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Tag Archives: Pauline Baird Jones

‘Tis the Season – Monday

19 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by WWMB in Book Review

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

5 stars, aliens, Anne Renwick, Book Review, Cecilia Dominic, fairy tales, fantasy, Genie Davis, Grace Draven, historical romance, Melanie Karsak, Mimi Matthews, Pauline Baird Jones, romance, scifi, Steampunk, Victoria Alexander

‘Tis the season. Christmas is almost here.  If, like me, you reside in the northern hemisphere, you are likely experiencing cold weather and maybe even snow.  The stories I am featuring this week are about this season.  When looking for books to feature this week, I found that Christmas and holiday miracles or winter and snow-bound settings can be found in so many books.  And while I have read many of those books, there are so many more to read.  I invite you to share your favorite seasonal stories in the comments.

Today, I am sharing reviews of books that have a setting that takes place on or around Christmas. Newly read this year is Grace Draven’s Sunday’s Child.

Review of Sunday’s Child

5 stars

This is a lovely story about a woman who’s life revolves around two things: her autistic son and her job.  With little or no social life, Claire is stepping out of her comfort zone when she goes to lunch with Andor, the charming, attractive co-worker.  Andor is actually an elf in exile who met Claire when she was a child and Andor was assisting St. Nick’s make his rounds one Christmas evening.  Sunday’s Child is all romance with just a little bit of Will They Be Able to Get Together?  The presence of St. Nick and the timing of the story add the Christmas element that make this the perfect short novella to read this time of year.

Note: this story was also published as part of the duology All the Stars Look Down by Grace Draven and Elizabeth Hunter.

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About Sunday’s Child by by Grace Draven

The holiday season has arrived, and museum archivist Claire Summerlad envisions a lonely Christmas for herself and her autistic son… until she meets a mysterious new co-worker who seems strangely familiar

The memory of a Christmas past is brought back to life when Andor Hjalmarson is introduced to the woman he once called Sunday’s Child.  A thousand years of exile has made Andor a nomadic wanderer, but is a future with Claire possible with a centuries-old punishment hanging over his head?

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Links

Add Sunday’s Child to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase Sunday’s Child:

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In past years, I have reviewed other books with a Christmas theme. I am sharing all or part of my original review. Some of these I purchased for myself and some were provided to me by the author or publisher. All of my reviews are my honest option. If you are interested in purchasing any of these books, please click on the book cover to go to Amazon. Note: Use of these links supports this blog and is very much appreciated.

Hauntings and Humbug by Melanie Karsak

Melanie Karsak has put her own twist on one of my all time favorite stories: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.  The original story’s paranormal and time-travel elements are tweaked with steam, automatons and considerable charm in Hauntings and Bumbug.

This time the main characters are female and though the old grouch is not exactly evident, Ebony Scrooge is not a happy woman.  Enter the spirits.  We all know the story.  So, no surprises here.  But as someone who has read the original over and over again, I truly appreciated Ms. Karsak’s thoughtful deference to the classic tale while introducing the feminine perception.

Goblins and Snowflakes by Melanie Karsak

Goblins and Snowflakes is the part charming, part creepy retelling of The Elves and the Shoemaker. The charming part is the actual fairy tale retelling. The creepy part pertains to the goblins who provide the magic to make the fairy tale. The novella length story is perfect for a couple hours of escape to the quaint village of Twickenham for a little adventure and a little romance. Every time I read another of Ms. Karsak’s steampunk fairy tales, I want to read more. Within Goblins and Snowflakes are some ties to other characters in Karsak’s steampunk stories, notably for me, the beginning of the Red Cape Society of the Steampunk Red Riding Hood series. Despite those ties, Goblins and Snowflakes is a standalone and can be enjoyed in all types of weather.

A Snowflake at Midnight by Anne Renwick

We start with a librarian.  That gets my attentions.  Add a botanist (gardener).  Yep, I like the sound of that.  Then add a cold, snowy holiday setting, a warm, lush greenhouse, a little danger and a lot of romance.  What a lovely story that is perfect for this time of year.

