Review & Giveaway - - Flirting with Alaska

Flirting with Alaska

by Belle Calhoune

Moose Falls, Alaska - Book 2

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: December 10, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Caleb Stone isn’t ready to give up his Hollywood dreams. But after a disastrous run on a reality dating show paints him as an unapologetic player, Caleb needs a little time and space to regroup. Luckily, his hometown of Moose Falls, Alaska has both, plus a job helping his brothers run Yukon Cider. Even dialed down, Caleb’s flirtatious vibes are a hit at work, except for one woman who seems completely, totally, frustratingly immune to his charms–—the gorgeous new photographer for Yukon Cider’s upcoming ad campaign.

Single mom Sophia Brand isn’t made of ice—resisting Caleb’s devilishly sexy grin is hard, especially when it’s so often directed her way. It’s just that she’s been burned by handsome smiles before. Now, she’s focused on setting a good example for her daughter, and that means not getting sidetracked by Caleb’s dazzling charisma.

But as they work together on the campaign, Caleb and Sophia begin to let their guard down. Can he prove that beneath his playboy persona, Caleb is a leading man worthy of a starring role in Sophia’s heart?

PJ's Thoughts:

I am thoroughly enjoying the Stone brothers, each different but equally compelling. When I began this second book in the trilogy, I fully expected gorgeous, charming, middle brother Caleb to be my least favorite of the three but this hero has layers I had yet to discover. Much like Sophia does throughout the course of their journey.

Sophia and Caleb both carry emotional baggage from past relationships that continue to intrude on their present lives. In Sophia's case, it's the father of her daughter who suddenly decides he wants to be a part of his child's life after ignoring her since birth while for Caleb it's not only the unresolved issues with his estranged father that have significantly impacted his life choices but also a highly edited reality television show that painted him in the worst possible light, a light that Sophia, along with most of the country, believes is true. I enjoyed watching the layers slowly peel away and reveal truths about both of them. I especially enjoyed watching the endearing relationship between Caleb and Sophia's young daughter evolve. Nothing tests the true measure of a man, nor exposes his flaws, like babysitting an active four-year-old. In young Lily's eyes, Caleb is more than worthy but what will Sophia think?

If you enjoy sweet romance set in small-town Alaska with complicated family dynamics, a close-knit community, well-developed characters, and an elderly grandmother set on bringing her grandsons home and seeing them happily settled, give Flirting with Alaska a try. It will stand on its own but I think you'll enjoy it even more if you read Falling for Alaska first. (Click to read my review)

Have you read any of Belle Calhoune's books?

Have you ever visited Alaska?

What reality TV shows (if any) do you enjoy watching?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, December 20 will receive a print copy of Flirting with Alaska.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - The Author's Guide to Murder

The Author's Guide to Murder

by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White

Publisher: William Morrow

Release Date: November 5, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

There’s been a sensational murder at historic Castle Kinloch, a gothic fantasy of grey granite on a remote island in the Highlands of Scotland. Literary superstar Brett Saffron Presley has been found dead—under bizarre circumstances—in the castle tower’s book-lined study. Years ago, Presley purchased the castle as a showpiece for his brand and to lure paying guests with a taste for writerly glamour. Now it seems, the castle has done him in…or, possibly, one of the castle’s guests has. Detective Chief Inspector Euan McIntosh, a local with no love for literary Americans, finds himself with the unenviable task of extracting statements from three American lady novelists. 

The prime suspects are Kat de Noir, a slinky erotica writer; Cassie Pringle, a Southern mom of six juggling multiple cozy mystery series; and Emma Endicott, a New England blue blood and author of critically acclaimed historical fiction. The women claim to be best friends writing a book together, but the authors’ stories about how they know Brett Saffron Presley don’t quite line up, and the detective is getting increasingly suspicious. 

Why did the authors really come to Castle Kinloch? And what really happened the night of the great Kinloch ceilidh, when Brett Saffron Presley skipped the folk dancing for a rendezvous with death? 

A crafty locked-room mystery, a pointed satire about the literary world, and a tale of unexpected friendship and romance—this novel has it all, as only three bestselling authors can tell it! 

