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So Right (Ribbon Ridge: Love on the Vine #2) by Darcy Burke-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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SO RIGHT (Ribbon Ridge: Love on the Vine #2) by Darcy Burke-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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SO RIGHT
Ribbon Ridge: Love on the Vine #2
by Darcy Burke
Release Date: February 14, 2017
Genre: adult,contemporary, romance

So Right

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / itunes /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 14, 2017

Kelsey McDade realizes that her love life is one and done. Her last—and only—relationship left her broken and afraid and more than ready to be alone for the long haul. But sexy-charming vineyard manager Luke Westcott pushes all of her buttons in the right way and makes her wonder if she ought to try again.

In nearly twenty-eight years, Luke’s most successful romance has been with the outdoors. Currently single, he’s happy to pour all of his energy into his new winery until Kelsey provokes feelings he didn’t know he was capable of. He can envision their future together—if she’ll let down her guard.

When the ghost of Kelsey’s past causes her to slam on the brakes, Luke is ready to fight for her, even if it means sacrificing himself in the process. Convinced she’s only made wrong choices in the past, Kelsey must decide if Luke—and their love—is worth the greatest risk of all.

••••••

REVIEW: SO RIGHT is the second installment in Darcy Burke’s contemporary, adult LOVE ON THE VINE romance series focusing on the Westcott brothers of Ribbon Ridge. This is vintner and winery co-owner Luke Westcott, and librarian/bar waitress Kelsey McDade’s story line. LOVE ON THE VINE is a spin off from Burke’s Ribbon Ridge series. We were first introduced to Luke and his brothers (Cameron and Jamie) in You’re Still the One (Ribbon Ridge #6). You do not have to read the original series to follow the premise of SO RIGHT but I recommend reading You’re Still the One for some backstory about the brothers and their new winery business.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Luke and Kelsey) SO RIGHT follows the building relationship between vintner Luke Westcott, and librarian Kelsey McDade- a relationship that struggles with demons from the past. Kelsey McDade is a broken woman whose past controls the present, and with it, Kelsey’s inability to move forward in life. A self-proclaimed workaholic, Kelsey’s lifestyle leaves no time for rest or relaxation but winery owner Luke Westcott slowly begins to worm his way into our heroine’s heart. What ensues is the building but struggling relationship between Kelsey and Luke, and the continuing research into the historical significance of Ribbon Ridge.

Both Kelsey and Luke are workaholics; individuals who prefer to be left alone but the loneliness comes with too many ghosts and demons in the dark. Kelsey’s one and only relationship left our heroine broken and destroyed; Luke’s past relationship fizzled out but comes looking for another chance.

The relationship between Luke and Kelsey is fraught the back and forth of one woman’s reluctance to give love a second chance. Frustrating in its presentation Kelsey’s ‘yes, no, maybe’ ongoing indecisiveness, although understandable under the circumstances, made for some discouraging reading and I had a difficult time accepting the heroine as a love interest for Luke. The $ex scenes are intimate and romantic without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and test.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Luke’s brothers Jamie, and Cameron and his wife Brooke ( So Good ), as well as a large number of the Archer clan from the original Ribbon Ridge Series. Arch and Vine bar tender George Wilson, a regular in both of the series, finds love with the introduction of Kelsey’s grandma Ruby Atwood.

SO RIGHT is a sweet romance with a little bit of spice, angst, and romance. The premise is engaging and heartwarming; the romance is emotional; the characters are spirited and passionate although Kelsey’s flip-flopping was annoying-sometimes you gotta pull up your big girl panties and take a chance. SO RIGHT will captivate your imagination.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

