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Ticket 1207: Novella
Shawn Masterson has spent a year trying to work up the courage to ask out the woman of her dreams. She gets a little help from the owner of Theo Brasseaux’s Shop of Voodoo. Shawn puts more faith in Theo’s abilities than she’s willing to admit, even to herself.
Jill Searcy has lost her belief in love and magic, and she even despises Christmas. Two women come into her life and make her question everything she thought she knew. She gets more for Christmas than she ever dreamed.
Robin Alexander has crafted a novelette to warm your heart and put a chuckle in your New Year.
Jill Searcy has lost her belief in love and magic, and she even despises Christmas. Two women come into her life and make her question everything she thought she knew. She gets more for Christmas than she ever dreamed.
Robin Alexander has crafted a novelette to warm your heart and put a chuckle in your New Year.
94 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2014
14 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Robin Alexander
51 books813 followersBorn in 1965, Robin Alexander grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she still resides. An avid reader of Lesbian fiction, Robin decided to take the leap and try her hand at writing. It didn't take long for her favorite hobby to become a full-time author.
Since her heritage is Scottish and Irish and she’s allergic to seafood, she’s considered an honorary Cajun. When she’s not writing, she’s exploring her state with the top off her Jeep in search of the small towns on the water that inspire her.
Robin is awkward, sometimes shy, loaded with anxieties, accident prone, dangerous with power tools, and has been known to make idiotic decisions. She has been fortunate enough to turn her shortcomings into the hilarious characters you’ll find in her novels and short stories. Her passion is writing funny tales about falling in love, being imperfect and reveling in friendship.
Robin is convinced she has the best job in the world, and she’s extremely grateful for her fans who support her and enable her to do what she loves.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Since her heritage is Scottish and Irish and she’s allergic to seafood, she’s considered an honorary Cajun. When she’s not writing, she’s exploring her state with the top off her Jeep in search of the small towns on the water that inspire her.
Robin is awkward, sometimes shy, loaded with anxieties, accident prone, dangerous with power tools, and has been known to make idiotic decisions. She has been fortunate enough to turn her shortcomings into the hilarious characters you’ll find in her novels and short stories. Her passion is writing funny tales about falling in love, being imperfect and reveling in friendship.
Robin is convinced she has the best job in the world, and she’s extremely grateful for her fans who support her and enable her to do what she loves.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 27, 2018
Shawn keeps breaking her jewelry to take it to Jill to fix because she's trying to work up the courage to ask her out. Jill assumes Shawn is either clumsy or careless and in spite of that is attracted to her but it's obvious that her interest isn't returned. Just as Shawn seems about to ask her something the annoying, loud woman who runs the Voodoo shop across the road comes barreling into the shop to get Jill to repair something.
Nice festive season romantic comedy. It lacked a little bit of depth for me. Shawn is described as a beauty and we're told that women are attracted to her but we aren't shown any attempts of flirtation by waitrons/colleagues/strangers so it doesn't feel like part of her. Same applies to the description of Jill. At times I felt that their behaviour was much younger than the late 30s/early 40s that they're supposed to be. I liked Theo, the Voodoo shop owner, and her antics were pretty entertaining.
For a short, holiday read it's sweet and pleasant.
Nice festive season romantic comedy. It lacked a little bit of depth for me. Shawn is described as a beauty and we're told that women are attracted to her but we aren't shown any attempts of flirtation by waitrons/colleagues/strangers so it doesn't feel like part of her. Same applies to the description of Jill. At times I felt that their behaviour was much younger than the late 30s/early 40s that they're supposed to be. I liked Theo, the Voodoo shop owner, and her antics were pretty entertaining.
For a short, holiday read it's sweet and pleasant.
October 24, 2016
There are certain things that come with an Alexander book, not always, but a lot of the time.
1) Quirky characters that border on being super irritating/great characters;
2) A story that takes place in Louisiana (I believe all but one that I have read took place in Louisiana, and that other one took place in Mississippi – ‘Gift of Time’ (though a few include other places in addition to time in Louisiana, like ‘Dear Me’ has some time in Florida, and ‘Just Jorie’ has a brief moment or two in New York));
3) Wacky older people – mostly grandmas (not always);
4) Wacky side characters (not always);
5) Humor;
6) The main characters tend to be older than somewhat the norm with Lesbian Romances, tending to be in their 30s or 40s;
7) For a while there I thought vomiting was one – but then I found out that it was just the luck of the draw – the first books I had read by Alexander all had that in there (like ‘Just Jorie’, but that it isn’t actually a trait common with Alexander books I was happy to eventually find out).
