One Hot Summer Anthology by Heidi McLaughlin, Caisey Quinn & Melanie Moreland -Review Tour

ONE HOT SUMMER Anthology
Contributing Authors: Heidi McLaughlin, Melanie Moreland, Amy Briggs, Caisey Quinn, Danielle Pearl, Shari J Ryan, Katy Regnery
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 2, 2019

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NOTE: My review focuses on three of the anthology entries.

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2, 2019

Melanie Moreland – The Summer of Us

She was the light in my dark life. The sunshine that warmed me and made me smile.

We had one summer. One perfect summer, until the day it ended.

Years later, she walked back into my life. Older. Sadder. More beautiful than ever.

How can I prove to her that summer was real?

How do I make her see that boy that loved her then, still loves her now?

How do we get back to the summer when we were us?

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REVIEW: THE SUMMER OF US by Melanie Moreland is a contemporary young adult to adult novella focusing on childhood sweethearts Lincoln Thomas Webber, and Sunny Jenson.

THE SUMMER OF US follows Linc and Sunny as they embark on a summer camp romance that will be destroyed by Linc’s abusive and controlling father. At seventeen year old, Lincoln and Sunny were in love but life behind closed doors was a nightmare for Lincoln Thomas. Controlled by an abusive father Linc would find himself alone, without the girl that he loved, until it was time to come home and claim what was his. Fast forward ten years, and Lincoln Webber returned to the small town he once called home, a town he began to reshape one business at a time. After his father’s death, Lincoln knew that to complete his life, he would have to be forgiveness from the only woman he had ever loved.

THE SUMMER OF US is a quick read; a tale of young love destroyed by abuse and power; of one man’s battle to take it all back. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the characters are broken and alone.

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Caisey Quinn – Summer Seduction

Emersyn Tyler is having one rough summer.

When her mom’s violent temper and recent diagnosis send her dad packing, she’s left to take care of her little brother alone.

Forget basking in the sunshine, she’s busy working full-time and taking summer classes at the local college so she can graduate high school. Until her friend drags her to a carnival where she runs smack into him.

The blue-eyed Adonis from her art history class.

Aiden Singleton isn’t looking for anything more than a meaningless hook-up. Finishing his graduate degree so that he can teach history and coach hockey in the fall, he’s got plenty on his plate without any added complications. But when a blond-haired beauty needs his help, all he can say is yes.

Aiden knows he and Emersyn share something special. What he doesn’t know is that they also share a secret, one that could fracture both of their futures forever.

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REVIEW: SUMMER SEDUCTION is the introductory novella in Caisey Quinn’s young adult to new adult story line focusing on twenty-four year old Aiden Singleton, and soon to be eighteen year old Emersyn Tyler.

Told from three first person perspectives (Aiden, Emersyn and Drew) SUMMER SEDUCTION follows the summer romance between twenty-four year old Aiden Singleton, and soon to be eighteen year old Emersyn Tyler. Forced to look after her younger brother for most of her life due to her mother’s chronic illness, Emersyn takes some down time for herself, only to come face to face with a young man she met in one of her summer school classes. But a night together ends with a trip the hospital when her best friend Drew is found beaten and barely alive. Struggling with her life at home, and the attack against Drew, Emersyn goes in search of Aiden Singleton, to finish the night that had barely begun.

SUMMER SEDUCTION is a quick story of forbidden romance; of secrets, betrayal, family and friendships; of whispers in the dark, and a taboo relationship. The premise is engaging; the romance is passionate; the characters are colorful and energetic. SUMMER SEDUCTION ends on a cliff-hanger. Aiden and Emersyn’s story continues in STUDENT SEDUCTION.

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Heidi McLaughlin – By The Seaside

Dr. Danny Weatherly never had planned to take over his dad’s practice but when everything changedafter one awful day, the summer before college, he really didn’t think about much of anything at all — because his life was over. His true love hated him. . . and for good reason.

Kelly Taft is moving back to her hometown, Gray, North Carolina. Back to her family, back to her friends — back to some good memories and back to some memories that were not so good. In fact, she’s never gotten over that one horrible day that sent her running in the first place.

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REVIEW: BY THE SEASIDE by Heidi McLaughlin is a contemporary,adult stand alone novella following the rekindling romance and relationship between former high school sweethearts Dr. Danny Weatherly, and cafe owner Kelly Taft.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Kelly and Danny) BY THE SEASIDE focuses on second chances. Fifteen years earlier Kelly’s life spiraled out of control. Embarrassed by the action of Danny Weatherly, Kelly left the seaside town of Gray, North Carolina, never looking back.Fast forward to present day wherein, Kelly, now a divorcee and mother of a five year old daughter, returns to Gray in an effort to start anew. But seeing Danny Weatherly brought too many memories of the past, memories that continued to pick at her still broken heart. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Kelly and Danny, as Danny makes amends for sins of the past.

BY THE SEASIDE is a story family, friendship, betrayal and love; a story of second chances and forgiveness. The premise is entertaining; the romance is sweet; the characters are real and colorful.

Copy supplied for review

Reviews by Sandy