By Sally Cronin
“Variety is the Spice of Life” is a wonderful collection of poetry and short stories. The poetry is presented in the first half of the book. It was moving and thoughtful, as each word was carefully crafted. The short stories in the second half were my favorite part. Each story had its gift to offer us, but I wiped away a tear or two with “Mrs. Lloyd’s Robin.” “The Healer” left me with chills wondering what-if. What connected the stories and poetry to me was their humanity—or heart of them. A must-read collection for those who love poetry and stories that make you feel.
Fairies, Myths, & Magic II: Book 2: A Winter Celebration
I read and loved “Fairies, Myths, & Magic Book 1” and was eager to read the second book. This dips into a darker side of fairies and magic but also offers the coming light. Told through beautiful poetry and short stories with the addition of the history of the feminine lore of different cultures. I could learn as I was entertained. Although I love my forest, I have a healthy appreciation of it and the magic it holds. This collection brought to life our past and present, leaving the promise of the future or its consequences. A perfect read for a cold fall or winter night that inspired me to bring a few new traditions into our house.
Do What You Love: Fragility of Your Flame Poems Photography & Flash Fiction
By M.J. Mallon
“Do What You Love” is a beautiful collection of words and photos that invite the reader into Ms. Mallon’s life. It is connected uniquely through the three sisters of fate: past, present, and future, and their insights. Whether it’s a trip abroad or down memory lane, it found a way to tug at my heart or engage me in her experiences. It is a wonderful way to share reality and engage others with flowing words and mythical beings. A quick but satisfying read that I can easily recommend to any poetry, prose, or memoir fan.
Secret Santa’s Rundown Sleigh: Holiday Romance Novella
By
Terra and her young daughter, Kylee, are on their way to spend Christmas with Terra’s sick mother. Bad luck strikes when their car breaks down. They end up stranded in a small town with no hotel rooms available, and the vehicle won’t be fixed until after the holiday. Terra’s sister can’t leave their mom to rescue them, so they set out to get a bite to eat. The caring server invites them to stay at her brother Jude’s house with them. Jude’s daughter and Kylee bonded quickly while Terra kept looking for other options to stay, and Jude wasn’t pleased with his new guests. Everyone around Jude and Terra is rooting for a Christmas miracle, but Terra is determined to move on, and Jude clings to the past. This short and sweet holiday read will uplift your spirits, and I can easily recommend it.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews here! If I don’t like the book, I won’t finish it. It wouldn’t be fair to leave a review for an unfinished story, and life is too short not to enjoy my reading journey!
UPDATES: I have one more post tomorrow, Books That Changed Me—Winter edition. Don’t miss my final good read picks of the year! Then I’ll be off until January 9th.
I will pop in once for a post over on Story Empire on the 26th.
Also, if you are subscribed to my newsletter, check your email and see what book is featured this month along with some updates.
I wish everyone a Merry Chirstmas and a Happy New Year!
Embrace your inner child, and read a good book! D. L. Finn
Thanks very much for sharing your lovely review along with Marje’s and Mary’s books Denise.. Have a lovely Christmas..♥
Happy to share your wonderful book here, Sally 🙂 I hope it gets lits of new readers. Thank you, I hope you have a lovely Christmas too. Xo
I am sure it will give it a great boost thanks again Denise ♥
And Colleen’s of course.. sorry.. xx
It was a longer list this time! Hugs xo
More great books!! All on my towering TBR pile. xo
I know the feeling, Darlene. I just keep adding…xo
Sounds like good stuff.
It is, Craig 🙂 All good reads.
Such a collection! <3
It is, and all good reads, Annette:) Happy holidays!
Great selection of reviews today, Denise! I’m looking forward to checking each of these out, hopefully soon! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on them, and here’s to a wonderful holiday season! Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! 🤗🎄🤗
Thanks, Marcia 🙂 you have some good reading ahead! I second a wonderful holiday season! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🙂 xo
Wonderful reviews, Denise. Congratulations to all the authors. I have many of these on my ereader waiting for me … lots of holiday reading! Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful holiday season 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony 🙂 You have some enjoyable holiday reading ahead. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season too. Xo
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these books, Denise. I’ve read and enjoyed both Sally’s newest and Colleen’s. I can easily recommend them both. I have Marjorie’s newest waiting on me. Now I’m off to check out Mary’s Christmas story! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thanks, Jan for adding in your recommendations! I believe you will enjoy your future reading 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and yours too. Xo
Thanks again for your review Jan ♥
Thanks for sharing great reviews. I hope you have a wonderful time during the holidays.
Thank you, Dan 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful time during the holidays too!
Great collection and enjoyable reviews, Denise!
Thank you, Jacqui 🙂 All good ones!
Thank you so much, Denise, and to everyone sharing this post. I’m honored to be in such great company.
Happy to share your holiday read here, Mary! I will be reading more. Hapoy Holidays 🙂
Thank you! Secret Santa’s Rundown Sleigh is very different from my other books especially those before 2020. Happy Holidays!
Terrific reviews, Denise. Congratulations to Mary, Coleen, Sally, and MJ.
Thank you, John 🙂 Yours is up next after a bit of holiday reading.
😁
Thanks for the reminders, Denise. There are a couple of these on my wish list already.
Reviews are good reminders, Pete. Helps sort through that TBR list 🙂
These are all such lovely reviews, Denise. Thanks for including my Fairies, Myths, & Magic Book 2 in this group. Happy holidays and enjoy some well-earned time off. Happy Yule and Merry Christmas. 🎄
Thanks, Colleen. I’ve been reading some good books lately, yours included! Happy Holidays, ready for that break after just one more post tomorrow. Happy Yule and Merry Christmas xo
I agree. I’m ready for a few days off. It’s been a busy lead up to Yule. Thanks again. Merry, Merry and make it bright! 🌟
Always xo
You have been one busy reader! Great reviews, Denise.
I sure have been and enjoying it too 🙂
You don’t have to tell me twice to embrace my inner child and read a book! Congratulations to these four authors on the great reviews!
Yay! Me either 🙂 Thank you, Liz xo
You’re welcome, Denise. 🙂
Wonderful reviews, Denise. Congratulations to each author.
Thank you, Karen 🙂 All good reads xo
Hi Denise, another marvelous selection of books. I also enjoyed Marje and Colleen’s books and have Sally’s on my TBR. Mary’s sounds like a lovely Christmas read.
Thanks, Robbie 🙂 You have sone good reading ahead. Yes, a great Christmas read!
Love your reviews and recommends Denise. I’ve also read Marje’s, Colleen’s and Sally’s books and enjoyed them all. Happy holidays! <3 xx
Thanks, Debby 🙂 Yes all good ones! Happy Holidays xo
Thank you. <3 xx
Thanks for all your hard work Denise. Your reviews made it much easier for me to decide on books to buy! Hope you had an amazing Christmas and best for the upcoming year! xo eden
Thank you, Eden. You made me smile. I love reading but work hard to keep up on the reviews. Glad they help you decide what to add to your reading list. I had a wonderday holiday with family, thanks. I hope you did too Hapoy New Year xo
Thanks for sharing.
Happy to 🙂
Congratulations, Sally, Marje, and Colleen on the excellent reviews! I have sally’s up next on the list. 🙂 Thank or sharing, Denise!
You have a good read ahead of you, Mark! Hapoy New Year 🙂
Thank you so much Denise for sharing your lovely reviews. Thoroughly enjoyed Sally’s, Colleen’s and delighted you enjoyed mine too. <3 x
Thanks, Marje 🙂 Yes all great reads including yours! Happy New Year!
Thank you. Happy New Year Denise. 🙂
Great reviews, Denise. It’s nice to catch up. I feel like I fell off the edge of the Earth. Some fabulous reads here that I also enjoyed. Congrats to Mary, Marje, Colleen, and Sally. All wonderful authors.
Thank, Diana. It is nice to catch up. It does feel like falling of the edge of the Earth sometimes, when time has gone by after breaks. xo
You’re posts are always a pleasure to read. 🙂