Courtney Milan blows me away every time
935587
4.5 stars
Reviewed by FRANCESCA & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

"Courtney Milan blows me away every time!  A KISS FOR MIDWINTER was another great story by one of my favorite historical authors right now." ~Under the Covers

This is the second Christmas themed short story I've read by Ms. Milan and I have to admit, she has a way to tell an engaging short story.  Of course, in this case I already knew the heroine of the book from reading THE DUCHESS WAR but I didn't know about her past and what had happened to her.  All of which was only hinted at.

Miss Lydia Charingford got pregnant at a young age.  When her family brought her to the doctor, Doctor Jonas Grantham was there to learn and in the future take over the practice.  He didn't say a word, which in Lydia's mind was the same as him passing judgement on her the same as everyone else.

Now years later, Doctor Grantham comes back to Leicester and runs into Lydia.  And realizes that no other woman will do in his search for a wife.  It will be her and no one else.  But he won't have an easy time at breaking down her walls.

Like I said, I already cared about Lydia from the first book, so she was easy to love and understand right away in this short story.  She's managed to stay positive even after everything that has happened to her, which in those times would've meant complete and total ruin.  The shock of finding out why she lost the baby was also a big one.  That's a lot of emotional things to deal with.  And in between all that she also has to deal with her own attraction and her body's reaction to Doctor Grantham.

And I just LOVED Doctor Grantham.  He's blunt.  My favorite kind of historical hero.  He told it like it was and never curbed his words out of a sense of what's right and appropriate to talk about it.  It was just always about the truth, plain and simple.  Even when it didn't come out quite right.

His caring side was definitely what Lydia needed as well and I think they make a perfect match. Even though Lydia is not the kick ass heroine I prefer to read about, she still has a spine and is not pushover.  She tries to see the good in everybody and the positive in any situation, but she is also a realist.

I guess my only complaint is that I wanted more!  Not that their story wasn't told perfectly the way it was, but I'm greedy and I want more of Courtney's writing.  Courtney Milan blows me away every time!  A KISS FOR MIDWINTER was another great story by one of my favorite historical authors right now.

*Review copy provided by author
4437097
I am so amazed by how much depth and range Katheryn has. I cried when I heard thinking of you the first time, it made me think of my papa who is a world war 2 veteran and my nana waiting for him. Hackensack makes me feel like I am in a small town thinking of the one that got away in her musical success as a world renown musician. Lost is also amazing we have all had those times of down and out rock bottom hugging the toilet.
I am blown away by how amazing Katheryn's voice is and how talented she is. She could easily be a rock/jass/country western musician. I like her accent I did not notice it but it makes me like her even more.
The DVD was radical she also looked gorgeous and so cute and feminine in the way she dressed and made herself pose during the songs. I also was lost in her eyes when she sang thinking of you. I am jealous of whoever she is thinking of, and wish it was me hehe. I swear I am not a creeper/stalker I just am crushing / puppy love.
Yeah there was a point where I was madly in love with her, but I told myself no this is insane she will never see me. Crazy thing is I was at a party for my friend's birthday, and Kathy was playing Toronto much music that night, I saw it on tv. I was afraid to watch because I didn't want to dishonor her with my mind (long story). When she looked at the camera as she had her back to the crowd I was thinking how I am sorry I like her but I better change the channel before I think anything rude. At the party that night, I seen a girl who looked exactly like her, and I was like /SWOOOOOOOON, I felt this feeling at the bottom of my heart, like a vibration that was like butterflies tickling my heart, and I was like no Aaron this is not Katy Perry you're insane. I kept looking I was like man go talk to her, dude I don't know don't bother your crazy this cant be possible. I then started to think how did my friend pull strings to even get this to happen, impossible. Why would she come to that party? Anyway it was Katy Hudson I was wanting to talk to, and I was like I better leave I'm losing my mind I'm such a wierdo. If I missed out there, that was the biggest mistake of my life.....
Anyway the DVD was awesome and its up there with Nirvana for the unplugged music/video. I like her more than Nirvana but its her and them for best unplugged CD/Video of all time. She had a cute interview after, and I also am clean clean clean.
She is definitely a girl for sure, I like feminine women. She is pure 80s however the way she goes to the maximum limit she can possibly take things. I hope she makes more music like this where she gets to play guitar and maybe a Radiohead cover because I know she likes them. I bet I could do a duet with her either Creep/Paranoid Android/Let Down/Airbag/No Surprises/The Tourist/Lucky/Nice Dream/Street Spirit. I hope Kathy takes it to the level where she gets to do what she wants and goes into more artistic music that she wants to play. Although she is a pop goddess.
Enough I could type all day and I might crash the amazon site if I said as much as I think.
Everyone must listen to this, I think my mom likes it, my Nana and Papa would love it too.
Her voice is the best in the entire music industry.
727936
Nirvana meets Soundgarden with a chick guitarist who can play and a tight brother-led rhythm section with some deep but throaty chords and a deep strong vocal make Feel Yourself the Best Indie Rock hit in a long time and I
can't wait for more by the Dreamillers, who always put on a wild underground show. You will play this over and over and just for the Adreniline Shot of "Feel Yourself" and it's amazing lyrics!
1159815
This album is amazing. All the tracks are great. I never skip any. My favorite songs though are "Now Or Never," "Electric Misfit Love Machine," "Suck My Kiss" and "F*#k'd Up." Buy this CD!!!!!!!!!! I promise you, you won't regret it.
4204703
Give me MORE! I adored wrecked and every other Elle Casey book and Reckless was no different. The continuation of Kevin, Sarah, Candi and Johnathan's crazy adventure was a ride worth taking. I laughed out loud at some parts and found myself in tears at others. I definitely love how Candi maintains her beauty queen demeanor while whooping some serious ass! And can I have my very own hot geeky boy?? Johnathan makes me happy, smart and sexy is a very potent combination. Needless to say, this is a purchase you will not regret making.
2375508
How can I leave a review without sounding like a sappy crying female! Well I can't because I don't want to see the end of Jonathan and Monica. And like everyone else who has read it and cried, I've gone through more tissues than I can count.
Coda is the quintessential finish to the most dynamic couple in indie writing.  CD has captured the hearts of women everywhere in these two characters. We not only laughed and cried through the whole Submission series, but we felt their connection deep into our own souls. With Coda my heart pounded to the very last page. You never knew what was coming with each chapter, the intensity the anticipation, the "What's coming next" will it be "Oh No! or Oh Yes". CD keeps the reader on the edge of her seat.  My heart is in my throat as I write this review wishing there would be more to come.  I cry for their end. Coda is the perfect ending to a famous couple who have touched our hearts profoundly. Thank you  CD Reiss for your creativity and geniousness.
3364159
Before we fall, we fly.

WOW!! I need to collect the pieces of my heart before I can even type another word

This is the first book Ive read by Courtney Cole. But this will definitely not be the last. This was such an emotional book. Not in my usual cry my eyes out, but in a raw and dark emotional type. It made me all twisted inside.

Dominic Kinkaides been closed up and in a very dark place, for the past six years. Hes been hiding it from the world. Only his close family knows something happened, by they don't know what. But whatever happened, its left him dark and seriously twisted. Seriously twisted and very broken. He was basically just a shell of the man he once was. He doesnt let anyone get close to him and he doesnt like people. He thinks everyone will let him down, so he won't take any chances.

Jacey is a strong willed, no holds barred kinda girl. But she is also a bit broken inside. You don't really realize what shes been through til about half way through. You just know shes looking for something to fill a void in her life, but hasn't quite found it yet. So shes just wandering around. When she first meets Dom, she is drawn to him and knows there is more than what he lets people see. She is determined to save him from everything that hurts him, even if its himself. She believes hes a good man, no matter what he thinks.

After an unfortunate incident, they must work together, and their personal issues start to come to the surface and they're forced to deal with them. Dom and his hot and cold behavior and Jaceys need to fix things, bring out emotions that they both wish would be kept closed up.

There where so many emotionally charged scenes in this book. I was all over the place. Doms brokenness completely destroyed me.

Fix me, JaceyIf you can.

Watching him slowly come to the realization that there may be another person who loves him for him, was so powerful. Dom felt he was so unworthy of any type of love. He even told Jacey not to love him. But of course, she didn't listen.

I don't know what I did to deserve you.

You exist.

I was teary eyed for the last 15% of the book. But when I read that Epilogue, it was all over. My poor spouse thought something was wrong with me. I am so glad I read this. I know there is more I want to say, but it would give too much away.
4203186
As soon as I heard "Girl Next Door" I knew i wanted to get this cd.  What I didn't expect is every song on the cd to be so amazing.  It is very rare that every song on a cd blows me away.  Marti's voice is very sultry and mesmerizing.  I have already turned everyone I know on to Saving Jane and we all are looking forward to future work form them.
756024
Circa has done it again! This album is just incredible. It has everything I love about Circa packed into one. From Green's voice/screams, the catchy guitar riffs, to the intricate drum beats. Its honestly one of the best albums I think I have ever heard. I definitely recommend this to any Circa fan, you won't be disappointed!

