MELT MY HEART by Jules Barker

Title:  MELT MY HEART
Series:  Magic of Moonrise Cove #
Author:  Jules Barker
Publisher:  Jules Barker
Publish Date:   11.15.2021
Category /Genre:  Christmas, paranormal romance
Recommended for:  18+
Grammar/editing:  received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from:  Jules Barker
Goodreads link: Melt My Heart
Date completed: 12.27.2021
 
Description from the publisher:
Vera Penwythe never thought she’d go for another relationship so soon, and certainly not a fake one. She’s moved back in with her Gran for the holidays after a humiliating break up left her in debt to her two-timing ex. But when a charming neighbor begs her to pretend to be his girlfriend until his mom recovers from heart surgery, she can’t resist. She yearns to feel needed and be part of something, even if it is all fake. Besides, this way she’ll get the benefits of companionship without the expectations and heartbreak of a real relationship. Vera may have the power to create frost with her hands, but she wishes she could freeze her heart to keep it safe.
 
Harry Levine never thought lying to his mom would lead to the best mistake of his life. But when his parents’ excessive PDA and a tumbling tower of ice cream tubs lead his parents to assume that Vera is the long-term girlfriend they’ve never met, Harry begs her to go with it. He can’t bear to tell his sick mom that he’s broken up with his girlfriend. Instead, he enlists Vera’s help to keep up the ruse until his mom is on the mend. That just means a few family parties, shared shifts at his dad’s magic-themed ice cream parlor, and—oh yeah, passing Vera off as the picky girlfriend he’s told them about. But what do you do when the lie you started becomes the best thing that’s ever happened to you?
 
Vera doesn’t trust her bad-guy radar and she doesn’t trust love. But Christmas at Moonrise Cove has a way of working its magic and soon her walls begin to melt. Will she be able to risk her heart to believe that something fake could ever become something real?
 
Melt My Heart is a standalone sweet romance that's part of a four book "Christmas Magic at Moonrise Cove" collection.
Read about her friends Tamsin, Charlie, and Juniper in:
Jingle all the Wave by Shelly Jasperson
Charming Charlie by Trish LeBaron
Trouble with Mistletoe by Cassandra West
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MELT MY HEART is the first book in the multiauthor Christmas Magic at Moonrise Cove series.  Each is a stand-alone holiday romance set in the mystical town of Moonrise Cove.
 
The cutest of meet-cutes is the beginning of the magic of this story.  Vera is Elsa from FROZEN without the temper and Harry is … well…. a Harry (Potter).  I loved everything about these two meeting, getting to know one another, spending time together, falling slowly in perfect love with each other and their families.
 
I love Christmas romances, but this is the Christmas-y romance-y best!
 
Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via StoryOrigin, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
 
Christmas Magic at Moonrise Cove Series:
1.      Melt My Heart (Jules Barker)
2.      Jingle All the Wave (Shelly Jasperson)
3.      Charming Charlie (Trish LeBaron)
4.      Trouble with Mistletoe (Cassandra West)
 
Also from Jules Barker:
·         Magic in the Moonlight (The Magic of Moonrise Cove #1)
 

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SASSY CLAWS by Robbie Cox

Title:  SASSY CLAWS
Series:  Bull Creek Chronicles #5; Bull Creek Holidays #2
Author:  Robbie Cox
Publisher:  Robbie Cox
Publish Date:   11.30.2021
Category /Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content.
Grammar/editing:  received as an unedited ARC / errors excused.
Received from:  Robbie Cox
Goodreads link: Sassy Claws
Date completed: 12.11.2021
 
Description from the publisher:
She left Brighton Cove to escape her past, but this holiday season, her past comes to visit.
 
Alanna Bradbury hates the holidays. They bring back too many memories, memories she would rather forget. However, when those memories step through the front door of the women’s center where she works, everything she wanted to forget flood her mind with nightmares.
 
It’s Christmas, and after his successful Halloween festival, Josh Rayburn is ready to bring Christmas to Bull Creek. However, the woman he loves wants nothing to do with it. Somehow, he has to get her to change her mind, especially after she brings her work home with her, which threatens to put all of them in danger once more.
 
Spend the holidays with your favorite paranormals. Christmas in Bull Creek will be suspenseful this year, but isn't every day in this paranormal refuge? Still, Josh is afraid he’ll receive coal in his stocking with the way Alanna is acting. One-click Sassy Claws today to see how much trouble Josh gets himself into this time.
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SASSY CLAWS is the fifth book in the Bull Creek Chronicles series.  Though each story will stand on its own, for better understanding and enjoyment I recommend reading them all s and in the order of release.
 
Christmas and family drama go together like peanut butter and jelly.  Sure, you can have one without the other, but it’s not likely. 
 
There is so much to love about this story.  Finding out why Alanna doesn’t like Christmas.  Loving Josh’s eternal optimism and over-the-top antics and Christmas decorating.  Alanna’s and Josh’s relationship, compromising, and underlying love in everything they do – even when they disagree.  Did I mention family drama?  Yeah, it may not seem very Christmas-y, but in truth it makes this story that much better.  I love how it makes Alanna more human, more compassionate, more approachable. 
 
I have always loved Alanna and Josh, but now I love them even more.
 
Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via BookSprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
 
Bull Creek Chronicles Series:
1.      Alpha Rising
2.      Panther Hunted
3.      Bear Necessities
4.      No Place to Hyde
5.      Sassy Claws
Also from Robbie Cox:
·         Circle of Justice
·         Deacon (Dark Moon Falls #11)
·         A Ghostly Affair (Crimson Moon Hideaway #15)
·         Logan (Dark Moon Falls #5)
·         Muse Unleashed (Crimson Moon Hideaway #4)
·         Reed (Dark Moon Falls #21)
Best of Both Worlds Series:
1.      Ribbons & Bows
2.      Under the Wrapping
Black Hollow Series:
5.      It’s the Little Things  
9.      To Trick the Devil  
14.  April’s Fool  
18.  Blood Shadows
23.  Slumber’s Destiny
Cauldron Coven Series:
1.      Death’s Shroud  
2.      Daughters of Darkness
Destined Mates Series:
1.      Magic’s Mate
2.      Mate’s Appeal
3.      Mate’s Touch
4.      My Lover’s Mate  
5.      My Mate’s Wife
6.      Fortune’s Mate  
Fangirls Series:
1.      Nikki
2.      Lily
3.      Cassie
4.      Olivia
5.      Willow
Halloween Seduction Series:
1.      Come Halloween
2.      Behind the Mask
Harper Twins Series:
1.      Sibling Rivalry
2.      Taming Karla
3.      Always Aimee
Life’s Moments Series
1.      Green is the Grass
2.      Waiting Room
3.      Second Light
4.      Saturday at the Inlet
Rutherford Series
1.      Losing Faith
2.      Roll the Dice  
3.      To Be Cherished
Sanctuary of Bull Creek Series:
1.      Shards of Sass
2.      Blades of Sass
3.      Touch of Sass
Warriors of the Way Series
1.      Reaping the Harvest
2.      Lore Master
3.      The Warrior’s Blade
4.      Summerlands
Witches of Savannah Series:
1.      Enter the Witch
 

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SPELLBOOKS AND SHORTBREAK by Denise D. Young

Title:  SPELLBOOKS AND SHORTBREAK
Series:  Christmas Cookies #1
Author:  Denise D. Young
Publisher:  Wild Rose Press
Publish Date:   10.20.2021
Category /Genre:  Holiday Romance
Recommended for:  18+
Grammar/editing:  B – a few small errors
Received from:  Denise D. Young (as a gifted copy)
Goodreads link: Spellbooks and Shortbread
Date completed: 12.12.2021
 
Description from the publisher:
Juniper Whitethorn is a faerie, a thief for hire, and kind of a scrooge. So, when the Order of Magicks needs a last-minute job done on Christmas Eve, of course she's the one they'd call. Stealing a book from an unsuspecting human bookstore owner is child's play for her.

Until she steps into a small town filled with twinkling lights, carolers, an annual cookie contest, and Magnus MacDougal, her devilishly handsome mark. Circumstances force her to play the innocent tourist at the town's holiday festivities. But the more time she spends with Magnus and his daughter, the harder it gets to steal the book and walk away. 
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SPELLBOOKS AND SHORTBREAD is the first book in the multi-author Christmas Cookies series.  These are each stand-alone, holiday short story romances. 
 
This is the story of a young woman who was brought up by a stepfather who should have been named Fagin.  Juniper (June) believes that the title “thief” defines her.  She is sent to Mount Holly, PA, an idyllic Christmas Capital on Christmas Eve to retrieve a book of magicks that would cause another Dark Age if it were to be discovered by the wrong type of human.
 
What she finds is the gorgeous owner of the bookstore that is housing the relic, Magnus MacDougal, and his teenage daughter.  The instant attraction suggests that there is a fate at work here.
 
Spellbooks and Shortbread is a wonderful, slow-steam, short story that is just right for a Christmas vacation afternoon.  Cozy up with a cup of cocoa and enjoy!
 
Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via StoryOrigin, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
 
Christmas Cookies Series:
1.      Spellbooks and Shortbread (Denise D. Young) 10.20.2021
2.      The Great Christmas Jelly Cookie Hunt (Rena Leith) 10.25.2021
3.      Werewolves Prefer Shortbread (Dakota Issacs) 10.25.2021
4.      Gingerbread Men and Toad’s Wart (Daniel Kamin) 10.25.2021
5.      Luring the Lykan with Almond Macarons (Leslie Ann Brown) 10.27.2021
6.      Krampus and the Kolaches (J.D. Douwes) 10.27.2021
7.      Death by Gingerbread Drops (Jo A. Hiestand) 11.01.2021
8.      The Nutcracker Nibbles Christmas Case (Jeanne Kern) 11.01.2021
9.      Let It Snowball (Margot Johnson) 11.02.2021
10.  Peanut Blossoms and the Matchmaking Kitten (Claire Davon) 11.02.2021
11.  Red Velvet Crinkles and Christmas Sprinkles (Maria Imbalzano) 11.02.20221
12.  Cookie Collision (Darlene Deluca) 11.03.2021
13.  Snickerdoodle Snowmen (Sarita Leone) 11.03.2021
14.  The Gingerbread Lodge (Vicky Burkholder) 11.03.2021
15.  Gingerbread Knight (Pam Binder) 11.08.2021
16.  Macaroons by Moonlight (Annette Miller) 11.08.2021
17.  Magic and Midnight Mint Bars (Iona Morrison) 11.08.2021
18.  Candles and Honey Cookies (Shari Elder) 11.09.2021
19.  Merry Little Wishing Spritz (Cherie Colyer) 11.09.2021
20.  The Starlight Mint Surprise Murder (Marla A. White) 11.09.2021
21.  Coconut Macaroon Scandal (Virginia Barlow) 11.10.2021
22.  Linzer Tarts and Broken Hearts (Carol Henry) 11.10.2021
23.  Snowdrop Cookie Wishes (Laura Strickland) 11.10.2021
24.  Candy Cane Cookie Cover-Up (Jael Allen) 11.15.2021
25.  Eight Nights of Apricot Cookies (Roni Denholtz) 11.15.2021
26.  Kris’s Kringles (Linda Bleser) 11.15.2021
27.  Shortbread Shakedown (Sofia Aves) 11.16.2021
28.  Chocolate Chip Charm (Margaret L. Carter) 11.16.2021
29.  The Gingerbread Cookie Code (Ann M. Trader) 11.16.2021
30.  Fortune Cookie Christmas (Jeanne Kern) 11.17.2021
31.  A Christmas Cannoli Kiss (Anne Armistead) 11.17.2021
32.  Tackling Molasses Crinkles (Laura Freeman) 11.17.2021
33.  Sugar’s Cookies (Anya Sharpe) 11.29.2021
34.  A Little Kringle Magic (Loretta C. Rogers) 11.29.2021
35.  Snowdrop Dreams, Cherry Thumbprint Screams (Kimberly Baer) 11.29.2021
36.  The Spy Who Loved My Russian Tea Cakes (Marilyn Barr) 11.30.2021
37.  Chocolate Chip Christmas Wishes (Nicole McCaffrey) 11.30.2021
38.  Ginger Snapped (Shelley White) 12.01.2021
39.  Snow Kiss Cookies to Die For (Wendy Kendall) 12.01.2021
40.  Swiss Mistletoe and Macarons (Amey Ziegler) 12.01.2021
41.  Secret Family Recipes for Love and Butter Cookies (Melissa McTernan) 12.01.2021
42.  Not a Chocolate Snowball’s Chance in Hades (Lianne Kelly) 12.06.2021
43.  Kisses and Lemon Snowflake Cookies (N. Jade Gray) 12.06.2021
44.  Wedding Cookies at a Christmas Party (Ursula Whistler) 12.06.2021
45.  A Maple Cookie Homecoming (Judy Ann Davis) 12.07.2021
46.  Caramelized Pecan Cookie Holiday Hideaway (J.W. Garrett) 12.07.2021
47.  Caught Up in Candy Cane Kisses (Shannon Robinson) 12.07.2021
48.  Murder Over Macaroons (Kary Harris) 12.08.2021
49.  Spritz Cookie Showdown (Melanie Hoffer) 12.08.2021
50.  The Gingerbread Man (Kim Turner) 12.08.2021
51.  Date Pinwheel Devotion (Christine Smith-Allison) 12.14.2021
52.  Tinsel and Tea Cakes (Jill Piscitello) 12.14.2021
53.  Her Sugar Cookie Heart (Sarita Leone) 12.15.2021
54.  Oh, Gingersnap! (Sonja N. Griffing)12.15.2021
 
Also from Denise Young:
·         Fractured Moonlight
·         Spellbooks and Shortbread (Christmas Cookies #1)
Into the Faerie Forest Series:
1.      The Beltane Kiss
2.      The Faerie Key
3.      The Midnight Path
4.      The Cursed Woods
Tangled Magic Series:
1.      Tangled Roots
2.      Tangled Fates
3.      Tangled Souls
 

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