Tour Review - - A Skye Full of Stars

A Skye Full of Stars

by Sue Moorcroft

The Skye Sisters Trilogy - Book 2

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: November 7, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

Under the winter stars, anything is possible…

Ezzie Wynter can’t wait for Christmas on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Her island home sparkles at this time of year thanks to the snow-capped mountains and frosty winter walks, topped off with family gatherings with those she loves the most.

But her peaceful Christmas idyll is upended when she hears that the Larson family – the owners of Rothach Hall – are flying in from Sweden for the festivities. As Manager of their grand Scottish manor house, Ezzie suddenly has decorations to hang, food to source and itineraries to organise.

Life only becomes more difficult when Mats Larson turns up. The owners’ handsome, self-assured son is used to doing things his own way – and he is only another headache to add to her overflowing list.

Yet when unexpected visitors arrive looking for Ezzie, nothing else matters as she is left questioning everything she ever knew about herself. But amidst the Christmas chaos, she might also discover that, when all is lost, it’s sometimes those we least expect who come to our aid…

PJ's Thoughts:

Sue Moorcroft takes readers back to Rothach Hall on the Isle of Skye for another heart-tugging, contemporary novel. This one features middle Wynter sister Ezzie, now manager of the Scottish manor owned by an absent Swedish family. When the Larsons begin arriving for their winter holiday sojurn, with divorced son, Mats and his children leading the way - it signals the beginning of many changes in Ezzie's life - changes that throw a wrench into her relationship with one of her sisters and just may undo all the hard-won happiness she's found on Skye.

I'm really enjoying this new series of Moorcroft's. She's assembled an intriguing cast of characters, centered by the three adopted Wynter sisters. Their journeys are a satisfying blend of women's fiction and romance, with explorations of relatable issues, personal growth, family, and love. I like their flaws, that they've made questionable decisions in the past, the hard work they've put in to atone for those decisions and create good lives, and the obstacles sometimes thrown into their paths. I'm especially enjoying the adoption storyline, the chaos it throws into the lives of the sisters but also the opportunity it affords to open their hearts and redefine what "family" means to each of them. 

Meeting the Larson family in this book is fun. They bring laughter, wisdom, a bit of angst, and a whole lot of heart to Ezzie's story. I especially enjoyed Mats' children and the relationship they form with Ezzie. I had no idea how Moorcroft planned to give Ezzie a happy romantic ending but she pulled it off in a realistic manner that fit the characters well. 

Ezzie and her sisters bring a rich, complex, and relatable sibling dynamic to each of the books. I really enjoy their interactions, disagreements, and strong, loving bonds that may be stretched but never break.

You don't have to read book one, Under a Summer Skye (Thea's story) to enjoy A Skye Full of Stars but I had a better understanding of the characters and enjoyed Ezzie's book more for having read them in order. I'm now looking forward to the third book in the trilogy and curious to discover what Moorcroft has in store for final sister, Valentina. She's in a troubled marriage and I'm eager to find out what direction it's going to take. 

Review - - Like Cats & Dogs

Like Cats & Dogs

by Lizzie Shane

Pine Hollow - Book 6

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: November 12, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

Magda Miller’s feud with rival baker Mackenzie Newton is so old, folks in tiny Pine Hollow, Vermont forgot how it started. But Magda remembers: Ten years ago, she offered Mac her heart—instead, he ran off with her grandmother's maple cake recipe. Now, Mac traipses all over Magda’s baking territory, just like his oversized tabby keeps sneaking into her house to claim her dog’s favorite bed. So, when Magda gets the call to compete on The Great American Cake-Off, she’s thrilled to finally shine in a Mac-free zone. But when she arrives on set, her devilishly handsome nemesis is already there . . .

It turns out, Mac and Magda’s story has inspired the first ever Arch Rivals edition of Cake-Off, and of course Mac has to raise the stakes with a wager. The winner takes all—the Cake-Off title, the contested recipe, and control of the narrative. Magda is more than ready to kick Mac’s Bundt. But as they spar, on-screen and off, Mac and Magda reveal the best in each other...and the sizzling attraction fueling their rivalry. Only one of them can win, so why does it suddenly feel like they both stand to lose?

PJ's Thoughts:

What a fun book! If you wait on pins and needles for the newest episode of Great British Bake Off or Food Network Holiday Baking Championship or any of the plethora of other reality cooking/baking competitions available to view, you are going to love this book!

For the final book in her Pine Hollow series (I do not want to say good-bye to these characters!), Lizzie Shane has created a fast-paced, enemies-to-lovers story with snappy banter, sizzling chemistry, drool-worthy food, plenty of humor, but also heart, an enthusiastic, meddling, but supportive friend group, adorable dogs, and one lone cat who you will never convince me didn't know exactly what it was doing. 

The characters are well-developed with intriguing layers that are slowly revealed, and not only Magda and Mac. The kitchen scenes are especially fun. Shane really nails the atmosphere - both on screen and off - of what I would expect from a rivals edition of a reality show. It's fun to observe the friendships that form while also rooting for the "villains" to be cast out of the kitchen. And it's not just the contestants who create the drama. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in this series. They are tied together through the group of friends, with a different couple - and dog - featured in each book yet can be read in any order. If you enjoy humor, heart, animals, friendships, emotional depth, and endearing romance, give this book - and this series - a try. I highly recommend it. 

 

Review & Giveaway - - All the Painted Stars

All the Painted Stars

by Emma Denny

The Barden Series - Book 2

Publisher: HQ

Release Date: November 5, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

To win her heart, she'll have to fight…

Oxfordshire 1362

When Lily Barden discovers her best friend Johanna’s hand in marriage is being awarded as the main prize at a tournament, she is determined to stop it. Disguised as a knight, she infiltrates the contest, preparing to fight for Jo’s hand. But her conduct ruffles feathers, and when a dangerous incident escalates out of Lily’s control, Jo must help her escape.

Finding safety with a local brewster, Lily and Jo soon settle into their new freedom, and amongst blackberry bushes and lakeside walks an unexpected relationship blossoms. But when Jo’s past catches up with her and Lily’s reckless behaviour threatens their newfound happiness, both women realise that choices must always come at a cost. The question they need to ask is if the cost is worth the price of love…

PJ's Thoughts:

Emma Denny has done it again; she's created a heart-tugging novel that immersed me fully into the time, place, and lives of her characters with a story that I didn't want to put down. 

This is a tender, slow-burn, at times heart-aching, but ultimately joyful romance between two women in Medieval times. One, Lily, knows who she is and what she wants, both in love and life. The other, Johanna, has known only duty and suppression under her tyrant of a father. She knows not what she wants but only what she doesn't. However, breaking free of what is planned for her will not be easy.

I really love the journey Lily and Jo embark upon, both individually and as a couple. Their story begins with friendship (a solid foundation of any relationship) and slowly, organically, believably, transitions into a deep and abiding love. Denny handles their relationship with care, respect, tenderness, and realistic obstacles. I had no idea how she was going to pull off a happy ending for these two and have it be believable but she does. 

The sense of time and place created in the book by Denny is also well done. There was never a moment of language, action, or reaction when I did not feel like I was in Medieval times. I enjoy an author who can immerse me in an era other than my own and keep me there.

There are some unexpected twists in the book that keep things interesting and a visit from book one characters that adds another layer to the story that is fun for fans of One Night in Hartswood (click to read my review) but shouldn't be confusing for readers new to the series. All the Painted Stars can absolutely be enjoyed on its own. 

Have you read Emma Denny yet?

Do you enjoy Medieval romance?

