Category: Contemporary Romance

Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis

Posted August 18, 2019 by Marsha in A Re-Read Review, Contemporary Romance, Series, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

They say life can change in an instant…

After losing her sister in a devastating car accident, chef Quinn Weller is finally getting her life back on track. She appears to have it all: a loving family, a dream job in one of L.A.’s hottest eateries, and a gorgeous boyfriend dying to slip an engagement ring on her finger. So why does she feel so empty, like she’s looking for a missing piece she can’t find?

The answer comes when a lawyer tracks down Quinn and reveals a bombshell secret and a mysterious inheritance that only she can claim. This shocking revelation washes over Quinn like a tidal wave. Her whole life has been a lie.

On impulse, Quinn gives up her job, home, and boyfriend. She heads up the coast to the small hometown of Wildstone, California, which is just a few hours north but feels worlds apart from Los Angeles. Though she doesn’t quite fit in right away, she can’t help but be drawn to the town’s simple pleasures…and the handsome, dark-haired stranger who offers friendship with no questions asked.

As Quinn settles into Wildstone, she discovers there’s another surprise in store for her. The inheritance isn’t a house or money, but rather something earthshattering, something that will make her question everything she thought she knew about herself, about her family. Now with a world of possibilities opening up to Quinn, she must decide if this new life is the one she was always meant to have—and the one that could finally give her the fulfillment she’s searched so long for.

Titles in the Wildstone series include — Lost and Found Sisters – The Good Luck Sister (#1.5) – Rainy Day Friends – The Lemon Sisters –

Call Her Mine by Melissa Foster

Posted August 18, 2019 by Marsha in Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Ben Dalton has always been honest, except where his heart is concerned. He’s been in love with his best friend—saucy, smart-mouthed Aurelia Stark—forever. But Ben’s a planner, and timing has never been on his side. When he finally decides to make his move, Aurelia beats him to the punch with a move of her own—to a different town.

Aurelia loves her new life in the charming town of Harmony Pointe. She has a great apartment and her very own bookstore, and best of all, the sinfully hot, commitment-phobic friend she’s crushed on for years is no longer just around the corner. Maybe she’ll finally be able to leave her unrequited love behind and move on.

But when a baby is left on Ben’s front porch—a baby that is presumably his—Aurelia is there for him. Neither one knows the first thing about babies, but how hard can it be? Ben and Aurelia are catapulted into a world of love, laughter, and tracking down the baby mama, and it might even add up to a very happily ever after… just not one either of them expects.

Titles in the Harmony Pointe series include — Call Her Mine – This Is Love (Dec. 2019) –

Harmony Pointe has a connection to (is a spin-off of) the Sugar Lake series with crossover characters. Do you “need” to read Sugar Lake first? No. But you’d be missing some great romances if you don’t check it out. IMO 🙂

Finding Our Way Back by Marianne Rice

Posted August 17, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Jenna Snyder has finally gotten her life back together. She’s left her shattered heart behind and is quite content being the caretaker to a flirtatious geriatric man. In between his daily marriage proposals and in-home nurse visits, she manages to relax and ease her mind at her potter’s wheel. The only thing holding her back from finding true happiness is the painful memories from her past that can never be erased. She wants to leave them behind, and that includes Tristan. It doesn’t matter that he’s smart and successful and sexy. Or that he’s the sweetest man she’s ever met. He destroyed her world and tore her heart into a million pieces and that can never be forgiven.

Tristan Ketch never thought his catering business would have him pairing his food with a small town winery in Crystal Cove, Maine. Or that he’d run into the woman he once loved. Hell, the woman he still loves. He regrets the way they ended, and he’ll do anything to make things right with her now. But first he needs to regain her trust, and that means doing everything in his power to make sure she never discovers the truth…the real reason behind what ripped them apart.

Titles in the Well Paired series include — At First Blush – Where There’s Hope – What Makes Us Stronger – Here With You – Finding Our Way Back –

Meant To Be Different by Amelia Foster

Posted August 16, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments

As a teen, I had my life figured out: graduate and make my dream of being a bull riding champion a reality. That is right up until the goth girl transferred to my school. Georgia laid the snark on as thick as her eyeliner, but I saw through the toughened façade and fell for her. Hard.

She was willing to give up her own dream to follow me as I pursued my passion, but I couldn’t let her do that. So, I made the hardest decision of my life…and walked away.

It’s been twelve years since I left home without her and the all-grown-up Georgia is just as feisty and fiery as she was back then. It’s clear she has no intention of making redemption easy for me. Thankfully, I’m a patient man who knows what he wants. I’ve never stopped loving her, and I know she feels the same.

Back then I was a rhinestone cowboy, and she was a dark angel, complete opposites, yet we fell in love anyway. We weren’t meant to be like every other cookie-cutter couple, we were meant to be different.

Titles in the Meant to Be series include — Meant to be Kept – Meant to be Different –

Texas on My Mind by Eve Gaddy

Posted August 15, 2019 by Marsha in Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments

What happens when you discover that the woman who’s been a friend for years is actually the one you’ve been waiting for? If you’re Dr. Turner McBride you set out to prove that the two of you would be perfect together.

After betrayal and a failed marriage, Charlie Stockton returns to Last Stand, Texas, to run her bakery and avoid commitment. She’s delighted to resume her long-time friendship with far-too-sexy Turner – but no way is she ready or able to trust her heart again. Although she might be tempted into an affair, Charlie’s convinced their friendship is too important to risk losing by taking it to another level.

It will take all Turner’s determination and an unexpected wake-up call to prove to Charlie that risking her heart will be well worth the gamble.

Titles in the Heart of Texas series include — Heart of the Texas Doctor – Texas on My Mind –

(This series is part of the Last Stand, Texas group of connecting series. (think Marietta, Montana– Tule Publishing’s other large set of somewhat connecting series set in a fictional town. A listing of the connecting series and their stories can be found on our Last Stand, Texas page)

Tempt Me, Cowboy by Megan Crane

Posted August 15, 2019 by Marsha in A Re-Read Review, Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Multi-Author Series, Series / 0 Comments

Too much temptation…

Chelsea Collier wants nothing more than to save the old depot built by her railway baron ancestor and turn it into a museum—until it’s sold out from under her!

Jasper Flint made himself filthy rich in the Texas oil business by the age of 35. Now he wants a quieter life and building a microbrewery in Marietta, Montana is the perfect project.

Neither one of them knows what to do with the passion that explodes between them! But Chelsea knows a man like Jasper will never stay in one place for too long. Can he convince her that this time, he means to stay?

Titles in The 75th Copper Mountain Rodeo series include –#0.5 Rodeo Sweethearts by Lilian Darcy— Tempt Me, Cowboy by Megan Crane – Marry Me, Cowboy by Lilian Darcy – Promise Me, Cowboy by CJ Carmichael –Take Me, Cowboy by Jane Porter – Steal Me, Cowboy by Kim Boykin (Copper Mountain Rodeo spinoff)

Love any story that involves Marietta, Montana? Then you’ll want to check out two pages here that focus on this small town (and some neighboring ones as well) for titles, series, authors, and links to reviews done here at Keeper Bookshelf. Please visit our Marietta, Montana pages.

Quiet Man by Kristen Ashley

Posted August 15, 2019 by Marsha in Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Charlotte “Lottie” McAlister is in the zone. She’s ready to take on the next chapter of her life, and since she doesn’t have a man, she’ll do what she’s done all along. She’ll take care of business on her own. Even if that business means starting a family.

The problem is, Lottie has a stalker. The really bad kind. The kind that means she needs a bodyguard.

Enter Mo Morrison.

Enormous. Scary.

Quiet.

Mo doesn’t say much, and Lottie’s used to getting attention. And she wants Mo’s attention. Badly.

But Mo has a strict rule. If he’s guarding your body, that’s all he’s doing with it.

However, the longer Mo has to keep Lottie safe, the faster he falls for the beautiful blonde who has it so together, she might even be able to tackle the demons he’s got in his head that just won’t die.

But in the end, Lottie and Mo don’t only have to find some way to keep hands off until the threat is over, they have to negotiate the overprotective Hot Bunch, Lottie’s crazy stepdad, Tex, Mo’s crew of frat-boy commandos, not to mention his nutty sisters.

All before Lottie finally gets her Dream Man.

And Mo can lay claim to his Dream Girl.

Titles in the Dream Man series include — Mystery Man – Wild Man – Law Man – Motorcycle Man – Quiet Man

Quiet Man is not only part of the Dream Man series but is also the lead-in to a new series beginning in May of 2020 entitled The Dream series… where the Dream Man world and the Rock Chick world combine with delightful and passionate results.

