Operation Toy Rescue #1
Summary:When Jules Evergreen lands in trouble at the North Pole and gets shipped off to Snow Hope Island for ninety days, he never expects to take up the cause of the forgotten toys waiting for new homes. Falling for his new boss is not on the agenda either, but his heart has other ideas.
Felix Winterson has grown up on Snow Hope Island and now runs the place. He isn’t thrilled when party boy Jules arrives, and Felix tries hard to ignore the man’s charms. He has other problems, anyway. For years he’s tried to get Santa to look at the growing inventory of damaged toys in the warehouse, to no avail.
When Jules comes up with a plan to save the toys, the men find themselves working closely together. As Christmas Eve looms, there’s a lot at stake. Can they save Snow Hope, convince Santa to rescue the toys, and fall in love all at the same time?
Operation Reindeer Rescue #2
Summary:Sequel to Operation Toy Rescue
When one of Santa’s reindeer becomes depressed, what’s an elf to do? Caleb always makes sure the reindeer are ready for the big night, but when Dancer gets worse and won’t participate in any activities, they bring in new vet Greg Starr.
There’s an instant attraction between the men, but Caleb’s been hurt in the past and isn’t sure he can risk his heart again. The more time he spends with Greg, the harder he falls. But if he can’t get past his fear, he could lose the man he’s meant to be with.
Operation Destiny #3
Summary:Living on Snow Hope Island has its perks: it’s beautiful, the community is like a family, and if you’re an elf but find the North Pole too busy, it’s the ideal place. Still, Noel is lonely. He loves running Frosty’s Diner and he has a cat, but he wants more.
When Charlie Claus shows up on the island, Noel is instantly attracted to him. The more time Noel spends with him, the more he falls for Charlie. Would Charlie ever give up his life and move to the island permanently?
Same universe as Operation Toy Rescue and Operation Reindeer Rescue but can be read as a standalone.
Operation Toy Rescue #1
Original Review December 2018:
When Santa sends Jules Evergreen to Snow Hope Island for 90 days, his hope is Jules will settle down, return to the North Pole, and find his place. What Jules finds is an attractive boss, Felix Winterson and a never-ending inventory of broken toys. When Jules comes up with a plan to present to the big guy, will he realize what has been missing in his life and find a place with love at Snow Hope Island?
I must admit that the premise had me intrigued when Operation Toy Rescue crossed my path and when I read it, the story far surpassed what I expected. Let's face it, who doesn't love the Island of Misfit Toys part of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Don't get me wrong, Operation is not a re-telling of Rudolph but one can't help but have flashes of nostalgia when Felix shows Jules the warehouse of damaged toys. Now I won't go into Jules' plan for the toys or what happens when the plan is put before Santa but I loved watching him finally finding his place in the world. Not every elf is made for the 9 to 5 of toy making that is required at the North Pole😉😉.
Sarah Hadley Brook has created a lovely holiday tale that is an entertaining blend of Hallmark-ish rom-com and Spirit-of-Christmas fantasy that will make you smile, laugh, and warm your heart. Operation Toy Rescue first and foremost entertains but it also reminds you that Christmas isn't about being perfect and sometimes the imperfections in life(and toys) can make everything fall into place. You'll notice I didn't make much mention of the connection between Jules and Felix but the blend of heat and sweet is pretty spot on. Definitely a gem you don't want to miss.
When Santa sends Jules Evergreen to Snow Hope Island for 90 days, his hope is Jules will settle down, return to the North Pole, and find his place. What Jules finds is an attractive boss, Felix Winterson and a never-ending inventory of broken toys. When Jules comes up with a plan to present to the big guy, will he realize what has been missing in his life and find a place with love at Snow Hope Island?
