THE CHRISTMAS CATCH

THE CHRISTMAS CATCH                        GINNY BAIRD
Posted:  Dec. 29, 2013

The Christmas Catch by Ginny Baird  A new Christmas novella by bestselling author Ginny Baird...
Book #1 in Ginny's Holiday Brides novella series.

Since the death of her military husband two years ago, single mom Christine White has struggled to get by. By throwing herself into her work as a Chicago copywriter, she's managed to keep food on the table but has gradually lost sight of what really matters, like building a bond with her four-year-old son. When Christine's best friend insists she spend Christmas in Vermont so she can get her life in order, Christine initially resists. Little does she know she's in for a memorable holiday that will reignite her faith and reawaken her heart.

Bachelor professor John Steadman has given up on finding the right one. Spending time with his friends while keeping up with his job seems satisfying enough. Then one day close to Christmas, a beautiful woman from Chicago nearly runs him off the road during a snowstorm. What's more, she's got a kid in her car. It's only natural that John and his trusty golden retriever want to help drag them out of a ditch and steer them toward their destination. What John doesn't expect is that soon he'll be hoping Christine and her son will be staying in Vermont - for more than just a little while.


MY REVIEW:


     Christine is a young widowed mother with a preschooler, named Tyler.  She lost her husband, Dan, two years ago in Afghanistan.  Now she is working for Ellen at her greeting card business in Chicago.  Ellen is not just her boss but her best friend too.

     That is why she is sending her and Tyler to Vermont.  Normally, Ellen house sat there during the holidays but this year she has plans with her boy toy.  Plus, she feels Christine has been pushing herself too hard since Dan’s death and needs a rest.  She’s not happy but agrees to go for the two weeks.

     She gets a rental car, not knowing it, on the first day she meets THE man, John.  John Steadman is a college professor at the local college, who she all most kills when she almost runs him off the road.  He helps her out of the ditch she ends up in when she can’t handle the wheel and over compensates for the snow.  She sees him again at the local store again not an hour later when she goes for supplies.

     When Ellen calls she mentions him and Ellen Googles him.  Then, Christine gets her nerve up to send him a quick note through his college email saying thanks for the save today on the road.  Guess what?  He responds and asks her and Tyler out for coffee and hot chocolate.  So, it begins.  Will Christine make it just friends?  Is she ready to move on?  All good questions to ask when you read this book.  I really enjoyed this fast read.  What I especially like is the twist that made me go, “Say What?  That Just Can’t Be!  He Did Not Just Say And Do Just That!”  Yup, this has a twist I was not expecting and it would make you so not happy but in the end it all works out.  Loved it.

BEACH BLANKET SANTA

BEACH BLANKET SANTA                         GINNY BAIRD
Posted:  Dec. 29, 2013

Beach Blanket Santa by Ginny Baird  A couple with a past spends an unexpected, yet magical, Christmas week together at the shore, where serendipity abounds.

Holiday Brides Christmas Novella Series Book 4

Three years ago, Sarah Anderson made a terrible mistake. After one too many glasses of champagne at her best friend’s wedding she woke up in bed with the Best Man. To make matters worse, he ran out on her and she never heard from him again. When Sarah’s gifted with Christmas week at her best friend’s beach house, the last person she expects to run into is the handsome heartbreaker. But it appears fate has ensured a mysterious double booking, and he was given a key to the same place. With a winter storm raging on their secluded barrier island, it seems they’re both trapped there together. Will their marooned status push them even farther apart, or heal past wounds and lead to a new start?

All Matt Salvatore wants to do is escape from the world and enjoy some surf fishing. He never dreams a beautiful blast from his past will upset his get-away plans. But it’s hard to think of leaving when he recalls how it feels holding Sarah in his arms. Yet, three years before, when he’d thought they were getting close, she’d literally sent him packing. He’d nearly forgotten that heartache until he looked once again in her big, brown eyes. When they’re suddenly thrown together for an unexpected beach vacation, old feelings resurface and hope reignites. But can Matt convince Sarah his feelings are real, when his resources are limited to what’s at the house – and in his heart?


MY REVIEW:


Matt and Sarah were best man and maid of honor at Matt’s brothers and Sarah’s best friend’s wedding engagement party.  This is where they found out they were bestowed the honors.  From that very first night it was a love connection but neither knew it.

     So, by being thrown together to help plan and carry out plans for this wedding, they were able to get better acquainted.  They seemed to hit it off right away.  They could joke and laugh and talk about anything.  Sarah saw everything she wanted in a partner.  Yet, never having  confidence due to her background she had a secret no one knew about not even her friends, which made her feel less than.  Not to mention that her last two relationships made this secret a deal breaker so it was just best not to get involved with any man at all but especially some as wonderful as Matt.  Matt deserved better than her than what she could give him.

     Matt on the other hand was so taken with Sarah in every way.  He saw in her what he couldn’t find in any of the other women he had ever dated before.  He was so wanting a relationship like his parents have.  Sarah he thought was it.  Three years ago at Robert & Elaine wedding she told him to leave.  What he didn’t know is she thought is that they had done the nasty.  When in fact she had fallen ill due to all the drinking she had done because she knew she could never have Matt due to her secret. 

     Come see how these two come together on a dark and stormy night.  Not knowing the other will be there and what will happen when the have to finally talk about what really happened that night and about their really feelings about one another. 

     I really enjoyed this sweet and steamy love story.  Of two star crossed lovers who have no idea that their hearts want what it wants and that they will not stop till they are with each other.  Got it free on Amazon.

HER SEXIEST MISTAKE

HER SEXIEST MISTAKE                       JILL SHALVIS
Posted:  Dec.  29, 2013
 
  Mia Appleby finally has the life she always wanted. She's escaped her trailer trash childhood and built a nice life for herself with a marketing job and a cute, little condo. But no matter how much baggage she's ditched from her past, she still hasn't managed to shake her greatest weakness-men. So when her new neighbor turns out to be single and oh-so-sexy, Mia's worried she's playing with fire . . .

Kevin McKnight can't get enough of his gorgeous neighbor, but after one amazing night, she's already showing him the door. Something tells him this is the way she handles most men. But Kevin is far from your average guy-and he's ready to prove it to Mia. When a blast from her past shakes up Mia's life in a major way, will she stick with her self-sufficient solo act . . . or take a chance leaning on Kevin's strong shoulders?

MY REVIEW:


     Mia Appleby ashamed of her poor Tennessee trailer park back ground, did everything she could to get out.  As a kid everyone knew she was different because she always thought she was better than them.  It really wasn’t that she just wanted better.  Mainly for her she knew there had to be better.

     So, even as a young girl she taught herself everything she could about everything she could at the library.  She knew knowledge was her ticket out of there.  To the point where she won a full ride scholarship to college.  Leaving Tennessee in the dust never and never looking back to the point of changing her accent and never speaking of her life before college or of her family at all.

     Relationships of any kind were not her thing but especially with men.  If she was with a man at it was for a one night stand and nothing more until her neighbor Kevin McKnight the biker babe who just moved in.  He was just sin on two wheels.  She had to have him so she went after him.  The problem being she woke up with him in his home after a mind blowing night of marathon sex.  Not her M.O. and her emotions clouded her mind not a good thing.

     Not to mention Kevin acted as if he was hurt she was bailing and not wanting to cuddle.  What is that all about?  Guys are usually relieved.  When she says about how biker dudes usually love ‘em and leave ‘em.  He says, “I’m not a biker, I’m a teacher who rides a bike.”  Or something along those lines.  They are both surprised and a little out of their element. 

     He was not just a onetime tumble in the hay or was he?  Mia was not a relationship girl or was she?  Hmmm?  You find yourself emotionally invested in all the characters and how they will finally emotionally connect to one another or if they ever really can.

     I enjoyed watching this crazy non-relationship unfold.  There are funny moments and sad moments that just break your heart.  Read and enjoy the ride of this dysfunctional non-couple and their non-extended family.  Provided by netgalley.com

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