#Review - Snow Deer and Cocoa Cheer by Joanne DeMaio

Are you looking for the perfect book to curl up with and enjoy that hot cup of cocoa? I have the perfect book for you and I just know you are going to enjoy it. Snow Deer and Cocoa Cheer by Joanne DeMaio is an awesome winter time read to just relax and forget about the cold outside.

Joanne DeMaio is one of my favorite authors that takes me away while I read her books. She does such a fabulous job with description that she always takes me on a little vacation each time I read one of her books. I felt the warm welcome of the small town, enjoyed the beautiful scenery, and became completely engrossed in the story of Jane March and Wes Davis.

Jane March is in a bit of a lull. She just can't seem to get that spark of creation she needs for her job making greeting cards.  Not only is she dealing with a creative drought she has a broken arm that she is dealing with. I instantly found a bond with Jane.  Her Mom sends her on a little journey around town on her I Insist list that I just loved. I could visualize each and every stop on the I Insist List and enjoyed each item on the list as much as Jane and Wes. 

Wes Davis has had it with small town life. He's going through an emotional time and doesn't want all those sympathetic looks and the "How are you doing?" questions. His fiancee has left him almost at the alter and in a small town everyone knows. I loved that Wes is a mailman and everyone and anyone knows him and when and where he is going to be at. It's just one of those things that gives you the extra small town feel.

I loved how Jane ask Wes for help to get to the places on her I Insist List. As they visit and discover each little fabulous wonder of Winter they get to know each other better and a deeper relationship that neither is expecting forms. 

The characters are incredible and I loved that I was given the chance to catch up with some old friends to see how life had been for them. Ms. DeMaio's stories always leave me with the feeling that I just made a couple of new friends on the wonderful vacation that she takes me on with her words. 

I love this lady's work. She's very talented and write a tremendous story any time of the year. Her Christmas stories are just as special as her summer beach stories. Once again Ms. DeMaio has written a fabulous story that held me captivated, left my heart filled with joy, and my soul filled with the spirit of the holidays and love. 

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Addison. I loved watching Jane and Wes develop a new relationship and help each other heal from both physical and emotional issues. Joanne DeMaio knows how to write a lovely story that holds my attention from the first page all the way to very end. Then I'm left waiting for her next release with anxious anticipation. I can't wait to see what wonderful story she has in store for us lucky readers next. I know it'll be a great one.

I have to mention Jane's Cards. They are so well described that I wanted to run out and buy her cards to send out for Christmas. They sound beautiful. 

I also must mention the cover. I love when the cover is so enticing it makes you want to grab the book and dig in. Then when you dig in and the story is just as fabulous as you thought it was going to. Oh those are the things that make this reviewer a happy lady. 

I was given the opportunity to read this fabulous story so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my pleasure to share my thoughts with you on Snow Deer and Cocoa Cheer.

You may find more of my reviews on Joanne DeMaio's work here.

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The Denim Blue Sea by Joanne DeMaio ~ Review ~

The Denim Blue Sea by Joanne DeMaio gave me a wonderful chance to catch up with all my old friends from Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans. 

First of all I must say that cover makes me want to go visit some water. Isn't it pretty? It looks so calm and peaceful. Just looking at the cover makes me feel salt air and mist from the water on my face.

Maris Carrington and Jason Barlow are preparing for the arrival of their long time friends and family members to attend their beach wedding. Everyone is busy with work, planning the wedding, and life. When everyone starts to arrive things get even more complicated and busy. My goodness there is a lot going on in Stony Point.

One of my favorite things about this book is the storyline of the great friendship between this group of friends that has lasted through the years. They grew up together and now some are raising families of their own, other's are getting married, and everyone is busy. However they still take the time out to get together and enjoy this treasured friendship.

Maris and Jason have a few stressful moments before the wedding. There are some things that are trying to pull them apart and a big surprise client that may or may not have a huge effect on Jason's life. I enjoyed watching this loving couple grow, and change as they plan ahead for their wedding and their married life together. They do have a few things to over come and there are challenges thrown in their path. 

Maris is busy with her new line of Denim designs. I can just imagine some of the fabulous designs she creates with Ms. DeMaio's wonderful descriptions. I'd love to wear some of the things Maris designs. 

Kyle and Lauren face a major trauma to their marriage. It seems like this poor couple has been through so much. Just when they think they have their relationship back on even ground something else happens to try to rip them apart. These two have so much to deal with. My heart broke for them when a huge secret is reveled that just about ends their marriage. I won't tell you what it is but I will tell you it's a biggie.  

The thing I love about this deep friendship in this group is that they are there for each other. When one is in need of a friend to lean on, they can count on the group to be there to help them deal with what ever the problem is or just talk. 

Maris and Eva also receive a HUGE surprise guest. I don't want to tell you who it is but I will tell you I really enjoyed getting to know their guest. 

There is so much happening in Stony Point with all of these wonderful people I have come to consider friends. I was so afraid that their lives were going to be tore apart and lost at sea. I cried for each trauma and obstacle they faced and cheered for each victory they discovered. Just when things were really bad and their lives were falling apart , the tide changed and the sea came in to close the gaps and wounds in everyone and  mend their hearts just in the nick of time. 

JoAnne DeMaio has once again written a fabulous story with those great charismatic charters that I have grown so fond of. I delighted to see everyone again and to visit Foley's. I certainly enjoyed my return visit to Stony Point. I always enjoy the fascinating journeys that Ms. DeMaio takes me on with descriptive tales. 

I will be anxious to see where she takes me with her next book and what fabulous characters I'm going to get to meet or visit with again. I always love to hear that Joanne DeMaio has a new book coming soon. I get really excited and I can not wait to get my hands on the book. She does such a great job of dealing with such heart whelming, sometimes heartbreaking, but always wonderful storylines with great characters that touch your heart. Her books are always an awesome read!

I was given the opportunity to read this great book so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my great pleasure to share my thoughts with you on The Denim Blue Sea.

You may find more of my reviews on Joanne DeMaio's work here.... 

Amazon Buy Links:

 The Denim Blue Sea

 Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans

The Denim Blue Sea By Joanne DeMaio ~ Spotlight

The Denim Blue Sea

By Joanne DeMaio 

Blurb: 

New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio returns to seaside Stony Point in this novel filled with beach friends, love, and the enchantment of a sandy boardwalk winding along the shore.

During two August weeks, denim designer Maris Carrington and coastal architect Jason Barlow prepare for their much-anticipated wedding. Guests arrive early, turning keys in charming cottage doors to begin their New England summer escape. The wedding is a reason for old friends to gather again; to meet in their shabby beach hangout and get the jukebox cranking; to walk that weathered boardwalk beneath a starry sky; to breathe the sweet salt air. "Cures what ails you," one of the friends, Neil, always said long before his life was sadly claimed. But his legacy was not.

When Maris discovers Neil's long-lost journal, its passages reveal a heartbreaking secret. Can truths be found within its timeworn pages? Can this leather-bound journal unite the friends as their lives begin to fray? A bittersweet family reunion, a surprising encounter from a devastating accident, a shocking confession leaving one marriage shattered--all will test the once close-knit circle. Suddenly this safe haven on the tranquil Connecticut shoreline churns with emotional turmoil, threatening even the beach wedding just days before it is to happen.

Yet like a silver cap on a breaking wave, love and friendship wash ashore with hope, ever shimmering, in The Denim Blue Sea.

You may find more of my reviews on Joanne DeMaio's work here.... 

Buy Link:

 Amazon 

**This book is next in my to be read pile so stay tuned for a review soon! **

True Blend by Joanne DeMaio ~ Review

I have now had the pleasure of 4 books by the very talented Joanne DeMaio. I have to say after each book I read of Ms. DeMaio I say this one was my favorite. True Blend is one of those books that caught my attention from page one and would not let go until I finished the book. I was still in awe of the fabulous story after I finished the book. 

Amy Trewist has been through a lot in the past year. After the loss of her husband she and her daughter have grown even closer if that is possible. They are very much trying to hold each other together. When a beautiful day turns tragic Amy has to figure out how to cope with life again. Her baby daughter Grace has to deal with the traumatic event of being kidnapped and Amy has to deal with the life feeling so incredibly unsafe she doesn't really know how to cope. When George Carbone comes into their life, Amy feels safe with George. George takes it upon himself to try to protect these two women he has come to love. However  there is a MAJOR secret that could rip their world apart and it is lurking around every corner. 

I could go on and on about this story and the plot line but it's such a wonderful story that I really don't want to ruin it for you. I will tell you there is a LOT of drama and mystery involved in this story. I had a horrible time setting this book down. I could not wait to see what could possibly happen next and when the secret was going to explode. 

I find that Ms. DeMaio writes some of the most touching story lines and characters that are so unique and really touch your emotions. This is very true to form for True Blend as well. 

One more thing I must mention is the cover. Is that not a beautiful cover or what?!? Ms. DeMaio has some of the prettiest covers I have seen. They are just as wonderful as the story under it. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good touching dramatic mystery with some romance thrown in the mix. If you have read Joanne DeMaio's work before then you really need to grab your copy of True Blend and start reading, you are going to love this book! If you have not had the pleasure of reading her work already then I recommend you start with this one and work your way back to her her first book Whole Latte Life.  

I can not wait to see what wonderful story Joanne DeMaio comes up with for us next. So far I would say she has done a fabulous job with each of the four books I have had the chance to read. 

I was given the opportunity to read this book so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my pleasure to share my thoughts with you on True Blend. 

You may find all of my reviews of Joanne DeMaio's books here.