Well, it seems like everything got wrapped up - but man did it happen in one big epic crazy scene - or two. The war between Shadowen and the heirs of Shannara is being fought on two (sort of three) fronts. Are you confused yet? There is a ton going on here - and I mean a ton!!! While very exciting and full of action - it might have been nice if it was a little more spread out. We jump from strategy and hiking across the land to super fast paced action battle scene.

While this is probably very realistic, it was quite exhausting to read at times. I was either wanting them to hurry up and get to the action, or slow the action down so I could follow it better. I think Walker and Wren's stories are still my favorites. Which may seem odd, because they had the most up and down again stories as far as pace - but they were gradual changes and some really great build up.

There was also a lot going on inside the heads of our characters. I love getting into their heads and seeing what makes them tic. Walker, especially, has a lot going on and a lot to try and figure out. Overall, this was a great wrap-up. I got to see everyone together again and how everyone's previous story tied into all the others' and really came together.

- See more at: http://www.hotofftheshelves.com/2015/12/the-talismans-of-shannara-by-terry.html#sthash.kSQyWlPO.dpuf

Enchanted was quite the mix of fairy tale goodness. I saw Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, a hint of Rapunzel, The Little Old Lady Who Lives in a Shoe, The Swan Princess, The Princess and the Pea, The Frog Prince, and I'm sure there are many more that I'm just not thinking of at the moment, Sooo many that at times it got a little crazy.

I really loved the Woodcutter family - named after the days of the week - they all have their very own personality based on an old rhyme. The story really starts with Sunday falling in love with a frog - a talking one of course - and really takes off from there. We have fairy godmothers, princes, evil fairies, and even a changeling.

I really liked how we got to know so many different people in the Woodcutter family. All the sisters have a special role to play and each of them get to be the hero at some point in the story. I loved that they were the heroes and got to save the day several times.

Arilland is an amazing kingdom full of magic that I really enjoyed. But there were just too many fairy tales going on. While there were combined and meshed together quite well, my mind kept jumping around from one to another and sometimes lost track of where it was actually going in the story. I had a few "now what" moments. On the other hand, I'm totally invested in this family and I need to know what happens to the next sister.

- See more at: http://www.hotofftheshelves.com/2015/12/enchanted-by-alethea-kontis-review.html#sthash.S01Ov7EM.dpuf

OMG. This book may be a shorter novella, but it will have you tearing up like crazy! Teri is a single mom with an autistic son. She has come to the conclusion that this is all her life is going to be - who would want to take on all she has? Her son, Aiden, is adorable. But he hates Christmas - Santa, carols, candles, red - he'll have none of it! But Dr. Tom sees something in both of them and he just can't resist getting to know them better. Here's where the tears start, and they just kept coming in the most amazing and heartfelt way.

I loved that this was such a real look (as for as my knowledge goes) into not only a single mother, but also into a family with a child that no one seems to understand. There are even small breaks in the narrative where we get to see things from Aiden's point of view, and they were amazing. Everything he thought made such perfect sense, but it just didn't quite translate into our world in the best way.

Watching Teri, and then Tom, work with Aiden to make his life fulfilling and comfortable. Working with his unique quirks while still trying to expose him to a wonderful world was great to see.

As Tom and Teri try to navigate this new relationship, Aiden is trying to navigate a new world of his own - a new type of Christmas.

And now I'm tearing up again. Seriously, everyone has to read this!!!

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Say You're Mine was a great look at best friends to lovers. Lauren and Steven know each other so well, but they can't seem to see the attraction that is right in front of both their noses. But a small lie could really throw a wrench into them finally finding each other.

While I applaud Steven's hard stance on lies, for once I think the lie was almost justified and understandable. You won't hear me say that very often - and he overreacted quite a bit. But it was nice to see it addressed instead of just brushed under the rug as no big deal (which is a huge pet peeve of mine).

Both characters were a lot of fun. Laruen is sweet and sassy, while Steven was super protective but was still a bit of a softy. I loved the way the were together - anything and everything they did just screamed I love you and I trust you. There really were the best of friends and perfect for each other.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Such a sweet romance. We get a glimpse of Emily and Derrek in book one, and I was really excited to see how the got together and worked out. Emily is such a sweet girl, but life keeps dealing her bad cards. She is afraid to even hope that something good can come from her new found relationship with Derrek. A little overly gun shy at times, her story is one that definitely deserves a happy ending.

Derrek on the other hand seems to be just going through the motions. Yes, he's had some bad experiences, but nothing like Emily. But he's hard working and it's just about time for him to sit back and relax a little - even if it takes some broken ribs to do so.

Their romance is slow and sweet and so fitting for a ranch in a small town. DJ makes a few appearances throughout, and it was gun seeing her through her brother's eyes as a change. I can't wait to see who is up next on the romance block in Somewhere.

I am really loving this series of book about the lives of women from the bible. While I'm sure much of it is dramatized to help fill in the blanks in their stories, the way Joan Wolf brings them to life is amazing. She keeps them true to their story while filling in the little details to really bring them to life.

Ester finds herself in a world completely different from her own when she is offered to King Ahasuerus as a potential bride. She must pretend not to be a Jew in the hopes that he will pick her from his harem filled with beautiful women as a wife. She is shocked to find herself chosen and is conflicted as to what she should do.

There was a very touching and sweet romance in these pages as Esther and Ahasuerus came to know one another. It made Esther's deceit that much more difficult to manage. She also doubts her place in the plan her people have put together. Why would a great king listen to her about matters of any importance? But she is more important than any of them realize, and she is destined to help the Jewish people and save them in many ways.

Ester became a very strong person as the story progressed, and even Ahasuerus was changed as he came to know her. A very moving story that I think anyone can enjoy.

- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-reluctant-queen-by-joan-wolf-review.html#sthash.6vBF2hfm.dpuf

Making Spirits Bright:
This was a very cute story, but I wish she had done more research on the cat, it just wasn't very realistic at times. But while the animals were cute, they weren't part of the actual romance. Melanie really steals the show in this one in her quest to adopt a child. Her determination was amazing and was something she wanted with all her heart. Bryce was a great guy. He was fun and all, but a bit too much of "whatever you want I want". There really wasn't a conflict there. I don't need much, but a little would have been nice.

Runaway Christmas:
This was my favorite of the bunch! Heidi's world is really turned upside down this Christmas as everything seems to go wrong! Even the weather has it in for her and her dreams of a quiet, peaceful Christmas by herself are shattered. Her niece was just the right touch, but I'm not entirely sure how necessary she was to the story. It's almost as if she was added just to give another potential complication. There's a couple romances, and both are really sweet.

Home for Christmas:
This one had a back story and a lot going on for a novella. Very well layered, with a great small town versus big corporation running through it as well. Sam is a great hero - with lots of depth and a lot of development as we move along. Jo was a tad too sweet for my taste. Just a little to goodie.

Christmas on Cape Cod:
This one was my least favorite. A very sugary couple with a very sugary Christmas story. It just wasn't my style at all.

Overall, this was a great mix of Christmas tales. Some were better than others, but it was a great addition to my Christmas reading for the year.

I really loved Acat and Chaob. They are great friends and their personalities work perfectly together - a very well balanced pair full of confidence. But when they finally are sent on a mating hunt and find Carlie is their prize - they wonder if something may be wrong. Not only is she not a native - which if frowned upon - but she refuses to settle down and be a "good little woman." Watching Carlie but her new mates through hell as she insists on answers and turns the tables on their tactics a few times was a lot of fun.

But I wish the book had focused more on just them. Instead we get an extra non-native involved about half way through that just really seemed to be a red herring - thrown in for the sole purpose of creating more conflict - unnecessary conflict. It almost seemed like it was there to add pages - which I really dislike.

But once we get that little hiccup resolved, it all becomes very fun again. These primitive men will surprise you at every turn and Carlie is just a very nice breathe of fresh air.