So Right Teaser

excerpt

“I was thinking I might want to go to Oktoberfest after all. I’ll tag along with you, if you don’t mind.”
Luke didn’t immediately answer, and Kelsey held her breath. His brow furrowed slightly and he stared at her a moment. “Okay, that’s twice now I’ve asked you out and you’ve declined only to change your mind. Is this how you do things? Because it’s a bit demoralizing.”
Ouch. She deserved that. “No, it’s not how I do things. Honestly, I’m terribly out of practice. Forget I said anything. You should probably run in the other direction.”
He lightly touched her forearm and guided her toward the building. She realized someone needed to walk by, and they were sort of hogging the sidewalk.
His gaze was steady and warm as he looked at her. “I don’t want to run the other way. I want to take you to Oktoberfest. On a date. Just so we’re clear.”
A date. That sensation of wanting to fall into his eyes stole over her again. This time, she didn’t shrink away. “Okay.”
His lips curved into a handsome smile. “Okay. I’ll pick you up at six, if that works.”
“Yep, that’s great. See you then.” Neither one of them moved for a moment. “I need to get back to work. My lunch is over.”
“Oh. Well, I’ll walk with you since I’d planned to pick up lunch anyway.”
They crossed the street, and when they reached the other side, she turned to look at him. “You can meet my grandmother. She’s inside flirting with George.”
He grinned. “That sounds fantastic. I can’t wait to give George a hard time.”
She elbowed him as they approached the door. “Be nice. They’re very cute.”
“I bet. I was only teasing. I’m happy for them both.”
“He’s taking her to Oktoberfest on Saturday too.”
He opened the door for her. “Should we double date?”
“God, no.” She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Well, that sounded terrible.” She laughed. “I only meant that I don’t want to intrude on them. But it was nice of you to offer.”
“In all honesty, now that I finally get to take you on a date, I don’t really want to share you either.”

About the Author pink

Darcy BurkeDarcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and three Bengal cats. Visit Darcy online at www.darcyburke.com and sign up for her newsletter, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans.

Connect:

 

Site: www.darcyburke.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans
Twitter: twitter.com/darcyburke
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/5823441.Darcy_Burke

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So Good (Love on the Vine #1 / Ribbon Ridge #7) by Darcy Burke-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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SO GOOD (Ribbon Ridge #7 / Love on the Vine #1) by Darcy Burke-Review, Book tour and Giveaway

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SO GOOD
Love on the Vine #1 / Ribbon Ridge #7
by Darcy Burke
Genre: adult, contemporary romance
Release Date: September 6, 2016

So Good

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 6, 2016

Cameron Westcott has spent eight years recovering from heartbreak by keeping romantic entanglements casual and simple. He’s never minded being called a manwhore, but after two years immersing himself in his new winery, he might be ready for the next chapter. Especially when he meets a sexy wine distributor—only she says she isn’t interested.

Following a bitter divorce, Brooke Ellis relocated to Ribbon Ridge to rebuild her life. Things will never be the same for her, and she’s coming to terms with that reality when she meets charming, persistent Cam. She can’t imagine a happy ever after given his reputation, but he makes her feel so good.

As the sparks between them intensify, they’re both hesitant to commit for very different reasons. Or are they really just sabotaging their own futures? If they can trust each other—and themselves—they may realize that what they share is too good to let slip away.

•••••••••••

REVIEW:  SO GOOD is the first installment in Darcy Burke’s contemporary, adult LOVE ON THE VINE romance series focusing on the Westcott brothers of Ribbon Ridge. This is vintner and winery owner Cameron (Cam) Westcott, and wine distributor Brooke Ellis’s story line. LOVE ON THE VINE is a spin off from Burke’s Ribbon Ridge series. We were first introduced to Cameron and his brothers (Luke and Jamie) in You’re Still the One (Ribbon Ridge #6). You do not have to read the original series to follow the premise of SO GOOD but I recommend reading You’re Still the One for some backstory about the brothers and their new winery business.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Cam and Brooke) SO GOOD focuses on the start up of Cam, Jamie, and Luke Westcott, and Hayden Archer’s new winery West Arch Estates, and the building relationship between Ribbon Ridge newcomer and wholesale wine distributor Brooke Ellis and our story line hero. There is a side story developing as Brooke and a number of the Archer significant others begin to research the historical significance of the town of Ribbon Ridge.

Brooke and Cam met under less than auspicious circumstances at the annual International Pinot Noir Celebration near Ribbon Ridge Oregon, although the sparks flew from the outset. Brooke wanted nothing to do with a man she believed to be a player- a reputation as a manwhore had preceded Cameron Westcott’s introduction. When Cam offers Brooke a position within the company to help promote their wines, a line has been drawn about sleeping with the boss, and a line that is crossed several times. What ensues is Cam’s pursuit of the woman that calls to his heart, and Brooke’s continuous need to push Cam away knowing that she can never give him the future that he wants.

The relationship between Cam and Brooke is a push and pull, back and forth, yes and no, frustrating match up as our heroine is afraid about what the future may bring. Both Brooke and Cam have experienced heartbreak in the past but Brooke’s pain is compounded with personal loss. Throughout the story, Cam makes several attempts to woo and seduce out story line heroine only to be rejected time and again, or in a haze of morning-after guilt and punishment. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Cam’s brothers Jamie and Luke, a number of the Archer clan including Cam’s best friend Hayden and his wife Bex, as well as Brooke’s new BFF, and Ribbon Ridge librarian Kelsey McDade. Kelsey and Luke’s story will be told next in SO RIGHT.

SO GOOD is a story with plenty of sexual banter between Cam and Brooke, enveloped by the angst of too much drama, secrets and lies. Brooke refuses to acknowledge the truth whenever Cam questions our heroine about her past, and when the truth is finally revealed Cam is blindsided once again. There is a distinct lack of communication and mystery about Brooke’s past that added to the already tense morning after scenarios. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are passionate and energetic although Brooke’s hot and cold reactions were a little over the top; the romance is a bit of a struggle towards a happily ever after.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

“So, tell me how you came to be a player.”
He barked out a laugh. “You nearly made me trip. Not going to beat around the bush with that one, huh?” He looked over at her, smiling.
“Nope. I’m taking a page from your playbook and shooting straight. You don’t deny your reputation?”
“Nope,” he echoed. “I will say that I’ve mellowed a bit recently. I’m too busy with the winery.”
“So if not for the winery, you’d be up to your usual shenanigans.”
“Shenanigans… Yes, I suppose so.” He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe not. I don’t know. What do you mean by ‘shenanigans’?”
She kept her gaze forward. “I hear you had a different girl in every city when you were on the road.”
They turned the corner, and she stopped as they reached the door to her building.
He stopped too and turned toward her. “Not every city. And anyway, I don’t travel anymore.”
“Right. You’re busy. Does that mean you don’t date?”
He moved closer. “Are you asking me out?”
The scent of his cologne stole over her. The green of his eyes at this range was so deep, so captivating, she could easily sway toward him and… She straightened her shoulders. “No.”
“Well, that’s a damn shame.” His words carried a dark, seductive tone of regret. “Guess I’ll have to ask you out—since I wasn’t clear about it before.”
“No. Thank you,” she rushed to add. “I had a nice time tonight, but I’d prefer to keep our relationship strictly professional.”
“Too bad,” he said softly. “I was sort of hoping I could kiss you.”
Standing here with him in the early twilight, feeling the intoxicating burn of his stare, she was sort of hoping that too. But she hadn’t done that in so long… And she wasn’t ready. Okay, her body was totally ready, but her mind was still trying to figure out what the hell to do with Cameron Westcott.
“Cameron—”
“Cam. Everyone calls me Cam.” He inched closer so that she could feel his proximity, and heat raced through her. “At least everyone who likes me.”
“Cam, I—”
“Oh good, you like me.”
She couldn’t help smiling. He was good at that—making her smile. No one had been good at that in a very long time. Not even herself. Especially not herself. “I do. And… Well, ask me again sometime.”
Had she just said that out loud?
“If I can kiss you?” He leaned forward, putting his lips against her ear. “Count on it.”


 

 

About The Author

Darcy BurkeDarcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and three Bengal cats. Visit Darcy online at www.darcyburke.com and sign up for her newsletter, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans.

Connect:

 

Site: www.darcyburke.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans
Twitter: twitter.com/darcyburke
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/5823441.Darcy_Burke

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The Idea of You (Ribbon Ridge #4) by Darcy Burke-a review

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THE IDEA OF YOU (Ribbon Ridge #4) by Darcy Burke-a review

The Idea of You

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About the book: Release Date November 17, 2015

Evan Archer has always preferred peace and solitude to the loud antics of his large, hard-to-navigate family. But when Archer Enterprises needs a new creative director, Evan jumps at the chance to claim the job he’s always wanted. Moving home is easier than he expected, but Evan isn’t prepared for the stunning A-list celebrity hiding out in his family’s garage apartment.

Following a major tabloid scandal, movie star Alaina Pierce escapes to Ribbon Ridge. She’s immediately drawn to the quiet, picturesque town and the incredibly sexy—if a little quirky—Evan. He may be built like a Greek god, but he’s honest and straightforward… so different from the Hollywood types she normally dates.

Their attraction is undeniable, but Alaina can’t elude the paparazzi forever, and Evan has no interest in being in the limelight. When the secret she’s been keeping is exposed, the idea of Evan—of real love and a family like the Archers—could vanish in an instant.

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE IDEA OF YOU is the fourth full length installment in Darcy Burke’s contemporary adult Ribbon Ridge romance series focusing on the Archer family sextuplets (Evan, Sara, Alex, Tori, Kyle & Liam) of Ribbon Ridge and their younger brother Hayden. The Archer family owns several successful breweries and pubs, and most of the siblings currently play a role in the daily business operations at the request of Alex Archer, who took his own life after suffering years of physical and emotional disabilities. The Archer’s are a close knit family but due to the inherent and potential issues with multiple births-and in this case 6 babies at once-the now adult sextuplets are not without some emotional, mental and physical problems including OCD, Asperger’s syndrome, SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), chronic lung disease, addiction and depression. This is IT specialist Evan Archer, and actress Alaina Pierce’s storyline. The series should be read in order as each timeline follows on the events of the previous book.

Told from alternating third person points of view THE IDEA OF YOU follows academy award winning actress Alaina Pierce as she escapes the Hollywood paparazzi and a major scandal, for the peace and solitude of Ribbon Ridge. Alaina, on the advice of friend and producer Sean Hennessey (When Love Happens #3) heads to the quiet town of Ribbon Ridge to take stock of her personal life and what it is she wants for the future. Alaina’s arrival at the Archer homestead finds our heroine falling for the shy, quiet and withdrawn Evan Archer-a man whose emotional and mental fragility takes the guise of Asperger’s syndrome. Asperger syndrome (AS) is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of a distinct group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by social impairment, communication difficulties, and restrictive, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/detail_asperger.htm). What ensues is a building relationship between Alaina – a woman who thrives on the stage and in the spotlight; and Evan –a man who becomes overwhelmed in social and crowded situations. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and hot.

Addressing Asperger’s Syndrome, Darcy Burke touches upon Evan’s sensory overload-the noise, the crowds, his inability to read social cues, as well as his issues with touch. THE IDEA OF YOU looks at the struggles of one couple as they navigate the potential minefield of a personal and sexual relationship. It is never easy entering into a new relationship, but for someone like Evan, the experience can set off a whole new level of difficulties and negative behavior.

THE IDEA OF YOU is an interesting and entertaining storyline about family; the characters are real; the romance is seductive; the happily ever after, although not unexpected, felt a little rushed.

Reading Order and reviews
Where The Heart Is
Only In My Dreams
Yours To Hold
When Love Happens
The Idea of You

Copy supplied by Edelweiss

Reviewed by Sandy

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When Love Happens (Ribbon Ridge 3) by Darcy Burke-a review

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WHEN LOVE HAPPENS (Ribbon Ridge #3) by Darcy Burke-a review

When Love happens

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About the book: Release Date May 26, 2015

Tori Archer is married…well, on paper anyway. She hasn’t actually seen her husband since the disastrous morning after their impulsive Vegas wedding. The memories of their intense passion may still make her weak in the knees, but Tori knows their marriage was a mistake.

After six months filming abroad, television producer Sean Hennessy wants nothing more than to track down his sexy, captivating wife and get her into bed… fast. So when his boss sends him to Oregon to persuade the famous Archer sextuplets—the former stars of a reality TV show—to do a reunion special, Sean sees the perfect chance to win Tori back.

Only, Tori wants nothing to do with him and is determined to push him away. But their attraction is as hot as ever and Sean will do anything to prove their relationship was more than just a fling…because he knows that when real love happens, it changes everything.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: WHEN LOVE HAPPENS is the third full length installment in Darcy Burke’s Ribbon Ridge adult contemporary romance series focusing on the Archer sextuplets of Ribbon Ridge, Oregon. The Archer family owns several successful breweries and pubs, and most of the siblings play a role in the daily business operations. This is Tori Archer and Sean Hennessy ‘s storyline-a second chance of sorts for two people whose marriage collapsed the day after their wedding. WHEN LOVE HAPPENS can be read as a stand alone but each successive storyline builds upon one another with the overriding premise focusing on the family and the aftermath of a sibling suicide.

Told from third person point of view WHEN LOVE HAPPENS follows the re-building of the relationship between Tori Archer and television producer Sean Hennessy-a Englishman whose family depends upon Sean for financial support. After a whirlwind courtship of five weeks, Tori and Sean did the unspeakable-got married in Vegas- but their happiness is short lived when Tori’s brother Alex commits suicide the next day and Tori heads home leaving a confused Sean behind. Fast forward six months and Tori has yet to reveal to her family that she is married. A surprise appearance by Sean at Ribbon Ridge Octoberfest celebration finds Tori torn between her attraction to the man she hasn’t seen in six months and pushing, said man, out of the picture. What ensues is Tori’s attempt to destroy the marriage that never began.

A secondary storyline develops when Sean’s boss gives our hero an ultimatum regarding the Archer family and a proposed business opportunity-he wants a televised update-a ‘where are they now’ broadcast about the Archer sextuplets or Sean’s future with the company comes to an end.

The relationship between our leading couple is two sided. Tori’s personality has changed since the death of her brother and in this she has hardened her heart to any enjoyment, laughter and fun. As Sean tries to seduce the woman that he loves back into his life, Tori tries everything to push Sean away. Tori is exhibiting symptoms of depression and in this she is having a difficult time moving forward from the guilt and grief. Her emotional stability is questioned; her actions and words hurtful and aggressive. Sometimes our heroine was a difficult character to like.

WHEN LOVE HAPPENS is an ensemble storyline where all of the previous storyline characters play a secondary and supporting role including the Archer family parents whose own relationship has dramatically changed since the suicide of their son. We are reintroduced to the surviving sextuplets (Evan, Sara, Tori, Kyle & Liam) and their younger brother Hayden made famous by a television reality show ‘Seven is Enough’ that placed the family front and center on the entertainment pages, along with their ‘foster’ brother Derek. Herein lies the ‘where are they now’ scenario that finds Sean on a collision course with his wife and his boss. The Archer family dynamics are stressed since the death of Alex; and there are a number of physical, emotional and mental issues with which the family struggles and endures.

Darcy Burke continues to pull the reader into one family’s struggle multiple births, fame, health issues and suicide. There is always a happily ever after but the journey is not always smooth or easy. The characters are engaging, colorful, charismatic and flawed; the premise sobering and realistic. WHEN LOVE HAPPENS looks at grief, depression, friendship and love; and in the Archer family, there is always someone to tell you exactly how it is and open your eyes to the future and the truth.

Ribbon Ridges Series 2

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
.5 Where The Heart Is
1. Only in My Dreams
2. Yours to Hold
3. When Love Happens

Copy supplied by the publisher through Edelweiss

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Ribbon Ridge Series by Darcy Burke-Series review

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The Ribbon Ridge Series by Darcy Burke-series review

Ribbon Ridge Series

YOURS TO HOLD
(Ribbon Ridge #2)
by Darcy Burke
Genre: contemporary, adult, romance

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Yours to HoldABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 24, 2015

Years ago, golden-boy Kyle Archer left Ribbon Ridge without a word. Now, with heartbreak on the verge of tearing his family apart, the black sheep is back and he’s determined to earn their trust by uncovering the truth behind Alex’s death. But the moment he confronts Maggie Trent—the therapist his parents blame for the tragedy—Kyle is stunned by his powerful attraction to the beautiful doctor… and drawn to her like no woman he’s ever met before.

When gorgeous, charismatic Kyle approaches Maggie about his brother’s death, she agrees to help him search for answers. And as they piece together Alex’s last days, their undeniable chemistry turns too hot to ignore. After their relationship becomes more serious than either anticipated, Kyle may be forced to choose between the woman he’s desperate to hold on to and the family he almost let slip away.

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: YOURS TO HOLD is the second full length installment in Darcy Burke’s contemporary adult Ribbon Ridge romance series focusing on the Archer family sextuplets (Evan, Sara, Alex, Tori, Kyle & Liam) of Ribbon Ridge and their younger brother Hayden. This is chef and Archer family black sheep Kyle Archer, and therapist Maggie Trent’s storyline. The Archer family owns several successful breweries and pubs, and most of the siblings play a role in the daily business operations. YOURS TO HOLD takes place a few months after the events of books 1-Only in My Dreams-as the family begins preparations for Derek and Chloe’s wedding and rebuilding the old Monastery left to the siblings in Alex’s will. Derek is the Archer family’s ‘adopted’ son. The series should be read in order as each timeline follows on the events of the previous book.

Told from alternating third person perspectives, the storyline follows Kyle’s investigation into his brother Alex’s suicide and the first person he is going to confront is Alex’s therapist Maggie Trent. Maggie closed up practice and moved out of town within days of Alex’s death, and Kyle is determined to place blame directly on Maggie’s lap. What ensues is a building relationship between Kyle and Maggie as they begin a search for the person responsible for supplying Alex with a means to end his life. But Kyle has a secret of his own; one that has caused a major tear in the family and sent Kyle in search of a new start in life. After a four year absence Kyle’s returns comes with accusations and family tension, and yet he is still unwilling to reveal the truth behind the reason he left.

The relationship between Kyle and Maggie begins acrimoniously as Kyle is determined to blame Maggie and find fault with her therapy methods. His need to uncover the truth behind his brother’s death finds our hero at continuous odds with both Maggie and his family. As their relationship turns sexual, Kyle is reluctant to reveal her true identity to the family knowing that her presence in their lives will only cause more heartache and blame. The $ex scenes are seductive, provocative and emotional; Maggie is caught between professional ethics and a relationship with Kyle Archer.

The entire Archer family is present as they prepare for the upcoming nuptials of Derek and Chloe, although family matriarch Emily Archer remains in France with her youngest child Hayden. The family dynamics are stressful and heartbreaking; there are a number of emotional, physical and mental issues the family continuously endures- most likely due to the early birth of the sextuplets. In this, there is plenty of anxiety and problematic scenarios addressed throughout the series. The Archer’s are a once close-knit family whose secrets are slowly revealing-one child at a time.

YOURS TO HOLD is an emotional storyline. Before his death, Alex Archer wrote a letter to each family member, in the hopes that lessons learned will begin to heal their broken hearts. Kyle received his letter following his admission and reconciliation with his father. Each letter is heartbreaking, tear inducing and painfully honest; there is an intimacy between siblings in death that was never there in life.

Darcy Burke will astonish you with her remarkable and realistic look at the dysfunctional family dynamics of the Archers of Ribbon Ridge. There are moments of incredible family love and support followed by accusations, jealousy and intense pain. The RIBBON RIDGE series is passionate and addicting; Darcy Burke will pull you into a world of emotional highs and lows. You will want to return to Ribbon Ridge again and again.

___________________

ONLY IN MY DREAMS
(Ribbon Ridge #1)
by Darcy Burke
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

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Only in my DreamsABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 17, 2015

Fed up with her self-imposed single life, successful event planner Sara Archer heads to a bar for a night of dancing … and bumps into Dylan Wescott, the high school crush she hasn’t seen in years. A little harmless flirting leads to a hot, completely uncharacteristic one-night stand; but when she wakes up alone, Sara knows her life is too complicated for a relationship and there can’t be a repeat.

Dylan, a divorced, ex-military construction contractor, limits himself to casual flings—his failed marriage proves he’s better off alone anyway—but he can’t stop dreaming about Sara. And when his firm is hired to oversee the renovation project run by the Archer siblings, Dylan and Sara are unable to resist their explosive chemistry.

But when their secret affair grows beyond “friends with benefits” and neither is willing to admit they want more, family drama and emotional scars may ruin their chance at a love they believed was only in their dreams.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: ONLY IN MY DREAMS is the second installment in Darcy Burke’s contemporary, adult Ribbon Ridge romance series focusing on the Archer Sextuplets of Ribbon Ridge. The Archer family owns several successful breweries and pubs, and most of the siblings play a role in the daily business operations. This is event planner Sara Archer and construction contractor Dylan Wescott’s storyline.

Told from alternating third person perspectives the storyline follows the building relationship between Sara and Dylan- a friends with benefits situation-that becomes more secretive when Dylan’s construction company is hired by the Archer clan to renovate a monastery bequeathed to the siblings. Each sibling has been assigned a task, as per the request of the will, and in this the family dynamics begin to crumble when each member has his or her reasons to back out and pull away.

ONLY IN MY DREAMS follows a family struggling with suicide; a death nobody foresaw but one that has affected Sara most of all. Sara is a woman who suffers with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) and struggles with the environment around her. The tragic death finds Sara returning home to oversee the coordination of the events program in the newly renovated monastery. From there, Sara’s personal business begins to fail, and the Archer family dynamics spiral out of control. The one constant is her –former one night stand/no strings attached- relationship with Dylan Wescott that soon turns into something more. But when Dylan realizes that sex with the boss may affect his future employment, he stops at nothing to put an end to what they had already started.

ONLY IN MY DREAMS has a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters. We are reintroduced to the entire Archer clan-a set of sextuplets (Evan, Sara, Alex, Tori, Kyle & Liam) and their younger brother Hayden made famous by a television reality show ‘Seven is Enough’ that placed the family front and center on the entertainment pages, along with their ‘foster’ brother Derek (Where The Heart Is .5). There are secrets and misunderstandings shrouding the family happiness; even the parental units are no longer communicating following the death of one of their own.

The storyline ends with a happily ever after, but it was a struggle seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Dylan and Sara continued to push and pull at one another for a majority of the story, while Sara’s siblings fought constantly about control and issues of the past. I can understand why some of the siblings needed to take a break and walk away. A death affects everyone differently; a suicide leaves too many unanswered questions and blame.

ONLY IN MY DREAMS is a well written, emotional and powerful tale; a tragedy that continues to tear apart a family that now struggles with the loss and unanswered questions. Darcy Burke brings drama, passion and heartbreaking pain to a storyline that will captivate your imagination.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

____________________

WHERE THE HEART IS
(Ribbon Ridge .5)
by Darcy Burke
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Where The Heart IsABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 2013

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Home is more than a place . . .

Breaking free from her structured life, Chloe English quits her high-powered job and moves across the country to work as an art teacher. The simple life is all she hoped it would be until her house burns down, leaving her homeless. When a handsome firefighter swoops in to save the day, she can’t believe her luck. He’s laid-back and unassuming, everything she’s looking for in a man—or so he seems. It turns out he’s as ambitious as her ex, comes with a family who could be more stifling than hers, and harbors dark secrets he may never be able to share.

Orphaned as a teenager, Derek Sumner has found a place in his best friend’s family. However, the love and support of his surrogate parents and siblings can’t erase the grief and loss he struggles every Christmas to banish. But this year he meets the fun and sexy Chloe, whose optimism and sense of joy are incredibly contagious. Can she help him face his bleak past so they can forge a happy future?

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REVIEW: WHERE THE HEART IS is the first installment (novella) in Darcy Burke’s Ribbon Ridge romance series focusing on the Archer sextuplets (Evan, Sara, Alex, Tori, Kyle & Liam) of Ribbon Ridge and their younger brother Hayden. This is the Archer family best friend and Archer Industries CFO Derek Sumner, and art teacher Chloe English’s storyline. The timeline follows a few weeks prior to the Christmas holidays wherein Chloe finds herself homeless and dependent upon the charity of friends.

Told from alternating third person perspectives WHERE THE HEART IS introduces the reader to the well-to-do and successful Archer family of Ribbon Ridge including the infamous sextuplets who, as children and tweens, were featured in a reality television series Seven is Enough. The Archer family own a series of microbreweries and pubs, and in this Archer Industries has been established. The focus of the storyline follows the Archer family’s ‘foster son’ Derek Sumner-a volunteer firefighter, amongst other noteworthy professions- as he embarks on a relationship with the woman whose burned out apartment finds her in desperate need of housing and friends.

Derek will introduce Chloe English to the Archer family who welcome the young woman like one of their own. When the Archer family patriarch Robert, reminds Derek that his own family home is currently available for the now homeless Chloe, Derek’s own horrific memories of the past begin to overwhelm and take control.

The relationship between Chloe and Derek is very quick to develop-one of instant attraction, lust and love that is tempered by Derek’s constant need to run when memories of the past haunt his thoughts. Offering Chloe his family home sets into motion a series of misunderstandings and heartbreak as Derek runs when the going gets tough. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative but I did take issue with the lack of condoms.

The Archer family of Ribbon Ridge is not perfect. They are a close knit family but due to the inherent and potential issues with multiple births-and in this case 6 babies at once-the now adult sextuplets are not without some emotional, mental and physical problems including OCD, Asperger’s syndrome, SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), chronic lung disease and depression. Each storyline will end with a happily ever after but getting there will be heartbreaking and emotional.

WHERE THE HEART IS is a quick read; a novella length storyline that introduces the Archer family with all of their quirks and problems, issues and struggles, and the never ending stream of people who come and go in their lives. Darcy Burke does a fantastic job building a world where the potential for future storylines is but a heartbreak away. A passionate, intelligent and intriguing look at an extraordinary family trying to maintain an ordinary life.

Reviews by Sandy

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