Posts

Showing posts from September, 2023

Red Heart Card - Jude & Neva Melted My Heart

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 I loved Neva and Jude in Red Heart Card by Annie Dyer, Manchester Athletic series book five , a steamy, sweet and swoony second chance, reverse age gap romance that pulled me in right from the beginning. Jude is a professional footballer and enjoys hanging out with his teammates. Unfortunately hanging out is all he is able to do right now after an injury to his Achilles tendon after a bad tackle. He is recovering from surgery and will be out for awhile. Jude will need help from the team support system including the team nutritionist. Neva is the nutritionist who works closely with Jude. Not too long ago these two had a brief fling. Jude wanted it to be more of a relationship but because of Neva being older, she put a stop to it. He is totally honest with Neva, making it clear that the ten year age gap is unimportant to him; while she is equally candid about what she wants.   When Jude overhears Neva talking about how much she really wanted a kid, Jude jumps at the opp

The Duchess of Drury Lane - A Charming Story

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 The Duchess of Drury Lane by Janna McGregor , book three in the Scoundrals and Scandles of Drury Lane series, is a wonderful romantic story of forbidden love, passion, and chemistry between a future duchess and a self-made millionaire. Celeste Worsley is a dutiful daughter determined to please her grandfather by marrying the man he chooses; but she can’t resist the charm and intelligence of Malcolm Hollandale, a millionaire without a title and a chemist working at the Drury Lane theatre. Malcolm knows he’s not worthy of Celeste, but he can’t deny his feelings for her or his desire to help her.   Ms. MacGregor has created an engaging and heartwarming story that will make you swoon and smile. Malcolm and Celeste were charming, with strong chemistry apparent in every scene. A couple you will root for and a vibrant world that you will want to visit again and again. I highly recommend The Duchess of Drury Lane to other readers who enjoy a love historical romance with wit

The Teacher's Christmas Secret - Patience, forgiveness, and second chances

πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 The Teacher's Christmas Secret by Emma Miller, book three in the Seven Amish Sisters series, is a sweet and inspirational story about patience, forgiveness, and second chances. Cora Koffman's life-long dream was to be a schoolteacher, rare in her Old Amish community. She tries not to feel anger toward Tobit Lapp, a newcomer, who was given the job at the local school. The widower and his twelve a year-old son Elijah basically stay to themselves until an accident changes things drastically. The grumpy headstrong man finds he has to accept help while he keeps his secret from those around him. Cora, unexpectedly, agrees to teach for him, while he is laid up, with everything she does needing his approval. Neither expected the sparks between them and of course, not everything will run smoothly; as there is definitely some heartbreak on the horizon. When the long held secrets and lies come to light, hopefully forgiveness will be granted. Ms. Miller wrote a wonder

Promise Me Please, Cowboy - Rodeo excitement, love and family.

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 Promise Me Please, Cowboy by CJ Carmichael, book four in The 85 th Copper Mountain Rodeo series, is an emotionally engaging, tender, and moving small town story. Amy Arden left New York after a tragic accident, buying a bed and breakfast in Marietta, Montana as a way to start over; although she does have a secret reason. Taking over the beloved Bramble House might have taken Amy out of her comfort zone, but she didn’t expect her staff to quit shortly after she arrived and made a few suggestions about freshening up the place. With the rodeo coming to town, it’s up to her to do all the jobs: reception, maintenance, housekeeping, baking, bookkeeping, etc; as the b&b is full of an interesting blend of characters. Quiet loner rodeo cowboy Chet carries the weight of a terrible childhood and even worse father on his shoulders. He is visiting Marietta to compete in the Rodeo and to spend some time visiting his friend Sage Carrigan . Being forced to stay at the B&B

Snowball Unwrapped

Image
πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5   Snowball Unwrapped by Kristen McKanagh, book four in the Snowball series, isn’t so much about Snowball the resident cat, it’s about the budding romance assisted by the imaginative and crafty cat. Snowball, you see, has a gift no other cat has: the gift of matchmaking. This was a feel good book with a twin swap, opposites attract and the attraction being encouraged by a smart, insistent, and adorable white cat, Snowball, the resident cat at Weber Haus. Ilse Becker is the host of a TV show called Home and Hearth, that features cooking and craft segments. Her fiancΓ© is double timing her, so she convinces her identical twin sister Jocelyn to stand in for her while she sorts her personal problems. The problem is that they have vastly different personalities, and Jocelyn lacks the craft and culinary skills Ilse is famous for. The episodes are to be filmed live in the grand Victorian building, Weber Haus, that has been converted to a B&B. Ilse is always at odds with h

