** Book Review ** TRUE-BLUE COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Nicole Helm

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4 STARS!

With her latest in the Big Sky Cowboys series, Nicole Helm brings us a story filled with past heartache, new dreams and an adorable lil’ princess bringing the two together!  Great characters keep you hoping for a happily ever after to give them the future they deserve.

Summer Shaw is spending the time right before the holidays trying to find a place to fit in with her family.  She’s has a happy-go-lucky, people pleasing attitude, and wants to be needed.  When a precious little girl wanders up to her and thinks she’s a fairy princess, she just melts!

Thack Lane lost his wife years ago now, but he hasn’t moved on with his life.  He spends all of his time simply taking care of all his responsibilities and doesn’t even want more.  With the heartache he’s been through, he just expects that to be the life that he’s going to lead.  When his young daughter takes a shine to the quirky neighbor, he begrudgingly agrees to let them spend time together.  As Summer gives his daughter the bubbly atmosphere she’s been missing, Thack can’t help but admire the beautiful woman she is.  Will these two find the start of their happily ever after before the holidays even get here?

ARC received via NetGalley

** Book Review ** FALLING FOR YOU by MK Meredith

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5 STARS!

A fun and quirky delve into St. Helena Vineyards Kindle World!  It was a joy to see the old characters coming to life with the new!  Lots of laughs throughout.

Sage Mathews has recently moved to St. Helena to help save her grandfather’s newspaper, the St. Helena Sentinel … and also with hope of finding true love like everyone else in town seems to be doing lately!

Parker Edwards isn’t happy to be sent to smalltown California, but his goal is to get in and get out while proving his grandfather wrong in his assumption that Parker can’t handle the job. He sees it as an easy solution of converting the paper to digital which will make it profitable again.

Sage can’t stand hearing that her grandfather’s legacy would be destroyed like that, and sets out to show Parker what an integral part of the community the Sentinel truly is.

ARC received via the Author

** Book Review ** AADEN’S HOPE by Jacqui Jacoby

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4 1/2 STARS!

I’m not usually one to believe the “end of the world” type stories all that much, but I have to say this one was well written and the characters hooked me.  Sure, there were some inconsistencies and some parts where I wanted more detail building up to something instead of having to assume such and such happened, but overall, I was invested in the story and was not putting the book down until I saw how it ended.

Aaden Munoz was living a carefree life as a handyman in California when all of a sudden he hears that an epidemic is ending the world.  He packs up and heads to a campground he knows to ride it out.  Over the next 4 years, he’s joined by other individuals or groups that made their way there to set up their own little family helping each other grow food and figure out how to survive.

Digger is their latest recruit, and over time, they learn that she is a former government operative, and is currently drowning in grief.  Shortly after she arrives, things start happening around the camp.  Things disappearing, vandalism, and worse.  Is she doing it, or is one of their own trying to send a message?

ARC receive via the Author/VA

** Book Review / Release Blitz ** THE BLACK SHEEP’S SECRET CHILD by Cat Schield

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5 STARS!

I melt for babies on the cover of a book, so I was a sure thing for reading Cat Schield’s newest foray into the Billionaires and Babies series!  Not only was it a reunion story which is always fun, but there was a paternity secret too!  Lots of ups and downs as they decide how they still feel about each other, and adorable baby scenes.  Loved it!

Savannah Caldwell has to push her pride aside and go to the last man she might expect to ask for help.  Not only did she walk out on her relationship with Trent several years ago, but she went on to marry his brother … her now late husband, who left her with a mountain of debt and a failing family business!

Trent Caldwell was obviously mad that his estranged brother got the woman that he felt should be his.  He’s determined not to help her with the business he was pushed out of, but as his domineering father steps in to try to control her decisions, Trent decides he has no option but to give her a hand.  When their old feelings rear their head, will they be able to keep it platonic?  And when he finds out that her son is actually his son as well, will he be able to forgive her?

ARC received via the Author/Book Enthusiast Promotions

 

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release day blitz

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Book Title: The Black Sheep’s Secret Child (Billionaires and Babies)
Author: Cat Schield
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 1, 2016
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

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book blurb

A second chance with her son’s secret father!

Widow Savannah Caldwell faces the challenge of her life: begging Trent Caldwell—her former fling and late husband’s brother—to save the family’s ailing music business. That she’s still attracted to Trent makes things hard; that Trent is her son’s secret father makes things impossible!

Trent is fiercely proud of making his own fortune, despite his controlling father. And he’s always believed his brother got the girl who should have been Trent’s. Now he’ll have the family business, and his brother’s widow in the bargain. But will their romantic reunion be waylaid by Savannah’s shocking baby secret?

excerpt

Trent ignored the compulsion that demanded he step in and fix everything. “While this is all fascinating, What does any of it have to do with me?”

“The company needs you.” Her big blue eyes went soft and concerned in the way that always kicked him hard in the solar plexus.

Trent’s first impulse was to laugh. He never got the chance. Questions crowded in. He didn’t give a damn about the company. But did she need him? Trent crossed his arms over his chest and regarded her through half-closed eyes. She was beautiful. Poised. But not happy. He should’ve felt triumphant. Instead there was a dull ache in his gut.

“You know, better than most, that isn’t going to sway me. Try again.”

She gazed at the blank walls that made up his office. If she was looking for some clue how to appeal to him, she wouldn’t find it there. He was a man who didn’t give a damn about anything. Or that’s the face he showed the world. It made it much harder for someone to hurt him if he showed no vulnerability.

“Prove to your father you’re a better businessman than he is.”

He should be gloating. Trent—not his father or brother—would be the one to save the struggling West Coast Records, but his only emotion was bitterness.

“He would never believe that.” The great Siggy Caldwell never owned up to his mistakes. He sure as hell wouldn’t admit that his pitiful excuse for a second son was a better anything. “If that’s the best you have, I’m afraid I’m going to have to disappoint you.”

She let the silence fill the space between them for a beat before speaking. “I need your help.”

He resisted the urge to sweep her into his arms and pledge his support. She was staring at him in desperate hope, as if he was her knight in shining armor. That was the farthest thing from reality. Sure, maybe he’d helped her out a time or two in the past, but she wasn’t his responsibility anymore. The time for rescuing her had ended sixteen months earlier when she’d promised to love, honor and cherish his brother.

“And just like that, you expect me to drop everything and rush to your aid?” It cost him, but he gave his words a sardonic twist and hardened his heart. “It’s not going to happen.”

meet the author

Cat Schield lives in Minnesota with her daughter and 2 Burmese cats and a Doberman. Winner of the Romance Writers of America 2010 Golden Heart® for series contemporary romance, when she’s not writing sexy, romantic stories for Harlequin Desire, she can be found sailing with friends on the St. Croix River or more exotic locales like the Caribbean and Europe. Contact her at http://catschield.net

 

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** Book Review ** SURVIVAL TIES by Trisha Leazier

Survival Ties

3 1/2 STARS!

You get a bit of a “been there, done that” feel with this book at first, but the more you read, the more you like the actual characters.  There’s definitely a good bit of monotony as it seems to take days and days to drive 150 miles, and the story goes on with it seeming like they are going to just keep adding to their crew and never see any resolution.  Without knowing what the other books in the series hold, I can’t speculate on whether the outcome will be worth it.  Overall, not bad, you have a vested interest in the characters as you read but it could stand some more excitement.

Ashlyn Glass’s life changes in the blink of an eye when her older sister goes through an experimental medical treatment that turns out to not have been a good thing.  She watches her die in front of her eyes, come back to life, and die again.  She barely escapes from danger herself and only with the help of a neighbor friend.  They band together with some more people when the town begins to become a madhouse, and head toward a haven that might be their only chance at safety.  Along the way, they forge friendships with several more people and build a trust between them to look out for each other and make themselves into a new version of a family unit.

ARC received via Author/VA

** Book Review ** A COUNTESS FOR CHRISTMAS by Christy McKellen

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5 STARS!

In the first book of a new “Maids Under the Mistletoe” series, Christy McKellen brings us a sweet reunion story!  The characters are easy to connect with and had me hoping for a happily ever after from the beginning.

Emma Carmichael has had a rough few years, and she can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel when she’s suddenly thrust into turmoil again!  She never expected to be serving drinks at a party her boss was hosting to Jack Westwood, the new Earl of Redminster  … and her secret husband!

Jack is shocked to see Emma after all of these years and mistakenly announces to the party that they are married.  When the press catches wind of it and madness ensues, Jack recommends they appear to be living as man and wife until it dies down.  As they try to fight the feelings that never died between them, will they realize that they are still meant to be?

ARC received via the Author/VA

 

** Book Review ** ROBYN AND THE HOODETTES by Ebony McKenna

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4 STARS!

A quirky take on a feminized Robin Hood tale with a hint of romance!

When so-called tax collectors raid her village, feisty Robyn vows to get their stuff back!  She rallies together with friends and family to try to overtake the bad guys.  Along the way, they meet with problems and have to work on the other side of the law somewhat themselves, but always with the intent of helping those less fortunate.

ARC received via Author/VA

** Book Review ** HUSBAND ROLLOVER by Louise Cusack

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5 STARS!

I loved Fritha’s story!  It’s been such fun getting to know this group of four childhood friends who have remained friends throughout their lives.  They come together to support each other through fun, laughter, and pain and always have each other’s backs.  Fritha has always been the wild one, and in this book, we get a peek inside her past that explains her a whole lot more than we ever knew.

Fritha Wynde is all about having a good time and living life for the pleasure you can get out of it!  She’s happy with her dream job of running a teahouse, but when she finds out a notorious bad boy food critic is coming to visit, she’s livid!

Maxwell Banks is known for his irritable attitude and just plain mean demeanor!  He hates Fritha’s teahouse on sight, but as he spends time going through the location with Fritha, he can’t deny that he’s drawn to her.  Through barbed exchanges, they get to know a little about each other and like what they see!  He’s prudish and she’s promiscuous … how can they find a common ground?

ARC received via Author/VA

** Book Review ** HER FESTIVE BABY BOMBSHELL by Jennifer Faye

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5 STARS!

A sweet take on finding love when you least expect it!  Really enjoyable characters!

Holly Abrams has been steering clear of her boss for weeks now.  They agreed after their one passion filled night together to go on about their business and pretend it didn’t happen.  Neither of them believes in all that love and happily ever after nonsense.  They’ve both loved and lost before.

Suddenly called on to join Finn on his luxury yacht to work on a crucial charity project, Holly can’t deny that the sparks are still there between them.  She falls ill and assumes it’s motion sickness, but it turns out she’s pregnant … with twins!  Will the figure out a way to combine their lives for the sake of their upcoming children?

ARC received via the Author

** Book Review ** THE PREGNANCY PROPOSITION by Andrea Laurence

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5 STARS!

Really enjoyed this opposites attract story from Andrea Laurence!  The characters feel very real, and they’re both good hearted people so it’s a pleasure to see them grow their relationship.

Reeling from a break-up and news that she’s pregnant, a vacation get-away is the last thing that Paige Edwards thinks she wants, but when a luxury vacation falls into her lap, she realizes it’s just what she needed!  When the hot hotel resort owner wants her in his bed, even better!

Mano Bishop has been blind since he was a teen, and he’s learned to live a successful life running his resort.  An occasional affair has always been enough for him, but when it’s almost time for Paige to go home, he realizes it’s not enough with her … but can he see himself raising another man’s baby in order to have a relationship with her?

ARC received via the Author