Half Moon Hill by Toni Blake (Destiny #6)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Avon

My Copy: Edelweiss

Reviewer: Pam

Trying to escape her troubled past, Anna Romo has come home to Destiny determined to carve out a place for herself. When she buys the old Victorian house on the hill with the intent of furnishing it into a Bed and Breakfast, she’s thrilled by the possibilities.

Ex-biker-gang member Duke Dawson is as much a fish out of water in Destiny as Anna, but he’s handling it fine until an accident scars not only his body but his mind. When Anna stumbles across him in an old cabin in the woods near her newly acquired house, at first she’s terrified. But they work out a deal – she’s willing to keep his solitary living arrangement a secret if he’s willing to help her with some of the heavy lifting at the house. Working together on the renovations, romance brews between Duke and Anna. That is, until war hero Jeremy Sheridan returns home in a blaze of glory and sets his sights on Anna. Suddenly torn between the outgoing and charming Jeremy and the intriguing Duke, Anna’s heart is torn between two paths and left with only one solution.

Anna Romo is struggling with all things new to her, she recently came back home after hearing the death bed confession of a woman she always thought was her mother. She feels a little like an outsider in a town she should have grown up in, she had been kidnapped when she was five and lived with a woman until she died. It was quite a shock when she came back to Destiny for both her family and herself. She is trying to fit in however she tends to stay alone more that she seeks out the company of others, she is slowly getting to know her brother’s Mike and Lucky and their wives.

She bought an old run down house near Half Moon Hill to renovate and turn into a Bed and Breakfast and spent the winter working on the inside. Now that the weather is getting nice she is going to tackle the outside. While walking in the woods near her home she encounters a man who looks like the infamous wolf man, she does not realize at first he is someone she knows, Duke, her brother Lucky’s best friend. He looks like he has not cut his hair or shaved in a year. He also has a scar on his face that she knew came from an accident that changed his life. He was injured and a friend died, so he sold his bar and dropped out of site, not even letting Lucky know where he was.

When he finds out she is going to renovate the outside by herself, he offers to work for her. As he starts working, she gravitates toward town not trusting the feelings she is beginning to have about him, and ends up inadvertently getting to know her sisters-in-law and their friends and agrees to help at a book store.

As they spend more time together they give in to their sexual attraction; however she is unsure of the relationship and of him, worried about his withdrawal from the world. There are moments of heartfelt emotion as they each learn to come back to the living again and re-join a community that loves them.

What a wonderful romance, full of engaging characters, a small town atmosphere and interesting back stories. There is a lot going on with couples from the other books frequently on the pages as we continue to learn about their lives. I really like Duke and Anna, their chemistry is real and I love how they cannot keep their hands off each other, such sexual attraction. Duke is a wonderful character, full of a lifetime of hurt and you just feel for him as he stays away from people to reflect and live with survivor’s guilt. Anna is also believable as she deals with trust issues and living in a family she never knew about. She so wants to belong with the friends she starts to get to know yet she holds back. So to have the two of them find each other is perfect, as they wind up healing together.

The only thing I did not like is that there are several characters to keep up with; this small town life has many stories that continue on, yet the good thing is that there is still a lot of page time for the main characters. Also in the blurb there is talk about how she is torn about another man however this does not seem like a big issue and she is truly never tempted.

The story is moving and I had tears several times as they struggle with how they feel about each other. Anna redeems herself from the previous book when she came across as arrogant and standoffish, she is really very wary and scared about forming relationships and I like how she really tries to put herself out there in this book. She seems more brave and welcoming. This is a wonderfully moving story and I am excited to continue the series to find out more about the people that live in Destiny.

I give Half Moon Hill by Toni Blake 4.0 stars!

The Week Before The Wedding by Beth Kendrick

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: NAL Trade

My Copy: Edelweiss

Reviewer: Pam

After enduring a chaotic childhood, Emily McKellips yearns for a drama-free life, complete with a white picket fence. Her dreams are about to come true: She has a stellar career, a gorgeous house, and a fiancé any woman would die for. But as friends and family arrive in picturesque Valentine, Vermont, for her wedding, an uninvited guest shows up.

Ryan is Emily’s first husband from a disastrous starter marriage. They wed on a whim, only to discover that combustible chemistry couldn’t ensure a happily ever after. But Ryan is no longer the headstrong boy she left behind. He’s now a successful film producer who just happens to be scouting a resort in Valentine with his adorable retriever in tow. As the bridesmaids revolt and the mothers of the bride and groom do battle, Emily is surprised to discover new sides of both her ex and her fiancé. She thought she had life and love all figured out, but the next seven days might change her mind—and her heart.

What do you do when your ex-husband shows up a week before you are to marry the perfect man, you go a little crazy trying to keep it under control?

Emily McKellips is getting married to Grant, a doctor who appears to be perfect in every way. Even his family seems perfect, which is exactly what Emily wants after spending a chaotic life with a mother who is loveable but a little wacky. To compensate for her mother, Emily spent the last ten years getting her MBA, wearing suits to work and doing everything possible to be this perfect conservative woman.

Ten years earlier she fell in love at college with Ryan Lassiter. They had a combustible relationship that she could not deal with and left five months after the got married. She felt Ryan was too reckless and after her childhood, she wanted more stability.

Emily’s mother, Georgia married a man she loved, they had Emily and when he died too young she just went in a different direction, a little wild and crazy, marrying several times and always looking for fun. One of the marriages gave her a step-daughter, Summer who is Emily’s best friend. Summer’s personality is more like Georgia and what Emily used to be like before she became too stuffy.

Emily and Grant are getting married in Vermont at a lovely resort which is perfect, as they are moving to Massachusetts for Grants new job. Grant’s whole family is here along with Emily’s mother and Summer, the setting is idyllic, until Ryan shows up without warning. Emily finds it a little strange that out of all the places in the world he is here, but he says he is scouting a new location for a movie, he is now a successful production executive. Summer looks at Emily innocently, when she asks questions, but Emily knows her too well.

Grants mother Beverly is very straight laced and the sparks fly when she meets Georgia, however things change when they bond over champagne and getting revenge on Beverly’s sisters, producing fun and laughter. As the wedding approaches, things get out of hand and when Grant has to go back to his job for a few days Emily starts to wonder what life with a dedicated doctor would be like, especially when she finds herself thinking more about Ryan than Grant.

I am a true fan of reunited lovers and this book is a great example, with fun entertaining characters that had me laughing out loud. I really like Ryan, what a sexy guy he is, and I love that even though he may have grown up in the ten years they were apart, deep down he is still the same person, he still loves horror movies and doing crazy things. Emily on the other hand lost herself in the last ten years, but that works well in this story, as not only does she need to find herself but she needs Ryan back in her life. I liked both characters together, the spark is still there and Ryan tells her right away how he feels about her, she has those same feelings however pushes them down.

The story is entertaining, fast paced and a thoroughly enjoyable read to the end. The premise is believable as we watch this group of polar opposite wedding party members come together to celebrate. I was happy to see Grant’s family accept Emily with open arms, even when her unconventional mother enters the picture. They were less accepting of Georgia but that makes the story more fun. I laughed out loud several times when Georgia was around and the bachelorette party was a hoot with Bev and Georgia bonding. Grant was a very likable guy however I found that I could not quite believe he was going to let Emily go without a scene, fight or anything other than “we are not getting married are we” and then leaves to go back to his patient, which apparently makes him happier. I recommend this fun contemporary romance with some very touching scenes and laugh out loud moments.

I give The Week Before the Wedding by Beth Kendrick 4.25 stars!

Beth Kendrick Guest Post

I strive to write the kind of characters I would want to hang out with—fun, funny, and multi-dimensional. They’re feisty and unpredictable. Of course, this also means that they sometimes revolt and refuse to follow my plot outlines, but I think this adds a certain sense of spontaneity to the story…a certain sense of spontaneity that makes me weep bitter tears during revisions!

The first thing I do when brainstorming for a new book is to make some phone calls, do some Internet searches, and start researching. Over the last few years, I’ve gone to dog shows, pastry classes, and high-end salons, all in the name of research. (Well, okay, that last one might’ve been a multi-tasker!)

Research is really fun, if you do it right. It’s fascinating to get little peeks into other careers, other lifestyles, other cultures. (Training to be a surgeon = like 16 years. Interviewing a physician for a chapter set in an emergency room = like 22 minutes. Imagining you’re a doctor is much more time-efficient!) Emily, the bride-to-be in The Week Before the Wedding, is engaged to a transplant surgeon, and I conducted an impromptu Saturday night Q & A about lung transplants with a surgeon who was downing tequila shots while he explained the importance of the vena cava to me. (I forced myself to choke down a margarita in the spirit of camaraderie. These are the sacrifices I make for my craft!)

While writing The Week Before the Wedding, I also interviewed a flight attendant, a film producer, and an M.B.A. grad, and all of them had hilarious stories to tell. The flight attendant gave me the run-down of her training and qualifications, but she also mentioned how much she hated wearing black tights with a navy skirt. (“It may be airline regulations, but it goes against all the laws of God and nature!”) She spun tales of the smarmy first-class passengers that had hit on her and the adventures she’d had on two-day layovers in Puerto Rico. You’re simply not going to get those gems from a website or a book about aviation.

So first do your research, and then start asking yourself questions. A lot of questions. What kind of heroine dares to open negotiations with a cranky professor who teaches a graduate seminar in negotiating? What kind of hero is drawn to the world of film production, which requires laser-like focus, never-say-die tenacity, and unlimited resourcefulness? How do their career strengths manifest in their personal lives? In the case of Emily and her hottie ex-husband, Ryan, we see a heroine and hero who are evenly matched. They are worthy adversaries, and they rock each other’s world in every way. And of course, they revolted halfway through the book and refused to follow my original story outline…but they did it together. Just to show me that they could.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

Book blurb:

After enduring a chaotic childhood, Emily McKellips yearns for a drama-free life, complete with a white picket fence. Her dreams are about to come true: She has a stellar career, a gorgeous house, and a fiancé any woman would die for. But as friends and family arrive in picturesque Valentine, Vermont, for her wedding, an uninvited guest shows up. Ryan is Emily’s first husband from a disastrous starter marriage. They wed on a whim, only to discover that combustible chemistry couldn’t ensure a happily ever after. But Ryan is no longer the headstrong boy she left behind. He’s now a successful film producer who just happens to be scouting a resort in Valentine with his adorable retriever in tow. As the bridesmaids revolt and the mothers of the bride and groom do battle, Emily is surprised to discover new sides of both her ex and her fiancé. She thought she had life and love all figured out, but the next seven days might change her mind—and her heart.

 

 

BIO: Beth Kendrick lives in Arizona with her trusty rescue dogs, Roxie Hart and Friday. She is the author of nine women’s fiction books, including The Week Before the Wedding and Nearlyweds, which was made into a Hallmark Channel movie.

Social Media info:

Website: www.BethKendrick.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethKendrickBooks

Twitter: @BKendrickBooks

Stranded With A Billionaire by Jessica Clare (The Billionaire Boys Club #1)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Penguin

My Copy: NetGalley

Reviewer: Pam

The Billionaire Boys Club is a secret society of six men who have vowed success – at any cost. Not all of them are old money, but all of them are incredibly wealthy. They’re just not always as successful when it comes to love… Billionaire Logan Hawkings needs a vacation. He’s had a rough time after the death of his father and the betrayal of his fiancée. But with a visit to a recent business acquisition—a private island resort in the Bahamas—he has a chance to mend his broken heart. When a hurricane blows in, a misplaced passport and a stalled elevator bring Logan together with an unusual woman named Bronte. She’s unlike anyone he’s ever met—down to earth, incredibly sensual, and even quotes Plato. She also has no clue that he’s rich…

Bronte Dawson, a waitress from the Midwest, is stranded with the hotel’s domineering yet sexy manager Logan. What’s the harm in a little fling when it’s just the two of them, alone in paradise? But after several steamy island nights in Logan’s arms, Bronte’s ready to give her heart—and her body—to the man in charge. But she soon discovers there’s more to Logan than he’s told her…a billion times more. Now, Bronte’s caught in a whirlwind affair with one of the world’s most powerful men. But can their love endure their differences or will it all just blow over?

Logan Hawkings is a very arrogant man who buys failing businesses and turns them around to make a profit, he may be arrogant but he is also very wary as he has been burned by those that only want him for his money.

Logan and his college friends are all billionaires and have helped each other succeed in business since they got out of school. They formed this club consisting of the six friends and get together once a month to share ideas and bounce things around, while playing poker. Hunter, one of the club members tells Logan about an island retreat for sale that needs a lot of work, something right up his alley.

Bronte Dawson just wanted to have a fun vacation, she won a trip from a radio station and so far she has a lousy roommate and it has been raining. Some vacation! And now she finds out they are evacuating because of a hurricane. As she gets ready to board the bus, her roommate asks for a favor and so Bronte heads back to their room to look for a passport. She is on the way down when the power goes out, the elevator stops and she is stranded, with a gorgeous man of course.

Logan and Bronte are stuck for several hours while the storm batters the run-down resort; they finally realize they will have to help themselves, when they are out; they see the mess the hurricane has made and also realize everyone got off the island but them. They find food, shelter and some clothes and spend a few days getting to know each other, in many ways as they wait for the storm to end before they can be rescued.

When they are finally rescued and are back in civilization Logan suddenly turns cold and dismissive and she finds that he lied about himself the whole time they were stranded. She is pissed and calls a taxi. He is amazed that she ran, however eventually finds her and tries several different high handed ways to get her back. Both of them must learn to give and take if they want to make this relationship work.

This is a fun, sweet and entertaining beginning of a series, although fairly predictable. About six billionaires that became friends in college and now get together once a month, they help each other obtain their dreams. I like the idea of a boys club, however what fun it would be if there was a woman billionaire invited to join? They keep it very secret and I found it humorous when Logan brings Bronte to visit, to show he trusts her with everything and the others actually rough him up a bit, because Logan may trust her but the others do not know her yet.

The story flows well and I had no problems reading straight through to the end as Logan and Bronte deal with trust issues, respect issues and even a little control issues. Logan was a jerk to her when they got back to the real world but was a kind soul while they were stranded. I did want to hit him but I believe Bronte was able to handle him quite well. I liked Bronte; she was a quirky woman that loved to quote the classics and was not about to take any crap from anyone. I also liked the secondary characters, the two women who help Bronte while she is in New York, his assistant Audrey and her sister Gretchen are fun and engaging, I also liked the others in the club and look forward to their stories, especially Hunter; I am a sucker for the scarred and tortured hero.

I give Stranded with a Billionaire by Jessica Clare 3.75 stars!

Summer In Napa by Marina Adair (St. Helena Vineyard #2)

Available: May 14, 2013 Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Montlake

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Nikki

Six months ago, New York restaurant owner Alexis “Lexi” Moreau walked in on her husband, Jeff, and their sous chef mixing business with pleasure. Now, Lexi is back in her hometown of St. Helena, California, rebuilding her life and hoping to turn her grandmother’s patisserie into the bistro of her dreams. All she needs is luck, lots of hard work, and a way to avoid the thirty blind dates her matchmaking grandmother arranged. Enter Marco DeLuca — Jeff’s handsome, commitment-phobe best friend who has always had his sights set on Lexi. In high school, Marco convinced himself that Lexi was off-limits. And she still is, especially since Marco’s family’s wine business all depends on a deal with Jeff. But a fake summer romance is the perfect way for Lexi to distract the would-be suitors her grandmother has set up for her. A perfect way for Marco to realize she’s the only one that ever mattered. And a perfect way to fall deliciously in love.

.

After the ending of her ill-fated marriage to Jeff, Lexi leaves everything behind and comes home in an attempt to move on with her life. Going into business with her grandmother has always been a dream of hers and now it seems to be becoming a reality. Sure it may not be the five star restaurant she’s leaving behind but that was always more of her husbands dream anyway. Faced with having to swallow her pride in front of the entire town Lexi arrives with her head held high…and her ass sticking out of a window she was trying to crawl through when she forgets her keys.

Marco is between a rock and a hard place when it come to the subject of Lexi. Her ex is his best friend but that doesn’t diminish the feelings he’s harbored for her for years. Now she’s back in town and Jeff wants to keep tabs on her. Tabs that are starting to sound more like business then concern. Marco doesn’t have time for a romance in the midst of the towns historical vineyard competition which could monumentally skyrocket his hometown hotel business. It’s a make it or break it event and with the towns reputation on the line he can’t afford to lose. But he’s in over his head and Lexi may be the only one able to soothe his frazzled nerves. If he can get over the fact that he’d be breaking man code #1: Never fall in love with your best friends girl.

New to me author, Marina Adair hit this one out of the ballpark! Summer In Napa was a lovely read from start to finish with engaging characters, a homegrown setting and wonderful writing. I absolutely adored Lexi. She was so incredibly real and her quirkiness was a great addition to her character. The very first scene had her sticking out a window with her rear end on display for the whole town to see. I find that if within the first chapter I’m chuckling to myself, that’s a good omen. I enjoyed how she overcame her obstacles to start fresh in a town she had always wanted to come back to eventually, just on better terms. She held her own against the town busybodies and she didn’t let some of their snarky behavior stop her for going for her dreams.

I wish I would have read book one (Kissing Under The Mistletoe) first because I’m really loving the DeLuca boys. I will make a point to go back and find me a copy of that soon. Marco is such a strong male lead who is floundering in his attempt to revitalize the vineyard competition. His family seems to not have much faith in his abilities based on his reckless youth. I liked that he was turning into a reformed playboy just as Lexi shows back up in town. Though it becomes apparent that his best friend was less then forthcoming about the situation between himself and Lexi, Marco still has a hard time with his idea of poaching on his friends “territory”.  Even though years ago his friend basically stole her out of under him to begin with. Seemed to me Jeff was never a very good friend to begin with so it was commendable that Marco held onto that thin thread as long as he did. Jeff was an epic douchebag. I would have liked to see more of a confrontation between Marco and Jeff. Adair glosses over that pretty quickly and it kind of upset me. I wanted to see Marco really stand up to him and let him have it. Sadly, I didn;t get any of that. Marco does stick it to him in a way but I wanted more from that end. I felt a bit cheated in that respect.

Summer In Napa is an excellent read! So excellent in fact that I made it my May 2013 book of the month. For good reason too! It’s wrote with a small town feel that the author conveys perfectly. The characters are well fleshed out and the story is quirky and cute. I loved Marco and Lexi together and hope they pop up in the next book as well. If you enjoy Jill Shalvis you’ll love Marina Adair! This is a contemporary romance you’ll love!

I give Summer In Napa by Marina Adair 4.50 stars! 

Down London Road by Samantha Young (On Dublin Street #2)

Available: May 7th, 2013 Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: NAL

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Nikki

Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control….

It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.

But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.

Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets …even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.

Jo has some serious emotional baggage coming from such a horrible abusive background and now having to bear the weight of dealing with a drunken mother and taking care of her teenage brother. She’s a strong, hard-working woman who only wants whats best for her brother and she’s looking for a way to achieve that. She uses the only thing she feels she has in her favor, her good looks, to attack men who would be financially able to give her what she needs. In doing that she sells a piece of herself with every boyfriend she finds. She deludes herself into thinking she genuinely cares for these men when I never really felt like she did. Her heart was in the right place though.

When she meets Cam her first impression of him is of a cocky bastard. He instantly sizes her up and jumps to some horrible conclusions, which were partly true, but all the same, mean of him to call her on them. When he realizes how wrong he was about her and how much he craves her touch he tries to make amends with the beauty who works so hard to hide herself from everyone. My problem with Jo was how easily she caves because she’s attracted to him. He treated her so badly and said so many hateful things but at the first sign of his apology she’s ready to forgive and forget just so she can sleep with him. For a woman we were supposed to believe was working toward improving her self worth, it kinda rubbed me the wrong way. I wanted her to hold out for more…not spill her entire life story to the man after his first sign of graciousness.

I was worried going into this one because the first 100 pages of the book are awfully slow with what felt like a lot of filler. Then I went from bored to sobbing in one chapter and I was glad I stuck with it because after that the plot line picks up and the story unfolds nicely.  Cam and Jo work well off each other and once he gets to know her Cam is unbearably patient with her.  He was also amazing with her brother which was very important to Jo. It’s definitely a darker romance.

Down London Road is a good contemporary romance from an author I hadn’t tried before. I would have liked more from the heroine in terms of a backbone and I wish the hero wouldn’t have been such a pompous ass for as long as he was. I also wish it didn’t take them so long to get together so that the rest didn’t feel as rushed. I will definitely come back to this author again though because she managed to turn me around in one chapter and any author who can make me cry deserves my readership.

I give Down London Road by Samantha Young 3.50 stars!

 

 

Far From Perfect by Barbara Longley (Perfect, Indiana #1)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Montlake 

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Michelle

Noah Langford narrowly survived the roadside bombing in Iraq that killed five of his men and took his leg, leaving him haunted by flashbacks and riddled with guilt. When his stepbrother Matt dies in a car accident, the loss feels like the final blow to Noah’s shattered soul. But then he learns about the girlfriend and baby Matt abandoned years earlier, and suddenly Noah has a new mission…

Ceejay Lovejoy was nineteen and pregnant when her boyfriend walked out, disappearing from her life just like her parents did. Since that day, Ceejay has devoted herself to giving her daughter a better life, avoiding any man who could threaten that security—until the day Noah Langford shows up on her doorstep. His gentle spirit has an unexpected effect on Ceejay’s guarded heart, tempting her to take one last chance on love. But when a painful secret comes to light, it threatens to break the fragile bond growing between them…and to destroy a love powerful enough to heal them both.

This book was such a pleasant surprise for me. I’ve never read anything by Barbara Longley so I had no idea what to expect. I envisioned some sort of chick-lit type book, or something sappy sweet. While it was sweet, it was also a warm, touching romance about two people coming into their own together.

