Category Archives: Sourcebooks Casablanca

October 14, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford

cowboy firefighterTitle: A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford
Smokin’ Hot Cowboys Series Book One
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Warm up this Christmas with a sexy cowboy firefighter who knows how to ignite flames as well as put them out…

He’s hotter than a wildfire
Trey Duval is a rancher, proud as can be of his Wildcat Ranch. He’s also the top volunteer firefighter of Wildcat Bluff, Texas, the town that pulls out all the stops for its Christmas festivities.

City girl Misty Reynolds comes to Wildcat Bluff just in time to help Trey put out a suspicious fire, leading him to dub her his “Christmas angel.” Unfortunately, Misty’s past has left her with terrible memories of fire, and of Christmastime.

As the two are thrown together again and again, Trey finds himself wanting Misty more and more, and Misty feels stronger and braver when Trey is around. Though their trust grows slowly, their passion for each other is burning hot…

Review:

With its unique premise and cast of eclectic characters, A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford is a lovely holiday romance that fans of contemporary western fiction will enjoy. This first installment in the Smokin’ Hot Cowboys series features an investigation into a series of fires in the small town of Wildcat Bluff and a sizzling hot love story between Misty Reynolds and Trey Duvall.

Misty does not let her fear of fire stop her from investigating a rash of suspicious fires in Wildcat Bluff. She immediately crosses paths with Trey and she overcomes her phobia long enough to help the sexy volunteer firefighter put out a grass fire and despite her attraction to him, she cannot completely rule him out as the arsonist. Trey is equally drawn to Misty but he quickly senses that she is being less than truthful with him about her reasons for visiting Wildcat Bluff.

A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas is a little slow paced with an over-the-top (but somewhat unusual) storyline. Insta-lust quickly turns to insta-love for both Misty and Trey as they investigate the fires. Endearing character traits and Misty’s cutesy nickname soon become annoying while the secondary characters are so quirky they comes across as caricatures instead of real people. The weakest part of the storyline is the fire investigation since there is little suspense as to who is responsible for the setting the fires.

Despite these issues, A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas is a well-written, light-hearted holiday romance. Kim Redford incorporates factual information into the storyline, which adds to the novel’s overall appeal. Wildcat Bluff is a charming, close-knit town with interesting and diverse residents. All in all, it is a nice beginning to the Smokin’ Hot Cowboys series that I recommend to fans of the genre.

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Filed under A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas, Contemporary, Kim Redford, Rated C, Review, Romance, Smokin' Hot Cowboys Series, Sourcebooks Casablanca

July 6, 2015 · 11:56 pm

Review: Not So New In Town by Michele Summers

not soTitle: Not So New In Town by Michele Summers
Harmony Homecomings Series Book Two
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

You can’t go back, and you can’t stand still…
Lucy Doolan is a marketing genius. She can sell rain to a frog and snow to a polar bear. Newly single and unemployed, she’s lured back to her hometown of Harmony, North Carolina to help out her pregnant evil stepsister…only to find former crush heartthrob Brogan Reese has returned too, to open a new business in town. To add insult to injury, he’s still hot.

If the thunder don’t get you, then the lightning will…
Brogan never noticed Lucy much when they were young, but seventeen people have recommended her to help him. She’s got his attention now. With her sweet personality, brilliant imagination, and penchant for doing the completely unpredictable, Brogan is finding a whole lot of excuses to spend his days-and nights-with Lucy.

Review:

Not So New In Town by Michele Summers is a super cute and zany small town novel. With a cast of wacky but loveable characters, an appealing storyline and a steamy romance, this second installment in the Harmony Homecomings series is a delightfully charming read.

Lucy Doolan’s homecoming is off to an discouraging beginning when her car breaks down outside of town and the good Samaritan who stops to assist her is none other than her one time crush (and her stepsister’s ex-boyfriend) Brogan Reese. She has returned home temporarily to concentrate on reviving her career while taking care of her evil stepsister Julia and teenage nephew Parker. The last thing she needs is to reconnect with Brogan but when Parker needs a mentor, she finds herself spending quite a bit of time with the sexy entrepreneur. Lucy is dismayed to discover her long ago crush has morphed into a serious case of lust, but given the history between them, she has no intention of acting on her attraction.

Lucy is funny, vivacious and incredibly smart. She has high hopes that her short stay in Harmony will give her the opportunity to mend her relationship with her stepsister, but Julia does not make things easy on her. She is looking forward to spending time with Parker, but her sweet nephew has turned into a surly teen who cannot seem to stay out of trouble. Having recently ended a bad relationship with a loser who took advantage of her sweet nature, Lucy is not interested in beginning another one, but when she accepts a lucrative job offer from Brogan, the sexual tension between them continues to grow.

Brogan is a really nice man but he has more than his fair share of emotional baggage. His unresolved past continues to haunt him and he has serious commitment issues. While he was once the town’s golden boy, old gossip about him and Julia is still swirling around so he is having trouble getting customers into his new health food store. Desperate to save the business so he can move on, Brogan finally convinces Lucy to accept his job offer and her creative marketing strategy quickly pays off.

Brogan and Lucy work well together and the lines between their personal and professional lives soon blur. Brogan is a frequent visitor at Lucy’s house and they also spend long hours together at the health food store. Their friends have easily picked up on their interest in one another and they devise some pretty inventive schemes to throw them together. Brogan and Lucy finally give in to their attraction, and they agree to a no strings fling. Their interludes are very steamy and while both begin to realize their feelings run deeper than lust, neither is willing to admit it to the other. An unexpected complication arises at the same Brogan comes face to face with his past and the future of their relationship is soon in jeopardy.

Not So New In Town is a marvelous addition to the Harmony Homecomings series. Lucy and Brogan are wonderfully developed, three-dimensional protagonists with realistic issues to overcome. The secondary cast of characters is quite colorful and their quirkiness adds to the story’s appeal. The storyline is quite engaging and although mostly light-hearted, there are also real problems to solve. Michele Summers brings the setting vibrantly to life and she fully captures all the nuances of small town living.  All in all, it is a witty romance that old and fans of the series are sure to love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harmony Homecomings Series, Michele Summers, Not So New In Town, Rated B, Review, Sourcebooks Casablanca

June 3, 2015 · 11:56 pm

Review: I’ll Stand By You by Sharon Sala

stand byTitle: I’ll Stand By You by Sharon Sala
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sharon Sala brings new meaning to family in her small-town Southern romance

No one is alone
Dori Grant is no stranger to hardship. As a young single mother in the gossip-fueled town of Blessings, Georgia, she’s weathered the storm of small-town disapproval most of her life. But when Dori loses everything within the span of an evening, she realizes she has no choice but to turn to her neighbors.

As long as there is love to give
Everyone says the Pine boys are no good, but Johnny Pine has been proving the gossips wrong ever since his mother died and he took over raising his brothers. His heart goes out to the young mother and child abandoned by the good people of Blessings. Maybe he can be the one to change all that…

Review:

Fans of small town contemporary romances are going to fall in love with I’ll Stand By You. Sharon Sala heads back to Blessings, GA where single mom Dori Grant and Johnny Pine, who is the guardian of his two young brothers, fall in love in the midst of hardship.

While she is from the “right” side of the tracks, Dori has weathered more than her fair share of gossip and innuendo after becoming an unwed, teenage mom. With the help of her granddaddy, she has managed to pass her GED and enroll in on-line college classes while also working at a local diner and raising her six month old son, Luther Joe. But one horrible night, Dori loses everything but Luther Joe, and she is shocked when NONE of her neighbors offers to help her out.

Johnny is no stranger to adversity and he is absolutely stunned when Dori’s neighbors abandon her and Luther after her tragic loss. He knows what it is like to be all alone in the world and he does not hesitate to bring them home to stay with him and his brothers Brooks aka Beep and Marshall. Johnny fought hard to keep his brothers after his mother’s death, and although they don’t have much money, he is doing an exemplary job of raising them.

Johnny and Dori are pretty much strangers but they settle into their living arrangements with ease.  As word quickly spreads through town about Dori’s plight, most of the townspeople pull together to help her out while others immediately begin spreading vicious rumors about her and Johnny. Fortunately, Dori has a few good people in her corner who are more than willing to stand up for them. And when someone from Dori’s past tries to cash in her good fortune, let’s just say, this person gets EXACTLY what is coming to ’em.

I’ll Stand by You is a charming romance that is a little poignant but very heartwarming. The relationship between Johnny and Dori is soo sweet and even though they fall in love quickly, their feelings for one another ring true. Sharon Sala fully captures both the good and bad of small town life and although there are a few truly despicable townspeople, there are also plenty of kindhearted and generous ones who more than make up for their mean spirited actions. A heartfelt and emotional love story that is incredibly uplifting and gratifying despite the sometimes somber (but always realistic) storyline.

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Filed under Contemporary, I'll Stand By You, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sharon Sala, Sourcebooks Casablanca

June 1, 2015 · 11:56 pm

Review: Sharp Shootin’ Cowboy by Victoria Vane

sharp shootin'Title: Sharp Shootin’ Cowboy by Victoria Vane
Hot Cowboy Nights Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT, COWBOY…

Weary warrior… After eight years as a Marine sniper, war-scarred Reid Everett is back in his native Wyoming. He knows and loves this rugged land, so working for wildlife services to reduce the booming wolf population suits him to a T.

Caring crusader… Wildlife biologist Haley Cooper is desperate to make a difference. Leaving the world of academia behind, she accepts a position as a wolf advocate to protect the animals she loves.

Raw attraction… Their jobs set them on a collision course, but chemistry sparks like wildfire between Reid and Haley. They’ll have to brave some rough territory if they hope to reconcile their polarizing views with a passion that won’t be denied.

Review:

In Sharp Shootin’ Cowboy, Victoria Vane pairs up Marine sniper and Wyoming cowboy Reid Everett with wildlife biologist and wolf advocate Haley Cooper. The two share a scorching hot attraction, but their differing opinions on fundamental issues keeps them apart for several years despite Reid’s attempts to convince Haley to give a relationship between them a chance.

Haley is a woman with strong beliefs and it is virtually impossible to get her to see any viewpoint but her own. She has serious trust issues and she seizes any excuse to push Reid away. Haley is rather naive, a tad bit irritating and so incredibly stubborn that it is VERY easy to become frustrated with her. But keep in mind, the story spans several years, so try to be patient and give her the chance to grow and mature.

Reid has strong principles but he does not view things strictly in black and white like Haley does. He is more fair-minded and willing to listen to differing opinions. He is tenacious and although Haley does not give him any reason to think he has a chance with her, Reid reaches out to her time and again. He is willing to give their relationship a fair chance but Reid does eventually get tired of continually getting shot down.

By the time Reid and Haley meet again, this time in Wyoming, he has given up on a relationship with her. He is out of the military and trying to settle back into life on the family ranch when they unexpectedly cross paths. They are still on opposite sides of the wolf issue, but for the first time, Haley is beginning to see real life effects of wolf reintegration. Their attraction is still sizzling hot and they rekindle their romance, but once again, Haley’s misgivings come between them. However, outside interference poses the greatest threat to their relationship and it is up to Haley to try mend the rift between them.  But will it be too little, too late?

Sharp Shooting’ Cowboy is a fast-paced romance with a very unique storyline. While wolf reintegration is a controversial topic, Victoria Vane does a wonderful job presenting unbiased information about both sides of the issue. The conflict between Reid and Haley seems insurmountable which makes the final resolution of their problems that much sweeter. All in all, it is an absolutely marvelous addition to the Hot Cowboy Nights series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.

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Filed under Contemporary, Hot Cowboy Nights Series, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Victoria Vane

May 3, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: Count Your Blessings by Sharon Sala

count blessingsTitle: Count Your Blessings by Sharon Sala
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 92 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Previously titled Color Me Bad, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sharon Sala dishes up Count Your Blessings, a contemporary romance piled high with love, laughter, and plenty of heart in Blessings, Georgia!

As the respectable wife of the town preacher, Patty June Clymer never thought she’d have to worry about a cheating husband. But when things come to a head, Patty decides to take charge of her life by kicking her no-good husband out her house, and getting a total makeover at the popular local salon. With a new spiky black haircut and a new outlook on life, Patty goes from mousy and meek to living large and in charge, and fairly starts a revolution in the small town of Blessings, Georgia.

Review:

Count Your Blessings by Sharon Sala is a very charming novella that is set in a small southern town. The local beauty shop is the center of the action and it is where the preacher’s wife deals with her cheating husband and his mistress in a very public (and unexpected) way.

Patty June Clymer’s weekly hair appointment at The Curl up and Dye is anything but ordinary when she comes face to face with her husband’s mistress. Unfortunately small town gossip paints Patty June in an unflattering light after the rest of townspeople decide to take a closer look at their own relationships. Change is afoot for many of the people in the community when they come face to face some uncomfortable truths about their own lives.

Count Your Blessings is light-hearted and fun read that will leave readers very eager to read Sharon Sala’s novels set in Blessings, Georgia. The first full-length novel, The Curl Up and Dye is already available for purchase (you can read my review HERE), and the second installment, I’ll Stand by You, releases in early June.

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Filed under Contemporary, Count Your Blessings, Fiction, Rated B+, Review, Sharon Sala, Sourcebooks Casablanca

April 5, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: Kiss the Earl by Gina Lamm

kiss earlTitle: Kiss the Earl by Gina Lamm
Geek Girls Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical, Romance, Time Travel
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A modern girl’s guide to seducing Mr. Darcy

When Ella Briley asked her lucky-in-love friends to set her up for an office party, she was expecting a blind date. Instead, she’s pulled through a magic mirror and into the past…straight into the arms of her very own Mr. Darcy.

Patrick Meadowfair, earl of Fairhaven, is too noble for his own good. To save a female friend from what is sure to be a loveless marriage, he’s agreed to whisk her off to wed the man she truly wants. But all goes awry when Patrick mistakes Ella for the would-be bride and kidnaps her instead.

Centuries away from everything she knows, Ella’s finally found a man who heats her blood and leaves her breathless. Too bad he’s such a perfect gentleman. Yet the reluctant rake may just find this modern girl far too tempting for even the noblest of men to resist…

Review:

Kiss the Earl is the third installment in Gina Lamm’s delightfully clever Geek Girls series. In this outing, sweet Mrs. Knightbridge is matchmaking again and this time she sends unsuspecting Ella Briley back in time where she meets and falls in love with Patrick St. John, the Earl of Meadowfair. It is another fun adventure that old and new fans are sure to love.

Ella is a comic book artist who needs a date to a swank party to celebrate her new job when Mrs. Knightbridge once again decides to do a little matchmaking. Ella stumbles smack dab in the middle a fake kidnapping scheme concocted by Patrick and his closest gal pal Amelia Brownstone. Ella and Patrick are forced to go on the run to escape Amelia’s irate father. When Ella falls ill, Patrick whisks her away to his estate where the situation between them grows even more complicated after they are discovered in a compromising position.

Ella is a self-reliant woman and she refuses to give up her independence when she travels back in time. She is witty with a sarcastic sense of humor and despite being in a different era, she does not censor her thoughts or alter her manner of speaking.

Patrick is a gentleman through and through. He is a genuinely nice man who is extremely loyal to his friends. This is one of his best qualities, but when it comes to Amelia, he is willing to sacrifice his happiness for hers.

Despite the change in their relationship, neither Ella nor Patrick can see how a future between them is possible. Ella does not want to give up her career and Patrick has responsibilities that he is unable to walk away from. However, their biggest issue is Patrick’s promise to help Amelia. He sees no way to gracefully extricate himself from their harebrained scheme until he discovers that Ella’s well-meaning interference puts her in a very precarious situation.

Kiss the Earl is a charming addition to the Geek Girls series. Gina Lamm manages to keep the series fresh with another unique and diverse storyline that is just as captivating as earlier works. But it is the very creative and surprising solution to the obstacle standing in the way of Ella and Patrick’s happily ever after that makes their romance stand out from the previous two novels.

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Filed under Geek Girls Series, Gina Lamm, Historical, Kiss the Earl, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Time Travel