Archives for November 28, 2021

* Review * A MERRY AUSSIE CHRISTMAS by Stefanie London

November 28, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A MERRY AUSSIE CHRISTMAS by Stefanie London

A Merry Aussie Christmas by Stefanie London
Series: Holidays in the Bluff #1
on November 30, 2021
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Their relationship is so fake it comes with costumes…

At seventeen, Jasper left Patterson’s Bluff so fast the dust cloud never settled. But when fate brings him back, he’s ready to prove he’s not a bad egg like his criminal father. So, he slaps some reindeer antlers on his Basset Hound and volunteers to be Santa for the festive season.

Being her hometown’s official Mrs. Claus was supposed to be fun. Instead, Evie is stuck being “married” to the sexy bad boy she crushed on in high school. The same one who broke her heart when he left town. But she can’t deny their chemistry burns hotter than an open fire.

It’ll take a holiday miracle for them not to ruin Christmas. Can the misunderstood bad boy and the town golden girl get a second chance at love? Or will Evie be stuck in Jasper’s rear-view mirror once more?

A Merry Aussie Christmas contains Aussie slang, adorable dog-related shenanigans, second chances and the bedroom door is flung wide open! Yep, there's sexytimes inside. Previously published in the Christmas Actually anthology, this story now contains 50% additional content.

Naughty Santa just might be the temptation Mrs. Claus needs to live a little! Stefanie London is pouring on the Aussie holiday feels with this delightful small town romance and I loved every single minute of it. The characters both have a back story that explains who they have become in life and seeing them reconnect and begin to develop a relationship of their own is heartwarming. I can’t wait for a return to Patterson Bluff in the future!

Jasper is such a sweetheart! He’s misunderstand and under appreciated, but his heart is pure gold and I loved seeing him get the redemption he so justly deserved.

Evie is the town delight and is beloved by everyone, but she holds herself back. Jasper is just the sexy fun she needs to prove to her once and for all that she’s meant to set the world on fire.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a holiday read to get you in the spirit of Christmas. There’s seriousness, there’s laughter and there’s a yummy romance brewing throughout.

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* Review * HIS HEART’S HOME by Susan Carlisle

November 28, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIS HEART’S HOME by Susan Carlisle

His Heart's Home by Susan Carlisle
Series: Modern Masters of Their Castle #3
on November 30, 2021
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When opposites attract…sparks ignite!

Historical architect Jordan Glass moves to rural England in her continued effort to escape an affair gone wrong that included losing a baby while in college. Eight years later still vowing to steer clear of relationships, she takes on a job rebuilding a damaged manor knowing it’s the perfect place to live in solitude. What she doesn’t plan on is Craig Lewis the owner arriving before the work is finished. Worse he brings his daughter along and they must share temporary lodging with Jordon.

Craig is shocked when his ex-wife drops their pre-teen daughter on his doorstep - permanently. He struggles to relate to his angry child and desperately wants to gain her trust. To give her a secure place to live he decides to renovate a wing of his family home Llywelyn Hall. Life is further complicated by him being sexually drawn to the beautiful architect. Equally frustrating is Jordon communicates with his daughter far better than he.

Craig’s family struggle tugs at Jordon’s heartstrings. Against her better judgement, Jordon is pulled deeper into their lives, tipping friendship over into desire.

Love when they least expect it! HIS HEART’S HOME by Susan Carlisle brings a historical architect and a single father trying to adjust to having his pre-teen daughter full time together in this emotional journey of healing and trusting in love. The characters are endearing and the back stories of each has a depth that brings the connection full circle.

Jordan is accomplished and dedicated to her craft, but her heart is still a long way from healed after a college fling left heartache and loss.

Craig is a sincerely nice guy and watching him do just about anything in order to connect with the child he really hasn’t previously been around for is heartwarming.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys seeing a female lead who excels at the remodeling business she runs with her two besties as each of them find their leading man and begin their happily ever after.

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* Review * A LIGHTHOUSE CAFE CHRISTMAS by Jennifer Faye

November 28, 2021 Leave a Comment

A Lighthouse Café Christmas by Jennifer Faye
Series: The Bell Family of Bluestar Island #3
Published by Lazy Dazy Press on November 16, 2021
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As Bluestar Island prepares for a very special Christmas wedding, Santa’s sleigh crashes into The Lighthouse Café, reuniting Bluestar’s beloved waitress with her former fiancé.

In this holiday novella, Darla Evans has carved out a quiet life for herself as a waitress at The Lighthouse Café. Up until this point, she’s conveniently avoided the one man who shattered her heart and her dreams. But when a wedding draws him back to the island, she knows their meetup is unavoidable.

Tech entrepreneur William “Will” Campbell has returned to his childhood home to be the best man in his father’s wedding. But first his father has a very special task for him—to restore a sleigh in time for the wedding. However, there’s not much time until Christmas. He just might need some help.

As snowflakes cover the small town of Bluestar, Will and Darla work together to make it a very special holiday wedding. With the past looming between them, will the magic of the season open their hearts and allow them to find love again?

This sweet holiday visit to Bluestar Island is sure to please! Jennifer Faye is delighting her readers with a quick visit to our favorite small town this Christmas season with A LIGHTHOUSE CAFE CHRISTMAS and I wholeheartedly enjoyed it. The characters are warm and sincere and the backstory is fresh and dramatic. I look forward to seeing more of this island.

Darla is everyone’s favorite waitress and enjoys the time she spends with the various members of the town and though she was let down by the love of her life years ago, she hasn’t let it bitter her to the joys that she still experiences.

Will is memorable. He’s returning to town for his dad’s wedding and in turn reunites with the one he let get away, but it turns out he has a big secret that he didn’t share with anyone that drastically changed his life.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a cozy, small town romance filled with memorable characters, delightful connections and a town filled with joy.

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* Review * A CONTRACT FOR HIS RUNAWAY BRIDE by Melanie Milburne

November 28, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A CONTRACT FOR HIS RUNAWAY BRIDE by Melanie Milburne

A Contract for His Runaway Bride by Melanie Milburne
Series: The Scandalous Campbell Sisters #2
Published by Harlequin Presents on November 30, 2021
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From almost Mr. and Mrs.…
…to a wedding-night reunion?

Supermodel Elodie Campbell is ready to prove the tabloids’ lies about her all wrong! Yet if the aspiring CEO is to make her fashion brand a reality, she’ll need billion-dollar backing. As if pitching to a billionaire wasn’t hard enough…Lincoln Lancaster is her ex-fiancé!

Elodie loved Lincoln deeply but ended their engagement, fearful she might become his trophy wife and nothing more. Now, the key to Lincoln’s help is anything but simple: she must become his convenient bride! The biggest complication? The all-consuming chemistry that never went away!

The second half of the Scandalous Campbell Sisters duet was sublime! I went into the book not overly sure I liked Elodie because of how she took advantage of Elspeth in the first book and all of her scandals, but I ended up understanding her so much more in this book and enjoying her reconnection with Lincoln. A CONTRACT FOR HIS RUNAWAY BRIDE was hard to put down and Melanie Milburne was at the top of her game with this one!

I highly recommend this book as well as the earlier one in the duet to anyone who enjoys a bit of drama with their romance and a super satisfying happily ever after wrap up for all!

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* Review * HOW TO HANDLE A HEARTBREAKER by Joss Wood

November 28, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HOW TO HANDLE A HEARTBREAKER by Joss Wood

How to Handle a Heartbreaker by Joss Wood
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Fathers and Sons #2
Published by Harlequin Desire on November 30, 2021
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For her, the man in the tux spells trouble

in more ways than one…

After clashing with Jackson Michaels, sheriff’s deputy and law student Hayley Lopez doesn’t know whether to arrest the gorgeous billionaire developer…or kiss him senseless. Sure, the second option presents obvious difficulties. She didn’t fight for independence from her powerful family to let this supersexy older man boss her around. But when they fall into bed together, Hayley starts rethinking the whole mistress-of-her-own-destiny thing. Can she handle a no-strings fling or is she setting herself up for heartbreak?

Fast paced and exciting! Joss Wood brings us the second book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club: Fathers and Sons series and as always she knocks her drama and romance out of the park in HOW TO HANDLE A HEARTBREAKER.

Hayley is super easy to like as she spends her life helping others even though she came from a privileged background. Watching her settle into acceptance for her choices was heartwarming.

Jackson emotionally guards himself from fully enjoying life because of his past, but the man that Hayley brings to life is so much happier.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a romance revolving around a touch of drama, a lot of desire and wealthy lifestyles.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE INNOCENT’S PROTECTOR IN PARADISE by Annie West

November 28, 2021 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE INNOCENT’S PROTECTOR IN PARADISE by Annie West

The Innocent's Protector in Paradise by Annie West
Published by Harlequin Presents on November 30, 2021
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He’s sworn to keep her safe.
She threatens his every barrier!

Niall Pedersen is the only person Lola Suarez can turn to when a stalker threatens her. A self-made security tycoon and her brother’s best friend, Niall immediately offers her a hiding place—that turns out to be his private retreat on Australia’s glamorous Gold Coast!

Lola may be forbidden, but their sizzling heat incinerates Niall’s resistance. Yet once innocent Lola is sharing his bed, he can’t hide from the truth: she deserves a happily-ever-after. Exactly what Niall, scarred by tragedy, has always vowed he can’t give!

An attention grabbing twist thrown into a brother’s best friend storyline makes for an addictive read! Annie West is pulling out all the stops in her latest and I loved every single minute of THE INNOCENT’S PROTECTOR IN PARADISE! The backstory shines, the current drama hooked me and the characters were both down to earth and real. Really enjoyed it!

Lola is a complex character. She’s independent and self-assured, but she finds herself in a situation that she never expected and figures out the hard way that she’s in over her head.

Niall is successful and kind-hearted but he lives with a guilt from childhood that holds him back from owning his own future. Lola helps ease his mind and show him what life can be.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a little bit of danger in their romance with a bit of drama, a lot of feels and an overall goodness in each character.

Filed Under: Book Reviews