Spotlight: Holiday Stories

These books are available as paperback books. Each contains at least three stories. All are available from The Wild Rose Press as well as other sellers.

The Wild Rose Press

Review: Snow Kiss Cookies to Die For

SNOW KISS COOKIES TO DIE FOR by Wendy Kendall

Fiction, Contemporary Romantic Suspense, Novella (98 pages)

5*****

Blurb: First grade teacher Desiree Tucker is on the brink of winter holidays with her new, romantic boyfriend when danger encroaches on her joy. Ominous, untraceable texts buzz on her cell phone. Terrifying secret Santa gifts show up for her in the classroom. As the stalker moves closer to the prey, Desiree doesn’t know who she can trust. Her charming new man is a prime suspect. Is he a deadly stalker? If not him, who? What can she learn from the legend of the snow kiss cookie? Just when she’s starting to believe in magic again, she finds herself fighting for her life.

Thoughts: Dez is a first grade teacher with the wonderful idea of having her students do a Secret Santa project. Everyone is excited about the game until a stalker decides to play with Dez—and not in a good way. Threatening texts, stockings filled with disturbing gifts send Dez to the cops, making her suspect everyone, including her new boyfriend Leo. There are plenty of suspects in this who-done-it and the author keeps you guessing right up to the end.

This isn’t your normal sweet Christmas story. It’s a bit dark and suspenseful, but with a satisfying ending that will leave you smiling.

Recommendation: If you’re looking for a short, suspenseful romance, definitely pick this one up.

Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Spotlight: Andrew Grey

Title: Rudolph the Rescued Jack Russell

Author: Andrew Grey

Series: A Most Love Dogs Companion Novel

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Self Published

Release Date: Dec 6 2022

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Blurb/Synopsis:

Alex goes to a dog rescue with one mission: overcome one of his fears. But he gets more than he bargained for when he unexpectedly bonds with a Jack Russell terrier named Rudolph and decides to take him home.

When shelter volunteer Luther offers to show Alex the ropes of dog ownership, their time together proves they have more in common than just Rudolph’s affection. But if they’re going to have a happy holiday, Alex needs to come to terms with his issues. Can Luther help him see that love really can be unconditional?

Book Links

Amazon

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page

Barnes and Noble Page

Dreamspinner Press

Facebook

Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey

Goodreads

Twitter @andrewgreybooks

Website

For Other Works by Andrew Grey

(Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works)

Free for you!

The authors of The Wild Rose Press have once again put together an amazing cookbook. The electronic version is free. The print version is only $15.99. You can pick up your copy here: TWRP

Writing Tips, Tricks, Thoughts

Birthdays: John Greenleaf Whittier (1807), Ford Madox Ford (1873), Erskine Caldwell (1903), Penelope Fitzgerald (1916), William Safire (1929), John Kennedy Toole (1937), Jack Chalker (1944), Jacqueline Wilson (1945)

Ford Madox Ford is best known for his book “The Good Soldier”

John Kennedy Toole won the Pulitzer Prize for his book “A Confederacy of Dunces”

Quote: “I have this belief that children become readers before they can read. They become hooked on books because they were read aloud to as a child.” – Jacqueline Wilson

“For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’” – John Greenleaf Whittier

“If you re-read your work, you can find on re-reading a great deal of repetition can be avoided by re-reading and editing.” – William Safire

Tip: Make each character unique. If you were to line up your characters next to each other, could you tell them apart? You should be able to. And so should your readers.

Jumpstart: The funeral was at high noon. It seemed appropriate somehow…

Writing Tips, Tricks, Thoughts

Birthdays: Jane Austen (1775), George Santayana (1863), Marie Hall Ets (1895), Noel Coward (1899), V.S. Pritchett (1900), Margaret Mead (1901), Arthur C. Clarke (1917), Nicolas Sidjakov (1924), Philip K. Dick (1928), Bill Brittain (1930), E.B. Lewis (1956), Sylvia Brownrigg (1964),

George Santayana is known for aphorisms such as “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” And “Only the dead have seen the end of war.”

Marie Hall Ets won the 1960 Caldecott Medal for her illustrations of “Nine Days to Christmas”

Arthur C. Clarke is best known for his science fiction that sometimes led to real-world scientific discoveries.

Nicolas Sidjakov won the 1961 Caldecott Medal for “Baboushka and the Three Kings”

Bill Brittain’s book “The Wish Giver” was a 1984 Newbery Honor book.

E.B. Lewis was a two-time winner of the Caldecott Medal for his illustrations.

Quotes: Jane Austen: There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.

Margaret Mead: Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.

Arthur C. Clarke: Any sufficiently advance technology is indistinguishable from magic.

Philip K. Dick: I am basically analytical, not creative; my writing is simply a creative way of handling analysis.

Tip: When writing dialogue among multiple characters, be sure to use tags and action to show who is talking.

Jumpstart: “When would you like to go to?”

“What do you mean ‘when’”?

“I mean…this is a time machine. So…when do you want to go to?”

I had to think hard, but knew there was only one choice…

Review: Heart of Christmas Cookies and Dreams

HEART OF CHRISTMAS COOKIES AND DREAMS by Wendy Kendall

Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Novella (98 pages),

5*****

Blurb: Liz buried her hopes three years ago when she buried her husband. Her dream to run her own bakery? Shelved, along with dreams of love. She hides behind a corporate desk, struggling for time with her young son and his grandmother, Violet.George is chef at the assisted living facility where Violet recovers from an accident. His adopted beagle, Phil is George’s only family, and a therapy dog for the residents. Violet plays matchmaker, plotting a cookie bake at the facility kitchen. Her plans put George’s job at risk. When tail-wagger Phil suddenly disappears, George is desperate to find him. The search leads George into a surprising twist of fate, and accidentally pulls Liz along with him. Together can they discover the heart of Christmas, and find the ribbons of love that run through it?

