Book Review – Color Me Bad

23 Monday Dec 2013

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I’m going to share with everyone a short novella that you’ll want to pick up in preparation for Sharon Sala’s upcoming book, Curl Up & Dye. It promises to be quirky, fun and sweet. But first let’s look at Color Me Bad.

An original short story by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sharon Sala links to her full-length contemporary women’s fiction novel, The Curl Up and Dye.

The novella centers around the four women who run the Curl Up and Dye hair salon and their relationships with the quirky customers of small-town Blessings, Georgia. Their meddlesome efforts at match-making run awry, but there’s always another makeover just around the corner.

This is a fun introduction to the world Sala has created in Blessings, Georgia – it is entertaining and definitely whets the appetite for Curl Up and Dye, coming out in February. It’s got all of the spunk and spice you’d expect from small-town Southern women, with their smiles and Bless You’s covering heartbreak and troubles. Their humorous antics made me laugh, while I hurt for them at the same time.

Come join me in getting to know the fabulous citizens of Blessings and don’t be surprised if you find yourself anxious to visit again.

Book Review – Christmas in Snowflake Canyon

23 Monday Dec 2013

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Book Review, Christmas in Snowflake Canyon, Hope’s Crossing, Raeanne Thayne

Check out my review for a great holiday read.

*****

Holiday gifts don’t always come in expected packages…especially in the town of Hope’s Crossing.

No one has ever felt sorry for Genevieve Beaumont. After all, she has everything money can buy. That is, until she discovers her fiancé has been two-timing her and she’s left with two choices: marry the philanderer to please her controlling father or be disinherited and find a means to support herself.

Genevieve’s salvation appears in the most unlikely of prospects: Dylan Caine, a sexy, wounded war vet whose life is as messy as hers. Dylan’s struggling to adjust after his time in Afghanistan, and the last thing he needs is a spoiled socialite learning about the real world for the first time. True, she may have unexpected depths and beauty to match. But he knows he could never be the man she needs…and she knows he could never be the man she thinks she wants. So why are they each hoping that a Christmas miracle willl prove them both wrong?

Like Sophia in Brenda Novak’s Take Me Home for Christmas, Genevieve has a horrible reputation around her small town community – some of it deserved and some of it not. It is hard but also encouraging to see her stumble around, trying to right some wrongs but to also find out for herself the person she is and the one she could be. She’s got a lot of spunk and courage.

Dylan on the other hand is doing a little running, from the truth and life and other people. But, inexplicably drawn to Gen, he’s quickly given a swift kick … and while he might fight it every step, it’s the kick he needs to evaluate his life and where he’s going. He’s a good man, also courageous and full of fight, but he needs to remember that too.

I absolutely love these two and their journey. And considering how much I enjoyed Charlotte and Spencer in Willowleaf Lane, it just proves that Thayne has an amazing talent for giving her readers believable, sympathetic, engaging characters. I couldn’t put the book down and anxiously turned pages as I waited for Dylan and Gen find their way to their own happy ever after.

This is only my second Raeanne Thayne book, but it definitely won’t be my last. (And if you haven’t read any of her books you can easily start here. Like a lot of series, Thayne does a great job of filling in all the pertinent details about what has happened before.) Christmas in Snowflake Canyon is amazingly sweet and touching and heartwarming and all of those other fuzzy feelings that you want from a great holiday romance. With an endearing cast of characters and a heartfelt story, it’s guaranteed to please anyone looking for a feel good read.

Book Review – Take Me Home for Christmas

19 Thursday Dec 2013

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Book Review, Brenda Novak, Take Me Home for Christmas, Whiskey Creek

Time for a holiday book review!

*****

I have not been shy about sharing my love for Brenda Novak’s“Whiskey Creek” novels – When Lightning Strikes , When Snow Falls , When Summer Comes – and Take Me Home for Christmas doesn’t disappoint. We’ve gotten to know Ted and Sophia through the rest of the series (although if you haven’t read any of the others, don’t worry) and now we finally get their story.

Christmas is a time for remembering…

Too bad not all memories are pleasant! Everyone in Whiskey Creek remembers Sophia DeBussi as the town’s Mean Girl. Especially Ted Dixon, whose love she once scorned.

