Category Archives: Sourcebooks Casablanca

March 4, 2015 · 11:58 pm

Review: Return to You by Samantha Chase

ReturnToYouTitle: Return to You by Samantha Chase
Montgomery Series Book Four
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating:

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Brand new Book #4 in Samantha Chase’s popular Montgomery series

She will never forget their past…
He can’t stop thinking about their future…

James Montgomery has achieved everything he’d hoped for in life…except marrying the girl of his dreams. After a terrible accident, Selena Ainsley left ten years ago. She took his heart with her and she’s never coming back. But it’s becoming harder and harder for him to forget their precious time together, and James can’t help but wonder what he would do if they could ever meet again.

Review:

A matchmaking uncle, a concerned brother and a well intentioned friend conspire to reunite former high school sweethearts in Return to You by Samantha Chase. Set against the backdrop of a high school reunion, this second chance at love romance has plenty of drama and sizzling hot chemistry. Although it is the fourth installment in The Montgomery Brothers series, it can be read as a standalone story.

Selena Ainsley and James Montgomery have not seen each other since their inexplicable break up ten years earlier.  While Selena was recovering from a traumatic accident, James vanished without explanation, leaving her completely devastated. Nursing a broken heart, Selena left town and never returned. Now a successful event planner, Selena’s good friend Jen convinces her to organize their ten year high school reunion. What Selena does not know is that Jen, along with James’s brother and uncle, have concocted a scheme to reunite Selena and James. The sparks fly between the couple but it soon becomes obvious that anger from their unresolved past burns just as hot as their mutual desire.

James and Selena’s first couple of encounters are extremely antagonistic. Both are still extremely angry over how their romance ended ten years ago, but there is still plenty of passion simmering between them too. James is a little hotheaded, acts without thinking and he kisses her senseless before they have the opportunity to discuss what went wrong between them. Selena is just as impulsive and they quickly jump back into a physical relationship. They do eventually discuss their break up but their reconciliation is uneasy and plagued with trust issues. They gloss over their problems and embark on an affair but it does not take much to break the fragile truce between them. Their relationship wildly veers between the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows as misunderstandings, snap judgments, miscommunication and rash decisions threaten to tear them apart.

Selena and James are frustrating characters. Communication between them is practically none existent so they make impetus, ill-informed decisions before they have their facts straight. With so much anger and the unresolved issues between them, it is very difficult to believe that they can still be in love after a ten year separation. However, there is no denying the scorching hot attraction between them and their sex scenes are very sensual.

Although Selena and James are a little exasperating, the secondary characters are delightful. Jen is a little uneasy about her role in getting Selena and James back together, but her heart is in the right place. She is an excellent sounding board for Selena and she offers some pretty good suggestions (that Selena mostly ignores!). Selena’s grandmother is a complete sweetheart and her words of wisdom definitely give Selena food for thought. James begins repairing his distant relationship with his brother when he turns to him for some much needed advice.

Despite a few issues with the lead characters, Return to You is an enjoyable romance. The novel is well-written and the storyline is interesting. The characters are well-developed and likable. Samantha Chase brings the novel to a romantic and very sweet conclusion as Selena and James finally get their much deserved happily ever after. All in all, a nice addition to The Montgomery Brothers series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Rated C+, Return to You, Review, Romance, Samantha Chase, Sourcebooks Casablanca, The Montgomery Brothers

March 3, 2015 · 11:56 pm

Review: Kiss Me Hello by Grace Burrowes

kiss helloTitle: Kiss Me Hello by Grace Burrowes
Sweetest Kisses Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

He loves her, she loves him not…?

In the third novel of The Sweetest Kisses series, single mom Sidonie Lindstrom has her hands full with a troubled foster son, an abrupt adjustment to country living, and an unforeseen lack of funds. When her taciturn neighbor, MacKenzie Knightley, repeatedly offers practical help, Sid reminds herself she’s not interested in the neighbor-despite his kindness, pragmatism and quiet charm. MacKenzie sees the vulnerability beneath her pride, and he’s determined to change her mind…

Review:

Kiss Me Hello is the final installment of Grace Burrowes’ marvelous Sweetest Kisses series and I am very sad that I have to say goodbye to the Knightley brothers 🙁 . However, this last novel in the trilogy is absolutely FANTASTIC and I eagerly devoured every delicious word, savored each toe-curling kiss and cherished every heartwarming scene.

