2 Bloggers 1 Series - Currant Creek Valley (Hope's Crossing #4)

 

Being the holiday month, Stormi and I decided to go with something "light" for a buddy read and we landed on the next installment of the Hope's Crossing series.  These books are pretty much quick reads for us, so it made total sense to work it into this crazy month.  So read on for my thoughts and then hop over to Storm Reads and see what Stormi thought.

 

TITLE: Currant Creek Valley (Hope's Crossing #4)

AUTHOR: RaeAnne Thayne

PUBLISHER: HQN Books

PUBLISHING DATE: January 1, 2013

PAGES: 320   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: If you build it, love will come…to Hope's Crossing. 

Alexandra McKnight prefers a life of long workdays and short-term relationships, and she's found it in Hope's Crossing. A sous chef at the local ski resort, she's just been offered her dream job at an exclusive new restaurant being built in town. But when it comes to designing the kitchen, Alex finds herself getting up close and personal with construction foreman Sam Delgado…. 

At first glance, Sam seems perfect for Alex. He's big, tough, gorgeous—and in town for only a few weeks. But when Sam suddenly moves into a house down the road, Alex suspects that the devoted single father of a six-year-old boy wants more from her than she's willing to give. Now it's up to Sam to help Alex see that, no matter what happened in her past, together they can build something more meaningful in Hope's Crossing.

MY THOUGHTS: When I first started this series, I was looking for something similar in tastes to the Virgin River series.  While that will always remain a favorite to me, this series overall is similar in theme and quite enjoyable.

This installment focuses on Alex, a sibling to some of the characters featured in the prior books. Alex is a trained chef and is getting ready to open a new restaurant in Hope's Crossing backed by her sister's husband. This is finally Alex's opportunity to have her own kitchen.  When the contractor gets delayed, Brodie calls upon Sam, a professional he has used for jobs in another city, to come finish the job.  Sam is thrilled as he is looking for a quieter town where he and his son, 6-year-old Ethan to settle down. When Sam and Alex meet sparks fly.  However, both have some previous baggage to overcome and while Sam is willing to take a risk, Alex isn't.  Can Sam and Ethan change her mind.

I have to admit this is probably my least favorite of the series so far, but it was still good. I loved Sam and Ethan and enjoyed some of the side characters, especially the elderly lady Alex checks in on daily to provide food and assistance. Yet Alex was rather annoying and while her behaviors made sense in the end, I wish I had an idea earlier what had happened to make her such a player with the men in her life. Also, early on in the book, Alex finds a stray chocolate lab she names Leo running loose in town.  She takes the dog in and tries to find his owners but has no luck.  Leo plays a pretty big role in the majority of the book, which was a pleasant surprise and let's be honest, definitely bumped my rating up a star/paw.  

There are four more books in this series and I'm hoping I can conclude this series in 2026.  They are great to throw in here and there among some of my heavier, darker reads and I look forward to picking them up.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS (because of Leo)

Feed Your TBR - Eminence Front

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

January 20, 2026

FROM GOODREADS: A winter storm ravages a small community in New England, but the residents of one street are unprepared for what the snow an ancient curse, an entity that knows both their sins and their regrets and will stop at nothing to consume what belongs to it.


When John Stephenson peers out of his window on a Tuesday morning, he sees nothing but clear, gray skies hovering above the houses on his staid suburban street, but the next 48 hours will prove to be a waking nightmare from which John and his neighbors cannot escape. As the first flakes fall, the whispering begins. A woman walking her dog leans into the sidewalk as though something buried beneath speaks to her. As the storm grows in ferocity, each of the residents hear the storm calling.


What it says, however, few may survive to repeat.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT: I love a good winter horror and with this one dropping in January, it seems like the perfect time to pick it up.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

This Author Accomplished an Amazing Feat!

 

TITLE: The Meet-Poop

AUTHOR: Noelle Salazar

PUBLISHER: Noelle Salazar

PUBLISHING DATE: December 2, 2025

PAGES: 322   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Shit happens… 

Supermodel Lior Flynn is at the top of her game: gorgeous, confident, and successful. But as her thirtieth birthday looms, she finds herself growing tired of the constant media scrutiny and even more tired of men who only view her as arm candy. Yearning to travel the world's beautiful places rather than just pose in them, she's ready for a change and ready to make a real connection—if she can find the courage to take the first step. 

Bestselling novelist Graham Forrester is still reeling from the collapse of his marriage to a flashy socialite turned influencer and officially done with high-drama women. Trapped post-divorce in a house that no longer feels like home and tending to his beloved old dog Brontë who doesn't have long to live, he knows he's stuck in a desperate rut but has no idea how to get out. 

When Lior's designer sneaker hits a steaming pile of you-know-what from the sweet golden retriever at the end of Graham's leash, it's no meet-cute - in fact, it's a meet-poop. And every encounter after is somehow messier than the first, until a chance moment when both let their guards down and sparks fly. But can Lior trust Graham not to put her in a book and bolster his own fame? And can Graham trust that the drama of Lior's life won't derail his own?

MY THOUGHTS: If you've visited my blog much, you know I love my dogs.  Well, all dogs really.  And let's be honest, if a dog dies in a book, I usually automatically deduct a star (or a paw) from my rating.  However, Salazar manages to not only have the dog die (it's a spoiler right at the beginning and she even states if it bothers the reader, they can skip directly to chapter 28), but she does it in a way that makes me love this book even more.

Graham is an author working on his latest book. His best friend and 4-legged pal, Brontë, is also growing older and the vet has advised she is probably nearing the end of her life.  Graham wants nothing more to spend time with his dog and finish his novel.  While walking her one day, Brontë has an accident Graham doesn't realize. Along comes supermodel Lior, who steps in it.  Lior herself has just received some bad news and she ends up stepping in it.  She goes off on Graham (but not Brontë) and Graham and soon becomes the topic of Graham's latest editorial for a nation-wide newspaper. 

Once the article publishes, Lior realizes the man she accosted is actually one of her favorite authors.  They continue to cross paths in the city, bot accidentally and then conveniently arranged, and eventually find some sort of comfort in each other.  Lior, Graham and Brontë grow closer but both adults have baggage which prevent them from realizing how much their feelings are actually growing.  But Br may know.  After all, Lior is the only other person who has ever gotten a two-thump tail approval from Brontë.

This book had it all.  The title might imply it's a lighthearted rom-com, but the author tackles a lot of deeper topics - family trauma, friendships, loss, complicated family dynamics and lifestyle changes.  She also tackles losing a much-loved pet/family member.  I loved Brontë and the relationship she had with Graham and the community.  Even when she passed, it was covered with grace and from an author I'm betting has experienced this type of loss herself.  

Salazar didn't wrap Lior and Graham's story in a nice package with a pretty bow which I respected and enjoyed.  Both characters showed quite a bit of growth and development as the book progressed and the side characters added substance and added to the plot, never distracting from it. Of course, there is an upcoming release focusing on Lior's best friend who just happens to be a veterinarian and of course, I'm counting the days to read that one as well.  Don't ignore this book because the dog dies.  I never once regretted picking it up and loved reading Brontë (and Graham and Lior's) story.

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

If I'm Told "Don't Go Into the Woods" You Can Bet I'm Listening!

 

TITLE: I'll Make a Spectacle of You

AUTHOR: Beatrice Winifred Iker

PUBLISHER: Run For It

PUBLISHING DATE: November 18, 2025

PAGES: 400   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Zora Robinson is an ambitious grad student at her dream program, the Appalachian Studies at Bricksbury university. When her thesis advisor suggests she research the local folklore about a beast roaming the woods surrounding campus, Zora finds a local population uneager to talk to an outsider. 

As she delves into the history of the beast, she uncovers a rumored secret society called the Keepers that has tenuous ties to the beast…and Bricksbury itself. Zora soon finds herself plagued by visions, and her grip on reality starts to slip as she struggles to uncover what is real and what is folklore. But when a student goes missing, Zora starts to wonder if the Keepers ever really disbanded. 

There’s something in the woods and it has its eyes on Zora.

MY THOUGHTS: I have to admit this book was slow going for a while.  In fact, it took me over three weeks to complete.  For some reason, it was one I would put down and not be pressed to pick back up.  However, I persevered and in the end was delighted with the journey, even if it was a slow one.

Zora has recently been accepted to Bricksbury University to complete her graduate studies.  She studies in the area of Appalachian folklore and its roots in the southern Black culture.  Zora's sister, whom she has been estranged from for many years due to something which happened when they were teens, teaches religious studies at the University.  Both of their passions collide when they find themselves attending the same conjuring-related activitis and shops.  It seems Bricksbury is protected by some entity that resides in the woods and just perhaps this entity has been demanding sacrifices in order to protect the University from outside dangers throughout the years. 

I really liked Zora and enjoyed seeing the dynamics play out with her sister Jazzmine.  The book is pretty much set in present times with interesting articles and diary entries thrown in between some chapters which illustrate the history of the HBCU's and the factitious Bricksbury University.  I found the folklore aspects really interesting and thought the author did a wonderful job of making the reader question Zora's reliability regarding what she was experiencing as it related to reality.  

I have to make a special comment about Zora's Rottweiler, Henry Louis.  Zora creates a mojo bag to mask his presence and permits him to live unseen by others on campus, where he is not permitted.  Henry Louis is a huge comfort to Zora throughout the book, and I am pleased to say, he is not harmed in any way (and yes, I did research this before starting the book).   

So, I guess my only real issue with I'll Make a Spectacle of You is the overall pacing.  Besides that, I found it an intriguing folkloric horror high on atmosphere and deep rooted in historical practices.  I'm so glad to have picked this up and will look for more from the author in the future.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - Thrall

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

January 1, 2026

FROM GOODREADS: Lucy Easting has at last broken free from her grim home life and is ready to truly live. But her long-awaited new beginning at Rollins University isn’t what she expected. After attending the first campus party of the year, Lucy awakens the next day with a memory block…and two puncture marks on her neck.

She tries to piece together what happened that night, but every lead brings her to another dead end. Until she receives a handwritten note from the campus radio station, inviting her to call. When she does, the host’s soothing voice over the line confirms her worst fear, and the simplest explanation of what’s happening to her: she’s turning into a vampire.

Lucy teams up with the show’s host, who narrowly escaped an attack her sophomore year, and a beautiful archery champion who, while exactly Lucy’s type, is as likely to shoot her as kiss her. They believe their “friend with the cold hands” is responsible for the disappearance of several women in town, and they’ve been tracking him via the airwaves since long before Lucy arrived.

As the vampire’s sway over Lucy grows and his plans become clear, she realizes she must fight for a future of her own, or she may not have any future at all.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT: The cover initially caught my eye and I'm always up for a vampire tale!

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

Question - Was Santa the Original Stalker?

 

TITLE: He Sees You When You're Sleeping

AUTHOR: Alta Hensley

PUBLISHER: Avon

PUBLISHING DATE: September 16, 2025

PAGES: 336   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: It’s the night before Christmas and I’m alone in the house… Popular jewelry influencer Chloe Hallman is steeling herself to spend another holiday on her own. Instead, she finds herself drawn to two different guys… a smoldering hot fan of her secret, seductive online persona, and a sexy fireman named Jack who looks out for her in their NYC neighborhood. 

She has no idea that I know her better than she knows herself. Her deepest secrets, her darkest desires—she's careful, but I’ve been watching, never leaving footprints in the snow outside her home. Jack was the first responder to the accident that stole a beautiful young woman's family two Christmases ago, and he's been quietly guarding her ever since. When Jack uncovers Chloe’s secret account, his obsession only grows. Both he and Chloe are drawn to the darkness that mirrors their own. 

She’s my Christmas wish come true. And I'm hers. She just doesn’t know it yet. Will Chloe’s Christmas be a tale of fiery passion...or a dangerous game with a man whose love knows no bounds?

