Sandy M’s review of Sweet Surprise (Sweet, Texas, Book 4) by Candis Terry
Contemporary Romance published by Avon 27 Jan 15
I love small-town America stories, and Candis Terry has become one of my favorite authors in that respect. She also is a fave when it comes to writing brothers, another part of romance I really like. So this Sweet, Texas series has been a lot of fun for me, just as her Sugar Shack series was. The Wilder family is close-knit and full of love for each other, as well as those who have been extended the distinction of being an honorary Wilder. This story is about two of those honorees.
Fiona has been part of the series from the beginning. She’s the ex-wife of Jackson Wilder. They have a daughter, Isabelle, who is the light of the entire family. Folks are amazed at the friendship Fiona and Jackson have been able to maintain since their divorce. They realized early on they just aren’t meant for each other, despite trying to do the right thing when Fiona discovered she was pregnant. Though she’s technically not part of the family, Mama Wilder, as well as Jackson’s brothers, still treat her as the Wilder girl they never had. She’s recently moved to Sweet, both for Jackson and Izzy and also herself, where she hopes her long-time dream will finally come true after having left her wild ways behind her.
Having failed everyone in his life, Mike Halsey has buried his heart so deep he doubts he’ll ever find it again. Which is just as well. It’s difficult to face your mistakes too often. So he gets through with the help of his firefighting job and the Brothers Wilder, especially Jackson. And that’s why he’ll never act on his attraction to Fiona Wilder. You never break the brother code, even when it comes to ex-wives. So Mike tries to keep his distance, but there’s a sneaky family member who keeps tossing them in each other’s way, until it just comes to be too much for them both.
I so enjoyed all the goings-on happening in between the prepping and then opening of Fiona’s cupcake shop, Sweet Surprise. There’s a lot of fun to be had with such sweet stuff, and she and Mike make the most of it when the time comes. The scenes with Izzy and Mike are nicely done, showing his tenderness with both ladies. I also like the honor and honesty of Ms. Terry’s characters. When Mike finally decides he wants Fiona no matter what, he does the right thing and tells Jackson, despite the fact he knows his friend will knock his butt into next week. And the Wilder women when they get together are nothing but fun, just as it should be between sisters and girlfriends.
There’s absolutely nothing to dislike in any of Candis Terry’s books. Charming and intriguing characters, everyday issues we all experience resolved with dignity and hope, heroines you want to be best friends with, and sexy heroes you can’t help but drool over. Then there’s the love and romance that will arrow straight into your soul for the romance reader in you. Exactly what every one of us looks for to quench that hunger and keep us coming back for more.
Grade: A
Summary:
PLAYING NAUGHTY OR NICE . . .
Fiona Wilder knows all about falling in lust. Love? That’s another story. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, the single mom and cupcake shop owner is focused on walking the straight and narrow. But trouble has a way of finding her. And this time it comes in the form of a smoking hot firefighter who knows all the delicious ways to ignite her bad girl fuse.
CAN LEAD TO HEARTBREAK . . .
Firefighter Mike Halsey learned long ago that playing with fire just gets you burned. He’s put his demons behind him, and if there’s one line he won’t cross it’s getting involved with his best friend’s ex. But when fate throws him in the path of the beautiful, strong, and off limits Fiona, will he be able to fight their attraction? Or will he willingly go down in flames?
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
