Cowboy Come Home

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cover26976-mediumSixteen years ago, Jake Rollins left Happy, Texas for a life in rodeo โ€ฆ and broke Anna Connorโ€™s heart when he called to tell her he married another woman.ย  Barely out of high school, pregnant and devastated, Anna accepted the help of Jakeโ€™s best friend, Carl, and they raised Jakeโ€™s daughter as their own.ย  Even though he never planned to come back home, one glimpse of Annaโ€™s teenage daughter at a rodeo โ€“ a daughter that looks just enough like him to make him ask questions โ€“ has Jake back in Happy looking for answers from the widowed Anna.ย  As it becomes obvious that the pull is still there, can Jake convince Anna that he is worth a second chance?ย  And will their daughter accept the truth about her parents?

Even though I enjoyedย Cowboy Come Home, I do think that a couple of conversations with a trained professional might have solved a lot of their problems.ย  I know they are from a small ranching town in Texas and cowboy pride probably runs deep but the issue of telling Leigh the truth (and of Anna forgiving Jake) probably should have had the help of a therapist.ย  Sheโ€™s fifteen, of course sheโ€™s going to flip out and cause trouble.

But for me, this wasnโ€™t the main drive of the book.ย  Itโ€™s about Leigh learning to let go of her past with Jake and moving past it, accepting him for who he is now and understanding that they were young and stupid before.ย  Even though Jake is older and a little wiser, he still has some growing up to do of his own and needs to accept some hard truths about himself and his family.ย ย With the attraction between Anna & Jake is still strong after all their years apart, itโ€™s that reconnectionย  that will draw readers in.

Although the plot isnโ€™t anything new, fans of cowboy romances will appreciate how Gaddy brings to life enjoyable characters with a country flair.

Summer in Napa

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cover23689-mediumLexi Moreau has come home to start over.ย  After a decade in New York, she has almost nothing left โ€“ no husband, no restaurant, nothing except her dream toย work with her grandmother turning her bakery into a bistro โ€ฆ as long as she can avoid her grandmotherโ€™s over-the-top matchmaking efforts and the overwhelming (and unwanted) attraction to her exโ€™s best friend.

Lexi is that perfect mix of girl next door and Lucille Ball โ€“ sheโ€™s smart, sexy and a magnet for embarrassing situations.ย  Sheโ€™s still a little shook up by her exโ€™s treatment so her confidence level is in the dumps but she still manages to be funny and appealing.ย  Sheโ€™s also slowly working on getting her mojo back, with Marcโ€™s help.ย  He may be her exโ€™s oldest friend and the town playboy, avoiding any romantic commitment, but heโ€™s also gorgeous, fun and supportive.ย  Heโ€™s got his own issues getting his hotel up and running, and showing his brothers that he isnโ€™t a screw-up, so he needs Lexiโ€™s support as much as she needs his.

I adore these two together.ย  They have been fighting an attraction for years and, with all of that history, they manage to create a very supportive (and very entertaining) partnership.ย  Theyโ€™ve known each other long enough that the blinders have come off, but that also means they know each other well enough to love what is underneath.ย  They know the bad, the good and the indifferent.ย  When they let all of that go and trust in themselves and each other, they have something spectacular.

Summer in Napaย is the first โ€œSt Helena Vineyardโ€ novels Iโ€™ve read and I must say I was absolutely delighted.ย  It kept me laughing, while touching my heart โ€“ a sweet and sassy charmer perfect for a long summer day.ย  I fell instantly in love with everyone in St Helena โ€“ from the busy-body grannies to the overly macho DeLucas, and their mouthy sister โ€“ and I canโ€™t wait to see how the rest of them find their HEA.

