Review - - Small Town Big Secrets

Small Town, Big Secrets
by Elsie Davis
Publisher: Entangled: Bliss
Release Date: June 8, 2020
Reviewed by PJ

To save her son, shy but determined waitress Becky McAllister would do just about anything. But she never expected “anything” to include the brother of the man who broke her heart.

Steve Parker needs a wife, now, if he has any hopes of winning his local DA election and becoming the advocate for the underserved he’s always dreamed of being. The sweet waitress seems like just the person—if he can get her to agree.

One year of marriage—no strings, no personal attachments. Becky gets the insurance funds she needs for her son’s surgery while Steve’s poll ratings soar. Neither planned on a commitment in their future, so they should have no problem making it through the year without getting emotionally involved, right?

Except Becky’s holding on to a secret from her past—one that would change everything.

PJ's Thoughts:

Marriage of Convenience is one of my favorite historical romance tropes but one that rarely works for me in contemporary. This one works, not so much because of circumstances but due to the characters themselves. Becky's sweet little boy needs surgery and she is truly out of options. She's a good mom, raising her son on her own and doing the best she can while also helping her mother and younger sister. Then there's Steve who is being pressured by his campaign manager to present a happily married candidate to voters in order to win the election he needs to help underserved mothers. He really is a good guy, with his heart, and priorities, in the right place. 

I enjoyed Becky and Steve. The chemistry between them is immediately apparent, and I found myself rooting for them from the get-go, but what I most enjoyed was the solid friendship they formed before allowing deeper feelings to enter the picture. Steve's relationship with Byron, Becky's young son is so sweet. I loved that he fell just as hard for Byron as he did for his mom. But, there are some significant obstacles in their path to happiness.

I appreciated that the author didn't make this a triangle story and instead focused on the primary couple. From the beginning, Steve was on Becky's side, even after he discovered the secret she's been forced to keep. I loved how he stood up for her, and with her, even when she made it difficult to do so, and how they discovered, together, what was most important in their lives. 

One aspect of the story that I had a hard time believing was the change of attitude from Steve's family in the Epilogue. I can understand the author wanting to tie everything up with a nice, happily-ever-after bow but to ask me to believe the abrupt turnaround from people who were truly horrible throughout most of the book was a stretch. That aside, however, I finished the book confident that Steve, Becky, and their family were headed for a life of love, happiness, and no secrets, in their small town. 

Tour Review & Giveaway - - In The Dog House

 

In The Dog House
by Traci Hall
An Appletree Cove Romance
Publisher: Entangled:Bliss
Release Date: February 11, 2019
Reviewed by PJ

Ten years ago, Jackson Hardy joined the Marines, leaving behind a woman he still dreams about. When he's called home to care for his ten-year-old nephew, no one is more shocked than he to run into Emma again. Or to still have those same feelings. But Jackson isn't looking for love, and neither is Emma, especially not with him. His precocious nephew, though, and a retriever named Bandit, are about to change that.

So what if Emma Mercer is an overachiever? She has plans to get her doctorate in psychology and create a no-kill shelter for the EST dogs she trains. Which leaves absolutely no time for romance. She's fine with a furry family—dogs don't teach you to love and then rip your heart to shreds. But young Matty's situation tugs at her heartstrings and there's no way she can't help him…and Jackson.

She may have hotter-than-ever chemistry with the soldier, but forgetting the past isn't easy.




My thoughts:

This was my first book by Traci Hall. It won't be my last. I was charmed by this heartwarming tale of second chances. The characters are well developed and realistic and the dogs are adorable. I liked Emma from the get-go, admiring her devotion to the rescue dogs she trains and her determination to find them the right homes where they can use their emotional support skills for good. I understood her reluctance to open herself to Jackson again and admired her determination to help him and his nephew, even if it meant putting her heart at risk. 

My heart ached for what Matty was going through. He's such an awesome kid. It took Jackson a bit longer to win me over but, of course, he did in the end. I really felt for him as he struggled with his PTSD, his sister's precarious health, and caring for his nephew while dealing with guilt for being on emergency leave and not with his military unit. 

And then there's Emma's Aunt Pepita, a free spirit with sage advice who I absolutely adored. All in all, a well-rounded (two and four) legged cast that kept me entertained, touched my heart, and left me confident in and satisfied by the well-earned happily ever after. 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | AppleBooks | Kobo

Add to Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet the Author:

My name is Traci Hall and I love to write...sounds like the beginning step of a program!However, I am not sorry that I love to write, so I guess I'm in it for the long haul. Finger cramps, slumped back and numb feet from sitting all day aside, there is nothing I would rather do than tell stories. Hearing back from readers makes it all worthwhile.

Connect: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review - - The Sheriff's Little Matchmaker

The Sheriff's Little Matchmaker
By Carrie Nichols
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Release Date: October 8, 2018
Reviewed by PJ

When teacher Sasha Honeycutt kisses a handsome cowboy in a bar on a dare, she never expects to see him again. To her surprise, though, he walks through the door of her classroom for a parent-teacher conference. Sheriff Remy Fontenot might be sexy as sin, but Sasha has no interest in falling for another police officer. Rose Creek, Texas is her fresh start after being “that poor widow.” Only, Remy’s precocious daughter has big plans for the two of them…

After their stolen kiss, Remy knows there's a sexy woman hiding under that school marm charm. When fate—aka his seven-year-old—keeps putting her in his path, he decides to take it as a sign. His daughter needs a mom, and the intriguing, beautiful Sasha is perfect for the role. Not to mention their chemistry is off the charts. Unfortunately, he's set his sights on the one woman in town who has no interest in falling for another man with a badge.

My thoughts:

Carrie Nichols launches her Rose Creek,Texas series with The Sheriff's Little Matchmaker, another heartwarming, subtly sexy, and all around fun contemporary romance. I was pulled into this story from the first page and it kept my interest engaged until the end. The three main characters - because Remy's daughter, Evie is a very important character - are all likable, relatable people I'd enjoy knowing in real life although being friends with Remy could cause a few issues. First, there's that whole tall, dark, and muscular vibe he has going. Then there's his charm, his kind heart, his "come to me" smile, and that oh-so-sexy Cajun growl that wraps itself around you every time he opens his mouth. Is it hot in here? It feels hot in here. Seriously, I'd probably be living in a state of perpetual drool. Sasha is a sweetheart (who can more than hold her own against potential Remy poachers) and they're such a great couple that I'd try to control it but still...what can I say? He's just that yummy. 

If you enjoy small-town, character-driven romance with plenty of humor and heart, give Carrie Nichols a go. She creates characters with layers and stories with satisfying emotional depth while infusing enough humor to keep them light rather than angsty. Remy and Sasha have sexual chemistry that sizzles but actual physical intimacy is off-page so if that's your preference, this is a good book for you. Having said that, however, I enjoy physical, on-page, love scenes and the lack of them in this book didn't hamper my enjoyment of the story or my buy-in of Sasha and Remy's desire for one another one bit. Remy's daughter, Evie is a 7-year-old whirlwind who steals just about every scene she's in. I adored her and the ways she attempts to engineer her dad's love life once she meets her new teacher, Miz (Sasha) Honeycutt. Nichols also introduces readers to an intriguing cast of secondary characters I hope we'll be seeing more of in future books. Remy's brother, Ethan is on my list of hopefuls for a story of his own, along with struggling rancher Annie Metcalf. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

~~~~~~~~~~

Do you enjoy a romance hero with an accent? If you do, what's your favorite? (I swear, every time Remy lapsed into Cajun French or called Sasha "Cher" I just about melted.)