* Review * SANTA SCHOOL by Melinda Curtis

October 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SANTA SCHOOL by Melinda Curtis

Santa School: A Christmas Carousel Story by Melinda Curtis
Series: 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas
on October 9, 2018
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This second chance romance is a part of the 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas - a 2018 clean romance anthology from some of your favorite Harlequin Heartwarming romance authors.

Can this Scrooge learn to put on a good Christmas?

Dominick Decker’s wife's last wish was that he and their daughter Jessie move to her hometown - Christmas Town, Maine. As a second generation repairman he doesn't understand why Christmas is so important to everyone in Christmas Town. You put up a tree, buy some gift cards and order a pre-made turkey dinner from the grocery store, which leaves plenty of time for service calls in between. What more does he need to do? A lot if he's to give his daughter the Christmas she deserves.

Enter Ruby Caldwell, owner of Santa School and trainer of "professional" Santas. Now that she's been laid off from her day job, she needs to take Santa School from a part-time seasonal hobby to a full-time year-round operation. That requires a positive mindset, along with a healthy dose of creativity. Step one: Santa School for Busy Elves to train single dads like Dominick to put on a great Christmas by themselves. All she needs are a few willing dads and a don't-quit smile. With a challenge like Dominick, let's hope Ruby's smile holds out this holiday season.

Heartwarming, humorous and oh so sweet! With a second-chance-at-love story, Melinda Curtis brings us the story of Dom, the guy who’s working to get the heat back up and running in the Carousel House while he stumbles through giving his daughter their first Christmas without his wife. I enjoyed their story, and Ruby brought a new depth out in him that made him very connectable.

The last promise Dominick Decker made to his late wife was that he would move to her hometown of Christmas Town, Maine with their daughter. He’s settling in well with the heating and air company that he bought, but he’s not doing the best job of winning over his in-laws. They’re a bit over-the-top in their holiday cheer .. but then again, so is the rest of this town! He knows Jessie deserves the best, but is working hard to provide for her really such a bad thing?

Ruby Caldwell just got laid off from her job at the hospital, so she needs to seriously get busy figuring out a way to turn her seasonal Santa School business into something that will provide a livable income the entire year! When she has a run in with Dom that has them placing a bet on whether she can bring the Christmas spirit into his heart by having him attend the class she has going on to train single dad’s like himself how to bring their child a magical Christmas!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * A CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL PROPOSAL by Melinda Curtis and Cari Lynn Webb

October 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

A Christmas Carousel Proposal by Melinda Curtis and Cari Lynn Webb
Series: 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas
on June 10, 2018
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This clean romance kicks off the 2018 anthology written by Harlequin Heartwarming romance authors.

Lisa Garland has big plans for her grandparents' wedding anniversary on December 24th - the grand opening of Carousel House, featuring a fully-restored carousel in downtown Christmas Town. She doesn't expect the company restoring the carousel to go bankrupt or the only man available to help her make the deadline for her grandparents' anniversary to be her ex-fiance.

A decade ago, John Richardson walked away from Lisa for her own good. He's tried hard not to look back. But now Lisa needs a miracle and John might just be the only man who can deliver it. If only he can keep his undying love for her a secret. He's scheduled to return to duty on December 25, so all he needs to do is organize volunteers to finish the carousel and keep his heart under lock and key. But love has a way of opening doors and hearts, and John's holiday season may not go as planned.

A Christmas Carousel Proposal introduces many of the characters in the 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas series, which begin the week after John proposes to Lisa. Six romances feature Lisa’s bridesmaids and six feature heroes working on the carousel. All full-length novels end on Christmas Eve.

A delightful holiday reunion! Kicking off this years holiday anthology from the Harlequin Heartwarming authors, this story introduces the story line that a treasured carousel in the town of Christmas Town, Maine is being brought back to life in a new location to be enjoyed by all. Lisa Garland is in charge of getting it all arranged, and it’s super special to her because it’s special to her grandparents and will reopen centered around an anniversary party for them on Christmas Eve. The book introduces many of the characters that will derive the heroes and heroines of the 12 full length books to follow. It piqued my interest and brought the excitement of the carousel to life in my imagination!

Lisa Garland thinks all is on track for the carousel project she’s spearheading for the town council until an unexpected visitor announces that the company in charge of getting the overhaul done has declared bankruptcy and closed down! Panic ensues and the only person capable of possibly still pulling off the deadline just so happens to be the man she hasn’t seen since he walked away from her and their engagement a decade ago!

John Richardson never got over his love for Lisa, but when she voiced doubts about their union, he used it in order to walk away. He was shipping off soon thereafter anyway and considered it for her own good that he was leaving her open to live her own life again. Facing their past and realizing a new future just might be the answer they’ve both been looking for!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE PREGNANT COLTON WITNESS by Geri Krotow

October 5, 2018 Leave a Comment

The Pregnant Colton Witness by Geri Krotow
Series: The Coltons of Red Ridge
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on October 1, 2018
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A murder witness must protect her unborn child—and her heart

A Coltons of Red Ridge thriller

One night of passion with Officer Nash Maddox left Dr. Patience Colton breathless—and pregnant! The two are unexpectedly reunited when Patience becomes a witness to a murder and K-9 cop Nash rushes to her rescue, along with his canine companion. The two will stop at nothing to protect their growing family, but a killer has other ideas…

Breathtaking excitement and danger from page one! With the next book in the sensational The Coltons of Red Ridge series, Geri Krotow brings us another Colton mixing it up with a K-9 officer. This series has been quite a mystery as we try to figure out who the Groom Killer could be, and each book adds to the intrigue. I really enjoyed connecting with Patience and Nash. They were very relatable and their story was a joy to read.

Just as veterinarian Patience Colton is realizing that her one night of passion with K-9 officer Nash Maddox has left them expecting, she witnesses a murder and the assailant comes after her! She’s within a hair of confrontation when Nash arrives to rescue her. Life on the down low won’t be easy right now when she has such monumental news to share with Nash, but getting her to safety is his first priority.

Nash might already have his hands full with family overflowing his house, but he never once thinks of voicing resistance to the thought of having a baby with Patience. Once they get this killer caught, in addition to trying to once and for all nab the Groom Killer, he’ll be able to carve out a future with her.

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* Review * IF THE SHOE FITS by Rachel Lacey

October 5, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * IF THE SHOE FITS by Rachel Lacey

If the Shoe Fits by Rachel Lacey
Series: Almost Royal #1
Published by NYLA on October 2, 2018
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NOT ALL FAIRYTALES END AT MIDNIGHT

Elle Davenport is no princess—she just dresses up as one for her job at a local theme park. But when she gets the call that she’s won a contest to live and work at a real-life castle in Virginia, she finally feels like she’s found her calling. If she’s successful, her venture could become permanent, and that sounds like Elle’s idea of the perfect modern-day fairytale. There’s only one problem: the castle’s grumpy—and sexy—new owner wants her gone as soon as possible.

Theo Langdon never imagined he’d inherit the title of Earl of Highcastle so young. With his grandfather’s recent death, he needs to sell Rosemont Castle so he can return to London. If only he wasn’t butting heads with the vivacious new property manager at every corner. Although he’s got a life waiting for him in London, Rosemont Castle suddenly feels a lot like home, thanks to Elle. As the clock winds down on her time at the castle, he’ll have to reconcile his obligations in London with the American woman who’s stolen his heart.

A modern day fairy tale twist! We’re quickly whisked into the heart of the story when three average women enter a contest that changes their lives when they win it. The ensemble is quirky, fun and sexy. We get a heartfelt romance with tidbits of love, friendship and philanthropy as we take the journey towards happily ever after with Elle and Theo. There were a few underdeveloped parts of the plot, and the attempt to make Theo a bit of a dirty talker felt out of sync and forced, but overall, I enjoyed this jaunt into a fairy tale.

Florida theme park princess Elle Davenport is definitely feeling like she’s in a rut in her life, but when she gets the news that she and a couple of friends have won a magazine contest that will allow them to move into a castle in Virginia she’s thrilled! If the business ideas they submitted and will initiate while there become a success, the positions could become permanent!

Theo Langdon was recently named the Earl of Highcastle much younger than he expected when his grandfather died. He knows his grandfather had agreed to this magazine contest deal, but now that he’s in charge of the estate, he needs to sell Rosemont Castle as soon as possible in order to return to his new duties in London. He hopes to offer the ladies who won the contest a deal to walk away, but once he sets eyes on Elle and learns how steadfast she and her friends are to make a go of this venture, he just might find himself wanting to stick around Virginia himself for a bit!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * SECRETS OF A (SOMEWHAT) SUNNY GIRL by Karen Booth

October 5, 2018 Leave a Comment

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* Review * SECRETS OF A (SOMEWHAT) SUNNY GIRL by Karen Booth

Secrets of a (Somewhat) Sunny Girl by Karen Booth
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on October 16, 2018
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As sisters, they tell each other all their secrets...except one. With divorce and infidelity hanging from nearly every branch of her family tree, Katherine Fuller sees no point in marriage. Boyfriends? Sure. Sex? Of course. Wedding vows? No, thanks. Still, when her younger sister Amy gets engaged, Katherine gathers all the enthusiasm she can. She won’t let Amy down. She’s done enough of that for a lifetime. As the sisters embark on wedding plans, Katherine’s college love resurfaces. It nearly killed Katherine to part from sexy Irish musician Eamon more than a decade ago, but falling under his spell a second time forces her to confront everything she hid from him. The secrets surrounding her mother’s death are still fresh and raw in her mind, but one has haunted her more than the others. She can’t bear to tell anyone, especially not Amy. It could ruin far more than a wedding. It could destroy a sister’s love forever.

An emotionally raw depiction of life, love and happily ever afters! He saw her in a way no one else ever did … but circumstances split them apart. Now reunited at a time that her life is in turmoil, Katherine has to dig deep and confront her past in order to have the brighter future she never even let herself dream about. The relationship between Kat and Amy is heartfelt and once Eamon comes onto the scene, the platform is laid for a very strong book. I really enjoyed their story and watching the past get laid to rest once and for all. Highly recommend!

Katherine Fuller has spent her life avoiding what she considers to be the kiss of death … commitment, marriage, family. She adores her little sister Amy who she’s extremely close to, but a traumatic childhood has her keeping everyone else at a distance. She’s thrown for a loop when Amy announces she’s getting married. She thought they both knew what destruction the sanctity of marriage could reap, but evidently Amy has blinders on. She’ll do anything to keep her sister happy, so she guesses she’ll be faking some enthusiasm!

Irish rockstar Eamon MacWard can’t believe his eyes when he sees Katherine at his New York concert. For a few short months more than a decade ago, she was his, and he’s never forgotten her. He can’t let this moment of fate pass them by and insists she meet up with him to catch up. It doesn’t take long for the passion of the past to reignite and lead them towards the reunion they’d given up hoping for, but getting closer to Eamon leads Katherine to have to confront the past she so adamantly wants to keep hidden. Will the secrets she reveals ruin the sunny girl that’s just beginning to shine again?

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Release Blitz/Review * TALKIN’ TRASH by Lani Lynn Vale

October 2, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * TALKIN’ TRASH by Lani Lynn Vale

Talkin' Trash by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: The Bear Bottom Guardians MC #2
on October 2, 2018
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Linc has two very important things on his mind—professional football and his motorcycle club.

What he does not have on his mind is the woman that drives him crazy and makes him want to do stupid things, like throw caution to the wind.

Nope, not Linc.

At least, that’s the lie he tells everyone.

In reality, every time Conleigh’s name is mentioned, he squirms.

She’s everything that he wants, wrapped up in a cute little package that is stamped ‘hands freakin’ off.’

She’s four years younger than him, in school to be a doctor, and thinks football is stupid.

Even more, Linc and Conleigh get along like oil and water.

There’s not a single second that they’re in each other’s presence that they’re not at each other’s throats.

But all it takes is hearing that she’s in trouble for Linc to drop every single thing—football and MC duties alike—and head to her side.

A side that he’ll remain at until they either kill each other, or finally give into the heat between them.

Either way you look at it, he’s well and truly screwed.

Forbidden love just found a way! With the next book in the Bear Bottom MC series, we get Linc and Conleigh’s story. As a new reader to this author with this series, I feel a struggle in trying to keep up with what’s happened in the past series sometimes. In some places explanations are weaved into the context, and in others they aren’t and the reader is left fending for themselves trying to keep up. This book showed tidbits of the biker lifestyle more than the first in the series, but the intrigue of the bad guy seems forced and lacking in substance. Overall, a solid read with a believable connection between the main couple.

Professional football and a motorcycle club don’t seem like a likely pairing, but Lincoln James wears it well! He’s just coming into the off-season when he hears that Conleigh might have gotten herself into a little trouble that she needs him for. He’s been in love with her for years, but he was warned away from her by multiple sources in the MC because she was too young when they met. Since then, she’s been a constant thorn in his side as she tries to pretend that she doesn’t feel the same things that he does.

Nursing is a job that she enjoys, but going to school and trying to move up in that field is not. She feels like she’s got too much on her plate right now and something’s eventually going to have to give. Now that Linc is hanging around her on a regular basis, she needs even more free time than ever … after all, she has to pretend she’s so busy enjoying life that she’s too busy to have anything to do with him, right?

Linc has two very important things on his mind—professional football and his motorcycle club.

What he does not have on his mind is the woman that drives him crazy and makes him want to do stupid things, like throw caution to the wind.

Nope, not Linc.

At least, that’s the lie he tells everyone.

In reality, every time Conleigh’s name is mentioned, he squirms.

She’s everything that he wants, wrapped up in a cute little package that is stamped ‘hands freakin’ off.’

She’s four years younger than him, in school to be a doctor, and thinks football is stupid.

Even more, Linc and Conleigh get along like oil and water.

There’s not a single second that they’re in each other’s presence that they’re not at each other’s throats.

But all it takes is hearing that she’s in trouble for Linc to drop every single thing—football and MC duties alike—and head to her side.

A side that he’ll remain at until they either kill each other, or finally give into the heat between them.

Either way you look at it, he’s well and truly screwed.

AVAILABLE NOW

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

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Lani Lynn Vale is a USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens.

When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.

Lani is married with three children and lives in the Great State of Texas.

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * CHRISTMAS WITH THE DUKE by Katrina Cudmore

October 2, 2018 Leave a Comment

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* Review * CHRISTMAS WITH THE DUKE by Katrina Cudmore

Christmas with the Duke by Katrina Cudmore
Published by Harlequin Romance on October 1, 2018
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Reunited with her first love…

For an unforgettable Christmas

Ciara Harris hoped her first Christmas working back at Loughmore Castle would mark a fresh start, but the return of Tom, now Duke of Bainsworth, threatens to uncover feelings she thought long buried. Being snowed in on Christmas Eve with Tom forces Ciara to face the truth—there’s still something magical between them. As the castle’s fires burn warm and festive, so do Tom’s and Ciara’s feelings of hope…

A delightful holiday reunion! The magical setting of a castle decked out in Christmas delight is quick to whisk you into the holiday mindset. The characters were compelling, and I found myself following their story and hoping for a repair of the damage life did to their hearts years ago. Really liked Ciara and Tom together!

Years ago, teenage Ciara Harris and Tom Benson were the best of friends growing up around his family’s castle and estate. Their young hearts drifted towards each other and they thought their love would last forever, but real life and the differences between them quickly tarnished the developing connection and they split up.

A dozen years later, horticulturist Ciara is back working at Loughmore Castle when Tom, now Duke of Bainsworth, makes an appearance. It doesn’t take long for that old attraction to flare, and when they’re snowed in together on Christmas Eve, the magic is too much to resist … but can they persevere against all that split them up before?

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* Review * UNLEASHED by Caitlin Crews

September 30, 2018 Leave a Comment

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Unleashed by Caitlin Crews
Series: Hotel Temptation
Published by Harlequin Dare on October 1, 2018
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She has fantasies…

Now he’s bringing them to life!

Notorious seducer Thor Ragnarsson runs the scandalous Hotel Viking in Reykjavik, where tourists go to fulfill their wildest fantasies. When straitlaced American professor Margot Cavendish gets snowed in while studying Icelandic sex culture, Thor challenges her inhibitions with some very hands-on research—soon she’s exploring every inch of his delicious body. It’s only one night of passion, but when the snowstorm clears they’re left aching for more…

Steamy yumminess! If you’ve been searching for Thor, the sex God, you’ve just found him! This book has a deliciously hot sex appeal to it, and will definitely have you squirming. I liked both of the characters, but found it really hard to connect with them early on in the book. Yes, the sex is outstanding, but there’s not enough depth to them outside of the philosophical/feministic tirade that is a constant for about 75% of the book. The last quarter gave us a good picture of how they end up, but I wanted more overall. Still worth a read, even if only for the sexy hot night they have together!

American professor Margot Cavendish has ventured far from home during a sabbatical to study the Icelandic sex culture. She’s heard lots of gossip about the sexual beast running Hotel Viking outside of Reykjavik and is attempting to get an interview with him but keeps getting the run around. A surprise trip to the hotel leads to her getting snowed in, and the man himself shows up to trade wits with her.

Thor Ragnarsson isn’t quite as free with his loving as rumor spreads around, but he doesn’t deny he’s a very sexual man and enjoys his life. He can tell from the moment he meets Margot that even though she’s here researching this, that she’s not exactly honest with herself on her own sexual wants, needs and desires. He put an offer on the table to her … she’s snowed in anyway, so why not spend the night exploring her body with him.

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* Review * THE BOYFRIEND ARRANGEMENT by Andrea Laurence

September 30, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE BOYFRIEND ARRANGEMENT by Andrea Laurence

The Boyfriend Arrangement by Andrea Laurence
Series: Millionaires of Manhattan
Published by Harlequin Desire on October 1, 2018
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Fake it until you make it…

to the altar?

Instead of attending yet another friend’s wedding alone, Harper Drake asks Sebastian West—sexy, available and not a total stranger—to pose as her adoring boyfriend. With sparks flying, a little faux affection could be fun, and no one, especially Harper’s ex, will guess the truth. Except things get very hot very fast, for real… And then a blackmailer’s threats force them to reveal all their secrets!

Convenience … to forever! The premise of this book starts out fun, flirty and tempting, then it takes a turn towards the mysterious when someone puts a target on Harper and her big secret. Sebastian’s life is downplayed a good bit, and the blackmail twist came across a bit underdeveloped, but overall I enjoyed getting updates on a bunch of the previous Manhattan gang and following Harper and Sebastian towards their happily-ever-after!

When bridesmaid Harper Drake finds out her ex-boyfriend is coming along on the big destination wedding trip along with his new fiancee, she knows she has to somehow save face and have a plus one to take along! Running into socially awkward yet stunning Sebastian at just the right time seems to be kismet. Can she convince this hunky workaholic to accompany her on a trip to Dublin?

Techie Sebastian West just happens to be on some forced downtime when he is approached by Harper to accompany her on an all expense paid trip. The money isn’t important to him, but the company of a gorgeous woman makes the offer pretty impossible to resist. As their time together turns tempting, secrets begin to unravel and a blackmailer takes aim that just might ruin the remainder of their time together!

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* Review * NY DOC UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS by Amy Ruttan

September 30, 2018 1 Comment

NY Doc Under the Northern Lights by Amy Ruttan
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on October 1, 2018
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Escaping the big city…

For love under Icelandic skies

When surgeon Betty Jacinth’s heart is broken once again, she takes a job in Iceland for a change of scenery. She expects cold weather—but not the frosty welcome she receives from gorgeous but brooding Dr. Axel Sturlusson! Now father to his orphaned niece, Axel gradually thaws, and a flame ignites—but when Betty’s ex begs her to return, can she make the right choice for love?

Sometimes what you’ve truly been looking for is right around the next corner! A story of fleeing heartbreak and ending up finding more than you bargained for at the other end. The characters are well rounded, the drama is high and the slow building relationship is a joy to watch. Enjoyed it!

When Betty Jacinth suffers one more heartache than she can handle, she decides to take advantage of an offer she received to leave New York and head to Iceland to experience working in a foreign country for awhile. The change seems to be just what she needs in order to heal her heart and get her head on straight again. She’s not expecting such a chilly welcome though!

Doctor Axel Sturlusson isn’t sure why his father brought Betty here, but he has better things to do with his time than hold her hand through a day in the office! He’s got a surly niece to raise and a father who makes him relive the worst day of his life over and over again on a constant basis. He doesn’t realize how much he carries on his sleeve until Betty calls him on his attitude a few times and they begin to actually forge a friendship … and possibly more!

Filed Under: Book Reviews