PJ's Thoughts:

I call this book the tale of two halves. I found the first half a bit too easy to set aside, which I did, on several occasions. It's the stage-setting portion of the book and, while interesting, it's not exactly attention grabbing. At least, it wasn't for me. A number of characters were introduced, creating confusion as to who was who and what their roles were in the castle/community/story. It took me a while to get them all straight and settle into the story. It also took me a while to warm up to the three main characters - the American authors - in much the same way as it took them time to warm up to one another. The highlight of the first half for me was the Detective Chief Inspector, a character we only see (in the first half) through the dialogue of his interrogations. Kudos to the author(s) who wrote those lines!

Part two of the book was a completely different story (pun intended). This is where the action picked up, the tension heightened, and the characters began to unravel...then slowly rebuild into stronger, more authentic versions of themselves. This half I could not put down. In fact, I read it entirely in one sitting, through dinner, and well beyond my normal bedtime. The authors (the writing ones, not the characters) kept throwing in twists and turns that had me gasping with delight and guessing right up until the final reveal. In addition to that, the second half is where the characters really came alive. Their public personas were stripped away, allowing readers to see the authentic, complex women underneath and allowing them to forge the bonds of friendship that would carry into the future. We also learned how they were connected to the deceased Brett Saffron Presley and the traumatic impact he had on their lives. Suffice to say, the not-so-dearly departed was not a nice man. 

While there were tough topics discussed in this book (date rape being one), the overall tone was one of cheeky humor wrapped in gothic mystery with justice prevailing in the end, and women wronged who not only survived but thrived. Those three women with whom I could not connect in the first half of the book? By the time I turned the final page, they felt like dear friends and I could not have been happier for them. And that Detective Chief Inspector I couldn't get enough of in the first part of the book? Well...I'll let you find out what happens to him yourselves but let's just say he gets even better as does the unexpected happy ending awaiting him. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Have you read Williams, Willig, and White? 

Do you enjoy British/Scottish police procedurals  (either TV or book)?

Who else enjoys the twists and turns of a compelling Gothic romance?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, December 18 will receive a hardback copy of The Author's Guide to Murder. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - No Ordinary Duchess

No Ordinary Duchess

by Elizabeth Hoyt

The Greycourt Series - Book 3

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: December 10, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Cold and brooding, Julian Greycourt, the heir to the Windemere dukedom, has always known that his uncle the duke was responsible for his mother’s death. Now he’s determined to exact revenge against his uncle—if he can find the proof. But Julian hides a secret so explosive it will destroy him if it’s ever revealed, and the duke is watching. The last thing he needs is a distractingly sensual woman whose very presence threatens to destroy his plans.
 
Sunny and cheerful, Lady Elspeth de Moray doesn’t know why her brother and Julian fell out all those years ago, but she can’t let the autocratic man get in the way of her mission: to retrieve an ancient family text that she believes is in one of the Windemere libraries. Locating the tome, however, proves trickier than she anticipated, and at each turn, she’s thrown together with the maddingly mysterious Julian. And the temptation to give in to her family’s greatest enemy grows stronger with each intriguing encounter…

PJ's Thoughts:

I've been reading Elizabeth Hoyt since her debut. One of the many facets of her writing that continues to bring me back to her books is her characters. In No Ordinary Duchess, the newest installment in her Greycourt series, both hero Julian and heroine Elspeth are standouts in Hoyt's long list of unforgettable lead characters. 

There are few authors who write complex, emotionally tortured heroes as well as Hoyt. Do I love him? Despise him? Maybe both? In Julian's case, there were points where I wanted to wash my hands of him, others where my heart broke for him. He holds himself apart from family and friends (for reasons) yet strives to protect those he loves with every fiber of his being. He believes his past actions are villainous and unforgiveable and that present actions mark him as unnatural, unable to forgive himself for either. As I said: complex.

Elspeth is one of my favorite Hoyt heroines, a straight-talking young woman with an unconventional upbringing that sets her apart from a typical London miss. Everything about her feels authentic: her determination to complete her quest, her insatiable curiosity, her unapologetic exploration of sensual desires with Julian (Hoyt always brings the spice), and her refusal to accept defeat, especially at the hands of the true villain of this story. She's a force and I adored her. 

