Book Review: I'll Be Home For Mischief by Jacqueline Frost

 

Book Review: I'll Be Home for Mischief by Jacqueline Frost - 5 Stars
Book 5 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series

Yet ANOTHER 5 Star cozy from this author! LOVE all of her books and pen names, seriously! If you want a fun holiday escape to a cozy Christmas town with a dash of romance and mystery, this series truly is a must read. In this one, Holly and her husband Evan get roped into a mystery where a local mistletoe farmer is accused of a man's murder who ended up in the batter during a baking contest. 

Again, love the characters - they are HILARIOUS and just some of my most favorite characters of 2024! I really don't have much else to say with this being book 5 in the series, but just check this cozy mystery series out asap if you want something fun for Christmas. 

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7128858027
Amazon Series Link: https://amzn.to/3PeLmnt

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Southern Comfort Reading Challenge Book Recs: January 2025 Prompt - Southern Homecomings - A Character That Goes Home

 Hey yall!

I have a YouTube video up recommending many books for the

Southern Comfort Reading Challenge this year!

Here is the video: https://youtu.be/dstmC5i3Glo 

January's Prompt: Southern Homecomings - A Character That Goes Home

Here are the links for the books!

Truth is a Whisper - Mandi Blake:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/09/book-review-truth-is-whisper-by-mandi.html

Almost Everything - Mandi Blake:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/09/book-review-almost-everything-by-mandi.html

Unyielding Hope - Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2024/10/book-review-unyielding-hope-by-janette.html

Echoes Among the Stones - Jaime Jo Wright:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/04/book-review-echoes-among-stones-by.html

Counter Attack - Patricia Bradley:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/06/book-review-counter-attack-patricia.html

Fatal Witness - Patricia Bradley:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2024/02/book-review-fatal-witness-by-patricia.html

The Shadows of Swanford Abbey - Julie Klassen:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2024/05/book-review-shadows-of-swanford-abbey.html

Submerged - Dani Pettrey:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2024/02/book-review-submerged-by-dani-pettrey.html

Wild Montana Skies - Susan May Warren:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2024/04/book-review-wild-montana-skies-by-susan.html

Memory Lane - Becky Wade: 
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/02/book-review-memory-lane-by-becky-wade.html

Embers in the London Sky - Sarah Sundin:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2024/02/book-review-embers-in-london-sky-by.html

The Women - Kristin Hannah:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2024/04/book-review-women-by-kristin-hannah.html

The Long March Home - Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/05/book-review-long-march-home-by-marcus.html

In A Far Off Land - Stephanie Landsem:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/11/book-review-in-far-off-land-by.html

My Hope Next Door - Tammy L Gray:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/02/book-review-my-hope-next-door-by-tammy.html

Assaulted Caramel - Amanda Flower:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/05/book-review-assaulted-caramel-by-amanda.html

The Summer of Yes - Courtney Walsh:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2024/07/book-review-summer-of-yes-by-courtney.html

Live and Let Chai - Bree Baker:
Review with purchase links: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/06/book-review-live-and-let-chai-by-bree.html

Others not mentioned in the video:

Crime and Poetry would also work by Amanda Flower - here is that review:  https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2024/01/book-review-crime-and-poetry-by-amanda.html

The Summer of Keeping Secrets by Jill Lynn would also work - here is that review: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2024/06/book-review-summer-of-keeping-secrets.html

IF you are still in a Christmas mood, this was a favorite that works 

Home For Christmas by Courtney Cole. Here is that review: 
https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2024/12/book-review-home-for-christmas-by.html

Long Way Home by Lynn Austin would work! I forgot that one. Here is the review link for that too. I still need to add all my 2022 reviews to my blog, but here is that Goodreads review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4621956826 

Love y'all! Thank you for participating!

- Amanda

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/bookloveramanda
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bookloveramanda 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookloveramanda/

Book Review: Stalking Around The Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost - 5 Stars 
Book 4 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series

Once again, I loved this one! We have innkeeper Holly White back with her fiancé Sheriff Evan Gray trying to figure out who killed a ballet dancer that was performing in a Nutcracker show. Tiffany, the lead ballerina, shows up dead on a float during the parade. More sleuthing skills are underway as they try to figure this one out......Tiffany had more than a few secrets so her and Evan try to work together and solve the murder. Before Holly once again becomes the target for putting her nose where it doesn't belong.

