Showing posts with label Melody Carlson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Melody Carlson. Show all posts
About the Book
Author: Melody Carlson
Genre: Christmas Christian Fiction
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: September 5, 2023
Adelaide Smith is too busy for fairy tales. She's been working hard to put herself through law school and now that the end is in sight, she's determined to stay focused on her goals. Then she receives a letter notifying her that she has been found through a DNA registry to be a direct descendant of King Maximillian V, the ruler of a small Eastern European principality called Montovia. She's understandably skeptical. This is the stuff of cheesy made-for-TV movies, not real life.
Although the pieces of this surprising family puzzle seem too good to be true, curiosity gets the best of her. At the king's invitation, Adelaide embarks on a Christmas break trip that is chock-full of surprises, including a charming village, an opulent palace, family mysteries, royal jealousies, a handsome young member of Parliament--and the chance at a real fairy tale romance with a happily-ever-after ending.
Spend this Christmas with bestselling author Melody Carlson as she whisks you away to a royal holiday you'll never forget!
Although the pieces of this surprising family puzzle seem too good to be true, curiosity gets the best of her. At the king's invitation, Adelaide embarks on a Christmas break trip that is chock-full of surprises, including a charming village, an opulent palace, family mysteries, royal jealousies, a handsome young member of Parliament--and the chance at a real fairy tale romance with a happily-ever-after ending.
Spend this Christmas with bestselling author Melody Carlson as she whisks you away to a royal holiday you'll never forget!
My Thoughts
Although it is way too early for me to start thinking about Christmas and the holiday season this was a cute read and a good escape from the weather that currently doesn't feel like fall! Reading this novella definitely reminded me of the Princess Diaries or those cutesy Hallmark movies.
I really enjoyed Adelaide and her zest for adventure! She finds out she is related to the King of Montovia and sets out to meet him before he dies. This story definitely has some interesting characters. Adelaide encounters a kind father, a very wicked stepmother and a stepbrother who is clueless at what is happening around him. For being such a short story this book does have a little bit of mystery and a very light romance. I think if this was a full length novel these two elements could have been developed a bit better. At times it felt flat for me, especially the romance. I knew it was coming but it felt rushed towards the end.
Overall this is a cute story and will definitely put you in the Christmas mood!
I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
About the Book
Book: Second Time Around
Author: Melody Carlson
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 1, 2023
Publisher: Revell
Who doesn't love a second chance?
When empty nester Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's run-down tourist shop in Seaport, Oregon, it seems the only sensible thing to do is to sell it. But when her former secret crush, Grayson Matthews, wants to buy the property in order to complete his plans to redevelop the funky town's business district into a soulless, cookie-cutter outdoor mall, Mallory digs in her heels and decides to renovate the property herself.
With a lot of hard work and a little bit of help, Mallory makes incredible progress turning the store into an eclectic home decor shop called Romancing the Home--all while trying to ignore the depressing and decrepit apartment she's living in on the second floor. When the shop catches the eye of a popular renovation TV show producer, Mallory is thrilled--until it becomes clear that her apartment is to be part of the segment as well.
She's tempted to abandon her dreams and the town under a cloud of shame. But perhaps there's more to Grayson than meets the eye. Can he swallow his pride, change his plans, and help Mallory romance her own home--and possibly her life?
When empty nester Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's run-down tourist shop in Seaport, Oregon, it seems the only sensible thing to do is to sell it. But when her former secret crush, Grayson Matthews, wants to buy the property in order to complete his plans to redevelop the funky town's business district into a soulless, cookie-cutter outdoor mall, Mallory digs in her heels and decides to renovate the property herself.
With a lot of hard work and a little bit of help, Mallory makes incredible progress turning the store into an eclectic home decor shop called Romancing the Home--all while trying to ignore the depressing and decrepit apartment she's living in on the second floor. When the shop catches the eye of a popular renovation TV show producer, Mallory is thrilled--until it becomes clear that her apartment is to be part of the segment as well.
She's tempted to abandon her dreams and the town under a cloud of shame. But perhaps there's more to Grayson than meets the eye. Can he swallow his pride, change his plans, and help Mallory romance her own home--and possibly her life?
My Thoughts
I have only had the pleasure of reading Melody Carlson's Christmas novellas and I have enjoyed those immensely. This is my first full length novel by her and I thought it was good. As I get older its nice to read about characters that are a bit closer to my age which this book had. Mallory is a single mom of older kids. She is an empty nester and very successful at what she does but she inherits her grandmother's tourist shop and decides to have a new lease in life especially when her old crush is determined to do something completely different should he acquire the building.
I thought the characters were good but they were missing something. The story dragged a little for me at times. I wish there would've been a bigger development between the characters rather than the focus being the renovation and decorating of the new place.
Overall this was a good book. Definitely reminded me of a Hallmark type setting and could definitely see this as a movie. If you enjoy Contemporary Romance with mature characters then this is the story for you.
My Rating: 3 Stars/ Liked it
I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
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Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: A Quilt for Christmas: A Christmas Novella
Author: Melody Carlson
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: September 6, 2022
Genre: Christian Romance
Recently widowed Vera Swanson is having a hard time getting in the Christmas spirit in her new town. When asked to make a quilt for an ailing neighbor, she pulls together a diverse circle of quilters, including freespirited Tasha Ellison. The group becomes stitched together through shared stories, trust, and a little romantic weaving.
Christmas should be celebrated with family. But for Vera Swanson, that's not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one--until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help. With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera's help, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request--a Christmas quilt for Mama.
Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together in order to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all--and she may find herself a new family of friends along the way.
Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson invites you to cuddle up this holiday season with this cozy story of giving, forgiving, and a little bit of romance.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Christianbook | BookBub
Excerpt
So Vera would be alone for Christmas—not that she planned to acknowledge the holiday. Whowas there to celebrate with anyway? After five months in Fairview, she hadn’t made a single friend.She’d heard that as one got older it grew more difficult to make new friends. Perhaps her loneliness was proof of that.
A loud knocking at her door brought Vera’s little pity party to a halt. Hurrying to see who waspounding so urgently—since no one ever called on her here—she suddenly remembered she was still in her pajamas and robe. She cracked open the door with a cautious hello? but could see no one.
“Please, please, can you help me?” a small voice pleaded from down below.
Vera blinked at the small child who stood on her doorstep. With two messy blond pigtails, barefeet, and widened blue eyes, the little girl looked somewhat lost and confused. And like Vera, the child was dressed in sleepwear, except hers was a thin, summery nightgown that looked none too warm.
“Wh-what?” Vera fumbled to unlatch the chain and fully open the door. “Who are you?”
“I’m Fiona,” the girl reached for Vera’s hand and, grasping it tightly, tugged. “We live right there.”
She pointed to the opened door across the hallway. “Mama is sick. Please help me!”
“Oh my!” Leaving her own door wide open, Vera let the child lead her across the hall and intothe condo.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a print copy of A Quilt for Christmas, a $10 Starbucks gift card, and quilted coasters!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 12, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 19, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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