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Book Review: The Cottage on Lily Pond Lane Part Three – Autumn leaves by Emily Harvale

#LilyPondLane

The Cottage on Lily Pond Lane

Part Three – Autumn leaves

by Emily Harvale

Goodreads

Amazon US / UK

Mia Ward was amazed to inherit her great-aunt Matilda’s thatched cottage in the tiny seaside village of Little Pondale – especially as Mia didn’t know she had a great-aunt Matilda. She was equally astonished to discover she’d only inherit the place if she lives there for a year.

But it didn’t take long for Mia and her friends, Ella and Garrick to settle in. Now Mia’s mum, Lori has joined them, and they’re all enjoying village life. Mia’s keen to overcome her fear of water and with Garrick by her side, she’s confident about the future.

Until a fortune teller’s predictions give everyone cause for concern. Now Mia’s not so sure of anything, except that someone still wants her to leave. That makes her more determined to learn all she can about Matilda – and the codicil.

But as the mists roll in over the sea, are autumn winds making passions cool? And when more than one unexpected visitor gives Mia a shocking surprise, is everything about to change?

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

‘Now before you mention the age difference, darling, we’re both well aware of that. But does age really matter? What’s that saying? Age is only a number.’ Ella went from looking astonished to amused. ‘You’re only as old as the man you’re feeling. Which makes you about thirty-seven or something, doesn’t it?’

I would’ve been like one of those women in the Rom/Coms on TV. You know. Pleading with everyone at the airport to stop Franklin’s plane, then clambering over the barriers when they won’t, and racing along the tarmac. And for a sixty-year-old, that’s not a good look.

My surname’s Swann and his is Lake. Swann Lake, get it? We’re clearly going to get married and I’m going to have one of those arty-farty double-barrelled surnames. I’m going to be Mrs Ella Swann-Lake! I love it!

She came bouncing out of that tent like a bunny with too many batteries stuffed up her backside

He’s French by birth, he said, but he didn’t sound French. Sounded as if he’d spent too much time in Oxford and got a punting pole stuck up his bum. Very prim and proper.

My Review:

Love was in the air all about the little village and stunning changes and shocking revelations were par for the course. The fortune-teller’s startlingly accurate predictions were on everyone’s minds although not all were welcoming the insights. I adore this quirky cast of characters and continue to gleefully enjoy each new development, interaction, and discovery in attempting to solve the mystery of the stealthy ninety-nine-year-old Great Aunt Matilda, who appears to have had more than just a colorful past. The writing continues to amuse, entertain, and intrigue in equal measure. The series is not quite complete and this installment ended rather abruptly, although, surprisingly, I’m not huffing in pique since I already have the next volume loaded. And, oh happy day, my new addition to my Brit List is an idiom I’ve never noticed before “thrown the cat among the pigeons,” which Wikipedia informs me refers to the addition of an unwanted or undesirable person to a group. Like me with my in-laws…

Author Bio –  Emily Harvale

Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her hometown of Hastings where she now spends her days writing… and chatting on social media. Emily is a Member of the SoA, a PAN member of the RWA and a Pro Member of ALLi. She’s an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. Emily loves writing and her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.

Emily says, “I write about friendship, family and falling in love. I believe in happing endings.” When she isn’t writing, she can be found enjoying the stunning East Sussex coast and countryside, or in a wine bar with friends, discussing life, love and the latest TV shows. Chocolate cake is often eaten. She dislikes housework almost as much as she dislikes anchovies – and will do anything to avoid both.

Social Media Links – https://www.facebook.com/emilyharvalewriter

https://www.twitter.com/emilyharvale

https://www.instagram.com/emilyharvale

 

Part 4 Trick or Treat 

Published 7th August 

Goodreads / Amazon US   / UK



Mia Ward was amazed to inherit her great-aunt Matilda’s thatched cottage in the tiny seaside village of Little Pondale – especially as Mia didn’t know she had a great-aunt Matilda. She was even more astonished to discover she’d only inherit the place if she lives there for a year.

But a lot can happen in a very short time, and life in Little Pondale is not going quite as Mia hoped. She may have finally beaten one fear, but now heartbreak threatens to drown her.

And when at last, she starts to unravel the mystery of Matilda’s past, she uncovers an extraordinary plan for her own future. Now just who can Mia trust?

As the nights draw in and cold winds steal through Sunbeam Cottage, she turns to an unlikely source for comfort and support. But with the fortune teller’s warning still ringing in her ears, is Mia about to make the biggest mistake of her life?

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Book Review: BACK TO YOU by Claudia Burgoa

Back to You by Claudia Burgoa

Chaotic Love, #2

Amazon  |  Nook  |  iBooks  |  Kobo

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Synopsis:

 For the first time in his life, Wes Ahern has encountered something—someone—he can’t fix. Not with his hands, his words, not even with his love. 

His head tells him Abby had to get out of Colorado to heal from the nightmare that nearly took her from him. To mend her wounded body, piece her broken spirit back together, and find out who she is behind the mask she felt forced to wear.

His first instinct was always to protect her. Still is. But as he faces his own pain, an agonizing realization dawns: that while he needs her more than his next breath, the best place for her may not be with him. Because while he always had her back, the secrets they kept—even from each other—have the power to destroy them.

When their paths cross again, will their souls still recognize each other?

Note: Back to You is the conclusion of the Chaotic Love Duet. Often dark and sometimes jarring, this book also contains references to childhood trauma, rape, kidnapping, and PTSD.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

He never plans on settling down with anyone. Sterling should come up with a warning. A tramp stamp, not for sale, samples only.

There’s a part of my heart that’s incomplete. You have it.

My Review:

 

After the taut suspense and heinous cliffhanger from Begin With You, I was most anxious to dive into Back to You before my tiny cranium deleted the salient details to make room for something else. But… Holy Angst-Fest Batman! I was bitterly disappointed and wanted to throw my precious Kindle against the wall then murder a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. I was in agony and seriously considering a DNF after several hours of reading a story that continued to circle the same painful memories and regrets. The doleful storyline was mired in despair and going nowhere… I know many of my book friends enjoy a good chewy tale of woe, however, for me, listening to someone’s detailed misery on a repetitive loop is just not a palatable form of entertainment. After whining to my fellow readers on FB, I was assured it would be worth my while to continue, and it kinda was, however, the tedium and hefty negative imbalance were too much to overcome. I guess I was just lucky someone answered me… and that my wine rack was empty.

The storylines were laden with insightful observations and emotional tension while tilting heavily to the Land of Distress with over-servings of conflict, debilitating anxiety, chronic waffling, disabling guilt, and self-doubt. The romance was far and away on the back burner with nary a lip-lock until 80% in, but once the obstinate Abby’s ice finally thawed, it was steam heat for the final 20%. I enjoyed Wes’ ten-date plan and marveled at his patience, generosity, and thoughtfulness. The ending was a welcome shot of HEA and I relished the inclusion of therapy dogs. Helpful tip – it is always a smart choice to add in precious animals.

 ——————–

Begin with You by Claudia Burgoa

Chaotic Love, #1 – Available Now

Amazon  |  Nook  |  iBooks  |  Kobo

Add the book to Goodreads

—————————–

AUTHOR INFORMATION:


Claudia is an award-winning, international bestselling author. She lives in Colorado working for a small IT company, managing her household filled with three confused dogs, two daughters wrought with fandoms and a son who thinks he’s the boss of the house. And a wonderful husband who shares her love for all things geek. To survive she works continually to find a purpose for the voices flitting through her head, plus she consumes high quantities of chocolate to keep the last threads of sanity intact.

 

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 Book Review: Rules of Friendship  by C.A. Harms

 Rules of Friendship 

by C.A. Harms

 GOODREADS

Amazon US   / Amazon UNIVERSAL

 

Blurb:

As a guy, the number one rule to being best friends with a girl should be simple…

Never, and I do mean never, fall in love with her.
Oh and you should never fantasize about her either.

Believe me, that situation can get messy really fast and leave you with nothing but one hell of an awkward mess on your hands—literally.

Reese and I have been through everything together; our bond is deep. But I am going down fast, and I fear there is no way to stop it. I spend most of my time hiding my body’s reaction to her because like I said: just friends.

But things are changing. We are changing.

I no longer see her as just Reese, my best friend. When I look at her now, I see a gorgeous woman that takes my breath away. I see my future. But what if she doesn’t see me the same way?

I can’t risk losing her…

The fear of screwing everything up is excruciating. So that’s why I have chosen to stick to the rules. The Rules of Friendship that is.

She was off limits. Plain and simple.

But then in she walks wearing her tiny shorts and those tight tops. Come on, a guy can only have so much restraint before he caves…

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I’ve known her since I was two. At one point in our lives we took baths together. What I wouldn’t give to take a bath together now.

 We made a pact when we were ten… with spit and everything.

 I never thought I’d be walking in on a jerking session with you stroking your prized pony.

 It’s like seeing a two-headed snake or a purple elephant.

 Oh please! She would so choose me over you. Chicks before dicks, you know.

 My Review:

Written in my favorite dual POV, I enjoyed this quick and lively NA read featuring life-long childhood friends finally stepping up and taking the risk to be – more. Dawson was a modern-day sexy white knight type who worked for fire and rescue while sharing an apartment with female veterinary student Reese, who had been his best friend since the age of two. Their friendship turned relationship was fun and lively with easy teasing and playful banter and was only in the initial stages of “more,” which included a bit steamy sensuality when in the process of assisting someone else the perfect Dawson took a brief tour to the Land of Moron.

That hero gene can certainly make for a mess, but so can being excessively stubborn and angsty – which was extremely ugly and led to despair and heartbreak all around. I could have done with far less of the doleful and dismal but thankfully the sun returned the sky and despite Reese’s extended stay in the town of Butt-Hurt & Mulish Obstinance, and Dawson’s brief penchant for bending the truth – their world righted itself and Dawson was once again the thoughtful and perfect BBF. I really liked Dawson, despite his Pinocchio nose.

About The Author

C.A. Harms
Goodreads 
Website
Twitter

I am an Illinois girl, born and raised. Simple and true. I love the little things; they truly mean the most. I may have a slight addiction to my new Keurig—oh my, that thing is a godsend. And so fast too. I have two children who truly are the greatest part of my days, and their faces never fail to put a smile on my face. I have been married to my best friend for seventeen years, and looking forward to many more.
I am one of those authors that adore my readers. I love to hear from you. After all, it is because of each one of you that I continue to write.

✯❤✯FOLLOW ME✯❤✯

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCAHarms/
INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/authorcaharms/
NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/1xsgHCS
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/C.A.-Harms/e/B0…

❤One Sizzling Romance at a Time❤

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Book Review: After Nightfall by A. J. Banner

After Nightfall

by A. J. Banner

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (August 7, 2018)

Beware of friends with secrets…

Imagine your closest friend utterly betraying you. Years later, when she seeks forgiveness, you invite her to your engagement party as a gesture of reconciliation. But seething hostilities rise to the surface, ruining everyone’s evening. After an awful night, your friend’s battered, lifeless body is found at the bottom of a rocky cliff.

Newly engaged Marissa Parlette is living this nightmare. She should be celebrating her upcoming wedding, but she can’t shake the image of her friend lying dead on the beach. Did she fall? Was she pushed? Or did she take a purposeful step into darkness? Desperate for answers, Marissa digs deep into the events of the party. But what she remembers happening after nightfall now carries sinister implications: the ugly sniping, the clandestine meetings, the drunken flirtations. The more she investigates, the more she questions everything she thought she knew about her friends, the man she once trusted, and even herself.

Bestselling author A. J. Banner keeps readers on a razor-sharp edge in this intricately plotted novel of psychological suspense…in which nothing is as it seems.

“Gripping and arresting! After Nightfall is a stellar psychological thriller. Banner had me second-guessing every character throughout the entire novel. I literally couldn’t figure out who’d done it until the reveal. And it was shocking. Love that!” –Kerry Lonsdale, Wall Street Journal bestselling author

“Moody and beautifully atmospheric, After Nightfall is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the final page, the final sentence even, a heart-stopping revelation. I highly recommend it!” –Barbara Taylor Sissel, bestselling author of Faultlines and The Truth We Bury

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

 

There is something timeless and otherworldly about birds, the surviving descendants of dinosaurs. Evidence of past eons. I could take comfort in knowing that, millions of years from now, our lives will amount to nothing but a cosmic hiccup.

My Review:

Once I picked up this addictive book I resented any intrusion or interruption and could not willingly put my Kindle down. It was stellar! This was my first experience reading this gifted author and I greedily want all her words, she has to be an evil genius as her storylines were brilliantly crafted, cunningly paced, and kept me gripping my Kindle and wishing I could read faster yet also wanting to savor each an every well-chosen word. The writing was transportive and the characters were all compellingly suspect and oddly out of pocket while absolutely no one appeared totally trustworthy, the narrator included. The plot was unique and compelling while the writing was divinely enthralling and dripping with intrigue. I remained riveted and transfixed to the Kindle throughout as the narrative was densely packed with twists, turns, and miscues. I devised and cast off numerous theories but would never have guessed the conclusion. Gasp, it was marvelous.

 

 

About A. J. Banner

Born in India and raised in North America, A. J. Banner received degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. Her previous novels of psychological suspense include The Good Neighbor and The Twilight Wife, a USA Today bestseller. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and six rescued cats.

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Book Review: One Hundred Promises  (Aspen Cove #4) by Kelly Collins 

One Hundred Promises

 (Aspen Cove #4)

by Kelly Collins 

Goodreads

Amazon

 

Join Bestselling Author Kelly Collins on another trip to Aspen Cove where anything is possible when it comes to love…

Aspen Cove, Colorado, isn’t on Lydia Nichols’s wish list when she finishes her residency at Denver General Hospital, but life delivered several surprising blows. Her long-time boyfriend, who was also her boss, moved on with a nurse and took Lydia’s job with him. No boyfriend. No job. No options. As a favor to her sister, she arrives in the small mountain town for a temporary job as the clinic doctor. Her first question when she gets there is ‘how fast can I leave?’ That is, until sinfully sexy Wes Covington comes into the clinic seeking care. With him around, Lydia may have found a reason to stay—for now.

Wes Covington left his demons in Denver. Working for his family’s architectural firm, he was tired of being almost—almost good enough, almost rich enough, almost loveable enough. He abandoned his penthouse, his high-paying position and his Porsche for simple, small-town life. All he wants is to restore his ancestral home and find a good woman who’ll love him for who he is and not what he’s worth. When Wes meets Dr. Lydia Nichols, he likens her to a hellion with a halo. She’s the perfect mix of sassy and sweet, cunning and compassion, but she’ll never be his unless he can convince her to stay.

Love blooms when the timing is right, but will Lydia surrender her chance at love or can Wes convince her that everything she’ll ever want or need is right in Aspen Cove?

Find out in One Hundred Promises…

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Making sense of her life was like trying to eat steak with a straw. How had it gone from gold to lead in such a short time?

Men were like Bluetooth. They connected to you when you were nearby, but searched for other devices when you were away.

In soiled jeans and a flannel shirt, he was straight off a mountain man poster—a cross between a geriatric Brawny model and grizzly bear.

He looked between the sisters. They were as different as the sun and the moon. Sage had curly red hair, green eyes, and was the size of a leprechaun, while her sister resembled Malibu Barbie.

I’ve never had sex in a jail cell. If we get caught, I’ll rock your world.

My Review:

I giggle-snorted and smirked my way through this delightfully amusing and entertaining tale. Ms. Collin’s prodigious wit and humorous observations were in top form and sparkled throughout. Clever wordplay, snappy banter, and convivial teasing were deftly woven into engaging and well-crafted storylines that cleverly knitted in threads from the previous books without causing confusion and still allowed this installment to standalone. I adored Lydia and Wes; they brought out the best in each other and may well be my favorites of all of Aspen Cove, although they do have stiff competition as the community appears to be populated with the quirkiest of residents.

ABOUT KELLY COLLINS   

Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping the love alive.

Always a romantic, she is inspired by real-time events mixed with a dose of fiction. She encourages her readers to reach the happily ever after but bask in the afterglow of the perfectly imperfect love.

Kelly lives in Colorado with her husband of twenty-five years. She loves hockey, shiny objects and has a new-found appreciation for green smoothies.

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Spotlight: Restored Dreams by L.B. Dunbar

Restored Dreams
L.B. Dunbar
Sexy silver fox romance
Release day: August 22
Cover credit: @Shanoff Designs

 

BLURB:

More romance for the over forty.

Brut Paige needs a life break.
As caretaker to his brother, his business, and his son, he’s used to being the man to get things done.
Yet, along the way, he’s forgotten how to have fun.

Lily Warren deserves a vacation.
She’s worked hard to establish her bakery, a lifelong dream. She’s proud of her accomplishments.
But, she knows there’s something missing.

A broken heart tore them apart.
A little matchmaking forces them together…
Twenty-two years later.

Funny thing about being over forty—forgiveness and frosting can lead to all kinds of trouble…or restored dreams.

+ + +

If you loved Hank Paige in Midlife Crisis, you’ll want to learn more about his brother, Brut, a sexy silver fox mechanic, and the lost woman of his dreams.

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Book Review: The House at Saltwater Point by Colleen Coble

 The House at Saltwater Point

by Colleen Coble

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Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 3, 2018)

The dangerous beauty of Lavender Tides is harboring secrets that reach around the world.

Ellie Blackmore is making a name for herself as a house flipper. But when her sister Mackenzie disappears, Ellie can’t focus on anything but uncovering what happened. Her only clue is the bloodstain on the deck of Mackenzie’s boat. Ellie knows her sister isn’t on the best of terms with her ex-husband, Jason, but he wouldn’t kill her—would he?

Coast Guard intelligence officer Grayson Bradshaw believes Mackenzie faked her own death after stealing a seized cocaine shipment. The problem is convincing Ellie, who seems to view him as the true enemy.

Both Ellie and Grayson want truth, but truth—and family—is often more complex than it first appears. From international terrorism to the peaceful lavender fields of Puget Sound, The House at Saltwater Point is a thrilling race to uncover the truth before it’s too late.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

You know I’d do just about anything for you. Well, other than give up coffee. I wouldn’t do that for anyone.

Life wasn’t one long ribbon of known events. There were frayed areas he didn’t understand…

 My Review:

While the premise sounded promising and I do enjoy a diminutive and feisty hammer-wielding heroine, this story goes in So-So – Not Bad But Not Good pile. Maybe it’s me but I just wasn’t feeling it. I never experienced that rapturous, swept-away, plugged-in connection to the story or characters. And I missed that. I like feeling that on-edge prickle of tension and hypothesis generation when reading a well-written thriller.

The initial mystery did pluck at my curiosity, however, there were far too many implausible elements that I couldn’t get past or wrap my head around. For instance, despite one of the ringleaders consistently eluding law enforcement and earning “phantom” status, his current crew appeared to have been one of the most inept in ISIS’s history, as they were repeatedly unable to corral a tiny, unarmed, and incredibly naïve woman in a small town.   And in spite of a known terrorist cell operating in the area, there was no law enforcement presence beyond the Elvis wannabe small-town sheriff and his deputies. The Coast Guard investigator offering his assistance was there looking into a different matter involving a drug heist. Hurrah for the Coast Guard, but the FBI/CIA rated several embarrassing black eyes in this one. I did derive immense satisfaction from Hammer Girl putting her trusty tool to good use, the little gal proved herself capable of more than blogging about home improvement and flipping houses.

About Colleen Coble

Website | Facebook | Twitter

USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written numerous romantic suspense novels including The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, Twilight at Blueberry

 

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Spotlight: The Wedding from Hell Part 2: The Reception by J. R. Ward

The Wedding from Hell
Part 2: The Reception

by J. R. Ward

Available: August 7, 2018

Gallery Books | E-book Original

ISBN: 9781982105372 | Free

Goodreads

Purchase Links: http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Wedding-from-Hell-Part-2-The-Reception/J-R-Ward/9781982105372

The Wedding from Hell, Part 2: The Rehearsal Dinner is the exciting second adventure in J.R. Ward’s three-part ebook serialization: The Wedding From Hell. This exclusive prequel to her upcoming standalone suspense, Consumed (available in Fall 2018) takes us back to the night steamy arson investigator Anne Ashburn and ‘bad boy’ firefighter Danny Maguire will never forget.

About the Book:

The Wedding From Hell, Part 2: The Reception: As the wedding from hell continues, Anne and Danny find themselves walking the delicate balance between professional distance and explosive attraction. Will the desire they feel last through the night and change their lives? Or are they doomed to part after one night of passion?

About the Author:

J.R. Ward is the author of more than thirty novels, including those in her #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. There are more than fifteen million copies of her novels in print worldwide, and they have been published in twenty-six different countries around the world. She lives in the South with her family.

Excerpt:

Saturday, October 31

T minus 2 hours ’til blastoff

St. Mary’s Cathedral, New Brunswick, Massachusetts

Anne Ashburn had never had veil envy, as they called it. As a young girl, she had never pictured herself walking down an aisle in a white dress, ready to be rescued by a knight-in-shining-armor groom who was going to take charge and take care of her for the rest of her life.

Nope. Anne had wanted to fight fires like her father and then her brother. Even though she no longer respected the former, and had a strained relationship with the latter, she’d wanted to pull on turnouts and strap an air tank to her back and breathe canned air as she ran into open flames dragging hundreds of pounds of charged line with her. She’d wanted to rescue grandmothers, and children, and people who had succumbed to smoke inhalation. She’d been ready to cut open crumpled cars and drag broken bodies out of wreckage at the sides of highways. She’d been determined that the extremes of cold winter nights, hot summer days, physical exhaustion, and mental fatigue would never keep her from doing her job.

So, yup, the old fashioned Mrs. degree had never held any fascination for her. There was no way in hell she was going to be like her mother, living a derivative, nineteen-fifties version of life, nothing but a pretty blow-up doll that was expected to cook, clean, and cut the yapping.

On that note, as she pulled into St. Mary’s parking lot and looked up at the great cathedral’s stained glass windows and lofty spires, she decided it made sense that not only was she not the bride, she wasn’t even a bridesmaid.

Like the rest of the crew down at the 499 firehouse, she was a groomsmen in the impending nuptials of Robert “Moose” Miller and Deandra—what the hell was her last name anyway? Cox. That was it.

Anne was thinking groomsmen was a role she might as well get used to. Not that Duff, Emilio, Deshaun, or any of the other men she worked with were settling down anytime soon.

Especially not Dannyboy Maguire.

Right on cue, a Ford truck entered the parking lot, the late afternoon sun flashing across its windshield.

As Anne’s heart kicked in her chest, she was tempted to hustle in the side door of the church—but she had never been one to run from a challenge.

Danny was more than just a challenge, though.

And okay, fine. So maybe she had already run out of his way at least once: Last night, at the rehearsal dinner, she’d positively bolted after he’d made that speech of his.

I never believed in love . . . I thought it was just a word, a title folks gave to daydreams and misconceptions about destiny, a lie folks told to themselves to make them feel solid in this imperfect, unreliable, and mean-ass world.

Now I know it can happen between two people. And it doesn’t have to make sense because it’s not about logic. And it doesn’t have to have good timing because forever is like infinity, without beginning or end. And it doesn’t have to be defined because truth is like faith—it just is.

So, let’s toast to love.

He’d looked at her while he’d spoken. He had been talking . . . to her . . . in that slow, deep voice.

Everybody else had toasted Moose and Deandra. But Anne had known it hadn’t been about them. Danny, ever the ladies man, king of the one-night stand, he who shalt never be tied down . . . seemed to be suggesting not just that he’d had a change of heart.

But that he might have given his own to Anne.

Unless she was misreading everything? Then again, they had kissed the night before that. In her living room. While riding an adrenaline high after they’d saved a life in an alleyway.

And lips-to-lips had been better than good, the rare circumstance when reality had improved on a fantasy. After two years of attraction and sizzle and unacknowledged heat, that which had been pushed under the rug was exposed now. And there was no going back.

Especially as she felt the same way.

So hell yeah she had bolted out of that restaurant. The second she had been able to get up from her chair, she had hit the exit and left Danny without a ride home.

He’d called two hours later. He’d been in a bar, probably

Timeout where the crew always went, the noise in the background loud and raucous.

She had not answered. He had left a short message, but not called again.

Anne just wasn’t sure what to do. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. There were plenty of things she wanted to do to him, with him, on him—all of which were naked and erotic and not necessarily only horizontal.

Refocusing, she watched Danny’s truck pass by. From behind the wheel, he looked over at her.

She waited for him to find a space and get out, and as he walked across to her, she tried—tried—not to go sixteen-year-old girl at the sight of him in a tuxedo.

#epicfail

He was very tall, over six feet five, and he was built hard and muscular, his shoulders so wide, his chest so broad, his waist the point of the inverted triangle of his torso. His jet-black hair was still damp, and what sunlight there was in the mostly cloudy sky flashed blue in its depths. He was freshly shaven—his cologne reaching her nose even before he stopped in front of her—and his eyes were that brilliant blue that had always arrested her. Irish eyes.

But they were not smiling.

For a man who was rarely serious, he looked positively grim, and she frowned.

“You okay?” Stupid question. “I mean—”

“Yeah, no. I’m fine.”

Standard answer for firefighters when they were in pain. And she wondered if it had to do with that speech of his, and what she could have sworn he had been telling her.

His eyes shifted off to the side and then his mouth got thinner.

“And here’s the blushing bride.”

A stretch limo entered the parking area and made a fat turn toward the back door of the cathedral. When it stopped, its driver got out and went to the rear door.

Seven all-in-pink, spray-tanned, body-glittered, and blond-streaked women got out one by one, a clown car of bridesmaids who were such carbon copies of each other, it was like they had been ordered out of a catalogue.

And then the white dress emerged.

Deandra, Moose’s intended, had her blond-streaked hair—natch—piled up on her head in an organized, sculpted waterfall of curls. Her veil was a gossamer fall over her tiny waist and her big skirt, and the shimmer of crystals across the bodice and down the front and sides of the gown made her look like a princess.

Provided you didn’t catch her expression.

She was sour as an old woman with gout and shingles. In spite of the fact that she was supposedly marrying her true love, she looked downright nasty as she snapped at the driver, glared at her maid of honor, and yanked her skirting up to march into the back of the church.

“Wow,” Anne muttered. “That’s a happy bride.”

“Whatever. They’re on their own with this dumbass idea.”

“Did you happen to talk to Moose last night?” she blurted.

“As in out of this? Or would that be considered tacky given it was less than twenty-four hours before the priest hit the altar with them.”

Danny rolled his eyes. “He’s bound and determined to ball-and-chain himself. Personally, I’d be running in the opposite direction.”

And then there was silence between them. Tension coiled up quick, and as Anne’s temples started to pound, she decided it was going to be a long night, just not for the reasons she’d assumed at the beginning of the weekend.

Video from J.R. Ward:
Youtube: https://youtu.be/9SApaA9CrHA

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Book Review: The Art of Inheriting Secrets by Barbara O’Neal

The Art of Inheriting Secrets

by Barbara O’Neal

When Olivia Shaw’s mother dies, the sophisticated food editor is astonished to learn she’s inherited a centuries-old English estate—and a title to go with it. Raw with grief and reeling from the knowledge that her reserved mother hid something so momentous, Olivia leaves San Francisco and crosses the pond to unravel the mystery of a lifetime.

One glance at the breathtaking Rosemere Priory and Olivia understands why the manor, magnificent even in disrepair, was the subject of her mother’s exquisite paintings. What she doesn’t understand is why her mother never mentioned it to her. As Olivia begins digging into her mother’s past, she discovers that the peeling wallpaper, debris-laden halls, and ceiling-high Elizabethan windows covered in lush green vines hide unimaginable secrets.

Although personal problems and her life back home beckon, Olivia finds herself falling for the charming English village and its residents. But before she can decide what Rosemere’s and her own future hold, Olivia must first untangle the secrets of her past.

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

 

Life had washed me here on this strange errand. Maybe the best thing to do was to just let it show me what it had in mind.

My Review:

 

This was my first exposure to the clever and stealthy genius of Barbara O’Neal, and I was quickly hooked by her thoughtful and surreptitious storytelling. Her first-person narrative was evocative, atmospheric, and compelling while her divinely descriptive and nuanced writing style was a feast for all senses, however, be warned, her intricately detailed foodie scenes were a bane for my diet. Her word voodoo was strong, I swear I could taste the spices and smell the garlic.   The premise was unique and engaging with several well-woven and intriguing storylines just oozing with mystery and confounding clues that kept me tethered to my Kindle late into the night.

About the Author

Barbara Samuel (also known as Barbara O’Neal) is the bestselling author of more than 60 books, and has won Romance Writers of America’s RITA award seven times. How to Bake a Perfect Life was a Target Club pick and The Lost Recipe for Happiness went back to print nine times. Her books have been published around the world, including France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Turkey, and Australia/New Zealand, among others.

Whether set in the turbulent past or the even more challenging present, Barbara’s books feature strong women, families, dogs, food, and adventure—whether on the road or toward the heart.

A native of Colorado Springs, Barbara lives there with her partner, Christopher Robin, an endurance athlete, along with her dogs and cats. She is an avid gardener, hiker, photographer, and traveler who loves to take off at dawn to hike a 14er or head to a faraway land, or curl up with the animals in the garden and read. She loves to connect with readers and is very involved with them on the Internet.

Connect with Barbara

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

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Book Review, Giveaway: Oh Crumbs by Kathryn Freeman

Oh Crumbs

by Kathryn Freeman

Goodreads

Amazon US/ UK  B&N

 

Sometimes life just takes the biscuit …


Abby Spencer knows she can come across as an airhead – she talks too much and is a bit of a klutz – but there’s more to her than that. Though she sacrificed her career to help raise her sisters, a job interview at biscuit company Crumbs could finally be her chance to shine. That’s until she hurries in late wearing a shirt covered in rusk crumbs, courtesy of her baby nephew, and trips over her handbag.

Managing director Douglas Faulkner isn’t sure what to make of Abby Spencer with her Bambi eyes, tousled hair and ability to say more in the half-hour interview than he manages in a day. All he knows is she’s a breath of fresh air and could bring a new lease of life to the stale corporate world of Crumbs. To his life too, if he’d let her.

But Doug’s harboring a secret. He’s not the man she thinks he is.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

‘I’m a brown belt in BJJ. Brazilian jiu-jitsu,’ he added at her puzzled look. ‘I’ve heard of a Brazilian, but I’m pretty sure the one I’m thinking of wouldn’t take out two men.’ Bugger, bugger, talk about a mood crusher

I’m an ample, if I breathe in, size ten. Okay, maybe I’m an eleven but they don’t really do that size so I guess that makes me a twelve.

Though I suppose there are plenty of women out there better at sex than me. If I had to make a guess, I’d say I’m only Brownie badge status.’ She winced, finally looking up at him. ‘And that sounds wildly inappropriate because unless things have changed radically in the last fifteen years, I doubt Brownies have a badge for sex.’

‘Don’t change, Abby,’ he replied quietly. ‘You’re perfect just the way you are.’ And wow, he might not say many words but those he did say were dynamite.

My Review:

 

Before finishing the first few pages I was an instant fangirl of the delightfully amusing Kathryn Freeman, who is now my favorite wordsmith. I want all her clever and witty words as I savored this scrumptious and engaging book and from start to finish. I absolutely adored Abby although all the characters were endearingly quirky and intriguing. The writing was well-crafted and engaging, the characters were uniquely appealing and complex, and the reading was a total treat. I hit pay dirt yet again for my Brit Vocab List with several comical entries including: not on your nelly (not likely), cock-a-hoop (extremely pleased), Hell’s teeth (exclamation of surprise, frustration, or anger), and gazump (swindle).   I am cock-a-hoop having discovered this exceptionally talented author.

Author Bio –

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero.

With two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links –

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kathrynfreeman

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

Giveaway

 Win a paperback copy of Too Damn Nice

by Kathryn Freeman

(Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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