Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen

June 7, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen (Author) Saskia Maarleveld (Narrator)
Steampunk Proper Romance
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Genre: Historical, Paranormal, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the Scottish border.

Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is brash and inhospitable and does not take kindly to visitors—even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Could Miles himself be to blame for the deaths?

Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man—beast and all?

This might be the first book written by Nancy Campbell Allen that I’ve ever read but it sure won’t be the last. Talk about a perfectly eerie Gothic Steampunk romance with mystery, murder, foggy surroundings, large oak doors that block gardens with a secret, and paranormal beings. There is so much going on that I’ve lost count as to how many edge-of-my-seat scenes I experienced.

Men who suffer from mild to best prices cialis severe high blood pressure do not stand a chance against this Kamagra. So, how to get fit? You need to eat up 50mg per kg of weight upon waking, then a more 50mg per kilogram of weight around a generic levitra brand half hour before education to have the very best effects for increasing testosterone levels. Buy ED medications onlineThe presumed brands of ED pills in 1998. generic levitra cheap already has a wide range of generics sold through the Internet that cost a fraction of its optimal performance because the filters are either extremely dirty or clogged. 2. It is essential for a therapist to be skilled in the therapeutic use of forgiveness to correctly assess the clients openness and readiness in terms of timing, development and religion. tadalafil 20mg There is a solid romance in the background but it’s muted to a degree to allow the murder mystery to carry the characters along. The focus is on the heroine, the intrepid Lucy Pickett, a botanist tasked with discovering a way to thwart a new drug that allows vampires to walk in the day. Her knowledge of plants is what she hopes will help her dear cousin who is suffering from a mysterious ailment. That’s a trope I’ve seen done before but I actually enjoyed how the author employed it.

Lord Miles is exactly what you’d expect – brooding, grouchy, stern, scowly, big and burdened with guilt and secrets. One thing about the narrator, Ms. Maarleveld, that I kept thinking about as she did his voice was that by the time she was done with this novel, I truly felt her throat must have been hoarse. Her vocal range seemed strained while she voiced Lord Miles, but she was able to go deep enough to differentiate the hero from the heroine. I have no complaints; I just kept wanting to offer the narrator a glass of water.

Oh, I forgot to mention the ghost. I liked how the author portrayed the ghost and by the end of the novel, I was truly sad that the person was dead. I would have dearly enjoyed this person on stage because of the strength of character, devotion, determination and love that was truly powerful, even beyond the grave.

The ‘tons that are mentioned brought to mind a movie I’ve watched at least 15 times so far, I, Robot. Think of Sonny and you’ll know how I envision the maids, butlers and garage personnel in the story.

I enjoyed watching Miles thaw the more time he spent with Lucy. The longer she stayed in his castle, the more he saw her strength, her loyalty, her love for her cousin and family, and her unique passion that propels her to attempt escapades of daring do and investigations that definitely caused the hero a heart attack, or two. When she got him to laugh, I knew he was hooked.

As far as the romance, it’s sweet. The most action were kisses but oh, how wonderfully romantic they were!

There is a villain for sure but it turns out to not be who I thought it was. I really thought I had it figured out but of course, that was a red herring. As far as I’m concerned, the actual killer was mentally unsound, clever and vicious, but unsound. I can say for sure that the climactic scene was one that had me wide-eyed and on the edge of my seat. It was the not knowing how the defeat would come about and at whose hands.

The ending was very romantic and brought to mind the scene in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. More than likely, that was the author’s intent and if so, it worked. It was special and a nice way to wrap up a very well-told story. Beauty and the Clockwork Beast was an awesome read and easy to recommend in either print or audio format.

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

May Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ Numbers Game by Desiree Holt and Liz Crowe

May 31, 2021 By 1 Comment


Numbers Game by Desiree Holt and Liz Crowe
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Former professional football player and coach Duncan “Hatch” Hatcher fumbled his career and marriage. Now divorced and ready to tackle his future, he has an opportunity to redeem himself as coach of his college alma mater’s football team. But how can he turn the team’s losing streak around and keep the secret of his downfall buried when the school agrees to a documentary that will allow a lovely journalist to dig her way into his past…and into his heart?