The wise women storyline that runs through this series is one I could take or leave. It really doesn't add that much to the books for me other than as a plot device to explain the unexpected skills and knowledge the female leads possess. I'm not that interested in what will happen to the group. What I am interested in is Elspeth brother, Ran, former best friend of Julian and current recluse. The history there is fraught, fascinating, and overflowing with angst. I really hope Hoyt has a story planned for him. I am aching for it.

Review & Giveaway - - Under Loch and Key

Under Loch and Key

by Lana Ferguson

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: December 3, 2024

Reviewed by Nancy

Keyanna “Key” MacKay is used to secrets. Raised by a single father who never divulged his past, it’s only after his death that she finds herself thrust into the world he’d always refused to speak of. With just a childhood bedtime story about a monster that saved her father’s life and the name of her estranged grandmother to go off of, Key has no idea what she’ll find in Scotland. But repeating her father’s mistakes and being rescued by a gorgeous, angry Scotsman—who thinks she’s an idiot—is definitely the last thing she expects.

Lachlan Greer has his own secrets to keep, especially from the bonnie lass he pulls to safety from the slippery shore—a lass with captivating eyes and the last name he’s been taught not to trust. He’s looking for answers as well, and Key’s presence on the grounds they both now occupy presents a real problem. It’s even more troublesome when he gets a front row seat to the lukewarm welcome Key receives from her family; the strange powers she begins to develop; and the fierce determination she brings to every obstacle in her path. Things he shouldn’t care about, and someone he definitely doesn’t find wildly attractive.

When their secrets collide, it becomes clear that Lachlan could hold the answers Keyanna is after—and that she might also be the key to uncovering his. Up against time, mystery, and a centuries old curse, they’ll quickly discover that magic might not only be in fairy tales, and that love can be a real loch-mess.

Nancy's Thoughts:

Under Loch and Key skillfully weaves family secrets and estrangement with a magical curse and a quest for belonging into an engaging paranormal romance. Key’s determination to scatter her father’s ashes in Loch Ness had me sympathizing with her immediately. Yes, there are signs warning that the rocks around the loch are dangerous, but her reasons for ignoring them are understandable. So is Lachlan’s irritation with her after he keeps her from sliding in the water. They definitely get off on the wrong foot, and their beginning seeds the prickly tone of their dealings going forward. 

In addition to scattering her father’s ashes, Key very much wants a relationship with his family, who’ve never met her and don’t seem to want her. Despite the grudging hospitality her grandmother offers, her grandfather makes her welcome. She stays at their farm and tries to show them she’s someone they could come to care about.

I wasn’t quite so ready to root for Lachlan. While I started out rooting for him, I found the cryptic references to his problem off-putting. He’s staying at the MacKay farm because he’s looking for something. He sneaks into the attic to search it, for a clue to solve his problem. It’s hard to root for him there, though, because he’s being sneaky and breaching hospitality. For me, that requires a compelling reason, but we’re told only that he’s lost a lot and he wants a chance at a normal life. Without knowing what he’s lost, what he’s looking for, why he thinks whatever he’s looking for will help, and why he can’t have a normal life without it, I gradually began to feel less sympathetic toward him. I didn’t know what his problem was or what the stakes were, and without knowing these things, I couldn’t root for him to succeed.

The truth about his problem comes out about a third of the way through the book, and knowing it had me fully on his side again. So if you find cryptic references and the lack of a clear rooting interest as annoying as I do, just be patient and read on. 

Yes, I know I’m being cryptic, too, but I’m trying not to spoil anything!

Learning the truth about Lachlan’s situation wins Key to his side. They begin working together to solve his problem, a quest complicated by the need to keep it secret. The romance is tender, and the love scenes are steamy and well done. My only issue with them is that I strongly dislike the c-word for female anatomy. I realize, though, that not every reader feels this way. 

Supporting characters include Lachlan’s friends Rory and Blair, Key’s cousin Brodie, and her grandparents. Rory and Blair like to tease Lachlan, which leads to a fun Highland games competition. Brodie and Lachlan have known each other since childhood but have never gotten along. Brodie does like Key, though, and he supplies information that turns out to be helpful before his resentment of Brodie comes to a dangerous boil. 

Key’s relationship with her grandparents evolves in a believable and sympathetic way. As the truth about her father’s mysterious departure for the United States comes out, their different reactions to her unexpected arrival become more understandable and even a little sad. 

