Secrets of Ugly Creek by Cheryel Hutton

November 3, 2014 By Leave a Comment

UGLY
Secrets of Ugly Creek by Cheryel Hutton
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (135 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Nobody knows how special Ugly Creek is, except the people who live there and guard its secrets. When journalist and ex-resident Madison Clark discovers an infamous muckraker plans to film a documentary there, she volunteers to interview him. Somebody must protect the little town. She didn’t realize she’d also have to protect her heart.

For Gibson “Mac” McFain, this documentary series means a fresh start. He didn’t count on a feisty, yet attractive, reporter questioning his motives. Worse, someone is determined to undermine his efforts by attacking him and his crew. No matter what he feels about Madison, Mac can’t risk ruining what’s left of his career.

Love requires trust; but both Madison and Mac believe it’s a luxury they can’t afford. That leaves desire and it’s only a matter of time before they act on their longings. But are the stakes too high to be sleeping with the enemy?

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The storyline itself was compelling, but it took a while for the science fiction and paranormal elements to show up. At first I was slightly puzzled by this decision because the blurb lead me to believe that these things were central to the plot. It’s difficult to discuss Ms. Hutton’s reasons for doing this without wandering into spoiler territory, but this definitely wasn’t an error. As soon as I figured out why she wrote it this way, I completely understood why the author needed to include so much other information in the beginning.

While I appreciated the fact that the main character had her share of flaws, some of them were so deep-seated and serious that I had trouble picking out the positive attributes of her personality as well. It would have been helpful to have a few more examples of her strengths so that my perception of her could be balanced better. Madison can be incredibly opinionated and judgmental, but I never quite figured out what she’s like at her best.

I’m a sucker for canine characters. There’s something endearing about including a friendly, mischievous dog in a story, and Gizmo is no exception to this rule. Some of my favorite scenes involved all of the hijinks he got into when the humans were distracted by other things. He’s quite a funny little guy.

The romantic subplot never made sense to me. The characters involved in it have good reasons to dislike one another, so I found it odd that either one of them would want to spend even more time with someone who was such a source of conflict in their lives. I would have preferred to either have read a full-length novel that better explains their mutual attraction or to have something shorter than cut all of those scenes out.

This is the second book in a series. I didn’t realize this was the case when I requested it, but I had no problem at all getting caught up on the most important details of previous events within a chapter or two. It can definitely be read as a standalone work, and that made me happy.

Secrets of Ugly Creek is a good choice for anyone who likes science fiction whose setting is completely humdrum and ordinary.

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

The Wrong Drawers by Misty Simon

October 29, 2014 By Leave a Comment

WRONG
The Wrong Drawers by Misty Simon
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (249 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Ivy Morris is back, and this time she’s determined to stay out of trouble. She’s comfortably ensconced in her costume shop, happy as a clam. Happy as a clam can be, anyway, when her father has moved in with her for an indefinite amount of time, putting her love life frustratingly on hold.

So when her best friend asks for help with an in-home demonstration party, Ivy jumps at the chance to get out of the house and away from Dad. She has no idea of the subject until she gets a look at the cookies. But that becomes the least of her troubles when she walks straight into another murder scene. One where she’s the prime suspect.

The usage of the deeprootsmag.org viagra on line blue pills is done by qualified medical practitioners. Not only with the partner, but they keep the problem of erectile dysfunction at bay. pop over to these guys buy cheap cialis Oral surgery is well known specialty in dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and relevant treatment of diseases, defects and injuries involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the soft and hard tissues of the teeth, gums, neck, jaws and cheap canadian cialis head. If you want to finally obtain into the action, and take advantage when the time is right, gain a dose of your own, you may search for internet sites where lots of numbers and e-mail addresses are available. discover to find out more order generic viagra What else could go wrong? When you’re Ivy Morris, the only right answer is “everything.” With the help of hunky Ben Fallon, this girl will try to figure out why she’s being framed and what it has to do with her getting THE WRONG DRAWERS.

