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Holiday In Death is another great addition to this thrilling series. Not only is it Eve and Roake’s first Christmas together but there is a serial killer running around. A serial killer who dresses up like Santa Clause, is very neat and tidy and uses “The Twelve Days of Christmas ” as his theme. The suspense in this series just keeps getting better. I never know the “who done it ” until the very end. This is an excellent installment.

Review by M. B. Alcat:

“Holiday in Death” is the seventh book in J.D. Robb’s “In Death” series, and not one I would recommend for someone who just wants to give the series a try. If that is your case, please make yourself a favour, and read the first book in the series, “Naked in death”. That book is excellent, and will give you such a good introduction to the main characters that you will enjoy the rest of the books in the series much more

Now, if you are still reading this review I must suppose that you already have read that book, and so you know what the “In death” series is about: a very good cop (Eve), her unlikely husband (Roarke), and the crimes they somehow end up solving together. Of course, by summing up the series in such succinct manner I leave aside a lot of the details that make the series so good but then, if I want to be concise I have to sacrifice something: nothing is perfect

“Holiday in death” definitely isn’t perfect either. The plot is pretty simple: it is almost Christmas time, and Lieutenant Eve Dallas not only has to buy presents for her loved ones (she hates shopping!!!), but also to deal with a killer who dresses up as Santa Claus, rings the doorbell of his victims and kills them. The only link between the victims is a dating service, and so Eve decides some undercover work is in order to catch the killer, before he continues with his “special” way of celebrating Christmas. Officers Peabody and Mc Nabb will be the undercover agents, and also the protagonists of a secondary storyline that the fans of the series have been waiting for some time

I certainly cannot say that this is my favourite book in the series. Despite that, and strangely enough, I DO RECOMMEND IT. Why?. Well, because it has more than average “entertainment value”, if you like to mix suspense, a bit of romance and an interesting futuristic spin. I want to point out, though, that the crime scenes that all the books in the series have are specially horrific in “Holiday in death”, so please don’t read it if you can’t stand gory scenes. I don’t like them, and that is the reason why I gave this book 3 stars instead of at least 4, but that’s your decision to make, after weighing the pros and cons of giving “Holiday in death” a try…

Belen Alcat

Review by Avid Reader:

As a long-time series fan, I really enjoyed this latest edition to the Elm Creek novels. I’d give 4.5 stars, if that was a choice. The quilters gather to spend the day after Thanksgiving at Elm Creek Manor, to devote the day to quilting and togetherness. They celebrate their friendship as they individually struggle with family, life and relationship issues. There’s also a lot of great, interesting description of holiday traditions from different cultures. I was impressed that Chiaverini didn’t shy away from conflict or controversy, both within the characters’ lives and in the larger world that influences them. It’s a poignant reminder to find joy and comfort in life, while keeping awareness of those who are suffering. Plus, it takes a novel that could easily have sold just as feel-good fluff and challenges both author and readers.

I haven’t always thought much of these “holiday” books (like “The Christmas Quilt” or “The New Year’s Quilt”) which contained a lot of recycled material from Chiaverini’s other novels. “The Quilter’s Holiday” has just a touch of review material, but it is integrated well (and not too long). I was glad to see the storylines of the main circle of Elm Creek Quilters move forward.

Review by Annie:

I love Jennifer’s writing, but this book is a bit redundant. It’s kind of the same as many of her other books. Not as interesting as some of her earlier books. I love the more historical ones that focus on only a few characters. I will keep it, because I have all of her books. If I was not collecting her I would just pass it on to someone else. Probably not a re-read book.

Review by C. Stone:

I bought this anthology for Lora Leigh and Angela Knight. Both stories were very satisfying. In Lora leigh’s addition we are given Hawke and Jessica’s story. It takes place about a year after Jessica was caught betraying the Breeds. For such a short story, I felt like I was still given another great slice of life with the Breeds. Its christmas time and Hawke has been waiting long enough for suspicions and anger against Jessica to die down. He is ready to claim his mate. Hawke was very romantic for a wolf under the mating heat. At first I thought that Lora Leigh was making the stories more tame or taking away from the mating heat but then I remembered that the breeds have gotten better with the hormones and medicines they’ve created to deal with the mating heat. The sex was still spicy Leigh style and the plot concerned the council and the drug they’ve created that hides their scents. I am fascinated by how this author is going through the plot and giving us a great story line.

In Angela Knight’s story we are back in the world of the mageverse. I dont know how she makes it believable that the characters have to have sex to reveal their power but it works.LOL. I have no problem believing it. The story is about Kat one of Lance’s many children before he met his wife Grace and Ridge Champion the vamp selected to help her through her change. The plots very thin but I expect thats more to do with the anthology format then Knight’s writing. While brief it was still an enjoyable short story read.

I know Allyson James from her dragon stories. In Hot for the holiday, we are following the story of Naomi a single mother and the return of her old lover Jamison. Jamison left Naomi for 2 yrs when he discovered he was a changer(he can shift into a lion) Jamison had no control and left to protect Naomi, although she never had any idea why he left. The story then goes down hill while we are given detail about a wierd changer colony thats after Jamison and Naomi just falling back into bed with her old lover. I was really surprised that the story was thin and just did not engage me at all.

Lastly was Anya Basts contribution. I have never read this author before so I dont know if the addition to this was typical of her writing. The story was better then James. It is about Ronan the unseelie and his lover or ex lover Bella who is from the Queen’s court. Ronan is about to be sentenced to death but Bella steps in to save him. The story was GOOD not great but I will be looking at some fuller length novels by Anya Bast

Review by Rachel F. Mckenzie:

There is not much mention of the holidays in this book. In fact, Christmas is hated in Angela Knight’s story. In the Allyson James story, there is mention of poinsettias and the belief that a ghost train went through the town every Christmas. Yuletide Eve is mentioned in Anya Bast’s short story and that’s about it. Lora Leigh starts off by describing the town’s decorations for Christmas. If this book had been named something similar to Fated Mates, it would have been more appropriate.

Of the four, I thought Lora Leigh’s was the best. I must admit to collecting all her books in the Breed series. While I liked the love story Allyson James wrote and thought Angela Knight’s offering was okay, I wasn’t impressed by Anya Bast’s story of lovers long torn apart.

Vampire’s Ball by Angela Knight.

We enter the world of Mageverse and read about vampires, witches, and Knights of the Round Table. Kat Danilo, a fitness instructor, is a Latent who could become a witch (and immortal) if she survives the transition without going mad. It seems Kat’s mom got drunk and had a one-night stand with a gorgeous man (Lancelot) which resulted in Kat’s birth. As it turns out, Arthur, Lancelot, and the other knights are vampires and have tried to sire as many children as they could over the years. Ridege Champion is a handsome vampire given the task of bringing Kat into her powers which means he has to have sex with her. Usually it takes three times for this to happen, but Kat enjoys it so much she hopes it will take more. Despite only meeting Kat a few days earlier, Ridge decides she is for him and that he want to Truebond with her.

A Little Night Magic by Allyson James

Naomi has a garden center and a deaf daughter. Her Navajo shaman boyfriend, Jamison Kee, disappeared two years earlier. Now he is back saying he lover her, wasn’t leaving again, and would protect her/daughter from the Changers from Mexico who had kept him caged until he managed to escape to return to her. When he discovered his shape-shifter powers (he turns into a mountain lion), he sought other Changers to help him control his powers. They imprisoned him instead. Jamison loved only Naomi and he knew the Changers would come after him to kill her and weaken him. Jamison and Naomi had already bonded but didn’t know it.

Sweet Enchantment by Anya Bast

Bella offered Ronan Quinn, a powerful mage, escape from imprisonment and death by marriage to her. Thirty years earlier he had broken her heart. When he refuses her marriage offer, he makes Bella the laughingstock of the Seelie Court again. He escapes, goes to her room, and she hides him. When Ronan tells her she is his now and forever, she says no way. When they are seen together, he has no choice but to take Bella with him so she wouldn’t be punished. They had wanted each other for thirty years without acting on it, but now they no longer deny what they want.

A Christmas Kiss by Lora Leigh

At the Wolf Breed Compound of Haven, Jessica Raines was imprisoned in an underground cell for a year. She was locked up for being a traitor, revealing important information to her father about Breed mates. Jessica had not done so willingly–she had been drugged by her father, knowing she would be caught and killed. Despite her drugged state, she had managed to save the lives of the mates targeted. After a year imprisonment, she was assigned a cabin and surrounded by bodyguards. Jessica had fallen in love at first sight with Hawke Esteban, and during her confinement she had longed for him, dreamed of him, and cried for him. Hawke had stayed away from her to reduce the risk of mating heat. Now, he couldn’t wait any more. Someone was trying to kill his mate and he had to have her–he was protecting what was his.

Review by The Romance Studio:

Ms. Holiday has written a sinfully delicious and erotic story that is just irresistible and one that the reader will savor right up until the end. This very gifted author enthralls by using an alluring and picturesque setting, dynamic characters and a deep level of sensuality for this evocative and emotionally charged plot. The sizzling danger and suspense to Lena adds a compelling edge to the characters as well as the story Lena seems a little too quick to sacrifice her relationship with Brock and Wes.

A Perfect Fit for Three features well-rounded characters that are endearing, insightful and passionate. Lena is a true gem of a woman and with her two men, one known for his warm and soothing personality and the other brash, bold and solid ways and together they both fulfill all of her wants, needs and desires. Readers will quickly fall under the seductive spell of these remarkable heroes and the woman who completes them. The realistic and quick connection between Lena, Brock and Wes is sensual and deep. These two heroes aren’t about to take no for an answer and they are more than willing to chase their hearts desire as long as in the end she winds up exactly where she belongs, between them. By involving the heroes charming and lively family in the plot Ms. Holiday makes this story a little more entertaining. The sex is blistering hot, seductive and playful. The ending is just priceless!

Ms. Holiday writes an exciting and passionate story that will have the reader smiling in delight. – Shannon

Review by Bryna L. Reed:

There is a reason Marian Keyes is one of my favorite authors. I think I read this book nearly two years ago. I was first introduced to Marian Keyes when my husband bought me Watermelon. When I finished it I knew I needed to have more! That began my search for her books. That is when I found Amazon.co.uk. I ordered everything she had written and pre-ordered one of her books that wasn’t published yet. All of the books were well worth the extra cost to ship overseas and well worth purchasing from the UK. Rachel’s holiday became my favorite. Which was amazing because I swore that I couldn’t find a more entertaining book than Watermelon. Rachel’s Holiday is a wonderfully entertaining book about Rachel, the sister of Watermelon’s heroine Claire. Rachel is addicted to drugs and alcohol and nearly ruins her life although she thinks there isn’t anything wrong. She looks at rehab as a “holiday”, she could use a vacation anyway, and she might get to see some celebrities while she is there. This isn’t your typical book about a 20-something hitting rock bottom and having to pick up the pieces of the life she has ruined. The story is so witty and so funny that I laughed out loud but it is much more than that. I really fell in love with this book and the author. I wait for her books the way kids wait for Harry Potter! Buy this book and you won’t be disappointed. Better yet buy all of Marian Keyes’ books.

Review by Amy Smith:

I thoroughly enjoyed Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes. First of all, the depth of information it gave about addiction was astounding — Ms. Keyes really seems to have done her research. I don’t see how anyone could become an addict after reading this book!What I especially found interesting was the dichotomy of Rachel’s viewpoints — she thought one way while she was still abusing drugs (and when she first started at the treatment center), and a completely different way when she began to recover. There were people she considered “stingy” or “no fun” while she was abusing drugs; she later realized they were only trying to help her. On the other side of the coin, there were people she used to think were almost godlike, and she finally realized that these people were human just like her — and not really as great as she originally made them out to be.Above all, though, I found this book entertaining. Marian Keyes has a wonderfully wicked sense of humor that I can truly appreciate. I’m starting to figure out that I really like books told in the first person; this book and Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married (which I read first) both drew me in with their cozy girl-talk style. I know this is a major cliche, but I really did not want to put this book down — I felt so involved in everything that was happening to Rachel.The only problem I found with the book is that I thought the ending was a little too convenient and a tad too predictable. Anyone who read it kind of knew how it would end about a quarter of the way through the book. That in itself was not necessarily so bad; to me, a lot of the enjoyment in a book is watching the journey from point A to point B, even if you already know what point B is. (This is a key philosophy to keep in mind when reading romance novels.) However, it seems to me Rachel should have had to work a little harder for that outcome than she actually did.All in all, though, it was a very pleasant, worthwhile read, and I’m looking forward to reading more of Ms. Keyes’ books.

Review by T. K. Schonhoff:

The holidays bring out something truly special in David Sedaris, making this more a “best of” than a mere holiday book. It’s simply brilliant and, as many reviewers have experienced, one of those rare books that may cause you to laugh out loud in spite of yourself. Its only flaw is that it’s a short book, but in content it’s a giant.Avid NPR listeners will instantly recognize the first essay in this book, “Santaland Diaries”; the author’s reading of that story is their single most requested encore. His description of becoming a Christmas Elf at Macy’s is a true guilty pleasure; scathingly unkind and screamingly funny. If you ever held an undignified job, this is somehow your story – even if you never (pardon the pun) stooped so low as to play an elf.Sedaris writes like a post-modern Mark Twain, with a dry and piercing wit that drips with charm and cynicism in equal measure. His is the kind of writing that makes me go back to re-read a sentence, a paragraph, even a whole story hoping to savor some particular gem I only wish I’d written. His tone is often dark, even bleak, but there’s a wry quality in his stories that lets you know he’s really doing it all for effect – setting you up for an even bigger laugh because you know he’s enjoying every minute of telling his sad, hilarious stories.Get in on his story now so you can savor the feeling of waiting impatiently for his next book – and there’s no better way to start than to read Holidays on Ice.

Review by David G. Phillips:

This book was a really fantastic collection of 6 short stories regarding the holiday season. I had heard so much about David Sedaris and what a talented satirical writer he was, and I was much impressed by his ability to parody the American publics love/hate relationship during the holiday season. His life as an elf in the Macys’s shopping store in New York had me laughing out loud. And the upbeat Christmas letter that includes the introduction of a Vietamese stepchild was hilarious.I finished the book in two days of light reading and realized the author is truly dark and twisted but extremely talented. “Me Talk Pretty One Day” is next on my list. I guarantee you’ll like this book, but just to add to the fervor of the writing, I suggest you read it a week before Christmas during your most hellish and frantic points of your life; it’ll add to the hilarity of your situation.

Review by a reader:

I got this right before Thanksgiving, which I would be hosting for the first time, and the few recipes that I’ve tried turned out great! I served the stuffing, the green beans amadine, and the butternut squash, and they all went over quite well. My mom (who is really hard to please) enjoyed them all and commended me on serving such a healthy Thanksgiving meal. What I also like about this book are the many dessert recipes. I tried the ranger cookies today and MAN, are they good! Can’t wait to try the cheesecake, and the pumpkin pie. Highly Recommended.

Review by Lee Mellott:

The South Beach Diet Parties and Holidays Cookbook is an excellent addition to your cookbook collection whether you are following the program or not.

The oversized soft cover book features 150 healthy recipes. It begins with a chapter on preparing for your special time. This chapter explains simple techniques to make your occasion go smoothly. The book is divided into 2 sections. The first section covers festive parties. 10 parties ranging from a Super Bowl Bash to a Baby Shower to a Tuscan Feast.

The second section includes Holidays throughout the year Mother’s Day, Christmas Eve, and Valentine’s Day for example. Each occasion includes a complete menu. The Family Buffet party menu includes such fare as dogs n’ dips, asparagus and ham spears, baked chicken with artichokes, south beach waldorf salad, penne with homemade sauce and banana orange pops.

Each menu includes when to start preparing. For the Family Buffet, it is suggested you make and freeze your pasta sauce up to a month ahead, make and freeze the pops up to 5 days in advance etc.

The 242 page book also includes a conversion chart at the back and mouth watering photos of the different recipes. Each recipe gives prep time, ingredients, tips, and nutrition information calories, fat, saturated fat, protein, carbs and fiber. Make ahead info is also given which is a handy feature.

The recipes in the book can also be used as regular meal fare and if you are on the program, phase 1, 2 or 3 is listed for each recipe. They are easy to prepare with easy of find ingredients. Lot’s of great recipes here! Delicious and nutritious!

Lee Mellott

Review by Ray Witter:

A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays has been a great help to me. I taught a nine week course called the Forgotten Holidays using “A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays”a great deal. In 1985 on how important the biblical holidays are to God. I researched the topic and started to attend a messianic jewishish synagoge to try to get more background on the holidays. In 1987 I wrote a master thesis on the subject. At that point in time it was so foriegn to most of my christian friends they looked at me like I was from outer space. It has been wonderful how the Lord has made the significance of the Levitical holidays a more acceptable topic. I found “A Family Guide to the Biblcial Holidays” easy to read, and the subject easy to teach with the help of this book.

Review by :

I almost didn’t buy this book based a review saying it included Jewish traditions that were not Biblical. HOWEVER there were so many good reviews I did invest in it. What a great book! The author does give the Jewish traditions of each holidays but it is very clear which ones are Biblical and which are customs. The real focus of the book is how the Holy Days point to Christ! I was blessed by this book over and over. Very easy to understand chapters. Great background infromation on Hebrew roots. It also includes an 16 page Hagaddah you can copy for family use. I will use my book over and over–worth every cent!

Review by Holly Kincaid:

This is my favorite mystery series and the most recent installment does not disappoint. I am not sure how the quality has consistently remained so high, but it has. This is the eighth installment and it is just as good as all the others.

It’s Christmas time in New York City and at the Village Blend Coffee House. Snow is falling, lights are twinkling and a charity Santa is found dead in the alley by Clare Cosi. Clare is the co-owner and manager of the Village Blend, an independent coffee house in the heart of Greenwich Village. She has a propensity for finding dead bodies and a strong need to help solve the murder. Since the expired Santa was an acquaintance of hers that often came into the Blend to warm up from his rounds, this time is no exception.

As with all the Coffeehouse mysteries, the setting is paramount. The holiday season and all its craziness is written about perfectly with the scenes coming alive in the reader’s mind. Many of the characters we have come to love (and hate) are back including Matt and Bree, Mike Quinn and many of the baristas at the Blend. A great, believable mystery is at the heart of this book and it kept me guessing until the end.

While I love the series and would encourage the reader to read all of them from the beginning, it would be possible for someone to pick this one up as it stands on its own.

Another winner in a winning series !

Review by Marilyn T. Schoberg:

I’ve been a reader of this series from the beginning, as well as a frequent visitor to the virtual Village Blend coffeehouse, [...]. This latest installment is a winner. She really brings the feel of Christmas in the city, in particular, the Village, alive. I won’t recap the bones of the story, as that’s been handled by the other reviewers. Suffice it to say, the mystery is a particularly good one, and I didn’t see all the aspects of the end, coming. Clare gets in some comical situations, as well as some dangerous ones, which gives the book a good balance. I enjoy the way her relationship with her ex-husband is handled,: “We’d run our wagon wheels over this road so often, the grooves reached the earth’s mantle”, as well as her current relationship with Detective Mike Quinn, who comes with an ex as well as two children. It gives a realistic look at a mature relationship that comes with baggage. I’m not a huge fan of similes, and she uses a few, but contains herself, unlike some other authors I could name HA! A special bonus is the last section of the book meant to serve as a primer of all things coffee related: history, terms, drink recipes. She includes recipes for holiday baking as well, and infuses those with things related to characters in the story. Her directions are very specific as well and easy to follow. Well done! I’m waiting (impatiently) for the next book!

Review by Robin:

This book has been purchased and given away to 12 different friends. I recommend it to anyone that has seen the addictive personality up close and have had addiction professionals use it as a fun guide to recovery. I love all of Marion Keyes books, but this one and Last Chance Saloon are my favorite rereads. I haunt the bookstores waiting for every new book to hit the shelves and share my joy with my reading girlfriends. Thanks for the joy!

Review by B. Johnson:

First M. Keyes book I bought, and I really expected something lighter. While it is part of the newish “chick lit” phenom, it is deeper than such titles as “The Devil Weras Prada”, or “Shopaholic”. Read it, love it, and then read about Rachel’s sisters in “Watermelon”, “Angels”, and “Is Anybody Out There” (the last is easily one of the best novels I read last year).

So hoping that Keyes gives us one more–there is one sister that doesn’t have her own book yet:)