Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review – A May Bride

12 Tuesday May 2015

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cover40522-mediumA May Bride

by Meg Moseley

“Meg Moseley follows her stellar debut with this lovely dive down south . . . this inspirational tale is destined to be another winner.” -Julie Cantrell (on Gone South)

A year’s worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.

She thinks she has prepared for her wedding all her life . . . but it seems she may have forgotten the most important part.

Ellie Martin, a country girl in Atlanta, has dreamed of a traditional wedding all her life-a wedding just like the one her younger sister is planning back home. Their single mom will pay for Alexa’s wedding, but Ellie started her own wedding fund years ago. She only needs to find a groom.

At a wedding at her church, Ellie bumps into a man who’s one of the guests. She’s noticed him around the neighborhood, but today he introduces himself as Gray Whitby. They embark on a whirlwind romance, but her mother doesn’t trust freewheeling men like Gray.

When Ellie risks her own future for her sister’s sake, Gray feels betrayed. Will he always play second fiddle to Ellie’s family?

Will Ellie and Gray reconcile their differences so her dream wedding can come true, or will the romance they’ve begun come crashing down?

I totally understood Ellie and her troubles.  Feeling like she needs to follow other peoples wants, learning how to set boundaries in her life is very tough for her.  With the kind of mother she has, it is easy to get why she hesitates so much with stepping away from the path her mom decides is right. 

Managing family expectations is never easy, but Ellie’s packs a little extra punch.   Then she meets Gray and he’s definitely hard to resist (I was half in love with him myself).  It’s an emotional journey for her but one that makes their HEA all the sweeter. 

I have really been enjoying these little novellas – they are nice bite size romantic treats, quick reads with a lot of heart, and they’ve exposed me to new authors as well.  With A May Bride Moseley delivers a winner.  It is a story of emotions, troubles and love, with complicated family dynamics and personal growth. 

Book Review – Until You

11 Monday May 2015

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cover60023-mediumUntil You

by Jeannie Moon

When newly divorced Kate Adams is approached on the sunny deck of a California hotel by hockey star David Burke, and he invites her to dinner, she almost says no. He’s obviously younger than her. And charming. And drop dead gorgeous. But there’s also something sweet about David, so Kate—who hasn’t done anything spontaneous in a very long time—accepts his invitation.

It is, after all, her fortieth birthday.

However, a real romance with thirty-year-old David, whose picture is in the gossip pages as often as it’s in the sports pages, is out of the question. No matter how much she wants him, it’s just too risky.

But meeting Kate has been David’s lightning strike. She’s the one for him, and he has no intention of giving up on her.

So while Kate guards her fragile heart, David sets out to win her over with the same determination that drives him on the ice.

And he’ll break every rule in the book if he has to.

After her divorce, Kate is a little insecure but thanks to David she finds herself again. Once she discovers who she is at her core, she’s surprisingly settled for her past – strong and confident. But she has to let that past go and remember how great she really is.  And that she can hold the interest of a younger, super-hot pro-athlete.

David grows up a lot too. He starts to realize the man that he didn’t even know he wanted to be. He just has to convince Kate that he’s ready to commit and that she’s the one for him. David and Kate face a lot of troubles, because of their fears and hang-ups, but it leads to a really great HEA.

The characters are fantastic, both the main and secondary, and Moon does a wonderful job of drawing you into their world.  And of making you interested in what happens next – I really hope we get Jack’s story. I felt for him almost as much as the main characters.  He’s young but a good guy underneath and he got a good kick in the teeth so I have my fingers crossed that we can see him get his own HEA.

With realistic issues and an emotional storyline, Until You is definitely one to add to your TBR pile.

Book Review – No One Like You

08 Friday May 2015

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I’m so excited to share this one with you guys!  Kate Angell is one of my favorites for a good summer time read and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Barefoot William books – make sure you check out my review of No Sunshine When She’s Gone (and the rest of the series ASAP)!  I’ve also got a review on this one – you’ll find it below.

