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 - - Deadlines, Donuts & Dreidels

Deadlines, Donuts & Dreidels

by Jennifer Wilck 

Holidays, Heart and Chutzpah - Book 3

Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date: October 22, 2024

Reviewed by Hellie

Journalist Jessica Sacks’s career is on the line if she doesn’t ace this next assignment. She must interview firefighter Thomas Carville, Browerville’s celebrated hero—and her forever crush since childhood. When Jessica returns home for Hanukkah, handsome Thomas takes her breath away. And rudely shuts her down when she asks for an interview.

Thomas knows he and the man he saved are both lucky to be alive, regardless of his actions. And now Jessica is poking into his business. Thomas would rather kiss her under the mistletoe than answer her questions. But his priority is protecting his sobriety and his secret. They’re as far apart as Christmas and Hanukkah, but even their differences can’t trump the power of love.

Hellie’s Heeds

I got to read the other two books in this series–and I think that made the reading of this book even more joyful as we got to visit with other beloved characters and continue to see them in the small town setting that Wilck created. Special Edition Harlequin books are known to really tug at heartstrings, and this one is no exception as Thomas is a hero who is seeking redemption. (Okay, maybe not seeking–because he doesn’t think he’s worthy of it–but that’s the trope nonetheless. He needs it.) Thomas as a hero is very complicated–since when you find out his secret–it makes him a real and flawed person, but as such, he is also in need of real world consequences for what has happened. Wilck doesn’t shy away from the real world consequences, but still is able to provide a satisfying and hopeful ending that brings two people together who need and deserve love. 

This is not to suggest that Jessica the heroine is not without flaws–she has her own issues. Due to the shame of being fired from her job, she is not honest or forthcoming with Thomas or her parents–and for a bit, even her friends. I had some issues with Jessica and her job–being that the reason she was fired, I thought that for someone who had worked 10 years at this position (which seemed stretching it because she was only 28 in the book and she was a journalist–and I believe she was also a college graduate)--and with the experience, I thought the mistake she made was something only a real rookie would have done. Then again, it is entirely possible to have led a rather charmed work life–and it was just a doozy of a mistake you made. Still. The doozy of a mistake it was–I did find it rather far-fetched she was upset that they wouldn’t give her a second chance. But…I also recognize we needed to get the heroine back home and interact with the hero, and this was a very clear way to do it. 

That aside, the chemistry between the characters and the scenes that built up their romance–as well as additional conflict of coming from different religions, also added to the atmosphere of how will this have a happy ending? I also enjoyed learning more about the traditions of Hanukkah and experiencing a blending of Christmas and Hanukkah traditions and celebrations where everyone was curious, respectful, and accepting. Which is definitely what the season is all about, in my book. 

Review & Giveaway - - The Sergeant's Matchmaking Dog

The Sergeant's Matchmaking Dog

by Carrie Nichols

Small-Town Sweethearts - Book 5

Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition

Release Date: June 29, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Let love—and a puppy—lead the way!

Former marine Gabe Bishop is focused on readjusting to civilian life. So the last thing he needs is the adorable kid next door bonding with his dog, Radar—and the boy’s guardian butting in. Addie Miller is afraid of dogs, so why does she keep coming around and making his heart melt? Soon, Gabe finds himself teaching Addie about the beauty of the human-canine bond…and becoming her shoulder to lean on. Could his new neighbors be everything Gabe never knew he needed?

PJ's Thoughts:

Carrie Nichols is one of my favorite authors writing in the Harlequin Special Edition line. Her heartwarming stories, especially those in her Small-Town Sweethearts series, are filled with complicated relationships, sweet romance, emotional depth, hard-won happy endings, and some of the cutest kids around, who are much more than wallpaper. 

In The Sergeant's Matchmaking Dog, Nichols gives us Gabe and Addie, characters trying to do their best while dealing with a whole lot of emotional baggage and determined to ignore each other. If it were left to them, they would probably never get together. Good thing they have Gabe's dog, Radar and Addie's little brother, Teddy to lead the way. Talk about adorable matchmakers. 

Once again, Nichols immersed me into the lives of her characters from the start and kept me invested until the happy conclusion of their story. She touched on difficult topics keeping both Addie and Gabe from pursuing a relationship but did so with a deft hand, exploring survivor's guilt, parental addiction, and parental neglect in a way that conveyed the seriousness of the topics while still keeping the tone of the book hopeful. She allowed her characters to grow, find forgiveness, and heal, opening their hearts to the possibilities of love and a life together. She made me fall in love with all four of them, especially Radar, a very special dog with a whole lot of instinctive wisdom when it comes to the humans he loves. 

While The Sergeant's Matchmaking Dog is the fifth book of a series and characters from previous books do make appearances, it can absolutely be read and enjoyed on its own. It has my enthusiastic recommendation, along with the other books in the series. 

Have you read any of Carrie Nichols' books?

Do you read Harlequin Special Edition books? Do you have a favorite author writing in that line?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comments before 11:00 PM, June 23 will receive a signed, print copy of The Sergeant's Matchmaking Dog. 

*Must be 18

*U.S. only

*Void where prohibited

Review - - Follow Your Heart

Follow Your Heart

by Brenda Jackson

Catalina Cove - Book 4

Publisher: HQN

Release Date: April 27, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Some things shouldn’t be left to chance…

Victoria Madaris is next on her great-grandmother’s matchmaking list—which suits her just fine. She’s laser-focused on her career and doesn’t have time to concentrate on her love life, too. Knowing that Mama Laverne is vetting unsuitable candidates—like rising US senator Roman Malone—makes things easy.

But Roman unexpectedly ticks all of Victoria’s boxes. The longtime family friend is outrageously sexy, and every time they meet, their chemistry crackles. Being a journalist, though, Victoria just doesn’t trust politicians. Plus, her matchmaker’s expert opinion keeps pointing to the charming and handsome Tanner Jamison. And everybody knows, Mama Laverne is never wrong.

Suddenly, Victoria sees Tanner everywhere—as if by fate—but she doesn’t feel any attraction. Meanwhile, the more Victoria gets to know Roman, the harder it is to resist him. Her head is saying play it safe, but is her heart strong enough to go against her better judgment…and Mama Laverne’s?

PJ's Thoughts:

Brenda Jackson returns to Catalina Cove for another heartwarming story of love and happily ever after...times two!

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and each new addition has me eager for a return visit to this idyllic little town on the Louisiana coast. If this was a real town I'd be booking a flight, packing my bags, and making plans to meet up with all my favorite Catalina Cove characters. Oh, and also making reservations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner because fresh seafood (yum), baked delights from the apple orchard (double yum), and fresh blueberry muffins at the Witherspoon Café? Yes, please! 

I'm partial to the friends-to-lovers trope, especially when the author takes her time with the couple and that's exactly what Jackson does with Roman and Victoria. I enjoyed their conversations, the subtle flirting, the time they took to discover common interests. By the time they explored the flames of their desire for one another they had built a solid foundation of mutual friendship, trust, and respect to support the love that was beginning to flourish and would, hopefully, see them through looming obstacles. Because, oh yes, there are obstacles. 

The secondary romance in this book is also enjoyable though that couple has a very different dynamic from Roman and Victoria. The threads among the four characters intertwine enough to add complexity and tension to the story without creating an abundance of angst and the second HEA is a nice bonus. Plus, the twist at the end related to the secondary couple was a fun surprise I did not see coming. 

Even though Follow Your Heart is the fourth book in the Catalina Cove series, it stands very well on its own. Readers new to the series can jump into Roman and Victoria's story without missing a beat. This book also has a tie-in to Jackson's popular Madaris series. Fans of that series will no doubt enjoy revisiting a few of those characters as well. 

 

Review & Giveaway - - Wild Wedding Hookup

Wild Wedding Hookup

by Jamie K. Schmidt

Publisher: Harlequin Dare

Release Date: July 1, 2020

Reviewed by PJ 

Concierge Mikelina Presley works for a luxurious resort club in sunny South Beach, Florida. She’s thrilled to land a two-week booking for a bachelor party at one of the resort’s most expensive villas—not least because the fiery chemistry between her and best man Bastian Ainsworth is deliciously tempting.

When the groom-to-be suddenly disappears, Mikelina and Bastian team up to find him, bringing them closer together. Their irresistible desire for each other is dangerously distracting, but the stakes are high for both of them: if they don’t bring back the runaway bachelor, Bastian’s little sister will have her heart broken. And Mikelina’s resort stands to lose out on the group’s lucrative booking—which would be devastating for her career.

