Ruth Anne Benziger's Blog, page 21

Blogmas Day 10: Festive Movies

I love to watch Christmas movies during the season. There are so many favorites that are incredibly fun to re-watch over and over. Some are older, some are newer. Some are popular, some you may never have seen. I’ll be listing some of my favorites along with the description and you can tell me if you seen them or not.

Enjoy!

Let’s get started.

Movies I love

Home Alone

An eight-year-old troublemaker must protect his house from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation.

Elf

After discovering he is a human, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole decides to travel to New York City to locate his real father.

A Christmas Story

In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.

Frosty the snowman

A living snowman and a little girl struggle to elude a greedy magician who is after the snowman’s magic hat.

Borrowed Hearts

Kathleen’s a hard-working single mother, who’s saving to buy a house for herself and her daughter, Zoe. Sam’s a businessman who has to pretend he has a family in order to close a deal with the mysterious Javier Del Campo. Sam owns the company that Kathleen works for, and as her boss, manages to convince her to help him out. But Del Campo is more than he seems, and it just might be Zoe who’s making the real deal to get a new home for herself, her mother, and Sam.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

A mailman reveals the origin of Santa Claus.

Polar Express

On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.

It’s a Wonderful Life

An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

Miracle on 34th Street

In this charming TV adaptation of the 1947 film classic, a kindly old gentleman (Ed Wynn) working as a Macy’s department store Santa causes a commotion when he claims to be the real St. Nick. Forced to prove his sanity, he is taken to court where he must convince the judge and his friends that he actually is Santa Claus. The faith of one skeptical little girl (Susan Gordon) and a Christmas miracle are the keys to his true identit

Prancer

A farm girl nurses a wounded reindeer she believes is one of Santa’s, hoping to bring it back to health in time for Christmas. Her holiday spirit inspires those around her, something her disheartened father is having trouble understanding.

One Magic Christmas

An angel must show a mother the true meaning of Christmas. It’s not just presents and materialistic things, but the people she cares about.

The Spirit of Christmas

Kate, a workaholic lawyer, has three weeks to get a haunted bed and breakfast appraised and sold. The uncooperative manager claims a spirit who lives there will not approve. With Kate’s possible promotion resting on accomplishing this task, she checks in and haggles with the aforesaid Christmas spirit, who suspiciously seems awfully solid for a ghost.

A Hobo’s Christmas

An old hobo finds the family he walked out on 20 years before.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Depressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.

The Christmas Wish

Intent on fulfilling his grandma’s Christmas wish, a man sets out to find the woman mentioned in his late grandfather’s journals. He learns the secrets of his past and the true meaning of Christmas.

Arthur Christmas

Santa’s (Jim Broadbent’s) clumsy son Arthur (James McAvoy) sets out on a mission with Grandsanta (Bill Nighy) to give out a present they misplaced to a young girl in less than two hours.

The Holiday

Two women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other’s countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love.

Smoky Mountain Christmas

A country and western singer on a trip through the Tennessee mountains runs into a reclusive backwoodsman, and a witch.

Classic Christmas Favorites

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas with this cartoon collection of 14 classic Christmas cartoons. Enjoy 2 hours of such favorites as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Jack Frost, Christmas Comes But Once a Year, The Candlemaker, Snow Foolin’, The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives, Toy Will Be Toys, Santa’s Pocket Watch and more. Remastered and restored audio for the best sound and picture!

White Christmas

A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.

Jingle All The Way

A father vows to get his son a Turbo Man action figure for Christmas. However, every store is sold out of them, and he must travel all over town and compete with everybody else in order to find one.

The Preachers Wife

An angel comes to Earth to help a preacher save his church and his family.

Santa Clause The Movie

The legend of Santa Claus is put in jeopardy when an unscrupulous toy manufacturer attempts to take over Christmas.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

On the outskirts of Whoville lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for all of the citizens of the town.

A Christmas Carol

An animated retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.

The Santa Clause

When a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off of his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.

The Family Stone

An uptight, conservative businesswoman accompanies her boyfriend to his eccentric and outgoing family’s annual Christmas celebration and finds that she’s a fish out of water in their free-spirited way of life.

Blogmas Day 8: Christmas Poem

You know what I’ve discovered? I’m not good at posting every day. Haha. But I’ll try to make up for it by posting as many posts as I can to get back to the blogmas day we’re on.

Christmas Poem.

I’m going to share my poem from when this blog first started two years ago.

The Dalton Legacy Poem

Here’s another from last year.

Jolly to a Brave new Year

A new poem for 2020:

A New Hope

Falling falling from the sky

White dots flutter in your eye

The cold is biting on your nose

Soon the season will be what you chose

This year feels like all hope is lost

Because of Covid Holidays seem to be the cost

.

Meandering through the year alone

All the worries of money being blown

People are out of work you see

As we put up our Christmas tree

Gifts might be different this year

But let us try to show that Christmas cheer

.

It won’t be easy, this I know

I wish I could pretend it was all a show

Family gatherings are what we’re used to

Staying home this year is what we must do

This virus won’t always stick around

Before you know it, it will bite the ground

.

Have some hope that in the future we

Will all gather around that Christmas tree

Covid will be all in the past

It won’t, I promise, it won’t last

I wish you cheer this holiday season

Overindulge this year, within reason

Blogmas Day 7: Letter to Santa

Every year, we have our kids write a letter to Santa and they come up with this mile long list of wants. Or in every holiday movie, there is that scene where the kids sit on Santa’s lap. The elves are wearing the cool outfits, music is bouncing off the walls in jolly notes, and there’s that one kid that keeps on and on with his list. This year, it is a bit different. One, Santa pictures or visit isn’t in the cards because of COVID. At least for us, we’re being cautious. Two, my kids are older and the items they ask for have significantly decreased in number.

My daughter Arielle has been very specific in what she wants this year and it’s a singular object. A castle. Not just any castle but a princess castle. I intend to follow through with her request.

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My son Damian has so many interests that I have options. But he’s asked for Legos this year and that is the easiest thing to get to make his little heart happy. Plus, it’ll keep him so busy building that he’ll be occupied while I get that reading, reviews, and writing in that I’ve been neglecting.

The point and focus of this post is a letter to Santa written by my daughter that I wanted to share. She’s quite shy upon meeting people but warms up pretty quickly. When she’s upset, she tends to have some loud outburst crying jags, and she can be incredibly sensitive when people hurt her feelings. She’s sweet and sassy like her mama. The letter might tug at the heart strings or make you laugh and that’s okay too.

Enjoy!

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Letter to Santa by Arielle Garcia

Dear Santa,

Mommy told me that I can’t lie about being a good girl this year. So, I guess I have to say that I’ve been kind of good. I hope that you get lots of cookies and milk this year. I bet Mrs. Clause bakes them real good. Tell her that I like chocolate chip. My mommy eats chocolate that my grandpa gives her and she sneaks it under the table. If I’m good she gives me a piece but sometimes she just eats it all. I want a princess castle for Christmas, one with purple and pink because they are my favorite colors. I want to put my ponies in there and they could have a party and be friends. There could be a mommy, a brother, and a sister. But the daddy would have to live in his own castle or in another place because my daddy does. He’s busy a lot but when I see him I get to drink soda and eat candy. Sometimes we get sick. My grandpa was sick and I got real scared. I prayed real hard for him to be better. There are lots of sick people and I don’t want them to be sick forever. So, if you could make people better that would be good. I can’t wait to get my castle and see what you put in my stocking. Feed the reindeer a lot okay? I’ll leave a carrot for them.

Merry Christmas, Santa.

Love Arielle

Arielle

Kids sure are darn cute!

Blogmas Day 6: Dealing with Holiday Stress

Are you spending time worrying about whether you are into the holiday spirit? What you should get for your loved ones this year or if you should bother? Maybe you’ve been struggling financially and have no money to spend this year. You worry whether or not you should bother making the meals you usually do? Feeling left out of family activities? Have you had enough of this year and want it to be over?

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Well, you are not alone. This year has been really hard on all of us, some more than others. As the year comes to a close, we’re worried that Christmas 2020 is going to be like the rest of the year. Am I right?

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I’ve had family members get sick, really sick, and I’ve had a friend lose their life to it. It seeps into the air like a misty rain concealed, stealing your breath and taking your health. It vaporizes the life once thriving, it crawls on the ground like the slithering snake. It haunts our dreams and it makes us fear. Especially when you’ve seen what it does to someone else before your eyes.

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So, we’re dealing with stress this year and in a big way. I want you to know that we’re all in this together. If you need a shoulder, or an ear, I’m more than willing to be those companions to your burdens. I may not have the best advice or eloquent words to take your pain away, but sometimes just having someone to listen is just what the doctor ordered.

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Here are a few resources if you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or suicidal tendencies. Professionals who can help if you feel that life is just too much to deal with and you really need help managing. When your best friend, significant other, or family member just doesn’t have the ability to help in the way that you need.

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I hope this information is helpful to you and that you can find a shred of light in the darkness that has become your life. Stress is something all encompassing and can lead to other struggles. Don’t listen to the taboo of it all. There are professionals that will help you judgement free. We aren’t here to judge your situation or get you to stop feeling what you are feeling. Don’t feel like you have to hide. They’re here to help.

Sending hugs and light,

Ruth Anne

Book Review: Somewhere in Between by Dawn Hosmer

My name is Mackenzie Bartholomew, or at least it was. I’m staring at my dead body, lying in a casket. I was a healthy, thirty-nine-year-old, mother of three.
I have so many questions but very few answers.

Was I murdered? Did I commit suicide? I don’t know if I’m in some sort of purgatory or if I’ve gone straight to hell.

I’m stuck somewhere in between life and death, forced to travel back in time to relive moments from my past, ones I’d rather forget. I’m desperate to piece together the details surrounding my death. If I don’t, I fear my soul will never find rest.

Chock full of family drama, secrets, betrayal, and lies, Somewhere in Between is a Psychological Thriller with wicked twists that will keep you hooked until the last page.

My Thoughts

Hosmer delivers yet another hit with Somewhere in Between. A story of betrayal, family secrets, lies, and broken trust, we follow Mackenzie’s story to the truth of her death. A shocking story that will leave you at the edge of your seat until the very end.

Mackenzie (Mack) Bartholomew wakes up to find herself staring at herself in a casket. Cut down in the prime of her life, she’s faced with the reality that she’s no longer among the living. A mother of three, she’s faced with fear and worry for what this means for her children. Her family. Mack is forced to travel back in the past and to the present over and over again to relive her deepest and darkest horrors that made up her life. Mixed in with joy, we find she’s reliving all the moments that she wishes could’ve been different. We find her life isn’t what she’d hoped. Sometimes, we can’t see things clearly when we are too close up. All the moments that she relives, she realizes how in denial she was. We can hide behind denial but it reveals some harsh truths when we finally see the big picture.

I found myself in tears at some moments, seething with anger at others, and full of compassion and sympathy during a lot of it. It’s a harrowing story that will leave you breathless until the very end. Amazing story by Hosmer and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Blogmas Day 5: Guest Post by Nancy Northcott

Join me in welcoming Nancy to the blog. She has graciously agreed to #guestpost and I’m so happy to have her. She’s written a post called Empty Chairs. In a time of year where people are experiencing #loss it’s important to be sensitive and remember that not all of us are having a holly jolly Christmas. Some of us are struggling and some of us are grieving. Thank you, Nancy for sharing this story with us.

Please don’t forget to check out her book links and learn more about her at the bottom of this post.

Empty Chairs

In normal times, the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is one of the busiest parts of the year. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa fall one after another like toppling dominos, and New Year’s Day follows hard on their heels. This year, though, is different. Gatherings have to be carefully managed or else postponed. Internet calls are a functional substitute, but they’re definitely the half a loaf that’s better than none.

Some people, of course, don’t get that half a loaf. Every holiday season, someone somewhere faces an empty chair at the holiday table. Then it’s not so festive.  This year, the number of people dealing with painful loss during the holiday season is exponentially more than usual.

Looking at that empty chair is especially difficult that first year. The grief fades in time as memories fill the gap and other people join our circles. Someone eventually sits in that chair without it feeling wrong.

My dad died between Thanksgiving and Christmas some years ago. Although my heart wasn’t in the seasonal celebration, I tried. My husband and I had a young son (he’s grown now—hard to believe!), and we didn’t want loss to overshadow the season for him. We put up a tree, bought and wrapped gifts, and did a little decorating, though less than usual.

Then came the Christmas cards. My husband usually wrote some of them while I tended to the majority. We use blank cards and always write our own message. That year, I sat at the dining room table and looked at the cards and envelopes on it, and I cringed inside. I turned to him and said, “I can’t. I just…I can’t.”

“That’s okay,” he replied quickly. “I’ll do them. If I write the messages and address the envelopes, can you sign your name? Or should I do that for you?”

“I can do that,” I decided. “I can sign them.”

So that’s how we did it.

Over time, of course, the pain of loss fades. We weave the people who were part of our Christmases back into them by sharing memories. They’re part of the celebration again, though in a different way. The story of my dad accidentally shattering the toilet bowl on Christmas Eve, when we had seventeen people coming for dinner the next day, has become a family legend. He was emptying the dog’s terra cotta water bowl into the toilet, only to have the bowl slip. Terra cotta met porcelain, and terra cotta won. We were lucky to live in a small town where he knew the plumber.

Also memorable is the year we had a plastic bell with plastic holly around it hanging in the dining room archway. Inside the bell was a music box that played “Jingle Bells.” It was another big family gathering, and everyone under the age of sixteen who walked under that bell yanked the clapper and started the music. This went on for close to an hour. Suddenly, Dad came out of the kitchen. He marched to the bell, unfastened it, and took it away without a word to anyone. I never saw that bell again.

My mom didn’t like to cook, but she enjoyed baking. She made amazing marshmallow cream fudge. We looked forward to that every Christmas. She tried to teach me to do it, but I failed spectacularly. To this day, I cannot figure out whether the fudge is a “soft ball” or not.

We trot these memories out every year, and they help tie the current Christmas into all those that went before. The warmth they bring makes the empty chairs seem not entirely empty.

That first Christmas without my dad, though, was hard. It inspired The Last Favor, my story in Christmas at Caynham Castle. The hero, a covert agent, goes to the castle hotel to receive an award on behalf of his recently deceased father. Because an assassin has targeted him, his partner goes along so she can watch his back. For different reasons, the two agents envy the families celebrating the season. Christmas was never a warm, loving time for her. It was for him, but that died with his dad. As the long-suppressed attraction between them flares, they have choices to make.

If you celebrate this holiday season, I hope it’s a merry one for you and yours. If it isn’t this year, I hope you have memories to weave through the holidays to come.

__________________________________________________

For more information about Nancy and her books, visit her website, www.NancyNorthcott.com. Because she spends more of her free time on Twitter than is probably good for her, you can also connect with her there, where she’s @NancyNorthcott.

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Nancy Northcott’s childhood ambition was to grow up and become Wonder Woman.  Around fourth grade, she realized it was too late to acquire Amazon genes, but she still loved comic books, science fiction, fantasy, history, and romance. A sucker for fast action and wrenching emotion, Nancy combines the magic, romance and high stakes she loves in the books she writes.

Married since 1987, she considers herself lucky to have found a man who not only enjoys a good adventure story but doesn’t mind carrying home a suitcase full of research books.  Nancy and her husband have one son, a bossy dog, and a house full of books.

Nancy’s Social Media links:

www.nancynorthcott.com

Twitter: @NancyNorthcott

Facebook:  https://facebook.com/nancynorthcottauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3468806.Nancy_Northcott

Book blurb:



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Christmas at Caynham Castle A Collection of 7 Holiday-Themed Novellas

A seasonal ball,
A charming town on the Welsh border,
And an ancient castle with adventure, mystery, ghosts and romance in every corner.

Celebrate the Christmas season with seven authors, each telling the story of the holiday at Caynham Castle in her own spectacular style.

Her Heart in His Pocket ~ Donna MacMeans

A surprise reunion of a pickpocket turned lady’s maid and a mysterious unexpected footman occurs just in time for the Christmas Frost Ball at Caynham Castle. The past of each could jeopardize the future of the other, and the future of Caynham Castle itself.

A Perfect Grey Christmas ~ Anna Sugden

In order to win the ultimate cooking prize and the right to cater the Ice Castle Charity Ball in Caynham Castle, a former hockey player, turned restauranteur, must work with the woman he once loved, but who then left him to marry an English lord.

The Ghost of Christmas Past ~ Jeanne Adams

Dr. Denby “Bee” Alden, is a bee expert from Haven Harbor, Massachusetts. She’s at Caynham Castle to research ancient beekeeping techniques…and to escape. The ex-boyfriend who dumped her is getting married and staying for the wedding would be salt in the wound. While at Caynham, she finds an Earl, a dastardly thief, and a ghost. Can the castle ghost help Bee and the Earl find something to celebrate this holiday season?

Christmas Crossroads ~ Caren Crane

A young woman from Cross Springs, NC, who was orphaned young and has not found a place to call “home” until she lands in Caynham-on-Ledwyche and meets a local man who is reconnecting with his hometown.

Still ~ Seressia Glass

Morgan Lafayette is a Light Witch with a Shadow problem. Injured while trying to rescue a young psychic, Morgan is in a race against time and the blight growing inside her. Her family sends her to Caynham-on-Ledwyche to meet with Meg Davies, a powerful healer. She doesn’t expect to meet Meg’s son and fellow astral traveler Arthur Davies or have him become her literal knight in shining armor. With the blight growing and threatening her nascent relationship, will Morgan put her trust in Shadowchaser Kira Solomon, knowing the Chaser will literally hold her life in her hands?

Crewel Fate ~ Gail Z. Martin

When Teag Logan and his fiancé Anthony Benton travel to England to celebrate their engagement, Teag’s magic and supernatural experience hone in on restless spirits, an old scandal and century-old secrets that could turn deadly. Can Teag and Anthony solve the mystery and settle the spooks before the Ball, or will more people join the ranks of the castle ghosts?

The Last Favor ~ Nancy Northcott

Grayson (Gray) Kane comes to Caynham Castle to pick up an award for his late father. Dealing with his loss amid the families celebrating the holiday makes him question his solitary life as an covert agent. His partner, Laurel Whitney, joins him to protect Gray from an assassin. As the long-suppressed attraction between them flares anew and a killer closes in, she must decide whether she has the courage to seize what she has always wanted.

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081PKV8D5

Blogmas Day 4: Christmas Cocktails

The season is full of amazing food but we can’t forget the drinks. I have a list of recipes that just might tickle your fancy.

Enjoy!

Pisco Sour



by Mike Garten

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 oz. pisco
1/2 oz. lime juice
1/2 oz. lemon juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
1 egg white
Angostura bitters

DIRECTIONS

To a cocktail shaker with ice, add pisco, lime juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Shake vigorously, then strain into a glass and top with a couple dashes of bitters.

Warm Tea and Cider Punch



by Brian Woodcock

INGREDIENTS

6 c. fresh apple cider
8 English breakfast tea bags
1 sliced lemon
4 1/2 oz. bourbon

DIRECTIONS

Bring 6 cups of fresh apple cider to a boil in a large saucepan.Reduce heat and simmer until cider is reduced to 3 cups, 30 to 45 minutes.Remove from heat and add 8 English breakfast tea bags and 1 sliced lemon; steep for 4 minutes. Discard tea bags.Stir in 4 1/2 ounces bourbon. Serve warm.



Santa Cosmos



by Jonathan Boulton

INGREDIENTS

Lime wedge, for rim
white sanding sugar
1 c. vodka
1 1/2 c. cranberry juice
1/4 c. triple sec
1/4 c. fresh lime juice
1/2 c. fresh cranberries

DIRECTIONS

Run a lime wedge around each glass then dip in sanding sugar.Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice. Shake until the cocktail shaker is cold.Divide drinks between rimmed glasses and add cranberries for garnish.



Spiced Mexican Hot Chocolate



by Buff Strickland

INGREDIENTS

4 c. whole milk
2 c. half-and-half
1/2 c. dulce de leche
2 Cinnamon sticks
10 oz. 70% dark chocolate
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
1/2 c. bourbon

DIRECTIONS

Whisk together milk, half-and-half, dulce de leche, and cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan.Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 10 minutes.Return mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Gradually whisk in finely chopped 70 percent dark chocolate, whisking until melted and smooth.Remove from heat and stir in pure vanilla extract, kosher salt, and bourbon, if desired. Discard cinnamon sticks. Serve warm.



Sugar Cookies White Russians



by The Sweetest Occasion

INGREDIENTS

1-1/2 oz Tito’s Handmade vodka
1-1/2 oz coffee liqueur
4 oz milk
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 sugar cookie
Ice
⅓ cup whipped cream
Red and green sprinkles

DIRECTIONS

Remove the frosting from one sugar cookie and crush into small crumbles onto a small plate.Prepare a tall cocktail glass by spreading a bit of whipped cream around the rim and then rolling gently in the cookie crumbs. Fill glass to the brim with ice.Next, add vodka, coffee liqueur, vanilla extract and milk to a cocktail shaker.Shake vigorously until frothy then pour over into your cocktail glass over ice.Top with the remaining whipped cream, then sprinkle with additional cookie crumbs and seasonal sprinkles.Add a straw, sip and enjoy!



Christmas Margarita



The Spruce Eats

INGREDIENTS

Cinnamon sugar (for rim)
1 lime wedge
1 1/2 ounces silver tequila
1 ounce coconut milk
1/2 ounce orange liqueur (triple sec or Grand Marnier)
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce white cranberry juice
Garnish: lime slice
Garnish: cranberries
Garnish: rosemary sprig

DIRECTIONS

Gather the ingredientsRim an old-fashioned glass with cinnamon sugar: Begin by wiping a lime wedge around the edge of the glass to wet the rim, then roll it in a shallow dish of cinnamon sugar.In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the tequila, coconut milk, orange liqueur, lime juice, and white cranberry juice. Shake well.Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime slice, a few cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary.Serve and enjoy!



Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail



Half-baked Harvest

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce St. Germain (elderflower liquor)
1/3 cup fresh squeezed clementine or blood orange juice
ginger beer, for topping
pomegranate arils, for topping
1 sprig fresh thyme or mint

DIRECTIONS

Fill a cocktail glass with ice. Add the vodka, elderflower liquor (if using), and clementine juice. Top with ginger beer. Add the pomegranates and thyme or mint. Enjoy!

Spicy Pomegranate Moscow Mule



Half-baked Harvest

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces vodka
juice from 1/2 lime juice
juice from 1/4 of a small grapefruit, plus grapefruit slices for serving
1/3 cup pomegranate juice
1-2 jalapeño slices
ginger beer, for topping
pomegranate arils, and fresh mint, for serving

DIRECTIONS

Fill a cocktail glass with ice.Combine the vodka, lime juice, grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice, and jalapeños in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until combined, about 1 minute. Strain into your prepared glass. Top with ginger beer and garnish as desired. Enjoy!

Have a great season of cocktails and let me know what you like to put in your drinks.

Blogmas Day 3: Festive Book List

I’m a bit behind on my posts, but I’ll make up for it by posting Day 3 and Day 4 tonight. I’d like to add a list of books that I love during the Christmas season. Whether it be from my childhood or from my knowledge of books growing up, these have a special place in my heart.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

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‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

The Gift of the Magi

The Nutcracker

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The Perfect Gift

Twelve Days of Christmas

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Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I

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All I want for Christmas

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Home for Christmas

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Gabriel’s Angel

The Deal of a Lifetime

Christmas on the Island

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Charlie Brown Christmas

A Christmas Story

There are a ton more that I can list here, but I have fallen in love with these as a child and some as an adult. What books do you love to read during the season? Share them.

Blogmas Day 2: Guest post by Samantha Bryant

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Join me in welcoming Samantha to the blog. She has graciously agreed to #guestpost and I’m so happy to have her. She’s written a fun post on how her family spends the holidays. I personally, found it really interesting.

Please look at the end of her post for her links where you can find her and her books.

If you missed Blogmas Day 1, please go check that out.

Without further ado, let’s get onto today’s post.

Book Review: Face the Fire (Three Sisters Island #3) by Nora Roberts

Mia Devlin knows what it is like to love with your whole heart—and then watch your love walk away. Years ago, she and Sam Logan shared an incredible bond built on passion, legend, and fate. But then one day he fled Three Sisters Island, leaving her lost in memories of the magic they shared—and determined to live without love.

The new owner of the island’s only hotel, Sam has returned to Three Sisters with hopes of winning back Mia’s affections. He is puzzled when she greets him with icy indifference—for the chemistry between them is still sizzling and true. Angry, hurt and deeply confused, Mia refuses to admit that a passion for Sam still burns in her heart. But she’ll need his help—and his powers—to face her greatest, most terrifying challenge. And as the deadline for breaking a centuries-old curse draws near, they must take the first steps toward destiny—and come together to turn back the dark….

My Thoughts

The last in the Three Sisters Island trilogy, the curse ends with Mia Devlin. To choose to embrace love or turn away from it completes her fate. When she was young Sam Logan was her love. He left her on the island shattering her vision of love, marriage, and raising children in a little cottage. Now, Sam is back. The fourth element in the circle and she must choose to embrace or turn from the love he offers.

I was so enamored with the last book. Seeing the sisters working together. Sam coming back and rocking Mia’s foundation. It all comes full circle, pun intended.

A thrilling, magical, and love filled trilogy. Nora Roberts hits it out of the park once again.