*****

No On Like YouNo One Like You

Barefoot William # 4

by Kate Angell

Releasing April 28th, 2015

from Zebra

Blurb:

No One Expects a Curveball

For Rylan Cates, the gloriously sunny beachside town of Barefoot William may be home, but the pro baseball player needs to focus on spring training. Hiring a personal assistant to keep him and his four dogs organized for the next eight weeks is the first step—and Beth Avery is the perfect pinch hitter.

Beth is still looking for her place in the world, and a couple months caring for Rylan’s two dachshunds, his golden retriever, and a Great Dane named Atlas should shore up her finances before she moves on. Except it’s Atlas who won’t budge, pushing her toward tanned, scruffy, sexy Rylan every chance he gets. One more strike and she’s calling the dog out—unless she and Rylan admit that the attraction they’re feeling is a game-winning grand slam…

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22715924-no-one-like-you?from_search=true

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/103002-barefoot-william

Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo | Publisher

*****

Excerpt:

Barefoot William Sun Classified Ads:

Live-in personal assistant: eight weeks

Appointment scheduling

Maintaining and updating contact lists

Dinner parties

Travel planning

Dinner reservations

Personal shopping

Tickets to entertainment events

Manage invitations

Culinary ability

Interaction with fans, family, and teammates

Light housework

Pet sitter/dog walker

Salary: negotiable with room and board

Contact: RCates@CatesMgmt.com

Dog playing dead in the middle of the road. Beth Avery couldn’t believe the black Great Dane had stopped, dropped, and rolled onto his side. He had a mind of his own and was testing her patience. She shook her head. She should never have applied for the personal assistant position. Dog walker wasn’t on her résumé.

The big boy couldn’t be coaxed or talked from the crosswalk at Center Street and Egret Way. Nothing worked. He’d lain down and stayed down. All one hundred and fifty pounds of him.

The situation was hopeless.

Beth tugged gently on the leather leash attached to his harness. “Up, Atlas, up,” she pleaded again.

Not a flicker of his ears. He even closed his eyes. What if he was sick or hurt? She stared at his chest. The rise and fall was slow and peaceful. Had he fallen asleep?

Atlas was the alpha dog of the four dogs she was walking. Dismayed, she watched the golden retriever and two dapple dachshunds follow his lead. They, too, settled on the asphalt. The dachsies, Oscar and Nathan, turned onto their backs so the sunshine could warm their bellies. They stretched, yawned, looking way too comfortable.

What was she to do? Beth clutched the loop handles on the leashes so tightly they left an imprint on her palm. For a beat, she thought about letting go. See what they would do. It couldn’t be any worse than watching them sunbathe on the road. She wasn’t a dog person. She favored cats. So how was it that she found herself in this predicament at ten a.m. on a Monday morning?

She knew why. She was so desperate to find work, she’d somehow missed the dog walking requirement in the ad. She was so excited she’d been called back for a follow-up interview with Rylan Cates for the assistant position, she didn’t dare tell him she had no experience with canines. He’d met with people all week and had narrowed his choices to three women, herself included.

The final applicants went on to walk, feed, and bathe his dogs. She had no idea how the other ladies had fared before her, although Atlas smelled profoundly doggie. Beth shook her head to clear her thoughts. She wasn’t doing all that well, either.

She’d walked the pack for close to an hour, up and down the streets of Olde Barefoot William, where the homes were handed down through generations. She’d fallen in love with the beachside town, which was as eclectic in its architecture as it was harmonious. William Cates had founded the community. Here lay the inner circle. The old Florida-style cottages were quaint. The houses were shingled and shuttered, with wide porches. They’d withstood hurricanes and time. A few had had minor facelifts.

Enormous evergreens lined the narrow two-lane road. Ancient moss clung to the cypress. The sun cast shadows through the scarlet-flowered branches of the Royal Poinciana trees that cornered the street. The scent of plumeria, gardenia, and hibiscus was heavy on the air. Sprinklers on automatic timers kicked on, watering lawns.