Oldest brother Mackenzie “Mac” Knightley has been a very intriguing character throughout the two previous novels.  He is very devoted to his family, but he gives up little information about his private life. Mac keeps himself busy but he is a little lonely and with both his brothers now in love, he sees firsthand what he is missing out on. While Mac has what he believes are very compelling reasons for remaining single, his decade long dating hiatus comes to an abrupt end when he meets Sidonie “Sid” Lindstrom. He is immediately smitten by Sid but she is carrying a few secrets and scars from her past and she is also struggling to begin a new life for herself and her teenage foster son, Luis.

Sid is extremely reluctant to become involved with Mac. Not because she does not like him, but because she has an awful lot of worries to contend with. She is grieving the loss of her brother and she is stressed over how long it is taking to settle his estate. Sid is also worn out from trying to make ends meet and worrying about how well Luis is fitting in within the small community. Adding to her stress is a by the book social worker whose indifference to Luis’ best interests means Sid has yet another fight on her hands.

Mac and Sid eventually settle into an easygoing friendship that slowly becomes a sizzling hot romance. They find it surprisingly easy to confide in one another as they transition from friends to lovers but Mac continues to keep a fairly big secret from her. When she finally discovers what he has been hiding, Sid is not sure if she will be able to forgive him for not being honest with her. Mac knows he made a big mistake by not being upfront with her, and he makes every effort to show her how truly sorry he is, but will Sid give him and their relationship a second chance?

Kiss Me Hello is an enchanting love story with an exceptionally appealing cast of likable characters. This superbly written novel has a well-developed and engaging storyline that is quite riveting. Grace Borrowes tugs on the heartstrings with another emotional story that perfectly blends a sweet yet sexy romance with a realistic plot. Old and new fans absolutely do not want to miss this brilliant conclusion to the Sweetest Kisses series.

Read my reviews of the other books in the Sweetest Kisses series HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, Grace Burrowes, Kiss Me Hello, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Sweetest Kisses Series

March 2, 2015 · 11:56 pm

Review: Cowboy Heaven by Cheryl Brooks

cowboy heavenTitle: Cowboy Heaven by Cheryl Brooks
Cowboy Heaven Series Book One
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

When you find yourself in cowboy heaven…
When lonely widow Angela McClure hires a gorgeous hitchhiking cowboy with an affair in mind, she knows they’ll have to be discreet: her old-fashioned father and the stern ranch foreman adamantly discourage any interaction between her and the ranch hands.

Things can get hot as hell…
Despite their attempts at secrecy, the heat between them is undeniable. To divert suspicion, Angela forms a new plan: she’ll flirt with all of the ranch hands. Suddenly Angela has a whole stable full of sexy-as-sin cowboys to play with, but only one can win her heart.

Review:

Cowboy Heaven is a lighthearted yet highly erotic romance. This first installment in Cheryl Brooks’ Cowboy Heaven series has a great cast of likable characters and a very eclectic storyline that is a little over the top but still enjoyable.

Angela McClure is a lonely widow whose libido is reawakened when she picks up a very sexy but down on his luck hitchhiker.  Cowboy Troy Whitmore has just been dumped by his girlfriend and without the money to make to make it to his next rodeo, he accepts Angela’s job offer to temporarily fill in for injured ranch hand Dusty Jackson. Zany mayhem ensues once Dusty figures out that Troy’s job description also includes a little hanky-panky with Angela.

Angela is a sympathetic and likable character. She had a happy marriage with a very satisfying sex life but she has not dated anyone since her husband’s death. As soon as she meets Troy, her attraction leads to a very explicit fantasy and an offer for him to become her boy toy. Angela is very candid about what she likes in bed and their sex scenes are deliciously naughty.

Although Angela tries to keep her extracurricular activities with Troy hidden from everyone else on the ranch, Dusty catches onto their arrangement right away. Dusty’s reaction catches Angela off guard and forces her to re-evaluate her agreement with Troy. Dusty’s discovery also provides her an opportunity to get to know the other ranch hands and she learns some rather shocking information about the men during a few very unorthodox but hilarious scenes.

Cowboy Heaven is a well-written novel that is humorous but somewhat silly. The storyline is unique but it is rather disjointed. It begins with a no strings fling that takes an unexpectedly serious turn after Angela and Troy’s affair is discovered.  A suspense element is thrown into the plot late in the novel and while it is fairly easy to guess who might be responsible, it is not so easy to discern a motive. The romance aspect of the storyline is wonderful but it gets a little lost among the other story arcs.

Although a little outrageous and slightly unrealistic, Cowboy Heaven is a very entertaining read. The cast of characters are superbly developed and it will be very interesting to see what Cheryl Brooks has planned for them in future installments of the Cowboy Heaven series.

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Filed under Cheryl Brooks, Contemporary, Cowboy Heaven, Cowboy Heaven Series, Erotic, Rated C+, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca

February 3, 2015 · 11:56 pm

Review: The First Kiss by Grace Burrowes

first kissTitle: The First Kiss by Grace Burrowes
Sweetest Kisses Series Book Two
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The sweetest kiss is the one that means a fresh start

In the second novel of the Sweetest Kisses series, classical pianist Vera Waltham is quiet, cautious, and fiercely protective of her young daughter, but she lets down her guard enough to strike up an unlikely friendship with business law expert James Knightley. James’s past comes between them when Vera learns exactly how big a tomcat he has been, but when she and her daughter are in danger, it’s to James she turns…

The Review:

The First Kiss is the newest installment in Grace Burrowes’ delightful Sweetest Kisses series starring the Knightley brothers. In this outing, youngest brother James falls for Vera Waltham, but will issues from their respective pasts prevent them from finding their happily ever after?

Vera is a very successful and extremely talented concert pianist and single mom. Currently on a much needed hiatus after her second marriage ended in a tempestuous divorce, she and her eight year old daughter Twyla are now living a somewhat isolated life in the Maryland countryside. When someone begins harassing her, Vera is frightened, angry and quite certain her ex is behind the threats she has been receiving. Despite her fear, she fiercely guards her newly discovered independence and she rebuffs James’ offers of assistance. But James proves to be very stubborn and the two strike up a unlikely friendship that takes an unexpectedly romantic turn.

James is charming, light-hearted and very flirtatious. He is also quite popular with the ladies, but he never gets serious with any of his flings. However his one night stands have lost their luster recently and he has become more focused on his career. James is instantly drawn to Vera but he also respects her need for space. Their meeting coincides with his growing dissatisfaction with his life and his attempt to discover the source of this frustration leads to surprising introspection on his part. An impulsive decision provides an unexpected connection with Vera that allows their friendship to deepen.

Their transition from friends to lovers is leisurely and this gives both James and Vera the opportunity to get to know one another. More importantly, this slow approach also allows them to reflect on their pasts and gives them the time to work through their respective issues. For the first time in her life, Vera is with a man who puts her before her career and James’ perceptive comments helps her figure out what direction she wants to take professionally. The unexpected romance with Vera gives James some much needed insight into his troubled relationship with his mother and the correlation this has to his superficial relationships with women.

The First Kiss is a well-written novel with a very charming well-developed cast of characters. Although the storyline is engaging and interesting, the overall pacing is a little slow until about the halfway point. The suspense aspect is quite intriguing and it is virtually impossible to guess the perpetrator’s identity. Once again Grace Burrowes brings readers another fabulous romance with plenty of depth, realistic issues and tremendous character growth. It is another highly satisfying love story that is sure to please readers and leave them eager for the next installment in the Sweetest Kisses series.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the Sweetest Kisses series HERE.

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Filed under Contemporary, Grace Burrowes, Rated B, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Sweetest Kisses Series, The First Kiss

February 2, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: Rough Rider by Victoria Vane

rough riderTitle: Rough Rider by Victoria Vane
Hot Cowboy Nights Series Book Two
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Two wary hearts …
Janice Combes has two loves, bucking bulls and Dirk Knowlton. But Dirk only has eyes for a dazzling rodeo queen. How can Janice ever compete while mired ankle-deep in manure? Exchanging playful banter with Dirk is all Janice can expect-until the stormy night he knocks on her door dripping wet and needing a place to crash.

Different Dreams…
Dirk Knowlton is living the cowboy dream. Life should be good-roping, branding, backing broncs, riding bulls, but there’s a void he can’t seem to fill. After getting hung up by a bull, he wonders if this is really the life he wants. Restless and rebellious, he bolts…but there’s a certain cowgirl he can’t forget.

When a battle-scarred Dirk returns to his Montana ranch he’s determined to hang on at any cost. Janice has come back home to lick her own wounds. When old dreams turn to dust, can two wary hearts take another chance on love?

The Review:

Rough Rider is the scorching hot second installment in Victoria Vane’s Hot Cowboy Nights Series. This fast -paced romance is a wonderful mix of themes: it has a new adult-y vibe for the first part of the story but then it turns into a very heartwarming second chance at love story. Another fantastic thing about this novel is that it can stand alone for newcomers to the series while the missing pieces of the Knowlton brothers’ troubled relationship are fully revealed to readers of Slow Hand.

When Rough Rider opens, Janice Combes and Dirk Knowlton are in their early twenties and both are busy following the rodeo circuit. Janice is a stock contractor and Dirk is a competitor in rough stock events (bronc and bull riding). Janice has been in love with Dirk for years, but since Dirk has been in a long term relationship with Rachel Carson for years, the two are just friends. A series of misunderstandings, lack of communication and impulsive decisions take both Janice and Dirk in very different directions, but when they are reunited after a ten year separation, will the couple finally get the chance to live happily ever after?

The years apart were not easy for either Janice or Dirk. Janice married a bull rider but theirs was not a happy marriage. Now widowed, she, along with her nine year old son, have returned to Montana. Since the family’s ranch has mostly been sold to pay off debt, she is working as a waitress while trying to find a job on one of the area ranches. Dirk’s time in the military has left mental and physical scars and he is locked in a fierce battle with his brother over the fate of their family’s ranch. Janice and Dirk’s first meeting does not end well, but they set aside their differences when Dirk offers Janice a part time job as a ranch hand. However, their professional relationship is quickly complicated by their simmering attraction and unresolved issues from their long ago past.

Rough Rider is an intense and emotional novel that is sure to delight readers of contemporary western romances. Victoria Vane brilliantly weaves past and present into a heartfelt and engaging love story that is realistic and quite touching. The Hot Cowboy Nights series is absolutely outstanding and one that I highly recommend to fans of this genre.

2 Comments

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

February 1, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: How to Kiss a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

kiss cowboyTitle: How to Kiss a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy
Cowboys of Decker Ranch Series Book Two
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 480 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Between rodeo wins and endorsement deals, Saddle Bronc Champion Brady Caine is living a charmed life. But when he causes an accident that could end a promising barrel racer’s career, he decides that he’s done with loose women and wild rides. All he wants to do is erase his mistake by getting Suze Carlyle back in the saddle.

The last person barrel racer Suze wants to see on her doorstep is the man who ended her rodeo career, but she can’t help admire Brady’s persistence. Sparks fly between them, but when her barn is sabotaged she wonders if he’s really the straight shooter he seems to be…

The Review:

How to Kiss a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy is a deliciously sweet yet sinfully steamy romance that fans of contemporary westerns absolutely do not want to miss. This second installment in the marvelous Cowboys of Decker Ranch series begins with an unexpected night of passion between childhood friend Suze Carlyle and Brady Caine. However it is not until a serious accident sidelines Suze that their relationship grows into something deeper, but misunderstandings and trust issues threaten their budding romance.

Suze is a highly successful barrel racer who is incredibly focused on her career. Following in the footsteps of her deceased mother who was also a championship barrel racer, Suze is desperately trying to win her grief stricken father’s love and approval. But the biggest reason for her dedication is much more practical: without her rodeo winnings, Suze and her father are in danger of losing the family ranch.  Her devotion to her career has paid off financially but it has left a huge void in her life personally. She is an independent loner without any close friends and while normally this does not bother Suze, after her accident, she is left without anyone to rely on except the last person she wants to see: Brady.

Brady was in and out of foster homes until the Deckers adopted him along with his two foster brothers, Ridge and Shane, as teenagers. He hides the pain of his difficult childhood behind an easy smile and a carefree attitude, but this has earned him a reputation of not taking life seriously. His natural talent as a saddle bronc rider means he wins more than he loses but he is content to coast along without putting any extra effort into improving his career. Brady is charming, good-natured and very popular with the ladies on the rodeo circuit, but his relationships are quick and easy one night stands. There is more to Brady than his superficial outward appearance reveals, but the only person who sees a glimpse of the real man is Suze. However their awkward morning after leads to both of them pretending their night together was meaningless and the two go their separate ways until they work together on a photo shoot that ends in a tragic accident.

The accident is a turning point for both Brady and Suze. For the first time, Brady becomes someone that can be counted on and Suze realizes that she needs more in her life than her career. Suze tries to push Brady away but he stubbornly refuses to give in to her demands to leave her alone. Brady is surprisingly honest about his feelings but Suze is very reluctant to believe that he sincerely wants to be with her. Their relationship is further damaged by Suze’s low self-esteem and her inability to put her complete trust in Brady.

How to Kiss a Cowboy is a captivating romance with a complex and well-developed storyline. The characters are appealing and multi-layered with realistic issues to overcome. This heartwarming addition to the Cowboys of Decker Ranch series an emotional, fun and sensual romance that old and new fans of Joanne Kennedy are going to love.

Read my reviews of the other novels in the series HERE.

2 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Cowboys of Decker Ranch, How To Kiss a Cowboy, Joanne Kennedy, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca