Book Review – Victor

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Book Review, Brenda Rothert, Chicago Blaze series, Victor

That cover needs to come with a warning label!

*****

Victor

Chicago Blaze #3

by Brenda Rothert

Blurb:

He’s a hockey star with a headboard full of notches. She’s a shy NHL concession worker at who’s never been kissed.

Lindy

They don’t call me Belinda Boring for nothing. It’s my name, after all. And for a 23-year-old with plain brown hair who still lives at home and gets tongue tied over nothing, it’s a fitting one. I’m not even one of those quiet girls with a hidden talent, unless making a mean order of nachos at the NHL arena I work at counts. My life consists of working, reading and harboring a secret crush on a hockey player who doesn’t know I exist. At least, until we accidentally meet and become unlikely friends.

Victor

I’m living the dream. A poor kid who worked his way into the NHL, I’ll never forget where I came from, though I try to. My past follows me, a nagging reminder that I’ll never be what everyone thinks I am. As the threat of my secret being exposed looms closer, my game slips, leaving me in danger of being cut from my team–the only family I have. I’m losing my hold on everything when a new friend helps me find hope. She’s nothing like the women I’m used to, but by the time I figure out that’s exactly why she’s right for me, I’ve lost my chance with her. Somehow, I have to convince a woman who thinks she’s invisible that she’s the only one I see.

Grab your copy now:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2K3IB9i
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2KHJDr5
BN: https://bit.ly/2WmXODT
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2I6J4W1

~

Get ANTON:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2zQRnAP
Nook: http://bit.ly/2zGlYRg
Kobo:  http://bit.ly/2zHRQoz
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2APPYtD

Get LUCA:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DYBxGq
Nook: https://bit.ly/2MUKCmP
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2BIcnu9 
Apple: https://apple.co/2GtYLWS 

*****

Review:

Lindy is just your ordinary, average, every day girl who by chance meets her famous crush and it turns into an unlikely friendship.  And later into something more.  Victor had a terrible childhood but thanks to hard work he’s made it to the top of his field.  While he’s managed to make a family of sorts out of his teammates, he doesn’t have anyone that he can really call his.  Then he meets sweet, awkward, real Lindy.

This was a very fast read for me and I really enjoyed it.  The characters are appealing and it’s fun watching them meet, fall in love, and handle some of life’s less happy moments.  But once I had time to digest I realized that Rothert put a lot into her book that I felt really could have been delved into more – like Victor’s relationship with his mom, his childhood cancer, Victor changing his mind on Lindy, how they handled the outing of their relationship with the press.  These things are hit on lightly but had potential for so much.  That doesn’t even get into the past that is giving Victor so much trouble.  Rothert opens the door to make him a hero for so many and … she lets it go.  I appreciate that she does have him come to terms with it for himself and maybe she can come back around to it in a future story but she put the possibility out there and left it.  I just wish there’d been a chance to add a little more depth to the story.

Overall, though, Victor is a quick and satisfying Cinderella story that’s a perfect poolside read – just don’t tell Lindy I called her that! I’m looking forward to seeing more in the series and from this author.

(This is the first in this series that I’ve read but I felt like it could stand on its own.)

*****

Author Info:

Brenda Rothert is an Illinois native who was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From new adult to steamy contemporary romance, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, chocolate, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

Website: http://brendarothert.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbrendarothert/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrendaRothert
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/brendarothert/
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/BrendaRothert
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1TyGXds

*****

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Book Review – Gimme Some Sugar

Tags

Book Review, Gimme Some Sugar, Juliette Poe, Sex and Sweet Tea series

Gimme Some Sugar

Sex and Sweet Tea #5

by Juliette Poe

Larkin Mancinkus prides herself on making the town of Whynot, North Carolina just a little sweeter. As owner of Sweet Cakes Bakery, Larkin gets all the town gossip – the sugar, the spice, and the everything not so nice. So when she finds herself on the tip of everyone’s tongue thanks to an encounter with a mysterious and handsome stranger, she learns the true meaning of ‘if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.’

Deacon Locke has spent his life traveling the world with no particular destination in mind. But when he rolls into Whynot on his Harley, he just knows there is something different about this town. What he doesn’t know is that out of all the places he’s traveled and all the people he’s met, the gorgeous bakery owner might just entice him to put down some solid roots.

Come on down to see what’s cookin’ between Larkin and Deacon.

I felt so bad for Deacon.  He seems to be OK with things but really his childhood is amazingly heartbreaking.  Sure some have had it worse but every child deserves better than what he got.  It’s helped him grow into a strong, self-contained man but it also has left him with a little trouble committing.  Falling for Larkin is definitely NOT in his plans but she’s sweet, a little sassy, a lot unsure of herself, and prone to a few I Love Lucy moments of hilarity.  Neither he (nor I) stood a chance once she stepped into his life.

Some days you just need a low drama, slow build romance and Poe definitely delivers here.  We get to know her characters and fall a little bit for them with every page.  And those pages are filled with enough humor, charm, and sexiness to have me coming back again and again.

(This is my first in this series but it can easily stand on its own.)

Book Review – The Summer of Sunshine and Margot

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Book Review, Susan Mallery, The Summer of Sunshine and Margot

We saw a sneak peek of this one earlier this summer and I finally got my grubby little hands on it!

*****

The Summer of Sunshine and Margot

by Susan Mallery

Hardcover: 368 pages

Publisher: HQN; Original edition (June 11, 2019)

Blurb:

The Baxter sisters come from a long line of women with disastrous luck in love. But this summer, Sunshine and Margot will turn disasters into destiny…

As an etiquette coach, Margot teaches her clients to fit in. But she’s never faced a client like Bianca, an aging movie star who gained fame—and notoriety—through a campaign of shock and awe. Schooling Bianca on the fine art of behaving like a proper diplomat’s wife requires intensive lessons, forcing Margot to move into the monastery turned mansion owned by the actress’s intensely private son. Like his incredible home, Alec’s stony exterior hides secret depths Margot would love to explore. But will he trust her enough to let her in?

Sunshine has always been the good-time sister, abandoning jobs to chase after guys who used her, then threw her away. No more. She refuses to be “that girl” again. This time, she’ll finish college, dedicate herself to her job as a nanny, and she 100 percent will not screw up her life again by falling for the wrong guy. Especially not the tempting single dad who also happens to be her boss.

Master storyteller Susan Mallery weaves threads of family drama, humor, romance and a wish-you-were-there setting into one of the most satisfying books of the year!

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

*****

Review:

These sisters are very different and I love how we feel that in their stories.  Sunshine’s is bigger, louder, and messier but she is oh-so-appealing for it.  Your heart just goes out to her as she struggles to be the person she wants to be and not who she used to be.  Declan and Connor are a perfect match for her – if only they’d met under different circumstances.  Unfortunately they didn’t so there’s going to be some struggles and a lot of bumps along the way.

Margot is more formal & reserved and her story matches, except for Bianca.  Matching these two brings out some wonderful comedic moments and I only wish we’d had even more of Bianca’s oddly compelling presence.  Unfortunately some of her more risque choices over the years haven’t gone over as well, especially with Alec.  It helps explain a lot of why he’s the way he is, and why Margot is a good match for him.

If you are looking for a fun read to throw in your bag for a trip to the beach or the pool, this is definitely it.  The Summer of Sunshine and Margot follows the sisters as they fall in love and we effortlessly flow between the two & the people in their lives.  It never felt disjointed (as multi-characters books can) as we get to know everyone and watch as their connections deepen.

*****

Author Info:

#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives-family, friendship, romance. She’s known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages.Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

*****

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Book Review – I’ve Got You

Tags

Becca Seymour, Book Review, I've Got You

I loved Let Me Show You so much, I couldn’t wait to get a chance to read Davis & Scott’s story!

*****

I’ve Got You

by Becca Seymour

Rainbow Tree Publishing

Release Date: Tuesday, July 2 2019

Format: Paperback, eBook

Price: 3.99

Word Count: 69k

Cover Artist: Booksmith Design

Blurb:

When a single dad and a newly outed veterinarian meet by chance, it takes red-cheeked conversations, a tentative friendship, and the willingness to put their hearts on the line to show these men they’re made for each other.