Like other books in Anne Renwick’s steampunk stories, the elements of science, technology and the Queen’s agent Mr. Black are all present in A Snowflake at Midnight.  An intelligent woman competing with men in academia along with a man who appreciates her intelligence are also common traits in the steampunk stories.  This is one of my favorite series!

I love this addition to Renwick’s Elemental Steampunk Tales!

Mission Nutcracker by Cecilia Dominic

The opening chapter at the Tinkerer’s Ball, where we first see Fiona and Devon attempting an awkward conversation, also introduces the life-sized creepy nutcrackers abducting the attendees at the ball. The tone was set: weird, sweet, frightening, promising and fantastical.

Mission: Nutcracker is not particularly festive. While it does take place around Christmas, it really is creepy, detracting from the holiday spirit. But the theme reminds us of a beloved favorite holiday tale. So why not take a break from the holiday madness to read this book. On the other hand, Mission: Nutcracker can also be described as Holiday Madness!

A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews

This fun tale begins with the heroine and hero deciding to break off their courtship. Apparently they just don’t suit. The unusual beginning to the story had me from the first page. When Sophie Appersett, in a very unlady-like action, talks Edward Sharpe into a second go round, the real romance begins. I was delighted by the earnest efforts of the unconventional Sophie as she made an effort to get to know Edward. I smiled at Edward’s surprised reactions to Sophie. As they became friends, and then more, against the background of the family drama the entertainment factor just kept going up.

Fa la la la la!

If you want to brighten your holiday season, deck your bookshelf with this charming Christmas romance by Mimi Matthews. This little novella will warm your heart and bring a smile to even the Scroogiest of humbuggers.

Same Time, Next Christmas by Victoria Alexander

At first, I did not like Portia, Lady Redwell. She seemed to have an annoying case of that upper class superiority thing going on. When Fletcher Jamison came into the picture, even Portia – and I – relaxed a bit.

Portia and Fletcher are entertaining characters. They play well off of each other, arguing and agreeing, fighting and apologizing. Neither has been quite truthful with the other, but they have decided to treat this as a getaway. What happens in Italy, stays in Italy. They relax and enjoy each other’s company even though there is no indication that the relationship will ever continue.

But it must, because ‘Next Christmas‘ is part of the title.

Same Time, Next Christmas is enjoyable, light reading with a heartfelt story line that will make you smile.

Open with Care by Pauline Baird Jones and Genie Davis

This duology includes Scifi Christmas stories by two authors. Other than Christmas, there are several things that two stories have in common. The first is that both are set in Wyoming in the winter. Their descriptions of Wyoming weather in December had me feeling the chill as I was reading.

Both books have aliens. Aliens that are visiting Earth and have made contact. An unusual gift is the third commonality. I really can’t tell you more. Except to say they are the gifts are miraculous! Also, both books are about time travel of a sort.

And finally, both stories are magical, and full of holiday spirit and Christmas miracles!

Bourre Brouhaha (The Big Uneasy, #8) by Pauline Baird Jones – Review

17 Thursday Nov 2022

Posted by WWMB in Book Review

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

5 stars, Book Review, mystery, Pauline Baird Jones, romance, series

Review of Bourre Brouhaha

The Big Uneasy mystery/romance series is about the Baker family and how they all find their happily ever afters – all while solving the crime of the day. 

What happens when a firefighter meets the daughter of a convicted arsonist?    This is a romance begging to be written.  The pairing may be a bit Uneasy, but Pauline Baird Jones is pretty good at that kind of story.

Audrey Goodheart’s father is in jail after three strikes.  But his name follows her around, making it hard to live well in New Orleans.  But when she gets a gig with a caterer, she finds she is working with the charming firefighter she met on the bus.  Did I mention the catering gig is at the home of a wise guy? 

Eddie Baker is one of 13 brothers and sisters in a family that have dedicated their careers to public service. What will they think of Audrey? 

People start following Audrey, while at the same time, her cousin turns up and wants in the family business.  Then Audrey’s landlady ends up murdered.  Audrey is having a bad week. 

Luckily Eddie (and the entire Baker family) can help.  But (and this is important) Audrey also has a few tricks up her sleeve.

