Tag Archives: Small Town

Met Her Match by Jude Deveraux – Review & Giveaway

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Met Her Match by Jude Deveraux – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
In small towns, no one lets the facts get in the way of juicy gossip…

Terri Rayburn is a girl with a reputation. She doesn’t deserve it, but having grown up on the outskirts of Summer Hill, Virginia, she knows how small towns work. The only way to deal with vicious gossip is to ignore it. So she keeps to herself as she runs the summer resort on Lake Kissel.

When she returns home from a short trip to find a handsome stranger living in her house, she smells a rat. Someone is trying to fix her up, and she has to admit that Nate Taggert is just her type. However, Nate is engaged to the daughter of the mayor and strictly off-limits.

Nate and Terri form an unlikely friendship while he throws himself into life at the lake. As Nate starts to hear rumors about Terri he’s confused. Knowing how smart, beautiful and strong she is, he’s determined to discover the source of the gossip. Terri doesn’t want to revisit the past, but Nate won’t stop until he discovers the truth—even if the truth might be more than either of them can handle.

 


Review:

Met Her Match by Jude Deveraux is the 2nd book in her Summer Hill series. Terri Rayburn, our heroine, has lived all her life in the small town of Summer Hill, Virginia, and has learned to put up with the terrible false gossip about her reputation during her younger years.  Terri’s mother left town suddenly when she was a young girl, with the townsfolk’s calling her mother a tramp, and unfortunately the sins of the mother was passed over to Terri.  She erroneously was blamed for hurting some high school boys, even if it was self defense against their attack, and when she dumped her popular boyfriend, the town blamed her.  

A grown-up Terri doesn’t let it bother her, as she is respected for the work, she does to run the Lake Kissel summer resort.  When Terri gets back from a vacation, she finds a man living in her house.  Nate Taggert, our hero,  is planning to move to Summer Hill with his fiancée, but for now his uncle told him to stay at the house on the lake, which has multiple rooms; after a few days, he meets Terri.  After a rough start, a friendship begins between Terri and Nate, with both of them helping each other fix all the things happening around the resort, as well as the cabins and land surrounding the lake.  Terri begins to feel an attraction to the handsome hunky Nate, but knows he is off limits, especially with his fiancée being the Mayor’s daughter.  Nate is very comfortable around Terri, and also begins to feel the attraction to her, but is determined to stay with his fiancée and not let the lust he feels get in the way.  In no time, I loved Terri and Nate together and rooted hard for them, knowing that they were had great chemistry, and so perfect for each other.

What follows is a wonderful slow built romance between a couple we loved, and rooted hard for them to recognize that they were destined to be together.  Near the last quarter of the book, a mystery about Terri’s mother takes center stage, and the truth will be revealed. Gossip can be very hurtful, especially for the innocent and this story leads to that when people realize that what they thought they knew was not what really happened, and Terri was maligned for no reason.  Met Her Match was very well written by Jude Deveraux, and the story line was very well done, with a sweet fun romance and a great couple.  I suggest you read Met Her Match.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Jude Deveraux’s  publisher is  offering a paper copy of Met Her Match to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging in, please refresh the page at the top of your computer

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3. LIKE JUDE DEVERAUX on  Facebook

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

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6. Giveaway is open USA only

9. Giveaway runs from September  20-26, 2019

 

 

 

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A Rainbow Above Us by Sharon Sala – a Review

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A Rainbow Above Us by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

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Description:
What will it take to bring people together?

Hurricane Fanny left no one in Blessings, Georgia unscathed–including Rowan Harper, the only surviving member of her family. Rebuilding her life now seems almost impossible.

Bowie James comes back to help repair his grandmother’s house, but he doesn’t intend to stay long. He and his mother were forced out of Blessings a decade ago, and he’s neither forgiven nor forgotten those responsible.

