Category Archives: Superromance

Review: Against the Odds by Laura Drake

Title: Against the Odds by Laura Drake
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

A love stronger than fear…

Former army sniper Douglas “Bear” Steele wants only to be left alone to live a quiet, peaceful existence in the small town of Widow’s Grove. So his attraction to Hope Sanderson is unexpected and inconvenient. Having recently survived a violent bank robbery, Hope has vowed to seize each day and leave behind her safe, ordered life. As Hope and Bear help each other heal, their desire turns to love. But with their lives moving in opposite directions, can they find a balance to let go of the past and embrace the future…together?

Review:

Against the Odds by Laura Drake is a poignant and moving novel of healing, new beginnings and love.

Hope Sanderson has always done exactly what is expected of her but after surviving a bank robbery, she decides it is time to take charge of her life.   Although her mom is now deceased, a lifetime of hypercritical commentary leaves Hope second guessing her judgment and her decisions, but she is determined to embrace everything life has to offer. Beginning a new job at a Wilderness Outfitter is just the first of many changes she is making.  However it is not until she meets Doug “Bear” Steele at a trauma support group that Hope really steps outside of her comfort zone.  The big burly biker is just the type of man her mother warned her about but Hope finds it impossible to resist her unexpected attraction to the emotionally wounded ex-con.

Like Hope, Bear is also forced into new situations that make him uncomfortable but unlike Hope, he is not exactly a willing participant. One of the conditions of parole is attending the trauma support group and for someone who has become a virtual recluse, these meetings are excruciating. Bear grudgingly reveals bits and pieces of his past, but he has absolutely no intention of discussing the real problems that are plaguing him. He is also hesitant to become involved with any of the other members or their problems but Bear finds himself reluctantly offering support once everyone begins discussing what brought them to the meetings. He is also drawn to Hope and although he feels he is completely out of her league, Bear works up the courage to ask her out and he is stunned when she says yes.

As the weeks pass, Bear and Hope tentatively begin seeing each other outside of their group sessions.  Hope is pleasantly surprised to discover that Bear is a gentle giant who is quite protective.  Bear still feels like he is completely unworthy of Hope but he is unable to stay away from her. Although they are an unlikely couple, they are soon spending as much time together as possible and as their attraction deepens, so do their feelings for each other. However, Bear still remains closed off and isolated and Hope grows concerned that he will never be able to work through the trauma he experienced during his tour in Afghanistan.  Bear becomes defensive and angry with her gentle prodding but he still cannot bring himself to open up. Will their relationship survive after Bear’s worst fears are realized and he withdraws from everyone who cares about him?

Heartfelt and engaging, Against the Odds is an absolutely wonderful novel that beautifully demonstrates the importance of making peace with the past in order to move forward.  The characters are complex and multi-layered with realistic flaws and all too human frailties.  The storyline is unique and features true to life issues that are easy to relate to.  Bear’s anguish over what happened in Afghanistan is heartbreaking but it is incredibly heartwarming watching him break free from his self-imposed prison. Another truly captivating romance by Laura Drake that I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend.

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Review: Safe in Noah’s Arms by Mary Sullivan

safe noahTitle: Safe in Noah’s Arms by Mary Sullivan
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 288 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author

Summary:

Community service never looked so good

Monica Accord knows trends, not tractors…fashion, not fertilizer. But she’s stuck working on Noah Cameron’s farm after one mistake lands her with community service. Monica remembers Noah from high school, but she definitely never knew about the crush he had on her. Now it just feels as if she’s some bothersome city slicker.

Yet she soon realizes there’s more growing between her and Noah than just crops—a lot more. As long as the revelation of a family secret doesn’t ruin their chance of a lifetime…

Review:

Safe in Noah’s Arms by Mary Sullivan is a delightful enemies to lovers romance. This charming story has a unique storyline, a fantastic cast of characters and scrumptiously sensual love scenes. It is a well written and fast paced novel with plenty of depth and substance that I highly recommend to readers of contemporary romances.

Monica Accord is a good girl who does everything “right” until a fateful and ill-thought out decision on her part lands her a community service sentence on Noah Cameron’s farm. Although she is way out of her element, she tries her best to be helpful, but Noah views her as nothing but a nuisance. However, he needs her help so he tries (and mostly fails) to put aside his animosity while they are working together. As the days pass and they begin to get to know one another, Monica and Noah finally begin to find common ground and they form an unexpected friendship. Equally surprising is their unanticipated attraction for one another, but will Monica’s newly discovered family secret and Noah’s unresolved baggage destroy their chance at happiness?

Monica is a caring and compassionate woman whose shyness often leads people to believe she is cold and standoffish. She does not have many friends and she is often quite lonely. Monica does what is expected of her and she is extremely loyal to her family and friends. All during school, she admired Noah but she felt intimidated by his intelligence and his passion for his social causes. Not much has changed in the intervening years, and she is taken completely off guard by her unexpected attraction to him.

Noah is a genuinely kind-hearted man whose dedication to helping people is admirable. He puts others’ needs above his own and he is passionate about environmental issues. Despite his willingness to give everyone else the benefit of the doubt, he refuses to extend the same courtesy to Monica. He is dismissive of her efforts to help him and he continually thinks the worst of her. Although he eventually realizes he has seriously misjudged her, Noah is quick to jump to the wrong conclusions about Monica even after their relationship turns romantic.

The relationship between Noah and Monica is an absolute delight to watch unfold. Monica’s admiration for Noah’s philanthropy continues to deepen as she learns more about him. Noah is shocked to learn that Monica is nowhere near as superficial as he thought and he is stunned by her insightful observations and her willingness to help with some much needed fundraising. Their transition from friends to lovers is gradual and it is so much fun watching Monica playfully seduce Noah. They are a wonderful couple but after Noah puts his trust in the wrong person, their romance is threatened when he is manipulated into believing Monica has betrayed him.

Safe in Noah’s Arms by Mary Sullivan is a very sweet and heartwarming romance. Noah and Monica are marvelous characters who are likable and sympathetic in spite of their flaws and imperfections. Despite the incredible amount of sexual tension between them, their romance progresses at an unhurried and realistic pace. A shocking family secret turns Monica’s world upside down and it is incredibly satisfying watching her stand up for herself in the aftermath of the revelations. An absolutely heartfelt and engaging novel that fans of contemporary romances are sure to love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Mary Sullivan, Rated B, Review, Romance, Superromance

Review: Twice in a Blue Moon by Laura Drake

twice blueTitle: Twice in a Blue Moon by Laura Drake
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

Wanted: one master winemaker

Indigo Blue is starting over, again. Following the death of her husband, she’s rebuilding her life around her only inheritance—a California winery. There’s just one problem: she doesn’t know a thing about wine. Enter brooding vintner Danovan DiCarlo.

Eager to put his own painful past behind him, Danovan is the perfect partner. And not just in business. As they work side by side, Indigo can feel more than the vineyard coming back to life. Falling for Danovan is a scary prospect. But how do you say no when you find love twice in a blue moon?

Review:

In Laura Drake’s Twice in a Blue Moon¸ the Tippling Widow Winery is the perfect setting for Indigo Blue and Danovan DiCarlo to pick up the pieces of their lives after they each suffer tragic losses. For Indigo, the bucolic location is where she shared many happy moments with her husband Harry. For Danovan, the winery is his last hope for resurrecting his shattered career. For both Indigo and Danovan, the peaceful surroundings heal their wounded hearts as they unexpectedly begin to fall in love while rebuilding the winery to its former glory. But will the baggage from their pasts destroy everything they have worked so hard to build?

Indigo’s happy life comes to an abrupt end after her beloved husband Harry passes away and with nowhere else to go, she moves to Widow’s Grove to run the Tippling Widow Winery. She is a little adrift and struggling to find the confidence she needs to make well-informed decisions about the business. She is also unsure she is making the right choices since some of her earlier experiences before she married Harry leave her doubting her judgment. Indigo has a lot of ideas for revitalizing the mismanaged winery, but she needs an experienced vintner to make the venture a success.

Danovan learned the hard way that mixing business and pleasure can sometimes have disastrous consequences. Although his reputation as a winemaker is impeccable, gossip and innuendo make him virtually unemployable. The job at the winery is the opportunity he needs to salvage his career so Danovan convinces Indigo to hire him without checking his references from his previous employer.

Despite a few misconceptions about one another, Indigo and Danovan have an excellent working relationship. Indigo becomes more self-assured as she masters the intricacies of winemaking and Danovan proves to be a patient and knowledgeable teacher. Both are taken off guard by an unexpected attraction to one another, but initially, neither is ready (or willing) to act on it. Their friendship deepens as they begin confiding in another and a delicate dance ensues between them after a passionate kiss. Indigo is uncertain that her instincts are leading her in the right direction and when she learns about that Danovan was less than truthful with her, she pulls away from him. Danovan is determined to regain her lost trust and once he reveals his heartbreaking past to her, Indigo is quick to forgive him for his deception. They quickly move past this minor hurdle and their relationship soon takes a romantic turn but Indigo remains hesitant about fully committing to a future with Danovan. Just as she puts her faith in him both personally and professionally, Danovan makes a fateful decision that jeopardizes their future.

Twice in a Blue Moon is beautiful novel of love and healing. Indigo and Danovan are vibrantly developed characters and although flawed, they are sympathetic and easy to like. The setting is idyllic and provides the perfect backdrop for love to flourish as they make peace with their respective pasts. Another heartfelt and engaging love story by Laura Drake that old and new fans are sure to love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Laura Drake, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Superromance

Review: Christmas at the Cove by Rachel Brimble

christmas coveTitle: Christmas at the Cove by Rachel Brimble
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

More family for Christmas?

Scott Walker doesn’t have time for a relationship. The sexy mechanic has career ambitions, not to mention a mother and three sisters to take care of. The last thing he needs is Carrie Jameson, the beauty he never forgot, arriving in Templeton Cove over the holidays with some unexpected news.

Scott still finds Carrie irresistible, and he’s not one to shirk responsibility. Scott’s issues with his own dad make the prospect of parenthood a minefield. But if he and Carrie can overcome their fears, this Christmas could bring them the best gift of all.

The Review:

Christmas at the Cove is a heartwarming second chance at love romance. This lovely holiday story is full of drama, strong emotions and sizzling hot love scenes. Fans of Rachel Brimble’s books set in the very charming UK seaside town of Templeton Cove do not want to miss this latest installment.

Three years earlier, Scott Walker and Carrie Jameson had a glorious fling when Carrie visited Scott’s hometown of Templeton Cove. Their week together was unforgettable, but both returned to their regular lives as planned. In the interim, Carrie married and now a widow, she returns to Templeton Cove to share some long overdue news with Scott. The couple quickly discover their smoking hot attraction has not faded with the passage of time but after Carrie reveals her secret, will it destroy any chance of a future for them?

In the beginning, Scott comes across as a bit of a player, but first impressions do not always tell the whole story. He may be a commitment phobe, but he is always honest with the women he dates. He has his hands full trying to expand his thriving mechanics business and taking care of his mother and three sisters. But two of the biggest reasons why he avoids serious relationships are connected to his father’s desertion and Scott’s continued feelings for Carrie.

Carrie is a likable, but extremely frustrating, character. She is not always honest with herself (or Scott) for her reasons for returning to the Cove and this leads to a lot of dithering when it comes to Scott. She also jumps at every excuse to avoid letting Scott fully into her life and while some of her reasons are understandable, they are also a direct contradiction regarding her decision to come clean with him.  Carrie gives off a lot of mixed signals for much of the story and it is very irritating how quick she is to give Scott an ultimatum when his unresolved issues become a factor in their future.

Carrie and Scott’s relationship is very slow growing with Scott pushing Carrie to give him, and by extension, them, a chance. There are no easy solutions for the real life concerns they each have but Scott is very tenacious in convincing Carrie to consider a future with him. Some of their scenes together are quite touching, others are very romantic and there are a few that are pretty steamy. However, their relationship hangs in the balance right up until the very end of the novel, and even then, not all of the questions about their future are answered.

Christmas at the Cove is a moving addition to Rachel Brimble’s series set in Templeton Cove. More than just a romance, it is also a story about coming to terms with the past and taking a chance on love. This warm and inviting novel has a wonderful cast of characters, an engaging plot and a delightful ending that truly embodies the holiday spirit.

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Filed under Christmas at the Cove, Contemporary, Harlequin, Rachel Brimble, Rated B, Review, Romance, Superromance

Review: No Ordinary Home by Mary Sullivan

ordinary homeTitle: No Ordinary Home by Mary Sullivan
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

She’s not who she seems…

Gracie Travers has a secret. She’s not the down-on-her-luck drifter she appears to be. Once America’s sweetheart, Gracie needs to keep below the paparazzi’s radar until she’s thirty. Then she’ll get her money and get off the street.

But one small mistake brings Deputy Sheriff Austin Trumball into her life. He’s attractive and oh-so-dangerous. If he learns who she really is, her anonymous days are over. Worse, Austin’s hard to resist, and their connection is terrifying. Soon he makes her want what she can’t have—a lover, a family and a home of her own.

Purchase Links: Amazon * B&N * Harlequin

The Review:

No Ordinary Home is a sweet contemporary romance by Mary Sullivan. Although it is an angst-free read, that is not to say the characters do not have problems to overcome. These issues are handled quickly which adds to the story’s overall enjoyment.

No Ordinary Home opens with Deputy Sheriff Austin Trumball crossing paths with Gracie Travers as he and his friend Finn begin their much anticipated vacation. Against Finn’s strenuous objections, Austin takes Gracie under his wing and she hitches a ride with them to their next destination. There, they meet up with Finn’s childhood friend, Melody Chase, and everything is quickly complicated when she recognizes Gracie and threatens to write an exposé that will thrust Gracie back in the media spotlight she has spent the past six years avoiding.

The characters are well-developed and they all have their share of emotional baggage. Gracie is hardened by her years spent on the road but her edges begin to soften as she finally finds the courage to face the past she has been running from. Melody is trying to come to terms with new information about the reasons why she and her mother spent so many years evading the father she never knew. Finn is mostly well-adjusted but he has a few hang-ups that threaten to destroy his burgeoning romance with Melody. On the surface, Austin seems to have escaped his dysfunctional childhood, but as he and Melody try to plan for their future, his issues become apparent.

The main storyline focuses on Austin and Gracie while the secondary story arc features Finn and Melody. Finn and Melody’s portion of the story is resolved fairly quickly but Austin and Grace’s issues are a little more serious so it takes longer for them to work through their individual problems. There are a few tense moments between Melody and Gracie, but they take the time to work through their differences as well.

No Ordinary Home by Mary Sullivan is a heartwarming novel of love and friendship. The characters are facing real life problems that readers can relate to ans the characters are well-developed. While they might not be as easy to like in the beginning of the story, their personal growth helps turn them into well-rounded, likable individuals by the novel’s conclusion. All in all, No Ordinary Home is lovely, easy to read story that fans of contemporary romances are sure to enjoy.

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Review: The Reasons to Stay by Laura Drake

reasonsTitle: The Reasons to Stay by Laura Drake
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Superromance
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

Where she belongs?

Free spirit Priscilla Hart doesn’t get tied down, to anyone or any place. Then she arrives in Widow’s Grove and meets her half brother. The ten-year-old tough guy has no one else but her. So Priss stay—for now.

But her sexy new landlord, Adam Preston, is interfering with her ideas. He’s everything Priss normally steers clear of—committed, stable and no rebellious urges in sight. As opposite as they are, each conversation, each touch, each kiss they share feels so right. Can a little gangster-wannabe, an irresistible “nice” guy; and an odd assortment of new friends make Priss want to stay for good?

The Review:

The Reasons to Stay by Laura Drake is a heartwarming novel about family, healing wounds from the past and finding love when least expected. Footloose and fancy free for the past ten years, Pricilla “Priss” Hart knows life is going to change when she settles down in Widow’s Grove and becomes her ten year old brother Nacho’s guardian. What she is not prepared for is the sizzling attraction between her and her uptight landlord Adam Preston. With Adam deeply rooted in Widow’s Grove and Priss planning to escape as soon as school lets out, is there any future for this mismatched pair?

Priss left her mom and her dysfunctional childhood behind as soon as she could and for the past ten years, she has concentrated on making a decent life for herself. She avoids emotional entanglements and she only gets involved with men who are not interested in a long-term relationship. So the last thing she wants is to make a commitment to Nacho but she soon discovers she cannot abandon him to the foster care system. Priss is completely out of her depth when it comes to her grieving, wannabe gangbanger brother, but she is determined to be the kind of mother to him that their own mother was incapable of being. But when her new life begins to mirror her deceased mother’s, Priss gains a insight into the past but will her new perspective change her plans for the future?

Although Priss, Nacho and Adam get off on the wrong foot, Adam becomes an unforeseen source of good advice when she and Nacho butt heads. Their lives could not be more different, but she and Adam form a unanticipated friendship. As Adam gets to know Priss, he is startled by his growing dissatisfaction with his safe, contained life. His fears continue to hold him back from some long overdue changes but after he and Priss transition from friends to lovers, he does begin to loosen up and consider breaking out of his comfort zone.

Nacho is a great kid and even though he hides it pretty well behind his tough guy image, he is achingly vulnerable. His mistrust of Priss is understandable and even though he make some really bad decisions, it is easy to see the reasons behind them. He is doing his best to protect himself from future heartache and even though he acts out, all in all, he is a pretty normal kid who is trying to make the best of things.

The Reasons to Stay is an engaging romance with a charming cast of appealing, likable characters. It is a wonderful novel about coming to terms with the past and moving into the future. The characters are refreshingly honest and genuine and they are easy to relate to. Once again, Laura Drake provides readers with a sweet, sassy and passionate novel that is guaranteed to tug on their heartstrings.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Laura Drake, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Superromance, The Reasons to Stay