Review - - Kiss and Spell

Kiss and Spell

by Celestine Martin

Elemental Love - Book 2

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: September 26, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

A witch without a spell
All Ursula Caraway wished for was to live happily ever after in her hometown of Freya Grove. The self-proclaimed Jersey Shore Witch Princess was set to begin her perfect life—until a twist of fate changed everything. Now, she's telling fortunes to the lovelorn, selling crystals at the local psychic shop, and reclaiming her missing magic. Ursula desperately wishes to shake up her life—so much so, that she’ll do just about anything. Including befriending a very cute, very enchanted prince.  
 
A prince in search of a kiss 
Prince Xavier Alder needs to find The One, but his lack of social skills has made that a challenge—and being cursed by the Faerie Queen isn’t helping either. So when Ursula, eager to believe in magic again, agrees to help Xavier find a perfect, curse-breaking kiss before Midsummer, it’s the ideal opportunity for them to get what they want. So long as they don’t let their mutual (and inconvenient) attraction get in the way.

PJ's Thoughts:

Prince Xavier may be trying to break the Faerie Queen's unwelcome enchantment but I'm the one who is thoroughly - and happily - enchanted by Celestine Martin's town of Freya Grove and the mystical beings who call it home. 

I'm a pretty pragmatic person so when I can lose myself in the premise that witches, Fae princes, and mischievous gnomes are living side by side in a small New Jersey town, that's a sign that the author has created something special. I loved these characters, sympathizing with the obstacles facing them, sharing their frustrations with family expectations, cringing over awkward moments, and cheering them on to what was clearly what both of their hearts desired. 

Martin has created a main couple who engaged my emotions (Xavier is so endearing and how could I not cheer on Ursula's heartfelt efforts to atone for past actions) along with a well-developed supporting cast that brings conflict, complex relationships, humor, unexpected matchmaking, and opportunity for growth to the main couple while also introducing potential future lead characters I hope we'll be seeing more of in books to come. I'm on board for many more visits to this fascinating place and fun, magical, emotional journeys to love...along with - I hope - a glimpse or two of Ursula and Xavier's happily ever after.   

Give this one a try. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Review & Giveaway - - Make Me Yours, Cowboy

Make Me Yours, Cowboy

by Dylann Crush

Cowboys in Paradise - Book 2

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: June 27, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Knox Shepler is a country superstar in his prime, but each release takes him further away from the classic country of his roots. His agent suggests a compromise: if Knox writes another pop-crossover album, he can cut a single playing the music he’s passionate about. Paparazzi make inspiration hard to find on the road, so Knox heads to Paradise Island, posing as a contractor to hide his true identity.
 
Claudia Alvarez went viral several years ago for all the wrong reasons. Since then, she’s been keeping a low profile by working at A Cowboy in Paradise. The bar’s finances aren’t what they used to be, so in order to save the only place she feels safe, Claudia proposes renovating the bungalows on the property to generate extra income.
 
When Knox and Claudia are forced to work together, he finds inspiration and she discovers it might be time to open her heart. But as the truth surfaces, Claudia must decide if she can face her fears for a chance at the love of a lifetime.

PJ's Thoughts:

This is the second book by Dylann Crush that I've read and I have to say, I am really enjoying this author's voice. She pulls me into her stories, gives me complex characters I can cheer for, long-standing friendships that warm my heart, and an island hideaway I would love to explore. 

I really liked Knox. He's a country superstar with deep, humble roots who is caught in the "pop country" machinery of his bottom-line recording company. He's lost control of his career and, more importantly, of his music. I wanted to hug him. Okay, I wanted to do more than hug him but that's what a good romance hero should make us want to do, right? I understood his need to hide his real identity as well as his reluctance to test a new relationship by coming clean. I don't like secrets but I'm a bit more willing to accept them when the character knows it's wrong and is working toward revealing all. I also loved how protective and supportive he was of Claudia and her dreams, how he put her first...once the fallout over those pesky secrets was handled. 

I was very curious about Claudia's reasons for keeping her identity - and history - a secret but, again, fully understood once it was revealed. Crush did a good job of slowly dropping clues along the way, keeping the full reveal for the appropriate moment without allowing that part of the storyline to become tedious. The emotional baggage carried by both of these characters was significant and relatable. I loved the relationship that bloomed between them, the fun they had exploring the island, and the friendship they formed that grounded the sizzling attraction and emotions that only got stronger the more time they spent together.  

