Goodreads Blurb

Friendly and bubbly, Julia Padden likes nearly everyone, but her standoffish neighbor, Cain Maddox, presents a particular challenge. No matter how hard she’s tried to be nice, Cain rudely rebuffs her at every turn, preferring to keep to himself. But when Julia catches Cain stealing her newspaper from the lobby of their apartment building, that’s the last straw. She’s going to break through Cain’s Scrooge-like exterior the only way she knows how: by killing him with kindness.

To track her progress, Julia starts a blog called The Twelve Days of Christmas. Her first attempts to humanize Cain are far from successful. Julia brings him homemade Christmas treats and the disagreeable grinch won’t even accept them. Meanwhile, Julie’s blog becomes an online sensation, as an astonishing number of people start following her adventures. Julia continues to find ways to express kindness and, little by little, chips away at Cain’s gruff façade to reveal the caring man underneath. Unbelievably, Julia feels herself falling for Cain—and she suspects that he may be falling for her as well. But as the popularity of her blog continues to grow, Julia must decide if telling Cain the truth about having chronicled their relationship to the rest of the world is worth risking their chance at love.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely, one of the best holiday book. Debbie gave us kindness, determination and love all in one book. I wasn’t able to put this book down. I fell in love with Julia’s determination to kill Cain with kindness. He was a grouchy guy that didn’t want to make friends, plus he wasn’t a morning person, which I don’t blame him. It was a brilliant idea to have a blog about her encounters with Cain, while doing kind things, plus being very chirpy. It was such a beautiful story that I’m sad it ended. Please don’t miss out on this fun and adorable read.

Author Biography

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Thirteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2019, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publications include Window on the Bay (July) and A Mrs. Miracle Christmas (October). Macomber is also releasing a new journal titled Be a Blessing: A Journal for Cultivating Kindness, Joy, and Inspiration (April). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, most recently Debbie Macomber’s Table in 2018, an adult coloring book, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and five have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series. 

Goodreads Blurb

“The Little Mermaid” takes a twisted turn in this thrilling sequel to villainess origin story Sea Witch, as the forces of land and sea clash in an epic battle for freedom, redemption, and true love.

Runa will not let her twin sister die. Alia traded her voice to the Sea Witch for a shot at happiness with a prince who doesn’t love her. And his rejection will literally kill her—unless Runa intervenes.

Under the sea, Evie craves her own freedom—but liberation from her role as Sea Witch will require an exchange she may not be willing to make. With their hearts’ desires at odds, what will Runa and Evie be willing to sacrifice to save their worlds?

Told from alternating perspectives, this epic fairy tale retelling is a romantic and heart-wrenching story about the complications of sisterhood, the uncompromising nature of magic, and the cost of redemption. 

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

A world filled with magic, power, love and all at a cost. Can true love set you free and stop a witches spell? Runa was determined to save her sister from eminent death, even if that caused her permanence in a world she didn’t care to be part of. Evie the Sea Witch was castaway by the sea king. She was seem as evil and of course scary, since she is an octopus. She was brokenhearted and wanted to give others their wish if they were willing to fight for what they wanted. The story resembled many aspects of the Little Mermaid. I recommend reading book 1 so you get the full story, but you still can read the second book before, since the author gives details from before. Overall, the story gave women the opportunity to fight for their dreams and fight for what is right. The king might have the power, but if no one stands by you, then you have no power at all. The book had a number of deaths that makes you see being magical doesn’t always protect you from a human destiny. The sea king got what he truly deserves. Power isn’t important if family doesn’t stand with you. Alia’s love for a human came with a high risk. Alia had no regrets for her decision. The character development was very good. The characters all worked together with the plot. The story to protect the mermaids from humans will continue with Runa and Evie.

Author Biography

Sarah Henning is a recovering journalist who has worked for the Palm Beach Post, Kansas City Star and Associated Press, among others. While in South Florida, Sarah lived and worked through five hurricanes, which gave her an extreme respect for the ocean. When not writing, she runs ultramarathons, hits the playground with her two kids and hangs out with her husband Justin, who doubles as her long-suffering IT department. Sarah lives in Lawrence, Kansas, which, despite being extremely far from the beach, happens to be pretty cool. 

About this Event

Succeed2gether’s Montclair Literary Festival is thrilled to welcome renowned author Isabel Allende to a pre-festival event in Montclair on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, to discuss her latest novel, A Long Petal of the Sea.

A masterful work of historical fiction about hope, exile, and belonging, A Long Petal of the Sea shows Isabel Allende at the height of her powers. This epic novel, spanning decades and crossing continents, follows two young people as they flee the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War in search of a place to call home.

Tickets will include a copy of A Long Petal of the Sea or Largo Pétalo de Mar, the Spanish edition of the novel. Books will be presigned by the author.

Doors open at 6.15pm.

The VIP admission includes a post-event cocktail party, priority entry and reserved seating.

Isabel Allende’s first novel, The House of the Spirits, established her as one of the most esteemed storytellers of her time. She is the highest-selling Spanish language author in the world, with over 75 million copies of her books in print. Her books have been translated into more than 27 languages and have become bestsellers across four continents. She is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama and the PEN Center Lifetime Achievement Award. Through the Isabel Allende Foundation (founded in 1995), she is a champion of women’s rights worldwide.

This event is a fundraiser for Montclair-based non-profit Succeed2gether, which offers after-school one-on-one tutoring and enrichment classes with the aim of closing the education opportunity gap in Essex County.

The fourth annual Montclair Literary Festival will take place March 25 to 29, 2020. Please visit succeed2gether.org/montclair-literary-festival/ for more details of the program, which will feature more than 100 authors. The festival organizing committee wishes to thank event partners Succeed2gether staff, Montclair Public Library, First Congregational Church, and Watchung Booksellers, and festival sponsors Rao’s, Montclair State University, West of Hudson Realty Group, and community members.

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-tour-isabel-allende-a-long-petal-of-the-sea-tickets-83884630187

Link to Montclair Book Festival: https://succeed2gether.org/montclair-literary-festival/

About Isabel

Isabel Allende—novelist, feminist, and philanthropist—is one of the most widely-read authors in the world, having sold more than 74 million books. Born in Peru and raised in Chile, Isabel won worldwide acclaim in 1982 with the publication of her first novel, The House of the Spirits, which began as a letter to her dying grandfather. Since then, she has authored more than twenty three bestselling and critically acclaimed books, including Of Love and Shadows, Eva Luna, Daughter of Fortune, Island Beneath the Sea, Paula, The Japanese Lover and In the Midst of Winter. Translated into more than forty two languages. Allende’s works entertain and educate readers by interweaving imaginative stories with significant historical events. In addition to her work as a writer, Allende devotes much of her time to human rights causes. In 1996, following the death of her daughter Paula, she established a charitable foundation in her honor, which has awarded grants to more than 100 nonprofits worldwide, delivering life-changing care to hundreds of thousands of women and girls. More than 8 million have watched her TED Talks on leading a passionate life. She has received fifteen honorary doctorates, including one from Harvard University, was inducted into the California Hall of Fame, received the PEN Center Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Anisfield-Wolf Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014, President Barack Obama awarded Allende the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, and in 2018 she received the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation. She lives in California. Her website is IsabelAllende.com.

BOOK DETAILS:
Alpha Erased
by Aileen Erin
(Alpha Girls #9)
Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: May 12th 2020
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Tessa—part witch, part werewolf, raised human and now the unofficial leader of a newly minted supernatural alliance—thinks nothing of her brother, Axel, texting her and Dastien to meet up. The location pin is in a weird spot, but maybe he found a magical anomaly? But when Tessa steps into the darkened warehouse, she doesn’t expect to see her brother laying in a pool of his own blood, smell the sulfuric scent of black magic, or feel the pain of her mate being shot full of silver.

