The Viscount's Christmas Temptation by Erica Ridley

Certain individuals might consider Lady Amelia Pembroke a managing sort of female, but truly, most people would be lost without her help. Why, the latest on-dit is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is canceling the fête of the year because he hasn't time for silly soirees. He doesn't need time—he needs her!
When a flash of lightning destroys the venue for his family's annual Christmas ball, Lord Benedict Sheffield intends to enjoy a relaxing holiday for once. But after twelve days of beguiling Lady Amelia's guerrilla tactics, he's up to his cravat with tinsel . . . and tumbling head over heels in love. From Goodreads.

A short Christmas story. It was okay, I liked Amelia and the way she organized and manipulated Lord Benedict which he soon realised she was doing but let her do anyway.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Yahtzee Challenge
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z

Abigail's Christmas Gift by Charity Phillips

New York, 1870
The year is 1870, and Abigail Copeland is a nurse in New York City who dreams of adventure and romance in a far away place. Her mother believes that all she really needs is a husband. So, when Abigail begins corresponding with a handsome young man from the West who is looking for a bride, it appears that both of their desires will be fulfilled.
Samuel Merriweather recently became a widower, and his little son Tommy is suffering from an illness. It is feared that the child will not be able to survive, so when Samuel discovers that Abigail is a nurse as well as a lovely bride-to-be, he sends for her at once. As soon as the two tiny families are together, it is clear that all they needed was each other.
From the hustle and bustle of New York to the comforting home life in Coos Bay, Oregon, Abigail Copeland realizes that love and adventure can be hers. From Goodreads.

This was cute and okay but it is not 161 pages. I finished this story in 25 minutes and that was disappointing when I expected 161 pages!

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2015

Julemanden og hele hans slæng by Vagn Simonsen

Vagn Simonsen fik aldrig opfyldt sin drøm om at blive julemand på Grønland. I stedet er han rejst rundt for at tale med julemænd andre steder på kloden og kan i denne bog fortælle, at de lever og har det godt.
Også de allerældste julemænd, som i hundredvis af år har praktiseret deres populære hverv som gaveuddelere.
Selv om julemændene udgør en broget flok, stammer de fra den samme forfader, og det kan man undre sig over, når de i dag hverken kan finde ud af at klæde sig nogenlunde ens, eller enes om, hvornår de skal bringe gaverne ud, eller om de skal give gaver til alle børn eller kun til de artigste.
Alligevel er vi nok nødt til at ?tro på julemanden?, mener Vagn Simonsen, for hvert år lover julemændene, at de og julen vil komme igen til næste år, og det løfte har de aldrig svigtet.
Mange forskellige julemænd får ordet i denne bogs 24 historier om julemændenes farlige tilværelse, der bl.a. byder på stride unger, der kan gøre livet surt for enhver julemand. Samtidig får vi brudstykker af julemandens overraskende og spændende forhistorie. Og vi kigger også lidt frem og får indtryk af, at julemandens dage som sæsonarbejder er ved at være talte.
Ligesom nisserne er julemændene efterhånden på færde året rundt.
?Julemanden og hele hans slæng? er skrevet som en oplysende og underholdende bog for både børn og voksne. From Goodreads.

This was okay but not as fun as I thought it would be. It is written as a story where the author is meeting a lot of different Santas and they tell him about their work as Santa. 

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2015 

The Christmas Witch by Amanda M. Lee

It’s the winter of 1995, and the Winchester household is more doom and gloom than mistletoe and merriment.
Young Bay, Clove and Thistle are anything but happy. They’re facing their first Christmas without their fathers, and no matter how hard their mothers try, they just can’t seem to get the girls to embrace this festive time of year.
Between the lack of snow, which the girls firmly believe brings magic, and Hemlock Cove’s local Santa Claus going missing, things continue to go wrong instead of right.
Christmas has never been Aunt Tillie’s favorite time of year. She thinks the only thing snow is good for is plowing, and the only reason she likes Santa Claus is because he brings her presents. All of that changes when she’s forced to spend time with three miserable little girls – and the pall they’re casting over the entire town.
Instead of letting them wallow, Aunt Tillie decides to take them on an adventure. They’re going to find Santa. They’re going to make it snow. Oh, and Aunt Tillie is going to get what she wants for Christmas – even if her nieces keep saying no.
It’s Aunt Tillie to the rescue, and she’s bound and determined her family is going to have a happy holiday – even if she has to make everyone miserable during the process. From Goodreads.

