Just Finished: When Love Aligns

Welcome to my very first single short story review! I've reviewed compilations a few times before but When Love Aligns by Jennifer Daiker is the first stand alone short story that I've read in awhile. I've read some of Daiker's work before and really enjoyed it so I was expecting good things from this story.

Let's start off with the synopsis:

What do you do when you match the love of your life to someone else? Time is running out for this Goddess of Love to set things right and win her soul mate’s heart…without magic. Matchmaking just got a lot more interesting.
Drew just made the worst mistake the Goddess of Love could ever make. Accidentally matching her soul mate to another woman! What was she thinking?
Match making has always been Drew’s destiny – it’s the only things she’s good at. But time is of the essence, and the last thing she needs is for the Gods to discover her glitch. Her Goddess of Love status would be severed permanently. Now Drew has to convince Jack that she’s his one true love…without the use of her magic! Will she succeed before it’s too late?

As usual, Daiker created a sweet and entertaining story. I liked that she included a magical element because I haven't encountered a good magical chick lit story in awhile. It was an interesting premise - what would happen if the Goddess of Love fell in love herself? Is that even allowed? I liked following Drew and Jack and wondered how they would be able to be together.

I have found that I'm the type of person who will not read the synopsis right before reading the book. I'll read it when I buy it or agree to accepting a review copy but I won't read it again until I'm putting it up in a post. I've found that this gives me more surprises and allows me to enjoy the book more because I'm not expecting anything that was given away in the write up. In the case of this short story, I completely forgot that the main character was the Goddess of Love. I was a bit confused at the start but I don't think that all came from not knowing that Drew was magical. I feel like I was missing a chapter because I wasn't sure who all the characters were and it seemed as though I was expected to. Fortunately, this confusion was the only negative I found with this story.

Did I love When Love Aligns as much as I did the other stories Daiker has written? No. Will I read whatever she comes out with next? Absolutely. Jennifer Daiker has quickly become an author I want to keep an eye on because she always creates sweet but real and entertaining stories. I look forward to reading her next work!

Just Finished: Valentine Delights - Be Mine

First, let me just say that this review of Valentine Delights: Be Mine was supposed to go up on Tuesday, you know, Valentine's Day. Due to a ton of crazy things happening in my life I haven't had time until today. So, find your time machine and put yourself back into a Valentine's Day mood, ok? Ok.

Oh, Valentine's Day. It's a holiday that draws oh so much criticism. Is it a Hallmark holiday that only makes businesses richer? Or is it a nice excuse to spoil your loved one, whether it be with roses or breakfast in bed? I always loved giving out and getting Valentines in elementary school and then I was the resident candy heart giver outer starting in high school and carrying on through university. Personally, I don't do much of anything for Valentine's Day. Part of that could be the fact that my boyfriend and I have hardly ever been in the same city for the holiday in the almost seven years we've been dating and part could be that I'm not one who needs all the fancy schmancy romance stuff. I think spending the night together doing whatever you love doing is the best way to celebrate. And there should be chocolate. Lots of chocolate :)

Now that you know a little bit more about me and my thoughts on V-Day, let's get moving on the review!

Here's a quick little synopsis of the stories in this anthology, from Goodreads:

The Coroner’s Heart by Jillian Chantal
Making a Valentine’s Day candy heart from Jell-o is easy for this coroner, performing an autopsy on a real heart is even easier, but what happens when her own heart is at risk? 

Latte Love by Jennifer Daiker
When Charlie's secret admirer orders more than just a steamy latte this Valentine's Day, the secrets have never been sweeter. 

Change Of Heart by Liberty Blake
After the night they spent in the hot tub, Melody believed her new man wanted a relationship, but now it was Valentine's Day and not even a phone call. Did he have a Change of Heart?

As I mentioned in my recent review of  Snowbound Hearts (also published by Still Moments Publishing), I really like when anthologies have a theme. Obviously this one was all about Valentine's Day (aren't you glad I spelled that out for you?). I have to say that I didn't like Valentine Delights quite as much as Snowbound Hearts but I still enjoyed reading the three stories in this collection. I didn't have an overwhelming favourite story this time either so I'm just going to give some quick thoughts on each story.

When I read "The Coroner's Heart" I had a mix of TV characters in my head when I was picturing the coroner. It was a mix of Abby from NCIS, Brennan and Cam from Bones, and Lanie from Castle. Kind of amusing, right? I liked this story because it was a case of working with someone and then suddenly realizing that there was a romantic connection there.

"Latte Love" featured a secret admirer and I really liked that. I was just as curious and intrigued as Charlie and couldn't wait too find out who had been sending her such sweet gifts!

"Change of Heart" is an example of why communication is key. Note to the guys: always find out why your girl doesn't like celebrating Valentine's Day. Is it because she truly doesn't like it or is it because she's never had a good experience with it? Sweet (and steamy!) ending to this one.

All in all, I was happy reading Valentine Delights: Be Mine and I will pay attention to other themed anthologies that Still Moments Publishing comes out with. Want to check this one out for yourself? You can get it from the publisher's website here or on Smashwords.

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day and had lots and lots of delicious chocolate! :)

Just Finished: Snowbound Hearts

My favourite thing about reading short story collections is that you get a taste of many authors in one lovely package. Snowbound Hearts (published by Still Moments Publishing) was a very lovely package and I am so glad I got the chance to read this anthology. A big thank you to one of the authors Jen Daiker (the very talented voice behind the blog Unedited, check it out here!) for sending me the collection.

Here's a quick snapshot of what this collection holds:

Sophie’s Snow Day by Jillian Chantal 
“A snowstorm can be a life changing event. Just ask Sophie.”

Snowbanked by Jennifer Daiker
“Returning home can hold the best surprises, especially when love is involved.”

The White Lion by Maggie Devine
“When Pub owner Sophie Ashford clashes with the new Lord of the Manor, Shane Smith, a secret past is unearthed and a new love erupts...”

Winter Twilight by Shannon O’Brien
“Can a secret, up and coming rock musician reawaken a young woman's passion while she fumbles her way through a strange city and new life?”

I've discovered that I really like when anthologies have a theme. Usually I read Christmas books (I'm mildly obsessed with Christmas collections...) but after reading this book I've realized that I'm open to just about anything. In Snowbound Hearts each story features a big snow storm which results in the characters being snowed in. There's something very romantic about being snowed in with loved ones and this collection takes advantage of that. Usually the snow looks fresh and clean and pretty (even though it's wreaking havoc on the world outside) and you can watch the world become white while snuggled up in your house - bonus points if you have a fireplace!

I was really happy with this collection. There wasn't a story that I didn't like and that's something that I'm always afraid of - reading a few great stories and then coming to one that I just can't get into. However, there were two that stood out more for me - "Snowbanked" and "The White Lion".

"The White Lion" took place in a small town British pub. Sophie was spunky and had a great personality that enchanted Shane just as much as me. I loved the bantering and the witty conversations, especially between Sophie and her uncle, and there were several times I found myself laughing out loud. I think what I liked most about this story was the crazy twist Devine came up with. I was quite proud of myself for figuring it out but maybe I'm thinking too highly of myself... :) I liked that I went into this story expecting one happy ending and instead I got two...a great bonus!

Since Jennifer was the one who sent me a copy of the book I told myself that I wouldn't play favourites and would be as fair as I always am in my reviews. Turns out I absolutely adored her story and it was my favourite in this collection. This story also made me realize that I love the returning home stories - when a guy or girl leaves behind their small home town and their love interest to run away to the big city, only to return and realize what they've been missing. There are a couple of lines I just have to share from this story because I loved them so much:

"Snowflakes trickled outside the oversized windows while the chocolatey goodness brewed into the glass mug"

Can't you just picture yourself there, looking out at the snowflakes falling, and waiting for a tasty hot chocolate?

"You're the most gorgeous klutz I've ever met."
"I'm the only one you've ever met."
"And the only one I fell in love with."

 *swoon* I think love this because I'm such a klutz too. It's a little cheesy but it works with the story.

Overall, I really liked Snowbound Hearts and I encourage everyone to go buy it. You can get it from the Still Moments Publishing site or Smashwords and since it's only $3.99 you have no excuse not to purchase it. Stay tuned for my review of the next anthology Jennifer Daiker is a part of - Valentine Delights - I'm really looking forward to it!

Happy reading :)