Thoughts: This is a really sweet holiday story about family and dreams. The characters—and their issues—are very realistic. Liz lost almost everything when her husband died three years ago. Everything except her son. But she buried herself in a corporate job, telling herself it is for both their sakes. She buries her dream of one day owning her own bakery. Unfortunately, the job takes her away from her son more than she’d like. But Matt likes spending time with his grandmother Violet at the home where she is recuperating. Plus, he gets to have fun with Phil, a therapy dog owned by the home’s chef, George.

George, a product of the foster system, has never had a real home. Phil is his family. But when Violet and Matt pull him into their circle, he discovers that family is what you make it.

I loved this story. If I had anything negative to say at all, it would be that it’s too short. I’d like to see the novella expanded into a full-length book. One where the cops find the SUV that caused the accident, and maybe where Violet and George open that bakery. That would definitely be a plus for me.

Recommendation: for a sweet story (and a good recipe!), pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed.

Disclaimer: Thanks to the author for providing this ARC. I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Amazon

Review: Wishes Under a Highland Star by Mary Morgan

WISHES UNDER A HIGHLAND STAR by Mary Morgan

Fiction, Historical Paranormal Romance, 214 pages

5*****

Blurb: As chieftain for his clan, Alex MacFhearguis struggles with the burden of an unwanted responsibility. With the midwinter feast approaching, he flees his castle to find comfort and solitude within the forest. Yet on his quest, Alex stumbles into a world filled with magic, mysteries, and a woman with beguiling eyes who could capture his heart. When half-Fae Aine Fraser makes a powerful wish, her simple request unlocks the magic she possesses and brings forth a Highlander into her world. Though the man has lost all his memories, she finds her attraction growing for this brooding warrior with each passing day. Unable to deny her feelings, Aine risks everything when she confesses her greatest secret. Can a beauty who wished for a champion tame the beast of Leòmhann Castle?

Thoughts: I have not read this author before so was not familiar with the background of the brothers, but I know I will be reading more. The I did not know the previous stories, the author gave me enough information throughout to know what was going on so I wasn’t lost.

The hero, Alex, Is a character that comes across as gruff and cold-hearted, but when he loves, he loves hard. As chieftain of the clan, he’s interested in making alliances, but not in marriage. He wants nothing to do with that. Fortunately, the fates have a different future in store for him.

Aine is half-human, half-fae and lives in the secret and secluded glen of Taloch castle where she is a blacksmith. Her skills at the smith and with the harp far exceed her skills at “womanly” pastimes like cooking and sewing. Lonely for love, she makes a wish one starry night—and meets the warrior of her dreams.

Alex and Aine endure a lot of trials and tribululations before things right themselves. This is a sweet story steeped in magic and romance with a HEA ending that makes you smile and wish for a warrior of your own.

Recommended. But I do suggest you buy all the books in the series and start with the first one in order to understand everything that is going on. You won’t be sorry.

Disclaimer: thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced by anyone.

Spotlight: Maria Imbalzano

Competitive, work-obsessed Bella Simonetti has just been fired from her high-paying job at a Manhattan law firm. At an all-time low, she returns home and helps her parents at their small-town gift shop, but the business is failing and may not make it past the Christmas holidays. Successful landscape architect Dean Jackson is like a son to Bella’s parents. But he’s a persistent annoyance to her—he seems to have forgotten his unforgivable blunder thirteen years earlier. When Bella transforms her parents’ gift shop into a cookie cottage, Dean’s generosity and magnetic smile are hard to resist, and those feelings of unrequited adolescent love come rushing back. But can Bella let go of the past and accept Dean for the man he is today?

The Wild Rose Press

Amazon (Note: This is on sale here at $.99 for the month of December).

Spotlight: Holiday Stories

All these stories are available from The Wild Rose Press as well as other outlets.

Hannah loves her accounting job, the condo that she purchased herself, and her best friend Melinda. What she doesn’t love is baking. To be fair, she’s never tried. But when her cousin shames her into bringing homemade cookies to the family Christmas Eve celebration, she begins a quest to make the perfect holiday cookie. Paramedic Josh also occasionally teaches kids’ cookie baking classes at his family’s bakery. When a beautiful accountant mistakenly signs up for a children’s holiday baking class, he realizes immediately that she’s in the right place. Can this local hero help to save Hannah’s Christmas? Or will it all go up in smoke?

Harmony Stewart has the ingredients for a perfect life: a precocious daughter, substantial wealth, and a supportive family. The only potential improvement would be a second shot at love. Since she’s always had a thing for doctors, Harmony’s determined to meet Mr. Right at the hospital’s Holiday Cookie Bazaar and recruits cantankerous German baker Abelard Durchdenwald with a simple deal: his cookies for her assistance in landing him his dream job. Abel adds unexpected—and much-needed—spice to Harmony’s days, so when issues arise with Abel’s visa, she impulsively offers a fake engagement that stirs up trouble with her well-connected ex-husband, Chance. If her ex uncovers Abel and Harmony’s deception, the consequences could be catastrophic. She should scrap the plan and start from scratch, but that would mean letting go of the baker who’s turning out to be sweeter than his desserts.

Rona Murray, owner of Linn House Bakery, enters the town’s charity Christmas cookie auction, never expecting the evening to end in the death of last year’s winner. Had someone baked to kill Angela, or had she just been sick? Curious, Rona turns up the heat when questioning people with ties to Angela. It’s then she realizes her ex-husband, Johnny, is still in love with her. But will his love be enough to save her from a cookie crafter with a penchant for murder?