mini shopaholic.

Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) is at again in Mini-Shopaholic, and this time she has a partner in crime – little Minnie Brandon, her two year old daughter. Filled with escapades at Santa’s Grotto (they’re banned), a Super Nanny (Minnie may have behavior problems), a financial crisis, and a surprise birthday party for Luke, Mini-Shopaholic is more of the same in Becky’s world and that’s not a bad thing.

Amidst their happiness at finally being able to move out of the Bloomwood home, the Bank of London collapses and Becky can think of no better way to cheer everyone up than to throw Luke a surprise party, despite the fact that he rarely celebrates his birthday. Any fan of the Shopaholic series can see where this is going. Becky, as usual, ends up in a huge mess (mostly) of her own making. From bartering for party supplies to lying about plastic surgery to keep the party a secret, she is the Becky that readers know and love and, of course, manages to come out of the situation unscathed. In Mini-Shopaholic, the reader is treated to guest appearances from several characters from previous installments, including Becky’s hilarious designer friend (and Godfather to Minnie) Danny. There is another surprise character that readers may not be expecting to see who returns in a touching way.

The sixth book in Sophie Kinsella’s series is everything that a faithful reader would expect. Minnie’s baptism scene alone is worth the price of the book. I cannot wait to see how Becky (and Luke and Minnie) fare in their next adventure, which Kinsella alludes to at the end.

christmas eve at friday harbor.

Book Description:

ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY

One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word.

ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE

The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sister’s will gives him the instructions: There’s no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.

SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC…

Maggie Collins doesn’t dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.

…TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE

Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home…

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I really, really liked this story. Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite historical authors, but I was never tempted to try her contemporary writing until now. Her previous attempts didn't interest me at all. But when I read the blurb for this one, I figured I'd give it a shot.

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor is exactly what it professes to be. A simple, contemporary romance with no wild plot twists or crazy secrets. I have said before that it's difficult to find what I call "regular" romances these days. So many authors and publishers are pushing paranormal (which I truly dislike) and leaving us regular story lovers behind.

I loved the Nolan brothers and Holly. While Maggie wasn't the best heroine Kleypas has ever written, she served her purpose here. I liked the speed of their relationship (patient) and the description of Friday Harbor (made me want to visit Washington). Basically, Kleypas did quite a good job here. Honestly, the only thing that readers might not care for is that the two don't sleep together until the end and it's more of a fade to black scene. I would've preferred a bit more passion, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. Great for the holidays!

This book is available here.

my apologies.

I've been away! I haven't updated this place in forever. I've been reviewing for another site and I can't put reviews here. Since most of the books I'm reading is for that purpose, I haven't had much to share with you.

However, I am dedicating myself to reading for the month of November. Since I can't write to save my life and thus cannot participate in NaNoWriMo, I've decided to read every day this month. After all, where would writers be without us readers? Got you thinking there, didn't I? :c)

I'm reading a ton of romance now, especially Harlequin Blaze. It's a guilty pleasure of mine, especially when holiday season rolls around. I love holiday Blazes! I've gotten a few (holiday and non-holiday) Blazes from BookMooch over the past few weeks. I'm thinking of reviewing those, too. There's gotta be someone else out there that likes reading them besides me, right?

Anyway. That's what's been going on here. I'll see if I can commit to maybe two reviews each week for November? That means I owe two from last week, in addition to two this week. Well. I'm off to get started on that.