Sara and Melissa Talk About...Things We Love

We've been running a column series to get more personal with our readers. We are finishing up our fifth year!

This month, we are keeping it fun and positive, by just talking about the things we love, which can refer to people, places, objects, experiences, etc. A great way to close out the year!

We're always open to topic suggestions, so please don't hesitate to share those in the comments. We'd also love to know if you can relate to anything we've said or hear your own thoughts on the topic. So don't be shy. :) We look forward to getting to know you as much as we're letting you get to know us. You can find our previous columns here, in case you missed them. 

Melissa Amster:

There are plenty of things that I love, so I will try not to make this into an entire novel and just narrow it down to ten. I'm taking books out of the equation, since that's a given or this blog wouldn't be here right now!

1. My husband. We've been married almost 21 years and are thankfully still happy together.

2. My kids. I love them equally and could never, ever pick a favorite. They each have traits that make them special and it's been amazing seeing them grow into the remarkable teenagers they are. They also get along with each other, which is so wonderful!

July 2024

3. My family, as in my parents, sister, and nephew, as well as my aunt, uncle, and cousins. Even though we live far apart, we find ways to stay close.

4. My in-laws. I'm lucky to have in-laws I get along with. I'm especially close with my mother-in-law. 

5. My friends. I don't know where I'd be without them, whether I've known them all my life or just met them a few years ago. I treasure the friendships I have!

6. Musical theater. I love seeing shows on Broadway, on tour, and in local professional productions. I obviously love seeing my kids perform in musicals at school and camp. (They all love musicals, so it's really nice to share that with them.) I primarily listen to show tunes when I'm driving or doing chores.

7. Being Jewish. While it's been harder to be Jewish over the past year or so, it's also made me love it even more, if that makes sense. There are ways to find Jewish joy and I've seen a lot of it around. I will be participating in the #JewishBookstagramTour later this month (@mel_thebookfairy) and am excited to talk about what brings me #JewishJoy over there!

8. Humor. Give me a reason to laugh and it just brightens my day. I love seeing funny videos and memes, hearing a good joke (or pun), sharing inside jokes with my family and friends, watching comedic TV shows and films, etc.

9. My job. I've been doing book publicity work for the past few years and I'm really enjoying it. I've taken on some new responsibilities that go along with my job and have learned so much. I really feel like I'm in my groove. I also like the people I work with and feel valued there.

10. Baking challah and desserts. Enough said, right?!? Obviously, getting to eat the final product is the best part! I have been trying out some new recipes that I found to keep things interesting, too. 

Round challahs I made for Rosh Hashanah

Sara Steven:

Some of the things that I love:

1. My family–but, that is a given. This photo is from my older son's high school graduation last year. My parents and mother-in-law are there too.

2. Being outdoors: I love the great outdoors, even if that means going for a long walk around my neighborhood, running on the wash trail by my house, or gardening in my backyard. I don’t feel like I’ve had a good day if I haven’t managed to get outside at some point. 

3. The smell of the desert after it rains: This ties in with being outdoors–there is a specific smell that comes from cacti and sagebrush after it rains in the desert. I’m sure the sandy terrain and gravel comes into play, too, creating the perfect aroma.

4. Theaters with dine-in options: I love the Majestic theater in Gilbert, Arizona. What can be better than getting to watch a movie in the theater, recline the seat, and have food delivered to you–not just popcorn and boxes of candy and hot dogs but an actual meal! When I saw Barbie at the Majestic, they had the most delicious Barbie bites offered up for an appetizer. It was this cream cheese corn thing and I couldn’t get enough of them, and the best thing of all–I didn’t have to cook or prepare anything.

5. Inside jokes: Sharing inside jokes with family and friends is a lot of fun. Melissa and I have a lot of inside jokes, too, which often shows in the gifts we give one another for birthdays and holidays. This one is a tie back to our 90 Day Fiancé viewing days:

6. Yoga: Yoga centers me. I’ve been doing it for the last decade and it’s become an integral part of my life. Lately, I do yoga as a means of physical therapy, to help with some issues I have with compressed discs and neck and back pain, and it really helps a lot. Hot yoga is my go-to.

7. Starbucks: I’ve had friends who were super into Starbucks and I remember scoffing when they’d pull up their Starbucks apps, but now I’m that person with the app. My husband has the app on his phone, too, for me. I love (I’m obsessed) with Starbucks. My day doesn’t feel complete without a tall hot chai, or after hot yoga, I indulge with a venti strawberry acai refresher. When I’m feeling a little saucy and need some caffeine, I’ll add a shot of blonde to my chai to make a dirty chai–something I’ve recently discovered and I swear it tastes like a slice of tiramisu.  

What are some things that YOU love?

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Book Review: Haunted Ever After

By Melissa Amster

Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn’t have to run air-conditioning.

Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there’s something unusual with her new home (her laptop won’t charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn’t read “WRONG” and “MY HOUSE” when she put them up), she’s charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she's catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order.

As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don't get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie's worried she’s in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing…and Nick's afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

After loving Jen DeLuca's Well Met series (all focused on a Renaissance Faire), I was looking forward to checking out her latest novel, Haunted Ever After. This had a completely different premise from Jen's previous novels, but I knew it would be good because she was the one writing it. I was not wrong! 

I had such a fun time reading this novel and was intrigued by the way ghosts could communicate with the living. I think you need a suspension of disbelief for this, but it was definitely entertaining. It made me want to check out the TV series Ghosts (which I've already started watching).  There's definitely drama in this story which is actually relevant to current situations. There's even a steamy bedroom scene, which Jen is always great at writing! The ghosts had some interesting personalities and I loved how they found ways to interact with Cassie and Nick. 

The novel took a few chapters to pick up speed, but then it went cruising the rest of the way. It definitely held my interest!

Funny side note: I had a random name in my head (this happens a lot as I come up with character names even though I don't write any books) and shortly after, the name showed up in the book. (It wasn't a common name either.) Spooky...

This is the start to a new series and I'm excited to revisit these characters. I think it would also be cool to have a prequel about the ghosts' lives from before they died. If you're looking for a different kind of rom-com, give this one a try. You will not be disappointed (and you may be inclined to start watching Ghosts too)!

(Trigger warning at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:

Cassie: Kayla Wallace

Nick: Sam Corlett

Sophie: Laura Marano

Libby: Hayley Erin

Nan: Lin Shaye

Theo: Chris Mason

Also by Jen DeLuca: Well Met series

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TW: Infertility

Spinning the dreidel with Miri White...plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Melissa Amster

A few months ago, on a difficult day for most of the Jewish population, I received a copy of Eight Nights to Win Her Heart by Miri White. It brought some #JewishJoy into my day. Since then, I read it and really enjoyed it. (See my review.) Not only is there major Jewish representation in this novel, but there's also disability representation, as one of the main characters has hearing loss. (Something that's also personal because of my family.) So I am pleased to have Miri at CLC today. You may also know her as Laura Brown, who visited us around Passover time in 2020. Miri is here to talk more about Eight Nights and she has one copy to share with a lucky reader!

Miri White and her quirky family live in Massachusetts in a home filled with games, sarcasm, and a hefty amount of pets. When not writing she can be found trapped under a purring cat, drinking copious amounts of flavored coffee, and hoping her music making teenager will compose something to go along with her books—no such luck yet. Writing has always been a passion for her and bringing underrepresented characters into the spotlight is a thrill. (Bio courtesy of Miri's website.)

Visit Miri online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:
Andie Williams is not looking forward to spending her first Chanukah alone after her father’s death. About to lose her job, with her only prospect across the country for another work opportunity, she could use some chutzpah to make it through the eight nights alone.

Leo Dentz has had a crush on the girl across the hall from his apartment for years but has never had the courage to say anything—until she drops her grocery bags and he notices her drug store Chanukah candles. Ready to take a chance outside of his comfort zone, Leo offers to join Andie on the first night, sharing his dinner with her.

As Andie and Leo fall for each other one night at a time, and the clock ticks down on Andie’s move, will this season of miracles light their way forward? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

“As sweet as sufganiyot . . . Eight Nights to Win Her Heart explores the healing power of love over the holiday of Hanukkah. Fans of Hallmark and Jewish romance will not want to miss this delightful holiday treat.”
—Jean Meltzer, international bestselling author of The Matzah Ball

“A gentle and poignant tale of second chances, forgiveness, and hope, perfect for the Hanukkah season or all year round.”
—Felicia Grossman, author of Marry Me by Midnight

“White's slightly magical second chance romance deserves a place on your Hanukkah shelf.”
—Stacey Agdern, author of Miracles and Menorahs

“This is a sweet holiday romance packed with eight nights’ worth of sparks, family dynamics, and the challenges one faces when forced to choose between personal growth and professional.”
—Heidi Shertok, author of Unorthodox Love

What is one thing you would tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
 
Which character was easier to write, Andie or Leo?
Andie was easier to write. I think partly because her character started more solid and went through less changes than Leo did. Andie is also loosely inspired from Lucy from While You Were Sleeping, which definitely helped!
 
If Eight Nights to Win Her Heart were made into a movie, what songs would you put on the soundtrack?
I don’t often build music soundtracks for my novels, so I don’t have anything truly thought out. Most holiday movies do have holiday songs making up at least part of the soundtrack. There are not a lot of well-known Chanukah songs, and as fun as it is, I wouldn’t want to use Adam Sandler’s Chanukah Song. I’d love to see some of the more traditional songs filtered in, and then something from The LeeVees, such as "Applesauce vs Sour Cream," which goes along with the next question!
 
What is your favorite thing to dip latkes in? Applesauce or sour cream? Or something else?
Team applesauce here! Though I do tend to enjoy my latkes plain most of the time. I did write in the applesauce vs sour cream debate into Eight Nights since Andie is a preschool teacher and I have her making latkes with her preschoolers.
 
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
Ryan Reynolds. I’d let him have fun with, it would make my life sound a lot more interesting!
 
What's the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
A bit ironic considering my last answer, but Deadpool vs Wolverine. I finally got to watch it. A bit too much gore, for my taste at least, but lots of laughs and I do enjoy the breakdown of the fourth wall.

Thanks to Miri for chatting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends December 22nd at midnight EST.

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Book Review: One Big Happy Family

By Melissa Amster

Julie Parker’s kids are her greatest gift. Still, she’s not exactly heartbroken when they ask to skip a big Christmas. Her son, Nick, is taking a belated honeymoon with his bride, Blair, while her daughter, Dana, will purge every reminder of the guy who dumped her. Again. Julie feels practically giddy for one-on-one holiday time with Heath, the (much) younger man she’s secretly dating.

But her plans go from cozy to chaotic when Nick and Dana plead for Christmas at the family cabin in memory of their late father, Julie’s ex. She can’t refuse, even though she dreads their reactions to her new man when they realize she’s been hiding him for months.

As the guest list grows in surprising ways, from Blair’s estranged mom to Heath’s precocious children, Julie’s secret is one of many to be unwrapped. Over this delightfully complicated and very funny Christmas, she’ll discover that more really is merrier, and that a big, happy family can become bigger and happier, if they let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I have been a fan of Susan Mallery's romance novels for a while now. Ever since I read The Girls of Mischief Bay in 2015. I have a bunch of them on my Kindle and need to read more of them soon, as I still really like her writing style. She's very genuine and down-to-earth and sometimes her novels even make me cry. So when it came time to find some good holiday reads, I went to One Big Happy Family, which released this autumn. 

This story is cozy in the best possible ways with a few swoonworthy men and a lot of drama. Plus, kids and a dog! I liked all three of the female narrators: Julie, Blair, and Dana. Every time Julie thinks she has the big holiday week under control, something else comes up and she has to readjust her plans. I can relate to Julie a lot in terms of not wanting to delegate anything. (Well, except for cooking.) I'm also a very welcoming person and like to make guests feel at home. I also would do anything to keep my kids from being sad or miserable.

Meanwhile, Blair is regretting asking her mom to join them all for the holiday and Dana is still pining over Axel but not wanting him to know it. Both situations contribute a lot to the drama in the story, along with Nick keeping a huge secret from Julie, which leads to something no one was expecting. 

Can I just point out what a sweetheart Heath is? He was so good to Julie and had so much patience even with all the chaos. Definitely great book boyfriend material! Nick was great too and I loved him for Blair. It took longer to warm to Axel.

While the holiday spirit of the story was a lot of fun and I could smell the food and feel the heat from the fireplace, there were some things that I did have concerns about. In Blair's situation, the issue she had with her mother was constantly replayed throughout the novel. I get that her mother was in a bad place during most of Blair's life, but they kept harping on the same things over and over.  (This also happened with Dana and Axel, but not as much.) Also, Blair had a chronic health issue that was mentioned a bunch of times. While I know it's something a lot of people deal with and can relate to her about, I also felt that there was too much information given that took away from her dignity. Finally, one big conflict came in right at the end of the story and was resolved quickly as a result. I'm glad it was resolved, but it should have come into the story a bit sooner to give it more gravitas.

Even with these concerns, I really liked this novel overall and have been recommending it to anyone who wants an entertaining holiday read. So wrap up in your coziest blanket with some hot cocoa in front of a fireplace to devour this sweet treat. 

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Julie: Julie Bowen
Blair: Sarah Fisher
Dana: Willa Fitzgerald
Gwen: Parker Posey
Nick: Luke Bracey
Heath: Wes Brown
Axel: Tom Bateman
Tiffany: Natalia Dyer

Thanks to Harlequin for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Susan Mallery (holiday version):

Home Sweet Christmas

The Christmas Wedding Guest

Yours for Christmas

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TW: details of chronic illness, death of infant (mentioned), someone gets shot, but not killed (off page)

Book Review: The Holiday Honeymoon Switch

By Melissa Smoot

Holly Beech and Ivy Casey are bury-the-body besties. They’re so in sync, they even look alike. When Holly’s fiancé jilts her, leaving her in shock and with a nonrefundable honeymoon, Holly convinces Ivy to switch places. Ivy will go on the Hawaiian honeymoon her best friend can’t bear to take alone, while Holly escapes to Ivy’s rented Hudson Valley cabin to binge-watch holiday movies and heal.

But Holly’s wallowing is interrupted when her rugged Airbnb host turns out to be her high school academic rival who’s had a major glow-up. Meanwhile, Ivy’s (now Hawaiian) annual solo art retreat is upended when Holly’s ex-fiancé checks into the honeymoon suite—with a new woman. Raging and bed-less, the last thing Ivy expects is for the hot hotel bartender to come to her rescue. Against all odds, this Christmas might prove the most magical yet. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I found myself smiling to myself throughout this entire book. It is such a warm and heartfelt story about love, friendship, and the courage to start over. The endearing and loving friendship between the two main characters, Holly and Ivy, was written so well. There were times I found myself missing my own long-distance best friend, terribly. I really liked how McKay wrote the book in two different points-of-view, so we got to hear both Holly’s and Ivy’s voices. Both friends were grappling with their own pasts and traumas, and I loved how the author let them find their ways in their own time.

The dichotomy of the two settings, Hawaii and upstate New York also made it more interesting and fun to read. I could feel the heat of the sun when the chapters were set in Hawaii and the snowy chill of the air while reading the scenes in New York. The holiday setting made it even more perfect. I have spent time over the holidays in both settings, so it was easy for me to picture them both in my mind. Overall, this was a really sweet story, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for the perfect festive read this holiday season.

Thanks to Putnam for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase The Holiday Honeymoon Switch here.

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Spotlight and Giveaway: The Good Bride

Today we are pleased to feature Jen Marie Wiggins' debut suspense novel, The Good Bride! It sounds intriguing and the cover gives us chills. Melissa recently won a copy on Instagram and is excited to add it to her five-book pile soon. Thanks to BookSparks, we have FIVE copies to give away!

One year after a devastating hurricane, bride-to-be Ruth Bancroft is marrying her perfect groom in a quaint fishing village on the Gulf Coast. The weekend is carefully curated, with the displays of pomp and social media magic meant to promote an area still struggling to rebuild as well as bring Ruth’s estranged family back together.

Yet as good intentions often go, this road to wed is hell and paved in complications. With tensions rising between the family and the bridal party, long-buried secrets come to light, and accusations start flying. Things officially spiral out of control when the oceanfront rehearsal dinner is rocked by a series of gunshots, and a high-profile guest goes missing. As the investigation gets underway, it turns out that everyone has something to hide.

Big Little Lies meets The Guest List in this gripping page turner that asks the big questions about messy family liaisons, modern media, and the lies we tell the world. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

“Driven by old betrayals, long-held secrets, and toxic family dynamics, everyone has something to hide when a high-profile guest goes missing at the wedding of the year. Part suspenseful whodunnit, part family drama, The Good Bride is a wickedly good tale that will keep readers guessing all the way to the explosive ending.”
—Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling author of The Paris Widow

“As if weddings aren't stressful enough! Wiggins delivers a playful, page-turning debut where lavish wedding plans dig up dark secrets in a struggling coastal town. I devoured it faster than a slice of red velvet cake.”
—Carolyn Prusa, author of None of This Would Have Happened If Prince Were Alive

“Weddings may be stressful, but in Wiggins’s The Good Bride they turn out to be deadly. Set in the steamy South, this mystery-slash-sharply-observed family drama has enough unexpected twists to keep you guessing until the last page.” 
—Aggie Blum Thompson, author of Such a Lovely Family

Jen Marie Wiggins's first book, the gifty nonfiction title Married AF: A Funny Guide for the Newlywed or Bride, was published with Sourcebooks in 2022. She has a background in advertising and public relations, and her writing has appeared in Southern Coastal Weddings, Savannah Magazine, Savannah Homes, and elsewhere. The Good Bride draws much of its inspiration from the devastation and rebuilding struggles of Mexico Beach, Florida, a place near and dear to Jen's heart.

Visit Jen Marie online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram * X 

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends December 17th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Lotus House

By Sara Steven

1960: Nancy Drayton, an American nurse living on Lake Sebu, is visited by a stranger who hands her some faded letters, given to her by a dying man. Reading them transports Nancy back to the terror of the war years.

1941: When Nancy’s world is blown apart by the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, she volunteers to travel to the Philippines to serve at the front. She soon finds herself working in a field hospital on the Bataan Peninsula in the thick of the fighting, experiencing the horrors of war first hand.

When tending to some wounded men, she meets Captain Robert Lambert, and they become close. But the Japanese are closing in on Bataan, and when the US surrenders, they are driven apart.

As Robert struggles to survive the horrors of the Bataan Death March and the brutality of captivity in a prison camp, Nancy too finds herself a captive, fighting for her life. Will they survive to find one another again or will the forces of war keep them apart? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

The Lotus House is an amazing period piece, and a stark reminder of the brave men and women who fought valiantly during World War II, against the toughest of odds. Nancy is a military nurse who volunteers to aid the frontline of injured soldiers, soon meeting Robert, captain of one of the infantry units there. Having already dealt with immense sadness and grief at losing a loved one, Nancy doesn’t want to develop any type of feelings for Robert other than mutual professionalism, but a bond forms between them, built on respect, love, and war. 

The reader gets to see both Nancy’s and Robert’s perspectives as they navigate a budding romance amidst destruction. It was heartbreaking to read about the experiences they both live through, with continual attacks from Japanese fighters, a horizon that is blown to bits by bombs, and the wounded and dying soldiers and civilians who fight like mad to survive while nurses and medical professionals try everything they can to save the lives around them. There are also small glimmers of hope, particularly when the nurses spend time on the beach at night, trying to find some levity anywhere they can, or when Nancy and Robert spend alone time together, reveling in what could be. They all do their best to find a means of peace within destruction and chaos.

When Nancy and Robert are separated, I wondered if they’d find their way to each other again. There was no tell-tale answer, not with the backdrop of the war. Nancy is shipped off with the other nurses, and Robert finds himself in a prison camp, with both characters desperately wanting to see an end that leads them back to a future together. I wanted nothing more than a happy ending, particularly after all they’d endured, and it took some time in discovering if that would even be a possibility.

One of the worst antagonists ever in a book: Larry Lomax. I won’t go into too much detail about him, but yikes. And while I understand The Lotus House is historical fiction, the events and what occurred within it felt very realistic and true to life to what I would imagine it would have been like for everyone involved in the war, and with what went down at Pearl Harbor. It was beautifully written and riveting, a well-worthy five-star page turner!

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

Ann Bennett is a British author of historical fiction. Her first book, Bamboo Heart: A Daughter's Quest, was inspired by researching her father's experience as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway and by her own travels in South-East Asia. Since then, that initial inspiration has led her to write more books about the second world war in SE Asia. Bamboo Island: The Planter's Wife, A Daughter's Promise, Bamboo Road: The Homecoming, The Tea Planter's Club, The Amulet, and her latest release The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu are also about WWII in South East Asia. All seven make up the Echoes of Empire Collection.

Ann is also the author of The Lake Pavilion, The Lake Palace, both set in British India during the 1930s and WWII, and The Lake Pagoda and The Lake Villa, both set in French Indochina. The Runaway Sisters, bestselling The Orphan House, The Child Without a Home, and The Forgotten Children are set in Europe during the same era and are published by Bookouture. 

Ann is married with three grown up sons and a granddaughter and lives in Surrey, UK. 

Visit Ann online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram * X

Visit all the stops on Ann's blog tour:

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