Category Archives: Lori Wilde

February 23, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: The Keepsake Sisters by Lori Wilde

Title: The Keepsake Sisters by Lori Wilde
Moonglow Cove Series Book Two
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lori Wilde’s heartwarming follow-up to her “page-turning and passionate” (Jill Shalvis) trade paperback debut, The Moonglow Sisters, takes readers back to Moonglow Cove, Texas, with a story of twin sisters separated at birth who are reunited under unforgettable circumstances

It was a story that couldn’t possibly be true: Identical twins, separated at birth. Anna Drury wouldn’t have believed it, but the woman standing before her was physically alike her in every way…and held in her hands a keepsake baby bracelet, the same as Anna had.  How could it be?

Anna—with her tall, strong husband and two adorable children, grew up loved and secure, and she freely opens her heart to others, so she embraces the idea of her new-found sister, Amelia. Everyone tells Anna to tread carefully, but Amelia is family, she sees it in the other woman’s face and knows it in the depth of her soul. And family should always be welcome.

Once the shock settles and the dust clears, the sisters learn about each other as they unravel the secrets of their past and separation. Anna wants to believe that life with her new-found sister will be perfect, but just as they are bonding in a special way, Amelia reveals the true reason for their reunion. Her kidneys are failing, and Anna could be her perfect match.

But if Anna agrees to her request it might threaten everything she holds dear, her marriage, her health…even her life. Faced with this dilemma, Anna must ask herself a hard question, how far will she go to help her twin, the woman who is her other half…and a woman she doesn’t really know?

Review:

The Keepsake Sisters by Lori Wilde is an endearing novel about what it means to be family.

Anna Drury is a Moonglow resident who owns a bakery and enjoys a happy marriage. Her husband Kevin travels for his job so she and their two children, 3 year old Logan and 10 year old Allie are on their own quite a bit.  Anna has a huge heart and she is willing to help anyone in need. She volunteers a lot and enjoys playing in a band with her friends. Anna is close to her mother Robin and her brother Mike and she is still mourning the loss of her father.

When Amelia Brandt shows up at their house,  Anna naturally welcomes her with open arms. Kevin, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with the complete stranger on their doorstep. Willing to fight for the chance to get to know the twin sister she has never met, Anna is upset that Kevin does not agree with her. In fact, he leaves her to deal with it on her own while he goes on a business trip. Anna is also shocked by Robin’s reaction to the news that Anna is not her biological child and that she wants nothing to do with Amelia. Despite the turmoil in her family, Anna could not be more delighted to spend time with Amelia. But how will she react when her sister reveals her reason for tracking her down?

Amelia is reserved and standoffish but determined to carry through with her plan. She did not grow up with loving and devoted parents so she is taken aback by Anna’s warm welcome. Amelia is very uncomfortable with her twin’s physical displays of affection and emotional declarations. Although Amelia grows to genuinely like Anna, she knows she needs to tell her why she wanted to meet her. However, will Anna change her mind once she realizes that her feelings toward her twin have changed?

Anna’s life is completely upended when Amelia knocks on her door. She completely accepts Amelia into her life and she will not allow her mom’s or Kevin’s attitude to affect her decisions. Anna is stunned by Kevin’s outburst but she acknowledges there might be some truth to what he says. But she is furious at his assumptions about Amelia and some of the decisions he makes without her knowledge. Equally unexpected is Robin’s reaction to Amelia and her out of character behavior. Anna does not want to hurt her family but will she give up the chance for a relationship with Amelia?

The Keepsake Sisters is a delightfully heartwarming novel with an engrossing storyline and wonderful characters. Amelia and Anna are beautifully drawn characters whose relationship slowly blossoms over time. Robin’s reaction to her daughter’s news is realistic and easy to understand. Kevin’s kneejerk response does not cast him in the best light and makes it difficult to like him. The undeniable bond between the twins is evident from their first meeting but will unanticipated details about Amelia alter Anna’s viewpoint of her newfound twin? With unexpected twists, Lori Wilde brings this captivating novel to a heartfelt conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Lori Wilde, Moonglow Cove Series, Rated B+, Review, The Keepsake Sisters, William Morrow Paperbacks, Women's Fiction

March 2, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Moonglow Sisters by Lori Wilde

Title: The Moonglow Sisters by Lori Wilde
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 397 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

It’s Jill Shalvis meets Susan Mallery in this gorgeous novel by New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde about three sisters, one small town, a wedding, and the summer that changes everything.

Welcome to Moonglow Cove, Texas, a place where your neighbors know your name and the gentle waves of the Gulf of Mexico lap lazily against the sands. It’s a magical spot, especially in the summertime…

Once the town was the home of the Clark sisters—brought up by their grandmother at the Moonglow Inn. Nicknamed “The Moonglow Sisters”, as children they were inseparable.  Then, a wedding-day betrayal tore them apart and they scattered across the globe and away from each other.  But the sisters have at last come home…

There’s Maddie: smart, sensible, and stubborn. Shelley, who ran off to find her bliss. And Gia, a free-spirit determined to keep the peace. It’s her impending wedding that keeps them together…but Gia has a secret, and when her sisters find out all heck is going to break loose!

The Moonglow Sisters continues Lori Wilde’s trademark storytelling to create an unforgettable novel of family, betrayal, love, and second chances.

Review:

The Moonglow Sisters by Lori Wilde is a heartfelt novel in which a family tries to heal a painful rift.

Grammy Helen Chapman brings her three granddaughters together in order to move past their longstanding estrangement.  Madison “Maddie” Clark is the oldest of the sisters and she lives in New York where she stars in a popular crafting show. Middle sister Shelley moved to Costa Rica five years ago and has yet to return for a visit.  Gia is the youngest and she lives in Moonglow where she is starting her own business.  With the onus on Gia to reunite Maddie and Shelley, will the sisters be able to heal their fraught history?

After their parents’ death twenty years earlier, the three sisters moved in with their grammy. Despite their grandmother’s care and love,  Maddie could not help but feel responsible for her younger sisters. She is somewhat controlling and easily frustrated when things do not go the way she plans. Maddie holds everyone at arms’ length and keeps her problems to herself. She has a very good reason for the estrangement between her and Shelley, but will Maddie finally forgive her sister for her betrayal five years ago?

Shelley is impulsive and spontaneous which can sometimes lead to a lot of fun but other times, her choices do not end well.  After falling out with Maddie, Shelley left for Costa Rica and has no contact with any of her family. Her appearance in Moonglow is a bit of a shock and like Maddie, she holds clings tightly to her secrets. Shelley deeply regrets hurting Maddie, but is there any chance they can mend their fractured relationship?

Youngest sister Gia is easygoing and avoids conflict. She is eager to please and she will do anything to keep peace. Gia does not want to upset her beloved grammy so she is committed to bringing her sisters home.  She is willing to go to any lengths to fulfill Grammy’s request, but Gia is uncomfortable with her impetuous decision to prevent Maddie and Shelley from leaving Moonglow.

With a colorful cast of quirky characters, The Moonglow Sisters is a heartwarming novel. The serene setting is the perfect backdrop for the sometimes tumultuous sibling relationships. Each of the sisters grows and evolves as they are faced with an unexpected crisis. Although a bit repetitive and a little predictable, the storyline is interesting. Readers of women’s fiction are sure to enjoy Lori Wilde’s touching novel of redemption and  healing.

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Filed under Contemporary, Lori Wilde, Rated B, Review, The Moonglow Sisters, William Morrow Paperbacks, Women's Fiction

May 11, 2016 · 11:58 pm

Review: Love of the Game by Lori Wilde

Title: Love of the Game by Lori Wilde
Stardust, Texas Series Book Three
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

A sexy sports superstar discovers his body isn’t the only thing that needs healing in this newest Stardust, Texas novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde.

With major league good looks and talent, Dallas Gunslingers relief pitcher Axel Richmond was living the good life. Even if the roar of the crowd could never distract him from the loss of his young son. But now with an injured shoulder and his career on the line, Axel is stuck recuperating at a ranch in Stardust, Texas . . . striking out only with his gorgeous physical therapist.

Kasha Carlyle has one week to get Axel back in action or she can kiss her much-needed job with the Gunslingers goodbye. And any chance to seek custody of the orphaned half-sister she never knew existed. She quickly learns that Axel’s guarded heart also needs healing . . . requiring all kinds of sneaky plays and sexy moves in extra innings.

Review:

The third installment in Lori Wilde’s Stardust, TX series, Love of the Game is an endearing romance between an injured baseball player and his physical therapist.  With strong professional ethics, plenty of emotional baggage and conflicting priorities, there are numerous obstacles Axel Richmond and Kasha Carlyle must overcome on the road to happily ever after.

Kasha has a lot riding on her new job with the Dallas Gunslingers so she works hard to ensure Axel recovers from a possible career ending shoulder injury.  Having recently discovered she has an adult biological half-sister with Down Syndrome, she is doing everything possible to become Emma’s legal guardian. Kasha was adopted as young child after a family tragedy and she is shocked by her strong emotional connection to her sister.  Equally stunning is her intense and immediate attraction to Axel and even if her professional relationship with him precludes any type a personal relationship, her need for control would never allow her to give in to her passion for him.  Having experienced firsthand the devastating effects of out of control passion, Kasha keeps a tight rein on her emotions and desires.

Axel cannot imagine life without baseball so he is extremely focused on overcoming his injury.  Although initially skeptical of Kasha’s treatment plan, he wants to avoid surgery so he reluctantly follows her instructions.  Axel is extremely driven and when finds himself at loose ends, he is forced to revisit the very painful memories of the devastating loss of his young son.  He is taken off guard by his growing feelings for Kasha but he is willing to explore the possibility of a future with her but she is incredibly resistant to the idea.  Having finally breached her formidable defenses,  Axel is very conflicted when his long held dream is within reach.

The romance element of the storyline is leisurely paced since Kasha has valid reasons to keep their interactions strictly on a professional level.  Despite her efforts to maintain an emotional distance, she and Axel genuinely like and respect one another and friendship naturally grows between them throughout the course of Axel’s treatment.  Underlying all of their interactions is a simmering sexual tension that they both try to ignore, but once Kasha decides she has to alter some of her plans regarding Emma, they decide to act on their desire.  Not too long after their relationship turns to romance, Axel is faced with a decision that makes Kasha rethink their future together.  Will Kasha stop letting the events from her past prevent her from finding happiness?

Love of the Game is an emotional, passion-filled addition to Lori Wilde’s delightfully charming Stardust, TX series.  Each of the characters is superbly developed with believable issues to overcome.  The storyline is engaging with just a touch of whimsy that perfectly balances the novel’s more serious undertones.  It is a heartfelt and beautifully rendered love story that will appeal to old and fans of this wonderful series.

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Filed under Avon, Contemporary, Lori Wilde, Love of the Game, Rated B, Review, Romance, Stardust Texas Series

December 7, 2015 · 11:56 pm

Review: I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Lori Wilde

Ill be home forTitle: I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Lori Wilde
Twilight, Texas Book Seven
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Nothing says Christmas like New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde and Twilight, TX, and now Lori returns to Twilight for a brand new heartwarming holiday tale. The matchmaking members of the Cookie Club are up to their old tricks again!

Christmas in Twilight, Texas, is all merriment and mistletoe. The Cookie Club is whipping up their most festive sweets, the townspeople are scrambling to get their holiday shopping done, and Joe-a hometown guy with a restless heart-is dreaming about the woman he wants to kiss most…

…And who happens to be staying at his sister’s place over the holidays, while Joe’s sister is away. But Joe isn’t quite sure he wants to be a living Christmas present to runaway law student Gabi Preston.

Joe thinks the sassy sweetheart he nicknames “Trouble” won’t inconvenience anything but his healthy sex drive. But when he discovers the reasons Gabi escaped from her life, he aches to give her everything she’s never had. As the magic of the season draws them together, the gift of love is the only one worth giving…

Review:

I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Lori Wilde is a delightfully charming holiday romance. This seventh installment in the popular Twilight, Texas series is another heartwarming love story that old and new fans are going to love.

A startling realization about her career path is the impetus behind Gabi Preston’s decision to swap houses with an on line friend. Gabi wants to experience the picture perfect Christmas and the picturesque town of Twilight, Texas is just the place to celebrate the upcoming holiday. Gabi needs a little distance from her über successful and career oriented parents before breaking the news that she is not finishing her degree. After years of blending into the background and putting others’ needs ahead of her own, she is also hoping to discover her true authentic self while she tries to decide what she wants out of life. Gabi is a little ill prepared for the rather rustic living arrangements awaiting her but luckily, sexy Joe Cheek is close by to teach her all she needs to know about life in the country.

Gabi is a little reserved and quiet but she is also very kind and quite compassionate. She does not like to rock the boat and she always does what is expected of her. She loves her parents but they are not very close and while she does not want to upset them, Gabi knows it is time for her to decide her future based on her desires not theirs. She quickly begins to make friends in Twilight and as she takes over her fellow swapper’s volunteer duties, Gabi begins to get a sense of what she wants for herself both professionally and personally.

Joe has lived an interesting and eclectic life as he travels from place to place working different jobs. Despite his wanderlust, he is close to his family and after his grandfather’s accident, Joe drops everything to return to Twilight to run the family Christmas tree farm. He has a bit of a bad boy past but he is caring and loyal to his friends and family. Although he is quite happy working the farm, Joe is not sure that he is ready to settle down and stay in one place. As circumstances change with his family, Joe is forced to take a close look at his lifestyle as he tries to decide if it finally time to put down roots.

Both Joe and Gabi are instantly attracted to one another, but since her stay in Twilight is temporary, they are hesitant to act on their desire. Once they decide to indulge in a no strings fling, complications arise when Joe’s past collides with his present and Gabi becomes aware of his reputation when it comes to the ladies in town. Gabi’s impending departure is always in the forefront of both of their minds and although their feelings for one another begin to deepen, she still plans on leaving. Once she deals with the unresolved issues from her past, will Gabi decide to follow her heart?

I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Lori Wilde is a sweet yet sensual romance. The plot is a little predictable at times but there are enough unexpected twists that the storyline remains fresh and engaging. The cast of characters is appealing and easy to like. The romance between Joe and Gabi is an absolute joy to watch unfold and although there are obstacles in their way, they manage to figure out how to make their relationship work. This beautiful holiday story is sure to be a hit with old and new readers of the Twilight, Texas series and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys small town contemporary romances.

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Filed under Avon, Contemporary, I'll Be home for Christmas, Lori Wilde, Rated B, Review, Romance, Twilight Texas Series

May 27, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Love at First Sight by Lori Wilde

Title: Love at First Sight by Lori Wilde
Cupid, Texas Series Book One
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length:
Book Rating:

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

In the first in a dazzling new series, Lori Wilde welcomes us to Cupid, Texas, where every wish for love comes true . . .

“When it hits, you just know . . .”

Natalie McCleary couldn’t believe her eyes—a lean-muscled, darkly tanned, nearly naked man stood in her path . . . and then it hit her: love. Everyone always told her it would hit like a thunderbolt, and she never believed them. But now she knew: practical, sensible Natalie was head over heels in love—with a stranger.

But ex-Navy SEAL Dade Vega wasn’t about to be a stranger for long. He’d ridden into Cupid on his motorcycle, vowing to keep a promise he’d made to a military buddy. But a single glimpse of Natalie—soaking wet and unexpectedly tempting—changed his life forever.

But how can he offer her his love, when he can’t even promise to stay in one place for longer than a week?

The Review:

In Love at First Sight, the first novel in Lori Wilde’s Cupid, Texas series, generations of the Greenwood women fall in love at first sight. Heroine Natalie McCleary has yet to experience this amazing phenomenon. That is until she catches a glimpse of Dade Vega. Are her feelings love? Or good old-fashioned lust?

After a plane crash that killed her parents and left her with permanent limp, Natalie has helped raise her younger, Zoey, with the help of her extended family. Natalie takes her responsibilities seriously, and she always makes safe decisions. She has a successful business and she helps answer the Dear Cupid letters written by people seeking romantic advice.

Dade’s search for his close friend and foster brother, Red Daggett, brings him to Natalie’s bed & breakfast. Dade is drawn to Natalie but his abusive childhood has left him cynical when it comes to trust and love. Growing more and more concerned about Red’s disappearance, Dade eventually confides to Natalie the reason behind his stay in Cupid and she eagerly assists him in his investigation.

The relationship between Dade and Natalie is more realistic than I anticipated. Both characters questioned whether what they were feeling for one another was in fact love and not lust. They also took the time to get to know one another before acting on their intense passion. The sexual tension builds to a fever pitch and their resulting love scenes are quite sensual.

The overall story is well-written but it is a little slow paced at times. The characters are quite eclectic and well-developed but there are so many introduced that it was hard to keep track of everyone. The mystery aspect of the storyline is very well done and even though I had a good idea of who the villain might be, Ms. Wilde does throw in a few unexpected surprises.

A sweet romance with a charming cast of characters, Love at First Sight is a delightful and light-hearted romance that old and new fans of Lori Wilde are sure to enjoy.

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Filed under Avon, Contemporary, Cupid Texas Series, Lori Wilde, Love at First Sight, Rated B, Review, Romance

October 25, 2012 · 3:58 am

Review: A Cowboy for Christmas by Lori Wilde

Title: A Cowboy for Christmas by Lori Wilde
Jubilee, Texas Book Three
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

It’s Christmastime in Jubilee, Texas, but Lissette Moncrief is having a hard time celebrating . . .

Especially after she accidentally smashes her car into Rafferty Jones’s pick-up truck. Yes, he’s a whole lot of handsome—from the tips of his boots to the top of his Stetson. But he’s no Christmas present. Lissy’s not about to let herself get whisked away by his charming ways and words . . . only to watch him drive away in the end.

But what Lissy doesn’t know is Rafferty’s in town just to meet her—and to give her a share in a windfall that doesn’t rightly belong to him. At first, he just wants to do his good deed and get out. But one look at this green-eyed beauty has him deciding to turn this into a Christmas to remember . . . making promises he’s determined to keep—whether she believes in them or not.

The Review:

A Cowboy for Christmas, the final book in Lori Wilde’s Jubilee, Texas trilogy, is a poignant yet heartwarming romance between a widow and her newfound brother-in-law.

Following her husband’s death in Afghanistan, Lissette Moncrief is stunned when she learns Jake named his half-brother, Rafferty Jones, as the beneficiary of his military life insurance and death benefits. The discovery that her son, Kyle, is slowly going deaf turns her world upside down and sends her into panic mode. Determined to find financial security and stand on her own two feet, she creatively comes up with a plan to expand her bakery business. But when Rafferty arrives in Jubilee to give Lissettte the money that rightfully belongs to her and Kyle, will Lissette forgo her independence and accept the charming cowboy’s offer of help?

Lissette’s marriage to Jake was over long before his death, so while she is saddened by his loss, she has quickly picked up the pieces of her life. Now realizing how much of herself she gave up in order to keep the peace with her troubled husband, Lissette is struggling to change from the passive, people pleasing person she has become. Lissette carefully weighs her options and does not rush into making decisions which often leads to her giving in to other people’s demands rather than rock the boat by expressing her own opinions.

Rafferty has a weakness for helping people in need. Caring for his mentally unstable mother and younger siblings forced him to grow up way too fast. His strong sense of responsibility will not allow him to walk away from Lissette and Kyle so he cleverly devises a plan that will keep him in Jubilee where he can help Lissette without wounding her pride.

Rafferty and Lissette are attracted to one another from their very first meeting, but neither of them is ready for a serious relationship. Rafferty is sensitive to Lissette’s need to stand on her own and he is careful not to push her in a direction she is not ready to go. He is supportive without being overbearing and he provides her with some much needed self-confidence. Lissette’s transformation from meek and mild to more assertive is a slow but realistic process. It is not easy to change lifelong habits, but with Rafferty’s assistance, Lissette stands her ground and emerges from a few skirmishes a much stronger woman.

A secondary storyline involving Lissette’s mother-in-law, Claudia provides added conflict. Claudia’s devastation over Jake’s death is compounded by Rafferty’s arrival in Jubilee. Deeply ashamed by her past actions, Claudia is terrified her secret will be revealed and she strikes out at Lissette in fear.

A Cowboy for Christmas is more serious than the other books in the Jubilee, Texas series. Lori Wilde deftly handles some difficult subjects with sensitivity and without angst. The romance between Lissette and Rafferty is sweet and while they fall in love over a short period of time, it never feels forced or rushed.

A Cowboy for Christmas is delightful novel with appealing characters and a sensational storyline that I highly recommend.

Read my reviews of the other books in the Jubilee, TX series HERE.

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Filed under A Cowboy for Christmas, Avon, Contemporary, HarperCollins, Jubilee TX Series, Lori Wilde, Rated B, Review, Romance