Book Review – Marry Me at Christmas

13 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Marry Me at Christmas

Fool’s Gold series

by Susan Mallery

Wish upon a Christmas star with New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery’s sparkling Fool’s Gold romance!

To bridal boutique owner Madeline Krug, organizing a Christmas wedding sounds like a joy—until she finds out she’ll be working closely with the gorgeous brother of the bride, movie star Jonny Blaze. How will a small-town girl like her keep from falling for the world’s sexiest guy? Especially with mistletoe lurking around every corner!

Jonny came to Fool’s Gold looking for normal, not for love. Happily-ever-after only happens in the movies. Still, nothing about this quirky town is quite what he expected, and “ordinary” Madeline is the most extraordinary woman he’s ever met. Refreshingly honest, disarmingly sweet. Achingly beautiful.

Planning the perfect wedding leads to candlelit dinners and strolls through snow-covered streets. And Madeline finds Jonny in real life even more captivating than her celebrity crush. But will the action star be brave enough to risk his heart and step into the role of a lifetime?

I’ve missed a few of the Fool’s Gold books over the last year or so (which is actually sad because I LOVE this series and have never read a bad one). I don’t know why I’ve fallen behind but I’m slowly trying to make up for it … which is why we have a Christmas story 6 months late 🙂

While this is a holiday story, other than the snow and the occasional reference to holiday decorations, the plot could be any time of year. It focuses on Madeline, who has a huge crush on movie star Jonny Blaze … and finds herself working closely with him to plan his sister’s wedding. I’m not sure any of us would handle ourselves with as much grace in that situation! But it doesn’t take her long to get over being tongue-tied and star struck, discovering that he’s actually a normal man under it all. A good guy who loves his sister, wants to be treated like a normal person, and is afraid of saying I love you.

Props to Mallery for shaking things up a little and not making Jonny run for it when he starts to fall, regardless of his hangups. He’s got some fears, thanks to losses in his life, but he handles it like a man. And anytime there is any kind of freak out with either of them it is resolved quickly and without a lot of drama, which is refreshing in contemporary romances.

With Mallery’s books I always think “just one more chapter” which turns into one more and one more and then an hour has gone by. Here it is so easy to get caught up in getting to know these two characters, learning their motivations, and falling in love with both of them as they fall in love with each other.

(If you’re like me and missed a few stories or if you are new to Fool’s Gold, don’t be afraid to pick up this story because like most of this series it can stand on its own. And you definitely won’t mind getting to know the sexy, grounded, good-hearted action star and the small town girl who steals his heart.)

Book Review – Kiss Me

03 Monday Aug 2015

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Kiss Me

Fool’s Gold series

by Susan Mallery

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery creates the small-town destination for romance in charming Fool’s Gold, California—where a loner cowboy finds the one woman who can capture his heart

After Phoebe Kitzke’s kind heart gets her suspended from her job in LA, she swears off doing favors—until her best friend begs for help on the family ranch in Fool’s Gold. Unfortunately, sexy cowboy Zane Nicholson isn’t exactly thrilled by the city girl’s arrival.

Thanks to his brother’s latest scheme, Zane has been roped into taking tourists on a cattle drive. What Phoebe knows about ranching wouldn’t fill his hat, but her laughter is so captivating that even his animals fall for her. One slip of his legendary control leads to a passionate kiss that convinces him she’s exactly the kind of woman a single-minded loner needs to avoid.

In his arms, Phoebe discovers she’s a country girl at heart. Yet no matter how much the small town feels like home, she can’t stay unless Zane loves her, too…but is this cowboy interested in forever?

It’s time to visit Fool’s Gold again – yea!! Usually when I review one of these, I talk about how great it is to visit the little town and have a reunion with friends from previous stories but we really didn’t get that here … and I didn’t mind at all! We pretty much stay on the Nicholson ranch and get to know new people, but that doesn’t stop it from being quirky and fun and sweet and oh-so addictive just like all of the others in the series. The characters, even though they are new, are just as real and detailed as any that we’ve gotten to know over the years.

Phoebe grew up in foster care and never really had a family. It’s caused her to have a few issues, including never feeling quite good enough. So she’s spent her adult life being a pleaser … which is how she ends up on the ranch. Her best friend asks her to spend a week helping out the family and true to form she can’t say no. I love Phoebe – she’s funny and silly and caring and honest. She’s an LA girl thru-and-thru but once on the cattle drive she embraces it with everything she has. And that includes a little flirtation (or more) with Zane.

Zane has seen all the bad things that can happen when you give your heart to a woman … and he doesn’t plan on ever going there. He also knows what it is like to live with regrets so he’s trying everything he can to make sure that his little brother doesn’t have to experience it too. But it isn’t exactly causing warm, fuzzies at home. When quirky and appealing Phoebe drops into his life it not only has him looking at his relationship with his brother in a new light, but she’s also proving impossible to resist.

