Category: Contemporary Romance

Review: The Bachelor’s Baby by Dani Collins

Posted March 10, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: The Bachelor’s Baby
Series: Montana Born Bachelor Auction
Author: Dani Collins
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: March 6, 2015
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Your date with Bachelor #3 includes champagne and chocolate in the limo that collects you, a helicopter tour of Marietta and the surrounding mountains and valleys, and dinner at a five star restaurant in Great Falls. While oil baron Linc Brady wines and dines you, a maid service will completely clean your home.

Who could resist this tempting offer, but Meg Canon plans to do just that. She is only home to clean out her childhood bedroom for her brother’s new step-daughter and then she’s outta her childhood small town and back to her life in Chicago, but when she meets the sexy, renegade millionaire while she’s stuck in the snow, sparks fly and Meg is tempted to maybe stay a little longer.

Linc Brady is new in town and happy to help a kid in need, but this? Technically he doesn’t owe Meg a damned thing after she bids on him, after setting him up for the Marietta bachelor auction in the first place, but her high-class city polish is his fatal weakness and makes her impossible to forget. When she agrees to come home with him, he makes it clear he’s a confirmed bachelor. This is a one-night thing. One night that turns into nine months and maybe a lifetime…?

Read on for my thoughts on The Bachelor’s Baby. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Bachelor At Her Bidding by Kate Hardy

Posted March 8, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Bachelor At Her Bidding
Series: Montana Born Bachelor Auctions (novella book 2)
Author: Kate Hardy
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 27, 2015
My Rating: 4 star
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Your date with Parisian-trained chef Ryan Henderson promises you’ll get the best meal of your life cooked especially for you. His Red Velvet cheesecake is to die for – but we know he has even better desserts up his sleeve…

How to win a girl in ten cakes…

When Dr. Rachel Cassidy comes back to Marietta with a broken heart and a divorce under her belt, going to a Bachelor Auction fundraiser doesn’t sound like her idea of a good time – and when her sister and friends “buy” her a dinner date with sexy Parisian-trained pastry chef Ryan Henderson, that sounds even worse.

Ryan doesn’t have time for dating – he’s put his dreams to one side and come back to Marietta to look after his sick grandmother. But when he agrees to help a charity fundraiser by offering to cook a special meal to one lucky bidder, he gets more than he bargains for and discovers a woman he might just dare to let himself fall in love with.

Then tragedy strikes, just when Rachel and Ryan think they might have a future, opening up old scars and pushing them apart.

And if they’re to stand a chance of getting back together, then Ryan’s going to have to be seriously inventive. Can he win the love of his life with ten cakes?

Read on for my thoughts on Bachelor At Her Bidding. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Bound To The Bachelor by Sarah Mayberry

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

Title: Bound To The Bachelor
Series: Montana Born Bachelor Auction (book 1)
Author: Sarah Mayberry
Genre: Contemporary Romance (novella)
Published: February 20, 2015
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Your date with Marietta local Beau Bennett includes a day on the slopes at Big Sky Resort, complete with a sumptuous meal in the Resort’s fanciest fine dining restaurant and door-to-door transport. Dig deep to secure the attentions of one of Montana’s most eligible – and elusive – bachelors.

Lily Taylor knows Beau Bennett dislikes her, but that won’t stop her from asking him to volunteer for the Bachelor Auction she’s organized to help her friend Molly provide for her tragically injured son, Josh. If Beau’s gorgeous face, piercing blue eyes and chiseled body inspires the women of Marietta to dig into their pockets for a good cause, then Lily will do whatever it takes to secure his participation.

Beau Bennett isn’t sure how he wound up on the auction block being eyed up by hundreds of eager women, but he knows who to blame for it – Lily Taylor, the sexy, distracting, off-limits best friend of his kid sister. As far as he’s concerned, the sooner this nightmare is over, the better.

The last thing either of them expects is for Lily to wind up bidding on – and winning – Beau, or that their date will lead to Beau stepping in to save Lily when her past comes back to haunt her. As Beau does his best to keep Lily safe, they discover that maybe they don’t dislike each other quite as much as they thought.

In fact, maybe it’s just the opposite…

Read on for my thoughts on Bound To The Bachelor. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Nora Roberts Land by Ava Miles

Posted March 4, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Title: Nora Roberts Land
Series: Dare Valley (book 1)
Author: Ava Miles
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: July 2, 2013
My Rating: 4 outta 5 stars
Source: personal collection, owned

Story Blurb:

Journalist Meredith Hale’s ex-husband claimed her Nora Roberts addiction gave her unrealistic expectations about marriage, and she believed him. All dreams of happily ever after—or Nora Roberts Land as her mother calls it—went up in smoke. But when her family asks her to temporarily help their Dare Valley, Colorado newspaper, she decides it’s time to change her life and prove her ex wrong. She’s determined to find her own small-town Nora Roberts hero, prove that true love exists, and publish a story about her quest.