Here we have quirky characters, a story that takes place in Louisiana (New Orleans), wacky side characters (Theo); humor; no vomiting (that I recall).
Shawn Masterson is two things – super good looking (of which she is somewhat aware), and super shy. So shy that the book opens after about a year of Shawn dropping by a specific jewelry store. Giving up various items to be repaired (which include breaking them first so that she could drop them off). Because she fancies one of the women in there – Jill Searcy (the other main character and other POV), but cannot get up the nerve to ask her out. Shawn is a botanist. (just as I add in someone else in Jill’s paragraph, I’m back to add in Shawn’s best friend – straight Vera (at least I believe I recall that being her name – trouble with being 55% into the next book before I write anything down for the book I’d already completed).
Jill Searcy is also two things – competent and good at her job, and lonely – after getting her heart twisted and torn up. Jill owns and runs a jewelry store with her cousin Rene. Rene is the acknowledged ‘better’ version – acknowledged at least by her own family (by her I mean both Rene and Jill’s families). Just all around better. To the point that they blamed Jill when Rene came out as lesbian around the same time Jill did. (Not because of any kind of kissing cousins thing, but because they ‘expect’ certain things, and tom-boy Jill is expected to be lesbian (well, less expected to be lesbian than expected to be the one if one of the two became one), Rene – whose two hobbies growing up were playing dress up and playing with make-up, was expected to be straight – so they blamed Jill when Rene turned out to not be straight).
Theo Brasseaux is the owner of Theo Brasseaux’s Shop of Voodoo. And I’ll note immediately – no, she’s not either the third person in a three way relationship, or a third angle on a love triangle. She’s just the owner of the shop across the street. Who has a major impact on the story (depending). Theo’s the wacky side character. She is also the one that I, as seems somewhat common with Alexander books, rather disliked in the beginning, before having her grow on me. Somewhat. By the end of the book I was up to the level of ‘meh, I’m okay with her existing’.
Right, so, story – both Shawn and Jill fancy each other but Shawn’s super shy and, apparently, Jill isn’t the type to ask someone out – at least not when they look super hot like Shawn (she has some confidence issues of her own, what with growing up being compared, and being found the lesser, with Rene). Theo gets into the mix because a) right when Shawn finally got up the nerve to ask Jill out, Theo storms into Jill’s store and demands immediate work done by Jill on something Theo has that is broken; b) Theo offers, separately, advice and ‘help’ to jump start ‘something’ between Shawn and Jill.
It’s a great little mini-story, set during the holidays. Great Christmas-in-New-Orleans vibe and theme. As opposed to the current Alexander book I’m reading which has a strong Halloween-in-Baton-Rouge vibe going on (and no, Holiday’s in and of itself isn’t another thing to add to the ‘things Alexander is known for’).
I wasn’t sure where I’d end up when I started the story – I liked it, then Theo appeared and I started to dislike it, then humor exploded, and stuff happened, and in the end I rather loved the story. Good solid lovable story.
October 24 2016
1) Quirky characters that border on being super irritating/great characters;
2) A story that takes place in Louisiana (I believe all but one that I have read took place in Louisiana, and that other one took place in Mississippi – ‘Gift of Time’ (though a few include other places in addition to time in Louisiana, like ‘Dear Me’ has some time in Florida, and ‘Just Jorie’ has a brief moment or two in New York));
3) Wacky older people – mostly grandmas (not always);
4) Wacky side characters (not always);
5) Humor;
6) The main characters tend to be older than somewhat the norm with Lesbian Romances, tending to be in their 30s or 40s;
7) For a while there I thought vomiting was one – but then I found out that it was just the luck of the draw – the first books I had read by Alexander all had that in there (like ‘Just Jorie’, but that it isn’t actually a trait common with Alexander books I was happy to eventually find out).
Here we have quirky characters, a story that takes place in Louisiana (New Orleans), wacky side characters (Theo); humor; no vomiting (that I recall).
