Book Review and Giveaway: Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers

This is a quick, warm read with two loners who find unexpected love. 
Home for the Holidays
A Cavanaugh Island Novella
by Rochelle Alers

• File Size: 455 KB
• Print Length: 118 pages
• Publisher: Forever Yours (December 2, 2014)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00CO7GIKI

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Novella
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 2, 2014
This Christmas novella is set in charming, Sanctuary Cove featuring popular characters from Rochelle Alers' bestselling small-town, Cavanaugh Island contemporary romance series.

Love is always in season.
There's no place like home for the holidays, especially for divorced pastry chef Iris Nelson. After escaping an abusive marriage, she's found peace on charming Cavanaugh Island. As the holiday approaches, Iris looks forward to spending it with her newfound best friend's family . . . and their very handsome visitor.
On leave from Afghanistan, Army Master Sergeant Collier Ward is excited to be reunited with his family for Christmas. But the best gift of all may be this warm, beautiful stranger who joins them for the festivities. With his visit coming to an end, Collier can't deny the heat smoldering between them. Yet Iris can't help but wonder if it's just the glow of the season-and one night of passion-or a true miracle of love that will change their lives forever . . .

Review:
Iris suffered through an abusive marriage until her father helped her to escape. After attending cooking classes she moved to the unique community of Sanctuary Cove on Cavanaugh Island. She is helping at a pastry store until she can save enough money to buy a house and set up her own industrial kitchen. Meanwhile she has avoided men instead of risking more trauma.

Collier has come home from Afganistan to spend the holidays with his sister, Tracy, and his niece, Layla. He hasn’t made any plans to settle down as he feels he needs to finish his military service first.

Iris and Collier meet at a night out and he takes her home but leaves as a gentleman when she indicates she isn’t ready to move forward. They are surprised to meet each other again the next day when Collier walks Layla home and Iris is there to watch her after school.

Collier and Iris slowly begin to spend time togther with friends and family. They decide to date while he is home and their friendship grows. Iris realizes that Collier is a service man who will return to duty after the holidays but she doesn’t know that he is suffering from PSTD. Just as they begin to grow truly close, Collier suffers a nightmare, attacking and frightening Iris. Will Collier be willing to seek help and have the nerve to commit to a longer relationship with Iris? Will Iris be able to forgive and give Collier a second chance?

This is a sweet novella. I liked how Iris and Collier met with a good chemical flair. Ms. Alers presents strong characters who manage to fit in the special setting in South Carolina. The romance develops nicely with a little conflict to make it interesting and a lot of family to keep it warm. The sexual encounters are on the steamy side but based on love and respect. The ending seemed a little rushed and I would have enjoyed a bit more. There are yummy recipes shared at the beginning of each chapter which almost made me wish I could cook. This is entertaining as a quick, holiday read and I recommend it to readers who are looking for a quick Christmas romance.

I received this from Hachette through NetGalley for an honest review and to participate in Launch Day Blitz.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/15MAMwa 

B&N: http://bit.ly/10FJoBS 

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1xigdRZ 

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1xdGb8f 

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/10FJr0y 

About Rochelle Alers

Bestselling author, Rochelle Alers has nearly two million copies of her novels in print. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. 

Website

EXCERPT:

     When Collier walked into the apartment earlier that afternoon asking to date her, Iris had felt as if she’d been enveloped in a cocoon with a happiness expiration date stamped on the outside.  Collier would only be around for another couple of weeks and then he’d be gone.  And yet, here he was offering her a chance at… She didn’t want to say love, because falling in love with him wasn’t an option. But trust perhaps. If nothing else, maybe Collier could finally teach her to trust a man without looking for an ulterior motive in his interest.
     “Wait here,” she told him.
     Iris went into her bedroom and retrieved a second set of keys to the apartment, knowing her life was about to change.  She planned to give a man the keys to her sanctuary.
     Iris returned to the living room, reached for Collier’s hand, placed the keys on his palm and closed his fingers over them.  “Yes.”  Going on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek.  “Good night, and thanks for making this Thanksgiving one I’ll remember for a very long time.”
     Collier ran a finger down her nose.  “Good night, babe.  Sleep well.”

EBOOK GIVEAWAY

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 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review, OR

tell me how you feel about Christmas romances.

* This contest is open US/Canada Only.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) December 13, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after December 13, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel) by Rochelle Alers

This is a solid romance story in small town setting.

Haven Creek (A Cavanaugh Island Novel)

by Rochelle Alers

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Forever (May 28, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 1455501395
• ISBN-13: 978-1455501397

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2013

Home is where the heart is.

