Wrapped Up In Christmas by Janice Lynn

Posted October 18, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

A gift of warmth
to heal two hearts…

Sarah Smith in Pine Hill, Kentucky has had her heartbroken in the past. She pours herself into her work at church and into special projects—like making a quilt for a wounded warrior.

Bodie Lewis is lost. All he’s ever wanted was his career as an Army Ranger, but he was injured in an explosion that killed his brothers in arms. In the hospital, he receives a handmade quilt. Later, he sets out on his final mission: to find and thank its maker.

Bodie expected Sarah to be an elderly lady, not a lovely young woman. When she mistakes him for a handyman, he doesn’t immediately set her straight. Instead, he sets about repairing the home she’s turning into a bed and breakfast. Sarah’s presence and the spirit of the small town bring Bodie something he thought he’d left far behind on the battlefield: hope.

The Christmas Contest by Scarlet Wilson

Posted October 18, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

Will their competitive spirits ruin the spirit of Christmas?

When Ben Winters and Lara Cottridge hear that a Vermont radio station is hosting a Christmas contest with a $10,000 prize for a charitable project of the winner’s choice, they seize the challenge. Although strangers, they both are obsessed with all things Christmas and each has their own worthy pet project in mind.

News of the contest creates a lot of buzz, but most participants fall at the first hurdle – a timed online quirky Christmas quiz. The second, a stressful on-air quiz whittles the field down to two – Briarhill Falls residents Lara and Ben who are surprised that they have never met.

As the contest heats up with five further Christmas-themed challenges, the town and state become enthralled by the battle of wits and skill. Soon Lara and Ben realize they have far more in common than a love of Christmas. And far more at stake. Will their competition stand in the way of falling in love?

Spirits, Pies & Alibis by Nicole St. Claire

Posted October 17, 2019 by Marsha in Cozy Mystery, Paranormal Cozy Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

She’s a kitchen witch who can’t cook and there’s a dead guy haunting her dreams. When Tamsyn’s life starts to feel like one big hex, will moving to her aunt’s B&B on a remote Maine island work like a charm, or be her worst choice ever?

Tamsyn Bassett is having a bad week. Like, losing your job and getting dumped by your boyfriend kind of bad. So when her great aunt invites her to spend the summer at her inn, Tamsyn jumps at the chance. Instead of the peaceful getaway she expected, she’s immediately confronted with the preposterous revelation that she’s descended from a long line of kitchen witches and is the last hope of her generation to keep magic alive in Pinecroft Cove. That she’s the world’s worst cook could be an issue.

As if navigating a strange new world of spells, magic, and exploding blueberry pies isn’t enough to handle, that awkward boy who had a crush on her when they were kids seems to turn up everywhere she looks. Only now that he’s a super dreamy doctor, it’s Tamsyn’s turn to be the awkward one. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear someone put a hex on her.

One more thing. Tamsyn’s pretty sure she’s being haunted, and not by just any ghost but by Doctor Dreamy’s dead uncle. If she can’t harness her powers in time to figure out the truth behind his mysterious death, she may never have a moment of peace again.

When death strikes the island’s controversial real estate mogul, will Tamsyn’s newly discovered powers be any match for murder?

Titles in The Witches of Pinecroft Cove series include – Spirits, Pies & Alibis – Covens, Cake & Big Mistakes – Magic, Lead, and Gingerbread –

A Christmas Romance by Nancy Holland

Posted October 16, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

Just when he thought he knew everything, love taught him the ultimate lesson

J.T. Guzman still blames Meredith Hart and her father for his brother’s death. Bitter and grieving, he left the beloved ranch vowing never to return. Now a successful NYC attorney, he’s forced to return home to protect his mother’s financial interests when his step-father dies and divides the ranch between J.T.’s mother and Meredith in trust for her son. Seeing Meredith again hurts more than he imagined.

