Uncategorized Archives - Writing by Michelle Habrych https://michellehabrych.com/category/uncategorized/ Thoughts, writings, and books by Michelle Habrych Wed, 22 Jan 2025 04:19:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 214726775 Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice review https://michellehabrych.com/finlay-donovan-rolls-the-dice-review/ https://michellehabrych.com/finlay-donovan-rolls-the-dice-review/#respond Thu, 23 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://michellehabrych.com/?p=375 As the fourth book in the Elle Cosimano Finlay Donovan series, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice picks up right where our heroines left off at the end of the previous story. It opens with a hilarious scene which sets the stage for a crazy adventure to New Jersey. When Vero’s childhood friend and former boyfriend […]

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As the fourth book in the Elle Cosimano Finlay Donovan series, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice picks up right where our heroines left off at the end of the previous story. It opens with a hilarious scene which sets the stage for a crazy adventure to New Jersey. When Vero’s childhood friend and former boyfriend Javi is kidnapped by the loan shark who seeks repayment for her lost marker, Finlay decides they need a girls’ trip to Atlantic City to save him. Steven won’t allow Finlay to take the kids out of state without him, and then her mother shows up and wants in on the road trip as well. What could possibly go wrong?

Of course, the rescue mission gets more difficult with the arrival of some police friends from back home. Throw in a couple of dead bodies, a missing car, and more unexpected familiar faces and Finlay is about to lose her mind. This is a fun read with Weekend at Bernie’s meets Oceans 11 vibes. Fans of Vero and Finlay’s previous stories will devour this one, too. Laughter is 100% guaranteed! 

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy of the book in preparation for the upcoming release of the latest in the series Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, available in March 2025. All opinions are my own.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

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She Believed HE Could, So She Did review https://michellehabrych.com/she-believed-he-could-so-she-did-review/ https://michellehabrych.com/she-believed-he-could-so-she-did-review/#respond Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://michellehabrych.com/?p=362 Every once in a while, a book comes along to challenge cultural norms and speak truth in an easily accessible way. She Believed HE Could, So She Did: Trading Culture’s Lies for Christ-Centered Empowerment by Becky Beresford is one of those books. It was written to help women break free from the pressures placed on […]

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Every once in a while, a book comes along to challenge cultural norms and speak truth in an easily accessible way. She Believed HE Could, So She Did: Trading Culture’s Lies for Christ-Centered Empowerment by Becky Beresford is one of those books. It was written to help women break free from the pressures placed on them by the lies of self-reliance.Chapter by chapter, the author knocks down these maxims that American culture screams at women: You Are Enough, You Can Do Hard Things,You Be You, Believe in Yourself, Speak Your Truth, Follow Your Heart, and The Future is Female. She connects each to the truth found in the Bible for those who are Christ-followers and re-writes them to give Christian women freedom to live because of what Jesus does for them.

“We are sick of being self-dependent,” she writes in the introduction. “We want to be God-dependent.”

This book is for Christian women who are tired of feeling like failures and want to live in the freedom Christ has provided. It can be read quickly (just 224 pages) or enjoyed slowly as I did over the course of many months.It would be great for a small group discussion.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

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Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank review https://michellehabrych.com/veronica-ruiz-breaks-the-bank-review/ https://michellehabrych.com/veronica-ruiz-breaks-the-bank-review/#respond Tue, 21 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://michellehabrych.com/?p=357 Finlay Donovan fans requested and received a story all about Vero! In the short story Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank, considered book 3.5 in Elle Cosimano’s comedy/mystery series, the readers finally learn about the events that lead up to the fated meeting between Finlay and Vero. The story reveals a bit of the sidekick’s more […]

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Finlay Donovan fans requested and received a story all about Vero! In the short story Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank, considered book 3.5 in Elle Cosimano’s comedy/mystery series, the readers finally learn about the events that lead up to the fated meeting between Finlay and Vero. The story reveals a bit of the sidekick’s more vulnerable side as she takes center stage in this tale.

While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt it lacked a lot of the fun of the other novels. Perhaps I identify more with Finlay’s character since we’re both moms? Though no one has ever mistaken me for a contract killer and I have never buried a corpse! I’d recommend this story for fans of the series who want some backstory in a quick read (just 119 pages).
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy of the book in preparation for the upcoming release of the latest in the series Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, available in March 2025. All opinions are my own.

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Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun review https://michellehabrych.com/finlay-donovan-jumps-the-gun-review/ https://michellehabrych.com/finlay-donovan-jumps-the-gun-review/#respond Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://michellehabrych.com/?p=353 In Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, the third book in Elle Cosimano’s comedy/mystery series, Finlay and Vero once again find themselves in a series of ever-increasingly wild scenarios.  This time, the pair has been roped into attending a citizen’s police academy, run by “hot cop” Nick. At the end of their last adventure they were […]

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In Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, the third book in Elle Cosimano’s comedy/mystery series, Finlay and Vero once again find themselves in a series of ever-increasingly wild scenarios. 

This time, the pair has been roped into attending a citizen’s police academy, run by “hot cop” Nick. At the end of their last adventure they were still trying to figure out the identity of the contract killer who had attempted to off Finlay’s ex-husband Steven. Mixed up with loan sharks and Russian mob, Finlay also has a scene to rewrite to please her literary agent while sneaking around and trying to avoid being discovered for the mess she and Vero have buried. 

While still an enjoyable and laugh-out-loud installment in this series, I felt this book was a bit over-the-top for my personal taste, which is why I only gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Nevertheless, the author keeps drawing me back in with her clever storytelling and quirky characters. I often found myself surprised by the twists and turns in the novel and I still recommend it, especially for Finlay’s devoted fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy of the book in preparation for the upcoming release of the latest in the series Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, available in March 2025. All opinions are my own.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

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Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead review https://michellehabrych.com/finlay-donovan-knocks-em-dead-review/ https://michellehabrych.com/finlay-donovan-knocks-em-dead-review/#respond Sun, 19 Jan 2025 18:07:14 +0000 https://michellehabrych.com/?p=350 Elle Cosimano has done it again with Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, her sequel to Finlay Donovan is Killing It. The first book had me laughing out loud from the first line.This one picks up where the last book left off, and it draws the reader into the action right away. After seeing a message […]

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Elle Cosimano has done it again with Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, her sequel to Finlay Donovan is Killing It. The first book had me laughing out loud from the first line.This one picks up where the last book left off, and it draws the reader into the action right away.

After seeing a message on an online chat that someone wants her ex-husband Steven killed, Finlay and Vero get involved in even more hilarious hijinx. While she does not want to get back together with Steven, she certainly does not want to see the father of her children murdered. With another book deadline looming, our heroine must figure out how to write her assassin’s adventures while surviving one of her own. 

Through the many twists and turns of the thrilling mystery, I felt like I was either surprised or guffawing, sometimes both.The book brings back many of the beloved characters in the first book (and some not-so-loved), while adding in some new ones.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy of the book in preparation for the upcoming release of the latest in the series Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, available in March 2025. All opinions are my own.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

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Guest on a writer friend’s blog https://michellehabrych.com/guest-on-a-writer-friends-blog/ https://michellehabrych.com/guest-on-a-writer-friends-blog/#respond Wed, 01 Jan 2025 21:42:48 +0000 https://michellehabrych.com/?p=346 My longtime friend and writing buddy TLC Nielsen has interviewed me for her blog Extraordinary Ordinary. Check it out here!

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My longtime friend and writing buddy TLC Nielsen has interviewed me for her blog Extraordinary Ordinary. Check it out here!

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A Home for the Holidays review https://michellehabrych.com/a-home-for-the-holidays-review/ https://michellehabrych.com/a-home-for-the-holidays-review/#respond Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:18:48 +0000 https://michellehabrych.com/?p=342 When I am choosing a holiday book to read, I typically want a cozy, feel-good read. I don’t want to encounter loss and grief, especially not in the first few chapters. Therefore, I never would have picked up A Home for the Holidays by Taylor Hahn, if I’d been choosing for myself. I had it […]

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When I am choosing a holiday book to read, I typically want a cozy, feel-good read. I don’t want to encounter loss and grief, especially not in the first few chapters. Therefore, I never would have picked up A Home for the Holidays by Taylor Hahn, if I’d been choosing for myself. I had it because my librarian picked it for me as part of the program which matches readers with books.

This novel starts with the main character Mel Hart sharing about her earlier years as the only child of a single, alcoholic mother. In the second chapter, set in present day December in Chicago, Mel receives a phone call to let her know that her mother has died. The first time I picked up the book to read it, in late November, I put it aside after those two short chapters and decided I just could not read that storyline right before Christmas. I wanted jolly stories, sweet romance plots, and happily-ever-after endings. The author’s writing style, however, had grabbed my attention, so I planned to come back to the book once I’d had my fill of Christmas cheer. 

I eventually worked my way through a few more chapters until today, when I sat down in my comfy chair with a cuddly blanket and time to read. I became immersed in the tale Mel hears after her mother’s death from Barb, a woman who shows up out of nowhere claiming to be Mel’s mom’s former best friend. The story blurbs give away a bit of the story, so I won’t do that here, but I will say that A Home for the Holidays is a fantastic narrative of how one woman deals with grief. Themes of family, friendship, hope, dreams, and forgiveness blend to create a moving story that will stick with me.

This book is a great read for any time of the year, though it mixes in some great Christmas references throughout the storyline, which takes place between mid-December and New Year’s Day. While not technically a romance, it does have some elements of the genre in it. Just under 250 pages in length, A Home for the Holidays may be read in a day, which would be a great way to experience Mel’s story.

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The Christmas Crush review https://michellehabrych.com/the-christmas-crush-review/ https://michellehabrych.com/the-christmas-crush-review/#respond Sun, 15 Dec 2024 22:03:45 +0000 https://michellehabrych.com/?p=338 The Christmas Crush by Noelle Douglas takes the story of a small town baker up against a big city corporate rival and flips it around. The rivals to lovers trope is well loved by many, but I especially enjoyed this twist on the typical Hallmark-type romance by making the main character a man who is […]

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The Christmas Crush by Noelle Douglas takes the story of a small town baker up against a big city corporate rival and flips it around. The rivals to lovers trope is well loved by many, but I especially enjoyed this twist on the typical Hallmark-type romance by making the main character a man who is the baker and the male love interest! Lawrence owns and operates Sweet L’s, a cookie bakery. He particularly enjoys surprising people with that fact since, with his tall stature and muscular build, he does not fit their preconceived notions. With his trusty dog Sugar and baking assistant Carmen, he is doing his best to keep the small bakery in business. A chain bakery, Sparkle Cookie, has applied for a business permit and Lawrence fears what the competition could do to his business.

Elena is an artist stuck in the corporate world, working at Sparkle Cookie as a VP in marketing to do something remotely connected to the creativity she longs to use more often. She volunteers to visit the New Hope location of the newest chain, though it is having some trouble with the locals in the small town prior to its anticipated launch on Christmas Eve. When she and Lawrence clash at the town meeting, the stage is set for their romance. 

Will corporate greed come between them or will they each deal with their own issues so they can be together? A feel-good romance with real-life characters and some sweet surprises, The Christmas Crush is a must-read for those looking for a festive story any time of year, but especially around Christmas.The audiobook narrator does a fabulous job of bringing the novel to life.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

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The December Market review https://michellehabrych.com/the-december-market-review/ https://michellehabrych.com/the-december-market-review/#respond Fri, 06 Dec 2024 19:16:37 +0000 https://michellehabrych.com/?p=334  If you’re looking for a holiday story with heart and soul, The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne is for you. Set in the small Idaho town of Shelter Springs, the story provides a realistic romance between Amanda Taylor, small business owner and all-around involved townsperson, and Rafe Arredondo, assistant fire chief and local hero. When […]

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 If you’re looking for a holiday story with heart and soul, The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne is for you. Set in the small Idaho town of Shelter Springs, the story provides a realistic romance between Amanda Taylor, small business owner and all-around involved townsperson, and Rafe Arredondo, assistant fire chief and local hero. When I think of Christmas books, I typically reach for a cozy, heartwarming story. I want to block out hardships and real life and focus on a fantasy. The December Market provided the sweet, heartwarming story but it did not offer a fantasy. Instead, in the first two chapters, it mentioned the tragedies and losses numerous people in the town had suffered. By the time another trauma was mentioned for yet another character, I put the book aside. I could not deal with all of the sadness. A few days and a couple of other happier Christmas novels later, I returned to the book, determined to see where it would lead me, and I am glad I did.

Amanda and Rafe have both experienced unbelievable tragedy relating to the substance abuse of others around them. As a result, their baggage keeps them from fully moving forward or getting involved in relationships. How will these two move past the obstacles and end up together in this Christmas-centered romance? The path they take is beautiful and real. As Amanda fought her feelings and hid behind the pain of her past, I found myself engaged in her struggle. There are many funny and true-to-life moments provided courtesy of colorful characters such as Isaac, Rafe’s young son, and Birdie, Amanda’s grandmother.

Lovers of Hallmark movies will enjoy this story, which spans Thanksgiving through Christmas. This is book 2 in a series, but I had not read the previous book and had no trouble with it as a stand-alone read. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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‘Tis the Damn Season review https://michellehabrych.com/tis-the-damn-season-review/ https://michellehabrych.com/tis-the-damn-season-review/#respond Tue, 03 Dec 2024 08:30:00 +0000 https://michellehabrych.com/?p=329 Three friends are fed up with holiday preparations and the way their families are treating them, so they decide to take a holiday in the Scottish highlands the week before Christmas. ‘Tis the Damn Season by Fiona Gibson tells the stories of three best friends. Shelley’s husband and teenagers have taken her for granted for […]

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Three friends are fed up with holiday preparations and the way their families are treating them, so they decide to take a holiday in the Scottish highlands the week before Christmas. ‘Tis the Damn Season by Fiona Gibson tells the stories of three best friends. Shelley’s husband and teenagers have taken her for granted for too long. One humorous event involving dinner finds her at the end of her patience. Lena’s fiance’s snobbish parents treat her as less than, yet invite themselves over to her flat for Christmas dinner. Pearl’s young adult son and his girlfriend disrespect her and her home one too many times, and in desperation, she decides what she needs is a getaway with her friends.

When they get to the bed and breakfast, where they were going to stay free as guests of Pearl’s cousin Michael, instead of the relaxing time away it evolves into them running the place!  Hijinks ensue as the novel’s colorful characters provide many laugh-out-loud moments and over-the-top situations. Readers also occasionally get the viewpoint of some of the other characters in the novel, which makes for some dramatic irony. 

This book would make a fabulous Christmas movie, a combination of Love Actually and The Holiday. More than a romance, it’s a story of three women who learn about themselves and what they truly want, at Christmas and the rest of the year. Great audiobook narration by Helen Phillips.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

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