Well, this one creates tears as well as giggles, so regardless of your preference re: romances, this one hits all the high points (and the low ones). Well, this one creates tears as well as giggles, so regardless of your preference re: romances, this one hits all the high points (and the low ones).
Great characters, in particular, Hester (of the potty mouth) and Grampy who was grumpy but lovable, and of course, the four-footed critters who really fit their human parents.
Enjoyed every page, even as I wiped away the tears before collapsing into fits of giggles....more
Lucy Buchanan needs to be home for at least a little while in order to get her life back on track. But she keeps running into Theo Taylor, the guy sheLucy Buchanan needs to be home for at least a little while in order to get her life back on track. But she keeps running into Theo Taylor, the guy she's always fought with since grade school. Now he's a renowned baker and she loves what he makes, but must he always get on her last nerve?
As if that wasn't bad enough, he insists on challenging her to games of darts--even after she beats him badly. But he's not all bad. After all, when Lucy finds an abandoned dog behind the bakery, Theo helps her calm the dog and eventually get her to the local vet where they learn she is pregnant with lots of puppies. She can't turn that dog over to a shelter. Not with those big brown begging eyes. But she can't manage without Theo's help, so they jointly agree to midwife the dog through her pregnancy and the birth of the pups, even if only to make sure they go to good homes.
What, then, happens between Theo and Lucy? Will they get over their teasing and discover those other feelings they have for each other? Or will she go on to NYC where she's been offered an apartment-sharing situation while she pursues a singing career?...more
Another in the Christmas Notch series, in which pizza maven, Kallum Lieberman falls back on his acting skills to help Winnie Baker learn enough about Another in the Christmas Notch series, in which pizza maven, Kallum Lieberman falls back on his acting skills to help Winnie Baker learn enough about sex to act like she knows what she's doing in a sex-romp movie filmed in Vermont.
Complications relate to her fraught relationship with her estranged parents and how she was raised and then what happens when she becomes pregnant with Kallum's baby. What's gonna happen next, particularly when her parents' plan for Winnie to resume her "too good" image means giving up the baby for something else? Fortunately, an ending worth crowing about....more
First in the Gideon's Cove series, in which diner owner Maggie Beaumont would really like to fall in love, get married and have children (the goals heFirst in the Gideon's Cove series, in which diner owner Maggie Beaumont would really like to fall in love, get married and have children (the goals her identical twin) has already accomplished, but she can't seem to manage it: not with the new priest who is really hot, not with the guy who dumped her unceremoniously when she was expecting a proposal, not with several of the other dates people have set up for her. And then when she most needs help, along come Malone, a lobsterman short on words when he picks her up and takes her home in the middle of a storm.
But he begins to warm her up with his kisses and what follows, even if they haven't yet had a single date and she still doesn't know his first name.
Complications start to pile up, however, when her very best friend, the dog her father got her when she needed constant comforting dies, her parents decide to divorce (will they go through with it?), one of her best friends admits she's pregnant and everyone thinks Malone is the father (which he refuses to either confirm or deny) and it turns out to be Maggie's younger brother. Oh no! Will Maggie ever get things right with Malone? Or another dog?...more
Another in the Match Made in Haven series, in which Natalya Vasilek is settled and thinks she happy, except that Kevin Dawson's presence keeps her thiAnother in the Match Made in Haven series, in which Natalya Vasilek is settled and thinks she happy, except that Kevin Dawson's presence keeps her thinking that something is missing in her life, but she's not about to allow her heart to be broken yet again if she gets too close to someone, namely Kevin.
He dares not declare his love, knowing that Nat will run as fast as she can away from him and his words and their meaning.
Gradually, however, she begins to tell him things he never knew about her past, including how she was injured, how badly she was injured, and what all that means for her future. Does this mean she'll finally acknowledge how she really feels about him? Lots of laughs amid the angst of her fears....more
Another of the Carsons of Lone Rock series, in which oldest brother, Buck Carson, comes home to Lone Rock to make amends 20 years after the deaths of Another of the Carsons of Lone Rock series, in which oldest brother, Buck Carson, comes home to Lone Rock to make amends 20 years after the deaths of three of his high school buddies. One of them is the brother of Marigold, who blamed him for her brother's death, even though he wasn't in the car that crashed that fateful night.
Then both are surprised to discover that his oldest newly adopted son is dating Marigold's daughter. In fact, she finds them together in Lily's bed! Ack! Not what a mother who got pregnant at age 16 herself ever wanted to find. What's going to happen now?