But Sophia has paid the price for her youthful transgressions. The man she did marry was rich and powerful but abusive. So when he goes missing, she secretly hopes he’ll never come back—until she learns that he died running from an FBI probe of his investment firm. Not only has he left Sophia penniless, he’s left her to face all the townspeople he cheated.…

Sophia is reduced to looking for any kind of work to pay the bills and support her daughter. With no other options, she becomes housekeeper for none other than Ted, now a successful suspense writer. He can’t bring himself to turn his back on her, not at Christmas, but he refuses to get emotionally involved. He learned his lesson the last time.

Or will the season of love and forgiveness give them both another chance at happiness?

I will say up front that my only complaint is that we don’t get a better explanation of their past. We were given the bits and pieces but I would have liked to have had a full on discussion about exactly what happened and why. We got the idea, so while I wanted Sophia to own up to her reasons, we got enough and really the details don’t impact their current relationship.

Ted was great and I was drawn in by his confusion, hurt and uncertainty, but it was Sophia that I felt for most. I ached for Sophia as she tries to figure out what she’s going to do now that her life has imploded so dramatically. She’s had a very awful life but she managed to grow into an amazing woman and I cheered for her every step of the way.

We’re also given a look at their friend Eve’s story as she looks for her own love. I know that Novak will give her a HEA, but it looks like there might be some heartbreak before she gets there. I felt for her so during Take Me Home for Christmas but based on the tidbits that we were given, I think that her path might get more rocky before she’s done.

As always, Novak gives readers engaging characters, full of heart and humor and sadness, but always so real they could live next door. Take Me Home for Christmas is a fantastically sweet read, perfect for the holiday season, reminding us about love, forgiveness, and second-chances.

**And for those new readers – Novak does a fantastic job of giving the highlights of what has come before, especially as they impact this story, so if this is your first book you’ll be fine.**

Book Review – Compromising Willa

12 Thursday Dec 2013

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Accidental Peers series, Book Review, Compromising Willa, Diana Quincy

Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope is ruined and everyone knows it. Back in Town for the first season since her downfall, Willa plans to remain firmly on the shelf, assuming only fortune hunters will want her now. Instead she focuses on her unique tea blends, secretly supporting a coffee house which employs poor women and children. If her clandestine involvement in trade is discovered, she’ll be ruined. Again.

No one is more shocked by Willa’s lack of quality suitors than the newly minted Duke of Hartwell. Having just returned from India, the dark duke is instantly attracted to the mysterious wallflower. His pursuit is hampered by the ruthless Earl of Bellingham, who once jilted Willa and is now determined to reclaim her.

Caught between the clash of two powerful men, a furious Willa refuses to concede her independence to save her reputation. But will she compromise her heart?

When I first started writing this review, I thought I’d never read any of Diana Quincy’s “Accidental Peers” books before but then realized I’d read Book 2, Tempting Bella. And really liked it. But if you haven’t read any of them, don’t worry about it – Compromising Willa can definitely stand on its own. But I definitely recommend reading other books by Quincy if these two are anything to go by.

The interactions between Willa and Hartwell are fantastically fun. They are sassy and funny and they both give as good as they get. Hartwell is fabulous – he’s charming, handsome and caring. He is immediately drawn to Willa’s cheek and blatantly sets out to win her hand. Willa is also wonderful – she’s given up on ever marrying, but she’s strong, smart and resourceful in her own right.

Some may be thrown off by Bellingham – he’s quite the villain. Convinced that he’s loved Willa for ages, he’s intentionally set out to ruin her reputation to keep away other men until he’s in a position to marry her. He’s got a horribly black heart and does despicable things to people. Quincy may have been a little zealous in making him the bad guy, but she does it with such style that you actually enjoy hating him.

The plot is well-developed and the pacing is very smooth. As we move through each of the stages of Hartwell and Willa’s relationship, I kept finding more and more to be captivated by – from the initial stages where she tries to rebuff his advances to their engagement and Bellingham’s machinations, Quincy finds new and interesting roadblocks to their happy ever after.

Compromising Willa is a wonderful treat for those who like historical romances – the dashing, gorgeous hero has to win the heart of his clever, sexy heroine and defeat the plans of the dastardly villain. It’s deliciously fun, with a clever narrative and engaging characters, and I’m definitely looking forward to more.

Book Review – Talking Dirty with the Boss

11 Wednesday Dec 2013

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Book Review, Jackie Ashenden, Talking Dirty series, Talking Dirty with the Boss

Marisa Clair wants to get her artist dreams back on track after a life detour. That means no partying, no shopping…and definitely no men to distract her. Should be easy, but there’s something about her hot and exceedingly uptight boss and she can’t seem to stop herself from ruffling Mr. Tall, Dark and Irritating.

Financial consultant Luke McNamara lives his life strictly by schedule – his OCD simply won’t allow him to do anything else. And the very last thing he needs is a sassy blonde putting lipstick on his collar and messing with his routine. She annoys the hell out of him so why can’t he stop thinking about the color of her panties…and how free he feels when he’s with her?

Marisa and Luke’s plans to steer clear of one another are shot to hell after a hot office encounter. Now the two of them will have to learn to get along as they face a much more permanent reminder of their lack of self-control – a pregnancy.

I absolutely loved this book, read it in less than a day and didn’t want to put it down. The funny thing is that I REALLY didn’t like Marisa at first. There is just something about her that drove me nuts, but as I got to know her I started to feel for her. She comes across as quite self-confident, even cocky, but it is all an act to keep people from looking at her too closely. Ashenden does such a fantastic job of making her so sympathetic that by the time the book was over I felt all of her highs and lows as if they were my own.

From the very beginning, Luke appealed to me – not because I personally have any of his quirks (just the opposite actually) but because he is so heartbreaking in his troubles. He has such tight control over his life that you know he can’t be happy but he doesn’t see any other way to live his life. And then comes Marisa … and she definitely shakes things up. He’s actually the reason I initially decided to pick this one up. I was SO captivated by the idea of a gorgeous, sexy man having to live with OCD. I just read about a similar man in Wendy Sparrow’s novella, On His List and found the idea intriguing. Luke is smart, sexy and caring but he carries a heavy burden and is often mistaken for being cold or weird. He definitely makes you remember that all of those odd people in the world may have things going on that you can’t see or understand. The outer disabilities are much easier to recognize than the ones that are on the inside.

This is Ashenden’s follow-up to Talking Dirty with the CEO and Talking Dirty with the Player and though I’ve not read either one, I’m very much intrigued. The heroes and heroines from both books make very small appearances in this one and their storylines don’t seem to have had any direct impact on this book, so if you haven’t read them either you’ll be fine.

You’ll find Talking Dirty with the Boss to be an interesting new take on the unplanned pregnancy romance – with a flawed hero and heroine who just need someone to see who they are underneath and love them anyway. Sharp and witty writing, combined with interesting and troubled characters, make this a can’t-miss read for romance lovers everywhere.

Book Review – Playing Doctor

09 Monday Dec 2013

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Book Review, Jan Meredith, Playing Doctor

Review time!

*****

When a fellow RN jokingly predicts that Beth Roberts will meet a tall, ripped and totally lick-o-licious stranger who will fulfill her deepest desires, it’s supposed to be from across a crowded room, not giving CPR to a wedding guest. Given her tragic love life, Beth has no desire to become involved again, but who could have predicted the ponytailed doctor with the mischievous smile would break through her defenses?

Dr. Gabriel North blamed himself for his wife’s death. Now, after two years of battling guilt and meaningless hookups, he’s ready to move on. When he sees the sexy brunette at his friend’s wedding, his attraction is swift and strong, and he wastes no time in pressing his advantage. One night with the woman who makes him feel alive again isn’t enough, but gaining her trust as a man was going to take more than medical school had prepared him for.

Jan Meredith certainly knows how to bring her readers The Sexy – Gabe is definitely lick-o-licious! And even though he has off-the-charts chemistry with Beth, it’s the tender moments that make the book work. Mixed in with the flirting and the steaminess, the heart-to-hearts they have over their pasts and what they want for their futures are just as powerful.

Meredith brings her readers two characters that have the depth and emotion that you would normally find in a full length story. They are very real and you understand why they’ve ended up where they have. A lot of times these short stories have to give up some of that development in order to fit into a smaller package, but Meredith does a fantastic job of giving readers the believability needed to truly enjoy the story. And I absolutely love the ending – it’s the perfect way to wrap up Beth and Gabe’s story.

Playing Doctor is full of passion but it also has a lot of heart. Just over 100 pages, it proves to be a sweet and sensuous little book about opening up and loving again. So curl up with something warm to drink and be prepared to be swept away.

Book Review – Cowboy’s Way

06 Friday Dec 2013

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Book Review, Cathryn Fox, Cowboy's Way

New review!

*****

Tired of the bachelor lifestyle, sports medicine doctor, and weekend cowboy, Chase Cooper, is ready to settle down. Late one night over a few drinks, he and his buddies come up with a plan. Invite the girls from their past-the ones that got away-to a weekend of fun at the ranch and see what happens next.

When lawyer, Julia Blair finds herself on a dude ranch half way across the country, only to discover the invitation was meant for her vivacious twin sister, she knows she has two choices. Go home alone, or walk a day in her sister’s shoes. When she sets eyes on sexy cowboy Chase Cooper, the choice becomes easy.

Coop can’t believe the mix up, but when he discovers Julia wants to play he decides to go for it. Except playtime leads to so much more and when he realizes she just might be the girl who got away he sets out to show her how good they can be together. And he’s not above using a set of leather horse reins and a few tricks of the trade to prevent her from fleeing again.

Ok, ya’ll, the insides are just as sexy as the outside! Cowboy’s Way is a quick, steamy read about second chances and is the first in what looks to be a hot hot hot series. I adored these two together – both had a thing for the other back in school but because Coop was best friends with Julia’s sister it meant she was off-limits. But now there is nothing stopping them from seeing where their attraction could go.

Fox does a great job of giving her readers appealing and engaging characters. Besides being unbelievably sexy, Coop is sweet, fun and charming. Julia is sexy but with that little tinge of uncertainty since she’s always found herself to be the less desirable sister. Once she lets her guard down, and accepts that Coop really wants her not her sister, the chemistry between the two proves to be quite fiery.

And I love the idea of this series – three guys that decide to go after the one that got away – and I’m super intrigued since we don’t get a lot of details about Coop’s friends. You can be sure that I’ll be keeping my eye out for the others to come out.

At under 100 pages, Cowboy’s Way might not be very big but it has a lot of passion and tenderness packed into that little bitty package. It’s the perfect book to take along when you think you might have a little extra time to read – it’ll go fast but be prepared to not want to put it down … and to be looking for more.

Book Review – Christmas Curveball

05 Thursday Dec 2013

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Book Review, Christmas Curveball, Shari Mikels

It’s review time again and releasing today is Christmas Curveball by Shari Mikels. If you are looking for a sweet holiday romance, this is a must-buy.

*****

When newly single Rachel Tanner finds out that pro pitcher Kevin Ganlin has come home to recover from an injury, her heart skips a beat. She’s loved him from afar since her preteen years, never bold enough to let him know.

Kevin is less than thrilled when Rachel shows up at his doorstep. She’s his best friend’s little sister and officially off-limits. Besides, he’s staring early retirement in the face, a one-man pity-party with no interest in anything more serious than quick flings on the road. Until an icy mishap lands Rachel cozied up on his sofa, irresistible in his practice sweats.

A little game of Truth or Truth reveals much more than Rachel had ever dared to hope and leads to a midnight make-out session that leaves them both panting. But can she trust that he’s truly changed his ways? This Christmas, Kevin will do whatever it takes to make Rachel understand she’s the only one for him.

Rachel has loved Kevin for years but he’s always been out of her league … and then he became a MLB pitcher, with all the women that go along with the job. After living through a marriage to a cheating husband, the last thing she wants is a man with “varied tastes”. I felt for Rachel every step of the way – from her unrequited love to the chance it could be more to the possibility of it all falling apart (a very obvious plot point but one that Mikels makes work with her engaging characters and deft story-telling). And I loved Kevin’s development – facing his early retirement, his feelings for Rachel, and where he wants his life to go. He’s hunky, sweet, conflicted and fun.

Christmas Curveball has warmth, humor and charm and, at just over 100 pages, is the perfect quick romance break when you need to get away from the holiday rush. You know going in where everything will lead but Rachel and Kevin are so likeable that you gladly follow right along every step of the way.

Book Review – Letters From Home

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

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Bethanne Strasser, Book Review, Letters From Home

Review time again!

*****

An Army doctor, Lena Rodriguez has always been too busy with school or the Army for romance. But the letters she received during deployment have captured her heart. Back home for the holidays, she awaits Christmas morning to meet the man who has turned her life upside down.

When Zack Benson watched his best friend’s sister Lena leave for Afghanistan, he knew he had to tell her he loved her. So he sent her anonymous love letters. Now that she’s home, he realizes he’s made a tactical error. Lena has fallen for the man in those letters but still thinks of him as a brother. He has to convince her otherwise because if he succeeds, he’ll get the best Christmas present ever. But if he fails, he could lose her for good.

I’m a sucker for these stories of friends-to-lovers and this one was super sweet. There are so many complications that stem from moving yourself from an honorary member of the family to potential love interest and Zack has decided that his feelings for Lena make it worth the effort. I loved how he seduced her with anonymous letters but didn’t realize how effective it was until she came home. Now he has to battle not only her brotherly feelings for him but her romantic feelings for her mystery man. I really liked the fact that they started to act on their relationship before she found out his true identity because it meant that their feeling had a stronger base than whatever ideas she had about her writer.

Letters From Home is a delightful, light romance – full of warmth and humor. With irresistible characters, realistic dialogue and genuine emotions, Strasser delivers an enjoyable holiday treat.

Book Review – Some Like It Sinful

03 Tuesday Dec 2013

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Book Review, Perfect Recipe series, Robbie Terman, Some Like It Sinful

Review Time!

*****

A struggling business and one act of vandalism may have brought them together, but bakery owner Chloe Nelson and professional hockey player Griffin Lange get along like chocolate and pickles. Chloe needs the famous (and famously unattached) Griffin to attract people to her pastries, and Griffin needs the curvaceous and fiery Chloe to keep him out of trouble. A fake relationship to keep the media interested seems like the perfect plan.

But when temptation throws them into bed together, a new plan arises. Why not make the fake real? Griffin’s winning every home game, and Chloe’s business has never been better. Both know it’s only physical—and only temporary. But can they drop their defenses for love, even if it means getting a little bit sinful?

Some Like It Sinful is part of Robbie Terman’s “Perfect Recipe” series, but don’t let that stop you because it can definitely stand alone. Ty and Ashton from the first novel do make a lot of appearances in this one, though, so for those of you who have read their story you get a nice little update and for those of us who haven’t …. well, I’m ready to go read Some Like It Spicy as soon as I can. Terman has a delightfully smooth writing style and the story flows nicely – I never felt that the pacing was off and the characters are very entertaining.

Griffin is your typical commitment-phobe. As a professional athlete, he has the world by the tail so why would he settle down? And then he meets Chloe. Striking out on her own, Chloe is under a lot of stress and her unwanted attraction to Griffin isn’t helping. But she’s got the grit and determination to make her business work … and find a way to handle Griffin too. I love her sass and the way that the two play off each other is definitely entertaining. They make a fun (and snarky) couple and I loved watching them fall in love, while fighting it most of the way.

We also get a little bit of a sneak peek at the next story with Chloe’s friend, Jenna. If it is anything like Some Like It Sinful, I’ll be the first in line. Not just because Terman writes engaging romances but she also gives the three women a wonderful friendship that I’d like to see more of.

Although Terman doesn’t really go outside of the box with her sports-star/normal-girl romance, the journey to Griffin and Chole’s HEA has enough zing and passion to keep readers quickly turning pages. With the perfect mix of humor, sexiness and emotion, Some Like It Sinful showcases Terman’s writing talent.