Only three blocks from Rylan’s house, Beth sighed heavily. The neighborhood was momentarily quiet. No cars and no joggers. No one to witness the sleeping dogs. Thank goodness. How was she going to explain she’d fallen off schedule because Atlas pulled a Rip van Winkle? Baths needed to be given to the dogs before noon. Ry had handed her a canine cookbook for their food. They ate organic. A blender and baking were involved. Lunch would be late.

Determined to find a solution, she transferred the leashes to one hand, and then patted the back pocket on her cutoff jeans with the other. She had one trick up her sleeve she’d yet to play. She’d purposely changed her clothes and had dressed down for the walk. Had to. Drool stained white linen slacks. Dirty paws would leave permanent marks. She couldn’t afford cleaning bills. Not in her current economic state.

Sweetening her tone, she tried, “Atlas, treat? Yum, yum.” She smacked her lips.

Treat didn’t get the slightest reaction from the Dane, but the other dogs perked up. The two dachshunds scrambled to their feet and the golden retriever looked at Atlas then back to Beth. Rue was slow to make her decision.

“Oatmeal-apple biscuits,” Beth said, enticing the golden with a handful of snacks she pulled from her denim pocket.

Rue sniffed the air, then nudged Atlas with her nose, but the Dane wouldn’t budge. The retriever slowly rose.

Three up, and one to go. A minor victory, Beth thought.

The dachsies and golden ate their snacks, then eyed Atlas once again, waiting for him to make his move. Or not. Beth agonized over the moment until inspiration struck. Looping the leashes over her wrist, she crouched down near the big dog. There, she quickly tied her retro red Keds. Atlas had stomped all over her feet when he’d spotted a squirrel. She’d tripped twice over the loose laces.

Leaning forward, her cutoffs rode up and snugged her bottom. The fringe tickled the tops of her thighs. Her bright blue crop top had shrunk in the dryer making the back hem even with her sports bra. The sun kissed her bare skin.

She didn’t care if she looked ridiculous, whispering to the Dane. She needed this job. She drew in a breath and started making promises that she never planned to keep, sweet-talking him. “No organic food for you, Atlas. I’ll cook you a big, juicy steak if you’ll get up.”

The Dane cracked his eyelids, a good sign that he was listening.

“You can have the entire couch to yourself. I will stand for the remainder of my interview.” His tail thumped.

“We could even skip your bath.” She had dreaded it anyway. The shampooing might not be so bad. Rinsing him off would drench her. What other enticements could she offer?

“He doesn’t take bribes,” said a man from behind her. His voice was deep and concerned. “I’ve tried.”

Rylan Cates’s sudden arrival took her by surprise. Beth sat down hard on the asphalt. Small rocks jabbed her bottom. She jarred her tailbone. Winced. His shadow loomed over her, larger than life. She turned slightly, tilted back her head, and worked her gaze up his body.

Navy flip-flops. Long legs dusted with brown hair. Gray board shorts. Lean hips. A hint of his package. Defined abs beneath a T-shirt scripted with I Came to Play. Muscled arms. Solid shoulders. A scruffy chin in need of a shave. A masculine mouth that tipped up at one corner. Straight nose. Eyes so blue they made the sky jealous. His hair was dark blond and shaggy. He looked more surfer than professional baseball player.

He was way hotter than she remembered. Or was it because she’d barely looked up from her hands folded in her lap during the interview? Interviewing was new to her.

She’d been incredibly nervous then, and was even more so now.

He cleared his throat, shifted slightly, breaking her stare. He extended his hand, and she took it. He helped her up. His grasp was strong. His palm callused. He squished her fingers. She shook out her hand when released and brushed pebbles from her thighs and butt cheeks. Tugged down her top then faced him.

Her stomach tightened, her mind working overtime imagining what he must be thinking. Where had he come from? she wondered, glancing along the street. She hadn’t heard him approach, but soon understood why. He drove a McLaren. The black sports car was built for stealth and speed and was good for sneaking up on someone. Especially someone walking his dogs. He could easily spy on her. It was parked against the curb, looking shiny and pricey against the backdrop of aging homes.

