Josie Rivera

A collection containing 14 stories complied into a boxed set. Excerpt from collection: Usher in the holiday season with 14 heartwarming all-new, stand-alone stories from New York Times, USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. Sweet Christmas Kisses 4 takes you from the Pocono Mountains to sunny Florida, and as far away as Portugal.

I chose to review the romance story by Kristen Wallace, Loving You At Christmas and The Gift Of Yesterday By Milou Koenings

STORY-LINE LOVING YOU AT CHRISTMAS BY KRISTEN WALLACE:

Loving You At Christmas, unfortunately, is the last book in the Shellwater Key Tales series. Former actress and Broadway star Annaliese Matheson features in the finale of this wonderful series. Annaliese still grieves for her husband Matthew; Annaliese believes she will never love again. Her soul mate's death left a hole in her soul and heart. Noticing a handsome, sexy stranger on the beach, Annaliese, begins to wake up from her three-year emotional sleep.

John-Luke "Duke" Evans, famous football star, finds himself raising his four nieces after his sister's death. Hot, sexy, and handsome, the women of Shellwater Key pant as he walks by; including the pregnant married ones. Meeting Annaliese, the attraction is immediate and intense.

Will Duke persuade Annaliese to give him a chance? Or will Annaliese continue to grieve and mourn; living in the past. My romance book reviews of Loving You At Christmas follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

I am sad to say Loving You At Christmas, by author Kristen Wallace, ends our sojourn in Shellwater Key, Florida. A wonderful series of love and happy ever after, this book's a perfect ending for the series. Kristen Wallace filled this story with intense emotion; grief, attraction, love, and romance.

Although a novella, Wallace, created a solid tale which grabs the reader immediately. With skillful plotting and well-developed characters, Wallace made this novella feel like a full length novel. I found the pace perfect for the length of the book and her writing flowed well; making the book easy to read. Her scenes transition from scene to scene smoothly and with vivid writing I felt the character's emotions. My heart broke for Annaliese; enduring a childhood no child should and then the death of her anchor and soul mate, Matthew, brought tears to my eyes. I could feel her resistance as she began to care for Duke and his nieces, as well as, Duke's sorrow at the passing of his beloved sister. Annaliese must face her fears of losing the ones she loves; but can she?

Adding the mama drama with the Queen of Shellwater Key, gave the story an extra element. What a witch Wallace gave us in these books. Wallace also included a lot of humor in Loving You At Christmas. When Layla called in the big guns, I laughed and laughed. By the way, Noah's the big guns; Shellwater Keys resident soul searcher, advise giver, and counselor to one and all. Not only does this story have grief, it has a lot of funny snips and snarks. If I was not laughing, I found myself crying. I cried buckets at the end of the story.

Kristen Wallace also included characters from the earlier books. I love a series with continuing characters; we get an update on their life and all the town gossip. Loving You At Christmas, is a wonderful romance perfect for anytime of the year. I would not hesitate to buy this sweet, clean, romance for myself or a friend. Although sad to say good-bye to my friends in Shellwater Key, I am sure Wallace has another series up her sleeve.

STORY-LINE THE GIFT OF YESTERDAY BY MILOU KOENINGS:

When Bailey Ames' Aunt Muriel became ill, she returned from France where she schooled and studied; Bailey put her dreams on hold to cared for her aunt. After her Aunt Muriel's death, it's time for Bailey to spread her wings and live her dream. Bailey, alone in the world, returns to Green Pines, the place of her teenage years and past happy times to open a pastry shop.

Joe Hudson has loved Bailey since a teenager. Never able to forget her, he dates, but his dates are always temporary. With Bailey's return, he finally sees a chance at happiness. However, Bailey has relationship issues which force Joe to take a stand for love. Will love win out in this sweet romance? My contemporary romance book reviews of The Gift Of Yesterday follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

Milou Koenings created a sweet clean romance which will touch the reader's heart. Koenings placed her characters in the small town of Green Pines; with all the closeness and protectiveness of each other you find in small communities. I love the atmosphere of small towns; from the gossips to the caring.

