The Christmas Phoenix - Patricia Kiyono

Title - The Christmas Phoenix

Author - Patricia Kiyono

Genre - Contemporary Romance

Date published - November 24th 2011

Publisher - Astraea Press

Format - Kinde Edition

Pages - 

Author's website - http://www.patriciakiyono.com/

Rating - 3 out of 5

Christmas is all about giving, about family and spending quality time together..and about new beginnings.

Jess' life is not easy. Being a single parent to her 14 year old son,after losing her husband means she is in charge about everything. This means working a lot just to put some food on the table. No wonder she feels exhausted, having two jobs, a teenage son and no partner to help her out.
Jake Thompson has just moved into the neighborhood, coming to this town so he would "heal" his wounds and recover from a disastrous relationship.
One can say, both Jess and Jake have been hurt enough in life. But Christmas is a time for miracles to happen. They both have been mourning and suffering for far too long.
Will they rise from ashes just like a phoenix?

This short and sweet story is not only about love, but about family as well. I really felt sorry for Jess and everything she's been through. She is a lovely mother, warm and caring. My heart was really breaking when I was reading certain parts of the book.
My only complaint would be that the story was too slow paced for my taste in the beginning. However, I enjoyed it! It really made me think of life, priorities, second chances, forgetting and forgiving.
Definitely would love to read more by Mrs Kiyono. 

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Sophie's Turn - Nicky Wells

Title - Sophie's Turn

Author - Nicky Wells

Genre - Chick Lit, Romance

Date published  - July 9th 2011

Publisher -  Nicky Wells

Format - Kindle Edition

Pages -

Author's website - http://nickywellsklippert.wordpress.com/

Rating - 4 out of 5

Before starting my review on this amazing book, I have two things to confess: First I am a sucker for chick-lit books and second, I just love music and rockstars! So what happens when I see these two combined! THE INEVITABLE - I LOVE THE BOOK!

Sophie Penhalligan is a journalist working for the Read London. She has a steady relationship for two years with Tim, and is waiting for him to propose. Tim is everything a girl would possible want and life with him would be safe, secure, cozy. Wait a minute..is that what she really wants?

Oh, there were times when she felt live and wild, times when she ended up following "Tusk" on their Tour. And Dan..the-yummy-wan't-to-die-for Dan! She still remembers him, even after ten years!

But what happens when she sees him again? Is her comfortable relationship with Tim in danger? Could it be she still has feelings for Dan "The wild thing"?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Through flash backs and virtuous past-present switching, Nicky Wells is going to entertain you and make you love her characters! Though this is her debut, I have to say Nicky did a great job in creating a funny, witty, warm modern romance story, full of twists and turns.

I confess, I didn't like Sophie at the beginning but by the end of the book I felt I could understand her and her confusion, and actually imagine myself in her shoes. I loved her best friend Rachel and the relationship she has with her. As for my favorite character, it would definitely be DAN! Yummy, wild but warm..I really want to read about this rockstar more. And speaking of more, I overheard Nicky is working on the sequel, so keep your fingers crossed guys! Let's hope we will see more of Dan, I promise you, you will love him!

This surely is a very amusing and interesting book, and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Oh wild thing, you make my heart sing!

I am proud to be an Associate Reader of Mrs Wells at loveahappyending.com and I am truly grateful for the copy of this book I received. To find out more about Mrs Wells, visit her PAGE

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The Calling - Ashley Lynn Willis

 Title - The Calling

Author - Ashley Lynn Willis

Genre - Paranormal Romance

Date published - October 12th 2011

Publisher -  

Format - e-book   

Pages - 360

Author's website - http://authorashleylynnwillis.blogspot.com/

Rating - 4 out of 5

What's the first image that pops into my mind now that I read the book?



Yes, that's the one! Two alpha males having the fight of their lives.
On the left we have Ty (and I will quote the author on this) the prick or the selfish bastard. On the right we have Justin who obviously has certain advantages over Ty, among which the fact that he is the gifted one and can manipulate waves.
So what are they fighting for? A FEMALE!
And in this story that would be Mandy. She's went through lot in her life..a mastectomy a year ago and a terrible break up. Yeah, that monkey on the left, Ty, dumped her soon after finding out Mandy had a breast cancer. What an idiot!
But Justin is something different. He is protective, yet has deep and sincere emotions for Mandy, the only problem being there is the fact he is Ty's friend.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Didn't get me sucked in from the very begging though, because I really think the author went into much details explaining the day Justin saved the kid from drowning. But as the story evolved I found it very interesting and captivating. Some might think that the story deserved more paranormal elements to it, but I loved it the way it is. I admire Mandy and found Justin very, very cute.
The book also includes some hot, spicy scenes, but I wouldn't go that far in including it in the erotica genre. Yet, they did make me blush one several occasions, but on the other hand the author sure described well the passion between Mandy and Justin. I could feel the "electricity" even through my reader.
Overall, I think the author did a great job and knowing this is her debut I bet her books are going to get just better in the future. I sure hope to read more from Ashley.

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