Between The Pages - Red Velvet Crinkles and Christmas Sprinkles

Red Velvet Crinkles and Christmas Sprinkles 

Maria Imbalzano 

November 2021 

Competitive, work-obsessed Bella Simonetti has just been fired from her high-paying job at a Manhattan law firm. At an all-time low, she returns home and helps her parents at their small-town gift shop, but the business is failing and may not make it past the Christmas holidays. 

Successful landscape architect Dean Jackson is like a son to Bella's parents. But he's a persistent annoyance to her—he seems to have forgotten his unforgivable blunder thirteen years earlier. 

When Bella transforms her parents' gift shop into a cookie cottage, Dean's generosity and magnetic smile are hard to resist, and those feelings of unrequited adolescent love come rushing back. But can Bella let go of the past and accept Dean for the man he is today? 

Between The Pages 

This short holiday book was a delight to read. Unlike some of the Christmas Cookies themed stories I have read where the romance is rushed and the cookies are barely edible, this book is a star above the rest. The romance is filled with heartbreak, chemistry, and emotion. The cookie theme is well-balanced with cookie baking and the cookies are a significant element in the plotline saving Belle’s parents’ business. Bella’s and Dean’s relationship is realistic and sweet. Though the story is short, the author has a well-developed plot and characters, which allows the read to flow to a satisfying ending. Did I mention how beautiful the cover is too! This holiday romance is a must read. 

Rating

5 Stars

Between The Pages - The Spy Who Loved My Russian Tea Cakes

The Spy Who Loved My Russian Tea Cakes 

Marilyn Barr 

November 2021 

Reiki Practitioner Cassie Morgan is the black sheep of her family. She would rather work over the Christmas holidays than answer her family's interrogation about her non-existent love life and career choices. She assures herself it has nothing to do with the handsome coma patient, Sergei Chekov who stars in her dreams. 

Sergei wakes from blackness and dreams of a siren's call. He isn't sure who he can trust when the woman from his dreams walks into his room with his favorite childhood treat to jog his memory. Despite his attraction to her, he must escape to safety. 

Cassie is heartbroken and left with nothing but questions. Who was the woman who convinced her to wake Sergei? Why is the FBI involved? And will she ever see Sergei again or will she be left to pine over the spy who loved Russian tea cakes? 

Between The Pages 

The author pulls you into the practice of reiki and spiritual healing, which is quite interesting. While first person and present tense narration is not my preferred reading, the author has a unique voice, mixing drama and wit in a good combination. Cassie and Sergei have an immediate attraction and most of their interaction is viewed from within their dreams, which steams the pages. In addition to their dreams, I would have liked to see them connect more to each other on a deeper level while playing games in the hospital. Sergei’s background and his mother’s appearance are great plot points. The dinner scene with her family is a touching and entertaining moment. A cookie recipe at the end is a bonus. This fun holiday read is fast paced and enjoyable. 

Rating

4 Stars

Between The Pages - Merry Little Wishing Spritz

Merry Little Wishing Spritz

Cherie Colyer 

November 2021 

Modern-day witch Cassie Moore's cozy life turns upside down when her friend foresees the wrecking ball that threatens to destroy Cassie's home and workplace. But Cassie isn't giving up without a fight. She casts a well-intended spell meant to save her apartment and her job. But magic is unpredictable, especially when her friend casts a little charm of her own that has Cassie lusting after the man she desperately wants to despise.

Jack Quinn has had his eyes on Lakeside Books for years. He has big plans for the cozy waterfront property, but he didn't expect to care about the store or its employees. And he never imagined he'd be drawn to a certain brown-eyed saleswoman. 

Almost as if by magic. 

Between The Pages 

Get in the holiday spirit early with this sweet novella. The cover is adorable, and the story was enjoyable from beginning to end. An exceptional cast with Cassie and Jack as the lead, but the secondary characters are equally fun, which includes an adorable cat. Cassie warms your heart with a gift donation every year in the community, and Jack is keeping a secret. This book is perfect for an afternoon read and has a spritz of magic and a sweet romantic ending. As part of The Wild Rose Press’ Christmas Cookies themed books, Merry Little Wishing Spritz is my recommended read to get you into the holiday mood. 

Rating 

4.5 Stars