December Book Review

It's Christmas time so while I was busy pumping out my manuscript 'Cardiology', I also consumed myself with a couple of really good Christmas reads to celebrate the holidays. December was a pretty busy one for me with work and writing. My story was rolling so I committed to write more every day. Then when it was done, I caught up on a whole bunch of reading. I'll admit, I'm impressed with the number of books I made it through this month!

Books I Read in December

Snowbound Surprise for the Billionaire by Michelle Douglas
This was a lucky find for me at the library, when I went there to write and cool off in these early hot December days. This story gripped me right away when it opened to the heroine having a little cry to her bull. Yes, not a dog or cat, but a stud bull. That's not really something you read every day. But I really enjoyed this book as Addie and Flynn spent Christmas in Munich, overcome their past demons, and fell in love with each other. I think Michelle did a fantastic job of making Munich at Christmas jump off the page. It reminded me of the time I was in Hamburg a few weeks before Christmas with the Christmas markets that I feel are so unique to Europe. This was a wonderful escape, as well as a lovely read.

Butterfly in Frost by Sylvia Day
I broke my book buying ban when I picked this up and read the first chapter in Big W (have I mentioned my Big W actually has a seat in the book section?) and I was hooked. I loved Sylvia's Crossfire series and this book didn't disappoint - talk about a twisted end!

Adopted: Outback Baby by Barbara Hannay
LOVED this story! Nell and Jacob reunite after twenty years to adopt their baby grandson after the death of the child Nell was forced to give up. It was such a gripping and fun read. My favourite part were the 'granny' jokes and when Jacob, only 40ish, grabs the 39 year old Nell, kisses her, and says, "I wanted to see what it was like to kiss a granny." Just such a great story.

The Patterson Girls by Rachael Johns
I've been meaning to read this one for a while in the hopes I might be able to use it as a comparison title. I wasn't disappointed when I started it. I really liked the idea of taking a journey with these four very different sisters. And I did...sort of. Lucinda's story about trying and failing to conceive a child with her husband was understandable and realistic. She had a nice happily ever after and I'm sure will conceive one day. I liked Madeleine the most and enjoyed reading about her trying and failing to have a baby with donor sperm from her friend (who she harboured a secret love for). Her story was also understandable and she had a good awakening in the end. Charlie's story was my favourite though as I love a good friends to lovers trope. I won't really comment on the weird twist at the end though, but I'm glad she and Mitch got their happily ever after. And I'm also glad Abigail got hers, although I did not like her story of trying to secretly conceive a baby with a guy she just met. I thought that was just mean and I'm very glad she finally realised that what she was doing was wrong. Glad I finally read this book though. Apart from the fact that this is about sisterhood, I don't think I'll use it as a comparison title though.

Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts
Yes, I know I'm a year behind in reading this. I wasn't in such a hurry after reading Year One, but I'll admit that the release of book three this Christmas made me decide to catch up. And I'm glad because this was a gripping read! I really enjoyed it, even if it is a little too fantasy/dystopian for me. But hey, it's Nora. So it's awesome.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I picked this book up because I haven't read any Young Adult in years and I sort of wanted to catch up with what's going on with that market and see what the big deal of this series is. And I'll admit, I'm hooked! Celaena is such a cool assassin and I really enjoyed her world. So considering Big W had 20% off their already discounted books...I picked up the entire box set 'for my birthday' for $52! Whoohoo!

The Nanny Who Saved Christmas by Michelle Douglas
Needed some Christmas cheer and to get into the spirit, so I picked this one up. I loved it. A lovely Christmas story set on an outback Queensland cattle station with two little girls.

A Very Special Holiday Gift by Barbara Hannay
My Christmas Eve to Boxing Day read, I loved the premise of this story. Zac takes his PA Chloe to London to retrieve his orphaned niece just before Christmas, which is incredibly tough and sad. But he and Chloe both overcome their demons to realise they love each other and can become a family. Can't get any sweeter. 

Books to Read in January

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
I'm going to do it! I'm going to start this very long series, and try not to think about all those books! But I think I'm a pretty bad Nora fan if I don't at least give it a go, right?

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
I gotta know what happens next with Celeana!

​And many, many more...who knows what I'll be inspired to pick up off my book shelf?