Tag: Magical

The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan

The Perfect McBride Christmas

Can they make this the Christmas their Mother has always dreamed of?

— “In the snowy Highlands of Scotland, Suzanne McBride is dreaming of the perfect cozy Christmas. Her three adopted daughters are coming home for the Holidays and she can’t wait to see them. But tensions are running high…”–

 

Suzanne has been dreaming of having all three of her daughters home together for Christmas.

Hannah is a workaholic that always seems to have an excuse but knows she can’t hide this year. Besides she has a big secret she needs to get off her chest.

Beth is a busy stay at home Mom that is struggling with the thought of entering into the working world again, but can she leave her daily duties at home with her children she adores?

And Posy has a dream she wants to sink her toes into more than anything in the world, but knows she is counted on at home.

Will the magic of the Christmas season bring these sisters together and make their special bond even stronger?

*

5 out of 5 stars!

Sarah Morgan truly is a gifted writer.

The Christmas Sisters was such a charming Christmas Story. I didn’t want to put it down.

Each character is written so beautifully and the whole story flows flawlessly.

Absolutely heart warming and full of so much warmth and love.

The already strong relationships there and those that are strengthened throughout the story are stunning.

I definitely recommend this read! ANY-time of the year. But if you get the chance to pick it up during the Holiday season be prepared to feel all of the Christmas joy and cheer.

Absolutely  SPECTACULAR.

Thank you to HQN Books for sending this amazing read my way.

And of course thanks for reading.

Your Fellow Bookworm

– Nichole

The Christmas Sisters
Photo from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

When Elephants Fly by Nancy Richardson Fischer

T. Lily Decker is a high school senior with a 12-year plan: avoid stress, drugs, alcohol, and boyfriends, and take regular psych quizzes administered by her best friend, Sawyer, to make sure she’s not developing schizophrenia.

Genetics are not on Lily’s side. When she was seven, her mother, who had paranoid schizophrenia, tried to kill her. And a secret has revealed that Lily’s odds are even worse than she thought. Still, there’s a chance to avoid triggering the mental health condition, if Lily can live a careful life from ages 18 to 30, when schizophrenia most commonly manifests.

But when a newspaper internship results in Lily witnessing a mother elephant try to kill her three-week-old calf, Swifty, Lily can’t abandon the story or the calf. With Swifty in danger of dying from grief, Lily must choose whether to risk everything, including her sanity and a first love, on a desperate road trip to save the calf’s life, perhaps finding her own version of freedom along the way. 

***Synopsis copied from Amazon.ca*** – TRIGGER WARNING: Schizophrenia, suicide, and animal abuse.

I generally enjoy starting off my reviews with a break down of the story, in my own words.

Lets just say with this one I couldn’t….Honestly! I sat at the computer, staring at the screen… and nothing. My words would not do this novel justice. I am still trying to wrap my head around it all. I had to use the synopsis right off amazon.

When Elephants Fly is absolutely breath-taking. I may even go as far to say, life changing.

This novel will truly tug at each and every one of your heart-strings. You will experience all emotions, ones you knew you had and ones you didn’t even know existed.

Nancy is an incredible author, and her knowledge and love for Elephants is impeccable, absolutely inspiring. There is so much detail in this sensitive, yet moving story.

Stunning. When Elephants Fly has got to be one of my absolute favourite reads of 2018. I will always cherish this story.

Please! go out and pick it up now. You will not regret it. It is one of a kind.

Oh and the cover! just beautiful. 5 out of 5 Stars.

Thank you for reading.

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

WHEN ELEPHANTS FLY

 

Mistletoe Miracles by Jodi Thomas

3 Perfectly Passionate Tales…

 

The Maverick Ranch:

Griffin Holloway and his 2 brothers are struggling. The Maverick Ranch has been in their family for generations but recently has become a money pit. With desperation to keep the ranch in their family, not ready to give up. Griffin and his brothers come up with a few ideas. The strongest idea being, one of them has to marry a wealth lady and fast. But will Marriage be the solution to all their money problems?

***

O’Grady:

Jaxon has always been the town’s hermit, enjoying the quiet life.  Until one day Jaxon witnesses an awful car accident. Which may change his extremely peaceful life for the better.  Jaxon may not be the town’s hermit for much longer!

***

Johnson’s:

Jamie Johnson has perfectly settled into the small town of Crossroads, Texas. No more pesky, nosy, questions about her dating life and why she’s still not in a long-term relationship. This Christmas may change everything, when Jamie comes home to find an unexpected guest in her home. Now with the whole town asking questions, the only question Jamie has is, did she just find her mister forever?

 

****

5 out of 5 stars

I absolutely ADORED all three of these compassionate, breath-taking, unusual stories.

Each story was rooted in the quaint town of Crossroads, Texas. The perfect setting!

A dash of Griffin’s, tender, considerate, passionate side. With Jaxon’s protective, devoted, attentive side and Mr. Johnson’s compassionate, warm, worrisome side. You get a mix of all the best worlds with these men.

You will devour each story,  wishing you were able to live just one, if not all of these worlds. Each character has such a unique back story that will have you cherishing them all.

Highly recommend! This read will leave you with all the Christmas cheer.

Thanks for reading!

Your Fellow Book Worm

-Nichole

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Photo from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

 

 

 

Lone Star Christmas by Delores Fossen

Thank you to Harlequin Publicity Team for sending Lone Star Christmas my way.

Published September 25th 2018 by HQN Books

***

“A Family Crisis Brings Him Home… Just In Time For Christmas”

Callen Laramie has avoided his hometown, Coldwater, Texas, like the plague. Which hasn’t been all that hard for him up until now.

Although being so lucky to grow up in a warm, loving foster home and having a beautiful family. Long ago Cattleman Callen escaped Coldwater, on the search for bigger, better things and never looked back.

As hard as it may have been, leaving one special person.

Callen receives a Christmas wedding invitation to Buck, his foster-father and Rosie’s wedding. With all intentions not to go, Callen soon finds out there is a family secret and  knowing he may be re-united with his childhood crush, Shelby, who has always been off-limits, changes his mind rapidly.

Lone Star Christmas
Photo from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

4 out of 5 Stars

Such a warm, cozy and dare I say STEAMY Christmas read.

Callen is a stubborn, strong-headed man. Who slowly releases into a considerate, passionate, devoted, sulty, gentleman. Leaving Shelby weak in the knees.

Shelby has forever been Callen’s delicacy, but always seen as forbidden. Now Shelby is all grown up and makes her own choices and Callen is exactly what she craves.

Lone Star Christmas provides, all the romantic, warm fuzzy feels and lets not forget ALL the drama, in the best way possible. Along with the blooming fling between Callen and Shelby there are amazing family and friend relationships. You will love each and every character in such a different way.

With each twist and turn, you will want to devour more and more.

A Perfect Christmas Romance.

Thank you for reading!

Your fellow book nerd

-Nichole

 

Hocus Pocus & The All New Sequel by A. W. Jantha (Author) & Matt Griffin (Illustrator)

Witch, Please…

The incredibly adored story of Max, his sister Dani and Allison coming together on Halloween night along with the help of their new friends, Binx a black cat and Billy a friendly zombie. To save the town of Salem from the Sanderson sisters. Winifred, Sarah and Mary, witches that have been dead for 300 years. Until Max, a virgin lit the black flame candle.

Fast forward 25 years from the night the Sanderson sisters were defeated. Poppy, the daughter of Max and Allison has never believed her family’s story from that Halloween night, over two decades ago. To prove the tales fake and have some fun of her own. Poppy along with her closest friends make some bad decisions, bringing the Sanderson sisters back from the afterlife, again! With so much at stake and only having until sunrise. Poppy and her friends are frantically racing against time to save their families, friends and all of Salem from the coven of Witches. This Halloween will be another to add to the Dennison family tales.

Hocus Pocus
Photo from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

I know I am late to the game with this review. I had EVERY intention on getting to this HUGELY anticipated read of mine before Halloween. We all know how that goes, right? Always a plan, but there is always more and more books to read.

Ahhh…. living the life of a book nerd!… (It’s AMAZING)

I finished this book last night and LOVED it! 5 out of 5 stars.

There is so much contradiction with this read and I personally don’t understand it. Reading part one “Hocus Pocus” brought me right back to the 90’s. I could see the movie playing through my head while reading it. It was everything I could hope for.

Now, The Sequel was just as brilliant. I love how the lead up to the sequel was incorporated into Hocus Pocus itself. It fit perfectly and made the anticipation for part two build and build.

I was sceptical at first, of course. The beloved characters from the movie are everything! and I was not sure if the book would live up to that.

Prove me wrong, again! I loved the characters just as much, both old and new.

I recommend this book to everyone! Hocus Pocus lovers and all.

Ohhh!… And only for the ending to give a glimpse that there may be more to come! So exciting.

Thanks for reading! I love having you hear.

– Your fellow book nerd

Nichole

Hocus Pocus & The All New Sequel
Photo from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

Bookish Merchandise

Bookish merchandise has been around forever.

This book nerd just learnt this in the last couple years…

Clearly I was living under a rock. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my second in 2016, all rollie pollie, sitting and reading a book. That I thought to myself, “there has to be some type of book subscription box, right?” I mean that would be heaven.

Right then I jumped onto the internet and began my search. When I came across Owlcrate and Novel Editions.

Of course I had to subscribe (to both). Which lead me straight into the amazing book community that I am apart of today and will NEVER look back!

This is where I learnt about the copious amounts of bookish merchandise there is. Over and above what I would admire while shopping around my book store of choice, Chapters.

I was receiving so many amazing items in my book boxes. Then I also had this amazing idea thinking I was creative enough to start a Bookstagram account for a hobby while on maternity leave. Where I started meeting all the amazing home based business as well, that pride themselves in their talents to create all sort of bookish items.

I have fallen in love! there is something for every book lover out there. Some of us love our bookish candles, some our bookish pins… others love gorgeous bookmarks or coffees and teas. I myself love…. well…. EVERYTHING!. If only I had millions lying around to buy it all.

Although I would have to say one of my favorite items is bookish jewelry. Not only can I feature it in my Bookstagram photos (… Yes I am OBSESSED with Bookstagram now… it is no longer a hobby. It has become a full-time job in itself…in the best way possible) but I can wear it around showing it off to the whole world. Saying “LOOK AT ME!… Yes that’s right, I am a book NERD!”

One particular shop I am obsessed with is The Glass Arcade on Bookstagram. Sarah has the cutest ETSY shop full of bookish merch. Her pendants are near and dear to my heart. I always receive so many compliments while wearing them or featuring them in my photos. On top of it all Sarah herself is one of the sweetest most genuine people you will ever meet. (I will be sure to link her Instagram page below if you are interested in checking her page out of course!).

So to all my bibliophile friends out there… what are your favorite bookish merch items out there? Please share away with me in comments. Give me more items and companies to obsess over!

Thanks for reading lovelies!

-Nichole

The Glass Arcade: https://www.instagram.com/theglassarcade/

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***Photo from my Bookstagram account. Check it out nichi.i_readpastmybedtime***

Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara isn’t your typical teenager. Although she wants to be.

Struggling while her body starts changing into a women’s. Trying to find herself while living under her parents roof. With her mother’s strict rules, and families religious beliefs. She finds herself questioning their beliefs while becoming more guarded, keeping her feelings to herself.

Twin, her brother seems to be the “better child” in her parents eye’s but Xiomara knows better. Even though she knows her brother has his own secrets, she is very protective of him and doesn’t want to shade the way their parents see him. Even if this means she may fall into more trouble while protecting him.

Xiomara turns to writing her thoughts and feelings down. Invited to attend a slam poetry class. She finds her true talent that provides the perfect outlet. Giving her a chance to take that deep breath she deserves while venting all her locked in feelings.

Then along comes Aman, the perfect crush that turns into so much more.

Now Poet X has two things she needs to keep hidden from her Mother, slam poetry and this cute, cute guy.

***

5 out of 5 stars

Elizabeth amazed me with this novel.

Unlike any coming of age story I have read. It is so uniquely written all in poetry format. This intrigued me immensely. Although I will admit there was a part of me that wondered how such little words on a page could paint a full picture in my mind.

All of my doubts were wiped out within the first few pages.

Xiomara’s story is so beautifully written. The whole story flows perfectly leaving you wanting more with every page.

A truly stunning read.

-Nichole

*** Photo from my Bookstagram account. Check it out nichi.i_readpastmybedtime

The Teddy Bear Chronicles Vol. I – Hope in Paris by Donnalyn Vojta

Kelly Donovan has met the love of her life, Mark Flannery.

One day some unusual things about her steamy boyfriends past start coming to light. Making her start to second guess this dreamy relationship.

Kelly being the intelligent women she is it doesn’t take her long to start piecing together her worse nightmare. Now she needs to find a way to get as far away from Mark as possible before their “romantic”  anniversary get away to a woodsy cabin. 

Mark may just be the most dangerous man Kelly has ever met.

Will Kelly be successful? Will she trick Mark into believing everything is just fine until she finally escapes? Will Kelly’s friends and family also be in danger?

.

THIS IS NOT YOUR ORDINARY THRILLER!. This book probably has the most amazing, most unusual narrators ever…. TEDDY BEARS!. 

The Teddy Bear Chronicles is a must read. I absolutely loved reading from the perspective of stuffed animals. It is probably one of the most unique point of views I have ever read from. 

Donnalyn’s writing is so witty and fun. The emotions you experience throughout this book is phenomenal. One moment I am busting a gut laughing, next thing you know I am stiff as a board panicked on whats going to happen next. Oh and the connection you form with the characters will most definitely stick with you.

I have never read anything like this, such a neat concept. Once you have read Hope In Paris it will leave you with such a book hang over desperately wanting more. But don’t you worry the second book “The Teddy Bear Chronicles Vol. II – Chloe’s Crusade” came out July 20, 2018. So once you have finished book 1 you can move right on and binge read the second. 

And may I say you will think the first books is amazing but the second book only gets better!

I have no idea how Donnalyn does it! AND She left the second book on such a cliff hanger I am patiently waiting book three!

Please note this book is not for young readers. If you have not picked it up, you need to. I will be sure to leave a goodreads link below as well as a link to Donnayln’s instagram. 

-Nichole

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37425443-the-teddy-bear-chronicles?ac=1&from_search=true

https://www.instagram.com/suspense_author/

***Please note in my photo the title says “Saved In Paris”. I  purchased book one prior to a title change around the same time book two was released. Book one is now titled “Hope In Paris”.thumbnail_IMG_8804

 

Canadian Book Subscription Boxes

Book Subscription Boxes — Are AMAZING!

Who doesn’t LOVE a book subscription box. They are HUGELY popular among us book nerds and so they should be!. 

For some countries it can get frustrating. It could be that the company doesn’t ship to your area, taking the exchange rate into consideration, crazy shipping costs, they use their local vendors making it hard to purchase replacements and/or more items diretly from the vendor. Which also sucks for the vendor, then we can’t support them seperatly.

None of these problems are really in control of the company itself. They can’t help shipping locations, shipping costs, exchange rates and when it comes to their vendors they need to do whats best for their box and the majority of their subscribers. 

Really it comes down to research, what works best for you! Or sometimes you just need to purchase from a few different companies and see what fits. I mean nothing wrong with that!… right? gives you an excuse to buy buy buy! ha..ha.

So today I am here to share a couple of my favorite CANADIAN book subscription boxes. One is fairly new and the other is brand new. Both well worth checking out!. You will fall in love, I promise you!.

VIBookcrate: Ships to Canada only

Boxes: Monthly JR subscription boxes for ages 8-12: (or any age in my eyes…. but I am just a big kid). They also have a seasonal box for us oldies! 

Monthly JR subscription boxes for ages 8-12: $25/month + shipping 

Each month your reader will receive:

  • A middle grade novel.
  • 2-4 related items picked to engage the reader (Items you could expect: bookmarks, puzzles, art supplies, stationary, crafts, treasures, treats, etc).
  • Exclusive access to online content for both kids and parents.
  • AND don’t forget each month has such a fun theme!

Seasonal Box for ages 19 and up: $60/box + shipping

Each season you will receive:

  • 2 novels to reflect the season.
  • 2-4 extra items that will enhance your reading experience
  • And don’t forget each season has a perfect matching theme!

VIBookcrate is run out of British Columbia by the lovely Kristen, she along with her amazing daughter and awesome son curate these exciting JR subscription boxes that every kid will love!. This is a must for anyone that has a child in their life that has the love of reading emanating in them!. Or if they don’t,  pick this up as a gift for them it just may spark something in them to read. My son loves to read and when he gets into a good book it captivates him but it is not his go to activity (video games are!). With these boxes it has really been drawing him towards reading more often! 