War correspondent Tanner McBride has just returned stateside to work for a major newspaper, and the last thing he expects is blackmail. Yet, before he can even unpack, he’s headed to Colorado. His assignment? Make his boss’s ex-wife fall for him and then break her heart. Her article about discovering love à la Nora might air dirty laundry about her marriage to the media mogul, threatening his senate run. The mogul wants Meredith stopped, and he makes sure Tanner has no choice in the matter.

When the two meet, the sparks between them are undeniable. Meredith, who vowed never to date another journalist, begins to succumb. Could Tanner be her Nora Roberts hero? As they work together to uncover the truth behind a suspicious death, the depth of their feelings unfolds and both realize they’ve kept their secrets for far too long. But before the truth can be revealed, their investigation takes a deadly turn, one that might make Meredith’s personal Nora Roberts Land go up in flames.

Read on for my thoughts on Nora Roberts Land. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: A Christmas Wedding by Jennifer Lewis

Posted February 19, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

A Christmas Wedding Desert Kings Title: A Christmas Wedding
Series: Desert Kings (novella)
Author: Jennifer Lewis
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: December 9, 2014
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

In A Christmas Wedding, Sam Al Kilanjar attempts to negotiate her first holiday season in a country with different customs, a big fat Ubarite wedding and the arrival of her drama-loving family, all without losing her mind—or her beloved, who is called away to deal with a crisis on the eve of their wedding.

Veronica Baxter is excited about her wedding to Zadir Al Kilanjar, but worries that her estranged parents will ruin everything.

Can they find Christmas miracles among the madness and enjoy the weddings they’ve dreamed of?

Read on for my thoughts on A Christmas Wedding (Desert Kings). No true spoilers, promise.

I’m not even going to attempt to set up a teaser introduction to this review. You have everything you need for the basics in the Story Blurb. 🙂

This novella was such a fun read. I laughed until tears flowed – and that doesn’t happen often. Try bringing Christmas traditions to a country that has none – add in a stress-out Queen who turns into a Bride-zilla or a Christmas-zilla, if you will – a bride’s parents who aren’t speaking to each other – a groom who refuses to not see his intended before the wedding – an eruption of butterflies – goats running rampant and two happily ever after couples finally united in an American style wedding.

Oh come on – how can you not chuckle just reading that? 😉

Please, please I beg you – when you need a good, fun, charming love story no matter the time of the year – when you just need to smile and laugh for a bit in a drudge of a day… turn to A Christmas Wedding (Desert Kings) and simply enjoy. Then find the other books in the series and enjoy even more.

I have to give this one 5 outta 5 – it made me laugh and feel good and if that doesn’t deserve the highest rating, I don’t know what does. This one goes in my Christmas reading collection because I intend to enjoy it again next year and beyond.

*I received an e-ARC of A Christmas Wedding (Desert Kings) from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Review: The Cowboy Next Door by Roxanne Snopek

Posted February 15, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: The Cowboy Next Door
Series: This Old House (book 3)
Author: Roxanne Snopek
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: January 27, 2015
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Love’s worth more than being right

When single mother Leda Plett – who’s doing just fine on her own, thank you very much – goes next door to retrieve her wandering pooch, she doesn’t expect to find the neighbor’s handsome brother lounging about like he owns the place. She certainly doesn’t expect him to go after the deadbeat who abandoned her. She’s not looking for a know-it-all white knight with long, lean muscles and a sexy smile. He’s hot, but she’s already been burned.

Rodeo-star turned agent Eric Anders is used to managing people, especially irresponsible males, and he can’t stand it that some jerk has left Leda high and dry. Clearly, the boots-and-sundress wearing mouthy mama needs someone on her side. He could change her life, if only she would let him! And it has nothing to do with the fact that her sparkly exterior hides a spirit that is as sweet as it is strong – and irresistible.

In fact, Leda is more mature than her years. She feels the weight of her mistakes, and wants only to make sure her daughter doesn’t suffer for them. Eric’s hot gaze makes her weak in the knees but Leda’s track record with men is as bad as it is short. Can she trust the cowboy next door?

When Eric’s well-intention-ed actions inadvertently reveal a shameful secret from Leda’s past, he realizes she never needed him at all. As he watches her rise above the humiliation, he knows he must find a way to make it up to her, or risk losing the one girl he now can’t live without.

*I received an e-ARC of The Cowboy Next Door from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Read on for my thoughts on The Cowboy Next Door. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Christmas in Venice by Joanne Walsh

Posted February 14, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Christmas in Venice
Series: Christmas Around the World
Author: Joanne Walsh
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 28, 2014
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Let it snow…?

Wasn’t she supposed to dream of a white Christmas? Right now, Ashlynne wishes the blizzards, ice and fog that have left her stranded in Venice would melt away. She’s facing a dreary holiday stuck at the airport—and she’s also run into her ex-husband.

Lorenzo di Grechi insists Ashlynne stay with him at his sumptuous palazzo apartment. He’s also promising her Christmas Venetian-style: eating, drinking, and visiting the seasonal markets and musical concerts that make the city so enchanting at this time of year.

She thought she’d moved on: laid the ghosts of their marriage which had ended so sadly and badly to rest, along with how passionately she’d loved him. But the sexual attraction between them is still as potent as ever, and he seems to have changed for the better, forcing her to question her belief that he’d cheated on her at a time when she’d needed him most.

Is this just some sort of Christmas magic at work? Or a real chance to forgive and rediscover her love for Lorenzo?

*I received an e-ARC of Christmas in Venice from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

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

Review: Christmas With The Laird by Scarlet Wilson

Posted February 13, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 2 Comments

Title: Christmas with the Laird
Series: Christmas Around the World
Author: Scarlet Wilson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 28, 2014
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

It’s official – for Juliette Connolly Christmas is a bust and she’s definitely not in the Christmas spirit. She’s been dumped by her boyfriend and replaced by a younger model. Then a clause in her contract means she and a mysterious colleague have to work over Christmas. But there’s much more to Andrew Campbell than meets the eye. Especially when it turns out he’s the Scottish Laird of the haunted house they’re filming in.

And it seems like there’s magic in the air in the remote snow-filled setting. The local village contains a cast of Christmas characters and even though the boiler in the drafty house is broken the temperature is definitely rising.

Maybe Andrew and Juliette are about to be sprinkled with a little Christmas fairy dust?

*I received an e-ARC of Christmas with the Laird from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas with the Laird. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: A Yorkshire Christmas by Kate Hewitt

Posted February 12, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Christmas finds even the lost – often before they dream it’s possible they can be found.

Title: A Yorkshire Christmas
Series: Christmas Around the World
Author: Kate Hewitt
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: October 28, 2014
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Wealthy New York City girl Claire Lindell isn’t looking for a Christmas miracle or happiness when she abruptly decides to hole up for the holiday at her godmother’s cottage in a little Yorkshire village, and lick her wounds from a near disastrous romantic decision.

After her car skids into a snow bank, Claire may have accidentally found her perfect Christmas and the family and love she’s craved when she offers Noah Bradford of Ayesgill Farm help to push the back end of one of his sheep out of the icy mud, even if she’s going to ruin a brand new pair of Prada boots during the rescue.

What’s a little leather when love’s on the line?

*I received an e-ARC of A Yorkshire Christmas from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange
for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

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

Review: Christmas at Waratah Bay by Marion Lennox

Posted February 11, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Christmas stories, I can read Christmas stories all year long – and often do. Why? Because it’s hard to find one that you really don’t like.

Title: Christmas at Waratah Bay
Series: Christmas Around The World
Author: Marion Lennox
Genre: Contemporary Romace
Published: October 21, 2014
Source: NetGalley

Story Blurb:

Sarah’s committed to her stellar modelling career in New York, but there’s an obligation she needs to fulfil. Harold was a Grandpa to her when she needed him most. Now all Harold wants is one last Christmas in his beloved Waratah Bay Homestead. Sarah’s not that so hot on baking and Christmas seems a bit… challenging… but she’s prepared to fly half way round the world to give it a try.

The only problem is, Harold no longer owns Waratah Bay Homestead. Farming tycoon Max Ramsey owns it now and he doesn’t like company, he doesn’t like Christmas and most of all, he doesn’t like Sarah.

When the two clash, enough sparks ensue to light a Christmas tree. How many enemies does it take to cook one Christmas turkey?

*I received an e-ARC of Christmas at Waratah Bay from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange
for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas at Waratah Bay. No true spoilers, promise.

Review: Bridged by Kendra Elliot

Posted February 9, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Mystery / 0 Comments

Can two people who live, almost daily, with the results of the actions of crazed killers find the way to keep their own romantic relationship growing strong? Let’s find out.

Bridged Title: Bridged
Series: a Callahan and McLane mystery
Author: Kendra Elliot
Genre: Romance, Mystery
Published: February 10, 2015
Source: NetGalley

Cover Blurb:

After a congressman’s tortured body is found dangling from a Portland bridge, the FBI joins the Oregon State Police to investigate the case—and FBI Special Agent Ava McLane, still recovering from a bullet wound, hunts the twisted killer alongside the man who captured her heart, police detective Mason Callahan.

But once a third body appears and all evidence points to a serial killer, the public furiously clamors for answers—and the couple’s relationship grows fractured under the pressure. Ava and Mason search in the past for clues that predict the future. And when Ava’s mentally ill twin spins out of control, the FBI agent who battles monsters every day wonders if she shares her sister’s self-destructive streak…

In the latest thrilling romantic suspense novel from award-winning author Kendra Elliot, the past and the present violently collide…and the fallout can be deadly.

*I received an e-ARC of Bridged from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange
for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

I have not read the previous novel Vanished. In Bridged, the relationship between Mason and Ava has already been established. I was a bit concerned as I started this novel, but it soon became apparent that I could fall into this story without having to read the previous one.

Read on for my thoughts on Bridged. No true spoilers, promise.