But Rowan is kindhearted, beautiful, and lost, and Bowie discovers that he can entrust her with his deepest secrets. If only their love could bring hope and healing to everyone around them, maybe they’d be willing to give it a chance…

 

 

Review:

A Rainbow Above Us by Sharon Sala is the 8th book in her wonderful Blessings, Georgia series. As always when we return to Blessings, Georgia, I loved this story. In A Rainbow Above Us, Sharon Sala gives us another wonderful feel good romance and a great couple.

Bowie James, our hero, returns to Blessings after many years, to help out his grandmother and aunt.  In the last book, a hurricane damaged a number of properties, and Bowie’s grandmother sent a letter to ask him for help restoring their house.   Bowie is a successful builder, and returns home with some of his workers to rebuild the house. When he arrives at the nursing home (being used as shelter to those whose homes were destroyed), and he brings his grandmother, aunt and a young girl to his huge Trailer to live until he can repair their home. 

Rowan Harper, our heroine, is the young girl who has been spending time with the two older ladies, as she too lost her home, as well as having no family.  She is thrilled that the ladies insist that Rowan come with them to stay with Bowie. 

Years before, Bowie and his mother left town, after the mother was raped, and the young boy was beaten.  Returning to Blessings brings Bowie face to face with the nasty Boone family, who try to chase him away; but Bowie is not little boy anymore, and stands up the family.  While the story revolves around Bowie and his family, and his slow built relationship with Rowan, there is the side story of the Boone family self-destructing.  Cora Boone, the matriarch, takes one look at Bowie, and realizes that he is her grandson, and she had been lied to all those years.   She will take matters in her own hands to disown her entire family; especially her husband, Jud, who has always been a bully.

As Bowie and his team begin their repairs, he enjoys the time he is spending with his family, and feelings he is beginning to have for the sweet beautiful Rowan.  The small town of Blessings begins to snub the Boone’s, especially after Jud loses his temper attempting to hurt his wife and then Bowie.  Life will change rightfully so for the Boones, as the town turns on them, but Cora will stand tall.

What follows is a fast-paced, heartwarming story in a small town ravaged by a hurricane, with wonderful characters that we keep meeting in all our visits to Blessings.   It is also a story of two families so different; one filled with love and the other filled with hatred.  I really loved the building relationship between Rowan and Bowie, as they made a wonderful sweet couple.

Sharon Sala writes another fabulous story, and she continually amazes me that she gives us such great couples that we care about with each and every book.  If you enjoy a pure romance, wonderful characters, great couples, and a small town atmosphere, then you should be reading this series. A Rainbow Above Us was a wonderful read, written so very well by Sharon Sala.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Trouble With Cowboys by Victoria James – a Review

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The Trouble With Cowboys by Victoria James – a Review

 

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Description:
Eight years ago, Tyler Donnelly left Wishing River, Montana, after a terrible fight with his father and swore he’d never return. But when his father has a stroke, guilt and duty drive him home, and nothing is as he remembers––from the run-down ranch to Lainey Sullivan, who is all grown up now. And darn if he can’t seem to stay away.

Lainey’s late grandma left her two things: the family diner and a deep-seated mistrust of cowboys. So when Tyler quietly rides back into town looking better than hot apple pie, she knows she’s in trouble. But she owes his dad everything, and she’s determined to show Ty what it means to be part of a small town…and part of a family.

Lainey’s courage pushes Ty to want to make Wishing River into a home again—together. But one of them is harboring a secret that could change everything.

 

 

Review;

The Trouble with Cowboys by Victoria James is a heart warming story that wraps you up from beginning to end making you wish you can just make everything right between Tyler Donnelly and Lainey Sullivan.  Both are characters who are still dealing with a tremendous loss in both of their lives and are afraid to truly let someone else in for fear of the other thinking they are broken and can’t be fixed.  Tyler and Lainey’s back story made my heart hurt for both of them, but as their journey continued I just knew that in the end they would overcome what they needed to find their HEA together. 

Miss James writes this one so beautifully and makes you root for the underdog, in this case both Lainey and Tyler.  They are a couple that had the chemistry needed between a couple to hold your interest, but it was the slow build of their romance, trials and tribulations of life that really pull you in, keeping you reading from beginning to end, hating to put the book down.  They are a couple that can be addicting because you want to find out more about them both individually and as a growing couple.  You want to see Tyler and his father repair their relationship, Tyler and his friends Cade and Dean make up and become friends again all the while restoring his family’s ranch.  For Lainey you can’t help but want to see her dream of studying art in Italy and becoming an artist come true, while at the same time continuing to run her late grandma’s family diner.  Oh and of course for Tyler and Lainey to get their HEA together. 

I really liked the pace of this romance/story.  Miss James knew it was one not to be rushed and brings you the reader along this adventure on a comfortable pace filled with loss, pain, frustration, but also fun, flirty, charming and even comical events throughout Lainey and Tyler’s journey.  I found she balanced the fun with the serious just right.  Everything about The Trouble With Cowboys just falls into place creating a beautiful and heart-felt read.  For anyone who loves small town cowboy filled stories then this one’s for you and you won’t be disappointed one bit.  You’ll fall in love with this story just like I did.

Until next time, happy reading everyone!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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The Soccer Player and The Single Mom by Kyra Jacobs – a Review

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The Soccer Player and The Single Mom by Kyra Jacobs – a Review

 

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Description:
For most women, working for a sexy soccer star would be a dream come true. All except single mom Felicity Shaw. She has no interest in playing personal assistant for a stubborn, injured playboy—no matter how nice his abs are. But with bills piling up and mouths to feed, she can’t say no to the job. That’s when it gets interesting. 

The last thing Scott Gillie wants or needs is a persistent and entirely too distracting PA while he’s recuperating in his small hometown. Unfortunately, it’s not up to him. Then Felicity and her son end up temporarily moving in—all thanks to his meddlesome grandmother. Now temptation is right across the hall and it’s driving Scott crazy. His only option is to fight fire with fire. He never expects Felicity to do the same.

 

 

Review:

I’ve read a few of Kyra Jacobs books now and they’ve been a fun read.  So I looked forward to reading The Soccer Player and the Single Mom.

Felicity is a single mum struggling to make ends meet, she loses her job after the factory she worked in closed. And when she gets the chance of a job (a chance meeting in the doctor’s) she jumps at the chance, (well the agent for the soccer player makes her an offer she can’t really turn down) 

Scott needs to get back on track, before his career ends forever, convalescing at his grandmother’s home he has to put up with a bossy female and her son. He has a few issues that he needs to work through. His past makes him wary, but there is something about Felicity that makes him stop and think. 

Felicity is a no nonsense woman, and at first she really isn’t interested in Scott’s attempts at seduction. She knows he is only passing the time away before he leaves this small town. 

The attraction between Felicity and Scott was fun to read. The to and fro between them was funny. Add a few misunderstandings made for an interesting read. And the meddling from Edna and Tyler (his grandmother and Felicity’s son) was really cute. 

Will he stay in this small town? Or will he get fit and move on ? Will Felicity fall for his patter or keep her heart under lock and key? 

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Publisher

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Forever My Hero by Sharon Sala – a Review

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Forever My Hero by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

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Description:
Every storm they’ve weathered…has led them to each other

Dan Amos lost his wife and son years ago, when they inadvertently got in the way of a death threat meant for him. He’s never had eyes for anyone since, and he doesn’t want to. But fellow Blessings resident Alice Conroy sparks something inside him…

Newly widowed, Alice was disillusioned by marriage and isn’t looking to fall in love anytime soon. Then a tropical storm blazes a path straight for the Georgia coast, and as the town prepares for the worst, Dan opens his heart and his home. The tempest is raging, but Alice and Dan are learning to find shelter…in each other.

 

 

Review:

Forever My Hero by Sharon Sala is the 7th book in her Blessings, Georgia series.    Having read all the books in this series, I looked forward to reading this book, and to no surprise, I loved it. Sharon Sala always gives us wonderful feel good romances and a sweet couple we root hard for.

Alice Conroy, our heroine, has had a rough time, especially when she first moved to Blessings, Georgia with her two children, Charlie and Patty.  Her husband was killed in an explosion making meth, and his family tossed her and the children out in Blessings, with no financial help.  Alice has since found a home, and now works at the hardware store, and the children go to the local school.

Dan Amos, our hero, moved to Blessings, after his wife and child were killed in a car explosion meant for him, as Dan was a prosecuting attorney at that time.  He now oversees rental properties, ensuring people are taken care of.  Since he does handyman work, he visits the hardware store where Alice works often.  In a short time they will become friends, especially after Alice injures her hand, and Dan is the one who takes her to the hospital.  When Alice’s daughter, Patty gets hurt while on a school outing, Dan is the hero, saving Patty, as well as the Conroy’s dog.  This continues to push them closer, as they have a similar tragic history.  When Alice learns the Patty was being bullied, she steps up to protect her daughter, and when the other children’s family comes to apologize, it is Dan who stands up to them about bullying and the threats if they do not deal with this situation with their children.

With a major hurricane about to hit the entire town of Blessings, Dan makes sure that Alice, the children and another local resident move to his properties, which is safer and has a generator.  It was fun to watch Dan and Alice falling hard for each other, and both getting past the tragedies that followed them to Blessings.

What follows is a heartwarming & emotional story that touched our hearts on many levels. I loved Dan, who was a wonderful, sweet, loving and understanding man, as well as being wonderful with the children. It was a joy to see them have a second chance at love in Blessings, Georgia.

Sharon Sala writes another fabulous story that had us hooked from the start.  She amazes me that she continually gives us such great couples that we become invested in, with each and every book.  Forever My Hero was a sweet romance, with a great couple, wonderful secondary characters that we love.   If you enjoy a pure romance, wonderful characters, great couples, and a small town atmosphere, then you should be reading this series. Forever My Hero was a wonderful read, written so very well by Sharon Sala.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Romancing His Rival by Jennifer Shirk – a Review

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Romancing His Rival by Jennifer Shirk – a Review

 

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Description:
Hopeless romantic Elena Mason doesn’t often hate people, but she hates her ex-fiancé’s insufferable best man, Lucas Albright III. She just knows Lucas is the one who talked her ex out of getting married—so Lucas is clearly the cause of all her problems. 

And now she’s expected to work with him? Oh, heck no.

Lucas Albright wants nothing more than to make partner at his advertising firm, and he knows he works best alone. But then Elena ends up as his partner on an account that could win him a promotion. He had a great reason to end her engagement, not that she’d ever believe him. Still, he’s willing to try working as a team. 

Unfortunately, his new “partner” wants him dead.

Elena knows she’s going to have to give in and work with her nemesis, though nobody said it had to be easy for him. But what happens when fighting starts feeling a whole lot like falling in love? 

 

 

Review;

I’m finding that I’m becoming quite the Jennifer Shirk fan.  Once again she didn’t disappoint me with Romancing his Rival.  This story was full of humour, sexy flirting and just general fun between Lucas and Elena.  I really enjoyed getting to know these two characters and watch them slowly fall in love with each other.  I do have to say that at first I wasn’t sure about Lucas given the little I knew about him from Elena’s point of view.  However, I quickly learned that he wasn’t all that bad and not the bad guy that Elena was painting him out to be.  Actually he was trying to save Elena from impending heartbreak without coming right out and letting her know her fiancé is basically a cad.  Being best friend’s with Elena’s ex fiancé kind of put Lucas between a rock and a hard place because he didn’t want to hurt either of them, but at the same time felt he should do something to warn her.  I’m glad he did in the end because I felt that Lucas and Elena were much more suited to each other.  They got one another on a level no one else did and their chemistry just clicked from the get go.  They had a certain vibe that just jumped off the pages and kept you  coming back for more wanting to see how their adventure would end.

 Again Ms. Shirk kept the story moving at a fairly good pace but never once did that affect Elena and Lucas’ adventure.  They were able to tell their individual stories so that we are able to see where both are coming from when it comes to relationships and HEA’s.  Throughout the story we also get to see why it’s important for Elena to have the HEA she’s always dreamed about, albeit to me was a little far fetched but I was able to see why she needed things to happen according to her plan.  I could also see why having Lucas come into her life at this exact moment and stir things up for her would cause her some anxiety and confusion, but it’s also the starting point for the fun and games that ensue between Elena and Lucas as they try and meander through a working relationship all the while trying to deny the growing friendship and feelings they are developing towards each other.  I found it rather funny that everyone else around them could see this but they couldn’t.  Of course the two of them have to take the scenic route so to speak in finding their way to each other but that’s also part of the fun and adventure between this cute couple.  The epilogue was sweet and charming and shows just how much Elena changes from when we first meet her to where she and Lucas are now in their relationship.  I really liked his proposal, but I liked it even more that Elena decided to create something special just for them when she finally said yes. 

If you haven’t had the chance to read anything by Jennifer Shirk my question is what are you waiting for?  She’s got a way of drawing you into her stories and keeping you there till the very end and does that once again with Romancing his Rival.  It’s a fast paced read but filled with fun, flirty dialogue, and two characters who run away with their story keeping you engaged till the last line. 

Until next time, happy reading everyone!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

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A Christmas Miracle for the Doctor by Victoria James – a Review

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A Christmas Miracle for the Doctor by Victoria James – a Review

 

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Description:
Children’s bookstore owner Addie Mayberry believes in the magic of Christmas. Or at least, she used to. So when a young customer needs some seasonal optimism, Addie sets out to give the vulnerable, heartbroken little girl the best Christmas ever. Which means helping the hottest man in Shadow Creek, Bella’s surgeon father, find his holiday spirit. Addie’s up to the challenge, but between tree decorating and late night talks, she realizes she’s starting to fall hard for the one man she definitely shouldn’t. 

Drew Barrett drastically changed his fast-paced life when he moved back to Shadow Creek, but it was all worth it to give his daughter a better life. He wasn’t exactly winning dad-of-the-year awards before, so he’s determined to make it up to Bella. And with Addie’s help, he’s slowly repairing his relationship with his daughter. The last thing he wants is to fall in love, since that road only leads to pain, but he can’t stop thinking about Addie. Not only is she gorgeous, sweet, and great with Bella, she fills something in him he never knew was missing. But Addie wants forever, which is more than Drew can offer

 

Review;

A Christmas Miracle for the Doctor by Victoria James is your go to quiet Sunday holiday read.  It has everything a holiday story should have in my opinion.  Ms. James brings in nostalgia, the magic of the holidays, the importance of family, small town life and romance all wrapped up in a neat little Christmas package. 

This is a quick read, but has you falling in love fast with the main characters of Bella, Addie and Drew.  Bella steals your heart from the get go, and propels Addie and Drew’s story from the first scene.  Watching these characters grow and become a little family from beginning to end is heart-warming and sweet.  I loved the scenes with Bella and her father as they learned how to function as father and daughter, then later with Addie as their friend and soon to be more was just as cute.

Everything about these three characters just made my heart melt so many times throughout this book.  From Addie overcoming her fear from her figure skating days to skate in the Christmas Festival with Bella, to Drew taking Bella to work with him and Bella acting all doctor like with one of his patients had me chuckling and loving how she was teaching her dad just what it meant to be a father finally.   The way Ms. James wrote each of these scenes was with such care and creativity that it flowed from one page to the next effortlessly and allowed us to fully understand each character, where they were coming from, and why they had this reluctance to fully open their hearts to other people.  Once Bella finally convinces her father to go after Addie and not worry about her because she knows she has his love forever had me cheering that little girl on and thinking how insightful she is for a child of her age.  I loved how she told her father just what he needed to do to win Addie over. 

