Tag Archives: Cricket Creek

Marry Me on Main Street by LuAnn McLane – Review & Giveaway

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Marry Me on Main Street by LuAnn McLane – Review & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon / B&N /Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
In her small shop on Main Street, Susan Quincy sells handmade gifts and repurposed items. But she can’t part with the beautiful rocking chair she bought at an estate sale when its maker turns out to be Danny Mayfield. Even years later, Susan still cringes over how her handsome, popular high school crush only asked her to prom out of pity—or so she thinks…
 
Danny doesn’t know why Susan has avoided him for years, especially after the electric kiss they shared the night of prom. So when he learns that she wants him to craft more rocking chairs to sell at her shop, Danny can’t resist the chance to work on his passion and charm shy, beautiful Susan again—and this time, make it last…

 

Review:

Marry Me on Main Street by LuAnn McLane is the 11th book in her wonderful Cricket Creek series.  I am a big fan of this series, as McLane always manages to give us a sweet romance in a small town atmosphere such as Cricket Creek. 

We meet our heroine, Susan Quincy, who runs Rhyme or Reason, a local gift shop with many handmade unique items.  Danny Mayfield is our hero, and over the years, he has wondered why Susan always avoids him.  Danny wants to change things, as he has always felt the attraction to Susan.  One of Susan’s biggest selling items is a beautiful rocking chair, which she learns Danny makes in his spare time.  This will be the start of a slow build romance that will start off as a friendship.  In a short time, we learn that when Susan went to the prom with Danny, she finds out their mothers arranged it.  This led Susan to think all these years that Danny was forced to go with her.  As it turns out, Danny has never forgotten that night, and together they realize they lost all those years for nothing, and the romance between this sweet couple escalates.

Danny loves making his own fine wood work, and it is Susan who will push him to do what he loves best.  But Danny feels he has to help his family fun Mayfield Marina, and does not want to rock the boat.  Another wonderful part of McLane’s series is the addition of a second romance, with a somewhat older couple.  I really did enjoy John (he runs the local sandwich shop)  and Betsy’s ( she works for Susan part time) story. 

As the story progresses, we enjoy watching Danny and Susan’s relationship heat up, as they were such a nice sweet couple.  The ending was very well done, as Danny’s surprise for Susan gives them both a wonderful happy future.   We also get to see John and Betsy relationship grow, and it was so much fun to see the other people we have gotten to know in Cricket Creek.

LuAnn McLane gives us another sweet story in Cricket Creek, which is always great to visit.  If you enjoy small town romances, you can’t go wrong reading this series, written so well by LuAnn McLane.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

giveaway

LuAnn’s publisher is offering a paper copy of MARRY ME ON MAIN STREET to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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

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

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

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

6. Follow LuAnn McLane  on Facebook.

7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from December 7 – 10, 2016

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Wish Upon a Wedding by LuAnn McLane – Review & Giveaway

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Wish Upon a Wedding by LuAnn McLane – Review & Giveaway

 

Wish Upon A Wedding Banner

 

Wish Upon a Wedding
Cricket Creek series – Book #10
by LuAnn McLane
Release Date: May 3, 2016

Wish Upon a WeddingAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
Heartbroken handyman Avery Dean can’t get away from his ex—who just happens to be the maid of honor in his sister’s upcoming wedding. As the best man, Avery has to grin and bear his sister’s misguided attempts to get them back together, until the perfect excuse presents itself in a pretty out-of-towner.
 
With her time in Cricket Creek, Kentucky, coming to an end, hair stylist Sophia Gordon can’t deny the town’s charms, or her attraction to Avery Dean. That’s why she finds herself saying yes to dinner, and then, a wedding date.
 
Sophia agrees to be Avery’s pretend girlfriend until the big day is over, but when their make-believe fling shows signs of real passion, Sophia starts to wonder if staying in Cricket Creek could make all her wishes come true.

