Tag Archives: Contemporary Women

Breaking All the Rules by Amy Andrews – a Review

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Breaking All the Rules by Amy Andrews – a Review

 

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Description:
Sometimes you gotta toss your whole life into a burning dumpster to find what’s most important…

Beatrice Archer has always done everything she’s supposed to —worked her ass off, ignored her non-existent personal life, and kept her mouth shut. Now she’s over it. The rat race, respectability…the underwire bras. She’s taking her life back. Starting with moving to Nowhere, Colorado to live life on her own terms.

Now Bea gives exactly zero forks. Beer for breakfast. Sugar for everything else. Baggy sweats and soft cotton undies FTW. Then a much younger and delightfully attractive cop is called to deal with her flagrant disregard for appropriate clothing outside the local diner (some folks just don’t appreciate bunny slippers) and Bea realizes there’s something missing from her little decathlon of decadence…and he might be the guy to help her out.

When it comes to breaking rules, Officer Austin Cooper is surprisingly eager to assist. He’s charming, a little bit cowboy, and a whole lot sexy. But Bea’s about to discover that breaking the rules has consequences. And all of the cherry pies in Colorado can’t save her from what’s coming…

 

 

Description:

Breaking All the Rules by Amy Andrews is a stand-alone romance novel. We meet Beatrice (Bea) Archer, our heroine, as she arrives in Credence, Colorado, to escape the rat race she has always lived; now at 35, she is tired of being passed over on promised promotions.  She quits her job of 15 years, decides to take her non existent life back, and with the throw of a dart, she ends up in Credence. Bea spends two weeks watching TV, and breaking all the rules, doing things she never has done…drinking beer, eating sweets, wearing sweat pants and going to the local diner, for the amazing pies. 

The local residents start noticing her, especially in her strange attire, such as bunny slippers, and then she meets police officer Austin Cooper, who finds himself attracted to her strange behavior.  Even though there is a 10-year age gap (Austin is 25 and Bea is 35), Austin willingly offers to help out on her rule breaking journey. 

What follows is a fun, sexy, sweet and delightful romance with a couple that were humorous, passionate and spicy.  I loved Bea and Austin, and all the fun they had together.   I got a kick out of the cat, Princess; and the secondary characters were very good. When Bea starts receiving job offers, especially using her artist ability, she needed to decide what life she wants to continue. 

Breaking All the Rules was a vibrant, amusing and entertaining story so very well written by Amy Andrews.  I wholly suggest you read this book, as it was lots of fun to read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique by Samantha Verant -a Review

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The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique by Samantha Verant -a Review

 

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Description:
Kate Jenkins doesn’t believe in fate. She believes in a clear vision, meticulous planning, and hard work in order to achieve her culinary dreams. On the cusp of opening her own Parisian restaurant, Bistro Exotique, she isn’t even concerned when her standoffish–and annoyingly sexy–neighbor dismisses her as a crazy American tourist or when she meets the wildly eccentric Garrance, the self-proclaimed Spice Master of Paris, who ominously warns her of the previous owner’s failures.

Confident and optimistic, Kate keeps calm and cooks on. Until a series of unfortunate events derail her plans and her entire staff quits.

Kate is about to throw in the kitchen towel on her lifelong dream when Garrance offers to use her mastery of scents and spices to help her, but it comes at a price: Kate must work with Garrance’s son, Charles, a world-class chef and total jerk. After Kate hesitantly concedes to the deal, she slowly learns to open her heart and mind to new concepts, not quite sure if the magic she’s experiencing comes from Garrance’s spices, from within herself, or from the growing chemistry with Charles. One thing is certain, though: her kitchen is getting increasingly hot.

