Category Archives: Grand Central Publishing

July 30, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Flirting with Texas by Katie Lane

Title: Flirting with Texas by Katie Lane
Deep in the Heart of Texas Book Five
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

YOU’RE A LONG WAY FROM HOME, COWGIRL.

On her own in the Big Apple, Jenna Jay Scroggs can handle herself when trouble arises. But when she tries to rescue a horse, the passionate do-gooder ends up on a runaway Central Park carriage ride with a hunky stranger. With his sexy drawl and well-worn Levis, Beauregard Cates is doing his darnedest to make Jenna homesick for the small western town she’s spent years trying to forget. And it’s working: She’s dangerously close to falling head over boot heels for the rugged rodeo star with hair the color of moonshine.

Beau came to the big city to escape his past and live life to the fullest. Yet the leggy blonde with eyes as blue as a western sky causes a real hitch in his giddy-up. So when the well-meaning folks of Bramble plot to bring Jenna home, Beau will need to convince her that she won’t ever get Texas out of her blood – or one good-time, ever-lovin’ cowboy out of her heart.

The Review:

Plenty of humor, a big dose of down home charm and an eccentric cast of characters are a winning combination in Flirting with Texas. Katie Lane’s newest release in her fabulous Deep in the Heart of Texas series takes readers back to Bramble, TX where Jenna Jay Scroggs and Beauregard “Beau” Cates fight their way to happily ever after.

Jenna left Bramble and her family behind when she moved to New York City with her rocker boyfriend Davy. At odds with her family over her relationship with Davy, their disagreement has led to a yearlong estrangement. Miss Minnie (from the infamous Miss Hattie’s Henhouse) has devised a plan to bring her home and as a favor to her, Beau agrees to track down Jenna while he’s in NYC for a bull riding event. The sparks are soon flying between Beau and Jenna and they have their hands full fighting their attraction (and matchmakers) when they are kidnapped and taken back to Bramble.

Beau and Jenna are wonderful characters and I really enjoyed them together as a couple. Jenna is passionate about her causes and a staunch defender of the underdog. She loves her family, but she does not quite fit in with them. While she is satisfied with her life in New York, meeting Beau makes Jenna a little nostalgic for the family and small town she walked away from.

Beau is charming and good natured but behind that big old grin he flashes lies a pretty complicated past. A cancer survivor, Beau is living life to the fullest as he travels from place to place. Jenna is NOT his type, but he does not let this deter him from pursuing the leggy blond.

Neither Beau nor Jenna plan on staying long in Bramble, but leaving is more difficult than they imagined. An overheard conversation takes Jenna by surprise and she begins digging into her past. An accidental discovery by Beau about someone close to him leads to a surprising realization about a past decision of his.

The romance between Beau and Jenna is sweet and sexy. There is plenty of chemistry between them and the sexual tension between them is positively combustible. Their relationship is on again/off again for much of the story as they deal with their personal issues but they do share some sizzling hot encounters.

In Flirting with Texas Katie Lane once again brings the town of Bramble and its inhabitants vibrantly to life. Fun, flirty and thought-provoking, this engaging romance will delight old and new fans of the Deep in the Heart of Texas series and leave them eagerly anticipating the next installment.

3 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Deep in the Heart of Texas Series, Flirting with Texas, Forever, Grand Central Publishing, Katie Lane, Rated B, Review, Romance

May 23, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: The Sweet Spot by Laura Drake

Title: The Sweet Spot by Laura Drake
Sweet on a Cowboy Book One
Publisher: Hachette Book Group/Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 324 pages
Book Rating: A

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A Love as Big as Texas . . .

Charla Rae Denny was the perfect wife with a perfect life, content to keep the home fires burning while her husband, JB, competed as a champion bull rider. Then their son died in a tragic accident-and everything fell apart. Divorced and saddled with a hill of bills and a failing ranch, Charla must now cowboy up to put her life back together.

James “JB” Denny doesn’t stay where he isn’t welcome. So when Charla shut him out of her grieving heart-and their home-a year ago, he took comfort where he could find it. Now after seeing beautiful Charla again, he wants it all back. She can’t work the ranch alone, and deep in his heart he knows he can be the man she needs. But after so much history and heartbreak, can JB convince Charla to take a risk and give their love a second chance?

The Review:

More than a love story, Laura Drake’s The Sweet Spot is an emotional journey of forgiveness. This deeply moving novel will make you laugh, cry and ultimately rejoice as JB and Charla Rae Denny find their way back to one another after tragedy tears them apart.

Grief and loss can either bring a couple closer together or tear them apart and in the case of JB and Charla Rae, their marriage could not withstand the loss of their son, Benje. Now divorced, Charla Rae and JB’s paths still cross on a regular basis as they handle the day to day business of their bucking bull business. Still angry with JB over his affair, Charla lashes out and forbids JB to return to the ranch to take care of the bulls. With no one to lean on, will Charla find the strength she needs to keep their struggling business from failing while caring for her ailing father?

The Sweet Spot opens about a year after Benje’s death and both Charla and JB are at pretty low spots in their lives. Charla is addicted to Valium and makes it through each day in a drug induced fog. JB’s affair is long over and he is coming to the realization that he is the poster child for a middle aged crisis. When things come to a head between them, Charla and JB realize it is time to make some much needed changes in their lives.

Charla finally comes to terms with her addiction when she is forced to take care of the ranch chores and take a more active role in the bucking bull business. Always content to let life happen to her, Charla finally stands on her own two feet and faces down adversity one challenge at a time. She gradually begins to come out of her grief and as she gains confidence, Charla recognizes that she pushed JB away long before their marriage officially ended. Wary of getting hurt again, Charla continues to keep JB at arm’s length. But as time passes, Charla begins to see traces of the old JB and she slowly lets him back in her life and her heart.

JB is genuinely remorseful for hurting Charla but it takes serious introspection on his part before he realizes what motivated his affair. He is lost without Charla and her father, but he knows he is going to have to work to regain her trust. JB quickly recognizes Charla’s newfound strength but he is slow to realize their relationship will never be what it once was.

JB and Charla spend most of the novel dealing with their grief separately. Both come to realize their marriage was rocky before Benje’s death and although they still love one another, they have to work through their individual issues before contemplating a reconciliation. Charla is angry and defensive for much of the story and it takes her a while to realize that JB is still the same person she once fell in love with. Lack of communication, distrust and quick assumptions continue to plague them as they slowly mend their relationship.

The Sweet Spot is a bittersweet second chance at love romance. The characters are heartbreakingly realistic and their emotions are gut wrenchingly honest. The storyline with Charla Rae’s father is poignant and it brought me to tears on several occasions. Laura Drake’s meticulous research and love of professional bull riding is quite apparent and as a fellow fan of the sport, I was very impressed with her attention to the smallest details.

Heartfelt and engaging, The Sweet Spot will tug at readers’ heartstrings and leave them eagerly awaiting Ms. Drake’s next book pro bull riding book, Nothing Sweeter.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, Forever, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group, Laura Drake, Rated A, Review, Romance, Sweet on a Cowboy Series, The Sweet Spot

April 22, 2013 · 3:56 am

Review: Cowboy Take Me Away by Jane Graves

Title: Cowboy Take Me Away by Jane Graves
Rainbow Valley Series Book one
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 464 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

FIRST LOVE BURNS HOTTER

Rainbow Valley, Texas, has always been a refuge for animals, and Shannon North, director of the local shelter, intends to keep it that way. But with donations drying up and more pets in need of a loving home than ever before, Shannon’s beginning to fear she’s not the savior the shelter needs. When a tall, dark, and handsome cowboy from her past comes to the rescue, she knows that accepting his help may come with a high price: her heart.

THE SECOND TIME AROUND

Bad boy Luke Dawson shook the dust from this little town off his boots years ago. He walked away from everything . . . except the memory of the one night of passion he shared with Shannon. Now, a few wins away from becoming the world bull-riding champion, Luke’s headed for fame and fortune. But then a crisis calls him back to Rainbow Valley, and Luke is reunited with the good girl who stole-and broke-his heart. As their rekindled relationship deepens into desire, old secrets resurface, and Luke must choose between the future he’s always dreamed of and the only woman he’s ever loved.

The Review:

If you are a fan of stories with adorable animals, charming characters and a small town setting, you won’t want to miss Cowboy Take Me Away. This heartwarming first installment in Jane Graves’ Rainbow Valley series is a wonderful second chance at love romance.

As teenagers, good girl Shannon North and bad boy Luke Dawson formed an unlikely friendship that culminated in one incredibly passionate encounter. After a misunderstanding, Luke takes off and does not return to Rainbow Valley for eleven years. His return will bring Luke and Shannon back together but will their complicated past keep them apart?

On the surface, Shannon seems to have a perfect life. Her family is wealthy but they have high expectations that she often finds difficult to live up to. Appearances mean everything to her demanding mother and for Shannon, that means having a prestigious career and marrying the right man. Much to her mother’s disappointment, Shannon leaves her lucrative job and moves back to Rainbow Valley to run the local animal shelter. Shannon is content to casually date a man that satisfies her mother’s exacting qualifications. That is until Luke comes back into her life and reawakens her long dormant desire for the sexy cowboy.

Growing up, Luke was the quintessential bad boy and his wild reputation haunts him when he returns to Rainbow Valley. The son the town drunk, Luke’s survived his abusive childhood and he is on the verge of achieving his goal of becoming a champion bull rider. His homecoming revives memories better left buried, but his return provides him the opportunity to resolve some of the issues from his past. Luke finds an unexpected peace working with Shannon and even though they both know there is no future for them, they cannot resist the passion that simmers between them.

There is no shortage of conflict for Luke and Shannon as they take their relationship from friends to lovers. One of their biggest problems plaguing them is lack of communication. It takes most of the novel for them to bring up their past relationship. They are also quick to make assumptions about each other. Shannon finds it impossible to stand up to her judgmental mother and Luke has a knee jerk reaction to run away from trouble.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their way, Luke and Shannon really do work as a couple. They have an easy friendship and they bring out the best in each other. Their romance is sweet and passionate and I was really rooting for them to find a way to make their relationship work.

While Cowboy Take Me Away is a well-written story, some of the information about bull riding is inaccurate. Anyone who follows the sport is going to catch the mistakes as easily as I did. My copy of the book is an advanced reader copy, so I am hoping the errors were corrected for the final edition.

If you are looking for a book that has a meaningful and realistic plot then you will enjoy Cowboy Take Me Away. It is an emotional yet angst free romance with two incredibly likeable protagonists. The supporting cast of characters is excellently developed and I am looking forward to reading their stories in future installments of Jane Graves’ Rainbow Valley series.

3 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Cowboy Take Me Away, Forever, Grand Central Publishing, Jane Graves, Rainbow Valley Series, Rated B, Review, Romance

December 18, 2012 · 3:56 am

Review: Trouble in Texas by Katie Lane

Title: Trouble in Texas by Katie Lane
Deep in the Heart of Texas Book Four
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 345 pages/word count: 95,000
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

THERE’S A FOX IN THE HENHOUSE

Inheriting the most notorious house of ill repute in Texas can spell trouble for a girl’s reputation . . . especially when she’s Elizabeth Murphy, Bramble’s prim and proper librarian. Yet when she discovers a buck-naked cowboy handcuffed to a four-poster bed, she forgets all about the town gossips. Elizabeth has sworn off men, but the stranger’s kisses melt her resolve faster than ice cream on a hot summer day.

Waking up in Miss Hattie’s Henhouse isn’t how Brant Cates reckoned on getting to the bottom of his great-granddaddy’s murder. The plan was to solve the centuries-old crime, then get the heck out of Dodge. But after meeting Elizabeth and discovering that the buttoned-up beauty is a sexy siren in disguise, he just can’t pull himself away.

Now Brant needs Elizabeth to finally put his past to rest, but is she willing to risk her future on Bramble’s newest bad boy?

The Review:

Katie Lane’s Trouble in Texas is a laugh out loud, sexy, and poignant romance. This fourth installment in her Deep in the Heart of Texas series is a fast-paced story with engaging characters that will absolutely steal your heart.

Brant Cates finds more than he bargains for when he goes to Bramble’s infamous brothel to see if he can figure out who killed his great-grandfather. Three feisty hens, Minnie, Baby and Sunshine meet this sexy cowboy with a gun and a pair of handcuffs. Things really heat up when local librarian and Miss Hattie’s Henhouse owner Elizabeth Murphy checks up on the mischievous occupants and discovers the handsome and nekkid cowboy handcuffed to Miss Hattie’s bed.

Trouble in Texas has an absolutely outstanding cast of characters. Brant has suffered more than his fair share of devastating losses and he is carrying a ton of emotional baggage. He is deeply committed to his family but he is also a dedicated and ruthless businessman. Brant is willing to give in to his passion for Elizabeth but he has no plans to fall in love. Slowly, but surely, the hens and Elizabeth slip past his defenses and he has to decide if he can leave them behind in order to protect his heart.

Raised by her single mother, Elizabeth has a skewed viewpoint of men and marriage. Brant and the hens quickly shake up her comfortable life and Elizabeth begins to question some of her long held beliefs. Shaking off her staid appearance and discovering her inner sex kitten gives Elizabeth a whole new perspective on her life. And getting to know Minnie, Baby and Sunshine proves to be a valuable lesson for her as she discovers that appearances can often be quite deceiving.

Minnie, Baby and Sunshine are delightful secondary characters. There is much more to these three friends than meets the eye. They each harbor painful pasts and the details they reveal are sometimes quite heartbreaking. The women are incredibly insightful and the situations they find themselves in are hilarious. Their actions are sometimes a little unorthodox, but their hearts are always in the right place and sometimes the ends really do justify the means.

Trouble in Texas is an entertaining novel that is full of heart. The characters genuinely care for one another and each of them undergoes incredible growth. Katie Lane does a spectacular job creating a credible romance between Brant and Elizabeth and the sexual chemistry between them is off the charts. The mystery surrounding Brant’s great-grandfather’s death is very interesting and I was genuinely surprised at his killer’s identity. But the most unexpected twist involves Elizabeth family and I loved how this part of the plot tied the whole storyline together.

If you enjoy novels that are full of laughter, charming characters and steamy sex, then you are going to love Trouble in Texas. Katie Lane should be on everyone’s reading list and I am eagerly anticipating Flirting with Texas, the next installment in the Deep in the Heart of Texas series.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, Deep in the Heart of Texas Series, Forever, Grand Central Publishing, Katie Lane, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Trouble in Texas

November 5, 2012 · 3:58 am

Review: Love, Suburban Style by Wendy Markham

Title: Love, Suburban Style by Wendy Markham
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Imprint: Grand Central Publishing/Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Paranormal/Ghosts
Length: 385 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Fed up with her moody teenage daughter, Meg Addams decides what they both need is a good dose of suburban wholesomeness. But when they leave Manhattan behind for Meg’s humble blue-collar hometown, they find it crowded with wealthy strangers and upscale boutiques. Settling into a creaky fixer-upper, Meg finally spots a familiar face right next door–and it belongs to none other than Sam Rooney. The would-be love of Meg’s high school life is now a single dad, her daughter’s new soccer coach–and a neighborly ghost-buster whenever things go bump in the night. With three kids and an undeniable attraction between them, Meg and Sam are in for some heart-racing, wee-hour encounters that have nothing to do with spirits…but everything to do with hearts.

The Review:

Wendy Markham’s Love, Suburban Style is a fun, light-hearted romance with just a little bit of a paranormal element. On the downside of her Broadway career and with her daughter expelled from school, Meg Addams decides to move back to Glenhaven, the town where she grew up. Her new next door neighbor? Sexy single dad Sam Rooney who just happens to be the object of Meg’s unrequited high school crush. Meg soon discovers that while much of Glenhaven has changed, her feelings for Sam have remained the same.

Meg Addams is a down to earth level headed single mom. When roles begin going to younger actresses, she realizes it is time to leave her once successful career behind and forge a new path. With her unenthusiastic daughter, Cosette, by her side, she relocates to Glenhaven, where she quickly discovers that the small town she left behind has changed dramatically. Meg’s self-esteem falters occasionally as she adjusts to the wealthier, upscale town, but with her terrific sense of humor and pragmatic attitude, she soon carves out a niche for herself.

Sam Rooney is widower who is a wonderful, but somewhat overprotective father of two teenagers, Ben and Katie. Devastated by his late wife’s death four years prior, he is devoted to his kids and has yet to begin dating again. Although instantly attracted to Meg, he is reluctant to risk getting hurt again.

Meg and Sam’s kids are realistic and delightfully developed. Cosette’s adjustment to small town living does not happen overnight nor does she lose her distinctive individuality. Ben is smart and athletic with perhaps a little more sensitivity than teenage boys usually exhibit. But it is Katie who completely stole my heart. Feeling the lack of a mother, Katie eagerly forms an attachment to Meg. Katie’s devotion to Meg soon becomes a source of conflict between Meg and Sam.

The romance between Sam and Meg is slow growing and quite entertaining. Since the story is told from both Meg and Sam’s perspectives, the reader always knows what each of the characters is thinking and what motivates them. I enjoyed the push/pull between them and I like how they each gave careful consideration to the possible ramifications that a failed romance could have on their lives and their children.

The paranormal aspect of the storyline is absolutely fabulous. The ghostly apparitions, things going bump in the night and otherworldly occurrences kept me guessing exactly what this part of the plot was going to eventually lead to. And boy was I surprised when everything, including the ghost’s identity, was finally revealed!

Love, Suburban Style is a marvelous novel with a unique plot. Wendy Markham has an engaging writing style but it is her extraordinary character development and witty dialogue that keeps the story moving at a brisk pace. An easy, enjoyable read that I highly recommend.

4 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Ghosts, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group, Love Suburban Style, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Wendy Markham

July 23, 2012 · 3:57 am

One Good Friend Deserves Another by Lisa Verge Higgins

Title: One Good Friend Deserves Another by Lisa Verge Higgins
Publisher: Hachette Book group/Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: 5 Spot
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: A

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher

Summary:

HOW MANY OF THESE DATING RULES HAVE YOU BROKEN?

1. Choose Your Own Man
2. Make Sure Your Friends Approve
3. No One-Night Stands
4. Trust Your Instincts
5. Never Make the Same Mistake Twice
6. After a Break-Up, Wait Six Months Before Dating Again.

Dhara, Kelly, Marta, and Wendy have been the closest of friends since college. So close, that after a series of romantic disasters, they bond together to create Rules of Relationships to keep their hearts safe.

Years later, the rules seem to have worked . . . until Marta discovers that her hot boyfriend is married, Kelly begins a risky love affair, Wendy inches closer to a pre-marital infidelity, and, most shocking of all, Indian-American Dhara suddenly agrees to an arranged marriage.

Hearts are about to be broken and the bonds of friendship are tested. Is it possible to find true love, when you’re breaking all the rules?

The Review:

One Good Friend Deserves Another by Lisa Verge Higgins is an absolutely captivating story about four very different women from completely different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds and the friendship that keeps them grounded as they are faced with potentially life altering decisions.

Dhara Pitalia, Kelly Palazzo, Wendy Wainwright and Marta Sanchez forge a close friendship in college that endures the passage of time and all of life’s ups and downs. Indian/American Dhara’s sudden agreement to an arranged marriage comes as a huge shock to Kelly, Wendy and Marta. As her friends stage an intervention and remind her of dating rule number one, Dhara comes face to face with Cole Jackson, the first man she loved. Through flashbacks, Dhara relives her tempestuous relationship and finally confesses to her friends what eventually destroyed their romance. Will Dhara go back to the man she loved with all her heart and soul? Or will she honor the agreement between the Pitalia and Bohara families and marry Desh?

Wendy is a from a wealthy and socially prominent family. Desperately trying to live up to family expectations, she has conformed to their idea of an acceptable life. She is overwhelmed with her upcoming wedding preparations and finds herself at odds with her mother and fiancé over some of the arrangements. With her unexpected attraction to artist Gabe Teixeira, Wendy must decide if family acceptance is worth compromising who she really is.

Kelly is from a working class background. She is a computer genius who is socially awkward and clueless when it comes to social cues. When she is danger of breaking rule number five, her friends immediately stage an intervention. Kelly is well aware of the risks involved but she is more than ready to take a chance on love. Will she find everlasting love? Or will her romance end in heartbreak?

Marta has a life plan and she is carefully sticking to it. Having achieved her career goals, she would like nothing better than settle down and raise a family. In the aftermath of her break-up with Carlos, she is guilty of breaking rules number four, five and six. Brutal honesty and an intervention might be the only hope for Marta as she frantically pursues her happily ever after.

Lisa Verge Higgins has an engaging writing style that quickly draws you into this beautiful portrayal of love, family and friendship. It is a heartwarming journey for these four close friends. Each of the women in the story discovers their inner strengths and a stronger sense of who they are as they work through their difficult decisions.

One Good Friend Deserves Another is a charming and compelling story that I highly recommend.

4 Comments

Filed under 5 Spot, Contemporary, Fiction, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group, Lisa Verge Higgins, One Good Friend Deserves Another