Dear Friends,
Happy November to you! Although it is after Halloween, I have a few special pictures including jack o' lanterns that I want to share with you. One of my friends sent me these and I liked them so much I saved them to share with you. They are all pictures of otters enjoying pumpkins.
I like otters! They are shaped a lot like dachshunds and are close in size. I think they are silly to like water so much, but I am glad it makes them happy!
This little otter reaches into a pumpkin. I wonder if he has hidden a treat inside?
An otter going trick or treating!
Lots of otters and lots of pumpkins:
Only two pumpkins for all those otters!
My favorite -- one otter has made a little pumpkin house.
Here are a few fun facts I learned about otters:
Otters are part of the weasel family.
Some otters spend most of their time in the water, while others like both land and water.
A group of otters can be called a bevy, lodge, romp, or family. If there is a group in the water they are called a raft.
Baby otters are called pups, kits, or kittens.
Sea otters have the thickest fur of all animals. It keeps them warm even in very cold water.
Sea otters sometimes hold hands while sleeping in the water so they don't drift apart.
Otters eat 15% - 25% of their body weight in food every single day! (Now why does that not work for dogs as well?!)
I hope you enjoyed these photos, and wish you a happy November! Thanks for visiting my blog today.
Love,
Abby xoxoxo
Book Synopsis
In bestselling author Vanessa Kelly’s irresistible Clan
Kendrick series, Christmas in the Highlands means family,
celebration—and for one brother, the beginning of a passionate adventure
. . .
Being thrown over by the man she expected to marry was humiliating
enough. Now that Donella Haddon, grandniece of the Earl of Riddick, has
also proven a failure as a nun, she has no choice but to return to her
family’s estate. The brawny Highlander sent to escort her is brash,
handsome, and the only thing standing between Donella and a gang of
would-be kidnappers. But the scandal in her past can’t be so easily
outrun . . .
Wealthy widower Logan Kendrick was expecting to meet a plain, pious
spinster—not a gorgeous, sharp-tongued lass who can hold her own in any
ambush. Though she’s known as the Flower of Clan Graham, Donella is no
shrinking violet. In fact, she might be the perfect woman to bring
happiness back to his lonely little son’s life, just in time for
Christmas. But first he must protect her from ugly gossip and a
mysterious threat—and convince her that their wild, unexpected desire is
heaven sent.
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound
My Review
The Highlander's Christmas Bride is the story of Donella Haddon and Logan Kendrick. Donella has been asked to leave the abbey where she had hoped to spend her life as a nun. Logan is sent by her family to help her safely travel home. Sparks fly as they get acquainted - although they seem unlikely as a romantic couple.
I wanted to read this novel because of the Regency period and Scottish setting. Both elements were important parts of the novel, especially as Regency propriety met the wild Scottish countryside.
I enjoyed Donella as a protagonist. She is independent for the times and looking for her place in the world after leaving the convent:
"It was perplexing, because she used to be good at things, whether it was managing a large household, helping the local vicar in his charitable work, or excelling at her studies and music. These days she seemed to be stumbling about in the dark without a clue to do next" (p. 21).
Logan is also at a crossroads. His wife passed away, leaving him with a young son to raise.
Although Donella, the former nun, and Logan, the Scotsman adventurer, appear different on the surface, they find a place of real connection. This makes their story particularly enjoyable to read.
I especially enjoyed their adventurous trip from the convent to Donella's home -- set with danger and some comical subterfuge as Donella masquerades as a young man.
This is my first read in the Clan Kendrick series. It worked fine as a standalone, although I would enjoy going back to catch up with the first book in the series.
I recommend The Highlander's Christmas Bride for fans of historical romance, and especially for anyone who enjoys a Scottish setting. It is a fun read!
Author Bio
Vanessa Kelly is a USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author who
was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library
Association, as one of the “New Stars of Historical Romance.” Her
Regency-set historical romances have been nominated in a number of
contests, and she has won multiple awards, including the prestigious
Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Her books have been
published in nine languages.
Vanessa’s latest book, The Highlander Who Protected Me, was a USA
Today, Barnes & Noble, and BookScan bestseller. Her Renegade Royals
Series was a national bestseller, as was The Improper Princesses Series.
