I love reunion romances--they are usually very poignant and heartfelt, not to mention passionate! Even though I have lived in a very small town for moI love reunion romances--they are usually very poignant and heartfelt, not to mention passionate! Even though I have lived in a very small town for most of my life, I never tire of “small town” romances. Author Kim Law's "Sugar Springs" is an involving story featuring a reformed "bad boy" looking for redemption from the woman whose heart he shattered and the community he left behind. Cody Dalton had spent his childhood in one foster home after another before finding some measure of happiness with a foster family in Sugar Springs, TN. He had one good friend in high school, Lee Ann London. Later, their friendship had bloomed into young love, and they shared dreams of a future together. When Cody, in a moment of emotional conflict, let himself be seduced by Lee Ann's scheming half-sister, Stephanie, all of their lives were changed forever. Cody left town, knowing he had lost Lee Ann, but not knowing that Stephanie was pregnant with his twin daughters. Stephanie told Lee Ann that he knew and just didn't care. Within days from the birth of the twins, Stephanie passed away from a previously undetected cancer. Lee Ann raised the girls as her own, giving up her dreams and building a life for her and the girls. Now, Cody is back in town, stepping in for the local veterinarian while she is on maternity leave. Cody wants to make amends, but Lee Ann is unsure if she can forgive him for not being there for the girls. When she finds out that he never knew that he was a father, all the hurt and anger she has carried for almost fourteen years takes on a whole new direction. Cody has hurt and anger of his own--he has missed out on being a father, and now he wants to make up for lost time. Can old betrayals be forgiven and can hearts be allowed to heal? Can what was broken not only be mended, but remade into something newly beautiful? Sugar Springs is a tiny community of less than six hundred people. Small towns sometimes hold big secrets! People are very interconnected. What happens to one person affects someone else, and the ripple effect is started. However, there is an essential sweetness to small towns. Memories of earlier days, some bittersweet, are held dear. People aren’t just faces, they’re family and friends. There’s always a second chance for first loves in small towns!
As a child, Kaylie Flynn moved from place to place in the Texas foster care system, finally finding a stable "home" with a foster family in Hope SprinAs a child, Kaylie Flynn moved from place to place in the Texas foster care system, finally finding a stable "home" with a foster family in Hope Springs. Her kind foster mother, May Wise, taught Kaylie about life and instilled in her a love of cooking and baking. When Kaylie turned eighteen and was no longer a "foster child", she left Hope Springs and started the next chapter in her life, working here and there and managing to earn a business degree. All along, she had one master plan in mind: to someday return to Hope Springs and become the owner of the only home where she had known happiness. A decade later, after her foster mother and father had passed away, and Kaylie had saved enough money, she made her dream come true. However, she didn't just want to live in the house, she also wanted to make it a social eatery where people could come for comfort and good food. The house would need a lot of work, and everyone told her Tennessee Keller was the carpenter who do the best work and be honest in his business dealings. As Kaylie and her dog, "Magoo", settle into the home that Tennessee had wanted for himself, he begins to visualize his work orders that will make her dream come true. He also has lots of thoughts about Kaylie herself, with whom he is quite taken. Kaylie is also drawn to "Ten", and they grow close while working to make her cafe hopes and dreams come to life. Kaylie is also seeking answers to her childhood about the truth of her mother's death and what happened to her father. Ten has secrets of his own, secrets that may come between him and Kaylie. When all truths are finally revealed, will Kaylie and Ten each find a "second chance" at life and love with each other? "The Second Chance Cafe" is a sweet love story of redemption and renewal--made even more delicious by the wonderful brownie recipes sprinkled throughout the book!
The troubles you try to leave behind are never far away, especially when they involve your own family--even more true when you have a "twisted sister"The troubles you try to leave behind are never far away, especially when they involve your own family--even more true when you have a "twisted sister" who is your identical twin. In author Rita Herron's romantic suspense thriller, "Dying to Tell", Sadie Nettleton left her hometown of Slaughter Creek, TN in an attempt to distance herself from her multiple-personality twin sister Amelia, who is often institutionalized in the local mental hospital. Amelia also has a terrible, dark secret of her own, one that caused her to leave behind the love of her life, Jake Blackwood. A decade after leaving Slaughter Creek, Sadie, now a counselor and forensic interviewer in San Francisco, CA, is called home again to face an awful truth: her beloved grandfather, the man who raised the twins after the death of their parents, has been murdered. The prime suspect is Sadie's own sister, Amelia, who was found at the crime scene holding the murder weapon. Jake Blackwood is now the Sheriff of Slaughter Creek, and the murder brings him once again face-to-face with Sadie, the woman who broke his heart. Jake is a single dad raising a young daughter, and he is also trying to solve the disappearance of his own father, who vanished around the same time Sadie left Slaughter Creek. The passion of youth has only deepened with time, and Jake and Sadie both feel the pull of old memories and present-day yearnings, but there is much keeping them apart, including a highly-charged murder investigation. There is more than one hidden evil threatening to destroy any chance they may have to find each other again. Will the love that never died between them be strong enough now to save their lives and the lives of those for whom they care? Author Rita Herron has crafted an involving page-turner recommended for lovers of romantic suspense.
