Category Archives: St Martin’s Paperbacks

March 30, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: One Hot Summer by Melissa Cutler

Title: One Hot Summer by Melissa Cutler
One and Only Texas Series Book One
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 379 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Welcome to Dulcet, Texas, home of the legendary Briscoe Ranch Resort, where one woman will discover that even love is bigger in the Lone Star State.

Celebrity wedding planner Remedy Lane is Hollywood royalty—until a scandal sends her packing to the wilds of Texas. She has a knack for leaving disaster in her wake, but she’s determined to reboot her career at Briscoe Ranch, a luxury resort known for extravagant weddings. Little does she know that weddings don’t happen at the resort without the approval of the town’s cowboy-swaggering, too-hot-for-his-own-good fire chief, Micah Garrity.

ONE HOT SUMMER
Micah knows trouble when he sees it, and all it takes is one glimpse of Remedy’s princess airs for him to know he’s met his match. Too bad he can’t stop thinking about her—even when she brings about one disaster after another at the resort. He and Remedy clash at every turn, but they can’t stop the sparks flying between them. They come from such different worlds—does love stand a chance or will this fire burn too hot for either of them to handle?

Don’t miss the first book in Melissa Cutler’s One and Only Texas series!

Review:

The first installment in Melissa Cutler’s newest series, One and Only Texas,  One Hot Summer is a humor-filled, sexy novel.  This opposites attract love story is an entertaining and captivating read that fans of contemporary romances are going to love.

After a scandal ruins her celebrity wedding planning career, Remedy Lane accepts a position as a special events manager at a luxury resort in Texas.  Hoping to return to California once the publicity dies down and she redeems her tarnished career,  Remedy immediately locks horns with local fire chief Micah Garrity.  The swaggering cowboy is undeniably sexy but Remedy has no use for an Alpha male who seems determined to make her life miserable.  The two share a sizzling hot attraction that is impossible to resist but will their misconceptions about one another and their personal baggage ruin their chance at happiness?

The daughter of two high profile actors, Remedy is used to being in the limelight but that does not mean she is comfortable being the center of attention.  Although she loves and respects her parents, she never quite felt like she fit into their world and she is determined to prove she can make it without their help.  Remedy is a fish out of water in the small rural town and as one of the executives from the resort, she is not exactly popular with many of the townspeople.  She has a few preconceived notions about country life that color her perceptions of her new home, but once she witnesses the close-knit community in action, Remedy begins to appreciate her new home.

Micah is overbearing and a bit of a jerk to Remedy the first few times their paths cross.  He takes his job as Fire Marshall very seriously and having witnessed firsthand the destruction fire wreaks, he refuses to cut the resort any slack.  He has a strict no fraternizing policy when it comes to the executives of the resort, but his desire for Remedy quickly trumps his long held rule.  Micah is tough and not always fair-minded but it is impossible not like him.  Underneath his gruff exterior beats the heart of a hero who wants to rush in and save the people he cares about.

In spite of their rather tension-filled first few encounters, there is no denying the chemistry between Micah and Remedy.   Remedy refuses to let him intimidate her and she is quite feisty as she throws a few well-aimed barbs his way.  Micah has a fairly big chip on his shoulder where the resort, its executives and its guests are concerned, but he cannot help but admire Remedy’s sassy attitude.  With the sparks flying at every meeting, it is inevitable that Micah and Remedy will give in to their desire, but a permanent relationship between them is far from certain.

One Hot Summer is an outrageously funny and passionate romance.  The storyline is engaging and innovative but it is the wonderful cast of quirky but appealing characters that makes it such an enjoyable read.  This absolutely charming beginning to Melissa Cutler’s heartwarming One and Only Texas series will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next installment.

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Filed under Contemporary, Melissa Cutler, One and Only Texas Series, One Hot Summer, Rated B+, Review, Romance, St Martin's Paperbacks

January 20, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: Love Struck by Laurelin McGee

love struckTitle: Love Struck by Laurelin McGee
Miss Match Series Book Two
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Welcome to a seductive world where two solo artists combine their talents-and their hearts-to make beautiful music together…

SHE’S GETTING INTO THE GROOVE
Lacy Dawson is a young singer-songwriter with a record deal, a studio gig, and a serious case of writer’s block. After looking for love songs in all the wrong places, she finds inspiration at an online support group called Song Writers Anonymous. Thanks to one mysterious member who motivates her and inspires her, Lacy’s career is back on track. But is she ready to meet her sexy musical muse…face to face?

HE MAKES HER HEART SKIP A BEAT
Eli is definitely interested in hooking up with Lacy, aka “LoveCoda.” But between writing her new album and his band’s success, they can’t find the time to face the music-or each other-about their burgeoning online romance. All that changes when Eli and Lacy get booked on tour together. In person, the attraction is all too real and explosive. They both should walk away, but once they are in each other’s arms, there is no turning back…

Review:

Love Struck, the second book in Laurelin McGee’s Miss Match series, is a charming romance that relies heavily on misunderstandings to create conflict for lead protagonists Lacy Dawson and Eli Frank.

Lacy is a singer/songwriter who has been suffering from severe writer’s block since her fiancé’s death. After joining an anonymous online songwriter’s support group in hopes of finding inspiration, she and another member, Folx, have grown very close. Forum rules prevent them from revealing their identities, but Lacy and Folx decide to set up a meeting in real life. Due to professional obligations, they have to put off their “date” for a few months and things get very complicated for both of them in the intervening months.

Lacy has been struggling for months to recapture her songwriting mojo and she definitely feels the pressure when her recording date for her next album moves up. No one but Folx knows how much trouble she has been having creating enough material for her new project but she still remains hopeful her creativity will resume before she hits the recording studio. When an unexpected opportunity arises for her fill in as opening act for another group, Lacy hopes spending time with other musicians will help get her back on track.

While Eli has no trouble writing new songs, he and his band mates have been struggling with creative differences for the past several months. Their lead singer, Jax, is temperamental and the rest of the band has been treating him with kid gloves for quite some time. Although he has been putting aside his personal differences with Jax because of their longstanding friendship, Eli’s compassion and patience are about to run out but fear of making it on his own keeps him from making a decision about the band.

Until Lacy goes on tour, Love Struck is fast paced and engaging with witty banter and an obvious connection between Lacy and Folx. However, after Lacy meets Eli, the novel gets bogged down in misunderstandings and miscommunication. The pair are instantly drawn to one another and their attraction soon turns physical. It does not take long for their relationship to turn into a repetitious cycle of on again/off again as they push one another away only to give in to their desire then the whole cycle starts all over again. As if they do not have enough problems, Eli comes to shocking realization and makes decision that is well-meaning but becomes another source of conflict between them.

Love Struck is an enjoyable (albeit frustrating) romance between two very appealing characters. Lacy’s portion of the storyline is poignant and Laurelin McGee deftly handles some difficult subject matter with a great deal of sensitivity. Eli is at a crossroads professionally and although it is not easy for him, he is eventually forced to make a difficult decision. The conflict between Lacy and Eli is initially interesting, but it drags on a little too long which makes it difficult to remain invested in the final outcome of their relationship. However, the overall premise of the novel is unique and the story is well written. All in all, a lovely addition to the Miss Match series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Laurelin McGee, Love Struck, Miss Match Series, Rated C+, Review, Romance, St Martin's Paperbacks

March 12, 2015 · 11:58 pm

Review: Slow and Steady Rush by Laura Trentham

Slow RushTitle: Slow and Steady Rush by Laura Trentham
Falcon Football Series Book One
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 400 pages
Book Rating: A

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She lives by the book—and is still searching for her happily ever after.

Darcy Wilde has tried hard not to live up to her last name. As a librarian in Atlanta she lives a fine life far away from the football-obsessed town of her childhood. But when her beloved Grandmother needs help, Darcy takes a leave of absence and heads back to the home and past she left behind.

He knows how to play the field—and is in no rush to settle down.

Robbie Dalton knows a thing or two about painful pasts. After bouncing around in foster care and the Army for years he is finally ready to move on and make a home for himself in Falcon, Alabama as the newest high school football coach. Sparks fly when the sexy new coach and the sharp-tongued librarian meet, but neither of them is looking to make ties.

But when it comes to love, sometimes you’ve gotta throw away the rule book to cross the finish line…

Everything changes when Darcy falls in love, not only with the gruff, protective, and smoking hot man who’s sharing her days and nights, but also with the complex tapestry of people who weave Falcon together. Could this be where she belongs – and who she belongs with?

Review:

Laura Trentham’s debut novel, Slow and Steady Rush, is a fresh and engaging romance that I absolutely LOVED. The characters are superbly developed and likable, the plot is unique and the small town setting is realistic and homey. This first installment in the Falcon Football series is quite captivating and will leave readers very impatient for the release of book two, Caught Up in the Touch.

Darcy Wilde could not wait to leave the small town of Falcon, Alabama behind and she has made a wonderful life for herself in Atlanta. But when the grandmother who raised her needs her help, Darcy puts her career and life on hold and returns to Falcon where she immediately crosses paths with newcomer Robbie Dalton. Robbie served with Darcy’s cousin Logan in the army and Logan was instrumental in getting Robbie hired as the football coach/math teacher at the local high school. Robbie and Darcy are attracted to one another, but since Darcy plans to leave as soon her grandmother is back on her feet, they have no intention of acting on their mutual desire. That is until a minor misunderstanding leads to gossip that jeopardizes Robbie’s career and Logan proposes a zany plan to squash those crazy rumors circulating about Robbie…

Darcy spent her childhood trying to live down her absentee mother’s wild reputation and she found solace at the local library where her grandmother was the head librarian. Now working as research librarian at a university, Darcy is in line for a big promotion but her family’s needs trump her career aspirations for the foreseeable future. Darcy is pleasantly surprised by her new perception of her small hometown, but is she willing to make her return permanent?

Robbie is a sweet, caring man, but he is haunted by his past. His childhood was very traumatic and he never forgets just how close to the edge he once walked. Robbie is very closemouthed about his accomplishments and he is very eager to begin a new life in Falcon. His past experiences make him an excellent coach who pushes his players to do well athletically and academically. Robbie is willing to ride out the rumors swirling around him, but when Logan comes up with an idea that could put an end to the gossip about him, he finds himself in a faux relationship with Darcy that begins to feel a little too real.

An exceptionally well-written novel with an appealing cast of characters, Slow and Steady Rush is a fun and flirty romance that is also poignant and thought-provoking. Darcy and Robbie are three dimensional characters who spring vibrantly to life and it is very easy to root for them both individually and as a couple. Laura Trentham accurately portrays both the good and bad of small town life and despite a few negative experiences, the overall atmosphere is warm and inviting. All in all, it is an excellent beginning to the Falcon Football series that fans of contemporary romances are going to love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Falcon Football Series, Laura Trentham, Rated A, Review, Romance, Slow and Steady Rush, St Martin's Paperbacks