Tessa has seconds to make a choice, but there’s only one thing she can do to save the two most important men in her life—sacrifice herself.

The last thing Dastien hears from Tessa is her plea—help Axel. Then their bond goes silent. He can’t hear her. He can’t feel her. And there’s no sign of the attackers who took her.

Dastien does everything he can to save Axel before calling his friends in a panic. It takes all of them to find Tessa, but when Dastien’s finally reunited with her, there’s no sign of recognition in her eyes.

No magic in her touch.

No wolf beneath the surface.

Everything that made Tessa who she was…has been erased.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46136078-alpha-erased

Pre-order: Amazon: https://books2read.com/u/bM95oG?store=amazon

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alpha-erased-aileen-erin/1131617955

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/alpha-erased/id1464699590?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/alpha-erased

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=f82YDwAAQBAJ

Author Biography

Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd–from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.
Author links: 

https://inkmonster.net/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7190350.Aileen_Erin

https://www.facebook.com/inkmonster.net

https://twitter.com/aileen_erin

https://www.instagram.com/aileenerin/

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Hello book lovers. I have a giveaway for you. A signed copy of Alyssa Milano Hope book and a Santa teddy bear. Please follow blog and leave a comment below. Wishing you all a fabulous holiday season.

BOOK DETAILS:
Beautifully Broken
by Bailey B
Publication date: December 20th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

Piper

Most people don’t think about the day they’ll die. They coast through life, blissfully unaware of how their time is ticking away. I wasn’t like most people. I welcomed death, wanted her to take me away from the prison I called life, but she refused. I tried twice only to survive. And then, when I thought I had nothing left it came. 

A reason to live. 

Rex was a small, unexpected ray of light my world of darkness that blossomed into a beam of sunshine. I thought, maybe this was why Death didn’t take me. Maybe she knew that if I held on a little longer things would turn around. But the third time Death came to my door wasn’t by choice. Someone else brought her, and I fear this time she might take me.

Rex

Being the son of a country star sucks. My parents are never around, I move every year or so, and I have no real friends. Everyone around me has an agenda. Everyone except Piper Lovelace. I can’t get that girl to notice me. Trust me I’ve tried. 
Thankfully, fate stepped in and gave me the break I needed. I’ve got her attention, now I need her to give me a chance.

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48986460-beautifully-broken
Pre-order: Amazon: https://books2read.com/u/b6keKA?store=amazon

Author Biography

Bailey B is an up and coming New Adult author. She lives in Lehigh Acres Florida with her husband, twin girls, and two fur babies. She enjoys (but doesn’t get to take part in because of her crazy daughters) the simple things like Disney+ binge watching, Netflix romcoms, reading and sleeping. She reads two to three books a week and thinks if narwhal’s are real animals then unicorns might be too.

Author links:

https://www.baileybbooks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/baileybbooks/

https://twitter.com/Authorbaileyb

https://www.facebook.com/author.baileyb

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19771214.Bailey_B

Goodreads Blurb

For readers of Richard Paul Evans and Greg Kincaid comes The 13th Gift, a heartwarming Christmas story about how a random act of kindness transformed one of the bleakest moments in a family’s history into a time of strength and love.

After the unexpected death of her husband, Joanne Huist Smith had no idea how she would keep herself together and be strong for her three children–especially with the holiday season approaching. But 12 days before Christmas, presents begin appearing on her doorstep with notes from their “True Friends.” As the Smiths came together to solve the mystery of who the gifts were from, they began to thaw out from their grief and come together again as a family. This true story about the power of random acts of kindness will warm the heart, a beautiful reminder of the miracles of Christmas and the gift of family during the holiday season. 

