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Jinx #3.5
A Dixie Christmas
New York Times Bestselling romance author Sandra Hill offers a special Xmas treat to her readers: two sexy, romantic novellas set in the land of Moonlight, Magnolias . . . and Santa Claus.
In Blue Christmas, an uptight Boston businessman arrives in Memphis, Tennessee determined to sell the oddball "Blue Suede Suites" hotel he's inherited. Instead he lands in a pile of complications when he steps in the wrong spot at the Elvis-themed live Nativity scene on his property. Recovering from a concussion, he finds himself in the care of a gorgeous good ol' girl dairy farmer. And suddenly, all his plans begin to melt. . .
originally titled Fever and published as part of the Blue Christmas anthology
In Jinx Christmas, a handsome and famous NASCAR driver shows up in his ex-wife's Louisiana town determined to win her back, even if it means using the matchmaking advice of an outlandish Cajun godmother and her far-from-conservative tactics.
originally available for free from the author's website
In Blue Christmas, an uptight Boston businessman arrives in Memphis, Tennessee determined to sell the oddball "Blue Suede Suites" hotel he's inherited. Instead he lands in a pile of complications when he steps in the wrong spot at the Elvis-themed live Nativity scene on his property. Recovering from a concussion, he finds himself in the care of a gorgeous good ol' girl dairy farmer. And suddenly, all his plans begin to melt. . .
originally titled Fever and published as part of the Blue Christmas anthology
In Jinx Christmas, a handsome and famous NASCAR driver shows up in his ex-wife's Louisiana town determined to win her back, even if it means using the matchmaking advice of an outlandish Cajun godmother and her far-from-conservative tactics.
originally available for free from the author's website
111 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2011
104 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Hill
92 books1,313 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. She is the wife of a stockbroker and the mother of four sons.
This biography was provided by the author or their representative.
Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. She is the wife of a stockbroker and the mother of four sons.
This biography was provided by the author or their representative.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 11, 2011
I received this set of two Christmas-themed short stories from netgalley, and I was really disappointed.
The first one is supposed to be an Elvis-themed Christmas story about a Wall St type finding lurve. There are some weakly amusing aspects, and I guess City Slicker-meets-Farm-Girl is an interesting trope, but it is just that, an overworked, quite old-fashioned plot. There are so many things wrong with this story that it's hard to know where to begin, but I'll do my best...
- If I came from Tennessee, I'd be pretty put-out. I have friends and colleagues from Tennessee, and the whole wooden-teeth thing is so old and tedious that I was quite annoyed to find that this story implied that the heroine and her family were a modern day version of the Beverley Hillbillies, but without the Beverley Hills bit. The story doesn't play on the real Southern hospitality you find in Tennessee, and I honestly couldn't figure out why not.
- If I worked on Wall St/financial services, I'd be pretty put-out. Whatever your politics, most people who work in financial services are just completely normal people earning a living, even the ones who earn big livings are just normal people like the rest of us. This book doesn't adequately distinguish between the everyday people who work on Wall St, and the incredibly wealthy people out there (the hero is one of the latter). Also, the hero was pretty pathetic for a City Slicker - lives in a mansion by himself (actually, I can't see that - wouldn't most of them live in beautiful big apartments in Manhattan not mansions?), and comes across as rather drippy really.
- If I were a farmer, I'd be pretty put-out. This book represents a missed opportunity to show that farmers are pretty technologically-savvy people, and show them in a good light, rather than the hokey, hickey, but strapping, poor people this book makes them out to be.
- The hero and heroine decide that they want to spend their lives with each other within about 20 minutes of meeting, which is the biggest load of horse manure I've ever read. And then they're surprised that the other doesn't want to move? Utter tripe.
- The dreadful Aunt Liza character seemed to serve no purpose beyond sharing her 16th century morals and irritating the reader.
And that's before I even get to complain about the number of really tenuous Elvis links in it.
The second book is actually worse than the first one, and I can't really bring myself to write in detail why. The heroine has some real self-image problems, and apparently thinks that resorting to diet pills when she's a size 10 is normal behavior, letting her 7 year-old daughter dress like a hooker is "unique" and that she's a good role model by discussing in front of said daughter exactly how she's going to starve herself so she can fit into a slinky red dress. I felt incredibly sorry for her NASCAR ex-hubby, but he wasn't much better really and came across as a hopelessly pathetic case. We never find out why they really got divorced, or what has changed to make it a potentially viable relationship again.
So, 1 star. I didn't like, and actually disliked quite a lot.
The first one is supposed to be an Elvis-themed Christmas story about a Wall St type finding lurve. There are some weakly amusing aspects, and I guess City Slicker-meets-Farm-Girl is an interesting trope, but it is just that, an overworked, quite old-fashioned plot. There are so many things wrong with this story that it's hard to know where to begin, but I'll do my best...
- If I came from Tennessee, I'd be pretty put-out. I have friends and colleagues from Tennessee, and the whole wooden-teeth thing is so old and tedious that I was quite annoyed to find that this story implied that the heroine and her family were a modern day version of the Beverley Hillbillies, but without the Beverley Hills bit. The story doesn't play on the real Southern hospitality you find in Tennessee, and I honestly couldn't figure out why not.
- If I worked on Wall St/financial services, I'd be pretty put-out. Whatever your politics, most people who work in financial services are just completely normal people earning a living, even the ones who earn big livings are just normal people like the rest of us. This book doesn't adequately distinguish between the everyday people who work on Wall St, and the incredibly wealthy people out there (the hero is one of the latter). Also, the hero was pretty pathetic for a City Slicker - lives in a mansion by himself (actually, I can't see that - wouldn't most of them live in beautiful big apartments in Manhattan not mansions?), and comes across as rather drippy really.
