Friday, October 2, 2015

Book Review: A Pet for Christmas by Rachelle Ayala




I originally signed up for the review of “A Pet for Christmas,” but since I hadn’t read the first book, “A Father for Christmas,” I got to read both at the same time!

I enjoyed “A Father for Christmas.”  I haven’t read a romance novel in a while and this was a nice chance to just read about a blooming romance.  The story was a sweet one where you learned about Kelly and her daughter, Bree, along with their backstory.  Then comes the rugged, handsome, Tyler.  But, like Kelly, he has “baggage”.  (NOTE:  I’m not degrading PTSD in any way – I’m just saying we all have some sort of “baggage” that we bring into a relationship.)

The story is touching because it shows how love overcomes the “baggage” and you create your happiness.  It’s a sweet story and ends on a good note.

“A Pet for Christmas” happens a year later with Tyler in Afghanistan working on his children’s charity.  The family has been apart and the family is coming apart with Bree asking about her real father instead of accepting Tyler as she had in the past.  Kelly is pregnant and stressed. 

The writing in this book flips back and forth between Kelly and Tyler.  The “taking turns” between the two characters makes sense so that you keep up with the “two worlds.”  I noticed that the writing style between the two characters were different.  Kelly’s sections are in the first person point of view, while Tyler’s is in the 3rd person point of view.  Tyler’s portions were more about the activity around him, so the 3rd person point of view make since. 

I was more interested in Kelly’s sections of the book than Tyler’s.  Maybe because I’m not really an action reader.  I prefer to leave the action to movies.  However, the story made sense.  You couldn’t just write about Kelly and leave Tyler in nowhere land!

Getting past the “action” in Tyler’s section, you can see that Tyler realizes that he belongs with his family of Kelly and Bree (and the baby on the way).  His caring side showed through the trauma he was going through in Afghanistan. 


I do not have any family that is in the military, but I can’t imagine them being so many miles away and not knowing what is going on with them.  Ms. Ayala does a great job showing both sides of the story – and, of course, ends with “A Pet for Christmas.”


NEW RELEASE...

Dedication 
To those who still suffer the wounds of war. 

 >>><<< 

Kelly Kennedy thought her life was finally on track. Engaged to the man of her dreams and with a baby on the way, she reassures her five-year-old daughter, Bree, that the father she picked for Christmas still loves her.

Unfortunately, war veteran Tyler Manning has been away most of the year. Recovering from PTSD isn’t easy. Rather than worry Kelly, Tyler spends his time traveling to Afghanistan to work at a children's charity he founded.

Kelly decides to distract Bree with promises of a pet for Christmas. When Tyler is taken hostage by terrorists, she finds it hard to convince Bree that they will truly be a family in time for Christmas.

A Pet for Christmas is a sequel A Father for Christmas. While it can be read as a standalone, you'll get more of the relationship aspect between Kelly, Tyler, and Bree by reading A Father for Christmas first.
Available to buy from...

"Heartwarming story of hope and second chances.” - Ruth Davis on Book 1, A Father for Christmas

"Absolutely breathtaking love story." - Amber McCallister on Book 1, A Father for Christmas

Also Available
A Father for Christmas (A Veteran’s Christmas Book 1)

Dedication

To all the veterans who gave so much.

 >>><<<

Single mother Kelly Kennedy can't afford lavish gifts for her four-year-old daughter, Bree. Homeless veteran Tyler Manning doesn't believe he deserves a Merry Christmas.

When Bree asks Santa for a father and picks Tyler, both Tyler and Kelly vow to keep Bree from being hurt while fighting their feelings for each other.

Tyler struggles with frightening flashbacks that scare Kelly. Meanwhile, Kelly's criminal past threatens her chance for happiness. Tyler and Kelly must believe in the power of love to give Bree her best Christmas ever.

Available to buy from...

About the author
Rachelle Ayala is a bestselling Asian American author of dramatic romantic suspense and humorous, sexy contemporary romances. Her heroines are feisty and her heroes hot. She writes emotionally challenging stories but believes in the power of love and hope. 

Rachelle is the founder of an online writing group, Romance in a Month, an active member of the California Writer’s Club, Fremont Chapter, and a volunteer for the World Literary Cafe. She is a very happy woman and lives in California with her husband. She has won awards in multicultural and historical romance.

Find the author on the following pages....
Website   Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   Google+   Goodreads  Amazon Author Page

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
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2 comments:

  1. These sound like great books to read x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for your wonderful review. I'm so glad you enjoyed both stories.

    ReplyDelete