As the search takes them all over South Beach’s sexiest hideaways, their racy fling becomes something much deeper and Mikelina finds herself falling for Bastian. But she hasn’t told him everything about her past, and a shameful secret weighs heavy on her mind… Can their passionate affair survive the truth?

PJ's Thoughts:

Thoroughly enjoyed this fun, sexy, and surprisingly sweet romp. The sexual chemistry is off the charts (so hot!) but I also enjoyed the emotional connection that quickly develops between Mikelina and Bastian. Both characters are interesting and I found myself quickly immersed in their relationship and invested in their happiness. The story flows well with plenty of humor, sexy times, and a great South Florida vibe. My first book by this author won't be my last!

~~~~~~~~~~

Have you read Jamie K. Schmidt's books before? Do you have a favorite?

This book took me back to the South Florida vacations of my college days. Are there any particular romance books that evoke fun memories for you?

One person who comments before 11:00 PM, July 1, will receive an e-copy of HEAT, the USA Today bestselling first book in Jamie K. Schmidt's Club Interno series. 

Harlequin Mega E-Book Sale

Do you read category romances? There have been some great stories lately, in a variety of sub-genres, with diverse characters, from authors both old and new. For me, it's been especially enjoyable to discover newly published authors of color and other authors from a variety of backgrounds who I hadn't previously read. I've also been enjoying some spicy stories from Harlequin Desire (a line I hadn't read for a few years) and Harlequin Dare. As the summer temperatures heat up, so are some of my new favorite romances.  

From June 24 - June 30, Harlequin is offering 250 Harlequin Series e-books at the deeply discounted price of $1.99 each. Have you been meaning to give a particular Harlequin line a try? Is there a new author you've been hearing about? Maybe there's an established author you've been meaning to read. Or, perhaps, you're ready to step out of your comfort zone and try something totally new to you. At $1.99 per book, now is the perfect time to fill your e-reader with a summer's worth of great stories. Here are just a few of the titles currently on sale.

• TEMPORARY WIFE TEMPTATION by Jayci Lee (Harlequin Desire, February 2020)
• BLAME IT ON THE BILLIONAIRE by Naima Simone (Harlequin Desire, February 2020)
• WITNESS PROTECTION WIDOW by Debra Webb (Harlequin Intrigue, February 2020)
• HER HOMECOMING WISH by Jo McNally (Harlequin Special Edition, February 2020)
• THE AMISH TEACHER’S DILEMMA by Patricia Davids (Love Inspired, March 2020)
• COPYCAT KILLER by Laura Scott (Love Inspired Suspense, April 2020)
• THE FLAPPER’S FAKE FIANCÉ by Lauri Robinson (Harlequin Historical, April 2020)
• SEDUCED BY A STEELE by Brenda Jackson (Harlequin Desire, April 2020)

 View the entire list at Harlequin.com and Amazon.com (scroll down to view $1.99 titles).

Tour Review - - Sunrise on Half Moon Bay

Sunrise on Half Moon Bay
by Robyn Carr
Publisher: MIRA
Release Date: April 14, 2020
Reviewed by PJ
 

Adele and Justine have never been close. Born twenty years apart, Justine was already an adult when Addie was born. The sisters love each other but they don’t really know each other.

When Addie dropped out of university to care for their ailing parents, Justine, a successful lawyer, covered the expenses. It was the best arrangement at the time but now that their parents are gone, the future has changed dramatically for both women.

Addie had great plans for her life but has been worn down by the pressures of being a caregiver and doesn’t know how to live for herself. And Justine’s success has come at a price. Her marriage is falling apart despite her best efforts.

Neither woman knows how to start life over but both realize they can and must support each other the way only sisters can. Together they find the strength to accept their failures and overcome their challenges. Happiness is within reach, if only they have the courage to fight for it.

PJ's Thoughts:

Once again, Robyn Carr has brought a story to life that engaged my interest, and my emotions, from start to finish. Using flawed characters, and realistic situations, she takes readers on one family's journey of heartbreak, self-discovery, reconciliation, unexpected change, and new beginnings. I couldn't put it down.