Lily dreams of being a chivalrous knight. What did you dream of being? Have you fulfilled those dreams?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 13 will receive a print copy of All the Painted Stars. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Winner - - Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction

 

The randomly chosen winner

of a print copy of

Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction is:

Shari

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Winner - - Carolina Christmas

 

The randomly chosen winner

of the set of

Carolina Christmas books is:

Hala Awtrey

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

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

 

Winners - - November Coming Attractions

 

The November Coming Attractions 

winners of a book from my stash are:

dstoutholcomb

Lyndrose

 Penney Wilfort

Natasha Persaud

traveler

The winner of a $15 Amazon gift card is:

Annette N

Congratulations!

Please email your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review & Giveaway - - The Asheville Christmas Tradition

The Asheville Christmas Tradition

by Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott

Carolina Christmas - Book 4

Publisher: Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott

Release Date: November 1, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, but the Chambers sisters are discovering that even the happiest season has its share of surprises. Noelle, newly married to Jace and managing her own cozy art gallery, is on a mission to perfect the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting. But between stepmom duties, dreams of growing her family, and strong-willed townsfolk resisting her festive plans, Noelle’s Christmas spirit is put to the test.

Meanwhile, Angie’s working at the iconic Biltmore House, where an intriguing new curator has her second guessing both her career and her heart. And their fun-loving stepcousin Hannah is struggling with the fact that her long-term relationship has fizzled out. Will a chance meeting with a former pro hockey player who now owns the Christmas tree farm have her skating her way into a whole new life?

Once again, Christmas brings challenges and change, happiness and heartbreak, and the power of unbreakable family bonds. Join these strong, funny, and loving women as they celebrate old traditions and create a few new ones along the way.

PJ's Thoughts:

Family. Faith. Heart. Humor. Hope. Love. These are the cornerstones of The Asheville Christmas Tradition, book four in the Carolina Christmas series co-written by women's fiction authors Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, and this book. It's been a heart-tugging and heartwarming journey. There were tears but also smiles, sighs, and more than a little laughter along the way. It's my recommendation that the books be read in order.  

Scott and Holloway seamlessly blend their writing skills in this book. I would not be able to tell you which author wrote which words. They all flow together as if written in one voice. The characters are complex, interesting, and fully developed, creating bonds among the full cast of fictional characters as well as with me, the reader. I feel like I've come to know them, flaws, quirks, and all. They have realistic - and relatable - issues. They overcome challenges any of us might face. They have complicated family relationships, not always seeing eye to eye, but that family bond is strong and unbreakable. I love the support given and received among the women in this book, the lessons imparted and learned, and not only within the family. And I love the men in their lives, the committed partners who both give and receive the love, respect, and support we all should be fortunate enough to find. 

There are also romantic elements within this book that offer insight into various characters. A long-term relationship ends, an unexpected one begins, a married couple face a difficult decision, a sweet tradition offers comfort to a widow, and all three sisters - and their partners - look forward to the future with hope, joy, and love in their hearts. 

I would also like to mention the setting of the books in the Carolina Christmas series: Asheville, North Carolina. Most, if not all, of you are aware of the devastation heaped upon Asheville and the rest of Western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene. Scott and Holloway bring the beauty and unique vibe of Asheville to life in these books, all written before the storm. It's an area I love and know well, having lived within two hours of Asheville for more than twenty years. Mountain people are strong, they are resilient, and they will persevere. Of that, I have no doubt. It may take a while but they will rebuild their lives and their towns. In the meantime, they need help. Scott and Holloway have pledged to help that effort by donating a portion of the proceeds from sales of the Carolina Christmas series (all four books - all formats) to Samaritan's Purse, an organization doing critical work on the ground in Western North Carolina. To help them in this mission, I have purchased a set of the four Carolina Christmas books in print format.

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 10 will receive the set of books: The Asheville Christmas Cabin, The Asheville Christmas Gift, The Asheville Christmas Wedding, and The Asheville Christmas Tradition. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Second Chance Season

Second Chance Season

by Emily March

Lake in the Clouds - Book 3

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: November 5, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Zoey Hillcrest thought the hard part was over once she and her fiancé, Cooper, settled on a venue for their destination wedding. But as the date approaches, Zoey faces professional burnout, her estranged mother’s terminal illness, and a worrisome distance from her fiancé. When presented with an excuse to return to Colorado, she flees to the peaceful lakeside hotel to figure out what she truly wants in life.