Marked for Revenge - A serial killer mystery, and a second chance romance

Image
πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5   Marked for Revenge by Delores Fossen, book four in the Silver Creek Lawmen: Second Generation series, is an edge of your seat, wild, suspenseful ride from start to finish. There's plenty of action, suspense, a serial killer mystery, and a second chance romance to enjoy. Ava, a pregnant deputy in Silver Creek, is being targeted, but she doesn't know why. Someone is killing women and taunting her with their deaths. Harley Ryland is the father of Ava's baby and would like to be more Ava broke up with him, after he investigated her politician father; just as she discovered she was pregnant. Months later, it appears she's being targeted by a serial killer, and despite being a skilled police officer herself, her Texas Ranger ex and baby daddy is going to stay right by her side until she's no longer in danger; as Harley might be the only thing that can keep Ava and his baby girl safe. The large cast of characters in this series, and book, is exclusive and

The Wedding Winger - A Second Chance, Single Mom, Hockey Player Delight

Image
πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5   Sly and Clara’s second chance story in The Wedding Winger by Delancey Stewart, book one in her Zamboni Diaries series, is a heartfelt, comical, romantic, sweet and spicy small-town romantic comedy. Sly Remington plays professional hockey for the Wilcox Wombats while single mom Clara Connor, a single mom, wildlife biologist, and girl next door, were friends during high school. Sly and Clara knew each other growing up. They lived next door to each other and she tutored him in some of his classes; each crushing on the other. Then life happened and Sly became a famous hockey player. Clara got married, had a daughter, then divorced and now lives back in her childhood home with her five-year-old daughter, Katie; right next to Sly Remington's parents. Sly is in for a big surprise when he comes home for his engagement celebration. Clara is still smart and beautiful, and little Katie has a way of keeping him on his toes. Then there's his matchmaking mother, throwing t

Marry Me Please, Cowboy

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 Marry Me Please, Cowboy by Sinclair Jayne, Copper, book three in The 85 th Copper Mountain Rodeo series and book two in the Coyote Cowboys of Montana series, is a heartfelt, moving small town story with unexpected love. Willow McBride is a barrel racer who finds herself pregnant by her bull riding, self centered cowboy friend with benefits, Jake. When she tells him the news, he proposes, professing to not want his child to be raised by an absentee dad. Special Ops Huck Jones arrives in Marietta, Montana after promising Willow’s deceased brother Jace that he would walk her down the aisle. Jake is never really invested in their relationship and actually leaves her on their wedding day to go chase his dream of becoming an actor. Willow and Huck share an immediate attraction from the first moment they meet.  Huck is every bit the broken soldier believing he can’t love and Willow is fiercely independent. These two have a bumpy journey to travel, filled with family, friends

The Book Club Hotel

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan is an amazing, moving, emotional tale that focuses on friendship, families, belonging and love.   Written using multiple POVs, giving insight into each of the four main women in the story, lives and thoughts, how they all intertwined, and getting to see their own challenges and journeys. This is a story of three friends, nearing forty, who met in college and have maintained their friendship since. Each year they get together for a week, discuss a chosen book, as well as catching up on each other’s lives. Events in their lives moved this year’s summer adventure to December and Erica booked a quaint inn, in Vermont, with all the holiday feels of a Christmas. Claudia and Anna are overjoyed with the Maple Sugar Inn but wonder why Erica has chosen this place; it’s quite unlike her. Each friend is dealing with life changing issues that the others are unaware of, but as each dilemma is revealed, the true meaning of friendship carries them th

Loving You by Samantha Chase - New Series!!

Image
πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5   Loving You by Samantha Chase, book one in her new series: The Donovans: Sweetbriar Ridge, a Donovan of Laurel Bay spinoff; but with their cousins and Rowan's kids. Levi Donovan loves his life in the big city and is conquering the advertising world one ad campaign at a time. He's the best of the best and on top of his game until he gets fired from the big ad agency after getting caught in a scandal. With little choice left, Levi returns home to Sweetbriar Valley to lick his wounds and regroup. Although he had to return home with his tail between his legs, he is soon humbled by his circumstances, in the best way. Hard truths, overdue confessions, and the love of a good woman could have something to do with his transformation. Jade Mackenzie, a single mom, has spent the last eight years ignoring gossip and disapproving glares. Jade has been raising her eight-year old son Silas along with the help of her parents. She's hoping to win the town people over wit

Hott Shot by Serena Bell

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 Quinn and Sonya ’s story in Hott Shot by Serena Bell , book one in her new Hott Springs Eternal series, is a wonderful, heartwarming, grumpy/sunshine, with a bit of close proximity; the perfect start to this new series about the Hott brothers. After Fox Hott passed away, all of his grandsons are forced to return to Rush Creek for the reading of his will. It seems grandpa has a few tricks up his sleeves to get the family back together, even beyond the grave. They either have to do his bidding or they lose the family land to an evil mining company. Quinn Hott, Hanna's youngest brother, is a world renowned scientist and the founder of a highly successful biotech company. The assignment he received is to staff the reception desk at the family's spa. Quinn is aloof and unsure of himself. He's always been the outcast and has convinced himself he isn't a people person or even a very well liked person; an introvert and social misfit. Welcoming people to the s

