Movie Based on Book by Lisa Kleypas

Hey all I wanted to take a minute to let you all know the awesome news.  Lisa Kleypas' awesome book Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (  http://www.lisakleypas.com/bookChristmasEveatFH.asp) was used to make a movie on the Hallmark channel.  It's called  Christmas with Holly: Follow the linky!  http://www.hallmarkhalloffame.com  I hope you all enjoy the movie.  I know the book was AMAZING!

Here is a link to the book on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7989800-christmas-eve-at-friday-harbor













*I am one of "Lisa's Divas" - a group of select fans who share info & content related to Lisa's novels and get sneak peeks & chances to win swag in return.(

Better Than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts

Goodreads Description:

Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in the Sterling family for generations, ever since Great-Grandma Rose literally dreamed up her first fabulous recipe. But now it looks as if they're about to lose Sweet Dreams to the bank—and that would be a disaster, not only for the family but for the town of Icicle Falls, Washington. Can Samantha, the oldest daughter and new head of the company, come up with a way to save it?After Samantha does some brainstorming with her mother and sisters, inspiration strikes. They'll have a chocolate festival! Time's running out, but the Sterling women are determined and the town's behind them, so everything's bound to go smoothly….

Or not. Events seem to be conspiring against Samantha, and her mother's attempts to help aren't helping. To make matters worse, the fate of her company is in the hands of her archenemy, Blake Preston, the bank manager with the football-hero good looks. It's enough to drive her to chocolate. But Blake's also enough to convince her that (believe it or not) there's something even better than chocolate.

My Rating:

My Review:

I loved the way this book was laid out. The story was great an the character development fantastic. I love how you get introduced to the whole family and their lives.  It's not just about one person!  I can not wait to try the recipes in the back also! Definitely a book you should pick up if you like contemporary romances and bonus it's all about chocolate! 

Samantha has the hard luck of being the only person who can save the family business from failure.  Blake, the bank manager, has his hands tied but really doesn't want to see Samantha's family legacy close doors or even worse be sold to another company!  Samantha has a quick fuse and makes quick judgments but she also is willing to give credit where it's due.  I love the dynamic between Blake and Samantha and the outcome.  In the story, the author throws in a bunch of wrenches to mess up Samantha's plans and I loved seeing how she rose above the challenges! Definitely pick this up!  

*Book was provided by the publisher for review but all statements are my own.*

Loving Lady Marcia by Kieran Kramer

Goodreads Description:

In the House of Brady, three very lovely girls have hair of gold—and hearts to match—but finding a match among the gentlemen of London is one comedy of errors that could bring down the house…

MARCIA GETS SCHOOLED…

Of the three Brady sisters, Lady Marcia has always seemed the girl most likely to lead a perfectly charmed life. But after a handsome cad breaks her heart, she swears off love and devotes her life to teaching girls at a private school. In spite of her family’s wish for a London debut, Marcia is happy where she is—until terrible news sends her back to the Brady clan…and into the arms of an unexpected suitor.

ON THE SUBJECT OF LOVE

A dark and dashing earl who knows Marcia’s past, Duncan Lattimore is surprised by what a fascinating and independent woman she’s become. Marcia, too, is surprised—by the fiery attraction she feels for Duncan. But why—why—must he be the brother of the scoundrel who broke her heart? Why must Marcia’s rival at school forbid her from seeing him? How can this lady possibly resist this fellow—when they know that it’s much more than a hunch…?

My Rating:

My Review:

I really enjoyed meeting the whole Brady family and in particular Marcia.  It has a predictable outcome however the road to that ending is very well written.  Duncan has a hard life but is a very generous noble individual and it's very believable that his character would want to do exactly what he did in the book.  In fact I thought all the characters acted in a realistic manner.  I didn't think the story was overly original however it was a good entertaining read.  

Scotsmen Prefer Blondes (Muses of Mayfair #2) by Sara Ramsey

Goodreads Description:

She never wanted marriage…

When a friend is forced to consider a marriage of convenience, Lady Amelia Staunton is determined to rescue her. But her plans trap her in an illicit seduction, and Amelia must marry him herself. Malcolm’s all-consuming kisses and devilish humor might make up for her lost freedom, but she believes he will force her to abandon the Gothic romances she yearns to write. Since she can’t escape him, she must distract him from her secret…

He isn’t looking for love…

A powerful autocrat with a well-hidden rebellious streak, Malcolm MacCabe doesn’t need another beautiful mistress – he needs an obedient wife. Obedience is not one of Amelia’s virtues. But he’s too enthralled by her wit and passion to let her go – even if it means risking the political reputation he is building to save his clan.

