by Jan Sikes
“Mountain Laurel Christmas” is a perfect holiday read. Cole Knight has gone from having everything taken from him as a child to becoming a huge country star who has everything. Yet, the emptiness from when he was a young boy can’t be filled with money, fame, or drinking. One night, Cole is overwhelmed and ends up at the place where he grew up. It’s here he searches for what’s missing and begins his journey to healing. The detail to the setting and music brought the story deeper, making me feel like a friend was sharing their story with me. Although a quick read, it is a reminder of what is important, especially during the holiday season. I highly recommend this heart-warming story that can be enjoyed any time of the year.
By Staci Troilo, Michele Jones, Joan Hall, Grace L. Reilly/ E. J. Lane, Mae Clair, P.C. Zick, Teri Polen, Irene Aprile, Harmony Kent, C.S. Boyack, Mark Venturini, Leigh Ann Beckett, and David MacPherson.
I was excited to see several of my favorite authors in this collection of time travel short stories. They didn’t disappoint, and I loved how each of them came up with a different idea to explore within the subject. What I like about anthologies is I’m introduced to writers that are new to me. “Quantum Wanderlust” offered some new authors I would enjoy reading again! This is a fun read that takes us to places beyond our daily lives.
“My Baby Wrote Me A Letter” is a quick read but layered with the emotions of Grace and her family. Grace is at the end of her pregnancy with her husband away on a mission, and she finds a letter tucked away in a family desk by a mother who she believed abandoned her family. Grace is a strong character who must face her past as her future is arriving. I love the relationship between the father and brothers and how the letter isn’t read all at once—they digest each bit of information before moving on. This is a short story I highly recommend!
by Staci Troilo
When things get bad for Piper, she heads home. It’s here she runs into not only her best friend from high school, Jack but her crush, Tommy. Piper is a character who is likable even in her not-so-stellar moments. She maneuvers through what is real and the musings of a teenage girl. This is a quick read that I devoured in one sitting to see if she got her happily ever after. “No Such Luck” is a sweet novella that emphasizes what and who is important. A fantastic beginning to the new Keystone Couples Series that I can easily recommend.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews. If I don’t like a book, I won’t finish it. It doesn’t feel right leaving a review in that case, but I have been known to email the author:) Life is too short not to enjoy every book you read!
Embrace that inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn
What a wonderful collection of books! Certainly great peaks for Christmas.
Lovely reviews. Congratulations to all the authors!
Thanks, Patricia 🙂 There is some wonderful holiday reading that you can’t go wrong with!
I haven’t read Quantum Wanderlust. What a great title!
It is a great title and them for an anthology. I believe you will enjoy reading it, Jacqui!
Would you believe I’ve read all of these? Great reviews, Denise. Thanks for including Quantum Wanderlust. I had fun writing my contribution.
They are such good reads that I can 🙂 I enjoyed your contribution, Joan, to the anthology, it was a great theme!
Terrific reviews, Denise.
Thanks, John 🙂
Thanks so much for the wonderful review of my novella. And the review of Quantum Wanderlust. You had a fabulous collection here, and I’m honored to be part of it.
You are so welcome, Staci 🙂 I loved every minute of reading your beautiful words. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next for your new series!
Wonderful selection this time.
Thank you, Craig 🙂 It really was!
I’ve read all of these and enjoyed every single one. Congratulations to the author.
Thanks for including Quantum Wanderlust, Denise. I enjoyed contributing a story to that anthology!
They were all so good, Mae. I enjoyed the anthology and seeing so many favorite authors there, including your great story.
I am honored to see my Christmas story nestled here among these other talented and amazing authors. I agree with your thoughts on “No Such Luck.” I have Jacquie’s short story sitting on my Kindle and your review makes me want to hurry it up. All great reviews! Thank you, Denise!
I have a feeling I’ll be reading your story in future holiday seasons. No Such Luck was such a fun read, I can wait for more stories. Jacquie’s story was so good especially since I follow the young girl on Instagram it was based on. That really brought it to life for me.
These are some great reviews, Denise. A couple of these are already on my TBR list, looks like I need to add Jacquie’s book as well! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks, Mar 🙂 You won’t be disappointed in any of them!
A wonderful collection of books, authors, and reviews here. Thanks for sharing, Denise! 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony 🙂 Happy to share the good ones! xo
Thanks for the awesome review, Denise! I saw the story of a letter in a desk on the news and it got the creative juices flowing, lol. I haven’t read Quantum Wanderlust yet, but love the title!
I love when stories come like that, Jacquie, and glad it did. Yes, it is a great title for that collection 🙂
Congratulations to these fine authors! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and introducing these reads, Denise. 🙂
They are good ones, Mark 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
Hi Denise, a fabulous collection of reviews. All these books sound like great reads.
Thanks, Robbie! Can’t go wrong with any of them! Xo
Great reviews Denise. I’ve read Jacquie and Staci’s book and concur with your reviews. Hugs xx
Thank you, Debby 🙂 They were good ones for sure!
Sorry I’m so late getting here, Denise. Thanks so much for reviewing Quantum Wanderlust! I was thrilled to be asked to participate in it, and I’m a sucker for time travel stories. I’ve read Staci’s book (adored it), and have the others in my TBR list. So much to read!
Time travel was a wonderful theme for a short story anthology! I had a lot of fun reading it 🙂 Yes, Staci’s story was great and I’m looking forward to more to come. You have a lot of good reading ahead, Teri!