Review: The Holiday Courtship By Winnie Griggs

Series: Texas Grooms (Love Inspired Historical)
Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired
Publication Date: December 1, 2015
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373283393

A Wife by Christmas...

As Christmas approaches, Hank Chandler is determined to find a wife to mother his sister's orphaned children. When schoolteacher Janell Whitman offers to help him with his niece and nephew, she seems to be the perfect match—but she won't accept his proposal. Instead, she insists she'll find him another bride before the holidays.

Janell moved to Turnabout, Texas, to put her past behind her and focus on her future—one that doesn't include marriage. But while she plays matchmaker and cares for Hank's children, she loses her heart to the two youngsters…and their adoptive father. If Janell reveals her secrets to Hank, will he still want her to be his Christmas bride?

Review: Snowflakes On Silver Cove By Holly Martin

Series: White Cliff Bay - Book #2
File Size: 1461 KB
Print Length: 300 pages
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 30, 2015
Language: English
ASIN: B014T4W7BM

Libby Joseph is famous for her romantic Christmas stories. Every December, readers devour her books of falling in love against the magical backdrop of the Christmas season. If only Libby believed in the magic herself…

Struggling to finish her current novel, Libby turns to her best friend and neighbour George Donaldson to cheer her up. But George also needs a bit of support himself. Nervous about getting back into the dating saddle after splitting from his wife, he and Libby strike a deal. She will teach George how to win over the ladies, and Libby will in turn be inspired to inject her novel with a good dose of romance.

As Libby and George explore the beautiful White Cliff Bay on a series of romantic Christmas-themed dates, Libby finds herself having more fun than she’s had in ages and…discovers feelings that she never knew she had for George.

But is it too late? Will George win someone else’s heart or can Libby act like the heroine in one of her stories and reach for her own love under the mistletoe this Christmas?

Snuggle up with a piece of Christmas cake and mulled wine, and spend the festive season at White Cliff Bay. You won’t want to leave! Christmas at Lilac Cottage also out now.

My Thoughts:

In this second installment in her White Cliff Bay series, Holly Martin once again serves up a wonderful romance sprinkled with several laugh aloud moments and a generous offering of holiday magic! I absolutely loved returning to the quaint village of White Cliff Bay and meeting up once again with its many endearing characters.  It's quite apparent to everyone in White Cliff Bay that Libby and George were meant for each other....well, everyone but George and Libby.  The best of friends, Libby and George are completely at ease with each other and accepting of each others' quirks and differences with all the makings for a long-term relationship.  As Libby agrees to help George work his way back into the dating scene after the heartbreak of a failed marriage, Libby quickly finds herself falling in love with her best friend.  But are these dates with George merely "practice runs" or are they truly falling in love with each other?  Holly Martin's wit and humor makes this a thoroughly enjoyable read that had me laughing to the point of tears on several occasions.  I enjoyed the style of continuity in which Martin interwove characters and events found in Christmas At Lilac Cottage.  She effectively takes the reader back to the same period in time with a new romantic focus.  Very well developed and extremely enjoyable! FOUR stars.

Review: Christmas At Lilac Cottage By Holly Martin

White Cliff Bay Series Book #1
File Size: 1165 KB
Print Length: 297 pages
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: September 25, 2015
Language: English
ASIN: B013I80HAS

Welcome to the charming seaside town of White Cliff Bay, where Christmas is magical and love is in the air…

Penny Meadows loves her home – a cosy cottage decorated with pretty twinkling fairy lights and stunning views over the town of White Cliff Bay. She also loves her job as an ice-carver, creating breathtaking sculptures. Yet her personal life seems frozen.

When Henry and daughter Daisy arrive at the cottage to rent the annex, Penny is determined to make them feel welcome. But while Daisy is friendly, Henry seems guarded.

As Penny gets to know Henry, she realises there is more to him than meets the eye. And the connection between them is too strong to ignore…

While the spirit of the season sprinkles its magic over the seaside town and preparations for the ice sculpting competition and Christmas eve ball are in full swing, can Penny melt the ice and allow love in her heart? And will this finally be the perfect Christmas she’s been dreaming of?

My Thoughts:

Holly Martin's romance novel, Christmas At Lilac Cottage, combines British wit and humor with romance and holiday goodness to create an enchanting love story sprinkled many laugh aloud moments. Set within the small coastal village of White Cliff Bay where everyone knows each other and gossip runs rampant,  Penny Meadows suddenly finds herself falling in love with her new neighbor and tenant, Henry, giving a whole new meaning to "love thy neighbor."  But is this new found attraction simply physical yearning or is it quite possible these two endearing characters are falling in love?  Holly Martin's writing is absolutely wonderful!  Filled with so much humor and tender emotions, I found myself laughing aloud on several occasions and at other times I was reaching for the box of tissues.  With endearing characters and a very well-developed story line with unexpected twists and turns, I found it quite impossible to put this aside (I practically read this in one sitting!) This was my first encounter with Holly Martin and I just simply can't praise her enough.  She is certainly a very gifted and talented story teller that I look forward to reading more from in the very near future. Christmas At Lilac Cottage is sure to warm your heart this Holiday season! FIVE stars!

Christmas At Lilac Cottage is now available in both Kindle and Paperback formats.  However, the e-book is currently on sale for $2.99 (regularly priced at $11.99) For my UK followers, this is also available  in both formats from Amazon UK. The Kindle format is priced at £1.99 .  A wonderful bargain and one that I highly recommend this Holiday Season!


Disclaimer: In accordance with current FTC Guidelines, please let it be known this book was received through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Review: The Last Chance Christmas Ball By Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, Nicola Cornick, Susan King, Anne Gracie and Cara Elliott

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Kensington
Publication Date: September 29, 2015
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1617739235

Christmas 1815. Upstairs and downstairs, Holbourne Hall is abuzz with preparations for a grand ball to celebrate the year’s most festive—and romantic—holiday. For at the top of each guest’s wish list is a last chance to find true love before the New Year…