Monthly Archives: February 2020

A Highlander In a Pickup by Laura Trentham -a Review

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A Highlander In a Pickup by Laura Trentham -a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository / Google Play / Apple

 

Description:
When a gorgeous new man—in a kilt—comes to town, life in Highland, Georgia will never be the same…

Iain Connors is the poster boy for the strong and silent type. Growing up a loner at Cairndow Castle in Scotland with only the cliffs and moors for company, it’s understood Iain will assume the mantle of Cairndow groundskeeper when his father is ready to relinquish it. But his stint in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces has opened up a whole new world—and now, rather than settle down, he accepts an invitation to travel to the States to take charge of the Highland Games. After all, he’s led men into battle, how hard can planning a party be?

Anna Maitland is ready to step up for her best friend Isabel Blackmoor, who can’t run the Games in their hometown this year. Surely Anna, a dance instructor with boundless energy, spirit, and charm, is up for the challenge? What she doesn’t anticipate is a man in a kilt who turns up claiming he’s the one in charge. What’s worse about this Iain? He’s so infuriatingly handsome that she can’t help but fantasize about him whispering sweet-nothings in her ear in his rumbly, sexy brogue. . .

 

 

Review:

A Highlander in a Pickup by Laura Trentham is the 2nd book in her Highland, Georgia series.  Our heroes of the first book, Izzy and Alasdair are in Scotland, waiting the birth of their daughter.  Izzy has asked her best friend, Anna to run the annual Highland, Georgia Scottish Festival, in her absence.  Alasdair also asks his friend, Iain to help Anna with the festival preparations. 

Anna Maitland, is a dance teacher and our heroine, who is determined to help out her friend Izzy, and run this festival to perfection.  She is hit with a double whammy, when someone delivers two animals (strange looking cow and sheep- Ozzy & Harriet lol) to be used for the festival, and a gorgeous hunk from Scotland.  Anna is not too happy to meet Iain Connors, as he plans on helping run the festival, which Anna tells him she is running it and he can take care of the animals and watch tv.  Of course, Iain has no intention of doing just that; he is here to help and despite Anna’s attitude, he will do so.

Anna is surprised when many people in town take a liking to Iain, as he not only helps people (he is a good carpenter), and makes friends easily; he can also sing.   Though they got off on the wrong foot, especially Anna’s snarky attitude for the first third of the book, the sparks between them slowly began to ignite.  Anna tries to fight off her attraction and lust for Iain (especially when he is wearing his kilts), and he isn’t sure how to handle her abrupt attitude, but in a short time their chemistry flies off the wall into a steamy relationship.  Will Iain go back to Scotland after the festival is over and leave Anna heartbroken?

What follows was a fun sweet romance that took its time to develop, even though we did have our doubts.  I did enjoy the dancing aspects of the story, as Anna trained young girls to perform at the festival, especially convincing the girl’s father to give his daughter a chance. It was also fun when Anna teaches Iain how to dance.  

Once Iain and Anna finally succumb to their lust, each finds themselves falling hard for each other.  Iain’s father wants him to return home to Scotland to eventually take over as head groundskeeper for the Castle, but he is torn by his love for Anna, as well as his father’s need for him.  Is there a future for Iain and Anna?  You need to read this book to find out.  

I can’t say enough for Laura Trentham, as she always gives us sweet wonderful romances, great couple and wonderful secondary characters.  If you love romance and Highlanders, you need to be reading A Highlander in a Pickup, which is well written by Laura Trentham.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Reading Cafe’s 8th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway-Today’s Prize

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The Reading Cafe’s 8th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway-Today’s Prize

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

The Reading Cafe is offering a 2 paper/print book prize package for today’s giveaway

ONE (1) commenter will receive both ARC books from The Reading Café

 

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

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8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs until February 23-29, 2020

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Fair Weather Enemies by Sawyer North – a Review

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Fair Weather Enemies by Sawyer North – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

 

Description:
The Hancocks and Ashfords have had a long-standing feud between their families long before Miss Jane Hancock couldn’t stand the sight of gentleman farmer Adam Ashford. But after both families fall on hard times and an unscrupulous creditor forces Jane and Adam to sign a devil’s bargain, they’ll finally understand the true meaning of keeping your enemies close at hand.

The terms of this bargain? Locate a lost treasure shrouded in deception and mystery.

The catch? Only one can claim it to win…the loser is left to ruin.

As Jane and Adam embark on a trek throughout England they plan to hate their adversary, no matter how attractive, generous, and kind they are.

Sometimes, plans change…

 

Review:

Fair Weather Enemies is a historical romance novel by author Sawyer North. Sawyer North is a new author to me. However, this will not be the last novel I want to read from this author.

The story begins in September of 1816, in London.

The two main characters of the story are Jane Hancock and Adam Ashford. The families of these characters are and have been both neighbors and each a part of a family feud going on for generations. This all began over a business they ran together until the Jacobite rebellion put an end to it. Their respective grandfathers hired a good man to take hundreds of gold pieces past the rebels. The man sent both families a letter describing where the gold could be found. However, neither family was able to decern where the gold was hidden. An argument ensued between the great grandfathers and they fought a duel. Each mortally wounded the other. That started the feud.

They have all had a very bad year. Adam owes a lot of money to Mr. Rutley (the villain). Jane runs her families mill and since crops failed this year, she also owes way too much to Mr. Rutley. He called in their debts, employing a lawyer, Mr. Barlow to oversee the procedure. He would take the Ashford lands and send Miss Hancock to debtors’ prison. In explaining this to Mr. Barlow, when Mr. Rutley stepped out to go to another meeting, they discovered the letters to each family had to be read together…this had never occurred to the families. Mr. Barlow informed both Jane and Adam that Mr. Rutley and his father before him had been taking advantage of this feud to fund each family’s attempts to ruin each other, and that while they fought the evil Rutleys had now gained both family holdings.

On hearing about the gold, Mr. Rutley cut them another proposition. They would have thirty days to find the gold, if not found they would both be ruined, and Mr. Ashford would have to marry Mr. Rutley’s daughter and cede his estate to Mr. Rutley. If found, they must toss a coin to see who would get all the gold. If Jane won, she would pay Mr. Rutley and keep her mill. If Adam won, Jane would go to debtors’ prison and Adam would still have to marry Mr. Rutley’s daughter. Mr. Barlow would accompany them on their search to represent Mr. Rutley’s interests.

Okay, that’s the basic setup and there’s much more detail you can read for yourself. You might be able to imagine where the author is taking this story, but the “devil” is in the details! Wow, the detail in this story great! Grab a copy of this one and settle in for a great read. I can’t wait for more from this author!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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Disavow (The Dumonts #3) by Karina Halle-a review

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Disavow (The Dumonts #3) by Karina Halle-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N paper / Chapters Indigo paper /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 25, 2020

In the Dumont fashion empire, no heir has a reputation as decadent, arrogant, and ruthless as that of Pascal Dumont. Every transgression, an indecent pleasure. Every woman, a conquest. And none is more challenging than his new personal assistant, Gabrielle Caron. She’s defiant, alluring, and a mystery Pascal can’t wait to solve.

A former family servant and daughter of the head maid, Gabrielle’s returned as suddenly as she left eight years ago. No longer an awkward teen, the ethereal young beauty has amassed a wealth of resolve. She’ll need it. In hire to the devilishly charming scion, she’s come back for one reason only. And she dare not whisper why.

But as the nights grow more intimate at the Dumont maison, Gabrielle realizes that the last man she believed in is the one man she can trust with her secrets. For Pascal, falling in love means more than his own redemption. It could mean saving Gabrielle’s very life as they confront a dark and scandalous past…together.

•••••••••

REVIEW:DISAVOW is the third and final instalment in Karina Halle’s contemporary, adult THE DUMONTS erotic, dark romance series focusing on the Dumont dynasty. This is Dumont fashion heir Pascal Dumont, and PA Gabrielle Caron’s story line. DISAVOW can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and history.

SOME BACKGROUND: Several months earlier Ludovic Dumont, of the Dumont fashion dynasty died under mysterious circumstances, and in the aftermath his brother Gautier has all but removed any trace of Ludovic’s heirs from the family business. But all is not well in the Dumont family, with the return of Gabrielle Caron, the long-time maid’s only daughter.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Pascal and Gabrielle) DISAVOW follows the return of Gabrielle Caron to the house of horrors she experienced in her youth. Eight years earlier Gabrielle’s life was destroyed by Gautier Dumont, and in the ensuring years Gabrielle went to college, and planned for the future. Fast forward to present day wherein Gabrielle’s return forces Pascal to look at the bigger picture, a dysfunctional family whose own members can not be trusted, and have been destroyed by sins of the past. What ensues is the slow building romance between Gabrielle and Pascal, and the potential fall-out as Gautier Dumont is determined to destroy what’s left of our story line heroine.

The Dumont family has been torn apart by secrets and greed. With the mysterious death of Ludovic Dumont his own heirs have been shoved to the side but have managed to succeed on their own. With the return of Gabrielle Caron, Pascal Dumont’s struggles with issues of trust, but none more so when Gabrielle reveals the truth behind her unexpected return.

The relationship between Gabrielle and Pascal begins as a business arrangement when Pascal struggles to keeps a PA and maid. Gabrielle is reluctant to take on the position that places her in the direct line of fire, but a position that can also ensure close contact with her mother who continues to work for the Dumont family. Pascal’s slow seduction of our story line heroine forces Gabrielle to struggle between head and heart knowing that what she is about to do will destroy them all. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

All of the previous story line couples return in cameo roles, as well as the return of Gauthier Dumont, his long suffering wife; and Gabrielle’s mother Jolie Caron.

DISAVOW is a story of extreme family dysfunction; of secrets, lies, power and abuse; of forgiveness, acceptance, murder and love. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are energetic, ruthless and desperate; the romance is seductive and captivating.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Discretion
Disarm

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Goodreads /Website /Twitter /Facebook /

Karina Halle is a former travel writer & music journalist and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author of The Swedish Prince, The Pact, Love, in English, The Artists Trilogy, Bad at Love & over 45 other wild and romantic reads. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her adopted pup Bruce, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books.

Halle is represented by Root Literary and is both self-published and published by Atria Books/Simon & Schuster and Hachette. Her books have been published in France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Hungary, Brazil, Bulgaria, Israel and Croatia.

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The Reading Cafe’s 8th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway-Today’s Prize

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The Reading Cafe’s 8th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway-Today’s Prize

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

The Reading Cafe is offering a 3 paper/print ARC book prize package for today’s giveaway

ONE (1) commenter will receive all 3 ARC books from The Reading Café

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click ‘on’ NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs until February 22-29, 2020

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STARTING OVER AT BLUEBERRY CREEK by Annie Rains-Review & Giveaway

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STARTING OVER AT BLUEBERRY CREEK (Sweetwater Springs #4) by Annie Rains-Review & Giveaway

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 25, 2020

Should they fan the flames or douse this fire before someone gets seriously burned?

Firefighter Luke Marini moved to the small town of Sweetwater Springs with the highest of hopes – new town, new job, and new neighbors who know nothing of his past. And that’s just how he wants to keep it. But it’s nearly impossible when the gorgeous brunette next door decides to be the neighborhood welcome wagon. She’s sugar, spice, and everything nice – but getting close to someone again is playing with fire.

Brenna McConnell put college on hold to raise her little sister. Now that Eve is grown, Brenna is ready to leave Blueberry Creek and finish what she started. Moving on isn’t easy, however, when her gruff new neighbor gives Eve a dangerous firefighting job. And yet, even as Brenna is telling him off for putting her sister in harm’s way, she can’t deny the sizzling chemistry between them. She put her dreams on hold once. Is she willing to make that sacrifice again for a chance at forever?

••••••••

REVIEW: STARTING OVER AT BLUEBERRY CREEK is the fourth instalment in Annie Rains contemporary, adult SWEETWATER SPRINGS romance series. This is fire fighter Luke Marini, and twenty-eight year old, bakery owner Brenna McConnell’s story line. STARTING OVER AT BLUEBERRY CREEK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Luke and Brenna) STARTING OVER AT BLUEBERRY CREEK follows the building relationship between new neighbors fire fighter Luke Marini, and bakery owner Brenna McConnell. A workplace accident finds Luke Marini assigned the position of the new fire chief at the Sweet Springs Fire Department but with it also come the prospect of a new hire, his neighbor’s eighteen year old sister Eva, who is struggling with her place in the world. Brenna McConnell battles between head and heart since the death of her parents years before. Having to drop out of college to run her mother’s bakery while raising her younger sister Eva, Brenna finds herself facing an uphill battle when her sister wants to become a fire fighter like their father, and Brenna wants Eva to go back to school. As Brenna and Luke butt heads about Eva’s future, our leading couple give in to the desire they have been fighting since the first time they met. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Brenna and Luke, and the potential fall-out as Brenna continues to struggles with Eva’s career choice, and the danger it poses; and Brenna’s decision to go back to school to become a teacher, and selling the business her mother loved.

The relationship between Eva and Luke is one of immediate attraction but Luke keeps his distance in an effort to establish himself at the SSFD. Brenna believes Luke is a bit of a snob until she realizes that her new neighbour is struggling to find his place in town. The $ex scenes are all implied.

The secondary and supporting characters include Brenna’s younger sister Eva who like most teenagers, is constantly at odds with the people in charge. We are introduced to young fire fighter Ryan Johnson, who may or may not have an interest in Eva, as well as fire chief Brewer, who is considering his future retirement.

STARTING OVER AT BLUEBERRY CREEK is a sweet story of family, friendships, romance and love; of acceptance and perseverance. The premise is engaging; the romance is tender and playful; the characters are energetic and stubborn.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Christmas on Mistletoe Lane
Springtime at Hope Cottage
Snowfall on Cedar Trail

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow: Bookbub / Website / Goodreads / Twitter/ Facebook

Annie Rains is a contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

Annie Rain’s publisher (Forever Romance) is graciously offering a paper copy of  STARTING OVER AT BLUEBERRY CREEK  to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

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10. Giveaway runs from February 22-26, 2020

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THE BACHELOR (Duke Dynasty #2) by Sabrina Jeffries-a review

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THE BACHELOR (Duke Dynasty #2) by Sabrina Jeffries-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 25, 2020

Lady Gwyn Drake has long protected her family’s reputation by hiding an imprudent affair from her youth. But when her former suitor appears at Armitage Hall, manhandling the heiress and threatening to go public with her secrets, it’s Gwyn who needs protecting. Her twin brother, Thorn, hires Joshua Wolfe, the estate’s gamekeeper, to keep her safe in London during her debut. As a war hero, Joshua feels obligated to fulfill the assignment he has accepted. But as a man, it’s torment to be so very close to the beauty he’s fought to ignore . . .

With handsome Joshua monitoring her every move, Gwyn would prefer to forget both the past and the parade of money-seeking bachelors at her coming out. But Joshua is unmoved by her attempts at flirtation, and the threat of blackmail still hangs over her. With danger closing in, Gwyn must decide which is the greater risk: deflecting a scoundrel’s attempts to sabotage her–or revealing her whole heart to the rugged bodyguard she can’t resist .

••••

REVIEW: THE BACHELOR is the second instalment in Sabrina Jeffries adult DUKE DYNASTY historical romance series focusing on the children of a thrice-widowed dowager Duchess, and her extended family of nieces and nephews, by marriage. This is thirty-year old Lady Gwyn Drake, and thirty-one year old, British Marine/gamekeeper Major Joshua Wolfe’s story line. THE BACHELOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Gwyn and Joshua) THE BACHELOR follows the building relationship between thirty-year old Lady Gwyn Drake, and thirty-one year old, British Marine/gamekeeper Major Joshua Wolfe. Ten years earlier Gwyn’s brother Thorn paid off one of her suitors to protect his twin and the family estate. Fast forward to present day wherein said suitor has returned in an effort to blackmail our story line heroine who is reluctant to reveal the truth, to her brother, about what happened years before. Witnessing the back and forth between Gwyn and a man he didn’t know, Major Joshua Wolfe comes to Gwyn’s defense, only to find himself hired by Gwyn’s brother Thorn to protect our heroine from a possible abduction, a story Gwyn told her brother to hide the truth. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Gwyn and Joshua, and the potential fall-out as Gwyn’s blackmailer follows the family to London, to demand more than Gwyn is willing to pay.

Lady Gwyn Drake believes she is a tarnished spinster with no hopes of love on the horizon but discovering Major Joshua Wolfe has been hired to protect our story line heroine, Gwyn finds herself falling for a man to whom she has lied, time and again. Major Joshua Wolfe is damaged goods having been injured in a battle on the seas. Surviving on a partial pension from his Marine days, Joshua gladly accepts Thorn’s offer of a job, to protect the woman with whom he will fall in love. A cross-country trip to London to present Joshua’s sister as Grey’s duchess, and Gwyn’s presentation as a potential wife, are the perfect set-up to hide the truth as to Gwyn’s need for a personal bodyguard.

The relationship between is Gwyn and Joshua is one of immediate attraction but neither one is looking for any long-term commitments. Gwyn’s limited history with men, and her age, means her prospects of finding love are few and far between; and Joshua struggles in the face of his injuries, and the possibility that he may never be able to afford a wife. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Dowager Duchess Lydia Fletcher; Gwyn’s twin Marlow ‘Thorn’ Drake, and their half siblings Sheridan Wolfe, Heywood Wolfe; Fletcher Grey and his wife Beatrice Wolfe (Project Duchess #1). The requisite evil is Captain Lionel Malet- a man willing to sell anything for a price.

THE BACHELOR is a story of betrayal and vengeance; deceit and blackmail; romance, relationships, family and love. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are charismatic, feisty and energetic.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one PROJECT DUCHESS.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Reading Cafe’s 8th Anniversary Giveaway-Sourcebooks Package

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The Reading Cafe’s 8th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway-Today’s Prize from Sourcebooks

NOTE: All giveaways require a comment to qualify

Please be aware some of the books offered may be ARC copies from the publisher which may or may not have gone through final edits or final cover copy

SOURCEBOOKS publishing is graciously offering a FIVE (5) paper book prize package to TWO (2) commenters at The Reading Cafe

NOTE: If you have a preference as to which collection of books you would like (Prize 1 or Prize 2), please let us know in the comments, and we will try to accommodate unless two winners pick the same prize.

PRIZE #1

PRIZE #2

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

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3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. LIKE on SOURCEBOOKS on FACEBOOK and then click ‘on’ NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click ‘on’ NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

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8. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

9. Giveaway open to USA only

10. Giveaway runs until February 21-29, 2020

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