Magic in the Snow by Ryan Jo Summers

February 21, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Magic in the Snow by Ryan Jo Summers
Publisher: Melange Books
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

He’s the town scrooge.
She blew in like a candy-coated snowstorm.
Can a young boy’s belief in magic bring them together?

The ink is barely dry from her divorce when Dawson Patrick and her three-year-old Autistic son, Adam, arrive in Cedar Falls, Maine. She’s here to help her aging father and doesn’t plan to stay long. Soon she and Adam will be on their way somewhere…to a new life.

When she finds her dad sitting in a cold house that’s falling around him, with little food, she realizes she might have a bigger problem on her hands. To make matters worse, she has no idea where to start on her long list of home improvement. She needs books on lots of DIY projects, and the man to help her is the local Christmas scrooge.

Samuel Johnson owns Chapter Twenty-Five Bookstore. He doesn’t enjoy the holiday season and he doesn’t ‘do’ gifts. He just happens to live in a town that wholeheartedly embraces it, so he’s learned to adapt and lay low to escape the memories of many an unhappy Christmas past. He can’t believe the blonde beauty who marches into his store like a candy-coated snowstorm, along with her pint-sized elfin toddler, and orders up a stack of DIY home repair books. Before Samuel knows it, he’s letting Dawson and Adam drag him to the town’s tree lighting ceremony, convincing him to foster kittens, and to give gifts.

Has Dawson just returned home to forget her past, only to slide into another relationship? Has the town scrooge finally seen the Christmas lights?

Magic in the Snow is a sweet, heartwarming and entertaining read. It has an original plot with a lot of potential. I really connected with it because the heroine, Dawson, has a son named Adam who is suspected to be high functioning autistic even though he wasn’t actually diagnosed by a doctor in the story.

Dawson and Peter, Adam’s biological dad, had just resolved a speedy divorce when this story starts. The reason Peter walked out was because they “suspected Adam to be autistic”. Peter even gives up his parental rights. That’s a pretty harsh decision from only suspecting a child isn’t “average”, especially since my impression of Adam was that he was not on the spectrum. I was really happy that Peter didn’t show back up in the story. I would have had a huge issue with that.

The story alludes to Dawson making an appointment to confirm what is suspected but doesn’t reveal the outcome of that doctor visit. I have a highly functioning autistic child and I have my teaching degree in Early Childhood Education. It’s a broad statement to say one is on the spectrum because autism isn’t the same for each child. Based on what I read, Adam may not be on the Autistic spectrum because he didn’t exhibit the classic red flags or triggers of being autistic. The only criteria Adam met was non-verbal and that can be attributed to having a mild speech delay, Apraxia or even a processing disorder. I have a sensitivity about the labeling of children, especially without a proper medical diagnosis.

Dawson meets the hero, Samuel, who apparently can relate to her son since he himself is considered to be on the spectrum. Samuel has other childhood trauma issues to resolve before he can give his heart away. Samuel did appeal to me as someone I could fall in love with. He and Dawson made for a sweet romance with some heartwarming kisses.

Another thread in the story is about the heroine’s father. Since Dawson is recently divorced, she is able to step up and help her aging dad, Lloyd. She moves in with him temporarily to access what she needs to do to help him and discovers her dad in dire straits. The heroine ends up as a single mother trying to “do it all”. There is mention of the heroine having a brother throughout the story, but I don’t ever get to meet him. Dawson says she’s going to call him but never does. Thank goodness Samuel is extremely supportive and helpful.

Another thing about the hero is that he’s observant. The author touched upon another emotional topic by having Samuel suspect that Dawson’s dad might be showing signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, even though Lloyd is taken to the doctors, I was left wondering about the outcome. The author never shared. Based only on what I read, Lloyd does appear to be symptomatic of a person suffering from Alzheimer’s.

There is more to this story without giving spoilers. There were some good times, sad times, frustrating times and sighs of relief at times. There were just a few too many unanswered questions for me. For example, I met Samuel’s mother only one time because she made a surprise visit. That visit didn’t go very well and Samuel was planning on having another conversation with her. I would have loved to have heard what was said but the story ended before they got to talk. I’m very detail oriented and I like all my plot threads tied up in a pretty bow. While I enjoyed how the story ended, I would have appreciated an epilogue.

Overall, this really was an entertaining read. I enjoyed the small-town Christmas atmosphere. There was no doubt that the Christmas magic was in the air, leaving the reader filled with hope and wonder. Dawson, Samuel and Adam made the perfect family. I’ve never read a Ryan Jo Summers book before but I would like to try to read another one in the future. Happy Reading!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Rock it to the Moon by M.J. Schiller

February 18, 2022 By 1 Comment


Rock it to the Moon by M.J. Schiller
Love and Chaos Series, Book three
Publisher: Kissmet Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

While love had come to some of the other members of Just Short Of Chaos, Dex Rogan had no interest in getting tangled up in that mess. That is, until he stumbled upon Tatum backstage.

Before Tatum, I would have told you love was for chumps. But I would have been wrong.

The moment I saw her, it was like BAM! This driving urge to be with her was more jarring than someone smacking me in the face with my drumsticks would be. And every moment since has just solidified her place in my heart. By the time I found out she was off-limits, it was too late. I was all in.

Tatum Salvetti doesn’t have time for love. If it can’t be color-coded or found on the periodic table, she doesn’t need it. But when an ugly incident drives her into Dex’s arms, she’s shaken enough to step out of character for once.

I wasn’t looking for love that night, I was looking to escape, and Dex was the perfect distraction from my train wreck of a life. …He was perfect, period.

But I’m in astrophysics. I’m not stupid. I knew it wasn’t going anywhere. Even if he wasn’t just interested in a one night stand, we wouldn’t be able to hide a relationship from Zane. My brother seemed to still think of me as the ten-year-old he met when our parents wed. Well, it wasn’t any ten-year-old girl in Dex Rogan’s bed that night, and if Zane found out about it, he would go apeshit. I was trying to get away from chaos, not create it.

Tatum has sacrificed her whole life for others. But maybe this time she could think of her own desires. Could Dex’s brand of chaos be just what she needs?

Oh, my reading heart! I thought today was going to be the end of my relationship with the cast of characters in the Love and Chaos series because I thought this was a trilogy and I was reading the last great book. I thought I was going to be sad when Rock it to the Moon ended but lo and behold! Imagine my surprise and joy when I found out there is going to be a fourth. More on that later.

Dex Rogan isn’t one of the original Just Short of Chaos bandmates. That plot thread is explained in each book in the series. The story behind why and how Dex came to join the band makes Dex’s character heartwarming and relatable. Dex has big, virtually impossible shoes to fill. I couldn’t help but become a fan of Dex. He was sensitive, strong, and could play the typical rock star image just like all the other bandmates could.

Technically, each book in this series could be read as a standalone but I’m already craving to read this entire series again. I think that means I can’t objectively recommend reading just the one. The first book, Rocked by Grace, introduced the band, Just Short of Chaos and the hero, lead singer, Zane Sanders. The second one, Rocked by Love, was about the guitarist, Rafe Santiago. Rock it to the Moon is about their drummer, Sex, I mean Dex Rogan’s love story. Ha, ha…sorry, I couldn’t help it. I made that slip a few times while reading. Oooh, la, la, Dex. Who am I kidding? The entire band is drool worthy!

The heroine, Tatum, was just like the synopsis said, “a train wreck”. Her life was truly miserable. Tatum is actually Zane Sanders, the lead singer’s sister. Tatum’s tragic life allowed Dex to be a true heartthrob hero. Dex and Tatum had chemistry, a sense of humor, misunderstandings and melt-your-heart scenes. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough even though I didn’t want to reach the end too quickly, you know?

One of the reasons I treasure this series is because the books slightly overlap each other, and I get to relive a scene or two from a different perspective. There is a sense of family among the characters welcoming me home, giving me the sense that I’m part of the family.

Like I said in the beginning of my review, I found out that there’s going to be one more story and it’s going to be about the band’s other guitarist, Jericho Tyler. I’m beyond elated, ecstatic, overjoyed, tickled pink etc. The worst part is that it’s not released yet. I don’t think I’m going to make it. I need to read it this minute because I am still on cloud nine after reading Rock it to the Moon. I want to stay on that cloud; that’s how awesome this book is.