I just feel like this series has the best mystery and romance blend - especially in these later books in the series. So fun to binge read these back to back during the Christmas season! The humor is also AMAZING and will have you hee-hawing!

Highly recommend.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7123544093

Amazon Series Link: https://amzn.to/3PeLmnt

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Slashing Through The Snow by Jacqueline Frost

 

Slashing Through The Snow - Jacqueline Frost - 5 Stars 

Book 3 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series

Love continuing in this series! Such a good cozy mystery series. This was the first 5 star I had so far because the ending with the romance was chef's kiss! I loved the developments there. In this one, we continue to follow Holly and Evan in the backdrop of Mistletoe, Maine! Holly dates the Sheriff and runs the inn with her family. We see a B&B critic drop in that could make or break its success -- until they find her body dead in the gift wrapped toy donation box.... With a long list of suspects, Evan and Holly try to figure this one out and clear their friend Cookie's name.

Cookie was a HOOT in this book yall! She is one of my favorite characters. This author knows how to really write fun characters and settings in a good cozy mystery series and I love it! Perfect Christmas vibes too. Recommend!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7108386412
Amazon Series Link: https://amzn.to/3PeLmnt

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: In The Manger by Max Lucado

 

In The Manger by Max Lucado - 4 Stars

A wonderful advent devotional - easily read in a day or two. Short devotions - inspirational - the true meaning of Christmas shared and encouragement provided. Each day ends with a short prayer that helps you focus of the Lord. He really makes you think in each day and while I would have liked them a bit longer, I feel like these were really encouraging short devotions for each day leading up to Christmas. I have a vlog where I read some of my favorite parts here:  https://youtu.be/t7QmJf_W1fY 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7067382021

Amazon: https://amzn.to/41Hqih3

Book Review: Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost

 

Twas the Knife Before Christmas by Jacqueline Frost - 4 Stars
 (Book 2 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series)

What another great book in this series! I am working my way through this one and really enjoyed it y'all! Solid clean cozy mystery series with a smidge of romance. Here we continue to see Holly from book one "up to her jingle bells in holiday shenanigans" as the synopsis says. When a body turns up in a dumpster behind Caroline's Cupcakes, the store's owner is the main suspect. Holly helps out at the cupcake place so she is trying her luck at clearing Caroline's name. We see Sheriff Evan back with his budding romance with Holly too, which I love. 

This one is full of holiday charm and Christmas cheer yall! Pick it up.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6841531477
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4grtZMd

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Hope for the Hero by Mandi Blake

 

Book Review: Hope for the Hero by Mandi Blake - 3 Stars

This one is part of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series. I have loved all of the Mandi Blake books I have read so far, but this one wasn't quite my fav. I just didn't connect to the couple as much and wished their enemies to lovers was a bit less of them fussin with each other for so long. 

We have Tessa and Adam - Tessa wants to get a job at her brother's security company and when she gets the job, her and Adam are working together and he is so grumpy lol. His boss says he needs an assistant to help him since he works a lot but they do not get along whatsoever. They eventually come to care for one another but it just wasn't a fav. While I liked the faith portions with Adam as he tried to figure out his beliefs as he worked through the emotions of his mother passing away years ago and his Dad not being around, I wanted more from the romance itself. I also wish Tessa was a bit more compassionate about what Adam was going through.

Overall, while this one isn't a fav and it was an average Christmas read for me, I still LOVE and support Mandi in her writing - her newest Healing the Cowboy knocked it out of the park for me, so it's hard to compare and beat that one for me. I will say I also didnt love the narrator in this one so that mayyyyy have caused some issues for the enjoyment for me too.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6926060564

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/3BJORzi

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Guarded by the Hero by Mandi Blake

 

Guarded by the Hero - Mandi Blake

4 Stars 

Cute, quick Christmas read from Mandi! We are in Freedom Ridge with Heath Mitchell, who served in the Marines but now spends time as the head of security for the Freedom Ridge Resort. He meets a friend of his sister and she becomes a client who needs protection as he is the bodyguard like figure. Claire has some things from the past that resurfaces and he has to help protect her. They grow close together and the rest is history.

