Potions Are for Pushovers by Tamara Berry

Posted November 26, 2019 by Marsha in Cozy Mystery, Paranormal Cozy Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

It may have been a ghost that led Eleanor Wilde to set up shop in a quaint English village. But now that she’s established herself as the town witch, Ellie’s contentedly casting spells on anyone desperate enough—or gullible enough—to request her mysterious potions…
 
Selling mystical elixirs and tantalizing tonics is a pretty good way for a fake medium to earn a living. Or at least it’s Ellie’s main source of income—until a villager turns up dead. The cause? Murder by poisoning.  And though Ellie’s concoctions don’t include anything worthy of a skull and crossbones, suddenly she’s the prime suspect. Her only recourse is to find the culprit who did do away with Sarah Blackthorne. No one liked the mean old battle-ax. But did anyone hate her enough to kill her? 
 
It’s enough of a mystery to make Ellie hang up her witch’s hat and take millionaire beau Nicholas Hartford up on his offer to keep her afloat.  Except Ellie is not the kind of woman to lean on a man—least of all a man she adores but whose place in her life is uncertain. Besides, Ellie’s taken on two young witches-in-training—apprentices if you will—and both of them are convinced a werewolf is the murderer.
 
Just as Ellie’s wondering if there really is something otherworldly going on, animals suddenly begin to disappear—including her beloved cat, Beast. Now Ellie’s on the warpath to uncover the wicked truth about the people and the place she’s only just begun to call home…

Titles in the Eleanor Wilde Mystery series include – Séances Are for Suckers – Potions Are For Pushovers

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Anyone But a Duke by Betina Krahn

Posted November 26, 2019 by Marsha in Historical Romance, Series / 0 Comments

The youngest of four spirited American sisters, Sarah Bumgarten has studiously avoided her mother’s attempts to find her a titled husband among London’s aristocracy. Now, after an earl’s very public rejection, it seems her ideal mate will be anyone but a duke, a marquis, a baron, or a viscount…

Thankfully, there are no noblemen in sight at Betancourt, the country estate where Sarah takes refuge. Its rightful owner, the Duke of Meridian, sibling to Sarah’s brother-in-law, has been absent for years. Accompanied by her bevy of beloved animals, Sarah delights in refurbishing the once-grand property. But even a self-assured frontier heiress needs help when greedy tenants are threatened by her presence…

Out of nowhere, a stranger jumps into the fray when ruffians attack. Nothing about “Art,” the roguish interloper—now recuperating in the ducal bedchamber—smacks of nobility, with his brazen sensuality, worldly knowledge, and deeply seductive voice. Yet could he be the errant duke? If so, Sarah soon realizes this homecoming promises to be filled with unexpected challenges and passionate possibilities.

Titles in the Sin and Sensibility series include – A Good Day to Marry A Duke – The Girl with the Sweetest Secret – Anyone But A Duke

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The Christmas Wish by Melinda Curtis

Posted November 26, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Everyone in Sunshine Valley, Colorado, is in the Christmas spirit except for Everett Bollinger, the new town manager. With money tighter than ever, Everett has had to make some tough decisions about the local holiday celebration. And taking the blame has put him in a very un-festive mood.

Rosalie Reyes has big plans to open her new pet shop during the Christmas parade. But it seems like Everett is determined to sabotage the parade and her business too. With the help of the local matchmakers and a rambunctious Saint Bernard named Remy, Rosalie is about to unleash the town’s holiday cheer and make it a paws-itively amazing Christmas for all. Including a certain town manager who’s about to discover the reason for the season…is love.

Titles in the Sunshine Valley series include – The Christmas Wish – Can’t Hurry Love (March 2020)

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Cupid Claus by Sarah Fischer & Kelsey McKnight

Posted November 25, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

When mistletoe is not enough…

With her only son still single, Mrs. Claus is rolling up her red sleeves and playing matchmaker. With a little advice from Cupid and a list of potential brides, she’s convinced a dash of magic will get the snowball rolling. There’s just one problem, Nick isn’t looking for love. All he wants to do is fill his father’s boots as he prepares to take over as Santa Claus.

While Mrs. Claus is scheming away, Nick meets Heather, a charming artist with a giving heart and a loving smile. Preparing for her first Christmas alone, Heather is looking for adventure. Nick becomes a kindred spirit as they both remember what it’s like to live in the moment. Just as they think they found a fairytale romance, Nick discovers his mother’s magical meddling.