After all the hard work Genevieve Prentice and her sister Helen McDaniel put into renovating their rustic waterfront lodge, the two finally have time to take a breath and celebrate the lives they’ve built in Lake in the Clouds, Colorado. Then a chance run-in with their latest bride turns their lives upside down. 

Helen has never laid eyes on Zoey before, but something about her feels familiar. And when the three women uncover a devastating family secret, they must make peace with the past in order to fully embrace what the future has to offer. 

PJ's Thoughts:

Emily March takes readers on another heart-tugging, emotional journey in this third book of her Lake in the Clouds series. I love the way she weaves generations together within this family, giving equal consideration to all ages. And, I especially love that the pillars of the three books are sisters with decades of life behind them. Sisters who still have a thirst for life, for adventure, and for new romantic opportunities. 

Second Chance Season brings new characters to Lake in the Clouds and into Genevieve and Helen's life, bringing unexpected revelations with them. March seamlessly weaves Zoey's journey into those of Helen, Genevieve, and their family, keeping me eagerly turning pages. All of these characters - and their stories - are compelling. March has a way of creating characters who seem so real. I feel as if I know them personally, become invested in their well being, ache when they are hurt, and cheer their happiness. 

You could read Second Chance Season as a standalone but I'm glad I read the three books in order, especially because Helen's and Genevieve's stories - as well as their sibling relationship - unfolds over the course of the three books. The emotional impact of Second Chance Season was much greater having that understanding of where they started and how far they've come. The books, in order, are: The Getaway, Balancing Act, and Second Chance Season (click the titles to read my reviews). I highly recommend all three. 

Review - - A Tribute of Fire

A Tribute of Fire

by Sariah Wilson

The Eye of the Goddess - Book 1

Publisher: Montlake

Release Date: November 1, 2024

Reviewed by Nancy

 

Lia is the princess of Locris, a dying desert nation cursed centuries ago by an earth goddess—one still worshipped by the thriving and adversarial nation of Ilion. Every year, Ilion offers the goddess a sacrifice: two Locrian maidens forced to compete in a life-and-death race to reach her temple. In a millennium, no maiden has made it out of Ilion alive. This year, Lia is one of the hunted.

An education in battle gives her a fighting chance, but the challenges are greater than she feared: Lia’s beloved but untrained sister Quynh has been put in the path of danger. The winding streets of Ilion itself have been transformed into a labyrinthine maze of countless choices and dead ends. And if the risks weren’t significant enough, Lia is reluctantly drawn to the commandingly attractive Jason, an Ilionian sailor she loathes to trust and desires like no man before.

The tribute game is on. It’s up to Lia to lift the goddess’s curse, restore Locris to its former glory, and change the fate of every young woman destined to follow in her path.

Nancy’s Thoughts:

A Tribute of Fire offers an intriguing blend of epic fantasy, action adventure, and steamy romance. The story opens with Lia, the central character, training to survive the race in Ilion. If she can reach the temple, she’ll be safe, and she’ll have a chance to save her drought-ridden, starving homeland. Legend says an artifact known as the goddess’s eye is hidden in the temple. If Lia can obtain it, she can save her people and possibly end the sacrificial tradition. While other maidens pray not to be chosen as one of the two sacrifices, she makes arrangements that will ensure she’s picked. 

Lia’s courage and determination had me rooting for her instantly. The odds against her surviving the race are staggering, but her plan is her country’s only hope. 

She has more to deal with than the race, though. She is betrothed to a prince of Ilion, so she must manage to be chosen for the race and to run it without anyone from Ilion realizing she is the prince’s betrothed. While that may seem unlikely, Wilson sets up the situation so it’s believable.

Another complication tangles Lia’s plans when she meets Jason, a handsome sailor from Ilion, in her family’s palace garden. They are both stricken with immediate and compelling attraction that has them making out in the palace garden. While this may not be a problem for some readers, it was for me. I’m not a fan of irresistible lust, and having Lia making out with this unknown guy in the garden when she knows she shouldn’t bothered me a lot. Even though she feels they’re destined for each other, she loses her head with this stranger.

Their attraction worked better for me as the story continued because Jason does a lot to help her and Quynh on the journey across the sea to Ilion. He and Lia gradually come to know each other as she seeks the goddess’s eye and he helps her, adding relationship layers that are not just physical attraction. They also meet in their dreams, in steamy, romantic scenes that are very well done.

Jason’s help is sometimes mixed, though, as when he gives Lia a cryptic warning about the dangers of a situation. Because of her military training, Lia shrugs off this warning. Instead of being more specific, which might’ve made her wary, he lets her go ahead. She runs into trouble, and that left me feeling he’d let her down.

They have a big confrontation at the end of the story, one he engineers and has known is coming for a while. Yet he does nothing in the runup to it that might sap any of her anger and, in the moment, seems not to understand her feelings of betrayal. He also has an irresistible card he can play, one he could’ve played at any time. But he didn’t. That left me wondering why he hadn’t acted sooner.

The story world is based on Greek culture, including its myths and legends. The settings are detailed enough to feel real, but Wilson skillfully avoids overwhelming the reader with descriptive detail. After I finished the book, I read the author’s note, which said the sacrifice and the race come from Greek history. I’m a history nerd, so I think that is really cool. While I was reading, though, I found the similarities to Greek myths in a story not apparently set in Greece distracting. I kept stopping to compare the similarities with the Greek myths I’d read. This also is something that may not bother other readers.

The supporting characters are primarily women, including those in Lia’s adelphia, a group like sisters. Wilson does a good job of differentiating them, and the way she builds and demonstrates their loyalty to each other is beautifully done. The other women are also well drawn and interesting, as is their closed society.

The story overall is smoothly written and moves at a good pace, and the world is well drawn. The characters are engaging, though I did have problems with some of their choices.

Despite my reservations, I recommend this book with the caveat that it does end on a cliffhanger.

3.5 stars

~Nancy

Coming Attractions - - November 2024

 

Welcome to November! For those of us in the USA, this is a month to give thanks. I have much for which to be thankful this year, including all of you wonderful reader friends who stop by the blog to say hello, share your love of books, and support me in this blogging adventure. A few of you have been here since the very first post: Monday, November 2, 2009. Who would have thought back then that I would still be here sharing my love of books FIFTEEN YEARS later? I sure didn't! As I reflect on the past decade and a half, I would like to express my gratitude to some special people. 

Special thanks go to the three extraordinary women with whom I began this adventure back in November 2009: Gannon, Buffie, and Andrea. They have all moved on to other adventures over the course of the past fifteen years but their immense contributions to the blog - and the fun we had bringing this dream to life - will never be forgotten.

Special thanks to all of the incredible women who helped us breathe life into the blog back when we had no idea what we were doing. We really were blessed with a plethora of supporters within the Romance community. Thank you, all! A special thank you to Anna Campbell and Trish Milburn who both went above and beyond to lend their names, humor, and thoughtful posts on a regular basis.

To current reviewers Hellie, Santa, and Nancy, thank you for sharing your views on many, many books over the years in thoughtful and entertaining ways. Thanks to all the authors who have visited the blog, reviewers who have graced us with your thoughts along the way, and publishers who give us the opportunity to read books early and discover new - and new to us - authors.

