Holiday Forever-Afters Boxed Set: Three Christmas Romances by Karen Rose Smith is a 2016 publication.
This box set features three emotional and heartfeHoliday Forever-Afters Boxed Set: Three Christmas Romances by Karen Rose Smith is a 2016 publication.
This box set features three emotional and heartfelt novellas all centered around the holiday season.
The Dad Who Saved Christmas
This story features big hearted Faith Hewitt, foster mom to Jakie and Nick Clark, who saunters into their lives after Jakie has a near miss.
Nick and Faith went to high school together, but he was a star football player who married the homecoming queen, so their lives took entirely different paths. However, Nick’s marriage imploded rapidly. When he and Faith reconnect, he discovers her intention to adopt Jakie is in peril and offers to marry Faith.
But, the marriage is one of convenience… or is it?
This story is all about trust, true love, and family. Nick rediscovers the holiday spirit as struggles with his desire to make his marriage real and become Jakie’s father in earnest.
Faith is warm and shy, suffering from a little tiny lack of self-confidence when it comes to Nick especially since his real motives in marrying her are unclear, and he compartmentalizes certain areas of his life.
The road is a little rocky to begin with, but ultimately this couple is able to put their misconceptions and misunderstandings behind them when passion ignites between them.
This story is a little angsty and emotional due to the conflicts between the couple, but it is also a sweet, heartwarming holiday story that brings two lonely people together and gives the adorable Jakie the loving parents he deserves.
Toys and Baby Wishes
When Joshua discovers his aunt is making a huge move, he is immediately suspicious and blames the beautiful social worker, Lexa, for putting ideas in his aunt’s head. But, once he starts getting to know Lexa, he discovers her life is complicated and she harbors a deeply painful secret, one that could change things between them once the truth comes out.
This story was heartbreaking, and I admit to feeling very frustrated by Lexa and for Lexa. Sometimes Joshua could seem a little bossy, and his unsolicited advice was often harsh, but he is also trying to protect Lexa from having her heart broken. However, despite their initial misgivings, the couple soon begins falling in love, but they face very difficult obstacles on their way happily ever after land.
Of the three stories in this anthology, this one got to me because of the deep family issues and the huge disappointments that Lexa endured. But, the adversity was what made the ending so wonderful!!!
Wish On the Moon
Laura is blindsided by the arrival of her father’s business partner, Mitch, on her doorstep bearing the shocking news that father was in the hospital after having a heart attack and was set to have surgery.
If that weren’t bad enough, Mitch lectures Laura and does not hide his disdain toward her due to her father’s having disowned her. Mitch is firmly in her father’s corner, but he doesn’t know the whole story.
But, Laura is not the only one with severed or damaged family relationships. Mitch has a brother with a gambling problem who has come to Mitch asking for money.
Family is often messy and complicated, and sometimes we only hear one side of a story and draw conclusions without having all the facts. Mitch and Laura are attracted to each other, but they will have to work out their family issues and learn to trust each other before they could ever build a life together.
This story was the perfect story to draw the trilogy to a close. The story hits on all the emotions we struggle the hardest with. Trust and forgiveness being the chief among them. It is also important to admit to mistakes, to apologize, and to listen to each other, something every character in this story had to learn.
I enjoyed all three of these short stories. Each story featured hot romance, family elements, and heartwarming holiday sentiments.
Every story was solid and all of them will appeal to contemporary romance lovers of all stripes.
My review for Saved by a SEAL by Lindsay McKenna, Chris Kensiton, and Susan Stoker will be featured at Romancing the Book Blog on Feb. 26, 2016. CheckMy review for Saved by a SEAL by Lindsay McKenna, Chris Kensiton, and Susan Stoker will be featured at Romancing the Book Blog on Feb. 26, 2016. Check it out by following this link: http://romancing-the-book.com/ ...more
This box set features three delightful contemporary romances. The Maya Banks novel: A Contract Engagement is a classic contemporary so popular it's be This box set features three delightful contemporary romances. The Maya Banks novel: A Contract Engagement is a classic contemporary so popular it's been reissued in digital format and included in this box set.
Of the three books, I have to say "A Royal Temptation" was my favorite. It's a little shorter than the other two, but it has filled with intriguing elements of mystery and adventure and still managed to include the glamor one might expect when reading about royalty.