Johanna’s Bridegroom

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cover24396-mediumYears ago a foolish mistake destroyed Roland Byler and Johanna Yoderโ€™s relationship, both going on to marry other people and have children.ย  Now, both widowed, Johanna stuns Roland with a proposal.ย  She sees it as the perfect answer โ€“ sheโ€™d be a mother to his son and heโ€™d be the father her two kids need.ย  But Roland has never forgotten the love he felt for Johanna those years ago and he wants more than an emotionless marriage.ย  Now heโ€™s got to remind her what it was like when they were courting and that they can have those feelings again.

Johannaโ€™s Bridegroomย is a book in the โ€œHannahโ€™s Daughtersโ€ series โ€“ sometimes it isnโ€™t that important to have read the previous books but this is definitely one of those times that it would make a difference.ย  The core story of Johanna and Roland is wonderful and easy to follow โ€“ heโ€™s determined to have a marriage full of love but, between his youthful indiscretion (which you donโ€™t find out details of until the end) and problems with her last marriage, sheโ€™s not sure she can give her heart again.ย  I loved the interaction between Roland and Johanna.ย  Heโ€™s so steady and sure, hard-working and caring.ย  Sheโ€™s assertive and brash, especially for the Amish, but she also has a deep love for her family and her community.ย  I enjoyed watching them come to terms with their past and their future.

But there is so much more to this series and the intricacies of the Yoder family are difficult to follow without having a familiarity with the previous books.ย  There was so much that I didnโ€™t fully understand and I think that I would have enjoyed the book so much more if Iโ€™d had those details.ย  Donโ€™t get me wrong, the book was interesting and I am glad I read it, but it was somewhat frustrating.ย  If you havenโ€™t read anything else in this series, I highly recommendย trying toย find some of the others first or be prepared to have a few unanswered questions as you go thru it.ย  If this isnโ€™t your first book, then Iโ€™m sure you are aware of the heart-warming story that you will find between the covers.

(Iโ€™m giving this one 3 stars because of the fact that it is so hard to read by itself but without that I would have given the core story 4 stars.)

It Had to Be You

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cover28067-mediumOnce again Jill Shalvis delights with her newest Lucky Harbor novel,ย It Had To Be You, bringing readers another of her to-die-for, rough & ready heroes in police office Luke Hanover, who meets his match in plucky, sweet Ali Winters.ย  After a high profile case ends badly, Luke comes back to Lucky Harbor to get away for a few weeks and recharge.ย  But instead of finding quiet isolation in his beachfront cottage, he gets bowled over by the oh-so-sexy Ali โ€ฆ who brings with her a ton of problems.ย  Ali has just broken up with her cheating boyfriend and needs a place to stay.ย  And apparently she also needs the help of a good detective because sheโ€™s being accused of stealing money she never touched.ย  As they work together to prove Aliโ€™s innocence, their attraction gets the better of them, but Luke has no intention of staying once his vacation is over.ย  Can they enjoy a short-term fling without either of their hearts getting involved?

Iโ€™m always thrilled when a new Lucky Harbor book comes out โ€“ and the best part is you donโ€™t have to have read any of the previous ones to enjoy this one.ย  Itโ€™s the first in a new trilogy in the quaint little town, introducing three friends who will each find their mate sometime in the next year.ย  Long-time readers will enjoy the chance at getting glimpses of previous characters, but this is definitely a prime place for new readers to start.

Luke is the quintessential Shalvis hero โ€“ heโ€™s big, bad, manly and conflicted.ย  (And his friends are sure to be just as delicious!)ย  Heโ€™s carrying around a boat-load of guilt and angst, not just from the case he was working on but from a couple of incidences in his childhood.ย  He doesnโ€™t think that heโ€™s a good bet in a relationship โ€ฆ and definitely not for someone like Ali, who loves Lucky Harbor and is looking to put down roots.ย  Watching him fight his feelings is quite a lot of fun.

Ali also carries a lot of trademark Shalvis characteristics โ€“ she has her own issues to deal with but sheโ€™s fun, quirky and full of sass.ย  Sheโ€™s an original and a delight, entertaining and funny.ย  Sheโ€™s a great choice for Luke as she does a fantastic job of balancing out his more broody nature.ย  The mystery of who did steal the money adds just that touch of suspense to give this book a little additional punch.ย  It is well-developed and I loved how everything gets resolved.

I highly recommend running out and picking up a copy ofย It Had To Be Youย regardless of whether youโ€™ve ever been to Lucky Harbor before.ย  Itโ€™s the perfect kick-off to the summer โ€“ a little bit funny, a little bit suspenseful, and a whole lot heartwarming โ€“ and youโ€™ll find yourself ready to visit again and again.

Kissing the Maid of Honor

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cover31293-mediumAs a teenager, Sela Sullivan had a crush on her best friendโ€™s older brother, Luke Watters, who also happened to be her older brotherโ€™s best friend.ย  One day she decided to go for it and, taking advantage of a kissing booth, put everything she was feeling into a kiss โ€ฆ. only to have him humiliate her.ย  ย Now a famous photographer, heโ€™s back in town for his sisterโ€™s wedding โ€“ Best Man to her Maid of Honor.ย  She wonโ€™t do anything to ruin her friendโ€™s wedding, but she plans to avoid Luke as much as possible.ย  But the more time they spend together, the more tempting he becomes.ย  Can she trust him again given how badly his actions hurt her before?ย  And does she dare to give her heart to a man who travels all over the world for a living?

Kissing the Maid of Honorย is a sweet story about second chances.ย  Sela and Luke are fantastic together โ€“ their interactions are full of both wit and tenderness.ย  Luke has a lot of making up to do with Sela, not quite understanding how much damage his comments made when they were teenagers, but their growing trust and intimacy has so much warmth and heart that it kept me glued to the pages.ย  The development of their relationship was very realistic and I think that Bielman did a great job with the conflict.ย  The resolution was very touching and made me sigh just a little bit becauseย I was so happy for them to get their HEA.

Kissing the Maid of Honor is actuallyย part of a series and readers will get a glimpse into the next story (about Selaโ€™s brother Shane, which looks like it is going to be fun).ย  Itโ€™s a fun little town, reminding me a little of Jill Shalvisโ€™s Lucky Harbor, complete with an engaging group of friends & family that is sure to provide plenty of material for many good books to come.

Nicholas

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cover21396-mediumNicholas Haddonfield, Lord Reston, promised his dying father he would marry before the end of the Season.ย  And Lady Leah Lindsey, who needs rescuing from being wedded to an old lecher, is the perfect choice for a marriage of convenience.ย  Only Nick never counted on his heart getting involved.

Nicholasย is a companion book toย Darius, released last month.ย  Given the barest of details of Leahโ€™s marriage to Nick in that book, readers are now treated to the details of what really happened.ย  Nick has a secret โ€“ one that prevents him from giving himself fully to his marriage, one that he refuses to share with Leah.ย  I love Nick, almost as much as Darius.ย  Heโ€™s big, strong, smart and lethally handsome.ย  But he really needs to work on his communication skills.ย  A couple of conversations with the right people, a sharing of his burden and his guilt, would have changed his life completely.ย  But then he wouldnโ€™t have married the lovely Leah.ย  Sheโ€™s had a hard life and is facing a difficult future, then a chance encounter with Nick at a ball changes everything.ย  She just has to be strong enough to handle him and everything that he throws at her.

I adore these two together. ย There might have been a couple of times that I had to shake my head at the poor confused man, but their relationship is sweet and fun, while handling serious problems on both sides at the same time. ย Nick is so conflicted but Burrowes does a fantastic job of wrapping up everything in a HEA. ย Nicholasย is a must for readers of historical romances, especially those about big, strong, deluded men and the women smart enough to love them long enough for them to come to their senses.