He ran one hand down his face. “Why is Atlas sleeping in the street?”

“He needed a nap,” was said with more snark than she’d intended. She had never been more frustrated.

“He can’t stay there all day,” he told her. “Traffic picks up closer to noon.”

She tried to read his expression. Was he amused or angry? She couldn’t tell and released a short breath. “I’m open to suggestions.”

He stuck his hands in the pockets of his board shorts, rocked back on his heels. She couldn’t believe he had the balls to debate helping her.

Moments passed before he said, “Give him Rue’s leash so he can walk her home.”

A dog walking a dog? Her eyes widened. Surely he was joking.

“The big boy likes to be in control,” Rylan explained as if she should have known that and adjusted her dog walking style. “He’s had a crush on Rue since they were puppies. She won’t mind.” Ry paused, looked her in the eye. His lips twisted. “Staring at me like I’m crazy won’t get him up.”

She blushed, embarrassed by her inability to manage Atlas. He hadn’t taken to her, but it hadn’t been for lack of trying. She wondered if the other applicants had won him over. Perhaps this job wasn’t meant for her after all. A position stocking shelves at Crabby Abby’s General Store or scooping ice cream cones at The Dairy Godmother might be a better choice. At either place she wouldn’t have to contend with scooping dog poop.

Rylan nudged her aside and took the leashes from her. Separating Rue’s hot pink lead from the others, he held it up for Beth to see the teeth marks—big indentations made by a big mouth—on the curved handle. No mistaking the Great Dane’s signature bite. “Watch this. Atlas, take Rue home,” he instructed the Dane.

Atlas stood up so quickly, Beth swore the earth moved.

Rising on his back legs, the dog put his paws on Rylan’s shoulders. They were eye to eye. Ry smiled and scratched the dog’s floppy ears. Atlas barked. It was a sight she’d never forget.

Dropping back down, Atlas snatched Rue’s leash from Ry’s hand and gripped it between his teeth. His tail whipped wildly. He was happy and attentive. He took off at a trot, dragging Rue several steps before she balked. He then slowed his stride so the golden could keep up and they headed down the sidewalk.

*****

Review:

So you guys have no idea how excited I was to get another of Kate Angell’s books – especially when it centers around one of the Richmond Rogues players. Years ago I fell in love with her Rogues and while there is no doubt that I love the Barefoot William crew, those ball players will always have a special place in my heart. (Pssst, you can get the original books in a special 4 Book Boxed Set on Amazon!)

Rylan and Beth together are just fantastic. It’s not a very angst ridden book, instead it’s all about the people (yea!) – getting to know each other, falling in love and developing relationships with those around them. Rylan is all sexy ball-player, but being a Cates he’s also smart, settled and big-hearted. He cares about his family & those around him and so does Beth. She immediately adopts all those in Rylan’s sphere and tries to make things better for them, but of course she puts Rylan first. She’s running a little from her past but working for Rylan gives her the chance to sit still for a little bit and confront it.

I did a really big happy dance about halfway thru the book when I started to realize that Angell was possibly setting us up for more Rogues books! We usually spend time with the people of Barefoot William but with Rylan being a starter for the baseball team we got to see more of the players. And what a fantastically fun crew they are. I can’t wait to see this group of grown up little boys fall in love – it is guaranteed to be a hoot. Based on the sneak peek at the end, we’re starting with Halo, the biggest little kid of the bunch. I’m so excited!

With a Great Dane matchmaker and hyper ballplayers, Rylan and Beth are kept on their toes … while being pushed into each other’s arms. Humorous and full of heart, No One Like You is another home run from Kate Angell.

*****

Author Info:

National bestselling author Kate Angell lives in Naples, Florida. She’s an animal lover, avid reader, and sports fan. Bookstores are her second home. She takes coffee breaks at Starbucks. Her philosophy: Out of chaos comes calmness. Enjoy the peace. Please visit her on Facebook or at www.kateangell.com.