This was fun and it was great having Aunt Tillie as the main character. All the books in this series describe Aunt Tillie as a mean, wicked witch who loves her family even when she pesters them. As this book shows, she loves being that wicked witch but it also shows she will do anything for her family. Aunt Tillie is still one of my favourite characters of this series.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
2015 Witches & Witchcraft Challenge
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2015 

Christmas in the Park by Laura Lockington

30-something Sarah has finally decided to start her own business.
After years of 5 a.m starts, running around a busy television studio, she has decided to hand in her resignation, and begin her dream of running her own cake making business.
Swapping her stylish clothes for tracksuits and an apron she gets to work, and is thrilled when the local café agrees to start selling her treats.
And – even better – she starts to get to know the handsome and single owner, David.
Working from home also means she can finally do one other thing she couldn’t do with her hectic job – get a puppy.
Deciding she wants a rescue dog, Sarah heads off to the local dog’s centre, and tries not to say yes to adopting the whole lot.
One beautiful little Dachshund with adorable amber eyes immediately takes a liking to her.
And Sarah knows there is no turning back.
She bundles Malteaser up and takes him home, and before long he is helping her to meet new people in her local park.
But Malteaser can be more than a bit of a handful. And Sarah knows she is no good at disciplining him...
So when fellow dog-walker Nick steps in to give her hand she knows she should take his advice. But does he just want to help her out, or is he interested in something else?
With an excitable puppy, and lots of orders to bake for the café, could Sarah be taking on too much?
And could there be something there with David – or Nick?
With Christmas on the way, and the café suddenly coming under threat, things get even crazier.
And Sarah has to find a way to create a magical Christmas in the Park...
‘Christmas in the Park’ is a warming festive novella, full of sweat treats, doggy disasters and snippets of romance.  From Goodreads.

This was okay. A nice, cosy, romantic Christmas read. Perfect for reading on a cold, dark evening.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
The Christmas Spirit Read-a-Thon 2015
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2015 

Activation by Chris Paton

Seconded to work on the classified steam-powered Wallendorf Emissaries, a young technician is tasked with activating and field testing a single machine under the watchful eye of his secretive chaperone.
Emissary Metal: ACTIVATION is the first of an exciting series of Steampunk Adventures – quick reads perfect for a clockwork afternoon – set in the world of Hanover & Singh. From Goodreads.



  

It was interesting to read about the start of the Emissaries that I have read about in the Metal Emissary series. I wasn't quite taken by the two main characters Karl and Seffi but this was only 60 pages so this might change in the future books.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack

The Christmas Tea Shop & Bakery by De-ann Black

Erith leaves behind her old life, and her ex-boyfriend, to start afresh. She moves to a lovely Scottish seaside town and opens up a vintage tea shop and bakery selling cakes, bread, scones and tea.
It's Christmas time, and although Erith wants a quiet life, baking during the day and sewing her quilts in the evenings in her house above the shop, the local shopkeepers soon involve her in their festive plans.
Stuart, who owns the shop that sells everything, flirts with her. Handsome interior designer, Muir, takes an interest in her, but is she interested in him? And what about Zack, the gorgeous bad boy?
In this Christmassy romance, Erith bakes everything from chocolate bread to traditional Victoria sponge cakes. She blends her special selection of teas. She becomes friends with the local sewing bee women, Doreen, Millie and Belle. She also realises that when it comes to love, she has to trust her instincts rather than listen to local gossip.
Set in a Scottish seaside town in a snowy December, there's baking, sewing, snogging and sexy men in this light-hearted romance novella. It's 22,000 words of Christmas cheer.
Amid the chaos of Christmas, will Erith find time for love? Will there be a festive proposal? Who will be Santa and switch on the town's Christmas tree lights? In the busy little town there's only one thing for sure - no one wants to dress up as the reindeer's bum. From Goodreads.

Another short cosy romance by De-ann Black (I think I say the same each time). As usual there is an abundance of fine men flirting with the main female character and she has to chose the right one and of course she does. And it is fine to read a Christmassy short story in the middle of summer.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Summer At The Beach
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack

On a Witch and a Prayer: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Short by Amanda M. Lee

FBI Agent Landon Michaels is looking forward to a weekend of fun and ease with his witchy love, Bay Winchester. Unfortunately for him, relaxation isn’t in the cards.
When his boss hands him a cold case from Hemlock Cove before he leaves for an extended weekend, Landon is annoyed. When Thistle Winchester gets a vision from the file, bother turns to intrigue.
If Landon can solve a twenty-year-old disappearance he’ll be lauded in his office as more than the guy who is dating the woman who constantly finds trouble. Of course, it’s that woman and her feisty family who can help him.
Between ghosts, fights, deep conversations with Marcus, and constant annoyances, Landon has his hands full. And that’s on top of Aunt Tillie’s new business venture – which she’s desperately trying to keep under wraps.
Landon needs Bay to solve a mystery, and her family is along for the ride. Danger might not be prevalent this weekend, but survival is – and old ghosts need to be put to rest. From Goodreads.