My favorite songs:
Bird Sounds
Birth of the Economic Hit Man
My Only Friend

Hell what am I talking about, all of the songs are my favorite.
3081813
I am going to explode! This book has me running through my house screaming! Omg!!! I can't believe it. Tate! What's the deal with Courtney? I can't wait to read the last one.
3967167
I can't even describe how much I love The Joy Formidable.  I've seen them 4 times in concert and have met them in person 3 out of those 4 times.  They are indescribably nice and welcoming to their fans.

Their music is amazing...rocking one song and tugging at every heartstring on the next track.  Ritzy's voice is amazing, diverse and overall beautiful.  The drummer rocks and plays up the whole "I'm in a band and I'm a freaking awesome rock star" to the hilt.  He is fun and funky and outgoing!

Just listen to some of their sample songs or better yet check them out on youtube for entire songs.  Get their full CDs.  They are both amazing~  Wolf's Law and The Big Roar.

The song "I don't want to see you like this" is amazing and beautiful.  Ritzy wrote it about her Grandmother who was dying.  I think of my Grandmother every time I hear this song.  She had dementia and it was extremely hard to see her as just a shell of a who she was before the illness set in.

Sad songs, bad ass rocking songs...it's all on these discs!
3598894
"living in clip" was my first ani difranco cd, and i love it so much that i have since bought 4 others and plan to buy more when i can scrounge up the cash. i listened to it one time through and fell madly in love with it! everytime i listen to it i feel so much emotion-ani difranco is so incredibly amazing and brilliant and inspiring...she just blows me away. this cd is just so great, because it a sample of all kinds of ani's wonderful music with hilarious little side conversations between ani and the band that are included. this is definitely a must have for any cd collection.
1187437
When I say I'm shedding a tear reading about her involvement with Pac and Biggie around the time of their deaths, I'm trying to keep it together. This book really immerses you in the time of real music. I was very young when she was on air and from MO. I never knew the magnitude of the culture. She takes you into her world and makes you wish you were there to witness the movement and the artist. In the days before social media and artist were easily accessible. So much talent came out of NY and its so...i don't even know the word to get a piece of that through her eyes. I'm not even half way done with the book and I'm in love. We will never again see an era like hers and I miss the 90s music so much. todays kids will really never know what they are missing out on.
2872803
Brilliant new phase in Courtney Milan's writing.  It was a little shocking to shift from thinking that this wasn't a historical romance, but that was a shmiggen of a thought when I immersed myself into Blake and Tina's story.  Although I found the romance between the H/h lukewarm most of the time, I was entertained by the storyline...most especially by Adam and Tina's mom.  Now those secondary characters were the best, if not the best semi-lead characters of the whole story.  Blake's struggle with losing himself, disappearing was heart wrenching and believable.  Tina's battle with herself in keeping her path straight on her end goal of taking care of her family is so culturally true.  I was amazed at CM's insight.  I really enjoyed this book.  I'm not gonna lie to tell you that I have mixed feelings about reading Maria's book, however, if anyone can make me love Maria (more than I already do) it will definitely be Ms. Milan.
2713270
As always, Courtney Milan tells a heartfelt, intelligent, unique story with very real characters. Auto-buy!!
4731166
This book was amazing. So many ups and downs. The hot rock star Ollie drove me mad!! From the moment they fell together and with his eye brow and lip piercing I was in love. Seriously, the chemistry between these characters was crazy hot. Jared the sex god even though we had a love hate relationship and I'm all kinds of Team Ollie I actually liked you. You are definitely my kind of man in the sake buddy. However, Ollie just took ahold of my heart and never gave it back. My heart broke for all of them. Her friends were crazy fun and the experiences were life changing. This book was is filled with so many ups and downs but boy such is life and Marie gives it to you straight up and dirty. This girl is seriously a rock star where writing is concerned. She made me want to punch her then the next minute I wanted to squeeze her close. Mel and Amy were the best girlfriends. They told her what she sometimes needed yet wanted to hear but stuck by her like true friends should. Loved you brought classic rock into this story. I'm a huge music girl and loved how you pulled that all together. I have to say patience for a certain character touched me. I think it drew me in more to that character if that was even possible and made me appreciate that what we sometimes need gets written in print. It was truly beautiful. Each character played an incredibly important roll in this book. Felix I just wanted to beat the shit out of him from the moment I met him. What a douche. Alicia too. Wow, what a piece of work. I enjoy love stories like this one. It rocks your world turns your life upside down and then rights it's self setting you up for the next book. I can't wait to read burning up. I highly recommend this one dolls. This shit is fabulous!! One so worth reading. So buy it and get to reading.
3997655
The whole series will take you on an unforgettable ride. At times you'll start to question your own sanity, but hang in there, it's worth it.  This series was like nothing I've ever read before. The psychological mind blowing experience leaves you wanting more. Very well done Courtney Cole. To those looking to read the series, do it, I dare you!