Architect Morgan Dane has always lived according to a plan, crossing off her achievements one by one. But when she's offered her dream job-the restoration of historic Angels Landing Plantation on beautiful Cavanaugh Island-Morgan's life takes an unexpected turn.

Carpenter Nathaniel Shaw once took a big chance on commitment-and lost. Needing the healing comforts of home, he returns to Haven Creek to join the family business. Nothing in the small town has changed-except for Morgan Dane. The wallflower he knew in high school has grown into a beautiful woman . . . and stirs feelings Nate isn't sure he's ready for.

Together Nate and Morgan find a happiness neither could have predicted. But when secrets from the past come to light, their budding relationship is threatened. Will they play it safe, or risk their hearts to build a life together?

Review:
Morgan turned into a beautiful woman after suffering as a gangly child and teen. In college and while studying abroad she suffered betrayal in her relationships. She returned to Haven Creek where she has worked to build her reputation as an architect and interior designer. Now she has her mind set on furthering her career by succeeding with the project to restore Angel’s Landing to its pre Civil War glory. She has put personal relationships on a back burner and besides... she has declared she would never marry a man from Haven Creek.

Nate moved away from Haven Creek when he was 15 after his mother died and his father quickly married her best friend and nurse. Nate lived with a beloved Aunt in California where he worked his way to success as a contractor before the real estate market died. Not only did Nate distrust his stepmother but he had an unsuccessful marriage to a high-profile and unfaithful model. Now, more than 15 years later, he has returned home to help his ailing father manage his local carpentry business and help to manage his 22 year old step brother who was heading for trouble.

Morgan had a crush on Nate as a young girl but he was older than she was and then he left town. She still finds him attractive but she is focused on engaging his carpentry skills for her project... not engaging his personal attentions. Nate had no intentions of ever marrying again but he wouldn’t mind some personal time with Morgan.

They begin to develop a friendship that leads to a working agreement and then more. The attraction between them is strong but they keep giving each other mixed messages about what their goals are when it comes to a personal relationship and future involvement.

I enjoyed the easy flow of this story and the strong characters. Morgan has to overcome her insecurities and be flexible to make room in her live for marriage and family as well as a career. Nate is really quite the gentleman and he just has to overcome his bad experience in order to see that he could love Morgan. It is a fun read to see if and when the two will admit their feelings before they lose the opportunity to have a future together.

This is all romance conflict with some sultry passion. It is a good choice especially for readers who like an easy, small town style, second time around, romance story.

I received this ARC from Forever/Hachette for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:

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 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open to those with US address only.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on July 19, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on July 20, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Giveaway + Q&A Interview with Rochelle Alers, Author of Angel's Landing

Please help me welcome National Bestselling Author Rochelle Alers.

“The lifestyle portrayed in these pages reveals snippets of the rich history of African-Americans, and the details of the island’s social structure from past eras are intriguing. It’s always a pleasure to discover little-known facts about racial history in America. Even better, the slow build to the love affair between the leads is believable and satisfying, on all levels. Sit back and enjoy!”

– RT Book Reviews, Top Pick

Q1.  I love series and I always am curious: When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the subsequent books flow from the first book?

RA:  I usually plot the first title very carefully. During that process I know whether there will be subsequent books. Spin-off characters seemingly whisper in my ear that they, too, want their stories told. This is what happened with Jeffrey Hamilton from Sanctuary Cove.

Q2.  What inspired you to write this genre?

RA: I wanted to connect with my Gullah culture, and the only way I could do that was to write about it. I’d grown listening to my mother and aunts talk about customs and superstitions that were frightening as well as fascinating. I’d believed many of the superstitions were archaic until I began researching their origins and finally understood why so many have survived countless generations spanning continents and centuries.
Q3.  If you could jump into a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

RA: I would love to live on Cavanaugh Island. Although I was born and raised in New York City – Manhattan to be exact – I’ve come to appreciate small town life where neighbors look out for one another and once the sun goes down a comforting quietness descend on the town.  There are disadvantages of living in a small town – gossip in particular, but the advantages definitely outweigh them.  Living on Cavanaugh Island is like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a cool night.  It’s nurturing and soothing.

Q4.  What is one thing you struggle with when you’re writing?

RA: There are times when I struggle with pacing.  I have to ask myself if I’m taking too long to set up the plot by bogging it down with too much detail, and if I am then I’ll definitely have to rush the ending.  There are also times when I reread what I’ve written, and then I have go back and cut, review or even tweak to even out the pacing.

Q5.  What are some of the best tips you’ve received on writing?

RA: Read in the genre in which you choose to write.  If you want to write romance, then it has to be romance.  The same can be said with mysteries or political thrillers.  I read more than 2,000 romance novels before I attempted to write one.  Many were very good and some were just okay, but they helped me to recognize the elements that identify it as a romance novel.

Q6.  Please share your most rewarding experience since being published.

RA:  I’m happy to say there are three:  The first is when I received the call from Veronica Mixon an editor for Doubleday’s Starlight Romance series that she was offering for my very first romance title.  The second was when I received the Vivian Stephens Career Achievement Award for Excellence in Romance Novel Writing.  And the third is when Latoya Smith from Hachette’s Forever line offered for the Cavanaugh Island series.  I’m certain there will be others in the future, but these are the rewarding experiences that stay with me.  

Thank you for sharing with Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Thanks also to Ms. Alers and the fine folks at Forever Romance, Hachette, for offering THREE Books for Giveaway!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for THREE Print Copies

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.
Extra bonus +2 for comment on Review and or Interview.

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on October 26, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on October 27, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: Angels Landing by Rochelle Alers

This is a fast, fun read - beautiful setting, good romance and a touch of suspense.
Angels Landing (A Cavanaugh Island Novel)
by Rochelle Alers

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (August 28, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455501387
• ISBN-13: 978-1455501380

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2012 | Series: A Cavanaugh Island Novel (Book 2)
Sometimes love can take you by surprise.

Kara Newell has a big-city life that needs a major shake-up. Her dedication as a social worker is unwavering, yet her heart tells her that there is more to life than just work. Kara gets the push she needs when she shockingly inherits a large estate on an island off the South Carolina coast. Now the charming town of Angels Landing awaits her . . . along with a secret family she never knew she had.

After surviving war, loss, and heartbreak, ex-marine Jeffrey Hamilton takes his position as sheriff of idyllic Cavanaugh Island very seriously. So he is the perfect person to watch over the beautiful, confident woman who has turned her new family's expectations upside down-and stepped into the crosshairs of angry local residents.

But soon Kara becomes more than just a job to him, and he begins to need her in ways he never expected. As Kara and Jeffrey confront the town gossips together, they'll learn to face their fears and forgive their pasts in order to find a future filled with happiness in Angels Landing.

Review:
Kara Newell is big city social worker who is intensely independent and self-reliant. She’s had a few failed relationships and figures it will be best to remain single and unentangled.  She is summoned to Cavanaugh Island for the reading of the Will of a wealthy stranger, Taylor Patton.  When she arrives she discovers that many people in town are related to Patton and are angered when they learn an unknown woman has inherited the bulk of Mr. Patton’s estate.  The inheritance comes with conditions: Kara must restore the historic estate of Angels Landing and live there for the next five years.

Kara is a city girl and not accustomed to the quiet warmth of a small town.  In spite of her hurt in learning family lies and secrets she isn’t willing to let the greedy relatives force her out or take over the property and sell it off to hovering  developers.  Kara is fascinated by the history of the property and is thrilled to find a local female restoration expert who shares her enthusiasm to preserve the area and the Gullah culture.

The local sheriff, Jeffrey Hamilton, is an ex-marine who’s serious love refused to be a marine’s wife. He has been fine being a loner and hasn’t planned on any woman in his life other than his aging grandmother who raised him. But he can’t ignore the gorgeous woman who has inherited Angels Landing. When she is threatened he is right there to protect her. Soon the chemistry between them is zinging and they are both struggling with emotions that they aren’t comfortable with.

I enjoyed the strong characters and the rich historical elements, as well as settings, in this book. The ‘greedy relatives’ plot isn’t particularly new and I kept waiting to see how they would attack Kara. There really wasn’t as much offensive as I expected so I was a little disappointed in the plot. The story focuses on the romance more than the inheritance issues.  Ms. Alers does a very  nice job building the romance between Kara and Jeff and I liked that they finally learned to trust and take the risk on love. There is a sweet little dog in the story - always a plus for me. The writing flows well and, as a romance, this is a satisfying read.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kara’s reluctance to accept the inheritance:

I’m giving up a lifestyle I’ve come to like and a career I love despite all my bitchin’ and moanin’ to fulfill a dead man’s wish. Location 1613.

Jeffrey’s ultimate recognition:

“Love is not about giving up what you want for the other person. It’s about sharing what you have.”  Location 4466.

I received this for review from Forever/Hachette. See the Author Interview in the next post for a chance to win copies of this fine romance.

This story is set in South Carolina for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my New Author and ARC challenges.
xx