Letters of Comfort - A Touching & Moving Story

Image
πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 Letters of Comfort by Wanda E. Brunstetter, book two in her Friendship Letters series, a wonderful and touching series. This story focuses on depression and the amount of pain and heartbreak it can cause a person who suffers from it. This story also illustrates how grief can sometimes cause severe depression. This is a heartfelt story about an Amish young lady who lost her fiancΓ© in an accident shortly before what would have been their wedding day.   Doretta Schwartz offered encouragement and friendship to her friends by writing letters each month sharing her positivity and being there for those she cares for; in the previous book. This time, she is the one in need of positivity, friendship, and caring to get her through a difficult time. Days before she is to marry she and her fiancΓ© are in a tragic accident. Her heart and her world are torn apart with the loss of her fiancΓ©, along with the depression she suffers. Her friend, Eleanor, decides it is her turn to help he

The Heart's Bidding - A Heartwarming Amish Story

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 The Heart's Bidding by Kelly Irvin, book one in the Amish Calling series, is a faith filled story   sweet, heartwarming story about trusting G-d and allowing G-d to show you what is best for you all. A story that drew me, not letting go until the last page.   Rachelle Lapp teaches special education to developmental and disabled Amish students, especially her brother Jonah who has developmental and learning disabilities. She loves her students and is gifted teaching in this area of education. When the parents committee of the Lee’s Gulch Amish School decides to send their Special Ed students to an English school, where they can get occupational teaching, Rachelle’s future looks uncertain. Her choices are to either apply for a teaching position at another school, possibly far from home, or give up teaching altogether; neither of which make her happy. Toby Miller is an Auctioneer for his family’s successful auction business. Toby, his brothers and Dad are alway

The Secret Midwife

Image
πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 The Secret Midwife by Soraya M. Lane is a very powerful and emotional story that takes place during WWII and the Auschwitz concentration camps ; an unforgettable time period in our history. It is a story about conflict, war, love, sacrifice, and strength of character that will be difficult to put down and will stay with you after you turn that last page. There is much to learn in this book and it is heartbreaking to read. This story is told from a different viewpoint than many others; basically about the ones who were not afraid to help the Jews survive. A great deal of research about the thousands of Jews who survived the war hiding in the forest was done to make this story credible. This is a very disturbing story about the terrible atrocities and complete disregard for human life as well as thought provoking. The human spirit is truly resilient. This novel is fascinating and emotional and it will definitely stay with me a long time.   Loosely based on actual ev

Mixed Signals

πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison, book three in her Lovelight series, is a sweet, heartwarming and endearing story with a sunshine/sunshine trope. Layla Dupree, a bakery owner, has been unlucky in love. She is looking for a man who appreciates her, wont stiff her with the bill, and who will stick around.   Caleb Alvarez, a former deputy but now high school teacher, shows up at Layla's bakery, like clockwork, ordering one butter croissant and coffee, before school. Caleb has had a crush on Layla since he first set eyes on her; but has not acted on them as he has been unlucky in love. Layla has no faith in men because of past experience so she doesn't even notice them until she actually does start noticing Caleb. After saving Layla from a bad date, Caleb suggests that they date for one month. He will renew her belief in men and dating and she will rate his dating skills. Layla is amazing with her sense of humor, caring nature, and optimism, but she has a lot of in

The Roommate Pact

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 Claire and Graham ’s story in The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley is a friends-to-lovers and fake relationship that was a heartwarming, feel-good romance. Roommates Claire and Graham make a pact that if they are single in four years, they would act on their attraction and get together. However, all that changes when Graham gets injured in a climbing accident and breaks his leg. Claire, being the nurse she is, offers to help nurse him back to health. Graham has a cast and is bedridden; making it difficult to do anything. Claire recommends journaling, for him to write out all of what he's feeling, as a form of therapy. He decides to send emails to Claire's unused email address, where he knows she'll never read them; as she doesn't even remember the password. There was something special seeing Graham open up in these letters; telling her everything.   It shows how he's opening up his heart to her and to romance; plus it greatly helped him heal. It'