 

 

Review:

The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique by Samantha Verant is a sweet fun standalone novel.  Kate Jenkins, our heroine, finds herself in a quarry, with the opening of her new Paris restaurant, Bistro Exotique; as everything that could go wrong, does go wrong; with things unsettled, almost all of her staff quits.  Help comes from her wealthly and friendly landlady, Garrance, who claims to be the Spice Master of Paris, using her wonderful scents/spices, and offers her a deal, that she can’t refuse.  Kate must work with Garrance’s son, Charles, a world-class chef, who both recently got off on the wrong foot

The two are forced to work together, especially with the restaurant opening pushed up two weeks, to make the changes, use the special spices into the meals, and to hire people.  In a short period, both Charles (who used to be a former Michelin starred chef) and Kate begin to work well together, as they are determined to make the opening a grand success.  Kate opens her mind to new senses, as she begins to experience the power of Garrance’s spices that are amazing.  She also finds herself falling for Charles, as their chemistry was becoming sizzling.  When the restaurant opens to raves, with the unique scents driving everyone to a touch of magical senses.

What follows is a charming story, set in Paris, with a couple that were meant for each other, two mothers pushing them, great secondary characters, magic, and romance.  Kate knows that Charles has many admirers, including women who try to get his attention; she learns to accept his love, and her feelings for him.

The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique was a wonderful sweet love story, with a fantastic setting in Paris, and amazing food senses we get to learn about throughout.  Kate and Charles were a terrific couple, even with their bad start.  I really enjoyed watching them slowly fall in love.  I loved everything about the restaurant, the food and spices, and the great secondary characters.  The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique was very well written by Samantha Verant.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca – a Review

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Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca – a Review

 

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Description:
A high-powered attorney from a success-oriented family, Louisa “Lulu” Malone lives to work, and everything seems to be going right, until the day she realizes it’s all wrong. Lulu’s cousin Mitch introduced her to the world of Renaissance Faires, and when she spies one at a time just when she needs an escape, she leaps into the welcoming environment of turkey legs, taverns, and tarot readers. The only drawback? Dex MacLean: a guitarist with a killer smile, the Casanova of the Faire… and her traveling companion for the summer.

Dex has never had to work for much in his life, and why should he? Touring with his brothers as The Dueling Kilts is going great, and he always finds a woman at every Faire. But when Lulu proves indifferent to his many plaid charms and a shake-up threatens the fate of the band, Dex must confront something he never has before: his future.

Forced to spend days and nights together on the road, Lulu’s interest in the kilted bad boy grows as he shows her a side of himself no one else has seen. The stresses of her old lifestyle fade away as she learns to trust her intuition and follow her heart instead of her head. But when her time on the road is over, will Lulu go with her gut, or are she and Dex destined for separate paths?

 

 

Review:

Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca is the 4th book in her Well Met series.  We meet our heroine, Louisa (Lulu) Malone from the start, as she is sent by her law firm to North Carolina to fix a client issue. Louisa is upset, as year after year, she keeps waiting to be promoted to partner; and sending her to North Carolina could have been handled by an intern.  When she is yelled at by her boss, Louisa realizes that she will never achieve partner status, knowing the firm was mostly white male; in her anger, she throws her phone into the lake. 

Louisa notices across the way that a Renaissance Faire is open, and buys herself a ticket.  Louisa has attended a faire at Willow Creek (previous books), and to her surprise, she runs into Stacey (second book heroine), who is working at the Renaissance Faire, since her boyfriend Daniel is part of the Dueling Kilts band.  Stacey talks to Mitch, Louisa’s cousin, and together between them they convince Louisa to take a break and join the faire.  Louisa agrees, and becomes famous, as the lady who threw her phone into the lake. 

Lulu (her new nickname) finds herself enjoying the fun, helping with food, going after hours to taverns, and enjoying the company of members of the Dueling Kilts. She begins to spend more time with the lead singer, Dex, whose reputation as a lady’s man follows him at all Faire events. Lulu slowly gets closer to the handsome hot hunk, with the killer smile; even though Stacey tries to warn her that Dex is bad news.  Later Lulu will also work with the tarot readers, in bringing in more organization and business; Lulu will also learn more about the reading of tarot cards.  I did enjoy this part, as it was fun and interesting.

It was fun to watch them both falling for each other, as they made a great couple, and I really liked them together, especially their awesome chemistry.  What follows is a fun, sweet romance between Dex and Lulu, rooting hard for them to find a way to stay together.

Well Matched was a fun, enjoyable, sweet and sexy story, and an amazing couple in Dex and Lulu. I really loved the secondary characters, in this story, as well as seeing some of our old favorites closer to the end. I also loved the ending.  Jen Deluca did a wonderful job writing this wonderful romantic comedy that that had a lot of humor and charm. I suggest you read Well Traveled, as it was a fun enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle – a Review

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The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle – a Review

 

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Description:
When Lorri Walker’s husband gifted her with a mastiff puppy on Valentine’s Day, she believed he was recommitting himself to their marriage after going astray. Six months later, he left both her and their dog for someone else. Since her recent move to Dalton Mill to unbraid herself from the past, Lorri’s graphic design business is now flourishing, her growing mastiff, Mister, has plenty of space to romp, and her ex in Raleigh can fade to a distant memory.

Ryder Bolt is haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years ago. Thankfully, ranching keeps Ryder busy, and spending time with his niece and nephew—whose venue, The Wedding Ranch, has become a popular tourist destination—keeps him from getting lonely.

When Lorri and Ryder met, love was the last thing they were looking for. When they’re together, smiles come easier and burdens feel lighter, and both are embracing the possibility of something deeper.

But when a long-buried revelation surfaces, the fate that brought them together threatens to tear them apart.

 

 

Review:

The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle is a wonderful standalone second chance romance novel.  We meet, Lorri Walker, our heroine at the start, when her husband surprises her with dog on Valentine’s Day. Lorri had suspected her husband of having an affair last year, and when he denied it, she accepted the dog, as his proving that he loves her.  However, many months later, her husband leaves her for another woman, who he claims he loves.  Lorri decides she needs to move, and ends up in Dalton Mill, with her dog, Mister (a huge mastiff); with 5 acres of land for Mister to enjoy.  In a short time, Lorri gets to meet many of the friendly local people, finding herself content & happy, not to mention her graphic design business was growing rapidly.  

Ryder Bolt, our hero, has lived in this small country town of Dalton Mill all his life, and was not happy with his father having sold the land; and resented those who moved to the new development, but he tries to move on past that.  He does support his niece and nephew in running The Wedding Ranch, which has become a successful event planning business.  Ryder has never gotten over the death of his wife and child in a tragic car accident that happened 7 years ago. 

Lorri’s neighbor friend, Tinsley invites her to go to the county fair, which has lots of activity, craft, baking, competitions and cotton candy.  While looking around, she is tackled to safety by a handsome stranger, as cows escaped and heading right her.  Ryder and Lorri became friends from that point on, with them enjoying each other’s company, with both having their own traumas.

What follows is a slow build second chance romance, with two wonderful people, who deserve to move on in love and forgiveness.  I loved Ryder and Lorri together, though the terrible past does come haunting back that threatens to destroy their possible future. Will they be able to stay together?  

I adored Mister, who though at 180 lbs., was a wonderful dog.  Lorri’s friends, especially her bestie Pam, were always there for her; and it was fun for both of them to see an old friend, who was a major country music star.   I did enjoy so many of the secondary characters who were awesome, especially Ryder’s sister, Diane and Ross/Reese who ran The Wedding Ranch. 

The Wedding Ranch was a wonderful, refreshing story, so very well written by Nancy Naigle.  The story line was very good, with a number of issues, including tragedy, divorce, love, second chances, emotional, forgiveness, family and happiness.  I wholly suggest you read this book, as it was a terrific read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Flirting With The Beast by Jane Porter – a Review

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Flirting With The Beast by Jane Porter – a Review

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Description:
It’s been five years since Andi McDermott lost her husband, and she’s finally starting to feel like herself again, ready to live fully–she’s even started dating again. But when her holiday plans with her stepson and his fianc�e fall through, she refuses to spend another Christmas alone while everyone is celebrating with their families. Impulsively, she decides to go up to her cabin in Lake Arrowhead, a place she used to love to visit but hadn’t gone to in years, not since the feud started between her husband and their nearest neighbor.

Andi starts to rethink her decision when being alone at the cabin proves to be more challenging than she expected–a heavy snowstorm hits the area, and Andi finds herself trapped there with no one to help except for her neighbor, Wolf Enders. A military vet who lives full-time on Lake Arrowhead, Wolf is as grumpy and intimidating as Andi remembers. But he’s also unexpectedly kind and uncomfortably sexy–his presence reminds Andi that she may be older, but her body still works perfectly fine, thank you very much. But can this good girl tame this sexy beast of a man, and will this snowy fling turn into a love of a lifetime?

 

 

Review:

Flirting with the Beast by Jane Porter is the second book in her Modern Love series.  We meet our heroine, Andi McDermott from the start, when she is preparing a Christmas dinner for her stepson and his fiancée.  Andi lost her husband 5 years ago, and now she is slowly starting to live again, including dating.  When her stepson cancels in the last minute, Andi is devastated, and decides to go to her cabin in Lake Arrowhead, which she hasn’t been in years.

Andi runs into her neighbor, Wolf Enders, who had a feud with her husband in the past.  When a major snow storm hits, she loses power, and Wolf invites her to come to his cabin to have dinner and even stay until power returns, he also has a dog, Jax, who will slowly get used to Andi.  In a short time, Andi begins to see Wolf in a different light, with the chemistry between them sizzling, they start an affair. Wolf is a loner, having been in the military for a long time, and early on, he comes comes across as rough & tough, but he finds himself enamored with Andi; as she is to him.   What I really liked about this romance, was that both Andi and Wolf were older characters, both close to 60; but they were awesome together.

Where Andi has no children, with the exception of her stepson, whom she rarely sees; Wolf is divorced, with two sons (a third son died tragically in the military), and his grieving daughter in law, Lindsay, who has a 4-year-old son, Charlie.  Wolf’s ex-wife hates him, and Lindsay isn’t happy staying with her mother-in-law, and decides to move in with Wolf.  Quickly, Andi and Lindsay become friends, with Andi helping her move on. I really loved how close they became, and Charlie was the cutest and fun child.

This is not only a romance, but the story was very emotional, with a number of obstacles along the way, including issues such as mental health, depression, grief, therapy, loss of beloved family members, and taking care of a child.   The last ¼ of the book had me not happy with Wolf, as his behavior was not good, with lots of drama.  Will they end up together?

Flirting With the Beast was a wonderful story, that was also emotional and intense at times.  I loved most of these great characters that Jane Porter created, which was also very well written by Porter.  I totally suggest you read Flirting with the Beast.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Whittiers by Danielle Steel – a Review

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The Whittiers by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Preston and Constance Whittier have built a happy life together with a brood of six children raised in a beautiful historic Manhattan mansion. Now, with a nearly empty nest, it’s easier than ever for the Whittiers to maintain their tradition of a solo romantic “wintermoon” ski trip.

But with this year’s trip comes tragedy. Suddenly, their adult children find themselves reuniting in the family home without their parents for the first time ever. The oldest, Lyle, is reaching a breaking point in his marriage and must decide whether a divorce would be best for him and his two children. Gloria’s big job on Wall Street has kept her single at forty, and growing ever more cynical. The twins, Caroline and Charlie, moved out long ago to start a fashion business that may now be faltering. Benjie, with special needs, is hit hard by the loss of his parents and needs his siblings’ help. And Annabelle, the youngest, drops out of college and starts to spin out of control.

The eldest four are forced to put aside their personal issues and their grief to keep the family together and support each other and their two youngest siblings. Selling the house, along with all the memories that live in its walls, feels like yet another devastating loss. Could there be another way, as unconventional as it seems?

In The Whittiers, Danielle Steel delivers an inspiring story about the everlasting bonds of one unforgettable family.

 

 

Review:

The Whittiers by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful standalone novels.  The Whittiers is a fantastic family-oriented story line.  We meet the entire family from the start, with the parents, Preston and Connie, as well as their children, Lyle (oldest at 42), Gloria (39), twins Charlie and Caro (33), Benjie (28- autism spectrum) and Annabelle (youngest at 21); as they all celebrate Christmas every year.  They are a very close-knit family, with only Amanda, Lyle’s wife being an outcast, only caring about money. After the holidays, Preston and Connie always go away to Europe for an annual vacation, with this year going skiing to France. 

But a tragedy happens while they were skiing, and hit by an avalanche; killing them both instantly. The family is shocked, and find themselves reuniting at the family mansion to make decisions and console each other. Their parents left a generous bequest to each of their six children, thinking that they can also share the bigger inheritance if they sell the mansion; worth between $50-100 Million. However, 5 of the six children do not want to sell at this time, with most ending up going back home to stay at the mansion together.  It was so wonderful to see how they all moved in to help Benji, and Annabelle (who becomes pregnant), as well as Lyle, who was separated from his wife.  I enjoyed the love between all family members, and how they were always there for each other.  Each family member had their own life issues, as well as finding love for all. 

Lyle, worried about his two children, bringing them to the mansion every other week, and doing everything he could to finalize his divorce. Gloria was a successful lawyer, who had no relationships with others.  Caro and Charlie, were running a fashion business, which were long hours, and more funds were needed to help promote their work.  Benjie was at times hard to handle, but the love of his family always helped him; he also had two cute dogs. Annabelle was the wild one, always staying out all hours, until she needed help from her family.

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story, with the family determined to keeping everyone together, especially with the older siblings helping to support Benji and a pregnant Annabelle. The Whittiers was a fabulous storyline, with fantastic family that had to deal with grief, hostile divorce, expansion and wonderful romances along the way.   The Whittiers was so very well written by Danielle Steel.

Reviewed by Barb

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Sugar and Salt by Susan Wiggs – a Review

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Sugar and Salt by Susan Wiggs – a Review

 

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Description:
Jerome “Sugar” Barnes learned the art of baking in his grandma’s bakery, also called Sugar, on historic Perdita Street in San Francisco. He supplies baked goods to the Lost and Found Bookshop across the street.

When the restaurant that shares his commercial kitchen loses its longtime tenant, a newcomer moves in: Margot Salton, a barbecue master from Texas.

Margot isn’t exactly on the run, but she needs a fresh start. She’s taken care of herself her whole life, pulling herself up by her fingernails to recover from trauma, and her dream has been to open a restaurant somewhere far, far from Texas. The shared kitchen with Jerome Sugar’s bakery is the perfect setup: a state-of-the-art kitchen and a vibrant neighborhood popular with tourists and locals.

Margot instantly takes to Jerome’s grandmother, the lively, opinionated Ida, and the older woman proves to be a good mentor. Margot thinks Jerome is gorgeous, and despite their different backgrounds their attraction is powerful–even though Jerome worries that Margot will simply move on from him once she’s found some peace and stability. But just as she starts to relax into a happy new future, Margot’s past in Texas comes back to haunt her…

 

 

Review:

Sugar and Salt by Susan Wiggs is another one of her wonderful standalone novels. The story revolves around Margot Salton, our heroine, who at the start has moved from Texas to open her dream barbeque restaurant; Margot has developed a special sauce that has become a masterpiece. The story is told in two timelines; the success in opening her new restaurant in San Francisco and meeting Jerome, who runs the local bakery next store; and her past in Texas, which was a harsh period in her life. This did start as a lighthearted story, only to spend more than half to see the hardship and injustice she had to endure.  

In the past, a young Margie, helped out in a BBQ restaurant that started her into developing wonderful sauces. In between, she hanged out with friends, including one older boy, who she decided she did not want to continue their relationship, since he was very arrogant and only cared about what he wanted.  One evening, making more sauces, the boy, after her telling him it was over, he then rapes her, in the process of choking her; Margie desperate for her life, manages to grab hold of his gun and shoots him.  This was self-defense, as he was killing her; but the laws in Texas only cared that she killed him.  Everything changed for Margie, as the victim’s family was wealthy and powerful, and Margie was treated horribly; with the police, judicial system and bad lawyers.  Almost a year will pass with a friendship that will bring a very good lawyer to finally free her, and eventually move away, under a different assumed name.  The past story was long and very a dark story to read.

When we finally go back to the present, we learn more about Margot’s successful new business and her relationship that will grow with Jerome, who owns the bakery.  Margot got to know Jerome’s mother, Ida, as they became close; with us getting a backstory about a love from the past. It was a nice story with Ida and Frank.  I really did like how Jerome was patient and caring with Margot, and when she reveals her horrific period of the past, he still professes his love.  The past will rear its ugly head again, but Margot will stand up to fight the evil. The food (barbeque and bakery) was fun to read, leaving us a bit hungry.

Sugar and Salt was very well written by Susan Wiggs. It is a story of tragedy, second chances, as well as love and friendship.  Though there was a long and tragic storyline from the past, but overall this was a great story line.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Sweetest Connection by Denise Williams – a Review

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The Sweetest Connection by Denise Williams – a Review

 

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Description:
Teagan’s job in an airport candy store pays the bills but she dreams of traveling the world. With one week until she boards a plane for an international adventure, she finds an abandoned love letter in the store and talks her BFF into helping her figure out who it belongs to.

Silas solves problems for a living as an airline customer service representative. One problem he can’t solve is how to reveal a big secret to his best friend that would risk changing their entire relationship. When she proposes they work together to get the love letter back to its owner, he jumps at the chance.

Teagan and Silas stumble on romantic clues, old stories, and more than a few dead ends along the way while trying to play Cupid, all of which bring them closer together. With only a few days before Teagan’s transatlantic move, the two of them must decide if the sweet temptation of falling for their best friend is worth the potential heartbreak or if either can stand to keep their feelings wrapped up.

 

 

Review:

The Sweetest Connection by Denise Williams, was a cute, friends to lover’s short story set in her Airport novella series.  I did not read the previous two books, but this did read very well. We meet our heroine and hero at the start (Teagan & Silas), when they were freshmen paired up in an orientation event, which led to a wonderful strong friendship. The POV’s switched between past events and present time.

They had a wonderful history together as friends, as their bond was special. Teagan has a job in a candy shop, and Silas works as a problem solver in the airport.  In present time, Teagan is planning to leave shortly for a 5-month trip to Paris for research purposes; unknown to Teagan, Silas has broken up with his girlfriend.  A love letter is discovered, with both Teagan and Silas join up to try to find out who the couple is, pushing them to spend more time together before she leaves. 

Silas knows he is very much in love with Teagan, but refrains from explaining his true feelings, as he is afraid to lose his best friend.  Of course, we know that Teagan also has feelings for Silas, with both hiding those feelings.

The Sweetest Connection was a fun cute friend to lover’s story line.  I really did like Teagan and Silas together, and hoped they would finally admit their true feelings. As they played cupid with finding the owner of the note, the more time they spend together, as well as when Teagan is close to leaving for Paris; will force them own up to their fears of possible heartbreak. The Sweetest Connection was a short story that was very well written by Denise Williams. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

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