Note: ย This is one of those series where I donโ€™t think it is necessary to read all of the books (although I definitely recommend it because so far they are fantastic).ย ย Nicholasย is complete by itself and I donโ€™t think any of the nuances would be lost on new readers.ย  But those who readย Dariusย will enjoy the revelation of exactly how Nick and Leah got together and how they go forward, and will find it fun to see Dariusโ€™s story from an outsiderโ€™s perspective. ย ย Knowing what is happening with his life, it just adds that little bit of extra flavor to have someone elseโ€™s take on his actions.ย  Readers are also given glimpses of future characters โ€“ Nickโ€™s brothers and his friend Val.ย  Based on how enjoyable Iโ€™ve found these two books, Iโ€™m canโ€™t wait for future installments.

SEAL of Honor

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SOH

SEAL of Honorย is the first book in Tonya Burrowsโ€™s Hornet series โ€“ one sure to please those who enjoy an enticing mix of military, mystery and love.ย  Gabe Bristow only knows how to be a Navy SEAL, but after an accident leaves him without a career, he flounders trying to figure out what to do with his life.ย  Like a gift, heโ€™s given the opportunity to head a private hostage rescue team, only to find itโ€™s filled with misfits โ€“ a drunk linguist, a nerdy ex-CIA analyst, a former FBI negotiator, a cowboy medic, and an explosives expert that might be more volatile than any bomb.ย  Now they have to figure out how to work together to find Audrey Van Ameeโ€™s kidnapped brother, without getting themselves killed.ย  And Gabe has to keep a professional distance from the very sexy Audrey, not easy when she insists on getting involved in her brotherโ€™s case.

All aroundย SEAL of Honorย is a fast-paced, captivating read โ€“ the characters are larger than life but sexy especially if you like your men big and bad, the suspense is well-developed and comes together very succinctly, the danger seems real and keeps you holding on, and the romance has just that right amount of zing and emotion.ย  Each of the Hornet team members left their former position under less than stellar circumstances and has the emotional & physical scars to prove it.ย  Add in the fact that they are all very Alpha, from different backgrounds, never worked together before โ€ฆ definitely a powder keg.ย  They sucked me in and Iโ€™m very much looking forward to getting the scoop on all of Gabeโ€™s team in future books.ย  There is also a guarantee of adding even more members to the Hornet team, which can only lead to good things.

SEAL of Honorย is perfect for those who look for bolder, edge of your seat summer reads filled with colorful characters and riveting story-lines.

Just One Kiss

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cover23875-mediumIโ€™ll admit it, Iโ€™m biased. ย Iย absolutelyย LOVE Susan Malleryโ€™s books and I look forward to Spring because I know that it means that new Foolโ€™s Gold books are coming out โ€ฆ and this year doesnโ€™t look like it is going to disappoint.

Fifteen years ago teenager Patience McGraw fell in love with her best friend, Justice Garrett. ย She finally got up enough courage to tell him how she felt, only he disappeared without a trace in the middle of the night. ย Foolโ€™s Gold and Patience were the best thing about Justiceโ€™s childhood. ย In the witness protection program to escape his criminal father, he was stunned when they suddenly had to relocate after his father was seen in the area. ย Now, after years in the military and a stint doing private security, Justice is back in the only place that ever felt like home to open a defense academy โ€“ and to see Patience again. ย When they realize that their feelings are still strong, will they be able to trust in themselves and each other enough to commit to something more thatย Just One Kiss?

Once again Mallery brings readers her signature quirkiness and heart in a book full of humor, love and angst. ย Although Patience is pretty well centered, Justice is struggling with the things heโ€™s seen and done, plus his fear that he could hurt people like his father. ย A fear like that goes deep and no matter how many people tell you otherwise, you are still going to have doubts. ย I love the little boy hidden in the man โ€“ the one that wants so badly to connect to others, to have a normal life, and for someone to give him the comfort and love he didnโ€™t have growing up. ย No matter how big and strong and capable he is, I just want to give him a hug and a cookie.

As always, a Foolโ€™s Gold novel is about more than the two people in the blurb. ย Itโ€™s always like coming home for me when I pick up one of these books because the town is so real and the people are like old friends. ย Weโ€™re given updates on everyone, but weโ€™re introduced to new friends too, which is fun. ย Mallery does a great job of giving you just enough about the people who will be in the next handful of books to tease you. ย Iโ€™m actually restraining myself from picking up my ARC of the next novel as I know it is going to be so awesome. ย Felicia, who will be the focus next, was definitely a highlight for me in an all-star supporting cast. ย I just know sheโ€™s going to be a trip to get to know better.

New and long-term readers will love the newest in Malleryโ€™s amazing series โ€“ with heart, humor and just that perfect tinge of heat,ย Just One Kissย is sure to please.

Don’t Bite the Bridesmaid

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cover31551-mediumAlice Shepard needs a gorgeous date for her sisterโ€™s wedding. ย Her future brother-in-law just happens to be her cheating ex-fianceโ€™s brother and she wants him to regret leaving her for her best friend. ย Aliceโ€™s oh-so-hot next door neighbor is perfect. ย Now she just has to convince the somewhat reclusive Noah Thorpe to spend a week with her on a cruise ship, pretending to be in love. ย Noah needs to get out of town for a few days while his friends try to get him out of an arranged marriage โ€“ a vampire tradition that will tie him to a female that heโ€™s never met. ย Aliceโ€™s request is ย just what he needs. ย What could go wrong?

Donโ€™t Bite the Bridesmaidย is a fantastically fun read that will appeal to a wide range of people. ย Even if you arenโ€™t into paranormal romances, you should pick this one up โ€“ the fact that Noah is a vampire isnโ€™t really a big plot point, itโ€™s truly a relationship story. ย The problems between the two could be found in any book, as Alice has some trust issues left over from her ex and Noah keeps secrets (some out of necessity but of course that isnโ€™t going to sit well with her).

Both Alice and Noah are appealing characters and they get into some delightful scrapes together. ย Aliceโ€™s family is quirky, adding just the right amount of humor to the story. ย And as a part of the Sons of Kane series, there is plenty of opportunity to get more. ย Noah has a couple of brothers who have potential for angsty, vampire fun and Alice has a brother that will likely play a part in a future story. ย For me, thatโ€™s definitely a plus as everyone was deliciously entertaining.

If you are looking for a sweet, sexy, humorous beach read,ย Donโ€™t Bite the Bridesmaidย is the perfect summer treat.

Cover reveal – Toni Aleo’s Falling for the Backup

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Looks like Toni Aleo (@tonilovesweber6)ย is bringing readers another sizzling hockey romance! Check out the fantastic cover for Falling for the Backup (#fallingforthebackup)ย and more details about the book below.

Falling for the Backup - Final

Falling for the Backup: An Assassins Series Novella
Toni Aleo
Loveswept โ€“ Random House | ย June 24, 2013ย ย | ย $0.99
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Toni Aleoโ€™s sexy new eBook original novella featuring the Nashville Assassins will have you believing in the power of love at first sight . . . and second sight . . . and third.
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After serving as a dutiful bridesmaid in the wedding from hell, Aynslee Shaw just wants to slink home to Nashville and forget the whole trip. That is until the hottest guy sheโ€™s ever seen is seated next to her on the flight and charms her with his easy laugh and killer smile. But just when she thinks things are getting good, he vanishes, leaving Aynslee wondering, was that guyย the one? And did she just let him slip through her fingers?

Former superstar goalie Jordan Ryan is back on the iceโ€”finally. After a crippling knee injury that had him wondering if heโ€™d ever play pro hockey again, heโ€™s got his full attention on rebuilding his career. So a prettyโ€”okay, beautifulโ€”girl on a plane shouldnโ€™t be a distraction. But Jordan is very, very distracted. And when Aynslee crosses his path again, heโ€™s not sure any job in the world is worth missing his second chance with a woman like her.

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Pre-orderย Falling for the Backup
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