Bourre Brouhaha is a charming, romantic mystery set in New Orleans.  Readers of the series will recognize many of the characters, but this book can be read as a stand alone.  Cops and wise guys, first responders and caterers, brothers and sisters.  The Big Uneasy has everything you need for a great story! 

Bourre Brouhaha is part of a great series, but can be enjoyed as a stand alone.  Thanks to the author for providing a copy of her book.  My review is my honest opinion.

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About Bourre Brouhaha by Pauline Baird Jones

No-nonsense Coast Guard agent, Dan Baker finds himself going where he doesn’t want to go (the swamp) and feeling what he never thought he’d feel (in love or in like). He really hopes the mysterious Gemma isn’t the murderer because he doesn’t want or need her in his life.

Gemma Bailey’s “get away from it all” summer on the charter boat Reel Escape, is not turning out like she’d hoped. There is a dubious lawyer, a sinister mob figure, and some murders. Was it the Rougarou? It is a pity the way too attractive Dan Baker thinks she’s the murderer.

Can they untwist the tangled ties, clear Gemma and the Rougarou, and ride off into the sunset on Dan’s Triumph?

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Links

Add Bourre Brouhaha to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase Bourre Brouhaha:

Or purchase directly from the author’s store: https://payhip.com/b/NtacF

Pirogue Wipeout (The Big Uneasy, #7) by Pauline Baird Jones – Review

19 Monday Sep 2022

Posted by WWMB in Book Review

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

5 stars, Book Review, mystery, Pauline Baird Jones, romance, series

Review of Pirogue Wipeout

The Big Uneasy mystery/romance series is about the Baker family and how they all find their happily ever afters – all while solving the crime of the day. 

In this story, a passenger from Gemma Bailey’s charter boat ends up dead.  Along with two, maybe three others.  Dan Baker is the CGIS agent working the case.  Dan doesn’t want Gemma to be guilty, but she is one big mystery.  Gemma isn’t guilty, but she doesn’t mind being questioned by Dan.  The developing romance between Gemma and Dan is about the only thing in this story that we all know will be a sure thing. 

Everyone is looking for answers – about the murders, about a plane full of missing people, about a possible loup-garou (werewolf), about Gemma’s mysterious past.  “Who was Gemma Bailey?”  This is the questions that everyone wants answered in Pirogue Wipe Out.  Including, at times, Gemma Bailey.

Everything else is about secrets.  There are secrets all around in this story.  Starting with the secret Dan is keeping from his family.  There is a secret about Gemma’s parents.  Add in all the secrets associated with any murder and a wise guy showing up, you just know that there is a whole box full of antsy secrets, impatient to be revealed.  This is one twisty murder mystery.  You never know what bombshell is going to be dropped.  Never knowing is what makes it so fun!

Dan and Gemma are great in the hero and heroine roles.  At age 45 and 35, they are both old enough to be cool and young enough to be hopeful.  Gemma has become one of my favorite Big Uneasy heroines.  Her mysterious past is intriguing, and I even feel like she has more story to tell.  Maybe, Gemma will show up in a future Big Uneasy story. 

Pirogue Wipe Out is part of a great series, but can be enjoyed as a stand alone.  Thanks to the author for providing a copy of her book.  My review is my honest opinion.

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About Pirogue Wipeout by Pauline Baird Jones

No-nonsense Coast Guard agent, Dan Baker finds himself going where he doesn’t want to go (the swamp) and feeling what he never thought he’d feel (in love or in like). He really hopes the mysterious Gemma isn’t the murderer because he doesn’t want or need her in his life.

Gemma Bailey’s “get away from it all” summer on the charter boat Reel Escape, is not turning out like she’d hoped. There is a dubious lawyer, a sinister mob figure, and some murders. Was it the Rougarou? It is a pity the way too attractive Dan Baker thinks she’s the murderer.

Can they untwist the tangled ties, clear Gemma and the Rougarou, and ride off into the sunset on Dan’s Triumph?

*****************************

Links

Add Pirogue Wipeout to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase Pirogue Wipeout (releases September 29):

Or purchase now directly from the author’s store: https://payhip.com/b/NtacF

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