With Christmas Eve quickly approaching, Nick must decide if his love for Heather was the real magic all along or if it was just the work of Cupid Claus?

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Secret Prince’s Christmas Seduction by Carol Marinelli

Posted November 25, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin / 0 Comments

Claimed by the prince

For Christmas or forever?

Sicilian chambermaid Antonietta prides herself on her discretion, so she’s mortified by her inappropriate reaction to her hotel’s newest guest! Antonietta has no idea Rafael is the notorious prince of Tulano. All she knows is that his touch lights her up more brightly than a Christmas tree.

Their unexpected connection floors cynical Rafe. All he can offer is a temporary festive seduction before resuming his royal duties. But unwrapping the precious gift of Antonietta’s virginity changes everything. Rafe must choose—his crown, or Antonietta.

There is a connection to a previous book, The Silcilain’s Surprise Love Child

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The Christmas Husband Hunt by Kate Moore

Posted November 25, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Series / 0 Comments

When a husband is needed by Christmas, a trusted slender volume for ensuring a merry match is indeed a gift!

Behind her seemingly dependent role as an unpaid caretaker—of both children and dogs—Harriet Swanley has in fact astutely avoided a forced marriage.

But hers is not the only secret under wraps: Charles Davenham is working covertly to unmask a Russian agent—until the younger sister he’s always protected comes to him, recently rejected and clutching The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London.

The little handbook would be a godsend—if only the distraught girl didn’t mangle all of its good advice! If Harriet can help Charles find a love match for his sibling, perhaps, in this season of good tidings, a long-buried attraction can set their own hearts aflame.

Titles in the Husband Hunters series include – The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London – A Lady’s Guide to Passion and Property – A Spy’s Guide to Seduction – The Christmas Husband Hunt –

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Dancing to the Altar by Christi Bortner

Posted November 25, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

An independent woman with no plans for the holidays, a billionaire in need of a hostess for his reality show, and twelve Santas wanting to make their holidays the merriest ever!

Elle Richey is having the worst day ever. Her boyfriend dumps her, she loses her job and maybe even her wits, given that she just shared the hottest kiss with a stranger in an elevator. As she laments her life to her best friend, a woman offers Elle a unique proposition — host a nationwide search for Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Holliday Islands Resort, Alaska. What she didn’t count on was running into her handsome stranger again or that he would become her new boss!

Billionaire Dancer Holliday is known throughout the entertainment industry for creating action-filled reality shows. When his father decides it is time to retire, Dan wants to host a live search from his home island, for America’s Mr. and Mrs. Claus. He is shocked to find out that the show’s hostess is none other than the woman he can’t get out of his mind after their hot elevator kiss.

Can twelve couples be the catalyst to show Elle and Dan that perhaps it is time to revisit that kiss? As the reality show picks up in ratings, what happens when Elle’s past calls to her again? Will Dancer realize that perhaps the search for American’s holiday couple is closer than he ever imagined? Can he convince Elle to Dance to the Altar with him?

Titles in the multi-author Holliday Islands Resort series include – The Dashing Groom by Jo Grafford – Dancing to the Altar by Christi Bortner – Love Came Prancing by Danni Roan – Her Christmas Vixen by Ginny Sterling – Comet’s Blazing Love by Jenna Brandt –Cupid Takes A Wife by Marie Higgins – Donner Let Her Go by Amelia Adams – Blitzen the CEO by Lisa Prysock – Rudolph’s Runaway Bride by George McVey – Mommy’s Kissing Santa by Kit Morgan

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Christmas on the Isle of Skye by Kirsty Ferry

Posted November 24, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

How far would you go to be with the one you love at Christmas?

The Isle of Skye is a magical place, especially at Christmas, and there’s no place Zac Fallon would rather be. But whilst Zac has everything he needs on Skye, there’s still something missing – and that something is somebody called Ivy McFarlane.

Ivy used to work with Zac but then spread her wings and moved to Glastonbury. He’s missed her ever since. Now it’s almost Christmas and Zac realizes that the Ivy shaped hole in his life is too big to bear. So starts his festive mission to the mainland – but will he be back in time to spend Christmas in Skye? And, more importantly, will Ivy be with him?

Titles in the Tempest Sisters series include — Summer at Carrick Park – Spring at Taigh Fallon – Jessie’s Little Bookshop by the Sea – Christmas on the Isle of Skye

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Christmas with You by Nan Reinhardt

Posted November 24, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Series, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

She’s loved him all her life… but will he be there when she needs him the most?

Disheartened and adrift after being written out of a hit TV show, actor Aidan Flaherty returns to his family’s historic winery, where he’s invested some of the fortunes he’s made. As the holidays approach, Aidan becomes intrigued with the old showboat that’s dry-docked just east of town… and even more intrigued with the daughter of his former mentor, who now owns it. He decides to buy the boat and restore it to its former glory.

Single mom Holly Santos is back in River’s Edge after her divorce and she is over men in general and actors in particular. If she could only get rid of her father’s old showboat, a source of fascination for her son, Mateo. She never expects her old crush to walk into her tea shop or the fireworks that happen every time they’re in the same room.

Can Aidan convince her that he is determined to restore their shared heritage on the showboat and that he’s home to stay?

Titles in the Four Irish Brothers Winery series include —  A Small Town Christmas – Meant To Be – Christmas With YouThe Baby Contract

 

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Every Time A Bell Rings by Barbara Ankrum

Posted November 23, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

Once upon a time, he was everything to her, except for one thing: her future

Christmas sparkles from every bough and window at the cozy Four Winds Ski Resort, where single mother Eden Kendall and her eight-year-old son are spending the holiday. A surprise marriage proposal from her boss’s son wasn’t on her Christmas list, but it’s the perfect excuse to get away and weigh her options. She never imagined her son’s ski instructor/Santa impersonator would be the gorgeous, charismatic dreamer she left behind years ago, the one who still owns a piece of her heart.

Cole Hagan has never stopped loving Eden and he’s spent the last eight years proving her wrong on every count about his potential. While he fights to save the resort that he helped to build by organizing a holiday concert, he decides it’s about time that Eden puts aside her list-making pragmatism so that she and her skeptical son can experience the true magic of Christmas.

Can this unlikely pair get a second chance at happily ever after?

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Thank Goodness This Week Is A Wrap! #1

Posted November 23, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 2 Comments

In the six years (or so I forget the exact day I officially started the blog) that I’ve been reading and sharing my thoughts about those stories through reviews, I’ve never done my own “Wrap-Up” posts.  I don’t actually know why.  Perhaps early on I thought I was too new for anyone to be the least bit interested in, I dunno.  I do know that I’ve a check-list of things I intend to change or add next year and a Wrap-Up was part of that.  Yet today – well, after the week it’s been around here I figured why wait?  Just jump in and see how it flies.  🙂

To be frank, the blog suffered this past week — and a nasty, contagious, insidious stomach virus is at the heart of the bad stuff of this week.  This bug ran through my family and friends for a week now (and counting) and it’s only this morning that I’m starting to feel somewhat human again.  Somewhat – the day’s not over yet.

Fortunately, I’d read quite a bit in the days right before this hit so I could get out a few reviews, and scheduled reviews are a life-saver I hope you know that and use them well.  My scheduled posts are winding down for the year, and this is a really good wake up call to keep up with that scheduling.  I’ll be writing like crazy this weekend trying to get caught up a bit (and I hope it doesn’t come across as spammy to those who get email notifications) but honestly, I’m behind and these books need their reviews up right now.  I’m a fast reader and a note-taker, so I’ll soon be where I should have been all week – I just hate dropping in all those reviews at once.

The saddest realization of this crazy, messed-up week?  I haven’t cracked the Kindle cover on a single title that I BOUGHT!!  Not One.  There’s been no time for pleasure reading – and I seriously think that’s something that has to be added to that list of changes for 2020.  Sometimes it’s the craziest things that make you sit back and go “Hmmm… that needs to change.”  Well, I certainly got that wake-up call in November.  It’s probably too late for 2019 but the planning for 2020 isn’t done yet so there’s time and hope.

My week has been crazy, fighting a stomach virus, trying to do something normal like wash clothes but for the most part it was a wash of a week spent mostly in naps and quick moments of activity (until the exhausted hit and then back to the naps).  I hope yours was so much better.  🙂

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