Author Links:   Website | Facebook  | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

Win one of three copies of No One Like You

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8673/

*****

Check out the rest of the tour by clicking on the banner below

TVTNoOneLikeYou-KateAngell

Book Review – Win by Submission

07 Thursday May 2015

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cover60955-mediumWin by Submission

by Melynda Price

To win her heart, he’ll be in for the fight of his life.

After an illegal kick during a CFA title fight fractures Cole Easton’s spine, doctors say there’s nothing more they can do for the bitter Vegas fighter. They say it’s a miracle he can walk, if that’s what you call his crutch-dragging limp. Unwilling to give up on him, Cole’s manager sends the injured fighter to the best physical therapist he knows: his niece, Katie Miller. When Cole arrives in the small town of Somerset, Wisconsin, he quickly discovers his sly manager may have had reasons other than rehab for sending him to this frozen tundra.

After a year of running from an abusive ex-boyfriend, Katie has returned to her hometown to care for her father, who’s recovering from a stroke. When Uncle Marcus calls in a favor, she reluctantly finds herself taking on a rancorous MMA fighter, broken at the height of his career. He’s insanely sex-on-a-stick hot—and everything she loathes in a man.

If Cole thinks his fighting days are over, he’s dead wrong. To save Katie from her past and to win her heart, he’ll be in for the fight of his life.

I don’t know why but I was surprised at how wrapped up in this book I got. Price delivers characters that I latched onto and a story that kept me coming back for more. There were some surprises and some expected moments, but I turned the page content with the journey and hungry for more.

Katie lives in fear but somehow Cole manages to get past all of her walls. Cole is your typical alpha fighter, full of testosterone and power, but surprisingly understanding and sensitive. He’s got struggles of his own but once Katie stumbles into his life, nothing is going to be the same. I loved watching these two dance around each other – Katie so very skittish because of her history and Cole so very male.

Win by Submission has lots of scary, suspenseful moments and mixes it with the emotional give-and-take of Cole & Katie falling in love. It has a fantastically nail-biting ending – a little predictable but still affecting and one that had me satisfied. With enthralling writing and characters that pop, Price delivers a great series and one that has me looking forward to the next book.

Book Review – The Playboy

01 Friday May 2015

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cover59041-mediumThe Playboy

Hot Aussie Heroes Book 3

by Madeline Ash

Wanted: Sexy sun-kissed surfer for hot summer fling.

Innocent Alexia Burton needs to become sexually confident for an upcoming acting role, and that means taking a lover.

Someone she’s attracted to. Someone who’ll teach her what she needs to know, but not ask for more than she’s prepared to give. She needs to learn the intensity of true desire and then have him walk away.

Parker Hargreaves is determined to make amends for treating Alexia badly all those years ago. He’s changed and wants her to think better of him. If that means letting her sharpen her sexual moves on him, so be it. He’ll do it. His playboy reputation certainly won’t suffer.

He just doesn’t count on walking away being so hard.

I totally loved The Playboy.  It starts off with a heartbreaking teenage moment between Alexia and Parker.  Ash completely captures that feeling of being young (and stupid) and how devastating things can be.  Then we flash forward about a half dozen years and the two meet again.  Parker handles it like a champ and I totally fell in love with him right there in the middle of Chapter 1 🙂

Parker has done a lot of growing up since Alexia new him in school, but she’s not convinced right away.  Luckily he’s got the patience of a saint, and the understanding of what a jerk he was before, so he’s willing to prove himself.  Of course, he’s still a guy and makes a couple of missteps along the way, but you know that the two are working their way to a HEA.

I totally understand Alexia’s reservations – both with Parker and with her “assignment”.  She’s a serious girl and falling into bed with a stranger definitely isn’t in her comfort zone.  She’s also one who was once burned and twice shy so she’s not going to easily forgive and forget.  Her attraction to Parker might help with part of her problems but they definitely come with a whole basket of others. 