It was the perfect ending to a sweet and charming holiday read.  Ms. James definitely hits all the right buttons for this holiday story.  For anyone whose looking for a fast, yet charming holiday read then A Christmas Miracle for the Doctor is a must for you. 

Until next time, happy holidays and happy reading everyone!!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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The Sheriff’s Little Matchmaker by Carrie Nichols – a Review

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The Sheriff’s Little Matchmaker by Carrie Nichols – a Review

 

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Description:
When teacher Sasha Honeycutt kisses a handsome cowboy in a bar on a dare, she never expects to see him again. To her surprise, though, he walks through the door of her classroom for a parent-teacher conference. Sheriff Remy Fontenot might be sexy as sin, but Sasha has no interest in falling for another police officer. Rose Creek, Texas is her fresh start after being “that poor widow.” Only, Remy’s precocious daughter has big plans for the two of them…

After their stolen kiss, Remy knows there’s a sexy woman hiding under that school marm charm. When fate—aka his seven-year-old—keeps putting her in his path, he decides to take it as a sign. His daughter needs a mom, and the intriguing, beautiful Sasha is perfect for the role. Not to mention their chemistry is off the charts. Unfortunately, he’s set his sights on the one woman in town who has no interest in falling for another man with a badge.

 

 

Review:

The Sheriffs Little Matchmaker by Carrie Nichols is a Rose Creek, Texas novel.

Sasha Honeycutt has moved to Rose Creek, Texas to start a new life. A new life where she isn’t “the poor widow”.”  After losing her policeman husband five years previous, she is ready for a freah, new start! When she arrives she takes a quick trip to New Orleans with friends. And that’s when on a dare she kisses a tall, dark, and handsome stranger cowboy!  But this kiss is more than either of them expected, and as Sasha disappears into the night, the sexy cowboy searches all over the French Quarter for her. To no avail! 

But Sasha chalks it all up to a drunk weekend dare that she attempts to forget, she begins her new job as an elementary school teacher. She is determined to steer clear of dating two types of men. Law enforcement and her students parent!

Remy Fontenot is the town Sheriff, and also a single dad. His seven year old daughter Evie has a new school teacher that she just can’t stop talking about. And when Remy gets called in for a parent teacher conference, he has no idea he is about to meet the sexy stranger he searched all over the French Quarter for.

Sparks fly when they come face to face again. But little did they know that Evie has plans of her own! Plans to get her dad and Miss Honeycutt together!

What a wonderfully heart warming story!

Sasha has some history. Her husband was killed in the line if duty as a police officer. She has sworn to never date one again! That and the fact that it is unethical for her to date one of her students parents, makes it hard for her to give in to everything she feels for Sheriff Remy! 

Sasha has a history of struggles, but I appreciate her attempt at starting a new life. She is resolute and determined to not ruin any chance of staying put in Rose Creek. But her body betrays her at ever turn and run in with Sheriff Remy. 

Remy Fontenot is Cajun, handsome and strong willed.  He searched all over for his kissing stranger and when she ends up in his town, teaching his daughter, he knows it was meant to be. But he is wary also, he has a daughter to consider in all of this. The last thing he wants is to bring his daughtet pain again. 

Evie Fontenot is an adorable, smart, conniving seven year old. She does everything she can to get her dad and Miss Honeycut to spend time together! Even getting every single word wrong on her spelling test in order to get her dad called in for a parent – teacher conference!  She is precocious and funny! Making me laugh out loud several times!

The story moves quickly and steadily. And is quite endearing. You want nothing more than for Sasha to give in to what she teuly wants. But will she go against everything she believes to find the happiness she wants? 

I highly recommend especially if you love a good Cajun accent and a hot, handsome lawman and an adorable seven year old!  

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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