Single dad Davis Jackson is busy balancing his coffee shop and being the best dad he can be. That doesn’t mean he’s not lonely. After a fumbling encounter with a man who looks as gorgeous as he does unhappy, Davis is left wondering who the mystery man is.

All Davis knows is that he has never felt such an instant attraction to anyone before, but when he discovers the brown-eyed man’s identity, it’s clear the recently out-of-the-closet veterinarian is lost and quite possibly broken.

A swoon-worthy low-angst stand-alone contemporary M/M romance featuring characters from LET ME SHOW YOU.

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RCWJJ7Y/

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RCWJJ7Y/

Amazon CAN: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07RCWJJ7Y/

Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07RCWJJ7Y/

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ive-got-you-becca-seymour/1131452885

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/i-ve-got-you-8

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/au/book/ive-got-you/id1462301277

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45436685-i-ve-got-you

QueeRomance Ink Link: https://www.queeromanceink.com/book/ive-got-you/

*****

Excerpt:

I was thirty-three years old and still had no clue who I was.

Just two steps and I’d be able to breathe again.

One.

I clutched the handle and yanked the door open. Fresh air greeted me. I stepped into the darkness and pulled the door quietly closed behind me, then looked around the fenced backyard, only seeing the side panels and nothing beyond the darkness. My gaze settled on a couple of chairs. While it wasn’t complete escape, it gave me time to catch my breath and get my head straight.

Easing into the wooden chair, I leaned back, stretching out my neck and glancing up at the star-filled sky. With no lights on in the yard and just the faint glow filtering out from the busy kitchen, I was able to focus on the tiny specks overhead. I released a heavy exhale, pulling the calmness of the outside into me. I shouldn’t have come. Damn, I should have been at least two thousand miles away by now, away from this tiny town that threatened to split apart my whole world.

Claws on the wooden deck, a not-so-soft grunt and sigh, and I glanced to my right to see Carter and Tanner’s monster dog, Rex, ambling over to me. The first couple of times I’d met Rex at the veterinary clinic, it was no surprise to Carter or me that the Ridgeback had taken an instant dislike to me. Hell, I didn’t even like myself most of the time. But as he walked toward me, I no longer tensed in fear. This was the third visit I’d made to Carter’s, and it seemed Rex had had a change of heart.

He huffed as he sat next to me, his large head immediately landing on my thighs. My first real smile of the night spread across my lips, and I reached out both hands and rubbed behind Rex’s ears. “Hey there, mutt.” I rubbed a bit harder, and he moaned happily. I snorted. “You like that, huh?” Rex tilted his head and leaned his right ear into my palm. “You know, bud, I think you’ve got the right idea.” He blew heavily out of his snout, and I laughed, the sound filling the quiet space. “Life’s a hell of a lot easier if you’ve got no balls at all to lead you around and confuse the heck out of you.”

A snort-laugh from out of the darkness had me tensing. I squinted, looking toward the end of the yard. After a moment, my eyes adjusted and I saw a man looming, his figure moving closer until he stepped into the faint light.

Damn. So much for alone.

Rex’s head flipped to the side to look at the guy coming toward me. He grunted again and then thumped his head back down onto my thighs before nudging my hand for me to continue.

I started to rub, not as invested, nor as relaxed. With my jaw locked, I risked a glance at the guy. Light spilled onto the stranger’s face, highlighting his strong jawline. While I couldn’t see the color of his eyes, I did see the creases surrounding them. It immediately made him seem approachable and friendly. As he moved closer, a small smile lifted his mouth. My gaze landed on the slight curve of his lips before traveling back to his eyes. They were brown, but in the dull light, I couldn’t tell the exact shade or depth.

Friendly, he most definitely was, if his smile and the “Hey” he offered me were anything to go by. But he also looked tired as hell.

I cleared my throat, suddenly aware I’d stayed quiet for a few seconds too long. “Hey.” My voice was gravelly and sounded unnaturally deep.

The guy paused in front of me, his hands dipping into his jeans pockets. He was quiet for a beat, seeming to contemplate what to say.

“You know Rex then?”

I nodded and then took a glance at the large head resting on my lap. With a small nod, I smiled. “Yeah. He finally likes me, so I’m taking it as a win that we’re friends.”

