REVIEW: The Goodbye Cafe by Mariah Stewart
Veena’s review of The Goodbye Café (Hudson Sisters, Book 3) by Mariah Stewart
Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction published by Gallery Books 26 Mar 19
Allie, Des and Cara, three sisters who are strangers linked by DNA through their father Fritz, come together to the small town of Hidden Falls to fulfill the terms of their father’s will. To add to their surprises is the discovery of an Aunt Barney, their father’s only sister, who’s kept the Hudson family an important part of the town after their father moved to California to live his dream. As the series progresses, these strangers bond into a family. Des and Cara have also found love and put down roots in this town. Allie is the last holdout. Will she really be able to leave all this behind to return to California?
REVIEW: Rough Terrain by Annabeth Albert
Stevie‘s review of Rough Terrain (Out of Uniform, Book 7) by Annabeth Albert
Contemporary Gay and Bisexual Military Romance published by Carina Press 14 Jan 19
I’ve been a great fan of the Out of Uniform series, and I’m sorry to see it coming to an end, even as I’m eagerly anticipating what the next bunch of books might hold in store for us. With most of the crowd paired off, it’s really only Rooster, who’d much prefer to be called by either one of his given names, Renzo Bianci, who’s in need of a lasting romance. Fortunately he has a fan in the form of Canaan Finley, a nursing student and part-time worker in the local Smoothie Palace, and a chance remark from one of the other guys might just be the prompt Canaan needs to finally make contact beyond menu choices and daily specials.
REVIEW: In a Badger Way by Shelly Laurenston
Tabs’ review of In a Badger Way (Honey Badger Chronicles, Book 2) by Shelley Laurenston
Paranormal Romance published by Kensington 26 Mar 19
Shelly Laurenston’s shifter romances always have me laughing my face off and that makes me a happy reader. Madcap ridiculousness is the only way to accurately describe a typical Shelly Laurenston plot and that’s exactly what she delivers here. The main characters get into a number of shenanigans, including everything from accidental destruction of a ballroom, meaningful therapy sessions, the honey-badger-shifter version of an Irish wake, elaborate karaoke routines, and way more anal gland related humor than one book really should be able to get away with. read more…
REVIEW: We Shouldn’t by Vi Keeland
Sandy M’s review of We Shouldn’t by Vi Keeland
Contemporary Romance published by Amazon Digital Services 19 Jan 19
This is the second time I’ve picked up a book by authors our own Kristie J has given high marks to. I have to say once again I was pleasantly surprised. This book didn’t blow me away, but I had fun with it and enjoyed the characters. The beginning of the story is especially amusing.
REVIEW: Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole
Stevie‘s review of Once Ghosted, Twice Shy (Reluctant Royals, Book 2.5) by Alyssa Cole
Contemporary Lesbian Romance published by Avon Impulse 08 Jan 19
While I was disappointed by the second book in the Reluctant Royals series, I was determined to keep reading the rest as they were released, since I enjoyed the overall premise, if not the way the plot of that one story took liberties with how things are done in the UK. For this intermediate story, however, we’re back in the US, and back to following members of the Royal Household of Thesolo: Likotsi Adelele, Advisor Most High to Prince Thabiso, in this instance. As always, it’s a pleasure to see LGBT+ characters take the forefront in a mainly heterosexual romance series, even when they only get a novella’s worth of space to conduct their affairs.
REVIEW: Marrying Winterbourne by Lisa Kleypas
Sandy M’s review of Marrying Winterbourne (Ravenels, Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Historical Romance published by Avon 31 May 16
Wow, I never expected the twist that comes in this story late in the book. But it’s that kind of emotion and turmoil that make me love characters authors toil over. This is probably my favorite book of the series, and that’s saying so very much, considering how much I love all the others.
REVIEW: Cuckoo by Sophie Draper
Stevie‘s review of Cuckoo by Sophie Draper (published in the US as The Stranger in Our Home)
Contemporary Women’s Psychological Fiction published by Avon 29 Nov 18
I’m always pleased to pick up new mystery stories set in Derbyshire, although not all authors manage to satisfy my requirements for both a setting that feels familiar and also characters who behave like real people. My standards are set particularly high when it comes to the northern part of the Peak District. This story is set further south, towards Ashbourne, so the setting issues ought to be less of a problem, assuming the characters feel right to me.
REVIEW: A Scoundrel In Her Bed by Lorraine Heath
Veena’s review of The Scoundrel In Her Bed (Sin For All Seasons, Book 3) by Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance published by Avon 26 Feb 19
I am pretty unconventional and never think about where I start a series, but while each book in this one is a stand alone, this series is definitely one that needs to be read in order.
Lady Lavinia Kent abandoned her ducal groom at the altar to make a home in the London rookeries, rescuing bastard children from baby farmers. This series definitely paints a grim picture of British society and the fate of noble bastards who are abandoned to die forgotten and alone in the poorest areas of London. Can Lavinia do penance for her youthful indiscretions? read more…
REVIEW: Strings Attached by Holly Stratimore
Stevie‘s review of Strings Attached by Holly Stratimore
Contemporary Lesbian Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 15 Jan 19
I’ve been tempted by Holly Stratimore’s books before, but never at quite the right time to grab one and start reading it. When I spotted her latest release was available to review, however, I made a point of requesting it, especially given that I haven’t read many rock star romances recently and was also intrigued by the idea of a romance between two very differently focussed musicians. Some of the characters in this story have, apparently, appeared in the author’s previous books, although it’s pretty much a stand-alone story. Our heroines this time are the lead singer of a nationally successful band and the music teacher she meets while back home between tours, who avoids the limelight at all costs, in spite of having the talent to make it big in her own right.
REVIEW: Writing Her In by Holley Trent
Tabs’ review of Writing Her In (Plot Twist, Book 1) by Holley Trent
Erotic Romance published by Carina Press 11 Mar 19
I am an absolute sucker for a good ffm poly romance and whooo boy does this hit the mark with two complex and extremely compelling heroines and one supportive and endearing hero along for the ride.
