Mikal Dawn

It’s a fun novella collection that centers around friends in a virtual 80s romcom movie club. The five friends featured have never met each other in person and their friendship starts with a mutual love of 80s romcom movies and a chat room but progresses to real heartfelt sisterhood. If you love 80s movies and want a romcom novella collection to help you relive them, this book is the perfect choice.

Teresa Tysinger crafts a lovely second-chance romance for Jane and Andrew in Just Like That. Jaycee Weaver brings two polar opposites Pax and Isley into a cute romance that helps each other grow and mature in Sure About You. Betsy St. Amant weaves a bucket list and a lesson in letting go of fears into a monumental birthday celebration in Evie Tyler’s Day Off. Bell Ranshaw’s Falling for a Price combines the thrill of a treasure hunt and suspense of tracking a missing person as Amie and her hired guide Malcolm look for her sister. Jennifer Rodewald allows complete opposites Hazel and Bennett to work out their differences, even with bad first impressions and deception, in Lake Shore Wandering.

I received the book from the authors and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.… (més)

This is a delightful collection of five retold, re-imagined fairy tales, especially for the holiday season. I was familiar with one author, but am now also on the lookout for the other authors’ works. Here are my quick thoughts on each:

Upon a Dream by Andrea Boyd
This anchor story for the collection sets Sleeping Beauty in a theater with a unique twist for modern day. I enjoyed the unfolding of this retold fairy tale, with its updates for today’s world.

Claim My Heart by Mikal Dawn
Would you believe I have never watched Mulan? As a result, I had no “original” with which to compare this. This was my least favorite, but it was because of the character’s integrity.

A Snow White by Toni Shiloh
I liked the way Marcus asked God for wisdom even about the relationship. The “seven uncles” was a neat idea, especially the way that the relationships occurred.

Christmas Ella by Angela Ruth Strong
Strong always surprises me with her ingenuity, creativity, and humor in unexpected places. I have never met a story of Strong’s I haven’t loved.

A Splash of Love by Jaycee Weaver
As full of deceit and treachery as the original tale, this one was more painful. You’ll have to read it to see why I say that.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors. This in no way affected my opinions, which are solely my own.… (més)

Once Upon a Christmas is a collection of five novellas that are modern retellings of fairy tales. Each Novella has a different author and story, but they all are fun to read! The collections contains:

Once Upon A Dream by Andrea Boyd, a very cute story of Sleeping Beauty. I loved the author’s interpretation and how she worked a rare medical disorder into the story, I also loved that this book was set in a theater, the story felt very natural, I would enjoy it as a full length novel.

Claim My Heart by Mikal Dawn is Mulan inspired story that has a daughter representing her father without his knowledge for his health. I enjoyed how the author wrote her own story but beautifully weaved some lines from Mulan into the story.

A Snow White Christmas by Toni Shiloh is an interesting take on Snow White. Amala is fleeing her stepmother, but she has no idea the danger she is in I loved the Uncles in the family and how Shiloh illustrated that Family is more than blood. This book isn’t all fluff, and had a lot going on for it to be a novella.
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Christmas Ella by Angela Ruth Strong is a modern Cinderella story. Ella works as location director for the King family’s Reality TV show, but when she gets too close to the prince of the family the true personality of the family comes out. I would love to get more of this story !

A Splash of Love by Jaycee Weaver is a delightful modern take on The Little Mermaid. I enjoyed this story from both perspectives, I did not see the villain twist coming, but I really enjoyed it!

I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.… (més)

Enjoy the wonderful collection of stories that feature Christmas, laughter, love and hope. Each story is unique but brings a great message of belonging and the Christmas Spirit. I enjoyed the variety of authors and how each story flowed with compassion and celebration.

Upon A Dream by Andrea Boyd

I could tell right away that this story was going to be a fun one. The aunts are a hoot in the story with good intentions toward their niece Talia. Having an unusual medical condition prevents Talia from living a normal life at times. I don't think it would be fun to sleep for days or months at a time. When you wake up, you realize you have lost valuable time that you can never get back.

The big production at the theater this year that the aunts own is not anywhere close to a Christmas play. Talia is not sure her aunts are thinking clearly when she learns that someone is in charge of the production of Sleeping Beauty for their Christmas play. What were the aunts thinking? I loved getting to go behind the scene at a theater through the words of a gifted writer.

It's a lovely story of finding strength, believing in yourself and following your dreams. The retelling of Sleeping Beauty in a modern twist is full of surprises and delightful characters
Come fall in love with Talia, Phillip, the aunts and the spirit of Christmas.

Claim My Heart by Mikal Dawn

The dreaded tale of a take over by undermining people make this story so intriguing. I absolutely adored Li Na. Her devotion to her father is a wonderful example of honoring your mother and father. She wants to do right and honor the family name while working with an unlikely person named Colin. It was interesting to see Colin not do what his boss wanted. His decision to help Li Na in court will be a challenge on his career.

Their instant chemistry was sweet and I loved how both seemed to be tongue tied at times as they face the feelings of attraction for each other. I love court stories where the underdog takes on a big company. This story is loosely based on Mulan and moves at a great pace. I loved learning about how a company operates and the heart and soul of its founder. There are many surprises in the story as two people lean on God as they try to help someone keep their company. In the spirit of Christmas, miracles do happen.

A Snow White Christmas by Toni Shiloh

Amala's heart is broken when she hears a confession in secret from the man she loves. Oh how I wanted to comfort her as she knows she has been used. She isn't thinking clearly as she drives off into a snow storm.

Marcus happens along when he sees a car on the side of the road that looks like it has been in a wreck. He finds Amala shaking in her car and decides to take her to his family's place. I loved the subtle hint of apples as Marcus's family runs The Seven Groves which is an apple orchard. The story is really quite wonderful with the seven uncles who each have distinctive personalities. The creativity in this story is remarkable as the author delights readers in a take on a beautiful fairy tale.

Trouble has come to hurt Amala in the form of a man and an evil woman who has greed on their mind. Marcus senses something is wrong and knows Amala is running from someone. His prayer for God to help him and show him how to be compassionate towards others is nice. I liked the part when Marcus shares Jesus with Amala and explains how darkness can keep you away from Him.

The story is a wonderful example of trusting, finding God , experiencing happiness and a Christmas surrounded by loving people.

Christmas Ella by Angela Ruth Strong

Ella and Paxton don't get off to a good start when Paxton hears Ella on the phone. She is not happy that she missed Paxton getting off the plane and shares her irritation on the phone with her dad. It sure was funny when Ella realizes Paxton heard her conversation. I don't think this relationship is getting off on the right foot. Ella has a lot of work ahead of her to get Paxton to accept her apology.

The theme of Cinderella is at the center of this story filled with charming men and great humor. Ella has a handsome man who she needs to win over in order for the show to go on. Paxton's family is a handful with out of control sisters who feel privileged and a mother who insists on traveling with an cat with a temper.

I did like Paxton and how patient he is with his family. They are selfish at times, but he loves them and always watches out for them. It's Christmas time and family is important to Paxton. Ella is having a wonderful morning with her niece that she adores. I hope she has enough strength to deal with what is ahead for her. One of the best lines I've read in a while comes from Paxton speaking to Ella. " I don't want you to get hurt when falling for me, " he says as they talk about ice skating. That made me chuckle. Paxton sure is a charmer.

There are godmothers, a prince, mean sisters, a mother who only wants the best for her son or maybe what is best for her. The highlight of the story is the ball where Paxton may find his princess.

A Splash of Love by Jaycee Weaver

Mermaids have always fascinated me. I have not had the pleasure to see a show where mermaids swim in a big tank entertaining customers. This story reflects the famous Little Mermaid. Derek has his eyes on the beautiful Gabrielle as she leads the mermaids in a show that pleases the crowd.

What are the odds that he will later meet Gabrielle in person when he attends a meeting. Sirene is a spit fire and pretty mean to Gabrielle. I think there could be a little jealousy going on with Gabrielle receiving the green eyed monster look from her sister. I liked how the author takes us to the beauty of New Mexico . It's a wonderful story of finding your dream while finding love during the holidays. There a few twists that I found intriguing and Derek's family added warmth to the story. There are a lot of similarities to the fairy tale in this story which I enjoyed. God is at the center of this story as Gabrielle sees her dream drawing closer. She must learn to trust God and wait on Him.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (més)