This is book two of Dylann Crush's Cowboys in Paradise series but stands well on its own. However, the four friends - Justin, Emmeline, Knox, and Decker - are introduced in book one, Kiss Me Now, Cowboy (Justin's and Emmeline's friends-to-lovers story) (click to read my review) with their characters and journeys continuing to evolve in book two. For full enjoyment and understanding of their journeys, I recommend reading the books in order. 

Do you have any favorite book series tied together by a group of friends?

Are you a country music fan? Which country music star would you most enjoy hanging out with (romantically or otherwise) on a beautiful island?

Have you read any Dylann Crush books?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 29 will receive a print copy of Make Me Yours, Cowboy.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

 

Review & Giveaway - - Bookshop Cinderella

Bookshop Cinderella

by Laura Lee Guhrke

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: June 20, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Evie Harlow runs a quaint little bookshop in London, which is the biggest adventure an unmarried woman with no prospects could hope for. Until Maximillian Shaw, Duke of Westbourne, saunters into her shop with a proposition: to win a bet with his friends, he’ll turn her into the diamond of the season. The duke might be devilishly attractive, but Evie has no intention of accepting his ludicrous offer. When disaster strikes her shop, however, she’s left with little choice but to let herself be whisked into his high-society world.

Always happy to help a lady in distress, Max thinks he’s saving Evie from her dull spinster’s life. He’ll help her find a husband and congratulate himself on a job well done. But as shy Evie becomes the shining star he always knew she could be, she somehow steals his heart. And when her reputation is threatened, can Max convince her to choose a glittering, aristocratic life with him over the cozy comfort of her bookshop?

PJ's Thoughts:

I enjoy a good makeover story but I'm not much of a fan of makeovers that are the result of a bet or heroes who don't see the qualities of a heroine until after the change. Thankfully, Laura Lee Guhrke's Bookshop Cinderella takes a different path that hit all the right makeover bet notes for me. 

I love that Max saw the important qualities in Evie from the start and only took the bet to show young entitled men how wrong they were. I appreciated that he was upfront with her about the bet and gave her the choice whether or not to participate, making them fully informed partners in the quest.

Evie is the kind of "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" heroine I love reading about and Guhrke does well. It was so much fun to watch her grow in social confidence as the makeover process progressed without ever losing the qualities that made her special and unique. Even more fun was watching Max, a man who after having his heart destroyed by a cross-class marriage and being determined to only marry within his class the next time, finds himself falling for Evie. 

If you're looking for a fresh, fun, Victorian romance with sparkling banter, endearing characters, and a hard-won happily ever after, give Bookshop Cinderella a try. I happily recommend it.

Have you read Laura Lee Guhrke?

Do you enjoy cross-class romance?

Do you have a favorite bookshop you enjoy visiting?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 22 will receive a print copy of Bookshop Cinderella. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Thank you to Forever Romance for the giveaway. 

Review & Giveaway - - Second Chance at the Orchard Inn

Second Chance at the Orchard Inn

by Heather McGovern

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: June 6, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

A charming second-chance romance about a big city chef whose return home to help run her family's wedding planning business means reuniting with the man who broke her heart.

Chef Aurora Shipley spent years slicing, dicing, and chopping her way up the ladder of L.A.'s competitive restaurant scene, but when her sisters needed her help, she dropped everything to return home to Texas. With her family’s Orchard Inn now on its feet, it's time for Aurora to head back to the big city. At least there, she won’t keep running into ex-boyfriend Jude Jones or her high school bully Erica, who now needs Aurora and her wedding planning business to throw the celebration of her dreams. Will Aurora let the past go long enough to send the bride off without a hitch and ignore her traitorous heart urging her to stay and try again with Jude?

As a teenager, Jude Jones foolishly listened to his father and let Aurora Shipley slip away. In the intervening years, the sweet, shy girl grew into a stunning, capable, confident woman, and her reappearance is messing with Jude's focus, which should be on expanding Jones' Family Herbs. He broke Aurora's heart once, and she broke his, too. This time will Jude be strong enough to fight for her—for them—and a future together?

