Publication Date: October 26, 2021

Publisher: HQN Books

The holidays have never been her thing. But Christmas in Rose Bend has more than one surprise in store…

Grieving ER nurse Nessa Hunt is on a road trip with her sullen teen half-sister, Ivy, and still reeling from her mother’s deathbed confession: Nessa’s dad wasn’t really her dad. Seeking answers, they arrive in Rose Bend to find a small town teeming with the kind of Christmas cheer Nessa usually avoids. But then she meets the innkeeper’s ruggedly sexy son, Wolfgang Dennison.

Wolf’s big, boisterous family is like a picture-perfect holiday card. Nessa has too much weighing on her to feel like she fits—even though the heat between her and Wolf is undeniable. And the merriment bringing an overdue smile to Ivy’s face is almost enough to make Nessa believe in the Christmas spirit. But with all her parental baggage, including lingering questions about her birth father, is there room in Nessa’s life for happy holidays and happily-ever-after?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

And to answer your question, yes, we do take Christmas seriously. Because it’s serious business. Peace on earth and goodwill toward men is not something you half-ass, Nessa Hunt. You use your whole ass.

A dull ache started at the back of Nessa’s head, one that usually coincided with Ivy’s tone. The tone that warned, I’m about to go into a full-out preteen hellish mood that all the berserkers and centurions in Fortnite won’t be able to save you from.

The other woman smiled widely, showing all her teeth, and even if the rest of the group hadn’t reacted as if this woman carried the strain for the next zombie plague, that smile would’ve had Nessa leery. Shark smiles— from people who grinned so huge you could count every tooth in their mouth— could rarely be trusted.

God, only a dinner party with Kanye West and Taylor Swift could possibly have been more awkward.

A couple of years ago, some enterprising soul replaced the ex-mayor’s box of decorations with penis-and-ball-shaped ornaments. Hilarious! We’ve all been secretly waiting for Penisgate to happen again. You can’t make this up, my friend.

She can throw a verbal smackdown that would leave a person crying and sucking his thumb.

My Review:

Shame on me, this prolific storyteller has one-hundred-and-one books listed on Goodreads and this is my first time reading her clever craft. The characters were likable and realistically flawed, yet resilient while struggling with individual issues. The story hit all the feels with the angst well tempered with amusing humor and volcanic and gasp producing sensual steam, although the latter came much later in the tale. The storylines were relatable and easy to follow with generous servings of family drama, wry humor, a supposedly no-strings holiday romance with a short shelf life, and small-town community holiday festivities – and this little berg was really into Christmas. Ms. Simone’s Christmas tale provides a bit of tasty spice and is a higher octane alternative to the more chaste and commercially packaged seasonal eggnog out of the carton Hallmark moments broadcasting nonstop this month.

Love in a Pickle, an all-new standalone contemporary romance from L.B. Dunbar, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! 

When a mysterious silver fox becomes intrigued with this small town’s most disliked society woman, he finds she’s more than a little trouble and possibly a whole lot of heart.

Scotia Simmons. The name says it all—ornery, judgmental, mean—but underneath a woman like that is typically a shattered heart. Locked within her secrets, this fried pickle princess has used her unkindness as a shield of protection against the loneliness. However, menopause and a one-night stand can change a woman’s perspective on things. Who knew it would take a man the likes of him to push her strong will to its limits?

Chester Chesterfield. The name has more than one meaning—generous, quiet, private—but within one man is a multitude of personas. The gruff oil mogul has a wounded heart (and a big secret) that holds him hostage from the man he’s meant to be. His past defined him, or so he thought. He never imagined it’d take a woman like her to push him over his carefully constructed edges and show him love has no boundaries.

When you’re in a pickle, it’s time to relish what—or rather who—stands before you and accept that even over forty, a second chance at love can be a big dill (every pun intended).

‘Love in a Pickle’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #9 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Grab your copy TODAY!

Read the Green Valley Library Series of Standalones for F-R-E-E in Kindle Unlimited!

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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“What a strange name. Mrs. Pickle,” I mock. The image of an elderly woman with gray hair curled tight like an old-fashioned perm, wearing a floral dress that looks like an antiquated housecoat and gnawing on a dill pickle comes to mind. In my head, she bites into it like she hates dick.

He’s locked up tighter than a Bible-thumping virgin.

Expectation is the work of the devil. When you expect something, you are sure to be disappointed

Naomi found us shirts— the Sun, the moon, and the Earth— for the three of us to wear. We can form an eclipse depending on how we stand next to one another.

My Review:

This was a massive surprise. I knew from previous outings that Ms. Dunbar could bring the heat but my mere perusal of this tale actually produced perspiration in a cool room. I may also have been gasping. Despite the couple’s subatomic sensual chemistry and age-defying stamina, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to warm to Scotia as she was actually rather vile.   Scotia had a well-earned reputation, as she was short-tempered, snide, snarky, and mercurial with everyone.   She was a small-town socialite and while she had finally come into her own as a businesswoman and rich widow, she had become as salty and sour as the pickle products she produced.