 

Review:

Wish Upon a Wedding by LuAnn McLane is the 10th book in her wonderful Cricket Creek series. I am a big fan of this series by McLane.  In each and every book, she manages to give us another sweet romance; a great couple, and spending time with those we have grown to love in Cricket Creek. 

Sophia Gordon is due to leave Cricket Creek to return to NY, but after enjoying the small town atmosphere, seeing her family settle there, and the friends she found has caused her to have second thoughts.  Avery Dean is our hero, who recently broke up with his fiancée, who had cheated on him.  To get his sister Zoe off his back, he and Sophia, who have become friends, devise a plan to pretend to be dating, so his ex leaves him alone. Best laid plans; as usual do not always work out.

Sophia was a great heroine, always fun and likable, except when talking to Avery’s ex, Ashley.  Sophia will decide to stay in Cricket Creek, as she will go into business with her friend Carrie Ann, opening a  salon, White Laces and Promises,  on Wedding Row.  Carrie Ann also has a new romance quickly building with Avery’s uncle Easton.  Slowly, both Avery and Sophia begin realize that their pretend relationship has become real.  With Zoe and Max’s upcoming wedding, Ashley is part of the wedding party, as is Avery, and the misguided attempts by Zoe (who doesn’t know the real reason about his breakup with Ashley), will make things uncomfortable.   Will Sophia be able to stop the attempts by Ashley to win Avery back?  Will Avery get past his fears of being hurt again?

This was a double sweet story of two wonderful romances.  The extra added fun of seeing our previous couples in Cricket Creek always makes this a pleasure to read.   I loved both Avery and Sophia, as they made a fun, likable, sweet and sexy couple.   The older couple, Carrie Ann and Easton was also very well done. Once again, I had fun in Cricket Creek, and think it’s time you meet these wonderful people, in case you haven’t done so yet. Looking forward to visiting Cricket Creek again soon. If you love sweet small town romances, you can never go wrong reading anything by LuAnn McLane.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

giveaway

LuAnn’s publisher is offering a paper copy of WISH UPON A WEDDING to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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

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

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

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

6. Please LIKE us on TSU for an additional entry.

7. Follow LuAnn McLane  on Facebook.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from May 4 – 8, 2016

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Written in the Stars by LuAnn McLane – Review & Giveaway

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Written in the Stars by LuAnn McLane – Review & Giveaway

Written in the Stars Banner

Written in the Stars
Cricket Creek series – Book #9
by LuAnn McLane
Release Date: October 6, 2015

Written in the StarsAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description
No one is more shocked than Grace Gordon when her cosmetics line makes her a millionaire in need of new investments. Bailing out Mason Mayfield’s Cricket Creek craft brewery seems like the perfect solution. It doesn’t hurt that the sexy country boy makes her weak in the knees…

Sure, Mason is grateful to Grace for saving his brewery. But her upscale marketing plans for his down home business are driving him crazy. She needs a good man to reel her in, and he happily takes the job—especially since it’ll involve some time behind the brewery’s closed doors.

Unfortunately, Grace has never been good at staying in one place. And now that she’s thinking about leaving, Mason has to convince her to call Cricket Creek home—and admit their love was written in the stars…


Review:

Written in the Stars by LuAnn McLane is the 9th book in her wonderful Cricket Creek series. As Grace Gordon, our heroine, arrives in Cricket Creek, she thinks she is lost, and ends up in a brewery. She meets, Mason Mayfield, her brother’s brother in law, who runs the brewery. They are both stuck in the brewery, as a major storm hits, and they lose power. This gives both of them time to get to know each other, and their family ties. Both find themselves immediately attracted to each other, though they have no intention of acting on this.

Grace is in town to help her sister, and meet her nephew. While Mattie, our heroine in the last book, and Grace’s sister in law, is recovering from the birth of her child, Grace will be helping her sister run the local restaurant.

Mason is almost reading to present his new brews, and finds himself strapped for money to allow the brewery to go live. Grace is a marketing genius, not to mention a millionaire, after selling her cosmetics business. Grace takes on the challenge to help Mason, offering to invest in his business. It takes her a little time to convince him to allow her to help.

Mason is falling hard for Grace, but having been hurt before, is hesitate to go too far, since he knows Grace is going back to London soon. She cannot stay in one place long, especially in a small town like Cricket Creek. What follows is a sweet wonderful romance between Grace and Mason. We also get to see other people we have gotten to know, and the fun of the grand opening of Mason’s brewery.

With her sister in law ready to resume working, and with the brewery functioning well, Grace makes plans to leave. She knows she loves Mason, but feels she will only hurt him in the long run, when her restlessness takes control.   Will Mason be able to convince Grace to stay? or Will he let her go, knowing forcing her to stay will cause her to be unhappy later on?

LuAnn McLane has done another wonderful job in giving us a wonderful & fun story, great couple, & fabulous secondary characters. If you love romance, small town atmosphere and wonderful characters, you need to start this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

giveaway

LuAnn’s publisher is offering a paper copy of WRITTEN IN THE STARS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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

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

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

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

6. Please LIKE us on TSU for an additional entry.

7. Follow LuAnn McLane  on Facebook.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from October 7 to 10, 2015

 

 

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Walking on Sunshine by LuAnn McLane – Review & Giveaway

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Walking on Sunshine by LuAnn McLane – Review & Giveaway

Walking on Sunshine Banner

Walking on SunshineAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
Mattie Mayfield is more interested in fishing, four-wheeling, and mudding than being a girlie girl. But acting like one of the boys means she often gets ignored when it comes to romance—especially by Colby, her brother’s best friend. Maybe if she changes the game, she’ll finally start getting some attention.
 
Bad boy musician Garret Ruleman doesn’t fit in with the crowd in Cricket Creek, but there’s something about sweet, unassuming Mattie that catches his eye. Garret intends to ask her out, but all Mattie wants is for Garret to give her a makeover that will force Colby to see her as a real woman.
 
Garret agrees to help in return for lessons on how to become a Southern stud. And as the local girls start falling for the newly countrified Garret, Mattie wonders if in the end, they’d actually be perfect together

 

Review:

Walking on Sunshine by Luann McLane is the 8th book in her wonderful romance series, Cricket Creek. This is a fun sweet series that takes place in a small town, Cricket Creek, Kentucky. Over the last 7 books, we have seen Cricket Creek expand with the arrival of many new people to mix with the long time residents to bring the town into modest success. Garret Ruleman, is our hero in this book, having arrived to help his world famous father, Rick, with his successful music business, which is run in Cricket Creek.

Mattie Mayfield is our heroine, and has lived in Cricket Creek all her life. Mattie has grown up hanging around her brothers, and is often treated as one of the boys. She has a crush on Colby, who only looks at her like his friends kid sister. No one takes Mattie seriously, and she is tired of being ignored as a girl. Mattie wants romance in her life. She meets Garret when she serves him breakfast at her store. They immediately become friends, with each helping each other attain their goals.   Mattie to change her look, and make herself look like an attractive women, in order to get Colby’s attention.   Garret wants to be treated as one of the guys, and wants to make himself a redneck stud.

While they both work to help each other, their friendship, with no benefits, slowly begins to change.   Mattie begins to find herself falling for the handsome Garrett, as he also feels the attraction strengthen for the sweet homegrown pretty, Mattie. But Garret is determined to help Mattie win over Colby, even if it means breaking his own heart. Will they both see the light and what is so obvious to us? Will Garret be able to stay in Cricket Creek, or will his career force him to leave?

As is traditional in this series, there is a background romance of an older couple. In Walking on Sunshine, Laura Lee, a divorced 55 year old local, gets a job as a housekeeper/cook for Country Super star, Shane. Laura has no intention of getting involved, as she feels her chances are over. She doesn’t see that Shane is becoming attracted to her, and avoids any chance of getting to know each other. Will Laura heed her own advice to Mattie and give Shane a chance?

As always, with Luann McLane, this is a fun, sweet enjoyable romance, and we always get a double header.   It is nice to see some of our favorites from the previous books. If you enjoy lighthearted romances, small town atmosphere, friendships, sexy couples, then Walking on Sunshine and the Cricket Creek series is a must read. I will add that these books can be read as standalones, but why not enjoy the entire series, and start from the beginning.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

giveaway

LuAnn’s publisher is offering a paper copy of WALKING ON SUNSHINE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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

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

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

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

6. Please LIKE us on TSU for an additional entry.

7. Follow LuAnn McLane   on Facebook.

8. Giveaway is open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from May 6 to 10, 2015

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Sweet Harmony by LuAnn McLane – Review & Giveaway

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Sweet Harmony by LuAnn McLane – Review & Giveaway

 

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Sweet HarmonyAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is no Nashville—it’s a sweet, small town outside the big-city limelight. But here, two headstrong country music stars will need to rely on their Southern roots and explosive chemistry to top the charts together.

When Cat Carson drops her record label and signs with an independent label based in Cricket Creek, it’s a huge upset in the music world. But the residents of Cricket Creek are thrilled to have a real country music star in their midst. Everyone except Jeff Greenfield, that is—a local rising star himself, who’s been asked to record a duet with the stunning beauty.

Jeff grew up on a farm, but his smooth, soulful country style is starting to get him noticed outside Cricket Creek. And while a duet with Cat Carson could send his career skyrocketing, he doesn’t want to lose touch with his roots—or lose his head. Because sparks are flying every time he and Cat hit the studio. And it’s more than a little distracting….

 

 

Review:

Sweet Harmony by LuAnn McLane is the 7th book in her wonderful Cricket Creek series. Cat Carson is our heroine, and she was such a fun one at that. Cat is a country/pop music star, who moves to Cricket Creek to get away from the limelight, and live in a small town that will allow her to write her music. Cat left her record label, feeling they were holding her back from where she wanted her music to go, and signed with Cricket Creek’s own record label.

We meet Cat as she is arrives at her new home. Cat is sort of accident prone, and of course, as she tries to pull out the luggage, she falls with the heavy luggage landing on her legs. Enter our hero, Jeff Greenfield, a dimpled hunk who comes to her rescue. Jeff, is a country boy, who has lived all his life in Cricket Creek. He too is a singer, and is the front man on a band with his friends. As Jeff helps Cat to her cabin, things start off on the wrong foot. Jeff knows who Cat is, and hints to her that he doesn’t like her music.

What follows is a nice slow to build romance, which I do enjoy, that finds Cat and Jeff constantly running into each other, especially after a few accidents that Cat always manages to find herself in. As I said before, Cat was such a great heroine, and brought so much humor to this light hearted romance.   Jeff does his best to avoid Cat, as he doesn’t want to get involved with her. Hard to do, when he begins to fall hard, but refuses to admit it. There were times early on I wanted to smack Jeff a few times, but in time he does get better.

We get to meet many of the people at Cricket Creek; Mia, Cat’s friend, who had her story, and was instrumental in getting Cat to move to Cricket Creek; Maria, who will manage Cat, is a well known song writer, who has also returned to Cricket Creek and will have her own romance with her ex in this story; Snake, one of Jeff’s bandmates and Pete, the bar restaurant owner, who is Maria’s ex. Great secondary characters, but the focus is all on Cat and Jeff, as we watch them fall hard for each other, and work out a way to be able to work together in the music industry.

LuAnn McLane writes a wonderful series in a small town, and allows us to see most of them through each book in this series. If you enjoy sweet lighthearted romances, that had some great sexy scenes; a great couple and secondary characters, with a music themed background, then Sweet Harmony is perfect for you.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

giveaway

LuAnn’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of SWEET HARMONY  to 1 (One) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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

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

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK 

4. LIKE us on Twitter

5. LIKE us on GOODREADS 

6. Like LuAnn McLane on FACEBOOK

7. Giveaway is open to U,S. Only

8. Giveaway runs from October 9 – 13, 2014

 

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Wildflower Wedding by LuAnn McLane – Review and Giveaway

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Wildflower Wedding by LuAnn McLane – Review and Giveaway

Wildflower Wedding Banner

 

Wildflower Wedding
Cricket Creek series – Book #
by LuAnn McLane
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Wildflower WeddingLinks to order Wildflower Wedding:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

 

Description:
Cricket Creek, Kentucky, is a sweet river town known for its baseball, shopping, and weddings. After the recession, business is finally bouncing back, but old insecurities—and heartaches—are slower to heal…

Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Gabby Goodwin had more to prove than the rest of Cricket Creek. Even now, as the successful owner of the local flower shop, she hasn’t forgotten her humble beginnings. So when her high school crush, the former class bad boy, walks back into her life, she keeps him at arm’s length, protecting her heart—and her pride.

Reese Marino gave up most of his wild ways years ago, graduating from college and becoming part owner of his uncle’s pizza parlor. The fact that Gabby still treats him like a troubled teenager drives him mad, but that’s not the only thing about the sassy florist driving him to distraction. Despite Gabby’s reluctant attitude, Reese is determined to win her over and show her that love often blooms right where you least expect it

 

Review:

Wildflower Wedding by LuAnn McLane is the 6th book in her Cricket Creek series.  This series takes place in a small town in Kentucky, called Cricket Creek.  As we have seen in earlier books, things are looking up for Cricket Creek.  The town is expanding with many new businesses.  In the last book, our heroine Addison opened a bridal bouquet. You do not have to read the previous books, as they read very well as standalones.

In Wildflower Wedding, our heroine is Gabby, who is filling her dream running her own flower shop, which also works well with Addison’s shop.  Working late, she orders pizza from the new pizza restaurant that just opened, and when the doorbell rings, Gabby is shocked to see her childhood crush, Reese.  Reese, who was a wild bad boy back in high school, is now part owner, with his mom & uncle Tony, of the new restaurant.  Reese, who is hotter than he was back in his high school days, has also had a crush on Gabby.  But neither knew that back in the day.  Now their lust hormones are kicking up, and each is trying hard not to show the other how they feel. 

Reese, has grown up to be a responsible young man, who now is the main chef in the restaurant.  He is protective of his mother, since his father upped and left them both 10 years earlier.  They never knew why, nor where he was, and this is a sticking point with Reese.  He sees how much his mother was hurt, and hesitates to become involved.  This is an added story with the father.

Gabby, having lost her mother a few years earlier, remembers how she thought Reese would just look at her like a nerd, which wasn’t really true.  She never knew he had a secret thing for her.  What follows is a cute romance, with both having their own private issues holding them back from any kind of commitment, even if they knew they were falling in love with each other.  This is romance, which has to have its happy ending, and both couples will work their way to try to resolve their issues, but it isn’t easy with the many obstacles that seem to pop up, including their past.

What I love about McLane’s stories is that she also has a secondary romance of an older couple.  Tony, who is also trying to recover from his wife leaving him awhile back, has sworn off woman.  But even though he starts off on the wrong foot with his sexy landlady, Trish, she immediately gets his attention.  Trish was also trying to get past her husband leaving her for a younger woman.  This was also a fun romance that early on was a hopeless cause.  I loved Tony’s dog Digger, who was a great addition to the story.  So cute when Digger adored Trish, and was very instrumental in bring them together. lol

LuAnn McLane writes a fun and cute romance that makes us root for both couples.  This was a light, fun and enjoyable read, and I look forward to more fun in Cricket Creek.  If you like romance, small town atmosphere, a cute couple, an adorable dog, and another nice romance, Wildflower Wedding is for you.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher


giveaway

LuAnnn and her publisher are gracioiuslyi offering a paper of Wildflower Wedding to one lucky commenter of TRC.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address with your comment.

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

 4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway open to USA only.

6. Giveaway runs from April 2 – 8, 2014

 

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