Tag Archives: Contemporary Romance

No Turning Back by HelenKay Dimon-a review

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NO TURNING BACK by HelenKay Dimon-a review

no turning backABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 19, 2013

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble /

The Hanover brothers inherited some bad behavior from their con artist father. Now three strong women will make honest men out of them.

After ten years in the Army and four overseas deployments, Declan Hanover is ready for life away from a military base. Sweetwater, Oregon, a sleepy coastal town, seems like the perfect place to start over. His plan is to work out a deal with his brothers and the bank to let him keep the estate they’ve inherited, Shadow Hill. But he wasn’t prepared for Leah Baron, whose family lost everything to his father’s cons—including the house Declan intends to make his own…

Leah thinks Declan is just like his conman father. He possesses a bad boy charm that makes her heart pound, but that doesn’t mean she can trust him. All she wants is to get close to him so she can get her house back. But Declan has other ideas. He doesn’t mind being in close proximity to Leah—as long as it’s in the bedroom…

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Review: The infamous ‘they’ say you can never forget the past or go home again, but in the small town of Sweetwater one man-Marc Baron-refuses to let go.

Charlie Hanover was a con artist who all but destroyed the small town of Sweetwater and in his wake left three sons who must now deal with the aftermath of their father’s con. Fast forward twenty years, and the now three adult men, have returned to claim their grandmother’s estate-only the house once belonged to Marc Baron. And Marc is determined to seek retribution and revenge for the sins of the father.

Leah Baron has grown up with the knowledge that Charlie Hanover destroyed her parent’s marriage and left most of the town bankrupt and destitute. Now it is her job to rebuild the town of Sweetwater. But Leah’s plans go awry when the Hanover men return and want to start their lives over in the house once owned by her father.

Leah and Declan were children when Charlie conned an entire town but Leah’s perception of Declan and his brothers has been tainted by her father’s need for vengeance. When Declan returns, Leah makes it her mission to run the brothers out of town, hoping to reclaim some of her father’s dignity in the process. But as Declan and Leah begin to research the documents and files, they will discover that the truth about the past has been tainted by revenge, betrayal, greed, lies and lust and, not everyone who claims to be-is a victim.

I am not sure how to explain my feelings about this particular storyline. I had a very difficult time accepting the heroine’s anger and attitude especially when she acknowledges that the Hanover sons are not responsible for their father’s betrayal, yet Leah Baron persists for a good portion of the storyline that Declan and his brothers are in the wrong and should return the family home. Another difficulty I had was that one man-Marc Baron-had the ability to sway several generations in the town of Sweetwater and sway law enforcement that the sons of Charlie Hanover were guilty by association and therefore should be held accountable for their father’s con. The Hanover sons are taunted, threatened and ignored yet most of the town does not blame the sons. There is a bit of a conundrum –no one is held accountable for the threats and we do not know who is responsible.

There are several secondary storylines building that ensure each Hanover brother has a story to tell. But it is the relationship between Leah and Declan that amped up my anxiety. The write up about the book states ‘fun, new contemporary romance’ but I did not find the fun in any of the book. The premise surrounds revenge, betrayal, lies and manipulation yet, once the truth is finally revealed, I still could not find the humor at any stage of the story. There is sex and some romance, mystery and revelation: the storyline is not dark or horrific but I must have missed something because I did not find anything funny or humorous.

The storyline felt choppy whenever Declan and Leah were together but flowed smoothly when the Hanover brothers had their stories to tell. If you are looking for a contemporary story with a little bit of sex, a little bit of romance and a little bit of mystery- NO LOOKING BACK- is the story for you.

Copy supplied by publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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HelenKay Dimon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Website

HelenKay Dimon is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. Her first single title, Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy, was excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine in August ’07 and spotlighted at E! Online. She made Cosmopolitan a second time in December 2009 with her novella “It’s Hotter At Christmas” from the Kissing Santa Claus anthology. Her books also have been published by Doubleday Book Club and Rhapsody Book Club and translated into several languages.

HelenKay’s road to publication took a few turns. She’s not one of those authors who burst out of the womb with a notepad in one hand and a pen in the other. She didn’t know she wanted to write until much later in life. She tried international travel and journalism and enjoyed careers in politics and law first. After graduating from Syracuse University with a double major in newspaper journalism and political science, she landed in Washington, D.C. A few years as a legislative assistant to a member of the House of Representatives convinced her law school might be a good idea. Three years at Wake Forest University and one bar exam later and HelenKay moved back to the D.C. metro area as a lawyer. General civil litigation gave way to a specialty in family law and an eventual partnership in a highly respected boutique firm.

After twelve years as a divorce lawyer specializing in unhappy endings, HelenKay now writes romance for a living. The sudden career change resulted from her husband getting one of those “can’t turn it down” job offers. With only a few months’ notice, his work took the family from Maryland to their current home in California. So, instead of days filled with court, clients and a great deal of whining and complaining, HelenKay now writes for a living. She thinks of herself as a “recovering lawyer” and is grateful every day for the ability to write full time.

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Jennifer Lyon THE PROPOSITION Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Jennifer Lyon THE PROPOSITION Blog Tour and Giveaway

THE PROPOSITION Tour Banner


Lemon Cupcake Seduction with Jennifer Lyon

Guest Post Black and Yellow

Lemon Cupcake

The heroines of my books get to have my dream careers. Baking is my hobby when I have the time (and can afford the calories!)I’m never going to own my own bakery, but I get to live the life of a baker though Kat Thayne, the heroine in THE PROPOSITION, Book One of The Plus One Chronicles. In the book, Kat walks away from her job as a chemist in her family’s pharmaceutical company to follow her dream of owning her own bakery.

Kat has no interest in romance. But when the sizzling hot Sloane Michaels, an ex-Ultimate Fighter and a self-made billionaire makes her a proposition, she can’t refuse.

Now maybe you’re wondering what could possibly attract Sloane to Kat?

Lemon cupcakes!

Okay it’s a lot more than lemon cupcakes, but the cupcakes do play a part as you can see from this scene clip where Kat brings Sloane some cupcakes as a gift:

Kat lost her breath at his demand. Felt her body soften and a languid need spread. His confidence, his words…it was so sexy. The way he savored the cupcake hit her lust center too. He licked the fork, long leisurely swipes of his tongue as he relished every crumb… She had to drop her gaze. Tried to focus on eating a bite of her cupcake.

“Damn, woman, that is good. There’s a pop of creamy lemon.”

Warmth flooded her, and she looked up. “It’s lemon curd. Mine has a fudge filling.”

He reached his fork across the table and sank it into her chocolate dessert. Slowly put it in his mouth, closed his eyes in evident delight. “Nice.” He dipped his fork back into his. “But I like lemon better.”

See? Sloane takes his cupcakes very seriously!

Making Kat a baker gave me an excuse to bake. I took a week off from writing right before Christmas and went on a baking marathon. I tested a couple lemon cupcake recipes, because I wanted only the best for Sloane. The one I liked best is this one, although it is fairly complicated: (source for cupcake recipe here http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2009/08/30/lemon-limoncello-cupcakes/)

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 ounces (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons lemoncello liqueur
½ cup buttermilk
¼ cup lemon juice
Zest of one lemon

For the lemon curd:

Zest of 2 lemons
½ cup lemon juice
¼ cup granulated sugar, or more if lemons are very tart
1 egg + 1 egg yolk

For the cream cheese lemoncello frosting:

2 ounces (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tablespoon lemoncello
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place rack in center of oven.
For the cupcakes:

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. In a larger bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the butter, cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until light and creamy—about 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the lemoncello and beat another minute. On low speed, alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Finish by adding the lemon juice and zest on low speed until just incorporated. Divide evenly between 12 muffin tins. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Note that the cupcakes will have a flat top done (at least mine did).

The lemon curd:

In a heavy medium sauce pan, stir together the lemon zest, juice and sugar and bring to a simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and egg yolk. Slowly whisk the lemon mixture into them to temper the eggs. Scrape the mixture back into the saucepan and place over medium heat, whisking until it thickens, about five minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Prepare the frosting:

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until light and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the lemoncello and beat for an additional minute. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and beat until smooth.

Assemble the cupcakes:

Remove cupcakes from pan, and place a flat surface. I used a melon baller to scoop out a hole in the top-center of each cupcake. Fill the cavity with lemon curd. Then fit a pastry bag with a star tip, fill it with the frosting and pipe it onto each cupcake.

Or you could go to a bakery and buy cupcakes, or even better, get the book THE PROPOSITION and live the life of a baker seduced by a sexy-hot billionaire through Kat!

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Jennifer LyonJennifer Lyon is an award-winning author and an unrepentant coffee-and-book addict. She’s written mysteries, romances, paranormals and grocery lists under the names of Jennifer Lyon and Jennifer Apodaca. She loves creating powerfully sexy alpha heroes and the heroines who tame them.

Jennifer Lyon grew up under the shadow of the Matterhorn at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. She attended Walt Disney elementary school and her very first playmate was her beloved dog, Duke, who was cast in the role of hero in all their adventures.

Clearly Jen was born to daydream. But it took her years to figure out how to turn her imagination into a career as an author. After marrying and becoming a full time mom to three sons, Jen launched her career with the award winning Samantha Shaw Mystery Series and other romantic mysteries under the name Jennifer Apodaca. Later, she took the name Jennifer Lyon, combined her love of witches, alpha males and sizzling romance into another award winning series, the Wing Slayer Hunters.

Jennifer has several new releases coming out this year.  THE PROPOSITION, the first book in her new Plus One Chronicles was just released on February 24 and following later in the year will be Book Two: POSSESSION – Coming 5/28/13 and Book Three: OBSESSION – Coming 9/24/13.

Writing under Jennifer Apodaca she will be releasing the first book in her Once A Marine series, titled THE BABY BARGAIN which will be out in March 2013 from Entangled Publishing in their Indulgence line.

For more information on Jen or her books, please visit her website www.jenniferlyonbooks.com
http://jenniferlyonbooks.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jenniferlyonbooks
https://twitter.com/Jenniferlyon

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Jennifer Lyon’s
THE PROPOSITION
Blog Tour

the Proposition

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Kobo / Smashwords / iTunes

A wicked proposition…
A sensual possession…
A dark obsession…

The Plus One Chronicles: Searing passion and fiery vengeance collide in three explosive books.

THE PROPOSITION
The Plus One Chronicles, Book 1
Available now
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Kobo / Smashwords / iTunes

Rich, sexy and volatile, Sloane Michaels has a dark agenda that keeps his heart on ice. His extreme wealth gives him the control he craves and his skills as an ex UFC fighter the tools he’ll need to extract his ultimate revenge. But when the woman he never believed he’d see again crosses his path, Sloane is caught between the vengeance he needs and a sexual conquest he craves.

Kat Thayne has been in survival mode for six years, hiding behind the sweet creations for her bakery. But when a random carjacking brings her face-to-face with her darkest fears and hottest fantasy, Kat is forced out of hiding and offered a dangerously passionate proposition. One she knows she isn’t strong enough to refuse.

Book Two: POSSESSION – Coming 5/28/13
Book Three: OBSESSION – Coming 9/24/13

the Plus One Chronicles

Blog Tour Schedule-red

Giveaway -black and white


Jennifer is giving away an ebook copy of THE PROPOSITION to one winner at every tour book stop including The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment as twitter etc does not account for email contact.

3. Contest is open Internationally

4. Contest runs from March 6-12, 2013

GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY

Rafflecoper Giveaway Black White

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jennifer is also giving away a $50.00 Gift Card to Amazon and an eBook of THE PROPOSITION to ONE lucky winner who follows the tour. THREE runners-up will receive an eBook of THE PROPOSITION. TO ENTER: Fill out the Rafflecopter form, complete the tasks and mark as “Done”. The more tasks you complete, the more points you get, and the better your chance of winning! Good Luck!

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Die For Me (A Novel of the Valentine Killer) by Cynthia Eden-a review

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DIE FOR ME (A Novel of the Valentine Killer) by Cynthia Eden

Die For Me

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 2013

She thought her fiancé was the perfect man—until he turned out to be the perfect killer…

Katherine Cole is running for her life, desperate to escape the Valentine Killer—so-called because he stabs his victims through the heart and leaves them holding a telltale single red rose. Still he tracks her to New Orleans and begins carving a bloody path to her door. But this time, Katherine refuses to run any farther. This time, she’ll do anything to stop the madman she once loved, even trust the sexy cop promising to keep her safe…

Detective Dane Black never lets his emotions interfere with his job, even as the Valentine Killer surfaces in New Orleans to stalk his prey. But when Dane agrees to protect the killer’s ex-fiancée, Katherine Cole, he can’t ignore the passion kindling between them. After a single unforgettable night binds them body and soul, Dane knows he won’t rest until Katherine is safe in his arms—and the Valentine Killer is dead.

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REVIEW: DIE FOR ME is a contemporary suspense storyline of murder and love. And the sociopathic mind that cannot separate the two.

Cynthia takes the reader on a journey of twists and turns, revelations and obsessions-a serial killer with a need to protect one woman at all costs; and a homicide detective with the same mission-but with a completely different set of morals and obligations. Love comes at a cost.

We follow Katherine as she endeavors to start a new life but the ritualistic murder of a television reporter hits too close to home and Katherine knows that the Valentine Killer has found her again. But going to the police brought more complications when she became their number one suspect. There was only one detective who knew that Katherine Cole was no murderer.

Cynthia intertwines the lives of many of the NOPD detectives, investigators, medical examiners, family and friends-and each will be affected and come into contact with a killer-but is there a copycat doing the work of the Valentine Killer. As the number of murder victims increase, so too, do the accusations, personal vendettas and plots of revenge. And each new victim is somehow linked to Katherine. Is the killer trying to send a message or set Katherine up for the fall?

The attraction between Dane and Katherine was immediate, but Dane knew that sleeping with a potential witness and possible suspect adds a whole other dimension to the investigation. But the pull between Dane and Katherine was obvious to everyone and even the killer kept his eye on Katherine at all times.

DIE FOR ME is a well-written and amazing storyline that you think you have figured out from the start. Although there were certain aspects of the storyline that were easily guessed there are a couple of twists –the question is not so much as whom but how? There is a strong family of secondary characters who play an integral part throughout the storyline. The characters were well developed and you knew that at some point each will have a story to tell.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Time or Money by Carly Fall-a review

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TIME OR MONEY by Carly Fall- a review

Time or Money

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 11, 2013

Mason Jackson knows his marriage to Bridget is in trouble. He’s been putting in exhausting hours for months to try to make partner in his accounting firm. He knows that it is putting a strain on his marriage, but he has trouble escaping the memory of the poverty of his childhood. He never wants his wife, or the children they yearn for, to know the struggle that he endured when he can provide a

better life for them. But things are reaching breaking point; he and Bridget are more like roommates than a married couple. He needs to think of a way to get their marriage back on track and what better way than to make Valentine’s Day, Bridget’s favorite holiday of the year, a new start for their marriage? Mason puts in place plans for an elaborate evening designed to surprise Bridget.

Bridget is miserable in her marriage, and often longs for the days when they were dirt poor. They may have struggled financially, but at least she had her husband around. Mason is always working, and Bridget feels that he has chosen his work over her. She’s tried to talk to him about the way she feels, but he doesn’t seem to hear her. He just keeps telling her that once he makes partner then

everything will be all right. But Bridget is sick of Mason forgetting the things that are important to her … like their anniversary a few months ago. She is at the end of her tether and decides that if he forgets Valentine’s Day, her favorite day of the year, then divorce just might be on the cards.

At the end of the day, this couple has only one decision to make: Time or Money?

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REVIEW: TIME OR MONEY is a short storyline-less than fifty pages in length that focuses on a few hours in the life of Mason and Bridget Jackson but tells of a lifetime of empty promises and broken hearts. Bridget has given herself an ultimatum-if her husband Mason ignores Valentine’s Day she is walking away for good. And following a series of mishaps, including a fall at home and the destruction of her cell phone, Bridget comes home to an empty house with no message from her husband and no acknowledgment on this day for lovers. As you can image, emotions and anxiety set off a roller coaster of built up tension and pent up anger and our couple must chose between two options-make time for each other or go for the money. Which would you choose?

TIME OR MONEY is an eye-opening short story that is probably very familiar to many people. Many couples find themselves in a rut-their daily lives taking them forward one day at a time-and in many cases-alone. Carly takes the reader on a very personal but short journey that reveals a lifetime of hurt and tears, when a couple grows apart, if for no other reasons, then to get ahead in the working world.

LINKS TO ORDER: Amazon / Smashwords /

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Vanilla on Top by C.J.Ellisson-Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Vanilla on Top by C.J.Ellisson-Blog Tour and Giveaway

vanillaontop-blogtour

Click HERE for our review.

Title: Vanilla on Top (Walk on the Wild Side, #1)
Author: C.J. Ellisson
Genre: Category – Contemporary
Length: 279
Release Date: January 2013
ISBN: 978-1-62266-798-7
Imprint: Brazen

Vanilla on Top

LINKS TO ORDER: KOBO / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Discover your inner bad girl, and set her free…
Heather Pierce is done being a wallflower, both personally and professionally. Desperate to live a different life for one night, she attends a speed dating event. Maybe here, anonymous unless she chooses otherwise, she can become someone new. When a man way out of her league sits across from her, Heather gathers her courage and takes charge of what she wants, secretly fearing he won’t desire the real person she’s desperate to hide.

Top acquisitions officer and international playboy Tony Carmine is about to close the biggest deal of his career. But then he meets Heather at a speed dating event…and discovers losing control may be exactly what he needs. Her blossoming sensuality occupies his every thought, consuming him with the need to possess the most intriguing lover he’s ever encountered—until he walks into the boardroom and sees Heather on the other side of the negotiating table.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CJ Ellisson

 

C.J. Ellisson, author of contemporary fantasy and erotica, lives near DC with her husband, two children aged 11 and 9, two Staffordshire Bull Terriers and a young cat she’s newly allergic to. After spending most of her working life dealing with real estate – either as a sales manager in wholesale mortgage banking, a corporate trainer, a Realtor, or as a property manager – she’s now writing full-time and happy for the first time in years. Writing has become her passion and to find people want to read her stories feels like a dream come true.

Author Website: http://www.cjellisson.com/

Facebook Fan Page:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/cjeseethe/

giveaway-goldandblack

C.J. and Brazen/Entangled Publishing are offering an ecopy of VANILLA ON TOP to ONE lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment as Twitter, Facebook etc do not allow for email addresses.

3. Giveaway open INTERNATIONALLY.

4. Giveaway runs from February 12-24, 2013

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Sugar Springs by Kim Law-a review

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Sugar Springs by Kim Law-a review

Sugar Springs
SUGAR SPRINGS by Kim Law

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date- December 24, 2012

Lee Ann London once had big plans…scholarship, college, love. Then she found herself raising her deceased sister’s twin girls when their father disappeared. Now, with her beautiful girls, a community that depends on her, and her photography studio finally taking off, Lee Ann may not have the life she’d imagined, but it’s definitely where she wants it. Until Cody, her bad-boy ex, returns to Sugar Springs…

Cody’s childhood put a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. Bouncing around the foster care system, he was always the one to leave before anyone left him first. Then he found a place he wanted to stick. Lee Ann was the best thing that ever happened to him. Only, he hurt her. Bad. He’s back now, and determined to earn her forgiveness…and maybe win back her love while he’s at it

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REVIEW: SUGAR SPRINGS is a contemporary romance novel written by Kim Law with all the usual push and pull of bad-boy does the town sweetheart wrong.

Kim Law takes us on a journey of heartbreak and sorrow at the hands of one man-namely Cody Dalton. Cody has been running all of his life-from foster home to foster home, then from the only woman he ever loved. When the reality of his life came crashing down around him, Cody made a major error in judgment that affected the rest of his life-as well as Lee Ann’s. But in all fairness, Cody was oblivious to the knowledge and information that he had fathered twin girls with a reckless one-night stand. Cody never ran from his responsibilities-he just never knew they existed. Cody’s betrayal would shape Lee Ann’s world for the rest of her life.

Lee Ann London never regretted the life she now led. Raising her nieces as her own, motherhood was difficult but she had the support of her mother and the entire small town of Sugar Springs. But Cody’s reappearance after nearly thirteen years made her question her true feelings about the man who broke her heart. The attraction was still there but memories of past indiscretions continued to replay with every heart-tugging encounter. There is sexual tension as well as the inevitable acknowledgement of a love that was never forgotten, but with it comes a whole new set of rules meant to protect and guard one’s heart.

In true contemporary romance style, Lee Ann will struggle with her feelings for the man she believes abandoned his children and left for places unknown. When the truth is finally revealed, Lee Ann’s heart remains damaged when Cody is reluctant to stay in one place for too long. Cody would have to make a decision-and someone would have to compromise-but in the end-isn’t that what all relationships are about.

Sugar Springs has an assortment of secondary characters that add an interesting flavor to the story line-especially the long line of town gossips who seem to be up in everybody’s business. And life in a small town is further complicated when people’s eyes do not always see what they are looking at. There is a build up for another storyline and there is a happily ever after-for now. If you like small-town romances where a broken heart finally mends, Sugar Springs is the read for you.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Healing Summer by Elizabeth Seckman-a review

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Healing Summer (Coulter Brothers #2) by Elizabeth Seckman-a review

Healing Summer

About the book: Released December 2012

Ditched at the altar…biopsied for cancer…Mollie Hinkle is having a bona fide bitch of a summer. When life sucks so hard it takes your breath away, what’s a girl to do? Road trip! Pack a bag, grab a few friends, and leave the past and the worry in the rear view mirror. What wounds can’t be healed by a drive across the Heartland, where quarter flips at cross roads determine the route and the future? All roads lead to Craig, the second son and bad boy of the haughty Coulter line. Craig has spent his life taking care of number one—himself. He’s not interested in a relationship and he’s definitely not looking to fall in love. But if a morsel drops in his lap, who is he to refrain? Mollie’s not looking for love either, but truth be told, she’s not opposed to it. Heck, if fate brought her to the miniscule Montana town to find happily ever after, she won’t fight it. Perhaps it is a summer where love, not time, heals all her wounds.

Review:

When Mollie and her two friends, Jackie and Joanie set out on their road trip, they had no idea how life changing it would be for any of them. Some good changes, and some, not so much. Seems Mollie’s friends think that getting her “hooked up” is just what the doctor ordered and when Mollie finds out, she’s not a happy camper.

Craig had said absolutely no birthday party this year. Seems his best friend, Ron, thought he knew better. Craig has been in a funk and Ron thinks a party is just what their doctor ordered. (See where I’m going?? ;)) But, when Craig notices a pretty young lady looking agitated, he can’t help but approach her. He overhears her on the phone, and once she turns her phone off, they strike up a conversation. And, oh what a conversation it is.

Craig is known as a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” kind of guy, but for the life of him, he can’t bring himself to think of Mollie in that way. They embark on a friendship of sorts, slow and easy. After all, Mollie will be heading back to Pennsylvania in a few days, so what’s the harm? And, if they’ll be parting ways in a few days, why in the world are they so drawn to each other? With Mollie just being dumped at the altar, literally, and Craig living up to his family’s expectations and not settling down, you’d think that they’d run in opposite directions. Well, I for one, thank God that they didn’t!!

Oh, how I loved this book. First, let me say how much I loved Mollie’s friend, Jackie, whom they call Jack (you’ll have to read to find out why). To say that she’s Mollie’s greatest supporter and fiercest protector just does NOT do that friendship justice. I hope I don’t upset the author, but I have to tell you that when Mollie is dumped, literally at the altar, Jackie is jumping pews and kicking ass as the groom-to-be is fleeing. Or, at least, he’s trying to flee……. She is my kind of girl!!! However, her friend Joanie? Let’s just say that she got hers. This is a wonderful story of friendship, loyalty and family redemption and I can’t wait to read the next installment. I have it from the top that it’s Trip’s story and his HEA just may involve some Russian bad guys and one good Russian girl!! 😉 If you’re looking for great, fast-paced reads with great HEAs, then this is the series for you!!

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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Past Due by Elizabeth Seckman-a review

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Past Due by Elizabeth Seckman (Coulter Brothers #1)-a review

Past Due

Description: Release June 2012

Jenna Austin is a young, widowed artist raising a teenage son on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As the costs of living in paradise rise, she struggles to make ends meet. Life isn’t easy, but she manages.

When her car breaks down, she trudges on. She assumes life can’t get any more complicated than it is. But it can…

Chance brings her nose to well-formed chest with Tres Coulter, the handsome, affluent aid to Governor Hunt. Jenna and Tres share a history; they also share a love they thought long lost. Their lives are about to be altered forever as the deceptions of the past transform the very foundation of the present.

The price of happily ever after may be too steep to pay once the past comes due…

Review:

Jenna Austin is one tough cookie, but she’s tired. She works tirelessly to try and make a good life for herself and for her son, Tanner. Without moral support from Maureen, Jenna’s deceased husband’s mother, she wouldn’t have made it this far. To say that Jenna has had it tough all of her life would be a gross understatement. She is estranged from her father, with whom she lived with after her mother died. And, boy, what a back story there is with that bunch!! And, things just seem to get more complicated when Tres Coulter comes to town.

Once Tres runs into Jenna, he knows that he’s in trouble. Even though it’s been years since he last saw her, he knows that he still loves her more than anything. But, in typical Jenna fashion, she pushes him away. Seems she’s been keeping a secret for 15 years that has the possibility of hurting everyone she loves and tearing apart what family she has left. And, once that secret is revealed, an avalanche of things happen that throws everyone and everything into chaos. Will the secret truly cost Jenna everything and everyone she’s ever loved? Or, will true love conquer all? You’ll have to read to find out.

I really enjoyed the world that Seckman created in Past Due. The real life struggles of a single mom trying to raise her child really hit home with me. It is set on the outer islands of North Carolina, a place where I have been many times myself. I could hear the gulls calling each other and feel the wind……. The one downside, at least for me, is that when the secret is revealed, it leads to more secrets and disclosures from numerous people and the details got bogged down just a little bit for me. The upside to that is that we get to meet some great folks along the way and I can’t wait to read more about Tres’ family, namely his two brothers, Craig and Trip. And, the boys’ mom, Barbara Coulter? Let’s just say she adds a whole new dimension to round out the Coulter clan. This is, in a nutshell, a story about life, love, family, hope and forgiveness. I have a feeling that the family dynamics in future books will be well worth the read!!

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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