PJ's Thoughts:

It's been about six years since I've read a book by Heather McGovern. I wasn't sure she was still writing (I checked periodically) but remembering how much I enjoyed her Honeywilde series, I was eager to accept when given the opportunity to review her newest book, Second Chance at the Orchard Inn. It did not disappoint. 

I enjoy a good second-chance reunion romance and this one kept me smiling pretty much from beginning to end. It's about relationships among siblings, with parents, and with that high school sweetheart who broke your heart (it went both ways). It's about finding your path in life and opening yourself to opportunities you never considered. It's about growth, acceptance, forgiveness, and realizing that sometimes it's necessary to spread our wings in faraway places in order to discover what fills our souls is waiting in our own backyard. 

McGovern has filled this book with relatable characters I'd love to spend time with, a romantic arc that made me laugh, sigh, and cheer, and enough delicious food to have me reaching for a box of tissues. The farm-to-table goodness in this book hit all my happy spots and left me wishing that Lavender was an actual restaurant because if it was? Well, you better believe I'd be booking a ticket to Fredericksburg, TX tout de suite. 

Second Chance at the Orchard Inn rolled across my mind like the favorite Hallmark movie it should be. If you're looking for a summer read with authentic, relatable characters, humor, charm, second chances, romance, and families you'd love to spend more time with, pick up a copy of this second book in Heather McGovern's Orchard Inn series. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

If you prefer to read a series in order, book one, Something Blue is currently a Kindle e-book deal at $2.99. I don't know how long that price will last so I'd recommend jumping on it now. I started with book two and didn't experience any confusion but immediately downloaded the first book once I had finished the second. These sisters have me hooked. 

Have you read any of Heather McGovern's books?

Do you enjoy farm-to-table dining? How adventurous are you with food?

What's the last book you read that you'd like to see turned into a movie?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 11 will receive a print copy of Second Chance at the Orchard Inn (which also includes the novella, Only Home With You by Jeannie Chin - from another series I thoroughly enjoyed). 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Tour Review & Giveaway - - Marrying Off Morgan McBride

Marrying Off Morgan McBride

by Amy Barry

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 30, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

As the oldest of the McBride siblings, Morgan had to be protector and shepherd since Ma died and Pa ran off. It hasn't always been easy, especially when his heart longs to roam on the trail. But now that his brother Kit is married and settled, the time is right for Morgan to leave Buck's Creek. Little does he know that his hellcat of a little sister Junebug is dead set on keeping him at home and getting more help around the house – all with one honest advertisement in The Matrimonial News.
 
Epiphany Hopgood has always had a gift for doing the exact wrong thing. She’s too tall, too loud, too opinionated, and too contrary for her family and community. Staring down the barrel of spinsterhood, she and her grandmother answer a seemingly straightforward ad for a bride.
 
But when Pip shows up to Buck’s Creek, she finds that Morgan McBride is not the husband she expected. In fact, he doesn’t even want to be a husband. But maybe there’s a way to make everyone happy out on the Montana frontier…

PJ's Thoughts:

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of my favorite musicals. As I was reading Marrying Off Morgan McBride it was hard to miss those wonderful Seven Brothers vibes. Then, after writing this review, I went back to see what Hellie had to say about book one in the series, Kit McBride Gets a Wife (read Hellie's review). No surprise, those same vibes came through loud and clear for her too. 

First, I have to talk about Junebug McBride, Morgan's "hellcat of a little sister," as described in the book's blurb. She's a wily one, our Junebug. She may be the youngest of the family but as the only surviving sister she's been relegated to the duties she rightfully figures should belong to a wife. Plus, she knows Morgan is itching to hit the dusty trail again and the only way she knows to keep him home is to do the same thing she did with Kit: find him a wife. Things don't go quite according to Junebug's plan...

Man, did I ever feel for Pip, a woman nobody in Nebraska appreciated, including her family. Well, everyone except her spitfire of a grandmother. That woman knew Pip's worth...and her own worth as well. Pip's self-worth has been beaten into the ground so many times she has no idea she has so much to offer. I loved watching her take charge of her future, slowly begin to realize she has "the goods" to bring the boys to the yard, and finally stand up for herself, refusing to settle. 

Morgan may be stubborn, blunt, and prone to talking rather than listening but his prickly exterior hides a well of deep emotions. He's convinced himself he needs to leave Montana to break free of the grief that's dogged him since his mother died and left him to raise his younger siblings. But maybe what he really needs is a straight-talking woman with stubbornness to match his own, the ability to cook melt-in-your-mouth meals, and a body that brings him to his knees. But, once he realizes Pip is the whole package he didn't know he needed - or wanted - what does he do? He runs in the opposite direction! ::Sigh:: Nobody said this was going to be easy.

I loved this book! It's exactly the type of laugh-out-loud story that keeps me grinning from beginning to end. It's light and breezy, with snappy banter, well-developed main characters, richly entertaining secondary characters, and enough emotional depth to keep it from being all fluff. Not that there's anything wrong with fluff. I just like a nice balance of the two and Marrying Off Morgan McBride has it. 

I don't know if Barry has plans to write stories for all of the McBrides, but I'm hoping she will. The brothers all deserve happy endings, I have my fingers crossed that missing brother Charlie will return home, and I am beyond giddy to discover what will happen when Cupid's arrow finally finds Junebug. 

If you're looking for a humorous, feel-good, western historical romance that will have you laughing uproariously and possibly wiping away a heartfelt tear or two, pick up a copy of Marrying Off Morgan McBride. It's a fun ride.

Do you enjoy western historical romances?

Have you read Kit McBride Gets a Wife or Marrying Off Morgan McBride?

What recent books have had you laughing out loud?

Do you enjoy musicals? What's your favorite?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 1 will receive a print copy of Marrying Off Morgan McBride.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Tour Review, Excerpt & Giveaway - - The Bride Wore White

The Bride Wore White

by Amanda Quick

Burning Cove, California - Book 7

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 2, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Being Madame Ariadne, Psychic Dream Consultant, wasn’t Prudence Ryland’s ideal gig, but it paid well which was reason enough to do the work—until she realizes that her latest client intends to kill her. But Prudence, a master at reinvention, finds a new job and home as far away as possible and is finally able to relax—which turns out to be a big mistake. Letting her guard down means being kidnapped and drugged and waking up in a bloodstained wedding dress in the honeymoon suite next to a dead man. With the press outside the hotel, waiting with their cameras and police sirens in the distance, it’s obvious she’s being framed for the man’s murder. Prudence knows who is responsible, but will anyone believe her?

It doesn’t seem likely that rumored crime boss Luther Pell or his associate, Jack Wingate, believe her seemingly outrageous claims of being a target of a ruthless vendetta. In fact, Prudence is convinced that the mysterious Mr. Wingate believes her to be a fraud at best, and at worst: a murderer. And Jack Wingate does seem to be someone intimately familiar with violence, if going by his scarred face and grim expression. So no one is more shocked than Prudence when Jack says he’ll help her. Of course, his ideas for helping her involve using her as the bait for a killer, but Prudence feels oddly safe with Jack protecting her. But who will protect Prudence from her growing fascination with this enigma of a man?

PJ's Thoughts:

Very few authors can pull me into a story faster than Amanda Quick (a/k/a Jayne Ann Krentz). She hits the ground running in this one and the pace never lets up, with twists and turns around every corner. I couldn't put it down. 

If you're fascinated by the Old Hollywood glamour, film noir movies, and psychic ascension of the 1930's, Quick's Burning Cove series is one you don't want to miss. Her ability to create a sense of time and place transport me straight back there, immersing me in the vivid details of this seaside California enclave. The automobiles, language, fashion, and more all reinforce the feeling that I'm watching one of those 1930's movies unfold across the big screen as I turn the pages of this book. And then there are the characters. 

Quick's characters spring to life fully developed with layers aplenty. Opinionated women, enigmatic men, and devious villains, all vying for top billing in a twisty, murderous, heart-stopping story that keeps me guessing, usually right up until the reveal. Which is exactly what happened with The Bride Wore White. So many times, I was certain I knew exactly who the villain was, only to be tossed another twist that sent me in a different direction. I love that!

The suspense is strong in this book but so is the romance. Jack and Prudence both tugged at my heartstrings as their slow-growing relationship progressed from suspicion, to intrigue, to fascination, to acceptance, to love. The verbal friction between them is superb (think Hepburn and Tracy), only to be outdone by the protective, unstoppable force they become once they finally team up to ferret out and outwit the bad guys. I was in their corner the entire way.

I love how Quick has written each of the books in this series to stand on its own, giving readers new to Burning Cove the opportunity to step in at any point without feeling lost while also weaving familiar characters from earlier books into each story allowing series fans to watch certain secondary relationships evolve over time. If you're a  fan of complex characters, tightly-plotted suspense, slow-burn romance, and psychic awakening, all set against the glamorous and sometimes deadly backdrop of 1930's California, don't miss The Bride Wore White. I highly recommend it. 

~~~~~~~

Excerpt

The Bride Wore White

Tapson stiffened violently as if he had touched a live electrical wire.

In a sense, that was exactly what had happened.

Tapson stared at her in disbelief and mounting horror. He began to tremble. The tremors became spasms. The knife fell to the carpet, landing with a soft plop.

“No,” he said. “You can’t do this to me.”

His eyes rolled back in his head. His right hand went limp. He no longer had a death grip on the rim of the bowl—he was incapable of gripping anything. He collapsed on the floor and lay still.

She took a shaky breath and yanked her hand off the crystal. The pain of the psychic burn wasn’t from a physical injury—her fingertips had not actually been singed—but her nerves were severely rattled. She could not afford to succumb to an anxiety attack, not now. She needed to stay focused on survival, because it was obvious her entire world had just been turned upside down.

“Damn you, Tapson,” she whispered to the unconscious man. “I hope you are trapped in a nightmare. I hope you are locked in it for the rest of your life.”

She had to think. She had to concentrate on the next move.

She took a step and then stopped and put a hand on the table to keep from losing her balance. When she had her nerves under control, she made her way around the table. Crouching beside Tapson, she groped for and found a faint, erratic pulse. He was alive, but she was sure he would never be the same.

There was no way to calculate how much damage she had done to his nerves and his senses. The technique of channeling energy through crystal with enough force to destabilize the source of a person’s dreams was highly unpredictable. It was hardly the sort of skill one could easily practice and refine, at least not in an ethical way.

The talent for doing what she had just done was rare, even in a family with a long history of psychics who could read dreams. But the few accounts left by her ancestors who had possessed the ability had been clear on one point—disrupting an individual’s dream energy was guaranteed to cause considerable damage.

First things first. Her own survival was at stake. She had to get rid of Tapson. She could not let him continue to lie there on the floor of her reading room. What if he woke up and was still capable of killing her? What if he never woke up at all?

She briefly considered trying to hide the unconscious man. Even if she could manage the process—doubtful, because Tapson was large and powerfully built—there was no practical way to haul him any significant distance in the busy city.

There was really only one solution to her problem. She would call an ambulance and explain that Tapson had suffered a stroke during a reading. If or when he woke up, there was a good chance he would not remember exactly what had happened. Even if he did remember what she had done to him, he would have a hard time convincing the police she had tried to murder him with psychic energy.

For her part, she had no way to prove that he had tried to murder her, let alone that he had killed others.

Regardless of what happened to Tapson, her reputation would be destroyed if the press got hold of the story. The rumors alone would ruin her. Clients would certainly not be eager to book appointments with a psychic known to have had a client collapse during a reading. That sort of thing did not make for successful marketing.

She did not believe in omens and portents, but this situation was about as close as one could get to a sign from the universe informing her that it was time to move on. 

Excerpted from The Bride Wore White by Amanda Quick Copyright © 2023 by Amanda Quick. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

 ~~~~~~~

Have you read any of the Burning Cove books yet?

What historical time period is your favorite to get lost in?

Have you ever seen a psychic? I haven't though I admit to being fascinated by them.

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment no later than 11:00 PM, May 4 will receive a hardback copy of The Bride Wore White. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Credit: Marc von Borstel

Amanda Quick is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, the author, under various pen names, of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers. There are more than 35 million copies of her books in print. She is also the author of the Ladies of Lantern Street novels and the Arcane Society series. Learn more online at www.jayneannkrentz.com.

Review & Giveaway - - Return to Hummingbird Way

Return to Hummingbird Way

Holly Grove Island - Book 2

by Reese Ryan

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: April 25, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

In this heartwarming small‑town romance, can three months, two planning projects, and a meddling grandmother finally make two high school hate crushes see just how right they are for each other? 

Ambitious real estate agent Sinclair Buchanan is ecstatic to be her best friend’s maid-of-honor—until she discovers the best man is Garrett Davenport. Sin and Rett’s mutual hate crush ignited when they were teens and hasn’t let up since . . . except for that one extremely hot (and extremely regrettable) night they shared five years ago. 

Nothing gets Rett fired up like going toe-to-toe with Sinclair. She’s as infuriatingly stubborn, and as absolutely gorgeous, as when he fell for her back in high school. Working together to plan their best friends’ last-minute wedding is one thing, but when his matchmaking grandmother gets involved Rett knows he’s in deep. Attraction has always simmered between them, but this time, they’re both in danger of losing their hearts.

PJ's Thoughts:

I am thoroughly enjoying Reese Ryan's Holly Grove Island series. She has captured the vibe of a small Outer Banks town that makes that area so popular to visit but it's her characters who really shine. I love the friendships at the center of the stories, both male and female. The family relationships add an extra layer of depth - and conflict - to the main characters' journeys. Even the secondary characters add a richness that only makes the read that much more satisfying. In this book, it's Mama Mae, Rett's irrepressible, matchmaking grandmother who won my heart with her cooking, her humor, her wisdom, and her unconditional love for her grandson. 

Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes. Couple that with Rett's and Sin's "hate crush" from their high school years, a secret hook-up five years ago, unwelcome attraction today, and a total misperception about one another's wants and goals and, what can I say, I was hooked. I liked the complexity the author created within both Rett and Sin. These characters had layers, fears, vulnerabilities, and family issues that were not easily overcome. I loved the chemistry between them (yay for sizzle) but I also appreciated the emotional work they put in on themselves and their relationships - both with their families and one another - in order to grow while remaining true to their core values and desires. The evolution they each experienced, both as a couple and individually, over the course of their story was realistic, relatable, and crucial to the viability of their romantic relationship. 

Return to Hummingbird Way stands well on its own but readers should be aware that the main couple (Sin's and Rett's best friends, Dakota and Dexter) from book one, Second Chance on Cypress Lane, are featured prominently in book two. If you're a series purist, you may wish to read the two books in order. For more information about Dakota and Dexter, click to read my review of Second Chance on Cypress Lane. 

Have you read Reese Ryan yet?

How do you feel about enemies-to-lovers romance?

Have you ever been to the Outer Banks? Do you enjoy beach towns, either in real life or in the books you read? 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, April 23 will receive a print copy of Return to Hummingbird Way. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - The House on Mulberry Street

The House on Mulberry Street

by Jeannie Chin

Blue Cedar Falls - Book 3

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: March 7, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

For these two small-town best friends, sharing a kiss might be the worst mistake of their lives—or the best thing that's ever happened to them.

Between helping at her family’s inn and teaching painting, Elizabeth Wu has put her dream of being an artist on the back burner. But her plan to launch an arts festival will boost the local Blue Cedar Falls arts scene and give her a showcase for her own work. If only she can get the town council on board. At least she can rely on her dependable best friend Graham to support her. Except lately, he hasn’t been acting like his old self, and she has no idea why.

Graham Lewis has been secretly in love with Elizabeth forever, but it’s past time that he faces the cold, hard truth: vivacious, amazing Elizabeth will never see him as anything but a platonic pal. He’s going to help her get the festival off the ground, but after that he needs to forget his one-sided crush. Until one impulsive kiss changes everything. Can they really rebuild their entire relationship—and the festival—from the ground up? Or will it all come crashing down?

PJ's Thoughts:

Jeannie Chin brings her Blue Cedar Falls series to a conclusion with the story of youngest Wu sister, Elizabeth and her best friend, Graham Lewis. I've been looking forward to this one and am happy to say it did not disappoint.

I've enjoyed all three books in this series. I love how Chin balances the romantic journeys of the three sisters with the evolving relationships within the Wu family as well as those within their small community. She brings the citizens of the community - and the Wu family unit - together, helping each sister find her place in a realistic way without sugar-coating the challenges faced by these Chinese-American women in a small North Carolina mountain town. I especially enjoyed the dynamic among the sisters and how it changes over the course of the series.

Of the three sisters, Elizabeth probably has the most growing to do. I found her journey to be realistic and relatable, especially as it pertains to her place within the Wu family. It's easy to be pigeon-holed into the family position we're given at a young age and, to be fair, she hasn't done a lot up to this point to convince her family that she's no longer the flighty irresponsible baby of the group. But she has plans. It was so enjoyable to watch her overcome her vulnerabilities, claiming the self-confidence, leadership, and pride in herself that only Graham had recognized. And Elizabeth isn't the only one who evolved during this book. 

I loved Graham's journey, how he put himself out there by claiming his future, finally stepping out from beneath his father's expectations, and moving forward with firm steps to find the happiness he deserves, even if that means relinquishing his dreams of a happily ever after with Elizabeth. These two. The push and pull between them, the confusion, anger, yearning, and whoa, the chemistry when they finally step out of the friend zone. Chin gives them time, and no easy answers, in their progression from friendship to romance to happily ever after. I loved it.

Readers could enjoy this book on its own but because of the overlapping characters and storylines, this is a series I recommend reading in order. The three books are: The Inn on Sweetbriar Lane (June and Clay), Return to Cherry Blossom Way (May and Han) and The House on Mulberry Street (Elizabeth and Graham). There's also a novella, Only Home with You (Han's sister, Zoe and his best friend, Devin). 

 

Review & Giveaway - - Love and Other Perennial Habits

Love and Other Perennial Habits

by Emmaline Warden

A Genus of Gentlemen - Book 1

Publisher: Emmaline Warden LLC

Release Date: February 6, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

All Margaret Reedy’s despicable husband left her when he died was the title of Countess of Everly, a ramshackle estate, and a pittance to repair it. Fortunately, he couldn’t deny her the most important perk of widowhood: freedom. A chance to become the woman she might have been if a forced marriage hadn’t gotten in her way. Problem is, she’s not entirely certain who that is.

Oliver Ludlow’s only desire is to spend the next month with his hands buried in the soil of his greenhouse, escaping London and his newly appointed role as the Marquess of Greenwood. Instead, he offers his help renovating the gardens of Baron Manor, which means spending his days in the company of the peculiar countess who owns it. As he gets to know her, however, he begins to find her quirks intriguing… and alluring.

An idyllic autumn in the country has a way of becoming the perfect backdrop to fall in love, but with their lives leading them in two completely opposite directions, will their newfound happiness be strong enough to weather not only their expected roles in society, but the seasons of life?

PJ's Thoughts:

This warm hug of a book should put debut author Emmaline Warden on the radar of romance readers everywhere. If I hadn't known it was written by a debut author I would have thought it the creation of a seasoned writer of many books. The characters are beautifully developed, the story flows, the humor is well balanced with emotional depth, and the romance is sigh worthy. I was fully immersed in the journey from beginning to end. Also, who knew I could develop such an emotional attachment to spinach plants?

I appreciated the time Warden took with Meg and Oliver, especially as pertains to physical intimacy. Oliver won my heart as surely as he captured Meg's with his understanding, gentleness, and care. Everyone deserves an Oliver in her life, or at least in her books. 

Both Meg and Oliver are complex characters with emotional rivers flowing below the carefree smiles they show to the world. I enjoyed the fact that their relationship began in the country where each of them was most at ease. It gave them the opportunity to take their time away from the prying eyes of society to become friends first, to peel back some of the layers to the true heart of their character. And, let me tell you, I adored these characters! 

In many ways, this felt like a coming of age journey for both the hero and heroine. When the "black moment" arrived, the author could have taken the story in a different (easier) direction. I'm glad she didn't. It gave both Meg and Oliver the time needed to face some truths, about themselves and each other, not only strengthening them as individuals but also as a couple. In the end, I was cheering their HEA and confident of their ability to happily navigate life together. 

The cast of secondary characters provide a rich landscape for the main couple, introducing some that I'm hoping we'll see again in future books. I'm eager to read more from this sparkling new voice in historical romance. 

Have you discovered any debut authors recently?

Do you enjoy historical romances set away from London?

How do you feel about heroines who chart their own path?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, February 9 will receive a copy of Love and Other Perennial Habits. Winner's choice of Kindle e-book or print.

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