Their hearts can’t survive the scandal…

Despite their intentions, every wicked embrace binds them together. But as their conflicting desires combust into insatiable hunger and unavoidable ruin, they must decide whether to pursue their personal destinies alone – or fight for the love that could destroy them both.

My Rating:

My Review:

I liked the overall story however I felt it was a bit long winded.  I found myself putting this down a few times just because I couldn't keep reading about Amelia feeling back about what happened or MacCabe harp on doing right by his family name.  It could have been cut down a lot an still had the same results.  The story as a whole was great though and worth the read. 

A Genleman Says I Do by Amelia Grey

Goodreads Description:

Iverson Brentwood has finally met his match. Catalina Crisp heats his blood like no other lady. Her alluring countenance has stopped him dead in his tracks. But no matter how attracted he is to her, he can't give into his desire to possess her in every way...she is the daughter of the man he's sworn to destroy.

Catalina's father is a well-known writer, but wastrel whose disappearances continuously put them close to destitution. Something drastic must change, so it is with quill in hand, that Catalina completes her father's latest parody of Iverson and Matson Brentwood's spectacular arrival in London. When the story hits the newsprint, a darkly handsome man is at her door, looking for her father.

Seeing the dashing rogue in the flesh, for a bewildering moment dallying with the rake seems like the perfect fictional escape—and it's all she can do not to give into the madness of the intriguing man.

My Rating:

My Review:

I thought this was cleverly written.  I loved the banter between Catalina and Iverson.  I liked Catalina's strong personality and her capability to finish her fathers work when times were tough.  I felt for her when she was confronted by Iverson.  The romance is fantastic and the story funny.  Definitely a great read and a great addition to the series!

The Perfect Imposter by Wendy Soliman

Goodreads Description:

Struggling to escape her past and make ends meet as a modiste, Katrina Sinclair hopes the daring new wardrobe she's designed for her childhood friend Julia—now a marchioness—will attract the business she desperately needs. But Julia's help comes at a price: Katrina must take her place at a house party. They look enough alike for the ruse to work...until Julia's handsome former fiancé arrives.

Leo Kincade has been tasked with catching a traitor who steals from house parties to fund Napoleon's armies. Three women are suspected—including Julia. But when Leo intercepts her at the party, he finds an impostor who stirs an attraction stronger than anything he felt for Julia.

The mysterious woman shares Leo's interest, even if she won't trust him with her true identity. He should expose her at once, but he's too tempted to play along and see where her deception—and their passion—will lead...

My Rating:

My Review:

I thought this book was ok but could have been much more.  I enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters however after a while of hearing they can't let anything happen gets sort of annoying.  I also got a little annoyed with the ending, though good and unexpected, it seemed a little out of left field.  

Beauty in the Beast by Christine Danse

Goodreads Description:
Journeying by steam-powered sled to London's Frost Fair to perform, Tara and three friends are trapped in a blizzard in the woods. A gruff, handsome stranger offers them shelter-and wants one thing in return. Stories. 

The travellers are glad to oblige. Their host, Rolph, is especially captivated by Tara's story of an orphaned girl raised by the Fae in the world of the spirits. Equally intrigued by Rolph, and aware of an electric pull between them, Tara encourages him to share a story of his own. When Rolph weaves a tale of a man who is doomed by his own folly to turn into a wolf at the full moon, Tara suspects there is more than a grain of truth in his words. 

When the veil between the mortal and spiritual worlds is parted, and danger threatens, will Tara make the ultimate sacrifice to save Rolph?

My Rating:

My Review:

I loved the supernatural aspects to this story.  I love Tara’s instant attraction to Rolph and her back story a LOT.  Rolph’s story was touching as well.  This book brought out a lot of emotions.  The stories told by the traveling troup are fun and each is different.  I wish it went more into the romance and I wish it didn’t end as soon as it did!   That however was hardly noticeable and I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes supernatural romances!