Review: Once Upon a Summertime by Melody Carlson

Once Upon a Summertime by Melody Carlson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it's a safe choice for a woman whose childhood was anything but stable. Out of the blue, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reinvent herself by moving to New York City, where she hopes for a management position at a stylish new boutique hotel. The big city is full of surprises--not the least of which is Sean O'Neil. Her childhood crush has applied for the very same position!

Review: All Summer Long by Melody Carlson

All Summer Long by Melody Carlson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tia Gets a Second Chance at Love When an Old Crush Suddenly Reappears

Though it means giving up the chef's job at her uncle's small town Italian restaurant in Washington, Tia D'Amico is thrilled to move to San Francisco to help her aunt with a new business venture: transforming an old luxury yacht into an upscale floating restaurant. The icing on the cake is that Leo Parker, Tia's crush from a long-ago sailing camp, has been hired as the yacht's captain. The only problem is that he's engaged to someone else.

Tia hides her feelings and rolls up her sleeves as she sets out to make her aunt's dream a reality. But as the tide turns on Leo's relationship, does Tia dare hope he might set a course for her heart?
All the romance of a summer in San Francisco is captured in this delightful story from an author who has made a career of tugging our heartstrings.

Review: The Christmas Joy Ride

The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE BOOK
Miranda did not put adventure on her Christmas list, but thanks to her eighty-five-year-old neighbor Joy, that's exactly what she's getting this year. When Joy tells Miranda that she plans to drive an old RV decked out in Christmas decorations from their Chicago neighborhood to her new retirement digs in Phoenix--in the dead of winter, no less--the much younger Miranda insists that Joy cannot make such a trip by herself. Besides, a crazy trip with Joy would be more interesting than another Christmas home alone. Unemployed and facing foreclosure, Miranda feels she has nothing to lose by packing a bag and heading off to Route 66. But Joy has a hidden agenda for their Christmas joyride--and a hidden problem that could derail the whole venture.

No one captures the heartwarming fun of the Christmas season quite like Melody Carlson. Fasten your seat belt, because it's going to be an exciting ride!

MY REVIEW
I love Melody Carlson's Christmas books and this one was no exception! I love the cover of this book and thought it gave the story an extra flair. :)

This book featured what should be the focus of Christmas - GIVING! I loved the interaction between Miranda and Joy and the sweet friendship between this elderly lady and a much younger Miranda. In this world there is not a lot of respect for the elderly. So it was refreshing to read a book where two different generations got along so well.

You'll have no problem diving into this heartwarming short story with a touch of romance and a predictable but romantic ending.

*Thanks to Revell Reads for the complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions stated are my own.*

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Review: Love Gently Falling

Love Gently Falling by Melody Carlson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Rita is fulfilling her dream of being a hairstylist in Hollywood when she gets a call that her mother has had a stroke. She rushes home to help her dad and brother take care of her mother. She also takes it upon herself to try to help out her mother's failing hair salon. Fighting the direct competition of another salon owned by a previous employee, Rita decides the salon needs a renovation. As she works to accomplish much in a short period of time, Rita is re-united with some school friends and finds herself drawn to Johnny, an old classmate. Will the renovation be successful. Will she want to go back to the "glamour" of Hollywood after tasting the comfort of her hometown again?

I enjoy Melody Carlson's style of writing. It's sweet and straightforward. This was a short, simple love story that goes perfectly with the month of February. :) I enjoyed Rita and Johnny's growing relationship. And I liked the closeness of Rita's family. Of course I didn't care for Zinnia with her fake overtures of friendship and her possessiveness over Johnny. But it was nice to see Rita re-connecting with her childhood best friend, Marley. :)

*Thanks to FaithWords/CenterStreet and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion & review.*



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Review: Christmas at Harrington's

Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was a great Christmas read! It's a tender short story about fresh starts, redemption, and true holiday spirit. And I love the cover!

Lena is just getting out of an eight year stay in prison after being wrongly accused of embezzlement at her ex-husband's church. Her parents have died while she was in prison and she has no desire to go back to that town. She finds herself in New Haven where a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store. Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret?

I really enjoyed Lena's personality. She was so sweet to the kids and in spite of the injustice done to her by the people in her past she couldn't help but be a better person to those around her. The fact that she incorporated Christianity into her Mrs. Santa character was an interesting story line.

A heartwarming Christmas story with a happy ending. What more could you want? :)



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