Ceejay was used to being abandoned. She had never known her father, and her mother left when she was very young. When she ended up pregnant and alone at nineteen after her boyfriend hit the road, she realized the one person she could count on was herself. Determined to give her daughter the type of secure beginning she herself didn’t have, Ceejay worked her way through nursing school with the help of the aunt who raised her. Having lived her whole life in the small town of Perfect, Indiana surrounded by people who knew every bit of her history, she vowed to make a life for herself and her little girl someplace else as soon as she could. Leaving Perfect behind for a new home in a big city where nobody knew her past sounded like perfection to her.

Her plan to relocate went up in smoke the minute Noah Langford entered her life. Having returned home from war carrying wounds both physical and emotional, Noah was at a crossroads with no clue about what to do with the rest of his life. Suffering from PTSD and adjusting to the loss of his leg, he had enough to deal with without having to formulate a plan for his future. While going through his deceased stepbrother’s things – the stepbrother who happened to be the boyfriend who left Ceejay high and dry – Noah learned about Ceejay and her pregnancy. Up until his discovery, nobody in Noah’s family knew about Ceejay or her child. Vowing to be a better man than his brother had been, he decided to travel to Perfect to meet Ceejay and to find out of there was a place for him and his parents in her (and her child’s) life.

The road Noah and Ceejay traveled to be together was paved with good intentions that often went awry. Despite her attraction to him, Ceejay harbored quite a bit of resentment toward Noah and his family because of what his stepbrother did to her. When she learned of his identity, she wanted nothing more to do with him or his family. She eventually came to the realization that they couldn’t be held responsible for her ex’s actions and began to believe Noah was nothing like his brother and that his interest in her was more than just wanting to have her daughter in his life.

From the moment they met, Noah was captivated by Ceejay’s beauty, sweetness and strength. He saw that she was a wonderful mother and a caring, determined woman. He was instantly taken with her daughter, too, and set out to prove that he would be there for them no matter what. It wasn’t always easy finding his way past the walls Ceejay had built around her heart. Her resolve to depend on no one but herself and start over someplace else contrasted sharply with his desire to put down roots with her. Noah wanted nothing more than to settle there in Perfect where Ceejay already had family and a life, both of which he was coming to love.

I liked how much both Ceejay and Noah grew individually, as well as together. Their journey was filled with family drama, career choices and changes to each of their expectations from life. I thought the author did a wonderful job of portraying how a wounded warrior would go about learning to live with his PTSD and adjusting to civilian life. Noah really was a great hero. I would have liked a little more in the romance department – as a love story it was pretty tame. That really didn’t detract from the overall appeal of this book and I thought that their happy ever after was well done and well deserved.

I give Far From Perfect by Barbara Longley 4.25 stars.

Joint Review: Love Irresistibly (FBI/US Attorney #4)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Berkley

My Copy: Sent

Reviewed by: Pam/Nikki

HE’S USED TO GETTING WHAT HE WANTS… A former football star and one of Chicago’s top prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cade Morgan will do anything to nail a corrupt state senator, which means he needs Brooke Parker’s help. As general counsel for a restaurant company, she can get a bug to the senator’s table at one of her five-star restaurants so the FBI can eavesdrop on him. All Cade has to do is convince Brooke to cooperate—and he’s not afraid to use a little charm, or the power of his office, to do just that.

AND WHAT HE WANTS IS HER. A savvy businesswoman, Brooke knows she needs to play ball with the U.S. Attorney’s office—even if it means working with Cade. No doubt there’s a sizzling attraction beneath all their sarcastic quips, but Brooke is determined to keep things casual. Cade agrees—until a surprising turn of events throws his life into turmoil, and he realizes that he wants more than just a good time from the one woman with whom he could fall terrifyingly, irresistibly in love . . .

Brooke Parker has been the general counsel for Sterling Restaurants for two years; Ian Sterling has big plans for his company and wants to control the entertainment and ballpark restaurant contracts all around the country, he even set up a sports and entertainment division which Brooke was hired to run. She has been very successful gaining numerous sports arena contracts since she started. The only thing it has cost her are several relationships; Brooke’s boyfriend of three months recently dumps her telling her that she is not a “big picture” kind of girl. He is looking for someone different and ready for a family; unfortunately he is the third one in eighteen months to tell her the same thing.

Cade Morgan works for the U.S. Attorney’s office as a prosecutor, he has worked on some big cases and is well known in the community, however it helps that he is also famous for winning the Rose Bowl in the last few seconds and then having a career ending shoulder injury at the same time. Cade needs help with an ongoing investigation involving a dirty politician so is visiting Brooke to see what can be done; he takes FBI agents Seth and Vaughn to her office to see about setting up a sting operation by gaining access to Sterling’s 5 star restaurant to get evidence while the Senator dines.

Cade also has relationship problems, he just broke up with his girlfriend because she said he was emotionally unavailable and this was also not the first time he has heard that about him. He had several disappointing events in his childhood which caused most of his stilted emotions however he has not wanted to deal with them until life comes knocking in the form of a sixteen year old boy who is his half brother. They form a tenuous relationship which grows as they get to know each other.

Cade and Brooke’s relationship starts slow and as they continue to need each other’s help on various projects the connection grows into something more. It all comes to a head when both Cade’s past comes to meet up with him and she must decide on her future.

PAM: This is the fourth book in the FBI/U.S. Attorneys books and although loosely tied together they do share some of the same characters. The first books had a little more suspense and adventure as the hero and heroine spend some time trying to get the bad guys and getting out of some dangerous situations. However this newest installment did not have any of the previous suspenseful moments. I have to admit I really enjoyed the danger in Ms. James’ previous books and was a little disappointed. This is a true romance that deals with the problems of everyday life getting in the way of true love. That being said I did enjoy the story and the small amount of angst that Cade deals with about his past. I liked Cade and Brooke together as their banter was a witty back and forth continual conversation that was fun to read. Their personalities meshed well and the sexual tension and chemistry work. I really liked Brooke’s best friend Ford and loved when she accidentally “liked” an article on facebook to show all her “friends” she was interested in the Rules of Casual Sex, Ford’s reaction was hilarious. The pace of the story is good as you watch Cade’s and Brooke’s relationship grow into love.

Cade’s relationship with his brother, Zach is emotional as it brought out all the past feelings he had for his absent father, I liked that he made a statement that he was not going to treat Zach like his father treated him. I enjoyed seeing several characters from the other books; I really liked how Cade’s relationship with Rylann and Kyle was still alive despite him arresting Kyle for being the twitter terrorist. There are several characters that could be next in the series and I would enjoy reading any one of their stories.

I give Love Irresistibly by Julie James 3.50 stars!

NIKKI: Uggg Pam, you totally hit it on the head. Where was the heat? Where was the action? Not here, that’s where. I wanted to like this book. I did. I swear it. But nothing seemed to happen the entire book. it was slow paced (heh, Pam and I disagree on this one) and I found myself bored with Brooke’s constant indecision. She wants a steady boyfriend. She wants a life. yet she practically lives at work and then she wonders why even those boyfriends that have strong careers aren’t going for her. Well duh lady, you’re married to your job.

On the flip side I really enjoyed Cade’s character. He had this lawman, strong and steady vibe about him that just did it for me. He also had a ton of emotional baggage, which is nice for the man to have every once in awhile. When his past catches up to him and he finds out he has a half brother from the father who abandoned him…well to put it lightly, he’s rightfully pissed off. The man who left him didn’t leave this half brother and he essentially got to have the life Cade should have. I had to give Cade credit though, he reacted with grace and soon he and his brother are forging a relationship that will no doubt stand the test of time.

Together Brooke and Morgan slowly (and I mean that) evolve into a romance. It’s tame though so a wide range of romance readers should like that aspect. Problem was I just wasn’t blown away by their connection. It felt surface to me and I needed something more meaningful.

I wanted more from this book and really think it missed it’s mark in the string of this series. I will come back and see what the next journey is about and hope for the best.

I give Love Irresistibly by Julie James 2.75 stars

Kentucky Home by Sarah Title

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: eKensington

My Copy: NetGalley

Reviewer: Pam

In this warm and witty new series, author Sarah Title introduces readers to the down home Kentucky hospitality of the Carson family and their Wild Rose Farm and Stables. It’s a place where love is always possible–and sweeter than ever the second time around. . . Mallory Thompson and Keith Carson are far from impressed with each other when she arrives at his family’s horse farm, fleeing an abusive marriage. Mallory sees nothing but a gruff man who’s as patronizing as her soon-to-be ex-husband, and Keith has no time for a city girl who’s afraid of dogs. But the struggling Wild Rose is too small to allow anyone to keep their distance. . .

As one by one, Mallory wins the hearts of his family, from his cranky father to his headstrong younger sister and three-legged dog, Keith finds himself more than a little attracted to her stubborn charm. And the longer Mallory stays, the more she realizes Keith is nothing like the overbearing bully she married–and the more she fantasizes about being in his strong, loving arms. Maybe some folks get a second chance to make a first impression after all. . .

It is wonderful to have good friends to turn to when you need them, too bad they are sometimes a little unpredictable. Mallory Thompson is a good friend of Luke Carson and when she needs help, he was the one person she can turn to. She is married to Michael, a doctor who is not only controlling but also emotionally and recently physically abusive and she is ready to get out.

Luke lives in DC and works as a bartender and although he is a good friend he is never satisfied to stay in one place and was always thinking of his next move or his next project. He grew up on a Kentucky horse ranch and although his family still lives there and works the ranch, when he visits he can only stay for a short time.

Luke’s brother Keith works the family ranch called the Wild Rose along with their sister and dad, trying to keep it from going bankrupt. Keith was married three years ago however she died tragically and he has had a hard time moving on. He is a veterinarian but stopped working with the local vet when his wife died; the vet has been hounding him to come back so he can retire.

Luke takes Mal to his family while she decides what to do about the rest of her life and her soon to be ex-husband. Luke makes up a fake engagement telling her it will help his family embrace her. She hates lying but will do it for Luke because he is helping her but after being there only one day Luke takes off for places unknown, leaving only a note, and here she is, a little embarrassed, stunned and now has to face the family while lying, oh she is in trouble.

His family is very welcoming and they see nothing wrong with what Luke did, they just explain that Luke is like that, he never stays in one spot for too long. Keith on the other hand is reliable and stable, although a little hard to get to know as he is a very gruff and at times she thinks he may be a little like her soon to be ex, however she quickly realizes he is nothing like Michael and that he is hurting too much to give himself completely.

A touching debut romance that makes me look forward to more from this author. Mal was a wonderful character, I loved her humor and the way she handled herself for most of the time, at least until she talked to her husband, then it took a while for her to come out of her shell, she said he just took the words away from her when he spoke to her. Yet I loved how she grew at the ranch surrounded by the family that embraced her from the start. Even after they found out that she and Luke lied, they were OK with the explanation. Luke was a little frustrating and I will be interested in seeing if he gets his own story someday, I would like to see the woman that gets him to settle down, or maybe they will just go off together. He was a wonderful friend however not much as boyfriend material.

Keith was also a great character, gruff in the beginning as he did not want to like Mal, however such a deep emotional man as he dealt with his grief, trying to let love back into his life, they make a great couple. Libby was wonderful as the glue that held the family together as she fussed and made sure everyone had what they needed. She was hilarious when she slipped the condoms in the picnic basket for Keith and Mal when they go off together one afternoon. The ending was a little surprising as I did not see the danger coming and I am not sure it needed to be there, however it all ended well, come on – it is a romance. All in all a wonderful story about second chances in life and love that comes unexpectantly.

I give Kentucky Home by Sarah Title 4.0 stars!

Anything For You by Jessica Scott (Coming Home #1.5)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance – Short Story

Publisher: Self Pub

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Pam

Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison has spent a year recovering from his combat injuries. A year spent in the arms of the woman of his dreams. But loving Jen comes with a price: every time he touches her, he faces the uncertain fear that loving her might mean losing her forever.

Jen is a breast cancer survivor and with Shane, she’s found a man who loves her despite her scars. But her scars may be too much for their love to survive. As their love grows, so does the risk to Jen’s life. And Shane must make the toughest decision any man can make to save the woman he loves.

An emotional visit with a young couple we met in Ms. Scott’s book “Because of You”. This is a short visit with Shane and Jen that have struggled as they both deal with past issues and continued current problems. They are still reeling from Jen’s breast cancer battle that is still so vivid and Shane’s injuries from Iraq.

Shane is scared that Jen with have a re-occurrence with cancer and does not want a pregnancy to make things worse if there needs to be a horrible decision made. Shane knows Jen wants kids and knows he needs to talk to her about why he wants to take this drastic step but he is scared of her reaction. However it is taken out of his hands when she finds the papers for his vasectomy. She is angry, both because he has not talked to her about it and also because she wants a family.

As they both talk through the choice, they make the decision together that a family is what you make of it and no matter what they will make a wonderful family of their own.

This is a heartfelt visit with a couple truly in love with each other that need to make some life changing decisions. We also get a glimpse in to Laura and Trent’s continued struggles and see how Vic Carponti is doing with his re-hab. A nice addition to the series.

I give Anything For You by Jessica Scott 3.5 stars!