I had two other issues with the story. First, I don’t quite see how someone standing on rocks above the water gets knocked forward into it by someone in the water. Second, when Lachlan visits Key to tell her the bits of his story he has held back, she seduces him before he can get out more than a few words. Then she accuses him of hiding the truth. He says he was going to tell her but doesn’t point out that he had started to explain when they became distracted. That’s a logical defense, and I didn’t understand why he didn’t use it.

Overall, the characters are engaging, the story moves at a good pace, and the paranormal elements are used beautifully. The Scottish setting, in addition to contributing to the mystery, provides a lovely encounter between Key and a Highland cow. 

Highly recommended. 

4 Stars. 

~ Nancy

~~~~~~

Have you read Lana Ferguson?

Have you visited Scotland?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM (Eastern), December 7 will receive a print copy of Under Loch and Key. 

*U.S. only

*Must be18

Review & Giveaway - - Designs on You

Designs on You

by Jaci Burton

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: December 3, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Natalie Parker is in her mid-thirties, divorced, and firmly focused on her newly resurrected career and her two children. When her sister asks her to help design the backyard in the new home she shares with her boyfriend, Linc, Natalie’s more than happy to take on the project. What she isn’t prepared for is Linc’s younger brother, video game designer Eugene Kennedy. He’s smart, incredibly good-looking, and constantly flirts with Natalie. He’s also too young for her, which makes him totally off-limits.

Eugene is intrigued by Natalie’s beauty, smarts, and especially her sarcastic wit. When he teases her, she throws it right back at him. Besides that, they have an instant chemistry, but she keeps trying to get rid of him despite the sparks that fly between them. And Eugene never backs down from a challenge. 

Natalie is running out of reasons to think being with Eugene is a bad thing. Her kids adore him, her sister loves him, and even her always negative mother does, too. The only person holding her back is...her. Maybe it’s time she take that leap and design herself a love for the ages. After all, if she can create the perfect home, she sure as hell can design a happily ever after.

PJ's Thoughts:

I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed Linc and Hazel's book, Housebroke and was curious about what the author had planned for Linc's brother, Eugene. At the time I had no idea that plan included Hazel's (then married) sister, Natalie. However, once Natalie and Eugene hit the page in Designs on You and their chemistry was obvious, I was totally on board. Eugene was a sweetheart and Natalie deserved a happy, fulfilling relationship on equal footing after exiting her toxic marriage. 

One of the traits that I most enjoyed about Eugene was his respect and support of Natalie in all facets of her life. I loved how he lifted her up time after time, how he respected her design opinions and her parenting decisions, and especially how determined he was to do special things just for her. So different from her ex-husband. I also loved Eugene's relationship with her children. His scenes with them were among my favorites in the book.

Natalie had a more significant growth arc. Her ex did a real number on her self esteem and some of the emotional baggage that exited her marriage with her spilled over onto her relationship with Eugene. I cheered her on as she continued to pursue the career she was denied during her marriage. I appreciated how hard she worked to ensure her children were happy and had a healthy, loving relationship with their father, even if she wasn't his biggest fan. But she had a lot of growing to do when it came to a healthy work/family/relationship balance in her life. She continued to evolve and eventually reached a point where I felt like she and Eugene could finally meet on equal footing and create a happy, loving, and long-lasting family together.

One of the facets of this story that didn't work for me was the emphasis on the age difference between Natalie and Eugene, in particular from Natalie's perspective. It's used as justification for a number of her opinions/decisions throughout the book. So how big is this huge age gap that has an almost 34-year-old woman treating a successful, financially-secure, sexy, committed man like a teenager who doesn't know his own mind? Three years. Three. Years. I understand the need for conflict, and if Eugene had been, say, ten years younger it would have made sense but the almost non-stop emphasis on three years being insurmountable threw me out of the story more than it drew me in. 

While there were a couple issues that detracted from my overall enjoyment of Designs on You, for the most part it was a satisfying read with multi-faceted characters I could root for, endearing kids, adorable dogs, relatable family dynamics, and a hard-won happy ending. It can stand on its own but for a better understanding of all characters and their backgrounds, I would recommend reading Housebroke first. 

~~~~~~~~~

Have you read Jaci Burton?

How many years constitutes a significant age gap for you?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, December 6 will receive a print copy of Designs on You. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Puck & Prejudice

Puck & Prejudice

by Lia Riley

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: November 12, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a modern single man in possession of a hockey jersey may be exactly what a Regency woman needs to avoid the shackles of marriage...

Goalie for the Austin Regals, Tucker Taylor is benched due to health issues. So he decides to visit his sister in England. But an accidental plunge into an icy pond thrusts him back to 1812 where he comes face to face with a captivating blue-eyed woman who regards him as if he’s grown two heads.

Lizzy Wooddash dreams of a life surrounded by books, engaging conversation, the presence of literary icons like Jane Austen, and... nary a husband in sight. But in Regency England, only widows like her cousin Georgie enjoy freedom and solitary pursuits, unencumbered by expectations. The only way to quickly become a widow is by marrying a dying man or killing a perfectly healthy one, neither of which Lizzy desires.

A visitor from the future might just be the husband of her dreams. Once married, they can figure out how to return Tucker to his proper time, and his absence—aka death—will make Lizzy the widow she always dreamed of becoming. Yet as sparks ignite, they soon realize that matters of the heart rarely adhere to carefully laid plans. Can their love stand the test of time, or will Lizzy get exactly what she wanted...as well as a broken heart?

PJ's Thoughts:

Did I have to suspend disbelief to read this book? Yes. Did I jump wholeheartedly into Lizzy and Tuck's time-travel romance with complete and utter joy? You bet I did. 

Riley had me from the get-go with modern-day hockey pro, Tuck suddenly finding himself stranded in Jane Austen's time. Not only her time, but her neighborhood. Then she added in Jane's friend, Lizzy, a Regency miss determined to outsmart family who treat her more as a commodity than a person. It is the Regency, after all. Marriage of convenience, anyone?

What happens when Tuck and Lizzy get together is fresh, fun, endearing, and yes, believable. I laughed, I sighed, I cheered, and I was surprisingly okay with the unconventional HEA (no spoilers) which totally works for these two. This is a book I can definitely see myself rereading in times when I need a mood boost. 

If you're looking for an engaging, entertaining, slightly steamy, feel-good, time-travel romance to lift your spirits and give you a reprieve from holiday stress, look no further than Puck & Prejudice by Lia Riley. It's an absolute delight. 

Review - - Fortune's Holiday Surprise

Fortune's Holiday Surprise

by Jennifer Wilck

The Fortunes of Texas: Fortune's Secret Children - Book 5

Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date: November 26, 2024

Reviewed by Hellie

He’d lost the holiday spirit…

Until she brought light back into his life.

Rancher Arlo Fortune is devastated when he loses his best friend in a tragic accident. The only thing that heals him is opening his heart to his friend’s adorable daughter, Aviva…and his friend’s grieving sister-in-law, the brand-new guardian to the orphaned child. Carrie Kaplan has one mission: to lavish her niece with love in a Jewish home like her sister always wanted. Her stop in Chatelaine is only temporary. Right? But as she teaches Aviva about the miracle of Hanukkah, holiday magic might just beckon from Arlo’s ranch around the bend…

Hellie’s Heeds

This book was a bit more of a struggle for me–and I think it’s because I did not read the other books in the series. However, while I like to seek out Wilck’s books, the other books in this series were written by different authors. It’s a series where a group of authors have taken on characters from the same family or group–and then write books that have interactions with those other groups (at least occasionally). Like you’re writing a series of tandem books all going on at the same time. Hats off to the authors for pulling this off. 

While you can obviously read this book without having read the other books in the series, I do believe the reader will have a better connection to the characters in this particular book (and the other books) IF they read the whole series (preferably from the beginning.) Reading just one of the books, in my opinion, can make the relationship feel shallow and rushed in its completion–thus making the happily ever after feel a bit far-fetched. 

That said, there were real moments of connection between the hero and heroine in this book–and Arlo is a wonderful hero. He is struggling with the regret of having not made peace with his best friend, Isaac, who died tragically, and he is spending time with Isaac’s sister-in-law, Carrie, who is now the mother to her niece, Aviva. Carrie is struggling with the very real grief of losing a close family member and friend–and the responsibility of taking on a toddler, whose mother asked Carrie to be the one to help Aviva learn about her Jewish heritage. I choked up many times reading some of the scenes where Carrie is struggling with her grief and fear; and Arlo was wonderful throughout it all. My issue is that as someone who has experienced her share of grief, it can be a bit of a gamble of falling in love and then agreeing to marry someone when you’re going through the grieving process (i.e. it’s only been a month or so.) Again, this could be because I am a bit of a commitment-phobe and don’t like committing to a Netflix ongoing service after only a month of “dating”, let alone committing to another person. No matter how wonderful they were. So for me, I can’t suspend the belief of love at first sight, I guess you could say. For others, this may easily be a 5 star rating. 

That said–the food Carrie cooks in this book–I want to eat all the food…and try all the recipes. Which basically puts me on the level of Arlo (i.e. don’t stand in the way of him and food.) If anything could have tipped another star from me, it would have been some recipes in the back of the book. 

Review & Giveaway - - Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction

Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction

by Shannon Richard

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: October 15, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Lucy Buchanan and Theo Taylor have never gotten along…like ever. Not when they were children, not when they were teenagers, and definitely not as adults…though that last part might be more Lucy’s doing than Theo’s. It was the summer after she graduated college when their antagonism towards each other boiled over into something... hot.

That is until Lucy left town in a flash, leaving everything behind for warm Los Angeles. But now she’s returned after seven years following a bad breakup, and a newfound disillusionment with La-La Land.

As for Theo, he doesn’t know and doesn’t care about whatever happened to make Lucy come back. His lingering resentment is enough to keep her at arm’s length until she inevitably leaves again. The problem is, being around each other has proven that their friction isn’t going anywhere, especially when it leads to some pretty intense heat.

The two have no idea what they’ve rekindled, but things get even more complicated when they rescue a pregnant dog together, taking on joint responsibility of caring for her.

Lucy and Theo must find a way to overcome their past, first for the sake of the dog and her litter, and for their own wounded hearts. 

PJ's Thoughts:

Give me a book with dogs on the cover and I am all in. Give me a book with a friend group, a second chance romance, and dogs? Even better!

I had high hopes for this story and for the most part it delivered. Lucy and Theo are complex characters with snappy banter, a sort of frenemies-to-lovers journey, steamy chemistry, and a friend/relative group who isn't shy about giving their two cents. The main characters are multi-layered, especially Lucy who has an abundance of emotional baggage to work through. Other favorites are Theo's teen sister and her bestie, Lucy's dad, and friends, Gavin and Sasha (who I really hope are on target for a book of their own). 

The secondary characters are enjoyable but also plentiful. It took me a while (several chapters) to sort through who they all were and what were the connections that tied them all together. It was distracting and confusing. For a standalone book (which is how this is marketed), it felt a bit like beginning the story in Chapter 15. I later discovered that Lucy's sister, Caro has a previously published book titled Dog Days Forever. I don't know if reading that first would have helped keep everyone straight in Puppy Love but I enjoyed Lucy's book enough to download Dog Days and plan to read it soon.  

I adored Mama Bear, the pregnant rescue dog and her puppies. Did I mention I'm a total pushover for dogs and puppies in a book? I loved how much of Lucy's and Theo's character growth was tied to their shared custody of and deepening feelings for Bear. 

If you enjoy second-chance romance, large friend groups with shared history (think Jill Shalvis), rescue dogs, adorable puppies, heart-tugging emotional depth, significant character growth, and cupcakes (drool warning - both for the delicious cupcakes and Theo, the baker who makes them), give Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction a try. But maybe read Dog Days Forever first. 

Do dogs (or other animals) on the cover of a romance pull you in or push you away?

Do you enjoy a hero who bakes?

Are you a cupcake person or do your taste buds guide you in a different direction?

Have you read Shannon Richard yet?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 10 will receive a print copy of Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

 

Review - - Double Apex

Double Apex

by Josie Juniper

Frontrunners - Book 1

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: October 8, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Phaedra Morgan is one of the best race engineers in Formula 1. She’s a math prodigy with dazzling skill, cutting wit, and no patience for matters of the heart. Of course, her job would be a lot easier if she didn’t keep butting heads with their team’s cocky and infuriatingly hot new driver. 

Cosmin Ardelean is intense and committed, but as famous for his off-track romantic exploits as his on-track wizardry. Yet his devil-may-care façade conceals a haunted past. When the pair strikes up a secret—and thrillingly forbidden—“arrangement” to improve their communication and bond of trust, the heat of their attraction turns to something more . . . 

But no secret stays hidden for long in the racing world, and soon things are spinning out of control. With everything on the line, will they be able to strip away all their defenses and go full throttle for a chance at love?

PJ's Thoughts:

I'm an avid Formula 1 race fan so you can imagine how excited I was to discover Josie Juniper was writing a series set in that wealthy, high-stakes, fast-paced world. Matching a new, hot shot, Romanian, playboy driver with his blunt, math-prodigy, socially-awkward, American team owner's daughter, race engineer? I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one.  

With this first book in her Frontrunners series, Juniper brings an intriguing, behind the scenes look at the world of F1 racing. I enjoyed the fact that the book takes place during the course of one season, with chapters set at different locations on the international circuit. It was also entertaining to watch team politics, adversarial relationships between drivers, the intense competitive nature of the sport, and Phaedra's role as a woman engineer in a predominantly male environment play out on the page. 

The romance is an enemies-to-lovers trope with plenty of friction between Cosmin and Phaedra that morphs into a singe-your-fingers, sizzling physical relationship before deepening into more. What I didn't expect was the incredible depth of emotion as well as the hidden layers within both main characters. I had some difficulties with both during the first part of the book - they were flat-out unlikable in spots - but that slowly begins to change with significant growth arcs over the course of the book. There's so much more to these two than is visible on the surface, with dysfunctional family dynamics, emotional baggage, and other issues contributing.

Juniper tackles some difficult topics through her characters including child abuse (in the past), sexual assault (not on the page), parental death, and grief. If those are triggers, this may not be the book for you.

While Cosmin - and Phaedra - both said and did things that I took issue with, those flaws made the evolution of their characters that much more satisfying for me. In the end, I was able to get on board with their relationship and cheer them on individually and as a couple. I'm looking forward to what Juniper has on tap for the next book in the series. There are some intriguing - also flawed - side characters I'm eager to learn more about. 

Review - - The Merry Matchmaker

The Merry Matchmaker

by Sheila Roberts

Publisher: MIRA

Release Date: October 1, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Frankie Lane knows what’s best for just about everyone but herself. Her divorced sister, Stef, who is too young to give up on love; her shy employee, Elinor; and her daughter, Natalie, who works in Frankie’s shop, Holiday Happiness, and really needs to start her own business selling the delectable chocolates she makes at home; even her best friend, Viola, who is trying to renovate her old Victorian. Frankie knows she could help all of them, if they’d just let her—and if all of her help didn’t end in utter disaster. 

Then there’s Mitch Howard, the owner of the local hardware store. They’ve been friends ever since Frankie opened her store, nine years earlier. He got her through the nightmare when she lost her husband in a freak accident, and he’s her favorite shoulder to cry on. He’s been divorced for years, and it’s such a waste of man! Mitch is the fittest, finest man Frankie knows. He’s easygoing, wise and kindhearted. Mitch needs someone. And she’s determined to help him find that someone—whether he likes it or not.

PJ's Thoughts:

Sheila Roberts is back with another humorous, heart-tugging novel that is sure to put readers in the Christmas spirit. One of the facets of Roberts’ books that I most enjoy is the sense of community she creates, something that’s important in The Merry Matchmaker, with main character Frankie front and center. 

Frankie is that friend, family member, business owner that has her hands in just about everything going on in her small town. She’s the person who is certain she knows what’s best for everyone else and sets about making it happen…whether “everyone else” wants it or not. Where she’s completely clueless is when it comes to what she needs.

Roberts walks a fine line with this character. Her antics generate humor but also awkward situations, frustration, and occasionally hurt feelings. What saves her is the fact that everything she does comes from a place of genuine - if misguided - kindness. She may be fifty but she still has some growing to do, a journey that Roberts skillfully, and realistically, guides. 

The supporting cast of the book are all richly depicted, contributing humor, holiday fun, and, in some cases, life lessons along the way. Combining laughter, emotion, and those all-important lessons is something Sheila Roberts does exceedingly well. The touch of romance - between mature characters - adds another layer of enjoyment as does the community’s many Christmas events. This one is sure to put you in a holiday frame of mind.