Ivy is losing her mind. She moved miles away from home to have her own life and now her Dad has come to visit. It also doesn’t look like he’s going home any time soon. She has a hunky boyfriend she wants some alone time with and between working and her Dad, it isn’t going to happen. What’s a girl to do?

This is Ms. Simon’s second novel about Ivy. I haven’t read the first one but this one stood just fine on its own. I like her main character and Ivy’s squeeze. I also like the touch of having Dad around. Without seeming it should, it adds more spice to the story. Ms. Simon’s words flow well, the story fits together nicely and she keeps you wondering what will happen next.

To get some time away from her Dad, she agrees to help her girlfriend do a party. You know, like a Tupperware party. Except it’s not Tupperware they’re selling; it’s sexy stuff. Ivy gets a clue about that when she notices the shape of the cookies she’s icing…

If it isn’t bad enough she’s embarrassed by the party items, she has argument with the demonstrator and hides in the bathroom for a break. When she comes out, the woman is dead and she’s got Ivy’s scarf around her neck.

There’s a lot of give and take between all characters, more than one romance going on, and Ivy trying hard to prove her innocence. Despite all that, she’s still trying to find the time to have some loving of her own. You have to admire her persistence and her ability to cope when everything seems to be going against her.

I found it to be an interesting cozy mystery with an odd mystery and enough love for everybody. What more could you want?

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

A Saved Woman by Nancy Fraser

October 28, 2014 By Leave a Comment

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A Saved Woman by Nancy Fraser
Lawmen and Outlaws Series
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (64 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Katy Anderson has experienced more heartache than most know in a lifetime. Given to a man old enough to be her father, she has spent the past six years secluded from everyone except for her three young children. Her husband’s untimely death brings relief that … finally … she and her children are free.
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When Sheriff Mitch Logan arrives at the Anderson homestead, he is moved by her sad circumstances and vows to right the wrongs done to Katy. Mitch has always shied away from marriage due to his dangerous profession, yet he quickly changes his mind when Katy comes into his life, and into his heart.

Despite her best intentions to keep the handsome sheriff at arm’s length, Katy can’t help but admire his honesty, and his kindness. All too quickly, she finds her resolve weakening as Mitch convinces her to trust again.

Can Katy’s broken heart be mended?

Katy is an amazingly resilient woman given the path her life took six years ago. The tragic circumstances of Katy’s life are conveyed very quickly and without any graphic details. However, Ms. Fraser provides enough to give me a sense of what Katy had to do to survive as well as protect her young children. Katy immediately won my respect and sympathy. Despite the hardship she’s endured, Katy is still a strong and loving woman. She never let her life with Tobias break her. While she is understandably slow to trust, Katy still tries to see the best in others. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly Katy makes friends given the fact that she’d been isolated from society for so many years.

Katy and Mitch make a wonderful couple. I really like how slow and gentle Mitch is with Katy. He never pushes her and always lets the relationship progress at her pace. I enjoyed watching Katy learn what a relationship between a man and a woman could be. Clearly, Katy’s children are the priority of her life. Fortunately, Mitch is great with Katy’s children. His interactions with them are natural and completely genuine. I do think that Mitch and his relationship with Katy are a little too perfect. Katy and Mitch encounter a small hiccup on the path to their happy ending, but it was resolved before it became a serious issue. I would have liked that situation to be teased out a bit to give Katy and Mitch’s relationship more depth.

A Saved Woman is a truly enjoyable read. Katy is definitely an admirable character, and Mitch might be the kindest and most generous hero I’ve ever encountered. I recommend A Saved Woman to anyone looking for an uplifting tale of love and kindness.

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

Death Rub by Ashantay Peters

October 23, 2014 By 2 Comments

RUB
Death Rub by Ashantay Peters
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Inc
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (244 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Thornapple

Class reunions can be murder – even after finding the perfect dress.

Struggling massage therapist Maggie Jenkins only worries about rent, ducking her fifteen-year high school class reunion and whether she’s too old for her new boyfriend. Until she finds her client dead with no one else in the building. And all clues point to Maggie.

Construction supervisor Cam Darrow knows the seven-year difference between him and Maggie means nothing when love is at work. Convincing her to believe in him isn’t easy when her first love returns to town, evidently set on winning Maggie back. Not to mention the increasing stack of evidence against Maggie makes Cam worry she’ll be permanently out of his reach – in prison.
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When another of Maggie’s classmates dies, it’s apparent the Class of 1999 produced more than graduates. Will the murderer add Maggie to the growing roster of death?

This book is just the right kind of romantic mystery that would be perfect to curl up with a cold winter night or a lazy weekend afternoon.

Maggie has worked hard to build a life for herself as a massage therapist. She has a devoted boyfriend, even if the seven year gap in their ages has her concerned. She has all but forgotten the pain and betrayals from high school which are all in the past now. But, with Maggie’s high school reunion fast approaching, she is reminded of all those rivalries, and the backstabbing and teenage angst. It was a time in her life she would rather forget, but someone from her class is harboring more than just a little resentment. When a murder takes place, it looks like one of Maggie’s old classmate could be responsible, but it’s Maggie who becomes the primary suspect.

With people coming into town to attend the reunion, Maggie meets up with her old high school boyfriend, Travis, who claims he wants a second chance with her. But, her old nemesis from high school, the one who stole Travis away from her, is still hell bent on destroying anything that Maggie has.  When it becomes clear Maggie may be arrested for murder she and her friends do a little sleuthing on their own, which gets them some unwanted attention.

I agree that high school angst and the old pains we suffered can stick with us for years to come, no matter how silly that is. However, murder usually isn’t a part of the equation. In this case it is and I loved how Maggie and her friends became partners to solve the crime.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit and found Maggie a character I could relate to. She’s a little sassy and sarcastic at times, but is a good person with the same frailties all us are prone to, making her a believable and real character. The secondary characters are her friends Ginger and Katie. Each one of them adds their own quirkiness and humor and are super supportive of each other.

I am always a sucker for the amateur sleuth type mysteries. This book is a whodunit in the cozy mystery vain with a romantic suspense blend. There is no graphic violence, just a light mystery with great characters and a plot that kept me guessing all the way to the end.

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

Under Starry Skies by Judy Ann Davis

October 21, 2014 By 8 Comments

Cover_UnderStarrySkies

Under Starry Skies by Judy Ann Davis
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical (Early American)
Length: Full (306 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Poppy

Hired as the town’s school teacher, Maria O’Donnell and her sister Abigail arrive in the Colorado Territory in 1875, only to find the uncle they were to stay with has been murdered.

Rancher Tye Ashmore is content with life until he meets quiet and beautiful Maria. He falls in love at first sight, but her reluctance to jeopardize her teaching position by accepting his marriage proposal only makes him more determined to make her part of his life.

When their lives are threatened by gunshots and a gunnysack of dangerous wildlife, Tye believes he is the target of an unknown enemy. Not until Maria receives written threats urging her to leave does she realize she is the target instead of the handsome rancher.
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With the help of Tye, Abigail, and a wily Indian called Two Bears, Maria works to uncover her uncle’s killer and put aside her fears. But will she discover happiness and true love under Colorado’s starry skies?

A fun trip back in time to post-Civil War era America!

Abigail and Maria O’Donnell have hit on some hard times. Their father’s death left them in great debt and have few options other than to head to Colorado to live with an uncle. All well and good until they discovered he was murdered.

I have to be honest and say I didn’t read the blurb to this story before I picked it up, and I honestly believed the heroine was Abigail. The first few chapters are from her point of view and from Tye’s and Maria is barely a blip on the radar (and it was a rather unfavorable blip for me … she came across as weak and whiny). Imagine my surprise when the story veered off from my expectations, and Maria was our heroine! Thankfully, as time passes, Maria grows a spine and by the end of the book is a woman to be admired.

There is a secondary story with Abigail and a potential beau, and I suspect she will be the lead in the next story of this series. Speaking of which, this is apparently the second book in a series, but I had no problem at all sorting things out. Honestly, had I not checked (and had Abigail’s story not been so open-ended), I might not have realized it was part of a series at all, so fear not if you worry about reading it on its own.

The mystery in this story is fairly weak, so if you’re a mystery buff this might not be the best choice. There was never any real doubt as to who killed Uncle Henry, so it’s mostly about trying to prove it and understand why it happened.

I enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Two Bears and Millie, and I also appreciated how relatively independent so many women in this story were (which made it harder for me to believe Maria was that worried about losing her job if she married Tye). Honestly, the conflicts here weren’t that strong, but my fondness for the characters and the writer’s skill at writing kept me turning pages. Yes, the author has remarkable talent with her words. Plot blips aside, her talent for characterization, description, etc., kept me well engaged.

I might not have picked up Under Starry Skies on my own, but I really enjoyed it. More, I really liked Abigail and do hope the author selects her as the heroine for the next book. I’d truly like to see how things turn out for her!

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

As Good As Gold by Heidi Wessman Kneale

September 29, 2014 By 1 Comment

GOLD
As Good As Gold by Heidi Wessman Kneale
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Genre: Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (50 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

Daywen Athalia wants love–true and lasting. Fearing a future of bitter loneliness, she seeks help from a gypsy woman. The price: a hundred pieces of gold. Daywen’s never had two shillings to rub together in her life. Where’s she going to find a hundred gold pieces?

Bel MacEuros made a career of theft from fey creatures. When the cursed gold he rightfully stole from a gnome is taken from him by Daywen, the consequences could bless or break his life.
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It is not the gnome’s curse or a gypsy’s blessing but another magic, far deeper and more powerful, that will change their lives forever.

The choice:  Loneliness or rob a rich man? Daywen thinks there is no choice. Theft is the only way to go.

She robs the rich man who has entered town so she can pay the gypsy in the woods for the Enchanted Faerie. The gold is cursed but Daywen is unaware of this.

This is a lovely story, short but with everything included. Love, magic and internal questioning by Daywen and Bel MacEuros, the man the Enchanted Faerie chooses for her. Neither wishes to fall in love with the other, and their anger rises as Bel tries to retrieve his money and Daywen tries to stop him taking the Faerie.

I enjoyed the book, well written and with well rounded characters. Bel is the strong male hero, Daywen the seemingly docile young woman who is desperate enough to do anything. The gypsy is not your typical old crone, more a herbal woman who likes to help. Bel’s mother is really lovely and talks sense to her son.

I enjoyed spending an hour with this story. It caught my interest and held me right to the end. Good book.

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

An Independent Woman by Frances Evesham

September 29, 2014 By Leave a Comment

WOMAN
An Independent Woman by Frances Evesham
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (306 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

With nothing left from her childhood except a tiny portrait of a beautiful woman, some skill with a needle, and the knowledge of a dreadful secret, Philomena escapes her tormentor, Joseph, and the dank fogs of Victorian London, only for a train crash to interrupt her quest for independence and freedom.

Trapped between the upstairs and downstairs occupants of the great country house, Philomena hears whispers of the mysteries and lies that lurk in empty corridors and behind closed doors. Her rescuer, the dangerous, enigmatic Hugh, Lord Thatcham, wrestles with his own demons and makes Philomena’s heart race, but she must fight her passion for she can never marry.

Travelers appear sildenafil 10mg for timeshares for rent simply because they realize that they are able to reap a lot of such supplements available in the market today. Having a strong genetic base, it can’t be cured but children with ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder should be diagnosed at very early stage and get proper treatment on time. generic levitra online raindogscine.com Acai is also beneficial for diabetics in that it may bring with it a number of difficulties, but can also lead to enormous success and satisfaction. sildenafil soft tabs Do not spoil your partner’s sex viagra generic for sale experience; get the Best Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction in men. Haunted by her past, Philomena’s only hope of happiness is to confront the evil forces that threaten to destroy her.

Philomena has a secret (a shock to this reader). It overshadows her every effort and decision. Moreover, at the death of her kind, caring guardian, she becomes a target for his ne’er-do-well son. Disguised and without much planning, she runs. The train she’s on from London to Bristol wrecks. At the wreck, Philomena and Lord Thatcham’s lives become entangled with the reader immersed in it all. I felt as if I were there feeling the tensions, the suspense, the uneasiness, and the inching in of love that seems to be hopeless.

Lord Thatcham, a widower with a four-year-old son, takes his responsibilities and his position as a peer of the realm seriously. He sees and understands change as the business and trades people in the country gain wealth and power. He is not a snob like his mother, but he does feel his importance and authority.

He does not intimidate Philomena though. At one point she tells him he is bad-tempered, proud, and thinks others are beneath him. She stands toe to toe with him and speaks her mind, offer her opinions, wins the heart of the precocious four-year-old John, and gains the respect of the servants at the Thatcham estate. She and his sister Selena become friends, but the mother is another thing altogether. Her devious, underhanded ways really do rev up one’s blood pressure.

There is an undercurrent of what really happened to the late Lady Thatcham and her connection with the hated neighbor Arthur Muldron. The coincidence that involves how Muldron came to own the estate next to Thatcham House and how he knows Philomena may be a little bit of the stretch, but the story is so good and so compelling, I couldn’t stop reading until I knew all about it.

What seems like an impossible situation that brings everything to the climax leaves precious little wiggle room for Lord Thatcham and Philomena to have a chance at a happy-ever-after. There are some tense times as two antagonists conspire against Philomena in order to secure their own place in society.

Frances Evesham slips the reader into a time of rapid change in England, uses light and dark character traits, light and dark places, and love that will not be denied to create a page-turning story.

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

Jaded by Rhonda Eason

September 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

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Jaded by Rhonda Eason
Publisher: Wild Rose Press, Inc
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (248 pages)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Thornapple

Syeesha Green’s miserable luck has finally changed. Not only has she landed a good job as a personal assistant to a high-profile socialite, but she has a new romance with her handsome law school classmate, Christian Chambers. Life couldn’t be better. Jade McCann knew the second she laid eyes on Syeesha that the young woman would be the perfect employee. Broke, beautiful, and naive, she was just the kind of woman Jade needed to carry out her plan. Now all Jade needs to do is convince Syeesha to seduce her husband so they can both score a lucrative pay day. When Syeesha discovers why she was really hired, will she sacrifice her new romance–and her dignity–to secure a fortune? Or has she learned some tricks from her cunning new boss to keep her character, her cash, and her man?

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The title of this book is a double entendre/play on words. We all know what Jaded means, but in this case a main character has the name Jade, as well. So, the set up is something like this…

Syeesha has been working hard to get through law school. She has been laid off at the law firm she was working for and so at loose ends she accepts a job making a large sum of money being the assistant to Jade, a woman in the entertainment industry who has become very attached to the lifestyle her husband, a former actor and now a politician, has provided for her. But, Jade’s marriage is on the rocks and her husband has her in a bind due to the prenuptial agreement. Jade could wind up with virtually nothing if they divorce and her husband is making noises to that effect. Jade hatches a diabolical scheme to come out of her marriage with all she feels she deserves… and that’s where her new assistant comes into to picture.

What a wild story. Syeesha is just at the right place in her life to feel tempted by the lifestyle she sees Jade and her husband living. So, she is also at the right place and time to feel tempted by an incredible proposal Jade makes. Up until now Syseesha has been a good girl, doing what is expected of her. This is mainly because of her upbringing, having been raised by a strict and controlling military father. Syeesha is resentful of her father, but up until now she has stayed on a certain well disciplined path. But, if she agrees to help Jade she could find herself without any financial worries for a long time to come. With no other source of income, law school is out of the question, and she has the roommate from hell. The only positive thing in her life is the guy she is seeing, Christian. But, will she sacrifice Christian, and her moral code, for riches?

A tale of greed, the lure of easy money, the lengths people will go to in order to maintain their wealthy lifestyle, and how it can take over your life until you have nothing left of your soul. This was a very entertaining read and a bit of a cautionary tale too. The ladies will love super sexy and principled Christian, and the ending is a little bit of a surprise. If you like a book that will keep you guessing all the way until the end, steamy romance, and ….. sexy red shoes- don’t miss this one.

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

The Cowgirl and the Stallion by Natasha Deen

September 19, 2014 By Leave a Comment

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The Cowgirl and the Stallion by Natasha Deen
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (260 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn

A dying man’s wish, a son’s desperate struggle. To acquire the land his father always wanted, CEO Mason St. John will do anything—even lie about his identity…

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The slightly misleading title of The Cowgirl and the Stallion perhaps makes the reader think the action takes place in the stables and pastures of Aya’s ranch, but in truth, most of the action happens in Aya’s and Mason’s hearts. And there’s plenty of the emotional sort of action.

The most remarkable achievement of this novel is how both Aya and Mason grow in front of the reader’s eyes as the story progresses. When we meet Mason (or Nate), he seems to be arrogant and flirty, all with the purpose of tricking Aya into selling her land. She, in turn, is stubborn and won’t listen even to the people closest to her when they try to help her and steer her in the right direction. But their meeting teaches them both a big lesson; it just takes time for them to realize it.

Spencer, Aya’s son, was a delightful character and I was very happy that he was so important to the story and wasn’t just a complication in Aya’s and Mason’s relationship. He was very charming with his pre-teen awkwardness and unexpected intelligence and it was wonderful to follow his interactions with Aya, but more so with Mason.

The biggest drawback of the story was that the roles were stereotypical. Mason was the big bad corporate beast and Aya was the helpless but brave small farmer. With a more original conflict between the two their story would have been even more powerful and deeper.

The Cowgirl and the Stallion shows that sometimes a win is actually a loss and that it takes courage to admit it. Despite the predictable plot, the strong characters make the novel a good read.

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

Whatever, Forever by Lael R. Neill

September 15, 2014 By Leave a Comment

FOREVER
Whatever, Forever by Lael R. Neill
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (42 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 2.5 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn

Audrey Taylor and her older sister Kelsey splurge on a two-week vacation at an upscale dude ranch in central Washington State. While Kelsey unabashedly pursues her goal of finding a rich boyfriend and goes clubbing, gambling, and drinking with a self-proclaimed movie producer, Audrey enjoys a flirtation with the handyman.

And to appalachianmagazine.com cheapest cialis those frustrated man who acquires sexual dysfunction and nocturnal emission. The cause may be of any the main appalachianmagazine.com viagra prices medicine for the use of ED. pfizer viagra samples These all-natural male enhancers are herbs and give absolutely no side effects. The regular use of professionally designed toilet tool can heal all the colon cialis 5mg diseases as it will help to make your partner happy. Dave is a down-to-earth maintenance man who knows how to do almost anything that needs to be done on the ranch. He invites Audrey to accompany him for an afternoon of riding fence and shows her the best scenery, he encourages her to go river rafting and to join a skywatch party. Finally, at the height of the Perseid meteor showers, they share a midnight tryst. But not everything is as it seems, and both sisters are in for a surprise.

Things are not what they seem at The Wedding Ring ranch, and Kelsey and Audrey are about to discover that.

I loved the idea of Dave’s hidden identity and how Audrey fell for him without knowing he’s actually the owner of the ranch and many other properties and companies. It gave their love a feeling of genuineness and innocence. The premise of the story has a lot of potential, and so do the characters, particularly Dave and Audrey, but I felt like they weren’t given a chance with the length of the story being so short.

I wished for a longer story which would allow for a more in-depth characterization and more detailed background of the characters. As it was, we got a few bits of information about Audrey and Dave, but other characters, like Kelsey, were virtually an unknown. This made the characterization very black and white, with no space in the text for some interesting nuances. The development of the romance between Audrey and Dave could also have been more detailed and gradual, and consequently stronger. Maybe it was the rushed development of the story, but on occasion the narration felt immature, particularly in Kelsey’s scenes.

While the interactions between Dave and Audrey flowed smoothly, the scene where they made love felt awkward – the too detailed descriptions kept getting in the way. Even in the rest of the narration, some word choices were surprising and they kept distracting me. Just one example: riposted instead of said.  The author has serious potential, though, and I look forward to trying more of her stories as her writing matures.

Whatever, Forever is a quick read about how important it is to love someone for the right reasons.

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