Of the two sisters, I had a greater affinity for Justine, the older sister whose marriage is falling apart. That may be due to my age, or the fact that I'm the (take-charge) oldest in my family and have a sibling twenty years younger. But in Addie, Carr has also created a younger character who put her life on hold to spend the past eight years as a caregiver. I'm sure many readers, myself included, who have walked that path will also be able to relate to the difficulties Addie has moving forward once those duties come to an end. (I'm glad Carr shows the importance of therapy in dealing with Addie's issues as well as for Justine's daughters). I suspect most readers will identify with one sister or the other, while still more will feel a greater empathy for Justine's teenage daughters as they navigate the changes brought about by the divorce of their parents and the fall-out from their father's ongoing actions. That's part of Carr's skill as a writer: creating a community of unique characters who appeal to a broad range of readers and then bringing them together to create a heart-tugging whole that can be appreciated by all. In this book, she utilizes those skills to allow readers into the thoughts and emotions of each of the women, allowing us to experience their strengths, weaknesses, joys, and fears as they work to overcome the challenges life - and a self-absorbed louse of a husband - have put in their way, strengthen their familial bonds, and redefine what they want their futures to be. I spent a lot of time cheering them on.

In addition to the primary characters, Carr has also assembled a cast of secondary characters who add depth, conflict, and hope to the story. I especially enjoyed the social workers at the workplace reentry center where Addie works. There are also love interests for both Justine and Addie (great guys I was pulling for all the way) who play significant roles in their lives and their personal evolution, though this is not a book that I would classify as romance. It's more women's fiction with romantic elements. The most important journey here is that of the women. Sunrise on Half Moon Bay is an emotion-packed, empowering story that I enthusiastically recommend. 


Buy Links: 

Harlequin 

Indiebound

Amazon

Barnes & Noble 

Books-A-Million

Target

Walmart

Google

iBooks

Kobo

Robyn Carr is an award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including highly praised women's fiction such as Four Friends and The View From Alameda Island and the critically acclaimed Virgin River, Thunder Point and Sullivan's Crossing series. Virgin River is now a Netflix Original series. Robyn lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit her website at www.RobynCarr.com

Author Website:  

Twitter: @RCarrWriter

Facebook: @RobynCarrWriter

Instagram: @RobynCarrWriter

Goodreads 

Review - - Blame It on the Billionaire

Blame It on the Billionaire
by Naima Simone
Blackout Billionaires - Book 3
Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Release Date: February 1, 2020
Reviewed by PJ
 

It was a night filled with secrets, lies…and soul-stealing passion. And now the blackout that turned lowly executive assistant Nadia Jordan and start-up billionaire Grayson Chandler into insatiable lovers leads to a proposal Nadia can’t refuse. As she steps into Grayson’s privileged Chicago world, will his matchmaking mother and vengeful ex destroy her dreams? Or will her fake fiancé make those dreams a reality?




PJ's Thoughts:

I don't know why I haven't read Naima Simone before now. I've certainly heard about her, had friends recommend her books, meant to pick one up. I guess it's always been one of those too-many-books-too-little-time situations. But then, Harlequin sent me an email, asking if I'd like to read and review Blame It on the Billionaire. It's like the universe was telling me I'd waited long enough and needed to read this author. Now. You know what? The universe was right. Simone's well-developed characters, fast-paced plot, steamy chemistry, and emotional depth kept me immersed in the story and cheering for this unlikely couple from beginning to end. 

I couldn't get enough of Nadia. While all the characters, both primary and secondary, are vividly rendered and well-developed, and I loved Nadia and Grayson as a couple, Nadia is the highlight of this book for me. Strong, nurturing, confident, and protective of those she loves, she's put her dreams aside to raise her younger brother, working hard to move them away from their toxic southern hometown and ensure his dreams are fulfilled. She's someone I'd want in my corner, as Gray slowly comes to realize. I love how she defends him against those who should have his best interests at heart, but don't. She may have been the poor, neglected child of a woman of ill repute but the woman she's grown into can hold her own with a billionaire businessman and the elite Chicago society into which he was born. Did I mention how much I loved this character?

It's been a while since I read a Harlequin Desire and Naima Simone's Blame It on the Billionaire was the perfect opportunity for me to dip my reading toes back into their delicious, steamy goodness. This may have been my first Simone novel but I guarantee it won't be my last. In fact, many of her titles are currently on sale for $2.99 and $3.99 in e-book format. Excuse me while I venture off to download Simone titles to my reader's heart's content. 

One more thing. While this is the third book of a series, it stands well on its own. 

Tour Review - - Once a Liar

Once a Liar
By A. F. Brady
Publisher: Park Row (Harlequin)
Release Date: January 29, 2019
Reviewed by PJ

In this electrifying psychological thriller, a high-powered sociopath meets his reckoning when he’s accused of the brutal murder of his mistress.

Did he kill Charlie Doyle? And if he didn’t…who did?

Peter Caine, a cutthroat Manhattan defense attorney, worked ruthlessly to become the best at his job. On the surface, he is charming and handsome, but inside he is cold and heartless. He fights without remorse to acquit murderers, pedophiles and rapists.

When Charlie Doyle, the daughter of the Manhattan DA—and Peter’s former lover—is murdered, Peter’s world is quickly sent into a tailspin. He becomes the prime suspect as the DA, a professional enemy of Peter’s, embarks on a witch hunt to avenge his daughter’s death, stopping at nothing to ensure Peter is found guilty of the murder.

In the challenge of his career and his life, Peter races against the clock to prove his innocence. As the evidence mounts against him, he’s forced to begin unraveling his own dark web of lies and confront the sins of his past. But the truth of who killed Charlie Doyle is more twisted and sinister than anyone could have imagined…

My thoughts:

At first glance, Once a Liar has everything I typically enjoy in a psychological thriller. It starts out well and doesn't take long to figure out that Peter Caine is one sick puppy. I anticipated a story that would have me eagerly flipping pages to find out what happens next. Unfortunately, that's not what happened. The pace quickly slows to a crawl and I began to lose interest, several times having to force myself to continue. It does pick up toward the end of the book though and includes some twists that may surprise many readers. 

The characterization of Peter is very good. It's clear the author knows a lot about sociopaths and has created a character that should produce a visceral reaction in most readers. He certainly did with me. She's also created an interesting cast of secondary characters, many with their own share of psychological issues. These are not happy people. I wasn't able to find a single one I'd like to meet in real life. They are expertly depicted though and their actions generated strong emotional reactions in me. Kudos to the author for accomplishing that.


I like my stories told at a faster pace but if you enjoy a slow-moving character study with some twists and turns along the way, you may want to give this one a try. 

Are you a fan of psychological thrillers?

Do you prefer a fast-paced story with lots of action or a slower story with the focus on character evolution?

One person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM, February 1, 2019 will receive a print copy of Once a Liar. (U.S. only)

INSTAGRAM TOUR:

Monday, January 28th: @bookishconnoisseur

Tuesday, January 29th: @tbretc

Tuesday, January 29th: @wherethereadergrows

Wednesday, January 30th: @amberafterglowreads

Thursday, January 31st: @bibliotrix.lestrange

Friday, February 1st: @bookclubwithbite

Saturday, February 2nd: @girlwithnoselfie

Sunday, February 3rd: @bookishwinterwitch

Monday, February 4th: @jessicamap

Tuesday, February 5th: @thats_what_she_read

Wednesday, February 6th: @thepagesinbetween

Thursday, February 7th: @novelgossip

REVIEW TOUR:

Monday, January 28th: Moonlight Rendezvous

Tuesday, January 29th: Where the Reader Grows

Wednesday, January 30th: Midwest Ladies Who Lit

Thursday, January 31st: The Romance Dish

Friday, February 1st: Book Reviews and More by Kathy – excerpt

Monday, February 4th: Jessicamap Reviews

Tuesday, February 5th: Rockin’ Book Reviews

Wednesday, February 6th: The Pages In-Between

Thursday, February 7th: Novel Gossip

Monday, February 11th: Patricia’s Wisdom

Tuesday, February 12th: She Reads With Cats and @shereadswithcats

Wednesday, February 13th: @readingbetweenthe_wines

Friday, February 15th: @jennblogsbooks

Monday, February 18th: Helen’s Book Blog

Tuesday, February 19th: Thoughts from a Highly Caffeinated Mind

Wednesday, February 20th: Erica Robyn Reads

Saturday, February 23rd: Books & Bindings

Monday, February 25th: Bewitched Bookworms

Wednesday, February 27th: Cheryl’s Book Nook

Friday, March 1st: @love_my_dane_dolly

Monday, March 4th: Thoughts on This ‘n That