The brown-eyed man’s head tilted slightly, his gaze scanning my face a moment before his eyes returned to mine. “So you’re a friend of Carter’s?”

A humorless snort burst free, not enough to startle Rex, but enough for the guy to raise his brows. I cleared my throat again, not especially liking the fact that it seemed to be closing up and becoming uncomfortably dry in front of this guy. “Well, sort of. We used to work together.”

“Not anymore?”

I bit back the bitter retort dancing on my tongue, tempted to ask if that wasn’t what “used to” explicitly meant. There was no need for me to be so defensive or any bigger of an asshole than I already had a reputation for being.

“Nope. Just trying to figure out my next move.” I clamped my mouth shut, wondering why I’d shared so much. He sat on the lounger beside me, stopping my analysis. “Please, take a seat.” Damn, I really needed to learn to keep my mouth shut and stop being a dickhead. “Sorry.” I threw him a small grimace, noticing both of his perfectly arched brows were lifted, his attention solely on me. There was also a small smile on his lips. I was positive I saw it twitch.

“Hey, I can leave.”

Though, he stayed put, making no indication he planned on moving. He didn’t even shrug or twitch as he spoke.

While solitude had been what I’d craved, I was smart enough to recognize that just maybe not being alone was a good thing. Being alone, I was discovering, was not helpful at all. All it did was give me too much time with my thoughts. And that had a habit of screwing with my head. While I’d sought the quiet, especially since my blowout with Carter a while back, I recognized how dangerous isolation could be. Loneliness was a slippery slope.

*****

Review:

This is a follow up to Seymour’s Let Me Show You and while it can stand on its own you really have a better understanding of the characters if you’ve read the first story.  This one is more of a redemption story for Scott … and a reward for everyone who wanted Davis to find his own HEA.

I think my favorite part is that Scott’s behavior from the first story isn’t swept under the rug.  Even though Carter has decided to forgive and forget, Scott (and those that know what he did) still has to come to terms with what he did and what it means for his future.  It’s not easy for Scott, but with help he manages to make himself into someone he can face in the mirror again.

Davis is very supportive and understanding.  I love his truth first attitude and how he sometimes is a little too blunt, especially for poor confused & repressed Scott.  But he’s willing to be there for him, give him the time he needs to figure things out, and take slow steps together to make a solid friendship (and later something more).

For a new author, Seymour is certainly good at her craft.  Her books go from lighthearted and humorous to overflowing with emotion and back again with ease.  And her characters are just so darn appealing (even when they are recovering a**holes)!   She says there are no plans for any more stories in this series, but with skills like her’s I’m sure that whatever direction she goes will be fabulous.  She’s definitely going on my must read list 🙂

*****

Author Info:

Becca Seymour lives and breathes all things book related. Usually with at least three books being read and two WiPs being written at the same time, life is merrily hectic. She tends to do nothing by halves so happily seeks the craziness and busyness life offers.

Living on her small property in Queensland with her human family as well as her animal family of cows, chooks, and dogs, Becca appreciates the beauty of the world around her and is a believer that love truly is love.

Author Website: https://beccaseymour.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/authorbeccaseymour

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/beccaseymourauthor/

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/beccaseymour_

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbeccaseymour/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18745264.Becca_Seymour

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/21905/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Becca-Seymour/e/B07NYXX6JP

*****

Giveaway:

Becca is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d4771/

*****

Book Review – Single

Tags

Book Review, RJ Scott, Single, Single Dads series

Single dads are some of my favorite romance heroes … but new single dads might just be the best of them all.

*****

Single

Single Dads #1

by RJ Scott

Length: 54,000 words approx.

Cover Design: RJ Scott

Blurb:

Reeling from the painful rejection of a man he thought he loved, Asher is left holding the baby.

Ash wants a family, and is determined to continue with a surrogacy he’d begun with his ex. Bringing baby Mia home, he vows that he will be the best father he can be. Nothing in this world matters more to him than caring for his daughter, not even accidentally falling in lust with the doctor next door. Challenged by his growing attraction to Sean, and confronted by painful memories of his family, Ash has to learn that love is all that matters.