Rodeo Sweethearts by Lilian Darcy

Posted August 14, 2019 by Marsha in A Re-Read Review, Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Multi-Author Series, Series / 0 Comments

Melinda and Rob MacCreadie have been married for nearly thirty years, but she is the worst wife for a hard-working Montana rancher and she knows it.

With their five children grown and finding love, Melinda is daunted by the idea of accepting newcomers into the family. She and Rob still hold a secret that dates from before the birth of their triplets all those years ago.

Rob is such a fine man, strong and good-looking and endlessly patient. He’s wise, too, but is he right to insist that it’s time to tell people what happened?

Does he really understand how she feels?

The Rancher’s Secret Love by Paula Altenburg

Posted August 13, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Could home be ‘on the range’?

After teaching at a prestigious university, Luke McGregor is headed home to his family’s ranch in Grand, Montana, to help his brothers raise their baby niece and nephews and to help save the struggling ranch. His long-time girlfriend wants no part of playing cowgirl and dumps him fast. Luke commits himself to be home for at least a year and throws himself into family and ranch life. A chance meeting with a beautiful and free-spirited woman and a promising first date make him wonder if his place is necessarily in a big city.

Plucky Mara Ramos has lived much of her life on the road as a performer, but a dance injury, that permanently sidelines her professional career and ends her fling with a famous pop star, strands her in the middle of Montana. She likes the friendly small town and soon opens a dance studio intent on building a new life for herself. She enjoys inspiring her young students, but she can’t help but feel she needs more. A casual date with an enigmatic, flirty stranger, who is so much more than a cowboy, teases Mara with the possibility of putting down roots and finding a happy ever after.

When Luke’s former girlfriend announces she’s pregnant, he’s faced with the decision of a lifetime. If he’s all about family, can he make a decision that will keep Mara in his life?

Titles in The Montana McGregor Brothers include: The Rancher Takes A Family – The Rancher’s Secret Love –

Off the Market by Audrey Wick

Posted August 12, 2019 by Marsha in Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Series / 2 Comments

Can the man who saved the day win her heart?

Quinn LaFayette is in her inaugural year as library special programs director of Last Stand, but when the kickoff performance for the children’s summer program goes terribly wrong, she has to save face as well as her job. She has a surprising advocate in Cole, whom she did her best to ignore in school. Seven years has only made Cole more appealing, but Quinn is determined to resist the sparks that fly between them because they are too different.

Restaurant owner Cole Hutchinson is no bookworm, but thanks to his fast-thinking antics, he ends up saving the day at the library and earning Quinn’s praise in the process. He’s tempted to seek more, but he’s juggling plenty of female attention from gracing the June edition of Modern Texas magazine featuring barbeque. Cole’s not interested in revisiting a woman from his past, but there’s something about Quinn that he can’t quite ignore.

Can Cole prove that opposites really do attract?

Titles in The Texas BBQ Brothers series include — On The Market – Off The Market –

Sweet Little Lies by Jill Shalvis

Posted August 10, 2019 by Marsha in A Re-Read Review, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Choose the one guy you can’t have . . .

As captain of a San Francisco Bay tour boat, Pru can handle rough seas—the hard part is life on dry land. Pru loves her new apartment and her neighbors; problem is, she’s in danger of stumbling into love with Mr. Right for Anybody But Her.

Fall for him—hard . . .

Pub owner Finn O’Riley is six-foot-plus of hard-working hottie who always makes time for his friends. When Pru becomes one of them, she discovers how amazing it feels to be on the receiving end of that deep green gaze. But when a freak accident involving darts (don’t ask) leads to shirtless first aid, things rush way past the friend zone. Fast.

And then tell him the truth.

Pru only wants Finn to be happy; it’s what she wishes for at the historic fountain that’s supposed to grant her heart’s desire. But wanting him for herself is a different story—because Pru’s been keeping a secret that could change everything.

Titles in the Heartbreaker Bay series include — Sweet Little Lies – The Trouble with Mistletoe – One Snowy Night – Accidentally on Purpose – Chasing Christmas Eve – Holiday Wishes – About That Kiss – Hot Winter Nights – Playing for Keeps – Wrapped Up In You – Twist of Fate (A Dark Nights line companion novella) –

If you love Jill Shalvis’ stories then check out our Jill Shalvis page for more titles, series, and standalone titles that have been reviewed here at Keeper Bookshelf. (At one time most of Ms. Shalvis’ romances were reviewed on a website of mine that no longer exists due to circumstances beyond my control. It is my intention to bring those “lost” reviews here to Keeper Bookshelf over time.)

Game On by Joanne Rock

Posted August 8, 2019 by Marsha in Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

He’s home to recover …and rekindle a romance with his first love

After a hitting streak propels him onto a major league roster, Nate Ramsey lands on the injured list. The one bright spot in a frustrating summer is returning home to Last Stand, Texas – until he’s tasked with confronting Keely Harper, an old flame whose business is running roughshod over his grandfather’s farm. Nate accepted it when she ended things five years ago, but he won’t overlook a slight to the rest of the Ramseys. What game is she playing?

Keely has always carried the weight of responsibility for her dysfunctional family, so she can’t regret the way she ended things with Nate. Cutting him loose to pursue his dreams was the kindest thing she could have done for a man with talent to take him far beyond Last Stand. Except now he’s back, and the fireworks between them haven’t faded a bit. If she gives in to the temptation of a kiss, will she be able to let him go again once his injury heals and baseball wants him back?

Titles in the Texas Playmakers series include — The Perfect Catch – Game On –

This series is part of the Last Stand, Texas group of connecting series. (think Marietta, Montana– Tule Publishing’s other large set of series set in a fictional town) For a look at the other series that connect centered around this town please visit our Last Stand, Texas page.

About A Dog by Jenn McKinlay

Posted August 8, 2019 by Marsha in A TBR Read, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Mackenzie “Mac” Harris fled her hometown of Bluff Point, Maine, after being left at the altar—and seeking solace in the arms of her best friend’s off-limits brother. Now, seven years later, she’s back to attend her best friend’s wedding—safe, or so she thinks, from the mistakes of her youth.

But Gavin Tolliver has never forgotten the woman who has always held his heart. And when Mac rescues a stray puppy named Tulip, only Gavin, the town’s veterinarian, can help. With a little assistance from Tulip, Gavin vows to make Mac realize that their feelings are more than just puppy love.

Titles in the Bluff Point series include — About A Dog – Barking Up The Wrong Tree – Every Dog Has His Day –

Summer on Moonlight Bay by Hope Ramsay

Posted August 7, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Only one thing can make veterinarian Noah Cuthbert return to Magnolia Harbor-his mother’s failing health. He’ll do anything to help his family, including taking a short-term gig at the local animal clinic. What he doesn’t count on is getting up-close-and-personal with the clinic’s new manager, a woman whose love and compassion for every stray that crosses her path has him rethinking his plans to head back to his big-city life…

After her time in the Navy, Lia wants nothing more than to settle down. The quaint seaside town is just what she’d been hoping for, and not just because her new boss is movie-star handsome. As they grow closer, Lia starts wondering if Noah could be the one. But when a town crisis forces Noah to take a stand that jeopardizes their new-found happiness, can Lia convince him that home doesn’t have to be a four-letter word?

Includes the bonus novel Then There Was You by Miranda Liasson!

Titles in the Moonlight Bay series include — The Cottage on Rose Lane – Summer on Moonlight Bay –

Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs by Annie Rains

Posted August 7, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

If Lacy Shaw could have one wish, it’s that the past would stay in the past. And with her high school reunion coming up, she has no intention of reliving the worst four years of her life. Especially when all she has to show for the last decade is how the shy bookworm blossomed into…the shy town librarian. Ditching the event seems the best option until a blistering hot alternative roars into Lacy’s life. Perhaps riding into the reunion on the back of Paris Montgomery’s motorcycle will show her classmates how much she really has changed.

While growing up as a foster kid, Paris Montgomery only felt at home in Sweetwater Springs, which is why he picked the small town to start over after his divorce. He can’t afford to ruin this refuge with another doomed relationship – especially one with a woman who is his total opposite. But when the town’s sweet librarian offers to help him reconnect with his foster dad, he finds they have more in common than he thought. Both are about to discover that home is where the heart is.

Titles in the Sweetwater Springs series include — Christmas on Mistletoe Lane – A Wedding on Lavender Hill (#1.5) –Springtime at Hope Cottage – Kiss Me in Sweetwater Springs (#2.5) – Snowfall on Cedar Trail –