Meredith has loved J.T. for as long as she can remember. As teens, he barely noticed her clumsy, youthful attempts to get his attention, except to wrongly condemn her on flimsy evidence. Now that her father is dead, she’s willing to do anything including work alongside him, if it means she can hold on to her son’s heritage. Finding forgiveness is a dream she’s also not quite willing to abandon.

Drawn back into an emotional entanglement he thought he’d left behind, J.T. discovers that, far from being the enemy, Meredith may become the woman he loves.

The Red Hot Earl by Darcy Burke

Posted October 16, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Series / 0 Comments

The Earl of Buckleigh was once an untitled misfit, tormented at Oxford. Now, he’s overcome his challenges and is eager for the future, especially when his oldest and dearest friend, Bianca, needs help to save the annual holiday party. Ash has a plan to rescue the event, but when the bullies from his youth are up to their old tricks, he must risk everything to put the past behind him and find true love.

Furious when her brother refuses to host the St. Stephen’s Day party, Lady Bianca Stafford is committed to giving the villagers their celebration. In Ash, she sees salvation for their local tradition, and perhaps a future she never expected. But her brother has other plans for her—a Season and marriage, and not to Ash. When disaster strikes, everything she cares about is threatened and it will take a miracle—or a hero—to save the day.

The Red Hot Earl is inspired by the song and story, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Titles in the Love Is All Around series include – The Red Hot Earl – The Gift of the Marquess – Joy to the Duke –

Cowboy Christmas Homecoming by June Faver

Posted October 16, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments

This cowboy’s finally coming home for Christmas

Zach Garrett is home from war, haunted by PTSD, trying to fit in to what has become an alien world. With the holidays fast approaching, his uncle Big Jim Garrett offers him a place on the family ranch. Zach isn’t sure he’s up for a noisy, boisterous Garrett Christmas…until he meets beautiful Stephanie Gale, and all his protests go up in flames.

Firefighter and EMT Stephanie Gale is ready for anything. She’s got her life under control…until she locks eyes with Zack and realizes her heart’s in a whole new kind of danger. But with a little help from Zack’s long-lost army dog, maybe he and Stephanie will be able to make this a Christmas of new beginnings after all.

Titles in the Dark Horse Cowboys series include — Do or Die Cowboy – Hot Target Cowboy – When to Call A Cowboy – Cowboy Christmas Homecoming –

Christmas in Vermont by Anita Hughes

Posted October 16, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

A sweet holiday love story about the magic of synchronicity and fate set at a quaint Vermont inn during the week after Christmas.

Emma can’t believe her luck when she finds an open pawnshop on Christmas Eve in Manhattan. She’s there to sell the beautiful bracelet her ex-boyfriend gave her when a familiar-looking watch catches her eye. It’s the same engraved watch she gave her college boyfriend, Fletcher, years ago. On a whim, she trades the bracelet for the watch and wonders at the timing.

Practical Emma thinks it’s just a coincidence, but her best friend Bronwyn believes it’s the magic of synchronicity that caused Emma to find the watch. Fletcher was the one that got away, and somehow Emma never quite moved on.

When Bronwyn finds out that Fletcher is in snowy Vermont at a romantic inn for the week, she can’t help but give synchronicity a push. She signs Emma up to help the innkeeper as the children’s activity coordinator. Emma agrees that a week filled with quaint shops and maple syrup would do her good… and maybe Fate really does have a Christmas gift in store for her. That is until she sees Fletcher with his daughter and fiancée.

Suddenly, the fairytale trip seems doomed to fail… much like the innkeeper’s dwindling cash flow. It will take a miracle to save her heart and the inn. And that just might be what Fate has in mind.

The Merry Viscount by Sally MacKenzie

Posted October 16, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Series / 0 Comments

The “fallen” ladies of Puddledon Manor’s Benevolent Home are determined to rise above scandal—and forge a sparkling new future operating their own brewery and alehouse…

With Christmas around the corner, Miss Caroline Anderson hoped to persuade a London tavern owner to carry the Home’s Widow’s Brew—only to discover the dastard was more interested in her ankles than her ale! To her further annoyance, her stagecoach back to Little Puddledon is waylaid by louts and a snow-covered ditch. Amid a nasty storm, Caro seeks shelter at a nearby estate—only to be greeted by Viscount Oakland, aka Nick, her brother’s childhood friend—and her schoolgirl crush. Now he’s the half-dressed host of what is clearly a holiday bacchanal. Still, his house is irresistibly warm.

Ever the free spirit, Nick has invited the wilder gentleman of the ton, and an assortment of London’s lightskirts, to celebrate Christmas in a more traditional, pagan fashion. So he’s surprised to find Caro at his door. Now, with a blizzard raging, he must take her in—despite his fear she won’t take to his guests, and worse, upend his party. But she may surprise him—and upend his life.

Titles in The Widow’s Brew series include – What Ales the Earl – The Merry Viscount –

Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer

Posted October 15, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

A Nantucket shopkeeper discovers that Christmas is the perfect occasion to make unexpected friendships, to warm the coldest of hearts–and maybe even to find love.

Christina Antonioni is preparing for the holidays at her Nantucket toy shop, unpacking last-minute shipments and decorating for her loyal Christmas shoppers. But when her Scrooge of a landlord, Oscar Bittlesman, raises her rent, it seems nearly impossible for Christina to continue business on the wharf.

Even so, Christina firmly believes there may be a warm heart underneath Oscar’s steely exterior. When she bonds with Wink, his sweet, young granddaughter who frequents the shop, it becomes clear that perhaps he isn’t so cold after all. And with the help of Wink’s uncle, who happens to be a charming (and extremely wealthy) bachelor, this may be the best Christmas any of them could have ever imagined.

Puppy Christmas by Lucy Gilmore

Posted October 15, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Lila Vasquez might not be the “fun one” at Puppy Promise―the service puppy training school she runs with her sisters―but she can always be counted on to gets things done. So when her latest client shows an interest in princess gowns instead of power suits, Lila puts aside her scruples, straps on the glittery heels, and gets to work.

If only the adorable six-year-old’s father wasn’t such an appealing Prince Charming.

Ford’s whole life revolves around his daughter…until he meets Lila. Smart, capable, and amazing at helping Emily gain confidence with her new service puppy at her side, Lila is everything he ever wanted―but she’s way out of his league. Good thing Emily and her new pup are up to the matchmaking task. This Christmas, it’s all hands (and paws) on deck!

Titles in the Service Puppies/Forever Home series include – Puppy Love – Puppy Christmas – Puppy Kisses –

Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle

Posted October 15, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Growing up, Liz Westmoreland dreamed of taking over her grandparents inn located in the small mountain town of Angels Creek only for it to be sold before she ever got the chance. While browsing the internet, she stumbles upon a listing for what looks to be the picturesque inn and it’s set to go to auction. Liz places a bid, and by a miracle, wins the auction. But when she gets there she finds the property in significant disrepair.

When Matt Hardy narrowly lost the inn and property that butted his land, he just hoped it wasn’t another city slicker coming to make matters worse after the previous owners gutted the place for an art gallery. But the minute he recognized the sweet, freckle-faced girl from his childhood and heard her plans to reopen the inn, he jumps at the chance to help his childhood crush restore a place where he made so many fond memories.

While working on repairs, Liz and Matt discover her grandmother’s collection of angels in one of the cabins. When the angels start mysteriously showing up all over the inn, she begins to look at them as reassurance—that restoring the inn is what she’s meant to do. But when an accident leaves Liz feeling like she made a mistake, will Matt—and the residents of Angels Creek—be able to show Liz that she’s found a home? And possibly true love as well?

Happy Christmas Eve by Jackie Ladbury

Posted October 15, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

All I want for Christmas is you … or you?

Eve Halligan is back in her hometown for Christmas after a few whirlwind years touring with her band, the Molotovs. A lot has changed since she left, but two things have stayed the same. One: Eve is head-over-heels in love with Lucien Malikov, the Molotovs’ bad boy lead singer. Two: Lucien is completely indifferent to her.

Still, Eve dreams that this could be the Christmas where she convinces Lucien that they’re made for each other. But when childhood friend and local caterer Theo Wright comes back into her life bringing with him festive cupcake and sausage roll conundrums, Eve begins to question whether her Christmas dreams have been wasted on the wrong man.

Fraterfest Wrap-Up for 2019

Posted October 15, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

October is almost here which means so are all the Halloween decorations, candy, costumes and… the 2019 edition of Fraterfest over at Caffeinated Reviewer!

Love Horror stories, do you escape with some Paranormal adventures, devour Shifter Romance or any other supernatural setting? Then you’ll want to check out this five (5) day Readathon for fun, to discover some new authors, new blogs and maybe a prize along the way. What’s not to love about that idea?

UPDATE: Well, it’s the 15th and Fraterfest will be winding down today (until hopefully next year). (I have one more book that I “might” get finished today – but no promises ‘cos life happens, ya know?) I had fun – I certainly wasn’t looking to win prizes, I simply wanted to be part of the book community by taking part in more events… and get back into my Paranormal Cozy Mystery addiction. 🙂

So my Paranormal Cozy Mystery books were a surprise to me. I found one series that I will definitely continue with (I’ve read the author’s other series and had fun). The rest of the titles were probably one time “test the water” reads that I enjoyed at the time but have no compelling need to return to that world. Actually, that kinda makes me sad because I was hoping to add to my repeat read list by adding some new to me authors. It didn’t happen this time around.

Books on my list this year:

DEADLY SPELLS AND A SOUTHERN BELLE by Amy Boyles (this is the one series I’ll continue)
This series I’ll not be continuing but the story was fun: WITCH MYTH YEW HOLLOW by Alexandria Clarke
KICKSTART MY WITCH by Lotta Smith is one I “might” pick up the second story and see if it “clicks” with me.

And I don’t think I’ll finish the 4th in time. The links above will take you to the review posts here at Keeper Bookshelf. In all, I had fun and that was the point.

Kickstart My Witch by Lotta Smith

Posted October 15, 2019 by Marsha in Paranormal Cozy Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

In book one of an exciting new paranormal series, author Lotta Smith introduces accidental witch Fiorentina “Fio” Valentine.

The Napa Valley native is desperately seeking work after yet another job goes up in smoke. Her third employer in a row has gone out of business, and her only lead for gainful employment comes from the familiar voice of her late great-grandma Jane, who tells Fio in a dream to seek a position at one of the country’s largest real estate agencies, Quest Realty.

After a disastrous interview with prospective boss Jack Adams, and a run-in with the apparition of a former Quest employee, Fio is ready to give up the ghost and accept long-term unemployment, but Jack has other ideas. He tells Fio if she can spend the night in a haunted apartment and get to the bottom of a supernatural mystery, she just might be right for the job.

Can Fio face her fear and calm a restless spirit? Is she destined for a desk in the Haunted and Hexed Property management division, or will it be back to the want ads in the morning, assuming she survives the night?

Titles in the Witch’s Guide to Haunted Property: Los Angeles series include – Kickstart My Witch – Too Spooked for Witch – Helter Witchelter –

Witch Myth Yew Hollow by Alexandria Clarke

Posted October 13, 2019 by Marsha in Mystery, Paranormal Cozy Mystery, Series, This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Morgan Summers hates talking to ghosts, but when the victim of a ghastly murder asks her for help from beyond the grave, Morgan can’t say no.

Soon, Morgan herself is blamed for the murder, and the town is out for blood. Can Morgan clear her name, discover the real killer, and help her new ghostly friend cross over to the next life?

Titles in A Witch Myth Cozy Mystery series include – Witch Myth Yew Hollow (a combination book with #0 and #1 together) – Wild Fire – Witch Myth Christmas – Siren Song – Lost Magic –