Category Archives: Romance

September 9, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: The Amish Baby Finds a Home by Barbara Cameron

Title: The Amish Baby Finds a Home by Barbara Cameron
Hearts of Lancaster County Series Book Two
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 368 page
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In this heartwarming Amish romance, an Amish toymaker and his sweetheart discover the greatest gifts come in the smallest packages. 

Between his busy toy shop and the farm he owns with his twin brother, Gideon Troyer’s life is full. Now, the handsome Amish woodworker is ready to share it with someone special, someone like Hannah Stoltzfus, the lovely quilt shop owner a few doors down. Their friendship has already grown into something deeper. But before Gideon can tell Hannah how he really feels, she makes an unexpected discovery in his shop: a baby . . . one who shares an unmistakable Troyer family resemblance.

Hannah has never forgotten the kindness and support Gideon offered when she first opened her shop. So she’s happy to help him care for the sweet abandoned boppli until they find his family. But as they untangle the mystery surrounding the child, Hannah wonders at Gideon’s hesitation to take their relationship to the next level. He’s a natural with the baby, and Hannah can see Gideon’s ready for a familye of his own . . . but can she help him believe it?

Review:

The Amish Baby Finds a Home by Barbara Cameron is a delightfully charming Amish romance.  Although this latest release is the second book in the Hearts of Lancaster County series, it can be read as a standalone.

Gideon Troyer has a successful toy shop where he sells the toys that he makes.  He also helps his twin brother, Eli, on their family farm. Gideon is dependable and takes his time making decisions. He is level headed and very kindhearted. Gideon is keeping a mental timetable for his relationship with Hannah Stoltzfus but will an unexpected complication alter his plans?

Hannah is the owner of a popular quilt shop. She is a sweet young woman with a sunny nature. Hannah is the first to lend a helping hand when someone needs assistance. So, when she discovers a baby in the back of Gideon’s toy shop, she immediately takes charge of his care. Neither she nor Gideon knows who the baby’s mother is, but they are certain they know who the father is. Will he step up and take responsibility for his child?

Hannah and Gideon have been courting for the past year. Although they love each other, neither has confessed their feelings. Gideon has a lot to offer to Hannah but when something out of his control alters his plans for them, will he allow this unanticipated change to ruin his future? And will Hannah hear Gideon out when a misunderstanding arises?

The Amish Baby Finds a Home is a captivating romance with a heartwarming cast of characters. Gideon and Hannah are multi-faceted, appealing characters with realistic flaws. The interactions between the various family members tug at the heartstrings. The story arc with the baby is heartfelt and the resolution is uplifting. Hannah and Gideon’s romance is very sweet but will how will they handle their first major disagreement?

Old and new fans of Barbara Cameron’s Hearts of Lancaster County series are going to absolutely love this newest installment.

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Filed under Amish, Barbara Cameron, Contemporary, Forever, Hearts of Lancaster County Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Amish Baby Finds a Home

September 3, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: The Wildest Ride by Marcella Bell

Title: The Wildest Ride by Marcella Bell
Closed Circuit Series Book One
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 400 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The world watches on as reality TV meets rodeo in this competition like no other. In front of the cameras, Lil and AJ are each other’s biggest rivals. Off-screen, it’s about to get a whole lot more complicated…

At thirty-six, undefeated rodeo champion AJ Garza is supposed to be retiring, not chasing after an all-new closed-circuit rodeo tour with a million-dollar prize. But with the Houston rodeo program that saved him as a wayward teen on the brink of bankruptcy, he’ll compete. And he’ll win.

Enter Lilian Sorrow Island. Raised by her grandparents on the family ranch in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Lil is more a cowboy than city boy AJ will ever be. It shows. She’s not about to let him steal the prize that’ll save her ranch, even if he is breathtakingly magnificent, in pretty much every way going…

This summer, in this bold, uplifting novel, Marcella Bell reminds us that even when it comes to rodeo, romance is the wildest ride of all!

Review:

The Wildest Ride by Marcella Bell is a rodeo romance with an ingenious twist.

Lilian “Lil” Sorrow Island has been pinching every penny she can to save her family’s ranch. But when her beloved gran reveals they have to come up with a lot of money very quickly or they will lose the ranch. But not to worry, Gran has a sure-fire plan that she has already put into motion. She has signed Lil up as a contestant for a rodeo reality show. Shock does not even begin to describe Lil’s reaction to this announcement. But Lil is not in a position to say no since she wants to keep the ranch in the family as much as her gran does.

AJ Garza is a rodeo super star whose retirement tour has lasted three years. Now seriously thinking about what comes next for him, he returns to Houston where he learns the program that inspired his career is in danger of shutting down.  AJ grimaces at the thought of the reality rodeo show but the prize money would ensure the doors stay open while they work on out a permanent funding solution.

Twenty-seven-year-old Lil is tough as nails and she can take care of herself. She is the only female competitor and she is surprised by the public reaction as she advances through each round. Lil tends to be a solitary person so she is content to spend time on her own. This becomes very important due to her very unexpected and unwanted attraction to her rodeo idol.

Thirty-six-year-old AJ is a wildly popular rodeo star and he has plenty of swagger. He would do anything for the mentor he views as a father figure, even if it means competing in the reality show. AJ has been in the rodeo business long enough to recognize talent and he knows that Lil has what it takes to win the show. But with the future of the CityBoyz at stake, AJ knows he has to win the competition. But he not does count on his sizzling attraction to his fiercest competitor which is a bit of a distraction.

The Wildest Ride is a clever romance with a multi-cultural cast of characters and a storyline that highlights  racism in the rodeo world. The reality show aspect of the plot is very creative and is mostly drama-free. Lil not only has race barriers that prevent her from achieving her goals, she also faces sexism. AJ can be a little arrogant but he respects the other riders on the circuit. The relationship between AJ and Lil starts as insta-lust that gradually turns into love. While the banter is snappy, there are long, repetitive passages with both AJ and Lil overthinking their decisions and their futures. Some of these paragraphs occur within conversations which makes it difficult to keep track of the ongoing discussion.  Marcella Bell brings this unique romance to a satisfying, but abrupt, conclusion.

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Filed under Closed Circuit Series, Contemporary, HQN Books, Rated C+, Review, Romance, The Wildest Ride

August 26, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: The Darkness Knows by Arnaldur Indridason

Title: The Darkness Knows by Arnaldur Indridason
Detective Konrád Series Book One
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Retired detective Konrad returns to a haunting cold case in The Darkness Knows by Arnaldur Indridason, the “undisputed King of the Icelandic thriller.” —The Guardian (UK)

A frozen body is discovered in the icy depths of Langjökull glacier, apparently that of a businessman who disappeared thirty years before. At the time, an extensive search and police investigation yielded no results—one of the missing man’s business associates was briefly held in custody, but there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him.

Now the associate is arrested again and Konrad, the retired policeman who originally investigated the disappearance, is called back to reopen the case that has weighed on his mind for decades.
When a woman approaches him with new information that she obtained from her deceased brother, progress can finally be made in solving this long-cold case.

In The Darkness Knows, the master of Icelandic crime writing reunites readers with Konrad, the unforgettable retired detective from The Shadow District. This is a powerful and haunting story about the poisonous secrets and cruel truths that time eventually uncovers.

Review:

The Darkness Knows by Arnaldur Indridason is a reflective mystery about a thirty-year-old cold case. Set in Iceland, this newest release is the first installment in the Detective Konrád series.

Retired Detective Konrád revisits the missing person investigation of  Sigurvin, a successful businessman.  Interest in Sigurvin’s old case is suddenly reopened after his  frozen remains are discovered during a glacier tour. Konrád worked on the case and he was never sure they were investigating the right suspect. His renewed investigation brings up old memories of the death of his beloved wife, Erna, and unpleasant childhood memories. Although a bit melancholy, Konrád utilizes the few police resources available to him as he attempts to identify Sigurvin’s killer.

Konrád also tries to figure out if the death of pedestrian Villi Hákonarson might also be linked to Sigurvin’s death. Villi’s sister believes her brother might have known something about Sigurvin’s murder but she has no what that information might be.  Konrád search for witnesses several years after Villi’s death take him to familiar places from his own childhood. His growing up years with his abusive criminal father were very unhappy and he is brutally honest with himself as he reminisces about years past.

The Darkness Knows is an engrossing and sometimes morose mystery with an intriguing storyline.  Konrád has plenty of flaws but he is also determined to bring Sigurvin’s killer to justice. He is quite invested in catching the killer but he sometimes sidetracked by the memories and regrets of years gone by. The investigation is quite interesting and moves at a steady pace. With a stunning turn of events, Arnaldur Indridason brings this suspense-laden mystery to an unexpected conclusion.

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Filed under Arnaldur Indridason, Contemporary, Detective Konrád Series, Minotaur Books, Mystery, Review, Romance, The Darkness Knows

August 19, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee

Title: The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee
A Sweet Mess Series
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

With witty characters and heartrending romance, Jayci Lee, author of A Sweet Mess, returns with The Dating Dare—where two people might just find out how hard it is to resist falling in love with the right person.

No serious relationships. This is the one rule Tara Park made for herself and it has been working swimmingly, thank you very much. The occasional fling is fine, especially since she’s busy with Weldon Brewery. But when Seth Kim, temptation personified and her best friend’s new brother-in-law walks into her life, Tara might be willing to bend her golden rule…but only for four dates—the four dates she agreed to after a few good rounds of beer and a game of truth or dare. It’ll be fun. No biggie.

Seth Kim can’t believe Tara agreed to his dating dare. He’s leaving for a new job in Paris in a month and a no-strings attached fling seemed like a nice little distraction for both… But their secret dates, while sweet and sexy, always hit roadblocks straight out of a romantic comedy. Thankfully, their non-dates and chance meetings are smoother, frequent, and heated. However, the more Seth sees of Tara, the less willing he is to let her go—and what was supposed to be a fun little game turns into something that neither of them are ready for.

But sometimes, the best things in life are the ones we never see coming.

Review:

The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee is a steamy romance with a cute premise. Although this newest latest release is the second book in the A Sweet Mess series it can be read as a standalone.

Tara Park is the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding when she and the groom’s brother and best man Seth Kim decide to get to know each other better. Both are attracted to one another so a drunken game of truth or dare leads to an interesting proposition. Seth challenges Tara to four dates before he leaves for a new job in Paris. She agrees on the condition they keep things casual between them. As Tara and Seth grow closer, will they keep to their no strings agreement?

Seth and Tara’s dates are initially fun outings that are laced with sexual tension. Both have agreed to keep their dare a secret so they come up with interesting reasons to spend time together. Their plans are sometimes thwarted by circumstances out of their control. No matter how frustrated they are by the interruptions, these unexpected situations reveal endearing facets about their personalities. Seth has a surprisingly romantic streak that  delights Tara. With Seth’s departure fast approaching, will they discuss their growing feelings for each other?

The Dating Dare is a light read with plenty of heat and low angst. Tara and Seth are interesting characters whose past relationships leave them with plenty of emotional baggage. While their outings are charming, the storyline is predictable.  The secondary cast of characters is delightful and leave readers wanting to know more about them. The late in the story conflict that arises between Tara and Seth is not unexpected but it is still a little disappointing. Although their romance has an instalove vibe, it is easy to root for Seth and Tara to resolve their differences.  Jayci Lee brings this engaging romance to a sigh-worthy conclusion.

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Filed under A Sweet Mess Series, Contemporary, Jayci Lee, Rated C+, Review, Romance, St Martin's Griffin, The Dating Dare

August 9, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray

Title: Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray
State of Grace Series Book Two
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

This disaster may be just what she needed.

Darcy Malone’s dreams of mission work are dashed on the eve of fulfilling them: The Guatemalan school she was going to teach at has closed, and she’s already quit her job and given up her apartment. Stuck in her worst-case scenario, Darcy accepts an unexpected offer to move in with Bryson Katsaros’s little sister, despite the years of distrust between her and Bryson, the lead singer in her best friend Cameron’s band. But as she meets those close to Bryson, Darcy quickly discovers there is more to him than just his bad-boy persona.

Needing to find a purpose for all her sudden free time, Darcy jumps at the chance to care for and train a group of unruly dogs, with the aim of finding each a home before their bereaved owner returns them to animal control. But it’s Darcy herself who will encounter a surprising rescue in the form of love, forgiveness, and learning to let go.

Review:

Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray is a multi-layered inspirational romance. This second installment in the State of Grace series can be read as a standalone.

Darcy Malone’s disappointments have been piling up and this latest blow almost levels her. Instead of heading off on her long-awaited mission, she is instead packing up her apartment and looking for a temporary place to stay. Her best friend Cameron Lee offers to let her stay with him and his former bandmates. Although far from ideal, this solution is better than moving in with her mom. Darcy is still reeling from her parents’ unexpected divorce and she would rather not live with her mother. When Bryson Kataro learns of her dilemma, he arranges for Darcy to stay with his half-sister Zoe.

At loose ends, Darcy accompanies Bryson to his friend Charlie’s place in the country. Charlie is grieving the loss of his wife and with him ready to give up on his late wife’s shelter dogs, Darcy volunteers to train them for adoption. Thrown into Bryson’s company, Darcy  is finally seeing beneath his hardened surface layers. She surprises herself when she seeks out his company and he provides a much needed ear as she tries to come to terms with the changes in her life.  How will Darcy react when she discovers Bryson returns her attraction? And if they decide to act on it, what effect will dating Bryson have on her lifelong friendship with Cameron?

In her late twenties, Darcy has put so much effort into raising money for her mission that she is rudderless when her plans fall through. She is also still trying to come to terms with the effects of her parents’ shocking divorce. Darcy has also always had a strong faith and after this newest disappointment, she struggles with her inability to hear God speak to her. She ordinarily turns to Cameron but he is not happy she accepted Bryson’s help instead of his. When her path continues to cross with Bryson, she begins to realize there is much she does not know about him. Darcy begins to seek him out when she needs a sounding board and she suddenly begins to view him in a whole new light.

Due to events from his childhood, Bryson is guarded and does not allow very many people to get close to him. He has working hard to finally get a big break for his band. Although he and Darcy have known each other since they were children, they were never all that close. Bryson is stunned when he starts to open up to Darcy, but he still clings tightly to his secrets.  He is a little frustrated that she tends to view him in a negative light.  With a lot of disappointment and pain in his past, will Bryson be open to the possibility of a future with Darcy?

Love and the Silver Lining is a charming novel of self-discovery, forgiveness and love. Darcy is a bit naïve and sheltered and she does not weather adversity well. She can be annoying and amazingly clueless about what is going on around her. But Darcy is kind-hearted, compassionate and struggling to understand herself. Bryson is a bit of a bad boy but it is easy to see he is so much more than the image he portrays. He has not had an easy life and he is multi-faceted with hidden depths. A possible romance between Darcy and Bryson simmers on the back burner for much of the story. With conflict brewing and a decision looming, Tammy L. Gray brings this captivating novel to a heartfelt conclusion. Old and new readers are going to love this latest addition to the State of Grace series.

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Filed under Bethany House Publishers, Contemporary, Inspirational, Love and the Silver Lining, Rated B+, Review, Romance, State of Grace Series, Tammy L Gray

August 5, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake

Title: When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake
Unlikely Duchesses Series Book Three
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A stunning new Regency from beloved author Olivia Drake, When a Duke Loves a Governess…!

Tessa James has worked and planned tirelessly to open her own millinery shop. All she needs now is a loan from the lord who sired and abandoned her. The only problem is, she doesn’t even know his name. What’s a woman to do to find him but enter the aristocratic world by becoming a governess?

Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin, has returned to London after years abroad to discover that his young daughter Sophy has become a wild-child known for scaring away every governess who’s crossed his doorstep. When Tessa James applies for the job, he hires her in desperation despite his misgivings that she’s too bold and beautiful–and that she might be fibbing about her qualifications.

Their blooming attraction leads them on a completely unexpected path to love that neither wants to deny. But when an old enemy threatens Guy’s family, their forbidden romance goes up in flames. Can they still learn to love and trust each other as forces try to tear them apart?

Review:

When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake is a sweet yet slightly steamy historical romance. While this newest release is the third installment in the Unlikely Duchesses series, it can be read as a standalone.

Tessa James has made her own way in life following the death of her mother and part of her childhouse in a workhouse. She currently works for a milliner who does not appreciate her flair for hat making. Fed up with her boss, Tessa makes the impetuous decision to quit her job and apply for a governess position.  If she secures the position, she will be able to make more money. But more importantly, Tessa hopes she will be able to search for her nobleman father. With no formal governess experience or references, can Tessa bluff her way into position?

Guy Whitby never expected to become the Duke of Carlin but he takes his new position seriously. He is also caring for his four-year-old daughter Sophy for the first time since her birth. He wrongly assumed his deceased wife’s parents were better able to care for her. Instead, Guy discovers Sophy is extremely spoiled and willful so he is dismayed to keep losing her governesses. Although he has a few reservations about Tessa, he agrees to give her a week to show she is capable of the job. Luckily for Guy, Tessa proves more than able to care for his daughter without breaking her spirited nature.

Tessa and Guy are instantly attracted to each other. But both of them are well-aware of the pitfalls of an affair between them. Tessa wants nothing to ruin her chances of finding her father and opening her own business. Guy’s disastrous marriage is the perfect reason for him to keep his distance from his beautiful employee. But with their attraction becoming too difficult to ignore, will Guy convince her to become his duchess?

When a Duke Loves a Governess is a charming love story with an intriguing storyline. Tessa is smart, talented woman who has no desire to give up her independence. Guy is a decidedly unstuffy  with an interesting backstory. Young Sophy is a handful but she benefits greatly from unconditional love and attention. With a slight element of mystery, Olivia Drake brings this heartfelt historical romance to a joyful conclusion.  Readers are sure to enjoy this latest installment of the  Unlikely Duchesses.

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Filed under Contemporary, Historical, Olivia Drake, Rated B, Review, Romance, St Martin's Paperbacks, Unlikely Duchesses Series, When a Duke Loves a Governess