Casandra's Dragon: an Empire of Ash and Song novella

Casandra’s Dragon is a novella related to the Empire of Ash and Song trilogy by D.E. Carlson. As the daughter of the Dragon Judge, Casandra holds a confidence that there is nothing she cannot do. No cliff she cannot climb, no fight she cannot win. So when her best friend is banished for failing the Dragon Judge’s test, there is no question in her mind what she must do. If no one will challenge the Firebloods and get rid of the Fire Emperor, Casandra will do it herself. Armed with her father’s swords and her dragon by her side, there is nothing her clever mind cannot do. She sets out on a mission that could help bring her friend back or she will die trying. 

I received this novella as a free gift when I signed up for Ms. Carlson’s newsletter. After I finished the final book in the trilogy, I immediately jumped into this novella. It is a great, quick and engaging read as readers discover the series of events which brings her to the Fire Palace where we first meet her in To Bind Fire and the reasons behind her mission. I loved Casandra’s character in the trilogy. It was also great to see more of the Dragonbloods before their introduction in To Bind the Court and their lives hidden from the rest of the world. If you have enjoyed the Empire of Ash and Song trilogy, you will enjoy this novella. I highly recommend Casandra’s Dragon. 

Casandra’s Dragon is available in paperback on the author’s website: 

https://d-e-carlson-fantasy-author.myshopify.com/products/to-bind-fire-empire-of-ash-and-song-book-1-copy?variant=47271184236675 

and in eBook when signing up for the author’s newsletter

The Seven Days of Christmas: can the magic and hope of the season bring two hearts back together?

The Seven Days of Christmas is a novella book in the Emerson Pass Historical series by Tess Thompson. After the events of The Problem Child, Flynn Barnes and his wife , Shannon, and their idyllic marriage seemingly has been destroyed by a dangerous secret. Shannon is unsure if she can trust him again. With Christmas and Cymbeline’s wedding fast approaching, the Barnes children band together to help Flynn gain Shannon’s trust and win her heart again by using each of the final seven days featuring one grand gesture after another. Flynn fears it is too late. The Barnes family knows how to stick together no matter what but also know that the Christmas season is a time for love, joy and hope. Can Flynn and Shannon find a way back to each other and be stronger than ever? Will Emerson Pass’s favorite tomboy be as magical as the Christmas season? 

The Seven Days of Christmas is a quick and enjoyable read. Flynn is a stubborn man who made a horrible choice and wants to wallow in the aftermath in the implosion of his life. Shannon is a woman scorned, newly postpartum and experiencing a roller coaster of emotions. It seemed to be a tall order for Flynn to win back Shannon’s trust and love. I thoroughly enjoyed Flynn as he worked through the issues he caused and sought forgiveness from not only Shannon but the people of Emerson Pass. The grand gestures were sweet and I loved seeing Shannon’s heart melt again for Flynn. I also enjoyed Cymbeline’s wedding and the events surrounding it. Overall, I loved this short read and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you have enjoyed the Emerson Pass Historical series, I recommend The Seven Days of Christmas. 

The Seven Days of Christmas is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Christmas in Snow Valley: a second chance romance novella

Christmas in Snow Valley is the first book in the Hometown Christmas series by Tammy L. Grace. After leaving Snow Valley for college and building a life in New York City, Emily Bishop is returning to her hometown for Thanksgiving. When her sister and her husband have to leave town, Emily reluctantly extends her stay and helps fill her sister’s shoes for the upcoming Christmas festivities. She hopes she doesn’t run into Nick Morgan, the boy who broke her heart fifteen years ago. That is until he walks in. She is shocked and prepared to give him a piece of her mind. When a massive snowstorm hits, leaving them snowed in, it is the perfect opportunity to clear the air. Could they even have a second chance at love? 

Christmas in Snow Valley is a quick novella filled with second chance romance and the magic of Christmas. Of course, there are two adorable, lovable dogs. It wouldn’t be a Tammy L Grace book if there wasn’t. The way she writes about dogs almost makes me want one, almost. I enjoyed Emily and Nick’s reconciliation and the snowy atmosphere definitely gives it a romantic feel. I loved the small town feel as they threw themselves into the holiday season. Overall, I enjoyed this novella and I am looking forward to other books in this series. If you are looking for a Christmas romance for an afternoon of reading, I highly recommend Christmas in Snow Valley. So grab a cup of hot cocoa and bundle up to enjoy this Christmas romance. 

