Category Archives: HQN Books

September 23, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

Title: A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

This funny, charming and heartwarming new Christmas novel is USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan at her festive best!

In the snowy perfection of Aspen, the White family gathers for youngest daughter Rosie’s whirlwind Christmas wedding. First to arrive are the bride’s parents, Maggie and Nick. Their daughter’s marriage is a milestone they are determined to celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are hiding a huge secret about their own: they are on the brink of divorce. After living apart for the last six months, the last thing they need is to be trapped together in an irresistibly romantic winter wonderland.

Rosie’s older sister, Katie, is also dreading the wedding. Worried that impulsive, sweet-hearted Rosie is making a mistake, Katie is determined to save her sister from herself! If only the irritatingly good-looking best man, Jordan, would stop interfering with her plans…

Bride-to-be Rosie loves her fiancé but is having serious second thoughts. Except everyone has arrived—how can she tell them she’s not sure? As the big day gets closer, and emotions run even higher, this is one White family Christmas none of them will ever forget!

Review:

Set against the backdrop of breathtaking Aspen,  A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan is a marvelous Christmas romance.

Twenty-two year old Rosie White surprises her family with her announcement she is marrying Dan Reynolds on Christmas Eve in Aspen. She has a history of being a little flighty and impulsive but her time away from her family and Dan have helped her grow more self-confident. Unfortunately, her older sister Katie makes Rosie doubt her decision. Yet when Rosie is with Dan, she knows she is making the right choice and besides, her long married parents, Maggie and Nick, are proof that whirlwind romances can result in a happy, successful marriage.  But will Katie’s negativity, unexpected revelations about her parents and lack of communication ruin Rosie’s chance for her happily ever after with Dan?

Maggie and Nick are not in a good place when they fly from England to Colorado for Rosie’s nuptials. Maggie is concerned her daughter is rushing into marriage but Nick trusts Rosie’s judgments. He also believes he and Maggie should tell their children they are planning to divorce. But Maggie does not want to put a damper on the  upcoming festivities so she convinces him to pretend they are treating the trip as their second honeymoon.  Will their pretend honeymoon reignite their love and passion for one another?

Katie is having second thoughts about her career following a terrifying incident at work. She has not revealed anything about her problems to her family and she has no intention of telling them. Ignoring her own troubles, Katie concentrates on proving to Rosie that marrying Dan is a huge mistake. Will she uncover proof that Dan is hiding something that could hurt her sister after the wedding?

A Wedding in December is a multi-generational novel that is heartfelt and endearing. Rosie is a wonderful young woman who is ready for her parents and sister to recognize she is a capable adult. Dan is a terrific man who patiently puts up with his future sister in law’s shenanigans. Katie is rather irritating as she tries to convince Rosie she is making a mistake marrying Dan. Nick and Maggie lost their way as a couple as she focused on their daughters and he concentrated on his career.  Despite Katie’s heavy-handed inference, this delightful holiday romance comes to a sigh-worthy conclusion.  

Old and new fans of Sarah Morgan are sure to love this exquisite novel.

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Filed under A Wedding in December, Contemporary, HQN Books, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sarah Morgan

September 22, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd

Title: Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd
Cape Charade Series Book Three
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

I have three deadly problems:
1. I’ve seriously offended a maniacal killer.
2. I just had a bullet removed from my brain.
3. My new daughter is growing up too fast–and she’s in the line of fire.

Living on an obscure, technology-free island off California means safety from the murderer who hunts Kellen Adams and her new family…. Or does it? Family time becomes terror-time, and at last, alone, Kellen faces a killer playing a cruel game. Only one can survive, and Kellen knows who must win…and who must die.

Review:

Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd is an entertaining novel with a slight suspense element. This final book in the Cape Charade series can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend the two previous works as well.

Kellen Adams, husband Max Di Luca and their ten year old daughter Rae relocate to the family’s isolated, private island off the coast of California in order to escape a stalker out for revenge. In an attempt to keep their location under wraps, the only other people on the island are housekeeper Olympia Paollergio and caretakers Jamie and Dylan Conklin. Kellen and Max finally get to the opportunity to enjoy married life since the majority of their two year marriage has been dedicated to Kellen’s recovery from brain surgery. Kellen is also delighted for the chance to get closer to Rae  and finally cement their mother/daughter relationship. With a storm headed their way, a violent death and the certainty Kellen’s stalker has caught up with them, will the Di Luca family escape before it is too late?

