Once Upon a Royal Christmas by Robin Bielman

Title: Once Upon a Royal Christmas (Palotays of Montana #2)

Author: Robin Bielman

Publisher: Tule Publishing 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 244

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Literary Escapes - Wyoming

Rowan Palotay hopes she never runs into the too-handsome Prince Theodore Chenery ever again after she leaves an embarrassing first impression. But fixing her mistake garners even more attention from the prince, and when he requests she be his reporter for a news story, she can’t say no.

Prince Theo is completely enchanted with Rowan and finds her special brand of kindness and honesty impossible to ignore. Back home, his choices are made for him, but here in this small town where his mother grew up, he feels connections he never has before. And the more time he and Rowan spend together, the more he wants her—all of her.

When obligations back home take a turn he didn’t see coming, he’s ready to stake his claim. But when his father and the media get wind of his relationship with Rowan, Theo must decide whether to follow his heart or his royal duty.

Another fun and fluffy romance for this month. I really enjoyed Rowan and Theo’s story. It was nice to be back in Marietta, even if we didn’t spend much time with any of the other characters. And hoo boy! This had some very steamy scenes!

Palotays of Montana

• #1 Falling for Her Bachelor

• #2 Once Upon a Royal Christmas

Next up on the TBR pile:

Twenty-one Truths About Love by Matthew Dicks

Title: Twenty-one Truths About Love

Author: Matthew Dicks

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press 2019

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 341

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Daniel Mayrock's life is at a crossroads. He knows the following to be true:

1. He loves his wife Jill... more than anything. 
2. He only regrets quitting his job and opening a bookshop a little (maybe more than a little)
3. Jill is ready to have a baby.
4. The bookshop isn’t doing well. Financial crisis is imminent. Dan doesn't know how to fix it.
5. Dan hasn’t told Jill about their financial trouble.
6. Then Jill gets pregnant.

This heartfelt story is about the lengths one man will go to and the risks he will take to save his family. But Dan doesn’t just want to save his failing bookstore and his family’s finances:

1. Dan wants to do something special.
2. He’s a man who is tired of feeling ordinary.
3. He’s sick of feeling like a failure.
4. He doesn't want to live in the shadow of his wife’s deceased first husband.

Dan is also an obsessive list maker; his story unfolds entirely in his lists, which are brimming with Dan’s hilarious sense of humor, unique world-view, and deeply personal thoughts. When read in full, his lists paint a picture of a man struggling to be a man, a man who has reached a point where he’s willing to do anything for the love (and soon-to-be new love) of his life.

I loved the idea of this book, told completely in lists. Unfortunately, it just didn’t land for me. I couldn’t stand the main character and saw absolutely no growth throughout the book. I felt so much sympathy for his wife. He kept so many secrets that there was no way that I could have liked him at all. Definitely not a book for me.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Snuggle Up for Videos

Definitely adding this to our list.

Fun fun!

I’m always sucked into these videos.

That looks terrifying…

Love this list!

Another great list!

Thank you Ryan Reynolds!

Santa's On His Way by Lisa Jackson, Maisey Yates, Stacy Finz, and Nicole Helm

Title: Santa’s On His Way

Author: Lisa Jackson, Maisey Yates, Stacy Finz, Nicole Helm

Publisher: Zebra Books 2018

Genre: Romance

Pages: 346

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Literary Escapes - Oregon

A BABY FOR CHRISTMAS * Lisa Jackson
The uneventful Christmas Annie McFarlane expected is suddenly anything but. First, there’s the adorable baby left on the snowy doorstep of her Oregon cabin. Second, there’s the extremely attractive, yet extremely angry man claiming to be the father. Liam O’Shaughnessy may be intimidating, but this is one precious gift Annie isn’t giving up so easily . . .

My least favorite of the anthology. I just couldn’t really buy the romance of Annie and Liam at all. Everything was so incredibly rushed. I would have loved to have spend much more time with them seeing the relationship develop over time.

WHAT THE COWBOY WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS * Maisey Yates
When Meg O’Neill’s longtime boyfriend lets her down, again, on Christmas no less, she braves an Oregon blizzard to get to her best friend Noah’s comforting arms. But this time Noah’s not telling her what she wants to hear—he’s telling her the truth, from his heart . . .

This story was so steamy! Seriously, I wasn’t expected that steamy of a story starting it. But, it was really really good.

SNOWED IN * Stacy Finz
Rachel Johnson has found the perfect spot for her second Tart Me Up bakery in Glory Junction, California. Except she’s in fierce competition with hunky bar owner Boden Farmer. Worse, while the icy rivals await the city’s decision, they end up catering the same Christmas Eve mountaintop wedding—and getting snowed in . . .

This was my favorite story! I loved Rachel and Boden and their unintended Christmas. I loved the little town of Glory Junction. I loved the fun progression of their story. Really enjoyed this one.

A COWBOY WEDDING FOR CHRISTMAS * Nicole Helm
Big city art teacher Lindsay Tyler isn’t just back home in Colorado for her brother’s wedding at the Barton Christmas Tree Farm and Ranch. She’s back for good. She just hasn’t told anyone yet—including Cal Barton, the ex-boyfriend she left behind . . .

Hmmm… a decent story, but not the bestest story. I was not quite a fan of Cal even understanding his past traumas. Lindsay is a great character and I loved Sarah and Mrs. Tyler. Just wish the romance was a bit better.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Falling for Her Bachelor by Robin Bielman

Title: Falling for Her Bachelor (Palotays of Montana #1)

Author: Robin Bielman

Publisher: Tule Publishing 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 206

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Literary Escapes - Wyoming

When Navy firefighter Nick Palotay returns to Marietta to go on the bachelor auction block for a good cause, he expects it to be risk free. But when he needs someone safe to bid on him and his sister's best friend is coaxed into stepping up, Nick isn’t prepared for the effect Cassidy has on him. She sends his mind to all kinds of dirty places…places his battered heart can’t afford.

Freelance photographer Cassidy Ware is in waaay over her head. She’s always been Nick’s other little sister, but she’s all grown up now and just a glance from him leaves her hot and bothered. Still, she can stay immune to his charms and keep him at an emotional distance because she’s got an agenda, too. She’ll help the too-handsome Nick with his charitable deed, and, in return, he’ll help her keep an unwelcome suitor at bay.

A deal’s a deal, but when their “business transaction” turns into more pleasure than duty, can they walk away from each other without losing what matters most?

A cute little story of an off-limits romance. I really really liked Nick in this story, Cassidy a little less. I would have liked a bit more story in the in-between scenes. This could have been turned into a great full length novel. As it stands, I really did enjoy this story.

Palotays of Montana

• #1 Falling for Her Bachelor

• #2 Once Upon a Royal Christmas

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Black Veil Brides "The Vengeance"

BVB has new music!!!!! Woohoo!!!

And a great video about some of the new changes and music.

Christmas Bucket List

Christmas time is here!!!! Bring on the festive events and activities.

1. Make Christmas Cookies

2. Watch 5 Christmas movies

3. Complete a Christmas book advent

4. Make hot cocoa

5. Create snow angels

6. Create paper snowflakes

7. Make an ornament

8. Buy a Christmas sweater

9. Sing Christmas carols

10. Build a gingerbread house (or train or whatever)

11. Help Arthur write a letter to Santa

12. Drive around and see the lights

13. Go visit Santa

14. Send out Christmas cards

15. Read 10 Christmas/winter stories

16. Leave out cookies for Santa

17. Visit the Feztival of Trees

18. Take a photo of all four boys together

19. Find a new holiday album

20. Visit the Fantasy of Lights

21. Go sledding

22. Create my December Daily base pages

23. Participate in two gift exchanges

24. See live reindeer

25. Find a Christmas door hanger

Next up on the TBR pile:

December 2019 Life Goals

Let’s check in on November's goals and my progress.

• Figure out Christmas travel plans - So close… I know when we’re going, but I still need to book a hotel for our overnight going there.

• Read 10 ebooks - Success!

• Buy advent calendars for the boys - Success!

• Take care of bills - Success! We got most of them covered and accounted for.

• Look into starting atheist family group chapter - Ooofff… didn’t get to it this month.

• Meal plan through Christmas holiday - Success!

• Friendsgiving? - Success! We had a lovely day with friends.

December’s Goals:

• Book travel hotel - We’re spending the night somewhere around the Quad Cities.

• Send out Christmas cards - I’ve got almost all of them prepped and ready to send this week.

• Look into atheist family group - Ran out of steam last month. Hoping to get to it this month.

• Read 10 books - Hoping to end the year on a good note.

• Make a reading plan for January - Got some of it planned. Need to finish.

• Figure out a spring routine for Quentin - We need a good routine schedule.

• Take care of bills - Got a few left.

• Meal plan for January and February (with soup and stew ideas) - I love going into January prepped and prepared.

• Enjoy the season!

Next up on the TBR list: