Review: The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man around. And her skills as an artist rival those of any artist she’s met. But for a woman in medieval times, the one skill she most desires is the hardest one to obtain: the ability to read.

After yet another young man asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides they need to move once again, but this time to a larger city. Rapunzel’s heart soars—surely there she can fulfill her dream. But Mother won’t let her close to a man. She claims that no man can be trusted.

After being rescued by a knight on the road to the city, and in turn rescuing him farther down the road, Rapunzel’s opportunity arrives at last. This knight, Sir Gerek, agrees to educate Rapunzel in order to pay back his debt. She just has to put up with his arrogant nature and single-minded focus on riches and prestige.

But this Rapunzel story is unlike any other and the mystery that she uncovers will change everything—except her happily ever after.

My Review

There are so many things that make this book a pleasure to read! The setting, the time period, the adventure, the characters, and the light romance all balance together to create an epic story. The author deviated enough from the classic tale to make it interesting and not predictable, but included elements that made it recognizable. Rapunzel's dilemma of submitting to her mother while desiring to stretch her wings puts her in a conflicting position. It was interesting to see her independence develop slowly, which made the transition realistic. Gerek and Rapunzel have a rough start to their friendship with her mistrust and his arrogance, but they learn to value each other even with social class differences. I especially enjoyed her teasing and sassiness which brought a light tone and a few chuckles. I could tell the book was written for a young adult audience and didn't feel like I connected with the emotions of the characters at a higher level, but it was a great adventure to go on.

(Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review & Giveaway: One Last Spring by Sian Ann Bessey

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

The quiet village of Llanwddyn has long been a safe haven for Gwen, a young Welsh country girl whose life has been fraught with tragedy. Following the untimely death of her parents, it was her aunt's home in Llanwddyn that provided Gwen and her brother a refuge from their grief. Now, with the unwelcome news that the village is to be razed in the name of progress, an inescapable wave of change has begun.

When her brother departs to follow his dream of sailing the high seas, Gwen is left alone to navigate the shifting world around her. She soon finds herself relying on the support of her brother's best friend, Lewis, a gentle blacksmith whose kindness stirs her heart. Resigned to the fact that Lewis may never see her as more than a child, Gwen is soon swept off her feet by Thomas, a prosperous young Englishman. Torn between two men and two very different paths, Gwen has little time to determine what course her heart will follow. With time running out for her beautiful valley, will love come too late?

My Review

What a lovely book. It was so easy for me to relate to the main character Gwen, one who is sentimental, stubborn, and has a difficult time adjusting to change. I love that she is an artist, sketching her changing village from her perch on the mountain. Her way of coping with life is admirable, to make each day meaningful in some small way, whether it's taking a moment to appreciate nature or helping someone in the community. Even though the book is not fast-paced, it was one that I wanted to take my time reading and enjoy every page as it steadily moved forward with Gwen's feelings of anxiety and conflict along her journey of transition. The Welsh setting and words were completely charming. Highly recommend!

(Thank you to Covenant Communications for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Blog Tour Schedule

November 16th

Heidi Reads...

Books are Sanity

November 17th

Mel's Shelves

Wishful Endings

November 18th

Joy in the Moments

Bookworm Lisa

Literary Time Out

November 19th

Singing Librarian Books

LDS and Lovin' It

Rockin' Book Reviews

Fire and Ice Reads

November 20th

Katie's Clean Book Collection

My Book a Day

Getting Your Read On

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Gratitude Giveaway Hop! A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller

I love this time of year to refocus on all the blessings I have to be grateful for. Just one of them is the opportunity to read and review so many amazing books on my blog. I'm also thankful for all the friends I've made with fellow bloggers, authors, and readers! Thank you for your support!

Synopsis

She never wanted to marry. He hopes to make amends for past wrongs. Can love find a way to heal both of their hearts?

Sadie Schrock swore she would never marry. All of her other Amish friends could court and marry she was content to manage the family business and eventually take it over when her parents are ready to retire. But all of that changes when a reckless driver kills both of her parents and seriously injures her younger sister. With mounting hospital bills adding to the pile of debt her parents left behind, Sadie is left with no choice: she must marry. And not just any man the man who saw her at her weakest and walked away.

Aden knows what his brother did to Sadie years ago was inexcusable. And every day since that incident, Aden has lived with the guilt for not intervening sooner. When he is faced with the chance to protect Sadie once again, he can t let her down even if it means living with the scorn of the woman he loves for the rest of his life.

Working alongside Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn t the same boy who once betrayed her. Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feelings for her new husband, dangerous secrets are revealed. Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family and herself.

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Review & Giveaway: Change of Heart by Molly Jebber

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

Synopsis

Ohio, 1899. Soft-spoken midwife Becca Yost lived by her Amish faith's strict rules—until her fiancé jilted her before their entire community. She's never been away from home, but the bustling Englischer town of Massillon, Ohio, is a welcome unexpected refuge. Especially when she goes to work for Dr. Matt Carrington, who shares her passion for healing those in need. His outgoing spirit and gentle strength show Becca a surprising new world of choices—and irresistible love. But there is one formidable obstacle: Matt's wealthy mother is determined her son will marry a society woman.

With her newfound resolve challenged, Becca decides that she and Matt must not be destined for each other after all. She accepts that she will have to forge a life alone—until a wrenching crisis and life-changing revelations teach her that true faith lies in all things, especially impossible second chances. . .

My Review

This was a difficult book for me to get into. The biggest problem for me was how stilted the dialogue and narration is (example: "Matt is sitting by the window at Lizzie's. No one is with him. I am hungry. We should join him.") It was just not a smooth read where I'm excited to read the next sentence, but more of a struggle. Much of the dialogue is of mundane things that made no difference to the plot but took up page space and made me lose interest. The narration also told of the characters thinking or feeling things that didn't quite fit with what is going on. There is a lot of telling instead of showing which made the characters seem two-dimensional to me. I think it would have benefited from a more thorough macro and line edit. For fans of Amish fiction not as picky as me I think this book will still be enjoyed by many.

(Thank you to CelebrateLit Publicity Group for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

About the Author 

Molly Jebber is the author of CHANGE OF HEART, an Amish historical romance. Fascinated by the Amish history, culture, Molly pursued her passion to write. Her love of writing led to a book deal with Kensington Publishing as well as three more titles debuting in 2015 and 2016. Publisher’s Weekly magazine announced and listed this book number three in their best ten review list for 2015. Romantic Times gave Change of Heart 4.5 stars. Molly enjoys time with her family, friends, traveling, swimming and golf. She loves God and serving Him. Sign up for Molly’s newsletter for giveaways, appearances, and latest news on book releases.

A copy of the book will be given away at each stop on the blog tour! So there are several chances for you to enter to win!

Nov 14: Heidi Reads... (http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com)
Nov 15: Cassandra M (www.cassandramsplace.com)
Nov 16: Bukwurmzz (https://bukwurmzzz.wordpress.com/)
Nov 17: Cherylbookblog (https://cherylbbookblog.wordpress.com/)
Nov 18: Just Commonly (http://JustCommonly.blogspot.com)
Nov 19: ArtisticNobody (www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.wordpress.com)
Nov 20: Big Reader's Site (http://bigreadersite.wordpress.com)
Nov 21: Texas Bookaholic (https://www.facebook.com/txbookaholic?fref=nf)
Nov 22: bookbites, beestings (http://www.bookkisses.blogspot.com/)
Nov 23: Debbiesdustydelib (http://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com)
Nov 24: Singing Librarian Books (http://singinglibrarianbooks.com)
Nov 25: Simpleharvest (https://simpleharvestreads.wordpress.com/)
Nov 26: A Greater Yes (http://agreateryes.wordpress.com)
Nov 27: Quiet Quilter (http://karla-hanns-karla.blogspot.com/)
Nov 27: The Power of Words (http://booksmusicandlife.blogspot.com)

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Review: Under the Mistletoe Collection (A Timeless Romance Anthology) by Cindy Roland Anderson, Annette Lyon, Julie Coulter Bellon, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, Jennifer Griffith

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Under the Mistletoe Collection. Six contemporary novellas, all adding sweet romance to the Christmas season.

In the enchanting novella FORGOTTEN KISSES by Cindy Roland Anderson, costume designer Madison Taylor has no love lost when the male lead playing Sir Lancelot in a TV series is fired. She couldn’t stand working with him anyway. But when she discovers who his replacement is, her heart nearly stops. Caleb Matthews is one of the hottest male actors ever… and not to mention Madison’s former boyfriend. When things got too serious between them, everything fell apart. And now, Madison must play nice or lose her job. She just has to forget all of the reasons she’d fallen for him in the first place.

In THE LAST CHRISTMAS, a sweet romance novella by Annette Lyon, Meredith only has to make it through the Christmas holiday pretending that she and her husband Eric aren’t on the verge of divorce. She doesn’t want to ruin the holiday for her two grown daughters and their boyfriends. But when Eric hurries home after weeks of living in a motel to unpack before their daughters arrive, he starts pressing Meredith with questions about why she filed for divorce. The last thing Meredith wants to do it give Eric a second chance, but it seems that Eric is not willing to let her go without trying to win her back.

In Julie Coulter Bellon’s captivating novella TRUTH OR DARE After a year of recovery, wounded war veteran Jonah Harrison comes home for Christmas. No longer the outgoing high school track star, he just wants to be left alone, away from well-meaning friends and neighbors. But when a blizzard strands him with Cami Jackson—the girl who once knew him best—he can’t hide anything from her, no matter how much he wants to. Cami has a wounded heart of her own, though, and it might take a Christmas miracle for them to find the healing they both long for and the courage to reach for a chance at love.

In the charming novella HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST by Sarah M. Eden, Celeste Lagorio has officially given up on Christmas. A single mother, with her children grown and unable to return for the holiday, Celeste determines to take a break from everything. When her single neighbor and almost-best-friend, Mike Durham, discovers her non-plans, they discuss things they’ve always wanted to do, but never had time. Mike and Celeste put together a friendly competition of checking off the things on their bucket list, all the while drawing closer and discovering they have more in common than they thought.

In CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY, a delightful novella by Heather B. Moore, Monica is on the verge of buying her dream store, but when she tells her boyfriend, he turns it into an embarrassing public argument. Heartbroken, but determined to follow her dream, she goes to her employer’s Christmas party to play Mrs. Claus, only to be paired with someone unexpected. A young Mr. Claus who is the complete opposite of her ex-boyfriend in all the most important ways. Yet, Monica is not sure she can risk opening her heart again.

In Jennifer Griffith’s exciting novella FIRST (AND LAST) CHRISTMAS DATE, pilot Juliet Law has been in a holding pattern, dating the wrong guy, until she gets a holiday shake-up: old flame Tag McClintock e-mails her to ask for second date—after ten years. Their first date, back in high school, had been an unmitigated disaster culminating with Pepto Bismol and the police. Still, Juliet would have gone out with Tag again the next day—and the next—had he asked. So now that he’s finally popping up in her in-box again, Juliet must decide whether to say yes to the date, even if it puts her at risk of another decade of carrying a torch for Tag McClintock. Will their second date be their last?

My Review

I absolutely loved each and every one of these stories!!! I should know better than to start a Timeless Romance collection at bedtime because I can't read just one story... and then at 3 am my husband rolls over and reminds me that I do need a little sleep to function the next day :) Two of these novellas really stood out to me as the ones I connected with the most. The Last Christmas by Annette Lyon brought tears to my eyes- even though I don't normally go for the struggling marriage theme- it was beautifully written and still realistic while providing a happy ending filled with renewal, forgiveness and hope. Truth or Dare by Julie Coulter Bellon featured a physically wounded vet and his emotionally wounded crush/bestie from high school- reunited and stranded in a winter storm, the perfect setting for some angst and attraction. Loved their exchanges! When I finish a book or collection with a happy smile on my face and a sigh of satisfaction, I know it's one I'll be reading again and recommending to my friends!

(Thank you to Ebooks for Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: Merry Christmas, Henry by Aubrey Wynne

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Henry, a shy and talented artist, moonlights as a security guard at a museum and loses his heart to a beautiful, melancholy woman in a painting. As his obsession grows, he finds a kindred soul who helps him in his search for happiness. On Christmas Eve, Henry dares to take a chance on love and fulfill his dream.

My Review

Even though this story is short, the characters are multi-layered and interesting. I really didn't know what to expect of the ending, but the lovely writing made it a pleasant journey getting there. As an artist and lover of museums I quickly connected with Henry and his struggle to balance love and solitude. His longtime friend Melinda, her daughter Katie and his aunt Lucy each have special places in his heart and are extremely likable. His banter with Melinda was especially enjoyable and I was kept waiting to see where things would go with them since the author doesn't lay it all out in the beginning, but reveals the different facets of Henry's life, past and present, a bit at a time. It really is a well-paced short story that felt complete when finished. A wonderful story to snuggle up and read in one sitting during the holidays!

(Thank you to Ebooks for Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: Love's Sure Dawn by Naomi Rawlings

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

No matter how hard she tries to help, Rebekah Cummings always ends up causing more problems than she solves. This time, though, things will be different. She'll find a way to pay her family's debts, even if doing so requires leaving Eagle Harbor. Maybe then they'll start treating her as a capable woman who makes her own choices.

Gilbert Sinclair is going to marry an heiress. With his latest business venture sunk at the bottom of Lake Superior, he needs money to replace the steamship he lost, so he heads to Chicago where his father's business connections should land him a suitable wife. Like most things in his meticulously planned life, everything goes as expected—until he discovers Rebekah Cummings working as the new cook on his ship.

Rebekah well remembers the pain she endured the last time she tried trusting Gilbert, and Gilbert can't afford to pursue the love of a working class woman. But they can't stop the forgotten feelings swirling between them—or ignore the sacrifices they'd both have to make for a future together. 

My Review

We get to know Rebekah and Gilbert in the previous books in the Eagle Harbor series, and they are both difficult characters. I couldn't wait to see how their story would be told. After some humbling experiences in the previous book, Gilbert is forced to reevaluate his strategy on accomplishing his goal of building the crane he engineered. From an outside perspective, he seems selfishly bent on making this business venture successful at all costs, but as we learn about his real motivations his true character is revealed.

Rebekah is a strong young woman, stubborn and desperate to prove to her family that she can contribute beyond what the norm is for women of the time. Even though she acts hardened and tough, she is still naive about many things. Her eyes are opened to more harshness and cruelty on her journey, yet her compassion makes a difference in the lives of those she reaches out to.

The overall mood of the book is anxious since there is so much injustice in the lives of the characters, but the fighting spirits of Gilbert and Rebekah propel the story forward. The attraction between them is something they also fight against, but as they learn to turn to the Lord to direct their paths, they find that they are being led toward each other instead of apart. I was happy to see how things came together in the end, and already can't wait to read the next book!

This is the third book in the Eagle Harbor Series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. However, we get to know the main characters and families in the previous books so I think they are best enjoyed being read in order.

My reviews of Love's Unfading Light (book 1) and Love's Every Whisper (book 2)

(Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Vote for Heather B. Moore's YA book Solstice to enter her $100 Amazon giveaway!

From Heather B. Moore's blog:

 

Enter to win 2 $100 Amazon Gift Cards!

That’s right, you have TWO chances to win $100 gift cards. Read on for details…

I'm hoping to win a publishing contract for my YA end-of-the-world book SOLSTICE. I wrote the book under the pen name Jane Redd because it’s a different genre than my usual historicals, thrillers, and romances. I entered SOLSTICE into Kindle Scout, which is Amazon’s publishing contest: think “American Idol” for books. Readers vote for/nominate a book, and the books that receive the most nominations will be considered for publication with Amazon. 

Check out the gorgeous cover art by Claudia McKinney!

Summary:

Four ways to get Banished from the last surviving city on earth are: 1. Cut out your emotion tracker, 2. Join a religious cult, 3. Create a rebellion against the Legislature, 4. Fall in love. 

Jezebel James does all four.

Jez is on the fast-track to becoming a brilliant scientist, with one goal—to save her city from total extinction. But the more Jez learns about the price of a fresh beginning, the more she realizes that carrying out the plan will lead to few survivors, and among the dead will be those she cares about the most.

Okay, so maybe this is a bit of a thriller too, and there’s romance! Maybe I'm not really swapping genres . . .

How To Enter: In order to help me gain nominations, I'm running a contest where anyone who votes for the book can enter a drawing to win a $100 Amazon gift card.

Here's what you do:  Go to this link https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/19YG70FO7KJU7 and nominate SOLSTICE. (You’ll need to sign in with your Amazon account info.) You can also read an excerpt of the first couple of chapters if you want, or you can just vote. Then, email me: heather (at) hbmoore (dot) com and I’ll enter you into the drawing for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card. 

And . . . for those of you who help pass the word along and get others to nominate the book as well, I'm offering a second $100 Amazon Gift Card giveaway.

How it works: Tell all your Facebook and Instagram/Twitter friend about it, and tell them to include your name in their email entry to me. Use in your post: Vote for Heather B. Moore’s new book SOLSTICE written under pen name Jane Redd on Kindle Scout, then enter the Two $100 Amazon Gift Card contests by emailing heather (at) hbmoore (dot) com and telling her that you voted and that I referred you. You’ll be entered into her 1st giveaway, and I’ll be entered into her 2^nd giveaway. Win Win! You can then refer others to get yourself entered into the 2^nd giveaway too.

For every person who nominates the book and lists you as their referrer, you’ll earn an entry into a 2^nd sweepstakes for ANOTHER $100 Amazon gift card. The more people you tell, the more they list you as their reference, the more chances you will have to win!

Also, if Amazon selects SOLSTICE to publish, everyone who has nominated the book will get a FREE copy from Amazon!

Guest Post by Liz Flaherty, Free E-books, Discount & Giveaways!

Guest Post by Liz Flaherty:

I don’t remember where I first heard about the Harlequin Heartwarming imprint or whose book was the first one I read—I just knew the stories filled a spot in this reader that had been empty too long. I recall being thrilled to see familiar names: Muriel Jensen, Roz Denny Fox, Cheryl St. John, and Marisa Carroll to name but a few. There was a point at the end of a book when I set it down and thought I wonder if I could do this. I emailed my editor saying “whaddaya think?” and he said “go for it.” (We may have used slightly more professional terms.)

So I went for it. I sat at the kitchen counter in the condo we rented that winter and let the story take me to an Irish pub in Vermont. I was in Northwest Florida avoiding a terrible winter in the Midwest, but my heart was in the Northeast Kingdom. I made a discovery then, that not only were these books heartwarming to read, they were heartwarming to write, too.

My first Heartwarming, Back to McGuffey’s, was released in October of 2014. I still gush over its cover. (Actually I gush over most of our covers—they are beautiful!) My next release will be Every Time We Say Goodbye in April of 2016.

And I hope I get to write many more of them.

All Heartwarming print titles are 30% OFF during November from Harlequin! Use code HEART1115

On tour with Prism Book Tours.

TODAY'S FREE SHORT STORY:

Wedding at Turkey Run by Liz Flaherty

Jenny and Zeke are united by their suspicions when her grandmother and his grandfather decide to get married at Turkey Run State Park over the Thanksgiving weekend. Before the weekend and the wedding are over, they are united by much more.

Read it HERE!

Liz Flaherty was a little nervous about retiring from her day job, but making quilts, more family time, traveling at the mere mention of “why don’t we go...” and becoming a Harlequin Heartwarming author have made the past years more fun and exciting than she could ever have imagined.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest

Other Heartwarming Titles by this Author

Back to McGuffey's

The one that got away

Could Kate Rafael's day get any worse? First she lost her job, then her house burned down and now her ex is back in town. Apparently, Ben McGuffey's taking a break from being a big-city doctor to help at his family's tavern and reassess the choices he's made for his career.

Ben ends up giving Kate a hand...then giving her kisses...and finally, a second chance. But when a local teenager shows them both a glimpse of what it means to be a family, Ben wonders if having kids in small-town Vermont would clash with his ambitions. Or can he truly come home again...to Kate?

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin

TOUR SCHEDULE

We'll be highlighting 13 FREE short stories by beloved Harlequin Heartwarming authors that will be available from Harlequin during November via their site.

Don't miss any of these FREE novellas! Stop by each of the tour stops each day:

11/2: Snow Day Baby by Amy Vastine
Singing Librarian Books, The Power of Words, & Katie's Clean Book Collection

11/4: Wedding at Turkey Run by Liz Flaherty
My Love for Reading Keeps Growing, Babs Book Bistro, & Heidi Reads...

11/6: Her Thanksgiving Soldier by Leigh Riker
Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima, Mel's Shelves, & Brooke Blogs

11/9: Mr. Right All Along by Jen Snow
Katie's Clean Book Collection, Min Reads and Reviews, & Love thy Shelf

11/11: Falling for the Cowboy by Sophia Sasson
Kindle and Me, The Power of Words, & Colorimetry

11/13: The Marriage Gift by Tara Taylor Quinn
deal sharing aunt, Babs Book Bistro, & Brooke Blogs

11/16: Heart of a Hero by Pamela Tracy
Writing Pearls, Wishful Endings, & Waiting For Wentworth

11/18: Thankful for You by Karen Rock
Christian Chick's Thoughts, Getting Your Read On, & Love, Laughter, Friendship

11/20: Autumn at Jasper Lake by Carol Ross
Reading Is My SuperPower, I Am A Reader, & Colorimetry

11/23: The Firefighter’s Promise by Kate James
Canadian Book Addict, Mel's Shelves, & Beck Valley Books

11/24: Wedding of His Dreams by Cari Lynn Webb
Bookworm Lisa, Kindle and Me, & Zerina Blossom's Books

11/25: The Sweetheart Tree by Rula Sinara
The Written Adventure, Reading Is My SuperPower, & Writing Pearl

11/26: Married by Thanksgiving by Melinda Curtis
Heidi Reads..., Love, Laughter, Friendship, & Singing Librarian Books 

11/29: Grand Finale
11/30: Facebook Party

GIVEAWAYS

Goodreads Giveaway

13 Harlequin Heartwarming Books
Enter on Goodreads HERE.

Pinterest Giveaway

 

Pin one or both of these images to spread the word and enter to win this adorably festive Thanksgiving Table Set:

Pinterest Prize includes: four reversible, quilted placemats, four matching napkins, hand-painted matching napkin rings, matching table runner, matching quilted hot pad/trivet, floral centerpiece in pot, and hand-crafted pilgrim pair.

- Enter via the Rafflecopter below

- Open to US only

- Ends December 4th

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Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize: Harlequin Heartwarming Year Subscription (Provided by Harlequin and to US/CAN only)
$40 VISA card (US only)
13-Book Heartwarming Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, Back to McGuffy's, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Small Town Secrets, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along, Wedding of His Dreams, After The Silence, and A Memory Away (print copies if US, ebooks if international)
8-Book Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, and After The Silence (print copies if US, ebooks if international)

Ends December 4th

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