Jingle all the Way by Debbie Macomber

Synopsis:

Everly Lancaster always dreamed of leaving behind her hometown in rural Illinois, but her new life running a burgeoning startup in Chicago leaves little time for friends . . . or a holiday.

When a massive snowstorm hits, Everly's mother urges the workaholic to come home for Christmas, but she hesitates to return to the life that she tried so hard to escape.

Searching for other holiday plans, Everly tasks her assistant with booking her a cruise - an ideal escape. She embarks on a week-long tour of the Amazon guided by charming naturalist Asher Adams, but slowly realises just how important her relationships are to her.

Everly makes a bold decision to abandon her lonely holiday plans - but can she make it home in time for Christmas Day?

Review:

Lovely, easy read, just in time for Christmas. I mean, who doesn’t like a little romance at this time of year.

Set mostly in the Amazonian rainforest, on board an adventure cruiser, this is a perfect book for those long evening, whilst your Christmas lights twinkly in the background.

Daisy (Everly) is a high, flying, real estate career woman, who has forgotten how to live and love. She ditched her family for her work one year already and her job her completely overtaken her personal life, making it non-existent. She is reluctantly pushed into having the whole of December off and going on a supposedly luxury cruise, booked by her spoilt-brat assistant.

Tings turn out very differently when she comes aboard the Amazonian explorer, but Daisy soon gets into the swing of things, especially thanks to the handsome naturalist Asher.

As you can imagine, their love blossom, but there are obstacles in the way that could mean them parting and never looking back. The rest – you’ll have to read yourself.

Lovely book, perfect romance. Daisy was relatable and likable character.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley.

Rating: 4/5

Available from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Bells and Spells by Lana Melyan

Synopsis:

Our Academy of Magic was invited by another one to a Christmas masquerade ball. That should be fun.

Or I thought it would be. But so far I wasn’t sure if my three friends and I would make it there.

While the whole Academy was already on their way to Pittsburgh for the ball, someone conjured mystical powers to prevent our arrival.

Every step forward threw us two steps back, and our efforts to catch up with the others took us even farther from our destination.

What the heck? Was this some Christmas joke? Or was someone trying to punish us, or even avenge or challenge?

The four of us decided we would make it to that party no matter what. We were witches, and whatever or whoever was doing this to us was about to taste our—
Oh, come on, we’d already bought our dresses. 

Review:

Lovely, magical novella from my favourite magical author and even better – it’s set at Christmas time.

It has it all: four naughty witches, mystery evil Santa, secrets that need to be told, castles, boys, sexy/mysterious guy called Caleb and a magical ball! Trust me, you don’t need anything else (perhaps mulled wine on the side).

Ali and her three friends are the last ones leaving their magical academy to go to the ball. At least that’s what they are trying to do when the gates are shut and they get locked in the grounds of their school by an evil Santa, summoned by someone that is not the girl’s biggest fan.

All four girls have secrets that won’t stay locked in if they want their freedom back. They each think their secret is the worst until Ali speaks and finally reveals the truth. But that’s not the end of it and Ali has to work a little harder to find out what really is going on and when she does, she has some choices to make.

Great twists and turns, lovely setting throughout the book. This is a fabulous, quick Christmas read with some magic thrown in for good measure. And I am kind of hoping there’ll be a second book!

Thank you to the author and TBConFB.

Rating: 4/5

Available from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

The Witching Stone by Danny Weston

Synopsis:

Beneath this stone lie the remains of Meg Shelton, alleged witch of Woodplumpton, buried in 1705.

After a messy breakup with his girlfriend, Alfie needs to get away for a while – so he decides to spend the summer holidays with his dad in a tiny village in the North of England.

In the local church graveyard, he chances upon a boulder with a strange inscription – and meets Mia, who then tells him about the local superstition surrounding the stone.

“If you walk three times around the stone and say “I don’t believe in witches,” Meg will come after you.’

Alfie, in a reckless attempt to show his bravery, accepts the superstition as a challenge. He thinks the story is nonsense. But it soon becomes apparent that he’s just made the biggest mistake of his life…

Review:

Fab book for any young adult (or older adult such as me), who is a fan of the supernatural and mystery. It’s got great pace, interesting back story and enjoyable characters.

Alfie is a bit lost, nothing to do, when he arrives in Woodplumpton with his dad. Whilst his father works, he finds himself exploring the local graveyard and bumping into Mia, makes the biggest mistake of not taking superstitions seriously. That mistake means he summons a 18^th witch who is set on revenging her untimely death.

Meg has her reasons and the more Alfie finds out about her life, the more willing he is to follow through (he has to or she’ll destroy all he loves – so that’s a good reason to do Meg’s bidding).

The only downside for me was the link between Alfie and Meg that has not been explored further, just hinted at and I found the story somehow missing a key piece of information about the characters.

Overall, this is a great, quick read; perfect for those drawn out autumn/winter evenings.

Thank you to NetGalley.

Rating: 4/5

Available from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US