Christmas in Snow Valley is available in eBook

Second Chance Sweethearts: a short but sweet and powerful novella

Second Chance Sweethearts by Liwen Y Ho is a novella about two high school sweethearts finding a chance for love. When Missy Clark left her small town of Sun Valley, Texas, she left her first love behind. Five years later, she returns, battered, bruised and harboring a secret that will tarnish her reputation in the small town. Nate Dawson never stopped loving Missy, praying she would return to him. Now that she is back, he sees his prayers as being answered. However, he doesn’t realize that she hides a secret that hinders their reconnection. Nate is determined to show Missy she is worthy of love, despite her mistakes. Can he help her realize that he is willing and able to stand by her side? Can they find hope and healing for their future in the Lord?

Second Chance Sweethearts is a novella, short but very sweet and packed with love, the power of forgiveness and love with the Lord. It is a quick read as I was pulled into Missy and Nate’s story. Missy feels like damaged goods, coming back to her small town a failure. However, she doesn’t realize that one man has been praying for her return. Nate is a true sweetheart who sees the girl he fell in love with in the woman before him. Ms. Ho packs a lot in such a short story. The character development is wonderful. My heart broke for Missy from the first page and I cheered for them as they reconnected. If you are looking for a wonderful story of love and forgiveness for a quiet afternoon of reading, I highly recommend Second Chance Sweethearts. 

Second Chance Sweethearts is available in eBook. 

Looking for Love (Sort Of): a second chance romance at a high school reunion

Looking for Love (Sort of) by Meg Easton is a second chance romance. High School Reunions are either exciting or dreaded. Chloe is reluctantly going to her ten year reunion, which is going to be strange. The old high school has been turned into a hotel and event center. Imagine sleeping in a room that used to be an old classroom. What she wasn’t expecting was her high crush to walk through the door. Chloe is certain he didn’t even know she existed so it shouldn’t matter if he was there or not. Josh Trevorrow was very aware of Chloe in high school and even harbored his own crush. Will he use the opportunity to get to know Chloe now? Or will old high school haunts keep them apart? 

As someone who does not attend school reunions, I always find reunion stories interesting as if to live vicariously through the characters. This novella is short, sweet and oh so fun! Chloe and Josh were great characters. They hit it off so well at the reunion that I could totally see them as a couple in high school. If only they spoke up! And what is a high school reunion without a bit of drama and little misunderstanding? But it all works out as the final romance scene of the book was so fun and left me grinning from ear to ear. It was so sweet! If you are looking for a fast paced, short read for an afternoon of romance and laughs, I highly recommend Looking for Love (Sort Of). 

Looking for Love (Sort Of) is available in paperback

The Making of a Matchmaker: a great introduction to a new historical romance series

The Making of a Matchmaker is a prequel novella to The Mystery Matchmaker of Ella Pointe series by Tess Thompson. It is the fall of 1910, Roland Tutheridge is found murdered. His death freed his wife, his four children and residents of the small island in the Puget Sound. Ruling his family in a savage dictatorship, Roland left his children, each with their own unique personalities, with little hope for happiness and love. Their mother comes up with a matchmaking scheme. However, the cloud of their father’s murder hangs heavily. As his secrets are revealed, everyone on the island becomes a suspect. Will the plan find love for the eccentric Tutheridge family? Can love grow after such darkness? 

A historical series with a murder mystery and swoony romance? Yes, please! I love Tess Thompson’s Emerson Pass historical romance series. I am slowly reading my way through it but I am loving it. So I was excited to hear that Ms Thompson announced a new historical series.  The Making of a Matchmaker introduces readers to the residents of Whale Island and a murder mystery. In six chapters, readers will be ready to jump into the romances of the Tutheridge children and a murder mystery that will affect everyone. It is a very quick read as an introduction to the Tutheridge family and the series. I am looking forward to the series. I recommend The Making of a Matchmaker. 

The Making of a Matchmaker is available in eBook

Fine Tuned: a single mom, a football and a fake dating deal

Fine Tuned by Annmarie Boyle is a Storyhill Musicians novella. Single mom Jessica McWilliams has spent her life uncertain until now. She has devised a plan to secure a future for herself and her son. First, she will finish her degree and two, prove to her boss that she is ready to be promoted to her dream job. Nashville Knights star football player Mick Lanuola lives by a simple rule: if it’s worth doing, do it well. When a chance meeting between Jessica and Mick leads to a viral photo, they agree to a strange proposition: fake date for several weeks and they can get closer to their goals. As they begin the dinner dates and charity events, soon their fake flirty moments turn very real. 

Fine Tuned is my introduction to the author and her series, the Storyhill Musicians. I like fake dating romances and the main hero is a football star. Sounds right up my alley. Unfortunately, from the start, I did not care for Jessica. She is annoying and abrasive. She constantly berates herself for her past, despite all she had accomplished so far. Mick was a sweetheart and I enjoyed his character. I also enjoyed Jessica’s sister, Amy-Lynn who has her own full length story in the series. Overall, I did not enjoy Fine Tuned; however, I am intrigued by the series. I will check them out in the future. If you enjoy fake dating with sports athletes, you may enjoy Fine Tuned. 

Fine Tuned is available in paperback and eBook

Countdown to a Kiss: a prequel novella introducing a new series

Countdown to a Kiss by Piper Rayne is a prequel novella introducing the Hockey Hotties series. Three professional hockey players from the Florida Fury attend a New Year’s Eve party given by the team’s owner. Each man comes across a woman who sparks their interest. As the countdown to midnight begins, each man is hoping to start the new year right with a kiss. What’s the harm? They aren’t going to see these women again, right? 

Countdown to a Kiss is twelve short chapters and yet, it is such an engaging read that I immediately put the first book of the series higher on my TBR list. I can’t wait to read what happens with the first couple of the series. They are talented men with chips on their shoulders and the women they meet aren’t swayed by their status as professional hockey players. The banter between each man and woman is fun, flirty and so electric. If you love quick, engaging stories, I highly recommend Countdown to a Kiss. 

Countdown to a Kiss is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Tempting Heat: two former friends, one blizzard and forced proximity

Tempting Heat by Sara Whitney is the prequel novella to the Cinnamon Roll Alphas series. Tom Castle and Fiona “Finn” Casey were friends in high school. Until one incident tore their friendship apart. Finn now thinks Tom is her enemy. Little does she know that he has loved her for years. A series of events has led to them being trapped together in her apartment. Now he has the opportunity to tell her the truth, but will she listen? Finn is horrified and furious. The memories are still very painful and she does her best to ignore him. But there is very little room for that and when the power goes out, she realizes they need each other to survive the frigid night. 

Tempting Heat is so much fun! It is a sweet, sexy story with great banter. All the great features readers want in a romance. I loved Finn and Tom together. Their chemistry is so good and it was a hard story to put down. There is a little spice but nothing too outrageous. There are more tender, sigh-inducing moments that will melt any heart and bring a smile to readers’ faces. Add a sassy roommate and an overprotective brother and there are great humorous moments. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you love second chance romances with a little spice, I highly recommend Tempting Heat. 

Tempting Heat is available in paperback and eBook

The Bridge: heartbreaking reality with hopeful possibilities

The Bridge by Kay Bratt. In present day China, the home of an old woman faces the Lucky Bridge, the famous bridge where birth parents leave their children in the hopes that someone will find them and give them a better future. In the old days, walking over the bridge during a marriage ceremony or at the New Year was said to bring the individual good luck. Mothers hope that the bridge’s luck would be bestowed on their children. Jing is the unofficial and reluctant guardian of the bridge. When no one else steps in, Jing does. Briefly taking them in and then delivering them to a local orphanage. She always said she was done, no more children. Until one day, one little boy, Fei Fei, softens her heart and changes her life. 

Inspired by her real life experience while working in a Chinese orphanage, Kay Bratt writes a heartwarming and compassionate novella. The Bridge is a short but powerful read. She also wrote a memoir about her experience in China and in the orphanage, Silent Tears; A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage. Having read the memoir and knowing the background of this phenomenon of parents abandoning their children gives The Bridge its heartbreaking reality and yet hopeful possibilities. I loved the main characters of Jing, Fei Fei, and Jing’s daughter, Qian. I highly recommend reading The Bridge as well as Silent Tears. It will break your heart but leaving you believing in the power of the change a single person can bring. 

The Bridge is available in eBook

Silent Tears; A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage 

is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Love on the Ice: a sports romance

Love on the Ice by Kerry Evelyn is a novella prequel for the Palmer City Voltage series. Ginny Perdita has put her Olympic figure skating dreams behind her when a tragic accident leaves her niece and nephew orphaned. Alexei Kriz is new to the Palmer City Voltage and is ready to throw himself into his new teams and the sport he loves. One day, he runs into Ginny, the one who got away. Ginny does not enjoy seeing Alexei again, especially since he never called her again. When they are forced to work together on a fundraiser, Ginny finds the ice around her heart melting and Alexei is determined to not let her get away a second time. However, will she open herself to a second chance at love? 

I was looking forward to this story. I’m new to the sports romance genre. However, I was not impressed. I enjoyed the Czech phrases that the characters spoke from time to time but the constant translations in parentheses instead of translating in the responses or in another subtle way was tiresome. I also didn’t care for Ginny. The constant reminders that she left her dreams behind to take care of her niece and nephew was annoying. Alexei was a better character. As a novella, the story was way too fast. There was no real character development or growth. There was just way too much going on for a novella. I wish it was a longer story. I do not recommend Love on the Ice. 

Love on the Ice is available in paperback and eBook

Body in the books: a fun, humorous cozy mystery

Body in the Books by Heather Huffman is the first book in the Nora Jones Mystery series. Nora Jones inherits her estranged uncle’s estate which includes a dusty old bookshop, a Greyhound named Margo, and a murder. She moves to St Augustine, Florida to settle the estate and meets a quirky group of people including a ghost hunter and a charming homicide detective. When her uncle’s death is determined to be a homicide, there is no shortage of suspects including a local mob boss, a hostile neighbor and a tenacious real estate developer. A group as quirky as the Scooby Doo gang, Nora and her new found friends band together to search for clues, could the killer be closer to home than she realizes? 

Body in the Books is a fun, humorous cozy mystery novella. A quick read to kill a lazy afternoon, reader will follow the clues with Nora and her new friends as they deem themselves the Scooby Doo gang on the hunt to solve the mystery. Who the killer was surprising and not at all on my radar. Overall, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Nora, her friends and their adventures. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I recommend Body in the Books. 

Body in the Books is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Prince Not Quite Charming: can the city girl learn to be country?

Prince Not Quite Charming by Liz Talley is a novel in the Morning Glory series. The story picks up right after the events of book 2, Perfectly Charming. A city girl can survive…she hopes. Frances Genovese agrees to stay in Morning Glory after her brother’s wedding in order to finish the remodel of his new pizzeria. She may not know small town Mississippi but she does know the restaurant business. What she doesn’t bargain for is a country boy contractor naysaying her every decision. Clemson “Clem” Aiken III knows two things: what it means to be a country boy and the small town market. When he and Frances clash on ideas for the restaurant, he knows he needs to teach her a thing or two about country life. Frances reluctantly gives Clem three days to teach her country life and change her mind about the restaurant design. What can be so hard about fishing, frying chicken and line dancing? 

Prince Not Quite Charming had me laughing and smiling from the opening chapter. There were many laugh out loud moments and moments that left huge smiles on my smile. Frances, the hard nosed Italian New Yorker, spends a few weeks with Clem, But there’s more to the country boy Clem than meets the eye and as the two spend time together, the attraction is obvious from the start. I loved the flirty banter between the two especially from Clem, reminds me of my husband and I. There were sweet moments of heart-to-heart talks between the two. One of my favorite moments is when Frances and Clem were frying chicken with Ida Mae Robinson and Frances made a comment about being a woman and doing things on her own. To which Ida Mae replies, “Well, baby, I can do it too but why would I want to?” I highly recommend Prince Not Quite Charming. Opposites certainly attract in this fun novella. 

Prince Not Quite Charming is available in eBook and audiobook.