Book Review: Serenity Harbor by RaeAnne Thayne

This is a really lovely reading experience.

Serenity Harbor: A Heartwarming Small Town Romance
(Haven Point)
by RaeAnne Thayne

File Size: 2078 KB
Print Length: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (July 1, 2017)
ASIN: B01MT0PANG
Genre: Small Town Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

In the town of Haven Point, love can be just a wish—and one magical kiss—away…
Computer-tech millionaire Bowie Callahan is about the last person that schoolteacher Katrina Bailey wants to work for. As far as she can see, he's arrogant, entitled and not up to the task of caring for his young half brother, Milo. But Kat is, especially if it brings her closer to her goal of adopting an orphaned little girl. And as her kindness and patience work wonders with Milo, she realizes there's more to sexy, wary Bo than she'd ever realized.
Bo never imagined he'd be tasked with caring for a sibling he didn't know existed. Then again, he never pictured himself impulsively kissing vibrant, compassionate Katrina in the moonlight. Now he's ready to make her dream of family come true…and hoping there's room in it for him, too…

Review:
RaeAnne Thayne has a wonderful writing style that creates realistic and likeable characters facing real life challenges. The reading is easy and warm making this move along at a quick pace.

Katrina struggled with illness that made her childhood difficult. She got better in her teenage years and discovered boys about the time they discovered her. She has made some poor choices in men and life since. But her last bad choice brought her to a life changing experience. Katrina discovered a special child in Columbia, Gabriela, whom she is determined to adopt and bring back to America.

Kat has returned from Columbia for three weeks to attend her sister’s wedding. Only Kat’s best friend, Samantha, supports her plan as even her mother doesn’t believe she has changed her flighty ways. Sam points out her latest interest, the newest, handsome bachelor in town, Bowie. Kat has no plans to look at any man while she is focused on adopting Gabi. But Kat realizes that Bowie is struggling with a young boy about to throw a tantrum. Kat manages to distract the boy and learns that Milo is Bo’s autistic, five-year-old half-brother.

Bo has struggled to overcome his own childhood being raised by a young, single mother who could barely care for herself. Now he has accepted guardianship of a half-brother he has just met. Bo knows nothing of handling children and being faced with one who has autism and doesn’t speak has really set his world spinning. Fortunately, Bo made a fortune as a computer tech genius so he can afford good care to help Milo. Since the specialist he has hired as a nanny won’t arrive for three more weeks, Bo offers Kat an outrageous sum to help take care of Milo during that time.

Initially Katrina wants to avoid the all too handsome man but she can really use the money to help with adoption expenses. She agrees to sit for Milo and a day or so later finds herself moving into Bo’s home so she can be there morning and evenings as Bo works late. This puts Bo and Katrina in close proximity trying to resist the chemical attraction that flares along with the growing respect for each other.

Bo has never known stability and love and he doesn’t know how to convince Katrina to stay with Milo … and him. Katrina doesn’t want to be distracted by a temporary fling when she must stay focused on her ‘daughter’. The tension expands as these two dance around their blooming feelings.

I really enjoyed the warmth and charm of this story. I was touched by Bo’s tenderness for Milo and Kat’s caring approach to Milo and Gabi. There is extra conflict added by the expectations and concerns of Kat’s mother, by Sam’s crush on Bowie and by the long-distance adoption efforts. This is part of a wonderful series but can be read as a standalone. It is delightful reading and I recommend it to readers who enjoy small town romance and the special children portrayed in this gem.

I received this through NetGalley for review as part of Little Bird Publicity Tour. This qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

AMAZON KINDLE $3.99!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne loves words. Her love affair started as soon as she learned to read, when she used to devour anything she could get her hands on: cereal boxes, encyclopedias, the phone book, you name it! She loves the way words sound, the way they look on the page and the amazing way they can be jumbled together in so many combinations to tell a story.

Her love of reading and writing those words led her to a fifteen-year career in journalism as a newspaper reporter and editor.

Through it all, she dreamed of writing the kind of stories she loved best. She sold her first book in 1995 and since then she’s published more than 40 titles. Her books have won many honors, including three RITA® Award nominations from the Romance Writers of America and a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews.

RaeAnne finds inspiration in the rugged northern Utah mountains where she lives with her hero of a husband and their children. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com.

Audible Book Review: Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

This has SEP’s touch for distinct characters but a Gothic, darker tone to it.
Heroes Are My Weakness
Written by: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:08-26-14
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Contemporary Romance (with Gothic tone)
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Deepest winter.
An isolated island off the coast of Maine.
A man.
A woman.
Puppets. (Yes, puppets…)
And…
A mysterious house looming over the sea…
He's a reclusive writer whose imagination creates chilling horror novels. She's a down-on-her-luck actress reduced to staging kids' puppet shows. He knows a dozen ways to kill his characters with his bare hands. She knows a dozen ways to kill an audience with laughs. But she's not laughing now.
Annie Hewitt has arrived on Peregrine Island in the middle of a snowstorm and at the end of her resources. She's broke, dispirited, but not quite ready to give up. Her red suitcases hold the puppets she uses to make her living: sensible Dilly, spunky Scamp, and Leo, the baddest of bad guys. Her puppets, the romantic novels she loves, and a little bit of courage are all she has left.
Annie couldn't be more ill prepared for what she finds when she reaches Moonraker Cottage or for the man who dwells in Harp House, the mysterious mansion that hovers above the cottage from a windblown cliff. When she was a teenager, he betrayed her in a way she can never forget or forgive. Now they're trapped together on a frozen island along with a lonely widow, a mute little girl, and townspeople who don't know how to mind their own business.
Is he the villain she remembers or has he changed? Her head says no. Her heart says yes.
It's going to be a long, hot winter.
©2014 Susan Elizabeth Phillips (P)2014 HarperCollinsPublishers

Review:
Annie is greatly discouraged. She has lost her flighty and critical mother whom she cared for during her last year of illness. All her mother left was a pile of debt and a deathbed whisper that Annie will find her legacy at the cottage on Peregrine Island. Annie has also suffered rejection from a broken engagement. She has retreated to the Island with only her beloved puppets to give her support while she rests and regains her footing.

Arriving in a storm Annie is startled by a man on a dark horse racing through the snow. She soon learns the man is none other than her childhood crush, the handsome but brooding Theo. Not only did Theo break Annie’s young heart when he spurned her after they became close friends one summer but he tormented her and almost got her killed. Theo has suffered his own heartaches. He and his twin sister were abandoned by their mother. The twins were inseparable until strange problems developed in their teen years, ultimately resulted in his sister’s death. Now he broods in his dark lonely, Gothic house, and writes horror thrillers with a particularly dark villain.

Annie discovers another childhood friend who has her own crush on Theo. Jaci is working as Theo’s housekeeper at Harp House. She is finding the job difficult with a mute child and a broken leg. Someone is harassing Annie and trying to drive her off the Island, adding the Gothic type mystery. She gets some rather questionable help from her mixed group of puppet alter egos and, of course Theo steps up to try to protect her.

I usually enjoy SEP’s distinct characters and the conflicts and obstacles they overcome on the journey to their HEA. These characters were a little difficult to enjoy for a good part of the book. If the reader perseveres the story finally gets to a place where Annie begins to appreciate her own strengths and to recognize the truths about Theo. Even so, it takes patience to put up with Annie’s strange multi-character and a true romantic to see behind the dark, moody character that Theo initially presents.

SEP romances are often fun and delightful, even with down on their luck heroines and cocky, handsome heroes. This one is not light but goes through a lot of despondency and darkness before Annie determines she can make it on her own and Theo gets to be a hero. I did like the ending but it was not a delight getting there. Readers might note that ratings run from 1 star to 5 so it may depend on the reader’s mood and expectations. Do not pick this up expecting the usual SEP light fun. On the other hand, SEP does deliver distinct characters and an engaging, if darker, gothic-type story. I didn’t love it but I came to appreciate it.

Audio Notes: Fortunately, this story has a different tone so I think it was easier to get used to the voices of Erin Bennett. Erin does a good job distinguishing the characters, even the several puppet voices. Erin’s presentation conveyed the tones of the characters and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

I picked this one from my Audible Library (2014) to listen to for Audio Challenge, Mount TBR and "H" in Alphabet Challenge.

Book Review: Keepsake for Eagle Cove by M. L. Buchman

If I was an effusive reviewer, which I’m not, I might gush about this one!

Keepsake for Eagle Cove
by M. L. Buchman

File Size: 1613 KB
Print Length: 188 pages
Publisher: Buchman Bookworks, Inc. (August 30, 2016)
ASIN: B01KR8OKQ4
Genre: Small Town, Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

-an Eagle Cove romance-
In the heart-warming conclusion to the Eagle Cove series:
Tiffany Mills hides a secret about the small Oregon Coast town of Eagle Cove. The line between her past and her present grows blurred. Until, with her life as a recluse threatened, she must defend her beloved homestead in the woods.
Devin Robison wants nothing to do with women, at least for now. He needs a summer as far away from his past as he can get. The opposite of Chicago? A renovation job on a remote Oregon lighthouse keeper’s cottage feels just perfect.
But when their pasts collide and their present unfolds, they both discover the Keepsake for Eagle Cove.

Review:
Tiffany Mills keeps to herself although she has a secret connection to the small town of Eagle Cove. Injuries from her past have made her extremely cautious around people so she has been taking her time becoming a true member of the community. Yet they continue to draw her in, treating her as a friend and accepting her silence until she is ready to share.

Devin has just come to town to found most everyone busy in a double wedding. He has escaped a bad experience in high society Chicago and is ready for some time in a quiet, unpretentious town. What he didn’t expect was to find is a beautiful, shy young woman who has as many talents as she has defenses. He is willing to give Tiffany time to warm to him but he isn’t beyond creating opportunities to spend time with her.

Tiffany begins to open up with Devin as the town folk watch carefully, simultaneously encouraging him while threatening to take him down if he hurts her. The town eccentrics, a Yurt dwelling (complete with goats) and the FlamEagle Festival add natural enchantment to an already delightful romance.

I loved this story from beginning to end. The author provides a warm depth as both main characters grow closer with their quiet strengths, sweet humors and warm chemistry. Other strong, and sometimes quirky, characters add charm to the community that wants to embrace, and protect, Tiffany. There are work and life details that enrich the story and are never boring. The small town dynamics are beautifully portrayed and the whole story is solid, charming romance. I was pleased that it didn’t need any heavy sex to make it appealing. There is fun banter among the town folk and a few gentle love scenes which were just perfect in my opinion.

I have enjoyed Mr. Buchman’s romantic suspense and at least one other small town romance (Where Dreams Are Born). This story clinches for me that his books should be on my automatic buy list. Although this is book 4 in the series it read fine as a stand-alone. I have not looked to see which characters were in the prior books but I am thinking their stories would be just as delightful. Readers who like engaging romance, and don’t need the steamy side, won’t want to miss this story.

I am thankful to have received this title from the publisher for an honest review. Release date 8/30.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
M. L. Buchman has over 50 novels and 30 short stories in print. His romantic suspense books have been named Barnes & Noble and NPR “Top 5 of the year” and twice Booklist “Top 10 of the Year,” placing two titles on their “Top 101 Romances of the Last 10 Years” list. He has been nominated for the Reviewer’s Choice Award for “Top 10 Romantic Suspense of the Year” by RT Book Reviews and was a 2016 RWA RITA finalist. In addition to romance, he also writes thrillers, fantasy, and science fiction.

In among his career as a corporate project manager he has: rebuilt and single-handed a fifty-foot sailboat, both flown and jumped out of airplanes, designed and built two houses, and bicycled solo around the world.

He is now making his living as a full-time writer on the Oregon Coast with his beloved wife and is constantly amazed at what you can do with a degree in Geophysics. You may keep up with his writing and receive exclusive content by subscribing to his newsletter at www.mlbuchman.com.

Audible Book Review: Dream Kisses: Romance on the Ranch Series Book 1 by Verna Clay

This is an easy listening, sweet romance – with a handsome cowboy as a plus.
Dream Kisses: Romance on the Ranch Series Book 1
Written by: Verna Clay
Narrated by: Wendy Rich Stetson

Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:07-28-15
Publisher: Verna Clay
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Mims Murphy a.k.a Sarah Carter, meets Sage Tanner at Imaginings Publishing while he's posing for the cover of her upcoming romance novel. After being bulldozed into a coffee break with him by her publisher, Sissy Johansen, an embarrassing incident makes Sarah furious and she walks out. Of course, fate has plans for this mismatched couple. Deciding her book needs a dose of reality, Sarah signs up for "dude" lessons at Lazy M Dude Ranch. Imagine her chagrin when she discovers the owner of the ranch is none other than Mr. Tanner himself!
©2012 Verna Clay (P)2015 Verna Clay

Review:
Sarah, alias Mims Murphy, is a successful romance writer even if her own love life, as she nears 40, isn’t so successful. There is a chemical zing when Sarah first sees Sage, the handsome cover model posing for her upcoming novel. But Sarah is quick to turn away considering him much too good looking and only trouble. Her publisher coerces Sarah into a coffee break with Sage which results in Sarah overreacting to an embarrassing situation.

A few months later Sarah is fighting writer’s block. She decides a visit to a country dude ranch might supply the inspiration she needs. She has no idea how true that is! Sarah’s rental car breaks down on the long driveway into the Lazy M Dude Ranch. Just imagine her surprise and chagrin when the handsome cowboy who rides up is none other than Sage. Sarah would walk, or drive away, if she could but now she has a twisted ankle as well as an inoperable car.

Sage owns the dude ranch and does modeling jobs to earn extra money. Sage doesn’t want to be a sex symbol and tries to maintain his distance from all the eager women, even when they practically throw themselves at him. Sarah is surprised when she meets his young teen daughter, Julie, and she wonders where his wife is. As Sarah recuperates she begins to see a different side of Sage. He finds Sarah intriguing with her strong independence. Still, in spite of their clear attraction and growing friendship, Sarah is afraid that she could never be enough to hold Sage’s interest.

I enjoyed the conflict and sass between Sarah and Sage. Julie and several of the ranch hands, and vacationing guests add interest. The story moves along well with light humor and the sweetly building romance. The ending is a great bit especially for a romance novel! (You’ll have to read/listen to the story to get there yourself.) I appreciated the easy, quick flow and cleaner romance. I would enjoy reading more by this author.

Audio Notes: As I began the listen I wasn’t sure about the narrator. However, pretty soon I settled into the easy, country sound of Wendy Rich Stetson’s narration. She gave good voice interpretation to the various characters and portrayed good, appropriate emotion. The audio enhanced my enjoyment for this quick listen.

I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review. This qualifies for my 2016 Audiobook Challenge.

Book Review: What We Find by Robyn Carr

This is an engaging, heartwarming romance making you think about what you want, and what you might find, from life.

What We Find

by Robyn Carr

File Size: 3465 KB
Print Length: 352 pages
Publisher: MIRA (April 1, 2016)
ASIN: B0166B9HZ0
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Join Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Virgin River and Thunder Point series, as she explores the healing powers of rural Colorado in a brand-new story of fresh starts, budding relationships and one woman's journey to finding the happiness she's long been missing.

Between the urban bustle of Denver and the high-stress environment of a career in neurosurgery, Maggie Sullivan has hit a wall. When an emergency high-risk procedure results in the death of a teenager, Maggie finds herself in the middle of a lawsuit—and experiencing levels of anxiety she's never faced before. She knows she needs to slow down before she burns out completely, and the best place she can think to do that is Sullivan's Crossing.

Named for Maggie's great-grandfather, the land and charming general store at the crossroads of the Colorado and the Continental Divide Trails have been passed down through the generations and now belong to Maggie's eccentric father, Sully. When she shows up unannounced, he welcomes her with open arms, and she relishes the opportunity to indulge in his simple way of life.

But shortly after arriving, Maggie's world is rocked once again and she must take on more responsibility than she'd planned. Though she's relieved a quiet and serious-looking hiker, Cal Jones, is willing to lend a hand, Maggie is suspicious of this mysterious man's eagerness to help—until she finds out the true reason for his deliberate isolation.

Though Cal and Maggie each struggle with loss and loneliness, the time they spend together gives Maggie hope for something brighter just on the horizon…if only they can learn to find peace and healing—and perhaps love—with each other.

Review:
Maggie, at 37, is a strong woman but the stresses of her life are becoming overwhelming. She is a respected neurosurgeon but two of her business partners are under criminal investigation causing her to close their practice. She is being sued for the alleged mishandling of an emergency triage situation. If work issues weren’t enough, Maggie has just experienced a personal loss and her boyfriend has dumped her. A friend suggests that Maggie needs time away to calm her spirit so she goes home to her father, Sully. Sully operates Sullivan’s Crossing, a general store and campground, at the Continental Divide in Colorado.

Sully is glad to see Maggie but an unexpected turn of events has her scrambling to handle more than she expected. There are old friends around to help but one fellow who steps up to help is a stranger. Cal is a quiet, serious looking hiker who looks like a suspicious drifter to Maggie. He is short on answers when she tries to find out details.

Cal has suffered his own losses and stresses that brought him to the campground waiting for weather warm enough to head out on the trails. He isn’t accustomed to being idle so is more than happy to step in and help. He just isn’t ready to reveal his personal history. He is glad to begin a slow friendship with Maggie and it isn’t long before that builds to something more, although they still have a lot to share before they can move forward.

I liked the strong lead characters and the quirky secondary characters, including Maggie’s family and Cal’s very dysfunctional parents. The beginning of the story moved slowly for me as the relationship builds slowly. Midway things pick up and then there are several interesting events going on as the story progresses. There is a kidnapping, a search and rescue and a trail accident. Oh and let’s not forget the naked hiker and a rampage through the camp. On the relational front there are medical issues, legal issues, family issues, and personality issues.

Ms. Carr writes characters who have real to life depth and puts them in situations that readers can relate to. Both Maggie and Cal are at a point of ‘midlife’ crisis. This is a stage that many readers, particularly women, can relate to: are we where we want to be in life? Are all of our needs being met by our careers or do we still have emptiness that needs more to make us full and happy?

The writing has a good flow with natural dialogue, some humor and good revelations. I enjoyed the ‘wisdom’ quotes at chapter headings. And I liked the setting especially since I have visited many campgrounds. There is a little bit of intense sexual action but it is an add to the story, not the focus of the story as some romances these days. Beyond that, the romance was sweet and heartwarming. This is a solid, engaging story with a lovely setting, lovely romance and lovely emotions.

I received this through NetGalley and Little Bird Publicity. This qualifies for NetGalley Challenge and “W” in Alphabet Soup.

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Nobody But You (Cedar Ridge) by Jill Shalvis

There are great characters in this light, sexy romance.
Nobody But You (Cedar Ridge)
by Jill Shalvis

File Size: 549 KB
Print Length: 465 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (March 29, 2016)
Publication Date: March 29, 2016
ASIN: B0112T4YJA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

SOMETIMES YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN . . .
After an overseas mission goes wrong, Army Special Forces officer Jacob Kincaid knows where he must go to make things right: back home to the tiny town of Cedar Ridge, Colorado. All he needs to scrub away his painful past is fresh mountain air, a lakeside cabin, and quiet solitude. But what he discovers is a gorgeous woman living on a boat at his dock.

Sophie Marren has nowhere else to go. She's broke, intermittently seasick, and fighting a serious attraction to the brooding, dishy, I'm-too-sexy-for-myself guy who's now claiming her dock. Something about Jacob's dark intensity makes her want to tease-and tempt-him beyond measure. Neither one wants to give any ground . . . until they realize the only true home they have is with each other.

Review:
Sophie is recovering from an ugly divorce. She really didn’t want anything from her cheating ex, Lucas, but when the Judge pushed her she claimed the one thing Lucas cared about the most – his boat. It doesn’t matter that she gets seasick and now she has to walk or bus to work and pay mooring fees. She keeps moving at night to docks of abandoned cabins until a gorgeous hunk, Jacob, catches her at the dock of the cabin he just rented.

While trying to resist Jacob, Sophie is working all over town as a temp until she can figure out what to do with her life. She is also trying to dodge Lucas who is a big man lawyer about town.

Meanwhile, Jacob is an alpha military man on bereavement leave that has him wanting to heal his personal life. He has returned home for the first time in nine years to face his twin and his half brothers and sister. Jacob expects to be rejected or to at least have to eat humble pie to get them to agree to let him become part of the family again.

Sophie runs into Jacob a couple of times with a clear chemistry zing each time. They soon agree that it might be safe to have a fling. After all, she is off men – mostly, and he is on temporary leave so he can promise not to fall -- so he thinks. But Jacob has never experienced a sassy, sexy domino like Sophie. And Sophie has never had such a capable man give her encouragement to stand on her own. Together they are combustible! Will Jacob commit to returning to make Cedar Ridge his home? Can he convince Sophia to risk her heart again?

This is full of light, fun dialogue and smokin’ attraction plus. I’d say about fifty percent of the story is sexual interaction between Sophie and Jacob which was fun but not what I want to read so much anymore. Fortunately, there is a strong relational story going on within Jacob’s family that adds to the conflict, love and humor.

This is the third book in the series but worked fine as a stand-alone. The characters are wonderfully real and the whole tone, beyond the insecurities, is warm and affirming. I enjoyed this fast paced read and recommend it to readers who are looking for a quick excursion into a light, sexy romance.

I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review as part of a tour event. This qualifies for NetGalley Challenge and N in Alphabet Soup Challenge.

Buy Links

Amazon: amzn.to/1nJOatw 

B&N: bit.ly/250OcyR 

IndieBound: bit.ly/22gObop 

iTunes: apple.co/1TJDOYH 

GooglePlay: bit.ly/1RKiLPz 

Kobo: bit.ly/1QTy644

About Jill Shalvis
New York Times 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 bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Jill’s Social Media:

Website: JillShalvis.com

FB: Facebook.com/jillshalvis

GR: https://www.goodreads.com/JillShalvis

T: @jillshalvis

IG: @jillshalvis

P: https://www.pinterest.com/jillshalvis/

EXCERPT:

   She eyed the bench a long beat but did eventually sit, perching primly as far from him as she could get and yet still be close enough to grab the bottle.
   Smart woman.
   She took the Scotch and drank. Her eyes watered and she coughed as she handed it to him. With a sigh, she leaned back to study the night sky. Her bared throat was slim and creamy smooth. An unexpected temptation. Remembering the flash of pain and vulnerability she’d unwittingly revealed, and that for whatever reason he’d somehow added to it, he spoke. “I’m sorry.”
   She glanced at him as if she’d never heard a man apologize before in her life. “For…breathing?” she asked. “Having a penis? What?”
   “You were upset because you didn’t know I was a Kincaid.”
   She sighed. “That was just me looking for a reason to be mad at you so I wouldn’t…”
   She bit her lower lip, clearly not wanting to go on.
   But now he had to know. “So you wouldn’t what?”
   “Nothing,” she said. “It’s just that I’m trying to make better choices.”
   “Of which I wouldn’t be one.”
   “It’s not necessarily your fault,” she said. “It’s that you’re a man.”
   “Guilty as charged.”
   “And I’m off men right now.”
   “And on…women?” he asked with admittedly more than a little fascination.
   She rolled her eyes. “I’m on no one, but thank you for proving my point on men.”
   “I get that,” he said. “But being off men doesn’t seem to be making you very happy, or sound like a whole lot of fun.”
   “Maybe I don’t need fun.”
   He understood that. He’d felt the same way since Brett died. “What do you need?” he asked, honestly wanting to know more about her.
   Instead of answering, she reached for the bottle. He waited until she met his gaze before letting go.
   “Nothing,” she said a little too quickly. “Everything’s…perfect.”
   “And your glass is half full,” he said. “So you’ve said.”
   But he didn’t believe her. “How about a game?”
   “I don’t play games.”
   Now, that wasn’t exactly true. Whether she knew it or not, she’d been playing with his head since he’d first laid eyes on her. “Three truths and a lie,” he said.
   She stared at him. “As in you tell me three truths and a lie, and I pick out the lie?”
   “Yes.”
   She considered this. “What do I get if I win?”
   “What do you want?”
   For the briefest of beats, her gaze dropped to his mouth.
   Oh, hell yeah, he thought. Want me…
   “My first boyfriend taught me that game,” she said.
   “What did the winner get?”
   “A kiss.”
   Definitely still playing with his head… “Is that what you want, Sophie? A kiss?”
   Again she stared at his mouth before dropping eye contact and wrapping that eye-stopping pink robe tighter around her body. “Do you?” she asked.
   “Hell yes.”
   Her gaze flew to his.
   “Problem is,” he said conversationally, “if I kissed you, I don’t think I’d be able to stop.”
   Her mouth literally fell open. The pulse at the base of her throat jumped. And she seemed to lose her words.
   He went on. “But you should know, I don’t lose. That means you’ll have to tell me three truths and a lie.” And he’d hopefully get to know more about her.
   She closed her mouth to bite her lower lip in what could’ve been indecision or excitement. Obviously he was hoping for the latter. “But hey, if you’re not sure you can handle losing, we can just forget about it,” he said.
   The challenge lifted her chin and put sparks in her eyes. That’s it, babe. Show me what you’ve got.
   “Bring it,” she said.

TOUR GIVEAWAY:

Rafflecopter giveaway for the tour: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Sheltering Hearts (Virgin River Book 11) by Robyn Carr

This is a sweet little romance that showcases the needs of single mothers.

Sheltering Hearts (Virgin River Book 11)

by Robyn Carr

File Size: 246 KB

Print Length: 74 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases (April 30, 2010)

ASIN: B003JTHMO6

Genre: Romance Novella

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr takes readers back to her beloved Virgin River country in this heartwarming tribute to Rhonda Clemons, founder of Zoë Institute and a winner of a Harlequin More Than Words award.
By discovering a seed of compassion and nurturing it to effect real change, the dedicated women selected as Harlequin More Than Words award recipients make our world a better place. To celebrate their accomplishments, bestselling authors have honored the winners by writing short stories inspired by their lives and work.
This special eBook is yours at no charge because Harlequin is committed to celebrating women’s efforts and supporting the causes that are meaningful to them. By sharing Rhonda Clemons's story, we hope to turn awareness into action and mobilize others to make a difference.
To find out more or to nominate a woman you know, please visit www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.

Review:
Dory Finn is a single mother who was able to escape her abusive and controlling husband with the help of the Zoe Institute, a women’s shelter. She was also fortunate to inherit a small home from her uncle on the outskirts of Fortuna, near Virgin River. Dory works hard as a grocery clerk to pay household bills and take care of her eight-year-old daughter and six-year-old son. Dory has little extra time since she spends her spare time and energy at the local women’s shelter group that she helped to establish in her community.

Dory has a new neighbor, handsome firefighter Clay, who is eager to be friendly. Dory doesn’t trust any man’s motives and pushes Clay away to the point of rudeness. Finally she realizes that her kids adore him and he has been nothing but nice and kind. She decides it is okay to be friends and allow things to develop from there.

Actually, I thought the beginning of the book was confusing although it was intended to introduce the real life person who was the founder of the Zoe Institute and the inspiration for this story. Although Dory may have helped establish the local support program she still has a ways to go to becoming healed of her own negative reactions. There is a sweet story as the relationship develops for Dory and Clay. Clay is a wonderful guy and steps right into a role with the children even though he has to learn to be patient with Dory.

Much of the energy of the book is spent promoting the need to help all single mothers, and lauding the program that helps especially those with no support structure. I liked the cameo appearances of a couple of characters that I recognized from the first Virgin River that I read earlier this year. The romance is sweet and the tone is typical small town, down-to-earth Robyn Carr. But clearly the whole plot is a platform for the chosen cause. Still, I enjoyed the quick read and give credit for the author’s effort to shed light on the difficulties faced by single mothers.

This is Book 9 for my TBR Pile Challenge (three more after this one). It is a free novella which has been on my Kindle shelf since 2010.

Book Review: Love in the Details: A November Wedding Story (A Year of Weddings Novella) by Becky Wade

This is a lovely second-chance romance.
Love in the Details: A November Wedding Story
(A Year of Weddings Novella)
by Becky Wade

File Size: 1942 KB
Print Length: 93 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (October 27, 2015)
Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
ASIN: B00UF72DSK
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Holly ended things to give him a better life, but she was the future he’d always dreamed of.
Eight years have passed since Holly last saw her high school sweetheart, Josh. Now the wedding of Josh’s best friend has brought him back to Martinsburg, Texas. His duties as best man and Holly's as the church's volunteer wedding coordinator link them together. As they work behind the scenes to plan a beautiful November wedding for their friends, they're forced to confront painful reminders of what might have been.
Holly broke up with Josh all those years ago in an attempt to ensure his future success. However, she never told him the true reason behind her actions and now must decide whether to keep her secret hidden. She's terrified of letting herself fall for him because she barely managed to piece her life back together after losing him the last time.
Not a day's gone by since Josh parted from Holly that he hasn't thought about her. The pain of the past eight years has been too much to bear and he doesn't want to make himself vulnerable to her again. But the more time he spends with her, the harder it is to deny the love he still has for her.
Will Josh and Holly risk their hearts on the hope that God's timing really can be best?

Review:
Holly and Josh were high school sweethearts. He was the school geek but she still loved him. When Josh went away to college at MIT, Holly became convinced that she would only hold him back so she broke up with him. She hasn’t found a man to love since Josh, but she prays that God will bring the right man to her.

Josh was stricken when Holly broke up with him giving no reason. He dedicated himself to his studies and became a successful businessman based out of Paris. He is returning home for the first time in eight years to be the best man for his friend. He tried to prepare himself to see Holly and walk away from her. Instead he ends up working with her as the church wedding coordinator and a local guide to the community.

Holly tries to protect her heart from falling for Josh feeling that she isn’t worthy of his sophisticated lifestyle. She is afraid to hope he could learn to care for her again. Josh is cautious to trust knowing how badly he was hurt before. Is there a chance for them to overcome their past and find a second chance at love?

This story is lovely, short and sweet. I was smiling with an occasional wince at the painful moments and fears. Their reactions are natural with emotions that are very real to life. I enjoyed the gentle faith that helped to shape their characters and ultimately their relationship. The writing style is light and made for easy reading. I would be interested in reading more from Ms. Wade after enjoying this short taste of her work. If you are a reader who enjoys warmth, inspiration and second chances, I recommend you pick up this sweet book.

I received this through NetGalley for an honest review. It is part of my NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm (Once in a Lifetime) by Rebecca Raisin

This small town romance has a nice easy, light style.

Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm (Once in a Lifetime)

by Rebecca Raisin

• File Size: 2608 KB
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: Carina; 1 edition (July 17, 2015)
• Publication Date: July 17, 2015
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• ASIN: B00OQD8HNY
• Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
• My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Maple sugar kisses

Lucy would do anything for her mom…but she never expected to end up promising to leave her. After her mom got sick, Lucy dropped everything to take care of her, working all hours in a greasy diner just to make ends meet and spending every spare moments she had by her mom’s hospital bedside.

Now, Lucy is faced with a whole year of living by her own rules, starting by taking the first bus out of town to anywhere...

Except she didn’t expect to find her next big adventure just around the corner! Especially when on her first day in town she bumps into grumpy, but oh-so-delicious Clay amidst the maple trees. Surrounded by the magic of Ashford, Lucy has the chance to change her life forever and finally discover a life she wants to live!

Fall in love with Ashford, Connecticut in this dazzling and beautiful romance from bestselling author Rebecca Raisin.

Review:
Lucy and her hippy mother spent many years traveling and scraping to make a living. For the past few years Lucy has worked at two jobs while being her ailing mother’s caretaker. Lucy has wonderful artistic talent and her mother wants her to go to Paris to study. Her mother makes Lucy promise to go away for a year even if she won’t go off to Paris.

Lucy takes the first bus and ends up in Ashford, a storybook beautiful small town. On the bus she meets a sweet grandmotherly woman who suggests she apply for work at the Maple Syrup Farm. The farm is being restored by a reclusive man who won’t mingle in town and won’t accept help. Lucy trudges her way to the farm thinking she will have to charm a grumpy old man. Instead she opens the door to find a buff, all too handsome, grumpy young man.

Clay resents Lucy appearing at his door but he decides he will work her until she gives up. He just doesn’t realize that Lucy doesn’t give up. Lucy is a really hard worker even if she shows up dressed in something not quite suited for farm work and doesn't think to bring gloves.

Lucy discovers that she is warmly welcomed by the town’s people. She begins to makes friends and invest feelings in the town and the farm. Being a romance, the reader knows that Lucy and Clay will eventually get together. However it is beyond half of the book before Clay really begins to soften. Meanwhile I was totally frustrated that Lucy wouldn’t share her problems and cares with any of her new friends or Clay. She expects him to tell her what hurt he suffered that closed his heart but she doesn’t share her own situation.

The story is reasonably well written but, for some reason, I never warmed up to Lucy and the story until almost 80% in. Lucy’s character is deeply (repeatedly) developed but I found her a bit too ditsy - even if it is a sweet ditsy. On the other hand Clay’s character is pretty shallow and almost mean for most of the book. Once the romance clicks it is strong and sweetly presented. There is late conflict that has to be overcome that gives the story some zing. I kept trying to like it but found myself longing for the end. I did enjoy the last 20% although I was surprised that certain important issues were left unresolved. I guess (hope) these will be handled in other books in the series.

There are plenty of positive reviews at Amazon so it may have just been that I wasn’t in the right mood. I have been leaning toward a more active genre lately. Or I was too frustrated by the lack of communication to relax and enjoy the town life which filled the first three quarters of the story. The story has a nice easy, light style. Readers who enjoy small town settings, friendships and romance might want to give this a try.

{There were some glaring editing errors that may have impacted my feelings even though I tried to ignore them. Since this is a NetGalley version I hope those were fixed for the final release.]

I selected this at NetGalley and it is part of my NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review, Guest Post and Giveaway: Two Hearts: When I Said I Do, I Meant Forever by James Richey

This is an easy read dealing with marriage, mining and a dash of danger.
Two Hearts: When I Said I Do, I Meant Forever
by James Richey

• File Size: 3068 KB
• Print Length: 435 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0990918106
• Publisher: JER Books; 1 edition (December 23, 2014)
• Publication Date: December 23, 2014
• ASIN: B00REM92NS
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Jaxon Tagget is a cattle-rancher's son, born and raised on the Double T, just outside of Dillon, Montana. In love with his high-school sweetheart, Annie, Jaxon proposes on graduation night, presenting her with a wedding ring made from gold he mined himself. Annie accepts immediately, to the horror of her bitter, man-hating mother.
Jaxon's a wonderful husband, but the warnings of Annie's mother linger in the young bride's ears. And it doesn't help that women continue to fall all over the markedly handsome Jaxon.
Unaware of his wife's persistent doubts, Jaxon is struggling with his own troubles when he finds out his dad is sorely in need of money to save the ranch. But hope glimmers gold when he rediscovers the old mine on the Double T.
While Jaxon travels to verify the mine's productivity, Annie grows increasingly suspicious. Is Jaxon's absence what it seems, or does he have another, less faithful reason for his travels? When Annie sees a picture of the beautiful laboratory owner whom Jaxon is visiting, she's sure the only gold he's interested in is long, blond hair. Is Annie right, or will it be her doubts that forever sever their Two Hearts?

Review:
Annie was a beautiful and popular high school student when Jaxon approached her. They became an “item” from that night on. Jaxon is handsome man and his farming work has built attractive muscles any woman would admire. Annie is thrilled when Jaxon proposes the night of graduation and presents her with a handmade double heart pendant as well as a handmade ring. Annie’s mother has a different reaction. Annie was ten years old when her mother found her father with another woman. Annie’s mother is bitter and reminds Annie consistently not to trust any man, especially one as handsome as Jax.

Annie and Jax marry a few years later. After college he secures a job with a mining company in South America. Jax is a rising star and all is going well until the boss’s younger wife takes an interest in him. Jax tries to avoid the ‘viper’ woman but one night she corners him. Events erupt causing Jax to be fired and Annie to suspect her husband in spite of his reasonable explanation.

Jax and Annie arrive back at his ranch to discover his father suffering with cancer and the ranch suffering financial difficulties. As Jax tries to find ways to save the ranch Annie takes every rumor as evidence that he has been unfaithful. Will she be able to overcome her distrust or will she forever regret her attitude when danger strikes?

There are women who could relate to Annie’s insecurities and jealousies, especially when fueled by having witnessed her father’s infidelity and neglect. I, however, had trouble with her distrust which could be a surefire way to kill her relationship with Jax. Even though I found Annie’s attitude difficult, I enjoyed the story which the author built around the trust issues in marriage and poisonous influences outside a marriage. Jax is a great guy and I found all of the mining details very interesting. His four friends also add interest to the story as did the excitement of a plane crash and hired killers. One of the friends brings not only rumors but danger to Jax and Annie.

The story is well written and makes for a quick read. I recommend this to readers who enjoy sweet contemporary romance with conflict and a dash of danger.

I received this title from iReads for an honest review.

Where to buy the book:

Amazon

Meet the Author:

James Eric Richey was born and raised in California. He attended Brigham Young University, studying English with an emphasis in Literature. After graduating from BYU he returned home to California to further his education by attending law school. After passing the bar, James practiced in California for several years, but he quickly learned that he did not have a passion for the law.

In 1998 James obtained his real estate appraiser license, which has given him a flexible work schedule and allowed him to pursue his true passion, writing books. Besides his writing, he also enjoys reading, running, and sailing. James currently lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with his wife, Heather, and their two daughters.

Connect with the author:   Website  ~   Twitter  ~    Facebook

AUTHOR"S GUEST POST:
Facing Life’s Challenges:
     Life is full of trials. No one is exempt. It is not a matter of if, but rather, when we will face them. Life’s trials can be small or large, and no matter the size, success in our trials depends upon our attitude as we face them and our ability to persevere through them to the end. Will we and can we endure to the end?
     We live in a disposable society—if something is broken we throw it away. This same philosophy is applied to marriage—divorce is the first answer for any little problem that comes up.
     At the beginning of Two Hearts Jaxon digs for months to find enough gold to make Annie a wedding ring. He could have purchased a ring for her, but that was the easy way. Jaxon wanted to work for it, to show to Annie what kind of man he was. Jaxon was willing to do anything for her. He knew of her past and knew the challenges she carried with her, and yet, he still wanted to marry her. For Jaxon, they could work together and solve any problem that came their way. No matter the size of the trial, Jaxon wanted to work together side by side with Annie to face life’s challenges.
     Reading a story about facing trials maybe boring and mundane, but adding a bear attack, finding a gold mine, suspected infidelity, hired killers, and plane crashes adds spice to the story to keep readers turning the page. I think with all of the things that Jaxon and Annie faced, their undying love for each other helped to propel the story forward.
     Jaxon never faltered. Annie struggled with trust due to her being raised by a mother who hated men. Annie struggled, but in the end she stayed true to Jaxon and the vows she made at marriage. Ultimately their love grew stronger because of the trials they suffered together. They battled the storms and survived. Reading stories about other peoples’ struggles and successes gives us each hope and strength to endure our own trials.

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Book Review and Blitz Giveaway: A Promise of Forever (A Tallgrass Novel Book 1) by Marilyn Pappano

This is a very enjoyable and beautiful small town romance with strong characters and an engaging storyline.
A Promise of Forever (A Tallgrass Novel Book 1)
by Marilyn Pappano

• File Size: 948 KB
• Print Length: 369 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1455561568
• Publisher: Forever (June 30, 2015)
• Publication Date: June 30, 2015
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00O7X61GI
• Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
• My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Sergeant First Class Avi Grant's return to Tallgrass, Oklahoma is a long-deferred wish come true. With her final tour in Afghanistan over, Avi can focus on her future-a job here at home and a family of her own. There's just one thing she has to do first: visit her beloved commanding officer's widow and share her grief. The last thing she expected was to feel an instant attraction to the woman's son. Too bad the sexy surgeon is impossible to ignore . . . and even harder to resist.
The sting of his parents' divorce still niggles at Ben Noble. So when a warm, funny, and beautiful young sergeant arrives, mourning his stepfather's loss as strongly as his mother does, Ben can't help but feel conflicted. If his parents taught him anything, it's that love doesn't last-especially with a career soldier. But try as he might to keep his distance, Ben begins to see that Avi-and the spark she brings to his life-is the stuff forever is made of. As Avi's leave ticks away, can Ben convince her to take a chance on forever with him?

Review:
Avi has been determined to be a career soldier since she was ten. She is twelve years in with eight to go. She has seen her share of war in hot spots and suffered the lose of comrades, friends and now the beloved commander who had originally inspired her as a child. She has come home to Tallgrass to visit her family and pay respects to her commander’s widow, Patricia. Avi plans to spend a few weeks before moving to Georgia to take up new duties.

Ben is a highly respected orthopedic surgeon in Tulsa, an hour drive away from Tallgrass. Ben was just a young teenager when his mother left the family to marry an army commander. His father lost interest in life and a hurting Ben was left to raise his younger sisters. He is just starting to reconnect with his recently widowed mother, Patricia.

Lately Ben has been thinking about finding the right woman to start a family with. He is immediately interested in Avi even when she explains that she will only be around for a few weeks. She might not be “the one” but they can have a fabulous fling before she has to go. Neither one realizes that a light fling can turn into a love that will lead to heartbreak when they have to part. After all, Avi has to go where the Army sends her and Ben isn’t one to leave behind his family and career.

I really enjoyed these strong characters, their family and friends. Several side characters, especially Patricia, her neighbor, Lucy, and some dogs with personality added depth and side interests. The writing is clean and flowed very well with an uplifting view even in dealing with loss. Any reader who has lost a loved one, whether in war or other means, could relate to the war widows who gather as the Margarita Ladies. The romance is beautifully developed with lots of chemistry and mostly behind doors sex scenes. The connection is clear without graphic details. I was glued to the story to find out how the romance would end - apart or together?

There is an intermittent story thread of an unconnected character which was curious and not explained until the excerpt for the next book. That seemed an odd way to present another story but it works okay for me. This is the first story I have read by Ms. Pappano and I would be glad to read more of her work. The strong characters, small town interest and conflicted romance can be closely and favorably compared with the style of Robyn Carr. I recommend this book and this author as another “go-to” author for entertaining, contemporary, small town romance.

I received this title from Hachette for an honest review during Blitz Week. It adds to my NetGalley Challenge.

Buy the book!

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BAM

About the author:

Known for her intensely emotional stories, Marilyn Pappano is the USA Today bestselling author of nearly eighty books. She has made regular appearances on bestseller lists and has received recognition for her work in the form of numerous awards. Though her husband's Navy career took them across the United States, he and Ms. Pappano now live in Oklahoma high on a hill that overlooks her hometown. They have one son and daughter-in-law, an adorable grandson, and a pack of mischievous dogs.

Social Media Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

EXCERPT:
 Outside, the sounds of children playing were louder, the splashes indicating that the kids across the street were enjoying one of the last swims of the summer. Avi and Ben walked silently to her car, parked in the driveway.
     She nestled the pie plate into the passenger seat, tucked her purse around to hold it in place, then closed the door before turning to him.
     So . . . Would he ask for her cell number? Offer his? Make firm plans to see her again before driving away?
     For the first time in a long time, the answers mattered.
     Linking his fingers with hers, he pulled her to the driver’s side of the car, then stood, invading her personal She liked it.
     “Do you have any plans for tomorrow night?”
     Yes! “Not a single one.”
     He combed his fingers through his hair. “Would you like to go out to dinner?”
     She wanted to blurt out the affirmative as quickly as it had echoed in her head, but he went on. “You would have to drive to Tulsa. Tuesday is surgery day, so if I come here, I can’t get here before seven, and I’ll have to head back before nine.”
     Drive to Tulsa? An hour or less. No big deal. She’d had commutes between apartments and forts that took longer, and that was just to work. An evening with Ben was such a nicer payoff. “I don’t mind.”
     “I usually get out of clinic around six. We could meet at my house around six thirty?”
     A smile spread across her face. “I can handle that.”
     “Good.” He wasn’t smiling, but his eyes showed something just as encouraging. Relief, maybe, or satisfaction. Hmm. She could show him satisfaction.
     He leaned closer, just slightly, and lowered his voice. “I’d kiss you good night, but we have an audience.”
     Glancing over her shoulder toward the house, she caught just a glimpse of Patricia before the blinds at the living room window settled. Looking back at Ben, she smiled. “Kiss me anyway.”
     He closed the last of the distance between them, lowering his mouth to hers, giving her a sweet, gentle, tender kiss that set her blood on fire. It was impressive and surprising and just a bit scary, considering she’d had tons of kisses that were a whole lot more passionate and evoked a whole lot less of a response.
     When he lifted his head, her fingers curled, wanting to wrap around the back of his neck and pull him down again. Her heart skipped a beat or two, and something deep inside her felt deprived.
     In the dim light, Ben looked impressed and surprised and a bit scared, too. For a moment, he stared at her, all intense and searching, then he gave a rueful shake of his head. Stepping back, he asked for her cell phone, input his number, and texted it to himself to get her number.
     “Six thirty,” he said when he handed it back, his voice rough-edged. “I’ll send you the address.”
     “I’ll be there.”

GIVEAWAY

ONE PRINT COPY (US/Canada only). Graciously provided by the publisher.

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 2 Extra Bonus entries (a) comment on the review,

OR

(b) visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there

* This contest is open to US/Canada only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) July 11, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after July 11, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Book Review and Giveaway: A New Hope (Thunder Point series) by Robyn Carr

This is a lovely reading experience!
My apologies to the tour and blog followers for being late with this post. We were without internet for the past two nights and my work day left me no time to get online for blog time.

A New Hope (Thunder Point series)
by Robyn Carr

File Size: 761 KB
Print Length: 336 pages
Publisher: MIRA (July 1, 2015)
Publication Date: June 30, 2015
Sold by: Harlequin Digital Sales Corp.
ASIN: B00S4ZH4XY
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Starting over is never easy, but in Thunder Point, where newcomers are welcome and friends become family, it's possible to find yourself again. #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr takes us on a moving and rewarding journey as a young woman finds new hope.

After losing her child, Ginger Dysart was lost in grief. But since moving to Thunder Point, a small town on the Oregon coast, Ginger is finally moving forward. Her job at the flower shop is peaceful and fulfilling, and she's excited to be assisting with the Lacoumette wedding.

In spite of her lasting heartache, Ginger is swept up in the pleasure of the occasion. But the beauty of the Lacoumette farm and the joy of the gregarious family are ruined by an unfortunate encounter with the bride's brother, Matt. Struggling with painful memories of his own, Matt makes a drunken spectacle of himself when he tries to make a pass at Ginger, forcing her to flee the scene in embarrassment.

But when Matt shows up at the flower shop determined to make amends, what started out as a humiliating first meeting blossoms into something much deeper than either of them expected. Everyone around them worries that Ginger will end up with a broken heart yet again. But if Ginger has the courage to embrace the future, and if Matt can finally learn to let go of the past, there may still be hope for a happy ending.

Review:
Ginger had fallen under the spell of a second rate musician who warned her he wasn’t really the settling down type. She worked hard but the marriage failed and she suffered more than just the lose of a self-centered husband; she lost a child too. Ginger moved to Thunder Point to get a new start and to regroup from the emotional losses. She finds herself enjoying new friends in a warm community although she has no plans to try romance again for years.

Matt got married in a fever. It took a little less than a year to learn that their chemistry wouldn't survive their different goals and life styles. Matt spent the next year running through women and figuring it would be a long time before he risked marriage again.

Matt met Ginger at his sister’s wedding when he was drunk and practically groped her. His apology dinner turns out well and they quickly find they enjoy being friends with long, late-night phone calls and visits to share time. Soon they each have to decide if they are willing to risk their hearts to share more than friendship.

This is a strong romance for Ginger and Matt plus the reader gets to enjoy more romance with two other newly wed couples. The characters are well developed, the dialogue is natural and the smooth pacing makes for easy reading. The romances are sweet, conflicted and with just the right touch of sizzle. There are details of work and local interests that add to the story.

In my opinion Robyn Carr is in the top of the writer field when it comes to contemporary, small town romance. Her characters are real and there are always true to life problems and emotions to overcome. Ms. Carr describes human relationships with such insight and feeling that I have to wonder if she has studied psychology. I wouldn’t want a steady diet of small town, family drama and relationships, but when I am in the mood, I know I can pick up a Robyn Carr novel and enjoy a lovely reading experience.

This is part of a series but read fine as a stand alone. I highly recommend this book, and this author, for a touching, uplifting read.

I received this title as part of Little Bird Publicity Tour, to post an honest review with Giveaway. This is part of my NetGalley Challenge.

GIVEAWAY

ONE PRINT COPY (US only). Graciously provided by the tour.

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 2 Extra Bonus entries (a) comment on the review,

OR

(b) visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) July 11, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after July 11, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.