A Reviews / B Reviews / C Reviews / Recommended Reads / Top Ten ListsAnthology / Carina Press / Christmas Stories16 Comments
I came to this holiday anthology in a non-traditional, non-festive way. During a Twitter conversation with another reviewer, I mentioned ménage scenes rarely raise my pulse. She suggested I read Anne Calhoun, an author I’d never heard of. I searched on NetGalley and this collection, Red Hot Holiday, came up. I ... more >
A- Reviews / B Reviews Category / C- Reviews / Recommended ReadsCarina Press / Christmas Stories / enemies to lovers / fish-out-of-water / novellas / police / SF20 Comments
When looking around at the holiday offerings this year, I saw this anthology from Carina Press. It was a complete stab in the dark for me as I knew nothing about any of the authors and SF/futuristic usually isn’t my thing. Perhaps having no expectations allowed me to just read ... more >
B- Reviews19th century / Christmas Stories / Harlequin MIRA / Lady Julia Grey mystery / novella5 Comments
Dear Ms. Raybourn: While waiting for the next “Lady Julia” mystery novel, I noticed that this little novella is on offer for the Christmas season. It’s not long, it’s not complicated and it’s not that different from any other Lady Julia story. If readers like this world and it’s people, ... more >
Film ReviewsAction/Adventure / Christmas Stories / Friday Film Review16 Comments
Die Hard (1988) Genre: Action Adventure Grade: B+ Three years ago I did a group review of some of my favorite Christmas movies. A number of you listed your own holiday standbys and for many of you “Die Hard” seems to top the list. When I was thinking about what ... more >
Film ReviewsChristmas Stories / Friday Film Review / Thanksgiving14 Comments
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Genre: Holiday/Comedy/Romance Grade: B+ “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” I had resisted watching this movie until now due to what I feared would be a schmaltz fest of gooey, sugary pulling of heartstrings. But when another movie I ... more >
B+ ReviewsChristmas Stories / novella / road-romance / Samhain-publishing9 Comments
Dear Ms. Marvel, Why did I decide to try your novella? It sounded cute, it has a sorta Christmas-y theme, and …..well, that’s it, actually. Yes, I know it’s now after Christmas but it’s still the Holiday Season so I figure I’m still good. Right? Darcy Burkell and James Jones ... more >