Drive Me Crazy Wild Rose Press

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Author: Janna Lee Hayes
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Alyssa has grown up with stock car racing and provides the timing statistics on her father’s racetrack. Her childhood friend and long-term crush Newt is now an up-and-coming driver poised to move into the big time. When sexy socialite Janie invites Newt to test in California, Alyssa is madly jealous.

Newt has had the hots for Alyssa for a long time. They almost got together at the end of last season, but Lys’ brother burst in on them and split them up. He’s had a lot of women but none get to him the way Lys does. On the verge of moving to California to pursue his dreams, can he really let Lys go?

It’s so unusual to find a book set in the world of motorsport that I really wanted to love this short story. Unfortunately, it assumed far too much of the readers. I know a lot about Formula One, but nothing at all about NASCAR or stock car racing in general. After reading this story, I still know nothing.

Janie’s role wasn’t clearly defined. She’s described as a socialite yet she seems instrumental in landing Newt his trip to California for ARCA testing. I have no idea what ARCA testing is. Since it’s an important plot device, it would’ve been helpful to know what it is. I’d also have liked much more general background and explanation. Motorsport is such an unusual and unique setting, it’s a shame the author didn’t utilise it to her advantage.

I enjoyed the sensual aspects of the story, but overall it read too much like a RPF fanfiction where the author is writing for an audience already familiar with the details of the sport.

Isanne’s Revelation Wild Rose Press

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Author: Laura hogg
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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During the Black Death, Isanne’s husband and daughter die of the disease. Her husband Symon doesn’t go easily, cursing God for causing such suffering. But Isanne survives, and lives again in modern times where she serves in the US Army in the Middle East. On a trip to the UK, she’s shocked when she sees Symon again.

Symon has been waiting for Isanne for centuries. A letter left to him by his sister in the fourteenth century reveals that he must find Isanne again for the chance for them both to return to their own time and to save their daughter. But when they’re taken back in time, their daughter is still sick with the Plague - and their only hope of saving her is with a modern cure. Symon and Isanne must pray for a miracle…

I’m not entirely sure what I think of this story. It’s not quite an inspirational and it’s not really anything else, either. It’s a very short story so the characters don’t have much room to grow, and the plot is… not convoluted but it’s almost too busy for the brevity of the story. Just as you settle into one scene it’s over, and over too quickly for me. I wish this had been a much longer story so we could get to know Isanne and Symon properly.

Where this story comes alive, though, is in the descriptions of Symon’s castle. As Isanne wanders around reacquainting herself with their ancestral home, the reader is right there with her.

Fans of Laura Hogg may enjoy this short story but I prefer her longer, richer works - and wish this had been one of them.

Always Tomorrow Wild Rose Press

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Author: Shada Royce
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Edward, the Duke of Carlisle, is dying on the battlefield in the arms of his friend Gavin, Earl Brockington. Edward’s dying wish is for Gavin to deliver two letters - one to his wife, Sarah, and the other to his mistress. Gavin is desperate to reveal a secret he’s carried with him for too long - he’s in love with Sarah and slept with her before she married Edward.

Fifteen months later, Sarah is still in mourning for her husband despite her housekeeper’s encouragement to look to the future. She’s shocked when Gavin turns up at her door and at first refuses to see him. But when he forcibly insists so he can give her Edward’s letter, she relents.

Sarah still loves Gavin, but she’s suffered while the men were away at war. While Edward’s letter frees her mind, can she take a chance on Gavin to find lasting happiness and love?

The opening scene of this short Regency erotic romance is great. On the battlefield with tensions running high, we’re introduced to Gavin and his guilty secret, and see his love for his friend and also his disgust that Edward could value his mistress Micah (isn’t this a man’s name?) over his wife Sarah. For me this was the strongest part of the story.

Sarah’s housekeeper is far too forward. Very few servants, even an old and trusted servant, would touch or address a Duchess so familiarly. Perhaps a childhood nurse would get away with the familiarity, but this struck a false note for me.

Another error that made me go ‘huh?’ was when Gavin visited Sarah at her late husband’s estate. We’re told it’s near Exeter in the south of England. A few pages later, Gavin thinks it’s time to tell Sarah why he’s come to Carlisle. Uh, Carlisle is in the north-west of England and pretty close to the Scottish border – a good 300 miles or more from Exeter.

We’re not told who Sarah is – she’s obviously a lady of quality otherwise she couldn’t have married a Duke – but her characterisation is thin and I finished the story not knowing more about her than I did at the beginning. Why did Sarah marry Edward rather than Gavin, when she’d already ‘ruined’ herself by sleeping with the latter? Apparently Sarah believed herself to be in love with Edward, but if so, why did she sleep with Gavin? Why was Gavin such a bounder that he didn’t make an offer of marriage before he slept with Sarah? And why didn’t he do it after, if he loved her so much?

This is well written, but the Regency setting is just window-dressing and the story leaves me with more questions than answers.

Pigmalion Wild Rose Press

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and a half!

Author: Sharon Buchbinder
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Levisa is studying for her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology, which means she’s an expert on accents and dialects. She’s intrigued when she meets good-looking Sam, who’s from Pigtown, Baltimore. Immediately, Levisa wants to study Sam’s drawl as part of her thesis, but he refuses to be anyone’s guinea pig.

Sam’s friend, Chip, fancies Levisa and bombards her with emails begging her to meet him. When she agrees to go for a coffee with him, he comes on too strong and Levisa flees. She’s rescued by Sam, who later asks her for help. He was told in an interview to lose his accent, and he wants Levisa to help him do it…

I loved the original Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw (and the movie version My Fair Lady), and this short retelling of the tale starts off as an interesting variation. I was intrigued by Levisa’s degree and clinical work, and she started off as a good character.

However, things went downhill fairly quickly, with much of this story coming off as a bit jarring. The scene where Levisa asks “How far do you think you’ll get with that accent in an accounting firm?” and the dialogue that follows struck me as offensive and crass. She’s supposed to be persuading him to take part in her study, but instead she insults him. Her people skills are really lacking here and are not what one would expect from a clinical language therapist.

Also, I’m not a fan of seeing dialect or accents in their written form in fiction unless it’s very occasional. For me it’s enough to say ‘he had a such-and-such accent’. I don’t need to read ‘yew’ for ‘you’, ‘rate’ for ‘right’, etc. It pulled me straight out of the story.

Chip’s obsession with Levisa happens way too fast, and his reappearance in the second half of the story really made me go ‘huh?’ That whole sub-plot seemed over the top and unnecessary. In fact the entire second half of the story seemed contrived and rushed.

This could have been a fascinating update of Pygmalion. Unfortunately the story doesn’t fulfil its potential and left me feeling disappointed.

Happily Ever After Wild Rose Press

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Author: Margo Hoornstra
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Single mum and PTA Treasurer Sarah Walters is looking forwards to the school carnival. Her best friend Roxanne, who’d like to see her settled and happy again, wonders if the handsome, divorced school principal Alex Carter could be the man who puts a smile back on Sarah’s face.

Sarah isn’t one for matchmaking, but when she and Alex end up running a stall together at the carnival, they begin to get to know one another and enjoy a mutual attraction. But Sarah has been hurt by her rat of an ex-husband. Can she trust Alex and her own heart to bring her the happy ever after she deserves?

This is the kind of sweet, quick read you might find amongst the pages of a woman’s magazine. But even in a short read, the author has done a fine job at making Sarah a real character that the reader can identify with. Sarah’s quiet resignation at the collapse of her fairy tale dreams, her love for her daughter and her uncertainty at wanting to believe she can find love again is all very natural and believable. She has a self-deprecating quality that I think most women can relate to, and her growing attraction to Alex is played out in a subtle, understated manner that exactly mimics real life.

Favourite piece of dialogue:
“He’s the school principal. I’m a parent who happens to be PTA Treasurer. We worked together on a school fund raiser. There’s no fairy tale in that.”
“And you lost your glass slipper.”
“It’s a plastic folder.”
“Glass slipper, plastic folder. No difference.”

The story is told from Sarah’s POV so we don’t learn much about Alex, but his actions speak louder than words as he steps in to shield Sarah from an innocent but still hurtful comment from a child. His thoughtfulness is demonstrated further a little later on, too.

Alex and Sarah make a sweet couple who will make you go ‘awww’ when you reach the end of this charming short story.

A Girl Named Christmas Wild Rose Press

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Author: Kimberlee R. Mendoza
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Chris, whose name is short for Christmas since she was born on that day, is about to turn forty. Her life is comfortable, but dull. Living with a cat named Mike and one of her sisters, Chris fears she’ll never marry. A birthday journal and a Christmas tree ornament sends her on a trip down memory lane, and she recalls the days as a bright teen girl who had once fallen for a boy named Elijah.

What follows is a melancholy tale of a young woman who blames herself for a family crisis. Although well-written for the most part, I found this story a bit melodromatic. My favorite paragaph, however is:

A fresh snow blanketed the ground and the icicles held steady to the roofs, but the sun had begun to break through the gloom. Chris, bundled in at least three layers topped off with a purple wool hat and matching gloves…

This is a vivid section of prose that presents a perfect image of a wintry landscape.

If you like very sweet fiction where life turns out perfectly, you may enjoy A Girl Named Christmas. I give it three flutes.

The Wedding War Wild Rose Press

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Author: Jenny Gilliam
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Wedding planner Mia is struggling with her fledgling business following the death of her beloved aunt. Her best friend Jillian is the heiress to a hotel chain, so when she asks Mia to help plan her wedding, Mia’s hopeful that more jobs will result from organising such a big society event. On her way to meet Jillian and her fiancé Gabe, Mia is forced to sit beside a hunky guy. It’s such a shame that he’s also totally obnoxious.

Jake is on a rescue mission to stop the wedding of his younger brother Gabe. From a young age, Jake was forced into playing the role of a parent to his brother. Their mother abandoned them, and their father became an alcoholic. Jake mistrusts love and is determined to prevent Gabe from making what Jake sees as a big mistake.

Both Mia and Jake have their missions clear. What they don’t count on is finding each other. With Jake determined to stop the wedding and Mia determined to make it go ahead, it’s a clash of personalities and hearts as The Wedding War commences!

I absolutely loved this book. From the strong, humorous opening scene right until the last word, author Jenny Gilliam doesn’t put a foot wrong.

The characters are a joy to read. Even the minor characters fizz with energy. Mia is especially well defined, a sympathetic and instantly likeable heroine. As for Jake – wow, he’s just sex on legs! Take a look at this (slightly biased) description as he and Mia clash for the second time:

Jake Ryan stood in the doorway, one long, sinewy arm propped above his head as he gripped the doorframe. An intricate black tribal tattoo circled his bulging bicep. In his other hand, a bottle of beer dangled from his fingertips. He still wore the black T-shirt that fit him like a second skin, and those Levis. He’d removed the ball cap in what she supposed was respect for dinner, though she still wasn’t convinced he knew how to walk without dragging his knuckles. His black hair was silky, short on the back and sides, a little longer on top. He had close-cropped sideburns that ended at his earlobes. They should have looked ridiculous, but on Jake they were outrageously sexy.

Yum!

As the wedding preparations lurch from one minor disaster to the next – Jillian’s interfering parents, obnoxious relatives, a secret pregnancy, a recalcitrant priest, a hurricane, plus the reappearance of Jake and Gabe’s mother – Mia and Jake overcome their demons and fall in love. With bucket-loads of sexual tension combined with sizzling love scenes, a brisk plot and truly excellent characterisation, The Wedding War is a superb read. This is one of the most perfect contemporary romances I’ve seen in a long time – buy it now!

Queen of Trees Wild Rose Press

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Author: Lynn Lowery
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Lana is an orphan raised by her adopted father Marek, the Keeper of World Wood, to follow in his footsteps as a Tree Warder. She guards the forest and has a special empathy with the trees surrounding her, protecting them from harm. When she discovers a group of intruders threatening a lone man, she saves the stranger’s life – only to discover that he’s Kail Mageking, Crown Prince of Mordavia.

Kail has fled his home in the capital Lightforge after the murder of his father the King. Natyva, an evil Dark Chantress from a northern kingdom, has corrupted the government and soldiers of Lightforge. Kail hopes to find allies amongst the World Wood and neighbouring Tunasia Valley – but along the way he also finds Lana, who will become his Queen…

This is the first in a series entitled ‘Royalty’s Destiny’ set in the magical fantasy world of Mordavia. It’s a very short story – and for me, it’s too short.

The concepts, language and plot are all very simple in the manner of a fairy tale, but I can’t help wondering if this story wouldn’t be better off aimed at children. In fact, if the (brief) love scene were removed, it’d be an ideal children’s fairy story as it has all the right ingredients – a confident heroine, a prince needing help, a quest, a cheeky elf, danger to a kingdom, and an evil witch.

The world-building is lovely (maybe a map could be included with the next book?) and there’s a real sense of fairy tale enchantment here, but alas, the story is way too short and the characters not fully developed. However, the series has definite potential and I’d be interested to read the second book.

A Hero For Jessica

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Author: Pamela S Thibodeaux
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Paul is a successful New Orleans lawyer. One evening he gives a lecture and is attracted to a woman, Jessica, in the audience. Thinking that her name is familiar, he discovers that she’s a writer of romantic suspense. He’s intrigued enough to buy Jessica’s books, and at a book-signing event he witnesses a man acting in a threatening manner towards her.

Jessica has long admired the handsome lawyer and has occasionally used some of Paul’s more bizarre legal cases as fodder for her books. She’s looking for a change of direction in her writing and also wishes that she were free of the corrosive influence of her ex, Jasper, who refuses to accept her rejections.

Jessica approaches Paul to help her with a contractual problem, but as they begin to know one another and fall in love, Paul realises he has to deal with a much bigger problem of Jasper before he can win Jessica’s heart.

This is the first time I’ve read an inspirational romance so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The religious references range from subtle (in Paul’s life) to the more obvious (for Jessica and Paul’s mother). Speaking as someone who’s not particularly religious, I didn’t find the book preachy. In fact it was a rather refreshing read in those terms.

However, events happened a little too fast for my liking, which is often the problem with short stories. There were also a few moments that made me go ‘huh?’, such as Jessica’s request that Paul negotiate her out of her contract with her publishers. He discovers that her publisher and indeed her editor are pushing for an inspirational line, which would be ideal for Jessica’s new work. I found Jessica’s ignorance about her profession and publisher a bit odd here.

The character of Paul’s mother was wonderfully written and she really held my interest. I also liked the way the author handled the topic of dementia with both care and consideration.

The resolution of the plot involving Jasper felt too quick, so I didn’t quite get the satisfying ending I was hoping for. A Hero for Jessica is a nice story with three solid plotlines to it, but as a whole it didn’t gel for me. Ms Thibodeaux has a strong voice and a readable style; my complaint here is the brevity of the story and what it does to the characters. I would definitely read a longer work from this author.

Blackout Wild Rose Press

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Author: Dara Edmondson
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Kendra overhears a conversation—one about a fellow workmate and her boyfriend, Tommy. Only Tommy is also Kendra’s boyfriend, and Tommy has been sharing details with his new woman about his relationship with Kendra. I felt really sorry for her here. We all know the phrase about eavesdropping and not hearing good about yourself, but this scene struck me as particularly sad. I despised the two women discussing Kendra.

Tommy had said he was visiting his parents on the Memorial weekend break—but Kendra hears different. Sadly, though she’d have been spending that weekend alone anyway—this time it will be in pain from that dratted conversation.

She finishes up her tasks and prepares to leave work. However, fate sends a nudge in the right direction via the maintenance man and an elevator. I just love happy endings!

A read that will have you gritting your teeth at the conversationalists one minute, relating to Kendra’s upset the next, and cheering for Kendra thereafter. If you want a smooth read, I recommend Blackout.

Hibiscus Bay Wild Rose Press

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and a half!

Author: Debby Allen
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Ashleigh is on a Mediterranean holiday with her friend Laura. She’s intending to use the break to get over a failed office romance with her boss – a married man. When Laura spots an expensive yacht at a local harbour, Ashleigh only has eyes for the hot guy on board. But while her friend urges her to enjoy a holiday romance, Ashleigh is afraid of being hurt again.

Remmao is half Egyptian, half Arab, a wealthy playboy who used to have a woman in every port until a bad experience left him emotionally damaged and extremely cautious. But Ashleigh intrigues him – he’s never had to chase a woman before, and he’s determined to track her down.

While both are ready for a physical relationship, their emotions keep getting in the way. Only by learning to let go of the past and trusting one another will they find a future together.

This was a great novella-length read. I loved the underplayed humour, such as Ashleigh’s embarrassment at being caught ogling Remmao on his yacht. In this scene, she’s going to great lengths to pretend she wasn’t looking at him. In the process, her sunglasses fall off and he tries to give them back to her:

“I, no, it’s ok, they’re not expensive,” she stammered stupidly. He shrugged. “Well, I am sure there are litter bins around if you wanted to dispose of them.”

“I don’t! I mean, I wasn’t throwing them away. They fell off my head.”

I also enjoyed Ashleigh’s first proper conversation with him. It’s cute and breathless, and I liked the sly dig at the romance novel genre of ‘every Egyptian/Arab is a prince’.

Ashleigh is a strong character. I like the fact that she doesn’t hide or sugar-coat the truth of what she did in the past – she admits she was in the wrong with her affair. You can really feel her anger and guilt – and her fear of being hurt so easily again.

Remmao is a true romance hero, but with a modern slant. He’s open about his feelings, and while he encourages Ashleigh to forgive herself and move on, he continues to hold onto his own secret – a lesson he learned a year ago and which still haunts him.

Like a short version of a M&B/Harlequin title, Hibiscus Bay delivers on all fronts with an exotic locale, wealthy foreign hunk, a good dose of angst, enjoyable love scenes and a HEA. Formulaic? Yes, of course. But that’s why I love them so much. I’d recommend this to any fan of the genre.

Mi Toro Wild Rose Press

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Author: Brenna Zinn
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Part of the ‘Destination Pleasure’ series, Mi Toro is set in Seville, Spain.

The heroine, addressed only once by her surname, is a photographer about to complete a coffee-table book of naked hunks around the world. She’s aware of her own beauty and tired with the fawning attentions of men – she’s arrogant and cocky, believing herself to be the boss of every situation. Her Spanish model, matador Phillipe Cordova, shows her it’s not always the case.

Phillipe is a hero who epitomises the machismo of Spanish men. Aggressively sexy and extremely confident, he’s the perfect foil for the heroine. It’s a clash between nature and artifice, neither character wanting to give way to the other, which ramps up the sexual tension to fever pitch.

The sex is blistering hot, low-down and dirty (the heroine’s lack of a first name makes it feel even more wicked), and emulates the bullfight – with Phillipe as the bull, the heroine as the matador. This very steamy little story is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. It’s perfect if you fancy a quick, sexy and satisfying read.

Desert of Desire Wild Rose Press

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Author: Dara Edmondson
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Eve, assistant editor and columnist for a glossy magazine, is used to interviewing celebrities and socialites. She’s a New Yorker through and through, so when her boss tells her to interview fashionable but reclusive gardener Red Calloway at his home in the middle of the Arizona desert, she’s none too pleased.

Things get off to a rocky start when she mistakenly believes that Red is gay. She has a city girl’s assumptions and at first judges people by her own New York standards, but as soon as she begins to relax and appreciate the wild beauty of the desert – and of the man – her perceptions begin to change…

This short story has some beautiful and evocative descriptions of the desert and the plants with which Red surrounds himself. There’s some nice foreshadowing with the cab driver, and an enjoyable tension between hero and heroine as Eve loses her city defences and opens up to new possibilities.

I liked how Red is always very practical – for example, when Eve stumbles across him in the outdoor shower and begins to make love with him, he stops long enough to remind her: “This is the desert. Can’t waste precious water.”

The contrast of mirage and reality with their lives is a strong metaphor that carries throughout the story. Although the ending felt a little rushed and I wished it had been longer, overall this was a lovely, heart-warming read.

Saving Gracie Wild Rose Press

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Author: Kara Lynn Russell
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Pansy and Misty are the rival matchmakers of Orchard Hill. Can one outwit the other in a “challenge” to match up the most people who deserve love?

Enter Riley and Gracie the main focus of this e-book. Gracie has just been left at the alter while, Steve, her husband-to-be flies off with one of Gracie’s waitresses who works for her. Riley has had enough of Steve’s self-serving ways when it comes to Gracie, so he embarks on a mission to show her how much he’s loved her over the years. Can Gracie let her guard down and love again after the fiasco of her first love, or does she take a chance?

Saving Gracie is a good, clean inspirational romance that reminds the reader that there’s someone out there for everyone if they just be patient. It also captures small-town life quite well. My only beef about this title was the numerous points of view in such a short work, which made it a bit difficult to keep track of and remember all of the characters.

This is one of my favorite parts of the e-book because I’ve lived in a couple of small towns so I saw this perfectly in my mind and actually felt the atmosphere that surrounds Orchard Hill. The town of Orchard Hill was actually a valley. The name came from the apple orchard at the top of the hill overlooking the town. No one complained about the inaccuracy. It was a nice name for a town.

So, who won the matchmaking contest? Pansy or Misty? Well, if you like inspirational romance, you’ll just have to read Saving Gracie to find out.

I give Saving Gracie four champagne flutes.

Negative Image Wild Rose Press

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Author: Donna Michaels
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Lisa is in hiding. After being threatened by an unknown assailant for the negative pictures she’d taken, she spends her time in safety with Dean, a police officer. Their attraction for one another grows. Thankfully, the case gets solved and closed. Or so Lisa and Dean thought…

A thrilling, fast-paced read that made my stomach churn with anticipation!

Love Songs Wild Rose Press

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Author: M.G. Braden
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Madison takes care of her niece while her widowed brother, Jake, works. Jake arrives to pick up his daughter—and brings with him the guy who Madison had a crush on when they all attended school. Cam, the best looking boy in the school back then, surely wouldn’t fancy Madison. Would he?

Have things changed since they left school? Will the delectable Cam look at Madison in the way she’s always dreamed he would?

Love Songs—sometimes, when single, hearing them makes you sick. How that can change in the blink of an eye… A heart-warming read.

Coffee and Love To Go Wild Rose Press

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Author: Christine Columbus
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Since his divorce, Dan’s friends have been trying to find him a new woman. However, Dan has found one himself—only he hasn’t got the confidence to approach her. He sees Missy every day at the local coffee shop. To his surprise, while listening to the radio, Missy’s voice comes over the airwaves—and she mentions him!

Well, he’s sure it’s him…

Will Dan pluck up the courage to speak to Missy?

Find out in Coffee and Love To Go!

Dressage Cowboy Wild Rose Press

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Author: Nancy A. Lindley-Gauthier
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Jess is taking part in a dressage competition. Nervous, she tries to calm herself—otherwise, her horse will feel her tension. A gorgeous cowboy chats to Jess, and she finds herself draw to him, despite telling herself he’s probably in love with himself. Will he prove Jess wrong?

A nice, quick read.

Cheatin’ Hearts Wild Rose Press

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Author: Stacy Dawn
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Cara is looking for a nice man, though her sister, Michelle, insists on helping her out. While out at a bar, someone puts a cowboy hat on Cara’s head. She needs to find out who did it—maybe he’s interested in her? Not wanting to appear desperate, she scans the bar for possibilities. Michelle and her husband, Ray, help with the task. Michelle mentions various male attributes, and Ray has to keep reminding her he’s sitting right there. Hilarious.

Cheatin’ Hearts is a feel-good, 1st person read that induced many smiles. A great stocking filler for those who love to read romance.

When Johnny Comes Home Wild Rose Press

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Author: Kim Watters
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Johnny writes to Kathryn while he is away at war. Their letters are charming—I almost felt guilty reading, as though I was sneaking a peek at someone’s private business. The love they share for one another is highly apparent (almost made me cry!), and though Johnny gets hurt, his injuries at least allow him to come home.

But—was it Katherine writing the letters to Johnny?

I’ll say no more, except that When Johnny Comes Home is a wonderful love story, made special by the setting, the year, the whole wartime experience. I really enjoyed this short tale, which actually seemed longer than what it was—in a good way!

The Noel Bandit Wild Rose Press

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Author: Sydney Shay
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Melinda works hard on her father’s ranch. She’d like nothing more than to spend time with Kyle, but with someone on their ranch stealing the letter L from all the signs…

Who is taking the letters? Melinda suggests that each family member take turns watching the ranch. On her watch, Kyle, a stable hand, turns up for work, and Melinda lets him into the house. She knows this isn’t the done thing to do, but she’s young and in love…

However, things take a turn for the worst, and Melinda’s father thinks he knows who the L-thief is. Melinda’s emotions are wrung out by a revelation. Who can she trust? Are all men liars? Melinda’s young heart is squeezed; can she overcome her dashed hopes, or will the events that follow the revelation prove to be the answer to her prayers?

An exciting peek into the life of young love, new emotions, and learning to trust.

Catastrophe Wild Rose Press

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Author: Sharon Buchbinder
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Polly Griggs returns home to find an eviction notice on her door—for violating the rules. She owns too many cats. Her landlord, Greeley, is a bully; he thumps on the door to further make it clear he wants Polly and her cats out of his building. A neighbour, Simon—who has an unfortunate stutter—tries to intervene, and Polly invites him into her apartment.

Cats, cats, and more cats—I’ve never had the image of so many in my head before! And Polly loves them all. Her main priority is to find somewhere that will allow her to bring her pets with her. That’s a tall order, considering the amount she has…

Things take an ominous turn when a package arrives for Polly. My stomach plummeted at the note that accompanied the parcel.

Favourite line (one I would love to utter myself): At least when I wake up in the morning I’m not UGLY!

I wanted to slap Greeley, hug Simon, and pat Polly’s arm to let her know I’d take care of some of her cats. Yes, if cats melt your heart, then so will Catastrophe.

A read that will have you muttering curses on Greeley and wishing you could step into the scene and punch him in the nose. And, of course, to adopt some of Polly’s adorable felines.

Naughty in Norway Wild Rose Press

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Author: Layla Chase
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Dissa has been tormented by the delicious sight of her ski instructor, Rolf’s, backside for two days. The urge to grab it becomes hard to resist, and she tries to take her mind off her saucy thoughts by taking in the scenery. Though Norway’s landscape is beautiful, Dissa’s mind can’t stop conjuring sexy images—especially when Rolf chats to her while they take a break from the ski lesson. The lesson resumes, and Rolf issues a quiet comment from behind her. Dare Dissa hope he meant what he said in the context that she took it? Rolf offers to buy Dissa a drink, and her heart rate gallops faster.

Does Rolf’s heart beat like hers does when their gazes meet? Can Dissa let herself believe something more will blossom out of their ski instructor/pupil relationship?

Read Naughty in Norway and find out!

A fun, sexy read.

Sweet Cicely Wild Rose Press

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Author: Kelly McCrady
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Opening up with a terrific voice, Sweet Cicely gave me an immediate picture of Cicely. Having lost her job, her only other alternative is to find work at a temp agency. If she doesn’t earn a wage soon, her parents’ chinzy spare room would be her new abode—and Cicely doesn’t want to return home now she’s tasted freedom!

After visiting the agency, she remembers she needs some eggs. After a couple of minor catastrophes—but irritating ones all the same—Cicely manages to make it to the convenience store. Drenched from the rain, annoyed at the way her day and life are going, she had NOT planned on wearing the eggs…

Does Cicely’s day get any better, or do more upsets plague her? Is it possible for one girl to endure such mishaps and not end up going insane? Ms. McCrady has penned a great tale that has you remembering your own ‘off days’ and wishing the best for Cicely.

A delightfully funny read!

Favourite line: She looked like me—scraggly, rode hard and lined—only I had rain as an excuse.

Ah, what a great character. Loved this short tale!

The Christmas Curse Wild Rose Press

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Author: Marianne Arkins
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Christmastime has always brought disaster into Molly’s life—and this year is no exception. After losing her job, she finds another: dressing up as Mrs. Santa Claus and singing. On her way to one such job, the poor woman stumbles into an elevator. The heel of her boot snaps, and I immediately thought, “Oh, you poor thing!” Until I read on and found that a sexy man broke her fall.

A quirky, enjoyable read with a great voice, The Christmas Curse made me smile and root for Molly to have at least one Christmas where things didn’t go completely wrong. Did Molly have fun in the season to be jolly? Pick up this delightful short read and find out!

His Christmas Bride Wild Rose Press

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Author: Emily Becher
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Emmy Harris has three days to find a husband, before her father chooses one for her. She enlists the help of her friends Ginger and Lizzie, who draw up a shortlist of prospective candidates who’ll be present at the Christmas ball. And it really is a short list – two men, Marcus Fielding, the Earl of Winchelsea, and Logan Abernathy, Ginger’s elder brother.

Emmy isn’t sure of the affections of either. Last season she pushed herself at Winchelsea and made a fool of herself, and in August, Logan kissed her and she fell in love with him. But Logan has been conspicuously absent from her life since the kiss, and so Emmy wonders if she should settle for marrying comfortably rather than marrying for love.

She half-heartedly sets her cap at Winchelsea again, but her plans are ruined when Logan turns up, determined to win her from his rival. Matchmaking friends, scheming relatives and the whims of Fate all take a hand in this delightful novella - but come Christmas Day, who will end up with whom?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which read as easily as my favourite Mills & Boon Regency romances. There were some lovely details in this story – the tepid lemonade at a dance, clumps of ice clinging to polished black Hessians, the importance of brass buttons on a man’s jacket.

Favourite lines:

“Foolish man,” Emmy muttered. “Tell me again why—” “Because,” Ginger interrupted, “he’s unattached, titled, affluent, and devilishly handsome.”Emmy drew in a deep breath. “Right,” she said. “Unattached, titled, what else?”

“Affluent and devilishly handsome,” Ginger repeated diligently.

“And the fact that he views me as a mindless twit?”

“Should not be a deterrent.”

Emmy is a spirited, sympathetic heroine who feels torn between her head and her heart. The secondary characters, especially Lord and Lady Weyland, are fully-realised and add depth and wit to the plot without ever stealing the show. The interaction of Logan’s family members was enormous fun to read, and the scenes of the budding romance between Emmy and Logan were beautifully done.

Packed with gentle humour that made me smile – particularly the embarrassing ‘I love snow/I like bacon’ scene between Emmy and Winchelsea at breakfast – this was a real treat to read. Fans of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice may indulge themselves further by drawing comparisons and contrasts with Austen’s text and the events unfolding in Emmy’s life.

One small negative point - I’m not sure how historically accurate it is when Emmy describes her two best friends as ‘nutters’ and there are a few editorial mistakes that pulled me out of the narrative in places (the homonym ‘you’re’ for ‘your’, most noticeably).

However, the charm of this story far outweighs these considerations. His Christmas Brideis a delightful, engaging Regency romance I would recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre.

And as a side-note: I see from the author’s blog that she’d started a sequel about Ginger and her suitor. I do hope Ms Becher continues this story, as I would love to see how things turn out for this second couple.

Exiled Wild Rose Press

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Author: L Rosario
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Nadia refuses to swear allegiance to the new Queen Vampire, jealous and bitter that her beloved Master has chosen a human, rather than her, to be his bride. As if that’s not bad enough, she finds herself exiled her from the coven. She must leave her trio of gorgeous blood-servants and go out alone into the world.

She recalls another vampire, Sera, who voluntarily left the coven and managed to survive. Nadia travels to San Francisco in the hope that Valentino, the owner of the male strip-club Captive Fantasy, will be able to help her find Sera. Before she goes to the club, she has an encounter with a hot hunk on the beach, then wipes his memory.

But Daniel, a marine biologist who makes more money stripping than he would ’saving Brazilian otters’, is wise to the tricks of vampires – his boss Valentino is one, and has taught him how to protect himself. Nadia intrigues him, and even though he knows she’s dangerous, he can’t stay away from her.

Can their relationship last the distance, or will jealousy, outside threats and their own differences as a human and a vampire destroy their happiness?

Okay, I admit it – I picked this to read because I was intrigued by the idea of a male stripper hero. Occasionally I really am that shallow. However, there was nothing superficial about Exiled - it promised a sexy escapist paranormal and it delivered on all fronts.

Exiled is part of a series set in and around the strip-club Captive Fantasy, but each story can be read as a standalone – but be warned, vampire erotica this good is addictive, and you may feel the urge to read the entire series.

Best exchange, between Daniel and Valentino:

“What I do when I’m off the clock and who I do it with are none of your business.” “I’m trying to protect you, Danny.”“From her?” Daniel snorted. “A bit hypocritical of you, isn’t it? Or have you had a change of lifestyle since I saw you last?”

Readers of erotica will appreciate the sizzling sex scenes in each chapter, each one varied and intimate. Unusually, this novella actually felt longer than it was – but in a good way. The characters are all bursting with personality and Ms Rosario makes every word count to express emotion and to further the plot.

While sex is the main focus, there’s also some real emotional tension here. The scene where Nadia realises that her bond with her three blood-servants had finally been broken is excellent – I could really feel her anguish and confusion. Also, I liked the way that Nadia is jealous, almost threatened, by Daniel’s job as a stripper. Even though she’s a powerful vampire, her reactions are like those of any normal woman, and in the second half of the story she struggles to overcome her jealousy of both Daniel and the Vampire Queen.

L Rosario has a strong authorial voice and a very readable style. I put off making my dinner for an hour so I could finish the story, and that doesn’t happen very often. A great read, warmly recommended.

Cathy’s Angel Wild Rose Press

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Author: Pamela S. Thibodeaux
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Cathy is a widow with children. She’s battled on alone since her husband’s death and ponders the fact that a little help would be welcome. Men don’t seem interested in her. After all, she has children—baggage that some men run a mile from. A great believer in God, while out on a run, Cathy sprains her ankle. A good Samaritan in the shape of Jared comes along, and he helps Cathy home. Her children bombard him with questions. The scene here is a good one. The hectic pace of Cathy’s life is shown well, and the fact that she has kept it all together for such a long time is commendable to any woman in her situation. Bringing up four children is a feat in itself with a partner, so with out one… Cathy is an angel!
Determined to ensure Cathy sees a doctor, Jared sticks around for the day and experiences the frantic lifestyle Cathy leads. Though a shock that one woman copes with the same scenario day in, day out, Jared has also had much fun sharing his day with Cathy’s family.

Dare Cathy hope that Jared will become a friendly helping hand in her life? She’d prayed to God on her jog that morning that someone would appear to help ease the burden. And though she’d sprained her ankle—an inconvenience she really didn’t need—as a reader I pondered the fact that God does indeed work in mysterious ways.

An enjoyable tale with much energy. Cathy’s longing for a break is well done and, despite loving her children wholly, she understands she needs some time for herself too. I related to this scenario, hence me enjoying Cathy’s Angel very much.

A Christmas Stalking Wild Rose Press

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Author: Donna Dalton
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Hooked from line one!

Shannon is a police dispatcher, so her job has its fair share of harrowing phone calls. Just when she thought she’d heard it all, a particularly ominous call comes through… Her training galvanises her into action, and she keeps the caller talking. However, he disconnects the call.

The call is linked to a homicide that Detective Montgomery is investigating. He speaks with Shannon about the call and the information she gleaned from it.

As well as her job, she has her ex, Kyle, on her mind. Is she really over him? A rose is delivered to her house, and Shannon receives a silent phone call. Has the caller from the other night found out where she lives?

A Christmas Stalking offers thrills, excitement, and a web of intrigue. I really did enjoy this short story and wished it had been a lot longer. Shannon’s fear is palpable, as is her determination not to be frightened—though she undoubtedly is. An exciting read!

The Perfect Candidate Wild Rose Press

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Author: Tricia Ballad
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Caroline is a workaholic. Though she loves her job, she resents the fact that it overpowers her relationship with the charming Joshua. He’s called a couple of times since yesterday, but her workload has prevented her from returning his calls. When she does, Joshua is as understanding as ever. He, too, is a busy man.

Sometimes it takes a while to stop and smell the roses. Joshua shows Caroline that it’s time to do that. Yes, her job is important, but so is her well-being, and the love of a good man is far more important than running herself into the ground for her boss.

The Perfect Candidate proves Joshua is just that. In fact, they are perfect for each other. The hustle and bustle of Caroline’s life is well shown—I got caught up in the rush. And I sighed along with her when she took a little time to nurture her wonderful relationship with the equally wonderful man in her life.

Something Borrowed Wild Rose Press

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Author: Kathleen O’Connor
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Jody, a librarian, has found that since her divorce, instead of being carefree, she’s introverted. She was a military wife for twenty years, so to thrust herself out there as a single woman is daunting to say the least. She is to attend her cousin’s wedding. However, her ex-husband will also be there. With his fabulous new wife.

Jody’s worries are well executed. I felt so sorry for her and understood how she must be feeling. Despite knowing people at the wedding, Jodie will have to face the looks of sorrow thrown her way, feel the humiliation of being dateless.

Enter Cliff, a neighbour she doesn’t know too well but who agrees to accompany her to the wedding in exchange for her services in cleaning up his house and cooking a meal. A fair exchange, Jody agrees, and while making his house respectable, she spots a Celtic brooch…

Will the wedding go off without a hitch? Will Jody turn from wallflower to bouquet of blooms? And, more importantly, will she cast aside her insecurities and realise that life has so much more to offer?

A charming read that held my interest the whole way through. I especially liked the way Jody and Cliff got to know one another. Ms. O’Connor wrote the ‘getting-to-know-you’ scenes so that they are effortless to read and believable. Great!

Oz Wild Rose Press

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Author: Ann Warner
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Glenda agrees to attend a wedding with her ex, Steve, despite not knowing anyone there. Steve, a bull of a man, introduces her to Geoff, the best man. Glenda just wants to go home. I related to Glenda here. Ever been somewhere you didn’t want to be, with someone you disliked? Ever stuck out like a sore thumb? I felt her urges to leave the wedding and go home.

But, Geoff needs saving from one of the bridesmaids. Will Glenda be his saviour?

A nice voice runs through Oz which makes it highly enjoyable to read. Also, Glenda and Geoff discover they have much in common, and I liked Glenda’s progression from uncomfortable guest to a woman at ease. A great short story!

Angelic Voices Wild Rose Press

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Author: Deb Logan
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Deanne has had the descant solo swiped from her by Susie. Deanne’s thoughts entertain her for a while—she plots all manner of things that could befall Susie. Deanne finds out that Susie has plans to meet a wayward chap in the hall behind the baptistery between services. Should she warn Susie that the young lad she’s about to meet is unsavoury, or should she allow Susie to meet him anyway?

A fun YA that explores the way the teenage mind works. I cringed upon realising I’ve entertained similar thoughts as a youngster myself.

To Love Again Wild Rose Press

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Author: Anne Whitfield
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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After being a widow for thirteen years, Ellen has met someone new—Harry. They are going to London as a couple, and Ellen isn’t sure that she has the confidence to start again. After all, her late husband was all she’d ever wanted. Could she hope to find love with another? Would her new love meet all her expectations? Ellen’s insecurity is shown well, and the fact that Harry knows Ellen better than she realised is a lovely touch.

I really enjoyed To Love Again. It gives hope to those who feel the despair of ever finding love again.

The Twilight Wild Rose Press

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Author: Stanalei Fletcher
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Cindy is running late. She stops by a coffee shop to grab some caffeine—except it ends up soaking and staining her light coloured clothing. A yummy man expresses his sorrow at her plight and offers to have her clothes cleaned. Cindy’s too busy and she rushes out of the shop.

Her busy day over, Cindy returns to her lonely home. Once in bed, she falls asleep and enters REM world…

Awake once more, Cindy is greeted by more than her usual empty side of the bed. An amusing tale, made believable by Stanalei Fletcher. I have a feeling more single, lonely women would love to know how to get to REM world!

The Lady’s Game Wild Rose Press

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Author: Cherly Ann Smith
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Ashlinn is betrothed to Adrian, a knight. She tends to him, helping him bathe. Adrian has no idea that Ashlinn is the one he is to wed and makes it quite clear what he thinks of the one he assumes to be her. Ashlinn gains much enjoyment from the deception and plays another prank when they marry. Poor Adrian thinks he has married someone else entirely, until Ashlinn admits who she really is.

A sweet tale.

Promises Wild Rose Press

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Author: Sarita Leone
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Wartime. Jolene works hard and tries her best to attend to all the wounded men. Her greatest wish is that the war will cease. A young woman, Kay, joins Jolene in helping the wounded and notices a spark between Kay and one of the men, Brian. Jolene has her own love interest, her fiancé, Nate, who is also Kay’s brother. Gill is also wounded and under Jolene’s care.

Nate and Brian heal well, and Jolene worries that Nate will be sent back to the fight. Another worry is that Sally Mae, Gill’s beloved, hasn’t responded to any letters she has sent her about Gill.

Will the war ever end? Will Gill recuperate fully and become reunited with Sally? Promises is a trip into the past, one that shows the harsh realities of wartime.

The Unwilling Bride Wild Rose Press

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Author: Cherly Ann Smith
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Meg has been hiding from a man, Westlake, for a long time. His lecherous intent toward her makes Meg’s skin crawl, and she flees his home with an old crone, Abby.

Westlake has employed Gavin to find Meg. Should he do so, he will be rewarded. Meg tells him of Westland’s real intent, and Gavin takes Meg and Abby to his home, just south of the Scottish border.

Upon their arrival, Gavin’s mother recognises Meg, and a shocking revelation leaves Gavin reeling. Can he keep Meg and Abby safe? Or, will the beastly Westland find out where they are?

A charming tale with a nice twist. Enjoyed!

Petticoat Pledges Wild Rose Press

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Author: Sarita Leone
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Bettie longs for word from Henry. He is away at battle, and before he left, he asked her to love him while he was gone. She feels she would know if something happened to Henry while he is away, but still, a letter would be nice. Along with yearning for contact, she ponders the fact that she is a school teacher and whether she will have children of her own one day.

Bettie’s childhood friend, Tucker, was unable to join the fight due to having only one leg. Bettie is working in the garden when Tucker arrives with a bag of radishes. He tells her of his love for her, and Bettie can’t think about that now…

Will Bettie receive that longed for note?

A poignant tale of wartime, one that brings home how lucky we are to live as we do.

For the Love of Grace Wild Rose Press

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Author: Sarita Leone
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Grace is on a trip of a lifetime in Cairo. She stops by a food stall and partakes in a vegetable kebab. While eating, a man, Justin, strikes up a conversation with her. Back at her hotel dining room, Grace readies herself to eat. Justin appears and asks to share her table. Despite her reservations, she gets along with Justin and, after their meal, they go for a walk.

They have much in common, and once their two weeks in Cairo end, they extend their stays. For the Love of Grace is a wonderful tale about love for those in the older generation. Refreshing to read something that isn’t all about slim women and hunky men—although I don’t mind reading those in the slightest!

Cute!

Crashed Wild Rose Press

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Author: Lisa Dawn MacDonald
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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On her way to a possible new job, Jessie experiences her first car accident. Thankfully only a ‘little’ bump—the other car’s fender is actually hanging off!—she’s informed she will have to attend traffic court. The other driver, Andrew—a rather handsome male—will also attend court. With the finer details settled with the traffic cop, Jessie goes to work. So not a good day so far, she arrives at work only to find the fender-bender guy there. After accusing him of stalking her and then discovering he works at the same place, Jessie finds she is assigned to work for Andrew.

A tale with rich undertones of humour, Crashed is a delightfully amusing romantic tale.

Calico Country Christmas Wild Rose Press

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Author: Sharon K. Garner
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Told from a cat’s point of view—yes, you heard me right!–Calico Country Christmas explores what a pet sees in a human relationship.

Lynn is a busy woman. She runs her own gift and craft shop. Jim works in construction. He arrives to take Lynn to his Christmas party. Lynn isn’t ready, having got engrossed in work related things, and Noel the cat senses things aren’t quite right between the humans. Noel’s quips and observations are funny and cute.

Lynn decides to take Noel to her cottage in the mountains. Noel knows Lynn needs time alone to sort out her feelings—a clever cat, is Noel.

Funny line: I hoped they settled this soon. A poor cat could scarcely catch a wink of sleep with all the talking going on.

A funny, really charming tale.

Avenue of Dreams Wild Rose Press

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Author: Anne Whitfield
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Molly is visiting a small town in the country for a couple of weeks. While out on a solitary walk, a man wearing a bird glove catches her attention. He asks her for help—his dog wants to be friends with the bird, but the bird doesn’t share the same idea—and Molly complies.

As a thank you for her aid, Sebastian Lord offers Molly a cup of coffee. Though she would love to accept, she refuses. What’s the point? She’s only here for a few days. Besides, none of her past relationships have worked. She wants the whole romantic set-up: husband, house, kids, and a dog. All the men in her life have wanted is far removed from her dream. Even her estranged husband, the man she refers to as the Husband from Hell, ended up a bad egg.

Molly can’t stop thinking about Sebastian. She recalls everything she memorised about him… As if by divine intervention, Sebastian’s dog, Blackie, appears outside the place Molly is staying. She goes out and calls the dog and knows she will have to return him. She’s loathe to do so. Not that she doesn’t like Sebastian, she does, but the feelings he inspires within her are more than she can handle at the moment. How can she recover from a broken marriage with the distraction of another man in her midst?

Avenue of Dreams is an easily read tale. With an enjoyable voice and a plot that nudged me to want Molly and Sebastian to be together, I’d recommend this romantic story if you need assurance that true love does exist.

Delicious Darkness Wild Rose Press

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Author: KyAnn Waters
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Audra Quinn has never wanted to succumb to the wants of them before. When darkness falls, magical men make their presence known. The power one of them sends out is hard to resist. She can feel him, sense his blood as it courses through his veins, and knows he wants her. Standing in her bookshop, she lights candles and burns sage, cedar, and sweetgrass to encourage goodness and light. But still he comes.

His presence in her shop sends thrills through Audra’s body. Her mind overrides the feelings inside, as she instinctively knows this is what he wanted all along—her assent to his ministrations, her assent to him taking her…

He is Dorian. He hasn’t mated for days, and his search for Audra took a mere thirty-two hours. Her strong energy ensured their meeting. Using his powers, Dorian puts images of them together in Audra’s mind. He smells Audra’s want and, telling her he will see her home, he knows he has her where he wants her.

Dorian may think that he has orchestrated everything, but Audra is aware that even though she has lost control in some respects, she does indeed want Dorian as much as he wants her.
Bounty hunters seek Dorian. With Audra as his mate and her white light of protection, he is able to stay in Audra’s world. But will the bounty hunters infiltrate Audra’s protection and capture Dorian?

A white hot read with characters that meld together nicely, Delicious Darkness is a tale of lust, longing, and magical powers.

Give it to Me Wild Rose Press

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Author: Desiree Holt
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Callie is a woman who knows what she wants. Especially in the bedroom. Unfortunately, all the men she dates don’t share her enthusiasm for something new. All they want to do is get it on with the lights off. Callie wants more. Her friend, Diana, owner of the shop Diana’s Delights, encourages Callie to pop next door to Sam Winthrop’s house and invite him over. Callie is unsure—after all, what if he turns her down? Tired of playing with herself and her sex toys, Callie decides to go for it!

Sam Winthrop has his own desires. Tired of dating women who worry about getting their hair messed up during sex, he longs for someone with a penchant for enthusiastic sex. Like his next door neighbour, Callie. He’s had erotic dreams about her for six months. Imagine his surprise when Callie knocks on his door and explains that it’s her birthday and she wants to celebrate…

A hot read. Don’t miss it!

A Girl, a Guy, and a Ghost Wild Rose Press

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Author: Sherrey Kellie
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Traci fancies Brad. Her friend, Christine, telephones and asks if Brad will get an invite to Traci’s Halloween party. Traci would like him to come, but is afraid her ‘cool’ mom will embarrass her. While on the phone to Christine, Traci receives a rather spooky email. From her dead best friend, Corky, her first ever boyfriend, who drowned. With encouragement down the phone line from Christine, Traci replies to that email…

More messages arrive, and they mention things that only Traci would know. Uber creepy!

Brad asks Traci if she’d like to get together with him. She agrees, and they find out they have something in common. Both live in single parent households.

Momentarily forgetting to be afraid of her computer, Traci switches it on to find 52 emails from The Undertaker, the online name Corky used when alive. The emails continually ask Traci she same thing: Can you come over today? Freaked out, she closes down the computer, but it crackles back to life, and a message reads: Don’t turn me off! Can you come over today?

Now think about this scenario for a minute and imagine reading this book in the dark. I am so glad it is daytime!

Deciding to do what Corky, or whoever is sending the emails asks, Traci goes over to Corky’s house. With the pretence of borrowing some of Corky’s games, Traci gains access to his bedroom. And then the freakiness really begins. Corky speaks to Traci! She rushes from the room and bangs her head. Upon arriving home, she finds her mother has a bump on her head too, from a car accident involving—Brad’s dad!

Fun line: …some ditzy red-head plowed into him. Hilarious!

While with Brad, Traci receives a telephone call from Corky. Traci is scared witless, as not only is it crazy to receive phone calls, emails, and hear your dead best friend’s voice, Brad would know she had received a call from a guy.

Traci and Brad grow closer, and as the novel progresses, as a reader I found that Corky’s ‘reappearance’ was for a reason. A Girl, a Guy, and a Ghost is a charming Young Adult tale that reminded me of my youth and how it feels to want to make the right impression with the guy you fancy. And it also made me smile that those feelings don’t change as we age, even though as a teenager we imagine they do. New love brings fresh nerve skitters every time.

With a great YA voice, Sherrey Kellie pens an exciting read for today’s youth without condescension. She’s either young herself, knows how today’s teenagers act, or recalls her own teenage feelings and emotions extremely well. If you have a teenage girl into romance, then this book is for them, and if you fancy revisiting your youth, I urge you to check out this title! LOVED IT!

Love me, Love my Rafferty Wild Rose Press

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Author: Carrie Destler
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Connor McIntosh’s hat is whipped from his head by the wind. His new dog, Rafferty, runs off to retrieve it. Unfortunately, Rafferty enters a woman’s house and knocks her flying. The contents of the pot she’d been carrying covers her, and Connor explains that his dog is somewhat disobedient at present. Luckily, the woman, Lily, is a pleasant sort, and holds out her hand after Connor introduces himself.

Fun line: Even through the tomatoes, he could feel the softness of her skin.

Connor finds himself thinking of the fact that he’d gone to the pound to get a cat and came home with a naughty dog. Lily fills his thoughts. Connor apologises to Lily the next day, and to his surprise she agrees to go out with him for dinner. Their evening goes well, and Lily agrees to see Connor again.

Connor and Lily see quite a lot of one another. While Rafferty misbehaves for Connor, he is a good doggy for Lily. Connor feels a touch jealous about Rafferty’s traitorous behaviour, which I can understand!

A naughty dog that brings two people together can’t be classed as bad, though. Love me, love my Rafferty is funny, light-hearted, and very enjoyable.

Lab Partners Wild Rose Press

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Author: Larry Hammersley
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

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Late for his chemistry class, Leroy finds himself paired up with Jody, the smartest girl in class, for an experiment. Jodie is prickly, and despite her demeanour, Leroy resolves to get along with her. This proves difficult. Though they are supposed to share the tasks in the experiment, Jody insists on working alone. Her attitude is such that I found myself getting worked up over her rudeness! Poor Leroy.

After chemistry lesson, Leroy attempts to make friends with Jody, determined to see if he can break down her icy barrier. She brushes him off. Later, he sees her again when he goes to study. She’s rude and abrupt once more. I found myself hoping there was a reason for her attitude and that maybe I would change my mind about hating such a snark-infested character.

Fun line: Don’t get your Bunsen burner out of whack, Doyle…

Thankfully, the character development arc I’d been waiting for arrived. I went from detesting Jody to feeling immense sorrow for her. Good job, Mr. Hammersley!

An annoying (for good reasons!) and touching read, one I’m glad to have read.

Christmas Bells Wild Rose Press

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