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Synopsis: THE AWAKENING

Safe, steady…and unsatisfying — that pretty much summed up Maggie Stanton's life. Until a stranger stirred her imagination until she blushed, a stranger who made Maggie do the unimaginable: take a risk….

Shockingly, the man who'd compelled her to forsake predictability for passion was the full-grown version of her childhood best friend. Only, this Matthew Stone wanted marriage, not a walk down memory lane.

For a while, Maggie almost believed that their whirlwind wedding was the union of soul mates. Almost. Then she learned the secret Matthew was keeping.

My Thoughts: I think I expected more out of this one. Probably because I’d just finished Otherwise Engaged (The 3rd in the Sunrise Key Trilogy) and wanted something close to caliber of Pres and Molly’s story. The story of Maggie and her Jungle Man, Matt, just was not it. There were some good moments, and I did finish it, so that’s something.

Verdict: This was Okay. It’s not a keeper because I doubt I’d ever read it again, but it wasn’t a complete waste of time.

Labels: Contemporary Romance, Okay, Suzanne Brockmann

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Synopsis: Four tiny babes! Three uplifting stories! One Magical Christmas!

A Christmas Child by Carolyn Davidson: Marianne Winters has no one in the world but her baby brother and, with Christmas approaching, she needs somewhere warm to stay. Will she find her home, and a loving heart, with the lonely pastor, David McDermott?

The Christmas Dove by Victoria Bylin: Maddie Cutler once snubbed bad boy Dylan McCall, but with nowhere else to turn she has come back to town—with a babe in arms. Dylan is a reformed man, and on seeing Maddie again he longs to heal her hurt—and claim her once and for all!

A Baby Blue Christmas by Cheryl St. John: Turner Price hasn't been the same since he lost his wife and child. But when he finds a young woman and newborn twin babies in his stable, he realizes this may be his second chance to be a loving husband and father, just in time for Christmas!

My Thoughts: Recently, I got to experience my very first Cheryl St. John book, Joe’s Wife. Cheryl read my blog post and was kind enough to send me this book as a gift. Since I’m always in the mood to read a good book, I started it right away. Of course, it helped that Sybil had been twittering all over the place about it the week before. The book consisted of three short stories by three authors: Cheryl St. John, Carolyn Davidson, and Victoria Bylin.

A Baby Blue Christmas by Cheryl St. John: I read this one first because I’ve recently become so enamored with CSJ’s storytelling. This tale is no different. I was impressed, because I do think it’s difficult to tell a full narrative within the short story concept. CSJ managed to accomplish this in 93 short pages.

Gabby is a very strong-willed heroine, chasing after her pregnant cousin in Colorado. Although she’s not able to connect with her cousin, Willow, she does find her newborn babies in Tanner’s livery. I felt that Tanner and Gabby had a connection immediately and from their first meeting I looked forward to their story. They of course, have issues to work through. Gabby is ashamed of past; Tanner can’t seem to let go of his. But at the core of it all, CSJ has created two strong, good-hearted characters that I as the reader rooted for from start to finish. Verdict: Very Good

A Christmas Child by Carolyn Davidson: Carolyn Davidson is a new-to-me author so I was looking forward to reading this. I love discovering new authors and at 79 pages, I thought it would be the perfect way to introduce me to CD’s writing style.

I almost put the book down three times reading this story. First, the heroine was described as “a girl, for she was not yet a woman”. That stayed in the back of mind the entire time I read this one. I pictured a young girl, maybe mid-teens? It was a visual I couldn’t shake, even though I did find out halfway through the story that she was 18. I felt pacified, but just barely. Second, Marianne abandons her new-born brother, Joshua, in the manger in front of the church. I was outraged. Third, when I discovered the hero, David, was around thirty. Although, I didn’t feel quite as bad about that when I found out Marianne’s real age. I just wish CD would have mentioned it earlier. Verdict: Okay. Probably not the best Carolyn Davidson story to start out with, but I’m willing to give her another try.

The Christmas Dove by Victoria Bylin: Victoria Bylin is also a new-to-me author, and you all know what a sucker I am for unrequited or reunited romances. This was a great story complete from begging to end, condensed into a mere 83 pages. I can't wait to see what she can do with a full-length novel.

Maddie was the spoiled daughter of Lord Oliver, a direct descendent of a British duke. She was the princess of the town, and acted the part. Dylan didn’t have it to lucky. He came from a bad family and had a lot to overcome in the eyes of the town. When Maddie left town with a gambler, Dylan tried to warn her not to go. In response, she slapped him and called him trash. One year later, Maddie’s back in town with an illegitimate child.

I enjoyed Maddie and Dylan immensely. I thought their story was very sweet and I enjoyed the fact that Dylan forced Maddie to come to terms with her past so that they could have a future together. It’s ironic how their roles seemed to have reversed; when Maddie left town, Dylan was viewed as nothing more than trash, while Maddie was revered because of who her father was. One year later, Dylan has become a respected citizen and Maddie is seen as the fallen dove. But Dylan doesn’t judge her and forces her to forgive herself. Verdict: Very Good

Labels: Carolyn Davidson, Cheryl St. John, Harlequin, Okay, Very Good, Victoria Bylin, Western Historical Romance

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Synopsis: These men are heroes — strong, fearless…and impossible to resist!