The way that Parker and Alexia work through their issues (and their attraction) is adorable and I found myself glued to the pages.  They have great banter and Parker is a very inventive man as he not only earns a second chance with Alexia but takes on the task of helping her gain confidence.  Ash manages to so completely convince readers of how perfect they are together that I took it personally when things went wrong … which just made it all the sweeter when I got to that last page.  You know that they are going to figure things out but that doesn’t make that speed bump at the end any easier to take 🙂

Book Review – One Last Letter

30 Thursday Apr 2015

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9781440584473_p0_v1_s260x420One Last Letter

By Pema Donyo

A romantic hardened by reality . . .

Evelyn Lancaster turned her back on her love for ranch hand Jesse Greenwood when she was sixteen to pursue a career and marry into wealth that could save her father’s struggling ranch. Now twenty-three, she works hard to keep the property afloat, but no suitor has stirred her heart the way Jesse did. After her father falls ill, she needs all the help she can get to keep the ranch running.

A cowboy returning to what he left behind . . .

After making his fortune, a newly wealthy Jesse has returned home to see his younger sister married. Still smarting from Evelyn’s rejection, he finds the tables have turned, and now only his investment could save the ranch that he vowed to never step foot on again.

When he agrees to help her salvage her family legacy, they must overcome their pride and painful past to work together. As long-held emotions rekindle, Jesse pretends indifference, only to admit his true feelings in an unsigned letter left on Evelyn’s porch.

Evelyn finds the missive and writes back, beginning a furtive correspondence. She dares to hope her mystery admirer is Jesse, but then another man comes forward to claim the letters as his own. Will one last letter give them the courage to say yes to love on the wild Texas plains?

I don’t usually like romances that are centered on situations of miscommunication – they frustrate me and I usually can’t relax enough to enjoy the story.  But Donyo does a fantastic job with One Last Letter.  The characters are interesting and she really brings to readers the impact of foolish choices made by the young. 

Although Jesse and Evelyn have an opportunity for a second chance, their stubbornness and fear of rejection lead to more heartache.  I was on the edge of my seat (even though I knew that they were going to get their happy ending) through a good portion of the book and couldn’t decide if I wanted to hug or kick them.  I wanted to reach through the pages, lock them in a room together and force them to really talk.  But Donyo handled it well and left me smiling.    

Full of deeply felt, and long held, love combined with regret and confusion, One Last Letter is a great western romance.  With a satisfyingly sweet ending, I was very glad I put aside my prejudices and gave it a chance. 

 

Book Review – Cinderella’s Cowboy

29 Wednesday Apr 2015

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cover64946-mediumCinderella’s Cowboy

This Old House series

by Roxanne Snopek

Chad Anders doesn’t know why mousy Cynthia Henley trips all over her tongue when she’s around him. Nor does he understand his undeniable attraction to this good girl. Wild and sexy is his type, like the dream-girl he caught a glimpse of years earlier he’s never forgotten.

Cynthia’s superpower is invisibility, especially with men. It’s better for everyone that way. Besides, she’s got a cat. She’s okay. But when playboy-rancher Chad hires her, she’s got a chance to shine. Professionally, at least. Until she learns of his fascination with a mysterious dream-girl, who was actually nothing more than a shy teenager on an ill-advised dare all those years ago. Cynthia knows she’s no man’s dream-girl and never will be.

But there’s magic at the ball. Princesses glow in the starlight, princes appear out of nowhere, and, sometimes, they look a lot like cowboys…

Let me start with the fact that I haven’t read the rest of this series (surprise, surprise) and I think that it somewhat impacted how much I understood about what was going on. There were some definite undertones in the relationships as well as some incidents from the previous books that come into play.

Now, having said that, I have to admit that I REALLY liked this story. Cynthia and Chad are fantastic. She’s got that right amount of grit and snark to keep me coming back. She’s been in the shadow of her step sisters for a long time – long enough that she’s forgotten what it might be like to shine. Having the attention of a sexy cowboy may just be what she needs …

And she helps bring the real Chad out. He’s at a point where he is starting to evaluate his life choices when Cynthia falls into his lap. She’s the perfect foil to what he’s used to – caring, hardworking, smart, and sexy but a little unsure of herself. She intrigues him, capturing his attention at a time when he needs something real in his romantic life.

Cinderella’s Cowboy is a short read, but very satisfying, with plenty of humor and snark, heat and sparks, and small town heart. I won’t even get into the Cinderella with a Western twang part of it – but I will say it is a fun take on the classic story.

If you’ve read the rest of the This Old House series I’m sure you are going to be a happy camper. If you haven’t, you can start here but since I know what fantastic books Ms. Snopek writes I recommend starting at the beginning – you won’t regret it and I think that you’ll enjoy this one all the more.

(This story is part of the This Old House series, but can be read as a stand-alone. However, it is advisable to read the previous books in the series to get the most enjoyment from this story.)

Book Review – Hold Me

28 Tuesday Apr 2015

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cover60714-mediumHold Me

Fool’s Gold Series

by Susan Mallery

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery’s classic blend of lighthearted humor and intense emotional conflict works its magic on two newcomers to the California town of Fool’s Gold, which Library Journal calls “a setting so real and appealing readers will want to start scoping out real estate.”

Destiny Mills believes passion has its place—like in the lyrics of the country songs that made her parents famous. After a childhood full of drama and heartache, she wants a life that’s calm. Safe. Everything that Kipling Gilmore isn’t. Her temporary assignment with the Fool’s Gold search and rescue team puts her in delicious proximity to the former world-class skier every day. Part of her aches to let go for once…the rest is terrified what’ll happen if she does.

Though an accident ended his career, Kipling still lives for thrills—and a hot fling with a gorgeous redhead like Destiny would be a welcome diversion. Yet beneath his new coworker’s cool facade is a woman who needs more than he’s ever given. With her, he’s ready to take the risk. But love, like skiing, is all about trust—and before you soar, you have to be willing to fall.

Want me to tell you a secret? I absolutely LOVE Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series. Oh, that’s not a secret, is it? 🙂 The dialogue is always snappy, the characters have depth and are interesting, the stories hold my page after page, and it’s all tied up with a nice HEA bow at the end. Perfection!

I think what I found most interesting about Hold Me is that it strayed a little from the formula of the previous stories. We still are given a wonderful hero and heroine, intriguing secondary characters that are sure to have their own story, and little updates on some old friends. This time the story focuses more on Kipling and Destiny’s discovery of themselves and how they fit in with those around them. There are plenty of wonderful interactions between the two and they fall in love bit by bit throughout the story, but it seems to be less important than the outside interactions. Those coming back to Fool’s Gold will know that this is a part of all of her stories but it just seemed to play into more this time … and I really like it!

Destiny has spent her whole life running from the fame of her parents – and the musical gift that they gave her. But this summer she’s in Fool’s Gold on a job and brought along the half-sister that she doesn’t know. Starr’s mom died and their dad is on tour so Destiny is the only one who can help the girl. Seeing her family from someone else’s perspective and dealing with the responsibility of being the guardian to a teenager has Destiny looking at things a little differently. As the sisters get to know each other better and start to look at the future, it becomes obvious to Destiny that her life won’t ever be the same.

Kipling has always been a go getter. He’s spent years at the top of the skiing world … only to have it all crash and burn. Like Destiny, he’s also taking a good look at who he is now and what the future will be. His sister is in Fool’s Gold as well and there is some residual guilt over their past that has a hold on him. It’s intriguing to watch as Kipling has to learn where he fits with those around him – when to step in, when to step out and when they just need his support.

It’s an interesting journey for both Kipling and Destiny as they try to find their paths – sometimes walking together, sometimes side by side and sometimes on their own but always toward a HEA that will make you smile. It’s a beautiful trip, as they make peace with their pasts and look toward their futures, and Mallery once again does a wonderful job of bringing it to her readers.