Enjoyed this one pretty well. As usual, Mandi has good faith elements and sweet clean romance.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6926059884

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BzhfnQ

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Cabin Crush by Kasey Stockton

Cabin Crush by Kasey Stockton - 5 Stars 

Another new favorite Christmas read y'all! I loved this one so much. We have friends to move, brother's best friend, forced proximity, cabin at Christmas time, family elements, all the things you want in a cute romance for Christmas! We see Rachael, who has had a crush on her brother's best friend Max forever. The story starts from their past experience kissing under the mistletoe when she she was humiliated at a christmas party. Cut to many years later and Max has always had a girlfriend since then...until now at the family cabin this Christmas. He tells Rachael his secret he needs to tell his family this season and there are a lot of flirty moments between them as they start to get closer in a way they never have before as just friends....

Read if you love:

🎄Friends to More

🎄Childhood Crush

🎄Brother's Best Friend

🎄Cozy Christmas Vibes

🎄Family Bonding

🎄Festive Traditions

🎄Sweet Romances

🎄Heartwarming Ending

🎄The Grinch

Such a great one y'all! Highly recommend you check this out. The audio narration was great too.  Romance was clean with kisses only, no language.

 

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6926062943
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZMuNW5

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

Book Review: Silent Night, Holy Night by Colleen Coble

 

Silent Night, Holy Night by Colleen Coble - 3 Stars

All is Calm, All is Bright was more of a fav for me here but this one had two novellas for the Rock Harbor series.

The first novella is Silent Night. Bree and her search and rescue dog Samson follow the trail of a troubling mystery into the snowy forests of Rock Harbor. We see her and her husband Kade preparing for Christmas guests when word arrives that a parachuter has disappeared in the North Woods, along Lake Superior's icy shore. Bree and Samson plunge into the search. I really didn't connect with the characters in this one and it did not feel like a mystery - it was more so their infertility journey and adoption discussions etc. Very odd novella for me I would rate this one 2 star. Didn't feel Christmas to me at all either unfortunately but I liked the second one more.

The second novella is Holy Night. We see a phone call derail a Christmas wedding....Leia and Bane are looking forward to their Christmas wedding on the beach and everything is going to plan until Leia gets a phone call that turns everything upside down. Her sister, who has down syndrome and cannot take care of herself, is kidnapped and instructs her to cancel her wedding or risk her sister's life. The story takes off here.

I liked the suspense in this one but wasn't crazy about Bane's character and how he couldn't move on from what was going on in the suspense itself. Leia was just reacting in the only way she knew how with her sister's life on the line. Didn't feel christmas-y at all here either but I did like the sister and suspense part. I would give this 3 to 3.5. 

I don't plan to keep this one just because it wasn't a fav but if you want more short Christmas romantic suspense novellas, pick this up too. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7066631285
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/21488

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4g77GeM

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: All is Calm, All is Bright by Colleen Coble

 

All is Calm, All is Bright by Colleen Coble - 3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 

I liked this overall but wish it was a bit more christmas-y. 

The first one, All is Calm was probably my favorite and most engaging one. In that one, we have Brendan and Lauren. We are at Bluebird Ranch, a place Brendan always considered a little piece of heaven. They have a ranch that pairs children with horses, run by one of his old Marine friends. He is recovering from a job injury and is back at the ranch to spend Christmas healing. Lauren was a 17 year old foster kid when she was at Bluebird Ranch years ago and it was the safest place she knew. Now she is on the run from a murder investigation where she was a witness - she takes her horse (who was going to be put down falsely accused) and runs to the ranch where she feels safe. She meets Brendan and he is very suspicious of her actions and past. Romance blooms when they start working together and the rest is history.

I liked this first one because of the family ranch vibes it gave with a little girl, horses and a bit of mystery. Romance was too instalove for me but I liked the characters and the narrator was good. Would recommend because it does end with Christmas time that I liked.

For the second novella, All is Bright, we have Delilah who is a manager of Tidewater Inn. She has been planning a Christmas wedding for her friends at the grand hotel overlooking the ocean. A truck runs her off the road one night and she barely escapes death. Then she starts getting threatening phone calls and  Sheriff Tom stops by the inn and volunteers to help. Tom has always had a soft spot for Delilah and wants to protect her but things get crazy and they get separated. 

I enjoyed this one too, while not as much as the first one, it had a solid suspense element. I just wanted to more Christmas vibes here. 

Overall, would recommend if you want a quick audiobook listen for christmas romantic suspense.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7066565851

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/21818
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4fdke2M

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Who are you following? Sadie Robertonson Huff

 

Who Are You Following? Sadie Robertson Huff - 4 Stars

This book was a timely and thought-provoking one that explores faith and social media in today’s digital age. Sadie challenges readers to evaluate their relationship with social media and redirect their focus toward following Jesus wholeheartedly. Sadie explained much of her own personal experiences related to social media, faith, relationships, work etc. She went through different pressures we experience, pitfalls and offered advice and spiritual wisdom for navigating a world obsessed with likes, followers and perfection. It was relatable and honest for me personally, especially as somewhat of a bookish influencer online. This was packed with scriptures and practical tips for shifting focus away from worldly influences and toward God. Such a great reminder to stop looking to social media for validation and to instead find purpose and identity in Christ. Would recommend as a quick audiobook since she narrates it. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7072245883
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4fgseAd

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: A Year of Flowers by Suzanne Woods Fisher

  A Year of Flowers by Suzanne Woods Fisher - 4 Novellas 
3 Stars Overall

This is a novella collection of 4 different novellas - three former friends have found success in the floral industry - but have not found true happiness and love. Out of these 4 novellas, I feel like these would have been best as a full story of friends together instead of novellas. Each novella leading up to the end was ended very abruptly, probably intentionally so the ending novella made sense where it tied everything together, but it felt very disjointed to me.

I liked her writing and faith content in the novellas in general, but didn't really connect to the character's because of the shortness of each possibly. The stories connect 3 friends who worked at a flower shop as teens. They went their separate ways and these novellas show how they come back together in the end. You see some romance stories with each throughout the story too. 

I did love the flower details in each story, learned quite a bit and the situations they got themselves in were interesting. It just wasn't a novella collection for me personally but I do have some of her full length novels on my shelves to try sometime.

Thank you to Revell for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6761039532
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/579827
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iusazx

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Home for Christmas by Courtney Cole

 

Home for Christmas by Courtney Cole - 5 Stars

Home for Christmas is an absolutely delightful read and has earned a special spot among my favorite holiday reads. his heartwarming story has everything I love—family, romance, and even a touch of time travel! I could easily imagine this becoming a Christmas movie.

We are in Alaska during the Christmas season and we see our main character of Piper navigating the grief she feels from the loss of her Grandmother and trying to understand the legacy she left behind. When a mysterious event sends Piper back in time to 1944, she’s given the rare chance to experience life through her grandmother’s eyes—a simpler, slower-paced time when people cherished the things that truly mattered. She is in the original home her ancestors built and starts to enjoy the joy of getting to know her grandmother in a whole new way. Piper goes on a journey and finds the real meaning of love, home and how a family legacy can connect one another forever.

The blend of time travel, family bonds, and a touch of romance made this story so memorable for me. It’s the kind of book that fills you with warmth while also encouraging you to reflect on your own family and legacy. Seeing Piper embrace the lessons of the past and carry them into her present was incredibly moving.

If you’re looking for a beautiful, meaningful Christmas read with a bit of holiday magic and romance, Home for Christmas is the perfect choice. It beautifully captures the spirit of the season and reminds us of the timeless value of family and love.

Content: This is a secular Christmas read but no content that really bothered me. The romance was clean with kisses only. I wish the time travel was explained more but I can forgive that in the sense of how it happened and loved the storyline in general. There were 2-3 small curse words but very minimal in the beginning of the story. While our main character doesn't exhibit any faith elements herself, they did read the bible in the historical timeline at Christmas time, which I appreciated seeing.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7051253152
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Bfj8G4

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: The Twelve Holidates by Emma St. Clair

 

The Twelve Holidates by Emma St. Clair - 4 Stars
(Love Cliches Series #3.5 but can be read as a Standalone)

WELL THAT WAS ADORABLE!! I am already loving the Christmas reads you guys! Emma just always does such a great job with her characters and romance storylines! In this one, we have a friends to lovers story that was chef's kiss!  You have banter, 12 dates between best friends to more and a swoony MMC! Pacing was great for a novella too!

We follow Taylor who from the first introduction catches her boyfriend Chad cheating on her. She is so upset and her best friend Weston jumps in to save the day by working through the 12 Dates list she had planned for her and Chad. Weston hopes the dates will help him confess how much he has always loved her and Taylor isn't sure how she feels or how Weston feels just yet....but the dates give much needed closeness between them with lots of laughs and emotions along the way. 

SUPER CUTE. Highly recommend!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7048593171
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eFYpc7

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Christmas Tree Connection by Elle Rush

 

Christmas Tree Connection by Elle Rush 
 A Short Story in the Christmas Kisses and Cookie Crumbs Series - 4 Stars 

Y'all this was absolutely adorable. Set in 1970s, Adelaide and Victor work together to turn a season holiday tree farm gig into a holiday romance happy ending! We follow Victor Klassen who is opening his North Pole Evergreen tree lot and needs to get an edge over his competition so the cutest bank teller in town, Adelaide North, has beautiful stained glass ornaments so he asks her for help and the story goes on from here.

I love that this was set in the 70s because it gave such a unique twist on a classic Christmas and reminders of slowing down and spending time as families together. The romance was sweet and just a wholesome short story to read in one sitting at Christmas time.

This is part of 12 clean romance short stories during the Christmas Season on Kindle Unlimited so this is one I read through my KU subscription. Hoping I can get to more but what a fun way to sample some of these author's writing styles! Elle Rush is a new author I plan to check out! 

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7048576185
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4if7NpU

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Cornered by Lynette Eason, Lynn H Blackburn and Natalie Walters

 

Cornered Novella Collection - Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn and Natalie Walters - 4 Stars

Y'all I really think Romantic Suspense books are PERFECT in Novella format! I loved this one. After reading Targeted and now Cornered, I think this author trio should definitely continue these! They are fun, short reads with just the right amount of suspense and romance I prefer! Highly recommend to my Romantic Suspense fans!

5/5 The first novella is In The Dark by Lynette Eason. This features accountant Steph Cross who is cleaning out her co-workers desk after her shocking and unexpected death. It seems like an accident, but when she finds a cryptic note in her desk that looks like she was investigating something, it looks like her death was no accident at all. Detective Tate Cooper comes in and is determined to help her figure everything out before someone else gets hurt. Steph has quickly become someone important to him and he will do anything to help keep her safe. This is tied to her Lake City Heroes series and since I have read books 1 and 2 in that series, I really liked this novella because I was familiar with the setting.

4/5 The second novella is In Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn. This features chef Cassie Quinn who fills in as chef at an exclusive mountain resort. The kitchen gets destroyed, she is in danger and thrown into a situation where her ex-boyfriend, Detective Donovan Bledsoe, has to help her. I haven't read Never Fall Again, but this is in the same setting of Gossamer Falls. I have to dive into that series now because this one was again, great suspense and romance! We had good depth with the characters here because they had history together. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was some of the second chance stuff because second chance can be hit or miss with me, but I did like their characters and ending to the romance.

3.5 to 4-ish /5 The third novella is In Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters. This features Lahela Young, the sister of Kekoa from the S.N.A.P agency series. I really liked our characters here because it was familiar to me, as I have read the novella and book 1 for the S.N.A.P agency series. It is hard for me to remember the character names for some reason so I had a hard time there, but overall it was good. Lahela becomes the target of someone with a twister obsession to right a wrong. She turns to her friend Briggs Turner, who used to be a police officer, but wants to help protect Lahela in what is going on. The ending in this one was very unique in the suspense, wanted a little more romance here but great suspense and action.

Overall, these are some AWESOME novellas that I think a lot of y'all will enjoy! Highly recommend these author's books and series to look into if you want some good Christian romantic suspense options.

Thank you to Revell for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6737999848
Baker Book House (Recommended): https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/579837
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3B7ar0k

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.