The ending of this book was spectacular, even more so for those that read Zane’s story. If you are new to the author, M.J. Schiller, and looking for a rocking good time, then pick up the entire series, Love and Chaos. That’s all I’m going to say.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Lightning in a Mirror by Jayne Ann Krentz

February 16, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Lightning in a Mirror by Jayne Ann Krentz, Sandra Michelle (Narrator)
Fogg Lake, Book 3
Publisher: Berkley, Recorded Books, Inc. (Audio Publisher)
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Sci-fi/fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Olivia LeClair’s experiment with speed dating is not going well. First there was the nasty encounter with the date from hell who tried to murder her and now the mysterious Harlan Rancourt—long believed dead—sits down at her table and tells her she’s the only one who can help him locate the legendary Vortex lab.

This is not what Olivia had in mind when she signed up for the Four Event Success Guaranteed package offered by the dating agency. She doesn’t have much choice, though, because her psychic investigation firm works for the mysterious Foundation and Victor Arganbright, the director, is adamant that she assist Harlan. There’s just one problem—no one knows Harlan’s real agenda. His father once ran the Foundation like a mob organization, and Harlan was destined to be his heir. There’s a real possibility Harlan has returned to claim his inheritance.

For now, however, it’s a case of the enemy of my enemy is my friend because others are after the secrets of the long-lost lab. Unfortunately for Olivia, the one thing friend and foe have in common is that everyone is convinced she is the key. Her unique psychic talent is required to defuse the ticking time bomb that is Vortex.

Neither trusts the other but Olivia and Harlan soon realize they must work together to survive and unlock the Bluestone Project’s most dangerous secrets before more innocent people die.

I’ve read all three books in the Fogg Lake Trilogy and this final book is the BEST. It has much more intrigue, action, surprise twists, shocking revelations and outright hilarity. I wasn’t a complete fan of the narrator because I think male voices are a challenge for her, but when the writing is good, as it usually is from author Jayne Ann Krentz, it overpowers any hesitation. The storytelling is wonderful. Those fans who will read the print book are in for an excellent time.

Of course, longtime readers of Ms. Krentz will recognize some of her favorite writing techniques which seem to show up in almost all her books. That’s not a negative. It almost guarantees a wonderful time of pure escapism, entertainment and adventure. All of that is on stage in Lightning in a Mirror. I had a blast.

I do believe that all three books should probably be read in order only because there are a couple of plot conflicts/threads that are woven between all three. Then again, each one has its own heroine and hero, and they don’t seem to play much of a role in the other two beyond some scenes that help the current hero and heroine along, or out of a jam. There are two characters, Victor Arganbright and Lucas, the head guys at The Foundation, that pretty much stir the pot, so to speak, in all three books.

Olivia LeClair and Harlan Rancourt are the primary focus. Either they are being chased, investigating clues, escaping from almost certain death, or in a few scenes, being embarrassed and/or hilariously mortified as well as being confused with being someone … or something else. Somewhere in all that chaotic mix, Olivia and Harlan manage to get to know one another, answer the right questions and fall in love, eventually getting to explore the physical side of their relationship and prove that opposites do attract.

There are so many red herrings and options to choose from as to what is really happening, who is going to get there first, figure out why there’s all this fascination with mirrors and crystals and again, who is going to figure it out first. Many times, throughout this novel, I was left in breathless anticipation.

Now, I found the most hilarious scenes have to do with a car, and much later, a phone call. I know you see LOL all over the place but I truly did laugh out loud, immensely loud because I found the humor of the situations tickled my funny bone to the extreme. I was on a forum talking to another fan of Ms. Krentz and this novel in particular. We had to be careful about spoilers, but we both found the same things totally grin worthy. We shared the laughter about our favorite parts, without, you know, saying anything. It was so much fun getting to share the joy and appreciation about Lightning in a Mirror with another fan. That’s what I always hope to do in my reviews – share what I like in the hopes others will find also find enjoyment and fun when they get their own copy. There is so much in this story to keep a reader engaged, curious, guessing and entertained.

I’d be remiss in not mentioning the ending. It has a very welcome happy ever after, and indeed, Harlan’s final gesture totally warmed my heart. He may have issues with social cues, but when it really counts, he comes through with the most endearing, thoughtful gesture. He really is Olivia’s Prince Charming.

There are quite a few chapters in the novel and within its pages is a plethora of intrigue. I can easily get lost in trying to choose what parts to share with you, so I’m having to be vague in my references. There is so much meat to the plot, the conflict, the characters new and old, the descriptions of the garden and the eerie fog as well as wonderful dialogue between all the major players. I know there is a saying about ‘saving the best for last’, and that’s what Ms. Krentz did. Not sure if it’s by happenstance or design, but Lightning in a Mirror outshone the previous two stories. I am a very happy reader. I encourage fans of romantic suspense who don’t mind a little science fantasy and supernatural overtones spicing up the action to read this book. It’s splendid.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Rocked by Love by M. J. Schiller

February 15, 2022 By 2 Comments


Rocked by Love by M. J. Schiller
Love and Chaos Series Book two
Publisher: Kissmet Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Rock star Raphael Santiago is haunted by the night his friend Devin died. Maybe because there’s something that no one knows about the overdose. But when he jumps in the crowd to defend a woman at one of his concerts, he finds he doesn’t want to keep the secret from her. Mia was a tight little ball of fire, and I was made of combustible material. She misunderstood my intentions the night we met, but I was given an opportunity to explain the next day. I wish that was our only miscommunication, but when I discovered she’d written an inflammatory article about Just Short of Chaos, I thought she was using me to get a story. The hurt that caused made me say some nasty things. Now I may have lost her forever. Mia Love doesn’t know if Rafe is truly interested in her, or if she is merely a new plaything for him. Oh, there was definitely a heat between us from day one. Sometimes volatile, sometimes scorching in a good way. But I’d been burnt before and I was stronger now. No way was I going to let a rock star break my heart. When fate throws them together again, things really start to heat up. But will they figure out how to control their passions or will their love story end in ashes?

You know how a parent tells a child to do something and the child asks why, and the parent says, ‘Because I said so’? This is how I feel writing this review. Just read this book because I said so. Ha, ha. Seriously though, Love and Chaos is a fun-filled series. I read book one and while this review is for the second book in the series, I can’t wait to start the third one as I already have it waiting for me.

Rocked by Love is a romance with a hero named Rafe. He is the guitar player in a rock band called, Just Short of Chaos. The reason why the band chose its name is a good one and is relevant and explained in this story. Rafe is an easy hero to love especially if you adore rock bands, more so if you are a rock band groupie. I consider the setting in this story to be an accurate description of that music industry’s lifestyle. A lifestyle I’ve only dreamt about with my favorite bands. Rafe has guilt over something that really wasn’t his fault, but I can see how he blames himself. That is a personal conflict that he struggles with and ultimately changes his life for the better.

Rafe is fortunate that he met the heroine, Mia. Mia is grounded and has a calming effect on Rafe’s inner turmoil. He is able to talk and tell her things that he has never told anyone else. They are like two magnets drawn to each other. Once they started to get to know and understand each other, it was inevitable that sparks would ignite. What I love about this relationship is that they communicate with each other a lot, with and without words. It’s a little chilly here, and their love filled me up with warmth.

While Rocked by Love can be read as a standalone read, I’d advise a reader not to. I feel that way probably because of the way I grew attached to the other bandmates from the first story. I feel I have a relationship with them. This sense of family is what has me eager to start book three. There is more to this series than just a rock group. Each band member has a family. They all tease each other and make me laugh. There is a sense of camaraderie among the cast of characters.

The plot is heartwarming. The author’s writing style has a way of provoking appropriate emotions from the reader during certain plot threads. Without giving spoilers, there is definitely more to this story than meets the eye. I am not happy with the synopsis because I believe it gives away much of the story. Thankfully, I can assure you that it still leaves much for a reader to discover and I am grateful for that.

This is a steady, fast paced book. I didn’t want to put it down at all. I wasn’t sad when it ended because I know I have the third book waiting for me to start as soon as I finish this review. Reviewing has been a blessing in many ways. One particular blessing is the introduction to new authors. I’m going to add M.J. Schiller to my favorite author list. I find that I really connect to her stories and enjoy the reading entertainment she provides. Other readers should give this book and its series a try.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Cool and Warmth of Hearts by J.A. Santana

February 15, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Cool and Warmth of Hearts by J.A. Santana
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The Cool and Warmth of Hearts is a poetic compilation of fiery romance, harrowing heartbreak, cosmic union, and the sheer enigmatic nature of it all. Masterfully bridging the gap between Shakespeare-inspired styles and modern romantic poetry, J.A. Santana invites the reader to contemplate love’s euphoric crests and inevitable troughs, and find serenity when that tumultuous oscillation quietens. Whether these poems conjure nostalgia, hope, anguish, or joy, one thing is for certain: they will awaken the parts of the heart that have remained dormant for eons. The poignant words upon these pages will linger in one’s psyche, long after they have been read…

Love has a power that is all of its own and nothing stirs the human heart more than poetry that explores this sensitive emotion and brings it to life in a vibrant and compelling explosion of verse. You will discover a collection of romantic love poems that transcends time and brings every aspect of love to the forefront of your imagination.