Koenings' tale of love never forgotten, held my interest from start to finish. Joe's character will bring out you're rooting spirit; a fine, steady, determined, good man, who never forgot his first and only love. His wealth has had no influence on his character, morals, or sense of community. His determination to win Bailey is wonderful. With issues of loss and losing the ones she has loved, Bailey, must face her hang ups head-on and make decisions which will impact her life.

I found the story-line solid, with well-developed characters and plotting which kept me reading A Gift Of Yesterday straight through. The pace of the book's in line with the length of the story and Koenings' writing is clear and easy to follow. Her scenes transition smoothly from scene to scene without lagging or bogging down. A perfect read for anyone who enjoys reading a sweet, clean, relaxing romance, I would not hesitate to buy this book for myself or a friend. I closed this book with a sigh of contentment.

FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:

Additionally, I received this book collection from the authors and chose to voluntarily review the book with honest romance book reviews. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, no one influences my voluntary romance book reviews.… (mehr)

he Gift of Yesterday by Milou Koenings part of Sweet Chistmas Kisses 4
Book starts out with Bailey and she moving forward with her life and career after all the living relatives have passed away and left her much in the way of inheritance.
She moves back to Green Pines where she grew up with Joe 15 years earlier. Each chapter alternates with Bailey and Joe as life goes on in the town.
An old fashioned fair during the fall months excites her so she can get the word out she's open for business. She also meets others in town that help her and she's able to solicit her pastries to the local diner who wants to sell them.
She recalls the Larsons who are in the ministry and she hopes to get together with them and maybe Annie who's in Africa (from a previous book). The woman who answers the door gives her information about the Larsons and sets it back...
Love how strong and so sure of herself as she sets out to prove she can do the shop and make a go of it. Carnival time in town and so much activity going on, can't even imagine the smells from the place!
She fits in as her food is used to help many who need the goods. Friends are trying to set Joe up with females and they aren't having any luck...such fond memories of when they grew up and the things they did-very similar to our childhood.
Some twists and turns along the way. Easy going holiday read, light romance, loved it!
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with reviews from her other works.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest review.… (mehr)

I love to read books about Christmas all year long. This collection is filled with joy, love and excitement. Each author has a wonderful story that captures the season with characters that jump off the pages. I was blessed to read one of the stories in this great collection. Make sure you get your copy and enjoy hours of reading enjoyment.

Loving Winter by Lyn Cote:

The first thing I loved about the story is the main characters name. I love unusual names and I think it would be fun to be named Winter. Of course Winter had to hear all those jokes about her name but she took it with such grace. I loved when Winter and Clay first meet. Clay is not very cordial at all. You would think he was in front of a firing squad instead of being in a wedding party. The author describes Winter's greenhouse with vivid picturesque words. I can smell the flowers and see the beautiful greenery she has. Someone must have it in for Winter when she discovers vandals have destroyed a display she worked tirelessly on. I could feel her pain and disappointment when she saw all her hard work gone . Soon there are more break-ins and Winter is worried about losing her shop.

Kaitlyn who is Clay's little sister really stood out to me. She is a young teen girl who feels like she isn't wanted and tries to fit in living with her older brother. It's not easy going to school and having everyone know your brother is the football coach. Do the boys like her because of who her brother is? Can Winter help Clay make Kaitlyn feel more at ease when they go shopping together? I think Kaitlyn was a perfect character who all teens and parents can relate to. It is hard being the new kid at school. It's even harder when you are so far away from your mom. Will Kaitlyn accept Winter's friendship and guidance?

I loved the mystery in the story of who is trying to put Winter out of business. It is well written and I sure did have a list of suspects. I was very surprised who it was and why they did it. I love when an author writes a story that has intrigue, romance and gives you characters that are so realistic. This is one story you don't want to miss reading. The author does an excellent job of giving readers a story with a small town feeling and people who pitch in and help each other. Will Winter and Clay be able to let go of their insecurities and find love? Can Kaitlyn find hapoiness in a new school? Don't miss this enchanting story that gets you in the Christmas spirit.

I received a copy of this story from the author. The review is my own opinion.… (mehr)