Book arrivals: (linked to Mailbox Monday)
I received these for Christmas:
Reading plan for this week:
I hope to be spending a lot of time with family but I’ll probably start the book I plan to be reading on the first day of 2021 (title still to be decided).
Merry Christmas!
Book arrivals: (linked to Mailbox Monday)
Last week on Bookfan:
Reading plan for this week:
THE HANDMADE CHARLOTTE PLAYBOOK by Atlanta-based artist, frequent TV guest, and nationally syndicated craft authority Rachel Faucett makes the perfect holiday gift for our cooped-up times. The unique 100+ crafts, snacks, and games within these gorgeous pages will inspire kids of all ages to turn off their screens and collaborate, using the ordinary to create the extraordinary. Order the book by Christmas Eve and you’ll be eligible to download the brand new Bonus Bundle with new and never-before-seen projects you can enjoy this holiday season and beyond. If you’ve previously purchased, you’re still eligible to receive the bonus content! Learn more HERE: http://bit.ly/HMCbundle
2020 has been a challenging year in so many ways. Never have I been so grateful to be a book lover! Listed in the order read, these are my favorite books of the year:
(Covers link to my blog reviews or Goodreads ratings)
Book arrivals: (linked to Mailbox Monday)
Last week on Bookfan:
Reading plan for this week:
I’m perusing my shelves and Kindle looking for my First Book of 2021. This is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. I hope you’ll join in! I love seeing what everyone plans to read to ring in the New Year.
Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost
published: October 2017 – Crooked Lane Books
Hoopla audio borrow/my Kindle shelf
Description:
When Holly White’s fiancé cancels their Christmas Eve wedding with less than two weeks to go, Holly heads home with a broken heart. Lucky for her, home in historic Mistletoe, Maine is magical during Christmastime—exactly what the doctor prescribed. Except her plan to drown her troubles in peppermints and snickerdoodles is upended when local grouch and president of the Mistletoe Historical Society Margaret Fenwick is bludgeoned and left in the sleigh display at Reindeer Games, Holly’s family tree farm.
When the murder weapon is revealed as one of the wooden stakes used to identify trees on the farm, Sheriff Evan Grey turns to Holly’s father, Bud, and the Reindeer Games staff. And it doesn’t help that Bud and the reindeer keeper were each seen arguing with Margaret just before her death. But Holly knows her father, and is determined to exonerate him.The jingle bells are ringing, the clock is ticking, and if Holly doesn’t watch out, she’ll end up on Santa’s naughty list in Twelve Slays of Christmas, Jacqueline Frost’s jolly series debut. (publisher)
My take: Twelve Slays of Christmas was an entertaining cozy mystery. The small town Maine setting put me in a Murder She Wrote mood which wasn’t too far off base. I loved the timeline of pre-Christmas weeks and the annual Reindeer Games that provided a few plot direction possibilities. The jilted bride and the new-to-town sheriff had a nice chemistry. The red herrings abounded and I wasn’t sure who the murderer was until the reveal. I almost never do! This was the perfect cozy mystery to read during December. I loved the humor inserted by the author and delivered perfectly by narrator Allyson Ryan. If you’re looking for a fun holiday mystery I recommend you check out Twelve Slays of Christmas.
Book arrivals: (linked to Mailbox Monday)
Last week on Bookfan:
Reading plan for this week:
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
Expected publication date: February 23, 2021 – Ballantine Books
E-galley courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley
Description:
From the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir comes an unforgettable novel of a BBC-sponsored wartime cooking competition and the four women who enter for a chance to better their lives.
Two years into World War II, Britain is feeling her losses: The Nazis have won battles, the Blitz has destroyed cities, and U-boats have cut off the supply of food. In an effort to help housewives with food rationing, a BBC radio program called The Kitchen Front is holding a cooking contest—and the grand prize is a job as the program’s first-ever female co-host. For four very different women, winning the competition would present a crucial chance to change their lives.
For a young widow, it’s a chance to pay off her husband’s debts and keep a roof over her children’s heads. For a kitchen maid, it’s a chance to leave servitude and find freedom. For a lady of the manor, it’s a chance to escape her wealthy husband’s increasingly hostile behavior. And for a trained chef, it’s a chance to challenge the men at the top of her profession.
These four women are giving the competition their all—even if that sometimes means bending the rules. But with so much at stake, will the contest that aims to bring the community together only serve to break it apart? (publisher)
My take: The Kitchen Front is a look at life on the home front in a British village during WWII. I’ve read more than a few historical fiction novels about this era and always admire what citizens did to serve their country during wartime. If living in England during this time wasn’t challenging enough, our four main characters have that and then some. Two women, sisters at odds with each other since childhood, a young maid who thinks life outside of servitude has to be better, and a young pregnant and single woman who relocates to the village, all find themselves in a cooking competition that could be life changing. The winner’s prize is becoming host of a BBC radio cooking show. Yes, there are recipes included! Jennifer Ryan’s novel will appeal to fans of historical women’s fiction. I adored her novel The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir a few years ago. The Kitchen Front is different but similar in setting and era. I appreciated the information shared in the author’s note at the end where Ryan describes the inspiration for her novel.
Calling all lovers of Romance novels!
DJ DeSmyter and Sara LaCotti from SMP asked me to share this event invitation with readers, so here goes:
The winter season is upon us and we are celebrating by hosting a virtual event with a stellar line-up of romance authors! Join us on Wednesday, 12/9, at 6:00 PM EST via Crowdcast to help Lily Menon, Nancy Naigle, L. Penelope, and Farrah Rochon write a short romance story LIVE! You’ll have the opportunity to vote on plot twists and character names before and during the event. Register for the event and vote in our first poll here: https://bit.ly/SMPRWEA
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