Archives for October 2016

4 STARS!

A unique reunion story … first loves, best of friends, a twisted twin in the mix!

As a teen, Samantha Carlton grabbed the first chance she could to get out from under the weight of an ugly childhood and make something of herself.  She left behind her alcoholic mother, jealous sister and her first love … and has spent a lifetime feeling guilty!

Trevor Kincaid couldn’t bring himself to go with Sam when she asked, but he didn’t have a problem finding comfort in the arms of her twin sister!  Now Sam has come face to face with the niece she didn’t know existed, and Trevor has to accept that the past he’s tried his best to protect his daughter from is rearing it’s ugly head!

The old flame is reignited between Sam and Trevor, but will the past stay behind them or be the cause of them splitting once again?

ARC received via NetGalley/Author

4 STARS!

A fun take on a reunion/friends to lovers story!  I had a little bit of a hard time liking Dee because she was a bit too wishy washy and didn’t appreciate him the way she should have, but I enjoyed Josh a lot!

Back in New Mexico inheriting half of her estranged father’s ranch is the last place Deanna Blake thought she’d be at this point in her life but here she is.  She always hated the loneliness of country living, and is anxious to sell so she can get on with her life in the big city … which will soon include a baby!

Josh Talbot has always considered the ranch his home, and he would love to stay there running it, but he can’t afford to buy out Dee’s half.  He reluctantly agrees that he and his young son will start over elsewhere with their proceeds from the sale, but as they all join together to get things ready to go on the market, will the happiness they come to share show them that selling and going their separate ways might not be what they really want to do anymore?

ARC received via the Author

4 1/2 STARS!

An attention grabbing surprise baby story!  I enjoyed characters and the draw they had to each other from the very beginning.

After seeing a shocking expose about a group of ruthless businessmen who are notorious playboys, Piper Riley finally has the name of the man she had an impetuous one night stand with a couple of months ago.  Not only did she lose her innocence to a playboy, but she gained a little surprise as well!

When Piper shows up at his office, Dante Mancini assumes she is there to climb onto the media circus with her own story and wonders how much money it will take to silence her.  Instead, she announces they are going to be parents!  He jumps on the opportunity to land the business deal of the century with the added bonus of a wife and child on the way to make him appeared settled. Piper agrees to the charade, but only because she wants her baby to know it’s father.

As they play the game, they both feel more than they expected … but when all is said and done, will it be enough to overcome the subterfuge and make it all real??

ARC received via the Author/VA

4 STARS!

A heart-wrenching reunion story!

Doctor Katie McGann is doing her best to keep her head down and forget that it’s Christmas time again.  Working in the ER of a busy ski town is helping with that, but when the relief doctor she’s been expecting shows up, the little bit of peace that she’s melded out for herself is coming to an end.

Doctor Josh West is Katie’s estranged husband.  They were as happy as could be until tragedy wiped it all away and now it’s been 2 years since they’ve seen each other.  He’s always said he wasn’t going to give up on his wife, so he’s making one last effort to see if he can win her back before he accepts the job of a lifetime and starts his life over.

ARC received via the Author/VA

4 STARS!

An intriguing story!  We come across a bit of familiarity from her last novel THE HOUSE BY THE LAKE in this story as answers from the past are sought once again.

Boston art curator Sarah West is newly divorced and trying to find her place in the world alone after also recently losing both parents.  While sorting through her father’s belongings, she stumbles across a letter that mentions the 1895 death of her great-great-aunt Louisa in Paris.  Family legend had always stated that she committed suicide, but some things stated in this letter lead Sarah to wonder if that is actually the case.  She sets out on the adventure of a lifetime to see if she can find out the true story.

Sharing an apartment with artist Laurent Chartier in Paris, she visits various locations looking for info.  Laurent encourages her not to give up when she hits road blocks, and she eventually finds a source that will be invaluable to finding the answer she seeks.

ARC received via NetGalley

4 1/2 STARS!

We previously met the Steele family in the prequel STEELE RIDGE: THE BEGINNING.  With this first full-length novel in the new series, Kelsey Browning brings us Griffin Steele’s story which is filled with happenings around town, family drama, lots of intrigue, and a generous dose of steamy romance!  Great characters make for a fun, attention grabbing book!

Grif enjoys living the high life out in LA as a high end sports agent.  He’s making a quick dash home to North Carolina to help his brother Jonah with a project for their hometown, but finds out that the plan is to snooker him into helping him on a longer term basis.

While in town, he runs into Carlie Beth Parrish who he had one night of passion with just before he headed to Los Angeles all those years ago.  He wouldn’t mind picking up where they left off, but she’s a bit stand-offish.  He soon realizes it has to do with a little secret she failed to let him in on … namely a 14 year old daughter!

When it becomes evident that a stalker is targeting Carlie Beth, Grif steps in to keep her and their daughter safe.  Will he decide he’s found the place he belongs or will he soon be hightailing it back to California?

ARC received via NetGalley

5 STARS!

With a dip into Roxanne St. Claire’s Barefoot Bay Kindle World, Samantha Chase takes us on sweet journey into finding love again after heartbreak!

Ellie Shaw moved back home to Mimosa Key after a break-up with ex.  She’s busy settling into a new job with the Barefoot Brides at Casa Blanca Resort & Spa when her ex and his new fiance have the nerve to show up to have them plan their wedding!  Are you kidding me??

Max Santos thinks it might be his lucky day when a gorgeous woman dashes into his equipment shed cursing like a sailor.  He’s the Manager of the grounds, so he knows the ins and outs of all the places for her to duck into and hide as she tries to steer clear of her ex.  Soon it becomes a sexy game that they are enjoying.  Will a chance meeting turn out being the best thing that ever happened to her?

ARC received via the Author