Category Archives: Marilyn Pappano

June 27, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: A Summer to Remember by Marilyn Pappano

Title: A Summer to Remember by Marilyn Pappano
Tallgrass Series Book Six
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

FIRST LOVE NEVER FADES . . . 



It’s been a long time since widow Fia Thomas felt the spark of physical attraction. But from the moment she meets Elliot Ross one stormy night, she yearns for a fresh start, for him to make her feel whole and well again. With his broad shoulders and a warm smile crinkling his dark eyes, he could finally offer her the solace she’s been seeking. And she’s willing to give him anything in return . . . except a promise that could break his heart.

Now that Elliot is out of the Army, he’s looking for a place to call home. Tallgrass was just a stop to stretch his legs, yet one look at Fia halts him in his tracks. In her sweet, sassy company, he finds the soul mate he never thought he’d have. But Fia is holding something back-something that keeps her from making any plans. Elliot’s new mission: gain Fia’s trust…and convince her that summer’s end can mean a new beginning.

Review:

A Summer to Remember is an incredibly heartwarming addition to Marilyn Pappano’s warm and inviting Tallgrass series.  In this outing (which can be read as standalone), ex-Army sniper Elliot Ross is looking for a place to set down roots when he stops in Tallgrass, OK where he meets war widow Fia Thomas his first night in town.  Both are immediately drawn to one another and their attraction proves to be too strong to ignore.  While Elliot is beginning to dream of a future with Fia, she cannot help but wonder how her unresolved health issues will impact their relationship.

Once upon a time, Fia was a wild, fearless risk-taker who left her dysfunctional family behind as soon as she could. She unexpectedly found love with Scott but she completely embraced their life together. Heartbroken over his loss, she still desperately misses him but she finds a great deal of comfort through her close circle of friends.  With her health continuing to deteriorate, the doctors are no closer to diagnosing her illness than when she first began experiencing symptoms.  Now Fia has met Elliot, she feels like her old self again and she is content to enjoy their relationship for however long it lasts.  By the time she realizes their romance is more than just a temporary fling, Fia cannot bring herself to tell him about her health problems but it is only a matter of time before he finds out the truth.

Despite his rather nomadic life since leaving the Army, Elliot is happy, well-adjusted and content to continue looking for a place that feels like home. He is close to his family and he cherishes his memories of life on their West Texas ranch. Stumbling onto the perfect job almost immediately, Elliot begins settling into his new life in Tallgrass soon after his arrival.  Although he has not really had a serious relationship in the past, he genuinely likes women and he always treats his lady friends with respect. Elliot immediately realizes his feelings for Fia run deep and he is very eager to spend time with her although he senses that she is holding something from him.

The relationship between Elliot and Fia is delightfully light-hearted and mostly conflict free despite Fia’s health problems.  Both have upbeat, sunny personalities that perfectly complement one another.  Elliot is undaunted by Fia’s discussions about Scott and she loves listening to his stories about his family. There is plenty of sexual tension between them, but they take the time to get to know each other before acting on their mutual desire. Although they fall in love rather quickly, their feelings are believable since there is a genuine connection between them.

A secondary story arc features Fia’s friend and fellow Margarita Club member, Marti Levin.  Also long widowed, her well-ordered life is shaken up when her fourteen year old niece Cadence moves in with her temporarily.  Through her niece’s love of horses, Marti finds herself spending time with local cowboy Dillon Smith.  While she does not know much about Dillon, Marti is quite drawn to the somber man who has somewhat of a mysterious past.  The two are definitely attracted to one another, but the future of their relationship is left up in the air and hopefully, Marilyn Pappano plans to feature these two in a future novel in the Tallgrass series.

A Summer to Remember is another heartfelt and engaging installment in this delightful series that features a close-knit and loving group of friends who have suffered terrible loss. Newcomer Elliot is the ideal match for Fia and watching them fall in love is an absolute joy. Marilyn Pappano has once again written a realistic yet touching romance that old and new fans are going to love.

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Filed under A Summer to Remember, Contemporary, Forever, Marilyn Pappano, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Tallgrass Series

December 21, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: A Chance of a Lifetime by Marilyn Pappano

a chance of lifetimeTitle: A Chance of a Lifetime by Marilyn Pappano
Tallgrass Series Book Five
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 401 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it . . .

To Benita Ford, Tallgrass, Oklahoma, will always be home. It’s where her beloved grandmother raised her and where she rode bikes with her two best friends-the man who became her husband and Calvin. And Tallgrass is where she stayed, even after her husband died while serving his country. Now Calvin is home from that same war, and the sensitive, mischievous boy she once knew is today a man scarred by wounds no one else can see. Falling in love with him is something Bennie never imagined.

Tallgrass still haunts Captain Calvin Sweet. Yet it’s where he must go to see Bennie-the one woman he always loved but could never have. Calvin regrets so much about what happened years ago. Still he can’t deny being with Bennie makes his future feel bright, like anything is possible. But the demons of his past won’t be quieted that easily. As old hurts linger, threatening to pull them apart, Calvin and Bennie must take the ultimate risk for the love of a lifetime . .

Review:

A Chance of a Lifetime by Marilyn Pappano is a moving novel of friendship, family and love. This latest installment in the Tallgrass series focuses on healing the invisible wounds of war as well as the hurts of the past when Calvin Sweet returns to Oklahoma.

Calvin, Benita “Bennie” Ford and J’Myel Ford grew up together and the three were inseparable. Calvin and J’Myel joined the Army following high school while Bennie remained in Tallgrass. A rift between Calvin and J’Myel ended their close-knit friendship and since Bennie was dating J’Myel at the time, she acquiesced to his demand to end her friendship with Calvin too. In the intervening years, Bennie married, then buried, J’Myel while Calvin’s multiple deployments and devastating losses of several friends has left him battling severe depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Through the help of an informal widow’s support group, Bennie is doing well despite the heartrending loss of her husband. She has a strong faith, invaluable friendships with other widows and a close relationship with the grandmother who raised her. In spite of the losses she has experienced, she remains upbeat and cheerful and she is well on her way to realizing her dream of becoming a registered nurse. Bennie is dismayed to learn that Calvin is back in town and her hopes to avoid him are soon dashed as their paths continue to cross.

Although Calvin’s emotional state is much improved, he is still struggling with the series of events that led to his return to Tallgrass.  Committed to his battle against the deep despair and PTSD, he is reluctant to discuss the reason for return with nearly everyone. Each day, the dark cloud is lifting, but Calvin is well aware this is a battle he will fight for the rest of his life. As he and Bennie spend time together, he realizes he needs to be honest with her about why he is in Tallgrass, but fearing her reaction, Calvin adroitly evades her probing questions.

With a little well-intentioned meddling from their families, Calvin and Bennie slowly resume their old friendship. After they finally discuss the lingering issues from the past, their relationship eventually turns romantic. Bennie notices some of the differences in Calvin’s behavior but she easily puts these changes down to his wartime experiences. He continues to hide the truth about the dark turn his life has taken from her but overall, Calvin is gradually improving despite a few momentary setbacks. Bennie is a little confused by his reluctance to take their romance to the next level, but she patiently waits until he is ready to take the next step. However, nothing can prepare her for Calvin’s confession and she is uncertain what, if any, this announcement has on their future together.

A Chance of a Lifetime is an emotional novel that realistically portrays the invisible wounds inflicted by war. Marilyn Pappano sensitively educates readers about PTSD and depression but she does not sugarcoat the harsh realities of what the future holds for both the veteran and their loved ones. As with previous installments of the Tallgrass series, the characters are multi-faceted with true to life flaws and imperfections. The storyline is impeccably developed and the romance between Calvin and Bennie builds gradually over the course of the story. While the Margarita Club plays a smaller role in this outing, the women are still on hand to lend support when needed. All in all, another warm and inviting addition to a beloved series that old and new fans are sure to love.

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Filed under A Chance of a Lifetime, Contemporary, Forever, Marilyn Pappano, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Tallgrass Series

July 1, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: A Promise of Forever by Marilyn Pappano

promise foreverTitle: A Promise of Forever by Marilyn Pappano
Tallgrass Series Book Four
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 369 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Sergeant First Class Avi Grant’s return to Tallgrass, Oklahoma is a long-deferred wish come true. With her final tour in Afghanistan over, Avi can focus on her future-a job here at home and a family of her own. There’s just one thing she has to do first: visit her beloved commanding officer’s widow and share her grief. The last thing she expected was to feel an instant attraction to the woman’s son. Too bad the sexy surgeon is impossible to ignore . . . and even harder to resist.

The sting of his parents’ divorce still niggles at Ben Noble. So when a warm, funny, and beautiful young sergeant arrives, mourning his stepfather’s loss as strongly as his mother does, Ben can’t help but feel conflicted. If his parents taught him anything, it’s that love doesn’t last-especially with a career soldier. But try as he might to keep his distance, Ben begins to see that Avi-and the spark she brings to his life-is the stuff forever is made of. As Avi’s leave ticks away, can Ben convince her to take a chance on forever with him?

Review:

Marilyn Pappano keeps the Tallgrass series fresh with A Promise of Forever, the newest addition to this heartwarming and meaningful series. Instead of focusing on someone who has lost a spouse, this novel centers on two people’s whose lives have been affected by the death of George Sanderson: his stepson, Ben Noble and his best friends’ daughter, Avi Grant.

Ben and his estranged mother Patricia were introduced A Love to Call Her Own following George’s death in Afghanistan. Ben is still struggling with his lingering resentment toward Patricia for leaving him and his sisters when she divorced his father to marry George. His troubled relationship with his mom has improved in the months since their uneasy reunion, but Ben is nowhere near forgiving her for breaking his father’s heart and tearing their family apart.

Avi’s admiration for George is the reason she chose to enlist in the Army and she was overjoyed that she and her mentor finally had the opportunity to serve together in Afghanistan. Now on leave before beginning her next duty assignment, she has returned home to spend some time with Patricia and her parents. Avi’s first stop when she arrives in Tall Grass is Patricia’s where she meets Ben and after the two hit it off, they decide to enjoy one another’s company until it is time for her to report to her new base.

Despite losing many of her friends in combat, Avi is surprisingly upbeat and positive. She loves her career and she is eager to begin her next assignment. Although she still has eight years until retirement, she is hopeful that she will realize her dream of marrying and raising a family someday soon. Avi is surprised by her attraction to Ben, and while she knows there is really no chance for a future together, she decides to live in the moment and grab her chance at happiness even if it does not last beyond thirty days.

Ben and Avi’s relationship is easygoing and stress free. Both realize that their romance has an expiration date, but they do not let this stand in the way of spending as much time together as possible. They genuinely enjoy one another’s company and although they don’t see eye to eye on a few things, no arguments or disagreements mar their time together. But with Avi’s departure date fast approaching, both come to realize that their casual relationship has transformed into something much deeper, but neither can see any way of making their relationship permanent. Avi is fully committed to her career while Ben is firmly entrenched in Tallgrass. Will they sacrifice their love or will they find a compromise that will allow them to live happily ever after?

A Promise of Forever is another warm and inviting installment in the Tallgrass series. As always, the characters are beautifully developed, multi-faceted and so lifelike that it is easy to become emotionally invested in unfolding story.  The novel is well-written with a believable storyline and Marilyn Pappano touches on relevant issues in a thought-provoking and realistic manner. Intriguing glimpses of a character with ties to one of the members of the Margarita Club will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next novel in the Tallgrass series.

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Filed under A Promise of Forever, Contemporary, Forever, Marilyn Pappano, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Tallgrass Series

February 19, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: A Man to Hold on To by Marilyn Pappano

HoldTitle: A Man to Hold on To by Marilyn Pappano
A Tallgrass Novel (Book Two)
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 400 pages/95,000 words
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Therese Matheson doesn’t know if she’ll ever get over losing her husband in Afghanistan. Surviving Paul’s death has been hard, but raising his sullen son and his thirteen-going-on-thirty daughter alone has been even harder. All they need is a fresh start, and Tallgrass, Oklahoma, could be the perfect new beginning . . . especially when Therese meets Sergeant Keegan Logan. The sexy combat medic and single dad soon awakens a desire she’d thought long buried.

Keegan always wanted to be a father . . . someday. So when his ex-girlfriend disappears, leaving her daughter in his care, Keegan’s hands are tied. He has to find the girl’s father. His search leads him to Tallgrass and to a beautiful brunette widow who has no idea her husband was ever unfaithful. What begins as a friendship soon ignites into something far more and gives him the courage to be the kind of man-and father-he always dreamt he could be. But his secret still stands between them. Can Keegan reveal the truth and convince Therese they share something too special to lose-a love that can bring two families together?

(95,000 words)

The Review:

After reading A Man to Hold on To I am officially hooked on Marilyn Pappano’s delightfully heartwarming Tallgrass series. In this latest installment centered around a close-knit group of war widows, Therese Matheson and Keegan Logan are facing difficult decisions about the children unexpectedly left in their care.

Three years after her husband Paul’s death in Afghanistan, Therese is struggling to build a healthy relationship with her two grieving stepchildren when she meets Keegan. Therese loves Abby and Jacob, but she is on the verge of relinquishing custody of the unhappy and resentful kids after they return from a visit with their self-centered mother. The last thing she needs is another complication in her life and when Keegan arrives looking for Paul, she is surprised by her attraction to the handsome soldier.

Keegan has never met Paul, but their lives intersected when Keegan’s girlfriend Sabrina had an affair with Paul right before Paul’s last deployment. The affair ended Keegan and Sabrina’s relationship but when his ex abandons her daughter, Mariah, Keegan becomes the little girl’s guardian. The only problem? Keegan is not Mariah’s father; Paul is. Keegan travels to Tallgrass with the intention of leaving Mariah in Paul’s custody but after he learns of Paul’s death, he keeps quiet about Paul’s connection to Mariah. A surprising friendship blooms between Keegan and Therese and when their feelings deepen into love, Keegan continues to keep his secret but how long will it take for Therese to uncover the truth about Mariah?

Following an incident with Abby, Therese’s relationship with her stepkids has deteriorated to the point where she is considering giving up custody of them all together. Not having arrived at a final decision when they return from their mom’s, she is encouraged by the changes in Jacob’s attitude but she is disheartened by Abby’s renewed hostility. Keegan is a welcome distraction from the current turmoil in her life and she enjoys the serenity she finds in his company. Of course, underlying all of their interactions is a spark of attraction that neither can ignore and they decide to explore their burgeoning emotions.

At first, I was not sure if I was going to like Keegan since I did not understand why he was so determined to give up Mariah. Once I figured out what motivated his decision, my reservations about him began to disappear. But he completely won me over when he decided to protect Paul’s memory for Therese but then I kept holding my breath waiting for her figure out the truth about Mariah! All in all, I thought this part of the storyline was very well done and the final resolution was not as dramatic as I thought it would be.

My heart really went out to Jacob and Abby. Jacob is such a typical boy in so many ways, but he has a really good heart. I think he finally saw his mother’s true nature during their visit so he came home with a new appreciation for Therese.

And then there’s poor Abby. Yes, she was awful, but with all that she has been through, Therese was an easy target for all of her anger and unhappiness. As easy as it was to feel sorry for Therese, she also bears some of the blame for their problems and I was glad when she finally realized that.

Marilyn Pappano weaves all of the various story arcs in A Man to Hold on To into an emotional and heartfelt novel of love, loss and new beginnings. The overall plot is poignant but it is perfectly balanced with plenty of humor. The characters are fully fleshed, three dimensional and easy to relate to. Tantalizing glimpses of Jessy Lawrence and Dalton Smith neatly set up the next book in Tallgrass series, and I must confess, I am very eager to read their story.

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Filed under A Man to Hold on To, Contemporary, Forever, Marilyn Pappano, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Tallgrass Series