RETRO REVIEW: The Christmas He Loved Her by Juliana Stone
Veena’s review of The Christmas He Loved Her (Bay Boys of Crystal Lake, Book 2) by Julianna Stone
Contemporary Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 24 Sep 13
Ms. Stone is an auto-buy for me. I love her insights into human nature, her strong three-dimensional characters who feel like real people, and emotions that reach out and suck you in to make you a part of whichever world she’s painting, whether it’s a paranormal or contemporary read.
RETRO REVIEW: Million Dollar Christmas Proposal by Lucy Monroe
LynneC’s review of Million Dollar Christmas Proposal by Lucy Monroe
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 1 Nov 13
One of my favorite guilty pleasures is the boss/secretary romance. Or rather, the boss/employee romance, since Presents has come to terms with there not being any secretaries anymore, although there are still PAs. In this book the heroine works in the call center of the hero’s multi-zillion-dollar company. And so it goes. There are children, one baby and one four-year-old who need a mother. So the hero, who goes by the name of Enzu, decides to buy them one. Strike one for sanity. Except, there are rumors that some wealthy men do just that, but for far crazier reasons than providing a mother for their feckless dead brother’s babies.
RETRO REVIEW: The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown
Sandy M’s review of The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby (Cowboys & Brides, Book 2) by Carolyn Brown
Contemporary Western Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 24 Sep 13
I like the subtlety of the “miracle” of Christmas that is woven throughout this story. All it takes is the innocence of babes.
REVIEW: Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
Stevie‘s review of Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
African American Historical Fiction published by Scribner 24 Oct 23
I’ve read two of Jesmyn Ward’s contemporary novels and enjoyed both the magical realism of her lyrical prose and the glimpses into other, very different, lives that her works give us. This book takes us back in time to the Southern states of America in the years before the Civil War, where we follow the life of an enslaved woman, Annis. Annis is the granddaughter of a proud warrior woman, whom she knows only through the stories her mother tells her as they practice fighting in the way of their ancestors. Her father is the white enslaver on whose property Annis was born and where she labours, as our story opens.
REVIEW: Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross
Young Adult Fantasy published by Quill Tree Books 2 Nov 23
The concept for this book is so original and intriguing – an old curse that brings people’s nightmares to life one night every month. Wardens with magical training must defend the towns on that night and defeat whatever nightmare comes to life. How amazing does that sound?
REVIEW: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Paranormal Romance published by Entangled: Red Tower Books 7 Nov 23
If you read Fourth Wing, the first book in this series, and loved it, thought Rebecca Yarros had outdone herself, you are going to more amazed than ever when you read this next in the series.
REVIEW: The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
Paranormal Mystery published by Dell 17 Oct 23
Adrienne Young’s the absolute BEST. I couldn’t read this book fast enough. The secrets are so intriguing and the entire storyline is just perfection. Go into this one blind, all you need to know is in a small town the Farrow women are plagued by madness. A year ago June started to feel it creeping in. Now she has some very big decisions to make.
REVIEW: The Head That Wears the Crown by Mariah Stewart
Contemporary Romance published by Montlake 10 Oct 23
It’s been quite some time since I’ve read Mariah Stewart (not for lack of not wanting to, just too many books, as we all know!), and the title of this one intrigued me. I’m glad I made the right decision to read it. This is a fun story that takes you away to Saint Gilbert, where fairytales do come true.
REVIEW: Sisters of Sword & Song by Rebecca Ross
Young Adult Fantasy Romance published by HarperTeen 23 Jun 20
This is my new absolute favorite fantasy standalone. I was immediately drawn into the story and loved the two sisters. The plot is fantastic and the writing, as always, is beautiful. This is dual POV between two sisters, one a warrior accused of murder and the other, equally brave, who volunteers to serve part of her sister’s sentence.
REVIEW: Does He Know? by Kaylee Ryan
Contemporary Romance published by Kaylee Ryan 14 Nov 23
This is my first book by Ms. Ryan, and while there are certain things I like about the story, there are other issues that made it difficult to hold my attention.