When ER doctor Sean moves in with his friends next door to sexy single father Ash, he falls so quickly it takes his breath away. The sex they have is hot, but Ash is adamant his heart is too full with love for his daughter to let anyone else in. Why is Sean the only one who sees how scared Ash is, and how can he prove to his new lover that he desperately wants the three of them to become a family?

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

*****

Review:

Poor, sleep-deprived, anxious Asher.  He’s so absolutely adorable in his love for Mia and how terrified he is that he’s going to fail her.  It’s totally two steps forward and one back for him as he starts learning to be a dad.  Finding himself attracted to the hottie (and compassionate) doctor next door just makes things even more complicated, which is the last thing he thinks he needs.

Sean is amazingly patient with Ash and does everything he can to woo his neighbor slowly.  He’s there to support when needed and give a little push when that’s needed too.  He’s the same with his friends and I think that is just as appealing as his boyfriend potential.  (Those three guys are fun, in a juvenile way, and fit together well as their own made up family unit.  I’m looking forward to seeing more of the others in future stories.)

While I loved these characters, I felt like we were missing a little bit in the story line.  Part of it was that we got the lead up to, but not the actual, falling in love portion.  I missed seeing the relationship build into that HEA.  And there were so many other things that I think needed to be addressed a little more – Asher’s reluctance to get involved again, his worry over being a good dad, his history with his mom, Sean’s lack of previous commitment.

While we got plenty of feels, awesome primary AND secondary characters, and a tease about what’s coming next that has me soooo ready for book 2, I feel like we needed just a bit more to make this one truly awesome instead of very good.

I’ll happily take very good though and anxiously wait to see where we got next.

*****

Author Info:

USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott writes stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, a happily ever after.

RJ Scott is the author of over one hundred romance books, writing emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, millionaire, princes, and the men who get mixed up in their lives. RJ is known for writing books that always end with a happy ever after. She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing.

The last time she had a week’s break from writing she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a bottle of wine she couldn’t defeat.

She’s always thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the links below:

Email RJ rj@rjscott.co.uk | Facebook | Twitter | BookBub | Instagram | Pinterest

*****

Giveaway:

$10 Amazon Gift Card

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3e0e9a43628/

*****

Book Review – Hold On Tight

Tags

Book Review, Bridgeport Social Club series, Hold on Tight, Shelley Shepard Gray

Hold on Tight

Bridgeport Social Club Series

by Shelley Shepard Gray

Jackson Koch had already lost his wife to cancer when the town’s coal mines shut down and his job was gone too. So, with a three-year-old daughter to care for and a broken heart to mend, he moved across the country to find a new life in Bridgeport, Ohio. Now he tends bar by night and tries to navigate life as a single dad by day. Luckily, his neighbor is happy to babysit while he works late nights. She’s great with little Kate, beautiful, kind … and lately he’s found himself smiling whenever he thinks about her.

Dani Brown also knows what it’s like to lose a spouse and raise a child on her own. Cleaning houses during the day, and taking online classes at night, she dreams of running her own preschool someday. And, since her fourteen-year-old son Jeremy’s baseball team requires a lot of money, she’s thrilled to earn some extra cash by watching her handsome neighbor’s adorable little girl. But even with two jobs, she’s having trouble making ends meet.

When Jackson sees Dani running herself ragged for her son’s baseball ambitions he decides it’s time to get the Bridgeport Social Club involved. Together they cook up a plan. They will run a charity poker tournament to support Jeremy’s dream and help out a hardworking single mom. But will Dani be able to accept help from the handsome neighbor she’s starting to feel more-than-friendly feelings for? And how far is she ready to let those feelings go?

Get ready to fall in love with Shelley Shepard Gray’s Bridgeport Social Club again, where a poker night is so much more than a game of cards and an extraordinary community of ordinary men and women come together to offer love, light, and hope to everyone they encounter.

I loved the first two books in this series and this one shows that Gray knows how to keep delivering.  Both Dani and Jackson have experienced hardships in their lives and are just doing the best they can for their kids.  The easy way these two manage to create a kind of friendship and then something more is very appealing.  And realistic.  There are so many ways that this could have gone sideways but Gray manages to keep things real and relatively drama free.

Dani has spent so many years having only herself to rely on that it is hard for her to accept someone else’s offer of help.  She can’t get past the feeling of owing someone and while Jackson is ready to be there for her it takes a bit for her to get to the point of being able to accept it.

Jackson has been struggling with losing both his wife and his job in a short amount of time.  He had a little problem with depression (understandably) for a while and getting him & his daughter out of their small town was the best for both of them.  It’s just super hard to accept a life where he is now a bartender – a good job just not what he imagined for himself.  But he has good friends and with a little self-examination he’s starting to feel a better about his situation.

You aren’t going to find a lot of drama moments with this series.  It’s just realistic characters, living their lives and trying to figure things out – pretty much like you and me 🙂  Instead, go into it with a relaxed mind and an attitude of just enjoying the ride.  You’ll find plenty to appreciate about the well-crafted characters and the normality of their lives.

Book Review – Forever My Hero

Tags

Blessings Georgia series, Book Review, Forever My Hero, Sharon Sala

Forever My Hero

Blessings Georgia series

by Sharon Sala

Every storm they’ve weathered…has led them to each other

Dan Amos lost his wife and son years ago, when they inadvertently got in the way of a death threat meant for him. He’s never had eyes for anyone since, and he doesn’t want to. But fellow Blessings resident Alice Conroy sparks something inside him…

Newly widowed, Alice was disillusioned by marriage and isn’t looking to fall in love anytime soon. Then a tropical storm blazes a path straight for the Georgia coast, and as the town prepares for the worst, Dan opens his heart and his home. The tempest is raging, but Alice and Dan are learning to find shelter…in each other.

Sala is my go-to for down home, small town, feel good stories.  She gives her readers characters that may not have a lot materially but they have a ton of heart and know what it means to be part of a community.  (I will say that this one just seemed to have a bit more going on than I remember from the first stories.  They seemed to focus more on a particular couple while introducing parts of the community.  The last couple seem to be getting a little heavier with subplots and secondary characters, but it’s delivered in a way that isn’t too complicated or hard to follow, just a little bit more crowded.)

Being there with Dan and Alice as they feel out each other is all sorts of sweet.  There’s an attraction there, but both of them had a tragedy take their spouse from them so they have to decide if they are at a point where they can give their hearts again.  As if that wasn’t enough, throw in some trouble with drug dealers, mean girls, & a hurricane closing in on the town and there’s a decent amount of tension to keep things extra interesting.

Driven by the characters and their connections throughout the town, Sala’s Blessings series shows the complications and reality of life, love, and community.

(Can easily be read as a standalone but would probably be better enjoyed as part of the entire series just so you get an understanding of how everyone fits together.)

Book Review – The Lemon Sisters

Tags

Book Review, Jill Shalvis, The Lemon Sisters, Wildstone series

With Jill Shalvis’s latest, she shows us how sometimes you just have to go home again.

*****

The Lemon Sisters

Wildstone #3

by Jill Shalvis

Blurb:

When Brooke’s older sister, Mindy, shows up at her door with her three kids in tow, she barely recognizes her sibling who looks like she’s on the verge of a total breakdown. While adventurous, wanderlust Brooke was always the problem child, eager to slip free of Wildstone and its small-town constraints, Mindy was the golden child, who never had a hair out of place or a GPA below 4.0. The Mindy that arrives at Brooke’s apartment however, is a far cry from the ever-perfect doctor’s wife.

Brooke’s further stunned when Mindy asks to trade places with her for a few days so she can pick up her pieces and put herself back together. What Mindy doesn’t realize is that Brooke is just as broken. Her sister needs her though, so Brooke takes the kids and returns to Wildstone.

But how does one go home after seven years away and what feels like a lifetime of secrets? It doesn’t take long for Brooke to come face-to-face with her past, in the form of one tall, dark, sexy mistake. But Garrett’s no longer interested, or so he says. Only his words don’t match his actions, leaving Brooke feeling things she long ago shoved deep.

The sisters begin to wonder if the childhood taunts were true, are they lemons in life? In love? True or not, they know one thing—you can’t run far enough to outpace your demons. And when long-dead secrets surface, they’ll have to overcome their differences and learn that sometimes the one person who can help you the most is the one you never thought to ask.

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Iu9vW3

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CrqBAf

Nook: http://bit.ly/2CqzYzY

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2YazSWj

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2Wh8Wml

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2ULl9Pw

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2TkD1zb

*****

Excerpt:

“Okay,” she said. “Time for me to go to bed.”

“Or you’re running,” he said. “Again.”

She closed her eyes and told herself to ignore the soft taunt. No matter what they’d been – or hadn’t been – to each other, she wasn’t looking for love with anyone, and certainly not a wash and repeat with the one man who could destroy her. It wasn’t as if she’d been a monk. She’d dated, but she hadn’t let anyone in. Not ever. Even Cole had complained about the brick walls she’d encased her emotions in.

And he was right. She could get involved to a point, but she always pulled back.

“You don’t have to run from me, you know,” Garrett said. “There’s no reason for there to be anything but honesty between us.”

Yes, there was… “Maybe I’m just not feeling it.”

Another soft laugh. “Okay.”

“Hey,” she said and poked a finger in his pec. His hard, ungiving, sexy pec. “If I was feeling it, you’d know.”

“Yeah? How?” he challenged.

“I’d be …flirty. I certainly wouldn’t be thinking of all of your faults.”

He grinned. How like a man to not be worried about his faults.

“So what are these so-called faults?” he asked, curious. Still not concerned.

“Well, for starters, you’re wearing black knit boxers with bananas on them.”

This made him laugh outright. “Someone sent me a subscription box. They come once a month. Last month’s pair had cocks all over them.”

“Like … chickens, or…?”

He was still smiling. “If you’re curious, I’ll be happy to wear them tomorrow and give you a peek.”

“Whatever,” she said. “And the fact that some woman sent you a subscription to undies is another reason I’m not feeling it. You’ve stayed friends with every single person you’ve ever met.”

“And that’s a fault?”

She shrugged. Of course it wasn’t a fault. It was the opposite of a fault. “Well, except for me, of course.”

“Because you don’t answer phone calls, texts, emails…” He tilted his head. “Tell me something.”

Oh boy. “What?”

“Why did you and your last boyfriend break up? That Cole guy.”

“I told you, he’s my boss.”

“But you’re sleeping together,” he said, his eyes holding hers prisoner. “Or you were.”

“How do you know that?”

He smiled grimly. “You just told me.”

Dammit. She crossed her arms over her chest. “We’re not together if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Why?”

“Why what?” she asked.

“Why aren’t you together?” he pressed.

“Because I don’t like him like that.”

Did his eyes warm very slightly, or was that her imagination? “Because you’re just not feeling it?” he asked mockily, using her words.

She rolled her eyes. “You think you’re funny. How about we talk about you. Tell me about the girlfriend you said you don’t have. The one who called you the other day for a hookup.”

“It wasn’t a hookup. She dumped me.”

She snorted. “Right. You expected me to believe a guy who looks like you do, and is funny and smart like you are, got dumped?”

“Actually, I expect you to believe whatever I tell you.” He shifted close until they were knee to knee. “Because I’ve never lied to you, Brooke. Never will.”

*****

Review:

Shalvis is one of the best at creating real people and real situations.  In The Lemon Sisters, she perfectly blends together romance, women’s fiction, and family drama to deliver a beautiful tale of connecting to others & finding home again.

After a tragic accident, Brooke has cut herself off from those she loves.  She’s coping, but not dealing, and a visit from her desperate sister brings it all back to the surface.  And forces her to confront those she’s hurt.

Mindy has lost herself in being a wife, mother, and business owner.  She’s feeling overwhelmed & unseen and she is afraid of what it means to her marriage.  Desperate, she turns to the sister she barely knows anymore for help.  And sets both of them on a path to facing ghosts and old hurts.

I really enjoyed how both of the sisters played a starring role in the book – their individual well-being and their relationship with each other, and with their SOs, is equally important.  But even with so much going on, Shalvis handles it fairly and none of it feels shorted.  I ended it feeling like I understood everyone’s situation, how they had gotten where they were at the beginning, and felt good about how they managed to get to their HEA.

(Part of a series but each one is pretty much a stand alone.)