Book Review – Slow and Steady Rush

27 Monday Apr 2015

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cover57579-mediumSlow and Steady Rush

Falcon Football Series

by Laura Trentham

She lives by the book—and is still searching for her happily ever after.

Darcy Wilde has tried hard not to live up to her last name. As a librarian in Atlanta she lives a fine life far away from the football-obsessed town of her childhood. But when her beloved Grandmother needs help, Darcy takes a leave of absence and heads back to the home and past she left behind.

He knows how to play the field—and is in no rush to settle down.

Robbie Dalton knows a thing or two about painful pasts. After bouncing around in foster care and the Army for years he is finally ready to move on and make a home for himself in Falcon, Alabama as the newest high school football coach. Sparks fly when the sexy new coach and the sharp-tongued librarian meet, but neither of them is looking to make ties.

But when it comes to love, sometimes you’ve gotta throw away the rule book to cross the finish line…

Everything changes when Darcy falls in love, not only with the gruff, protective, and smoking hot man who’s sharing her days and nights, but also with the complex tapestry of people who weave Falcon together. Could this be where she belongs – and who she belongs with?

I love these stories about little towns – the close-knit community and eccentric personalities just make for fun reading. And with Trentham’s Slow and Steady Rush I’m absolutely thrilled that this is the start of a new series because I absolutely cannot get enough of Falcon, Alabama.

Darcy’s struggles with coming home don’t play nearly as big a part as Dalt’s problems. I can totally see why she felt she needed to get out of the small town she grew up in … and how it changes with an adult perspective. Robbie, on the other hand, has never had anywhere that felt like home. But now that he’s making a place for himself in Falcon, he may actually be able to settle in. The scars he carries on the inside are awfully big, though, and he’ll have to learn how to let go to fully embrace the chances that life are throwing his way. It’s a difficult journey for him, and he fights it every step of the way, but that makes it all the more satisfying when we get to the HEA.

It’s an emotional battle between these two, with each other and themselves. I can admit that Trentham brought me to tears a time or two but she also brought a big ol’ smile to my face. I call that a fantastic read – one that makes me cry, smile, laugh and sigh and enjoy every single darn minute of it. I absolutely can’t wait to see what she has in store for the rest of the guys because if it is anything like this one, they’ll be whoppers.

Book Review – Horse Crazy

24 Friday Apr 2015

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cover58275-mediumMelody and her teenage daughter, Kristen, have moved to Colorado for a fresh start. She’s still not 100% where she wants to be in terms of her body yet but she is finally comfortable with herself and is living completely as a woman for the first time in her life. To thank Kristen for being so wonderful she promises her daughter riding lessons, something her little girl has always dreamed of.

While waiting for the lesson to start, she’s happy to see her daughter amidst the horses that she loves so much, but Melody does not expect the handsome man who sits down next to her—a man who proves to be Kristen’s instructor and idol—to be interested in taking Melody out on a date…

I don’t often have a chance to review LGBTQIA stories – not because of any personal beliefs (to me all good love stories are worth reading) but not all that many cross my desk – so I’m not very familiar with any quirks specific to the sub-genre.  I look for the same thing in all my books:  strong characters, an appealing story, and a HEA.  Horse Crazy does provide those, but since it is a novella it is in a more condensed form. 

I liked Melody and the chance to look at the issues a new trans face when stepping into the dating pool again.  It’s a hot spot in today’s society and although the story isn’t very long, I think like Ricci does a good job of hitting the important pieces.  I really felt like I could understand where she was coming from and the decisions she had to make.  Because it is a novella, we didn’t get a chance to really look into Derrick’s reaction and I really think I’d love more from his perspective – a chance to understand where his head is at, because there wasn’t a lot of conflict at the end. 

Even with just Melody’s perspective though, Horse Crazy was an intriguing read.  A sweet romance and even sweeter mother/daughter relationship, it’s a quick read and one that I couldn’t put down.