Shawn Masterson is two things – super good looking (of which she is somewhat aware), and super shy. So shy that the book opens after about a year of Shawn dropping by a specific jewelry store. Giving up various items to be repaired (which include breaking them first so that she could drop them off). Because she fancies one of the women in there – Jill Searcy (the other main character and other POV), but cannot get up the nerve to ask her out. Shawn is a botanist. (just as I add in someone else in Jill’s paragraph, I’m back to add in Shawn’s best friend – straight Vera (at least I believe I recall that being her name – trouble with being 55% into the next book before I write anything down for the book I’d already completed).
Jill Searcy is also two things – competent and good at her job, and lonely – after getting her heart twisted and torn up. Jill owns and runs a jewelry store with her cousin Rene. Rene is the acknowledged ‘better’ version – acknowledged at least by her own family (by her I mean both Rene and Jill’s families). Just all around better. To the point that they blamed Jill when Rene came out as lesbian around the same time Jill did. (Not because of any kind of kissing cousins thing, but because they ‘expect’ certain things, and tom-boy Jill is expected to be lesbian (well, less expected to be lesbian than expected to be the one if one of the two became one), Rene – whose two hobbies growing up were playing dress up and playing with make-up, was expected to be straight – so they blamed Jill when Rene turned out to not be straight).
Theo Brasseaux is the owner of Theo Brasseaux’s Shop of Voodoo. And I’ll note immediately – no, she’s not either the third person in a three way relationship, or a third angle on a love triangle. She’s just the owner of the shop across the street. Who has a major impact on the story (depending). Theo’s the wacky side character. She is also the one that I, as seems somewhat common with Alexander books, rather disliked in the beginning, before having her grow on me. Somewhat. By the end of the book I was up to the level of ‘meh, I’m okay with her existing’.
Right, so, story – both Shawn and Jill fancy each other but Shawn’s super shy and, apparently, Jill isn’t the type to ask someone out – at least not when they look super hot like Shawn (she has some confidence issues of her own, what with growing up being compared, and being found the lesser, with Rene). Theo gets into the mix because a) right when Shawn finally got up the nerve to ask Jill out, Theo storms into Jill’s store and demands immediate work done by Jill on something Theo has that is broken; b) Theo offers, separately, advice and ‘help’ to jump start ‘something’ between Shawn and Jill.
It’s a great little mini-story, set during the holidays. Great Christmas-in-New-Orleans vibe and theme. As opposed to the current Alexander book I’m reading which has a strong Halloween-in-Baton-Rouge vibe going on (and no, Holiday’s in and of itself isn’t another thing to add to the ‘things Alexander is known for’).
I wasn’t sure where I’d end up when I started the story – I liked it, then Theo appeared and I started to dislike it, then humor exploded, and stuff happened, and in the end I rather loved the story. Good solid lovable story.
October 24 2016
September 15, 2016
Nice, funny and heart warming.
But for me it lacked the spark that would make this a 4 star book.
The secondary characters were a lot more fun than the two main protagonists and this was my main gripe about this book.
The author is an old hand at creating characters and scenes and it showed in the smooth and engaging style of writing, but again I wanted more.
Nice, not great.
But for me it lacked the spark that would make this a 4 star book.
The secondary characters were a lot more fun than the two main protagonists and this was my main gripe about this book.
The author is an old hand at creating characters and scenes and it showed in the smooth and engaging style of writing, but again I wanted more.
Nice, not great.
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November 15, 2023Cute 3.5
March 5, 2018
Jill Searcy doesn't enjoy the Christmas holiday, however, will Shawn Masterson, who has spent the better part of the year trying to ask her out, be able to change that?
This was another quick and funny read by Robin Alexander which left me wanting more.
The romance between Shawn and Jill was cute, enough to give you the warm and fuzzy feelings during the holiday season.
The secondary characteres were a joy to read, especially Theo. However, maybe not everyone may find that her character may be over the top.
Review also posted here: https://wp.me/p4Pp9O-JX
This was another quick and funny read by Robin Alexander which left me wanting more.
The romance between Shawn and Jill was cute, enough to give you the warm and fuzzy feelings during the holiday season.
The secondary characteres were a joy to read, especially Theo. However, maybe not everyone may find that her character may be over the top.
Review also posted here: https://wp.me/p4Pp9O-JX
April 9, 2016
Gosh Robins books never disappoints there funny lots of romance and you finish them with a smile on your face.
November 15, 2018
What can I say I just love Robin's humor and style of writing.
She is becoming one of my go-to authors in a very quick pace.
This book is yet another great example of why.
Even though it is a novella, the story and characters really come to live.
The main characters are loveable, the supporting cast is hilarious and there are enough laugh out loud moments.
So if you're looking for a quick and funny holiday read.. You found it.
She is becoming one of my go-to authors in a very quick pace.
This book is yet another great example of why.
Even though it is a novella, the story and characters really come to live.
The main characters are loveable, the supporting cast is hilarious and there are enough laugh out loud moments.
So if you're looking for a quick and funny holiday read.. You found it.
February 3, 2025
A nice distraction from Jan 2025
I've been having a difficult time enjoying reading my usual genres since Nov 2024. I finally realized that I just needed to read something light, sprinkled with humor, to help me out. The always reliable Robin Alexander threw me a life preserver for several hours. Fun main characters, an eccentric side character, plenty of chemistry, and a little voodoo made for an entertaining romantic comedy.
I've been having a difficult time enjoying reading my usual genres since Nov 2024. I finally realized that I just needed to read something light, sprinkled with humor, to help me out. The always reliable Robin Alexander threw me a life preserver for several hours. Fun main characters, an eccentric side character, plenty of chemistry, and a little voodoo made for an entertaining romantic comedy.
December 25, 2017
has robin alexander ever met a person of colour? follow up question, will she ever be able to introduce race in any context other than a caricature? stay tuned as i slog through yet another of her books that had plenty of potential but was unbearably centred in whiteness.
February 3, 2018
A lovely story
This was another lovely story by Robin Alexander ,I absolutely love her books ,this book wasn't as funny as some of the others although there were some hilarious moments and it was very romantic too . I'm glad I read this book .
This was another lovely story by Robin Alexander ,I absolutely love her books ,this book wasn't as funny as some of the others although there were some hilarious moments and it was very romantic too . I'm glad I read this book .
November 26, 2017
Silly and funny :)
April 24, 2021
Cute story
This is the last book by Robin Alexander I have. Need to shop for more. Her books are funny. Her stories are great. Have loved everyone. Off to get more.
This is the last book by Robin Alexander I have. Need to shop for more. Her books are funny. Her stories are great. Have loved everyone. Off to get more.
November 5, 2018
This is an entertaining, quick read. Theo and her signs 🙄!
March 7, 2015
This was an absolute delight. The story was fun, the characters were engaging and the pacing was spot on for a novella. I thoroughly enjoyed both Shawn and Jill, and the story really picked up once they began interacting for real. Theo, Renee and Vera were great as supporting characters, loved all of them. Great fun read, you won't be disappointed.
May 2, 2016
I put reading this one off for awhile, I'm not really sure why. But I'm very sorry I didn't read it as soon as it came out. This was a very enjoyable read. I love Robin's humor in her other books, it's definitely present here. Had several laugh out loud moments. Will definitely be on my "read again soon" list.
February 8, 2015
A nice and sweet little story. I've loved the voodoo back story. It's something I kinda fear myself. Theo would have probably scared the hell out of me. But it was all very sweet and kinda "fairytaly" in a way. I've really liked it!!. Well done.
March 3, 2015
Another wonderful jem from Ms Alexander
Loved it.
This was a wonderful fun book. Loved Theo's character, she was hilarious and the banter between her and Jill were entertaining. Shawn and Jill made a great couple and Rene, well flaky much.
Loved it.
This was a wonderful fun book. Loved Theo's character, she was hilarious and the banter between her and Jill were entertaining. Shawn and Jill made a great couple and Rene, well flaky much.
December 27, 2014
Come read about Theo...
An uplifting holiday story about following “Yo heart’s desire”.
An uplifting holiday story about following “Yo heart’s desire”.
February 27, 2017
It was supposed to be heart warming and funny, I’m afraid I found it boring and irritating, which was a surprise, as I have loved every other book I have read by this author.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews