Category Archives: Kensington

April 18, 2013 · 3:56 am

Review: Kentucky Home by Sarah Title

Title: Kentucky Home by Sarah Title
Southern Comfort Series Book One
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 197 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In this warm and witty new series, author Sarah Title introduces readers to the down home Kentucky hospitality of the Carson family and their Wild Rose Farm and Stables. It’s a place where love is always possible—and sweeter than ever the second time around…

Mallory Thompson and Keith Carson are far from impressed with each other when she arrives at his family’s horse farm, fleeing an abusive marriage. Mallory sees nothing but a gruff man who’s as patronizing as her soon-to-be ex-husband, and Keith has no time for a city girl who’s afraid of dogs. But the struggling Wild Rose is too small to allow anyone to keep their distance…

As one by one, Mallory wins the hearts of his family, from his cranky father to his headstrong younger sister and three-legged dog, Keith finds himself more than a little attracted to her stubborn charm. And the longer Mallory stays, the more she realizes Keith is nothing like the overbearing bully she married—and the more she fantasizes about being in his strong, loving arms. Maybe some folks get a second chance to make a first impression after all…

The Review:

An impressive debut novel by newcomer Sarah Title, Kentucky Home is an absolutely delightful romance that is full of charming characters. This well-written novel is a wonderful story about starting over and finding love when it is least expected.

Good friend Luke Carson provides sanctuary for Mallory “Mal” Thompson on his family’s farm when she needs a place to escape her abusive soon to be ex-husband, Michael. Mal is quickly welcomed into the family but this city girl is definitely out of her element on the horse farm. With little skill, but a whole lot of enthusiasm, Mal eagerly volunteers to help out with the daily chores. She is attracted to Luke’s brother Keith, but Keith reminds her a little too much of the man she has left behind. Keith is drawn to Mal, but his misconceptions about Mal force him to keep his distance from his sexy house guest.

The richly developed cast of characters literally jumps off the pages of Kentucky Home. Mal is wounded and she is carrying a ton of emotional baggage, but she is upbeat and positive. In the beginning, her past issues with Michael lead her to think the worst of Keith, but as she gets to know him, she is quick to revise her opinion. Mal’s recovery from her abusive marriage does not happen overnight and she soon finds herself repeating past behaviors when dealing with Michael. Her struggles to come to terms with her past are realistically depicted and her reactions to certain situations ring true. I loved watching her find the self-confidence she needs to overcome her troubled past.

Following a tragic loss, Keith retreated to the family farm and he is just going through the motions. His attraction to Mal is very unexpected, and it is just the catalyst he needs to make peace with his past. There is a pretty nice guy lurking under his gruff exterior and once he begins to fall for Mal, his sweet side really comes out. Some of their scenes are incredibly touching and show just how much their characters have grown.

The secondary cast of characters is outstanding. Luke remains an enigma and I am impatiently awaiting his story. Sister Katie is extremely feisty and she is going to need to a pretty strong man to keep up with her. Surrogate mom Miss Libby has an open, loving heart and she is the backbone of the Carson family. Tantalizing glimpses of close family friends Chase and Billie have me wildly speculating how they are going to figure into future novels in the Southern Comfort series.

If you are a fan of homespun novels with close knit friends and family, then you are sure to enjoy Kentucky Home. It is a fast-paced and compelling novel that has depth and substance. Sarah Title has an engaging writing style and her character development is superb. I am eagerly looking forward to Kentucky Christmas, the next installment in this refreshing new series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Kensington, Kentucky Home, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sarah Title, Southern Comfort Series

April 16, 2013 · 3:56 am

Review: Between Heaven and Texas by Marie Bostwick

Title: Between Heaven and Texas by Marie Bostwick
Cobbled Court Quilts Series Prequel
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 369 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In this luminous prequel to her beloved Cobbled Court Quilts series, New York Times bestselling author Marie Bostwick takes readers into the heart of a small Texas town and the soul of a woman who discovers her destiny there…

Welcome to Too Much—where the women are strong-willed and the men are handsome yet shiftless. Ever since Mary Dell Templeton and her twin sister Lydia Dale were children, their Aunt Velvet has warned them away from local boys. But it’s well known that the females in Mary Dell’s family have two traits in common—superior sewing skills and a fatal weakness for men.

While Lydia Dale grows up petite and pretty, Mary Dell just keeps growing. Tall, smart, and sassy, she is determined to one day turn her love of sewing into a business. Meanwhile, she’ll settle for raising babies with her new husband, Donny. But that dream proves elusive too, until finally, Mary Dell gets the son she always wanted—a child as different as he is wonderful. And as Mary Dell is forced to reconsider what truly matters in her family and her marriage, she begins to piece together a life that, like the colorful quilts she creates, will prove vibrant, rich, and absolutely unforgettable…

The Review:

Between Heaven and Texas, Marie Bostwick’s standalone prequel to the Cobbled Court Quilts series, is as heartwarming as it is inspiring. It is also an uplifting novel about the importance of family and finding the strength to overcome adversity.

Twin sisters Mary Dell and Lydia Dale are as different as night and day but they both fall for the Bebee brothers. Mary Dell marries Donny Bebee and settles on the family ranch while Lydia Dale marries local boy Jack Benny Benton after Graydon Bebee is mistakenly declared dead while serving in Vietnam. Mary Dell and Donny’s marriage is happy despite her inability to carry a pregnancy to term. Lydia Dale and Jack Benny’s marriage is tumultuous and ends in divorce while Lydia Dale is pregnant with their third child. The entire family is ecstatic when Mary Dell finally gives birth to her son, but their happiness is threatened by unexpected news.

Mary Dell is a richly developed, vibrant character. She is a tenacious and strong-willed woman who never gives up no matter what obstacle stands in her way. Her sense of style is outrageous but Mary Dell knows what she likes and she is not about to change for anyone. When her life takes an unanticipated detour, Mary Dell momentarily gives in to despair, but she soon finds help from a very unexpected source.

Although Between Heaven and Texas is primarily Mary Dell’s story, Lydia Dale plays a prominent role in Mary Dell ultimately achieving her lifelong dream. Lydia Dale is the meeker of the sisters and she pretty much goes with the flow. It is not until the family’s livelihood is threatened that Lydia Dale becomes a more active participant on the ranch. She also finds her backbone and finally stands up to her worthless ex-husband. But Lydia Dale truly becomes a force to be reckoned when it appears that Mary Dell’s business venture is at risk of failing before it can get off the ground.

The heart and soul of Between Heaven and Texas is Mary Dell and her strong relationship with her family. Her Aunt Velvet and her grandmother Silky are her staunchest supporters and their no nonsense advice and wisdom guide Mary Dell through life’s most difficult moments. Marie Bostwick deftly handles serious topics such as infidelity, infertility and discrimination with little angst or drama and the novel’s ending is heartfelt and touching.

Old and new fans of the Cobbled Court Quilts series are sure to love this captivating and in-depth look into Mary Dell’s life. I am hoping that Ms. Bostwick has plans to revisit this fascinating family in the not too distant future.

1 Comment

Filed under Between Heaven and Texas, Contemporary, Fiction, Kensington, Kensington Books, Marie Bostwick, Rated B+, Review

February 25, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: One Night with a Cowboy by Cat Johnson

Title: One Night with a Cowboy by Cat Johnson
Oklahoma Nights Series Book One
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

One Sweet Ride. . .

Oh yeah. A single look at the leggy blonde in the stands and Tucker Jenkins is ready to buck all night long. It’s time to forget all about his cheating ex and his usual hands off policy.

One Hot Night. . .

Becca Hart is an East Coast professor. Not a buckle bunny. But no degree can prepare her for the moves of the sexy bull rider she hooks up with at her first rodeo. . .or the shock of finding him at her first Oklahoma State University staff meeting.

One Happy Ending. . .

Tuck knows it’s all about holding on, no matter how wild the ride. Now he just has to convince Becca that a rough start out of the chute doesn’t mean they aren’t a smokin’ combination. . .

The Review:

One Night with a Cowboy, Cat Johnson’s first installment in her new series Oklahoma Nights, is her best work to date and puts her head and shoulders above other authors in the Western romance genre. This unique romance is full of surprises and this dazzling story is sure to delight her fans. If you have not read any of her books, then I highly recommend you begin with this one.

Neither Becca Hart nor Tucker “Tuck” Jenkins are looking for a relationship but their explosive attraction proves too intense to ignore. A year after his divorce from his cheating wife, Tuck has worked through his hurt and anger with a number of one night stands. Becca meets Tuck right on the heels of her breakup with her longtime boyfriend and she is nowhere near ready for a serious romance. So a carefree one night fling is fine with both of them especially since they will never see one another again anyway. Until fate steps in when Becca lands a job at the same university where Tuck also works…

I absolutely adored the pairing of Becca and Tuck. This mismatched and improbable couple have little in common but their intense passion draws them together. Tuck is a quintessential cowboy but there is so much more to him than meets the eye. He is playful, charming and he positively oozes sex appeal. He is also just perfect for Becca.

New York born and bred, Becca is way out of her comfort zone in Oklahoma, but Tuck gladly takes the sexy slicker under his wing and introduces her to country living. Becca is intense and serious and Tuck is exactly what she needs to bring out her long forgotten flirtatious side. She has serious reservations about getting involved with anyone so soon after her breakup but with Tuck, she decides to throw caution to the wind and live in the moment.

But real life soon intrudes on the happy couple. There is the small matter of the no dating rule between co-workers. Becca is hesitant to commit to a serious relationship. Tuck is afraid to admit what he feels for Becca. Tuck soon panics and makes a snap decision that literally tears the couple apart. But a separation proves to be just what Becca and Tuck need to put their lives and their relationship in perspective.

The sexual tension between Becca and Tuck burns so hot I am surprised my eReader did not catch fire! Their sex scenes are positively incendiary and unbelievably sensual. Some of their scenes are exquisitely detailed and leave little to the reader’s imagination while others just hint at the delicious lovemaking Becca and Tuck are indulging in.

One Night with a Cowboy is a quick and entertaining read that is absolutely superb. It is exceptionally well-written and full of unexpected twists and turns. I savored every luscious word of this amazing novel and the only thing I hated is that it had to end! But luckily for me, this is just the first installment of Cat Johnson’s outstanding Oklahoma Nights series and I am impatiently (but eagerly) awaiting Two Times As Hot.

1 Comment

Filed under Cat Johnson, Contemporary, Kensington, Oklahoma Nights Series, One Night with a Cowboy, Rated B+, Review, Romance

February 19, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: The Good Life by Susan Kietzman

Title: The Good Life by Susan Kietzman
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 353 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Between workouts, charity events, and shopping, Ann Barons keeps her days as full as her walk-in closets. She shares an immaculate house with her CEO husband, Mike, and their two teenagers, Nate and Lauren. It’s a luxurious life, far from her homespun childhood on a farm in eastern Pennsylvania…which is why Ann is wary when her elderly parents ask to move in temporarily.

Ann prepares in the way she knows best—hiring decorators and employing a full-time nurse for her dementia-stricken father. But nothing can prepare her for the transformations ahead. Soon, her mother

Eileen is popping in to prepare soups and roasts in Ann’s underused kitchen, while the usually surly Nate forms an alliance with his ailing grandfather. Lauren blossoms under Eileen’s guidance, and even workaholic Mike finds time to attend high-school football games. But it’s Ann who must make the biggest leap, and confront the choices and values that have kept her floating on life’s surface for so long.

Timely, poignant, and wise, The Good Life is a deeply satisfying and beautifully written story about the complex relationships between parents and children—and the gap that often lies between what we seek, and what will truly make us whole

The Review:

The Good Life is a poignant and sometimes heartrending novel about the complexities of family relationships. It is a thought-provoking story about finding out what is truly important in life and how we sometimes lose the best parts of ourselves in our attempts to get ahead. Susan Kietzman also provides an in-depth and insightful look into the devastating impact that Parkinson’s disease and dementia have on those afflicted with these life-altering diseases and their loved ones.

On the surface, Ann Barons has it all. An über rich and highly successful CEO husband and two well-adjusted teenagers. But underneath her serene facade lies a woman who can never be rich enough, thin enough or important enough. Ann’s days are spent in an alcohol induced haze and she fills her empty hours with exercise, shopping, zealously counting calories and chairing a few charities. She is disconnected from her kids and she is too “busy” to go to her daughter’s volleyball games or her son’s football games. Ann is incredibly self-absorbed, self-centered and selfish and I had a very difficult time liking her or feeling any sympathy for her.

In sharp contrast, Ann’s parents, Eileen and Sam, are down to earth retired farmers who handle life’s challenges with aplomb. Like many dementia patients, Sam has rapidly gone downhill, and Eileen is unable to care for him on her own. While waiting for an opening in an extended care facility, Eileen reaches out to her only child for assistance.

Ann grudgingly extends an invitation for her parents to stay in their guest cottage, hires a full time caregiver for them and blithely continues her shallow life. She resents her mother’s intrusion in her life and makes no effort to understand her father’s condition. Confronted with the past she has left behind, Ann plays the martyred daughter to the hilt and her drinking begins to spiral out of control.

Eileen is warm, outgoing and unfailing cheerful despite the anguish of Sam’s condition and she eagerly embraces the opportunity to get to know her grandchildren. Despite Ann’s prickly attitude, Eileen continues to try to forge a better relationship with her daughter. The dichotomy between Eileen and Ann is quite jarring and aptly demonstrates the vast differences between mother and daughter.

The dementia aspect of the story is realistically and sensitively depicted. Ms. Kietzman perfectly captures the utter hopelessness and heartbreak of seeing a loved one turn into an unrecognizable stranger. It is through this part of the storyline that Ann’s children learn compassion as they become deeply involved with their grandparents’ day to day life. The care and patience they exercise with their often confused grandfather and their loving grandmother is easily the best part of The Good Life.

While Eileen and Sam have the most impact on their grandchildren, they are also a positive influence on their son-in-law Mike and to a limited degree, Ann. Mike works long hours at the office and more often than not, brings work home with him. He is marginally more involved with the children than Ann and makes a genuine effort to get to know them. Mike is more receptive to Eileen’s home cooked meals and family oriented get togethers than Ann and he appreciates what Eileen’s presence means to the kids. Although he is aware of Ann’s drinking problem, he does little to get her the help that she needs.

The Good Life is an emotional read that resonates with authenticity. Susan Kietzman provides an unflinching and honest view of the harsh realities of dementia in a forthright and sensitive manner, and she never downplays how difficult this disease is for both the patient and their family. The novel’s ending is quite moving and more of a beginning for Ann and Mike to continue making positive changes in their lives.

The Good Life is a beautiful lesson in compassion, love and good old fashioned values that I highly recommend.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, Fiction, Kensington, Rated B, Review, Susan Kietzman, The Good Life

January 29, 2013 · 3:59 am

Review: The Affair by Colette Freedman

Title: The Affair by Colette Freedman
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

After eighteen years of marriage, Kathy Walker has settled into a pattern of comfortable routines–ferrying her two teenagers between soccer practice and piano lessons, running a film production business with her husband, Robert, and taking care of the beautiful Boston home they share. Then one day, Kathy discovers a suspicious number on her husband’s phone. Six years before, Kathy accused Robert of infidelity–a charge he vehemently denied–and almost destroyed their marriage in the process.

Now Kathy must decide whether to follow her suspicions at the risk of losing everything, or trust the man with whom she’s entwined her past, present, and future. As she grapples with that choice, she is confronted with surprising truths not just about her relationship, but about her friends, family, and her own motivations.

Skillfully crafted and deeply insightful, The Affair sensitively explores the complexities of love and the challenge of ever knowing another person fully, even as we endeavor to understand our own deepest longings.

The Review:

Why do people cheat on their partners? Who is at fault? Can a marriage recover from such an intimate betrayal? These are just a few of the questions raised in Colette Freedman’s newest release, The Affair. It is a fascinating and riveting novel about the devastating repercussions of infidelity.

Told from three different perspectives, The Affair covers a six day span in the days leading up to Christmas. Readers see the same events from each of the key players in the story and this unique approach to storytelling is what makes this novel so compelling.

The Affair opens with Kathy Walker inadvertently stumbling on possibility incriminating evidence that raises her suspicions that her husband of eighteen years, Robert, is involved in an extra-marital affair. Despite the disquiet she feels at doubting her husband, she is compelled to find the proof that will ease her doubts or confirm her worst fears. Kathy is wracked with insecurities and her introspection reveals how emotionally and physically distant she and Robert have gradually become. She does not downplay her role in the disintegration of their marriage and she is faced with many difficult decisions if her fears are correct.

We then view these same events from Robert’s and his alleged mistress, Stephanie Burroughs’ points of view. It is very interesting to see the same scenes from each of the characters viewpoints and I found my loyalties shifting with the additional insight. The revelations do not excuse anyone’s actions but they do make each of the characters more sympathetic.

Kathy and Robert’s viewpoints end with crucial discovers and I literally could not put this book down I discovered how their story ends. The novel culminates in a confrontation that is dramatic, realistic and thought-provoking.

Colette Freedman does an outstanding job showing how easy it is to become complacent in a marriage. She also demonstrates the importance of communication and how assumptions can destroy a relationship. Equally important is the reminder that there are always two sides to every story.

The Affair is a truly unforgettable story that I highly recommend.

4 Comments

Filed under Colette Freedman, Contemporary, Fiction, Kensington, Rated B+, Review, The Affair

January 3, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: More Than This by Shannyn Schroeder

Title: More Than This by Shannyn Schroeder
The O’Leary’s Book One
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Word Length: 102,100
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

When a lonely teacher teams up with a handsome bartender for some outrageous acts, they both get more than they bargained for…

Learning her ex-husband is going to be a father, Quinn Adams is determined to have a baby of her own—without the partnership of a man. But her sister and friends believe she needs to focus on herself first, and step out of her comfort zone by completing a list of adventures. Challenge number one is to go on five dates within two weeks. After a few disastrous attempts, Quinn’s ready to give up—until sexy bartender Ryan O’Leary offers his assistance.

Ryan has always been the dependable one in his family, often at his expense. But lately, he’s been longing for a life—and a woman—of his own. The woman he has in mind is Quinn. Though it seems all she wants is friendship, Ryan can’t ignore the explosive chemistry he feels between them. In the hopes of becoming closer, Ryan offers to help out with Quinn’s list. But when she asks him for a serious favor, he’s afraid it will jeopardize his chance to become more than friends.

102,100 Words.

The Review:

Fans of friends to lovers novels will want to add debut author Shannyn Schroeder’s More Than This to their must have list. An absolutely fun yet sexy read, I loved watching this mismatched pair find their way to happily ever after.

Quinn Adams’ one and only impulsive act ended in divorce and she now leads a carefully controlled and mapped out life. Her ex-husband’s announcement that he is going to be a dad shakes up her world and Quinn decides it is time to take control of her destiny. Acting on her sister Indy and best friend Kate’s advice, Quinn is ready to step out of her comfort zone and have a few outrageous escapades before she has the baby she has been longing for.

Ryan O’Leary is rock solid and dependable. Running two bars and dealing with family drama leaves little room for fun in his life. That is until his attraction to Quinn finds him offering to become her wingman as she stumbles from one bad date to the next. But the fun really begins when Ryan begins helping her check items off her list and their friendship crosses over into forbidden territory of lovers.

Ryan and Quinn’s relationship is a slowing growing and goes back and forth from friends to lovers and back again. For every few steps forward they make, they usually wind up taking one step back. Quinn has her sights set on achieving her goals and she has a very difficult time stepping out of her well-ordered life. She greatly values their friendship and her biggest fear is if their romance ends, she will lose Ryan as a friend.

The supporting cast of characters is superb and adds a great deal of depth to the story. Quinn’s sister Indy is her complete opposite and with her help, Quinn begins to find some much needed self-confidence. Ryan’s large family provides some of the conflict in the novel and I am crossing my fingers they will star in future books. Ryan’s friend Griffin is quite intriguing and Ms. Schroeder is pairing him up with Indy in the next book in the series. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what she has in store for this couple.

More Than This is an absolutely delightful novel with laugh out loud humor and charming characters. The story is well-executed and Shannyn Schroeder puts a unique spin on the friends to lovers storyline. It is a heartwarming romance that readers are sure to enjoy.

3 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Kensington, More Than This, Rated B, Review, Romance, Shannyn Schroeder, The O'Leary's