Hot Cocoa Wars: A Christmas Romance by:Christine Houston

ABOUT THIS BOOK:
Lane Brentwood is too busy trying to save Aunt Darla’s cocoa shop to have time for romance. And she definitely doesn’t have time for Logan McClain no matter what his deep blue eyes and charming smile do to her heart rate. Besides, he’s the brother of Macie, Lane’s cold-hearted nemesis in a Christmas competition. 
Yet no matter how hard she tries, Lane finds herself thrown into Logan’s company. One awkward kiss under the mistletoe and Lane finds it harder than ever to resist her attraction to Logan. 
The problem is, Lane’s pretty darn good at snubbing her dreams, thinking it’s the only way she can make the world a better place. Her feelings for Logan unlock a deeper yearning she’s been trying to ignore. It’ll take a special Christmas miracle to help Lane decide between following her heart and leaving her dreams behind. 

MY THOUGHTS:
I loved this one! I was kind of weird reading a Christmas book in March but it’s been on my list for a while. I’m glad I finally read it! I loved Lane and Logan! This is such a cute romance about 2 people trying to find themselves but end up with so much more together! Can’t wait to read more from this Author!

When Fireflies Sing (A Snowflake Falls Romance Book 2) by: Christine Houston

ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Isabelle Atkins, pop star socialite, goes missing, no one has a clue where to find her. Her accounts go dark, her credit cards vanish, and her mother throws a fit. But Isabelle isn’t gone for good. She’s hiding out at Snowflake Falls Inn, kicking it real world style by scrubbing toilets.
With the new name of Journey Miller, she’s determined to shed her old persona and come back stronger than ever. Journey’s desperate play to get out from under her mother’s controlling thumb and back to her roots is interrupted by the arrival of bad boy country star Cody Blake.
Cody has a feeling he’s met Journey before, but he just can’t place where. Journey remembers clearly and she’s determined to keep Cody at arms length. However, she can’t deny a growing attraction when they’re forced to work together.
A rock-your-world kiss in the meadow has Journey putting aside her initial resistance. That is, until Journey’s cover is blown and Cody realizes why she looked so familiar. With so much to lose, Journey has to trust her gut and hold true to who she really wants to be … even if it means risking love.

MY THOUGHTS:

I loved this book so much. It is an amazing book about self discovery and taking responsibility and action in your own life, all wrapped up in a sweet romance. Journey and Cody lead similar lives but approach them in totally different ways. Yet both find themselves on the path of needing a life change. The best thing about life, no matter how hard things get, is the people we choose to associate with. Finding people who lift us up and carry us through the hard times is what it's all about and that is what this book has love and friendship and new life purpose. Awesome read. Great job! 

Note- I was gifted this book in exchange for a review and all opinions are my own.

Cookie Girl Christmas by: Christene Houston

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Molly Hayes has one more job before Christmas and then she can put her plans for a storefront bakery of her own in motion. What she doesn't bargain for is the handsome young Scrooge who insults her cookies and makes her blood boil. Toss in a heaping helping of snowstorm and a pinch of romantic old Inn and you've got yourself the perfect recipe for a not-so-silent-night.

MY THOUGHTS:

I loved this book. Christene is so detailed with her descriptions you can feel yourself inside the book. It is was full of emotion. I was laughing and crying and wishing it was winter. Molly has a lot of emotion built up from her past that she has a hard time facing her present and future. When she meets Greyson, he is so irritating and he just gets under her skin, but she can’t bring herself to stay away from him. When they are kind of forced into spending time together at Christmas they are both struggling with issues from their past. After spending more and more time together they find that maybe what they needed all along was someone who would understand. This book would be perfect read for Christmas time but it was also a fun read in July when it’s hot and I was wishing it was cold. There are a lot of great recipes and Christmas party ideas in this book that I am glad I read it in July so I can try them out this year. Christene, it was a great book and I really enjoyed it! I look forward to reading more from you!

A Heart So Broken by: Christene Houston

To learn more about Christene and her books visit her website: http://christenehouston.com/

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Jenna Tucker arrives on Aunt Lilly's porch, her broken arm is a small reflection of the shattered girl within. The sudden loss of her father during his service in Iraq has conspired to transform her from top of the class track queen to a girl on the run from haunting nightmares. With a trail of burned bridges ablaze behind her and deep resentment for the survivor of the blast that took her father's life Jenna digs in for a miserable summer in small town West Junction. Aunt Lilly is just what she needs: comfort, guidance, and hard truth rolled into a pair of loving arms. Under her tender care, Jenna has a vivid dream that reawakens hope for happiness. Meeting handsome Cooper Turnage at the crossroads brightens the possibilities considerably. The attraction that crackles between them is hard to resist, but Cooper struggles to hide a painful history that could ruin his chances with Jenna forever. The day Jenna discovers Cooper's devastating secret, her still tender heart is crushed all over again. She is confronted with a choice between the comfort of bitterness or a path of forgiveness that will heal at last a heart so broken.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the first book of Christene’s I have read. I was very impressed with her style of writing and her attention to the details. I plan to read more of her books in the near future. This book is listed as a YA romance but I didn’t feel that it was geared to an audience so young that I didn’t enjoy it just as much! I lost my own Father 9 years ago yesterday and it was very unexpected. Although I was older than Jenna some I struggled with some of the same emotions and still do. This is one of my favorite parts of the book so you can see what you’ll have to look forward to…. “Cooper, I can’t make you any promises. I know I’m emotional and crazy and so selfish. I know I’m going to disappoint you again because I’m human. But I also know that when we’re together, my heart feels like it’s beating right for the first time. You make me laugh until I cry. You help me be a better person. And I’m willing to fight for us.” I love it when I discover a new Author it’s like Christmas! Christene was a great discovery! I loved this book!

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Operation Underground Railroad

Today I am posting in support of Operation Underground Railroad. This is hosted by a fewAuthors. One of which is my Author Friend Kimberly Krey! They have given my permission to spread the word! I am excited to help them out and also equally excited that it is introducing me to even more awesome Authors!!!!

So here is the scoop.......Buy a book, free a child! Operation Underground Railroad is an award winning nonprofit organization that works to free children as young as 2yrs. sold into sexual slavery. Learn more and donate directly to O.U.R. at ourrescue.org. 

Here are some links to the Participating books:

http://www.amazon.com/Heart-So-Broken-Christene-Houston-ebook/dp/B00GZZ9OBA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1429946376&sr=1-1&keywords=a+heart+so+broken

http://www.amazon.com/Cookie-Christmas-Snowflake-Falls-Romance-ebook/dp/B00QLVZDWW/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0A37KFEQQ9E4JFYP8ZH7 

http://www.amazon.com/Embark-His-Service-Christene-Houston-ebook/dp/B00UNOI50U/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=16KS1A7TFMSJT4Y3PTQT

http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Edges-Companion-Montana-Chances-ebook/dp/B00RMZC6EO/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=02WGFQKVT04G5RPVGNJZ

You can also check out more info on this on facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/636145566516138/638363862960975/

Or Author Christene Houston's official website here:

http://christenehouston.com/

Please help support this cause and have a great time reading while you do it!