MY THOUGHTS: Let me be honest.  I knew what I was in for when I grabbed this from my local library's "New Releases" shelf.  And I figured it would at least be a fun and entertaining ride.  I wasn't wrong but it left me with a few questions.  Especially the one I already asked - was Santa the original stalker?

Chloe is an influencer for a popular jewelry company.  It pays most of her bills and allows her to maintain the house she inherited when her parents were killed in a car accident.  She also has a side job doing photography and posts for a more edgy indie designer.  What neither know, is that on certain nights, Chloe can be found on a dark and steamy site where she is basically a "cam girl."  This side escapade can definitely cost her the more lucrative job.

Jack is a fireman who was on call the night Chloe and her parents crashed.  He held her while more help arrived and her parents died.  However, Chloe doesn't recall any of that.  Since then, Jack has been stalking Chloe, wanting to assure she is safe and doing well (yea right mister!).  He secretly hangs up Christmas lights, shovels her sidewalks, and might have taken advantage of her elderly neighbor in order to install a nanny-cam in her bedroom.  

Chloe and Jack eventually meet, and their attraction takes off.  However, worried in concerned Jack is too "vanilla" for her.  Also, Jack is worried Chloe will never want to see him again once she learns what he has been doing.  Oh, and also figures out she is the "Winter Watcher" she has been interacting with on-line.  

So, I actually liked Chloe as a MC.  I liked that she had a pretty decent back story and quite a bit of character development considering the genre of this book.  I sort of liked Jack.  I mean, he was pretty cool - for a stalker, I guess.  Jack is a nice guy and helps out the neighborhood a lot, so I suppose he has a good heart, even if it is dark and twisty. This book heads just where you think it might and if you are interested in that, then I would definitely recommend it.  I found it fun and entertaining which was just what I was looking for over Thanksgiving break, and I might have already downloaded the sequel on Kindle Unlimited.  I mean come on, I need to get my money's worth out of that subscription somehow, right?

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Buried by Books #9

 

It's time for another addition of what books, sometimes weird and out-of-norm for the blog, I've put on hold with Libby or added to my KU possibility list.  One of my resolutions in 2026 is to get my money out of KU each month so who knows, you might see some of these reviewed in the new year! Oh, and I also have a Hoopla Wish List (TBR) going of sorts so I'm going to break today's posts into three categories.

LIBBY

The Dollmakers: Lynn Buchanan - I feel like this has been on my list forever, but I am still really interested in it.

Dreams: The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac: Mark Blake - I ADORE Stevie Nicks and will get to this sometime.  I may even add the hard copy to my Christmas list.

Greenteeth: Molly O'Neill - I've seen some wonderful reviews of this one and it sound just odd enough to work for me.

HOOPLA

The Inheritance (Breach Wars #1): Ilona Andrews - I love this author duo and this one is fairly new. Doesn't hurt that there is an animal sidekick in the form of a German Shepard named Bear.

Playlist of the Damned: Edited by Jess Landry - A dark and weird anthology focusing on music and horror. Say no more.

Serial Killer Support Group: Saratoga Schaefer - I still need to read Grady Hendrix's take on this as well.

KINDLE UNLIMITED

Her Solstice Vampire: Monica Corwin - This one doesn't release until Christmas day but who knows, maybe I will want some vampires to spice up my Christmas.

The Christmas Leprechaun: Tiffany Royster - Another holiday horror.

Wormfood: Jeff Jacobson - There are no words (and apparently Goodreads agrees because they have no synopsis).

Have you read any of these?  Where would you start?

At Least There Was No Mariah Carey

 

TITLE: The Holiday Mixtape

AUTHOR: Liberty Stowe

PUBLISHER: RupertBossier

PUBLISHING DATE: October 3, 2025

PAGES: 439   

SOURCE: Netgalley

FROM GOODREADS: When a failed pitch at her Chicago ad agency leads an idealistic dreamer to the perfect Christmas town, Erika with a "K" stumbles on a holiday mixtape at a flea market that guides her path straight to the town’s most eligible bachelor. But does he want to be eligible? 

And is Blitzen, Kentucky a Christmas town? Erika’s campaign for an old-fashioned Christmas hinges on help from the bachelor basketball coach slash Volunteer Fire Department's assistant chief in need of a new firetruck, and he’s not happy about it.

MY THOUGHTS: I won't lie.  This was completely a cover grab.  It immediately caught my attention and after reading the book, I believe it couldn't be better. Maybe it's because I always wanted a VW Beetle, who knows.

Erika with a "k" leaves Chicago for the holidays to go stay at a mysterious home in Blitzen, Kentucky left for her by an even more mysterious aunt.  She immediately meets Kourt, also with a "k" who is the local basketball coach/high school teacher.  They meet with a bang when she hits him with her aunt's stick-shift Beetle.  Even though they irritate the heck out of each other, Erika learns that the town is in desperate need of a new firetruck or their insurance rates will increase devastating the town.  

Erika vows to use her marketing knowledge to help Blitzen raise the needed funds and remember how they used to enjoy celebrating the holidays.  Throw is some great grumpy/sunshine vibes, holiday cheer, a possessed mixtape (well, not really but it does play random songs at random times), and a two side characters who I know are destined to be together eventually, and you get a wonderful book perfect for the Christmas season.

I really loved the setting as well as the characters in this book.  Blitzen, Kentucky basically becomes a character of its own I loved its small-town vibe. Erika is quirky and loveable and both she and Kourt have a backstory which the author does well to share without involving flashbacks or a dual timeline.  Also, Erika's best friend Archer and Kourt's best friend Helen are two of the strangest, but also the best characters I've met in a long time.  And yes, there is a companion book coming out in October 2026 the author teased me with at the end of this one which I may NEVER forgive her for - JK.

My only real complaint with this book is that I felt it was a tad too long and the middle part tended to drag a bit.  However, the payoff is worth it, and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a bit of spicy holiday cheer!

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

March 10, 2026

FROM GOODREADS: Anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to share their life with a dog knows the experience is both profound and transformative. Here, in this charming collection of essays, fifteen celebrated authors share unforgettable tales of the dogs who left their pawprints on their hearts.

With contributions from Chris Bohjalian, Roxane Gay, Emily Henry, Ann Leary, Tova Mirvis, Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Strout, Amy Tan, Adriana Trigiani, Nick Trout, and Laura Zigman, The Dog Who Changed My Life captures the full range of the canine-human connection, from the joy of welcoming a new puppy to the heartache of saying goodbye to a beloved friend.

A love letter to the loyal companions who enrich our lives and teach us about empathy, joy, and unconditional love, this anthology is the perfect gift for dog lovers everywhere, offering a blend of laughter, tears, and inspiration that will resonate with anyone who has been fur-ever touched by the love of a dog.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  Isn't it obvious???

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK????

The Eurythmics Apparently Never Read This Book!

 

TITLE: Beautiful Nightmares (Scared Sexy Collection)

AUTHOR: Katee Robert

PUBLISHER: Amazon Original Stories

PUBLISHING DATE: September 23, 2025

PAGES: 52   

SOURCE: KU

FROM GOODREADS: For one awkward sleep paralysis demon, scaring humans should be simple—except Gemma’s first solo haunting goes hilariously wrong in this tantalizing dream of a short story by New York Times bestselling author Katee Robert. 

When Gemma’s supposed to terrify her appointed victim, she ends up captivated instead. Caleb, a romantic who believes in all things supernatural, finds her adorably pink-skinned, horned form more alluring than alarming. But as their steamy night unfolds and unexpected feelings bloom, Gemma must choose between her demonic duties and the human who makes her feel anything but monstrous. 

MY THOUGHTS: I guess this was a cute enough short story if you can use the word "cute" to describe a monster romance.  Gemma is a sleep paralysis demon who is in training and desperately failing.  She becomes fascinated with Caleb, who just happens to believe in the supernatural and has no qualms about entering a relationship with a demon.  