I must admit that the premise had me intrigued when Operation Toy Rescue crossed my path and when I read it, the story far surpassed what I expected. Let's face it, who doesn't love the Island of Misfit Toys part of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Don't get me wrong, Operation is not a re-telling of Rudolph but one can't help but have flashes of nostalgia when Felix shows Jules the warehouse of damaged toys. Now I won't go into Jules' plan for the toys or what happens when the plan is put before Santa but I loved watching him finally finding his place in the world. Not every elf is made for the 9 to 5 of toy making that is required at the North Pole😉😉.
Sarah Hadley Brook has created a lovely holiday tale that is an entertaining blend of Hallmark-ish rom-com and Spirit-of-Christmas fantasy that will make you smile, laugh, and warm your heart. Operation Toy Rescue first and foremost entertains but it also reminds you that Christmas isn't about being perfect and sometimes the imperfections in life(and toys) can make everything fall into place. You'll notice I didn't make much mention of the connection between Jules and Felix but the blend of heat and sweet is pretty spot on. Definitely a gem you don't want to miss.
Operation Reindeer Rescue #2
Original Review December 2023:
It's been too long since I read Sarah Hadley Brook's Operation Toy Rescue but I remember it well so I was intrigued to discover there was a follow-up novella. Operation Reindeer Rescue is as deliciously fun as the first visit to Snow Hope and Santa's village.
This time we follow Caleb, one of Santa's elves, as he tends to the Reindeer especially Dancer who seems to be distancing himself from the life he loved so much. Enter the village's new veterinarian, Greg and he brings wonderous things everywhere he goes.
The attraction and chemistry between Caleb and Greg is instantaneous but whether more evolves, well let's face it, it's Xmastime which 99% of the time means HEA so no surprise here that there is no real complications between the MCs. That's not to say there isn't doubts, especially on Caleb's part but answers present themselves to their reindeer sadness and their decision to go slow and wait until after the Big Guy's Big Night kind of loses it's not-so-shiny shine😉.
I guess what I'm trying to say(in a bit long-winded kind of way) is if you enjoyed Operation Toy Rescue than you will definitely love Operation Reindeer Rescue. If you haven't read Toy yet, don't worry you won't be lost, but I highly recommend giving Toy a read. With Santa's Village and Snow Hope Island, Sarah Hadley Brook has created a deliciously fun universe that will leave you smiling and full-on grinning like a silly fool but if one can't be silly while enjoying the holidays, what's the point in celebrating? No idea if the author has any plans for further tales of Snow Hope Island and the nearby land of Santa but if there are I will definitely be snagging a copy.
Operation Destiny #3
Original Review December 2023:
When I first read Operation Toy Rescue 5 years ago I absolutely loved it! When I discovered there had been a follow-up, Operation Reindeer Rescue I was ecstatic, gobbled it up, and loved it as well. Then about a week ago I stumbled across yet another one set in the universe of Snow Hope Island and neighboring North Pole, to say my heart's pitter patter picked up would be a bit OTT but I was definitely excited.With Noel and Charlie we get to see how the blending of contemporary and fantasy is what makes this universe something special. There is just the right tinge of normalcy and Christmas magic to satisfy both sides of the holiday coin. Their romantic journey in this holiday short is deliciously delightful. I don't know if the author has plans for future tales from Snow Hope Island and the North Pole but I do know that I'll be keeping an eye out next holiday season because finding these surprises really brightened up my holiday reading time.
Operation Toy Rescue #1
He was surprised that no one else was in the building yet. Unless they were upstairs in the loft, or locked away in an office. He thought he’d seen Eve’s coat hanging from a peg up front.
Jules opened the laptop and logged in, ready to get started. He really wanted to take that trip to the warehouse with Felix and the quicker he finished logging things in, the quicker that could happen. As he carefully opened a rather large box, he heard a door open and turned to see Felix, Eve, and Zuzu hurry out of Felix’s office. All wore a look of panic and his heart jumped.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as Eve grew closer.
“The Big Guy is coming for a visit three days before Christmas! We just found out. He never does this. Never, Jules.” Her voice rose as she spilled the news.
