Category: Contemporary Romance

Choose Me, Cowboy by Barbara Ankrum

Posted October 21, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 2 Comments

Title: Choose Me, Cowboy
Series: Montana Born Rodeo 2015 # 4
Author: Barbara Ankrum
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 9, 2015
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Marietta Kindergarten teacher, Kate Canaday, is doing perfectly well without the ex-love of her life mucking up her intention to stay gloriously uncommitted. So what if she’s become—according to her sisters—a serial dater? If pro-bull rider Finn Scott’s untimely defection six years ago taught her anything, it was that men come with an expiration date. And she’s more than happy to oblige them.

Trouble is, the sexier-than-ever Finn, now a devoted single father, has just moved to Marietta with his adorable five-year-old twins. He’s in an unexpected custody battle with his ex and too proud to ask Kate for help in making his crazy life look stable. But Kate sees helping him as a way of sealing off the hurt from her past once and for all. If they can just keep their hands off each other. After all…expiration date, right?

Not if Finn has anything to say about it…

Read on for my thoughts on Choose Me, Cowboy. No true spoilers, promise.

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale

Posted October 21, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses
Series:
Author: Jenny Hale
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 18, 2015
Publisher: Bookouture
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

An uplifting, beautiful story about never letting go of your dreams, the special magic of a family Christmas… and the rush of falling in love under the mistletoe.

Single mother Abbey Fuller loves her family more than anything, and doesn’t regret for a moment having had to put her dreams of being an interior designer on hold. But with her son, Max, growing up, when a friend recommends her for a small design job she jumps at the chance. How hard can it be?

Nick Sinclair needs his house decorated in time for his family’s festive visit – and money is no object. What he doesn’t need is to be distracted from his multi-million dollar business – even if it is Christmas.

When Abbey pulls up to the huge Sinclair mansion, she has a feeling she might be out of her depth. And when she meets the gorgeous, brooding Nicholas Sinclair, she knows that she’s in real trouble…

With the snow falling all around, can Abbey take the chance to make her dreams of being a designer come true? And can she help Nick to finally enjoy the magic of Christmas?

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses. No true spoilers, promise.

Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin

Posted October 21, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Christmas at Lilac Cottage
Series: White Cliff Bay #1
Author: Holly Martin
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: September 25, 2015
Publisher: Bookouture
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Welcome to the charming seaside town of White Cliff Bay, where Christmas is magical and love is in the air…

Penny Meadows loves her home – a cosy cottage decorated with pretty twinkling fairy lights and stunning views over the town of White Cliff Bay. She also loves her job as an ice-carver, creating breathtaking sculptures. Yet her personal life seems frozen.

When Henry and daughter Daisy arrive at the cottage to rent the annex, Penny is determined to make them feel welcome. But while Daisy is friendly, Henry seems guarded.

As Penny gets to know Henry, she realises there is more to him than meets the eye. And the connection between them is too strong to ignore…

While the spirit of the season sprinkles its magic over the seaside town and preparations for the ice sculpting competition and Christmas eve ball are in full swing, can Penny melt the ice and allow love in her heart? And will this finally be the perfect Christmas she’s been dreaming of?

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas at Lilac Cottage. No true spoilers, promise.

Snowflake Wishes by Maggie McGinnis

Posted October 20, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Snowflake Wishes
Series: Echo Lake #0.5 (prequel)
Author: Maggie McGinnis
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 13, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Noah Drake was that guy–the one always on the lookout for his next adrenaline high, so it was no surprise when he took off across the world, seeking adventure as a travel writer. But one thing he could never escape was Piper Bellini, the girl who got away–the girl he let get away, a fact he’s never let himself forget.

When he returns to Echo Lake to see if there’s any chance the flame between them can be rekindled, he never expects to spend the night holed up with Piper in a roadside diner while a blizzard rages outside. It’s exactly the kind of situation that sent Piper running years ago. But this time, Noah may have been handed a Christmas miracle, and he intends to make all of his and Piper’s wishes come true.

Read on for my thoughts on Snowflake Wishes. No true spoilers, promise.

Jingle Bell Harbor by Tracy Brogan

Posted October 20, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Jingle Bell Harbor
Series: Bell Harbor #3.5
Author: Tracy Brogan
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 20, 2015
Publisher: Montlake Romance
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

As assistant buyer for the world’s second-largest Christmas store, Kelsey Parker feels like a holiday harlot. She’s contractually obligated to promote the yuletide season. All. Year. Long. And it’s taking a toll on her spirit. But when her clueless, self-absorbed boyfriend goes on their long-anticipated romantic vacation—without her!—Kelsey is beyond disappointed to find herself tromping through the Bell Harbor snow instead of lounging on a tropical beach.

Drew Hampton is considered quite a catch among the Bell Harbor bachelorettes, but when his high school dream girl, Kelsey Parker, shows up at his grandfather’s Christmas tree lot complaining about her love life, he decides it’s long past time to get her under the mistletoe himself.

As things heat up between the two, a surprise visitor arrives, making Kelsey an offer she can’t quite believe. Now she must decide what matters most, and she just may discover the key to her happiness.

Read on for my thoughts on Jingle Bell Harbor. No true spoilers, promise.

Christmas in Vermont by Bryan Mooney

Posted October 20, 2015 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Christmas in Vermont
Series:
Author: Bryan Mooney
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas Romance
Published: October 20, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

In the small town of Woodstock, Vermont, Christmas means white snow and warm traditions. For ex-Marine Jack Reynolds, it’s a chance to visit home and sort out his life. He’s engaged but unhappy, his brother is missing in action, and he often thinks about Hope, the beautiful teacher who helped him survive an attack in Iraq before disappearing. Unbeknownst to Jack, Hope is in Woodstock, having sworn to visit the hometown of the man who saved her life.

A chance encounter brings Jack and Hope together once more, and they instantly feel the same deep connection that sustained them in Iraq. When a long-lost bag of Christmas cards is discovered at the local post office, the pair sets out to deliver them. As the letters bring joy around Woodstock, Jack and Hope grow closer—but misunderstandings and uncertainty come between them. Can the cozy town’s Christmas spirit help them find the courage to follow their hearts?

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas in Vermont, A Very White Christmas. No true spoilers, promise.

Lost in Tennessee by Anita DeVito

Posted October 19, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Lost in Tennessee
Series: Lost #1
Author: Anita DeVito
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 19, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Select Suspense
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Sometimes a man finds trouble…and sometimes it comes looking for him…

Heartache makes for good country music. It’s what country superstar Butch McCormick keeps telling himself. He’s done with women and can’t handle one more disappointment. He’s taking a few months off to work on the old house on his parents’ land to fix shutters, scrape paint, and figure out what he wants in life…

Then she appears out of nowhere, with red hair and a peaches-and-cream complexion…and just so damned lost.

Architect Kate Riley doesn’t have the luxury of getting lost, having a damaged car, or being smitten by a sexy-talkin’ cowboy with an irresistible smile. But the longer Kate stays at Elderberry Farm, the stranger things get. For one, there’s the crazy chemistry between her and Butch. For another, dead bodies are starting to turn up…and Kate might be the murderer’s next victim.

Read on for my thoughts on Lost in Tennessee. No true spoilers, promise.

Ghosts of St. Barts by Emme Cross

Posted October 17, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Title: Ghosts of St. Barts
Series: St. Barts #5
Author: Emme Cross
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: September 30, 2015
Publisher: Joffe Books
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Sunny and Sven should be blissfully happy. His acting career is booming; they have a beautiful baby daughter and are planning to spend time in Oslo to be near Sven’s family.

But the death of a dear friend brings back traumatic memories for Sunny. Can their relationship survive the ghosts from the past?

Grief, trauma . . . and reconciliation, how do you escape your history?

Read on for my thoughts on Ghosts of St. Barts. No true spoilers, promise.

Promises To Keep by Patricia Sands

Posted October 17, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: Promises To Keep
Series: Love In Provence #2
Author: Patricia Sands
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Published: October 13, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Falling in love with the south of France was no surprise to Katherine. Choosing to walk away from her past and start over was completely unexpected. A new country, a new lover, and the promise of a bright future beginning in mid-life … who knew?

Now there were the exciting dreams of restoring the property on the Cap, of beginning a new career, of experiencing the traditions of Christmas in Provence, of falling even more deeply in love with the man who inspired these hopes.

It was all so perfect, until it wasn’t.

She had embraced new possibilities in life and given her heart only to discover something was being kept from her. Something terrible from her lover’s past. Something that could destroy everything.

What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, had become her mantra. Would it be enough?

Read on for my thoughts on Promises To Keep. No true spoilers, promise.

Lethal Game by Julie Rowe

Posted October 17, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Lethal Game
Series: Biological Response Team #2
Author: Julie Rowe
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Thriller
Published: October 12, 2015
Publisher: Carina Press
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

As the nation’s youngest virologist and hematologist, Captain Sophia Perry has always been one step ahead of her peers. But there’s one thing she can’t beat—cancer. She wants to make a difference in the time she has left, so when she’s sent to investigate a breakout at a Syrian refugee camp, she goes, saying nothing of her diagnosis. But saving the masses isn’t easy when the man tasked to protect her is so irresistible.

Communications Sergeant Connor Button is back on active duty after a deadly explosion, but he doesn’t feel whole again until he meets Sophia. Assigned to keep her safe, he’s prepared to die for her, but for the first time in months he truly wants to live—if only she wasn’t so determined to put them both in danger.

With a secret to keep and nothing to lose, Sophia is determined to find the source of the breakout at any cost. Violent attacks on the camp convince her that someone wants her to pay dearly. But as Sophia’s health deteriorates, Connor must find a way to help her defeat her enemies before her body defeats her.

Read on for my thoughts on Lethal Game. No true spoilers, promise.

Seducing Seven by MK Meredith

Posted October 17, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 2 Comments

Title: Seducing Seven
Series: What Happens In Vegas #9
Author: MK Meredith
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 12, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Loveswept
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

He bet on logic. She bet on love.

Romance author Seven Michaels believes in love to her very core. She has to–not only for herself, but for her readers. So when luxury salesman Blake Turner insults not only her books but the people who read them, Seven’s ready to throw down. How dare a playboy like Blake insinuate romance lovers are full of crap?

He wants proof? Fine. She bets Blake she can make him fall for her by using the rules in her latest novel before the end of the convention, or she’ll denounce love in front of all her fellow authors and fans at the Romance Lovers Convention ball. A dangerous game to be sure, but humiliating Blake is worth the risk.

But when Seven realizes she’s the one who’s being seduced, she’s no longer sure who is playing whom…or whether she’ll have a career when the bet is over.

Read on for my thoughts on Seducing Seven. No true spoilers, promise.