Category Archives: Zebra

January 6, 2014 · 11:56 pm

Review: Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand

huckleberryTitle: Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand
The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill Series Book One
Publisher: Kensington
Imprint: Zebra
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Christian, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

With their thirteen children grown, Anna and Felty Helmuth are ready for their next adventure. That means trying their hands at matchmaking–because what could be more fun than igniting love when it’s right–and undoing mismatches when they’re wrong. Now Huckleberry Hill just might turn out to be the most romantic spot in Wisconsin. . .

Lia Shetler is resigned to being a spinster. She’s too tall and sturdy to ever be marriageable–so says her overbearing dat. Instead, she’s helping her pretty, spoiled sister Rachel secure the perfect husband–the Helmuths’ grandson, Moses Zimmerman. But the more Lia sees of Moses’ gently teasing ways and quiet understanding, the more she wishes he could be hers alone. . .

Moses knew his grandparents couldn’t resist trying to find him a wife. But he never expected it would be the graceful, sensible Lia–a woman who is tall enough to look him in the eye, and honest enough to make him question a promise holding him to his past. Now both will need the kind of miracles only faith and courage can bring to finally reach for a lifetime of happiness. . .

The Review:

Jennifer’s Beckstrand’s Huckleberry Hill is a witty, sweet and heartwarming romance. In this delightful first installment of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series, Moses Zimmerman’s matchmaking grandparents scheme to set him up with Lia Shetler but this bachelor is determined to stay single. Although he has successfully evaded their efforts in the past, Moses finds Lia pretty difficult to resist. When Lia’s dat decides her sister Rachel is the woman for Moses, which, if any, of the Shetler sisters will win his heart?

Felty and Anna Helmuth are positively adorable and I absolutely loved them. Convinced their grandson needs help getting over his broken heart, Anna has been playing matchmaker for him. The latest woman in her sights? Lia Shetler. She convinces Lia’s dat to let her work for them for the summer and Lia has barely settled in when Anna’s finding ingenious ways to throw them together.

Moses is successful, hardworking and one of the most eligible bachelors in his small Amish district. He has remained dedicated to his ex-fiancée although she broke his heart when she left him and their Amish community. Moses is devoted to his grandparents and frequently helps them maintain their farm. Kind, caring and compassionate, he gently but firmly dissuades the women Anna keeps sending his way. So Moses is more than a little surprised by how much he enjoys spending time with Lia and he is shocked by his growing feelings for her.

Lia struggles with her self-worth as she lives in the shadow of her spoiled and selfish younger sister Rachel. She is an obedient daughter but she is excited about the opportunity to help the Zimmermans out for the summer. She is at first stunned by Moses abrupt pronouncement he is not going to marry her but she takes a humorous approach to his “rejection” and they end up sharing an light-hearted but meaningful friendship. When Rachel sets her sights on Moses, will Lia overcome the habits of a lifetime or will she let the man she is falling in love with go without a fight?

Rachel is self-centered and manipulative and even though her overly indulgent parents are to blame, it is impossible to like her! She is deliberately hurtful to Lia and when she does not get her way, she is mean and vindictive. Anna and Felty have her number right from the start and even though they try to guide her into changing her ways, Rachel manages to outmaneuver them on quite a few occasions. Rachel’s comeuppance is long overdue and I hate to admit it, but I really enjoyed watching it happen!

Lia and Moses are a delightful couple and it is so enjoyable watching them fall in love. They have such a wonderful friendship and they share a true affinity for one another. Theirs is the type of love that slips in when neither is looking and it actually takes a while for them to realize their feelings go deeper than friendship. Moses shows just how honorable he is with his treatment of his ex and his strong need to keep his word to her. Lia has to overcome a lifetime of acceding to her father’s wishes and it is wonderful to see her stretch her wings and find not only love, but her niche in life.

Huckleberry Hill is a charming love story but it is the personal growth of the characters that makes it such a fabulous read. Of course, Moses’ impish grandparents are an absolute delight and I am very much looking forward to their matchmaking shenanigans in Jennifer’s Beckstrand’s next story in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series.

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Filed under Amish, Christian, Contemporary, Huckleberry Hill, Jennifer Beckstrand, Kensington, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill Series, Zebra

November 27, 2013 · 11:57 pm

Review: So Irresistible by Lisa Plumley

Title: So Irresistible by Lisa Plumley
Publisher: Kensington Books
Imprint: Zebra
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A hard-headed, hard-bodied businessman falls for the gorgeous restaurateur he’s been hired to ruin in USA Today bestselling author Lisa Plumley’s unforgettable new novel.

Tantalizing. Hot. And mouthwateringly delicious. The pizzas at the Portland restaurant chain Shane Maresca is secretly priming for takeover are all that and more. Unfortunately for him, so is Gabriella Grimani, the business owner’s daughter. He had no idea who she was when they had their first X-rated one night stand. Now she’s all he can think about. For someone whose career hinges on ruthlessness, that’s a slice of disaster.

Tough, take-charge Gabby intends to put her family’s restaurants back in the black, and that means no distractions. But somehow Shane keeps getting to the part of her that no one else sees–enticing her to lean on him. To trust him. That could be the biggest mistake Gabby and her business ever made. . .or a recipe for something truly spectacular…

The Review:

So Irresistible is a sizzling hot romance by Lisa Plumley that is fun, flirty and just a tiny bit suspenseful.

When Gabriella (Gabby) Grimani and Shane Maresca meet at a local brewpub, they have both stepped out of their usual comfort zones. They uncharacteristically indulge in a very steamy one night stand and when they find themselves unexpectedly working together at Gabby’s family pizzeria, they agree to keep their relationship purely professional. Their attraction proves to be irresistible and they are soon indulging their passion. Will their relationship survive once Gabby discovers the secret Shane has been keeping?

Financially devastated from a recent takeover attempt, all but one of the family pizzerias have shut down and Gabriella is fighting an uphill battle to keep its doors open. Neither her relationship with her parents or co-workers has recovered from a huge argument with her dad over business improvements. Gabriella is struggling to keep a decent staff and she is disheartened by her once loyal employees’ hostile attitudes. Discouraged and dejected, she decides to enjoy a night out when she meets Shane and while she cannot get their scorching encounter out of her mind, Gabby does not have either the time or inclination for a serious relationship.

Shane is a fixer whose latest assignment is to acquire Gabby’s pizzeria for his father’s corporation. He is feeling a little discontent with where his life is taking him but he is hoping to earn his adopted father’s respect with this latest acquisition. Shane half-heartedly goes about his job once he begins working with Gabby, but he unexpectedly finds himself “fixing” Gabby’s problems instead of gathering insider info.

The chemistry between Shane and Gabby is off the charts smokin’ HAWT! Their encounters are incredibly sensual and best of all? They share an incredible rapport out of bed too. Gabby and Shane really connect on an emotional level, and they both find themselves revealing information about themselves that they usually keep hidden from everyone else. I really enjoyed watching them discover hidden facets of not only themselves but each other as well.

While I enjoyed the overall story, So Irresistible is a little slow moving in the beginning. Most of the background information is revealed in bits and pieces which left me a little confused about what was going on with the pizzeria. While Gabby and Shane are superbly developed protagonists, the secondary cast of characters lacked dimension. With few details of their private lives ever being revealed, their connection always felt superficial. I particularly enjoyed Shane’s assistant, Lizzie and Gabby’s co-worker Pinkie but frustrating little information is given about either of them.

So Irresistible is a lovely romance and while it is my first Lisa Plumley novel, it certainly won’t be my last. I greatly enjoyed the writing style, unique plot and richly detailed descriptions of Portland. All in all a very entertaining novel that I recommend to fans of contemporary romance.

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Filed under Contemporary, Kensington Books, Lisa Plumley, Rated B, Review, Romance, So Irresistible, Zebra

November 10, 2013 · 11:58 pm

Review: The House on Main Street by Shirlee McCoy

Title: The House on Main Street by Shirlee McCoy
Apple Valley Book One
Publisher: Kensington
Imprint: Zebra
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In Apple Valley, Washington, friends are always near, neighbors have no secrets—even if they’d like to—and long-held wishes have a way of coming true. . .

Interior designer Tessa McKenzie has built a good life far from her Washington hometown. She intends to get back to it—as soon as she sells the cluttered Victorian house and antiques shop she inherited from her sister, Emily. But leaving Apple Valley a second time won’t be so easy. There’s her grieving nephew, Alex, to consider. And there’s Sheriff Cade Cunningham, the adolescent crush who could easily break her heart again if she let him.

To Cade, Tessa was simply his high school sweetheart’s kid sister. But now there’s no denying she’s a beautiful and caring grown woman, one he’d like to get to know. Except that Tessa is determined to leave again. If Cade wants to change her mind, he’ll have to show her that small-town life has its lovable side—and that he does too. Most of all, he’ll have to convince Tess they’re good together, and that every step has led her right where she was always meant to be. . .

The Review:

Shirlee McCoy’s The House on Main Street is a heartfelt romance that pretty much stole my heart from the very first page. Genuine and likable characters, a warm and endearing plot and a lovely small town atmosphere prove to be quite an irresistible combination in this first installment of the Apple Valley series.

The bright spot in Tessa McKenzie’s unhappy childhood was her close friendship with Cade Cunningham but his relationship with her sister Emily precipitated Tessa’s hasty departure years earlier. Now a successful interior designer, Tess has little choice but to return to her small town after Emily’s death. Tessa’s intention is to sell her sister’s house and business as quickly as possible and move her nephew Alex and her cantankerous Aunt Gertrude back to Annapolis with her. But that decision is quickly complicated by the realization that the last thing that Alex needs is another change in his life. And then there’s the small matter of the surprising attraction that is sizzling between Tessa and Cade…

Tess is a vibrant and likable character and I found her very easy to relate to. In the wake of Emily’s death, she is wracked with regret over past decisions but she does not dwell on them. Instead, she learns from her mistakes and moves on as best she can under the circumstances. I like how she is able to put Alex’s needs ahead of her own desires and in doing so, she begins to find the positive side of life in a small town.

Tess’s relationship with Gertrude is contentious and these two butt heads at just about every turn. Misunderstandings from Tess’s childhood continue to plague them and their fragile truces are often short lived. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at their frequent clashes and I was moved to tears when Gertrude finally opened up to Tess.

But the absolute best part of The House on Main Street is Tess’s friendship with Cade. Their friendship remains intact despite the passage of time and genuine warmth and mutual respect underscores all of their scenes. No matter how much Tess tries to protect herself, there is no mistaking how much these two care about one another.

The House on Main Street is a delightfully sweet romance with plenty of substance and very little angst. Shirlee McCoy’s beautiful descriptions bring the town and its inhabitants exquisitely to life. Intriguing glimpses of Charlotte Garrison and Max Stanford will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment of the Apple Valley series.

1 Comment

Filed under Apple Valley, Contemporary, Kensington, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Shirlee McCoy, The House on Main Street, Zebra

September 12, 2013 · 1:58 am

Review: Cowboy Justice by Melissa Cutler

Title: Cowboy Justice by Melissa Cutler
Catcher Creek Series Book Two
Publisher: Kensington
Imprint: Zebra
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Transforming their parents’ rundown ranch in Catcher Creek, New Mexico, into a tourist destination is the toughest challenge the three Sorentino sisters ever faced. But now one of them has another fight on her hands—to keep from falling for the sexy town sheriff—again…

Rachel Sorentino has spent her whole life protecting her siblings from trouble—only to run headlong into it herself. Her first regret about shooting at the vandals targeting her family is that her aim wasn’t better. Her second is that when bullets started flying, it was Sheriff Vaughn Cooper’s number she dialed. Vaughn is the mistake she keeps on making, a cowboy lawman who cuts through Rachel’s surface bravado to the vulnerability no one else sees. And no matter how inconvenient their attraction—for his career, her tangled case, and their already battered hearts—there’s no denying what feels so irresistibly right…

The Review:

Cowboy Justice is the sizzling hot second installment in Melissa Cutler’s Catcher Creek series. Super sexy lawman/cowboy (sigh) Vaughn Cooper and tough as nails Rachel Sorentino share a complicated history that, despite their best efforts to put behind them, refuses to stay in the past.

Rachel Sorentino and her sisters have successfully turned their ranch into a dude ranch, but someone is trying very hard to change that. When Rachel catches the vandals red-handed, her attempts to scare them off result in a modern day gun battle that lands her and two of the suspects in the hospital. The resulting investigation by the local Sheriff’s office brings Rachel into close contact with Sheriff Vaughn Cooper, the man she is trying very hard to forget.

Rachel is a take charge woman who is strong-willed and quite capable of handling whatever life throws her way. She is still grieving the loss of both her parents while trying to bring the family ranch from the brink of bankruptcy. While Rachel has come to terms with her father’s death and the messy aftermath, she is still struggling with the guilt she harbors over her mother’s suicide. Just as she is making progress overcoming her guilt, startling new information about her father once again turns her world upside down.

Vaughn is a definitely hero material. He is close to his family and his talks with his dad are some of the best scenes in the novel. Vaughn’s protectiveness of his loved ones is both his best and worst quality. But his biggest fault is his blind spot where a nemesis is concerned. This clouds Vaughn’s judgment and puts his investigation and his career in jeopardy.

The romance between Vaughn and Rachel is an emotional rollercoaster. Their relationship is volatile, wildly veering from explosive, irresistible passion to dramatic scenes where they agree to end their involvement. This back and forth of on again/off again is exhausting but an amazingly romantic and touching scene makes all the agonizing breakups worthwhile.

Cowboy Justice is a multi-layered novel that is jam packed with a puzzling mystery, scorching hot love scenes and a delightful romance. Melissa Cutler brilliantly brings the New Mexico countryside vibrantly to life and her depiction of small town living is quite accurate. Intriguing glimpses of sister Jenna and her possible love interest have me eagerly awaiting the next installment of the fabulous Catcher Creek series.

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Filed under Catcher Creek Series, Contemporary, Cowboy Justice, Kensington, Melissa Cutler, Rated B, Review, Romance, Zebra