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s sexy contemporary and award-winning books wherever romances are sold and click on the blog button above for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillShalvis/

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Website: http://jillshalvis.com

*****

Book Review – Puppy Love

Tags

Book Review, Forever Home series, Lucy Gilmore, Puppy Love

Puppy Love

Forever Home #1

by Lucy Gilmore

No matter the job, no matter the need

These service dogs in training will always fall in love at first bark.

When Sophie Vasquez and her sisters dreamed up Puppy Promise—their service puppy training school—it was supposed to be her chance to bring some good into the world. But how can she expect to do anything when no one will take her seriously?

Enter Harrison Parks: a rough, gruff, take-no-bull wildlife firefighter in need of a diabetic service dog. He couldn’t be a more unlikely fit for Sophie or Bubbles—the sweet Pomeranian she knows will be his perfect partner—but when Sophie insists he give them both a shot, something unexpected happens: he listens. Even better, he keeps on listening, even as Sophie and Bubbles turn his lonely, uber-masculine world upside-down.

As it turns out, they all have something to prove…and more than enough room in their hearts for a little puppy love.

I think my favorite part (outside of Harrison’s love for Bubbles) is how these two managed to see the true person underneath the other’s skin.  Harrison is gruff and not a very good people person, but he’s got a big heart and a strong sense of dedication.  He was raised by a man who wasn’t much for softness but that didn’t mean he wasn’t loved.  Unfortunately, it means that, combined with his size, he tends to be a bit gruff and intimidating.

There’s something about Harrison that brings out the best (or worst) in Sophie from their first meeting.  Sick as a young child, she’s spent her life being taken care of and, even now, coddled.  Only Harrison doesn’t have a clue what her past was like, so he just sees a spitfire who is willing to give him a little grief over a puppy.  It’s so appealing to her to have someone treat her like she’s strong, and having seen something more under all that crustiness, that she can’t help but be drawn to Harrison.

These two going at each other (in a bit of verbal foreplay) is such a hoot.  Left alone, they rub sparks of all kinds and start to develop a certain amount of respect & understanding that just heightens their attraction.  Throw in an adorable ball of fluff and Gilmore definitely delivers a ton of entertainment for her readers.

Book Review – In Her Sights

Tags

Book Review, In Her Sights, Katie Ruggle, Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters series

In Her Sights

Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters series

by Katie Ruggle

Five bounty-hunting sisters

Deep in the heart of the Rockies

Fighting to save each other

…and the men who steal their hearts

Bounty hunter Molly Pax fought hard for everything she has, turning the bail recovery business she shares with her sisters into an unqualified success. So when their sticky-fingered mother jumps bail and puts the childhood home up as collateral, Molly’s horrified. To make matters worse, every two-bit criminal in the Rockies now sees her family’s misfortune as their next big break.

She needs help, stat.

Enter rival bounty hunter John Carmondy: six feet of pure trouble, with a cocky grin to match. John’s the most cheerfully, annoyingly gorgeous frenemy Molly’s ever had the pleasure of defeating…and he may be her only hope of making it out of this mess alive.

While Ruggle’s latest is more suspense than romance, I had fun reading it.  There’s a lot going on for Molly – the sister, their mother, trying to catch the next jump, and keeping one step ahead of John.

I’m not 100% sure why she struggles so much with letting John close, but it does lead to some fun moments … and a few head-shaking ones full of snark on Molly’s side.  Honestly, if I was John I’d probably have walked away a long time ago but the man has grit, heart, and dedication (all good attributes for a hero).  Her resistance does throw a bit of a damper on their relationship so if you were hoping for more of a love story it takes a bit to get there.

There’s a ton of action, danger, and suspense to keep you busy while you wait, though.  Half the siblings are busy trying to track down their mom and figure out what’s going on with her.  The rest are trying to catch a pretty dangerous character in order to keep their house out of the hands of a sleazy bail bondsman.

Ruggle has always had a way at delivering extremely satisfying suspense elements and she proves herself again here.  I can see why some may have been disappointed at the lack of romance (and Molly pushing John away again and again) but I found it fun enough that it didn’t matter so much to me 🙂

(Start of a series with a cliffhanger of an ending, so be warned!)