Jules glanced at Felix and caught his eye, holding it for a moment. “Isn’t Santa coming a good thing?” he asked, confused.
“We don’t know. He never does this. Never,” Eve reiterated.
“She’s right. He doesn’t. What if he wants to make major changes? Or move us to the North Pole?” Felix asked.
Jules crinkled his brow. In his mind, moving to the North Pole would be great. Felix would be closer to Jules. “You don’t want to live at the North Pole?”
All three of them looked at him in shock, their mouths gaping open.
“What?” he asked.
“The North Pole is headquarters. It’s chaos,” Zuzu explained.
Okay, I’ll give them that. But there were good things, too.
“But you’d be closer to ...” he flicked his gaze to Felix and felt his cheeks heat up. “The main operation,” he finished lamely.
“But we like it here. Our island is beautiful and we’re like a family. What if we’re torn apart?”
“I don’t think Santa --”
“You don’t know, Jules,” Eve broke in. “Maybe he thinks we don’t do enough to help these toys.”
Felix was vigorously nodding his agreement, so Jules shut his mouth and sat down in front of his laptop, considering the possibilities. He finally glanced back up, his lips curving up into a small smile as he eyed all three. “Then I guess there’s only one thing to do, guys. We need to show Santa how important the island is to children all over the globe.”
“How do we do that?” Eve asked quietly, her brow furrowed.
“By developing a kick ass plan to get these ‘inadequate toys’ into the hands of kids,” he explained, using air quotes. It was really just expanding what he and Felix had talked about last night. But calling it a plan made it feel more real. More promising.
Again, they gaped at him. Well, all but Felix. He was grinning. Happiness filled Jules’s chest and his heart raced as he grinned back, warmth spreading through him. Their gazes held and Jules felt like Felix was peering inside of him. Like he was seeing the real Jules. Not the guy that always screwed up. Not the guy that only thought of himself. But the one that finally -- finally -- wanted to do something worthy. Something that would bring others joy.
“Jules is right. We need to work together to show Santa we can handle the responsibility of taking care of the toys on this island. To prepare them for new homes. To convince him to take them with him on Christmas Eve.” Felix straightened his shoulders as determination flitted across his face and hope flashed in his eyes.
Jules couldn’t look away. The man was beautiful in every way.
Jules opened the laptop and logged in, ready to get started. He really wanted to take that trip to the warehouse with Felix and the quicker he finished logging things in, the quicker that could happen. As he carefully opened a rather large box, he heard a door open and turned to see Felix, Eve, and Zuzu hurry out of Felix’s office. All wore a look of panic and his heart jumped.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as Eve grew closer.
“The Big Guy is coming for a visit three days before Christmas! We just found out. He never does this. Never, Jules.” Her voice rose as she spilled the news.
Jules glanced at Felix and caught his eye, holding it for a moment. “Isn’t Santa coming a good thing?” he asked, confused.
“We don’t know. He never does this. Never,” Eve reiterated.
“She’s right. He doesn’t. What if he wants to make major changes? Or move us to the North Pole?” Felix asked.
Jules crinkled his brow. In his mind, moving to the North Pole would be great. Felix would be closer to Jules. “You don’t want to live at the North Pole?”
All three of them looked at him in shock, their mouths gaping open.
“What?” he asked.
“The North Pole is headquarters. It’s chaos,” Zuzu explained.
Okay, I’ll give them that. But there were good things, too.
“But you’d be closer to ...” he flicked his gaze to Felix and felt his cheeks heat up. “The main operation,” he finished lamely.
“But we like it here. Our island is beautiful and we’re like a family. What if we’re torn apart?”
“I don’t think Santa --”
“You don’t know, Jules,” Eve broke in. “Maybe he thinks we don’t do enough to help these toys.”