The Duke & the Dressmaker

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 The Duke & the Dressmaker by Eva Devon, book two in the Once Upon a Wallflower series, is an enjoyable, and emotional story ; an enchanting historical that shows how love can conquer a multitude of doubts and outside influences if a heart is opened without fear holding it back. Dressmaker Miss Lily Martin knows only too well the disreputable dealings of London’s corrupt underbelly. She should have known borrowing from one of the city’s most reviled moneylenders was risky; horribly so. The loan has now come due, and there’s nothing standing between Miss Lily and her darling sister’s ruin. Ship captain James Blakefield, the new Duke of Ashbridge, is definitely not like most Dukes. He obtained the title from a distant relative, and is American. James plans to only be in London for six weeks to secure his estate before returning to America, and far from the watchful eye of the ton. James meets Lily when he learns about his ward, her sister, and learns of Lily’s desperate

The Flower Quilter

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 Barbara and Melvin ’s story in The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele, book one in The Heart of the Amish series, is an emotional, tug at your heart strings, sweet Amish romance that I could not put down. In this sweet, heartwarming story we witness faith, family, love and the power of a community as well as accepting that one’s talents cannot always conform to another’s expectations.   Barbara Schwartz loved playing in the trees, chasing animals, being in the barns and in the dirt while growing up, but her mother has her own expectations of what Barbara should be; that if to make beautiful quilts like all the women in her family. There is one major problem, Barbara can't sew and no matter how hard she tries, it becomes a nightmare; sticking her fingers with a needle, getting blood on the fabric, stitches that are way too far apart. Daydreaming while sewing doesn’t help, as she plans the gardens she would prefer to create than be inside during beautiful summer days

Forbidden Love

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 I loved Kylie and Tyler in Forbidden Love by Lea Coll, book six in the Mountain Haven series, an emotional, wonderful, heartfelt, friends to lovers, and brother’s best friend story . Tyler Fletcher and Kylie Wilde have a history, growing up together, Tyler was friends with Kylie's brothers, and although Kylie always felt like the odd one out with her family, Tyler never made her feel that way, one night, they crossed a line, but in the morning everything changed. Fast forward a few years and Kylie is back home from her job in Paris, where she was living and working until a situation, she wants to forget, went wrong. When Tyler and Kylie are thrown together when Tyler's family construction company will be working on a charity program that Kylie has put together, Tyler knows he should stay away, but those old feelings keep reappearing. This couple definitely shares a history, a connection, and sizzling chemistry; except there are a number of obstacles along th

Change of Plans

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 Ryker and Bryce’s story in Change of Plans by Dylan Newton, had me shaking my head and laughing from the start. Each page only added to the hilarity, and I couldn't help but be impressed once again by Newton's sense of humor and cleverness. Change of Plans is a light-hearted, quick-witted read that handles serious topics with heart and compassion.   Unexpectedly gaining guardianship of her three nieces, June, Cecily, and Addison, chef Bryce is out of her comfort zone and hanging on by a thread. The chaos she was thrown into and handling her grieving nieces was dealt using humor and delicacy. June, Cecily, and Addison showed their grief differently, and how they processed things were subtle as well as honest. They were cute, funny, and petulant like all children.   Ryker, a Marine vet who suffers from PTSD and is an amputee, spends his time restoring vintage vehicles. He offers kindness and understanding to Bryce and her nieces; always there for Bryce and

One More Secret

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 One More Secret by Stina Lindenblatt, book one in the Hidden Secrets:Carson Brothers trilogy, is a very emotional, sizzling, dual-timeline romance about a survivor of domestic abuse starting her life over in a small town and the protective ex-Marine determined to save her. Jessica Smithson has just been released from prison for a crime she didn’t commit and has settled in small-town Maple Ridge, Oregon. Although she would rather keep to herself, or hide from everything and everyone, she's befriended by ex-Marine Troy Carson. Troy is determined to be there for Jess, even when she pushes him away. These two have a real connection that is hard to ignore. Jess is soon welcomed and included by Troy and his group of friends. When it becomes clear to Troy that Jess is suffering from PTSD, he does what he can to help her. He wants nothing more than for Jess to open up to him and trust him, but her walls are sky high and impenetrable. Troy is a natural hero and protector w

Reunited on Sugar Maple Road

Image
 πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’– /5 Emma and Josh’s love story in Reunited on Sugar Maple Road by Debbie Mason, book six, and the last story, in the Highland Falls series, is a sweet , heartwarming, emotional tale of love, loss, and learning to move on. Josh Callahan and Emma Scott have both suffered the loss of their love ones, though in completely different ways. Josh's wife left him suddenly and they are now divorced, whereas Emma's fiancΓ© was shot in front of her. Both have gone through the grieving process: denial, anger, hopelessness, and sadness. Josh moved on by returning to the dating and socializing scene, so much that he is known for being a serial dater. Emma, on the other hand, is stuck in the sadness stage. Other than her job as a police officer where she has become a workaholic, she avoids interacting with others, as much as possible. Her family and friends are worried about her; urging her to get back into the social scene, or volunteering in the community, rather than constantly