A Contract Engagement was a tiny bit dated with characters still arguing over women having demanding careers and foregoing traditional marriage and so on. But, the romance was solid and the set up was kind of funny, with the whole fake engagement trope.
His 24-hour wife was also a solid addition to the box set, with a drunken Las Vegas wedding turning into a nightmare when someone blackmails the bride, forcing the couple to forego divorce proceedings and pretend to be happily married.
Sometimes a box set will have a weak story thrown in, but not in this case, so the investment would be worth it. However, if your library has overdrive, you may be able to borrow it from the digital library, which is where I picked this one up.
Each story was 3.5 or higher- The box set as a whole gets 4 stars...more
This short story in the House of Crimson & Clover series features Jasper and Pandora who have been menI am reviewing Pandora's Box by Sarah M. Cradit
This short story in the House of Crimson & Clover series features Jasper and Pandora who have been mentioned in previous books, but were not cast as main characters. So, I love it when I get to dig a little deeper into the back story of some of the secondary characters, plus this storyline is very intriguing.
Jasper and Pandora are a perfect match because of their many shared interest, but they also have one of those forbidden love situations going on, so although they appeared destined to be together, they face some pretty big challenges before they are able to finally stay together and have their HEA.
For long time fans of this series, you will certainly enjoy getting a closer look at these characters, plus their story still has a lot avenues to be explored and I do hope we touch base with this part of the series again sometime.
For those who are not familiar with this series, I can not stress enough how awesome it is. It's very appealing to readers across several genres and offers a little something for everyone. It's a wonderful concept, and is always full of twist and surprises leaving you begging for more.
Better Date Than Never Box Set- Books 7-10 is a 2015 Halco publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This box Better Date Than Never Box Set- Books 7-10 is a 2015 Halco publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This box set contains four stories in the super popular Better Date than Never Series by Susan Hatler. For the sake of time and space, I have chosen to review Deja Date- Book nine in the series.
This is story centers around Melinda, a young woman who lost her father in a freak accident and whose mother never quite recovered from it. Now Melinda is going through a very rough patch due to losing her job when all of a sudden a golden opportunity falls into her lap.
The bakery that was such a big part of Melinda's life is on the market and all she needs to do is claim her share of the inheritance her father left her, which shouldn't be a huge problem. But, when she approaches her mother about the situation, she finds her world turned on it's axis.
The first issue Melinda faces is Nate's return home after a lengthy absence. She had been in love with Nate years ago, but after sharing an intimate moment, he left with his mother and never contacted her again. Now, Nate wants a second chance, but it seems the of them are like polar opposites.
But, the biggest obstacle she faces in regards to the bakery is the Carpe Diem her father added to his will, a development she hadn't counted on. Without much of a choice, Melinda begins working her way down the list, but the message her father was trying to send is more of impediment that she originally thought, and it looks like she could lose everything she ever wanted.
This is a charming story about letting go of one's guilt and grief and learning to step out of your comfort zone and take a few risk, and really living life with gusto.
Nate is a real keeper in this book and he does the absolute best thing for Melinda by making a compromise that, well, frankly was more fitted to who Melinda really is deep down. I don't know if she was ever the adventurous type, even before her dad's death, so there were times when I felt she was pushed into being someone she really wasn't. Therefore, I could see her point of view and understood why she was skeptical about Nate. Still, she does learn a lot about herself with a little intervention from a surprising source. I loved how everything came together in the end.
Overall this is a short, sweet, and heartwarming, and feel good kind of story.
4 stars.
All of the books in this delightful series are short and sweet, some with more heart tugging moments, like this one, but others having a lighter tone, with a touch of humor. I have read most of the books in this series and absolutely love them. These stories never fail to give me a little 'pick me up', no matter what kind of day I'm having.