Fireman Ethan Winters ran headlong into a burning building to find Rosie Carrington. Rescue worker Brett Gannon defied the aftershocks of a San Francisco earthquake to prevent Haley Brubaker from entering her collapsing home. And emergency-room doctor Matt Walker braved gale force winds and rising floodwater to rescue scientist Molly Stanton.

For Rosie, the heat in Ethan's eyes was enough to start a three-alarm blaze! As for Haley, being trapped amidst the rubble with Brett meant heightened tension — and heightened passion. And sheltering together from the storm, Molly needed Matt to make love to her. It was the only way for her to know she was still alive…and that she'd stay that way.

My Thoughts: Recently, the ladies at Book Binge had Jill Shalvis as their guest author and after reading her interview, I admit to developing a major girl-crush on the woman. Anybody that witty had to translate that humor into her stories right??? Luckily, I had one Jill Shalvis in my TBR pile ~ part of the Men of Courage anthology that I won from Melody’s Reading Corner a few (okay, more than a few) months ago.

The book consisted of three short stories by three authors I’ve never read before: Lori Foster, Donna Kauffman, and Jill Shalvis. Now, short stories are hit-or-miss with me. Sometimes, they’re just too rushed; sometimes, they’re the perfect read when you’re between books and have no idea what to read next.

Stranded! by Jill Shalvis: I read the stories somewhat out of order, but the stories weren’t connected so I wasn’t turning my back to series-order karma. Remember, I read this just because of the Jill Shalvis factor. Her story was the last in the anthology: Stranded! Stranded is the story of Matt, an emergency room doctor who has no time for a life out of the ER, and Molly, a scientist who loses touch with the outside world when she starts working. Molly and Matt are trapped together in Matt’s home due to a vicious storm that would have killed Molly, if Matt hadn’t rescued her.

The story was the shortest in the anthology, only 92 pages. I wish it would have been longer, I really do. I’m not sure if the publisher only allowed her so many pages or not.

The chemistry between Matt and Molly was great and this story could have easily been longer in order to allow for the development of the relationship between the two main characters. In the end, I enjoyed the story but the ended was rushed. I didn’t like that, but even though I was disappointed that the story was too short, it was a great sampling of Jill Shalvis work. I’ll definitely read more of her in the future. Verdict: Good

Trapped! by Lori Foster: The second story I read was the first in the anthology. Ethan and Rosie are long-time friends. Actually, Rosie is the younger sister of the man that used to be Ethan’s best friend. Rosie has held an unrequited torch for Ethan for years. Rosie finally lets Ethan know how she feels, forcing him to re-evaluate his feelings and his relationship with the woman he’d always thought of as just a friend. Ethan’s alpha came out full-force, I have to say. It made for a great reading.

The story was 139 pages and I think Ms. Foster did a great job in telling a complete story in the short amount of pages allowed. Although, I will forewarn you, the summary for this one is a bit misleading. Ethan never ran into a burning building in order to rescue Rosie. That’s okay, though. This was by far my favorite in the anthology. Verdict: Very Good

Buried! by Donna Kauffman: I initially wasn’t going to read this one, but I didn’t feel right posting about the book if I hadn’t read it in it’s entirety. Haley’s home was destroyed by an earthquake. Brett is the Search & Rescue worker who comes to her aid to try and rescue her dog who was in the house. Turns out, Haley dated Brett’s older brother in college and Brett has been carrying a torch for her ever since. However, things go south after Brett rescues the dog and an aftershock leads to injuries. However, as Haley nurses him back to health, she begins to nurse something else as well.

The story was 140 pages and was my least favorite of the anthology. Something just was missing for me on this. That being said, I do have to say I enjoyed the last two pages immensely. Great end to the story. Verdict: Okay

Labels: Contemporary Romance, Donna Kauffman, Good, Harlequin, Jill Shalvis, Lori Foster, Okay, Very Good

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Synopsis: Dakota Wylie didn't claim to understand men... But she did know that Patrick Devane was stubborn and angry and that he refused to let anyone, including his young daughter, get close. Dakota also knew she had no choice but to accept his reluctant hospitality. And he, her bold audacious company.

No woman had ever challenged Patrick so brazenly - while no man had ever seemed so daring and dangerous to Dakota. And no little girl had ever seemed so in need of a family. Now only time would tell if their destiny lay with each other.

My Thoughts: I don’t know what to say, really. I finished it. The writing was okay, not great. I’m truly conflicted is what I am. I wanted more.

Dakota Wylie is a woman of the 90’s who is transported to the 18th century via a hot-air balloon. She’s a Harvard educated librarian who believes herself to be fat and unstylish. Patrick Devane is a good-looking man with a hardened heart and no wishes to have it any other way. He’s also the single parent to 6-year-old Abigail, whom he believes is not his child so he treats her with about as much emotion as one would treat a stranger.

I really liked the history of the Revolutionary War that was involved in this novel. Ms. Bretton did a wonderful job of encompassing the war as part of the story line but not having it take over. The history itself was rich in this small book, but I really enjoyed the idea of a modern day woman being thrust back into the time where we were just the original thirteen colonies.

I did find out after I was finished reading that there were two prior books that dealt with the hot-air balloon theme: Somewhere in Time, and Tomorrow & Always. Although connected, I believe each book could stand on its own because I read this one and didn’t really feel like I was missing anything.

Verdict: This was Okay. With as much as I loved Just Desserts, I expected a whole lot more. I’m afraid that if this had been my first Barbara Bretton book, I probably wouldn’t be tempted to read more by her. Fortunately, I’ve read better from her and know she’s capable of more than what I got in this read.

Labels: Barbara Bretton, Mira, Okay, Time Travel

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Synopsis: Tory Wells arrived at Sundance Ranch with only a battered suitcase and a letter from a friend that promised employment. Recovering from knee surgery, Tory desperately needed this job. And Ethan Reever was her only hope.

But Reever wasted no time in telling Tory he wanted nothing to do with some city-bred stranger. In his opinion, a woman like Tory knew nothing about ranch life, and he'd decided long ago that he had no use for pretty, useless women. Especially one who looked at him as innocently as Tory did -- no matter how much he desired her . . .

Tory knew one thing for certain. Determined to show him she could make it on her own, she vowed never to ask Reever for anything ever again. Not a job. Not money. And definitely not his love.

My Thoughts: Well, what can I say. I liked this in spite of myself. See, the story was a little bit too Diana Palmer-ish for my tastes; and I gave up Diana (who was one of my faves, btw) for one reason: I felt like I was re-reading the same story over, and over, and over again. The hero is always much older than the heroine, the heroine is almost always a virgin; the hero always calls the heroine “little one”, and the hero always has to explain what le petite morte is.

In Too Hot to Handle Reever, the hero, is 33; Tory, the heroine, is 20 (Palmer check #1); Tory is a virgin (Palmer check #2); Reever calls Tory “little one” (Palmer check #3); and although Reever doesn’t have to explain exactly what an orgasm is, he describes it as the two of them dying together (therefore, morte, therefore Palmer check #4).

Yes, I realize that this is Elizabeth Lowell, but I swear I could have been reading Diana Palmer. I really could have. In spite of this, the writing was good. I found myself submerged into the story and looking forward to what happens when I wasn’t reading it.

I did like Tory for the most part, although it did seem she played the victim a little too much, especially around Reever. She wasn’t strong in that aspect and that bugged me. I liked Reever also. Yes, he’s an ass, but that’s probably what I liked most about him. He wasn’t some lollypop version of a dime-store hero.

Okay, and so what if when she was in the throws of a good orgasm she said the three dreaded words ~~ I Love You. Not really my favorite thing to read, but I can deal with it. And of course Reever turned into and ass again for about 5 days after she said those dreaded words. Which caused the *gasp* big understanding. He thought she wanted to leave him to go back to competitive diving, she thought he could never love her. Sheesh, I hate big misunderstandings. But, it was all cleared up within the last few pages and I got my HEA with a big red bow tied around it.

And really, people should read it just for the bareback scene alone.

***This is a reprint. The story was originally published in Silhouette Desire #319 in November 1986***

Verdict: This was somewhere between Okay and Good. I enjoyed Elizabeth Lowell’s writing, even if the story itself held just about everything in it that I dislike about a novel. But I read it anyway, so that’s something. I’ve got more of Elizabeth’s books in my stacks and look forward to reading them in the future.

Labels: Elizabeth Lowell, Harlequin, Okay, Western Romance

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Synopsis: The Awful Truth about Emily Ruth

Lucas Griffin has come to Port Gamble for one purpose: to get the Griffin family summer home out of the clutches of his evil ex-wife, Emily Ruth Griffin.

But before he can blink twice, she drops dead in the local grocery market. Now he's stuck with her ghost, and her little dog, too.

Not-So-Dearly Departed Lila Abbott has had her fill of rich summer people who crowd Port Gamble every year. Townie girls and summer boys just don't mix, and she's learned that the hard way.

But Lucas Griffin has a ghost problem that only Lila can solve, and she finds herself knee-deep in Cheez Whiz while Lucas and the deceased Emily Ruth duke it out.

Working together to clear his name and get rid of their pesky poltergeist, Lucas and Lila find themselves falling in love. Maybe this will finally be the forever summer for Lila Abbott.

My Thoughts:Hmm. Well, I honestly don’t know what to say about this book. I really wanted to like it ~ and I guess I must have on some level because I finished it. But, I expected more of a story. Especially since there were so many facets that should have been appealing ~ paranormal, murder mystery, opposites attracting, working class girl falling for the rich summer guy, etc, etc.

I liked Lila, and I liked Lucas. I’m just not sure I liked them together. I just didn’t feel it. Well, technically I guess I maybe felt it in the very beginning. And then again when they first do “the deed”. That was fun. And Chapter 16. I liked the end of Chapter 16. But any other time? No. Not really. And the ILY seemed to come out of right field. I don’t feel like I ever really get to know the characters, so maybe that’s why. I don’t know.

The story seemed to have a lot of holes in it for me. The storyline seemed choppy. And then there were a few misspelled words that the editor should have caught, but didn’t. That threw me a bit.

The side characters didn’t really add much to the story either. Except maybe Bonnie, Lila’s best friend. I liked her, or at least I would have if she’d been around more. But I wasn’t invested in the rest of them.

The whole whodunit part of the story was easy to figure out. I had that one pegged from the get-go. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I’m usually pretty good at figuring that out. And I’m not big on mysteries anyway (says the girl who starts a book by reading the final chapter).

Verdict: I guess I’d rate it Okay. Again, I did finish it and normally if I completely dislike a book I don’t bother. So I must have liked something about it on some level. I just don't know what it is.

Labels: Avon, Okay, Paranormal, Suzanne MacPherson

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Synopsis: Welcome to Heaven. Use your Wishberry to hustle up whatever you want. Have an online chat with God. Visit the attractions such as Retail Rapture, Wrath of God miniature golf and Nocturnal Theater, where your nightly dreams are translated to film.

Your greeter might just be Skye Sebring who will advises her newly dead clients on what to expect now that they’re expired. “Heaven is like a Corona Beer commercial” she assures her clients. “It’s all about contentment.” So different than Earth where chaos reigns. Unfortunately for Skye, she’s been chosen to live her first life. She’s required to attend Earth 101 classes, which teach all of the world’s greatest philosophies through five Beatle songs.

Skye has no interest in Earthly pursuits, until lawyer Ryan Blaine briefly becomes her client after a motorcycle accident. Just as they are getting to know each other, he is revived and sent back to Earth. She follows his life via the TV channel “Earthly Pleasures” but discovers he has a wife as well as a big secret. Why then does he call a show for the lovelorn to talk about the lost love of his life?

My Thoughts: I was intrigued about this book because of a review over at Nath's blog. Although she was disappointed with it, I still wanted to read it for myself. And, I'll have you know that I did NOT read the ending of this before I started it, like I ususally do. :-)

I loved the story the minute I cracked open this book. Neches paints a wonderful and sometimes comical portrait of heaven and the quirky characters that live there.

Skye is a likeable character and I really enjoyed reading about her exploits in her capacity as Greeter in the Hospitality Department of Heaven. Skye believes she’s a new soul that was created in Heaven about a year ago, so she really doesn’t understand the other ethereal being’s fascination with the Earthly Pleasures TV channel (heaven’s version of Reality TV) until she meets the star herself.

Ryan Blaine is the son of a former president and is the star of the Earthly Pleasures station. He dies for about 10 minutes due to a motorcycle accident, but those 10 minutes change Skye’s existence forever.

There were also a lot of side characters that made this story an enjoyable read: Chelsea, the teenage girl who was killed during a freak skateboarding accident; Rhianna, Skye’s best friend; Emily, the mysterious young woman who had been in a coma for the past year; Caroline, Emily’s roommate and caretakers; Mona, the director of the nursing home Emily & Caroline resided in; Wanda, the hot-dog hag who has shares some earth-shattering information with Ryan; Belinda, Emily’s counselor and close friend; and Susan, Ryan’s wife who had mysteriously changed due to a coma resulting from an automobile wreck. These characters all lent their own personalities into this wonderful world that Neches had created.

Did I mention I loved this story? Well, that lasted until the last 5 or 6 chapters. Loose ends seemed to be tidied up too quickly; questions answered too conveniently. But I kept reading, because I was looking forward to “the moment”. You know, the moment we as readers look forward to discovering the minute our protagonists meet. I knew it was coming. And then, it didn’t. The story just ended. No conclusion. A partial HEA because Neches was leading up to the riveting moment that Ryan and Skye finally meet up on the earthly realm. She was starting the process. Ryan discovered who Skye was. He made the first step to try and connect with her. Then……………

Boom. The end. No meeting. No HEA. No nothing. How disappointing.

Verdict: This was Okay. I wish I could rate it higher, but I just felt so cheated by how the novel ended I can’t. It just ended, no conclusion ~ no big moment that I rooted for from the moment Skye met Ryan. Just, The End. In my eyes, an unfinished story.

Labels: Fiction, Karen Neches, Okay

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Why I Read It: Because I’ve wanted to read something by Sylvia Day for awhile now and thought this short story would be a great introduction. It sounded cute.

Synopsis (from HarperCollins.com): An innovative ebook featuring two intertwined stories:

Magic: When good witch Brianna James uses her magic and writes a sexy, forbidden love spell on her thirty-first birthday, on the thirty-first day of October during a full moon, and conjures up on roguish, bad boy warlock, she has no idea that she'll experience a passion so deep and so intense it would forever turn her good girl days into bad girl nights. But, when that spell lands in the wrong hands, be prepared for a little mayhem...

Mayhem: When Abigail Garvey steps into Conjure, the local magic shop, all she's looking for are a few props to round out her fortune teller Halloween costume. Abby isn't looking for a love spell that turns her drop-dead gorgeous, but long-oblivious neighbor into an aggressive alpha sex machine.. Sure his single-minded pursuit (and follow-through!) is the stuff her wickedest fantasies are made of, but how much of it is the real deal? And how much of it is just a little magical mayhem?

My Thoughts:

Magic by Cathryn Fox
This one just didn’t do it for me. Maybe it was because it was only 32 pages. Maybe it’s because of who Brianna’s true love turned out to be. I’m not sure. This one was Disappointing, but won’t stop me from trying another Cathryn Fox book in the future.

