Holiday Movies Thoughts…

 

Holiday Movies Have Arrived!!!

It’s that time of year, when you can turn your TVs’, tablets, and phones to any channel or streaming app, you will find a holiday movie/series. The options vary from the classics, to the brand new. The majority have something to do with love and Christmas. 

I have been seeing several via Netflix/Amazon Prime. My mother watches 99.9% over on Lifetime. I use to watch a lot of those Lifetime channel Christmas movies with her, but I started feeling like they were repeating themselves. Different title, different actors, but same idea as year before. I will say I have yet to watch a classic like Elf yet. Here are some of the movies I have watched so far, and just a quick reaction to them. Let me know in comments, what I should be watching. 

CANDY CANE LANE 🎄🎄🎄🎄 (Amazon Prime)

This one was cute and did have me laughing out loud. Guess when a movie has Eddie Murphy in it, laughing is expected. This one I believe everyone in the family will enjoy watching. It’s a good movie, to snuggle on the couch together and drink hot chocolate. 

BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER! 🎄 🎄 🎄 (Netflix) 

This movie could have been “better”. I liked the storyline, what I was not to fond about was the acting. The level of acting, felt more like a Lifetime movie, than a Netflix. I still think you can watch it, but maybe not the whole family. 

EXmas 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 (freevee)

This one I just happen to come across, I almost didn’t watch because of the ads. Glad I did, it was super cute. I liked the chemistry between the actors. It’s not a “family” movie I would say. This is something to watch in bed all cozied up. 

Next up is:

FAMILY SWITCH (TBD)

This film stars Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms. 

Book Review: All That's Bright: A Romantic Holiday Collection by Courtney Cole and Fisher Amelie

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All That's Bright
Author: Courtney Cole
Author: Fisher Amelie
Reading Level: Adult, Romance
Genre: Fiction
Released: December 21, 2014
Review Source: Courtney Cole and Curiosity Quills Press

Share the gift of LOVE this Holiday season! All That’s Bright brings together contemporary romance favorites - Courtney Cole (NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of the Beautifully Broken series) and Fisher Amelie (bestselling author of the Seven Deadly series) - in a duology to remember. Fans of Beautifully Broken will love joining Pax Tate and his family at Christmas time, while Seven Deadly enthusiasts can read all about Spencer and Caroline’s wedding. This sweet collection will warm your heart through the 2014 holiday season.

A Beautifully Broken Christmas Story by Courtney Cole

I am a new follower of Courtney Cole.  Honestly, where has she been all of reading life?  Her most recent book NOCTE, hooked me for a full day and the rest is history.  So when given this short little collection and let just warn you again it's short collection.  I was excited to read this as at this point I'll read anything by Courtney Cole.  This 72 page collection has 2 stories and  starts with  a featured Christmas scene between major characters from a previous series,  PAX, Mila, Gabe and Maddy.  Preparations are being made for the grand dinner along with other very fun things.  This little glimpse into to the highlight of their special day, is just enough to make me want to quickly read all about their lives in the Beautifully Broken series.

The Wedding by Fisher Amelie

There is no concealing what this scene is about.  The Wedding is centered around characters from the Seven Deadly Series by Fisher Amelie.  Here the reader can feel the emotions of Spencer and Caroline as the special question is answered, how we are moved forward a bit and go straight in the wedding day.  Although Fisher is a completely new author to me, I immediately had so many questions about Spencer's and Caroline's relationship journey, however was left just enough to be content in the end. and ready to find out more.  

All in all, whether you are new to the these authors or not, be prepared to be entertained with this holiday collection.  I've placed both of these series on my reading list.  In essence, I will be going in with the end in mind, but that's ok, as I'm sure to get to the end featured in this Holiday collection is truly a journey worth reading. 





Book Review: Risking it all for Love by Kimberley Montpetit

Risking it all for Love
A Christmas in Snow Valley Romance
Author: Kimberley Montpetit
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Holiday | Romance
Released: October 15th 2014
Review Source: Spellbound Books

Clean Romance with a humorous bite!

Ever since her high school boyfriend's death from a car accident three years earlier, Jessica Mason and her hometown of Snow Valley, Montana with all its awful memories have NOT been compatible. Running away to New Orleans on a ballet scholarship, Jessica cringes when she thinks about confronting Pastor John and the community church--she doesn't want to talk about God, not after He took Michael, the boy she was going to marry ever since third grade.

In the local scene of funky New Orleans, Jessica seeks out Madame LaBlanc, hoping Michael will absolve her of her guilt the night of the car accident in a seance, but the spirit world is silent and she fears the grief will drown her.

Finally succumbing to family pressure, Jessica reluctantly returns for Christmas - and the little town of Snow Valley does Christmas BIG. When she visits Michael’s grave in the church yard, Jessica is shocked to meet handsome James Douglas, Pastor John’s nephew, who’s studying for the ministry. No, she is NOT going to be attracted to someone who wants to be a preacher! Definitely not compatible! But James Douglas is unlike any minister-in-training she's ever met. James can not only dish back Jessica’s finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica’s world upside down.

Can Jessica forgive herself for that terrible, fateful night? Can she take another risk on love?

A fast-paced romance with humor, family dynamics, Christmas, and kissing.

Risking it all for Love was such a cute novella, I enjoyed every page. Jessica Mason is returning to her hometown after three years of avoiding it. When she was in high school her and her boyfriend got into a car accident and he unfortunately didn’t make it. Jessica’s been carrying around the guilt of his death ever since and hasn’t been able to face the town again, she’s lost all faith. While visiting Michael’s grave she meets and then runs away from the Pastor’s nephew, James Douglas.

Jessica and Michael were best friends ever since third grade, they were meant to get married and have a forever life together. So when he died young she lost all faith in the church and God, why would he take someone like Michael away, why would he take him away so young? She thought running away would change things, but they haven’t, she harbors so much guilt it’s ruining her. Ever since she set eyes on those crazy intense blue eyes of James Douglas her world begins to shift, he helps her realize everything isn’t her fault, she can’t hold onto the guilt forever.

Risking it all for Love covers it all; love, forgiveness, redemption, and much needed growth. It was beautiful written and there was a perfect balance between everything, there wasn’t too much sadness that it was overwhelming and it wasn’t just focused on her redemption, perfect balance. Why wouldn’t you want to read this? It’s cute, it’s short, and just truly a lovely story.