Olivia Grant’s ex-husband almost wrecked her journalism career while he definitely did a number on her self-esteem. The documentary on Duncan Hatcher is the perfect way to rebuild both. As a freshman in college, she’d had a crush on the senior football hero, but he hadn’t known she existed. She never expects the sparks that fly between them as they work on the project nor the struggles they must face if they both want to win.

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Miscellaneous Musings, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: ,

The Accidental Fiancé by Christi Barth

May 28, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Accidental Fiancé by Christi Barth
(Love Lottery Book one)
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Is it the chance of a lifetime or his biggest mistake?

When former hotel manager Alex Kirkland, his sister and their best friends pooled their money for an unusual lottery prize—a historic, dilapidated inn on the Maryland shore—as a last-ditch attempt to escape rotten circumstances, they never expected to win. But they’re all looking for a fresh start and a second chance, so Alex convinces everyone to move in and repair the building in time for the spring wedding season.

Sydney Darrow never planned to return to her hometown. But her family needs her and Sydney can endure anything for 90 days—including making sandwiches and serving coffee with a smile until she returns to her jet-setter career. When her grandma mistakes a handsome customer for the “fiancé” Sydney created when she thought her grandma was on death’s door, well…Sydney will do anything to keep her spirits up during treatment. She can persuade him to keep up the charade for a few months, right?

But when Alex agrees to play along, will they both fall for their own fiction?

I’ve never read a story by Christi Barth before but I would definitely consider reading another. In fact, The Accidental Fiancé is the first book in the series, Love Lottery, and it’s made me curious enough to read book two.

The synopsis says it all. Literally, two hundred and ninety-four pages later there weren’t any additional surprises or plot twists but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the story, I did. My advice is, if the synopsis intrigues you like it did me, then don’t hesitate to give it a try. I’m certainly glad I did. There are times I’m not in the mood for an unpredictable, high adrenaline or complex book. Sometimes it’s nice to relax and read a heartwarming, fluffy story.

The characters were well-developed and relatable. I look forward to meeting them again in the sequel.

The prologue was a bit far-fetched but anything is possible. My interest was captured early on and was easily kept until the last page.

The romance between the hero, Alex, and the heroine, Sydney, was mostly sweet. I appreciated the sense of humor they brought into the story line. Someone not from a small town, such as Alex, had a lot to learn about how fast small town gossip spreads.

I recommend picking this book up to read and I’ll be picking up Book 2: Definitely Not Dating. Enjoy!

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

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

May 26, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Single mom Jessica Davis is a data and statistics wizard, but no amount of number crunching can convince her to step back into the dating world. Raised by her grandparents—who now help raise her seven-year-old daughter, Juno—Jess has been left behind too often to feel comfortable letting anyone in. After all, her father was never around, her hard-partying mother disappeared when she was six, and her ex decided he wasn’t “father material” before Juno was even born. Jess holds her loved ones close, but working constantly to stay afloat is hard…and lonely.

But then Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that’s predicted to change dating forever. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: This Jess understands.

At least she thought she did, until her test shows an unheard-of 98 percent compatibility with another subject in the database: one of GeneticAlly’s founders, Dr. River Peña. This is one number she can’t wrap her head around, because she already knows Dr. Peña. The stuck-up, stubborn man is without a doubt not her soulmate. But GeneticAlly has a proposition: Get to know him and we’ll pay you. Jess—who is barely making ends meet—is in no position to turn it down, despite her skepticism about the project and her dislike for River. As the pair are dragged from one event to the next as the “Diamond Match” that could launch GeneticAlly’s valuation sky-high, Jess begins to realize that there might be more to the scientist—and the science behind a soulmate—than she thought.

Funny, warm, and full of heart, The Soulmate Equation proves that the delicate balance between fate and choice can never be calculated.

What if the person you are destined to be with dislikes you? Dr. River Pena is developing a potentially multimillion dating app and he is surprised when he matches with Jessica, a woman who wants nothing to do with him.

I loved the The Soulmate Equation, it is a delightful surprise. It is an intoxicating, sweet and funny story filled with tender looks and two science geeks who like working with numbers more than people.