A very special thank you to Janga, a woman I was honored and blessed to call friend. Everyone deserves a book friend like Janga. Fittingly, we met on an internet site because of a shared favorite author: Eloisa James. Janga created many of the most insightful, thoughtful, most beautifully written reviews I've ever read and introduced me to some of my favorite authors, including Julie Anne Long and Anne Gracie. Writing the blog's Just Between Us feature with Janga was the most fun I've had on this fifteen-year journey. I wish we'd had time to do more of them. She's with the angels now but still lives in my heart and through her beautiful posts in the blog's archives.

Finally, thank you to you, the readers who choose to stop by the Facebook page, Instagram, and/or the blog each day. You're the reason I do this. I love sharing my love of the written word, especially written words filled with hope, love, and happy endings. So, thank you to those who have stuck with me since the beginning and thanks to all of you who have hopped on the train along the way. Here's to many more years of good books, good fun, and good friends!

We kick off the month on Monday, November 4 with Nancy's review of A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson, book one in Wilson's epic fantasy The Eye of the Goddess series.

Wednesday, November 6 brings a review of Second Chance Season by Emily March. This third book in Emily March's Lake in the Clouds series brings family drama, heartwarming hopefulness, and all the feels. 

Don't miss my review of The Asheville Christmas Tradition by Hope Holloway and Cecelia Scott on Thursday, November 7. I have a special giveaway to go along with my review of this heartwarming, uplifting fourth book in their Carolina Christmas series. 

What's more fun than puppies? Join me on Friday, November 8 for a review and giveaway of Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction, a second-chance romance by Shannon Richard. 

Monday, November 11 takes us back to medieval times with a review and giveaway of All the Painted Stars, a queer historical romance by Emma Denny.  The first book in this series, One Night in Hartswood, really touched my heart (click to read my review). 

Lizzie Shane wraps up her heartwarming Pine Hollow series with a new story about frenemies who go head-to-head in a reality cooking show with bragging rights - and possibly their hearts - on the line. I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts about Like Cats & Dogs on Tuesday, November 12. 

Hellie joins us on Monday, November 18 with a review and giveaway of Her Knight at the Museum by Bryn Donovan. I'm eager to hear what Hellie has to say about this medieval knight brought to life in present-day Chicago.  

Stop by Thursday, November 14 for a tour review of A Skye Full of Stars by Sue Moorcroft. This second book in Moorcroft's The Skye Sisters Trilogy has me ready to book a holiday trip to Scotland!

Don't miss our next Coastal Magic Spotlight on Friday, November 15 when I host western romcom author Dakota Lacoy! I just finished reading My Bold Texan, book one in Lacoy's The Bradford Brothers of Honky Tonk, Texas series. Humorous. Heartwarming. So much fun!

We're back in the bakery with Jamie Wesley's second book in her Sugar Blitz series: A Legend in the Baking. I thoroughly enjoyed Wesley's debut (Fake it Till You Bake it - click to read my review) and am looking forward to this new one. Football players in the kitchen? Making cupcakes? Yes, please! Join me for my review of A Legend in the Baking on Wednesday, November 20.

Santa returns on Thursday, November 21 with a review (and giveaway) of The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews, book four in Matthews' Belles of London historical romance series. 

Friday, November 22 brings a review of Duchess Material by Emily Sullivan, a second-chance historical romance with a touch of intrigue. 

A spicy, time-travel, hockey, marriage-of-convenience romance? Sign me up! Join me on Monday, November 25 for a review of Puck and Prejudice by Lia Riley. I cannot wait to dive into this one!

Rounding out the month on Tuesday, November 26 will be Hellie's review of Fortune's Holiday Surprise by Jennifer Wilck, a western, Hanukkah romance. 

What are you thankful for this month?

What books are you looking forward to reading?

What types of romances do you read? Historical? Contemporary? Paranormal/Fantasy? RomCom? Romantic Suspense? Women's Fiction? Inspirational? Sports? Queer? Inquiring minds (me) want to know. 

Also, just because I'm curious, when did you discover The Romance Dish? 

Five randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, November 6 will each receive a book from my book stash. 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 6 will receive a $15 Amazon gift card. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18