Author Kat Martin continues her "The Raines of Wind Canyon" series with Book #7, "Against the Odds"--a highly-charged romantic suspense adventure! OldAuthor Kat Martin continues her "The Raines of Wind Canyon" series with Book #7, "Against the Odds"--a highly-charged romantic suspense adventure! Old secrets blend with modern mysteries in an action-packed tale that has the hero and heroine on the run from a treacherous enemy, and on their guard against falling hard for each other! By the time Sabrina Eckhart inherits three thousand acres of West Texas desert from her Uncle Walter, her career as stockbroker is sputtering, and her personal finances are fizzling. Selling her much-loved luxury items one by one to raise capital is tough pill to swallow, but a woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do. Hiring "sexy as sin" private investigator Alex Justice to fly her out to the remote property is a gamble she's willing to take, even if it means fighting her attraction to him while they scout for a possible silver mine bonanza. Alex has been intrigued by Sabrina since they met through mutual friends, but the two of them had been more like sparring partners than casual acquaintances. How could he refuse the opportunity to spend private time with her and follow up on what he is sure is mutual desire? Their journey becomes a fight for survival as their search for silver stirs up rattlesnake's nest of trouble. Sabrina's savvy smarts and Alex's brainy brawn are put to the test, and this is one test they can't afford to fail, especially when their lives are on the line. Even if they defeat their enemy, are they up to the even greater challenge of surrendering their hearts to each other? If you love romantic suspense with appealing characters and plenty of action and adventure, then you will love "The Raines of Wind Canyon" series from author Kat Martin.
I have loved each book in author Denise Hunter's "A Big Sky Romance" series, but the final book, "The Trouble with Cowboys", has to be my favorite. A I have loved each book in author Denise Hunter's "A Big Sky Romance" series, but the final book, "The Trouble with Cowboys", has to be my favorite. A woman who can't trust her heart to a cowboy, and a cowboy who hides his broken heart under flirtatious charm find that there is more to a person than the eyes can see--far more. Annie Wilkerson is a respected horse trainer who also works as a journalist to help care for her younger sister, Sierra, and her nephew, Ryder. Sierra was just sixteen when she gave birth to Ryder, and she has never named his father. Annie and Sierra learned not to trust cowboys early on when their own father walked out on the girls and their mother. Her mother never recovered from the desertion, and she had a series of relationships and marriages with cowboys up until the time of her death, leaving the girls with even less trust in men. After their mother's death, the girls went to live with their grandfather, who gave them a stable home. Just before he died, he made Annie promise to look after Sierra, a promise she took to heart. Dylan Taylor, tall, dark, handsome, and loaded with Texas sweet-talk, needs Annie to help him with his favorite horse, Braveheart, who is going blind. The vet recommends that the horse be put down, but Dylan can't bear to do that to his devoted friend. Annie sees Dylan as a womanizer, judging him to be typical of the unreliable men she saw in her mother's life, and at first she turns down his pleas to help with Braveheart. When her journalism job changes from a column about horses to an advice for the lovelorn column, Annie needs Dylan's help to come up with suitable answers to romantic issues. Annie has never been in love, and she thinks Dylan is a man who has romanced every woman in the county. They begin working together, and both enjoy the time that they spend with each other. Dylan has deep feelings for Annie, something she doesn't want to deal with, and she tries her best to ignore what her heart tells her about him. His flirtatious ways are in contrast to his wonderful, gentle way with children and animals. He is a church-goer, and eventually he tells her that he is a Christian man, and that has a great deal of meaning to him. Annie has been dating a banker named John, someone whom she likes and trusts, but he doesn't stir her heart and deeper emotions. When John proposes, Annie realizes she can't accept and she and John end their relationship. Will she be able to see Dylan as the man he truly is, and trust him enough to let herself depend on someone else to look out for her heart? When the father of Sierra's child comes into the picture, will a long-held secret end hopes for the future? "The Trouble with Cowboys" is a sweetly compelling romance, touched with humor and poignancy. There is a very involving and sensual attraction between Annie and Dylan, but the sensuality is written in a soulful, non-explicit manner. You feel their emotional need, their physical awareness, and the depth of their emotional response to each other. The quality of Denise Hunter's writing conveys all this without the use of graphic terminology. "A Big Sky Romance" is one of my favorite series, and all three books are on my keeper shelf. Highly recommended.
