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LOST TIMES
(Shelby Creek County 6)
by Jean Marie
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 26, 2023

Love at first sight? Maybe not, but definitely lust at first sight.

Ludwig was the whole package.

Handsome.
Charming.
Successful.
And incredibly sexy.

The only issue was, he was only in town for one night. So we agreed to leave it at that. One incredible night together.

It really was a great memory, until my monthly friend decided not to show up and I had no way of contacting him.

I knew it would be difficult being a single mom, but I was determined to make it work.

After 7 long years of tackling motherhood, working my butt off to keep food on the table, and finally finishing my finance degree. I scored a sweet new job that was a game changer for Jasmine and I. Our better life was only a few hours away in a quaint little town.

I was so excited for my first day of work, until I met my new boss. The man looking back at me had a very familiar face that shared the same eyes and nose as my baby girl. The years had changed him though. His eyes were no longer kind and he was cold and grumpy. Absolutely not someone I wanted in my daughter’s life.

So I kept my secret. Praying he wouldn’t find out. But I’m noticing secrets are much harder to keep in a Small Town…

••••••

REVIEW: LOST TIMES is the sixth instalment in Jean Marie’s contemporary, adult SHELBY CREEK COUNTY erotic, romance series. This is CEO Evans Financial Ludwig Evans, and financial investor Thalia Thomas. LOST TIMES 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 first person perspectives (Ludwig and Thalia) LOST TIMES follows in the wake of a one-night stand. Approximately eight years earlier Ludwig And Thalia spent one-night together but Ludwig told Thalia he didn’t do relationships, and several weeks would pass before Thalia discovered she was pregnant. Unable to locate our story line hero, Thalia gave birth to their daughter Jasmine, raising the girl on her own. Fast forward to present day, Thalia is hired by Evans Financial, and discovers that her new boss is her former one-night stand.Battling between head and heart whether to reveal the truth, the battle is decided when Ludwig is introduced to a young girl with eyes that matched his own. What ensues is the second chance relationship between Thalia and Ludwig, and the potential fall out as someone behind the scenes is determined to destroy them all.

The world building focuses on the rebuilding relationship between our story line couple. Thalia was unable to locate Ludwig, having no idea as to his identity: and Ludwig is now hoping to start a relationship with our heroine, and the child he never knew he had. A little cold and off-putting, Ludwig must reconsider his path going forward, including his dysfunctional relationship with his mother and father.The $ex scenes are untainted, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Thalia’s friend Naomi; her mother Penelope; and her daughter Jasmine, as well as several employees at Evans Financial, and Ludwig’s controlling parents.

LOST TIMES is a story of power and control, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The fast paced premise is entertaining and intriguing; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic and sassy.

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Reviewed by Sandy

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FROM PAST TO PRESENT
(Shelby Creek 9)
by Jean Marie
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

ebook ONLY 99¢–Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 28, 2024

I always wondered what happened to the girl next door…

So when I heard my childhood best friend was back in town, I decided to stop by for a neighborly visit.

I knew she’d be surprised at the state of the house.
So maybe I could lend a helping hand?
Plus see if we still had that connection after all these years.

Kimberley was panicked. The sole provider of her child sister, and at such a young age herself. Now to find the home she inherited from her grandmother unlivable… it really threw a wrench in her plans.

So I offered her work on my ranch as a cook, along with room and board for them both.

She reluctantly agreed. Something was obviously off about their situation and she was unwilling to open up to me.

Time passed and I could tell she was continuing to keep secrets from me, which drove me absolutely crazy. When I asked questions, she blew me off, calling me a grump. But when we were alone and close, the electricity between us ignited. So intense we couldn’t ignore.

When she finally opened up, I realized what a controlling situation she ran away from and the danger she and her little sister escaped.

But her parents won’t give up so easily. They’re determined to get what is rightfully theirs while seeking revenge in return. Can I protect them both or will I lose my Kimberley again?

••••••

REVIEW: FROM PAST TO PRESENT is the ninth instalment in Jean Marie’s contemporary, adult SHELBY CREEK romance series. This is rancher Dennis, and ranch cook Kimberly Jones’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dennis and Kimberly) FROM PAST TO PRESENT follow the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. Kimberly Jones had had enough of her parents behavior and abuse, and along with her younger sister Alya, Kimberly headed to her late grandmother’s hometown where she would discover the house she remembered and inherited was a shell of its’ former self. Meeting her childhood friend Dennis at her grandmother’s house Kimberly would be offered a home, a job, and a possible future but all is not well in Kimberly’s life, and the past refuses to let go. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Kimberly and Dennis, and the potential fall-out as someone is targeting our story line heroine.

The world building reveals some of the troubles that continue to spiral for Kimberly Jones. Dennis struggles with issues of trust having been betrayed by a woman in his past, and Kimberly is reluctant to reveal the truth about her return to Shelby Creek, the small town where she spent most of her summers.

The relationship between Kimberly and Dennis begins acrimoniously but rapidly turns when Kimberly confronts an icy Dennis. Dennis’ attitude runs hot and cold but explaining her own issues, reveals a past fraught with terror and fear. the $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Dennis’ parents Den and Susie; Kimberly’s sister Alya; and veterinarian Beatrice.

FROM PAST TO PRESENT is a quick read; a fast paced story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, second chances and love. The premise is intriguing and engaging but the conflict resolution is too quick, and mostly behind the scenes; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic.

Copy supplied by Booksprout

Reviewed by Sandy