I have read a lot of these books by Amanda Lee this month. Even though they are becoming a bit repetitive I will most likely keep reading them if she writes more, but for now I am pleased to have caught up.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack

Wicked Brew: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Short by Amanda M. Lee

Thistle Winchester is at her witchy wit’s end.
Great-Aunt Tillie is selling wine at the curb of The Overlook – like it’s a lemonade stand – and her mother and aunts are about to burn someone at the stake. Unfortunately, it’s up to her and cousin Bay to put out the fire.
When the two cousins take a stand, they’re interrupted by the arrival of an injured and dazed little girl. She won’t speak, and she appears to have undergone some sort of trauma.
Thistle steps up to the plate – mostly because the child seems to have latched herself onto the grumpy witch – and the Winchesters launch an all-out investigation into who she is, and where she came from.
As things start to unfold, Thistle’s heart is at risk. This newest guest at The Overlook has a troubled past, and she’s especially vulnerable, which makes Thistle especially vulnerable.
It doesn’t help that that Aunt Tillie has taken a special interest in the child she deems “Basil,” or that Landon wants to arrest Aunt Tillie for her secondary wine business.
Can the Winchesters save the day? Thistle is determined to do just that. She just might need a little help from her family.  From Goodreads.


In this short story it is Thistle who is the main character. It was better than the last short but still not as good as the actual books.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Summer At The Beach
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack

Careful What You Witch For: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Short by Amanda M. Lee

Being the meekest Winchester witch is … tough.
For Clove Winchester, that has never more apparent than now. Sure, she’s got a new romance brewing with Sam Cornell – but her cousins Bay and Thistle are fighting her every step of the way on that front.
When her father approaches her with an opportunity to serve as an in-house psychic for the opening of his new inn, Clove jumps at the chance. It will be an opportunity for her and Sam to spend some much-needed time alone – and have some fun in the process.
Of course, since she’s a Winchester witch, nothing goes as planned.
When Thistle and Bay – and their respective boyfriends – show up for the weekend festivities, and the opening activities are interrupted by an avenging ghost, the new inn is in a precarious position.
That’s on top of Aunt Tillie’s efforts to undermine the soft launch – and she’s feeling particularly vindictive.
Can Clove and her cousins save the Dragonfly Inn? Or is Clove in for a mountain of misery?  From Goodreads.


This one has Clove as main character. I didn't like it as much as the other stories in the series but then it was just a short story.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Summer At The Beach
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack

Rawk: The Shorts Stack

Rawk-A-Tiers The Shorts Stack hosted by Rawk-A-Tiers on Goodreads.

I do read shorter book and it has always been a pity that I can't fit them into any challenges. Now they have their own challenge.

We all have them, those short stories and novellas that we've been putting off reading because we can't use them in our challenges; well here's your chance to earn some points for reading them.

This is an on-going challenge.
All qualified stories under 150 pages read each month can be reported for points. Books must be listed in your reserved comment thread. Use the same box for the whole year, just designate the start of the each new month.

Stories must be authentically published and appear on GoodReads as a book/story. Fan-fiction, beta reads, or comics are excluded.

Scoring: Mix and match them to get a minimum of 150 pages for 1 point per set of 150 pages, any pages over an increment of 150 pages cannot be carried over to the next month. Reporting to Homework box must occur in the month the books were read.

List of books by month:
2016
*****

January:
 
★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩
 2015
*****

July: 373 pages in total = 2 points

1. Careful What You Witch For: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Short by Amanda M. Lee ✿✿ 85 pages
2. Wicked Brew: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Short by Amanda M. Lee ✿✿ 91 pages
3. On a Witch and a Prayer: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Short by Amanda M. Lee ✿✿ 91 pages
4. The Christmas Tea Shop & Bakery by De-ann Black ✿✿ 106 pages  

August: 0 pages in total = 0 points

September: 0 pages in total = 0 points

October: 0 pages in total = 0 points

November: 166 pages in total = 1 points  

1. Activation by Chris Paton ✿✿ 61 pages
2. Christmas in the Park by Laura Lockington ✿✿ 105 pages  

December: 236 pages in total = 1 points

1. The Christmas Witch by Amanda M. Lee ✿✿ 92 pages   
2. Julemanden og hele hans slæng by Vagn Simonsen  ✿✿ 144 pages 
3. Abigail's Christmas Gift by Charity Phillips ✿✿ 50 pages
4. The Viscount's Christmas Temptation by Erica Ridley✿✿ 146 pages