I recommend this series for every one, and although some of these stories are connected, all of them can be read as a stand alone....more
Scandalous Summer Nights – with Grace Callaway, Sabrina Darby, Jennifer Haymore, Sue London, Kate McKinley, Sandy Raven, and Vivienne Westlake is a 20Scandalous Summer Nights – with Grace Callaway, Sabrina Darby, Jennifer Haymore, Sue London, Kate McKinley, Sandy Raven, and Vivienne Westlake is a 2014 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What I like about anthologies is that if affords me the opportunity to sample work by authors I am not familiar with and I get to read short stories by authors I am already following. So, it's a win-win. Naturally when you combine seven unique voices into one volume there are going to be some stories that stand out more than others, some longer, some shorter, and maybe there is one that becomes a favorite. This anthology was no different, but For the most part these stories compliment each other nicely. For me one story did capture my attention enough to garner a five star rating so I'm going to share my review of :
A Highlander's Heart by Jennifer Haymore is a 2014 publication.
The war separates a couple who departed under strained circumstances, with harsh words being spoken. But now as the battles rage, Claire begins to fear Rob will be killed and her horrible words will be the last ones they ever speak to one another.
Finally a letter arrives from Rob explaining to her where he will be, and so Claire decides she must make peace with her husband and sets out to meet up with him.
Against the horrible battle of Waterloo, Claire finds Rob alive, but not well. As she begins to nurse him and others back to health, he receives new orders. So, with the now or never moment, Claire begins laying the ground work to save her marriage. But, will it be enough?
I enjoyed this short story that highlights the importance of communication and cautions against making presumptions about how others are really feeling and letting angry words hang in the air without making peace.
The cause of the rift between the couple is not hard to guess at but once the couple begins to open up with each other explaining their misconceptions and misunderstandings , the resentments and hurts begin to give way to healing.
I also think there are times when despite being hurt and angry and feeling more than justified about having those feelings, that making the first move to heal the rift is the right thing to do. If Claire had not swallowed her grief and hurt and let go of her pride, their marriage may have died with no chance at recapturing what they once had.
This brief story is quite emotional and deals with some tough subjects such as depictions of war and loss, but the issues within the marriage were deep and difficult, however, the healing brings out how deeply these two love each other and makes sexy time that much more meaningful. I wish more historical romance authors were not so afraid of making their stories more substantial. Emotions and sentimentality are not things to be afraid of. Light historical romps are great, but stories like these seem too few and far between. 4.5 stars rounded to 5
As a whole I give this anthology a 4 star rating. ...more
Red Hot Lovers- 18 Contemporary Romance Books of Love, Passion and Sexy Heroes by your Favorite to Selling Authors is a 2015 Malachite publishing/ RedRed Hot Lovers- 18 Contemporary Romance Books of Love, Passion and Sexy Heroes by your Favorite to Selling Authors is a 2015 Malachite publishing/ Red Hot Box Sets Release
Wow! Eighteen books in one fabulous box set! I love bundles because I can read favorite authors and meet new ones all for one low price. I have not read every single book in the box set at this time but I have read at least 5 and so because I know you ladies need some reviews up I am going to submit my review of St. Charles at Dusk by Sarah M. Cradit. I will be back to edit this with more reviews and insights in the future.
St. Charles at Dusk by Sarah M. Cradit is a 2011 publication.
That awkward moment when you realize you have read every single book in a series except the prequel....
How I have gone so long without getting this book read, I don't know. But, better late than never. I actually found this book whetted my appetite and made me want to start the series all over again. I wish I had the time to do that. A little binge reading of this series would be awesome!!
This is the story of Oz and Adrienne. The two were once lovers but a series of tragic events separated them. Adrienne disappeared and Oz married and had a child, his life a success, with a high profile career, big house, the works. But, tragedy strikes once more and Oz will find his heart once more lies in the hands of Adrienne Deschanel. Adrienne is somewhat of an enigma. She disappears and reappears, is kind of loopy and kind of spooky. I never knew what to make of her really. She was just a teenager when she began her affair with Oz, much to the dislike of their families. It seemed maybe the adults were right in this case and Oz remembers Adrienne as a summer romance, but of course he is only trying to downplay his real feelings for her. But, he must maintain a certain professional distance with Adrienne in order to help her. I loved the atmosphere created in this novel, the strong Gothic slant, the forbidden love, the paranormal undertones and of course New Orleans! The deep history of these families and the life long connections all set the stage for the family saga that you simply have to check out. The characters in this series are very vividly drawn, the possibilities are endless and you will never figure out what's coming next. This is a very strong introduction to the series and I highly recommend it even if you have already read some of the other books in the series. This book will enlighten you on so many little tidbits of information and bring you an even greater understanding of things that came later. If you have not started this series I recommend starting with this book mainly because of the historical details and because it is important to know the complicated history between Adrienne and Oz in order to process the events that transpire later on in the series. Overall this one is gets 5 stars!!...more
Cowboy Romance 12 Pack is a Story Ink LLC publication. I was provided a copy for this box set in conjunction with a blog tour.