My Review: I rated 5 out of 5 stars

Truly a book that should be shared with everyone. I had picked up this book because it was Christmas themed, since they’re my favorite. I had no idea what this amazing story was about, until I started reading it. Grieving is a very hard time for everyone, especially when it leaves a parent to take care of their family by themselves. I loved reading through the book and seeing the transition from everyone anticipating the gifts and finally the arrival of Christmas. I kept on waiting impatiently as Joanne and her family waited to find out what the next present was or who was sending them. I was so glad that Joanne was able to find peace and meet the “True Friends” that sent love to her and her family. Very happy that there are very loving a caring people who think of others when they’re needed the most. When I was 10 my grandmother passed away on 12/24, which made that Christmas heartbreaking. I feel that the secret gift giving can make a rough time just a little more bright during Christmas. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. Thanks to all those amazing “True Friends”.

Author Biography 

Joanne Huist Smith is a native of Dayton, OH. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Wright State University and worked as a reporter for the Dayton Daily News. She is the mother of three and grandmother of two.

Goodreads Blurb

You will be drawn into this small town Christmas mystery when Levi finds the body of bakeshop owner Candy Kane dead in the pantry.

Meanwhile things go from crazy to insane when Scooter’s dad comes to town, Zoe tries to find the perfect gift for Zak, and everyone is pulled into the fun and magic of Hometown Christmas.

It’s funny, it’s family, it’s a Zak and Zoe Christmas mystery.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Another thrilling mystery by Kathi. This had all my favorite things. Christmas, baking, love, a wedding and a mystery. There were a number of things happening with the characters. I was happy Zoe was able to find out who killed poor Candy Cane. I was excited that Ellie and Levi can move past their issues. I loved that Kathi used a holiday candy as the victims name. I always enjoy all the books in this series. You don’t need to read them in order in order to keep up with the story.

Author Biography

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn’t writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she’s not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.

Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf).

Goodreads Blurb

Why stick with plain old A, B, C when you can have Amelia (Earhart), Malala, Tina (Turner), Ruth (Bader Ginsburg), all the way to eXtraordinary You–and the Zillion of adventures you will go on?

Instagram superstar Eva Chen, author of Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes, is back with an alphabet board book depicting feminist icons in A Is for Awesome: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World, featuring spirited illustrations by Derek Desierto.

My Review: Rated 3 out of 5 stars

This book is all about girl power. The illustrations were awesome. I loved that quotes were included from most of the ladies in this book. It motivates people when reading about what each person stands for. I loved the mirror at the end. Sometimes we need a reminder that we too can make a change in this world. My favorite person included in this book is Iris Apfel. I love funky fashion just like her. She is such an inspiration. Here is the quote included in this book “When you don’t dress like everyone else, you don’t have to think like everybody else”. So be unique and different no matter what people might say to you for being bold, unique and different.

I’m disappointing that no Hispanic ladies were included in this book. It included some diversity, but not one Hispanic person was included. Diversity is a huge key component. People want to feel they are represented and see someone that looks like them and be proud and see that they can make a difference too. Standing together as one, will make us stronger.

Author Biography

Eva Chen is a first-generation Chinese-American who grew up in New York City. She blames her deviation from pre-med at Johns Hopkins University on a love of fashion and beauty instilled in her by her mother, whose perfect bob and lipstick made a permanent imprint on her impressionable young mind. Previously the editor in chief of Lucky, Eva has also written for ELLE, Vogue, Teen Vogue, Vogue China, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. She is currently the head of fashion partnerships at Instagram, where she is guilty of the occasional duck-face selfie. Eva lives in New York City with her husband and two children. This is her debut picture book. You can find her on Instagram at @evachen212.

Hello book lovers,

In case you don’t already follow my FB group here is the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/384315168432021/ I opened this FB group to gather all the fabulous book lovers like me and author’s, to share book events, signings, giveaways and anything you can possibly think that is book related. I have the group set as private to make sure only book lovers join in the fun. Next year, I will be celebrating 5 years and you don’t want to miss the giveaways I will be having. Click to join and I will add you. I currently have a giveaway pinned on the top of the FB page.