eva Marie Everson on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on God Bless Us Every One, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.

God Bless Us Every One

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than a wonderful Christmas romance! Combining some of the best quotes from the Charles Dicken's classic A Christmas Carol at the beginning of each chapter, we watch a contemporary version of this being played out in God Bless Us Every One from Eva Marie Everson.

Charlie Dixon believes that classics are a bit outdated and like the play, A Christmas Carol, it has been done over and over again that it has lost its charm and appeal. So when she attempts to put a new twist on a high school Christmas play, she finds herself laid off and without any future attempts at employment. So she hightails it to her grandmother's house in Testament, North Carolina,  where she hopes she can stay until she finds a new job and perhaps help around the house during the busy Christmas season. Her grandmother has been tasked to work with the local high school drama teacher in preparation for the Christmas play and hopes Charlie might just lend a hand.

What Charlie doesn't know is that the meeting is scheduled with her old flame from school, Dusty Kennedy. He is more than thrilled to get a chance to work with her. The only problem is that Dusty's idea for the play is Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, which just seems to be a sign from above that there is a deeper message within it, if Charlie is only willing to look at the details surrounding why Charles Dickens wrote the play in the first place. She only hopes she might convince him that a new contemporary spin might just be the ticket to make this successful, but Dusty believes in keeping things traditional and classic. Now all Charlie has to do is find a way to deal with the fact that her father is back in town, a man she has vowed doesn't deserve anything less than a Bah Humbug this Christmas.

I received God Bless Us Every One by Eva Marie Everson compliments of Net Galley and Abingdon Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from an eBook copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased and personal opinion. I really love the blend of both the traditional and contemporary that is scattered throughout this novel and it takes readers into the heart of what Christmas really means, a time for second chances and a time for new beginnings and forgiveness. There is a wonderful happily ever after tucked away but it might not be who you think it is for in the end. I'd rate this a 4.5 out of 5 stars and is perfect to get you in the mood for Christmas.

For more information about God Bless Us Every One, Eva Marie Everson or where you can preorder a copy of this book due out in September 2016, please click on the links below:

God Bless Us Every One by Eva Marie Everson

You can find Eva Marie Everson on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on God Bless Us Every One, please visit Abingdon Press' website. 

A Christmas Carol 2

I've often wondered what ever happened after Ebenezer Scrooge discovered the true meaning of Christmas. Did he remain grateful and continue to keep Christmas in his heart every day instead of once a year? What ever happened to his faithful employee Bob Cratchit or his family that he was reunited with before he died? What if hidden somewhere for more than 170 years was a copy of the sequel to A Christmas Carol that provided those answers of just what happened to our beloved characters years later? Well that is just what you'll find with a dose of comedy in the novel, A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg.

The story is written in a Charles Dickens manner in which all of the characters from Dicken's novels make an appearance in this delightful tale of Scrooge's return now as the ghost appearing to Bob Cratchit, whose generosity has now brought the company of Scrooge and Marley on the verge of bankruptcy. Scrooge returns as Marley did to remind Bob of the implications of his generosity without consideration and he is back to teach Bob the value of money. You will find such delightful characters interwoven in this Christmas tale like Oliver Twist, Samuel Pickwick, Uriah Heep, David Cooperfield and many many more.

 There are some play on words and phrases from Dicken's classic works, Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, David Cooperfield and more as the characters remain in their respective stories and utter the now famous sayings. For example when Oliver Twist arrives in Bob Cratchit's office while men are there to solicit their annual holiday donations from him, Oliver Twist arrives to discuss his salary, "Please sir, I want some more." Bob isn't sure what he means in which Oliver replies, "I've been at Scrooge and Marley's for over two years now," the young man said with resolve. "I arrive at dawn and am here 14 hours later. I've saved many an account, Mr. Cratchit, sir. And sir, I'm 23 years old now, and am paid almost nothing, apprentice wages. Please sir."

Cratchit replies, "Done, as the cook said to the roast after taking it from the oven. You shall have it." He put out his hand to seal the agreement. "I'll triple your salary next week. A new start for the New Year. How's that?" It is Oliver that seems to understand common sense when it comes to money but Cratchit doesn't seem to be overly concerned.

Since the novel is based loosely around the concept that this is the actual lost manuscript from Charles Dickens, the author incorporates the use of footnotes throughout this book to guide the reader through unfamiliar characters, names and events of the period he believes are what Charles Dickens would have added if he did in fact write this book. It is an amusing look at what might have become of poor Bob Cratchit and a truly must have for fans of Charles Dicken's literary works.

I received A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg compliments of Third Road Press and Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This would make a great Christmas gift to anyone who loves to add to their Christmas fiction collection. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars. I found the footnotes a bit confusing and opted to skip those initially on my first read through to keep the continuity of the storyline moving forward and went back and reviewed those during my second pass through the book. I love the authors use of cynical humor throughout this book and those quirky famous lines that interlace the conversations in the story.

For more information about A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge, Robert J. Elisberg or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

A Christmas Carol 2: The Return of Scrooge by Robert J. Elisberg

To read more reviews on A Christmas Carol 2 from the Pump Up Your Book Tour, please click here. 

 You can find Robert J. Elisberg on his website by clicking here. 

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Third Road Press (November 28, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615727573
• ISBN-13: 978-0615727578
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches