Venice, Actually a Holiday Novella

According to many people, November 1st is the official start of the holiday season. So let's talk about Venice, Actually by Kelly Reynolds.  It's a fun, spicy low-angst novella. You can read it in one afternoon with a nice Peppermint Mocha or Gingerbread Latte and you'll be feeling all the holiday vibes. 

I received an ARC of the book, but since it is available on Kindle Unlimited and I have KU, well I could have gotten the book that way too, all that to say the opinions are all mine. 

I enjoyed this book, I wasn't sure I would because I didn't care about Leighton or Killan in the first book. Kelly Reynolds did a great job of bringing these side characters into the forefront and making me like them. 

I think it's difficult to have a fake fiance trope in 2023, but Kelly Reynolds manages to use that trope and to have the fake finance relationship resolved without family or friends being hurt by the actions of the main characters.  

This book promises Christmas, sexy times, and love. It delivers all of those and does so in a tight couple hundred pages. Give it a read!  

5 Stars!

Here is a section I highlighted where Killian is talking to Leighton's sister Janelle:

"I'm trusting you with her, "she told me, the warning in her voice clear. 

"I'm not going to try anything."

"Oh, Killian. Don't disappoint me like that,"

Ha-ha! I loved that exchange!

*** trigger warning one of the main characters lost a parent due to cancer at a pivotal age. ***

 

The Sunday Post, Finally Fully Staffed

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme  

Hi All! Did you live where you could see the eclipse yesterday?  We should have seen some of it, but it was a gloomy rainy day so we couldn't see anything! A real bummer. There is a lunar eclipse at the end of this month, so hopefully, it won't be cloudy and we will be able to see that event.

This week we got a new employee in the lunchroom.  We've been short-staffed since last Thanksgiving, so this is a major development in my work life. I hope she enjoys working with the kids and us at the school and decides to stay a long time! 

This week I'm planning to make a nice beef stew, I don't have a recipe in mind, I think I might wing it, we will see!

In the books department, I finished listening to Holly and will discuss that tomorrow and I am reading an ARC for a holiday romance novella that will be released on October 24th. Lastly I'm finishing a paranormal romance, this one is a MM (Male/Male) pairing and not my typical read.

How was your week? 

Finally Not Feeling Sick AND a *Delighful* new Holiday Romance by A Debut Author!

So I started off September with Covid finally catching me. I was so close to getting that next booster when BAM! I was infected. Fortunately, it wasn't that bad. I have had way worse colds and cases of flu.

Unfortunately, shortly after getting over the covid fatigue, I caught a cold--did I mention I'm working at a school with kindergarteners and first graders?  Yep, so you can see how I wound up with a cold. Any who so that turned into a sinus infection.   Yesterday I finished antibiotics and am now feeling much better. The dumb cold was worse than Covid for me. That's why I get vaccinated for all the stuff I can get vaccinated for, I really don't want any flu or more Covid or anything else. 

My reading has been at a snail's pace and watching TV shows and movies has been more my speed.  This week I have managed to start feeling good enough to read!  

Today I am sharing a new book from a debut author, Kelly D. Reynolds.  Kelly is the creator of the romance book reviews podcast Boobies & Noobies. This is her debut book and it is a delightful, hot, full of sexy times holiday novella.  The book is set in LA and takes place from Thanksgiving to Christmas.  One of the things I liked about this book is that it takes place over weeks instead of days. It's light on the angst and heavy on Nora and Bowie falling in love. Kelly does a great job of putting just the right amount of holiday season--we have a Santa pub crawl, a tea room,  a cute dog, and talk of scones as well as a loving description of an actually delicious fruitcake. 

Best of all we have two likable leads who are grown folks who talk about what they need and want in a relationship and a wide open-door romance with toys and more! 

5 Stars!

Add this book to your kindle today --you'll thank me later!