It isn't just the kids who are attracted to each other. Buck can't understand it, but Marigold has captured his heart. But will he admit it? And what are they going to do about their feelings when it's the nascent relationship between their teens children that worries them the most?...more
A basket of ten puppies on the doorstep of Beth Morehouse's Christmas Tree Farm is yet another complication she doesn't need while waiting for the arrA basket of ten puppies on the doorstep of Beth Morehouse's Christmas Tree Farm is yet another complication she doesn't need while waiting for the arrival of her children and her (oh dear) ex-husband to celebrate Christmas. But, because her daughters want him there, she will do her best to be welcoming when she really doesn't want to be.
What her daughters have in mind, however, is a reunification of their family, but can their father convince their mother that he deserves a second chance? That she does, too? Oh, and how is she going to find homes for all those puppies before she's supposed to take a much needed vacation? Wait and see......more
Another in the Cedar Cove series, in which being pregnant and single forces Mary Jo Wyse to seek the help of her three brothers and then deciding thatAnother in the Cedar Cove series, in which being pregnant and single forces Mary Jo Wyse to seek the help of her three brothers and then deciding that's a bad idea after all. They are too protective, not willing to let Mary Jo make her own decisions about her life, so she heads off to Cedar Cove to warn the parents of the man who got her pregnant that her brothers are out for blood and to please ignore them.
But before she can find them, she goes into labor and ends up giving birth with the help of a really nice firefighter who can't seem to get Mary Jo out of his mind after a first meeting when she becomes light-headed and the people who took her in called for his help.
But what now? After all, her job is in Seattle and he works in Cedar Cove. Will they ever get together again, now that the baby is born?...more
Another in the Teacher Project series, in which Luci Walker harbors a secret she never intends to reveal as she teaches in Pronghorn, Oregon. Another Another in the Teacher Project series, in which Luci Walker harbors a secret she never intends to reveal as she teaches in Pronghorn, Oregon. Another of the teachers at the school, Mateo Lander, seems to be her opposite, very open and engaging with others, but the two seem to rub each other the wrong way until gradually, they are forced to work together when a dormitory is opened up and they are the only ones who know what that requires by way of supervision.
Then Mateo learns her secret and inadvertently spills it out of a desire not to lie to one of the students who confronts him directly with a question. How is this going to affect Luci? Will she ever forgive him, or is their possible life together ruined before it even begins?...more
Another in the Violet Ridge series, in which Amanda Fleming is sent to the Lazy River Dude Ranch to rebrand the business. But will manager Seth VirtueAnother in the Violet Ridge series, in which Amanda Fleming is sent to the Lazy River Dude Ranch to rebrand the business. But will manager Seth Virtue accept what she plans to suggest? And will she do the kind of job her boss wants her to accomplish?
Complications arise when Amanda begins to fall for Seth, the very reason she was fired from a previous job. Then her boss brings in her niece to take on the position, but not necessarily the work, Amanda has. And then Amanda's sister shows up. What will happen now?
At least a happy ending results. I only wish copy editing had cleaned up the text at lot better....more
Another in the Destiny Spring, Wyoming series, in which caregiver Vanessa Fraser needs to learn to take care of herself as well as the people needing Another in the Destiny Spring, Wyoming series, in which caregiver Vanessa Fraser needs to learn to take care of herself as well as the people needing her care, mostly elderly ones. But also her son, PJ.
When she meets rancher Austin Cassidy Vanessa finds herself falling in a way she never wanted to fall again--for a man who claimed to need her. But what Austin wants is something more. He wants her to need him, too, but when his rancher father needs his help and Vanessa's new business demands her time again, it doesn't look like either of them will be able to meet in the middle; namely, in Destiy Springs.
But neither counts on the matchmaking exploits of several seniors....more
Joanna Lin is intent on doing a good job with her first teaching experience after a bad experience when she worked as a paralegal. To do so, she learnJoanna Lin is intent on doing a good job with her first teaching experience after a bad experience when she worked as a paralegal. To do so, she learns she needs to learn Mandarin in order to be considered for a permanent position in the Immersion School where nearly all classes are taught in Mandarin. Only her Art class and a couple of others are provided in American English.
The new 5th grade teacher--filling in for the previous one on maternity leave--turns out to be a gifted teacher whose mother expects him to come home to Taiwan to help his younger brother run the family textile business.
But Joanna and Jack are attracted to each other. She has no intention of leaving the USA and he can't see himself staying even though he would prefer to do so. How will this conundrum be resolved?...more
If you prefer tears with your romance, don't bother with this one. I laughed and giggled my way through it from first page to last and even learned anIf you prefer tears with your romance, don't bother with this one. I laughed and giggled my way through it from first page to last and even learned another epithet: God's pajamas, God's literaryies, whatever. It was hysterical.
Teacher Grace Emerson needs a man but the last one she had left her engaged but not married three weeks before the wedding and she still is trying to get over that hurt. Even the gaga-handsome new neighbor who's fixing up the house next door to sell it for big bucks can't quite get her to see that she's worth more than Andrew, the ex-fiance, implied with his actions. But hold on. He's not done yet hurting the Emerson sisters. More on that you'll have to find out for yourself.
And when Margaret, Grace's older sister, moves in with her while having a fight with her husband, life gets a bit more complicated, simplified only occasionally when Grace deigns to look at the stars with Calahan O' Shea on the roof of that house next door. Such fun were these characters! But only if you prefer laughter instead of tears with your romances. Enjoy......more
Another in the Gideon's Cove series, in which Parker Welles has to make some decisions she never anticipated after her father ends up in prison for inAnother in the Gideon's Cove series, in which Parker Welles has to make some decisions she never anticipated after her father ends up in prison for insider trading and losing both her trust fund and that of her 5-year-old son. When she learns she owns an old house in a town she knows little about, she agrees to check it out, finds she needs to rehab it in order to sell it and the help she needs to do so comes in the man she's always thought of as her father's wingman. Not that she appreciates his help initially. That comes later, along with enjoyment of the kisses he bestows when she least expects it.
But romance is NOT part of her life plan. Nope. She's a mother first and a woman second. At least that's what she tells herself right up until the father of her child tells her not to use their son as a way of hiding from what she may also want, may also need.
Who's right about that? Parker or Mr. Paragon, James' name for the child's dad....more
It's not easy thinking about how obesity affects people. Nor is it easy considering how family members can hurt one another with their words, if not aIt's not easy thinking about how obesity affects people. Nor is it easy considering how family members can hurt one another with their words, if not also their deeds. But these three women reveal those hurts and how two of them gradually come to accept themselves as who and what they are, not defined by what they weigh.
The third woman, now dead, also speaks through her diary, which reveals her gift to those best friends she enjoyed so many years earlier.
Male characters who serve less major roles, but nevertheless assist in fleshing out the realness of the women they love (or don't).
Worth every reader's time and attention and huge 5 stars....more
Second in the Jason Wade series, in which the reporter suspects there's more to the kidnapping of a baby and the near-fatal injury of the baby's motheSecond in the Jason Wade series, in which the reporter suspects there's more to the kidnapping of a baby and the near-fatal injury of the baby's mother than initially appears to be the case. When Jason approaches a local detective, he decides to try to get her to tell him things no one else will reveal. She agrees but only if he controls the coverage his paper if providing of the abduction. Then things his father uncovers in his role as a private investigator begins to complicate further what happens after baby Dylan is taken. The question then becomes whether the police or even Jason will find the baby before he is killed by the woman who is clearly out of her mind and a proven killer of another child.
Edge of your seat reading from first page to last. ...more
Another in the Jason Wade series, in which the death of a hooker and a nun are linked in ways previously unexpected. Then a child is kidnapped and howAnother in the Jason Wade series, in which the death of a hooker and a nun are linked in ways previously unexpected. Then a child is kidnapped and how he and his mother are related to all the other horrors that occurred previously gradually begins to be unraveled when Jason Wade, reporter, works with Grace, a detective, to share what each has uncovered separately in order to save that child and finally figure out why all these things happened....more
Another in the Gideon's Cove series, in which baker Lucy Lang can't seem to get over her widowhood, even when her late husband's brother is clearly inAnother in the Gideon's Cove series, in which baker Lucy Lang can't seem to get over her widowhood, even when her late husband's brother is clearly in love with her--which she can't see until, suddenly, she does.
Lots of laughs in the midst of the angst in this addition to the series....more
Another in the Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski series, in which reporter Tom Reed is planning to quit his reporter's job that nearly destroyed his marriageAnother in the Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski series, in which reporter Tom Reed is planning to quit his reporter's job that nearly destroyed his marriage when his wife is kidnapped at a jewelry store where she was buying him an anniversary gift.
When Tom is informed his wife is a hostage, he is determined to find her, but things get even more complicated when it becomes clear that her kidnapping is also related to one of his stories from years earlier. Will he ever see Ann again, alive? Their son insists she must be alive; after all, she's his mom, but the odds aren't looking good.
A gripping thriller from first page to last....more
When college student Karen Harding disappears, rookie reporter Jason Wade decides to see if there's more to her disappearance than that she simply canWhen college student Karen Harding disappears, rookie reporter Jason Wade decides to see if there's more to her disappearance than that she simply can't be found. What he begins to uncover smacks of sixteenth century horrors that no one else can quite believe, that is, no one but a coroner who exams yet another body that isn't Karen.
How this all plays out is the first in the Jason Wade series that promises to be a thriller group that grabs its readers tight and won't let go even after the last page. Wonder what's next in this series? I fear I can't wait, but have decided not to read it at night when the winds blow and the rains come....more