Kellen has had a few rough years and she is ready to enjoy her family. With her rehabilitation mostly behind her, she is enjoying the transformation in her relationship with Rae. She is also working hard to convince Max that she is not a fragile flower in need of careful handling. When Kellen discovers her murderous nemesis has escaped prison and plans to exact revenge on her and her family, she defers to Max’s plans against her better judgment. Will her fears for their safety be proven right?

With little to do on the island since they are completely unplugged from the outside world,  Kellen and Rae enjoy exploring the spooky mansion where they are living.  The discovery of the one of the former occupants diary provides them with an intriguing glimpse into the young woman’s life during the 1940s. These passages are quite engrossing and add just a hint of mystery to the unfolding story.

Strangers She Knows is an interesting novel but the suspense aspect of the storyline is very understated.  Some of the plot is a bit predictable due to some eye-rolling decisions by Max and Rae.  Despite her few remaining health issues,  Kellen proves to be a worthy adversary when she and her stalker finally come face to face.  Christina Dodd brings the stalker part of the storyline to an action-packed, explosive conclusion. Old and new fans are sure to enjoy this final installment in the Cape Charade series.

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Filed under Cape Charade Series, Christina Dodd, Contemporary, HQN Books, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Strangers She Knows, Suspense

May 5, 2019 · 11:56 pm

Review: The Little Teashop on Main by Jodi Thomas

Title: The Little Teashop on Main by Jodi Thomas
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A rainy-day ritual—a tea party between three little girls—becomes the framework of not only their friendship, but their lives.

Redheaded, curly-haired Zoe is openhearted, kind and free-spirited, and dreams of becoming a famous actor in New York City. Shy Emily struggles with mental health but has the heart and soul of a writer. And Shannon—tall, athletic, strong—has a deep sense of loyalty that will serve her well when she heads off to military college.

As Zoe, Emily and Shannon grow into women—forging careers, following dreams and finding love—they’ll learn that life doesn’t always unfold the way they want it to, but through it all, the one constant is each other, and their regular tea parties. And when the unthinkable happens, the girls must come together to face the greatest test of all.

A deeply moving novel about the family that raises us, the hearts that nurture us and the great friendships that define our lives.

Review:

The Little Teashop on Main by Jodi Thomas is a heartwarming novel which spans thirty years of a childhood friendship between three women.

Zoe O’Flaherty, Emily Waters, and Shannon Morell meet for the first time at a tea party when they are five years old. Despite their differences, they remain close friends throughout their lives. Raised by her single mom, Alex, Zoe is energetic and craves the spotlight. Emily is quiet, unassuming and unbeknownst to her friends and family, suffering from depression. Shannon lives with her Air Force dad Mack and she is off to the Air Force Academy after high school. Jack Hutchinson is friends with each of the women and he is also going to the Air Force Academy.  He is close with Emily and Zoe, but his relationship with Shannon is fraught with tension as he hopes she will one day see him as more than a friend.  Although their lives take them in different directions, their small hometown of Laurel Springs anchors them and brings them together throughout their lives.

After high school graduation, Zoe moves to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a Broadway star. She is self-confident, free-spirited and enthusiastic living in New York and acting in plays. She is not ready to settle down and she never stays with one man for long. But her loyalty to her friends is unshakable and Zoe will drop everything when she is needed.

Emily leaves for college after high school, but she quickly drops out and returns home. Suffering from headaches from a car accident, she is not eating or sleeping. The youngest child in the family, Emily’s overbearing mother is relentless as she tries to bend her daughter to her will.  After a short hospital stay, Emily’s friends rally around her and help her strike out on her own. But it is her close friendship with Fuller Wilder that lifts her up and sustains her.  But will a secret he is keeping destroy their budding romance?

Shannon is a planner and she has her life mapped out. She and Jack are both at the Air Force Academy and she is both attracted to and irritated by him. These mixed signals act as a potent shield and Jack soon grows frustrated with her. Is there any chance he and Shannon will find a way to bridge the gap that keeps them apart?

Unfolding from multiple perspectives, The Little Teashop on Main is a truly captivating novel about family, friendship and love. Each of the characters are vibrantly developed and extremely likable. Although mostly a light read, Jodi Thomas deftly touches on sensitive topics with ease. I highly recommend this warmly inviting and endearing novel to readers of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HQN Books, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Little Teashop on Main, Women's Fiction

April 28, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Wish by Patricia Davids

Title: The Wish by Patricia Davids
The Amish of Cedar Grove Series Book One
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Second chances come at the most unexpected times…

Widow Laura Beth Yoder longs for a family of her own. So much so that she’s preparing to leave the sleepy Amish town she calls home to find love. But a terrible storm washes out the creek, forcing her to wade in and save the life of an Englisch man and his adorable infant son. As they recover at the farm, the baby brings sunshine and joy, while the handsome outsider is filled with shadows…and secrets.

Joshua King owes his life and his son’s to Laura Beth. Still, lingering at her farm is out of the question. He must fulfill a promise he made to his estranged wife on her deathbed: to deliver their son to his Amish in-laws. With his dark past, Joshua has no other choice. But his plans never took this sweet and surprising Amish widow into account. She just might be his second chance at happiness…and love.

Review:

The first installment in The Amish of Cedar Grove series, The Wish by Patricia Davids is a heartwarming novel of redemption, healing and love.

Widow Laura Beth Yoder loved her husband, but she is ready to remarry and hopefully have the family she has long dreamed of.  However, there is a serious lack of eligible men to marry in her small community in Kansas so she is making plans to move to Ohio. Laura Beth is hoping that expanding her pumpkin crop will provide her the funds she needs to make repairs to her farm so she can put it up for sale.  Her younger sister Sarah and her close friend Abigail Troyer are trying to convince her to stay in Kansas, but Laura Beth remains steadfast in her decision. Will the unexpected arrival of Englischer Joshua King and his four month old son, Caleb, lead her to rethink her plans?

Laura Beth is a resourceful woman with a strong faith. She desperately misses her husband, but she also dreams of having a family.  Laura Beth is certain she is making the right choice to move and she will do whatever she needs to do to make this happen. But when she rescues Joshua and Caleb during a storm, she is drawn to the clearly troubled man and she is captivated by his son.  Will learning about Joshua’s past change how she is beginning to feel about him?

Joshua is a man on a mission when he crosses paths with Laura Beth. He does not deviate from his plans but he does begin to wonder if he is making the right choice. Having never dealt with his dysfunctional childhood, Joshua continues to believe he is not deserving of love. He is also unable to forgive the person who so deeply wronged him. Will Laura Beth’s gentle encouragement change his mind about his plans for the future? Will Joshua go against a loved one’s wishes?

The Wish is an enthralling novel with a realistic plot and endearing characters. Laura Beth has a big heart but she is occasionally a bit misguided when it comes the people she cares about. Joshua’s back story is heart wrenching but watching him discover his worth is very uplifting. The romance between Joshua and Laura Beth is very understated and grows naturally out their friendship.  But with one huge obstacle standing in their way, is there any chance for a future together?

This first release in Patricia Davids’ The Amish of Cedar Grove series is an engaging story with an idyllic setting, appealing characters and an enjoyable storyline.  I absolutely loved and highly recommend this inspiring novel to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Amish, Contemporary, Harlequin, HQN Books, Patricia Davids, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Amish of Cedar Grove Series, The Wish

March 24, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Cliff House by RaeAnne Thayne

Title: The Cliff House by RaeAnne Thayne
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Three women—two sisters and their aunt—and the cliff house on the northern California coast that served as a beacon to them all…

After the death of their mother, sisters Daisy and Beatriz Davenport found a home with their aunt Stella in the beautiful and welcoming town of Cape Sanctuary. They never knew all the dreams that Stella sacrificed to ensure they had everything they’d ever need. Now, with Daisy and Bea grown, it’s time for Stella to reveal the secret she’s been keeping from them—a secret that will change their family forever.

Bea thought she’d sown all her wild oats when she got pregnant far too young. The marriage that followed was rocky and not destined to last, but it gave Bea her wonderful, mature, now eleven-year-old daughter, Marisol. But just as she’s beginning to pursue a new love with an old friend, Bea’s ex-husband resurfaces and turns their lives completely upside down.

Then there’s Daisy—sensible, rational, financially prudent Daisy. She’s never taken a risk in her life—until she meets a man who makes her question everything she thought she knew about life, love and the power of taking chances.

In this heartwarming story, Stella, Bea and Daisy will discover that the path to true happiness is filled with twists and turns, but love always leads them back home.

Review:

The Cliff House by RaeAnne Thayne is an engaging novel of family, love and healing.

Daisy Daveport McClure is a no-nonsense accountant who lives an orderly, controlled life.  Which is why she is so surprised when an adorable stray dog completely steals her heart.  And so does Gabe Ellison, the stranger who found the cute little dog. Is it possible that she is ready to open her heart to the possibility of love? Or is Daisy’s complicated past going to prevent her from taking a risk on happiness?

Beatriz “Bea” Romero is the complete opposite of her older sister Daisy. Bea is spontaneous and open to new adventures but as a divorced mom, her life is bit more structured nowadays. She has a friendly relationship with her ex-husband, bad boy rocker Cruz, but she is stunned when he wants to get back together with her. Not only does she have nothing in common with her ex, but Bea has recently realized she is in love with her best friend, Shane Landry.  She  is finding it difficult to convince Cruz she has no interest in a reconciliation. Bea has finally worked up the courage to confess her feelings to Shane, but will he believe her?

Daisy and Bea’s beloved aunt Stella raised them following their mother’s death.  She is also a beloved teacher and foster mom who works tirelessly to raise money for her charity. Having put her life on hold for many years, Stella’s secret dream is about to come to fruition.  With many changes coming her way, she is absolutely stunned when the love of her life, Dr. Ed Clayton, unexpectedly comes back into her life. Will Ed forgive Stella for abruptly ending their relationship all those years ago? Is it too late for the couple to reconcile?

RaeAnne Thayne’s The Cliff House is an emotional novel of new beginnings and love. The storyline is compelling and the characters are well-rounded and quite likable. Daisy, Bea and Stella are at a crossroads in their lives but will the paths they choose bring them the happiness they so richly deserve?

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HQN Books, RaeAnne Thayne, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Cliff House, Women's Fiction

February 25, 2019 · 11:57 pm

Review: Low Country Hero by Lee Tobin McClain

Title: Low Country Hero by Lee Tobin McClain
Safe Haven Series Book One
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Welcome to Safe Haven, where love—and a second chance—is just around the corner…

Sunny, carefree days splashing in the ocean—it’s the life Anna George has always wanted for her five-year-old twins. And now that they’ve made it to Safe Haven, South Carolina, she won’t let anyone stand in her way. Not the abusive ex she’s just escaped and not the rugged contractor who caught her setting up house in the shuttered beachfront cabins he’s refurbishing. When he offers Anna and her daughters a place to stay in exchange for her help with renovations, she’s tempted. His gentle way with her girls makes her want to trust him, but she’s been wrong before…

A family is the last thing contractor and former military man Sean O’Dwyer wants right now. But when he discovers Anna and her girls, he recognizes kindred spirits. They’re survivors who’ve seen the worst of people, just like he has, and he’ll do anything he can to help them. As he and Anna spend their days bringing the cottages back to life and their nights sharing kisses in the warm bayou breezes, Sean must choose between the life he always wanted and the family he can’t live without.

Review:

The first installment in the Safe Haven series, Low Country Hero by Lee Tobin McClain is a poignant yet heartwarming romance.

Former soldier Sean O’Dwyer has returned to Safe Haven, SC after several years away. He remains close with his brothers, Liam, who is a police officer in town and Cash, who returns frequently to visit his family.  Sean is dedicated to his foster mom, Ma Dixie, and he is trying to help his foster brother, Tony, who is struggling to escape his ex-wife Brandi. Needing some peace and quiet, Sean is renovating  several beach cabins when he meets Anna George and her five year old twins, Hayley and Hope. Sean is drawn to the small family and despite his reservations, he enjoys spending time with them. However, his unsettled past continues to haunt him which forces Sean to make a difficult decision about his relationship with Ann and the girls.

Anna has finally gotten the courage to leave her abusive ex, Beau, and she is trying to keep a low profile in case he comes looking for her. She does not find it easy to trust anyone and she struggles with letting anyone get close to her and her daughters. In spite of her trepidation, Anna gradually lets Sean, Ma Dixie and a few other townspeople into her life.  As she begins to let down her guard just a bit, Anna is stunned when Sean suddenly pulls away from her, Hope and Hayley.

Due to his family history, Sean does not allow himself to consider having children. Neither he nor his brothers have come to terms with what happened to them after they arrived in Safe Haven.  Sean completely understands Anna’s situation and  in spite of his efforts to stay away from her, he cannot resist getting to know her, Hope and Hayley. When he can no longer ignore his fears of becoming too attached, will Sean ruin any chance of a future with Anna? And when Anna’s past catches up with her, can Sean protect her from harm?

Low Country Hero  is a captivating romance with engaging characters and a realistic storyline. Anna and Sean  have yet to make peace with their difficult pasts yet their attraction to one another proves to be impossible to resist. Little Hope and Hayley’s reaction to the turmoil in their lives tugs on the heartstrings.  Lee Tobin McClain deftly handles the domestic violence portion of the storyline with sensitivity. Readers who enjoy a clean romance with a slight element of suspense will enjoy this first outing in the Safe Haven series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HQN Books, Lee Tobin McClain, Low Country Hero, Rated B, Review, Romance, Safe Haven Series, Suspense