Like usual, there are wonderful secondary characters and a hint at the next book. There’s also a side piece involving a couple who can’t have kids but somehow have found themselves chaperoning a couple of foster kids during the drive. It’s an absolutely fantastic story of learning to let go of what you thought you wanted in order to embrace the wonders right in front of you. By delivering something so touching and well-developed as a small accessory tale with limited pages, Mallery continues to show her skill at giving readers characters and stories that mean something.

From start to finish, I couldn’t put down Kiss Me. But I didn’t expect anything less, because Mallery has always excelled at writing laugh-out-loud, give-a-little-sigh, cheer-for-the-HEA romances.

(Since these are new characters this is absolutely the perfect place for new readers to start, so don’t be shy if this is your first Fool’s Gold story. You are going to feel right at home.)

Book Review – Hold Me

28 Tuesday Apr 2015

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Hold 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 – Yours for Christmas

05 Friday Dec 2014

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Step out of the winter chill and into the warmth of Fool’s Gold, California, the charming small-town setting for a new holiday novella from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallory.

Famous former NFL stars don’t date single working moms like Bailey Voss. She’ll allow herself to daydream about Kenny Scott’s muscles and killer smile, but wanting more would lead to post-holiday regret. Then Kenny volunteers to run a toy drive with Bailey, and she learns that he’s not just hothe’s also generous, funny, nice. The whole package tantalizingly out of reach.

The ache of past loss reminds Kenny why he needs to avoid getting too close to anyone. Especially to a gorgeous redhead and her adorable little girl. Mess it up, and he’d lose them both. Yet Kenny can only resist Bailey for so long. And as festive spirit spreads throughout the town, he’s all wrapped up in Bailey’s sweet, sexy kisses and determined to make this the first of many Christmases together.

Y’all I just LOVE Susan Mallery’s books (which you can see here and here and here and over a half dozen other reviews I’ve done) and Yours for Christmas doesn’t let me down. The characters are so real that I feel like I actually know them, that I could call them up to meet me for coffee. Every high and low was like my own and I gave a little hooray at the end.

Both Baily and Kenny’s feelings are totally understandable, the doubts and fears so real. Their story has been coming along for the last couple of books, so we’ve had those little hints along the way, and I was so excited to finally read it. Their relationship built so naturally and fluidly, it was sweet and fun and a little bit heartbreaking at times (for both of them). And the ending has to be one of my favorites. I won’t spoil anything but I gave Baily a little atta girl cheer.

I don’t know what more to say when it comes to Mallery’s work that I haven’t said before – fantastic characters, engrossing stories, real emotions, humorous moments, all mixed with times of angst.

For years I haven’t even hesitated when I saw her name on the cover of a book – she’s a master at the heartfelt, contemporary romance. And it just makes it all the better when it is a Christmas story!

Book Review – Before We Kiss

01 Sunday Jun 2014

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The newest Fool’s Gold book by Susan Mallery came out this week and I’m super excited to have the review!

*****

Former pro-football kicker Sam Ridge has notoriously bad luck with women—from cheaters to fame chasers. Still, the gorgeous brunette at the bar in Fool’s Gold looks harmless—until she takes him home and he discovers a room devoted to securing a man, for life.

Dellina Hopkins never guessed that storing gowns from a friend’s bridal boutique would chase away her first and only fling. After her parents died, she skipped her “wild youth” to raise her sisters. She doesn’t want forever from Sam, but one night—all night—would’ve been nice.

His clean getaway gets messy when his firm hires Dellina to plan an event. As long hours lead to late nights, the two succumb to temptation again. Has Sam’s luck finally changed? Or this time, will Dellina be the one to run?

Is anyone going to be surprised when I say that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Susan Mallery? I didn’t think so. Once again, she brings her readers a touching, sweet, romantic, funny, endearing and beautiful love story. We got a little peek at the two in When We Me, but now we get the rest of their story.

With Sam’s history, it is no wonder that he’s running scared from any kind of commitment. His marriage ended horribly and he’s not had much better luck with women since. But he’s got a big heart, he’s just afraid to give it away.

As if his relationship woes aren’t enough, Sam’s family is one of the funniest things ever … even for Fool’s Gold, where quirky is a way of life. I don’t know how he survived his childhood without being a total basket case, because his parents are an absolutely hoot and one of the best things in the story. Somehow managed to grow into a well-adjusted, caring man.

Dellina is giving and sweet and sassy. Fool’s Gold is her home and she epitomizes everything that makes the little town so great. She’ll be wonderful for Sam if he’ll just let her in.

As always, we’re given updates on previous couples and some hints at future stories. (I have to say that I’m dying to get to the bottom of what Kenny is hiding.) It’s one of my favorite parts of the Fool’s Gold stories but it is also one of the most frustrating … because I end up impatient for what comes next.

Full of laugh out loud moments and some steamy interactions between Sam and Dellina, Before We Kiss has Mallery’s unique blend of heart and humor. The dialogue is snappy, the characters are engaging, and the story is complex. I loved Sam from the moment he first showed up and I was so happy to see him find his match.

Book Review – When We Met

12 Saturday Apr 2014

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This one isn’t out yet, but I was too excited to wait!

*****

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery invites you back to Fool’s Gold, where a newcomer to town might finally meet the man she never knew she needed…

Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can’t be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool’s Gold, California, he’s cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he’s not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe.

Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing—she can go toe-to-toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction…and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses.

Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow, Angel can convince her that surrender might feel even better than victory.

If you’ve read any of the other Fool’s Gold books you kinda know the plan – two people who had no intention of falling in love fall in love, one of them runs scared (usually him), there’s a love fest night with alcohol and sisterly love to offer comfort and bash the guy, then the guy comes to his sense and they live happily ever after. BUUUUT if you’ve read any of the other Fool’s Gold books then you know it is a magical journey every single time, regardless if you know what to expect. Plus, Taryn can’t do anything quite like everyone else … absolutely best love fest ever! She’s got to be one of my favorite characters.

And I so want to raid her closet! She had a very rough start to life but she’s making up for now with awesome style and a lot of sass. She’s strong, smart, and caring, but her past has definitely left scars when it comes to men and love. She’s made a family for herself with the guys at Score but there’s still that intimate part of her life that is lacking.

Angel hasn’t exactly had an easy go of it either. We’ve gotten to know him a little bit as we’ve been there with the other members of the bodyguard school as they fell in love, but now we get a little bit more on why he’s as closed off as he is. It’s a tragic story but with the love of a strong woman, and best of all a sweet troop of little girls, he’s starting to open up a little. It’s not a smooth journey (it never is), but it is a touching one and I devoured every page.

Like all of Mallery’s stories, this isn’t just about the hero and heroine. We get little updates on previous couples, plus a look at future stories. And I have to say that I absolutely adore Taryn’s Boys. She might treat those football players like unruly children (and sometimes they are) but they have big hearts and troubles of their own. Two of them are getting books in the next couple of months and I’m sure the third won’t be far behind (if not actually right along with the others). I definitely can say I’ll be first in line for all of them! (As always, you don’t have to read all of the stories in order and you can definitely start right here … but with fantastic stories like these, I’m not sure why you wouldn’t want to get them all.)

Mallery is a master at giving her readers The Cute mixed in with a lot of The Heart and spicing it up with The Funny and When We Metis a prime example. It never fails that she makes me laugh and cry and rant and smile and love every single minute of it. If you like small town charm, quirky characters, snappy dialogue, and tender love stories, you can’t miss with a Fool’s Gold romance.

Book Review – Christmas on 4th Street

15 Friday Nov 2013

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New review now up.

*****

Noelle Perkins just got a second chance at life, and she intends to make the most of every minute. That’s why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool’s Gold, California. The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that’s magical about her favorite season. Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.

Gabriel’s memories of Christmas past contain more sour grapes than sugar plums, thanks to a drill sergeant father who ran his home like a boot camp. Spending the holidays with his family while he recuperates from injury sounds as appetizing as last year’s eggnog. Still, there are some enjoyable distractions in town, including sunny, sexy Noelle…and the red-hot mistletoe kisses they can’t stop sharing.

Gabriel didn’t think he was made for happily-ever-afters. But when fate hands you a love as sweet and surprising as this, only a fool could refuse….

As much as I love Susan Mallery’s books, I put off reading this one. I just didn’t think I was up for another story about a commitment-phobic guy running away and then coming back to beg for forgiveness … but I should have had more faith in Mallery’s immense skill as a writer. And I definitely should have remembered that she has never steered me wrong before. Christmas on 4^th Street is just as heartwarming, quirky and romantic as any of the Fool’s Gold books that have come before it. It’s full of witty banter and smoldering moments, tenderness and laughter.

Noelle is strong and sweet and positive. She’s had a rough few years but she’s come out the other side with the knowledge that you have to enjoy every minute of the time you are given. Then she meets the attractive, brooding, but oh-so-charming Gabriel. As an army trauma doctor in the Middle East, Gabriel has seen horrible things happen to people. For years, he’s dealt with a lot of uncertainty, stress and death. And unlike Noelle, he doesn’t see the value in getting involved with other people when disaster could strike at any moment. But nothing prepared him for upbeat, sexy Noelle.

I think my favorite part of this story is that there isn’t a lot of trouble as Noelle and Gabriel slide into a relationship. Gabriel is very up front about his feelings on commitment and the fact that he’s leaving after Christmas. You know that love will win out and you get to enjoy watching their feelings grow – it’s sweet and touching, full of humor and fun. We’re given those special touches that make Fool’s Gold so enchanting, but at its heart the story is about these two people and their path to a happy ending.

With Christmas on 4^th Street, Mallery once again gives readers a sigh-worthy story about falling in love and the joy that can be found when you learn to open your heart.