Mayhem by Sylvia Day
Loved it! Abby and Shane had sparks right from the beginning and the story just kept getting better and better. Again, this one was under 40 pages, but for a short story, it was Very Good.

Verdict: This was Okay. It had one Disappointing story and one Very Good one. I definitely will be reading more of Sylvia Day in the future.

Labels: Cathryn Fox, Disappointing, Erotic Romance, Okay, Paranormal, Sylvia Day, Very Good

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Synopsis: From the incomparable master of romance Nora Roberts comes two tales of holiday love, available for the first time in over a decade.

Home for Christmas
After years of world travel, prizewinning reporter Jason Law returned home to New Hampshire. He had carried the memories of Faith Kirkpatrick, the girl he left behind, for ten years -- now he was determined to win back her love. But she was a woman with responsibilities, and he was nothing but a wandering nomad. All they could have was this one Christmas together. Could Faith summon the courage to give Jason a once-in-a-lifetime holiday gift?

All I Want for Christmas
Identical twin boys Zeke and Zach wanted only one gift from Santa: a new mom! And when they first meet their music teacher at school, they could hardly believe their luck -- Miss Davis was a mom made-to-order. But convincing their dad was a lot harder than they thought. Mac Taylor wasn't willing to risk his heart, but when Nell brought love and laughter into all their lives, his heart began to thaw like a spring snow. Will the boys get their Christmas present after all?

My Thoughts:
Home for Christmas
This short story was about 107 pages and centered on Jason Law and his ex-girlfriend, Faith Kirkpatrick. Jason’s been gone 10 years has decided it’s time to return home and try to win back the girl he left behind. Jason seemed to have been accepted back too easily and he really didn’t have to work hard to win back the girl or the rest of the town’s people. I wasn’t really that invested in the characters, or the story, for that matter. It was still Okay and had some cute moments.

All I Want for Christmas
This story was cute and had me smiling almost all the way through it. Zeke and Zach are adorable and I really enjoyed their friendship with Nell Davis, the music teacher. The reluctant friendship between Nell and Mac was also great, and I loved that she goaded him on purpose every time he was in one of his grumpy moods. For a short story, this one was Very Good.

Verdict: Overall, the book was good. It had one okay story and one story that was very good. Both short stories were quick and easy reads. I’d recommend it for an afternoon when a fluffy holiday romance is what you are in the mood for.

Labels: Good, Holiday Romance, Nora Roberts, Okay, Very Good

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Why I Read It: Because it was marketed as a Debbie Macomber Christmas story ~ I’m usually a sucker for them. Christmas Wishes includes two of Macomber's previously released stories: Christmas Letters and Rainy Day Kisses. I read Christmas Letters last year. You can see my post on it here.

Synopsis: Seventeen years ago Susannah Simmons was a career girl who knew nothing about babies. But after babysitting her infant niece, Michelle, Susannah learned that one determined— and screaming—baby can make the corporate world look like…child's play. Thank goodness for her charming neighbor Nate Townsend. Now he's her charming husband, and Susannah's a mother as well as an aunt. And every Christmas Eve, Michelle tells her cousins how their mom met their dad— a story in which she plays a starring role!

My Thoughts: Well, when I started reading this, I felt like it was dated. I had thought this was a new story, but that it takes place 17 years ago, so I was pretty forgiving for a short amount of time….until I realized that this is a reprint and is not a new book at all.

Also, it was marketed as a Christmas book ~ and it’s not. I was very disappointed. The whole Christmas Eve thing was just thrown in there and it didn't even belong! The romance didn't even happen at Christmas time.

What I Liked: I really liked the character of Nate Townsend. He’s mischievous and always seemed to have something up his sleeve. He was a great contrast to the character of Susannah Simmons ~ who was completely uptight and needed someone like Nate to compliment her character.

What I Didn’t Like: Well, I didn’t really like Susannah. She was uptight, buttoned-up, and had no sense of humor.

I also found myself rolling my eyes a lot and saying, “Oh, please!” Too much, actually. There was just something off on this one.

Verdict: This was Okay (but only because it gave me a few laugh-out-loud moments). I used to love, love, love everything that Debbie Macomber wrote. Now, her stuff is hit or miss with me. This one was a miss. But, because it was included with a story of hers that I liked (Christmas Letters) I’m keeping it anyway.

Labels: Contemporary Romance, Debbie Macomber, Okay

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Why I Read It: Because it’s part of the Montgomery-Taggert series, and I want to read all of them.

From the Back Cover: Carrie Montgomery had grown up with seven adoring older brothers, and she was used to getting her way rather easily. Joshua Greene was only looking for a hardworking, practical mail-order bride to help with the farm and feed and clothe his children. Yet from the moment Carrie saw his photograph, saw his devastatingly handsome, sorrowful smile, the petite and pampered beauty knew she was the perfect wife for him.

Josh didn't see it that way. Wed by proxy, he refused to be charmed by his new bride's blond curls and effervescent laughter, or impressed by her trappings of wealth...even if his son and daughter believed she was a fairy princess come to life. He was furious -- and ready to send her packing, until a near tragedy convinced him that her beauty was more than skin-deep. But even after he had yielded to the wild desire that surged between them, Josh could not admit how much he truly needed her. Then an old scandal threatened to re-emerge, and he realized that he could lose her forever....