- If I were a farmer, I'd be pretty put-out. This book represents a missed opportunity to show that farmers are pretty technologically-savvy people, and show them in a good light, rather than the hokey, hickey, but strapping, poor people this book makes them out to be.
- The hero and heroine decide that they want to spend their lives with each other within about 20 minutes of meeting, which is the biggest load of horse manure I've ever read. And then they're surprised that the other doesn't want to move? Utter tripe.
- The dreadful Aunt Liza character seemed to serve no purpose beyond sharing her 16th century morals and irritating the reader.
And that's before I even get to complain about the number of really tenuous Elvis links in it.
The second book is actually worse than the first one, and I can't really bring myself to write in detail why. The heroine has some real self-image problems, and apparently thinks that resorting to diet pills when she's a size 10 is normal behavior, letting her 7 year-old daughter dress like a hooker is "unique" and that she's a good role model by discussing in front of said daughter exactly how she's going to starve herself so she can fit into a slinky red dress. I felt incredibly sorry for her NASCAR ex-hubby, but he wasn't much better really and came across as a hopelessly pathetic case. We never find out why they really got divorced, or what has changed to make it a potentially viable relationship again.
So, 1 star. I didn't like, and actually disliked quite a lot.
December 27, 2020
I love Sandra Hill and this little book of two Christmas stories is an absolute delight. I have looked for lighthearted reading this Christmas, way too much turmoil going on in both the world and my life. Escape to a happy place is what I wanted and "A Dixie Christmas" delivered.
Blue Christmas: 5-Stars This novella is so good I'm surprised Sandra Hill didn't turn it into a book series. The family is wonderful and Aunt Liza is a hoot. When Clayton Jessup, III arrives in Memphis he is appalled to find the hotel he has inherited, The Blue Suede Suites, is a gaudy tribute to Elvis Presley. His goal for the trip is to sell the thing, or raze it. As a wealthy investment banker, he has no interest if either the hotel or anything in Memphis. Then he sees a tacky nativity scene, populated by Elvis impersonators, set up on the vacant lot next door. His lot. His confrontation with them ends with Clay sustaining a concussion and a sprained ankle and in the care of the beautiful Pricilla, aka Annie Fallon.
Jinx Christmas: 5-Stars This wonderful short story is so fun and I loved seeing the whole LeDeux Clan in matchmaking action. Famous and fabulously handsome NASCAR driver, Lance Caslow, has a problem. He loves his ex-wife, Brenda, and wants her back. Brenda, not at all, in any way. Lance is so desperate that he will even enlist Tante Lulu and the Cajun Bad Boys.
Blue Christmas: 5-Stars This novella is so good I'm surprised Sandra Hill didn't turn it into a book series. The family is wonderful and Aunt Liza is a hoot. When Clayton Jessup, III arrives in Memphis he is appalled to find the hotel he has inherited, The Blue Suede Suites, is a gaudy tribute to Elvis Presley. His goal for the trip is to sell the thing, or raze it. As a wealthy investment banker, he has no interest if either the hotel or anything in Memphis. Then he sees a tacky nativity scene, populated by Elvis impersonators, set up on the vacant lot next door. His lot. His confrontation with them ends with Clay sustaining a concussion and a sprained ankle and in the care of the beautiful Pricilla, aka Annie Fallon.
Jinx Christmas: 5-Stars This wonderful short story is so fun and I loved seeing the whole LeDeux Clan in matchmaking action. Famous and fabulously handsome NASCAR driver, Lance Caslow, has a problem. He loves his ex-wife, Brenda, and wants her back. Brenda, not at all, in any way. Lance is so desperate that he will even enlist Tante Lulu and the Cajun Bad Boys.
November 29, 2012
Cute fun Christmas reads...I like quirky and this was certainly that!
See my comments below about the writing style (liked also)...and if you don't know by now: I LOVE CHRISTMAS!
See my comments below about the writing style (liked also)...and if you don't know by now: I LOVE CHRISTMAS!
December 27, 2011
A Dixie Christmas by Sandra Hill is really two Novellas in one book.
I did not really enjoy this book. I enjoyed the humour in both stories but I neither liked the sentence construction or the lack of realism.
The first story Blue Christmas has two opposite personalities ~ Clayton is super rich, a successful business man with no family or close relationships. He has expensive clothes and lifestyle. He is stuffy and self absorbed. Annie is a member of large family, poor, ordinary, not afraid of getting her hands mucky (as seen in the scene where she has her arm up a cows backside) with simple tastes and needs. Yet they meet and fall immediately in love, with Clayton proposing marriage within 48 hours, when they know virtually nothing about each other other than the spark of physical chemistry.
The sentences often seemed overly long. I just didn't like the vocabulary and phrasing in others, ie "She saw his arousal and felt her own arousal throb in counterpart"! The first time they make love (Annie is a virgin) they have as much conversation as they do sex ~ sex for the first time in a relationship is usually heated and passionate ~ certainly not a time for a friendly chat! The same night as Annie loses her virginity they have sex four times. She would have been too sore for a second time and would have needed a little recovery time before once more using hitherto unused parts of her body ~ she certainly wouldn't have been able to endure four times in quick succession (the first time being the loss of her virginity) without walking like Robocop the next day!
In Jinx Christmas we have a 7 year old little girl suggest to her Mummy that she buy a see through nightie to please daddy! I have a 7 year old niece and no way would she say something like that! I would be outraged if she did! Lance and Brenda divorced over her mistrust and the fact that he had a one night stand when they'd been separated. She's apparently been angry at him for five years about this ~ however, one sexy dance, a couple of shots of bourbon and she'e ready to forgive him and start again.