My Fair Princess was named a Goodreads Romance of the Month and is a
USA Today and BookScan bestseller. The Highlander’s Princess Bride, book
3 in the series, was a Barnes and Noble top 50 bestseller.
When she’s not dreaming of plots for her next Regency novel, Vanessa
is writing USA Today Bestselling books with her husband, under the pen
name of V.K. Sykes.
You can find Vanessa at vanessakellyauthor.com or at vksykes.com. For all of Vanessa’s latest news and contests–and to receive a free story–please sign up for her newsletter on her website.
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away signed copies of THE HIGHLANDER’S PRINCESS BRIDE and THE HIGHLANDER WHO PROTECTED ME + a $20 Amazon gift card! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on November 12th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open internationally.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
The Highlander's Christmas Bride
Book Synopsis
The mysterious Alex Archer returns to England in Book 3 of Mimi Matthews’ USA Today bestselling Parish Orphans of Devon series.
She Needed A Husband…
It’s been three years since Laura Hayes’s father died, leaving her
and her invalid brother to subsist on the income from the family’s
failing perfume business. But time is swiftly running out. What she
needs is a husband, and fast. A noble gentleman who can rescue them all
from penury. When a mysterious stranger arrives in the village, he seems
a perfect candidate. But Alex Archer is no hero. In fact, he just might
be the opposite.
He Wanted a Fortune…
Alex has no tolerance for sentiment. He’s returned to England for one
reason only: to find a wealthy wife. A country-bred heiress in Surrey
seems the perfect target. But somewhere between the village railway
station and the manor house his mercenary plan begins to unravel. And
it’s all the fault of Laura Hayes–a lady as unsuitable as she is
enchanting.
From the beaches of Margate to the lavender fields of Provence, a
grudging friendship slowly blossoms into something more. But when
scandal threatens, can a man who has spent his entire life playing the
villain, finally become a hero? Or will the lure of easy riches once
again outweigh the demands of his heart?
Author Bio
USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews (A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty, The Matrimonial Advertisement)
writes both historical non-fiction and traditional historical romances
set in Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth century history
have been published on various academic and history sites, including the
Victorian Web and the Journal of Victorian Culture, and are also syndicated weekly at BUST Magazine.
In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with
her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties,
and two Siamese cats.
For more information, please visit Mimi Matthews’ website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Pinterest, Google+, and Goodreads.
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a signed paperback copy of A Convenient Fiction by Mimi Matthews! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on November 15th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Dear Friends,
Happy Halloween! I hope you are planning a fun holiday. Do you dress up for the day? I have a costume and wear it when Momma asks nicely.
Last year we didn't have many trick or treaters, which is okay by me. I am not a fan of lots of knocking and doorbell ringing!
I do love Halloween pictures of dachshunds and dogs. I found some fun ones at Pinterest, and thought you might enjoy them too.
A dachshund stands with an elaborate carved Jack O' Lantern:
Three pumpkins make a special dachshund picture:
A dachshund says "We are never too old for Halloween." I agree!
A dachshund poses with pumpkins and fall leaves:
A beautiful black and tan dachshund wears a string of light up pumpkins:
A little witch dachshund stands with pumpkins:
Dachshunds pose for Halloween with a log, pumpkins, and fall leaves:
Me! all dressed up in my angel costume:
If you'd like a little more Halloween fun, I have a few previous blog post links to share with you:
Dogs in Halloween costumes - some of my old friends are here!
Calling All Girls Halloween magazine covers (1960's) featuring Dachshunds
Vintage Halloween pictures with dogs
However you celebrate Halloween, I hope you have lots of TREATS!
Love,
Abby XOXOXO
Book Synopsis
With all the glittering decorations, twinkling lights, snow angels,
gingerbread men and mistletoe, Christmas is Emmie’s first love.
This year, she can’t wait to share her favorite Christmas traditions
with her boyfriend, Grant. She thinks he’s “the one.” So when Grant’s
hectic work schedule has him more “Bah Humbug” than “Ho, Ho, Ho,” Emmie
creates a holiday-themed scavenger hunt to help him find his Christmas
spirit. At the end of the journey, Grant will arrive at the charming
town of Christmas Point where she’s planned a romantic weekend filled
with holiday activities.
But Emmie’s plan backfires when a mix-up has the wrong guy following
her clues! Sam, a best-selling mystery writer, thinks Emmie’s clever
Christmas riddles are from his agent, who is trying to help him get over
his epic writer’s block.
When he arrives at Christmas Point and finds the stunned Emmie, he
immediately feels she’s someone special, but she can’t see beyond the
fact that the wrong guy has shown up. Inspired by the small, charming
town, Sam decides to stay and convinces Emmie to join him in a little
holiday fun while she waits for Grant.
When Grant finally shows up, Emmie is disappointed to discover he’s
not enjoying the activities she planned and can’t help wonder if he’s
really the one for her. She also can’t get Sam out of her mind and all
the great times they had together. With Christmas coming fast, Emmie
will need the magic of the season to help steer her in the direction of
true love…
Purchase Links
My Review
Emmie loves Christmas more than anything, so naturally she plans to make her first Christmas with boyfriend Grant extra special. She plans an elaborate holiday scavenger hunt that will take him to a small mountain town called Christmas Point, so they can have a romantic holiday weekend together. The catch? The wrong man gets the scavenger hunt clues. Sam is a mystery novelist with writer's block. He thinks the clues are from his agent, and he arrives at Christmas Point for the weekend. Emmie's boyfriend is too busy working to join her, so she becomes friends with Sam and sparks start to fly.
I wanted to read this book from first description because I love Christmas! I love Christmas novels and Christmas movies, and knew I would like this book because of the author's background. Karen Schaler has written a number of Christmas movies for Hallmark, Netflix, and Lifetime.
Finding Christmas reads like the most charming Hallmark Christmas romance imaginable. Emmie starts out a little grumpy because she is on a big Christmas shopping trip and her perfect wreath purchase is blocked by another customer - Sam (we will see him again later). At first I thought Emmie was going to be a shopaholic character, but she really isn't. She works hard managing a nonprofit community center and helping families in need. Christmas is her one special time that she likes to shop - and often for others.
Sam is such a charming character. He is a great sport who is up for anything - from decorating cookies to ice skating. From the start I wanted him to get together with Emmie. I absolutely loved their scenes together.
I especially loved the Christmas scavenger hunt that Sam (mistakenly) went on. Every little stop of the hunt was great fun. The author even has tips on how to plan your own holiday scavenger hunt in the back of the book!
Christmas Point is a charming setting for this story. It is a little town (population 720) dedicated to all things Christmas. Emmie stays at an inn there that is owned by a widow named Ruby. Ruby is a lovely, warm character and her friendship with Emmie adds a lot to the book. I loved all the details of Christmas celebrations in this little town too. I have to add that Ruby even has a sweet Border Collie named Dasher! (I enjoy all books more when they feature a lovable dog or cat.)
I also loved Emmie's passion for all things Christmas. I could just picture her apartment from the book's description:
"Her entire apartment looked like a scene from a Christmas fairy tale. There were hundreds of white twinkle lights hanging overhead, attached to the loft's old wooden ceiling beams. The lights also outlined all the windows. From top to bottom, Emmie's apartment was filled with all kinds of Christmas decorations from vintage to modern, similar to how her office was decorated. Emmie didn't discriminate. She had a snow globe collection, an angel collection, and a snowman collection, as well as several antique nativity sets. ... It was the perfect balance of old and new, and it felt genuine and real" (p. 57).
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and know that other fans of Christmas novels will like it too. Finding Christmas is a perfect holiday read -- just settle in with a cup of cocoa and prepare to get in the holiday spirit!
Author Bio
Karen Schaler is a three-time Emmy Award–winning storyteller, author,
screenwriter, journalist, and national TV host. She has written
original screenplays for Netflix, Hallmark, and Lifetime Christmas
movies, including the Netflix sensation A Christmas Prince. Karen wrote the Hallmark movie and novel Christmas Camp, and the sequel novella, Christmas Camp Wedding. Traveling to more than sixty-five countries as the creator and host of Travel Therapy TV, Karen
is constantly inspired by the diverse people, places, and cultures she
encounters. All of Karen’s stories are uplifting, filled with heart and
hope.
Find out more about Karen at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins and TLC Book Tours.