My Thoughts: I think I may have officially read more books in September than I have all year long. Anyway, I digress.

Well, I liked it ~ it’s not great by any means, but it was okay. The book didn’t immediately grab me and it took me a few days just to get through the first few chapters. Honestly. But, I got through the little slump and then I pretty much read it nonstop.

Carrie is the spoiled youngest sister of the Montgomery clan. She’s gotten everything she’s always wanted, so when she “falls in love at first sight” with the photo of a man advertising for a wife, she jumps at the chance to marry him. She quickly manipulates a marriage by proxy and soon is headed on a long carriage ride to Eternity, CO.

Joshua Greene (Templeton) is the man Carrie marries. He’s a struggling farmer, trying to raise two children on his own. Finally realizing he needs help, he advertises for a wife ~ one who knows about farming who can help him with chores, cooking, cleaning, etc. What he gets instead is Carrie Montgomery.

The attraction between Carrie and Josh is immediate, from the moment he helps her from carriage when she arrives in Eternity. But Josh has secrets from his past that he’s ashamed of ~ secrets that he attempts to hide by keeping Carrie away (This “huge” secret comes to light towards the end of the book and has a very quick esolution). So he pushes her every chance he gets, so much so that “they” decide it would be best if Carrie returned home to Maine.

Carrie is likeable, feisty, and beautiful (but isn’t this a prerequisite for our historical novel heroines, for the most part?) She has a mind of her own, and uses it in creative ways in order to take care of the people she loves.

I also thought Josh was likeable ~ but my problem was I couldn’t quite get a visual on him, if you know what I mean. I don’t know about you, but when I read, the characters become alive in my mind and the story plays out almost like watching a movie. But I couldn’t get a picture of him in my head.

Josh’s kids are both precocious and gave me several laugh-out-loud moments. Tem, the son, and Dallas, the daughter, quickly became attached to Carrie and it was great fun reading about Carrie becoming so beloved to the kids and vice versa.

Anyway, this was Okay. It was sweet, but I doubt it would be something I’d read again.

FWIW~~ quick Montgomery family history: Carrie is the youngest sister of ‘Ring, the hero in Mountain Laurel; Ring also happens to be the father of Jace, the hero in Wishes.

Labels: Historical Romance, Jude Deveraux, Okay

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Why I Read It: I like stories about reunited lovers. Plus, it’s Christmas……..and mistletoe.

From the Back Cover: Bailey Sullivan can't stand Christmas, even though her family's business is a store specializing in the perfect holiday. But now her hometown's chief supplier of rooftop Rudolphs and treetop angels is in danger of going under—it's up to Bailey to save the shop.

She has it all planned: She'll arrive on December 1 and be gone by Christmas. Plus there's always spiked eggnog to ease the pain. But "Humbug" Bailey's not the only one home for the holidays. Finn Jacobson—legendary local bad boy-turned-Secret Service agent and Bailey's long-lost high-school sweetheart—is once again the boy next door. Only this time he's all grown up, and the sparks are flying faster and hotter than ever!

Bailey believes in true love about as much as she believes in Santa Claus. But as the holiday draws closer, she's starting to think about one thing she'd like to find under her tree . . .

My Thoughts: I always like the idea of reunited high school sweethearts. I’m a sucker for a story like that. But, this one fell a little flat for me. The book started out good, but started to fizzle a little bit after the middle. I think that the conflict was resolved way to quickly and one minute Bailey and Finn hate each other (but are still attracted) and then you turn the page and wham, they don’t hate each other anymore. It was just a little too neat and tidy for me.

This story was Okay, but not something I’d read again. I’m hoping it’s sequel Not Another New Year’s is better.

Labels: Christie Ridgway, Okay

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Why I Read It: Because of Sherrilyn Kenyon (I actually only read the short story “A Hard Day’s Night-Searcher”.).

From the Back Cover: Couldn’t find a description.

My Thoughts: Short stories are hit-or-miss with me. I like full-length stories better because the author has more time (and more pages) in order to be more descriptive and to tell a better story. Such is the case with the short story A Hard Day’s Night-Searcher. It just felt rushed (which, considering it was only about 90 pages roughly is understandable). I had a longer post about this that I’d done, but I felt like I’d basically summarized the whole story and don’t want to do that to those who haven’t read the story.

I did want to read the other stories in the anthology, but ended up taking the book back to the library because I just didn’t have the time to read it. I’ll be getting it again sometime so that I can read the others.

I’d say this is an Okay read. Let’s just say it was too short, too rushed and the “ILY” came too soon (but then again, it’s a short story).

Labels: Okay, Paranormal, Sherrilyn Kenyon

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Why I Read It: Because I’m still on my Christmas kick.

From the Back Cover: Holly Garrett was in trouble. The handsome stranger who'd saved her from a storm was now asking her for help. And he was inviting her to live with him. Sure, she could prepare evening meals and give him sponge baths, but nothing had prepared her for those sexy glances he threw her way...Jordan Haynes couldn't let Holly be alone for Christmas. Not when visions of her were dancing in his head night after night. No, he could play the needy patient as well as anyone...and convince her to keep him company through the holidays-- if not longer.

My Thoughts: I loved the first half of this book. The chemistry between Holly and Jordan practically leapt off the pages and I loved how they connected as friends. I enjoyed how Jordan’s family immediately embraced them into their clan and treated her like one of their own, since she no longer had a family.

Then, about halfway into the book, the story changed and focused more on their attraction and with that, more on Holly’s virginity. She’s 28, but as innocent as a child. She doesn’t understand the physical relationship between men and women. She didn’t know what an erection was. I found it hard to believe that even though she was a virgin she didn’t understand the basic biology of sex. Human reproduction is taught in high school, for goodness sakes. I found this a bit hard to believe that she didn’t understand/know anything about this.

I also didn't like that I couldn't ever really figure out how old Jordan was. Susan Mallery didn't include this in the book. I don't have an answer to why, but it just irritated me. Probably because I don't like books with huge age gaps between the H/H.

I’d rate this one Okay. It started out good, but took a turn south towards the middle of the book. I’ll still read the rest of the books in the series (there are 5 Haynes brothers, plus a friend considered a surrogate brother and then the newly discovered half-sister ~ this makes 6 other books in the series) ~ just because I’m a bit of a series whore and need to read all of them. Of course, I usually read them in order but since this was my first Susan Mallery and it was a Christmas book I didn’t know it was part of one.

Labels: Holiday Romance, Okay, Susan Mallery

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Why I Read It: Because it’s Debbie Macomber and Christmas.

From the Back Cover: That summer -- more than ten years ago, while they were still in high school -- Noelle McDowell and Thomas Sutton fell secretly in love. Secretly because their mothers had been locked in a bitter feud for decades. But despite the animosity between Sarah McDowell and Mary Sutton, Noelle planned to elope with Thom. Until he jilted her.

This Christmas Noelle McDowell is home to celebrate the holidays with her family. (After all, December 25 is also her birthday.) Unfortunately, Noelle's feelings about home -- or rather, her hometown of Rose, Oregon -- were changed forever the day Thomas Sutton broke her heart.

This Christmas the feuding mothers find themselves working together to fill Christmas baskets for charity. What irony! And what an opportunity for reconciliation . . . if only they could see it.

This Christmas Noelle and Thom discover they're still in love. Regardless of their mothers' reactions, they want to be together. Is that possible? Can old rivalries be set aside? Will Sarah's Christmas daughter have a second chance with Mary's charming son?

Maybe she will . . . this Christmas!

My Thoughts: Well, if you haven’t read a Debbie Macomber Christmas story, don’t start with this one. I was disappointed with this story. There are two conflicts to the story ~ essentially Thom and Noelle were supposed to elope. She thinks he stood her up. He thinks she stood her up. He thought the time they were supposed to meet was 3pm. She thought it was 8pm. Guess what ~ it was a misunderstanding. So, they haven’t spoken in 10 years. They figure out it’s a misunderstanding and the 10 years are erased with a snap of the finger. Suddenly, it’s “I’ve always loved you.” And “I’ve always loved you.” “Marry me.” “I want your babies.”………Um ~ where’s the conflict? Where’s the story? Seemed to be taken care of and wrapped in a pretty red bow way too soon.

Then there’s their mothers. They used to be best friends. Sarah (Noelle’s mother) borrowed a tea set from Mary (Thom’s mother). The tea set was stolen. So, they haven’t spoken in over 10 years. They get thrown together to make Christmas baskets for the Salvation Army. Yes, a few funny things happened when these two got together. But, one night Mary’s car breaks down ~ Sarah goes to help her. Sarah’s car breaks down. Conveniently, there is a flask of scotch in the trunk. They drink, they get drunk, they confess they miss each other and “Let’s be best friends again”. Okay …….. huh? Again, conflict solved way too soon and wrapped up in a pretty red bow.

This story was somewhere between Okay and Disappointing. Debbie Macomber writes much better stories than this one ~ although the idea of the story was cute, the story fell flat. The conclusion was rushed and the conflict solved way too quickly.

Labels: Debbie Macomber, Holiday Romance, Okay

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Why I Read It: 3rd in the Marconi sisters series.

From the Back Cover: Jo Marconi has her hands full working hard at the family business and struggling to get her belated college degree. The last thing she needs is a ten-year-old boy to look after. But that's exactly what she gets when her stepbrother comes to live with her. It's clear Jack needs a father figure. But why must he seek out Cash Hunter-the one man Jo can't stop thinking about! Cash has a reputation as being the sexiest man in town, and Jo refuses to become another notch in his belt. At least, that's what she tells herself...

Cash Hunter has risked his heart in the past, and he's not about to make the same mistake again. He vows to keep the irresistible Jo at arm's length-until the attraction between them gets too hot to handle. And when Jo reveals a secret from her past, Cash knows it's time to step up to the plate. Jo is the woman he wants, and he'll find a way to show her once and for all-even if it means losing her forever...Filled with Maureen Child's trademark wit, sassy heroines, devastatingly sexy heroes, and deep sensuality, TURN MY WORLD UPSDIDE DOWN will remain with you long after the last page is turned.

My Thoughts: This book was the whole reason I read this series. I wanted to read this book, but I have to read a series in order. It’s my thing. Well, I just don’t know what to say. Cash and Jo have been bickering at each other throughout the whole series. I was looking forward to their story. They both have secrets ~ and I pretty much knew what their secrets were before I finished chapter one. I think it’s a no-brainer. So, there was no mystery there for me. No drama. No angst. So this read was disappointing to me. I thought it would be more than it was. Jo and Cash do have chemistry. I did enjoy their interactions. I enjoyed Cash’s relationship with Jo’s younger brother. I also enjoyed catching up on Mike and Lucas, and Sam and Jeff. I loved Nana ~ the short, Italian grandmother from Nebraska who comes to visit. She’s the stereotypical Italian grandma.

All in all, I’d say the book was Okay. I don’t think I’ll keep the series. I’m loaning it to a friend and then I’ll probably donate it to the Friends of the Library.

Labels: Contemporary Romance, Maureen Child, Okay

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Recommended by: I can’t remember. I think initially I wanted to read a different sister’s story and knew I’d have to start with this one.

From the Back Cover: Nine years ago, Samantha Marconi was swept away in a whirlwind wedding...even though she'd only known her new husband for a month. When Jeff left her just weeks after the wedding-she found out she was pregnant and had nowhere to turn. So Sam did the only thing she thought she could do. She placed her daughter up for adoption and tried to forget the past-until her past came knocking on her door...

Jeff never received Sam's letters, nor did he know she had their child-until after the little girl was put up for adoption. Jeff managed to find their daughter, Emma, and lovingly raised her on his own. He's about to remarry-but his divorce from Sam never went through. Jeff needs Sam's help to get "unmarried," and quick. Yet when Jeff shows up on Sam's doorstep, he's shocked to find the sparks that once flew between them are still burning strong. Can he let Sam go again? Especially when the truth about what really happened nine years ago is finally revealed...

My Thoughts: I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve been in a reading slump, but I had a hard time focusing on this book. There were some tender moments, there were moments that made me cry and there were some funny moments. I enjoyed Emma (the daughter) she was cute and never stopped talking! I didn’t quite understand Sam and Jeff’s relationship or why they broke up in the first place. My understanding was that they had a passionate love affair and they fought all the time. One day he left and never came back. But I never really understood why. I’d say this was Okay ~ not something I’d read again, but since it’s part of a series I’m not sure if I’ll get rid of it yet or not.

Labels: Contemporary Romance, Maureen Child, Okay

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Recommended by: Sequel to Sex Lies and Online Dating

From the Back Cover: What is Clare Wingate doing? One minute she's suffering in a pretty-in-pink gown she'll never wear again, and the next thing she knows it's morning . . . and she has the nastiest hangover of her life.

To make matters worse, she's wearing nothing but a spritz of Escada and lying next to Sebastian Vaughan . . . her girlhood crush turned sexy, globe-hopping journalist. Somewhere between the toast and the toss of the bouquet she'd gotten herself into a whole lot of trouble.

Clare had the right to go wild-after all, she'd been knocked off her dyed-to-match shoes after finding her own fiancé in a compromising position with the washing machine repairman. Clearly her society wedding is off.

But Sebastian pushed all the wrong buttons-and some of the right ones, too. Clare is in no mood for love-not even for lust-and wants to forget about Sebastian and his six-pack abs ASAP. But he isn't in the mood to go away, and his kiss is impossible to forget.

My Thoughts: I wanted to like this story more. I loved the chemistry between Sebastian and Clare. When they got to interact, I loved the story. Unfortunately, by the time I’d gotten halfway through the story I’d learned more about Sebastian’s career than I did about his feelings for Clare. They hardly ever got to be around each other. The only thing that stopped me from not finishing the book was that I knew some people who’d read it that loved it. Or I’d read reviews where people hated the first half of the book, but loved the second. So I kept plugging away.

I’m glad I did. Around page 199, the story got better. And finally, I got the story I wanted. I got Clare and Sebastian. I got to see them interact. I got to see them become friends. I got to see them both try to stick to the “friends with benefits” agreement. The second half over the book was very good.

I’d say this was Okay. If I hadn’t had to skim a lot of the first half of the book, I’d rate it better ~ but it took almost 200 pages for the story to get good. Normally, I wouldn’t have finished it. I’m glad I finished it ~ but it could have been a lot better.

Labels: Contemporary Romance, Okay, Rachel Gibson

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Recommended by: I got it on a whim at the library.

From the Back Cover: His interest in her was purely professional . . . Or so he told himself. Nash Kirkland had sought out the alluring Morgana Dovovan to help him research his latest screenplay, though the hardheaded skeptic didn't believe for a minute she was what she professed to be. But, as Morgana revealed herself to him, Nash found himself falling under her bewitching spell. Nash had never trusted his feelings and always kept them in check. So how could he be sure the irresistible passion he felt for Morgana was real and not just some conjurer's trick?

My Thoughts: I'm tired so this will be very brief. I thought this was Okay ~ not fantastic, but not horrible. This is the first Nora Roberts book I’ve read in years. I thought there could have been more development, bother with the characters and the settings but the story was only 197 pages so with that in mind it was all right. I’ll read the next in the series, just because you know how I am with those series books. I can’t just read the first one…and maybe the next one will be better.

Labels: Nora Roberts, Okay, Paranormal