Category Archives: Rated B

November 4, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Amish Midwife’s Hope by Barbara Cameron

Title: The Amish Midwife’s Hope by Barbara Cameron
Hearts of Lancaster County Series Book One
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A midwife and single father have a second chance at the family they’ve always dreamed of in this heartwarming Amish romance from award-winning author Barbara Cameron.

Widow Rebecca Zook adores her work delivering bopplin in her close-knit Amish community, but the young midwife secretly wonders if she’ll ever find love again or have a family of her own. When she meets handsome newcomer Samuel Miller, her connection with the widowed single father is immediate-Rebecca even bonds with his sweet little girl. It feels like a perfect match, yet Samuel seems hesitant . . .

In Paradise, Lancaster County, Samuel hoped to find the fresh start he and his dochder need . . . and perhaps a second chance for love. He never imagined he’d discover both so quickly and in one lovely, kind woman. But as Samuel falls for Rebecca, he worries that her job will only remind him of his past heartaches. Rebecca isn’t willing to sacrifice her beloved calling, but she is ready to embrace the future . . . if only Samuel can open his heart once more.

Review:

The Amish Midwife’s Hope by Barbara Cameron is a touching Amish romance.

Rebecca Zook’s career as a midwife helped her work through her grief when her husband died in a farming accident. She is dedicated to her patients so she is careful to monitor them for any problems that might arise during pregnancy or birth. Rebecca is a genuinely kind and compassionate woman who  is mostly successful in not dwelling on her fears and concerns.  She has not been ready for a new relationship despite introductions to available men.  Which explains why Rebecca is so surprised at her reaction when she meets newcomer Samuel Miller and his adorable six year old daughter Lizzie.

Samuel moved to Paradise, PA to escape the reminders of his beloved wife who passed away due to childbirth complications.  So far, the new beginning has been beneficial since his grief is finally abating. Samuel keeps busy with settling into his new home, caring for Lizzie and preparing the farm for winter.  Upon settling into the new community, Samuel is initially drawn to Rebecca. However, after learning she is a midwife, Samuel pulls away from her. When Lizzie brings him and Rebecca back together, will he allow his fears ruin their chance at love?

The Amish Midwife’s Hope is an sweet romance with a delightful cast of characters and engaging storyline. Rebecca and Samuel are an appealing couple whose relationship is an absolute delight to watch unfold. Lizzie is an little charmer who is impossible not to love. With a late in the story conflict to resolve, Barbara Cameron brings this heartwarming romance to a gratifying conclusion. Fans of the genre are going to love this first installment in the Hearts of Lancaster County series.

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Filed under Amish, Barbara Cameron, Contemporary, Forever, Hearts of Lancaster County Series, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Amish Midwifes Hope

October 28, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Sort of Dead by Rob Rosen

Title: Sort of Dead by Rob Rosen
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Genre: Contemporary, Supernatural (Ghosts, Physic), Gay, Erotic, Romance
Length: 198 pages/Word Count: 65,171
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

Nord wakes up to find himself sort of dead. Well, that is to say, he’s dead, alright — murdered, in fact — but not in heaven, at least not yet. In this limbo-like state, he meets Max and learns that everyone there is waiting for the final poof, hopefully to a better place. Only, with unfinished business back in the real world, like bringing his murderer to justice, Nord’s poof is nowhere in sight. So he and Max set out to find the killer and make things right again. Of course, that’s easier said than done when you’re nothing more than a couple of randy spirits.

With the help of Voltan, a diminutive mystic with a predilection for turbans, and Clark, a nerdy computer geek eager to shed his loner past, plus a ghost accountant Bruce, Bruce’s drag queen brother Eve O’Destruction, and Nord’s kick-ass mom, the newly enamored pair set out to hunt for the murderer, and are quick to discover how much they’d taken for granted when they were alive.

In this hysterically funny and often poignant mystery about fate and love and family, it ultimately takes dying for our heroes to have the times of their lives.

Review:

Sort of Dead by Rob Rosen is a madcap, ghostly mystery with romantic elements.

Nord wakes up to discover he was murdered and he is now in a heavenly holding room.  With Max to guide him through this disconcerting and unexpected twist in an otherwise normal life, they decide to try to figure out who killed him and why.  With assistance from a quirky yet lovable group, Nord and Max begin their hunt for a killer.

Nord, Max and their motley crew are wonderfully developed with plenty of um, interesting, eccentricities. The storyline is interesting with clever otherworldly abilities. The romance aspect is understated yet endearing. Fair warning-the romantic encounters are erotic. The search for Nord’s murderer yields vital clues but will their efforts uncover the motive and identity of the person responsible for his death?

Sort of Dead is a very entertaining mystery with a lively cast of eccentric characters.  The storyline is fast-paced, amusing and heartwarming.  Rob Rosen brings this zany mystery to a heartfelt, sigh-inducing romantic conclusion. Fans of the genre will enjoy this sometimes bittersweet but always engaging story!

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Filed under Contemporary, Erotic, Gay, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Rob Rosen, Romance, Sort of Dead, Supernatural Elements

October 26, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter

Title: Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter
Bluebell Inn Romance Series Book Three
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom and A December Bride (now beloved Hallmark Original movies) comes the third and final novel in the Bluebell Inn series!

When a mysterious man turns up at Grace’s family-run inn, it’s instant attraction. But she’s already got a lot on her plate: running the Bluebell Inn, getting Blue Ridge Outfitters off the ground, and coping with a childhood event she’d thought was long past.

A gunshot wound has resurrected the past for secret service agent Wyatt Jennings, and a mandatory leave of absence lands him in Bluebell, North Carolina. There he must try and come to grips with the crisis that altered his life forever.

Grace needs experience for her new outfitters business, so when Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she’s more than happy to step up to the plate. As their journey progresses, Grace soon has an elusive Wyatt opening up, and Wyatt is unwittingly drawn to Grace’s fresh outlook and sense of humor.

There’s no doubt the two have formed a special bond, but will Wyatt’s secrets bring Grace’s world crashing down? Or will those secrets end up healing them both?

Review:

Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter is a heartwarming romance with a gentle undercurrent of faith. Although this newest release is the third book in the Bluebell Inn Romance series, it can be read as a standalone.

After four years of hard work, Grace Bennett and her siblings, Levi and Molly, are ready to put their successful B&B up for sale.  Following their tragic loss, they completed their parents’ goal of turning the family home into an inn. Levi, Molly and Grace are, at long last, ready to move on to the dreams each of them have willingly put on hold.

Now twenty-one, Grace has worked hard to get her business, Blue Ridge Outfitters, up and running. She has plans for the next step in her life but she is a little nervous about moving forward. Grace is confident and happy, but a couple of incidents bring up long ago memories that continue to haunt her.

Secret Service Agent Wyatt Jennings is unexpectedly coping with a long unresolved issue following an incident while on the job.  When his boss forces him to take time off, Wyatt decides it is time to find some closure.  Returning to Bluebell, NC, he impulsively decides to stay at the Bluebell Inn. Feeling much older than his years and a bit world weary, Wyatt is surprised by his interest in Grace.

Grace is supportive of Wyatt’s quest and she volunteers to aid him as he searches for the place where his life took a shocking turn. Wyatt is impressed by Grace’s maturity and how down to earth she is. They perfectly complement one another and prove to be incredibly helpful as each of them face their painful pasts. As Grace and Wyatt get to know one another, they both fight their unanticipated attraction to one another. Despite their deepening feelings, Grace and Wyatt cannot see any chance of a future together. Or is there?

Autumn Skies is a sweet romance with plenty of depth and substance. The storyline is well-developed with realistic issues for Grace and Wyatt to overcome.  Grace and Wyatt are three-dimensional characters who spring vibrantly to life. The Bluebell Inn and surrounding area provide a tranquil backdrop for the unfolding story. With a delightful plot twist,  Denise Hunter brings this final installment in the Bluebell Inn Romance series to an uplifting, heartfelt conclusion.  Old and new fans are sure to love this charming  faith-based romance.

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Filed under Autumn Skies, Bluebell Inn Romance Series, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Inspirational, Rated B, Rated B+, Review, Thomas Nelson Publishing

October 18, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: Christmas at Holiday House by RaeAnne Thayne

Title: Christmas at Holiday House by RaeAnne Thayne
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 285 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In the town of Silver Bells, there’s always a feeling of Christmas in the air… Let love—and RaeAnne Thayne—melt your heart this holiday season!

This New Year will bring widowed nurse Abigail Powell a fresh start in a different city. Excited about the chance to create an unforgettable Christmas for her young son in picturesque Silver Bells, Colorado, Abby has been hired to take care of her dear friend’s recuperating grandmother. But sprightly senior Winnie insists she doesn’t need looking after. What she does need is help decorating her historic mansion, Holiday House, for a seasonal town fundraiser. Abby warms to the festive task, but she’ll have to contend with her own personal Grinch: Winnie’s prickly grandson, Ethan Lancaster.

Ethan Lancaster is good at a lot of things. Relationships surely aren’t one of them. His ex-fiancée convinced Ethan he was incapable of love, and he believes her…up until the moment he impulsively kisses Abby. What is it about this vibrant woman and her sweet son that knocks his world off-kilter? He knows they’re leaving town after Christmas. He just didn’t expect they’d be taking a little of his heart with them. But as he and Abby work together on the magical Holiday House through the record cold weather, visions of a different future dance in his head…one filled with warmth, love and a new beginning for them both.

Review:

Christmas at Holiday House by RaeAnne Thayne is a delightfully charming holiday romance.

Abby Powell is in the process of relocating to Texas in order to start fresh as she finally feels ready to move on from the tragic loss of her husband. With free time on her hands, she and her adorable five year old son Christopher travel to Silver Bells, CO to help longtime friend Lucy Lancaster’s grandmother Winnie who recently injured herself in a fall.

Abby is adept at taking care of the spirited older woman but she is out of her depth as she helps decorate Winnie’s mansion for upcoming tours. She also tamps down her fears as Lucy’s brother Ethan offers to help Christopher experience winter sports for the first time. Although Abby never loses sight of her upcoming plans, she delights in the new friendships she is making as she helps Winnie with a charity event. She also fights her unexpected attraction to Ethan, who believes love is just not in the cards for him considering his failed engagement and turbulent childhood.  Will the upcoming holidays work a little magic for this well-matched but cautious couple?

Abby is a wonderful mom who is a little tentative but determined not hold her son back due to her own concerns. Although sometimes a little reluctant, she is surprised at how much she is enjoying helping Winnie.  Despite her contentment with everything Silver Bells has to offer, Abby does not seriously entertain thoughts about altering the plans she has already set in motion.  But will she change her mind as her feelings for Ethan deepen?

After his grandmother’s fall, Ethan returns home determined to convince Winnie to move into assisted living. He relents after Abby agrees to stay but he tries to spend more time with his grandmother. Ethan is surprised that he is so drawn to Abby and Christopher. He cannot forget his ex-fiancée’s harsh assessment of him when she ended their engagement. But as he realizes the depth of his emotions, will Ethan risk his heart again?

A secondary story arc involves Lucy and her strained relationship with longtime friend José Navarro.  After witnessing her parents’ volatile relationships throughout her childhood, Lucy moves frequently and refuses to enter into a committed relationship. She and  José spend time together every year but a few months ago, their relationship changed.  Due to her fears, Lucy pushes him away, but is she making a mistake by not giving him a chance?

Christmas at Holiday House is a light-hearted holiday romance with a lovely cast of characters and marvelous setting.  The storyline is well-written with realistic issues that will resonate with readers. The town Silver Springs is warmly inviting with kind-hearted residents. Old and new fans of RaeAnne Thayne are sure to enjoy this heartwarming and uplifting story of  friendship, healing and love.

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Filed under Christmas at Holiday House, Contemporary, HQN Books, RaeAnne Thayne, Rated B, Review, Romance

October 12, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr

Title: Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr
Virgin River Series Book Twenty-One
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 258 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr returns to the beloved town of Virgin River with a brand-new story about fresh starts, new friends and the magic of Christmas.

Kaylee Sloan’s home in Southern California is full of wonderful memories of the woman who raised her. But the memories are prolonging her grief over her mother’s recent death. A successful author, Kaylee hoped she could pour herself into her work. Instead she has terrible writer’s block and a looming deadline.

Determined to escape distractions and avoid the holiday season, Kaylee borrows a cabin in Virgin River. She knows the isolation will help her writing, and as she drives north through the mountains and the majestic redwoods, she immediately feels inspired. Until she arrives at a building that has just gone up in flames. Devastated, she heads to Jack’s Bar to plan her next steps. The local watering hole is the heart of the town, and once she crosses the threshold, she’s surprised to be embraced by people who are more than willing to help a friend—or a stranger—in need.

Kaylee’s world is expanding in ways she never dreamed possible. And when she rescues a kitten followed by a dog with a litter of puppies, she finds her heart opening up to the animals who need her. And then there’s the dog trainer who knows exactly how to help her. As the holidays approach, Kaylee’s dread turns to wonder. Because there’s no better place to spend Christmas than Virgin River.

Review:

Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr is a heartwarming romance. Although this newest release is the twenty-first installment in the Virgin River series, it can be read as a standalone.

With the first anniversary of her beloved mother’s death approaching, Kaylee Sloan is still deeply grieving the loss. With a looming deadline and an inability to write, she decides a change of scenery will jumpstart her creative process. Having enjoyed her previous visits to Virgin River, Kaylee rents out her house and heads to a friends’ cabin.  But her plans hit immediately hit a bump in the road when the cabin is uninhabitable due to a fire.  Although a bit defeated, she accepts Mel and Jack Sheridan’s hospitality and offer to help her find a suitable rental in the area. And, as luck would have it, Landry Moore has an empty house that he offers to her.  With the seemingly perfect setting, Kaylee continues working to meet her upcoming deadline.

Kaylee and her mother were extremely close and she is haunted by her memories of their time together. Although her publisher has been very understanding, Kaylee fears her career will suffer if she does not finish her current novel. Although she has several pages written, she is not having much luck hitting her stride. She instead becomes wrapped up in an unexpected project and her growing friendship with Landry. With their relationship heading into romantic territory, Kaylee decides to live in the moment as  they give into their attraction for each other.

Landry is a bit of a loner but he is always friendly when he goes into town. He is a successful artist who is also a part-time dog trainer. Landry is surprised by how much he enjoys Kaylee’s company. When his past collides with his present, he realizes it is time to take steps to finally close that chapter of his life.

Return to Virgin River is a touching romance of healing, friendship and love. Kaylee is a likable character who is surprisingly open to new experiences. Landry is an laidback man with infinite patience. Their romance is sweet and grows naturally from their close friendship. The setting is winsome and Virgin River residents quickly welcome Kaylee into the fold. With an unanticipated plot twist,  Robyn Carr brings this charming romance to an uplifting conclusion. Old and new fans of the Virgin River series will enjoy this lovely romance.

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Filed under Contemporary, Mira, Rated B, Return to Virgin River, Review, Robyn Carr, Romance, Virgin River Series

· 11:57 pm

Review: The Long Shadow by Anne Buist

Title: The Long Shadow by Anne Buist
Publisher: Text Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Write down something about yourself, as a mother, that worries you.

Psychologist Isabel Harris has come to the outback town of Riley because her husband Dean is assessing the hospital—the hub of the community—with a view to closing it down. Isabel, mostly occupied with her toddler, will run a mother–baby therapy group. But on the first day she gets an anonymous note from one of the mothers:

The baby killer is going to strike again. Soon.

Then a series of small harassments begins.

Is it an attempt to warn Dean off? Or could the threat be serious? A child was murdered in Riley once before.

As Isabel discovers more about the mothers in her group, she begins to believe the twenty-five-year-old mystery of a baby’s death may be the key to preventing another tragedy.

Review:

Set in a small rural town in Australia, The Long Shadow by Anne Buist is an intriguing mystery.

Psychologist Isabelle Harris, her husband Dean and toddler Noah are temporarily living in a town on the verge of dying out. Dean is examining the small hospital amid rumors he plans to shut it down. While he works long hours, Isabelle is in charge of a mother’s group with five women from the local community who are struggling a bit with motherhood. Sophie Barclay is married to the son of a prominent family and she is a little high strung. Róisín Reardon is the oldest person in the group and she dearly loves her daughter but she leaves most of the childcare duties to her husband. Zahra Souri is still struggling in the aftermath of her hospital stay for postpartum psychosis. Kate McCormack loves her daughter but she is an emotionally distant mum. Teagan Moretti is still pregnant and wants nothing more than to be a good parent to her unborn child. From different walks of life and socio-economic backgrounds, there are tensions and resentments between the women that Isabelle works hard to push aside during their weekly meetings. The first gathering is off to an inauspicious start due to the worrying note that a baby’s life might be in danger. With a still unsolved murder of a baby from twenty-five years ago, Isabelle takes the warning seriously.

Isabelle is used to uprooting her life as she follows Dean from city to city. However, this latest move is the first time they have been sent to such an isolated town. Isabelle has her own difficulties as a parent and she still experiences anxiety over Noah’s safety. Their temporary home is isolated and she is a little jumpy since Dean works late into the evening. The stress she is experiencing highlights the problems in their marriage and Isabelle is hoping they will work through their issues.

Isabelle reports the note to the local police but she is a little dissatisfied with their response. She quietly begins researching the town and the earlier kidnapping and death of the baby.  Despite her growing unease after some worrisome events, Isabelle refuses to stop trying to find answers as she becomes concerned that someone in her group might be a target. When her worst fears are realized, she frantically tries to unearth the truth.

The Long Shadow is a clever mystery with a very atmospheric setting. The characters are well-drawn and the small town vividly springs to life. The community’s struggle to survive and the residents’ worries about the fate of the hospital result in fraught confrontations. Isabelle and the women in the group each make considerable progress over the course of their sessions. Although the storyline is interesting, the pacing is a little uneven. Despite a few unanswered questions, Anne Buist brings this engaging mystery to a twist-filled, mostly satisfying conclusion.  Fans of the genre will enjoy this well-written mystery.

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Filed under Anne Buist, Contemporary, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Suspense, Text Publishing, The Long Shadow