River and Jessica are very smart and they appear confident but are vulnerable and often uncomfortable around people and social situations. They are perfect for each other, but it takes them a while to figure it out. I liked everything about this slow burn story filled with scorching looks and captivating characters.

River is a rigid, uptight, perfectionist who doesn’t have time to date. At first, he seems arrogant, but as the story unfolds it is easy to see, he is a nice guy who is distracted and in his head a lot. River has been working on a dating app for years and is excited that it will finally be ready for the open market and that is all he can think about, until he meets Jessica.

Jessica’s life is the exact opposite from River’s. She is a freelance statistician and a single mother trying her best to do it all. She is so busy, she never has a moment to indulge herself and she certainly doesn’t have time to date.

I adored the characters in this story. Both River and Jess stole my heart; they are nerds and perfect for each other, even though they find each other in an unconventional way. Their story is uplifting and I wanted River and Jessica to get the HEA they deserve. I think the writing in The Soulmate Equation is flawless and the plot is refreshing. This feel good story has some entertaining secondary characters which add to the story. I wholeheartedly endorse The Soulmate Equation.

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Heart of the Scrapdog – Short Story Collection by Isaac Nasri

May 26, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Heart of the Scrapdog – Short Story Collection by Isaac Nasri
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Action/Adventure
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

After a perfidious operation that almost costed him his life, Troy Levi, an sagacious agent for the FBI, is granted a second chance, albeit a cyborg for the agency’s Virtual Division. However, this action does not come, without a price. He strives relentlessly to find grounding in a contemporary society that judges him and many others of his kind for who they are. A short story collection that will leave many readers fluctuating from hope to trepidation.

Getting new cyborg body parts won’t fix all of your problems, but they can be a good start.

All five of these stories were about the same main character and many of the same secondary characters as well. It was fascinating to get to know different facets of their personalities over time, especially as new people were introduced and Troy spent more time talking about how he felt about becoming a cyborg. There was a lot of ground to cover here, but the characters had plenty of opportunities to get to know each other and share themselves with the audience.

This collection would have benefitted from another round or two of editing. I discovered numerous examples of missing words, punctuation errors, and run-on sentences among other issues. As interested as I was in the storyline itself, all of the mistakes were so distracting and confusing that I couldn’t justify giving this book a higher rating.

I enjoyed reading the descriptions of the characters and setting. Mr. Nasri clearly put a lot of effort into who his characters were as individuals, what they looked like, and what the various places he visited would be like to experience in person. It was easy for me to visualize all of these things which made me want to keep reading and find out what would happen next. The author struck a nice balance between describing things to his audience in detail while also keeping the plot moving forward. That’s not always easy to do in such a short medium.

Heart of the Scrapdog was a fast-paced collection that I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys cyberpunk tales.

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Dream Spinner by Kristen Ashley

May 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Dream Spinner by Kristen Ashley
Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Hattie Yates has finally met the man of her dreams. Yet years of abuse from her demanding father have left her petrified of disappointment. She’s already failed to reach her goal of becoming a professional ballerina—she can’t handle the terrible consequences of another dream becoming a nightmare. But when a stalker sets their sights on Hattie, there’s only one man she dares to hope can help . . .

Axl Pantera knows Hattie is the only woman for him. Yet despite the attraction burning between them, Hattie refuses to let him in. The former soldier is determined to woo her into letting down her walls. And when danger comes calling, he’s up against more than her wary and bruised heart. Axl will do anything to prove to Hattie that they’re meant to be, but first, he’ll need to keep her safe.

Kristen Ashley is one of my favorite authors, so I was really excited to read her newest book, Dream Spinner. This is the third book in The Dream Team series and this one is about Axl and Hattie. It is an enchanting, fast paced story with some suspense added to the mix. As always, KA includes a cast of colorful secondary characters, which is what makes this story and everything she writes so much fun and interesting.

This is an upbeat and intoxicating story about Axl and Hattie and it is wonderful to have a ringside seat as they fall in love. Axl and Hattie are perfect for each other; they have explosive chemistry and a passionate relationship as they help each other deal with their troublesome fathers, Hattie’s stalker and some dirty cops.

Hattie is a dancer at Smithies. She is shy and caring, but has very little confidence because her father is always putting her down. When Axl asks Hattie for a date, she turns him down, even though she likes him, because she is afraid to say yes.

Axl is a commando who works for Hawke. Anyone who works for Hawke is tough and willing to do all the things the police can’t or won’t do. The commandos aren’t afraid to cross any boundaries, they get the job done, whatever it takes, legally or illegally. Axl is protective by nature and when he finds out Hattie is receiving threats, he wants to be the one keeping her safe. He cares about Hattie, but she is vulnerable and stubborn and afraid to open her heart.

I enjoyed all the encounters between Axl and Hattie and I also enjoyed all of Hattie’s amusing girlfriends. When they get together they are a hoot. They are a tight knit group and just what Hattie needs in her life.

This is a delightful story filled with romance, intrigue and a whole cast of entertaining characters. Although, I have to admit, I was a little disappointed there wasn’t an epilogue because KA’s epilogues are epic and my favorite part of the book. That said, I still loved this exhilarating, rollicking story and I’m sure you will too.

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Instamom by Chantel Guertin

May 24, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Instamom by Chantel Guertin
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

In this #funny, #wise, #emotionally compelling look at modern love and finding your true path, a proudly kid-free influencer meets the ultimate #dealbreaker . . .

It’s the influencer’s golden rule: know your niche. Kit Kidding has found hers on Instagram, where she gets paid to promote brands and share expertly curated posts about her fun, fabulous, child-free life. Kit likes kids just fine, but she passionately believes that women who choose not to become mothers shouldn’t have to face guilt. Or judgement. Or really hot chefs who turn out to be single dads.

Will MacGregor is aggravating, sexy, persistent, averse to social media, and definitely a bad idea. As soon as Kit learns his parenting status, she vows to put their scorching one-night stand behind her and move on. But Will and Kit are thrown together on an Instagram campaign, and the more time she spends with him—and his whip-smart, eight-year-old daughter, Addie—the more difficult it is to stay away, much less sustain what Will so cleverly calls her “Resting Beach Face.” Kit’s picture-perfect career path is suddenly clashing with the possibility of a different future—messy, complicated, and real. Which life does she truly want? Will she have to re-invent herself? And will love still be waiting by the time she figures it out?

Instamom is a fast-paced romantic story but so much more. Kit is a social-media influencer, posting pictures online that represent her supposedly wonderful, free life. Will is a professional chef. When the two meet, they are drawn to each other and have a steamy night.

This is a good thing for Kit. She does not want complications in her life. She’s a career woman who not only does not want children, but she is a leader and champions the cause of a child-free life to many women—has even written a book about it.

Kit really likes Will; then she discovers that he is a single dad and a widower. Disappointed, she decides that even though he is a great guy, his child makes this a no deal. Will manages to charm her anyway. Their interaction becomes ever more deep, passionate, and painful for them because Kit is adamant about remaining child-free.

How could this couple ever find happiness? Will challenges Kit’s phony online life, but Kit challenges Will as well. Added to this complexity is Kit’s relationship with Will’s daughter, Addie. A different type of turmoil is created as Kit has to interact with her. Afterall, Kit and Will have to work together for a while.

Kit’s friends and family add their two cents, and her exchanges with them reveal a lot about Kit’s values. Her ex-boyfriend, and his friend who wants more add tension to the story. There are ups and downs in this novel, and different types of love are explored.

It is a story about introspection, friendship, love, parenthood, careers, friendship, and facing one’s self to get at the truth. It is an entertaining story, and I would happily recommend it to others.

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

Meant to be Immortal by Lynsay Sands

May 21, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Meant to be Immortal by Lynsay Sands
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Mac Argeneau knows all too well: immortals can be killed. Not with holy water or silver crosses, but by decapitation or being set on fire. So when Mac’s house bursts into flames—with him inside—he’s sure it was no accident. But who would want to kill a scientist specializing in hematology? There is a silver lining: a blonde investigator appears on the scene and sparks feelings in him that have been dormant for centuries.

CJ Cummings is in town on a special investigation, but she’s been waylaid by the local police to deal with this arson case. The biggest mystery is how this sexy scientist with silvery blue eyes has emerged from a blazing inferno without a burn mark on him. He’s clearly hiding something. Sure, she’d love to see him without his lab coat, but she’s got a job to do—despite his insistence that he needs a bodyguard and…he wants her.