Scotia had married up for security and social standing, but that didn’t go as planned due to her husband’s proclivities and peccadilloes; he had repeatedly broken her heart. He had his reasons. She wasn’t his type. But when Scotia fell into an exhilarating fling with a scorching hot local entrepreneur who turn out to be quite the chameleon, she began to thaw, in all areas.   Trust was hard to come by for both but their mind-blowing carnality and visceral connection was a surprise to each, as well as a source of confusion, obsession, and wonderment to them both. They became besotted. I enjoyed their insightfully and wittily penned journey and Scotia’s gradual transformation was as amusing as it was satisfying. Combined with the clever threads of intrigue woven in between the sizzling mattress Olympics and I found this an engaging read.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

He handed me one of the two to-go cups of coffee he held. “I got it like you like your men… Blond roast with cream and sugar,” he said before turning sharply and heading to the bus.

He blinked slowly and yawned so big I could see a filling in his molar.

You’re doing it again… Looking at me like I’m a fluffy bunny you want to take home and feed carrots to.

 My Review:

Sizzle and snap, I was about to call the fire marshal for fear my Kindle would detonate. Holy smokes, these two sexy hunks did a bang-up job of keeping me entertained with smirks in ample supply while steaming up my tablet with their fledgling love affair. The storylines were active, easy to follow, witty, insightfully penned, and flowed at a steady pace with a likable, endearing, and realistically flawed cast of characters. This was a quick, tasty, and satisfying amuse-bouche to keep the appetites whetted for more to come.

Hotshot and Hospitality
(Green Valley Library, #8)
by Nora Everly

Amazon / BB

Hotshot and Hospitality, an all-new charming friends-to-lovers small-town romance from Nora Everly, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! 

Molly Cooper is through with men.

She means it this time.

Being stood up and humiliated was the last straw.

But after her all-grown-up and smokin’ hot childhood bestie kissed her to help her save face, she’s left wondering if it was the tequila or his lips that gave her all the feels.

Garrett Monroe had no intention of falling for his childhood best friend.

Unfortunately, one unplanned kiss in a bar was all it took for him to stumble. 

Now he’s stuck with a crush that won’t quit on the most stubborn woman he’s ever known.

Soon enough they’re overwhelmed by out-of-control feelings, one match-making momma, and two tight-knit families who think they’re dating when they’re not.

Or are they?

Nothing stays secret in Green Valley, Tennessee.

Can Molly and Garrett navigate the nosy waters and fall for each other in private?

Or will secrets sink their friendship instead? 

‘Hotshot and Hospitality’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #8 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

I could use a vicarious thrill; my well has run dry. The last man I dated said he was thirty, but I swear, y’all, if you told me he was really two fifteen-year-old boys stacked up inside of a trench coat, I would believe you.

There were ten different kinds of feels coursing through my body right now and each one had its own sub-list of minor feels just waiting to be categorized and sorted into something that made sense. Ugh! I was like a periodic table of feelings or a horny science project.

I was one hundred percent sure I would be a pain-in-the-ass pregnant woman. Honestly, I was a handful with just a head cold.

It’s just like my great-aunt Belle always used to say— when all else fails, show your boobs… I’ll have you know it’s solid advice. She’s been married, like, eight times. Anyway, we’ll see if it works on you after dinner. For science.

My Review:

This was rollicking good fun from start to finish. I adored these captivating characters and the author’s irreverent and smirk-worthy sense of humor. The storylines were engaging, entertaining, and laced together with clever wit and cheeky observations. Molly was a hot mess and everyone knew it and let her get away with it, she was lucky like that but not so lucky when it came to her love life as no one seemed capable of handling her crazy for more than a handful of dates.

As someone who also requires a hearing aid, I appreciated the author’s understanding and thoughtfulness of including the challenges, limitations, and exasperation of living with hearing loss. I am totally enamored with Garrett and he currently holds the top of the list slot on my list of BBF as he was perfect in every way and so lovely he could only exist in a book.

About Nora Everly

Nora Everly is a lifelong bookworm. She started reading the good stuff once she grew tall enough to sneak the romance novels off the top of her mother’s bookshelf and it has been non-stop ever since.

Once upon a time, she was a substitute teacher and an educational assistant. Now she’s a writer and stay-at-home mom to two small humans and one fat cat.

Nora lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family and her overactive imagination.

Find Nora Everly online

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The Lost Fisherman by Jewel E. Ann is now live! 

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

  Amazon:  https://amzn.to/3ylmq30

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/TheLostFisherman      

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Start with The Naked Fisherman! mybook.to/TheNF 

It’s been five years since I’ve seen him. An unexpected event takes me back to the place where it all began.

But I’m no longer the naive young woman he once knew. And he’s no longer the man who took nearly everything from me.

Can this be our time? Or is it too late? Did I find myself only to lose him?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

The only memories of my past I want to get back … are the ones of you.

(Mandatory use of the F-word)

Sounds like you’re mad at me. Is it because I have a penis and you don’t? Because I didn’t ask for a penis. It just came with my body.

 My Review:

I didn’t think it possible but I loved this half of the duet even more than the first, Jewel E. Ann rocks and her word voodoo is strong! Her storylines and writing quickly pull me under and completely submerged me into her characters’ lives. I was right there with them in every scene as if I’m watching from a corner, sitting on the couch, riding in their vehicles, the next table over at McDonald’s, or looking over their shoulders while texting on their phones. I am as enamored with her unique style and craftiness as I am with her complicated and compelling characters. The woman has mad skills and I want every word she puts into print.

Meet Jewel E. Ann

Jewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today best-selling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she’s not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.

Connect with Jewel

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Forrest for the Trees
(Green Valley Heroes, #1)
by Kilby Blades

Amazon  / B&N / Apple / GP / BB

Forrest for the Trees, an all-new slow-burn small-town romance from Kilby Blades, is LIVE in Kindle Unlimited! Kilby kicks off the brand new Green Valley Heroes series in the Smartypants Romance Universe with her enemies to lovers standalone!

 

Forrest Winters isn’t just a federal fire marshal; he’s a thorn in Ranger Sierra Betts’s side. The way he swings his big ax, fixes her with his chameleon gray eyes, and talks about his jurisdiction has a way of breaking her concentration. He has a way of showing up everywhere he doesn’t belong, including Greenbrier Ranger Station. And he really needs to quit stealing her bacon bites.

When a series of suspicious fires, an underhanded co-worker, and a cagey Parks Police Chief threatens her job and the park itself, Sierra grudgingly agrees to partner with Forrest. Their side investigation may be her best shot at preventing the framing of an innocent man. But can his firefighting expertise and her detective skills lead them to the real arsonist before Forrest breaks her with his charm?

‘Forrest for the Trees’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #1 in the Green Valley Heroes series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

He wasn’t a full-on curmudgeon, but half of one, a right she supposed he’d earned from managing to keep himself alive for so long.

“Please tell me you didn’t name your axe.” “I name all my axes. It makes them feel special.”

Just remember. That “no sex ’til the third date” crap is for people who secretly hate themselves and resent their bodies.

My Review:

Shame on me. I’d never heard of Kilby Blades before picking up this book and I reveled in her clever and original arrangements of words. I fell right into her smooth and easy storytelling and I was quickly invested in her uniquely endearing and quirky characters as well as smirking, sighing, and deathly curious about their exploits and endeavors. I have always enjoyed my visits to Green Valley and haven’t found a clunker yet in the Smartypants collective. Forrest for the Trees kicks off a new series and I am totally committed, hooked, enamored, and inquisitive of what will come next. In the meantime, I’ll be perusing Ms. Blades’s listing of twenty-one published books. Where have I been?

 

Kilby Blades is a USA Today Bestselling author of Romance and Women’s Fiction. Her debut novel, Snapdragon, was a HOLT Medallion finalist, a Publisher’s Weekly BookLife Prize Semi-Finalist, and an IPPY Award medalist. Kilby was honored with an RSJ Emma Award for Best Debut Author in 2018 and has been lauded by critics for “easing feminism and equality into her novels” (IndieReader) and “writing characters who complement each other like a fine wine does a good meal” (Publisher’s Weekly).

During her career as a digital marketing executive, she moonlighted as a journalist, freelanced as a food, wine, and travel writer, and lived it up as an entertainment columnist. She has lived in five countries, visited more than twenty-five, and spends part of her year in her happy place in the Andes Mountains. Kilby is a feminist, an oenophile, a cinephile, a social-justice fighter, and above all else, a glutton for a good story. Follow her everywhere @kilbyblades.

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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

He began to speak, the deep, easy lilt in his voice hypnotic. When I glanced around me, everyone’s pupils could have been pinwheels— they even leaned toward him just a little. The man was a black hole.

And the town singles were flapping around in his orbit like moths. He was new, shiny, rich, and this town’s dating pool was stagnant and covered in pond scum. There were two ways to find love in Lindenbach— either you married your high school sweetheart or you left town and brought somebody back with you. So an eligible bachelor with a sports car that cost five times the town’s median income would get noticed. Recently divorced, middle-aged Dolores James, who’d quit paying attention to fashion somewhere around 2002, literally adjusted her boobs— hands in the cups and everything—before sauntering over to him, lashes flapping and smile on full blast. He didn’t even look at her when she bumped into him.

I’ll be your somebody. I hadn’t realized I’d needed one until then.

 My Review:

While this crafty wordsmith is a fairly recent discovery for me, every Staci Hart book I have picked up so far has been a guaranteed smirk factory with a few delectable sensual scenes hotter than a blazing furnace tucked inside. Her latest missive, For Love or Honey, continues this streak of winning word combinations with snort-worthy humor, irreverently amusing observations, and heart-squeezing and emotively insightful inner musings and revelations. I adore her clever humor, engaging storytelling, and flawed yet endearing characters. While I would never want to live in their tiny Texas town, I have whole-heartedly enjoyed my brief drop-ins with the Blum sisters.