And whether you are in love and are drinking in all of its pleasures or are mourning the loss of something you once held dear, The Cool and Warmth of Hearts offers flashes of solace and something for everyone in their moment of need. Dip in and out at your leisure and contemplate the moments that love shares with us in life’s journey, whether they still remain or have been lost forever.

Love illuminates some of the best and worst moments in life.

It was delightful to see how many references the author included to classic love poems, myths, and stories from many different eras and cultures. Some of them were as simple as him mentioning the names of famous lovers, while others took a little more time to piece together since he switched between dancing around those topics and describing his speaker’s own beloved in vivid detail. I enjoyed the layers of meaning all of this brought to his poems, especially when they could be interpreted in multiple ways depending on the reader’s preference.

Speaking from a stylistic perspective, I would have liked to see more predictable rhyming schemes in these poems. Some of them included few to no rhyming words at the end of each line while others rhymed words far more often. I enjoy many different types of poetry and am generally just as comfortable with rhymes as I am without them, but it did feel a little odd to me to leap between multiple styles in the same collection. This was even more true for the poems that seemed to change style midstream.

One of the things I appreciated the most about this collection was how it described every stage of romantic love, from the first warm and gentle twinges of a crush to the fiery heat of a love affair to the ashes that overflow everywhere when a romance ends. The fire metaphor was an excellent one for this topic, and I continued to be surprised by the many parallels the author pointed out between literal and metaphorical flames.

The Cool and Warmth of Hearts was an apt read for Valentine’s Day.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura

February 14, 2022 By Leave a Comment


In the Midst of Magic by Christian Cura
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: LGBTQ, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Meet Kara Hartman, a young painter who is hiding her magic from the world. Traumatized by the loss of her brother, she wants nothing more to do with magic. But just as her art career takes off and she has found new love, it becomes apparent that the universe has other plans for Kara. When she discovers that an old foe has broken out of prison, hellbent on destroying her new life, Kara has no choice but to embrace the only power that can stop her.

In the Midst of Magic is a standalone book (as far as I can tell) although it has plenty of potential for further stories set in this world. I actually checked to see if it was part of a series as I felt like I had dropped halfway into a story at the beginning.

Kara was friends with a woman named Charlotte, who was bad news and killed Kara’s brother. Due to this, Kara locks away her magic, only releasing it when she has to stop the ‘flickers’. Charlotte is captured and locked away but escapes, with revenge on her mind.

The world our main characters inhabit is intricate – both in its belief/magic system and also how they live side-by-side with non-magical people. I would have preferred the story if more information was given about the different gods and what they represent.

The pacing was good and the story kept moving along, but it was like two stories rolled into one. Firstly, you have Kara, Selene, Nora, and Charlotte. And secondly, you have Reagan and Thalia. I have no issue with this, but I would have preferred more back story to all of it. I felt like I was only skimming the surface when I wanted more! I was left with unanswered questions.

On the whole, this was an enjoyable F/F action story that is light on the romance and intense on the action/fighting side.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

California Man by EC Sheedy

February 11, 2022 By Leave a Comment


California Man by EC Sheedy
Salt Spring Island Friends Book 1
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Relationships don’t come easy when you’re too shy to love.

Bookstore owner Emily Welland is timid and deeply insecure—and she has her reasons. She’s read about Quinn Ramsay, the brilliantly successful celebrity entrepreneur, and she’s seen pictures of him in the tabloids— always with a stunning model or actress on his arm.

Quinn’s glittering California life is the polar opposite to her quiet and reclusive days on Salt Spring Island in the Pacific Northwest. So when Quinn comes to her island and shows an interest in her, her initial reactions are disbelief, fear—and panic attacks. None of which she can control.

All of which makes Quinn more interested than ever.

This is a cute trope that is used to good effect in California Man. Emily is the super shy book seller that freezes up when she meets people, more specifically, men outside the safety and security of her store. Quinn is the quintessential self-made, successful and rich bachelor who is tired of the rat race but not sure what else to do since it’s all he knows. The characters seem like they are diametrically opposed, yet that is what fun and entertaining romance stories are all about. Love happens when you least expect it and certainly Emily wasn’t ready for the intensity that is Quinn. Quinn didn’t expect the meteoric impact from a glance of gorgeous gray eyes. What comes next is the pursuit and chase, ultimately leading to what readers will expect to read, only to find out that the author threw in a plot conflict. A conflict I at first didn’t feel worked, but it’s what the author decided to have her secondary characters do that made it work, made me happy and I acknowledge the cleverness of it.

Most of the conflict is internal and it’s from Emily’s point of view. It is effective, although a little drawn out at times, but the emotions and feelings of sympathy for the heroine more than make up for it. Quinn’s life choice isn’t as impactful as the heroine’s, but it does play off her insecurities rather well. What I liked about Quinn was his realization that Emily is worth fighting for, and that means restraining his libido and putting her first, even when she makes it hard.

Because of Quinn’s initial restraint, I was hoping that this book was going to fall into the sensual category. Nope – it definitely earned a spicy rating. Of course, Emily rationalized it; total trope reasoning, but it’s the end result that more than makes up for it.

Another strong point in this story’s favor is how Quinn and Emily end up bringing out the best in each other, while helping each other with some of their tough life decisions. They made a great team. In fact, California Man is a pretty good read. I enjoyed it, the pace was consistent and always moved forward and I really appreciated Quinn’s depth of character, which was showcased in his interactions with James, a secondary character. The happy ever after was wrapped up with a delightful bow of love and happiness.

All in all, California Man is a romantic little gem and well worth reading.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Christmas Wishing Tree by Emily March

February 11, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Christmas Wishing Tree by Emily March
Publisher: St Martin’s
Genre: Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Sometimes life’s most magical journeys bring you back to where it all began…From New York Times bestselling author Emily March comes The Christmas Wishing Tree, an enchanting account of the magic and miracle of Christmas.

A man who loves adventure and the open sea, Devin Murphy returns for a short Christmas trip to his small hometown of Eternity Springs. Immersed in the joy and magic of the holiday season all around him, he doesn’t hesitate to play along when a young boy phones Santa to ask for a very special wish. Devin never guesses that a wrong number has the potential to make everything in his life so right.

Jenna Stockton adopted Reilly when he needed a mother and she intends to keep him safe. A small town across the country called Eternity Springs seems like a good place to hide from their past without any complications —until sexy Santa himself discovers her secrets. When Devin proposes a daring plan to face down the danger together and defeat it once and for all, she is tempted. Maybe Devin really is capable of making wishes come true? Perhaps in a Christmas wish they’ll both find the miracle they’ve been looking for all along…

A cute story for a sweet time of the year.

I’d never read a book by Emily March and when I saw this one, I had to pick it up. I’m glad I did. The writing was engaging and the story interesting. It’s a good read.

I liked the characters. Dr Jenna is a smart woman who has a kid and some issues to deal with. That’s fine. I liked that she wasn’t afraid to deal with the issues (no spoilers given) and her attitude was good, too. Have a problem, deal, move on and forward. The one thing I wasn’t crazy about with her wasn’t so much her, but how she managed to fall into situations that worked out. Sure, there was one big one that wasn’t working, but things seemed to fall into place rather easily for her, despite her other troubles.

I liked Devin, too. He’s an adventurer, but he’s also a romantic. It was cute to see him get together with Jenna and her son.

One thing that kept me from totally enjoying this book was the pacing. It took a long time for the characters to get together in the same place. I liked how the author strung the story out, but at the same time, it was a little too long. But that could be me.

If you’re looking for a sweet, holiday romance with some action, some suspense and love, then this might be the one for you.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Wrong for Him by Christi Barth

February 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Wrong for Him by Christi Barth
Love Lottery Book Three
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Amelia Kirkland’s been head-over-heels for Teague Sullivan forever. Not that she’s ever let him know—as her brother’s best friend, he’s officially off-limits. That’s even more true once they become partners in rehabbing a historic inn. She can’t risk what she’s building with her brother and her friends just to fulfill a lifelong crush. Can she?