Then if Kristen wasn’t busy enough she also curates the seasonal box. I had to pick one up for myself when I saw how awesome my sons first JR box was. I purchased the  September’s “Fall Cozy” box and it was stunning!. It was so well put together! AND it was all Canadian vendors. So if I want to buy more of an item, replace a consumable, or just support the vendor directly! I can and without being worried if they ship to my country, or crazy shipping costs and exchange rates! How cool is that? Besides Kristen and her family are so adorable and sweet you cant help but love them! 

Check VIBookcrate out:

https://vibookcrate.com/

https://www.instagram.com/vibookcrate/

Wicked Treasure Book Box: Ships to Canada, U.S.A and Internationally (First box ships October 2018!!!!)

They are a one time purchase company, with boxes released bi-monthly: $60/box + shipping.

Each XL Box will have: 

  • A book of some sort (novel, graphic novel, Manga)
  • AND will be filled to the brim with wicked goodies. These goodies will be perfect to feature in your Bookstagram photos or all over your house for everyone to admire.
  • And of course each box will have a new theme, but there will be a little something wicked in each!

Wicked Treasure Book Box is also run out of British Columbia and Co-founded by 2 best friends and fellow bookworms. Who I absolutely love! Echo and Sarah are so crazy talented and creative. Echo’s Bookstagram page is stunning her set ups are always perfect. Then Sarah has an Etsy page where she sells bookish items such as, pendants, bookmarks, magnets, earrings, etc and every handmade item she creates is absolutely amazing!. I would know… I own a few!

This is how you know each and every item they stuff into their boxes will be well worth it. Especially considering they are making the majority of it. That also goes to show you just how dedicated and hard-working they are. This box is very time-consuming, but when its something such as this that they love, they poor their hearts into it! I can’t wait for my first box you guys! 

Check Wicked Treasure Book Box out:

https://wickedtreasures.wixsite.com/mysite

https://www.instagram.com/wickedtreasuresbookbox/

Those are a couple of my favorite CANADIAN boxes. You NEED to go get your hands on them now. Check each of these amazing companies out! I have conveniently left their websites and Instagram pages above! for you.. 😉 

-NicholeBox

Over Hyped Books

Over hyped books (Example: A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas)

Alright! There are so many over hyped books out there, that you hear about every day. Especially when you are apart of any type of book community. Whether it be BookTube, Bookstagram, Goodreads, you name it!

I find myself either right on the train with everyone else or extremely skeptical on just how good the read is going to be.

So far in 2018 I have read a good amount of over hyped books and I either loved them or thought meh, it just didn’t do anything for me.

What are your thoughts on over hyped books?

I will tell you. I NEVER planned to read A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES or anything by Sarah J. Maas for that matter. No matter how much I heard it was so good, or you will love it. It was just too over hyped for me, I had no idea what it was even about. I just dusted it off all together.

Recently I met some really awesome Bookstagram gals and we became pretty close! I inquired about ACOTAR to them and all of them agreed that I NEED to read it. Well… except one, but thank goodness she was like me and hadn’t read it yet (I wasn’t the only one!!!) So I finally picked it up.

Now this may affect my pride a little bit …haha! I was so adamant on the opposite side to this.

MAN!!! I can’t believe it took me this long to read it!

I LOVED it!

It kept me engaged, I loved the story line, loved the characters, everything about it. I wanted more!!! So bad I had to go out and get the other two books. I had the “itch” as one of my besties says. Now I am patiently awaiting them in the mail.

WHO KNEW?!?!?!? (Well other than all the people over the years telling me I need to read it).

Now I know I don’t need to go into the details on this book or trilogy as it is so well-known. But I honestly didn’t have any clue on what it was about and never took the time to look into that, not even when I finally decided to pick it up. Had I know it had such a beauty and a beast vibe I would have picked it up years ago. That is one of my absolute favourite Disney movies.

This just goes to show you. Never say never and give everything and anything a try I mean if it’s not for you. You can always move on to something else. You never know when you will find a new favourite. Could just be that one you told yourself you would never bother with!

Seriously!!! WHO KNEW?!?!?!

-Nichole