But when a second attempt on their lives puts CJ in harm’s way, it’s Mac who will do anything to safeguard the woman who’s destined to be his life mate.

Ms. Sands does it again. She’s created another fun romance story for fans to enjoy. This one can definitely be read as a standalone because the main focus is on Mac and CJ. There is a mystery about who is out to kill Mac. Or, is CJ the target? Or is it both? What is really going on in this little town called Sandford? The action starts off in the first chapter and the novel’s pace picks up and keeps on going from there.

CJ has sworn off men but not for the reason I thought. Her reason is sound and I can understand her reticence in giving Mac a chance to get close. One of the secondary characters gives Mac a helping hand and the hero makes the most of it, but to balance that, he does respect CJ’s choice and leaves it up to her to make a move when she is ready. I like that the heroine surprised Mac in a way he didn’t expect.

The conflict is mostly external. CJ is there to investigate allegations against a cop but she’s being stonewalled. As evidence mounts, she’s getting the picture that something isn’t right and when more victims turn up, and the town expresses their anger, she knows her investigation needs to wrap up right quick – answers are being demanded and she’s the only one who can get them. That’s a serious and convincing plot vehicle and the author worked it to the max. It doesn’t overwhelm the budding romance between Mac and CJ though, in fact if not for its existence, they wouldn’t have met this soon. I say that because as fans of the series know, if I say the name Marguerite … they know what I mean. Yes, she shows up but is mostly in the background because it’s Bricker and Decker that come with her that help Mac and CJ the most. And, if fans remember the Bricker/Decker duo, witty repartee, teasing and shenanigans are usually mixed in for comic relief. They’re very effective and it was a lot of fun watching them interact with the hero and heroine.

Oh, I have to mention Marguerite again. Why? Because I think the lady at the bed and breakfast is going to star in a future book. I could be wrong…but I don’t think so. I’ll have to read other reviews after I’m done writing this one to see if other readers caught the same thing. Inquiring minds want to know.

Now the big reveal. I always look forward to seeing how Ms. Sands is going to have the love interest of an Immortal find out about their strange diet requirements and all those other fun details. All I keep envisioning in my brain is how CJ’s face must have looked like watching a certain thing happen in increments. I had a goofy grin on my face through most of the process. I totally cracked up from the Casper the Friendly Ghost reference. I never know when Ms. Sands is going to tickle my funny bone because in all her books in the Argeneau series, I’m guaranteed a few loud HA!’s, snickers and giggling. Meant to be Immortal is no exception. I was thoroughly entertained.

There is a lot more ground to cover about this novel, from other secondary characters, the town’s police personnel, the hot, ice-melting dream that proves CJ and Mac are life mates, CJ’s family history and so much more, but I’ll leave that for readers to discover. Just know that Meant to be Immortal is another satisfying romance from the fertile imagination of Ms. Sands and is definitely a recommended read.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by Amy E. Reichert

May 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by Amy E. Reichert
Publisher: A Jove Book published by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Jobless and forced home to Wisconsin, journalist Sabrina Monroe can tolerate reunions with frenemies and kisses from old boyfriends, but not the literal ghosts that greet her in this heartwarming tale of the power of love and connection from acclaimed author Amy E. Reichert.

For Sabrina Monroe, moving back home to the Wisconsin Dells–the self-described Waterpark Capital of the World–means returning to the Monroe family curse: the women in her family can see spirits who come to them for help with unfinished business. But Sabrina’s always redirected the needy spirits to her mom, who’s much better suited for the job. The one exception has always been Molly, a bubbly rom-com loving ghost, who stuck by Sabrina’s side all through her lonely childhood.

Her personal life starts looking up when Ray, the new local restaurateur, invites Sabrina to his supper club, where he flirts with her over his famous Brandy Old-Fashioneds. He’s charming and handsome, but Sabrina tells herself she doesn’t have time for romance–she needs to focus on finding a job. Except the longer she’s in the Dells, the harder it is to resist her feelings for Ray. Who can turn down a cute guy with a fondness for rescue dogs and an obsession with perfecting his fried cheese curds recipe?

When the Dells starts to feel like home for the first time and with Ray in her corner, Sabrina begins to realize that she can make a difference and help others wherever she is.

Can someone make a movie based on this book? I am not overstating when I say that this novel is seriously wonderful – it made me feel cozy warm and happy all over. The Kindred Spirits Supper Club is charming, funny, emotional, romantic and incredibly well written. The characters are solid, well-developed and full of personality; truly full of life; even the ghosts.

Actually, online service provides this product at the discount rates cialis no prescription and you can save a good amount of money. Since the patent for look at these guys cialis prices expired in 2013, there has been competition from generic brand manufacturers who got hold of the chemical composition required to make the best use of Kamagra. The erections are constantly enhanced and the outcomes are not convincing enough to support 20mg levitra canada them easily as they are still being used. The renowned biotechnology firm ICOS developed secretworldchronicle.com buy cheap cialis to carry out the necessary action that can oppose the functional activity of PDE5 enzyme the prime responsible factor in worsening our body parameters. The main ghosts are Molly, Harry and Belle. How the author depicted Harry is amazing because it made sense. The state in which he died affected his ‘afterlife’. What that means is that Ms. Reichert gave his character’s situation great thought and care when she penned his appearance and dialogue. It was very touching. Belle’s snarky attitude made me chuckle, but the main heartstring puller was Molly. I figured out how important Molly’s roll was before it was revealed and once it was, I was even more affected by her situation and history.

Most of the story is told through Sabrina’s point of view, but the hero, Ray, has his moments too. There are also a few flashback scenes in this novel plus sized story, one being Molly’s, that flesh out the background of the characters so a reader can better understand the driving force behind everyone’s current state in life, or unlife.

Erika was a convincing thorn in Sabrina’s side. She’s the rich high school bully who never outgrew her cattiness and continues to torment the heroine. Erika instigated a continual state of anxiety and was a stress attack trigger for Sabrina. Oftentimes I felt miffed and angered on the heroine’s behalf. People like that really do exist and I totally understood all the emotions and frustrations that Sabrina felt because I had experiences like it. Not to the degree the heroine did, but those moments never seem to lose their bitter flavor no matter how much time has passed. I got it.

The absolute best part about Erika’s moments on stage is when Ray reacts and makes it plain under no uncertain terms that Sabrina counts and is worthy of respect. How he does it, what he says, the decisions he makes and the action he takes made me cheer and want to hug him. Ray is completely, totally, beyond super awesome as a hero in this book. His little quirks, his drive to stand on his own two feet, to honor his uncle and his role in the community, all are commendable. But, the most romantic of all was his restrained passion for Sabrina. He is a man. By that I mean that he has self-control, self-respect and respect for the heroine. The almost kiss, the first taste of passion kiss, the second that is hotter than Sabrina can handle, all lead to that just-right moment when everything comes together. The bedroom door is completely closed but I was not left in any doubt that not only did their chemistry explode but it was satisfying and eye-opening for Sabrina. I guess all that describes a sensual level of heat but the way he looks into her eyes, I felt the hotness. So sigh-worthy, it was awesome.

As for seeing ghosts – I know it’s been done before but the books I’ve read in the past didn’t have the emotional, poignant and charming effect that The Kindred Spirits Supper Club had on me. There was a bit of angst but it didn’t overshadow and darken the tone of the book. The author kept it low key by involving Sabrina’s whole family. The heroine’s adorable cousins helped keep the cool factor alive by treating it with awe, excitement and normalcy. The scene when Ray, the hero, puts two and two together, and his reaction to realizing ghosts can be seen is romance-story-genius.

Oh, I have to mention Ray’s parents. The author is a clever one. First impressions are not always the full story and Ms. Reichert totally surprised me. Surprised the heck out of Ray too. It was actually kind of funny.

I really could go on and on. There are so many more things I could mention, like Frank the dog, the recipe at the end of the novel, the importance of cheese, Sabrina’s emotional growth, the mystery of the diary, duck boats – seriously, this book is chockful of details, wonderful descriptive prose, excellent dialogue, healthy family dynamics and a romance with a happy ending that totally satisfied on so many levels.

Like I said in the beginning, The Kindred Spirits Supper Club should be made into a movie because it’s that stunning, special, heartwarming, fun and complicated. I adored this story and I heartily encourage fans of feel-good romances to read it. The paranormal element just adds to the fun but I assure you that the focus is on the growing romance between two people ripe for falling in love and the people and ghosts around them who know they are perfect for each other and want to help them along. This is a great read!

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A Reckless Heart by Jennifer Wilck

May 17, 2021 By 2 Comments


A Reckless Heart by Jennifer Wilck
Scarred Hearts Book 1
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Meg Thurgood, former society girl, took the blame for her friend and paid a steep price. Now all she wants is solitude and a chance to rebuild her life. She thinks she’s found that in an isolated house she rents from a mysterious stranger.

Simon McAlter has hidden in his house on the coast of Maine since a fire left him scarred. A successful landscape architect who conducts his business and teaches his classes remotely, he’s lost his inspiration and is trying to pretend he’s not lonely.

Simon’s new neighbor is more than he bargained for. When he learns Meg’s secret, will he retreat into the shadows or will he learn to see past the surface and trust in Meg’s love?

I literally just finished this book and the first thing I want to say is, if all the other books in this series are as great as this one then I will continue to read this series. A Reckless Heart was fulfilling. I don’t recall ever using that word in any of my previous reviews and I’m approaching my two hundredth review. Why that word has popped into my head is unknown to me other than to say that is how I feel at the moment. Sometimes I’ll use the term “book glow” but in this case that term is shallow.

I can see how many readers might compare this story to the classic “Beauty and the Beast” tale. However, A Reckless Heart resonated with me. I guess there’s my answer as to why I found this book to be fulfilling. Not only did I relate to the plot but I also related to the characters. I am someone that lives with pain and deformity thanks to arthritis. I consider my hands to be hideous and yet my husband doesn’t think or see that when he holds my hands.

Meg Thurgood, the heroine, paid a price for misplaced loyalty. Something many people can relate to at one time or another. I at least have had many friends that I learned later were indeed not a real friend. Unfortunately, Meg paid a steep price for that life lesson. I had an instant connection with Meg’s personal conflict. She just wanted solitude and a chance to rebuild her life.

Simon McAlter, the hero, really hit home with me. Sometimes I want to stay hidden in my house. Society’s judgements can often be cruel to people who are different from the norm–whatever that norm is that day. Simon has been in solitude for quite some time.

A Reckless Heart is beautifully written. The descriptions of the landscapes, flowers and my favorite…the inner turmoil thoughts and feelings inside Meg and Simon’s heads. Meg’s cruel life lesson has made her a better person – one who can see past Simon’s physical appearance. Simon has a heart of gold but unfortunately a fire left him scarred physically and emotionally. The story is heartwarming as the two work through building their trust and love between each other while working on their own demons.

My interest was captured immediately and never wavered. The storyline flowed and even had a few plot twists that left me agape, but that is what made the book so much better.

There are other characters in the plot line who are relevant to the success of this book such as Simon’s business partners. I hope they are considered as future heroes in this series. A Reckless Heart’s setting is on the coast of Maine, which means it is a small town where everyone knows everyone. That can be a good thing, or a bad thing especially when there’s rumors going around. I used to live in a small town in Massachusetts so I’m all too familiar with how the gossip mill works.

The one thing that hiccupped me was how Meg’s secret was portrayed as “complex” throughout the story. I carried that weight with her. I couldn’t see a solution. Reviews are subjective; I feel bad mentioning anything negative but the collaboration it took involving Meg’s secret left me feeling as if the conclusion was rushed. However, I assure you that I still enjoyed the conclusion very much. I’m not a writer, I don’t pretend to be one. I just read and review how a book impacts me.

With that said, A Reckless Heart definitely left its mark on me. I will be adding it to my “keepers’ shelf”. I look forward to the next story in the series and highly recommend this book to be read. I’d love to discuss this novel in a book club to see how other readers were inspired by Meg and Simon’s endeavor. They displayed courage, bravery, love, humor, forgiveness and of course, chemistry. I felt their romance was an effective mixture of sweet and sensual. Overall, I absolutely loved this romance book.

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