Category: Contemporary Romance

Hot Toy by Jennifer Crusie

Posted October 16, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Hot ToyTitle:  Hot Toy
Series:
Author:  Jennifer Crusie
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published:  October 13, 2015
Publisher:  St. Martin’s Paperbacks
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Mayhem ensues under the mistletoe as a determined shopper grabs the very last hot toy action figure off the shelf, only to find herself plunged into the middle of a real-life spy game and in the arms of a sexy secret agent.

Previously published in the anthology Santa, Baby, HOT TOY is now available as a standalone e-story for the first time!

Read on for my thoughts on Hot Toy.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Love Me Tender by Ally Blake

Posted October 16, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Love me TenderTitle:  Love me Tender
Series:  The Cinderella Project #2
Author:  Ally Blake
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  October 12, 2015
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

It was love at first sight…

When her Papa loses his job, indomitable Serafina Scott insists it’s her turn to take care of him – meaning landing a well-paying job…and fast. Which is how she ends up working for the Cinderella Project, a high-end matchmaking business, even though she’s certainly no expert on affairs of the heart. Until she meets Murdoch, the gruff builder restoring her extravagant new work place. He’s inscrutable, infuriating, and gorgeous…

Convincing them was a whole other matter.

Murdoch finds Sera confounding…and luminous. But beneath her firecracker exterior, she is dangerously soft-hearted, and the last thing she needs is a broken brute like him.

While Sera does her best to convince Murdoch that they are a match made in heaven, Murdoch makes it his mission to prove her wrong. Will it come down to who’s the most convincing…or who’s most willing to be convinced?

Read on for my thoughts on Love me Tender.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Return of the Jerk by Andrea Simonne

Posted October 16, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Return of the JerkTitle:  Return of the Jerk
Series:  Sweet Life in Seattle #2
Author:  Andrea Simonne
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  September 17, 2015
Publisher:  Liebe Publishing
My Rating:  4  stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Steamy and fun, an irresistible story of one woman’s obsession and the jerk-like object of her unrequited love…

Wedding cake baker Blair Thomas loves her life. Her business is thriving, her Seattle condo has a great view of the water, and her refurbished ‘65 convertible Mustang “Isadora” is the coolest car ever. She barely even thinks about that jerk she married five years ago. The one who abandoned her after four months of marriage. The one who left a note on her pillow saying, “See you later, babe.”

Seriously, who does that?

So what if she was once obsessively in love with him. He’s her best friend’s older brother and for years he barely even knew she was alive. He never loved her, and he only married her because of a drunken mistake. At least she’s over him.

Definitely over him.

The only problem is Blair never got around to divorcing him so technically they’re still married. And after five years of traveling the world—Nathan “Road” Church—has finally decided to come home. He arrived on Blair’s doorstep this morning, and now he’s in her bathroom taking a shower. The nerve of him! Oh, and did I mention he’s still hot? Blair doesn’t know what to do.

The jerk has returned.

Read on for my thoughts on Return of the Jerk.  Notrue spoilers, promise.

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A Royal Christmas Gift by LuAnn McLane

Posted October 16, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

A Royal Christmas GiftTitle:  A Royal Christmas Gift
Series:  Happily Ever After
Author:  LuAnn mcLane
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published:  October 12, 2015
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Prince Royal Nicholas Worthington is devastated when he learns that his monarchy is being used as a tax haven for the wealthy and drug runners. To protect his people, he flees to Alabama and poses as Nick Worth, an inspector for the National Historical Society.

Anna Lee is floored when Nick Worth shows up on her doorstep to give her grant money to restore her home. She’s charmed by the handsome inspector with his European accent and takes him up on his offer. The two week restoration project turns into something much more, but Nick fears that his presence could put his southern beauty in danger.

As Christmas Eve approaches Nicholas must decide if he can put the woman he loves at risk or disappear from her life forever…

Read on for my thoughts on A Royal Christmas Gift.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Some Girls Don’t by Amy Andrews

Posted October 15, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Some Girls Don'tTitle:  Some Girls Don’t
Series:  Outback Heat #2
Author:  Amy Andrews
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  October 6, 2015
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Local television reporter Selena Durrum is in Jumbuck Springs for three days. Get in, see her grandmother, give her speech, and get out. Her career is about to hit big and she can’t afford any distractions. Especially not her childhood sweetheart…

Jarrod Weston, rural firefighter, isn’t worried about seeing the woman who’d done a midnight runner on him fifteen years earlier. It was a long time ago and he’s moved on with his life… right?

But neither of them were ready for their still potent attraction and the heavy pull of unfinished business. But then Selena gets offered the opportunity of a lifetime and once again has to choose between love and career… Will she go with her heart, or her head?

Read on for my thoughts on Some Girls Don’t.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Her Accidental Husband by Ashlee Mallory

Posted October 15, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Her Accidental HusbandTitle:  Her Accidental Husband
Series:  The Sorensen Family #2
Author:  Ashlee Mallory
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  October 12, 2015
Publisher:  Entangled Bliss
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Payton Vaughn’s trip to Puerto Vallarta for her friend’s wedding was her big escape from her ridiculously overbearing mother–oh, and that little matter with her cheating fiancé. Now, her flight’s been cancelled, and she’s crammed into a tiny car with the gorgeous-but-irritating best man.

Viva la road trip from hell…

Cruz Sorensen doesn’t have time to babysit some spoiled socialite, even if she is the future daughter-in-law of the man who could change the fortune of his family’s company. He has no business getting to know her better—not even for all the tequila in Mexico…until they wake up with grande-sized hangovers as man and wife.

Now Payton and Cruz must decide if they’ve reached the end of their journey…or the beginning of a new adventure.

Read on for my thoughts on Her Accidental Husband.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Christmas at Evergreen Inn by Donna Alward

Posted October 15, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Christmas at Evergreen InnTitle:  Christmas at Evergreen Inn
Series:  Jewell Cove #3.5
Author:  Donna Alward
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published:  October 13, 2015
Publisher:  St. Martin’s Paperbacks
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

When a December Nor’easter roars up the eastern seaboard, Jewell Cove cop Todd Ricker spends his day off being a Good Samaritan to stranded holiday travelers. But when the roads close and Todd can’t make his way home, he discovers that the Evergreen Inn is full up. Until another Good Samaritan opens her doors and offers him a place to stay…

Lainey Price is not looking forward to Christmas, but just because she’s not filled with the holiday spirit doesn’t mean she’s going to turn Todd out into the stormy night. Even if it means offering the handsome police officer the couch in her tiny cottage. But when the weather takes a turn for the worse, the two are snowed in for a wintry evening by the fire. With Christmas only a few days away, can Todd convince Lainey to open her heart to the season…and love?

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas at Evergreen Inn.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Merry Mistletoe by Emma Davies

Posted October 15, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Merry MistletoeTitle:  Merry Mistletoe
Series:
Author:  Emma Davies
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published:  October 15, 2015
Publisher:
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Sherbourne Mistletoe has been prized and sold at the annual Mistletoe Fair for over a hundred years; but could this year possibly be the last? With her father’s sudden death and debts mounting up it looks as though Freya’s only hope for the future is to sell her beloved family home. And to make matters worse, the only contenders to buy Appleyard Farm, are the people she’d least like to sell it to – the dreaded Henderson brothers who seem always to make life so difficult.

It’s magical stuff though, mistletoe, and the arrival of the mysterious Amos Fry brings a glimmer of hope that just maybe Freya can fall in love with Christmas all over again.

Read on for my thoughts on Merry Mistletoe.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Need You For Always by Marina Adair

Posted October 15, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Need You For AlwaysTitle:  Need You For Always
Series:  Heroes of St. Helena #2
Author:  Marina Adair
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  October 13, 2015
Publisher:  Montlake Romance
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Emerson “Emi” Blake dropped out of culinary school to care for her ailing mother, but she has bigger dreams than running St. Helena’s most popular pita cart. First on the menu: upgrade to a gourmet food truck. A new part-time job as a personal chef will definitely provide the funds, but it also forces her into close contact with her one and only one-night stand, Dax Baudouin, who’s daring her to try a second taste.

Former army Ranger Dax has a clear mission: come home, get healed, and get gone. Yet Emi’s tough-girl exterior and hidden soft side are even harder to resist than her mouthwatering baklava. After years of battles, he knows better than to try and rescue anyone—not that she’ll let him get close enough to try. Truth is, Dax is starting to think that Emi’s the one person who can save him…if he can just persuade her to give him another shot.

Read on for my thoughts on Need You For Always.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Need You For Keeps by Marina Adair

Posted October 14, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Need You for KeepsTitle:  Need You For Keeps
Series:  Heroes of St. Helena #1
Author:  Marina Adair
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  March 3, 2015
Publisher:  Montlake Romance
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  Borrowed, Kindle Unlimited
Cover Description:

When it comes to caring for the furry residents of St. Helena, California, groomer and pet rescuer Shay Michaels can handle anything. Humans are another story, though especially Deputy Jonah Baudouin. He’s the town’s resident superhero: upright, uptight, and jaw-droppingly gorgeous, even when he’s investigating complaints about Shay’s beloved foster animals. And that spells danger for Shay, a free spirit who can’t risk trusting the wrong person again.

Jonah and Shay have been circling each other ever since she came to town, and he’s running out of reasons to “not” kiss her senseless. But this deputy is a straight shooter with his eye on the sheriff’s badge. He can’t afford to get involved with Shay, a chaos magnet with luscious curves who’s liable to turn his career and his life upside down. He enforces laws. She breaks them repeatedly. Keeping her out of trouble is becoming a full-time job and it’s one he hopes is never going to end.

Read on for my thoughts on Need You For Keeps.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Montana Rogue by Debra Salonen

Posted October 8, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Montana RogueTitle:  Montana Rogue
Series:  Big Sky Mavericks #6
Author:  Debra Salonen
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  October 8, 2015
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Roommates with benefits. A temporary arrangement between two people with time on their hands. Who could possibly get hurt?

“Get your Zip On” – That’s Tucker Montgomery‘s slogan for the new zip line he’s building near Marietta, Montana. But before Tucker can get the first pole in the ground, he suffers an injury that could cost him everything, until help arrives in a surprising–but gorgeous–package: Amanda Heller. They’ll share her grandmother’s guest house while he supervises the old Victorian’s restoration… all with the added benefit of exploring a sizzling mutual attraction.

Amanda Heller knows her exile to Montana is her family’s excuse to spare them the embarrassing fallout from her very public breakup with her ex-boss’s son that left her jobless and living in her parent’s Manhattan home. But then Amanda strikes a bargain with injured, sexy businessman Tucker Montgomery, who needs a place to stay while recovering. A hot summer fling seems just the thing for Amanda and Tucker, something to enjoy for a month or two tops. Most certainly not long enough to fall in love.

Read on for my thoughts on Montana Rogue.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Four Weddings and a White Christmas by Jenny Oliver

Posted October 8, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Four Weddings and a White ChristmasTitle:  Four Weddings and a White Christmas
Series:  Cherry Pie Island #5
Author:  Jenny Oliver
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published:  October 8, 2015
Publisher:  Carina UK
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

It’s Christmas! And this year Cherry Pie Island is covered with confetti as well as snow – as the island gets set to celebrate four weddings, as well as the most picturesque Christmas in memory. Nowhere does a deliciously warm and wonderfully festive Christmas as Cherry Pie Island!

Welcome back to Cherry Pie Island…the most delicious place to spend Christmas!

Hannah’s holidays are normally spent nibbling chocolate coins with her daughter and arguing with her sister about whether they’re too old for stockings on Christmas morning. But this year, she’s been offered the dressmaker’s job of a lifetime: creating a one-of-a-kind a dress for her school friend Annie’s Christmas wedding on the picture-perfect Cherry Pie Island.

Many mince pies and one hot-pink organza dress later, Hannah is set to snuggle back into her old routine…until she discovers that there are three more weddings this winter – and not a dress in sight!

Four very different themes, four demanding brides and four parties spent avoiding chef Harry Fontaine, whose cynicism is as much a wedding day guarantee as confetti and cake. Hannah has her work cut out for her! Yet, with a sprinkling of snowflakes and Christmas magic, it could be that this is the year when miracles really do happen…if Hannah will let them.

Read on for my thoughts on Four Weddings and a White Christmas.  No true spoilers, promise.

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A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford

Posted October 7, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 2 Comments

A Cowboy Firefighter for ChristmasTitle:  A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas
Series:  Smokin’ Hot Cowboys #1
Author:  Kim Redford
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published:  October 6, 2015
Publisher:  Sourcebooks Casablanca
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Warm up this Christmas with a sexy cowboy firefighter who knows how to ignite flames as well as put them out…

Trey Duval is a rancher, proud as can be of his Wildcat Ranch. He’s also the top volunteer firefighter of Wildcat Bluff, Texas, the town that pulls out all the stops for its Christmas festivities.

City girl Misty Reynolds comes to Wildcat Bluff just in time to help Trey put out a suspicious fire, leading him to dub her his “Christmas angel.” Unfortunately, Misty’s past has left her with terrible memories of fire, and of Christmastime.

As the two are thrown together again and again, Trey finds himself wanting Misty more and more, and Misty feels stronger and braver when Trey is around. Though their trust grows slowly, their passion for each other is burning hot…

Read on for my thoughts on A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas.  No true spoilers, promise.

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All Is Calm, All Is Bright by Colleen Coble

Posted October 7, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

All Is Calm All Is BrightTitle:  All Is Calm & All Is Bright
Series:
Author:  Colleen Coble
Genre:  Christmas Romance
Published:  October 6, 2015
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson – Fiction
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

ALL IS CALM

Brendan Waddell needs a place to recuperate. Lauren Everman needs a place to hide. It’s going to be an unexpectedly romantic Christmas at Bluebird Ranch.

Brendan Waddell has always considered Bluebird Ranch a little piece of heaven: an idyllic ranch that pairs abused children with abused horses, run by one of his old Marine buddies. Now, recovering from an on-the-job injury, Brendan thinks the ranch is the perfect place to spend Christmas healing up.

When Lauren Everman was a seventeen-year-old foster kid, Bluebird Ranch was the safest place she knew. Now it’s the perfect hideout for a woman on the run. As the witness to a murder, Lauren needs somewhere to lie low, and her skill with horses means she’ll be able to lend a hand with the troubled kids at Bluebird—without answering too many questions.

Lauren’s rich hair, high cheekbones, and dark eyes immediately get Brendan’s attention—but so does her secretive behavior. This Special Ops Intel man knows a woman on the run when he sees one, and he’s not about to let her put Bluebird Ranch at risk.

But as Brendan and Lauren get to know each other, their suspicions evaporate and romance starts to sizzle. But this would-be couple has more to worry about than each other—there’s a killer on the loose who wants Lauren kept quiet.

ALL IS BRIGHT

A romantic, Christmas wedding at her seaside hotel gives Delilah a chance to shine with her unique gifts. But will her light be snuffed out before the bride and groom say “I do”?

As manager of the Tidewater Inn, Delilah Carter has been planning a spectacular Christmas wedding for her friends at the grand hotel overlooking the ocean. While picking up still more twinkly lights and some last-minute groceries for the reception dinner, a huge truck runs her off the freezing, wet roads into the dark night. Her car stops just short of an enormous tree and the truck speeds off into the night. Delilah escapes with her life and has almost convinced herself the whole thing was an accident, but then she begins to receive threatening phone calls. With the wedding just hours away, she’s distracted and anxious. Then Sheriff Tom Bourne stops by the inn and volunteers to help.

Tom has always had a soft spot for Delilah, and he’s determined to protect her. But he is pulled away by a bizarre Christmas stunt that has the neighborhood reeling, and Delilah is attacked again.

Will Delilah have to cancel the Christmas wedding at Tidewater Inn? And will Tom’s protection be enough to save Delilah from the shadowy figure looming in the background?

Read on for my thoughts on All Is Calm & All Is Bright.  No true spoilers, promise.

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Home For Christmas by Lily Everett

Posted October 6, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Home For ChristmasTitle:  Home For Christmas
Series:  Sanctuary Island #4
Author:  Lily Everett
Genre:  Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance
Published:  October 6, 2015
Publisher:  St. Martin’s Press
My Rating:  5 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Magazine columnist Libby Leeds has made a name for herself sharing heartwarming stories from her perfect life on Sanctuary Island. There’s just one minor detail she’s left out: she hasn’t set foot on the island since her childhood. Orphaned and heartbroken, she departed years ago and never looked back-except in her fictional columns. Now a wounded war hero is returning to Sanctuary Island, and Libby’s editor insists she cover the story by taking the long road back…

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Army Ranger Owen Shepard is a tall, handsome single father, and now a media sensation. He wants to reconnect with his daughter, Caitlin, and make up for lost time by giving her a Christmas to remember. When “America’s Favorite Homemaker” Libby Leeds offers her help, he jumps at the chance. But the sweet, reclusive writer is more intriguing, and more tempting, than Owen could have imagined. Soon, Owen and Caitlin are spending their holiday with Libby, decorating trees, making gingerbread houses, and warming up by the fire. It’s the closest Libby has come to love and family since she was a child-but until she and Owen admit what is in their hearts, the home they are creating together will be only in their dreams.

Read on for my thoughts on Home for Christmas.  No true spoilers, promise.

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