When Teague left the Special Forces, he didn’t know what would come next. Until his best friend, Alex, won an inn as a lottery prize and made him a partner. It’s his shot at getting everything he’s always wanted. Except for Alex’s beautiful sister. Amelia’s friendship was a lifeline while he was deployed, but that’s a line he can’t cross. He owes his friend too much to betray his trust. Now, though? Working and living with her every day? He wants more.

If their secret romance is discovered, it could ruin everything before the inn has a chance. But does their one shot at happiness require them to break all the rules?

I love reading a book series because it gives me the feeling of coming home. Wrong for Him is book three in the Love Lottery series. I fell in love with the cast of characters in book one and my love only grew larger in book two. At the end of book three I felt like they were my family. There is ‘prim and proper/OCD’, Alex, who has a sister named Amelia. Amelia is the guru of landscaping and always wearing gardening clothes. Amelia and Everleigh are best friends. Everleigh is the latest fashion trend and social butterfly. Alex and Teague are best friends. Teague is the retired military buff. Therefore, Teague and Alex are like brothers to Everleigh. Teague is like a brother to Amelia. The main characters were brilliantly created in an opposites attract kind of way. They would tease and banter with one another making me laugh. They had each other’s back when something went wrong. They were in every sense a family. Technically they either came from a broken family or didn’t have a family.

The four main characters that I listed above are from the city and they play a lottery and win a historical inn located in a small town. The adjustment from city to country is a hoot. What I especially loved was how they were welcomed by the small town. The cast of characters grew spellbound and yet each new character was well developed and relatable. I’d go as far to say they are unforgettable.

It’s worth mentioning in my book two review I voiced my concern over not seeing a book four listed or to be announced. I was really looking forward to a love story between Nora, the inn cook and James the high school shop teacher. Well, I’m ecstatic to tell you that Nora and James’s love story was included in book three, Wrong for Him. It was a double romance story. Two for one. Although, the main romance was between Teague and Amelia. Therefore, I’ll stay focused on them.

Teague and Amelia are the classic “friends turned lovers” trope. It was tricky because Teague is Amelia’s brother, Alex’s best friend. They have the “best friend code about not dating sisters”. Teague is seven years older than Amelia. Teague also was adjusting to civilian life after leaving the military. Amelia had childhood trauma she was working through that affected her relationships with her brother and Teague’s. She was no longer a child and wanted to be taken seriously by the people that she loved and respected. The romance between Teague and Amelia is heartwarming, sensual, complicated and genuine.

There is more than meets the eye when regarding the plot. I was pleasantly surprised with the plot regarding the inn’s cupola. Readers will know what I’m talking about when they get to that part. I’m sad the series has come to an end. I will cherish the entertainment it provided me. I appreciated the epilogue at the end, let’s just say it gave me a definite ‘book glow’. I will have to add Christi Barth to my favorite author list. I absolutely loved her writing style in all three books in the series. The Love Lottery Book series will go on my keeper shelf.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Securing His Mate by Laura M. Baird

February 10, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Securing His Mate by Laura M. Baird
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

A vow to his ailing mother gives Grizzly shifter, Micah, six months to find his mate, or he and his brothers lose their family’s land. He can’t contemplate a lifelong bond, but one tease of Nicolette’s enticing scent has him and his bear ready to do what it takes to make her his.

Nicolette and her sister are all each other have in the world so she protects their existence by living a sedate life. A chance encounter with the charming Micah has her rethinking her decisions.

But how will she view him when she learns he’s a shifter and her only experience with that world led to heartache?
Micah offers love and security, but can he convince her their bond is meant to be?

* * *

He’s reluctant to face his destiny.
She’s protected herself from more heartache.
Their bond will prove fate doesn’t make mistakes.

Vows are not meant to be broken – so Micah has to find his Mate with only one month left of the time limit given.

This is the fifth and final book in the Shifter Mail-Order Brides series, so all the other brothers have found their Mates, leaving only Micah, the youngest, left. He is fed up with the whole thing but will do his duty. He has no idea how though until he runs into Nicolette. Then he knows what he must do.

This is a typical fast-read paranormal. See Mate. Sniff Mate. Want to mate Mate. Boom! And, of course, the Mate takes it in stride. Okay, so maybe Nicolette has a wobble, but trust me, she takes it quite easy considering rape and murder were on the cards just a few minutes before.

This is a quick read at only 91 pages, so don’t expect anything too deep. However, if you are wanting a fast story that makes you smile at the HEA then I can absolutely recommend this one.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »