Her Secret (The Amish of Hart County #1) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Blurb

After a stalker went too far, Hannah Hilty and her family had no choice but to leave the bustling Amish community where she grew up. Now she’s getting a fresh start in Hart County, Kentucky…if only she wasn’t too scared to take it. Hannah has become afraid to trust anyone—even Isaac, the friendly Amish man who lives next door. She wonders if she'll ever return to the trusting, easy-going woman she once was.

For Isaac Troyer, the beautiful girl he teasingly called “The Recluse” confuses him like no other. When he learns of her past, he knows he's misjudged her. However, he also understands the importance of being grateful for God’s gifts, and wonders if they will ever have anything in common. But as Hannah and Isaac slowly grow closer, they realize that there’s always more to someone than meets the eye.

Just as Hannah is finally settling into her new life, and perhaps finding a new love, more secrets are revealed and tragedy strikes. Now Hannah must decide if she should run again or dare to fight for the future she has found in Hart County.

Shelley Shepard Gray writes the sweetest Amish/Christian romances, and with this first installment of the Amish of Hart County series she's added an element of suspense to the story, too.

In the beginning, our heroine Hannah seemed to be a bit skittish, and who can blame her? It didn't take long, however, for her to find her inner strength and bravely move on. Of course Isaac was a big help with that! His patience and compassion and willingness to 'go slow' made me love him for Hannah, and I hope to see more of them in future installments of the series!

I've read several of Ms. Gray's Amish romances and have enjoyed every one of them. The characters are such awesome people who are easy to relate to. Whether going through a "crisis of faith" or suffering loss that makes their faith stronger, I always find myself invested in the people and their journey down whatever path life has put them on. So, if you find yourself in the mood for a charming Christian read, be sure to take a peek at Shelley Shepard Gray's stories. You'll be glad you did!

An ARC was provided by Avon Inspire. In appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.

One Snowy Night (Heartbreaker Bay 2.5) by Jill Shalvis

Blurb… It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to the family she hasn’t seen in years. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, and his big, goofy, lovable dog Carl.

Hours stuck in a truck with the dead sexy Max sounds like a fate worse than death (not), but Rory’s out of options. She’s had a crush on Max since high school and she knows he’s attracted to her, too. But they have history… and Max is the only one who knows why it went south.

They’ve done a good job of ignoring their chemistry so far, but a long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past… and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.

One Snowy Night is a wonderful holiday novella featuring Rory Andrews who, as we’ve learned from previous books, had a very troubled past. In this story she finally returns home to face that past and in the process discovers her future has been right in front of her all along.

Max Stranton is the kind of man I would love to be in love with. He’s strong, dependable, patient, and all kinds of sexy. Together, he and Rory made this holiday story a delight and I’m so, so happy for them!

My only complaint (which is a good kind of complaint) is that I wish Rory had gotten a longer story because she’s just such an awesome woman.

An ARC was provided by Avon Books. In appreciation I’m giving them an honest review.

The Hating Game: A Novel by Sally Thorne

Blurb...

Nemesis (n.) 1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
2) A person’s undoing
3) Joshua Templeman

Lucy Hutton has always been certain that the nice girl can get the corner office. She’s charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Everyone except for coldly efficient, impeccably attired, physically intimidating Joshua Templeman. And the feeling is mutual.

Trapped in a shared office together 40 (OK, 50 or 60) hours a week, they’ve become entrenched in an addictive, ridiculous never-ending game of one-upmanship. There’s the Staring Game. The Mirror Game. The HR Game. Lucy can’t let Joshua beat her at anything—especially when a huge new promotion goes up for the taking.

If Lucy wins this game, she’ll be Joshua’s boss. If she loses, she’ll resign. So why is she suddenly having steamy dreams about Joshua, and dressing for work like she’s got a hot date? After a perfectly innocent elevator ride ends with an earth shattering kiss, Lucy starts to wonder whether she’s got Joshua Templeman all wrong.

Maybe Lucy Hutton doesn’t hate Joshua Templeman. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

When Nancy, a friend from the Avon Addicts Group, couldn't stop raving about The Hating Game, I knew I had to give it a try, even though the angst-ridden, bitter rival stories seldom work for me because...well...they're angst-ridden. And bitter. I know a lot of people love this in their romance reading, but I'm not one of them. That said, The Hating Game definitely was all kinds of angsty, but in a fun, snicker-out-loud sort of way.

Josh and Lucy are both amazing characters, each flawed in a way that makes them the perfect match. And rather than choosing sides, I found myself happily cheering them both on in their quest to annoy each other. Their conniving and plotting and their many versions of "The Game" made this a story I couldn't put down. They bring one-upmanship to a whole new level, a level that had me smiling my way through their story. And the romance? Charming! Steamy, funny, unhurried... I loved it!

What a fantastic debut novel!!

An ARC was provided by Avon Books/William Morrow. In appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.

Purchase The Hating Game: A Novel by Sally Thorne on Amazon

Family Tree: A Novel by Susan Wiggs

Blurb...

Sometimes the greatest dream starts with the smallest element. A single cell, joining with another. And then dividing. And just like that, the world changes.

Annie Harlow knows how lucky she is. The producer of a popular television cooking show, she loves her handsome husband and the beautiful Manhattan home they share. And now, she’s pregnant with their first child.

But in an instant, her life is shattered. And when Annie awakes from a year-long coma, she discovers that time isn’t the only thing she's lost.

Grieving and wounded, Annie retreats to her old family home in Switchback, Vermont, a maple farm generations old. There, surrounded by her free-spirited brother, their divorced mother, and four young nieces and nephews, Annie slowly emerges into a world she left behind years ago: the town where she grew up, the people she knew before, the high-school boyfriend turned ex-cop. And with the discovery of a cookbook her grandmother wrote in the distant past, Annie unearths an age-old mystery that might prove the salvation of the family farm.

Family Tree is the story of one woman’s triumph over betrayal, and how she eventually comes to terms with her past. It is the story of joys unrealized and opportunities regained. Complex, clear-eyed and big-hearted, funny, sad, and wise, it is a novel to cherish and to remember.

This is a thought provoking story of one woman's journey to reclaim her dreams, her heart, and her life. It's more women's fiction than contemporary romance or chick-lit, but the romance is there and it's sweet. I enjoyed getting to know Annie and Fletcher and the rest of Switchback, Vermont's residents, but I have to admit that I had a problem with Annie who I found rather selfish in the relationship department. I get needing to focus on your career but too often, it seemed, Fletcher played second fiddle to Annie's. One last thing; this isn't a light read. It's actually quite emotional, and even a bit depressing at times, though understandably so. However, there is also humor, poignancy, and so much foodie talk that all I could think about was snacking!

Overall, Family Tree is compelling and entertaining, and I'm looking forward to reading more by Susan Wiggs.

An ARC was provided by William Morrow publishing. In appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.

The Trouble With Mistletoe (Heartbreaker Bay #2) by Jill Shalvis

Blurb...

If she has her way . . .

Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her . . .

He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.

Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him . . .

Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice . . .

Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work . . .

Jill Shalvis is one of the best contemporary romance authors out there and her stories are fun, poignant, sexy, and always, always leave me wanting more. Whether we're in Lucky Harbor, Cedar Ridge, or Heartbreaker Bay, I never, ever want to leave!

Willa Davis is an awesome woman! She's caring, selfless, compassionate... but she can hold a grudge like nobody's business, which she does against Keane Winters, the jock who stood her up the night of her first highschool dance (years earlier, mind you). But when he shows up at her pet salon, desperate for her help, she just can't say no...well, she can easily say no to Keane (remember she's a grudge holder) but she can't say no to that poor pitiful cat he needs to board.

Keane is in a pickle and needs Willa's boarding services, but the woman seems to have something against him and he has no idea what it is. But beggars can't be choosers so he decides to ignore her attitude and just be grateful she's agreed to watch the cat! It's not like this is about anything other than business, afterall....

Until, (there's always an 'until' in romance novels!) until the attraction between them becomes undeniable. They quickly learn that, if there's any hope at all for them to be together, they need to let go of their pasts, open their eyes and their hearts, and take a chance.

Sometimes in romance novels one of the main characters will have issues while the other is solid...grounded. What I love most about the story is that Willa and Keane are both...damaged. They accept that they both have issues and understand that they can lean on each other to overcome those issues, if they hope to have a life filled with love, laughter, and a happily ever after.

Oh, how I'm looking forward to the next installment. It's going to be a hum-dinger, that's for sure!

An ARC was provided by Avon Books via Edelweiss. In appreciation I'm giving them an honest review.

Yours to Hold (Ribbon Ridge #2) by Darcy Burke

Yours to Hold is, without a doubt, my favorite book of the series so far, and not just because I fell hard for Kyle and Maggie – which I did – but because I fell hard for Kyle and Maggie and the entire Archer family!!

Blurb…

Years ago, golden-boy Kyle Archer left Ribbon Ridge without a word. Now, with heartbreak on the verge of tearing his family apart, the black sheep is back and he’s determined to earn their trust by uncovering the truth behind Alex’s death. But the moment he confronts Maggie Trent—the therapist his parents blame for the tragedy—Kyle is stunned by his powerful attraction to the beautiful doctor… and drawn to her like no woman he’s ever met before.

When gorgeous, charismatic Kyle approaches Maggie about his brother’s death, she agrees to help him search for answers. And as they piece together Alex’s last days, their undeniable chemistry turns too hot to ignore. After their relationship becomes more serious than either anticipated, Kyle may be forced to choose between the woman he’s desperate to hold on to and the family he almost let slip away.

My thoughts…

In my review of the last book, Only In My Dreams, I lamented the fact that we didn’t learn much about Alex’s death which has been a dark shadow in the stories so far. In this book we've been given a lot more insight into his suicide, but while some questions were answered, more questions have arisen… and that, along with an amazing cast of characters, is what has me looking forward to what’s to come next.

The bottom line…

I’m a long time fan of small town Contemporary Romance and have enjoyed my time in Ribbon Ridge a lot. That said, Yours to Hold has propelled this series from charming and intriguing to poignant and compelling, and I loved every word of it, start to finish!

An ARC was generously provided by Avon Books, and to show my appreciation I’m giving them an honest review.

Only in My Dreams (Ribbon Ridge #1) by Darcy Burke

Only In My Dreams is the first full length novel in Darcy Burke’s Ribbon Ridge Contemporary Romance series, but we’re first introduced to the Archer family in the prequel novella, Where the Heart Is. Each of the seven (+1) Archer siblings seem to have their own unique set of health or emotional problems, but it’s the way they come together to support one another than makes this such a touching, entertaining read.

Blurb…

Fed up with her self-imposed single life, successful event planner Sara Archer heads to a bar for a night of dancing … and bumps into Dylan Wescott, the high school crush she hasn’t seen in years. A little harmless flirting leads to a hot, completely uncharacteristic one-night stand; but when she wakes up alone, Sara knows her life is too complicated for a relationship and there can’t be a repeat.

Dylan, a divorced, ex-military construction contractor, limits himself to casual flings—his failed marriage proves he’s better off alone anyway—but he can’t stop dreaming about Sara. And when his firm is hired to oversee the renovation project run by the Archer siblings, Dylan and Sara are unable to resist their explosive chemistry.

But when their secret affair grows beyond “friends with benefits” and neither is willing to admit they want more, family drama and emotional scars may ruin their chance at a love they believed was only in their dreams.

My thoughts…

I've never read a story quite like this one, and I really enjoyed it. The heroine suffers from Sensory Processing Disorder, which some say is a form of autism. The story is...sad...in some ways, but also very uplifting. It was great to see a heroine who is so grounded, so strong, so able to cope with a disorder that could be debilitating. Fortunately, she has a family who believed in giving her the tools she needed to learn to live with SPD and not let it control her life.

Dylan’s family life was the exact opposite of Sara’s - empty, without love, and he would rather live his life alone than be in a relationship – of any kind. He’s pretty bitter about the way his childhood went, and then his marriage fell apart and though I’m not exactly sure why, I’m pretty sure it was his fault. No cheating or anything like that, but I get the impression he was just as disconnected emotionally from his wife as he was from his family.

Sara and Dylan’s relationship begins with a one-night stand, but as often happens, one night just isn’t enough. I did *snicker* at their attempts to keep things simple, but at some point got tired of it too, because, in my opinion, it caused the story to drag a bit.

Minor spoiler: One thing that really disappointed me was how we learn about Alex’s suicide. In the prequel (Where the Heart Is) he was fine; quite sick of course, but we got to know and care about him. As Only in My Dreams begins, we find that Alex killed himself (just 2 weeks prior) and left a legacy of sorts for his siblings to fulfill. No one really knows why he took his own life, other than being so sick and probably not wanting to burden his family. I do believe that slowly but surely this part of the story will unfold, and we'll get our answers.

The bottom line…

Ribbon Ridge is a small town full of people with big hearts. The Archer family is struggling to move on after their tragic loss, and watching them come to grips with their heartbreak and unanswered questions leaves no doubt that the series will continue to draw me in and become a favorite!

An ARC was provided by Avon Books and in appreciation I’m giving them an honest review.

About Sensory Processing Disorder...

Sensory processing disorder is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses.

The condition used to be called sensory integration dysfunction.

Some people with sensory processing disorder are oversensitive to things in their environment. Common sounds may be painful or overwhelming. The light touch of a shirt may chafe the skin.

Others with sensory processing disorder may:

Be uncoordinated
Bump into things
Be unable to tell where their limbs are in space
Be hard to engage in conversation or play
Sensory processing problems are usually identified in children. But they can also affect adults. Sensory processing problems are commonly seen in developmental disorders like autism.

Sensory processing disorder is not recognized as a standalone disorder. But many experts think that should change.

SPD information found at WebMd: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/sensory-processing-disorder

I DO! (Lovett, Texas #5) by Rachel Gibson

This story is lots of fun!! It's short - 150 pages - but a great romance and a chance to revisit past couples and see where their love has taken them!

Blurb...

In New York Times bestselling author Rachel Gibson's newest novella, Vince Haven and Sadie Hollowell are headed to the altar, and all their friends are headed to Lovett, Texas, to join them for the party of the year.

But Becca Ramsey doesn't have time for all that. Fresh out of beauty school, Becca's all business . . . and the last thing she needs is bad boy Nate Parrish anywhere in her life.

In the past, Nate was trouble. He's been trying to repair his reputation—heck, he's even got just one girlfriend. The problem is, she isn't Becca. Now Nate's in a whole lot of hot water. He needs to get Becca from "I won't" to "I do" . . . but how can he do that when she won't even say "I might"?

My thoughts...

I adore Rachel Gibson's storytelling, and even though I haven't (yet) read all the books in this series, I love what I have read. This story is filled with lot's of witty dialog and steamy sexual chemistry. Becca and Nate are a perfect match and I was thrilled to see them get their happily ever after.

One issue for me (and may be for other readers), and the only 'sour' note here is that at the beginning of the story Nate has a girlfriend who's been away for a couple months and he's decided to break up with her - though he fantasizes about her and feels guilty for thinking about another woman while still with her, and even calls her "his girl" at one point - but he doesn't want to break up with her over the phone or text because that would be cold... So technically he's still with someone when he and Becca get together. While there are no broken hearts here, I do wish Nate had made that phone call and ended the relationship with Holly Ann before climbing into bed with Becca because I can't fall in love with a hero who hooks up with one girl while still, even if on a technicality, is still hooked up with another.

But all-in-all, this is a fun read and a great installment to the series!

ARC provided by Avon Books. To show my appreciation I'm giving them an honest review!

Christmas at Twilight (Twilight, Texas #5) by Lori Wilde

CHRISTMAS AT TWILIGHT is one of the most emotional holiday stories I've read. It's poignant, angsty, and heartbreaking, but it's also hopeful and joyous! Meredith and Hutch are two amazing people who get more than Christmas magic, they get a miracle - the kind that comes from finding your soul mate, just when you thought you'd forever be alone.

The blurb...

It's Christmas in Twilight, Texas. The Cookie Club is baking, the town is decorated, and Delta Force Operator "Hutch" Hutchinson has finally, reluctantly, returned home . . .

. . . only to get pepper sprayed by the delicious- looking stranger who's taken over his house. She says her name is Jane, and she immediately sets down ground rules. Top priority: no touching. For Hutch that isn't easy—he was wounded in action, but one part is still working very well.

Then Hutch learns the truth. Jane harbors a frightening secret—she's really Meredith Sommers, on the run from a dangerous ex-husband and desperately in need of the safety Hutch can provide. In that moment, he vows he'd do anything in his power to protect her. And as Christmas approaches, they discover that their love can conquer the past and overcome any obstacle—but what price will they pay?

My thoughts...

It seems to me that more often than not Christmas themed romances are on the lighter side, with minimal angst and a sweet happily ever after. It's what I've come to expect, and what I look forward to in my holiday reads. That said, Christmas At Twilight is not light, and while there's angst, it's the real life, to-be-expected kind of angst that military men and women live with after serving their country with honor. And yet, while it's not what I expected, not what I look forward to, I loved every minute I spent reading!

Such an exciting, romantic, and passionate story! But best of all, Hutch and Meredith's happily ever after was hard fought, well deserved, and a truly beautiful thing.

Note: This is the 5th book in the Twilight, Texas series but works very well as a stand alone.

An ARC was provided by Avon Books.

All I Want Is You by Toni Blake

5 'Sometimes you have to create your own destiny' stars!

Description..

Christy Knight grew up in Destiny, Ohio, but lately she feels that her future lies elsewhere. Her parents are gone and the beautiful jewelry she creates doesn't pay the bills. Maybe it's time for Christy to grow up and find a guy who's smart, sexy, and solvent. Her rugged handyman neighbor fits the first two categories, but he's all wrong for her. If only he didn't have such captivating blue eyes.

Wary of trusting others, Jack DuVall hasn't been entirely honest with Christy. He's not really a handyman. He's not really broke. And sharing the long drive to visit her beloved grandpa isn't just about gallantry—he finds gorgeous, feisty Christy completely irresistible.

When secrets are exposed, Jack and Christy struggle to find their way back to one another, but the quirky seaside town of Coral Cove could prove the perfect place to find a red-hot destiny of their own.

My quickie review...

I was pretty disappointed to learn that the Destiny, Ohio series had come to an end, but I am thrilled that Toni Blake will continue to bring us the stories she's so well known for; stories filled with passion, romance, hope... stories about amazing people who will make us dream, make us laugh, and make us fall in love, over and over again!

An eARC of All I Want Is You was generously provided by Avon Books, and in return I'm giving them an honest review.

Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars by Codi Gary

Description...

Gemma Carlson didn't plan on waking up married.

She also didn't count on running into her old flame—and her son's father-turned-country rock star—Travis Bowers, followed by a night of drunken dares. Apparently one of those involved a ring on her finger and a vow … neither of which she intends to keep. Now with a hangover from hell, this good-girl-gone-bad knows there's just one thing to do: run.

Travis has been all over the world, but Gemma has never been far from his thoughts. So when they had the chance to catch up over a few drinks, he didn't hesitate. Of course, he didn't expect it would lead to marriage, or a runaway bride! Travis finally has a second chance and doesn't plan on losing Gemma again—or the son he didn't know he had. He proposes, albeit belatedly, a date. Or rather, a few. If they can make this marriage work by starting over, he stays. If not …

Gemma's not interested; she's got a son to protect and a heart to heal. But having Travis around could make both a little easier. Still, good girls don't date rock stars . . . right?

Maybe it's just me...

Good Girls Don’t Date Rock Stars is the second book in Codi Gary’s Rock Canyon series. I absolutely loved the first book, Things Good Girls Don’t Do, and was anxiously awaiting this book. Sadly, even though I love the way Ms. Gary tells a story, this time, I didn’t love the story she was telling.

My review…

As I said, Codi Gary wrote an awesome first installment and I couldn’t wait to read more of the Rock Canyon world, but there were major things about Good Girls Don’t Date Rock Stars that didn’t work for me, and I actually considered not finishing it.

To help explain my thoughts, I’m just going to break it down by 'what worked' and 'what didn't.'

What didn’t work…

The first and most glaring problem for me is the title, and something everyone needs to be aware of. This story isn't about a bad-boy rock star, it's about a very awesome, not at all bad boy country music star. In fact, he's so awesome, he's the kind of guy most any parent would love to see their daughter hook up with. I know I would!

Next, as with infidelity, keeping a child from its biological mother/father is a story line that has to be handled with finesse if the author hopes the parent doing the concealing (or the partner doing the cheating) has a snowball's chance in hell of becoming a character the readers will love. Granted, Gemma and Travis are young when their child is conceived, but it speaks volumes to Gemma’s maturity – or lack thereof – that in ten years time she never contacted Travis to give him the chance - his right - to make his own decision about whether or not he wants to be part of his child’s life. And her reasons aren’t even compelling. No deep dark secret or tragic past making her want to protect her child, nothing in Travis’ past to indicate he’d be abusive or just not care. Yes, she was young and immature as a teen ager, but she's just plain selfish as an adult, and I couldn't get past that.

And lastly, Travis had the potential to be an amazing character, but he never became more than just that – a character. I didn’t connect with him, didn’t feel his pain or his frustration at Gemma keeping something this huge from him. Yes, when he found out the truth there was the expected shock, the ‘I need time to process this…’ reaction, but he quickly moved on from that. Too quickly. In fact, I think I had a more visceral reaction to Gemma’s deception than Travis did!

What worked…

Everything else. Codi Gary is a great storyteller, make no mistake. I adore – and I do mean adore - the supporting cast. Gracie is one hell of a best friend and I’m looking forward to reading her story.

Books in which small kids are the foundation of the story aren't always easy to pull off, but Charlie is a sweet, fun, more-mature-than-his-mother boy, and I enjoyed his time on the pages. From the gossipy, nosy neighbors to the friends, acquaintances, and sexy law enforcements, there are actually many things to love about Good Girls Don’t Date Rock Stars.

The bottom line…

I did love parts of this story, but the main story itself – not so much, which is why I gave the book only 3 stars. Had things been reversed, had the main story been strong and the other stuff weak, this would still have easily been 4-4.5 stars.

All that said, Rock Canyon continues to be a great world and, despite my disappointment with this book, I’m looking forward to reading more!

A copy of this story was generously provided by Avon Books, and in return I gave them an honest review.