Review Copy Gratis Thomas Nelson Publishers via Booksneeze ...more
I never imagined that I would visit Grand Cayman Island with a hunky Highland wolf-shifter, but that's exactly what happened when I read "A Howl for aI never imagined that I would visit Grand Cayman Island with a hunky Highland wolf-shifter, but that's exactly what happened when I read "A Howl for a Highlander" from talented storyteller Terry Spear! The author's own visit to the island paradise fueled her well-defined powers of description and eye for detail, and you'll feel as though you too are seeing the sparkling sea, the shining sand, and the lush flora and greenery of the island. You'll also hear the deep purr of the hero's Scottish burr as you read his words! Duncan MacNeill may be the youngest of quadruplets by birth order, but by self-determination, he has made himself the most fierce! When scoundrel wolf-shifter and financier Sal Silverman steals the MacNeill clan funds, and leaves a trail of the broken bank accounts of others around the world, Duncan swears to stop the thief and make things right for all. Tracking the mongrel shifter to his home on the island, Duncan plans to wreak full vengeance. He must be careful, however, and not reveal the true wolf nature of Silverman or the MacNeills. As soon as Duncan arrives at the island airport, he immediately detects the presence of a tempting she-wolf-shifter, and try as he might, he can't resist the urge to check her out. Beautiful red-haired she-wolf Shelley Campbell is a professor of botany, on the island through a research grant. While she is drawn by the male wolf's potent Scottish charm and Highland brawn, she tries to keep her mind on her research mission. The fates have other plans for both Duncan and Shelley, however, and he ends up as a guest at the villa rented for Shelley's stay on the island. It turns out that Silverman also stole the grant money from Shelley's employer, and she needs Duncan to split expenses with her. Being in close quarters is torturous temptation--when two wolf-shifters mate, they mate for life, so an "island fling" just won't work. Or will it lead to something much greater? As Shelley and Duncan grow closer while they work to recover the stolen money and put an end to Silverman's criminal career, might they also find an unexpected, life-changing love? If you are a fan of paranormal romance featuring awesome Alphas and the feisty fab females who are their match-mates, then you will truly enjoy "A Howl for a Highlander" and the entire "Heart of a Wolf" series from author Terry Spear!
The distinctive romantic-suspense storytelling style of author B.J. Daniels serves the reader well in "Redemption", the second book in her exciting "BThe distinctive romantic-suspense storytelling style of author B.J. Daniels serves the reader well in "Redemption", the second book in her exciting "Beartooth, Montana" series. Jack French didn't have to look for trouble--it always knew exactly where to find him. The wild ways of his youth had made him an easy mark to be framed for rustling a bull, and the judge on the case had been the father of Jack's girlfriend. Since the judge never cared much for Jack, he sentenced him to two years labor on a working-ranch prison--a harsh sentence for the crime of which Jack was accused. Serving out his time at Deer Lodge, Montana State Prison had given Jack much opportunity to think about how and why he was framed, and who hated him enough to set him up. Back in his little gold-rush hometown of Beartooth after completing his jail term, Jack decides to play his cards close to his vest and not reveal his hand too soon. This time, he'll stay far away from trouble, and take careful steps. His plans go awry on his first night back in town when he "rescues" a woman being roughed up by a man in an alley. After a scuffle, the man takes off, but the lady is not so grateful for Jack's help. Kate LaFond, the new owner of the Branding Iron Cafe, is used to fending for herself. She doesn't need a tall, good-looking cowboy to complicate her life. Fate, however, has other plans for Jack and Kate, and the time they end up spending together has Jack involved in Kate's search for a lost treasure in gold. Matters take a serious turn when the man who accosted Kate turns up murdered, and she is later accused of the crime. The attraction between Kate and Jack becomes more personal, and once again, he comes to her defense. The local sheriff, Frank Curry, is working on solving the case and finding resolution to his own personal issues, including a second-chance romance with Nettie Benton. Known as "Nosy Nettie", she owns and operates the local general store, and not much escapes her persistent attention. Gold fever can never really be cured--its lure is often lethal, and it seldom leads to happiness. For Jack and Kate, will the real treasure be a once-in-a lifetime love? Beartooth, Montana has its share of legends, lives lost, and love found. I greatly enjoyed the first book in the series, "Unforgiven", and "Redemption" is equally enjoyable. If you love romantic suspense, you will be captivated by the complexities of the intertwined lives of the characters and the intrigue and danger of the promise of a fortune in gold.
