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The Devil’s Own by Liana LeFey – a Review

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The Devil’s Own by Liana LeFey – a Review

 

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Description:
Lord Devlin Wayward, gambler and dedicated rake, returns home for the first time in years, and lands himself and his identical twin, Daniel, the good reverend, in deep trouble. Devlin ends up with a broken leg and unable to travel to London, yet he must return. He’s got an important deal that will make or break his fortune. He persuades the reluctant reverend to take his place in London while he temporarily minds his brother’s flock.

Miss Mary Tomblin is taken with the devastatingly handsome reverend. He represents everything she desires in a husband, after narrowly evading a ruthless rake last Season. Mary knows she’ll make him an excellent wife, but the vicar rebuffs every advance – until he suddenly accepts her help with pastoral duties while his broken leg heals. Mary seizes the chance to show the good reverend what an excellent helpmeet she will be.

The devil takes on the role of village vicar and discovers it’s nowhere near as easy as he imagined—especially when he falls in love with an angel who mistakes him for a saint.

 

Review:

Lord Devil Wayward has been accepted back into his family after years as the black sheep. He’s been looking for something that’s been missing in his life. When Devlin, helps his twin brother out a situation with a parishioner it will calls all kinds of trouble. Mary Tomblin has wanted to marry the minister of Harper’s Grove. When an accident brings together the vicar and Mary to do charitable work she’ll get her chance. Their attraction will become stronger as they become closer, but secrets and the past just may get in the way. She just may become The Devil’s Own.

 Liana LeFey’s new series the Wicked Waywards with The Devil’s Own. A historical story of keeping secrets and passion that may lead to love. A rakehell and black sheep of the family is brought back into the fold. A man who only wanted to help his twin brother out of a predicament with an amorous parishioner. A switching of places will be bringing together of two people who just may find true love. A man whose ready for a change. A woman who is tired of the constant moving with her family falls for the local vicar and the village of Harper’s Grove.  When a switch is made, and twins want to keep scandal from their family. The Devil’s Own takes a unique situation that just may change lives forever. These two people with deal with the fall out of being helpful and a prank that goes wrong. A situation takes twin brothers on an adventure to know what each other’s lives are like. A woman will face her past and find out that the man she thought she wanted isn’t the man she thought he is. The Devil’s Own the first book in the Wicked Waywards series by Liana LeFey will have you wondering if the truth will keep this couple together or tear them apart. A passionate tale of love and passion and secrets that will have falling in love with these Wicked Wayward siblings and their lives and loves. I look forward to reading the next story of the Wayward siblings and what comes next in the lives of this family.

Reviewed by Kim

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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How Not to Mess with a Millionaire by Regina Kyle – a Review

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How Not to Mess with a Millionaire by Regina Kyle – a Review

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Description:
Interior decorator Zoe Ryan’s life resembles a bad country song. Her boyfriend dumped her, her car died, and she was recently handed a pink slip. What’s a girl to do? Leave everything behind for a bit….in Positano, Italy. And when she gets there, she finds a surprising extra—millionaire restaurateur Dante Sabbatini in the kitchen. In his underwear. Making coffee. It’s suddenly not only hot outside, but exactly what is he doing inside, in her temporary kitchen?

Dante’s plan was to escape to his family’s beach house for some quiet and privacy. What he didn’t know was that his meddling, matchmaking nonna rented the entire house to a sexy stranger at the exact same time as his stay. It took him months to clear his schedule—there’s no way he’s leaving now. 

With both refusing to leave, Zoe and Dante agree to be temporary roomies, but secretly aim to try to drive the other out. He plays his music as loud as he wants and will wear as little clothing as possible, and she’ll just go ahead and adopt that pig she fell in love with in town. But suddenly their game of one-upmanship takes a very sexy detour, and they can’t believe what happens next.

 

 

 Review:

How Not to Mess with a Millionaire by Regina Kyle is the first book in her Mediterranean Millionaires series.

Dante wants a little peace and quiet, so the family holiday home in Italy is the perfect place, it’s also a time for him to collect his thoughts, he misses his fiancée terribly and just wants to be left alone. Shame his unwanted guest disturbs both his thoughts and his feelings!! If this is his grandmother’s idea, then she can forget it!! 

Zoe only wants a bit of time away to nurse her broken heart, after finding out her long term boyfriend was cheating on her, then her co-worker/boss stole designs, she just needed to get away…..The place she’s rented is just beautiful. Very quiet and peaceful, well it was until the unwanted arrival of the owners grandson! Obnoxious man, rude and disrespectful! She was here first, he can just go away….

Dante decided to make his “guest” as uncomfortable as possible, then if she left, he could have his month of peace and quiet, so loud music, cigar smoking, and cooking in his underwear is all a plot to get rid of his unwanted housemate! 

I had to chuckle at most of this book. From half naked men, to adorable mini pigs. This book had me laughing at these two trying to outdo each other then falling for each other….

Deciding on just a holiday fling, both Dante and Zoe are unaware of the others growing feelings. But neither want to be hurt again. So it’s just going to be a holiday romance. Right? But feelings have a way of growing, until the unthinkable happens, how can you tell that person you’ve fallen in love with them? For Dante it was easy, he pushed Zoe away, and watched her walk out of his life….. 

So finally realizing his mistake, can he ever get Zoe to forgive him? ​

For me, the stars of this book was Dante’s Nonna (grandmother) She was just a joy to read about. And that adorable little pig Houdini just made me smile (makes a change from cats and dogs). 

Beautifully descriptive, I could imagine the waves, smell the sea and hear that pig grunting. The scenery flashed before my eyes in an array of words. It’s a great book to read at the beach, by the pool or even curled up on the sofa. The authors words will have you whisked away in no time. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Wedding Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman -a Review

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The Wedding Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman -a Review

 

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Description:

My life has always been pretty predictable. Run into burning buildings, save those in distress, be a hero. Shoot the shit with my fireman buddies, come home, and do it all again tomorrow. Little did I know that a random SOS call from a woman stuck in a plaster cast with nothing underneath (I swear I only caught a flash of skin) would throw me for a complete loop. 

 

Until I see the flighty artist again. At my mom’s engagement party. To her dad.

 

Suddenly the unpredictable woman I couldn’t stop thinking about is my soon-to-be-stepsister. Yeah, the same one I mortified when I accidentally saw her a tiny bit naked. This should make family gatherings way more interesting.

 

Except when your mom’s as loaded as mine is, you can never fully let your guard down when a guy comes sniffing around. So I can’t help but be suspicious, even though his daughter’s the perfect blend of beautiful and wild. As we spend more time together, prepping for our parents’ wedding, we both agree that maybe there’s nothing wrong with having a little bit of fun in the meantime. But if she knew I was investigating her dad on the side, she would never forgive me… 

 

 

Review:

 

The Wedding Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman is the first book in her new Mile High Firefighters series.  You can always rely on Mariah Ankenman to make you both chuckle and swoon. What’s better than one fireman? Three firemen coming to Tamsen’s rescue….. 

 

Tamsen is a free spirit, an artist with an up coming art show. The last thing she needs is to be stuck in one of her show pieces….. But the upside of being rescued, she gets to drool over three fine specimens of manhood! Hey, she’s an artist, she can appreciate the human form. But the form that captures her eye and her breath is the gorgeous Firefighter Parker…..

 

Parker is firefighter, him and his mates do the saving thing down to a fine art. They work well together and have a really close bond. But he’s not thinking at all clearly when faced with a cutie in plaster, he’s blown away by the feelings she causing him, but he’s at work, and he really shouldn’t mix work with fun. He hope he catches up with her in the future, he’d love to get to know her better. 

 

The two are thinking about having a little fun, when the unthinkable happens, they meet at their parents engagement party! Parker’s mother and Tamsen’s father have fallen for one another after a six month whirlwind romance. And now they have to organise a wedding shower for their prospective parents! So maybe romance won’t be on the cards! It’s wrong! Isn’t it?! They will be siblings, albeit half…..

 

But those sparks keep flying between Parker and Tamsen and when they decide on a little light no strings fun, both are blown away by their feelings. But Parker has a hidden agenda.  He needs to be sure his mother isn’t being taken for a financial ride. So whilst pursuing and having fun with Tamsen, he’s checking out her father! Let’s hope she doesn’t find out…..

 

I didn’t really think of them as a forbidden couple, both were old enough not to be living at home, and there was no blood ties. 

 

I love the way this author gets inside the characters head, I really like hearing their thoughts. The wit is sharp and funny. The comebacks are quick and the passion is oh so naughty! Parker is your all American hero, Tamsen is your quirky arty type. 


I devoured the whole book in an afternoon. First in a new series and I’m hoping Parker’s buddies get stories. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Bachelor Bargain by Maddison Michaels – a Review

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The Bachelor Bargain by Maddison Michaels – a Review

 

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Description:
Bachelors, beware. For those who keep secrets and prey on the innocent, you will be exposed, with all your dirty little secrets laid bare to one and all. You have been warned…

Lady Olivia Haliford has had enough. Tired of seeing women lose their reputations, futures, and sometimes even their lives to scandal while the men walk free, she is ready to take back power and stand up for women everywhere. Along with her two closest friends, she plans to start an anonymous publication dedicated to dishing the dirt and exposing the secrets of society’s most eligible bachelors. But in order to do so, she will have to make a deal with the devil…

Sebastian Colver, known as the Bastard of Baker Street, is feared throughout London as the city’s most notorious gambling den owner and undisputed king of the underground. His life is nothing but darkness and danger, so he is shocked when the petite lady gracing his doorstep seems anything but frightened of him. He agrees to be a silent partner in the publishing of the Gazette if she will use her connections to sponsor his sister and launch her into Society and away from his dark world.

But exposing the secrets of the rich and powerful can be dangerous. Almost as dangerous as a lady falling in love with the king of the underground. 

Content Warning: The Bachelor Bargain  features themes, imagery, and content that may be triggering for some readers. Discussion of physical abuse, rape, suicide, and death appear within the novel. Scenes depicting graphic violence/death also appear. It is my hope that these elements have been handled sensitively, but if they could be considered triggering to you, please take note.

 

 

Review:

The Bachelor Bargain by Maddison Michaels is the first book in her Secrets, Scandal and Spies series. 

Olivia has had enough, yet one more young lady has had her good name besmirched, her standing in the community thrown into disarray! But to lose one of her closest and dearest friends to death (the poor girl could not face the shame) enough is enough! Something must be done! She needs a way of exposing the scoundrels without putting herself in danger! So with the help of her two friends (Kaitlyn and Henrietta) she comes up with a newspaper to expose the rakes that do the evil deeds! 

Sebastian isn’t known as the “bastard of Baker Street” for nothing, he might have been born from an unholy union, but it’s his fearsome reputation that the nobility and street rats fear the most! He will ruin you at his gambling tables, and he doesn’t care what stock your from! 

This is the first book in a new series. So I’m hoping her friends Kaitlyn and Henrietta get books too. I thought Olivia was great, she knew her mind and doggedly pursued what she wanted! No mean feat in those days, as ladies were only meant to be accessories for their husbands! 

But Livie has come to accept that she’s going to be a spinster forever! A limp has put her at a disadvantage. Beauty is suppose to be from top to toe, and no one will put up with a girl with a disfigured leg! 

Sebastian although a rogue and bastard, was actually more of a gentleman than he was given credit for! He protects those he cares for, but it’s still hard to place trust in anyone….He owns a lot of property, and so a lot of responsibility, but he’s not the sort ti shy away from hard work. 

The idea of exposing the scoundrels that ruin the young ladies was a new one, and I loved it. What a nice way to spend an afternoon. Intrigue and suspense, throw in a splash of passion and romance and it will face to glued to the pages until the end. 

Seb has to come to terms that he feels more than just admiration for Olivia, but his standing in the community means they can never really be together! He wants his half sister to be accepted into society! Why? If all he does is ruin the men he might want her to marry! That’s easy, he only ruins men with a rogue reputation, so there are still plenty of good men for his sister to marry. So when he strikes up a bargain with Olivia, financial help from him, but only if she helps to elevate his sisters standing in the society, Olivia is hard pressed to refuse. 

But not everyone is happy with her wanting to expose these scoundrels! And when her life is in danger, how will Sebastian act? 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

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A Surrealist Affair by Jacqueline Corcoran – a Review

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The Surrealist Affair by Jacqueline Corcoran – a Review

 

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Description:
Elle Dakin is shocked when she’s given the opportunity to fly to Paris to attribute a newly discovered painting to her favorite artist. After all, why would they choose a broke, struggling Art History doctoral student for such an honored task? When she arrives in Paris, she realizes the deal was too good to be true—suddenly she’s neck deep in a murder, an international art theft, and threats to her safety. Thank goodness Ryan, an art exporter, comes to her aid, protecting her from the dangerous side of Paris and those who would try to harm her. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s sinfully handsome…until she discovers he has just as many secrets as everyone she’s met on this trip of a lifetime gone wrong…

The last assignment undercover FBI agent Ryan DeLong wants is to investigate art theft. But here he is, stuck in Paris, chasing down the thieves of a million-dollar masterpiece. The only bright spot is Elle, the shy but enchanting doctoral student who teaches him about more than just the beauty of Surrealism. He can’t tell her the truth of his identity, plus he refuses to get romantically involved with anyone while he’s on a case. But when he learns Elle also has things to hide, he begins to doubt everything he thought he knew about her.

 

Review:

Elle Dakin is trying to figure out what to do her doctoral thesis about. A call from a friend of her advisor sends Elle to Paris for authenticating a painting by a famous French artist. Ryan DeLong is wanting to get back to working for the FBI Counterterrorism unit from the art theft department. The recent theft of that same French artist’s painting sends him to Paris looking for the painting. Elle’s second trip to Paris is anything but wonderful.Ryan isn’t enthusiastic with Paris and doesn’t see the charm. Elle and Ryan’s continued consequential meetings will bring danger, passion and The Surrealist Affair.

Jacqueline Corcoran’s The Surrealist Affair is a suspenseful story of the theft of a famous painting that takes her main characters on a dangerous trip to Paris following leads and looking for a new painting of the famous artist. The intrigue will keep you guessing what just may come next. A PhD student will find danger and possibly love on a trip to Paris for authenticating a new painting by a famous French artist. Elle Dakin’s trip to Paris doesn’t go as planned and a handsome stranger catches her attention. A FBI agent wanting to get back to a very dangerous unit will follow clues and his intuition to find a painting, passion and a killer.

The Surrealist Affair keeps the reader on the edge with where is the painting, whose behind all the danger. Who murdered the grandson of a famous artist? Will he be able to save the damsel in distress? With danger around every corner, a chance to get back to a dream job, a passion between two people just end in The Surrealist Affair.

Jacqueline Corcoran writes a story full of suspense, intrigue, and keep the reader guessing on who is behind it all. The reader will be surprised by the bad guys and the twist and turns in this story of art theft, fraud, and things not being as they seem. The truth just may be what this PhD student needs to finally write to finish graduate school. The Surrealist Affair is a dangerous trip to Paris, France that will surprise the reader and wanting them to come back for more Jacqueline Corcoran.

Reviewed by Kim

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Heirly Ever After by Magan Vernon – a Review

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Heirly Ever After by Magan Vernon – a Review

 

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Description:
Sometimes, you’ve got to take a fake date to your sister’s royal wedding…

After pumping the breaks on my college degree and being dumped at the last minute, I’m looking forward to skipping off to a whole new country for the week-long event. But I’ll need the perfect distraction to keep both my sister and mother from finding out about my epic disaster life. So when I meet a charming Scottish stunner on the train, whose chivalry and humor have me swooning, a quick coin toss seals the deal on my hot date.

It’s the perfect plan, until he reveals he is Lord Jacob MacWebley, odd duckling and long-lost cousin of the family my sister is about to marry into. Thanks for the full disclosure. Oh, and apparently no one wants him there because he might have a claim to the inheritance. Wedding week is going to suck, but it’s too late for other options—luckily, I’m a pro at dealing with a little family drama.

But between a gentle countryside horse ride that turns into a chase, and the baking class that ends in a food fight we forget to keep up the lies and start blurring the lines instead… against any available surface. Jacob brings me out of my shell and makes me want to break all etiquette rules, but he’s keeping secrets and if I’m not careful, I might end up royally screwed…

 

 

Review:

Natalie and Gavin are getting married!  While the beloved protagonists from Heired Lines may no longer be the main characters, their big event is the setting for the equally lovely sequel, Heirly Ever After.  Author Magan Vernon returns to jolly old England with a fortuitous meet cute between Jacob and Madison.  Would their serendipitous meeting develop into romance or leave a trail of broken hearts?

Madison is Natalie’s out-of-luck younger sister who finds herself with a wealth of time (dropping out of college offers such luxuries) traveling to England for the impending nuptials.  Here is where she encounters Jacob, a long-lost-wished-you-didn’t-actually-come-to-the-wedding family member of Madison’s future brother-in-law.  Seems family feuds hold long memories *cough* grudges, and Jacob is trying to ingratiate himself with the family by arriving with Madison.  Black sheep of the world, unite.  Money matters are notoriously nasty in any family, the Webley name is no exception, but transparency is not in Jacob’s wheelhouse because, well…book, drama.  Deflect and divert, and you can prolong just about anything! ?

The anticipation of waiting for a relative to recognize Jacob had me tied up in knots, but the insensitivity to involve Madison in his scheme, however justified he thought his claim, was selfish. Having said that, Jacob is also bearing the weight of this reparations matter.  Yes, the MacWebleys were ostracized, and possibly owed a fair share, but surely Jacob’s elders could have come to some amicable, albeit legal, conclusion by now.  Tension abounds and confronting the issue would be messy, but now he has to consider Madison, whose joyful reunion (though don’t forget she’s got skeletons of her own to reveal), he’s now hijacked.  Given his tactics, how can Madison not to be suspicious of Jacob’s motives? 

An auspicious beginning too soon mired in doubt. Especially after reading of their natural, developing attraction.  But drama is delicious when done right; when nuanced, not heavy-handed.  Heirly Ever After accomplishes this.  What might have begun as a quest to “restore” his family legacy may soon take a backseat to initiative and personal investment.  Madison and Jacob must face their pasts to make worthwhile futures.  And if along the way their goals became unified, love is the priceless reward.  The Heired Book series continues to satisfy.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Dark Desire by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Dark Desire by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Tall, Dark and…Russian.

Three things that Elena swore she’d never fall for again, but that’s exactly what happens when she meets Dimitri Razin on an international flight leaving Moscow.

His penetrating blue eyes peer straight into the core of her soul, leaving her vulnerable and all too aware that he’s the kind of man she had fantasies about before her world fell apart.

His touch sets fire to her blood and exposes her darkest desires…namely those involving him dominating her in bed.

Elena isn’t the only one with secrets. Dimitri is dangerous, and not just to her heart. The man is lethal and carries a past as heavy as her own.  When they’re forced to go on the run together to survive, it becomes impossible to keep her hands off him, especially when he gives her orders in that Russian accent. 

The pain of their pasts have bound them together, but her future may just tear them apart.

 

 

Review:

Dark Desire by Lauren Smith is the 5th book in her Surrender series.  Elena is finally going home after months of being held captive! Violently abused and terrified, she honestly never thought she’d some out of it alive!! She just had to remain calm and get on the flight home! Home to her family, and maybe become the Elena she once was.  But she getting the feeling she being watched…..

Dimitri feels a deep connection with a young woman he sees coming into the building he’s in. Curious he trails her and discovers her sad story. From there on he’s determined to protect her anyway he can. And he knows exactly the people to turn to. He know needs an excuse to meet her…..

Elena and Dimitri meet aboard the plane she’s on, she doesn’t know him, but feels safe (considering how the last few months have been, she’s surprised) helping her to remain calm after a panic attack, the pair talk on the plane. But Elena isn’t aware that Dimitri knows her!

They meet again at a home of the man who rescued her!! Panicking, Elena wonders if he’s here to take her back……

Dimitri explains that he’s a friend of the man who rescued her!! She’s really suspicious, but at this point she doesn’t really want to be on her own! Getting verification helps to ease her mind that Dimitri is who he says he is. But something doesn’t add up!!

It’s book five in the series and I don’t think you neee to read the previous ones (I haven’t) but it feels like I might be missing a few things, so I may go back and find out more.

Elena is a strong woman who’s been dealt a horrible blow! And now she’s trying to regain her self worth and confidence, she keeps having flashbacks and these put her back in that horrible cell!!

Dimitri was wonderful, and although the book says he’s a dominant, I would think go that far, he’s bossy, yes. He’s commanding, yes. And maybe the full force of his dominance may come out at some point, but I just didn’t get the full DOM mode!!

It’s also a slow burn romance, which I liked. Elena had been captured and abused for months, so I was pleased that was taken into consideration. I loved the storyline, I loved how a little fact was mixed in with the fiction. I also enjoyed meeting his “brothers” they aren’t blood, but they have had each other’s backs since they were eight years old! The camaraderie was fun to read, the background on both Elena and Dimitri wasn’t too much, just enough in my opinion.

There is also more books planned for the series which I’m excited about, Dimitri’s friends need their stories told too. I highly recommend this book if you like your story with murder/mystery/suspense and a little hot romance.

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for Review

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The Amish Cowboy’s Homecoming by Ophelia London – a Review

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The Amish Cowboy’s Homecoming by Ophelia London – a Review

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Description:
Grace Zook has always held a talent with horses, ever since she was a child growing up in her quaint Amish village of Honey Brook. Now, as an adult, she’s become a master trainer—but still struggles to prove to her father that she is worthy of taking over the family’s horse farm. With a fiery new stallion coming soon, Grace knows this challenge is her chance to prove she can finally take the reins. 

When widower and horse whisperer Isaac King is offered the lead training job on a new farm out of town, he’s thrilled to finally make a name for himself and provide some permanent roots for his young daughter. But not only is the stallion seemingly unbreakable, so, too, is the owner’s headstrong daughter Grace, who has drastically different ideas about how to handle the impossible horse. Yet somehow, he can’t seem to get the confident, beautiful woman out of his mind…even though as his boss’s daughter, she is completely off-limits. 

There’s too much at stake for Isaac to gamble his future on Grace…even though suddenly, he can’t imagine one without her.

 

 

Review:

The Amish Cowboy’s Homecoming by Ophelia London is the second book in her Honey Brook series. 

Grace is a hard working woman, she loves working on the family farm with her father. Horses are what she knows and loves, and is hurt and angry when she finds out she won’t be the one to break on the new stallion! Hasn’t she proved herself by now?! 

Isaac needs a stable home for his young daughter and when the opportunity arises, he takes it with both hands. What he doesn’t expect is anger and resentment from the boss’s daughter! But they need to work together, she’s just going to have to back down….. 

There is a lot of tension for a while, both Isaac and Grace have things to prove. But as they start to work alongside one another other feelings start to emerge. Grace is confused, shouldn’t she hate the man that took her job? And Isaac knows he shouldn’t have those thoughts about the boss’s daughter. 

Grace has to contend with a lot of things, one being the old fashioned ideas of women not working outside of the home, of only being a wife and mother! 
Isaac is rather old fashioned that way too, so for the two of them to work out their feelings had me smiling. Isaac’s daughter is so cute and you have to love the way he always thinks of her comfort and safety. 

The author captures both the emotions and the details in this story. We catch up with previous characters from the other book, but it’s not a requirement to read the first book. It’s a lovely story, and it was great catching up with the Amish community of Honey Brook. But if your expecting passion and sexy times, then this book may not be for you. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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