I see that many readersCowboy Romance 12 Pack is a Story Ink LLC publication. I was provided a copy for this box set in conjunction with a blog tour.
I see that many readers reviewed one book in this set and that is wise. Writing twelve reviews here is not really feasible so I'm going to leave a review for:
Her Uniform Cowboy by Donna Michaels Brandi is from Pennsylvania and is not well versed on the ways of cowboys and Texans. She rubs the Sheriff, Kade Dalton the wrong way or may it's the other way around. Brandi has vowed to never become involved with a man who is part of the guard because of how her last relationship turned out. But, everyone around them can see the two of them are smitten with one another, and it's only a matter of time before they give in the passion simmering underneath the surface.
I love military heroes and cowboys so the combination of the two in one book is a sure fire winner. Kade carrying around a lot of baggage and guilt in regards to his military service. He doesn't want a relationship with a woman right now because his head isn't one straight. Brandi is still holding a grudge about men in the guard, but soon finds out how fragile life can be. Kade's issues are pretty serious and I love the way Brandi didn't just give up on him. Kade was not easy to live with but with Brandi's love and patience he slowly begins to see the way to getting his life back on track. This couple will still have some hurdles to deal with, but their strong and committed love will see them through. 4 stars
As for the box set a whole, I don't see how you could possibly pass this up. There are twelve stories which are either full length novels or novella length. Each story has a unique spin on the contemporary and historical western romance.
Country Music stars, Military Heroes, Billionaires, Super Hot Erotica, Hot Alphas, it's in there. There is something for every taste in romance. There's a lot of bang for your buck here and all these authors are seasoned and respected romance writers. Overall 5 stars...more
He's Irresistible by Susan Hatler, Veronica Blade, and Virna DePaul is a 2013 release. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest reHe's Irresistible by Susan Hatler, Veronica Blade, and Virna DePaul is a 2013 release. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The First book in this three book box set is: Love at First Date by Susan Hatler. I must confess that I have read this story before as part of another box set collection. This is the review I wrote at that time for this story:
The first story is Ellen's. Ellen has a career working in customer service at a computer software firm. She has an anal personality and a mother that has not had the best of luck with men. Watching her mother go through heartbreaking times, Ellen thinks the best relationships are with those we are the most compatible with. When her good friend Rachel has trouble with her dog Chester, Ellen takes him to dog training class and meets the guy her heart says is "the one", but her brain says they are not compatible. Which one will win out.. her heart or her brain? This one is a 3.5
The second book in this collection is: From Fame to Shame by Veronica Blade
Jackie and Maddie may be twins and look identical, but their personalities are like night and day. Jackie is a famous actress and Maddie is a down home country girl. Jackie is in the midst of a potential meltdown and calls Maddie for help. Maddie can't believe her ears when Jackie tells her she really needs a break from Hollywood and wants Maddie to pretend to be her for just a week. Maddie isn't sure she can pull that off, but Jackie really seems like a rubberband stretched to the breaking point, so she agrees to try it. Enter Dallas Bines, Jackie's former boyfriend. Dallas seems ready to rekindle things with Jackie and Maddie is having a hard time remembering she is not Jackie. Cute story, nothing all that original but there were a few funny moments, very light reading. Jackie's assistant, Stella, nearly steals the show. This one gets 3 stars
The third story in the collection is: Wild For Mr. Wrong by Virna DePaul
Bryn Donovan is a prosecutor nicknamed “Justice” with a chip on her shoulder concerning defense attorneys. That is especially so for Daniel. Daniel has a reputation with the ladies and comes across as being too casual for Bryn's taste. Bryn's best friend, Tam is married to Vance and Vance is partners with Daniel. When Daniel overhears a private conversation between Bryn and Tam and his name comes up , he is shocked at how disdainful Bryn's feelings toward him are. Daniel is a very cocky attorney and seemed to enjoy making Bryn uncomfortable. However, the story takes on a more serious tone and the two duke it out in court. When all hope seems lost, one will reach for the other in an effort to comfort them after a terrible tragedy. This was my favorite story in the collection. It has a darker tone and very mature subject matter. It also addresses the age old human tendency to judge people without really knowing them. Bryn and Daniel were both guilty of that as well as some of the secondary characters. Thankfully, one of these people had to courage to step up and behave like an adult and the results led to a better understanding of one another and just maybe opened the door for a future together. This one gets 4 stars
Overall this is a nice collection of romance novels with something for everyone . 3.5 stars - rounded to 4 for the collection as a whole....more
All Hallows Moon by R.M Riene is a 2011 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rylie has made the ultimate All Hallows Moon by R.M Riene is a 2011 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rylie has made the ultimate sacrifice for Seth and is now on the run for her life. She manages to make it to her Aunt Gwyn's farm. She still must fight against Seth's family and still try to somehow behave like a normal teenager. Her aunt isn't stupid and knows something really huge happened at summer camp. She is the best support system Rylie has had up to now. It appears her Aunt may need Rylie's support before too long. But, Rylie will have to find a way to survive the werewolf hunters before she can help anyone. This will be Seth's chance to repay Rylie , but will he live long enough to save her?
This is the second book in this series and ties up the story for Rylie and Seth. Like I stated in my review of the first book in the series, I am not the audience this series is geared toward. So, I don't feel entirely comfortable giving a review for it. The first book was OK, it just wasn't my cup of tea. Since both books were a part of a box set called "Darkness Becomes Her", I read one story right after the other. You will need to read the first story before you read this one, so I do recommend the box set. The writing and plot line in this one was not all that great. The story was really rushed and there were parts of the story that just got skipped over without giving us a clarification or explanation. The best thing about this one is we did get closure for Rylie and Seth. This one gets a C- or 2 stars...more
Better Date Than Never by Susan Hatler is a 2013 Hatco Inc. publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchangeBetter Date Than Never by Susan Hatler is a 2013 Hatco Inc. publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. There are three short contemporary romances in this box set , which is approximately 148 pages in length. The first story is Ellen's. Ellen has a career working in customer service at a computer software firm. She has an anal personality and a mother that has not had the best of luck with men. Watching her mother go through heartbreaking times, Ellen thinks the best relationships are with those we are the most compatable with. When her good friend Rachel has trouble with her dog Chester, Ellen takes him to dog training class and meets the guy her heart says is "the one", but her brain says they are not compatable. Story number two is Gina's. Gina has FINALLY gotten the message that her long time boyfriend just isn't going to ever talk about the future or marriage. So, Gina is being pushed in Ethan's direction by Ellen who is preparing for her wedding. However, Chris is the one that makes her heart skip. Will she have the nerve to go for it ? The third story is Rachel's. After a bad break up, Rachel is not feeling the whole HEA thing like her two friends. When she is set up on blind date with Noah, she firmly puts her foot down and refuses to consider it, until Ellen bites back and over rides Rachel's objections. Could Noah be the one Rachel has been looking for?
All three of these short stories have a theme. First of all, never settle for the most comfortable relationships. Secondly, put your preconceived notions on a shelf and third, be willing to take a chance, even if you get turned down, you never know how things might work out. I enjoyed the first two stories, but Rachel's story was not meaty enough. I wanted see Rachel's HEA examined in a little more detail, but overall all this is a great collection of light contemporary romance stories. There is a low steam level so this book could appeal to all romance readers. Overall I give this one an A. (4 stars)...more
Six Moon Summer ( Seasons of the Moon #1) by R.M. Reine is a 2011 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
RylSix Moon Summer ( Seasons of the Moon #1) by R.M. Reine is a 2011 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rylie's parents are divorcing and they think sending Rylie to summer camp is a good idea. Rylie hates it . She gets herself in trouble right away by walking in the woods and being attacked by a wild animal. She lost her backpack and journal is melee, but a nice young man found it and brought it to her. She finds a note in her journal from Seth, the guy who found her journal, saying she was now in danger. Things go from bad to worse as it slowly dawns on Rylie she was not attacked by a wild animal... she was attacked by a werewolf. Then the unthinkable happens and her family suffers a great loss. Rylie insist she be allowed to return to camp and to Seth. But, when she learns who Seth is and what his life work entails Rylie realizes she is really in danger... from Seth. This YA short story deals with the heartbreak of family problems, being a teen going through the pressures of being that age, but on top of all that, Rylie must deal with the changes she is going through and try really, really hard to fight off the inevitible. As strong as she is she might be able to keep from becoming a full blown werewolf, but in the end she makes the ultimate sacrifice for love and it might very well cost her everything. The ending of the book will leave Rylie's fate hanging in the balance. This short story is a part of series and the second book will pick up pretty much where this one left off so there will be closure for Rylie and Seth. I read this book as a part of a box set called "Darkness Becomes Her". I didn't realize it until I got started with the book that it's a YA novel about shapeshifters/ werewolves. I am pretty far out of the targeted demographic , but on occasion I do read a YA novel. This one for me was just a bit too YA. It is really geared toward younger teens, or at least it felt that way to me. So, I had a hard time relating to the characters in this one. That makes it difficult for me to rate this one since I don't really know how teens would feel about it. I am going to go out on a limb and say that fourteen to seventeen year old girls will be the audience that would appreciate this one the most. Since the second book in the series was in the same box set, I went ahead and read it too. I will leave a review separately on it. You will have to read the second book, so I would recommend getting the box set. I give this one a C+ or 3 stars...more
The Cowboys of Chance Creek by Cora Seton Volumes 1-3 is a box set that contains: The Cowboy's E-mail Order Bride, The Cowboy Wins a Bride, and The CoThe Cowboys of Chance Creek by Cora Seton Volumes 1-3 is a box set that contains: The Cowboy's E-mail Order Bride, The Cowboy Wins a Bride, and The Cowboy Imports a Bride. Each book is approximately 200 or so pages in length.
The first book is The Cowboy's E-Mail Order Bride- Ethan has been ditched by his fiancé and in a night of drowning his sorrows he tells his buddies what he thinks would make a good wife. Little did he know his best friend Rob was recording everything he said on his phone, nor that Rob has decided to post it to you tube. The next thing he knows Autumn Leeds has shown up accepting his offer of marriage, home life on a ranch and promises to provide him with babies. While Ethan's friends are laughing about the joke they played on him, they never gave a thought to who Autumn might be and why on earth would she answer an online ad for a bride. Autumn does have her own agenda. The joke plays out longer than Ethan had planned. His ranch is having financial problems and he can't afford a wife. He needs to tell Autumn the truth, but the problem is he and Autumn seem to find this marriage of convenience to their liking after all. But the secret they are both hiding will have to come out sooner or later and when it does....
The Second book is The Cowboy wins a Bride. Jaime has loved Claire a long time. But, Claire is going to see her brother, Ethan, married, then she is going to take off for a trip around the world. Jaime is desperate enough to propose a little bet with Claire. If she will wait six weeks and give him a chance , he will pay for her ticket around the world if he loses the bet. Claire thinks that offer is too good to pass up. There is one hitch, however. Jaime is a world class flirt. For the next six weeks he will have to avoid any and all types of flirtation. Claire goes on about her business never giving this bet thing another thought. She knowa she will win the bet. There is no way, no way, no way Jaime will be able to curb his flirty nature, much less convince her to marry him.
The last book is The Cowboy Imports a Bride. In this book Rob gets his comeuppance for all those practical jokes. People do not believe he is capable of being serious, holding down a serious job or being serious about just one girl. But, Rob is pining over Claire's half sister, Morgan. When his father announces he will give 200 hundred acres to the first son that gets married, Rob makes a beeline to Morgan. She gives Rob three things he must do in order for her to marry him. One is to cherish her, one is to help her start her own vineyard and the other is to start a family. Rob readily agrees. But, things get complicated when he tells his family what his plans are. His dad swears there is no way his land will ever be tilled for a vineyard. So, Rob finds another solution only to have that blow up in his face as well. Together Rob and Morgan will have to decide if they should still marry or if they will let their families drive them apart.
While some of the titles of these books may sound a little cheesy, these are really good contemporary western romances. The second and third book were my personal favorites. Claire was the most fragile character of the three women featured in the box set. She still has anger issues in the third book and is still afraid of the future, but she does get her questions answered and is the one to bring all the hurt and anger to an end to help the families stay together and work together for the future. There are other novels in this series and I am really looking forward to reading those. Once you get started on these you won't want to put them down. I practically read the whole box set in one sitting. I think you get a lot of bang for your buck by getting all three books in one purchase. Having said that, you may purchase one book at a time as well. Overall this one is an A.
No Ordinary Lovers by Jennifer Blake is a collection of three novellas released in digital format by Steel Magnolia Press. Each of these books can be No Ordinary Lovers by Jennifer Blake is a collection of three novellas released in digital format by Steel Magnolia Press. Each of these books can be purchased separately, but the box set is only 99 cents right now in the kindle store. (http://smarturl.it/smp) These novellas are paranormal romances. The first story is Besieged Heart. This is a historical romance. The princess Mara is at the mercy of a cruel Baron, unless her wizard and advisor can convince her to trust him and to fight against a life that would be unbearable for her. This involves a trip into the future, when Mara has no one else to depend on but Rayne and herself. The second story, ( and my favorite of the three), is Dream Lover. Erina, a real estate agent in New Orleans is checking out an old mansion when she sees a portrait of a man that resembles a man she has been having erotic dreams about. When a vagrant attacks her, she wakes up in 1848 and her dream lover is no longer a dream. Will they be able to stay together or will Erina be forced to return to her own time? The third book is The Warlock's daughter. This is a contemporary romance. Carita Grey is the daughter of a powerful warlock. Her father's great passion for her mother caused her mother's death. Now Carita avoids love because she is terrified her passion could cause her lovers death. But, then she meets Renfrey. Can he convince her that she should take a chance on love? Overall this is a wonderful set of Paranormal romances. All the stories are sensual and absorbing. I give the set as a whole a B+....more
Besieged Heart by Jennifer Blake is a short story/novella originally published in 1994. This book has now been reissued in digital format by Steel MagBesieged Heart by Jennifer Blake is a short story/novella originally published in 1994. This book has now been reissued in digital format by Steel Magnolia Press. The book is available as a stand alone or as part of a boxed set " No Ordinary Lovers". (http://www.smarturl.it/smp)
Princess Mara finds herself in a no win situation. Baron Ewloe is closing in on the castle and if he takes over, Mara will be forced to wed him. Her advisor, a wizard whose face Mara has never seen recommends she choose someone to champion her, but she declined. He offers himself, but Mara fears the outcome. Running away becomes a tempting way to avoid her fate. When the wizard wraps his arms around her, she finds herself 800 years in the future. When she awakens a man named Rayne is at her side. How did she get here and who is this man that takes her to his home?
A battle of wills ensures between Mara and Rayne. Rayne couldn't care less that Mara claims to be a princess and is above menial task such as cooking her own meals. He seems hard and mean, but wouldn't this be what life would be like if she didn't fight against the Baron?
For such a short story, there is great passion and romance, a good deal of character growth, and wrongs that need righted. Mara will learn to take charge of her fate as much as she is able, and learns to be brave resolve her problems by facing them and using her brains to outsmart her enemies.
The Warlock's Daughter by Jennifer Blake is a Steel Magnolia Press publication. This short story/novella was originally published in 2011. This book iThe Warlock's Daughter by Jennifer Blake is a Steel Magnolia Press publication. This short story/novella was originally published in 2011. This book is also a part of the "Forbidden Lovers" bundle/box set available in the kindle store.
Carita is half human and half witch. Her mother died in childbirth and her father, the warlock has left her in the care of an aunt in New Orleans. While on a stroll on Halloween night, Carita meets a man that strikes up a conversation with her. Renfrey is like an old fashioned gentleman, but he asked Carita some rather probing questions. It was almost as if he knew her or of her and was not out on this night by accident. Carita is stunned to learn of Renfrey's identity and the connections he has to her life. But, the attraction they have for one another could be dangerous, even fatal. The underlying message here is that life is a risk. You must decide if the risk is worth taking.
While, very short, the story was still interesting. There wasn't enough time to really develop the characters and some thing left me wondering. But, it wasn't too hard to pick up on the theme of the book and Carita learns to step out of her shell and live life. This promises to be a great choice for her and for Renfrey. I don't think those two his have a boring moment between them. Overall this a C+...more
Haunted on Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase is a Steel Magnolia Press publication. This book was originally published in July 2011. This book is currentHaunted on Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase is a Steel Magnolia Press publication. This book was originally published in July 2011. This book is currently available in the kindle store. (9-5-2013 it was listed for free. Please check price before buying) This book is also included in the box set "Forbidden Lovers". which is currently on sale for .99 in the kindle store. Again, please take note of the price before purchasing. Jade has moved to New Orleans at the urging of her friend Kate. The backstory of their friendship is that they came from a bad place and escaped with the aid of Dan, Jade's former fiancé, and Kate's current boyfriend. Although, this is an awkward situation, Kate and Jade work to maintain their friendship. Jade begins work in a coffee shop that is located in the same building as a strip club. Her boss, Pyper and the club's owner, Kane, are business associates with a bit of a past. When Jade moves into her new apartment, Pyper helps her get settled. But, there is something or someone in Jade's apartment that is unsettled. Pyper calls in a friend, Ian, a ghost hunter, to discover what is going on in Jade's apartment. Meanwhile, Jade begins to have erotic dreams. The "ghost" appears to be somehow responsible. Jade is also fighting an attraction to Kane and has a disturbing run in with Dan that puts distance between her and Kate.
While Jade is having steamy dreams, Pyper is having an all together different experience in her dreams. It appears that the ghost isn't as fond of Pyper, which could mean Pyper is in danger.
Will Ian be able to determine who the ghost is? Will Kane and Jade be able to accept each others paranormal gifts?
This book started off with a lot of zing. I was really into it. Somewhere around the middle of the book though, my mind started wandering a little. I love ghost stories. There are more vampires, werewolves, zombies and so forth than ghost these days. So, I was really happy about that. I also loved the 'dreamwalking' . That was a unique paranormal gift. The romance is good, but, the chemistry was a little forced to me. The story was a little uneven at times. Characters showed up in the middle of the book and then there became too many people to keep up with. However, I still enjoyed the story for the most part and think the series has potential. Overall I give this one a C+. Check out all the value book from Steel Magnolia Press at http://smarturl.it/smp ...more
I picked this box set up in the kindle store for a very good price. There are three full length novels and one novella. First up is Party Crashers: JolI picked this box set up in the kindle store for a very good price. There are three full length novels and one novella. First up is Party Crashers: Jolie's boyfriend goes missing, she quits her job due to dishonest practices and has to take a job in the shoe department at Neiman Marcus. Detectives want to question Jolie about Gary's disappearance especially since he stole her car and his car was pulled out the water with a dead female body in it. Then Jolie meets Beck Underwood, a wealthy business man that is going out of his way to help Jolie with her problems. Her new friend Carlotta takes Jolie under her wing and Jolie finds herself rubbing elbows with the wealthy patrons at certain events she didn't really have an invitation to. Next up was Deep Voodoo: Penny's ex- husband left her for a younger woman and their divorce is now final. So, Penny's friends throw her a happy divorce party. A few drinks too many cause Penny's tongue to loosen up a bit and when her ex is found murdered, Penny is the only suspect the police are interested in. The third book is :Got Your number- Roxann works with a domestic violence organization that helps women that have run out of all other options. Now, an angry husband is after Roxann because his wife has left with their children, which violates his parental rights. So, Roxann is also being hounded by a detective. When Roxann attends her cousin's wedding and the poor girl is jilted at the alter the two go on a road trip. Along the way they encounter old friends, make new ones and solve a couple of murders. The last book is a novella- Bump in the night- Renni's ex- boyfriend shows up drunk at her apartment in the middle of the night. In order to keep the neighbors happy she lets Daniel in. The two hook up but when Renni wakes up the next morning- Daniel is dead. It seems he was stabbed to death. Renni is the obvious suspect. It's a good thing her ex-husband is a lawyer and comes to her rescue. If you are looking for a some great beach reads or light romantic mysteries, load your e-reader up with this box set. I really enjoyed these stories. Stephanie Bond will be a go to author from now on. Overall an A. ...more
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