I feel that these stories would have been better printed in a Woman's magazine. I did enjoy the humour in the stories but this did not redeem the lack of realism and consequently I will not be looking for other books by this author.
I did not really enjoy this book. I enjoyed the humour in both stories but I neither liked the sentence construction or the lack of realism.
The first story Blue Christmas has two opposite personalities ~ Clayton is super rich, a successful business man with no family or close relationships. He has expensive clothes and lifestyle. He is stuffy and self absorbed. Annie is a member of large family, poor, ordinary, not afraid of getting her hands mucky (as seen in the scene where she has her arm up a cows backside) with simple tastes and needs. Yet they meet and fall immediately in love, with Clayton proposing marriage within 48 hours, when they know virtually nothing about each other other than the spark of physical chemistry.
The sentences often seemed overly long. I just didn't like the vocabulary and phrasing in others, ie "She saw his arousal and felt her own arousal throb in counterpart"! The first time they make love (Annie is a virgin) they have as much conversation as they do sex ~ sex for the first time in a relationship is usually heated and passionate ~ certainly not a time for a friendly chat! The same night as Annie loses her virginity they have sex four times. She would have been too sore for a second time and would have needed a little recovery time before once more using hitherto unused parts of her body ~ she certainly wouldn't have been able to endure four times in quick succession (the first time being the loss of her virginity) without walking like Robocop the next day!
In Jinx Christmas we have a 7 year old little girl suggest to her Mummy that she buy a see through nightie to please daddy! I have a 7 year old niece and no way would she say something like that! I would be outraged if she did! Lance and Brenda divorced over her mistrust and the fact that he had a one night stand when they'd been separated. She's apparently been angry at him for five years about this ~ however, one sexy dance, a couple of shots of bourbon and she'e ready to forgive him and start again.
I feel that these stories would have been better printed in a Woman's magazine. I did enjoy the humour in the stories but this did not redeem the lack of realism and consequently I will not be looking for other books by this author.
December 5, 2020
A fun Elvis romp and Tante Lulu is always entertaining.
May 10, 2012
Let's cut to the chase here shall we?
I didn't like this book at all.
It gave me a migraine.
A couple of weeks ago one of my Goodreads groups was having a 24 hour read-a-thon and in an effort to meet one of the criteria for a prize I decided to read a few on my shorter kindle freebies that I've gotten and get them out of the way.
Despite the fact that this book only has a 2.76/5.00 star rating on Goodreads I thought that it would be perfect for the challenge as it's short, Christmasy (I don't mind reading Christmas themed books through out the year) and the fact that the author is pretty successful, but this one just didn't live up to my low expectations.
I went into it thinking I would be reading two little cute contemporary romance novellas set around the merriest time of the year unfortunately I was met with a poor plot, week characters and over all lazy writing. I say lazy writing because it seems as though the author was just pumping out a disjointed story just for the sake of writing a book in order to capitalize on the holidays. That in itself isn't a bad thing really but I personally expected there to be more effort.
I found all the characters to be very annoying and just as poorly thought out and written as the plots themselves were. None of them made very much sense and surprisingly there was nothing redeemable about them either. Especially the hero Clayton Jessup from the first novella Blue Christmas. He was an ass and of course while the author gave the heroine a bit of a backbone she still basically ended up going along with the hero's way of thinking and doing as he said. As for the other couple in the second story Jinx Christmas that too was just a mess. Though it was slightly more enjoyable than the first novella it just didn't really raise the book up very much in my esteem.
I for one am glad that I got this one while it was a kindle freebie some time ago because if I had paid the $4.75 that Amazon is currently charging for it I would not have been pleased at all. I would not recommend this book to anyone because I didn't find anything enjoyable for it, though if one of my followers has read it or does read it in the future and likes it than that's great. Stop by and tell me so.
As for me I will try the author's other works out especially her historical romance ones.
I didn't like this book at all.
It gave me a migraine.
A couple of weeks ago one of my Goodreads groups was having a 24 hour read-a-thon and in an effort to meet one of the criteria for a prize I decided to read a few on my shorter kindle freebies that I've gotten and get them out of the way.
Despite the fact that this book only has a 2.76/5.00 star rating on Goodreads I thought that it would be perfect for the challenge as it's short, Christmasy (I don't mind reading Christmas themed books through out the year) and the fact that the author is pretty successful, but this one just didn't live up to my low expectations.
I went into it thinking I would be reading two little cute contemporary romance novellas set around the merriest time of the year unfortunately I was met with a poor plot, week characters and over all lazy writing. I say lazy writing because it seems as though the author was just pumping out a disjointed story just for the sake of writing a book in order to capitalize on the holidays. That in itself isn't a bad thing really but I personally expected there to be more effort.
I found all the characters to be very annoying and just as poorly thought out and written as the plots themselves were. None of them made very much sense and surprisingly there was nothing redeemable about them either. Especially the hero Clayton Jessup from the first novella Blue Christmas. He was an ass and of course while the author gave the heroine a bit of a backbone she still basically ended up going along with the hero's way of thinking and doing as he said. As for the other couple in the second story Jinx Christmas that too was just a mess. Though it was slightly more enjoyable than the first novella it just didn't really raise the book up very much in my esteem.
I for one am glad that I got this one while it was a kindle freebie some time ago because if I had paid the $4.75 that Amazon is currently charging for it I would not have been pleased at all. I would not recommend this book to anyone because I didn't find anything enjoyable for it, though if one of my followers has read it or does read it in the future and likes it than that's great. Stop by and tell me so.
As for me I will try the author's other works out especially her historical romance ones.
November 21, 2011
'A Dixie Christmas' by Sandra Hill is two novellas in one book. The first novella is a quirky Elvis-themed Scrooge story. As you would expect it is very light-hearted and funny. It made me feel happy and left me with the spirit of Christmas. The second novella is based at Christmas but isn't such a Christmassy story. It is a light-hearted romance. Both stories were sexy and romantic.
December 28, 2011
Two holiday stories that were fun to read!
December 3, 2019
This has to be one of those books I got for free on the Kindle because, and with the greatest respect to the author, I hope I didn't pay money for this...So I've just finished this terrible awful book and I have very little to say that is positive. So, as I do in situations like this, let me say - hey author, you've done something I haven't and that is publishing this book. In fact you've published lots. I'm just one person so don't let me opinion get you down.
This book is formed of two short stories, the first deals with a tough businessman heading to Memphis where he falls in lust with the first girl he sees. She falls in lust with him and somewhere along the way they apparently learn enough about one another to fall in love. In a day.
MMMM. I'm never a fan of books where people fall in lust and the author calls it love so this was never going to be my cup of tea. Add in the characterisation u-turns and this was a 2 star read simply because it passed an hour or two of my time.
The second book was off to a diabolical start simply by dint of the author suggesting a size 10 is fat within the first three pages. Now yes, the author does write this in a tone like "what a silly thing" but it still comes off as someone who is a size 10 being concerned they're fat. Size 10 is not fat. In the UK a size 18 is considered to be 'plus size'. Even if you say it ironically wording like this can still hurt people and I wish authors wouldn't size shame like this even in 'jest'.
Oh, it got better! A few pages her ex-husband sexually assaults her and she finds it erotic. Calling it now, whilst reading. This'll be a one star read.
What 7 year old tells their mother to buy see through nightwear to please their father? What about pleasing herself? ALSO SHE'S 7 FREAKING YEARS OLD SHE SHOULDN'T BE DISCUSSING THIS KIND OF THING AT THAT AGE. Oh and she (THE 7 YEAR OLD) wears "tights that look like fishnet" which is acceptable, am... am I that old lady that moans about the youth today or is this
just not right?!?!? Annnnd now the mother is talking to her daughter about dieting. Great role model.
And if it was possible for a book to be negative stars this book would get a negative score. Why? Victim blaming. I'm not wasting anymore time writing a review for this. I'll finish reading to see how worse it gets (it finished like five Kindle pages later so maybe 1 more minute of it)
but this is a 1 star never read again, never recommend book.
This book is formed of two short stories, the first deals with a tough businessman heading to Memphis where he falls in lust with the first girl he sees. She falls in lust with him and somewhere along the way they apparently learn enough about one another to fall in love. In a day.
MMMM. I'm never a fan of books where people fall in lust and the author calls it love so this was never going to be my cup of tea. Add in the characterisation u-turns and this was a 2 star read simply because it passed an hour or two of my time.
The second book was off to a diabolical start simply by dint of the author suggesting a size 10 is fat within the first three pages. Now yes, the author does write this in a tone like "what a silly thing" but it still comes off as someone who is a size 10 being concerned they're fat. Size 10 is not fat. In the UK a size 18 is considered to be 'plus size'. Even if you say it ironically wording like this can still hurt people and I wish authors wouldn't size shame like this even in 'jest'.
Oh, it got better! A few pages her ex-husband sexually assaults her and she finds it erotic. Calling it now, whilst reading. This'll be a one star read.
What 7 year old tells their mother to buy see through nightwear to please their father? What about pleasing herself? ALSO SHE'S 7 FREAKING YEARS OLD SHE SHOULDN'T BE DISCUSSING THIS KIND OF THING AT THAT AGE. Oh and she (THE 7 YEAR OLD) wears "tights that look like fishnet" which is acceptable, am... am I that old lady that moans about the youth today or is this
just not right?!?!? Annnnd now the mother is talking to her daughter about dieting. Great role model.
And if it was possible for a book to be negative stars this book would get a negative score. Why? Victim blaming. I'm not wasting anymore time writing a review for this. I'll finish reading to see how worse it gets (it finished like five Kindle pages later so maybe 1 more minute of it)
but this is a 1 star never read again, never recommend book.
August 15, 2020
Way too syrupy sweet for me
I was looking for a feel-good romance so I tried this little book of two stories. It was so feel-good I’m not even sure Hallmark could use them as movie plots. So let’s review the two stories:
Blue Christmas – It’s a take on “A Christmas Carol” and I just didn’t like it. Its not that I don’t like redemption stories it just sometimes the authors make the main character so horrible you don’t care if he redeems himself or not. Also, I think the author made Annie and her family a little “too-country” to the point it almost bordered on elementary stereotypes. The chemistry was there but it was more lust than love and I just felt like “ugh” when they started with declarations of love.
Jinx Christmas – I actually liked this one better because the characters were more realistic and didn’t feel like tropes to me. The whole author thinking a size 10 is fat was very disappointing though. What bothered me about this book was that a seven year old was basically tell her mother to buy sexy lingerie and get laid. Very disturbing to me but it was a lot more comical moments and was just more appealing.
It was a quick but not something I pick up again.
I was looking for a feel-good romance so I tried this little book of two stories. It was so feel-good I’m not even sure Hallmark could use them as movie plots. So let’s review the two stories:
Blue Christmas – It’s a take on “A Christmas Carol” and I just didn’t like it. Its not that I don’t like redemption stories it just sometimes the authors make the main character so horrible you don’t care if he redeems himself or not. Also, I think the author made Annie and her family a little “too-country” to the point it almost bordered on elementary stereotypes. The chemistry was there but it was more lust than love and I just felt like “ugh” when they started with declarations of love.
Jinx Christmas – I actually liked this one better because the characters were more realistic and didn’t feel like tropes to me. The whole author thinking a size 10 is fat was very disappointing though. What bothered me about this book was that a seven year old was basically tell her mother to buy sexy lingerie and get laid. Very disturbing to me but it was a lot more comical moments and was just more appealing.
It was a quick but not something I pick up again.
November 29, 2019
This little book was perfect to get me into the mood for the holidays. The characters were enchanting and I loved the Cajun setting. The story was quirky and put a big Christmas smile on my face. In both novellas I could really feel the chemistry between the two characters. Also, each story had a very cute setup.
I had a lot of fun reading this audiobook and finished the book in just two days. The narrator did a great job with the accents and I really enjoyed the way she brought the characters to life with her performance. If you are looking for something unique to spice up your holiday season, I recommend these fun holiday novellas.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I had a lot of fun reading this audiobook and finished the book in just two days. The narrator did a great job with the accents and I really enjoyed the way she brought the characters to life with her performance. If you are looking for something unique to spice up your holiday season, I recommend these fun holiday novellas.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 13, 2019
A sweet holiday novella that is well written and overall fun to read / listen. I loved the opposites and the southern-isms. I live in the south and there were several in this read that I'd never heard of - and they always make me smile if not full out laugh! A fast paced romance read for sure! It also includes a bonus read which I also enjoyed - again well written / read with plenty of humor and a splash of steam. Both will give you a heart warming feeling just right for the Christmas season!
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
June 11, 2020
2 stories in 1
Sandra Hill is one of my top 25 favorite authors. Both Blue Christmas and Jinx Christmas are humorous and fun reads, that leaves me wanting more.
The narration brings you into the stories.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request from the publisher or author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.
Sandra Hill is one of my top 25 favorite authors. Both Blue Christmas and Jinx Christmas are humorous and fun reads, that leaves me wanting more.
The narration brings you into the stories.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request from the publisher or author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.
December 2, 2017
Once again, Sandra Hill has delighted me with humor, joy and Tante Lulu. A quick read with images that I can't quite get out of my mind and will laugh about for a while, while sighing over the happily-ever-afters.
December 9, 2019
I listened to the audio version of this book.
This just wasn't a very good book and I thought the narration was just as bad as the story. I listened to the whole thing, but couldn't wait for it to be over.
This just wasn't a very good book and I thought the narration was just as bad as the story. I listened to the whole thing, but couldn't wait for it to be over.
December 15, 2022
DNF at 38%
I started out thinking this would be a cute southern read. However, as it progressed cute got old real quick. It was becoming more juvenile and unbelievable. Which is unfortunate because the subject had potential and I really wanted to see it play out.
I started out thinking this would be a cute southern read. However, as it progressed cute got old real quick. It was becoming more juvenile and unbelievable. Which is unfortunate because the subject had potential and I really wanted to see it play out.
December 2, 2017
A couple of short stories. One includes Range Lulu.
March 2, 2020
I did not understand.
December 16, 2021
Entretenido pero cursi
December 29, 2022
This is a quick fast read. Clay inherits a hotel and goes to sell it. In the progress he meets people and things that throw things in his path.
January 10, 2017
Fun story.
November 20, 2011
Who knew Scrooge could be so hot?
Clayton Jessup III (described as a young version of Richard Gere, but taller) inherits a hotel named The Blue Suedes Suites. His father, a conservative Wall Street investment banker, had bought it 35 years ago and kept it a secret, until he died and his son became the owner.
Clayton hates everything Elvis and country music related. Oh, and he has no Christmas spirit whatsoever. Especially if it involves an Elvis-themed live Nativity scene in the vacant lot (which he also owns) by his 'new' hotel.
Annie, the only girl among 5 brothers, was hoping to earn some money to save the family's farm. And what a better way to earn it than to dress like a 60's Virgin Mary, big hair and all that? Well, that was the plan, until Mr.Jessup slipped on a pile of sheep dung in her Nativity scene and twisted his ankle. LOL
The brothers were all very interesting characters, especially Chet, the single father, and Roy, the veterinarian student. Clay was a bit annoying at first, with all the 'humphs' and 'harrumphs', but he was very cute with Annie, even if they were so different.
In
Lance Caslow, a famous NASCAR driver, wanted his ex-wife back after their divorce 5 years ago.
Brenda wanted nothing more with him, 'the cheating bastard', but, as things go with romance stories, he ended up winning her heart (and their little girl's) back.
It was annoying to read her complaining about how she thought she was fat. Size ten isn't fat, honey. Try size 18.
Tante Lulu, the cajun healer, was a laugh-a-minute character. I liked her more than I did the main characters.
http://notjustnonsense.blogspot.com/2...
I didn't like the second story as much as the first, but the ending was so different, so creative, it made the whole story worth it. I mean, that strip-tease... wooho!
I was given this ebook in exchange for an honest review by Netgalley.
Clayton Jessup III (described as a young version of Richard Gere, but taller) inherits a hotel named The Blue Suedes Suites. His father, a conservative Wall Street investment banker, had bought it 35 years ago and kept it a secret, until he died and his son became the owner.
Clayton hates everything Elvis and country music related. Oh, and he has no Christmas spirit whatsoever. Especially if it involves an Elvis-themed live Nativity scene in the vacant lot (which he also owns) by his 'new' hotel.
Annie, the only girl among 5 brothers, was hoping to earn some money to save the family's farm. And what a better way to earn it than to dress like a 60's Virgin Mary, big hair and all that? Well, that was the plan, until Mr.Jessup slipped on a pile of sheep dung in her Nativity scene and twisted his ankle. LOL
The brothers were all very interesting characters, especially Chet, the single father, and Roy, the veterinarian student. Clay was a bit annoying at first, with all the 'humphs' and 'harrumphs', but he was very cute with Annie, even if they were so different.
In
Lance Caslow, a famous NASCAR driver, wanted his ex-wife back after their divorce 5 years ago.
Brenda wanted nothing more with him, 'the cheating bastard', but, as things go with romance stories, he ended up winning her heart (and their little girl's) back.
It was annoying to read her complaining about how she thought she was fat. Size ten isn't fat, honey. Try size 18.
Tante Lulu, the cajun healer, was a laugh-a-minute character. I liked her more than I did the main characters.
http://notjustnonsense.blogspot.com/2...
I didn't like the second story as much as the first, but the ending was so different, so creative, it made the whole story worth it. I mean, that strip-tease... wooho!
I was given this ebook in exchange for an honest review by Netgalley.
November 19, 2011
4 STARS
Two short stories in one book. Their is a lot of laughter,sex and Elvis in the first story.
Clayton Jessup III just inheritance a hotel themed around Elvis in Memphis, Tennasee. Clayton lives and works back east and can't believe this part he inherited. The rooms were all decorated around Elvis movies. His suite was the Roustabout. included cotton cany machine,hotdogs ect.
Clayton was planning on selling the hotel and the empty lot next door. When he heard animals he looked out the window and saw a living nativity scene on his property included sheep,donkey and real baby.
Annie and her brothers set up the living nativity to earn money they needed for their farm. Their parents died a few years ago and they were trying to keep the farm going. They needed a new barn roof, money for vet school and her brother just had a baby left for him.
Clayton went to tell them to get off his property but fell and hurt his head and foot. Then Clayton had a bad reaction to medicines so Annie took him home from farm. They were polar oppisites. Clayton lived in a house with 8 bathrooms,cook,gardner east coast. Annie with her brothers and grandmother and the new baby on farm with one bathroom.
I enjoyed the story but not the sex scenes.
The second story is about Lance Caslow a NASCAR star trying to win his wife back after their divorce 5 years ago. He did not want a divorce and fought it. He was friends with Brenda since they were 5. had one little girl age 7 who wanted her parents back too.
Brenda still loved Lance but did not trust him with all the pictures of women draped over him. Also after they seperated Lance got drunk and slept with someone else.
Lance asked for help from others and ended up preforming on stage to try and show Brenda how much he still loved her.
They were fast reads. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review by Netgalley.
Two short stories in one book. Their is a lot of laughter,sex and Elvis in the first story.
Clayton Jessup III just inheritance a hotel themed around Elvis in Memphis, Tennasee. Clayton lives and works back east and can't believe this part he inherited. The rooms were all decorated around Elvis movies. His suite was the Roustabout. included cotton cany machine,hotdogs ect.
Clayton was planning on selling the hotel and the empty lot next door. When he heard animals he looked out the window and saw a living nativity scene on his property included sheep,donkey and real baby.
Annie and her brothers set up the living nativity to earn money they needed for their farm. Their parents died a few years ago and they were trying to keep the farm going. They needed a new barn roof, money for vet school and her brother just had a baby left for him.
Clayton went to tell them to get off his property but fell and hurt his head and foot. Then Clayton had a bad reaction to medicines so Annie took him home from farm. They were polar oppisites. Clayton lived in a house with 8 bathrooms,cook,gardner east coast. Annie with her brothers and grandmother and the new baby on farm with one bathroom.
I enjoyed the story but not the sex scenes.
The second story is about Lance Caslow a NASCAR star trying to win his wife back after their divorce 5 years ago. He did not want a divorce and fought it. He was friends with Brenda since they were 5. had one little girl age 7 who wanted her parents back too.
Brenda still loved Lance but did not trust him with all the pictures of women draped over him. Also after they seperated Lance got drunk and slept with someone else.
Lance asked for help from others and ended up preforming on stage to try and show Brenda how much he still loved her.
They were fast reads. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review by Netgalley.
Read
August 14, 2016I chose this book because it was Christmassy, and I am a sucker for a good romance around the holidays. Unfortunately, A Dixie Christmas failed to meet my expectations, provoking more unimpressed groans and giggles than the desired heart fluttering, swoons and sighs.
A Dixie Christmas is a pair of stories, each written originally as a standalone short. The first story, Blue Christmas, follows an uptight business man to Memphis, where he has inherited a random hotel (the hotel sounded kind of fun…). He meets a girl and her crazy family and… we all know whats going to happen next. The second, Jinx Christmas, is set in Louisiana. It involves a NASCAR driver, his ex-wife and their daughter’s Christmas wish.
Now, I wasn’t expecting anything fantastic when I started reading. In fact, cheesy romance would have made me perfectly happy. My problem was with how rushed everything seemed. I would say that the pacing was OK considering that it was two stories in one book, but I’ve read other comparable romances which, despite being short, manage to take their time and build that all important relationship between the reader and the character, as well as between the characters themselves. Lust is fine, but feeling like I’ve been hurried through a story leaves me disappointed.
I much preferred Jinx Christmas over Blue Christmas simply because of the characters charm. The Southerness really came through and I love anything set in Louisiana. The characters had a nice back story and the plot was quite sweet. Both shorts were obviously unrealistic but again, I expected this. The whole point is to be taken out of your world and plonked down into someone elses.
Overall, a disapointment. I have another of Sandra Hill’s books for review and I’ll give it a shot, maybe this was a fluke.
A Dixie Christmas is a pair of stories, each written originally as a standalone short. The first story, Blue Christmas, follows an uptight business man to Memphis, where he has inherited a random hotel (the hotel sounded kind of fun…). He meets a girl and her crazy family and… we all know whats going to happen next. The second, Jinx Christmas, is set in Louisiana. It involves a NASCAR driver, his ex-wife and their daughter’s Christmas wish.
Now, I wasn’t expecting anything fantastic when I started reading. In fact, cheesy romance would have made me perfectly happy. My problem was with how rushed everything seemed. I would say that the pacing was OK considering that it was two stories in one book, but I’ve read other comparable romances which, despite being short, manage to take their time and build that all important relationship between the reader and the character, as well as between the characters themselves. Lust is fine, but feeling like I’ve been hurried through a story leaves me disappointed.
I much preferred Jinx Christmas over Blue Christmas simply because of the characters charm. The Southerness really came through and I love anything set in Louisiana. The characters had a nice back story and the plot was quite sweet. Both shorts were obviously unrealistic but again, I expected this. The whole point is to be taken out of your world and plonked down into someone elses.
Overall, a disapointment. I have another of Sandra Hill’s books for review and I’ll give it a shot, maybe this was a fluke.
December 5, 2011
I love Christmas story.
This is not a regular Christmas story this is a much more story about love and sex before Christmas.
Two stories one about Clayton Jessup and Annie and the other one about Brenda and Lance.
Clayton is a businessman. He is going to Memphis for selling his hotel “The Blue Suede Suites”. This hotel was belonging to his mother. She abandoned him and dies in Memphis in fire. All the time in this story seems like Elvis Prissily shows up over his songs and over the bizarre group of Elvis impersonators who’ve set up a living Nativity scene on his property. In that group is Annie. Clayton faint and Annie help him.
Clayton is vain businessman that seems right to me, but he falling in love at first sight, that is out of my understanding. I believe in love at first sight but not in that way like is describes in this novel. It’s seems to me not real.
Annie is a cowgirl, sweet and adorable. She still virgin in her almost thirty –is possible, but with her “activity” in one night with Clayton- I don’t know.
Other story is about Brenda and Lance. They were in marriage and now are divorced. Lance tries to make things right and get back Brenda in his life, not just for him and Brenda, but for their young daughter, Patti.
I like this story more then first one.
Brenda is real women how likes to do things right and don’t forget easy when someone
cheats her.
Lance is a big star in NASCAR. He was been not responsible and he was big trash with his women.
This is not a regular Christmas story this is a much more story about love and sex before Christmas.
Two stories one about Clayton Jessup and Annie and the other one about Brenda and Lance.
Clayton is a businessman. He is going to Memphis for selling his hotel “The Blue Suede Suites”. This hotel was belonging to his mother. She abandoned him and dies in Memphis in fire. All the time in this story seems like Elvis Prissily shows up over his songs and over the bizarre group of Elvis impersonators who’ve set up a living Nativity scene on his property. In that group is Annie. Clayton faint and Annie help him.
Clayton is vain businessman that seems right to me, but he falling in love at first sight, that is out of my understanding. I believe in love at first sight but not in that way like is describes in this novel. It’s seems to me not real.
Annie is a cowgirl, sweet and adorable. She still virgin in her almost thirty –is possible, but with her “activity” in one night with Clayton- I don’t know.
Other story is about Brenda and Lance. They were in marriage and now are divorced. Lance tries to make things right and get back Brenda in his life, not just for him and Brenda, but for their young daughter, Patti.
I like this story more then first one.
Brenda is real women how likes to do things right and don’t forget easy when someone
cheats her.
Lance is a big star in NASCAR. He was been not responsible and he was big trash with his women.
June 17, 2012
Fiction; Romance
3 stars
A Dixie Christmas is comprised of two short romantic novellas written against a Christmas themed backdrop. They are quick, fun stories to read when you want to get a bit of the holiday spirit but are short on time.
The first story is called Blue Christmas and takes place in Memphis when a Boston businessman comes to town to check out a hotel he's recently inherited from his now deceased father. Complete with an Elvis themed nativity scene and a crazy family, this story is light hearted and funny.
The second story called Jinx Christmas takes place in Louisiana. Here, a famous NASCAR ® driver takes hold of the wheel of his heart and risks it all to let his ex-wife know he is still in love with her. Note: as a huge Nascar ® fan, I loved the premise of this story.
Again, let me just say that these stories are short. Being of novella length, the progression of the storyline often seems rushed. Taking that into consideration, I would have liked a bit more as far as the story went but still enjoyed them both for what they were.
If you are a reader who requires a backstory and decent amount of detail, this book might not be for you.
3 stars
A Dixie Christmas is comprised of two short romantic novellas written against a Christmas themed backdrop. They are quick, fun stories to read when you want to get a bit of the holiday spirit but are short on time.
The first story is called Blue Christmas and takes place in Memphis when a Boston businessman comes to town to check out a hotel he's recently inherited from his now deceased father. Complete with an Elvis themed nativity scene and a crazy family, this story is light hearted and funny.
The second story called Jinx Christmas takes place in Louisiana. Here, a famous NASCAR ® driver takes hold of the wheel of his heart and risks it all to let his ex-wife know he is still in love with her. Note: as a huge Nascar ® fan, I loved the premise of this story.
Again, let me just say that these stories are short. Being of novella length, the progression of the storyline often seems rushed. Taking that into consideration, I would have liked a bit more as far as the story went but still enjoyed them both for what they were.
If you are a reader who requires a backstory and decent amount of detail, this book might not be for you.
December 18, 2011
A Dixie Christmas is actually made up of two short stories, A Jinx Christmas and A Blue Christmas, both published previously.
In A Jinx Christmas, Hill joins two of her series (Cajun and Jinx) for a wild ride to the Bayou where NASCAR driver Lance Caslow does everything he can to win back his ex-wife. Everything includes a talking to St. Jude, listening to his ex-wife’s Tante Lulu and participating in the Cajun Christmas show with the rest of the LeDeux men dressed in… well, not much actually.
In A Blue Christmas, uptight businessman Clayton Jessup III arrives at the small Memphis hotel, The Blue Suede Suites, in order to sell it off. However, on arrival he is greeted by a living nativity scene featuring live animals and even a real baby playing the Baby Jesus. When he slips and falls, obtaining a concussion, it is Mary from the nativity who nurses him back to health – both physically and emotionally.
Overall, these are great read for your holiday reading list. Enjoyable, fun and charming in the way only Sandra Hill can write.
In A Jinx Christmas, Hill joins two of her series (Cajun and Jinx) for a wild ride to the Bayou where NASCAR driver Lance Caslow does everything he can to win back his ex-wife. Everything includes a talking to St. Jude, listening to his ex-wife’s Tante Lulu and participating in the Cajun Christmas show with the rest of the LeDeux men dressed in… well, not much actually.
In A Blue Christmas, uptight businessman Clayton Jessup III arrives at the small Memphis hotel, The Blue Suede Suites, in order to sell it off. However, on arrival he is greeted by a living nativity scene featuring live animals and even a real baby playing the Baby Jesus. When he slips and falls, obtaining a concussion, it is Mary from the nativity who nurses him back to health – both physically and emotionally.
Overall, these are great read for your holiday reading list. Enjoyable, fun and charming in the way only Sandra Hill can write.
November 17, 2013
I had this book chosen for me as a Pick It For Me Challenge, which was a good thing, since I've had this book in my TBR for two years now. During this challenge, I re-read The Love Potion by the same author, which I hadn't enjoyed previously and still didn't after the re-read. I wasn't expecting anything from this book, but I should have expected it to be just like The Love Potion. It was and wasn't. These were short stories, one shorter than the other. The NASCAR story was the more believable of the two, but the author's writing style just wasn't enjoyable for me. To me, it is totally unbelievable for characters to be completely certain of their future with someone they just met after only a few days, and all three of the author's stories that I have read have done that to a similar fashion. I think this is one author I'll just have to avoid in the future.
December 23, 2011
A Dixie Christmas is two novellas in one book and I enjoyed both stories. Both set around the Christmas holiday they are fun, light hearted and romantic.
Blue Christmas is based in Memphis and when a business man comes to town to check out the hotel that was owned by his recently deceased father, he is determined to sell the hotel and get out of there as quick as possible. That is until he meets a family desperate for money to keep their farm afloat and who have come up with an Elvis themed Nativity and he falls head over heals for the Elvis Virgin Mary.
Jinx Christmas is an endearing story about a NASCAR driver who has been in love with his ex wife since they were in elementary school and still loves her and would do literally anything to get her back, even if it means making a fool of himself in front of 500 strangers.
These two stories have likeable characters and are quick easy reads that have just enough reference to Christmas and provide a bit of romance for the holidays.
Blue Christmas is based in Memphis and when a business man comes to town to check out the hotel that was owned by his recently deceased father, he is determined to sell the hotel and get out of there as quick as possible. That is until he meets a family desperate for money to keep their farm afloat and who have come up with an Elvis themed Nativity and he falls head over heals for the Elvis Virgin Mary.
Jinx Christmas is an endearing story about a NASCAR driver who has been in love with his ex wife since they were in elementary school and still loves her and would do literally anything to get her back, even if it means making a fool of himself in front of 500 strangers.
These two stories have likeable characters and are quick easy reads that have just enough reference to Christmas and provide a bit of romance for the holidays.
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April 5, 2015Sandra Hill really knows how to create original and enticing storylines!
This is a book of 2 short stories.
The first story revolves around a 30 year old man on a trip to Memphis to check out the hotel that his father bequeathed to him. There he soon grows annoyed with all of the obsession with Elvis and quickly grows annoyed with the people working the Elvis Nativity scene on his front lawn. One of them, Annie, catches his eye though.
The second story revolves around Lance, a Nascar driver who is trying to win his wife back. Throughout the story it gives background information on his relationship with his wife and follows him as he tries to get her back.
My reason for only giving 4 stars is that some of the characters weren't very developed. For instance, in the first story Clay was very rude and obnoxious to Annie, yet she didn't confront him about it. She just ignored it because she found him attractive.
Who would I recommend this book to? Anyone who loves romance, Christmas, and southern hospitality.
This is a book of 2 short stories.
The first story revolves around a 30 year old man on a trip to Memphis to check out the hotel that his father bequeathed to him. There he soon grows annoyed with all of the obsession with Elvis and quickly grows annoyed with the people working the Elvis Nativity scene on his front lawn. One of them, Annie, catches his eye though.
The second story revolves around Lance, a Nascar driver who is trying to win his wife back. Throughout the story it gives background information on his relationship with his wife and follows him as he tries to get her back.
My reason for only giving 4 stars is that some of the characters weren't very developed. For instance, in the first story Clay was very rude and obnoxious to Annie, yet she didn't confront him about it. She just ignored it because she found him attractive.
Who would I recommend this book to? Anyone who loves romance, Christmas, and southern hospitality.
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