Felix was vigorously nodding his agreement, so Jules shut his mouth and sat down in front of his laptop, considering the possibilities. He finally glanced back up, his lips curving up into a small smile as he eyed all three. “Then I guess there’s only one thing to do, guys. We need to show Santa how important the island is to children all over the globe.”
“How do we do that?” Eve asked quietly, her brow furrowed.
“By developing a kick ass plan to get these ‘inadequate toys’ into the hands of kids,” he explained, using air quotes. It was really just expanding what he and Felix had talked about last night. But calling it a plan made it feel more real. More promising.
Again, they gaped at him. Well, all but Felix. He was grinning. Happiness filled Jules’s chest and his heart raced as he grinned back, warmth spreading through him. Their gazes held and Jules felt like Felix was peering inside of him. Like he was seeing the real Jules. Not the guy that always screwed up. Not the guy that only thought of himself. But the one that finally -- finally -- wanted to do something worthy. Something that would bring others joy.
“Jules is right. We need to work together to show Santa we can handle the responsibility of taking care of the toys on this island. To prepare them for new homes. To convince him to take them with him on Christmas Eve.” Felix straightened his shoulders as determination flitted across his face and hope flashed in his eyes.
Jules couldn’t look away. The man was beautiful in every way.
Operation Reindeer Rescue #2
Caleb hung their jackets and scarves on a set of hooks on the wall, just inside the door.
“Smells absolutely wonderful in here.”
Caleb gestured for Greg to take a seat at the round wooden table in the kitchen, but Greg shook his head. “Can’t I help with anything?”
Caleb smiled. “Sure. Grab some plates and glasses from the cabinet just next to the refrigerator. And silverware is in the drawer right over there.”
Greg set the plates on the counter for Caleb and then set about placing the silverware on the table. Once Caleb pulled the tray from the oven and dished it out, Greg grabbed the plates and set them on the table.
Soon they were sitting down to the best meal Greg had eaten in years. “You are an amazing cook,” he said as he tried to keep from shoveling each bite into his mouth.
Caleb watched him with a grin. “You seem extra hungry.”
Greg took a long drink of his milk before answering. “Before I moved out here, I was living on fast food or frozen meals. I’m not much of a cook. Not really one at all. I can heat up things in the microwave, put a pizza in the oven, but not much else. They fed me well at the clinic, definitely, but this ... this is melt-in-your-mouth, can-I-have-seconds-and-thirds, kind of food.” He leaned forward and whispered, “Is this your superpower?” he asked with a wink.
The blush spread across Caleb’s face and down his neck, pleasing Greg immensely. “You’re adorable, Caleb. I bet you have guys beating down the door to date you.”
Caleb shook his head. “Hardly,” he mumbled.
Greg was shocked. “I guess the men around here aren’t too bright, then. Letting you slip through their fingers.” He put his fork down and reached across the table, tapping a finger until Caleb slid his handout and Greg could stroke the top of his hand. “I know we just met, and I’m probably doing this all wrong, and this is all so new to me, the North Pole, the Island, working with the reindeer ... but I keep having this urgent feeling that if I don’t say something to you, then I might be blowing the most important thing in my life. Which I know could also scare you, being so blunt.”
Cale leaned back and blew a breath out. “Wow. I don’t think anyone’s ever been so honest with me. People hide behind flirting, looking for a hook-up, or just a fling, but you’re kind of putting it all out there, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. I am. It’s been a long time since I’ve dated. I spent a lot of time getting my degree and then I just sort of immersed myself in my work. Besides, everyone I met seemed to be the same ... nobody piqued my interest.”
Caleb’s eyes darkened. “But I did?”
Greg rose from his seat and rounded the table and took his hand, crouching down in front of him. “I don’t want to scare you off, but I couldn’t let this night go by without telling you I’m interested.” He laughed nervously. “I’m not usually too good at this,” he admitted.
Operation Destiny #3
By the time the dinner rush was over, bone-tired. Gus stayed a little later than usual to help but Noel sent him home at eight when the last guest was heading out. He knew Gus’s wife was waiting for him -- they’d just married a few months ago and were still in that adorable honeymoon stage. Not that Noel was jealous about that. Not really. Perhaps a little. Maybe.
He was just starting to clean the grill when the bell rang again and without looking up, he knew it was Charlie. The air crackled and his heart thrummed in his ears as he pivoted slowly and found a snow-covered Charlie, still standing in the doorway, awkwardly hopping from one foot to the other.
Heat spread through him slowly, warming him from the inside out until he felt as if he were wrapped in a cozy fleece blanket. Pure happiness filled him and he wasn’t sure he’d ever experienced it like that before.
Their eyes locked for a moment and his chest tightened. Was Charlie feeling it too? Noel swallowed hard and mentally chided himself for briefly forgetting how to speak. Until Charlie let out a quiet chuckle and broke the moment.
Noel waved him in with a smile. “Hey, Charlie. I was really hoping you’d stop by. What can I get you?”
“Am I too late?” He stayed near the door, as if to leave if needed.
“No!” he answered, a little too loudly. “I mean, no, we don’t close for another hour. Come in and get warm.”
He stomped off the snow and came closer. “I meant to get in here earlier, but got busy working again and lost track of time. I do that a lot.”
Noel grabbed a towel and wiped down the counter, gesturing to a stool. “Well, no worries. I’ll fix you up with something warm -- whatever you’re in the mood for.” He bit back a grin at the way Charlie’s cheeks pinked up. Interesting ...
Charlie slipped his coat off and laid it across a stool and stood awkwardly at the bar, his eyes sweeping the empty diner. “Not too busy today?”
Noel braced his hands on the counter and leaned in close, noting a pale pink blush spread across Charlie’s face. He smelled like vanilla and mint and Noel wanted to breathe deep, but figured he might weird Charlie out, so he fought the urge. “It was busy earlier, but this time of year most of the islanders are off to bed early because they’re all up at the crack of dawn.”
Charlie met his gaze. “So am I messing up your schedule coming in late?”
“Like I said, you’re not late. And even if you were, as long as someone’s here, you’re always welcome.” His gaze fell to Charlie’s pink lips and then to his throat as Charlie swallowed hard. Noel smiled as he brought his eyes back to Charlie’s. “Especially if it’s me here,” he whispered and tried not to chuckle when Charlie’s blush deepened. God, the guy was adorable -- and so fun to flirt with.
Charlie chewed his lower lip as he slid onto a stool. “I’d hoped you would still be here,” he admitted softly as he met Noel’s gaze.
Noel’s heart leapt in his chest, but he tamped down the excitement. “Admit it, you just want me for my ham and Swiss sandwiches,” he teased, winking at him.
Charlie surprised him by flirting right back. “Who doesn’t want a man that can handle a griddle the way you do?” He asked coyly as he leaned his forearms on the counter.
Noel grinned. A confident Charlie was an even sexier Charlie. He leaned across the counter until they were only a few inches apart. “How can my griddle and I serve you?”
Sarah Hadley Brook lives smack-dab in the middle of the Heartland and is the mother of two wonderful young men, as well as two cats. During the day, she works in the nonprofit world, but reserves evenings for her hobby-turned-passion of writing, letting the characters she conjures in her mind take the lead and show her where the story will go. When not working or writing, she can be found reading, working on dollhouses, trying her hand at new recipes, or watching old movies and musicals. In her ideal world, Christmas would come at least twice a year, Rock Hudson and Doris Day would have costarred in more than three movies, and chocolate would be a daily necessity. She dreams of traveling to Scotland some day and visiting the places her ancestors lived. Sarah believes in “Happily Ever After” and strives to ensure her characters find their own happiness in love and life.
PINTEREST / SMASHWORDS / B&N
Operation Toy Rescue #1
Operation Reindeer Rescue #2
Operation Destiny #3
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