"Boomerang Bride", from author Fiona Lowe, is a charming, funny, and touching romance. It was so enjoyable, that when I started reading, I just read i"Boomerang Bride", from author Fiona Lowe, is a charming, funny, and touching romance. It was so enjoyable, that when I started reading, I just read it all the way through to the end. I was captivated by the misadventures of misdirected Aussie, and bride without a groom, Matilda Geoffrey. Having lost her heart and her good sense being wooed through a virtual romance with a man named Barry Severson, Tildy decides to pay him a surprise visit in the US when her immigration papers come through quicker than expected. Upon arriving in Hobin, Wisconsin, she dons her wedding dress, breaks out the wedding cake baked by her Nana, and sets off in search of her fiance. What she finds is disillusionment--everything Barry told her was a lie. He and his business dealings don't exist in Hobin. Bedraggled and bewildered, staring into an empty storefront, she is spotted by Marc Olsen. Something about the ragged redhead in the vintage wedding gown compels Marc to go and speak to her, and both of their lives are forever changed in an instant. Tildy is unlike any woman Marc has ever met, but he can't take his eyes off her slender, wedding-gowned form. Tall, golden, and gorgeous, Marc's Viking heritage serves him well. However, Tildy surveys him from head to toe and sums him up in one succinct word: "Blondie". Entangling himself in someone's personal problems is the last thing Marc wants or needs. He's been on the run from emotional involvement for over a decade. Marc's father died when Marc was just seventeen, and he became "the man of the family", helping his mother to cope and raise his three younger sisters. For five years, he put his own dreams and plans aside and devoted himself to family matters. Once he was able to break out on his own, he left and only occasionally looked back. A brief annual visit to Hobin was all he could manage. A successful New York architect, he made his schedule as full as possible, ensuring the brevity of his once-a-year homeward journey. However, life's complications have once again changed his well-charted course, and the serious illness of his sister, Lori, is something he can't ignore. Matilda needs a place to stay, and Marc needs someone to help care for Lori and her son Kyle. He finagles Tildy into helping, and the discovery that she is a nurse is an added bonus. Tildy never imagined that her life would turn out this way--she's always dreamed of a loving family and a home to call her own. However, her spirited nature won't let her stay down for long, and she determines to make the best of the situation and plan for a new future. What she didn't plan on was a very sexy Viking architect who definitely has designs on her! An unexpected mutual attraction, a merging of cultures and words and phrases, and the onslaught of deeper emotions all come together for a delicious romantic conundrum. Can two hearts from very different places in life find common ground in a life-changing love? Fiona Lowe has written an engaging romance which will make you smile while it tugs at your heartstrings.
Western romance author Linda Lael Miller takes us back to Parable, Montana with "Big Sky River", the third book in her charming and touching "Big Sky Western romance author Linda Lael Miller takes us back to Parable, Montana with "Big Sky River", the third book in her charming and touching "Big Sky Series". Sheriff Boone Taylor keeps himself busy with work, fishing, and generally enjoying the simple things in life. He avoids tackling the big emotional issues which are following him everywhere he goes--he's learned to compartmentalize and keep moving. The death of his beloved wife Corrie three years earlier to breast cancer pretty much pulled the plug on his ability to cope with life head on. Unable to handle his grief and care for his two small sons, he left the boys in care of his sister Molly and her husband, Bob. He only meant for it to be a temporary arrangement, but time kept moving forward while his heart stayed behind with his sorrow. When Molly's husband is injured, and she will have to care for him and their own children, Boone knows it's time to bring his boys home. It's not much of a home, it's a dilapidated old double-wide, but somehow, it will have to do. Tara Kendall is a big-city girl turned chicken farmer, trying her best to live out her dreams in Parable. She loves her ranch, even if her handsome neighbor, Boone Taylor, lives in a run-down eyesore. She tries not to notice how easy-on-the eyes Boone is himself, especially since they manage to engage in verbal combat each time they have a conversation. Tara sure doesn't miss her wretched ex-husband, James, but she dearly misses his two daughters, whom she loves as though she had given birth to them herself. When James generously offers to let the girls stay with her while he pursues his latest affair, Tara is overjoyed. Life with children of any age is never really predictable, but it's always predicament-prone, and both Boone and Tara each have their hands full trying to manage their own reunited families. Maybe a little give & take between neighbors is just the answer to make life easier. Or will hearts become entagled as lives become intwined? Would that be such a bad thing? Boone must let go of his grief, and Tara must learn to trust again. Sometimes, taking a second chance at happiness captures a love twice as sweet.
"The Breath of Dawn", from author Kristen Heitzmann, is a compelling romantic suspense read which also reaffirms and inspires our faith in the power o"The Breath of Dawn", from author Kristen Heitzmann, is a compelling romantic suspense read which also reaffirms and inspires our faith in the power of love. This is the third book in the "A Rush of Wings" series, and it ties in story lines and characters from Book One: "A Rush of Wings", and Book Two: "The Still of Night". Morgan Spencer is a corporate whiz who specializes in fixing broken businesses. His confidence and motivation are shattered first by the loss of his eldest daughter, Kelsey, to illness, and then, later, the loss of his wife, Jill, in a car crash. Left alone to raise his baby daughter, Livie, he doubts that he can give her the care she needs. Leaving his business life in Santa Barbara behind, he seeks shelter at the Rocky Mountain ranch home of his brother Rick and Rick's own family. After two years have passed, he must make decisions about the future, not just for his own peace of mind, but for the sake of little Livie. When someone unexpected enters his life, and Fate seems determined to throw them together, Morgan begins to feel emotions he thought had died with his wife. Meeting Quinn Reilly stirs his sensibilities, but Quinn is a woman with a troubled past, and she has armored her heart. However, spending time with Morgan and Livie soon begins to melt her determination to remain safely detached. Four years ago, Quinn's testimony had sent an evil man to prison, but now he's free, and he's coming after Quinn. Business-minded Morgan offers a logical solution: he proposes marriage-really more a merger--which will offer Quinn a safety net and keep her near to Livie. But will their hearts be safe? Will the arrangement become a real relationship, and will it be strong enough to stand the turbulent times to come? A very enjoyable series for lovers of romantic suspense with inspiring elements.
Author Kate Walker was inspired by a classic Gothic romance tale when she created "The Return of the Stranger", and she perfectly captured the darker,Author Kate Walker was inspired by a classic Gothic romance tale when she created "The Return of the Stranger", and she perfectly captured the darker, more brooding elements of the story in her own compelling style. As a young child, Heath Montanha had been rescued from street life by Mr. Nicholls and brought to live on the Nicholls farm in the shadow of the Charlton mansion. He had been close friends with young Catherine Nicholls, but he was always resented and rejected by her brother, Joe. Heath's dark, handsome looks and air of mystery earned him the label of "gipsy", and the local society kept him at a distance. After the death of Catherine's father, her brother Joe took over the farm, and his treatment of Heath became unbearable. Heath soon left everything behind and went to make his mark in the world. Ten years later, a wealthy and powerful man, he returns to the Yorkshire countryside with vengeance on his mind. Thinking that Catherine had betrayed him a decade ago, he wants to hurt her as she hurt him. In his absence, she had married Arthur Charlton, the son of the rich, entitled neighbors of the Nicholls farm. Now widowed, Catherine is facing financial disaster as well as the emotional repercussions of her late husband's debauched lifestyle. Heath and Catherine are both startled by the depth of their mutual attraction, which wars with bitter hurt. Despite Heath's long-simmering desire for Catherine, he remains determined to carry out his plan of revenge against Catherine and her brother, Joe. Heath has secrets which will change the lives of Catherine and her family forever, but will spending time with Catherine and her young nephew soften his hardened heart? Catherine never knew the real reason that Heath left so long ago, and her life has not been the pleasant picture painted for society. Her husband's cruelty and deceptions have left her with little self-esteem--can she trust the love she feels for Heath? "The Return of the Stranger" is a passionate, atmospheric reunion romance with a delicious touch of Gothic darkness. ...more
Take the "Chance of a Lifetime" and return to the fictional small-town world of Harmony, Texas. Author Jodi Thomas once again captivates with in-depthTake the "Chance of a Lifetime" and return to the fictional small-town world of Harmony, Texas. Author Jodi Thomas once again captivates with in-depth characterizations and a compelling story line filled with romance, humor, and mystery. One thing that you are guaranteed with a Jodi Thomas read is "more"--more detail, more surprises, and more addictive storytelling which makes you long for the next book. In "Chance of a Lifetime", long-ago dreams and new hopes must overcome unknown threats before hearts can truly heal and find the happiness they seek. Emily Tomlinson survived a brutal attack in her teens, but her memory of what happened is muddled, and she only knows that her best friend, Tannon Parker, was not there when she needed him most. Their friendship was forever changed by the events of that night, but Tannon still cherishes Emily and wishes things were different. Emily leads a very quiet and isolated life, enjoying the order and routine of her life as the town librarian. On the nights she works late, Tannon is always there at closing time to walk her to her car. If only she would let him back into her heart, a heart he knows is just as lonely as his own. Local lawyer Rick Matheson hasn't established much of practice in Harmony, yet he has managed to make someone mad enough to want to put an end to his law career for good. Too many close calls must be more than accidents, and he survives serious injury just to be injured again. A beautiful U.S. Marshal named Trace Adams arrives in Harmony, and she sticks close to Rick in order to protect him while she investigates the case. The question is, as he falls head-over-heels for her, who will protect his heart? Two troubled couples--one who must overcome the past, and one who must survive the present. Love has long been there for Emily and Tannon, and it begins to grow for Rick and Trace, but will love be enough to keep their hearts and lives safe? Small-town friendships run deep, but small-town secrets dwell deeper. Everyone is connected in some way or another, and even kinfolk have hidden motivations. Still, all in all, life in a close-knit small town has its irresistible charms, and author Jodi Thomas will make you want to visit Harmony, Texas again and again.
Review Copy Gratis The Berkley Publishing Group...more
As I began to read "Margaret from Maine", by author Joseph Monninger, the fluidity of the story line and the immediacy of the characters quickly drew As I began to read "Margaret from Maine", by author Joseph Monninger, the fluidity of the story line and the immediacy of the characters quickly drew me in. Before I knew it, I had finished the book, but I didn't feel finished with the characters--I wanted to read more. I wanted to know what the future held for these people whose loneliness led them to each other. Margaret Kennedy's husband, Tom, was considered a war hero. His personal sacrifice to save a comrade had left him in a vegetative state. His body lived, but the spirit of the man had long ago left his physical shell. We meet Tom in the first chapter of the book, and experience the horrible moment which changed the lives of all the Kennedys forever. Tom never got to know his young son, Gordon, and Margaret took over the running of their dairy farm with the assistance of Tom's father, Ben. Six years after Tom was wounded, Margaret receives an invitation to attend the Washington, DC signing of a bill to improve care for comatose veterans. Margaret would be escorted to DC by Charlie King, a member of the diplomatic core with whom she had conversed by phone. Charlie is himself a veteran, assigned to desk duty after losing part of one leg due to a battle wound. When Charlie and Margaret meet, there is an immediate and intense attraction of both body and soul. The trip to DC becomes an extended romantic interlude, one that is unexpected and irresistible despite the undercurrent of conflict. Margaret never expected to be with any man other than her husband, but Charlie is warm and courtly, and his attention to her is like sustenance for her too-long-deprived female sensibilities. Charlie is smitten, and he knows it. Margaret is the woman he has waited for his entire life, but how to make her see it? Two good people, who have lived dutiful lives, now have a chance for true love and happiness, or do they? Charlie is about to leave the States for a diplomatic post in Africa. Margaret has the huge responsibility of caring for her family and overseeing the running of the dairy farm. She's still married to a man who has been spiritually dead for six years, and as long as his body still breathes in the care facility, she is bound to him as his wife. Will the love between Charlie and Margaret be lost, or will their fates somehow become intertwined? Joseph Monninger has created a compelling and touching romance with characters for whom you root for to find a happy ending. Happiness comes and goes sometimes in unexpected, random surges, but we must all be prepared to grab that happiness and hold on when it finally comes our way.
Author Kendra Elliot's "Bone Secrets" series gets better and better with each new book. "Buried" is Book Three, and it blends together elements from tAuthor Kendra Elliot's "Bone Secrets" series gets better and better with each new book. "Buried" is Book Three, and it blends together elements from the first book with all-new twists and turns for a super suspense-thriller that you won't be able to put down. Investigative reporter Michael Brody is a hard-driving journalist who digs as deep as he needs to in order to unearth the truth. The one resolution to a story which has escaped his grasp is also the most personal. Two decades ago, his own brother, Daniel, along with other children aboard a school bus seemingly vanished from the face of the earth. Only one of the children, Chris Jacobs, had been found alive. Emaciated, near-skeletal, and with no memory, he appeared out of nowhere and was quickly returned to his family. As soon as he graduated from high school, he once again disappeared--this time on his own terms. Twenty years after the bus and the children were lost, an unexpected discovery on a long-time unused dairy farm uncovers the burial site for the children and the bus driver. Only one child's remains are missing--those of Michael's brother, Daniel. Determined to solve the mystery of his brother's whereabouts, Michael seeks out Chris Jacobs through Chris's sister, Jamie, an elementary school principal. Reluctant to aide Michael at first, a violent attack from an unknown intruder in her own home convinces her that the only way to protect Chris is to help Michael. The attraction between Michael and Jamie grows deeper as they come closer to uncovering and exposing an insidious evil--an evil just as deadly as it was decades ago. Will the two of them together be strong enough to destroy the hellish, twisted mind who tortured and killed innocent ones so long ago? Riveting romantic suspense from talented author Kendra Elliot--be sure to also read Book One: "Hidden", and Book Two: "Chilled". Recommended for lovers of thrilling suspense with a just right balance of romance!
It's "A Lot Like Christmas" at the Starlight Desert Mall in Phoenix, AZ, and that's just the way Sylvie Stark likes it. Having been a hard-working secIt's "A Lot Like Christmas" at the Starlight Desert Mall in Phoenix, AZ, and that's just the way Sylvie Stark likes it. Having been a hard-working second-in-command, she feels sure that she will be promoted to General Manager now that her boss has stepped aside. However, Fate, and author Dawn Atkins, have other plans for Sophie. Not only will she not become the new GM of the mall, the person who takes over is Chase McCann, son of the mall's owner. Sophie and Chase go way back--her mother was friends with Chase's mother and Sophie often spent time at the McCann home. Sophie tagged along after Chase and his brother, Fletcher, but one day Sophie's feelings for Chase became something more. He had always looked at Sophie as a kid, and he knew his brother had a crush on Sophie, but one night Sophie almost convinced Chase to take their relationship further. Common sense prevailed, Chase moved on, and Sophie grew up and lived most of her life in the management and operation of the mall. Chase had a playboy reputation, and she had not seen him for years when he seemingly breezed in and grabbed the brass ring for which she had always reached. Seeing each other again is a shock to the system for them both, and the sexual sparks between them are intense. What Sophie doesn't know is that Chase hasn't come home to stay--he's there at the request of his brother to help the family sell the mall. His unexpected craving for Sophie, a desire that she returns, complicates his life in ways he hadn't expected. Then there's the mystery of the recurring vandalism and threats to the mall--who could have such a grudge? Even though they are at odds with each other professionally, Sophie and Chase can't resist temptation and soon begin a playful, passionate affair. Will their physical attraction and shared childhood memories become something more? Will love grow where conflicted is firmly planted? "A Lot Like Christmas" is a fun holiday story with sentiment and spirit, and it offers an inside look at something many of us take for granted: Who makes the shopping malls a world within a world--a place to get lost for a while where you shop your cares away? ...more
I am a longtime fan of author Elizabeth Lane's historical romances, and I was intrigued when I learned she would be venturing into contemporary romancI am a longtime fan of author Elizabeth Lane's historical romances, and I was intrigued when I learned she would be venturing into contemporary romance with the Harlequin Desire line. "In His Brother's Place" is the first release, and I am happy to say that her characterizations, sense of time and place, and compelling story lines are just as vivid in a contemporary setting! Jordan Cooper has some deep regrets in his life. His guilt over his twin brother's Justin's death in a plane crash has haunted him for years. So has the way he treated Justin's fiance, Angie Montoya, whom he dismissed as a fortune hunter. What he couldn't dismiss was the one scorching kiss he shared with Angie when she was upset over Justin's drunken flirtation with another woman. Justin had always been the charming, devil-with-no-cares brother, and Jordan had been the quieter, level-headed one. Even though he doubted Angie's real love for his brother, Jordan desired her just the same. Four years after Justin's death, Jordan discovers a secret that will forever change the Cooper family legacy: Angie bore Justin's son. Determined to bring his brother's son into the family fold and see that the boy inherits his rightful legacy, Jordan pays Angie a surprise visit and makes her an offer for her and her son Lucas to live at the Cooper ranch. At first, she refuses, but unexpected circumstances force her to accept Jordan's invitation. Being under the same roof brings their forbidden attraction back to flaming life, and soon their passion cannot be denied. However, Angie also has guilt over Justin's death, and Jordan has a secret of his own that could keep them apart forever. They both love little Lucas, and his happiness comes first, but don't grownups deserve to be happy too? Jordan's mother has never approved of Angie and blames her for the events which led to Justin's death. Can facing the truth and overcoming old hurts lead the way to a lifetime of love and a happy family life? Author Elizabeth Lane always involves you with her characters, and her story lines compel you to see how those characters find resolution. You will adore Lucas and his dog, and you will admire Angie for her strength of character and her devotion as a mother. You will also enjoy seeing Jordan grow as a character as he leaves one lifestyle behind and reaches out for what his heart really wants.
It's exciting for me as a reader to immediately become so involved in a book that I keep saying to myself: "This would be a great movie!". "Too Close It's exciting for me as a reader to immediately become so involved in a book that I keep saying to myself: "This would be a great movie!". "Too Close for Comfort", from author Lynne Marshall, kept that reel playing in my head, and I read the book all in one sitting. Lynne is one of my favorite authors. I was hooked on her warm, funny, and touching storytelling from the very first book. Her characters are very real and vividly drawn, and she gives them compelling story lines that are true to life, yet full of unexpected twists and turns. Her romances are sensually sweet, and she writes characters of varying ages--yeah! "Too Close for Comfort" is a rollicking reunion romance that also offers action, suspense, and poignant family drama. Joy Waltham's marriage of over twenty years ended as her health food business began to take off. She and her husband, Paul Donovan, had grown apart as their children grew up, and each of their careers had become more demanding. The final straw for Joy was Paul's agreement that their son, Michael, could enter the service at a very young age. After the divorce, Joy continued to develop her health food business where they had made their home in Los Angeles. Paul eventually retired from the LAPD and moved back to his hometown of Comfort, Maine, where he became the chief of police. Paul had invested in Joy's company, and when she is ready to expand the business she needs his signature on an agreement to let her buy him out of the company. This means coming face to face with him again--something she had not done since the divorce. Once they meet again, the sparks that fly are incendiary! Complicating matters are Joy's accidental discovery of clues to a series of drug-related deaths in the small community, and she involves herself in Paul's investigation of the crimes. He has his hands full trying to protect Joy and solve the case, so he decides to keep Joy very close and under surveillance. While Joy and Paul are rediscovering each other, their daughter, Edie, is running the health food business. Ever since the divorce, and Michael's enlistment, the pressures of the business world and family worries have caused Joy to have anxiety attacks. Spending time with Paul away from her life in LA proves to be freeing and reinvigorating for Joy, and she finds herself letting go of anxieties and grabbing on to new life experiences. Paul knows that he wants Joy back in his life, and he also feels reborn, but can they overcome the issues which drove them apart in the first place? When a family tragedy threatens their happiness, can they pull together and blend a longtime love with new understanding and appreciation? "Too Close for Comfort" features lead characters in their forties who are vibrant, conflicted, funny, sexually vital, and full of life. All Right! Highly recommended.
The holidays are a time of heightened emotions--happiness and grief are intertwined for those of us who have lost loved ones. The memories can be overThe holidays are a time of heightened emotions--happiness and grief are intertwined for those of us who have lost loved ones. The memories can be overwhelming, often as dreaded as they are treasured. Everyone has to grieve in their own way, and they should be allowed to find their own level of emotional acceptance. Then there are those people who have great loving hearts, but did not have happy childhoods, and never experienced a real "family Christmas". Sentimental holiday music, lights and decorations everywhere, and there's no escaping the shopping blitz. Author Anna DeStefano's "Christmas on Mimosa Lane" is a poignant, emotion-charged, and ultimately very rewarding holiday romance, but it is also a reminder that life is for the living. Mallory Phillips is a seeker, searching for the idealized community and home life that she has never known. She thought she would find it on Mimosa Lane in the charming community of Chandlerville, Georgia. Working as a school nurse, she still feels something is missing from her life. She still feels alone. The only visitor to her home is a little girl from her neighborhood who comes to look at Mallory's Christmas Tree through her window. Polly and her father, Pete Lombard are grieving the loss of Polly's mother, and this Christmas season is very difficult. One evening, Polly ventures inside Mallory's house, triggering a chain of events which will change the course of all their lives. Pete is angry, frustrated, and just as scared as his little girl. Everything he took for granted, including his peace of mind, was taken away when his wife died from cancer. He's not sure of much of anything, and he resents Mallory's very frank assessment of his parenting skills. However, they soon begin to work together to make life better for Polly, and a fragile contentment settles around the three of them. Seeds of hope are planted, and the growing relationship between Pete and Mallory starts to bloom. When Mallory's painful past catches up with her, can she hold on to her newly-formed dreams of future happiness? Will Pete and Polly become the family she has ached for all of her life? "Christmas on Mimosa Lane" is highly recommended--especially for people like me who carry the spirit of Christmas in their heart all year long.
"Not Quite Dating" is a fun, heartwarming read to kick start author Catherine Bybee's new "Not Quite" series. It's as delicious as a box of chocolates"Not Quite Dating" is a fun, heartwarming read to kick start author Catherine Bybee's new "Not Quite" series. It's as delicious as a box of chocolates that you don't put down until the last delightful morsel is finished. The story of a rich man falling for a working-class woman has been told countless times, but somehow this story line still feels fresh. It's because the characters are just right--not "too-too much" as to seem unreal--they have true human appeal. Jack Morrison is rich, handsome, loaded with Texas charm, and he has grown weary of people, especially women, who see him as a bank balance instead of person. Single mom Jessie Mann works hard, loves her five-year old son above all else, and is determined that he will have a better life than she knew as a child. When Jack and his three best friends wander into the little diner where Jessie works, they are coming off an all-night drinking binge to celebrate the impending marriage of one of the buddies. Jack is immediately smitten with Jessie, seeing her as beautiful, kind, and down-to-earth, not someone on the lookout for a walking wallet. Seeing the old truck that the friends arrived in, Jessie assumes that they are no more financially fit than she is, and that is just what Jack wants her to think. After he continues to come to the diner and gets to know Jessie a little better, he has to think fast when he finds out her plan to provide for her son. Not wanting to lose Jessie, he offers to help her find a wealthy husband, claiming he has contacts through his job at an upscale resort hotel. He just doesn't tell her that his father owns the hotel. Jessie accepts his offer, telling herself that it's his help she wants, not his heart. Jack continues to escalate his little white lies, and Jessie can't resist his company, but will the truth destroy the growing attraction between them? I enjoyed this charming romance, and I look forward to the future books in the series.