I've read a few books from Robert and know what to expect with her writing.  Some I have enjoyed, some I found just "meh."  This one was better than the only other one in this series I've read so far but apparently wasn't enough to inspire me to read the other four stories by other authors.  If Amazon was going to do a Halloween collection, I would have preferred tales more horror in nature. Maybe I will save the last four for Valentine's Day as I think they would be more fitting.  I'm pretty sure that is part of the reason I am not connecting with them.

MY RATING: 3 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - Winter Folk

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

July 21, 2026

FROM GOODREADS: This is the story of Moth, who earned her name working for the Winter Folk.

Every year, the Winter Folk gather at a secret lodge in the Appalachians, a place known as Deerhaven, refuge for the time-worn and weary. As a child, Moth heard warnings from her mother: They are heartless, wild creatures—and they got no concern of us. At twenty-one, Moth is a college dropout, indebted, impoverished, and desperate for better things. She falls instantly for Deerhaven’s beautiful antlered host, the mild-mannered Mr. Oslin. When he offers her a housekeeper’s contract—one wish granted for a winter of service—she signs without question.

But Deerhaven is a dangerous place. Staff must follow strict rules or else face dire consequences, and the guests can be unpredictable and savage. And yet, Moth endures, enticed by a rumor that Mr. Oslin is looking for a protégé. A singular worker who would stay with him forever and be transformed.

Decades later, Moth returns to Appalachia with her husband and teenage daughter. She can't shake the feeling that she needs to return to Deerhaven, which banished her twenty years ago. As she hunts for a way in, her haunting memories and harrowing experiences come roaring back — her friends and rivals, her growing obsession with Mr. Oslin, and her mysterious exile.

A door exists in the dark of the woods. After so long away, what has Deerhaven become?

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I love Appalachian horror, and I need to know more about this Deerhaven place.  

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

1 Snowstorm + 0 Snow Tires ÷ 1 Big Moose = Saw That Coming!

 

TITLE: Christmas at the Ranch

AUTHOR: Julia McKay

PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's Sons

PUBLISHING DATE: September 23, 2025

PAGES: 320   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to a run-in with my ex, two flat tires, and a miracle horse to help me find love. 

With the holidays around the corner and her father under arrest for financial fraud, journalist Emory Oakes has no idea where to turn. She’s only certain of one she needs to get away. 

Fate and her subconscious take her to Evergreen Lake, the picturesque town where she spent her happiest Christmas as a teenage girl – and fell in love for the first time. Stranded due to car trouble and a blizzard, Emory is rescued by Charlie Wilder, father of her first love, who offers her the guest house at Wilder Ranch. Tate, he promises, is out of town. 

But kismet and Christmas magic have other ideas, and when Tate comes home early and finds a half-dressed Emory in his cabin, all bets are off for what else the holidays will hold this year.

MY THOUGHTS: This book has about every romance trope I've read recently rolled into one - miscommunication, second chance romance, close proximity, yet it also has the Christmas vibes and cowboy/ranch element my dark heart apparently needs right now. Add in that I read it in less than 24 hours during our first snow of the season, and you could say it was the perfect storm - at least for me and perhaps for Emory too.

Ten years ago, Emory and her annoying, pretentious family spent three weeks at Christmas in Evergreen Lake. Emory was 18 and bored tearless when she met Tate Wilder, son of the ranch owner next door.  Emory and Tate strike up a friendship late one night and basically become inseparable for the next three weeks. However, something happened and now 10 years has passed and there has been no contact between the two.  When Emory receives news that her father has been arrested for a Ponzi scheme, something she always knew he was capable of, Emory jumps in her car and starts driving.  She doesn't stop until the snow starts making things difficult and she ends up back in Evergreen Lake.  Emory is afraid being around Tate will bring back too many unresolved feelings so after getting snow tires, she goes to leave when she is run off the road by a giant moose. Now, stuck in town for even longer, can she and Tate resolve what happened 10 years ago despite his new friend Marielle and Emory's pigheadedness?

While this book is primarily romance, I really enjoyed the other aspects of it much more. Tate and his father are trying to make the family ranch prosper despite the smalltown economy, Emory is trying to come to terms with how awful her parents have behaved, and horses, lots of cute horses. Overall, it was a tad predictable but that didn't make me enjoy it any less.  I really enjoyed Emory as a MC and all of her down-to-earth qualities.

I've seen this book compared to Gilmore Girls and Virgin River, both faves of mine and I would have to agree.  I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a holiday read with low-spice romance and lots of heart.  However, I am left with two questions - what happened to Mistletoe (did I miss this somewhere in the pages) and why is does the synopsis on Goodreads call Emory Everly through the entire thing?

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

 

This past Saturday we celebrated Apollo's sixth birthday! As you can see, he was more than spoiled and he and Zekey received two toys each, some of their favorite snacks and special puppy cupcakes (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle themed).  Last weekend, my best friend came into town (Auntie Chris), and she spoiled both of them as well.

As spoiled as the boys are, it is nothing compared to what they give back to us each and every day.  Apollo was basically my emotional support dog when I lost Cassius and made each day a little bit easier for me.  

2 Bloggers 1 Series - A Wonderful Christmas Crime (Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries #2)

 

I kind of talked Stormi into catching up on this series now that Christmas is moving closer. I know it just released at the end of October but I believe both Stormi and I have had an ARC for a while now. I adore this series but that being said, I also would not be upset of this was the last installment. I believe it was actually supposed to end a few books back but then the author was greenlit for some more.  So read on for my thoughts and then hop over to Storm Reads and see what Stormi thought.

 

TITLE: A Wonderful Christmas Crime (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #6

AUTHOR: Jacqueline Frost

PUBLISHER: Crooked Lane Books

PUBLISHING DATE: October 21, 2025

PAGES: 288   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has an extra gift this year - a new baby on the way. Her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, has been worried about her elevated blood pressure and Holly has agreed to take this year easy. Being idle has never been one of Holly’s gifts, so when Evan surprises her with tickets to the town-wide dinner, she and her many cravings thank him. But when a thief tries and fails to steal an antique ornament from the dinner’s holiday display, it’s clear that someone is on the naughty list. 

The thief manages to escape, but after dinner, Holly spots their lifeless body. It’s clear that someone in town was keen to kill them. Evan is less than jolly to find his wife at the scene of yet another holiday homicide and asks her to promise that she’ll leave the investigating to the police. But Holly has never been one to turn down a challenge and has to get creative with the help of a few of her friends in order to find this killer. 

Will she and her friends be able to stop the killer, and uncover the motive behind the attempted robbery, or will the killer strike again and paint the town a bloody red?

MY THOUGHTS: I continue to enjoy the series and reading each new one is kind of like visiting old friends. This year's murder, because yes, they are a yearly thing in Mistletoe, finds a new Mistletoe business owner suspected of murder when someone dies during the theft of some rare Swedish goat figurines.  

Holly and her sheriff husband Evan have just learned Holly is pregnant.  While everyone is excited, they are also worried because the doctor expressed some concerns with Holly's blood pressure being high. Holly really tries to stay out of the mayhem this year but it she really likes the suspect, Alice, and wants to help. Will she be able to watch from the sidelines or end up in the middle of another Christmas caper?

It is always fun visiting the crew from Mistletoe and see all the reindeer games going on at the farm. There are so many likable characters in this series and Frost does a great job of working them all in. This year, they may even be an appearance from Santa himself, but you'll have to read it yourself to find out.  The addition of an antique road show going on provides a new backdrop and intensifies the latest investigation. 

I have gone back and forth between four and five stars for my rating.  It is one of my favorite cozy series and it was just the Christmas vibe I was looking for.  The mystery was good and threw in a few surprises along the way.  There is also a side plot that really pulled the heartstrings (yes, I have some) as well. My only issue is that since each book happens at Christmas time, we miss a whole year of happenings and have to be caught up through the author's narration.  I would love to see one set at a different time, maybe even a Christmas in July event, just to switch things up.  

If you are looking for a light Christas read and love cozies, I can't recommend this series enough.  It's become a yearly tradition to read the newest and if there is another one next year, I will be right there reading it as well. 

MY RATING: 5 PAWS