~ BOOK REVIEW ~ Harlequin's November Reads ~ Includes Review of Secret Christmas Twins ~ by Lee Tobin McClain
Title: Santa’s Seven Day Baby Tutorial
Author: Meg Maxwell
Genre: Holiday Romance
Harlequin Imprint: Special Edition
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR
Blurb:
JUST FOR CHRISTMAS?
JUST FOR CHRISTMAS?
Pretty, proper Anna Miller has all the makings of a respectable Amish housewife. But the outside world has always beckoned. So when a handsome FBI agent needs help caring for his infant twin nephews right before Christmas, Anna jumps at the opportunity. Maybe she can finally discover where she truly belongs.
Special agent Colt Asher lives for his job. So he's surprised when an unexpected week as a hands-on uncle fills his life with meaning. Of course, it helps that the babies' gorgeous nanny is unlike any woman the love-'em-and-leave-'em lone wolf has ever known. But Anna's rumspringa might lead her straight back to her village. Or, if Colt lets her, Anna might just be his Christmas wish come true…
I live on the coast of Maine with my teenaged son, our sweet beagle, Lemon, and a black and white cat named Cleo. Interesting tidbit: Meg Maxwell is a pseudonym--my real name is Melissa Senate, author of many women's fiction titles (See Jane Date; The Love Goddess' Cooking School) that have been published in over twenty-five countries. I've been reading and loving romance novels for almost thirty years and I'm so excited about my first category romance series: HURLEY'S HOMESTYLE KITCHEN: Book 1, A COWBOY IN THE KITCHEN, was published in March '16; Book 2, THE DETECTIVE'S 8 LB, 10 OZ SURPRISE, was published in May. Book #3, THE COWBOY'S BIG FAMILY TREE, follows in October/November. In 2017, three more Hurley's novels are coming, starting with THE COOK'S SECRET INGREDIENT in February and CHARM SCHOOL FOR COWBOYS in May. And another in November! I'm also writing a book that will part of the new Montana Mavericks continuity series that will be published in August '17.
I love to hear from readers! Feel free to email me at AuthorMegMaxwell@gmail.com. And feel free to visit my website:
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2gR2Sy9
Title: Little Secrets: Holiday Baby Bombshell
Author: Karen Booth
Genre: Holiday Romance
Harlequin Imprint: Desire
Blurb:
From Rivalry to Revelry…to Romance?
Competitive swimmer turned real estate magnate Michael Kelly is tastier than a Christmas cookie. But now Charlotte Locke's sexy former lover is her top business rival…and the father of her unborn child. Determined to keep her professional cool, the hotel heiress hides her delicate condition from her family—and from her commitmentphobic ex. Until Michael moves in next door, exposing a desire left unquenched and Charlotte's pregnancy secret.
Michael may not be daddy material, but losing Charlotte and their baby isn't an option. He'll close the deal at any cost—even if it takes a Christmas miracle to prove this playboy is reformed for good!
Karen Booth is a Midwestern girl transplanted in the South, raised on '80s music, Judy Blume, and the films of John Hughes. Karen writes smart, steamy contemporary romance--big city love stories and rock star romances.Stay up to date on new releases from Karen by clicking the orange "Follow" button above, sign up for her newsletter at bit.ly/kbnews (paste the link into your browser), or visit her website at karenbooth.net.
When Karen isn't creating fictional hunky men, she's listening to everything from Otis Redding to Duran Duran with her kids, honing her Southern cooking skills (she makes some mean collard greens), or sweet-talking her astoundingly supportive husband into whipping up a batch of cocktails.
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2A4X38O
Title: Secret Christmas Twins
Author: Lee Tobin McClain
Genre: Holiday Romance
Harlequin Imprint: Love Inspired
Blurb:
Christmas came early for Erica Lindholm! Suddenly a mom to adorable twin baby boys and part owner of a snowy small-town Pennsylvania farm, Erica is living her dream. Until the boys’ estranged uncle, Jason Stephanidis, comes home to celebrate the holidays. The handsome, brooding detective turns out to be a natural with the babies…and with Erica’s wounded heart. But if Jason knew the truth about their identities, her picture-perfect life could melt away. She’s finally found the warm home, the loving family and the cozy Christmas she always wanted. Will Erica’s secret cost her everything?
My Review:
4 out of 5 Stars
4 out of 5 Stars
I think the first important thing to clarify is that this book CAN be read as a standalone – in fact I had no idea there was a ‘book 1’ until after I had read this one. It appears that although each story is based on twins, they are not the same twins, situations, or people. Also, if you are like me, and tend to be hesitant about romance books – because to be honest, they can swing from great, to cheesy, to overly sexy (like it’s forced into the story) – you have nothing to fear with this book.
Also worth mentioning is there are several christian undertones and references. But if religion isn’t for you, I still think you will enjoy this book. It’s not overly religious, and it’s fitting, considering it’s based in a small town where social gatherings often surround the local church, on Christmas, and with a character that has lived her life helping her own mother and others through recovery programs that often lean toward religious recovery. I am Christian myself, so it didn’t bother me, but I would say if you are not, it won’t distract you from the story – again, it’s largely based on where the townspeople gather, and the characters occasionally asking (in short pieces) for God’s guidance, but much like anyone would, even just talking to the universe.
Just based on the way the story started, I was scared. Any book that starts with a huge secret is scary for me! The secret never ends up coming out in a good way – I mean, it adds to the story when there’s a little drama, right? But it never leaves me any less tense, with the constant “tell them now!!” screaming in my head. In this case, I wasn’t completely wrong, but was pleasantly surprised how it turned out. In fact, the way the entire story was written, it was a VERY nice surprise on several fronts; not forced, quick romance, appropriately complicated but not overly dramatic, and even when I saw some things coming, and knew I wouldn’t like some of them, I still knew they were great additions to the story (again where the ‘appropriately complicated’ fits in). And Papa’s character? He was such a great fit! Erica and Jason needed the occasional middle man, and his old school, straight to the point, simple way of looking at things was perfect. He constantly made my heart melt – just as much as the sweet twins themselves.
This story definitely falls into the sweet romance category, and fits around PG-13, maybe like a Christmas movie you would see on the Hallmark Channel (which I highly recommend to the Hallmark people, by the way), and left me feeling warm and fuzzy, and very much looking forward to Christmas with my own family, working harder this year to focus on how lucky I am to have my family – not the ‘things’ we often get wrapped up in. I really do recommend this light, quick read to anyone – even if you don’t normally read this genre. You will definitively be pleasantly surprised, and find your heart a little lifted by the time you’re done!
Also worth mentioning is there are several christian undertones and references. But if religion isn’t for you, I still think you will enjoy this book. It’s not overly religious, and it’s fitting, considering it’s based in a small town where social gatherings often surround the local church, on Christmas, and with a character that has lived her life helping her own mother and others through recovery programs that often lean toward religious recovery. I am Christian myself, so it didn’t bother me, but I would say if you are not, it won’t distract you from the story – again, it’s largely based on where the townspeople gather, and the characters occasionally asking (in short pieces) for God’s guidance, but much like anyone would, even just talking to the universe.
Just based on the way the story started, I was scared. Any book that starts with a huge secret is scary for me! The secret never ends up coming out in a good way – I mean, it adds to the story when there’s a little drama, right? But it never leaves me any less tense, with the constant “tell them now!!” screaming in my head. In this case, I wasn’t completely wrong, but was pleasantly surprised how it turned out. In fact, the way the entire story was written, it was a VERY nice surprise on several fronts; not forced, quick romance, appropriately complicated but not overly dramatic, and even when I saw some things coming, and knew I wouldn’t like some of them, I still knew they were great additions to the story (again where the ‘appropriately complicated’ fits in). And Papa’s character? He was such a great fit! Erica and Jason needed the occasional middle man, and his old school, straight to the point, simple way of looking at things was perfect. He constantly made my heart melt – just as much as the sweet twins themselves.
This story definitely falls into the sweet romance category, and fits around PG-13, maybe like a Christmas movie you would see on the Hallmark Channel (which I highly recommend to the Hallmark people, by the way), and left me feeling warm and fuzzy, and very much looking forward to Christmas with my own family, working harder this year to focus on how lucky I am to have my family – not the ‘things’ we often get wrapped up in. I really do recommend this light, quick read to anyone – even if you don’t normally read this genre. You will definitively be pleasantly surprised, and find your heart a little lifted by the time you’re done!
Lee Tobin McClain read Gone With The Wind in the third grade and has been an incurable romantic ever since. When she not writing emotional Christian romances, she's probably driving around a carload of snarky teen girls, playing with her rescue dog and cat, or teaching aspiring writers in Seton Hill University's MFA program. She is probably not cleaning her house. You can find Lee online at http://www.leetobinmcclain.com and on Twitter @LeeTobinMcClain. Like her on Facebook or email her at LeeMcClain@comcast.net. She loves to hear from readers!
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ik6FnJ
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